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Amar Ekushey Book Fair date row: Feb 20 stays
Amar Ekushey Book Fair organizers say the fair will start Feb 20 as scheduled, despite publisher calls to shift dates around Ramadan. The dispute affects print runs, cashflow, and sponsorship planning across Bangladesh’s publishing industry.
Crypto market structure bill hits White House red lines
Crypto market structure talks at the White House ended without a deal on Feb. 3, with stablecoin rewards as the key snag. The next day, a Trump digital-assets adviser drew “red lines” against ethics provisions aimed at Trump or family, narrowing—not rejecting—the bill’s path.
Deepak Chopra Epstein emails revive ethics questions
Deepak Chopra Epstein emails in newly released records show post-2008 contact and celebrity chatter, including a 2016 Marla Maples query. Chopra apologized for the tone and denied any criminal or exploitative acts as fresh Epstein-file releases fuel scrutiny.
Steven Pinker Epstein ties face renewed scrutiny
Steven Pinker Epstein ties are back in focus after reporting on a 2002 flight log entry, limited legal-case assistance, and references in released emails. Pinker has said he regrets the contact and that it was not tied to Epstein’s crimes.
Iran easy access to US bases claim raises regional risk
Iran easy access to US bases rhetoric resurfaced after an army spokesperson warned U.S. positions are vulnerable. The messaging lands amid U.S.–Iran tensions, planned Oman talks, and recent drone incidents, keeping energy and shipping tail risks in focus.
Trump–Xi call puts soybeans and Taiwan in focus
The Trump–Xi call on Feb. 4 mixed Taiwan warnings with trade signals, including talk of bigger U.S. soybean purchases and a possible April Beijing visit. Soybean futures rose on the headline, while investors re-priced tariff risk and Asia supply-chain exposure.
Trump Europe tariffs jolt markets over Greenland ultimatum
Trump Europe tariffs threats tied to Greenland rattled markets after Trump said 10% duties start Feb 1 on eight European countries, rising to 25% by June 1 without a deal. The EU is preparing retaliation, and the IMF warns of a “spiral of escalation.”
Seat-sharing deal: Jamaat 179, NCP 30 ahead of vote
A seat-sharing deal in Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance allocates 253 constituencies ahead of the Feb 12, 2026 election. Jamaat will run in 179 seats and the National Citizen Party (NCP) in 30, while talks with IAB remain unsettled.
US sanctions Iran officials and ‘shadow banking’ networks
US sanctions Iran security leaders and ‘shadow banking’ networks, Treasury says, targeting the protest crackdown and laundering tied to oil proceeds. Reuters reports five senior officials and Fardis Prison were sanctioned, alongside 18 people and entities linked to illicit finance.
Bangladesh election set for Feb 12 as Jamaat signals unity
Bangladesh election authorities set Feb 12, 2026 for the national vote alongside a referendum, with voting 7:30am–4:30pm and near-term deadlines. Reuters reports Jamaat-e-Islami is open to a post-vote unity government as coalition math takes shape.
Uganda 2026 Election: Voting Proceeds Under Digital Blackout
Polling opens for Uganda’s general election amidst a nationwide internet shutdown and heavy military deployment, threatening the East African trade corridor.
Iran sanctions: EU/UK push, Trump floats 25% tariff
Iran sanctions are set to expand as the EU and UK cite Iran’s protest crackdown, while Trump warned a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran. The move could widen trade friction with Iran-linked partners and reprice sanctions and commodities risk.
Bangladesh sets Feb 12 election with reform referendum
Bangladesh’s Election Commission set Feb 12, 2026 for parliamentary elections—the first since the 2024 uprising—alongside a referendum on the “July Charter” reform agenda. The fixed date reduces uncertainty but raises near-term security and legitimacy stakes.
NLRB quorum restored as GOP majority tees up reversals
NLRB quorum is restored after the Senate confirmed new board members on Dec. 18, 2025, enabling the agency to act again in 2026. Reuters says a Trump-appointed Republican majority is poised to revisit Biden-era pro-union rulings that shaped elections, remedies, and workplace rules.
EU CBAM starts definitive phase as payments begin
EU CBAM entered its definitive period on Jan. 1, 2026, shifting the carbon border tax from reporting toward paid certificates and tougher compliance. Importers of steel, cement, aluminium, electricity and more now face higher trade friction risk, with pushback rising from key partners.
Saudi-UAE tensions rise after Yemen airstrike
Saudi-UAE tensions have intensified after a Yemen airstrike and Aden airport shutdown exposed sharp divisions between Gulf allies, heightening security and energy market risks across the region.
Israel recognizes Somaliland, sparking global backlash
Israel has formally recognized Somaliland as an independent state, prompting sharp condemnation from Somalia and warnings from the EU, China and regional powers that the move could destabilize the Horn of Africa and Red Sea corridor.
OIC Foreign Ministers Issue Joint Statement Calling for Diplomatic Coordination and Regional Stability
Foreign ministers from more than 20 OIC member states issued a joint statement emphasizing diplomatic coordination, regional stability, and collective engagement on key political and humanitarian challenges.
Zelensky Meets Trump in Florida for Crucial Ukraine Peace Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met with U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago to advance a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending nearly four years of war with Russia.
US Launches Genesis Mission for State-Owned AI
The US government has launched the "Genesis Mission," a Manhattan Project-style initiative integrating DOE supercomputers and classified federal data to build state-owned AI models.