Prosecution seeks maximum punishment for culprits in Abu Sayed killing case
File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS) – The prosecution at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 today pleaded for the maximum punishment of those accused in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) student Abu Sayed during the July Mass Uprising. Senior prosecutor Mizanul Islam made the plea in the closing arguments in the case. The tribunal framed charges against all 30 accused on August 6, 2025. Advocate Azizur Rahman Dulu represented Sujan Chandra Roy; Advocate Aminul Gani Titu appeared for Shariful Islam; and Advocate Salauddin Regan represented Imran Chowdhury Akash. The ICT-2 issued arrest warrants on June 30 against 26 fugitives, including former BRUR vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Hasibur Rashid.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 25, 2026 09:54 UTC
Woman, boy drown off Greece after migrant boat sinks
Collected photoATHENS, Jan 25, 2026 (AFP) - A boat carrying over 50 migrants sank off the Greek coast, killing a woman and a boy and leaving three others missing, the coastguard said Sunday. "A rescue operation with a coastguard vessel is underway, and a team of rescuers and divers is expected later today," she said. In early December, 17 people were found dead after their boat sank off Crete and 15 others were reported missing. According to the UN refugee agency 107 people died or went missing in 2025 off the Greek coast. The International Organisation for Migration says about 33,000 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean since 2014.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 25, 2026 09:52 UTC
US preparing to deport Iranians despite unrest, killings: NGO
WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Trump administration plans to repatriate Iranian migrants from the United States despite their home country still reeling from massive protests during which thousands were killed, according to an Iranian-American NGO. The deportation flights would be the first to Iran since the beginning of the mass uprisings in the country, which peaked in early January before being violently repressed. "The same administration that promised Iranians that 'help is on the way' amid a deadly crackdown is now forcibly sending Iranians back into danger," said NIAC president Jamal Abdi. Abolfazl Mehrabadi, a diplomat representing Tehran's interests in the United States, told Iran's official IRNA news agency on Saturday that about 40 Iranians were to be deported. The US Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to AFP queries about the planned deportations.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 25, 2026 09:04 UTC
Rajshahi farmers turn to strawberry cultivation
Photo:BSSBy Md Aynal HaqueRAJSHAHI, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS) - Farmers in Rajshahi, part of the Barind region, are increasingly turning to commercial strawberry cultivation, attracted by its ease of growth and high profitability. According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) and local farmers, strawberry plants start bearing fruit within a month of planting, with production continuing for four to five months. In Rajshahi district, strawberry cultivation has expanded by an additional two hectares this year. "Since starting strawberry cultivation, I no longer need other work. Professor Rafiqul Islam of Rajshahi University's Department of Botany said strawberry cultivation is as easy as growing potatoes or eggplants.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 25, 2026 07:53 UTC
ICT-1 to deliver Chankharpul case verdict tomorrow
DHAKA, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS) - The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 is scheduled to pronounce its judgment tomorrow in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed in the city's Chankharpul area on August 5, 2024, when six people were brutally killed. The tribunal was earlier set to pronounce the judgment on January 20, but later refixed the date to January 26 as the verdict could not be readied within the scheduled time. The first four accused are yet to be arrested and are being tried in absentia. The six victims-Shahriar Khan Anas, Sheikh Mahdi Hasan Zunayed, Md Yakub, Md Rakib Hawlader, Md Ismamul Haque, and Manik Miah-were killed in Chankharpul on August 5, 2024. The tribunal's investigation agency submitted a 90-page probe report on April 20, 2025.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 25, 2026 07:43 UTC
Two held with 80kg ganja in Narsingdi
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-11 in a drive arrested two drug dealers identified as the pickup driver Md. Moharam Ali (26) along with 80 kgs of ganja in Palash upazila of the district last night. Photo: BSSNARSINGDI, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS) - Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-11 arrested two suspected drug peddlers and recovered 80 kilograms of ganja during an anti-narcotics operation in Palash upazila of the district last night. According to RAB-11, the operation was conducted around 11:40 pm in Charnagardi Bazar area on the Panchdona-Charsindur road, based on secret information. The arrested were identified as Md Kawsar, 27, the driver of the vehicle, and his assistant Md Maharam Ali, 26.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 25, 2026 07:06 UTC
WHO chief says US Covid criticism 'inaccurate'
GENEVA, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The World Health Organization's chief pushed back Saturday against harsh US criticism of his agency's record during the Covid pandemic, rejecting charges it had violated countries' sovereignty. US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took aim at the WHO in a video posted on X on Friday as he announced that Washington had formally withdrawn from the organisation. He argued that WHO, which has not confirmed that the US withdrawal has taken effect, had "lost its way". Deputy Health Secretary Jim O'Neill meanwhile charged on X that the WHO had "ignored rigorous science and promoted lockdowns" during the pandemic. - 'Inaccurate information' -Responding on X, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the statement "contains inaccurate information".
