PARIS, France, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran would strike US military and shipping targets in the event of a new attack by the United States during an ongoing wave of protests, the parliament speaker said on Sunday. "In the event of a military attack by the United States, both the occupied territory and centres of the US military and shipping will be our legitimate targets," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told parliament in comments broadcast by state TV, apparently also referring to Israel, which the Islamic republic does not recognise and considers occupied Palestinian territory.

DHAKA, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS) - The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has launched the large-value corporate tax, VAT payments through mobile financial service bKash as part of the revenue board’s ongoing efforts to digitize the revenue management system. Speaking at the inauguration of digital corporate tax and VAT payments via bKash at the NBR Bhaban, the chairman said two successful real-time transactions had already been completed, proving the system’s capability to handle high-value payments securely and efficiently. We want all tax payments to be digital because digital transactions bring multiple advantages—real-time settlement, accuracy, transparency and reduced risk,” he said. Calling for the complete abolition of pay orders and crossed cheques for tax payments, he said modern digital payment channels have made such instruments obsolete. “With collective effort, we can build a transparent, efficient and technology-driven revenue system that benefits both taxpayers and the state,” he added.

Linguistic Olympiad-2026 of Rangpur region was held at Rangpur Zilla School yesterday. Photo : BSSRANGPUR, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS)- Linguistic Olympiad-2026 of Rangpur region was held at Rangpur Zilla School yesterday. The Linguistic Olympiad is being held 10 regions of the country under the auspices of IMLI for the third time as part of observing the Martyr's Day and International Mother Language Day-2026. The Linguistic Olympiad will be held Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Mymensingh, Narayanganj, Cumilla and online. To participate in the Linguistic Olympiad-2026 students can register online by visiting the IMLI website.

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PARIS, France, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The nationwide shutdown of the internet in Iran during protests against the authorities remains in place and has now lasted more than 60 hours, monitor Netblocks said on Sunday. "The censorship measure presents a direct threat to the safety and wellbeing of Iranians at a key moment for the country's future," it said on X, adding that the blackout is "now past the 60 hour mark".

BANGKOK, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Assailants detonated bombs at nearly a dozen petrol stations in Thailand's south early Sunday, injuring four people, the army said, the latest attacks in the insurgency-hit region. Several bombs exploded within a 40-minute period after midnight on Sunday, igniting 11 petrol stations across Thailand's southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, an army statement said. A firefighter and two petrol station employees were injured in Pattani province, the army said. All four were admitted to hospitals, none with serious injuries, a Thai army spokesman told AFP. The area is heavily policed by Thai security forces -- the usual targets of insurgent attacks.

Hobart captain Nathan Ellis was full of praise for Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain who continued shinning in the Big Bash League (BBL) in his inaugural season. Ellis’ praise came after the match against Adelaide Strikers as Rishad took 3-26 to contribute in the side’s 37-run victory. “There was a short side here tonight and Rishad took it with both hands with a smile on his face. Citing Rishad ‘world class’, Ellis further said that he was also glad that the leg-spinner will be with the side for the entire season. “I have to give credit to our spinners again; they (Rishad and Rehan Ahmed) have been brilliant for us this year.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has formed a three-member investigation committee to assess damage to the national fuel pipeline and determine the amount of oil stolen after several thousand litres were siphoned off by piercing the Chittagong–Dhaka supply line in Mirsarai. According to locals, oil theft had reportedly been going on for some time by illegally tapping the underground pipeline beneath a makeshift tin shed near Hadifkirhat along the Dhaka–Chittagong highway. On Thursday morning, the illegal connection reportedly burst due to increased pressure in the pipeline, causing fuel to spill into the surrounding area. The discovery of oil theft from such a high-security, technologically advanced pipeline has therefore raised serious questions. With a capacity of 5 million tons, the pipeline is currently supplying around 3 million tons of fuel annually.

The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday commenced the second day of hearings on appeals lodged against the decisions of returning officers regarding the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election. On the first day of hearings, held Saturday, the Commission disposed of 70 appeals, allowing 52. Senior Secretary of the EC Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed informed journalists that of those 70 appeals, 52 were allowed and 15 rejected, while hearings on three were adjourned due to factual inconsistencies. As per the schedule, appeals numbered 141 to 210 will be heard tomorrow, Monday, while appeals numbered 211 to 280 will be taken up on Tuesday. A total of 645 appeals have been filed with the Election Commission.

After nearly eight years, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has entered a new phase under the leadership of a directly elected party chairman, with Tarique Rahman formally assuming full responsibility. Many leaders remained confident that Tarique Rahman would eventually return. Under her leadership, BNP navigated multiple political challenges and remained under her firm control until 2018. Tarique Rahman: From grassroots to chairmanTarique Rahman began his political journey by becoming a BNP primary member in Bogra in 1988. A day after assuming office, Tarique Rahman exchanged views with senior media professionals at a meeting held at a hotel in Banani.

The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday held a law and order coordination meeting with 16 divisions and agencies, including the armed forces, ahead of the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad Election and the Referendum. The meeting began at 9am at the conference room of the Election Commission at Agargaon in the capital, with Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah in the chair. Directors general, principal staff officers and representatives of various law enforcement and security agencies attended the meeting, including Border Guard Bangladesh, Coast Guard, Police, Ansar and Village Defence Force, National Security Intelligence, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), along with others. During the meeting, Election Commissioner Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah (retd) directed the field administration to play a strong role in preventing any kind of violence related the upcoming polls.

AUCKLAND, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Top seed Elena Svitolina powered to a straight-sets victory over China's Wang Xinyu in the Auckland Classic final Sunday in an impressive display just a week before the Australian Open. Ukraine's Svitolina won 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) for a 19th career title in a battle between two baseline specialists which featured only one service break. The world number 13 reached the quarter-finals at Melbourne a year ago, the third time she had made the Australian Open last eight. The former world number three's has a remarkable record in WTA finals, having won 19 times in her 23 appearances. It was just the second time for 24-year-old seventh seed Wang had reached a final.

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But his opponent, 43-year-old Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, has framed the election as a protest vote and cannily turned the national flag into a symbol of resistance. Wine's supporters have faced frequent intimidation by the security forces during the campaign, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office and other observers. Like many countries in east Africa, there are laws governing how the national flag may be used, though these were rarely enforced in Uganda in the past. "Everyone has a right to use the national flag, but it depends on in what context they're using it for. I believe the opposition is politicising it," said Israel Kyarisiima, a national youth co-ordinator for Museveni's National Resistance Movement party.

By Md Aynal HaqueRAJSHAHI, Jan 11, 2026 (BSS)- Farming shrimp using mixed-culture methods often in ponds with carp fish is gaining popularity among farmers for profitability. Farmer Shafiul Alam said commercial shrimp farming is gaining popularity with the breakthrough of introducing larvae and post-larvae production in Rajshahi. There are enormous prospects of boosting farmers’ income, employment generation, poverty reduction and protein security through cherished expansion of shrimp farming in the region, Shafiul Alam added. The state-owned breeding hatchery in Rajshahi has raised huge hopes for commercial freshwater shrimp farming by providing farmers with healthy hatchlings. DoF Divisional Director Saifuddin Yeahia said the department is intended to expand shrimp farming in freshwater by providing updated technologies to grassroots farmers.