South Korea's women footballers threaten boycott over conditions
SEOUL, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - South Korea's women's football team threatened to boycott matches ahead of March's Asian Cup over "discriminatory conditions" provided by their country's football association, documents revealed Tuesday. The Korea Professional Footballers' Association made public a joint statement that they sent with national team players to the Korea Football Association (KFA) in September last year, complaining of "poor conditions" on national team duty. It also said that players were required to personally pay for items including airport transfers and training kit. The players' statement said that "for many years, women's national team players have silently endured poor and unreasonable conditions, sustained solely by their pride as 'national representatives'". It said there were "clear and undeniable differences" from the conditions enjoyed by the men's national team.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 08:19 UTC
Macron sent message to Trump offering to host G7 meeting in Paris Thursday: entourage
Macron sent message to Trump offering to host G7 meeting in Paris Thursday: entouragePARIS, France, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Emmanuel Macron has sent a "private message" to Donald Trump offering to organise a G7 summit in Paris on Thursday in which Russia could be invited on the sidelines, the French president's entourage confirmed. Trump posted this message on his Truth Social network in which Macron also proposes inviting Ukraine to the meeting as well as Denmark to discuss disagreements over Greenland. The offer comes as Europe is weighing countermeasures after Trump threatened to impose tariffs on eight European countries in a bid to pressure the EU over Greenland. "I can organise a G7 meeting in Paris on Thursday afternoon after Davos," Macron wrote, referring to the gathering of global elites in Switzerland where the US president is set to be in attendance. "I can invite the Ukrainians, the Danes, the Syrians and the Russians on the sidelines" of the meeting, he added.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 08:18 UTC
China confirms invited to join Trump's 'Board of Peace'
BEIJING, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Beijing confirmed on Tuesday that China had been invited to join US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace". "China has received the United States' invitation," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular news briefing, without specifying whether Beijing would accept the invitation. Guo said China-US relations had achieved overall stability in the past year, despite a trade war that saw both countries impose tit-for-tat tariffs on each others' products. "Over the past year, China-US relations have experienced ups and downs, but have maintained overall dynamic stability," Guo told reporters. "Cooperation between China and the US benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both," he added.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 08:09 UTC
Sylhet asks Rangpur bat first in Eliminator game
DHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS)-Sylhet Titans skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraz won the toss and sent Rangpur Riders into bat first in the Eliminator game of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today. The winner of the match will move to the Qualifier-2 game for a spot in the BPL final while the loser will be eliminated from the race straightaway. Rangpur was the third-placed team, having won six matches in the group phase. Sylhet won five matches to sit in fourth place. The two teams met twice in the group phase with Rangpur winning the first-leg encounter by six wickets while Sylhet sealing same margin victory in the second-leg match.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 07:58 UTC
UAE denies running 'secret prisons' in Yemen
DUBAI, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday denied running secret prisons in southern Yemen following claims from Saudi-backed Yemeni officials that widened a rift between the Gulf powers. Monday's claims from Hadramawt province followed clashes between UAE- and Saudi-backed forces that prompted Abu Dhabi to withdraw its remaining troops from Yemen. On Monday, Hadramawt's governor told foreign media invited by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, including AFP, that "a number of secret prisons used by Emirati forces" had been uncovered. The UAE defence ministry said the "facilities referred to are merely military accommodation, operations rooms and fortified shelters, some of which are located underground". Saudi Arabia is now attempting to shore up control in government-controlled southern Yemen.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 07:28 UTC
US Treasury chief says retaliatory EU tariffs over Greenland 'unwise'
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned European nations on Monday against retaliatory tariffs over President Donald Trump's threatened levies to obtain control of Greenland. "I think it would be very unwise," Bessent told reporters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos. He added, however, that "I think it's a complete canard that the president will be doing this because of the Nobel Prize". Asked later Monday on the chances for a deal that would not involve acquiring Greenland, Bessent said "I would just take President Trump at his word for now". Referring to Denmark, he said: "What if one day they were worried about antagonising the Chinese?
