Move on, says Trump as Epstein files trigger probe into British politicianWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump made a fresh plea Tuesday for Americans to move on from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, even as it left a prominent British politician facing a criminal probe on the other side of the Atlantic. Former British ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson resigned from the upper house of parliament amid allegations he passed confidential information to late sex offender Epstein. Trump spent months trying to block the disclosure of files linked to Epstein, before relenting late last year when an initial tranche of files was released. Nevertheless, Trump's efforts to move on from the Epstein scandal have been hampered as it engulfs key figures from royals to politicians at home and abroad. Pictures in the latest Epstein files showed Andrew kneeling on all fours over a woman lying on the floor.

TOKYO, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The gunman convicted of shooting dead former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe in 2022 has appealed his life sentence, reports said Wednesday. Major Japanese media including Kyodo News, the Mainichi Shimbun, Jiji Press and regional broadcaster MBS reported that Yamagami's lawyers filed the appeal on Wednesday. His defence lawyers could not immediately be reached for confirmation. Abe's shooting forced a reckoning in a country with little experience of gun violence, and ignited scrutiny of alleged ties between prominent conservative lawmakers and a secretive sect, the Unification Church. Abe had spoken at events organised by some of the Church's groups.

WASHINGTON, United States, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United States on Tuesday renewed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through the end of the year, an agreement that allows many African countries to access the US market duty-free. Trump has used trade and tariffs -- which he has called his "favorite word" -- as a carrot and a stick to reshape international relations, as he sees fit. In a statement, Greer vowed to "work with Congress over the next year to modernize the program to align with" current US policy. A cornerstone of US-Africa trade relations for 25 years, the AGOA has allowed the United States to buy billions of dollars of duty-free cars, clothes and other items from select African countries each year. But the deal, which operates in 32 African nations, expired last September, affecting thousands of jobs and forcing exporters to absorb high tariff duties.

Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder today spoke as the chief guest at the presentation of a research report at the Directorate of Primary Education in the capital. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder today said the government is giving importance to developing every government primary school as an 'autonomous' one to ensure quality of primary education. He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the presentation of a research report titled 'Evaluation of the impact of involving government primary school teachers in extra-professional activities' at the Directorate of Primary Education in the capital. The event was organised by the National Academy of Primary Education (NAPE). The research report presented at the event highlighted the information that government primary school teachers do 37 types of extra-professional works per year.

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed addressed an election rally at Jangalkata in Konakhali union of Chakaria upazila. Photo: BSSCOX’S BAZAR, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said that a vested quarter is hatching conspiracy to distort history of the country’s Liberation War. Addressing an election rally at Jangalkata in Konakhali union of Chakaria upazila, Salahuddin Ahmed, also a BNP candidate from Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency, said a political party which once opposed Bangladesh's Liberation War is now trying to rewrite the history of the Liberation War. He said, “The chief of a political party has delivered misleading and false information on proclamation of independence aiming to distort real history of Liberation War.”Salahuddin Ahmed said such statements are not expected . Salahuddin Ahmed called upon patriotic citizens and pro-liberation forces to protest against any distortion of the nation’s history.

DHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) – The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has submitted charge sheet against former member of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) M Matiur Rahman. The former NBR member has concealed information of over Taka 1.24 crore wealth through providing misinformation in his statement of assets filed in the commission, according to the ACC. The ACC had filed the case against Matiur Rahman on December 15 last year, accusing him of acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income. Matiur was earlier arrested on January 17, 2025 in an arms case following a police raid at his residence in Dhaka's Bashundhara Residential Area. The Special Judge's Court sent Laila Kaniz Lucky to jail after rejecting both her remand and bail prayers in a separate graft case filed by the ACC.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar. File PhotoDHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - The X (formerly Twitter) account of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former lawmaker Mia Golam Parwar was hacked today, party sources said. The incident follows a recent hacking of the X account of Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, raising concerns over repeated cyber attacks targeting senior Jamaat leaders. Condemning the incident, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and head of the party's central Media and Publicity Department Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said in a statement that "as part of a conspiracy, social media accounts of Jamaat leaders are being attacked one after another." He said miscreants posted objectionable content on Mia Golam Parwar's account through device hacking at around 8:31 pm, which was removed immediately after being detected by the party's central social media team.

DHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) – Stocks today extended upward streak for the third consecutive session, driven by sustained buying in major blue-chip scrips amid growing political clarity ahead of the forthcoming national election. DSEX, the broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), advanced by 18.9 points to settle at 5,267 points, as against 5,248 points in the previous trading session. Market turnover decreased by 4.5% to a Taka 7.1 billion from Taka 7.5 billion in the previous session. The port city bourse, CSE, also witnessed a positive session today. The Selective Categories' Index (CSCX) and All Share Price Index (CASPI) also advanced by 38.7 points and 69.6 points, respectively.

