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February 03, 2026 11:31 UTC
TEHRAN, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A massive fire broke out Tuesday at a bazaar west of the Iranian capital, state media reported, although the cause of the blaze was unclear. The fire had "so far resulted in no injuries", said Mohammad Behnia, operations commander of Tehran emergency services. The fire erupted at a market in the Jannat Abad neighbourhood in Tehran's west, an area filled with stalls and shops, state TV quoted a spokesman for Tehran's fire department as saying. "The fire is extensive, to the extent that it is visible from various parts of Tehran," Jalal Maleki said. State TV said firefighters were immediately dispatched to the site to contain the blaze.
DHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - All financial institutions will remain closed on 11 and 12 February on the occasion of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. Bangladesh Bank (BB) today issued a circular to this end. The circular stated that in line with a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on 25 January, government holidays have been declared on 11 and 12 February in observance of the election and referendum. Accordingly, all financial institutions operating in Bangladesh will remain closed on those two days, it added. Bangladesh Bank issued this directive under the Bank Company Act.
Mahdi Amin said BNP consistently advocated reforms even during years of repression under what he termed authoritarian rule. He also cited a 2014 proposal by BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman for a 5% quota to promote merit-based recruitment. Tarique Rahman’s campaign scheduleHe announced that BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman will visit Barishal and Faridpur on Wednesday as part of his election campaign. Allegations of disinformationMahdi Amin alleged that at least 29 false and misleading claims targeting Tarique Rahman have circulated over the past week. BNP has formally requested the Election Commission not to assign BNCC cadets election duties.
DHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - Spirited Bangladesh under-19 women’s national football team will face Nepal in their third match of SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship scheduled to be held at Pokhara Rangasala Stadium in Pokhara, Nepal tomorrow (Wednesday). Bangladesh women who are one step away from the final, needs only a draw against Nepal to confirm their spot of final of the championship. Nepal and India are second and third position fourth position in the table with three points each. The top two teams will play the final scheduled to be held on February 7 at the same venue. Earlier, the girls in red and green following thrashed Bhutan 12-0 in their opening match and defeated India 2-0 in their second match.
US-Iran meetings likely to take place in Turkey on Feb. 6: Arab official to AFPDUBAI, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Meetings between the United States and Iran are likely to take place in Turkey on 6 February, an Arab official told AFP on Tuesday, after Tehran called for the restart of nuclear talks and Washington warned of consequences if a deal was not reached. "A meeting between US negotiators and senior Iranian officials was likely to take place on Friday in Turkey," the official said on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks. "The potential meeting had been arranged following interventions by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Oman," they added.
BNP’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir spoke at an election rally organized by BNP in Thakurgaon Municipality on Tuesday. Photo: BSSTHAKURGAON, Feb 3,2026 (BSS) – BNP’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said the independence of 1971 is our existence and we will lost our existence if it is obliterated. “The independence of 1971 is our existence ... but a vested quarter wants to erase it”, he said while while addressing in a electoral campaign here this noon. Thakurgaon municipality Ward-6 unit of BNP organized the programme. But unfortunately, he said, a group wants to keep 71 lag behind, as it is our core existence and we will go forward with this spirit.
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 is reached. Iran has repeatedly stressed that talks should remain focused solely on the nuclear issue, rejecting negotiations over its missile program or defense capabilities. Nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington stalled last year after Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran in June, triggering a 12-day war. The United States briefly joined the conflict, carrying out strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites. Iranian authorities have said the protests were “riots” involving killings and vandalism and were inflamed by its arch-foes the United States and Israel.
“Climate risk insurance” is a crucial financial tool that is still underutilized, though. Underwriting a future disrupted by climate change is extremely difficult due to the insurance industry's current structure. The insurance industry's readiness should be evaluated based on its willingness to undergo a fundamental evolution rather than its current state. Regulations should incentivize green insurance products and mandate climate-risk disclosure. The industry as innovator, not just seller: Insurers must invest in technology and design simple, accessible, and affordable products, including index-based crop insurance, catastrophe bonds for municipalities, and health insurance products that address climate induced disease outbreaks.
Gold prices have been raised again in the local market, with the price of 22-carat gold set at Tk251,184 per gram. Previously, the price of 22-carat gold stood at Tk245,760 per gram. The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus) said the decision was taken due to a rise in the price of pure gold in the international market. Gold prices per gramAs per the Bajus notification, the prices of gold ornaments are as follows:22-carat (hallmarked) gold: Tk21,53521-carat (hallmarked) gold: Tk17,62018-carat (hallmarked) gold: Tk14,420Traditional gold: Tk545Silver prices per gramThe new prices of silver ornaments are:22-carat silver: Tk52021-carat silver: Tk48018-carat silver: Tk446Traditional silver: Tk435Bajus said all jewellery shops across the country must sell gold and silver at the revised rates until further notice. The information was shared in a press release signed by Dr Dewan Aminul Islam Shaheen, chairman of the Bajus Standing Committee on Pricing and Price Monitoring.
The Appellate Division on Tuesday ruled that BNP candidates Sarwar Alamgir and Aslam Chowdhury may contest the upcoming elections from the Chittagong-2 and Chittagong-4 constituencies respectively. Advocate Ahsanul Karim, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajal, Advocate Mahbubur Rahman Khan and Barrister Kazi Akhter Hossain represented Sarwar Alamgir and Aslam Chowdhury before the court. Earlier, on January 27, the High Court declared the nomination of Sarwar Alamgir valid for the Chittagong-2 constituency. Separately, on February 1, the High Court began hearing a bank’s appeal challenging the Election Commission’s decision to accept Aslam Chowdhury’s nomination papers for Chittagong-4. Despite the pending appeals, the Appellate Division ruled that there would be no legal bar to either candidate’s participation in the polls, while keeping the publication of results subject to the final outcome of the cases.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday said Bangladesh is set to witness a credible and inclusive election on February 12, followed by a smooth and orderly transfer of power. "And I will return to my old ways - writing and reading, writing and reading and writing!! And guzzling enormous amounts of tea," said the Press Secretary in brief remarks shared from his verified Facebook page. Hopefully, there will be another one next week," Alam said. "In working days, it’s just five—today, Thursday, and the first three days of next week," Alam said.
