Feb. 9, 2026, 11:45 a.m. ETTired of winter yet? The frigid cold that has gripped southcentral Pennsylvania for days is expected to ease this week as daytime temperatures are predicted to rise above freezing starting on Tuesday. That will help to melt the snow on the ground. And now meteorologists are keeping an eye on a potential storm for Valentine's Day weekend.
DHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves have stood at US$34.06 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 $29.48 billion, according to the latest data of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) released here today.
Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed spoke at a press briefing held this evening at the EC building in the city's Agargaon. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - Senior Secretary of the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed today said there is no concern about the 13th national elections and referendum to be held on February 12. Noting that there are less than 60 hours left for the elections, he said, "There is no concern over the elections. The EC Senior Secretary expressed the hope that the election campaign on social media will also be stopped. The EC Secretary also said: "Our intelligence surveillance is going on effectively.
Photo: BSSRANGPUR, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate from Rangpur-2 seat ATM Azharul Islam has urged citizens to vote for the 11-party alliance candidates to build a Bangladesh of justice free of discrimination, corruption and terrorism. Azharul Islam, also a central Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami said this while speaking as the chief guest at an election rally organized by Badarganj Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami at the Sahapur ground of Badarganj Municipality in Rangpur on Sunday evening. Badarganj Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Moulana Muhammad Kamruzzaman Kabir presided over the rally. Rangpur District Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary Moulana Muhammad Enamul Haque and Islami Chhatra Shibir's Central Business Education Secretary Mohammad Zakaria addressed the rally as special guests. Local leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and the 11-party alliance were present at the rally, among others.
DHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has introduced four easy methods for voters to know their polling centre and voter number ahead of the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections and referendum. From the app dashboard, by selecting "13th Jatiya Sangsad Election" and going to the "Find Polling Centre" option, voters will be able to know their voter number, serial and polling centre name and address by providing NID number and date of birth. In this case, the voter's NID number and date of birth will be required. Thirdly, voters can go to the mobile message option and type PC, give a space and write the NID number and send it to 105. The website also offers facilities to view the location of the polling centre and travel routes through Google Maps.
Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has revised its operational protocol to permit voters, candidates, agents, journalists and observers to carry mobile phones into polling centers. Journalists are permitted to carry mobile phones and will take photographs within the polling centers to document the proceedings, he added. He said that election observers are authorized to carry mobile phones and will take photographs as part of their monitoring responsibilities. He said that the possession or use of mobile phones is strictly forbidden inside the secret booth or ballot stamping room. Secretary Ahmed concluded that after thorough deliberation, the commission opted to cancel the specific restrictive sections of the previous order.
Launch to ISS pushed to Thursday over weather: NASAWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - NASA on Monday delayed by one day the journey of four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) over weather conditions. "Mission teams completed a weather review on Monday and elected to waive off a Wednesday, Feb. 11, launch opportunity due to forecast weather conditions along the flight path of the Dragon spacecraft," NASA said in a statement. "Weather will continue to be a watch item on Feb 12, and conditions are expected to improve on Friday, Feb. Those astronauts remain in quarantine in NASA's Florida Kennedy Space Center ahead of Thursday's launch opportunity. Continuously inhabited for the last quarter-century, the aging ISS is scheduled to be de-orbited and crashed into an isolated spot in the Pacific Ocean in 2030.
US senators visit Greenland to 'rebuild trust' broken by TrumpNUUK, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A delegation of United States senators visited Greenland Monday to "rebuild the trust" shattered by President Donald Trump's threats to annex the Arctic island, the lawmakers declared. The American president has caused alarm among European allies with his repeated threats to seize the Danish territory, if necessary by force, citing security threats from Russia and China. Last month, Trump backed off repeated threats to seize Greenland, after striking a "framework" deal with NATO chief Mark Rutte to ensure greater US influence. "We have a president that has broken that trust... While Denmark and Greenland have said they share Trump's security concerns, they have insisted that sovereignty and territorial integrity are a "red line" in the discussions.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus-File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Professor Dr Rita Süssmuth, Former Federal Minister for Women and Former President of the German Parliament. “It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of my friend, Professor Dr Rita Süssmuth. I extend my deepest condolences to her family and loved ones,” he said in a condolence message sent to President of the German Bundestag Julia Klöckner on recently. Prof Yunus said Rita Süssmuth was a courageous and charismatic champion of equality and social cohesion. “I mourn the loss of a distinguished stateswoman and decision-maker, a tireless advocate and a source of encouragement to many.
What we do depends on our values, our resources and our connection to community and information. I’ve spent much of my career in journalism, working in various roles from reporting, editing, business development and revenue generation. Action looks different for different people. In moments like this, clarity about our values, our information, our communities and our capacities is not just helpful — it’s necessary. There may not be a single answer to “What should we do?” But there is a way to move forward with intention, integrity and care for one another.
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed-File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today saidthat Bangladesh's economy is not in a bad shape right at this moment althoughit is facing formidable challenges that require sustained reforms, bettercoordination and strong political commitment from the next government. Speaking at a discussion meeting, the adviser said that despite multipledomestic and global pressures, Bangladesh has managed to maintainmacroeconomic stability and avoid a deep crisis. The Finance Adviser was addressing an event titled "Macroeconomic Insights:An Economic Reform Agenda for the Elected Government" as the chief guest heldat a hotel in the capital this afternoon. Dr Salehuddin noted that Bangladesh has shown resilience amid global shocks,including post-pandemic disruptions, geopolitical tensions, energy pricevolatility and tightening global financial conditions. The Finance Adviser said the interim government has focused on stabilisingthe macroeconomy, ensuring fiscal discipline, managing foreign exchangepressure and keeping essential economic operations continuing.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Japanese Prime Minister TAKAICHI Sanae. -Collage PhotoDHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today congratulated the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan on its historic and landslide victory in the election to the House of Representatives. In the message, Prof Yunus said, "This decisive mandate reflects the strong confidence and trust placed in your leadership and vision by the people of Japan". He added: "I am confident that, under your continued stewardship, Japan will further advance stability, prosperity, and constructive engagement both regionally and globally". "Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes for your good health and success, and for the continued peace, progress, and well-being of the people of Japan," Prof Yunus concluded.
Journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi. The court also ordered the investigation officer (IO) to appear in person on the next hearing date and submit his explanation in this connection. On September 30, 2024, the High Court ordered the formation of a high-powered task force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, removing RAB from the assignment. The government subsequently formed a four-member task force on October 23, 2024, through a Home Ministry’s notification. According to the notification, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) was named the task force convener.
Former Chief of Army Staff General (Retd) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan. File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 09, 2026 (BSS) - Former Chief of Army Staff General (Retd) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan has completed his testimony today in a case against former Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan, over his alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and more than a hundred killings. General (Retd) Iqbal, who started his testimony as the first prosecution witness (PW) at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 yesterday, concluded today and was cross-examined by the defence thereafter. Earlier, on December 17, 2025, the prosecution submitted the formal charge, bringing three specific counts against Ziaul Ahsan. Ziaul Ahsan is currently in custody and facing trial in several cases involving allegations of abduction, torture, enforced disappearance, killings, and other crimes against humanity.
ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Photo: CollectedDHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - A court here today set March 2 for holding a further hearing on charge framing in a sedition case filed against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others. Of the 286 accused, 259, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, are still at large and are being tried in absentia. Upon receiving Home Ministry approval, CID ASP Md Enamul Haque filed the sedition case against Sheikh Hasina and 72 others with the court on March 27, 2025. After completing the investigation, the CID officer submitted a charge sheet on August 14 against 286 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina.
