AI, manipulated images falsely link some US politicians with EpsteinWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Using AI-created or manipulated images, social media users have sought to falsely associate prominent US politicians such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, researchers said Tuesday. However, conservative social media users circulated three images that purported to show Epstein posing with Mamdani, who appears as a child. - Online fakery -Also circulating on social media was a screenshot of an email purportedly sent by Haley -- a former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador -- to Epstein. Online fakery has previously sought to ensnare other leading politicians in the Epstein scandal. Last year, as Mark Carney became a candidate for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada, social media images purported to show him with Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Remittances to Mexico drop for the first time in 11 yearsMEXICO CITY, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Remittances sent home by Mexicans living abroad declined for the first time in 11 years in 2025, official data showed Tuesday, a phenomenon analysts said was likely due to a drop in migration to the United States. Money sent home to their families from Mexicans living in the United States has traditionally made up about 95 percent of remittances -- which totaled some $61.8 billion last year. He said the trend coincided with a drop in Mexican migration to the United States. In Mexico, Latin America's second-largest economy after Brazil, remittances in 2024 were equal to 3.5 percent of GDP. In 2025, the country's economy had its worst performance since the Covid-19 pandemic, growing 0.7 percent year-on-year as trade tensions with the United States took a toll.

SAO PAULO, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A bus returning from a religious festival in northeast Brazil veered off the road on a curve and overturned on Tuesday, killing at least 16 people, including four children, officials said. The bus had been carrying about 60 people when it tipped over in the rural interior of Alagoas state, ejecting some passengers while others were trapped underneath the wreckage. "I express my solidarity with the families and friends at this time of such great pain," Dantas wrote on X. Deadly road accidents are frequent in Brazil. In October last year 17 people died in northeast Brazil, in the state of Pernambuco, when a driver lost control of a bus.

TOKYO, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Japanese energy firm JERA said Tuesday it had agreed a 27-year deal to buy gas from Qatar, as Tokyo comes under pressure to reduce Russian imports while ensuring enough supplies for power-hungry data centres and AI. JERA said it signed a long-term agreement with QatarEnergy to purchase 3.0 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually for 27 years from 2028. Japan is also facing a predicted rise in electricity demand from power-hungry data centres for use in artificial intelligence technologies. The administration of President Donald Trump has also encouraged Japan to buy more US energy and to reduce purchases of Russian gas. And in September the firm said it would consider buying LNG from a mooted major gas project in Alaska that has been championed by Trump.

TOKYO, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Japan warned of possible avalanches in the country's northern regions on Wednesday as the mercury suddenly rose after two weeks of extreme snowfall that paralysed traffic and collapsed houses. "We ask affected residents to be careful and stay mindful of falling snow and avalanches," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki said at a press briefing. Many of the cases involve mounds of snow falling on residents from houses or people tumbling from their roofs while trying to clear it. Television images showed residents walking along narrow paths carved between massive walls of snow, standing twice as high as people. Weather forecasters warn that cold weather will return from the weekend and bring further snow to northern cities.

BEIJING, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Beijing accused the European Union on Wednesday of taking "discriminatory" measures after the bloc opened an investigation into Chinese clean energy giant Goldwind over concerns the firm unfairly benefitted from state subsidies. Goldwind is one of the world's biggest wind turbine suppliers, and is looking to boost growth overseas, bringing it into competition with Western companies. China's foreign ministry said Wednesday the probe amounted to protectionism and threatened future Chinese investments in Europe. "The EU's frequent use of unilateral trade tools and its discriminatory and restrictive measures against Chinese companies send protectionist signals," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular press conference. The probe would also "affect the confidence of Chinese companies in investing in Europe", he added.

File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has urged all officials and employees involved in the election process to remain alert against fraudsters ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. According to a press release, a group of fraudsters has been trying to collect Bkash numbers from election officials by promising election-related honoraria. The fraudsters have been making calls using two numbers: 01342046232 and 01612677074. The EC confirmed that all officials involved in the elections will receive their honoraria through their respective presiding officers as per the rules. The Commission has specifically urged all officials not to respond to calls from fraudsters and to remain vigilant against such incidents.

