Australia recalls parliament early to pass hate speech, gun laws
SYDNEY, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Australia's parliament will reopen two weeks early to crack down on hate crimes and gun ownership following the mass shooting at Bondi Beach, the government said Monday. Australia has flagged a suite of reforms to hate crime and gun laws since the December 14 attack on a Jewish festival that killed 15 people -- the country's deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades. "The terrorists at Bondi Beach had hatred in their minds but guns in their hands -- this law will deal with both," Albanese told a news conference. Last week, the government announced a royal commission inquiry into the Bondi Beach shooting. Sajid Akram and his son Naveed allegedly targeted Jews attending a Hannukah celebration at Bondi Beach.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 12, 2026 09:42 UTC
Trump says US will take Greenland 'one way or the other'
Trump says US will take Greenland 'one way or the other'ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump said Sunday the United States would take Greenland "one way or the other," warning that Russia and China would "take over" if Washington didn't act. Trump says controlling the mineral-rich Danish territory is crucial for US national security given increased Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic. "If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I'm not letting that happen," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, despite neither country laying claim to the vast island. Trump said he would be open to making a deal with the Danish self-governing territory "but one way or the other, we're going to have Greenland." "Greenland should make the deal, because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over," Trump warned, as he mocked its defenses.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 12, 2026 09:34 UTC
3-day agriculture technology fair begins in Jhenaidah
Photo : BSSJHENAIDAH, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS)- A three-day long agriculture technology fair-2026 has begun today on the premises of Upazila Parishad here in Jhenaidah district. "If modern technology is incorporated in agriculture, a new dimension will be added to the agricultural sector. Young people are becoming interested in modern agricultural technology and agricultural methods. Meanwhile, the Sadar Upazila Agriculture Office said that this agricultural technology fair has started under the Sustainable Agriculture Extension Project in Jashore region. Young agricultural entrepreneurs of Sadar Upazila have displayed various types of modern technology-based agricultural innovations and cultivation techniques.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 12, 2026 09:24 UTC
Iran violence against protesters 'a sign of weakness': Germany's Merz
AHMEDABAD, India, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that Iran's use of "disproportionate and brutal violence" against protesters was "a sign of weakness". "We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms," he said during a visit to India. "This violence is not an expression of strength, but rather a sign of weakness. This violence must end."
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 12, 2026 09:19 UTC
Home adviser: Corruption biggest enemy of the state
Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday said corruption is the biggest enemy of the state, warning that it not only causes economic damage but also erodes state institutions and destroys public trust. The adviser said if any Ansar member acts out of personal interest, greed or political motives, it weakens the foundation of the state. “Bangladesh Ansar and VDP members are not forces of any political party or vested group. Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud and senior officials were present at the event. According to the home adviser, under the new training policy, about 56,000 Upazila/Thana Company Ansar, 255,000 VDP and TDP members, and over 3,000 Ansar Battalion members have already received basic training.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 09:13 UTC
Russian captain in fiery North Sea crash faces UK trial
LONDON, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Russian captain of a cargo ship which hit a tanker in the North Sea off the UK coast triggering a huge fire goes on trial Monday charged with manslaughter for the death of a crew member. Vladimir Motin, 59, from St Petersburg, has been charged with one count of gross negligence manslaughter. He has pleaded not guilty and will stand trial at London's Old Bailey court which is expected to last several weeks. The stationary oil tanker was operating "in compliance" with watch requirements for an anchored vessel, its owner Crowley insisted. More than 16 tonnes (16,000 kilograms) of plastics were removed from beaches in northeastern Lincolnshire, according to the local council.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 12, 2026 09:10 UTC
Corruption biggest enemy of the state: Home Adviser
Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today said corruption is the biggest enemy of the state, warning that it is not only causes economic damage but also erodes state institutions and destroys public trust. The adviser said if any Ansar member acts out of personal interest, greed or political motives, it weakens the foundation of the state. “Bangladesh Ansar and VDP members are not forces of any political party or vested group,. Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud and senior officials were present at the event. They included 15 officers of the 41st BCS Ansar Cadre, 88 Upazila Trainers, 1,100 members of the 26th Ansar Battalion and 2,124 members of the 27th Ansar Battalion.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 12, 2026 08:40 UTC
