A memorial meeting in memory of Begum Khaleda Zia, the first female prime minister of Bangladesh and a key architect of the country's democracy, will be held in Washington DC on Monday. The program is scheduled to take place at the National Press Club. Washington-based diplomats, senior US government officials, policymakers and media representatives are expected to attend the event. The event will be organised by Washington National Press Club member and Bangladesh Ambassador to Mexico Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, who previously served as Assistant Press Secretary to Begum Khaleda Zia from 2001 to 2006 during her tenure as prime minister. The event will commemorate Begum Khaleda Zia's political life, her role in the restoration and consolidation of democracy, and her significant contributions to the history of Bangladesh with due respect and dignity.

Asian equities edge up, dollar slides as US Fed Reserve subpoenaedHONG KONG, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Asian equities posted gains Monday while the dollar dipped as investors digested news that the US Justice Department subpoenaed the Federal Reserve, raising fears over US central bank independence. "The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President," Powell said in a statement late Sunday. Powell said the bank received grand jury subpoenas on Friday related to his Senate testimony in June, which had been about a major renovation project of Federal Reserve office buildings. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul and Taipei climbed, tracking Wall Street's record close Friday. He also said that the Islamic republic's leadership had called seeking "to negotiate" and that a meeting was being set up.

Australian Open 'underdog' Medvedev says he will be hard to beatBRISBANE, Australia, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Three-time Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev will be an underdog at the opening Grand Slam of the year, but the Russian warned he will be hard to beat in his current form. "So I'm happy with the way I'm playing, and I know that when I'm playing good, there are not that many players that can beat me easily or at all." Medvedev, who reached the final of the Australian Open in 2021, 2022 and 2024, will be an underdog in Melbourne with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz overwhelming favourites. Last year Medvedev lost in the Australian Open second round to 19-year-old Learner Tien over five gruelling sets, before going out in the first round at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows. He has since split with long-time coach Gilles Cervara and started working with a former Australian Open champion, Thomas Johansson, and Rohan Goetzke.

The best comedy actress nominee for her work on "Only Murders in the Building" radiated joy as she arrived on the arm of her husband Benny Blanco. She oozed sophistication in a black Chanel column gown with a frothy white feathered strapless neckline, her black bob swept into soft waves. Gomez was not alone in striking an understated pose, with lots of stars opting for black or dark, wintry hues. Her plunging green Versace gown at the Grammys in 2000 is still a reference for winning the red carpet by adopting the "less is more" rule. - Stars slam deadly ICE shooting -Hollywood never quite has a night out without a bit of politics coming into play.

WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell revealed Sunday that the central bank had been subpoenaed by the Justice Department, blasting the move as part of President Donald Trump's extraordinary pressure campaign on US monetary policy decisions. Powell said in a statement that the bank received grand jury subpoenas on Friday related to his Senate testimony in June, which had been about a major renovation project of Federal Reserve office buildings. "This unprecedented action should be seen in the broader context of the administration's threats and ongoing pressure," Powell said. Trump has consistently pressured Powell and the central bank to move faster in lowering interest rates. Powell's term as chairman of the Federal Reserve ends in May, and Trump told Politico in an interview last month that he would judge Powell's successor on whether they immediately cut rates.

Trump says Iran 'want to negotiate' after reports of hundreds killed in protestsWASHINGTON, United States, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Iran's leadership had called him seeking "to negotiate" after he repeatedly threatened to intervene militarily if Tehran killed protesters. "The leaders of Iran called" yesterday, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, adding that "a meeting is being set up... The US-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) said it had received "eyewitness accounts and credible reports indicating that hundreds of protesters have been killed across Iran during the current internet shutdown". "Unverified reports indicate that at least several hundreds, and according to some sources, more than 2,000 people may have been killed," said IHR. He later urged Iran's security forces and government workers to join the demonstrators.

DHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) - Opener Hassan Eisakhil, the son of the Afghanistanall-rounder Moahmmad Nabi, struck a brilliant 50 ball-92 on his BangladeshPremier League (BPL) debut to lead Noakhali Express to a strong 184-7 againstDhaka Capitals at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today. The match, however, saw a father-son duo playing same team for the first timein the history of franchise cricket. Opening the innings for Noakhali, Eisakhil struck seven fours and five sixesin his knock before missing out the well deserved century. After electing to bat first, Eisakhil and his fellow opener Soumya Sarkarmade a solid start by sharing 101 runs in just 9.2 overs. Eisakhil with his father Mohammad Nabi then brought the side back into thecontest again by adding 53 runs for the fourth wicket.

Police have recovered the body of a 17-year-old schoolgirl from her home in South Banasree, with her throat slit. The teenager, identified as Fatema Akter Nili, is a 10th grader at Radiant School. Khilgaon Police chief Mohammad Shafiqul Islam said the body was recovered from a house named Pritam Villa at Block L of South Banasree on Saturday. An officer said, “The girl’s father Sajeeb Mia owns a hotel, and a young man who worked there entered the house to have lunch at the time. He is the key suspect.”CCTV footage from the house and surrounding areas is being reviewed, he added.

General Daily Insight for January 12, 2026 Steady effort may run into tender feelings around commitments. The Sun in your public 10th house squares careful Chiron, currently in your sign. Your 9th House of Exploration takes focus as the vibrant Sun squares tender Chiron, nudging you to test a belief by practicing it in decisions. A sensitive topic wants honesty as the Sun pokes aching Chiron, reaching from your intense 8th house to your networked 11th house. Your 4th House of Caring and your 7th House of Connections are both activated by the Sun and Chiron’s dynamic trine.

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DHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) - The closing and certificate-awarding ceremony ofthe fourth batch of the Research Methodology Programme was held at DhakaUniversity (DU) today. DU Organization Strategy and Leadership (OSL) Department arranged theprogramme the seminar room of the MBA building of the Faculty of BusinessStudies. DU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed attended theevent as the chief guest and distributed certificates among the participants. Coordinator of the Research Methodology Programme Professor Dr MuhammadShariyat Ullah presided over the programme, while Joint Secretary of thePlanning Ministry's Research and Training Wing Dr Sadia Sharmin attended theceremony as special guest. Speaking on the occasion, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr Mamun Ahmed emphasised theimportance of quality research in building a knowledge-based society andensuring sustainable development, effective policymaking and innovativeknowledge creation.

Returning Officer (RO) of Dhaka and Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury. Photo: BSSBy Moshtak AhmedDHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) - Returning Officer (RO) of Dhaka and Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury said 35,000 polling officers will be trained in Dhaka ahead of the upcoming 13th Parliamentary Election. Sharf Uddin made the remarks in an interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) on Sunday. Regarding the preparations, the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner said inspection of polling centres is underway to assess their condition. Regarding law and order, Sharf Uddin said he does not see major challenges in Dhaka city.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday granted bail to an accused for the first time in a case involving crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising last year. The three-member International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, granted the bail on health grounds, citing the accused’s serious illness, said Prosecutor Mizanul Islam. He, however, urged that strict conditions be imposed to prevent the accused from contacting other suspects in crimes against humanity cases. The interim government reconstituted the International Crimes Tribunal to try crimes against humanity committed during the suppression of the anti-discrimination student movement in July last year. A total of four people were arrested in connection with the crimes against humanity case in Lakshmipur, and Patwary has now been granted bail.

Bangladeshi expatriates in the United Kingdom (UK) are worried over Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ decision to suspend flights between Sylhet and Manchester. Biman Bangladesh Airlines recently announced the suspension of Sylhet–Manchester flight from February 1. He said no international airlines—other than Biman—operate from Osmani International Airport, often citing incomplete terminal construction as a reason. He added that large Bangladeshi communities live in Scotland, Manchester, and Birmingham, many of whom depend heavily on the Sylhet–Manchester route. Bosra Islam, General Manager (Public Relations) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, said she was unaware of the suspension of the Sylhet–Madinah and Sylhet–Doha routes.