Photo : BSSKHULNA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - To strengthen research on the Sundarbans and coastal ecology, a Memorandum of understanding (Mou) was signed between Khulna University’s Institute for Integrated Studies on the Sundarbans and Coastal Ecosystems (IISSCE) and the Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS). Khulna University Treasurer Prof Dr Md Nurunnabi and BEDS Chief Executive Md Maksudur Rahman signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides. As part of the MoU, IISSCE and BEDS will work as partners in conducting research and implementing projects on climate change and its impacts, ecosystem restoration, economic development, and the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities in the Sundarbans and coastal regions. The Mangrove Information and Research Centre established at the BEDS Dacope Field Office will jointly be used as a hub for research, training, and community-based activities. This will expand opportunities for Khulna University students and researchers to gain hands-on field experience and undertake applied research.

The people of Bangladesh forced her to leave the country by sacrificing their lives. Criticising the role of the administration and the Election Commission, the NCP spokesperson said recent incidents indicate a growing threat to democracy. "You have seen on social media that a presiding officer in Panchagarh was asking people to vote for a particular symbol. It is the responsibility of all of us to make that goal successful, and we hope you will fulfil that responsibility," he added. 11-party alliance candidate for Natore-3 SM Zargis Kadir, NCP Joint Convener and Election Management Committee Secretary Monira Sharmin, NCP district senior joint member secretary Hafizur Rahman and joint convener Tahash Noor also addressed on the occasion.

Collected photoKHARTOUM, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Sudanese army broke a paramilitary siege on the key southern city of Kadugli on Tuesday, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said, in the latest reversal of a paramilitary offensive through the Kordofan region. An RSF source confirmed the army advance and said the paramilitary would re-encircle the city. "This is a great day, people welcome the army, women ululated, even the children celebrated," Issa Tih, a resident of Kadugli, told AFP by phone. According to one army source, troops advancing from Dilling along the volatile 100-kilometre corridor defeated RSF and SPLM-N units following "fierce battles". An RSF source told AFP that army forces "infiltrated Dilling and Kadugli through rugged areas where forces were not present".

DHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Women's team arrived back in Dhaka on Monday night after a successful ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifying campaign in Nepal. The Bangladesh team finished on top and qualified for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled in England in June-July this year. The team was greeted at the airport on arrival by BCB Director and Chairperson of the Women's Wing Committee Rubaba Dowla. The team members will take some rest before starting preparation for the T20 World Cup. The BCB, meanwhile, is trying to arrange some International matches for them to take a better preparation for the showcase event.

Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr. Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan and Foreign Affairs Secretary Asad Alam Siam co-chaired the consultation meeting. Photo: MinistryDHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh has finalised its National Action Plan for the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), reaffirming its strong commitment to safe, orderly and regular migration and the protection of migrants’ rights. The soft adoption of the GCM National Action Plan (NAP) followed a multi-stakeholder consultation held on Monday, International Organization for Migration (IOM) said here today. Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr. Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan and Foreign Affairs Secretary Asad Alam Siam co-chaired the consultation meeting. With guidance from the Bangladesh Migration Compact Taskforce, IOM Bangladesh provided technical support throughout the drafting process.

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman today spoke at the Shariatpur District Circuit House. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman today stressed the importance of performing duties with professionalism, impartiality, discipline, patience and a citizen-friendly approach. The meeting was held at the Shariatpur District Circuit House. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army Training and Doctrine Command, the GOC of the 9 Infantry Division and Savar Area Commander, along with senior officers from Army Headquarters and Savar Area, were present at the meeting. Senior officials from the civil administration, law enforcement agencies, and representatives of various media outlets also attended.

DHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh and Japan today signed a defence equipment and technology transfer agreement at Dhaka Cantonment under the supervision of the Armed Forces Division (AFD). Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hassan, Principal Staff Officer of AFD, signed on behalf of Bangladesh, while Japan's Ambassador to Dhaka, Saida Shinichi, represented Japan. According to AFD, the agreement, a result of close cooperation since 2023, reflects mutual trust and coordinated vision. It is expected to accelerate Bangladesh's defence modernization, promote joint research and development and enhance military expert exchanges. The historic pact will also deepen Bangladesh-Japan strategic cooperation in South Asia, contributing to regional stability and global security while further strengthening bilateral defence ties.