GENEVA, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United Nations voiced deep concern Tuesday over the dramatic US operation in Venezuela, warning that it clearly "undermined a fundamental principle of international law". Shamdasani dismissed US justifications of the Venezuelan government's "longstanding and appalling human rights violations" for the raid. "Accountability for human rights violations cannot be achieved by unilateral military intervention in violation of international law," she insisted. She highlighted that the UN rights office had for a decade consistently reported on "the continued deterioration of the situation in Venezuela". "We fear that the current instability and further militarisation in the country resulting from the US intervention will only make the situation worse."

Rizwana for expanding use of satellite to bring benefits, ensure accountabilityInformation and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today spoke at a business strategic dialogue organised by Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) at a city hotel. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Jan 06, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said the use of satellite must be expanded to strengthen good governance, natural resource management and disaster response. Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb was present as the special guest while Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Abdun Naser Khan delivered the welcome address. Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber and Agriculture Secretary Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian also spoke at the event. BSCL Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Muhammad Imadur Rahman presented the keynote paper.

PARIS, France, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Icy temperatures plunged swathes of Europe into a second day of travel chaos on Tuesday, with weather-related accidents causing six deaths from the continent's bitterest cold snap this winter so far. Forty percent of flights at Charles de Gaulle were to be scrapped, and 25 percent at Orly. Another driver also lost his life east of Paris on Monday after a collision with a heavy goods vehicle. More than 300 schools were shut in Scotland Tuesday, the national BBC broadcaster reported, with Scottish train services also severely disrupted. Hungary meanwhile also braced for a second day of fresh snowfall Tuesday, with some roads and railways already impassable, especially in the northeast.

DHAKA, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) – The government today clarified that the killing of Rana Pratap Bairagi in Jashore was not linked to religion or any journalistic matter, saying that local police have confirmed the victim was already an accused in a murder case. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was present at the briefing. Foyez said local police authorities have informed that the victim had long been involved in extremist politics and was previously accused in a murder case. Noting that there was no religious or journalistic link to the killing, Foyez said, “The incident was the result of an old enmity linked to extremist politics”. Police have already begun investigations and are working to arrest those involved in the killing, he added.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today spoke at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy this evening.Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) – Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today dismissed any confusion and security threats centering the upcoming general elections and the referendum, saying that a specific quarter is spreading the confusion over the polls. “The profiles of those who are spreading confusion over the polls are clear to us. The press secretary made the remarks while replying to a question from a journalist at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy here this evening. Chief Adviser’s Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad was present at the briefing. Responding to another question on security of contesting candidates in the upcoming polls slated for February 12, Shafiqul Alam said that security agencies have been in consultation with political parties, and candidates who require security have already been provided protection, including gunman, where necessary.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. -File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)’s seven-day mourning programme over the death of its Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was observed as the party announced the programme following her demise on December 30. Begum Khaleda Zia, widely regarded as an uncompromising leader for democracy in Bangladesh, passed away in early morning of December 30 at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Terming Begum Khaleda Zia the uncompromising leader of the movement to restore democracy, the gazette said the interim government is deeply saddened by her death. In the following days, homage continued pouring in at the grave of Begum Khaleda Zia.

By Stephen BeechBirds are moving higher up mountains due to climate change, reveals new research. Sunny southern slopes attract birds to live at higher elevations than shadier northern slopes, according to a study published in the journal Global Ecology and Biogeography. Researchers examined 177 bird species in four large mountain ranges: the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Scandinavian Mountains, and the British Highlands. For instance, the northern mountain sides receive less sunlight than the southern sides, resulting in cooler and wetter conditions. Joséphine Couet, a PhD student at the University of Helsinki in Finland, said: "Sunny slopes attract birds to higher elevations because vegetation zones and food resources are located higher up.

According to a comprehensive proposal, a 20 percent increase in the number of scholarships doubles both monthly stipends and one-time grants for recipients at the SSC, HSC and graduation levels. “If junior-level scholarships are increased without adjusting SSC, HSC and higher education scholarships, it would create an imbalance. SSC LevelUnder the proposal, the number of SSC scholarships will increase from 25,500 to 30,600. General scholarship stipends will rise from Tk 375 to Tk 750 per month, and one-time grants from Tk 750 to Tk 1,500. General scholarship stipends will increase from Tk 450 to Tk 900, and one-time grants from Tk 900 to Tk 1,800.

