Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - The government today approved separate proposals for procuring some 2.10 lakh metric tons of fertilizer from various sources to meet the country’s agricultural demand during the upcoming crop seasons. It also endorsed proposals for importing 30,000 metric tons of TSP fertilizer each under the 17th and 18th lots from the same supplier OCP Nutricrops, Morocco costing Taka 184.53 crore per lot. Besides, the committee recommended importing 40,000 metric tons of DAP fertilizer under the first lot of 2026 from MA’ADEN of Saudi Arabia at a cost of Taka 323.92 crore. In addition, proposals for importing 30,000 metric tons of bagged granular urea fertilizer from KAFCO, Bangladesh, with around Taka 153.08 crore and 40,000 metric tons of bulk granular urea fertilizer from SABIC Agri-nutrients Company of Saudi Arabia with around Taka 205.31 crore were also approved. Officials said the fertilizer imports would help ensure uninterrupted supply to farmers and support food security.

DHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - The holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune, will be observed throughout the country tonight with due religious fervour and devotion. On this occasion, Islamic Foundation has chalked out programmes at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque here. The foundation will hold waz (religious sermons), doa-mahfil, special prayers, recitation from the Holy Quran and Hamd-Naat at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque this evening. Besides, religious sermons centering the Shab-e-Barat will be delivered at different mosques after Maghrib prayers alongside holding special munajat after Isha prayers tomorrow in the country. On the occasion, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has issued a message greeting all Muslims of the country and elsewhere across the world.

DUBAI, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Spain will seek to ban social media for under-16s to protect them from harmful content such as pornography and violence, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday, in the latest such move by governments. "Spain will ban access to social media for minors under the age of 16. Platforms will be required to implement effective age verification systems, not just checkboxes, but real barriers that work," Sanchez told a summit in Dubai. Sanchez had broached a social media ban for under-16s in November, but fleshed out his idea on Tuesday in a package of five measures to be approved "starting next week". Spain has joined Denmark, Greece and France in leading a push for similar action across the European Union.

Photo : BSSBARISHAL, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - Equipment and indigenous breed calves were distributed among registered beneficiary fishermen in Barishal district on Tuesday under the project titled “Conservation and Development of Indigenous Fish and Snails” for the fiscal year 2025–26. The distribution programme was held at the Fisheries Training Center in Kashipur area of Sadar upazila at 10:00 am. A total of 60 indigenous breed calves were handed over to the beneficiary fishermen to support alternative income-generating activities. Senior Assistant Director of the District Fisheries Department Sameer Kumar Basak, along with other officials of the fisheries department, was also present. The programme was organized by the district headquarters office of the Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer with the aim of improving the livelihoods of fishermen through diversified employment opportunities.

Mango buds are in bloom, and their sweet fragrance is taking over Meherpur. Photo: BSSMEHERPUR, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - The sweet fragrance of mango buds is filling the air across Meherpur, signaling the arrival of spring as mango orchards burst into early signs of life. While buds have already appeared on most cultivated mango varieties, wild mango trees are yet to bloom. Sanjeev Mridha, Deputy Director of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said mango buds develop in three stages. According to official data, mango orchards cover 2,361 hectares of land in Meherpur district.

Iran president says talks with US to proceed within 'national interests'TEHRAN, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed on Tuesday that he had ordered the start of nuclear talks with the United States, after his counterpart Donald Trump threatened "bad things" if no deal was reached. "I have instructed my Minister of Foreign Affairs, provided that a suitable environment exists -- one free from threats and unreasonable expectations -- to pursue fair and equitable negotiations," Pezeshkian said in a post on X. The talks will be held "within the framework of our national interests", he said. US President Trump has said he remains hopeful that Washington will "work something out" with Iran, but warned on Monday that "bad things would happen" if no deal is reached. In an interview with CNN broadcast on Monday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a nuclear deal with the US was achievable.

MOSCOW, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Kremlin warned on Tuesday that the world was heading into a "dangerous" moment as the last US-Russia nuclear treaty is set to expire this week. "In just a few days, the world will be in a more dangerous position than it has ever been before," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, days before the New START treaty is due to lapse. The Kremlin, which has offered to extend some of the terms, added that the world's top two nuclear powers "will be left without a fundamental document that would limit and control these arsenals."

Bangladesh’s earnings from goods and services exports have fallen for the sixth month in a row compared with the same period a year earlier. The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) released the updated report on Monday, showing a fractional decrease of $22.3 million year-on-year. This performance contrasts sharply with the first seven months of FY25, which saw a robust growth of 11.68 per cent. The primary driver of the export basket, the ready-made garment industry, brought in $3.61 billion this January, down 1.35 per cent from the $3.66 billion earned a year earlier. Bangladesh exported $48.28 billion worth of goods and services in the first seven months of FY25.

MOULVIBAZAR, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) – Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered a large quantity of explosives and weapons in an overnight raid at the Baralekha frontier here today. Lt Col Md Ataur Rahman Sujan, commander of BGB’s Beanibazar Battalion, said a BGB team, acting on a tip-off, recovered the explosives and weapons from the Taradaram area in the early hours of the day. Sensing the presence of BGB personnel, the smugglers fled the scene, leaving behind the explosives and weapons. The commander said legal action and an investigation in this connection are underway.

Is there anything I can do to get the same weight-loss reduction motivation without yet again paying for a program that is just basically a weekly public weigh-in? – Card QuestionDear Card Question: I don’t think it’s weird. I also recommend joining the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and attending meetings in person or online. It is a process to find ways to cope with hearing loss itself and to cope with the feelings of shame and negativity. These people can share their stories with “Hearing Loss” and help the letter writer to find a place of peace within.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman addressed a party election rally as the chief guest at Katiadi Government College ground this morning. Photo: BSSKISHOREGANJ, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman today said agriculture in Kishoreganj would be transformed into an industry, stressing that development planning for the district must be centered on its agrarian character. If anyone tries to cause harm, they will not be spared.”Emphasizing the need to ensure a free, fair and neutral electoral environment, the Jamaat Ameer said no obstacle or irregularity would be tolerated in the exercise of voting rights. On foreign policy, Shafiqur said Bangladesh would maintain good relations with friendly countries but would not accept any foreign dominance. At the rally, Shafiqur distributed election symbols among candidates of the 11-party alliance, including Jamaat, contesting in six parliamentary constituencies of Kishoregan.

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