A senior US official on Friday criticized the last nuclear treaty between Russia and the United States for failing to include Beijing, speaking at the United Nations a day after the New Start deal expired. Campaigners have warned that the expiry, which ended decades of restrictions on how many warheads Russia and the United States deploy, could encourage China to expand its own arsenal. The New Start treaty ended at the turn of the calendar on February 5, after Trump did not follow up on Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin’s proposal to extend warhead limits in the agreement for one year. Russia and the United States together control more than 80% of the world’s nuclear warheads, but arms agreements have been withering away. New Start, first signed in 2010, limited each side’s nuclear arsenal to 1,550 deployed strategic warheads -- a reduction of nearly 30% from the previous limit set in 2002.

Six platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed in the Kakrail Mosque and Hotel InterContinental areas on Friday to strengthen security around Jamuna, the official residence of the chief adviser, according to a BGB statement. The deployment came as government employees staged a protest surrounding Jamuna, demanding the gazette notification and immediate implementation of the ninth national pay scale based on the recommendations of the Ninth Pay Commission. Around 11:15am, protesters broke through police barricades on the road adjacent to Hotel InterContinental and gathered at the entrance of Jamuna, chanting slogans. Police later fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. Protesters warned that they would not leave the area until the ninth pay scale is officially gazetted and said they would continue their demonstration throughout the day if the government fails to act.

The talks are the first between the two foes since the United States joined Israel’s war with Iran in June with strikes on nuclear sites. Iranian state media reported the talks had begun, with Araghchi saying Tehran maintains “full readiness to defend the country’s sovereignty and national security against any excessive demands or adventurism” by the United States. “Iran enters diplomacy with open eyes and a steady memory of the past year. With the American threats of military action still looming, the United States has maneuvered a naval group led by aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln into the region. The Wall Street Journal cited a source as saying that the head of US military forces in the Middle East would join the latest talks.

This agreement ensures duty-free access for 97% of Bangladeshi exports, including garments, while deliberately excluding Japanese automobiles from duty-free entry. Japan is already our largest Asian export destination, with shipments worth around $2 billion annually. Yet, the fact that Japanese investment in Bangladesh remains modest, at about $500 million, means there is untapped potential there and the EPA provides the framework to change that. With 97 service sub-sectors opened to Japan, and 120 reciprocated by Tokyo, the scope for collaboration extends far beyond RMG and into ICT, logistics, healthcare, and renewable energy. If we can match ambition with effective facilitation, this partnership with Japan could be just the first step of our post-LDC growth story.

According to the Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF), at least 21 people were killed in mob attacks in January alone, double the toll of December. We must also state that the interim government’s apathy and inaction in the face of such carnage have only emboldened these perpetrators. Over the past year and a half, they have all but failed to enforce accountability - and it has allowed mob justice to thrive. As such, the incoming government must treat mob violence as a national priority. The normalization of mob justice is arguably the present administration’s greatest failure.

According to the manifesto, the core philosophy of state governance under BNP will be humanity, justice, and economic inclusion. ‘Family Card’ for marginalized familiesAs a key commitment, BNP pledged to introduce a “Family Card” to provide protection for marginalized and low-income families. Sports, environment, and climateTo develop sports as a profession and a source of livelihood, BNP pledged to expand sports infrastructure and training facilities at district and upazila levels. In expanding the digital economy, BNP pledged to introduce the international payment system PayPal, establish regional e-commerce hubs, and boost exports of “Made in Bangladesh” products. The manifesto announcement program was presided over by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and moderated by party Standing Committee member and Election Steering Committee Chair Nazrul Islam Khan.

He made these remarks while presiding over the closing ceremony of the 1st and 2nd batches of foundational training organized to develop the professional skills of university teachers. He urged teachers to be conscious of how they are perceived by their students and to play an active role in transforming students' lives. The training was organized under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project, which is currently being implemented by the UGC. Other speakers at the event included HEAT Project Director Professor Dr. Asaduzzaman, Course Director Professor Dr. Sirajul Islam, and Professor Dr. Jahir Raihan. Senior officials from the UGC, BOU, and the HEAT project were also in attendance.

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 06, 2026 (BSS) - The government is going to deploy 657 judicial magistrates across all 300 constituencies for five days to maintain law and order and facilitate a free, fair and peaceful election scheduled for February 12. A Law and Justice Division gazette notification dated February 5 said the magistrates will be deployed to take cognizance under sub-section (1) of Section 190 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, of election-related offences falling under Articles 73(2B), 74(2A), (3), (4), (5) and (6), 78, 79, 80, 81(1) and 82, as specified in Article 89A of the Representation of the People Order, 1972 (P.O. 155 of 1972), and to complete their trial through a summary procedure. They will remain deployed from February 10 to 14, a total of five days. The gazette further said that 657 judges of the Bangladesh Judicial Service have been nominated and placed at the disposal of the Election Commission Secretariat for appointment as first-class magistrates.

