Interim government finance adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has called on government officials and employees to remain patient regarding the announcement and implementation of the new pay scale. Speaking to journalists on Friday evening at Gurudaspur Upazila Mini Stadium in Natore, he said that necessary steps would be taken promptly once the committee’s report on the pay scale is received. He confirmed that a committee has already been formed and that the government will act based on its recommendations.

Addressing another issue, Dr. Ahmed said that the upcoming referendum would reflect the will of the people. He noted that administrative officials are working to ensure a ‘yes’ vote and that the media also has a responsibility to raise public awareness about the referendum. He added that he has been visiting various districts to highlight its importance.

Several senior officials, including the cabinet secretary, finance secretary, and other top administrative and departmental representatives, were present during the visit.

A rare Himalayan vulture was rescued by residents of Debiganj in Panchagarh on Thursday, January 15. The bird was found in the Bhaualganj Baniyapur Pradhan Para area of Chilahat Union after it became injured while attempting to hunt a goat in a local agricultural field. The vulture reportedly collided with a tree and got entangled in a net used for farming. Local farmer Akkel Ali and his son Tarek discovered the injured bird and rescued it.

After the incident became known, residents informed the Debiganj Upazila Forest Department. Officials from the department arrived at the scene, took custody of the vulture, and brought it to the Debiganj Upazila Range Officer’s office for treatment. The bird is currently receiving medical care, and authorities said it will be released back into the wild once it recovers.

The rescue highlights local awareness and cooperation in protecting rare wildlife species in the region.

After more than a decade of fluctuating relations, the United States is struggling to maintain its economic position in Africa, according to Turkish academic Yunus Turhan of Haci Bayram Veli University in Ankara. Citing U.S. Census Bureau data, he noted that trade between the U.S. and Africa has seen major ups and downs from 2014 to 2025, with exports reaching 34 billion dollars and imports 37.8 billion dollars by November 2025. Despite this, Africa accounted for only 1.1 percent of America’s total trade volume of 7.37 trillion dollars in 2024.

Turhan highlighted that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), launched in 2000, has played a key role by allowing 32 African nations to export over 1,800 products duty-free to the U.S., contributing about 500 billion dollars in exports between 2002 and 2022. The U.S. House of Representatives recently extended AGOA for another three years. However, Turhan observed that U.S.-Africa trade remains largely oil-dependent.

He added that China and Russia have become Washington’s main competitors in Africa, with China’s trade reaching 314 billion dollars in 2025 and Russia’s 24.5 billion dollars in 2024. Turhan suggested that the U.S. should work closely with partners like Turkey to balance strategic rivalry and development goals in Africa.

The Department of Shipping under the Ministry of Shipping has formed a six-member special taskforce to address the ongoing lighter vessel shortage ahead of the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. The government decided to operate mobile courts in key river routes including Narayanganj, Jashore, and Noapara to curb the illegal use of lighter vessels as floating warehouses by some importers. Legal action will be taken against those responsible for obstructing cargo unloading and disrupting normal supply chains.

According to the Department of Shipping, several importers have been keeping goods on lighter vessels for extended periods instead of unloading them, effectively turning them into floating storage facilities. The sudden increase in commercial ships at outer anchorage due to bulk imports before Ramadan has created a shortage of lighter vessels needed to unload goods from seaports. This has delayed cargo handling and raised concerns about potential artificial shortages of essential commodities.

Officials believe that implementing this initiative will help stop the misuse of lighter vessels, speed up cargo unloading, and ensure stable supply of essential goods in the market during Ramadan.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Sirajganj has projected a combined market value of around Tk 1,200 to 1,250 crore from mustard and honey production in the current season. Mustard cultivation has expanded to 90,550 hectares across Ullapara, Tarash, Raiganj, and Shahjadpur upazilas, exceeding the initial target of 90,000 hectares. The DAE expects about 146,000 metric tons of mustard to be produced if weather conditions remain favorable. Farmers are optimistic about good profits due to improved seed varieties and favorable weather.

Honey production has also become a significant economic activity alongside mustard farming. The district has set a target of producing 404,000 kilograms of honey this season, with 220 beekeepers already collecting about 100,000 kilograms. Ullapara upazila leads in both mustard and honey output, creating employment opportunities for many. The DAE is promoting the high-yielding BARI Sarisha-20 variety, which matures within 75–80 days and allows farmers to cultivate boro rice afterward.

