Germany plays down threat of US invading Greenland after talksWASHINGTON, United States, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Germany's top diplomat on Monday played down the risk of a US attack on Greenland, after President Donald Trump's repeated threats to seize the island from NATO ally Denmark. Trump in recent days has vowed that the United States will take Greenland "one way or the other" and said he can do it "the nice way or the more difficult way." Greenland and NATO also said Monday that they were working on bolstering defense of the Arctic territory, a key concern cited by Trump. Trump has repeatedly pointed to growing Arctic activity by Russia and China as a reason why the United States needs to take over Greenland. But he has also spoken more broadly of his desire to expand the land mass controlled by the United States.

HONG KONG, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Asian markets gained on Tuesday, with Japanese shares jumping more than three percent on speculation over a snap election, as concerns about Iran pushed oil prices higher. Takaichi became Japan's first woman prime minister in October and her cabinet has an approval rating of around 70 percent. It would be "significant to have the foundation of the Takaichi administration solidified" in national polls, brokerage house Monex said. Hong Kong shares were up 1.5 percent and Shanghai gained 0.2 percent, while Seoul and Singapore both rose 0.5 percent. Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD, which last year overtook Elon Musk's Tesla to become the world's largest EV maker, jumped 4.5 percent in Hong Kong, along with other Chinese companies in the sector.

The Pole is a six-time Grand Slam champion and the Australian Open is the only major she has yet to win. She matched her best Melbourne performance by reaching last year's semi-finals, and did so in rampant style, only to lose to an inspired Keys. Having been stunned by the unfancied Keys, the Belarusian suffered more Grand Slam heartbreak in the French Open final against Gauff. She then went down to Anisimova in the Wimbledon last four, before roaring back to get revenge over the American and retain her US Open title. The Australian Open champion in 2023 and 2024, Sabalenka will be in an unfamiliar role when she goes into the tournament as runner-up from 12 months ago.

TOKYO, Jan 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Tokyo shares jumped more than three percent Tuesday morning on speculation that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will call a snap election to capitalise on strong poll numbers. Takaichi was appointed Japan's first woman prime minister in October and her cabinet is enjoying an approval rating of around 70 percent. But her ruling bloc only has a slim majority in the powerful lower house of parliament, hindering its ability to push through her ambitious policy agenda. "If a lower house election is confirmed, we can anticipate a renewed buying trend," according to brokerage house Monex. That would mean an election would be "highly likely to be held in early to mid-February", the Yomiuri said.

India has not officially recognised the Taliban government, but the move signals a deepening engagement, with New Delhi seeking to exploit divisions between Islamabad and Kabul. Noor Ahmad Noor, a Taliban foreign ministry official, assumed responsibility as charge d'affaires, and has already held meetings with Indian officials, the embassy said in a statement. "Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening Afghanistan-India relations," the Afghan Embassy said, in a post on X late Monday. India has not commented, but the Afghan embassy posted a photograph of Noor with senior Indian foreign ministry official Anand Prakash. Russia is the only country to officially recognise the Afghan Taliban government.

Iran's main trading partners are China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, according to economic database Trading Economics. Sparked by economic grievances, the nationwide protests have grown into one of the biggest challenges yet to the theocratic system that has ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution ousted the shah. The White House said Monday that Trump remained "unafraid" to deploy military force against Iran, but was pursuing diplomacy as a first resort. - 'Four-front war' -Iran on Monday sought to regain control of the streets with mass nationwide rallies that supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hailed as proof that the protest movement was defeated. He said Trump was "a man that means what he says and says what he means" and who "knows what's at stake".

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LOCALSee mullet contest photos, animals and ribbons at 2026 PA Farm ShowUpdated Jan. 12, 2026, 5:39 p.m. Paul Kuehnel/ York Daily RecordThe Mullet Contest at the 2026 PA Farm Show Jan. 12. Paul Kuehnel/ York Daily RecordThe Mullet Contest at the 2026 PA Farm Show Jan. 12. Paul Kuehnel/ York Daily RecordThe Mullet Contest at the 2026 PA Farm Show Jan. 12. Paul Kuehnel/ York Daily RecordThe Mullet Contest at the 2026 PA Farm Show Jan. 12.

Law enforcers in a joint drive have recovered 45 crude bombs and bomb-making materials from a bamboo grove in Jajira upazila of Shariatpur district on Monday. Tipped off, a joint force team conducted a drive in the area with a dog squad and recovered huge bomb-making materials and 45 crude bombs from bamboo groves in the morning, said Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Md Tanvir Hossain. The recovery of explosives indicates an organised attempt to create instability in the area, he said. The drive was conducted following a deadly explosion at Mulai Bepari Kandi in Bilaspur union of the upazila on Thursday that left two people killed. Security has been tightened in the area, said police.

The government has decided to continue export incentives and cash assistance in 43 sectors to encourage the country's export trade in the second half of FY26. Among jute products, incentives have been set at different rates for the export of diversified jute products, hessian, sacking, CBC, jute yarn (yarn and twine). Incentives will also be maintained for the export of leather products, handmade items, and boneless cattle umbilical cord and intestines. Up to 10% incentives have been provided for the export of agricultural products, vegetables, fruits and processed agricultural products. However, the relevant conditions will be applicable in the case of special cash assistance in the RMG sector.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. -File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS)- BNP will organise a civic memorial meeting for former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s on Friday next. Politicians, eminent personalities and representatives of the interim government will participate in this memorial meeting, which will be held under the banner of a Citizens' Committee initiated by the BNP. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia passed away on December 30 last while receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital. BNP observed seven-day mourning following her death.

National Programme of Action 2026-2030 on the cards to eliminate child labourDHAKA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - The government is formulating the National Programme of Action (NPA) 2026-2030 to eliminate child labour from the country by 2030. The National Programme of Action for the Elimination of Child Labour 2021-2025 is being reviewed and a new National Programme of Action is being formulated for the period 2026-2030, said an official document prepared by Ministry of Labour and Employment. Meanwhile, Bangladesh implemented the NPA 2021-2025 aiming to eliminate worst forms of child labour by 2025. In the last one year, 3,453 children have been withdrawn from child labour and 16 cases were filed in this regard. A total 11,691 special inspections, 608 motivational meetings and 60 trainings were organised to eliminate child labour, while 347 child daycare centres have been established for female workers at garments and other factories.

A fire broke out at a scrap (waste) storage dump of the Matarbari Thermal Power Plant in Maheshkhali upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Monday night, officials said. Maheshkhali Fire Service and Civil Defence Station officer (acting) Ramprasad Sen said the fire erupted at the plant’s scrap storage dump and was extinguished after Fire Service personnel responded with two units. Local residents said they noticed flames inside the power plant premises from a bridge adjacent to the facility. Maheshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Imran Mahmud Dalim said the fire originated at around 8:45pm beside the power plant’s production unit and was brought under control shortly afterwards. He added that the main production plant was not affected, as the fire occurred in an adjacent area.

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