China, flexing muscle in a trade war launched by Trump, last year tightened its supply chain for rare earths, sending shivers through the global economy. China -- which mines some 60 percent of the world's rare earths and processes around 90 percent -- offered the United States a one-year reprieve in a deal with Trump in October. On Monday he unveiled "Project Vault," which aims to stockpile critical minerals and effectively anything else needed by US industry. "We're not just doing certain minerals and rare earths. The European Union, which has seen persistent friction with Trump, hopes to seek a formal agreement on rare earths with the United States.

ABU DHABI, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States were set to gather in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, seeking to advance fraught talks on how to end the four-year war. The Russian delegation has already touched down in Abu Dhabi, according to Russian state media, though it was unclear if US and Ukrainian delegates had arrived. At a previous round of talks in Abu Dhabi last month, the US team was led by President Donald Trump's ubiquitous envoy Steve Witkoff. Russia, which occupies around 20 percent of its neighbour, has threatened to take the rest of the Donetsk region if talks fail. Following the first round of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi last month, Ukrainians were doubtful any deal could be struck with Moscow.

HONG KONG, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Stocks mostly rose Wednesday as investors brushed off another tech-fuelled sell-off on Wall Street, while precious metals continued their recovery on dip-buying following a two-day collapse. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Wellington, Taipei and Bangkok rose but Tokyo, Manila and Mumbai slipped. The greenback had been taking a battering for most of last week on worries Trump was happy to have a weaker currency. Oil prices rose after it emerged a US fighter jet had taken out an Iranian drone that approached an aircraft carrier Tuesday. However, lawmakers now have just two weeks to negotiate a full-year Department for Homeland Security bill.

SINGAPORE, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Southeast Asia offered the biggest growth potential for global air travel, Boeing said on Wednesday as it forecast demand for almost 5,000 new aircraft in the region over the next 20 years. "This is a growth market and Southeast Asia actually leads the world in terms of regional growth potential," he told a briefing during the Singapore Airshow. "A growing middle class and strong tourism demand are driving this rise in air travel across the region's domestic and international routes," he told journalists. Southeast Asia is a vast region where air connections play a vital role, particularly in archipelagic nations such as Indonesia. Regionally "air travel continues to be the most efficient way to connect people and places", Hulst said.

X Index Companies has officially rebranded as XIC, marking a strategic pivot toward its "Vision 2050" roadmap. The new identity was unveiled at the Westin Dhaka, signaling a transition from an established, progressing conglomerate to a modern, research-driven organization. Chairman Architect Md Mazherul Quader stated that the transformation is about "preparing the organization to responsibly serve future generations while honoring a five-decade legacy." During the event, Mazherul Quader was formally introduced as chief advisor & chairman emeritus of XIC. Managing Director Mahin Mazher emphasized that the new name reflects a shift in how the group operates.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has clarified that the rate of tax at source on profits earned from investments up to Tk5 lakh in savings certificates is 5%. At the same time, it has been informed that no tax at source will be applicable on profits from pensioner savings certificates up to Tk5 lakh, as before. For a long time, savings certificate investors have been complaining that in many cases, tax at source is being deducted at 10% even on interest on investments up to Tk5 lakh. Currently, there are four types of savings certificates in operation under the National Savings Department—Family Savings Certificate, Pensioner Savings Certificate, Five-Year Bangladesh Savings Certificate, and Quarterly Profit-Based Savings Certificate. Of these, Family Savings Certificate is reserved only for women, while the remaining three types of savings certificates can be invested in by individuals and various institutions.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought urgent financial assistance along with policy support, citing that the country's readymade garment (RMG) industry is in deep crisis due to global economic instability and various internal adversities. BGMEA leaders raised these demands in an emergency meeting with Finance Division secretary Md Khayeruzzaman Majumder on Tuesday. At the meeting, BGMEA leaders said that the RMG industry is currently under extreme pressure due to the global recession, reduced purchase orders, increased production costs and falling product prices. Due to these adversities, about 400 garment factories have closed in the past one year. In the meeting, BGMEA leaders demanded the immediate settlement of pending cash assistance applications in Lien Bank and Bangladesh Bank and release of funds.

Rajshahi University (RU) will observe a two-day holiday on February 11 and 12 in line with government holiday directives on the occasion of the national election and referendum. Besides, the university administration has directed all departments to suspend examinations from February 9 to 15. Professor Akhtar Hossain Majumder, Administrator of the RU Public Relations Office, confirmed the matter on Tuesday. However, no decision has been taken regarding classes or any additional holidays, he added. Earlier, the government also announced a special holiday for workers and employees in industrial areas on February 10.