Iran internet shutdown has now lasted over 84 hours: monitor
PARIS, France, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's shutdown of the internet, which activists fear masks a crackdown they say has killed hundreds, has now lasted more than three-and-a-half days, a monitor said Monday. "As Iran wakes up to a new day, metrics show the national internet blackout is past the 84 hour mark," monitor Netblocks said, saying that the blackout could be circumvented with shortwave radio, connecting to cell coverage at borders, Starlink and satellite phones.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 12, 2026 08:40 UTC
Eagles stunned by depleted 49ers, Allen leads Bills fightback
LOS ANGELES, United States, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The injury-hit San Francisco 49ers sent the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles crashing out of the NFL playoffs on Sunday in a stunning wild card round upset. - Allen late show sparks Bills -In the AFC, meanwhile, Josh Allen rushed for a game-winning touchdown as the Buffalo Bills outdueled the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-24 in a roller-coaster wild card thriller. "Great game, great win," Allen said afterwards. The identity of Buffalo's opponents in the next playoff round will hinge on the outcome of other AFC wild card games being played on Sunday and Monday. In Sunday's other wild card game, the New England Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 12, 2026 08:39 UTC
Man Utd knocked out of FA Cup by Brighton, Martinelli hits hat-trick for Arsenal
Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup with a meek 2-1 home defeat to Brighton on Sunday as Gabriel Martinelli's hat-trick fired Arsenal to a 4-1 win at Portsmouth to reach round four. The roles were reversed midway through the second half as Welbeck lashed into the top corner against his former club. United will play only 40 games this season after exiting both domestic cup competitions at the first hurdle -- their lowest number since 1915. - Martinelli 'talking on pitch' -Martinelli shrugged off the backlash to his clash with stricken Liverpool defender Conor Bradley as Arsenal reached the fourth round for the first time in three years. Gabriel Jesus teed up Martinelli to kill the tie off early in the second period before he completed his hat-trick from another Arsenal corner.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 08:25 UTC
Is this finally the election where youth votes matter?
Many young voters were active participants or close witnesses in the mass mobilization that culminated in regime change in mid-2024. In past polls, many young voters were deterred not by indifference but by fear. Turnout figures alone will not restore trust if young voters suspect that results are predetermined. In such a vote, youth participation could be even more decisive. Unlike previous moments of political transition, today’s young voters are not simply inheriting a system; they have already challenged it.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 08:25 UTC
Actress Mehazabien discharged from intimidation case
A Dhaka court on Monday ordered the discharge of actress Mehazabien Chowdhury and her brother Alishan Chowdhury in a case filed on allegations of intimidation. The order was passed by Dhaka Executive Magistrate Md Adnan Zulfiqar, confirmed defence lawyer Tuhin Hawladar. Mehazabien Chowdhury appeared before the court in the morning along with her brother, while the plaintiff was also present. Earlier, on November 16, Mehazabien Chowdhury and Alishan Chowdhury had surrendered before the court and were granted bail by Dhaka Executive Magistrate Court-3 Judge Afroza Haque Tania. Subsequently, Amirul Islam filed the case with the Dhaka Executive Magistrate’s Court.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 08:25 UTC
Navigating conflicting demands: Universities at a crossroads
This has produced widespread uncertainty about the purpose of universities -- and growing skepticism about their relevance. If higher education institutions wish to remain meaningful national institutions, they must break free from outdated routines and redefine their roles in ways that reflect today’s realities. On one side is society’s expectation that higher education will produce graduates who can thrive in complex, unpredictable environments. Far from being a limitation, this dual responsibility represents the defining challenge -- and opportunity -- of contemporary higher education. Only by navigating the tension between the transformational and the transactional can higher education prepare graduates for a world that changes faster than any curriculum can be rewritten.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 08:25 UTC
Cash for visa: The death of the middle-class American dream?
Starting January 21, 2026, those applying for a US B1/B2 (business/tourist) visa with a Bangladeshi passport who are deemed otherwise eligible during the interview process may be required to pay a visa bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. It's essential to note that this bond is not a visa surcharge but a condition of travel. The State Department clearly states that the bond does not guarantee visa issuance. Even if the bond is assumed to be refunded, tying up cash for a certain period of time stifles households and businesses. Bonds, which appear like insurance, act thus as a double burden, tying up cash and restricting travel plans.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 12, 2026 08:25 UTC