ROME, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Six members of Italy's police and coastguard go on trial Friday over a 2023 shipwreck that killed at least 94 migrants, accused of failing to intervene on time. Four officers from Italy's Guardia di Finanza (GDF) financial crimes police and two members of the coastguard are standing trial in nearby Crotone. They are accused of involuntary manslaughter and "culpable shipwreck", a crime in the Italian penal code punishing negligent actions or omissions leading to a shipwreck. But a boat subsequently sent by the GDF police turned back due to the bad weather, and the migrant boat eventually capsized on rocks near the beach. All those on trial worked from various control centres far from the site of the shipwreck.

DHAKA, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) – The government has taken a groundbreaking initiative to ensure affordable travel facilities for expatriate Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia. “Through this initiative, expatriate workers will benefit directly, while the state-owned airline, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, is also expected to gain significant financial benefits,” he said. Bashir informed that under this special arrangement, the minimum one-way fare on the Madinah–Dhaka and Jeddah–Dhaka routes has been fixed at Taka 20,500 while the minimum return fare on the Madinah–Dhaka–Madinah and Jeddah–Dhaka–Jeddah routes has been set at Taka 42,000. This special fare will be applicable for arrivals in Bangladesh from April 18, 2026 to May 25, 2026, and for departures from Bangladesh from May 30, 2026 to June 30, 2026, he said. Therefore, it must be ensured that this initiative is implemented with 100 percent effectiveness,” Prof Yunus said.

Bangladesh has been elected as the Vice-Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for the year 2026. Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh has been elected as the Vice-Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for the year 2026. Bangladesh assumed charge as Vice-Chair during the first PBC meeting of its 20th session after a brief ceremony. The members of the Commission during its first meeting of the 20th session elected Morocco as Chair while Germany, Brazil, Croatia and Bangladesh were elected as Vice-Chairs. The Peacebuilding Commission is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries.

DHAKA, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country during the next 24 hours commencing from 9 am today, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. Light to moderate fog may occur at places over the country during late night to morning, it said. Night temperatures may fall slightly and day temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country. The highest temperature recorded yesterday was 32.2 degrees Celsius at Teknaf in Chattogram division, while the lowest minimum temperature recorded today was 11.4 degrees Celsius at Rajarhat under Rangpur division. Today's sunset at Dhaka will be at 5:43 pm, while tomorrow's sunrise is expected at 6:40 am.

Cuba, which has largely been under a US embargo since 1962, until recently received most of its oil from Venezuela. The United States has been mum on what kind of deal it is seeking with the island's communist government. The order signed Thursday threatens added tariffs on any "country that directly or indirectly sells or otherwise provides any oil to Cuba." Declaring a "national emergency" related to Cuba, Trump made similar claims to those made against Venezuela, such as providing support nations hostile to the United States. US neighbor Mexico has become a significant provider oil to Cuba, though media reports have suggested that flows could be slowing under pressure from Trump.

As a result, the Library’s final day to offer passport services will be Thursday, Feb. 12. “Libraries provide accessible and convenient passport services, especially in rural communities like ours. 6997, the Community Passport Service Access Act, bipartisan legislation to restore eligibility for nonprofit public libraries. Call for actionCommunity members who value accessible passport services can help by contacting their federal elected officials and urging them to support H.R. 6997, the Community Services Access Act, which would preserve equitable passport services through nonprofit public libraries.

WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump on Thursday said all Canadian-built aircraft would lose their US certification until Canada approves American-made Gulfstream business jets, a stunning move threatening major travel disruptions if enacted. "We are hereby decertifying their Bombardier Global Expresses, and all Aircraft made in Canada, until such time as Gulfstream, a Great American Company, is fully certified, as it should have been many years ago," Trump wrote. He additionally threatened a 50 percent tariff on all Canadian aircraft sold to the United States. It was not immediately clear through what process Trump could unilaterally decertify aircraft or what that decertification would entail. Earlier in the week, Trump threatened Canada with 100-percent tariffs after Prime Minister Mark Carney traveled to China and struck several economic deals.

Asian stocks hit by fresh tech fears as gold retreats from peakHONG KONG, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Asian stocks sank Friday amid fresh worries over vast investments in artificial intelligence, gold and silver tumbled after hitting multiple record highs and oil retreated on hopes for an easing of US-Iran tensions. Fresh optimism in the tech sector about the future of AI has provided support, however, with healthy earnings from companies including Meta, Samsung and SK hynix providing much cheer. "Concerns centred on rising investment spending, slower Azure (cloud service) growth, and a longer runway to monetising AI." Hong Kong and Shanghai fell more than one percent while Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei and Manila were also down. Still, concerns remain about a conflict in the crude-rich region, which would send prices soaring, also putting upward pressure on inflation.