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 07:10 UTC
EC to sit registered political parties Tuesday afternoon
The Election Commission (EC) is scheduled to hold a discussion meeting with registered political parties on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the upcoming 13th national election and referendum, 2026. The Commission said the meeting will primarily focus on the “Postal Vote BD” app, its functions, and related issues. According to the Commission, representatives of all 63 registered political parties will join the discussion along with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) MM Nasir Uddin, election commissioners, the senior secretary of the EC Secretariat, and other officials. In addition, Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks will pay a courtesy call on the CEC at 3pm on Tuesday at the EC headquarters. The Commission said it will discuss various important matters regarding the upcoming national election.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 20, 2026 07:02 UTC
Trump threatens French wine tariff over 'Board of Peace' snub
WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Donald Trump on Monday threatened 200 percent tariffs on French wine and champagne over France's intentions to decline the US leader's invitation to join his "Board of Peace." But he doesn't have to join," Trump said, referring to French President Emmanuel Macron. The board's charter "goes beyond the sole framework of Gaza", the source close to the French president said. Trump confirmed he had invited his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to join his Board of Peace, after the Moscow earlier Monday reported the invite. "Yes, he's been invited," Trump told a reporter in Florida who asked if he had asked Putin to join the body.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 06:48 UTC
EC to sit registered political parties this afternoon
DHAKA, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) – The Election Commission (EC) is scheduled to hold a discussion meeting with registered political parties this afternoon ahead of the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and referendum, 2026. The Commission said the meeting will primarily focus on the “Postal Vote BD” app, its functions, and related issues. It will be held at 4:00 pm today at the EC headquarters in Agargaon here. According to the Commission, representatives of all 63 registered political parties will join the discussion along with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) M M Nasir Uddin, election Commissioners, the Senior Secretary of the EC Secretariat, and other officials. In addition, Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks will pay a courtesy call on the CEC at 3:00 pm today at the EC headquarters.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 06:44 UTC
Protecting public health
The recent distribution of free cigarettes near Dhaka University is disappointing to say the least. Smoking has famously been linked to respiratory disease, heart problems, cancer, and premature death, and an enabling of something so clearly unhealthy undermines ongoing public health efforts to reduce tobacco consumption. Discouraging tobacco use is not about moral policing; it is about protecting public health, especially the health of young adults who are most susceptible to marketing ploys and peer pressure. Free cigarettes near an educational institution may generate momentary excitement, but it does nothing to advance the long-term wellbeing of our youth or our nation. Let us instead push in the direction of healthier choices, clearer public health messaging, and environments that support rather than undermine public well-being.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 20, 2026 06:30 UTC
Mob violence must be confronted with punitive action
The recurring incidents of mob violence in Bangladesh -- especially against our minority groups -- are a deeply troubling reminder of a persistent and corrosive mentality that insists on retaliation over reason, and instant judgement over justice. Such outbreaks of collective rage do not just threaten individuals -- they undermine the very idea of law, order, and social harmony. Mob violence thrives on fear and rumour, replacing accountability with collective anger. There is no place in a mature society for violence in the name of justice. If Bangladesh is to live up to its principles, mob violence must be confronted not just with punitive action, but with a collective reaffirmation of law, dignity, and mutual respect.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 20, 2026 06:30 UTC
Chankharpul massacre verdict deferred to Jan 26
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Tuesday deferred to January 26 the delivery of its verdict in the case over the killing of six people during the July Uprising of 2024 at Chankharpul in the capital. Of them, four are currently in jail: former Shahbagh Police Station inspector (operations) Md Arshad Hossain, constable Md Sujan Mia, Md Imaz Hossain Iman and Md Nasirul Islam. They are former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner Habibur Rahman, former additional commissioner Sudip Kumar Chakraborty, former additional deputy commissioner of Ramna Division Shah Alam Md Akhtarul Islam, and former assistant commissioner Mohammad Imrul. According to the prosecution, on August 5, 2024, police opened fire on a peaceful student movement at Chankharpul, leaving six people dead. The victims were Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Junayed, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Hawladar, Md Ismamul Haque and Manik Mia Shahrik.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 20, 2026 06:24 UTC
Blast at Chinese restaurant in Kabul kills 7
KABUL, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A blast at a Chinese restaurant in central Kabul on Monday killed at least seven people and wounded more than a dozen others, emergency services said. Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said the explosion occurred at the Chinese Noodle restaurant, which he said mainly served Chinese Muslims. The Islamic State armed group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, the SITE Intelligence Group reported, saying it was a suicide attack targeting Chinese nationals. Within hours of the blast the street was reopened to traffic, with cars streaming past the restaurant's covered entrance. The following year, the Islamic State group claimed a deadly attack on a Kabul hotel popular with Chinese guests.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 06:04 UTC
Why restoring nature can work so much more effectively when led by local people
The success of restoration efforts hinges on involving local communities. A promising alternative centres on local communities shaping the restoration process. One example of this managerial approach is Vietnam’s 30-year tree planting program. In northern India, forest planting projects have involved both the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department and communities. Restoring the ability of local communities to be the custodians of nature is a promising approach to both ecological and social recovery -- and ultimately environmental justice.
Source:Dhaka Tribune
January 20, 2026 05:50 UTC
Djokovic jokes that he wants slice of Alcaraz's winnings
MELBOURNE, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Carlos Alcaraz's new-look serve at the Australian Open has been compared to Novak Djokovic and the Serbian great says he is expecting a slice of the Spanish superstar's winnings. Eagled-eyed fans noticed that his more compact action now bears a striking resemblance to Djokovic, who was asked about it after coasting into the second round at Melbourne Park. "Then when I saw him here, I told him we have to talk about a percentage of his winnings. Asked about his new serve ahead of the tournament, Alcaraz said he was flattered by the comparison to Djokovic, he insisted it was a coincidence. I didn't think about, or I wasn't thinking about making the same serve as Djokovic," he told reporters.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 20, 2026 05:48 UTC