TOKYO, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A team of three robbers stole suitcases holding $2.7 million in cash on a busy street in central Tokyo, police and media said Friday, a rare crime in the Japanese metropolis that prides itself on safety. She declined to give further details of the case, but local media said the victims were a group of five Chinese and Japanese nationals who were trying to place suitcases containing some 420 million yen ($2.7 million) in a vehicle. It was not immediately clear why the group was carrying the money. Fuji Television said the victims told investigators that the cash was being delivered to currency exchange stations. Police were investigating the link between the two attacks, broadcaster TBS said.

The Kremlin did not immediately confirm any truce, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Trump and said he was counting on Washington to secure the pause in attacks. "Because of the cold, extreme cold... I personally asked President Putin not to fire on Kyiv and the cities and towns for a week during this," Trump told a cabinet meeting at the White House. And I personally asked President Putin not to fire into Kyiv and the various towns for a week. Russian attacks killed six people in central and southern Ukraine on Thursday, regional authorities and emergency services said.

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WASHINGTON, ‌Jan 29 (Reuters) - President ​Trump said ⁠he intends to announce ​his pick to replace ​Federal ⁠Reserve Chair ​Jerome Powell next week, ending weeks of ‌speculation over ⁠who ‌will lead the ‌U.S. central ⁠bank after ‍Powell’s term expires ‌in May ⁠2026. (Reporting By ‍Jarrett Renshaw, Editing by Franklin Paul)

For those of us plugged into 24/7 news and social media, life is a slog, attacked by the proverbial slings and arrows. The light at the end of the tunnel isn’t always an oncoming train – sometimes it’s daylight. Not necessarily unicorns and summer rainbows, mind you, but a glass at least half full of varying degrees of happiness and satisfaction. Or Will Rogers, who famously said he never met a man he didn’t like, although I suspect he was exaggerating. Emulate that lark from sullen earth and sing hymns at heaven’s gate.

Voters will reject failed rulers in next election: Golam ParwarJamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar speaks at Dumuria upazila, urging voters to reject failed rulers. Photo : BSSKHULNA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar today said voters would show a red card to the failed rulers of the last 54 years in the upcoming national election. He made the remarks while addressing public outreach programmes, courtyard meetings, roadside rallies and election gatherings at Dumuria Sadar Union, Mirzapur, Golna, Khalshi and other areas of Dumuria upazila on Thursday. Parwar said attempts are being made to spread fear in the electoral field to keep voters away from the polls. He alleged that a vested quarter is creating planned panic among the Hindu community through misinformation, claiming that Hindu voters would face violence and restrictions if they vote for the "scale" symbol.

Halimuzzaman (Khondaker Sumon) emerged as a major winner, with his film Satao winning Best Film and himself earning the Best Director award. In the performance categories, Afran Nisho was named Best Actor for the film Surongo, while Ainun Nahar (Ainun Putul) secured the Best Actress award forSatao. The film Priyotoma dominated the musical and writing sections, earning awards for Best Singer (Balam), Best Lyricist (Someshwar Oli), Best Composer (PrinceMahmud), and Best Story (Faruk Hossain). Other notable winners include Abanti Sithi for Best Female Singer (Surongo), Shahiduzzaman Selim for Best Comedy Role (Surongo), and Ashish Khandaker forBest Negative Role (Adventure of Sundarban). In the children's category, Md Leon was named Best Child Artist, and Anaira Khan received a special award, both for the film Am Kathaler Chhuti.

NCP urges voters to beware of false promises ahead of pollsNCP Convener Nahid Islam- File PhotoMOULVIBAZAR, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam today urged voters to remain cautious of false promises and misleading information ahead of the February 12 national election. He made the call while addressing an election rally in support of Preetam Das, the candidate of the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami, in Moulvibazar-4 near Srimangal Railway Station Road. Nahid Islam said, "This election is connected with the referendum. After the programme, a campaign procession was held, which moved through several streets of Srimangal town. NCP spokesperson and election management committee chairman Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, joint convener and committee secretary Monira Sharmin and Sylhet division organizing secretary Ehtesham Haque, addressed the rally, among others.

Commercial banks have sought permission from Bangladesh Bank to publish photographs and lists of loan defaulters as part of efforts to recover defaulted loans.The Association of Bankers, Bangladesh (ABB), representing commercial banks, sent a letter to Governor Ahsan H Mansur on Wednesday outlining the proposal.The move follows a meeting on Nov 12 between the central bank and ABB on strategies to recover non-performing loans, where bankers were asked to submit recommendations.After around two and a half months, ABB submitted a set of proposals, with public disclosure of defaulters among the key suggestions.Bangladesh Bank first attempted to introduce branch-level publication of defaulters' lists in 2014, but the initiative was halted following High Court directives.The Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB), representing bank sponsors, had backed the move at the time.Similar attempts were made again in 2018 and 2019, but those efforts were also stalled due to political influence.The issue of publishing defaulters' lists was discussed at several meetings of the finance ministry in 2021 as part of loan recovery measures, but the proposal was never implemented.With defaulted loans continuing to pose challenges for the financial system, bankers have now raised the issue once again, seeking regulatory approval to proceed. �"bdnews24.com

Bangladesh Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Md. Photo: BSSCHATTOGRAM, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Md. Ziaul Haque today said the Coast Guard is fully prepared to safeguard voting rights and maintain law and order during the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum, slated for February 12. He said the Bangladesh Coast Guard has already been deployed in key locations to maintain peace, security and overall stability throughout the electoral process. He said efforts are underway to inform and encourage people of all ages, professions, and backgrounds within Coast Guard jurisdictions to actively participate in the referendum.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim. File photoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, popularly known as the Charmonai Pir, today said Islam is a proven system of governance for all oppressed and disadvantaged people, including minorities. But Islam offers a proved and practical system to governance to ensure the rights of all including the people from other religions." The Islami Andolan Ameer made the remarks while addressing roadside meetings and election campaigns in different constituencies of Lalmonirhat and Rangpur in northern part of the country today. "To realise that spirit, Islami Andolan Bangladesh is presenting Islam as an alternative system of state governance," he added.

BNP's Mintoo goes door to door seeking votes in Feni-3Abdul Awal Mintoo. File PhotoFENI, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Abdul Awal Mintoo, a candidate of BNP for Feni-3 (Daganbhuiyan-Sonagazi) has been conducting an extensive door-to-door campaign ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. Upazila BNP Convener Md. Sonagazi Upazila BNP Convener Joynal Abdin Bablu said campaigns have already been completed in six unions, with programmes underway in the remaining unions and municipality. Daganbhuiyan upazila has 248,384 voters, while Sonagazi upazila has 254,703 voters.