So we're talking to the people from Cuba, the highest people in Cuba, to see what happens," Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. "I think we're going to make a deal with Cuba." Trump gave no indication what such a deal might entail. On Thursday, the Republican president signed an executive order threatening to impose additional tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba. "We never discussed with President Trump the issue of oil with Cuba," Sheinbaum added, after the two leaders had spoken by phone Thursday.

DHAKA, Feb 2, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves have stood at $33.25 billion. But, as per the International Monetary Fund (IMF) methodology under the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6), Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves stood at $28.75 billion, according to the latest data of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) released here today.

DHAKA, Feb 2, 2026 (BSS) - The holy Shab-e-Barat, the night of fortune, will be observed throughout the country tomorrow 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 tomorrow 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 this night, a huge number of devotees visit the nearest graveyards and offer special doa and munajat seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of their near and dear ones.

Britain revokes Russian diplomat's accreditation in 'reciprocal' moveLONDON, Feb 2, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The UK has revoked the accreditation of a Russian diplomat in a "reciprocal" move after Moscow expelled a British envoy last month, the foreign ministry in London said Monday. "We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia's unprovoked and unjustified decision to expel a British diplomat last month and its baseless accusations against our staff," a spokesperson for the ministry said. A senior foreign ministry official "made it clear" to the Russian ambassador, who was summoned by the Foreign Office, that the UK "will not stand" for intimidation of British embassy staff.

The Chittagong Port workers and employees have called another 24-hour strike in protest against the lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company. On Monday, port workers observed an eight-hour strike from 8am to 4pm. Earlier, the port’s nationalist labour group had called similar eight-hour strikes on Saturday and Sunday to oppose the handover of NCT operations to UAE-based operator DP World. Saturday’s strike had disrupted port operations significantly. At a rally in front of the port building on Tuesday afternoon, Council Coordinator and General Secretary of the Port Nationalist Labour Group Md Ibrahim Khokon announced the fresh 24-hour strike plan.

BNP candidate from Jashore-3 (Sadar) constituency Anindya Islam Amit. Photo : BSSJASHORE, Feb 2, 2026 (BSS) - In the run-up to the 13th national parliament election, BNP candidate from Jashore-3 (Sadar) constituency Anindya Islam Amit has pledged to establish a 500-bed medical college hospital in Jashore to improve healthcare services for local residents. In an exclusive interview with BSS here recently, Amit said that although Jashore has a medical college, the absence of a full-fledged medical college hospital has long been felt by the people of the district. A total of six candidates are contesting in the Jashore-3 constituency in the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad polls slated for February 12. Amit is contesting the polls from Jashore-3 constituency with his party electoral symbol “Dhaner Shish” (Sheaf of Paddy).

DHAKA, Feb 2, 2026 (BSS)—Team Agrani bounced back into the winning mode in the CCDM T20 Challenge Cup with a hard-fought two-wicket win over Team Oditiyo at National Cricket Ground in Purbachal today. The victory effectively sent them at the top of the point table. Oditiyo managed to put up 161-5, after being sent to bat first with Mohaiminul Khan leading the charge. He hit an unbeaten 63 off 42, an innings that included three fours and four sixes. Skipper Nabin Islam held the nerve in the crunch moment to script the victory with 31 ball-47 not out, hitting two fours and four sixes.

DHAKA, Feb 2, 2026 (BSS) - A brilliant half-century from opener Rifat SanjidShihab guided Team Odommo to a 11-run victory over Team Anirban for theirthird victory in the CCDM T20 Challenge Cup at Cricketers Academy Ground,Dhaka today. Rifat struck a whirlwind 55 off 24, an innings featured with eight fours andtwo sixes. Team Anirban's Mohammad Sumon was the standout bowler for his side with 3-26while Mojhammel Hasan took 2-46. Sumonled Anirban's batting also with team-best 43. Sadat Hridoy, Sujon Hawladar and Shushanto picked up two wickets apiece forOdommmo to derail Anirban's batting line up.