Officials noted that expanding mustard cultivation could help reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on imported edible oil, as domestic production currently meets only a small portion of national demand.

The July Shaheed Smriti Foundation (JSSF) has announced that it needs an additional Tk 2.38 billion to fulfill its commitments to the families of martyrs and injured fighters of the July uprising. The foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Lt. Col. (Retd.) Kamal Akbar, made the statement at a press conference held on Thursday in front of the JSSF stall at the International Trade Fair in Purbachal. He said the foundation’s goal is to ensure dignity, security, and a sustainable future for those who sacrificed their lives or were injured during the July movement.

According to Kamal Akbar, JSSF has already distributed Tk 1.1621 billion out of Tk 1.1998 billion received from the Chief Adviser’s Fund and public contributions. The funds have reached 829 martyr families and 6,471 injured fighters, while 7,769 injured fighters are still awaiting financial assistance. He added that 7,082 injured fighters have applied for rehabilitation, with 25 percent seeking training, 20 percent employment, and 54 percent self-employment opportunities. So far, 82 injured fighters have been sustainably rehabilitated through the foundation.

Kamal Akbar emphasized that sustainable rehabilitation and proper recognition of the July fighters are essential for the nation’s long-term progress, calling for coordinated support from the media, society, and the state.

National Film Award-winning actress Dolly Zahur is returning to the big screen after a 13-year hiatus. Having stepped away from films in 2011 while continuing to act in television dramas, she is now working on two new projects. Shooting has been completed in Dhaka and Gazipur for Yamin Ilan’s family drama ‘Jhamela’, produced under the Diya Productions banner. The director stated that the story is entirely original and not adapted from any foreign film. Initially hesitant, Zahur agreed to join after hearing the story.

The director expressed hope that audiences would connect with the film’s storyline. The cast includes Shyamal Mawla, Tanjika Amin, Rashed Mamun Apu, Kazi Nowshaba Ahmed, Abu Huraira Tanvir, Saberi Alam, and several others. The final phase of shooting began on Thursday, with plans to release the film during an upcoming Eid. Zahur also appears in Redoan Rony’s ‘Dom’, playing Afran Nisho’s mother in a survival story inspired by true events, featuring Chanchal Chowdhury and Pooja Cherry. Filming took place partly in Pabna and Kazakhstan, with a release planned for Eid-ul-Fitr.

Zahur said she had not intended to return to films but was drawn by the stories and creative process of these two projects, which also feature many of her regular television co-actors.

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck southern Israel on Thursday morning, with tremors felt across the central and northern regions. The quake occurred around 9 a.m. local time, prompting authorities to issue an alert for the Dead Sea area. According to officials and residents, the shaking was noticeable in several parts of central Israel, though no injuries or property damage were reported.

The Home Front Command confirmed that its automatic alert system was activated following the quake, leading to precautionary warnings in parts of the Dead Sea region. The incident was reported by local media outlets including the Times of Israel and Ynet News.

Authorities have not indicated any further risk, but the alert remains in effect for the Dead Sea area as a safety measure.

The Forest Department seized a dumper truck during a joint operation by the Ukhiya and Rajarkul ranges in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday night. The raid took place around 10:30 p.m. in the Thoingakata area of the Aparruju beat under the Rajarkul range. The truck was allegedly being used for illegal hill cutting. The driver managed to escape, and the vehicle’s owner could not be identified as it lacked valid documents.

According to Forest Department sources, the area had long been under suspicion for illegal hill cutting. Acting on a confidential tip, forest officials from both ranges conducted the joint operation. Although those involved in the activity fled upon sensing the raid, the department successfully seized the dumper truck.

Ukhiya Range Officer Shahinur Islam stated that the Forest Department maintains a zero-tolerance policy against forest and environmental destruction. Hill cutting is completely prohibited, and a case under the Forest Act is in process.

China’s export trade reached a record $3.77 trillion in 2025 despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s year-long imposition of high tariffs on multiple countries. According to customs data released Wednesday, exports rose 5.5 percent from the previous year, while imports remained stable at $2.58 trillion, resulting in a trade surplus of $1.19 trillion. Although exports to the United States declined, Beijing expanded sales to markets in Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe.

