China, flexing muscle in a trade war launched by Trump, last year tightened its supply chain for rare earths, sending shivers through the global economy. China -- which mines some 60 percent of the world's rare earths and processes around 90 percent -- offered the United States a one-year reprieve in a deal with Trump in October. On Monday he unveiled "Project Vault," which aims to stockpile critical minerals and effectively anything else needed by US industry. "We're not just doing certain minerals and rare earths. The European Union, which has seen persistent friction with Trump, hopes to seek a formal agreement on rare earths with the United States.

ABU DHABI, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States were set to gather in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, seeking to advance fraught talks on how to end the four-year war. The Russian delegation has already touched down in Abu Dhabi, according to Russian state media, though it was unclear if US and Ukrainian delegates had arrived. At a previous round of talks in Abu Dhabi last month, the US team was led by President Donald Trump's ubiquitous envoy Steve Witkoff. Russia, which occupies around 20 percent of its neighbour, has threatened to take the rest of the Donetsk region if talks fail. Following the first round of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi last month, Ukrainians were doubtful any deal could be struck with Moscow.

HONG KONG, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Stocks mostly rose Wednesday as investors brushed off another tech-fuelled sell-off on Wall Street, while precious metals continued their recovery on dip-buying following a two-day collapse. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Wellington, Taipei and Bangkok rose but Tokyo, Manila and Mumbai slipped. The greenback had been taking a battering for most of last week on worries Trump was happy to have a weaker currency. Oil prices rose after it emerged a US fighter jet had taken out an Iranian drone that approached an aircraft carrier Tuesday. However, lawmakers now have just two weeks to negotiate a full-year Department for Homeland Security bill.

SINGAPORE, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Southeast Asia offered the biggest growth potential for global air travel, Boeing said on Wednesday as it forecast demand for almost 5,000 new aircraft in the region over the next 20 years. "This is a growth market and Southeast Asia actually leads the world in terms of regional growth potential," he told a briefing during the Singapore Airshow. "A growing middle class and strong tourism demand are driving this rise in air travel across the region's domestic and international routes," he told journalists. Southeast Asia is a vast region where air connections play a vital role, particularly in archipelagic nations such as Indonesia. Regionally "air travel continues to be the most efficient way to connect people and places", Hulst said.

X Index Companies has officially rebranded as XIC, marking a strategic pivot toward its "Vision 2050" roadmap. The new identity was unveiled at the Westin Dhaka, signaling a transition from an established, progressing conglomerate to a modern, research-driven organization. Chairman Architect Md Mazherul Quader stated that the transformation is about "preparing the organization to responsibly serve future generations while honoring a five-decade legacy." During the event, Mazherul Quader was formally introduced as chief advisor & chairman emeritus of XIC. Managing Director Mahin Mazher emphasized that the new name reflects a shift in how the group operates.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has clarified that the rate of tax at source on profits earned from investments up to Tk5 lakh in savings certificates is 5%. At the same time, it has been informed that no tax at source will be applicable on profits from pensioner savings certificates up to Tk5 lakh, as before. For a long time, savings certificate investors have been complaining that in many cases, tax at source is being deducted at 10% even on interest on investments up to Tk5 lakh. Currently, there are four types of savings certificates in operation under the National Savings Department—Family Savings Certificate, Pensioner Savings Certificate, Five-Year Bangladesh Savings Certificate, and Quarterly Profit-Based Savings Certificate. Of these, Family Savings Certificate is reserved only for women, while the remaining three types of savings certificates can be invested in by individuals and various institutions.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought urgent financial assistance along with policy support, citing that the country's readymade garment (RMG) industry is in deep crisis due to global economic instability and various internal adversities. BGMEA leaders raised these demands in an emergency meeting with Finance Division secretary Md Khayeruzzaman Majumder on Tuesday. At the meeting, BGMEA leaders said that the RMG industry is currently under extreme pressure due to the global recession, reduced purchase orders, increased production costs and falling product prices. Due to these adversities, about 400 garment factories have closed in the past one year. In the meeting, BGMEA leaders demanded the immediate settlement of pending cash assistance applications in Lien Bank and Bangladesh Bank and release of funds.

Rajshahi University (RU) will observe a two-day holiday on February 11 and 12 in line with government holiday directives on the occasion of the national election and referendum. Besides, the university administration has directed all departments to suspend examinations from February 9 to 15. Professor Akhtar Hossain Majumder, Administrator of the RU Public Relations Office, confirmed the matter on Tuesday. However, no decision has been taken regarding classes or any additional holidays, he added. Earlier, the government also announced a special holiday for workers and employees in industrial areas on February 10.

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.