Economists and policymakers have called for timely and business-friendly reforms in the supplementary and excise duty structure to remove obstacles to investment and business expansion. Syed Mushfequr Rahman said: “We do not want to encourage excessively high tax rates, but revenue collection must also be ensured. He added that further in-depth analysis would be undertaken in the next phase of the research to recommend a more effective and contemporary excise duty structure. Hafiz Choudhury, principal, The M Group, Inc, who joined virtually, questioned whether the current NBR framework is capable of ensuring fair and rational excise duty assessment. Currently, a discriminatory excise duty system exists, where imported goods are taxed at higher rates than domestic products.

Despite the ongoing global economic slowdown and various uncertainties, Bangladesh's export sector has returned to a positive trend. In January 2026, the country's export earnings recorded a growth of 11.22% compared to the previous month, which is the highest monthly growth in recent times. Sector stakeholders see this growth as a reflection of the demand and competitiveness of Bangladeshi garments in the global market. In addition to ready-made garments, the leather and leather products, jute and jute products, home textiles, plastic products, and light engineering sectors also achieved positive growth on both monthly and annual basis. Exports to Germany amounted to $2,852.20 million and to the United Kingdom $2,779.52 million.

Seif al-Islam Kadhafi, the son of Libya's late longtime ruler, was killed Tuesday by gunmen who stormed his home in western Libya's Zintan, his French lawyer Marcel Ceccaldi told AFP. "He was killed today at 1200 GMT... in Zintan in his home by a four-man commando," Ceccaldi said. Seif al-Islam, 53, had been seen by some as his father's successor, despite being targeted by a warrant from the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity. His adviser, Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim, told Libya's Al-Ahrar television channel that the four unidentified men had stormed the home before "disabling surveillance cameras, then executed him". Ceccaldi said that a close associate of Seif al-Islam had told him days ago "that there were problems with his security".

Bangladesh has called for renewed global solidarity and people-centred policies to advance social development and social justice. The Bangladesh permanent representative also highlighted the government's holistic development approach with a strong focus on rural development, women’s empowerment, youth development, social protection, climate resilience and inclusive finance. Bangladesh also called for strengthened international support for debt relief, disaster response, and protection of persons subjected to displacement due to persecution. The sixty-fourth session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD64) is being held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from February 2-10. Bangladesh is a member of the Commission for 2023-2027.

A Bangabhaban official has been detained in connection with the hacking of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account. According to Jamaat, Dr Shafiqur Rahman’s X account was hacked after 4pm on January 31, and an objectionable post was published at 4:37pm. Jamaat alleged that its investigation found phishing emails were sent to multiple official email addresses, including a central official account, allowing control of the device to be compromised. The phishing email was reportedly sent from a government email address linked to Bangabhaban. The party said it approached Bangabhaban directly to lodge a complaint after receiving no response from the authorities following the incident.

The government has cancelled the appointment of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) Md Shafiqur Rahman, following his arrest in a case over the abuse of a house help. Dr Humaira Sultana, additional secretary (Biman and Civil Aviation) of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, has been assigned to perform the duties of the airline’s MD until a new MD is appointed, according to an office order issued by the ministry on Tuesday. The order said Shafiqur Rahman’s contractual appointment was revoked as he is currently in jail on criminal charges. It added that in the interest of ensuring efficient and effective management of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Dr Humaira has been given charge as the new managing director and CEO until further notice. A Dhaka court on Monday sent them to jail in the case.

Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury spoke at the annual meeting of the UNDP Executive Board at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Tuesday. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh has reaffirmed its strong commitment to multilateralism, pledging close cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme to advance development priorities aligned with national goals. The ambassador stressed the need for continued and predictable international support as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category. Bangladesh expressed its support for ongoing UN reforms, while stressing the need to preserve UNDP's delivery mandate and country programmes. Ambassador Chowdhury congratulated the new UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo on assuming office and reaffirmed Bangladesh's full support for his leadership.

Bangladesh Permanent Representative Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury addressed the sixty-fourth session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD64) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Tuesday. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh has called for renewed global solidarity and people-centred policies to advance social development and social justice, stressing the need for inclusive, compassionate societies with equal opportunities for all. The envoy highlighted Bangladesh's holistic development approach, with a strong focus on rural development, women's empowerment, youth development, social protection, climate resilience and inclusive finance. The sixty-fourth session of the Commission for Social Development is being held at the UN Headquarters in New York from February 2 to 10, 2026. Bangladesh is serving as a member of the Commission for the 2023-2027 term.

DHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - Upholding the spirit of the 1952 Language Movement, a six-day film festival titled "Amar Bhashar Chalachitra-1432" (Cinema of My Language) began today at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University. Dhaka University Film Society (DUFS) is hosting the fest with the cooperation of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Jaaz, Bangladesh Film Archive and Chotki. The festival is being held at the beginning of February, to mark the month of 1952 Language Movement, as part of its annual tradition and will continue until February 8. A total of 23 films are scheduled to be screened at the festival, including 20 feature-length films and three short films. According to the organisers, this year's selection reflects a blend of the ideals of the Language Movement, social realities, political discourse and human stories.

DHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - A moderate earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Minbu, Myanmar, tonight, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said. The epicentre of the tremor was recorded at latitude 20.46øÿN and longitude 93.95øÿE, approximately 521ÿkm south-east of the BMD Seismic Centre in Agargaon, Dhaka, according to an official BMD bulletin. The seismic event occurred at 9:34ÿpm local time and lasted for a few seconds, the BMD's Seismic Observatory and Research Centre said.

Photo: BSSBAGERHAT, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held an election rally in Gotapara Union of Bagerhat Sadar Upazila today, where its leaders pledged to work for the eradication of corruption, terrorism and extortion from society. The rally was held this afternoon at Balur Field, adjacent to Depara Bazar in Gotapara Union. It was organized by Sheikh Manjurul Haque Rahad, the nominated candidate of the 11-party alliance for the Bagerhat-2 constituency. Barkat Ali, Amir of Gotapara Union Jamaat-e-Islami, and moderated by Md. "We will mix corruption with the soil and eliminate terrorism and extortion," he said, alleging that a group of opponents is spreading false propaganda to obstruct these goals.

When thinking about the Swedish pop scene or Broadway, one rarely conjures Chess. In New York City, it is currently hard to forget that Chess is on. The city billboards not occupied by Zohran Mamdani’s friendly smile are mostly selling passersby on the power trio of Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher. Aaron Tveit delivers a quintessential Aaron Tveit performance, truly shining in the second act. Like most Broadway shows, it is, undoubtedly, an evening well-spent, but, after all the choreography and costume work, it stops just short of transcendence.

DHAKA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - The Holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune, was observed throughout the country on Tuesday night with due religious fervour and devotion. On the occasion, Islamic Foundation chalked out programmes at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque here. The foundation held waz (religious sermons), doa-mahfil, special prayers, recitation from the Holy Quran and Hamd-Naat at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Tuesday night. Besides, religious sermons marking the Shab-e-Barat were delivered at different mosques after Maghrib prayers, alongside holding special munajat after Isha prayers across the country. On the occasion, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus issued a message greeting all Muslims of the country and elsewhere across the world.

Nuruzzaman Badol- Photo: collectedSHERPUR, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - General Secretary of Sherpur District unit of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the party-nominated candidate for Sherpur-3 constituency Nuruzzaman Badol passed away in the early hours of today. Sherpur district Jamaat Ameer Maulana Hafizur Rahman confirmed the matter, saying that Badol breathed his last at around 3:00 am today. He was immediately taken to Shribordi Upazila Health Complex. He was later taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital where on-duty doctors declared him dead. Masud, the deceased's brother, said the first Namaz-e-Janaza will be held at Sherpur Poura Eidgah ground, while the second Namaz-e-Janaza will take place at Shribordi Upazila College ground.

Shooter Rahim placed on five-day remand over Musabbir killingDHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - A Dhaka court today granted a five-day remand of Md. Rahim, the alleged shooter in the killing of Azizur Rahman Musabbir, former general secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan North unit of Swechchhasebak Dal. The investigation officer requested a seven-day remand to conduct a thorough probe, but Metropolitan Magistrate Arifur Rahman approved a five-day remand. Sub-Inspector Arifur Rahman, officer-in-charge of the General Registration Branch of Tejgaon Police Station Court, confirmed the matter to BSS. Following the incident, his wife, Suraiya Begum, filed a murder case with Tejgaon Police Station against four to five unidentified suspects.