The data showed that China’s exports grew 6.6 percent in December, surpassing economists’ forecasts of 3 percent, while imports increased 5.7 percent, also exceeding expectations. However, trade with Russia fell for the first time in five years, as demand for Chinese cars dropped and crude oil imports from Russia declined due to Western sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

At a press briefing, China’s Vice Minister of Customs Administration Wang Jun said global trade growth remained insufficient and the current environment was not favorable for China’s foreign trade development.

The World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report, released in January 2026, states that Bangladesh’s medium-term economic outlook has improved, with growth expected to strengthen steadily over the next two fiscal years. The forecast for 2025–26 has been revised upward to 4.6 percent, and for 2026–27 to 6.1 percent, reflecting stronger domestic demand, industrial activity, and investment.

According to the report, easing inflation is expected to boost private consumption, while reduced political uncertainty following the 2026 general election and anticipated structural reforms by the new government will support industrial expansion. Public spending and investment growth are also projected to accelerate faster than previously forecast, with the 2027 growth estimate raised by 0.3 percentage points compared to the June projection.

In the global context, the World Bank noted that despite trade tensions and policy uncertainty, the world economy remains more resilient than expected. However, it warned that if current trends persist, the 2020s could become the weakest decade for global growth since the 1960s.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has warned that a new cold wave may sweep across several regions of the country starting Wednesday. The cold spell is expected to last two to three days and may be accompanied by fog. The department said that the intensity of winter, which had recently eased, is likely to increase again.

According to the synoptic situation, an extension of the subcontinental high-pressure zone lies over West Bengal and adjoining western Bangladesh, while the seasonal low pressure is positioned over the southern Bay of Bengal. The forecast indicates that nighttime temperatures across the country may fall by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, with daytime temperatures also dropping slightly. The temperature decline may continue until January 16.

At 9 a.m. today, the lowest temperature in the country was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius in Tetulia, Panchagarh, while Dhaka registered 15.5 degrees Celsius. The Met Office has cautioned that cold and foggy conditions could persist for several days.

The Pay Commission is scheduled to hold a full meeting on Thursday at 12 p.m. in the Cabinet Division’s old building at the Secretariat to discuss unresolved matters regarding the implementation of the new pay scale for government officials and employees. The session will address maximum and minimum salary levels, grade numbers, housing rent, medical and festival allowances, retirement benefits, and other facilities. Issues that reach consensus among members may be finalized during the meeting.

According to commission sources, the ratio between the highest and lowest salaries in the ninth national pay scale has already been set at 1:8, following a meeting on January 8. Three proposals for the minimum salary—Tk 21,000, Tk 17,000, and Tk 16,000—are under review, with a final decision expected in the upcoming session. The maximum salary scale has not yet been determined, as related allowances remain unsettled.

A commission member stated that the framework will incorporate inflation, commodity prices, family size, housing, and education costs as key indicators, serving as a reference for future governments in setting pay structures.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Moscow will continue its trade relations with Iran despite the recent U.S. decision to impose an additional 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Tehran. Speaking at a press conference in Moscow, Lavrov said Russia must carry on its work and implement existing agreements with Iran and other economic partners.

The Kremlin criticized the U.S. move, describing it as an attempt to isolate Iran. Lavrov argued that when a powerful country like the United States resorts to such measures, it signals a weakening position in the competitive global market. The statement came after China also rejected the U.S. tariff decision and confirmed its intention to maintain economic ties with Iran.

The Russian stance underscores continued resistance among key global players to U.S. economic pressure on Iran, suggesting that Washington’s tariff policy may face limited international compliance.

Depositors of five troubled Islamic banks in Bangladesh will not receive any profit on their deposits for the years 2024 and 2025. The directive was issued after approval from Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur, instructing the banks to suspend profit calculations during this period. The affected banks are Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, Union Bank, and Global Islami Bank, all of which are being merged into a newly formed Combined Islami Bank.

According to the central bank’s resolution scheme, all deposit accounts will be recalculated without profit for the specified two years, applying a defined haircut to determine final balances. The new bank will have an authorized capital of Tk 40,000 crore and a paid-up capital of Tk 35,000 crore, with the government already injecting Tk 20,000 crore as Class A shares. Portions of institutional deposits will be converted into Class B and C shares totaling Tk 15,000 crore.

The scheme also sets withdrawal limits and allows up to 20 percent of term deposits to be used for loans or investments, aiming to stabilize the merged entity’s financial structure.