WELLINGTON, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - New Zealand rejected an invitation to take part in US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" on Friday, joining a small list of nations to knock back the proposal. "New Zealand will not be joining the Board in its current form but will continue to monitor developments," Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement. Wellington did not reject the idea of the board entirely, but reiterated its commitment to the United Nations. "We see a role for the Board of Peace in Gaza, to be carried out as mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 2803," Peters said. Trump launched his "Board of Peace" initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week.

MELBOURNE, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Wildcards John Peers and Olivia Gadecki became the first team to retain the Australian Open mixed-doubles title since 1988-89 when they outlasted French pair Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard on Friday. They came through 4-6, 6-3, 10-8 on Rod Laver Arena to deny France a first mixed-doubles crown at a Grand Slam since Roland Garros in 2004. It was a third Slam mixed-doubles title for Peers, to go with one men's doubles crown, and the second for Gadecki. The last team to retain an Australian Open mixed-doubles title was the Czech Jana Novotna and American Jim Pugh.

BEIJING, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Friday that the UK has a "huge amount to offer" China, after his attempts to forge closer ties prompted warnings from US President Donald Trump. The first visit to China by a British prime minister in eight years, Starmer's trip follows in the footsteps of other Western leaders looking to counter an increasingly volatile United States. When asked by reporters about Britain "getting into business" with China, Trump warned it was "very dangerous for them to do that". Starmer met top Chinese leaders, including Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Thursday, with both sides highlighting the need for closer ties. He signed a series of agreements on Thursday, with Beijing allowing visa-free travel for British passport holders visiting China for under 30 days.

Trump says 'very dangerous' for UK to deal with ChinaWASHINGTON, United States, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Thursday it was "very dangerous" for close ally Britain to deal with China, as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits Beijing for talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Trump made the remarks to reporters while attending the premiere of a documentary about his wife, First Lady Melania Trump. Asked on the press line for his reaction to Britain "getting into business" with China, the president said: "Well it's very dangerous for them to do that." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also visited China in mid-January and reached agreements on trade and tourism. Trump, after remarking Thursday on Britain, added: "It's even more dangerous, I think, for Canada to get into business with China.

A lower dollar brings mixed effects, boosting the competitiveness of US exporters but inflicting higher prices on cash-strapped consumers for imported goods. But that pullback came after the US currency had rallied almost six percent between Trump's Election Day win in November 2024 and his inauguration. -The greenback moved sharply lower Tuesday after Trump was asked if he thought it had dropped too much. Pesole ties the dollar's recent bout of weakness to a renewal of the "sell America" trade following Trump's threats of new tariffs on Europe over Greenland. Powell's replacement by a Fed chair who favors significantly lower interest rates would lend further downward pressure on the dollar.

BERLIN, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Midfielder Jamal Musiala has made a timely return for a Bayern Munich side who have grown weary in recent weeks as they continue to fight on three fronts. After two appearances off the bench, and a star turn in the Champions League midweek, Musiala is likely to start away at Hamburg on Saturday. The 22-year-old made his first start since returning in Wednesday's 2-1 Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven, scoring Bayern's opening goal. A Bayern Munich academy graduate who represents the United States through his American father, Tillman's return to Germany was disrupted by a string of muscle injuries. Fixtures (1430 GMT unless stated)FridayCologne v Wolfsburg (1930)SaturdayEintracht Frankfurt v Bayer Leverkusen, Werder Bremen v Borussia Moenchengladbach, Hoffenheim v Union Berlin, Augsburg v St Pauli, RB Leipzig v Mainz, Hamburg v Bayern Munich (1730)SundayStuttgart v Freiburg, Borussia Dortmund v Heidenheim (1630)

Trump says 'hopefully' no need for military action against IranPARIS, France, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he hoped to avoid military action against Iran, which has threatened to strike American bases and aircraft carriers in response to any attack. Trump said he is speaking with Iran and left open the possibility of avoiding a military operation after earlier warning time was "running out" for Tehran as the United States sends a large naval fleet to the region. When asked if he would have talks with Iran, Trump told reporters: "I have had and I am planning on it." An official in the Gulf, where states host US military sites, told AFP that fears of a US strike on Iran are "very clear". Trump had threatened military action if protesters were killed in the anti-government demonstrations that erupted in late December and peaked on January 8 and 9.