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 25, 2026 06:56 UTC
EC holds meeting with foreign diplomats
Election Commission (EC) today held a meeting with foreign diplomats at the Ballroom of Westin Hotel in the capital's Gulshan. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) today held a meeting with foreign diplomats stationed in Bangladesh to brief them on preparations for the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum. Senior Secretary of the EC Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed and other senior officials of the commission were also present. According to EC sources, the diplomats were briefed on the overall election preparations, the electoral process, appointment of international observers, measures to ensure transparency, and the prevailing law and order situation, among other issues. Following the meeting, the Chief Election Commissioner is expected to brief journalists at the Election Commission building, the sources added.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 25, 2026 06:30 UTC
'Dream partner': Sabalenka keen for mixed-doubles date with Djokovic
MELBOURNE, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - World number one Aryna Sabalenka said Sunday she is keen to play mixed doubles with Novak Djokovic, but is still waiting for the Serbian great to tell her she is "his dream partner". The pair played together once before, a charity match on Rod Laver Arena ahead of the 2024 Australian Open. "I'm still waiting for that long message from him, how he would like to play with me, that I'm his dream partner. "So I'm still waiting for the message. She has previously credited him with helping her on and off the court, seeking his counsel after losing two finals last year.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 25, 2026 05:23 UTC
Venezuela interim president calls for 'agreements' with opposition
CARACAS, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez called on Saturday for discussions with the opposition to reach "agreements" for peace, three weeks after the US ouster of her former boss, Nicolas Maduro. "There can be no political or partisan differences when it comes to peace in Venezuela," Rodriguez said on state television, speaking from the coastal state of La Guaira. "Despite our differences, we must speak to each other with respect. Despite our differences, we must come together and reach agreements," she added.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 25, 2026 05:23 UTC
Indonesia resumes search for dozens missing in deadly landslide
CISARUA, Indonesia, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Indonesian rescuers resumed searching on Sunday for around 80 people missing in a deadly landslide, after the mission coordinator said operations had to be suspended overnight due to harsh weather. Triggered by heavy rain, the landslide barrelled into villages in Java's West Bandung region early Saturday morning, burying residential areas and forcing dozens of people to evacuate their homes. At least nine people were killed and around 80 are still missing, the local search and rescue agency confirmed on Saturday, warning that the figures were provisional. The rain forced rescue efforts to pause overnight, mission coordinator Ade Dian Permana said in a statement. But operations resumed on Sunday morning as the rain subsided, an AFP reporter saw.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 25, 2026 05:23 UTC
Religion briefs for Jan. 24-25, 2026
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Source:Daily Sun
January 25, 2026 05:08 UTC
Greenland capital hit by power outage after strong winds
NUUK, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A power outage plunged Greenland's capital into darkness over the weekend after strong winds caused a transmission failure, the state utility said. Three hours later, power had only been partially restored in some areas. Utility company Nukissiorfiit said on its Facebook page that strong winds had caused a transmission failure and that it was in the process of restoring supply through an emergency power plant. Internet monitor NetBlocks reported a significant decline in connectivity in Greenland, "with high impact to capital Nuuk". Trump backed down after meeting NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Wednesday, saying they had reached a "framework" deal on the Danish autonomous territory.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 25, 2026 04:28 UTC
Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariff if it completes China trade deal
WASHINGTON, United States, Jan 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Canada that if it concludes a trade deal with China, he will impose a 100 percent tariff on all goods coming over the border. "If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the USA." Canada's minister responsible for trade with the United States, Dominic LeBlanc, pushed back against Trump's latest threat. "There is no pursuit of a free trade deal with China. - Trade spats -Canada heavily relies on trade with the United States, the destination for more than three quarters of Canadian exports.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 25, 2026 03:39 UTC
US Fed set to keep rates steady as officials defend independence
But Fed Chair Jerome Powell has signaled the bar would be higher for a further reduction in January. Powell's robust defense of Fed independence in response to ongoing pressure from Trump to lower rates confirms this, ING added. Yet, US inflation has been well above the bank's two-percent target for over five years, said former Cleveland Fed president Loretta Mester. She said her case is about whether the Fed will set rates "guided by evidence and independent judgment or will succumb to political pressure." Policymakers seen as "hawkish" favor higher rates to fight inflation, while a "dovish" Fed tends towards lower levels.
Source:Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha
January 25, 2026 03:08 UTC