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 06, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh has secured encouraging business prospects at Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris Spring/Feb 2026, held on 2-4 February, with strong interest from international buyers in Bangladeshi apparel and textile products. They, too, reported expected engagement with international buyers, fruitful business discussions, and promising potential for follow-up collaboration, further strengthening Bangladesh's presence in the European apparel sourcing market. Khondker M. Talha, Ambassador of Bangladesh to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, inaugurated the 'Bangladesh Pavilion' on 2 February 2026 at Texworld. Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris continues to be one of the world's leading sourcing platforms for fashion textiles and apparel, attracting global buyers, brands, and sourcing professionals. The successful outcome of Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris Feb 2026 reaffirms Bangladesh's position as a reliable and competitive sourcing destination for global apparel buyers and highlight the importance of continued participation in international exhibitions/trade fairs to expand export opportunities and market diversification.

DHAKA, Feb 06, 2026 (BSS) – In a landmark milestone for bilateral relations, Bangladesh and Japan today officially signed the ‘Economic Partnership Agreement’ (EPA) in Tokyo. This marks the first time Bangladesh has signed an EPA with anycountry, signaling a new era of bilateral cooperation, said a press release here. Under the EPA, Bangladesh will receive significant advantages in both goods and services trade. Bangladesh will reciprocate by expanding its market for Japan, providing duty-free or preferential access to 1,039 Japanese products in a phased manner. The EPA is expected to significantly increase Japanese Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Bangladesh, particularly in manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, and logistics.

MUSCAT, Oman, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US special envoy Steve Witkoff has spearheaded talks on Gaza and Ukraine, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is Iran's face abroad. Witkoff and Araghchi met at those discussions, which also took place in Oman. - Araghchi: Iran's career diplomat -A career diplomat and key architect of a now-defunct 2015 nuclear accord, Araghchi will be pushing the United States to lift its sanctions on Iran. The 63-year-old, who hails from a family of carpet traders, is fluent in English and has a long career spanning multiple roles in Iran's foreign ministry. Following the 1979 Islamic revolution, Araghchi joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

WASHINGTON, United States, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump on Thursday posted an election conspiracy video that depicted former president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle as monkeys, drawing condemnation from prominent Democrats. Near the end of a one-minute-long video posted on Trump's Truth Social platform, the Obamas are shown with their faces on monkeys for about one second. The video repeats false allegations that ballot-counting company Dominion Voting Systems helped steal the 2020 election from Trump. Now," Newsom's press office account posted on X.Ben Rhodes, a former top national security advisor and close confidant to Barack Obama, also condemned the imagery. Last year, he posted an AI video of Barack Obama being arrested in the Oval Office and appearing behind bars in an orange jumpsuit.

WASHINGTON, United States, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Top US military officer General Dan Caine met with Rodolphe Haykal this week, a spokesman said Thursday, after a previously planned visit by the Lebanese army commander to Washington was scrapped. Haykal was scheduled to visit Washington in November 2025, but the trip was called off after US political and military officials canceled their meetings with him just hours before he was scheduled to depart, a military source told AFP at the time. Those who canceled included influential Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who at the time slammed what he said was Haykal's "almost non-existent effort to disarm Hezbollah." On Thursday, Graham said on X he had abruptly cut their meeting short after asking Haykal whether the Lebanese military considered Hezbollah to be "a terrorist organization." The Lebanese military announced last month that it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm the militant group, covering the area between the Israeli border and the Litani River.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has postponed its Dhaka divisional rally in Naya Paltan, which was scheduled for Sunday. Instead, the party Chairman, Tarique Rahman, will address election rallies in various Dhaka constituencies on Sunday and Monday. The announcement was made on Friday, at a press conference held by the BNP’s student wing at the party’s central office. Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi confirmed the change. Rizvi had earlier announced the rally on Thursday but said the decision was revised during a top-level party meeting.

DHAKA, Feb 6, 2026 (BSS) - Six platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed in areas surrounding Kakrail Mosque and Hotel InterContinental in the capital to strengthen security around the State Guest House Jamuna. The deployment aims to strengthen overall law and order and prevent any untoward incidents in this high-importance zone, according to a short message of the BGB. BGB personnel have taken up strategic positions in the area and are working in coordination with other law enforcement agencies. Authorities stated that the security arrangement is precautionary and part of routine measures taken during sensitive periods.