WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Donald Trump on Monday threatened 200 percent tariffs on French wine and champagne over France's intentions to decline the US leader's invitation to join his "Board of Peace." But he doesn't have to join," Trump said, referring to French President Emmanuel Macron. The board's charter "goes beyond the sole framework of Gaza", the source close to the French president said. Trump confirmed he had invited his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to join his Board of Peace, after the Moscow earlier Monday reported the invite. "Yes, he's been invited," Trump told a reporter in Florida who asked if he had asked Putin to join the body.

DHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) – The Election Commission (EC) is scheduled to hold a discussion meeting with registered political parties this afternoon ahead of the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and referendum, 2026. The Commission said the meeting will primarily focus on the “Postal Vote BD” app, its functions, and related issues. It will be held at 4:00 pm today at the EC headquarters in Agargaon here. According to the Commission, representatives of all 63 registered political parties will join the discussion along with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) M M Nasir Uddin, election Commissioners, the Senior Secretary of the EC Secretariat, and other officials. In addition, Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks will pay a courtesy call on the CEC at 3:00 pm today at the EC headquarters.

The recent distribution of free cigarettes near Dhaka University is disappointing to say the least. Smoking has famously been linked to respiratory disease, heart problems, cancer, and premature death, and an enabling of something so clearly unhealthy undermines ongoing public health efforts to reduce tobacco consumption. Discouraging tobacco use is not about moral policing; it is about protecting public health, especially the health of young adults who are most susceptible to marketing ploys and peer pressure. Free cigarettes near an educational institution may generate momentary excitement, but it does nothing to advance the long-term wellbeing of our youth or our nation. Let us instead push in the direction of healthier choices, clearer public health messaging, and environments that support rather than undermine public well-being.

The recurring incidents of mob violence in Bangladesh -- especially against our minority groups -- are a deeply troubling reminder of a persistent and corrosive mentality that insists on retaliation over reason, and instant judgement over justice. Such outbreaks of collective rage do not just threaten individuals -- they undermine the very idea of law, order, and social harmony. Mob violence thrives on fear and rumour, replacing accountability with collective anger. There is no place in a mature society for violence in the name of justice. If Bangladesh is to live up to its principles, mob violence must be confronted not just with punitive action, but with a collective reaffirmation of law, dignity, and mutual respect.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Tuesday deferred to January 26 the delivery of its verdict in the case over the killing of six people during the July Uprising of 2024 at Chankharpul in the capital. Of them, four are currently in jail: former Shahbagh Police Station inspector (operations) Md Arshad Hossain, constable Md Sujan Mia, Md Imaz Hossain Iman and Md Nasirul Islam. They are former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Habibur Rahman, former additional commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former additional deputy commissioner of Ramna Division Shah Alam Md Akhtarul Islam, and former assistant commissioner Mohammad Imrul. According to the prosecution, on August 5, 2024, police opened fire on a peaceful student movement at Chankharpul, leaving six people dead. The victims were Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Junayed, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Hawladar, Md Ismamul Haque and Manik Mia Shahrik.

KABUL, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A blast at a Chinese restaurant in central Kabul on Monday killed at least seven people and wounded more than a dozen others, emergency services said. Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said the explosion occurred at the Chinese Noodle restaurant, which he said mainly served Chinese Muslims. The Islamic State armed group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, the SITE Intelligence Group reported, saying it was a suicide attack targeting Chinese nationals. Within hours of the blast the street was reopened to traffic, with cars streaming past the restaurant's covered entrance. The following year, the Islamic State group claimed a deadly attack on a Kabul hotel popular with Chinese guests.

The success of restoration efforts hinges on involving local communities. A promising alternative centres on local communities shaping the restoration process. One example of this managerial approach is Vietnam’s 30-year tree planting program. In northern India, forest planting projects have involved both the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department and communities. Restoring the ability of local communities to be the custodians of nature is a promising approach to both ecological and social recovery -- and ultimately environmental justice.

MELBOURNE, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Carlos Alcaraz's new-look serve at the Australian Open has been compared to Novak Djokovic and the Serbian great says he is expecting a slice of the Spanish superstar's winnings. Eagled-eyed fans noticed that his more compact action now bears a striking resemblance to Djokovic, who was asked about it after coasting into the second round at Melbourne Park. "Then when I saw him here, I told him we have to talk about a percentage of his winnings. Asked about his new serve ahead of the tournament, Alcaraz said he was flattered by the comparison to Djokovic, he insisted it was a coincidence. I didn't think about, or I wasn't thinking about making the same serve as Djokovic," he told reporters.

WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Law enforcement officials said Monday they were working to clear roads after a 100-vehicle crash occurred on snow-blanketed roads in the northern state of Michigan. The Monday morning incident included 30-40 semi-trucks, piled up and blocking the typically busy interstate road, which remained closed hours later. Officials urged motorists to slow down in "treacherous" conditions Monday, with a winter storm continuing to dump snow on the region and temperatures expected to fall to -8 degrees Fahrehnheit (-22 degrees Celsius) including wind chill. The National Weather Service (NWS) said "snow and blowing snow" with accumulations of up to four inches were expected overnight, bringing the current storm total to as high as 14 inches (35.5 centimeters) for portions of southwest and west central Michigan. "Travel is not recommended in the area," NWS said in a statement.

Due to the irresponsible disposal of polythene waste, about 80 percent of Dhaka’s sewage and drainage is blocked by polythene bags. After the polythene ban, plastic bag use came down to almost zero. Reinstating the ban on plastic bags is therefore crucial to tackle the problem of plastic pollution. Including a commitment to ban polythene bags in the election manifesto and prioritising environmental awareness would be significant. Furthermore, all these tasks will be much easier when the election manifesto includes a pledge to eliminate polythene bag pollution.

The Appellate Division has stayed a High Court verdict that declared illegal the Election Commission’s gazette redefining the boundaries of the Comilla-2 constituency, clearing the way for elections to be held under the EC’s revised delimitation. As a result, the Comilla-2 constituency will comprise Homna and Titas upazilas, as determined by the Election Commission. The High Court also directed the Election Commission to republish a gazette within 24 hours, restoring the previous boundaries of the Comilla-2 constituency, thereby upholding the rule. Senior lawyers Barrister Ehsan Abdullah Siddique and Barrister Saiful Islam Ujjal represented the petitioner during the High Court proceedings. Following the High Court verdict, an appeal was filed with the Appellate Division, which has now stayed the ruling, reinstating the EC-determined boundaries for the upcoming election.

MELBOURNE, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova lost to reigning champion Madison Keys on Tuesday at the Australian Open but said making her soldier father proud was more important than the result. "For me it's the best experience in my career," she said after making her first appearance at a Grand Slam. Unlike other professional Ukrainian tennis players, Oliynykova still trains in her homeland despite the constant threat of Russian attacks. Oliynykova's father is serving in the Ukrainian military and he is never far from her mind. He used to travel with her to tournaments and she called him "my biggest support since my childhood in everything".

DHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) has seized an illegal artisanal trawling boat along with trawl nets and marine fish in the Banshkhali area of Chattogram. During the operation, when an illegal artisanal trawling boat was signaled to stop, but it ignored and fled at high speed towards the adjacent river bank. Later, the Coast Guard seized four drag nets worth about Tk 22 lakh and 2,800 kilograms of marine fish along with the boat. Subsequently, in the presence of the Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer of Banshkhali, dragging equipment was removed from the seized boat and the illegal drag nets were destroyed. Besides, the seized marine fish were sold through auction and the money obtained was deposited to the government treasury as fine.

Tjen first Indonesian to win at Australian Open in 28 yearsMELBOURNE, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Janice Tjen called it "special" after she pulled off an upset to become the first Indonesian to win a match at the Australian Open in 28 years on Tuesday. Tjen, who this time last year was ranked 413 but is now the world number 59, is the first Indonesian to win a match at the major since Yayuk Basuki in 1998. Tjen seized an early break in the second set to put 2021 US Open runner-up Fernandez immediately on the back foot. The fourth game of the second set threatened to be pivotal, Tjen digging herself out of a hole on her own serve to hold and go 3-1 up. The Jakarta native lifted the title in Chennai last year -- the first Indonesian to win a WTA Tour singles crown since 2002.

A massive fire swept through Rohingya Camp No 16 in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, in the early hours of Tuesday, destroying hundreds of shelters along with educational and religious facilities. Preliminary reports suggest that a camp resident, Mohammad Anis, had heated water on a gas stove at around 2:45am before falling asleep. The stove remained lit, the water dried up, and a fire broke out, quickly spreading to adjacent shelters. Two units of the Ukhiya Fire Service and Civil Defence rushed to the scene and began firefighting operations, assisted by Rohingya volunteers. Earlier, on December 26 last year, a major blaze at Camp No 4 destroyed a hospital, while another fire on the night of December 25 damaged more than ten houses at the Kutupalong registered Rohingya camp.