US budget deficit narrows in October-December, as tariffs boost revenueWASHINGTON, United States, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Boosts in revenue from taxes and tariffs narrowed the US budget deficit in the October to December period from the year before, Department of Treasury data showed on Tuesday. The deficit shrank by 15 percent from the prior fiscal year, from $711 billion to $602 billion. Overall revenue climbed by 13 percent to $1.2 trillion, while spending rose by two percent overall to $1.8 trillion. The leap in duties collections was primarily due to higher tariffs, the official said. But critics warn that whether the revenues are fully realized depends on how the economy reacts to higher duties.

DHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - The prices of at least 20 essential agricultural products, including onion and garlic, have decreased since the July Uprising, according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM). The prices of essentials in the market were always upward although Bangladesh produces many essential agricultural products. According to the market price data of daily essential agricultural products of the DAM, the retail price of potatoes was Taka 60 per kilogram before the July Uprising in 2024. Before the uprising, the price of lentils was Taka 110 while this year, the price has decreased by 10 percent to Taka 100. The above information is taken from the Department of Agricultural Marketing's updated retail market price data for August 2024 and the updated market price data for January 8, 2026.

Seven arrested in Shibpur raid; arms, drugs, cash, and weapons seized early Tuesday morning. Photo : BSSNARSINGDI, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - Seven people were arrested along with arms, drugs and a large amount of cash during a joint drive conducted by law and enforcement agencies in Kararchar and Jangaila areas of Shibpur upazila in the district early today. The operation was carried out around 3:00 am under the leadership of Lt Col Shamim Rahman, commanding officer of 9 Signal Battalion. The arrestees along with the recovered arms, drugs and other items were handed over to Shibpur Model Police Station. OC Mohammad Kohinoor Mia said the arrestees were produced before a court and sent to jail this afternoon.

PARIS, France, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's judiciary chief vowed fast-track trials for suspects arrested over a wave of protests which the authorities have dismissed as "riots", state television said Wednesday. "If a person burned someone, beheaded someone and set them on fire then we must do our work quickly," Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said on a visit to a prison holding protest detainees, in comments broadcast by state television. Iranian news agencies also quoted him as saying the trials should be held "in public" and said he had spent five hours in a prison in Tehran to examine the cases. Rights groups say thousands have been arrested and fear the judiciary will make extensive use of capital punishment.

PARIS, France, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The nationwide shutdown of the internet by authorities in Iran, which activists fear is aimed at masking the true scale of a crackdown on protests, has now lasted over 132 hours, a monitor said Wednesday. "Metrics show #Iran remains offline as the country wakes to another day of digital darkness," said Netblocks in a post on X.

Former US Acting Under Secretary Albert Gombis and Ambassador-at-Large Morse Tan called on Professor Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna. Photo : CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to hold the general elections and the referendum as scheduled on February 12. “No matter who says what, elections will be held on February 12—not a day before, not a day after,” the Chief Adviser said, adding that the vote would be free, fair and peaceful, and held in a festive atmosphere. Albert Gombis, a former Acting Under Secretary of State, and Morse Tan, a former Ambassador-at-Large, are visiting Bangladesh ahead of the crucial elections. Both diplomats praised the Chief Adviser for his crucial role in steering the country over the past one and a half years.

today called on newly recruited Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members to uphold the force’s image by embodying discipline, professionalism and the core values of the organisation. The adviser lauded the brilliant parade displayed by the BGB recruits and wished them continued success in every aspect of their respective careers. Stating that BGTC&C has been training BGB recruits for the past 44 years and developing them as 'Alert Guards of the Border', the adviser said since Independence, a total of 72 batches have been successfully trained in the training centre. The adviser thanked and congratulated all concerned, including the BGB Director General for the aesthetic parade and successful holding the event. The parade was declared over by the armed salute given by the smart group of new soldiers to the home adviser.

TOKYO, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will inform senior party officials Wednesday of her plan to call a general election to capitalise on strong public support for her government, media reports said. Takaichi was appointed Japan's first woman prime minister in October and her cabinet is enjoying an approval rating of around 70 percent. That would pave the way for a snap election, "aiming to increase the number of ruling party seats", the Nikkei said. Public broadcaster NHK also reported Takaichi "is coordinating" a meeting with senior officials to explain her plan. Top government spokesman Minoru Kihara declined to comment on the reports, saying it was "a decision for the prime minister to make".