Joan Rae Hargis, a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother passed away on December 6, 2025 in Murfreesboro, TN at the age of 90. She married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Hargis on July 6, 1957 and they remained married for 62 years until his death on May 15, 2018. Joan served as a member of the First Baptist Church of Olean and upon moving to The Villages, Fl joined the North Lake Presbyterian Church. Surviving are her daughter Vicki Hargis of Smyrna, TN; son Kevin Hargis of Olean, NY; three grandchildren, Scott Baham of Gainesville, Fl, Paige Kicklighter of Murfreesboro, TN and Nicholas Hargis of Olean, NY; one great granddaughter, Marlowe Kicklighter of Murfreesboro, TN. The burial will be at the Florida National Cemetery with her husband Thomas Hargis on Monday, January 12, 2026.

Parliamentary Election: 164 appeals filed with EC in two daysPhoto: BSSDHAKA, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) – A total of 164 appeals have been filed with the Election Commission (EC) in the last two days challenging returning officers’ decisions on acceptance and rejection of nomination papers for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary polls. Of these, 122 appeals were submitted today at the Election Commission Bhaban in Agargaon through 10 region-based booths, the EC said. Earlier on Monday, appeals were filed from various regions, including Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Chattogram, Cumilla, Mymensingh, Barishal and Faridpur. On January 4, the final day of scrutiny, returning officers scrutinised 2,568 nomination papers in 300 constituencies, declaring 1,842 nominations valid and rejecting 723. The appeal verdicts will be displayed on monitors, emailed to concerned parties and published on the Election Commission’s website.

California Congressman Doug LaMalfa dies at 65Northern California Congressman Doug LaMalfa, a beloved advocate for farmers and rural communities, passes away at 65. Colleagues pay heartfelt tributes to the principled conservative.

DHAKA, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) - The International Cricket Council's (ICC) expertspanel today revealed the name of the 'player to watch out' in the ICC Under-19 World Cup from each participating countries. From Bangladesh, they picked up Rizan Hossain, a pace-bowling all-rounder,whom they thought would play a big role for the country's cause in thetournament. "Although he was a little quieter during the U19 Asia Cup, Rizan showed hisworth earlier in the year with back-to-back half-centuries againstAfghanistan, while he also scored a brilliant century against England on asummer tour." Whether it is his middle order batting or first-change bowling, Rizan willhave a big role to play for Bangladesh, the ICC thinks. Bangladesh are pitted in Group B along with India, New Zealand and the USA.

Plastic waste has been detected at a depth of about 2,000 metres in the Bay of Bengal, a discovery that scientists have described as deeply alarming and emblematic of the scale of marine pollution worldwide. Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar warned that if such practices continue unchecked, the Bay of Bengal could be stripped of its fish stocks. From ocean to wombBeyond fisheries, the discovery of plastic at extreme depths places the Bay of Bengal within a grim global pattern. Scientific research over the past decade has documented plastic pollution in virtually every corner of the planet. The plastic found deep beneath the Bay of Bengal is more than a local warning.

On the second day of appeals over nominations for the parliamentary polls, the Election Commission (EC) has received 122 applications challenging returning officers’ decisions. With these, a total of 164 appeals have been filed over two days. Candidates have until Friday, Jan 9, to submit appeals, which will be resolved between Jan 10 and 18. Returning officers had scrutinised nomination papers from Dec 30 to Jan 4, cancelling the candidacy of 723 individuals, leaving 1,842 valid candidates. Campaigning will begin the following day and continue until 7:30am on Feb 10, ahead of polling on Feb 12.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today spoke at Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) in Savar. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today said Bangladesh wants to set an example in cutting methane emissions. “Methane and other greenhouse gases are emitted in some sectors at local level — especially in agriculture and livestock. The seminar was arranged at Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) in Savar this afternoon. The fisheries and livestock adviser said the BLRI has undertaken an important project based on the '4F Model' with the support of the Climate Trust Fund.