HONG KONG, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Asian markets rose Tuesday following gains on Wall Street, with tech firms leading Seoul to another record as investors brushed off Donald Trump's threat to hike tariffs on South Korean goods. While carmakers slipped, tech firms ploughed higher with chipmaking giant SK hynix up more than five percent and Samsung Electronics up two percent. There were also big gains in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei, Manila and Jakarta. Tech firms are enjoying a fresh boost ahead of earnings releases as traders continue to pile into all things AI. At the same time, major tech firms have leaned more heavily into debt issuance to fund the infrastructure race".

PARIS, France, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - French lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban social media use by under-15s, a move championed by President Emmanuel Macron as a way to protect children from excessive screen time. As social media has grown, so has concern that too much screen time is harming child development and contributing to mental health problems. He added that "social media platforms will then have until December 31 to deactivate existing accounts" that do not comply with the age limit. - 'Destiny of our country' -In addition to combatting the impact of screens and social media on the mental health of young adolescents, Attal stressed that the measure would counter "a number of powers that, through social media platforms, want to colonise minds". On Monday, nine child protection associations urged lawmakers to "hold platforms accountable", not "ban" children from social media.

BEIJING, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Chinese athletic goods giant Anta Sports will purchase a leading stake in German sportswear brand Puma, a stock exchange filing showed Tuesday. Anta acquire a share of about 29 percent in Puma, taking over from the French billionaire family Pinault as its largest shareholder. According to the agreement, Anta will buy just over 43 million shares in Puma from the Pinault holding company Artemis, priced at 35 euros apiece, the statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange showed. The firm, based in China's southeastern Fujian province, is one of the world's largest sportswear companies. Anta closed its acquisition of Finland-based Amer in 2019, leading a consortium in a deal worth about $5.2 billion.

Trump says hiking tariffs on South Korean goods to 25%WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Monday that he would raise tariffs on South Korean goods including autos, lumber and pharmaceuticals, accusing the country of not living up to an earlier trade pact struck with Washington. "South Korea's Legislature is not living up to its Deal with the United States," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The agreement was finalized after Trump met his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae Myung in October, and included investment promises by South Korea alongside tariff cuts by the United States. Under the pact, Washington would maintain levies of up to 15 percent on South Korean goods including vehicles, car parts and pharmaceuticals. Crucially, the deal's terms brought US tariffs on South Korean cars down from a 25 percent level.

Reading time: about 4 minutesThe Cornell Lab of Ornithology is hosting a Bird-Friendly Student Art Contest this semester, inviting students to submit imaginative window decal designs by March 30 to help prevent bird collisions at Stocking Hall. Courtesy of Daniel SheireDesigns will be evaluated by a diverse panel including representatives from Stocking Hall, the Bird Friendly Cornell Group and CALS leadership. The winning design will be applied to the windows of Stocking Hall facing Tower Rd. They’ve also had collisions on Stocking [Hall],” Pollock said. “So it’s not just migratory songbirds, but all birds can be at risk.”In addition to reducing bird collisions at Stocking Hall, the competition aims to raise awareness of bird-window collisions and to engage students in bird conservation efforts on campus.

That's because much of the world's top ice dancing talent has gravitated to a pioneering training site called the Ice Academy of Montreal. The academy where they train, known as I.AM, is housed in the unassuming Gadbois sports complex, tucked into what was once a working-class neighborhood of Montreal. The last three Olympic champions have all trained in Montreal and the academy's delegation at the upcoming Winter Games could surpass that of some countries, he said. - 'Loving environment' -Founded in 2014, the Montreal academy has aimed to break away from the rigidity that once defined elite ice dance training. The Montreal academy also opens the bleachers to the public during training, which allows ice dance enthusiasts like Anne Belcourt-Lafleur to look on.

MELBOURNE, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Relentless top seed Aryna Sabalenka muscled past American teenager Iva Jovic and into the Australian Open semi-finals Tuesday to accelerate her bid for a third Melbourne title. It booked the 27-year-old a 14th career Grand Slam semi-final and fourth in a row at the season-opening major. Defeat brought an end to a breakthrough tournament for 18-year-old Jovic, the youngest player in the women's top 100 and seeded 29. Jovic made some early errors and sent the ball long on break point to surrender her serve and fall 2-0 behind. Sabalenka held to pile on the pressure before Jovic fended off a break point on her next serve to get on the scoreboard.