Photo : BSSGAIBANDHA, Feb 2, 2026 (BSS) – A daylong training for presiding officers of the forthcoming parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12, was held this afternoon at the auditorium of Palashbari Upazila Parishad. The training was arranged by the Upazila Election Office in cooperation with the Upazila Administration, following directives from the Bangladesh Election Commission. Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Masudur Rahman Mollah and Police Superintendent Muhammad Jashim Uddin conducted the training as resource persons. Earlier, an inaugural session was held with District Election Officer Md Shahidul Islam in the chair. DC Masudur Rahman Mollah formally inaugurated the training as chief guest, while Police Superintendent Muhammad Jashim Uddin spoke as special guest.

Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 2, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) today adjusted the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) upward and now a 12 kilogram (Kg) LPG cylinder will be sold to the consumers at Taka1,356 instead of Taka 1,306. “The newly fixed price of LPG is Taka1,356, which will be effective at 6pm (February 2) and all licenses of LPG marketing companies will implement the price,” BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed said here today. The BERC also re-fixed auto gas price at Taka 62.14 per litre for February, which was Taka 59.80 in January and Taka 57.32 in December. Per kilogram of LPG at reticulated stage at Taka109.29 at retailer level inclusive VAT owned by private sector, which was Taka 105.08 in January and Taka 100.66 in December, 2025, the BERC said. According to the BERC’s new price, Taka 242.80 per cubic metre of supplied LPG in gas system owned by private sector, which was Taka 233.50 in January and Taka 223.80 in December, 2025.

Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry of Finance and Jean Pesme, Division Director of the World Bank for Bangladesh and Bhutan signed the financing agreements on their respective sides. The additional financing comprises a US$150 million loan from IDA and a US$0.75 million grant from the Early Learning Partnership Multi-Donor Trust Fund (ELP MDTF). The World Bank is the largest multilateral development partner of Bangladesh. This financing reflects the deep cooperation between Bangladesh and the World Bank. Currently, the World Bank financing is covering a wide range of sectors, including economic and social development, institutional reforms, infrastructure development, and energy sector advancement.

In one of the cases, the court also sentenced Tulip's sister Azmina Siddiq and brother Radwan Mujib Siddiq to seven years' imprisonment each. In that case, the court sentenced Sheikh Hasina to five years' imprisonment, Tulip to two years and Azmina Siddiq to seven years. Meanwhile, the same court on January 18 fixed February 2 for delivering judgment in another case against 18 people, including Sheikh Hasina, her nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq and niece Tulip Siddiq. In that case, the court today sentenced Sheikh Hasina to five years' imprisonment, Radwan to seven years and Tulip to two years. Former RAJUK member Mohammad Khurshid Alam was sentenced to one year's imprisonment and fined Taka one lakh in the case.

Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 2, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) today purchased $218.50 million from 16 commercial banks through multiple auction methods as part of its ongoing strategy to curb the depreciation of the US dollar against the taka and revitalise the remittance and export sectors. According to central bank data, it bought dollars today at the rate of TK 122.30. Accordingly, total purchases stood at $218.50 million in January 2026 and $4,152 million in FY 2025–26 till to date.

Relations between India and Bangladesh can and should move beyond the issue of Sheikh Hasina, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has told Indian news magazine The Week, reports bdnews24.com. In response to a question on the ousted prime minister during an interview published online on Sunday, Fakhrul said:“She is a factor, but not an insurmountable one. Sheikh Hasina created this crisis by dismantling democratic institutions and centralising power. Fakhrul said that, despite previous alliances, the BNP does not have an agreement with Jamaat and does not see the party being part of a BNP-led national government. On constitutional reform, he proposed limiting the prime minister to a maximum of two terms and establishing a balance of power between the prime minister and the president.

Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain -File photoDHAKA, Feb 02, 2026 (BSS)- Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain has said the government will not take any action concerning the country’s principal sea port that is contrary to national interests. The adviser said the ministry supports whatever is beneficial in the greater interest of the port and the country. Calling upon everyone to keep the port operational in the national interest, he said that the situation that has arisen at the port is causing suffering to general public. The issue that led to create present situation is undesirable, he added. He said mobile courts are being conducted daily by the Department of Shipping and all relevant agencies were engaged to take action against such illegal activities.