MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Michael Carrick believes the allure around Manchester United has survived years of declining fortunes on the field as he begins his short-term stint as manager at Old Trafford. Former midfielder Carrick was installed as boss until the end of the season this week and faces a baptism of fire when Manchester City visit on Saturday. "I certainly don't think it's soulless," said Carrick, who won 12 major trophies during his decorated playing career with the Red Devils. "I think there's a magic around this place. "I've obviously been around it for quite some time and then missed a little window, but I think there's a magic around this place.

Photo:BSSDHAKA, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS) - Motivated Bangladesh women's team take on Bhutan in their second match of the inaugural SAFF Women's Futsal Championship at the Nonthaburi Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand today (Saturday). Bangladesh made a winning start to the tournament, defeating India by 3-1 goals in their opening match. Bhutan, meanwhile, drew 1-1 with Pakistan in their opening match of the competition. Bangladesh will play their remaining matches against Nepal on January 19, Sri Lanka on January 21, Pakistan on January 23 and Maldives on January 25. The team finishing at the top of the table after completion of all seven rounds will be crowned champions of the SAFF Women's Futsal Championship.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Friday hailed a trade deal between the EU and South America's Mercosur bloc as a victory for multilateralism at a time of global volatility. Lula said the signing of the deal in Asuncion, Paraguay on Saturday was "very good, especially for the democratic world and for multilateralism." - Angry EU farmers -Together, the EU and Mercosur account for 30 percent of global GDP and more than 700 million consumers. The deal between the EU and Mercosur nations Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, was agreed in Brussels last week despite fierce opposition from European farmers. Meanwhile, the EU is working on a trade deal with India, the world's most populous nation with 1.4 billion people, whose relations have soured with Washington due to punishing tariffs.

MELBOURNE, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Carlos Alcaraz launches his bid for a career Grand Slam on Sunday "hungry" for an elusive Australian Open title, while Aryna Sabalenka is laser-focused on clinching a third Melbourne crown. Top seed Alcaraz is desperate to win it, having failed to go past the quarter-finals in four previous trips to Australia. - Sabalenka hot favourite -Top-ranked Sabalenka kicks off against French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah, preceding Alcaraz onto Rod Laver Arena. Keys failed to really kick on from clinching a maiden Grand Slam and is in Australia as the ninth seed. Sabalenka's chief rival, six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek is, like Alcaraz, angling for a career Grand Slam in Melbourne.

Trump, again insisting the United States needed mineral-rich Greenland for its "national security", warned that he "may put a tariff" on countries that oppose that stance. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said there was "good dialogue" and stressed it was important to "nurture" ties between the United States, Denmark and Greenland. "The vast majority" of Americans do not agree that it is a good idea for the United States to acquire Greenland, she told reporters. - Demonstrations -Trump has repeatedly criticised Denmark -- a NATO ally -- for, in his view, not doing enough to ensure Greenland's security. Large demonstrations are planned across Denmark and Greenland on Saturday to protest against Trump's plan.

MELBOURNE, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Women's singles champions at the Australian Open this century ahead of the tournament starting on Sunday:2025 - Madison Keys (USA)2024 - Aryna Sabalenka (BLR)2023 - Aryna Sabalenka (BLR)2022 - Ashleigh Barty (AUS)2021 - Naomi Osaka (JPN)2020 - Sofia Kenin (USA)2019 - Naomi Osaka (JPN)2018 - Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)2017 - Serena Williams (USA)2016 - Angelique Kerber (GER)2015 - Serena Williams (USA)2014 - Li Na (CHN)2013 - Victoria Azarenka (BLR)2012 - Victoria Azarenka (BLR)2011 - Kim Clijsters (BEL)2010 - Serena Williams (USA)2009 - Serena Williams (USA)2008 - Maria Sharapova (RUS)2007 - Serena Williams (USA)2006 - Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)2005 - Serena Williams (USA)2004 - Justine Henin (BEL)2003 - Serena Williams (USA)2002 - Jennifer Capriati (USA)2001 - Jennifer Capriati (USA)2000 - Lindsay Davenport (USA)

It is quite infuriating to see how Saint Martin’s Island is being destroyed not by ignorance, but by the reckless entitlement of the very public who claim to love it. Our only coral island and among the most treasured natural resources we have, declared an ecologically critical area for decades now, is now at the mercy of reckless tourism. When tourism was suspended for nine months in 2025, nature rebounded. Conservation works but only if given priority and Saint Martin’s cannot sustain the thousands who descend on it during peak season. Unchecked tourism has already caused too much damage to Bangladesh’s natural beauty, and if we do not get serious about addressing it through stricter regulations, we risk losing these scenic destinations forever.