CHANDPUR, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS): A youth was killed and two others were injured in a head-on collision between a pickup van and a CNG-run auto-rickshaw in the Wireless area of Chandpur town last night. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station Fayez Ahmed confirmed the incident this morning. One of the injured passengers was identified as Md Momin, 19, son of Quddus of the same area. Sources at the emergency department of Chandpur Sadar Hospital said local people rescued the injured and took them to the hospital. Sub-Inspector Mujibur Rahman of Chandpur Sadar Police Station said the body was brought to Chandpur Sadar Hospital where an inquest report was prepared.

Dighalia’s pesticide-free vegetable garden transforms fallow government land into sustainable food hub inspiring local farmers everywhere. The initiative was launched in 2024 by former Dighalia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Ariful Islam, who undertook a plan to bring nearly 20 decimals of long-neglected land inside the Dighalia Upazila Parishad complex under cultivation. The Dighalia Upazila Agriculture Extension Office has been providing regular guidance and technical support, ensuring that environment-friendly and modern cultivation methods are followed. As a result, the garden is yielding satisfactory production of fresh and pesticide-free vegetables. Producing pesticide-free vegetables ensures safe food and serves as a role model for others," he said.

Hailing from Marietta, Georgia, Wolfert is running in the safely Republican 11th District, which backed Trump by 23 percent in the 2024 general election. The last Democrat to win a general election in such a red district was now-former Rep. Kendra Horn (D-O.K. ), who won a 25 percent Trump district in 2018. Wolfert discovered that the event was cancelled and Loudermilk was a “no-show.”“The guy doesn’t show up, literally,” Wolfert said. Breathe.”The Georgia Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, May 19 and the midterm election is slated to begin on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

ADELAIDE, South Africa, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Defending Australian Open champion Madison Keys overcame some first-set serve wobbles to win her latest warm-up match for the opening Grand Slam of the year on Wednesday. The 30-year-old American, who will be seeded ninth when the Australian Open begins on Sunday, beat Czech teenager Tereza Valentova 6-4, 6-1 at the Adelaide International. "I was able to take momentum in the second set and play really well. World number 60 Valentova is one of a number of rising young talents on the women's circuit. Keys began her 2026 Australian Open preparations last week in Brisbane, losing in the quarter-finals to world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a rematch of last year's Australian Open final.

LONDON, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Brentford striker Igor Thiago has already made Premier League history: now the Brazilian hopes to take his unlikely success story to the World Cup. He set a record for the most goals by a Brazilian in a single Premier League season when he netted twice in Brentford's 3-0 win over Sunderland on January 7. Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison, Philippe Coutinho, Juninho and Robinho are among the other Brazil forwards to have played in the Premier League. Thanks to Thiago's scoring spree, Brentford have climbed to fifth place in the Premier League, sparking unexpected dreams of Champions League qualification. Already linked with a move to Premier League leaders Arsenal, he has been catapulted into contention for a place in Brazil's World Cup squad.

While revenues rose seven percent to $45.8 billion, bank executives expressed disappointment at the performance of investment banking. Executives also took issue with a call by Trump last week to cap credit card interest at 10 percent. In its commercial and investment bank, JPMorgan benefited from increases in trading-related revenues in financial markets, but investment banking revenue and fees both fell. The drop in earnings from the year-ago period was due to higher credit costs, with JPMorgan establishing a $2.2 billion reserve to cover the Apple credit card portfolio. Dimon said "the US economy has remained resilient," adding that "while labor markets have softened, conditions do not appear to be worsening.

A CORUEA, Spain, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Antoine Griezmann's free-kick helped Atletico Madrid squeeze past second-tier Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 on Tuesday to reach the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. Veteran forward Griezmann's perfectly-placed effort broke the deadlock in the 61st minute, as the sides met for the first time in nearly eight years. French forward Griezmann, 34, struck the woodwork towards the end of the first half as Atletico dominated but could not find a way through. Shortly afterwards Atletico took the lead, with Griezmann delicately curling a free-kick into the top right corner from just outside the area, and it proved decisive. Real Madrid, led by new coach Alvaro Arbeloa, visit Albacete on Wednesday and Copa del Rey holders Barcelona travel to face second division leaders Racing Santander on Thursday.