Beverly DeMario Shea of The Villages, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 16 at Bradley Hospice House with her devoted husband of 54 years, Skip, by her side. She was born on January 15, 1950 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. While living in The Villages, she was a member of St. Mark the Evangelist Church and its Women's Guild. Memorial mass will be held at St. Mark The Evangelist, Summerfield, FL on February 10 at 10 AM in the Chapel. Reception will follow at St. Mark social hall.

Leonard "Bud" Sawdy passed away January 14th, 2026 at UF Health Leesburg Hospital with his family by his side. Bud was born and raised in the Detroit, Michigan area. Bud and his wife of 66 years, Shirley, moved to The Villages 14 years ago, and he truly loved The Villages experience. You couldn't hang out with Bud and not have a good time and a good laugh. Bud is survived by his wife of 66 years, Shirley Sawdy, three children, Michael Sawdy, Debra Critser (son in law Jerry Critser) of Oxford, Fl, Patrick Sawdy of Utica, MI and two grandchildren Michael and Christopher Sawdy.

DHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - Champions Bangladesh women's team will return homefrom Bangkok on Thursday (January 29) after finishing their campaign in thejust concluded inaugural SAFF Women's Futsal Championship. A BG 389 flight, carrying the women's team, is expected to land at HazratShahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 6 pm. The Bangladesh women's team, led by Sabina Khatun, emerged champions in theseven-team championship securing highest 16 points in the points table fromsix matches. Earlier, Bangladesh eve team made a winning start in the tournament beatingIndia by 3-1 goals in their match. Meanwhile, Bangladesh men's team is expected to return home tomorrow(Tuesday) from Bangkok and expected to land at 6 pm.

The government is reconsidering the lifting of the existing purchase limit on the purchase of savings certificates, said Finance Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Majumder. He said these at a seminar titled “Bond Market Development in Bangladesh: Challenges and Recommendations” held in the capital on Monday (January 26). The finance secretary said that in the context of the times, reforming the savings certificate system has become urgent. The government is giving importance to making the savings certificate market more realistic and effective through possible changes in the policy. The governor also said that the future of the country's bond market depends on controlling inflation and keeping interest rates stable.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS)- BNP Standing Committee Member and BNP nominated candidate in Dhaka- 8 constituency Mirza Abbas today termed the upcoming national polls February 12 as crucial for the country and people must come forward to protect their voting rights. Mirza Abbas made the remarks at an election opinion exchange meeting organized by the BIWTC Workers' Dal through a public gathering in Ward Number - 37 of Shahbagh Thana. In the afternoon, Mirza Abbas inaugurated an election campaign camp at Bijoynagar Scout Market and participated in a Pitha (pastoral cake) festival on Bijoynagar Main Road. Mirza Abbas said that the BNP was founded by the Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. 21, Mirza Abbas addressed the youth, saying, "We must also learn about the structures or institutions that can be built outside of jobs.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman spoke an election rally in Kanchpur, Narayanganj. Photo: BNP Media CellNARAYANGANJ, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman today said the people must assert their own rights and be entrusted with full guardianship of their voting rights to ensure a truly democratic process. "On the day of voting, you must go to the polling center with the same presence as today's rally. The BNP Chairman said there have been dummy elections for the past 15-16 years while people’s voting rights were deprived. BNP Dhaka Divisional Associate Organizing Secretary Nazrul Islam Azad, Narayanganj-1 constituency candidate Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu, Narayanganj-3 constituency candidate Azharul Islam Mannan, Narayanganj-4 constituency candidate Monir Kasemi, and Narayanganj-5 constituency candidate Abul Kalam, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Photo: BSSRAJSHAHI, Jan 26, 2026 (BSS)- Speakers at a participatory meeting here todayunanimously said informed electorates are the most important prerequisite fora free, fair, and acceptable election. At the same time, responsible voter participation would help ensuretransparency and accountability in the electoral system. DC Afia Akhtar said that informed and responsible participation by voters isessential to organising a democratic election. Harun Or Rashid told the meeting that the project aims to strengthendemocracy by boosting the participation among women, youth, and marginalisedcommunities, including persons with disabilities and minorities. The key goals include enhancing civic knowledge, fostering informed, peacefulvoting, and increasing the representation of these groups as both voters andcandidates.

By Stephen BeechBeing a grandparent is good for the brain, according to a new study. Lead researcher Flavia Chereches said: “Many grandparents provide regular care for their grandchildren – care that supports families and society more broadly. The participants answered survey questions and completed cognitive tests three times between 2016 and 2022. The survey asked whether they had provided care for a grandchild at any point in the past year. The findings, published in the journal Psychology and Aging, held true regardless of the frequency and type of care the grandparents provided.