The question is stark: Will BNP rise to the occasion -- or miss its moment? If the BNP acts boldly, these voters can become the decisive force that saves Bangladesh from division and darkness. Women empowerment: Guarantee equal pay, safety, education, and leadership opportunities. Guarantee equal pay, safety, education, and leadership opportunities. BNP’s credibility will hinge on whether these commitments are communicated with precision and backed by actionable timelines.

At least, that is how people outside viewed the Indian Cricket Board decision. Understandably, a deeply anguished Bangladesh Cricket Board took the decision not to play in Indian cities (two) in the upcoming T20 series citing security concerns. This decision of course was a serious concern to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the organizer of the T20 World Cup. It asked its security team to assess the threat situation and guide their decision on Bangladesh Cricket Board’s request. In support of his decision, he cited three risk factors, quoting from an alleged letter from the ICC Security Team.

Just a week after Donald Trump first took office as president, he signed Executive Order 13769 -- his first travel ban. It halted refugee admissions and suspended entry into the US for citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. On the first day of 2026, a proclamation signed by Trump took effect, expanding an earlier travel restriction to 39 countries. On a human level, the January 1 travel ban means this. This is not an exhaustive list, but merely a snapshot of the devastating and entirely predictable consequences of Trump’s new travel ban.

The "brutal" repression has "likely suppressed the protest movement for now", said the US-based Institute for the Study of War, which has monitored the protest activity. But it added: "The regime's widespread mobilisation of security forces is unsustainable, however, which makes it possible that protests could resume." Pahlavi also told a news conference in Washington on Friday that "The Islamic republic will fall -- not if, but when." Norway-based rights group Iran Human Rights (IHR) says 3,428 protesters have been verified to have been killed by security forces, but warns the actual toll could be several times higher. Iran's representative at the meeting, Gholamhossein Darzi, accused Washington of "exploitation of peaceful protests for geopolitical purposes."

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 16, 2026 (BSS) - Jamalpur U-17 district football team made winningstart in the Shitalakha zone of U-17 National Football Championship beatingMymensingh U-17 district football team by a lone goal held at Jamalpurdistirct stadium in Jamalpur today (Friday). In the day's match, Abur Hossain of Jamalpur scored the decisive goal for histeam in the 92md minute of the match. Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of Jamalpur District, Mohammad Yusup Ali was thechief guest in the opening ceremony. Jamalpur Police Superintendent Dr. Chowdhury Md. Bangladesh Football Federation executive member Sayeed Hasan Kanon was alsopresent there and inaugurated the championship.

Trump had repeatedly warned Iran that if it kills protesters, the United States would intervene militarily. Trump wrote Friday on his Truth Social platform that Iran had called off executions of hundreds of protesters and said to the clerical state, "Thank you!" Gulf Arab monarchies, despite frequent friction with Iran, have urged Trump to show caution. He also urged all countries to expel diplomats from Iran and to help restore internet access, which has been severely hampered. Pahlavi promised that a new Iran would have better relations with the leadership's sworn enemies -- the United States and Israel -- and integrate into the global economy.

Stock markets take breather at end of turbulent weekNEW YORK, Jan 17, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Stock markets mostly retrenched on Friday at the end of a week jam-packed with geopolitical developments, content to languish after record-breaking performances in recent days. Wall Street stocks followed European bourses into the red at the end of the session, with investors in no mood to take fresh positions. The S&P 500 concluded Friday's session at 6,940.01, down 0.1 percent for the day and 0.4 percent for the week. Analysts expect companies in the S&P 500 to report 8.2 percent earnings growth in the fourth-quarter compared with the year-ago period, according to FactSet. Stovall also flagged US inflation data next week as a key input as far as what to expect from the Federal Reserve.

Here is a breakdown of different tolls:- Iran-focused rights groups -The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group has verified that 3,428 protesters have been killed by security forces. As of January 15, the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) said 2,677 deaths had been confirmed and that it was investigating another 1,693 cases. - Media outside Iran -At least 12,000 people were killed during protests, mostly on January 8 and 9, said Iran International, a Persian-language opposition channel based outside the country, citing senior government and security sources. CBS news this week said "two sources, including one inside Iran" told the US news outlet "that at least 12,000, and possibly as many as 20,000 people have been killed". Amnesty International called the crackdown "a massacre", saying that "by official admission" the death toll had reached 2,000 as of a January 14 report, but that rights groups put the toll at much higher.