The Bangladesh government will provide an additional Tk 10 million to the family of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, for their livelihood. Economic adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed announced that the amount will come from the Chief Adviser’s Fund. Earlier, the Ministry of Finance approved another Tk 10 million for the purchase of a flat or house for the family. The announcement was made on Wednesday after a meeting of the government’s advisory committee on public procurement at the Secretariat. According to the Finance Division, the Housing and Public Works Ministry had applied for a grant to buy a flat for Hadi’s family. The proposal was approved on the condition that the identities of Hadi’s wife and children are verified. The allocation covers the purchase and furnishing of a 1,215-square-foot apartment in the government’s Doel Tower at Lalmatia, Dhaka. The ministry will use part of its existing Tk 60 million residential building budget for the current fiscal year. The allocation requires compliance with all financial regulations, inclusion in the revised 2025–26 budget, and return of any unspent funds to the treasury by June 30.

The government of Bangladesh has approved the purchase of 27.15 million liters of refined soybean oil from the international market at a cost of Tk 357.62 crore, with each liter priced at Tk 131.49. The decision was made on Wednesday at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, chaired by Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. The procurement will be conducted under the Direct Purchase Method (DPM) to ensure adequate supply and market stability ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. According to meeting sources, the Ministry of Commerce proposed the urgent import to meet increased demand during Ramadan. After evaluation by the tender committee, the purchase was finalized from Canada-based NSRIC Green Supplies Inc. Officials stated that the oil will be sold in the open market at a price lower than the government-fixed rate but not below the purchase cost, meaning no subsidy will be required. Consumers will access the product through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB). The meeting also approved the import of 30,000 metric tons of bagged granular urea fertilizer from Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) for the 2025–26 fiscal year at a cost of Tk 149.17 crore.

Bangladeshi singer Balam is set to release his fifth solo album titled 'Maula' after a gap of more than a decade. The album, containing six songs, will be released on the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. Balam has composed and arranged all the tracks himself, while the lyricists’ names remain undisclosed. He mentioned that all songs will be released in audio format, with one track accompanied by a music video. Discussing the project, Balam said he has resumed music seriously after years of releasing only singles, which he found insufficient to meet fans’ expectations. He emphasized that a full album allows for greater musical variety and helps attract listeners of different tastes and ages. The album aims to connect with both long-time fans and younger audiences, including Generation Z. The title track 'Maula' is a Sufi-inspired song created during the COVID period, reflecting on global unrest. Balam believes its message remains relevant today. His previous albums include 'Balam' (2007), 'Balam 2' (2008), 'Balam 3' (2010), and 'Bhubon' (2013).

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that his country will not participate in former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Peace Board.” Speaking to reporters in Davos, Kristersson said Sweden would not join under the current text or framework presented. The initiative, according to reports, was designed to oversee post-war reconstruction in Gaza. Several European nations have expressed concern that the Peace Board could attempt to replace the United Nations. Norway and France have already declared they will not join. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that while France supports implementing the U.S. president’s peace plan, it cannot accept any body that would substitute the UN’s role. The refusals come amid rising tensions between Washington and its NATO allies following Trump’s announcement about incorporating Greenland into the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted an invitation to join the board, which would include global leaders with Trump serving as lifetime chairman.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally decided to exclude Bangladesh from the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup following a virtual board meeting held on Wednesday. The decision came after Bangladesh refused to play its World Cup matches in India, citing security concerns. The ICC, led by Jay Shah, ruled that if Bangladesh does not agree to play in India, a replacement team—likely Scotland—will take its place. Bangladesh has been given 24 hours to confirm its final decision. The ICC stated that it found no credible security threat to justify Bangladesh’s request to move its matches to Sri Lanka. It argued that relocating games would harm the tournament’s integrity and create logistical complications. Bangladesh had earlier proposed hosting its matches in Sri Lanka, but the ICC rejected the plan after England and West Indies declined to travel there. Pakistan supported Bangladesh’s position, but other ICC members sided with India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board remains firm in its stance not to play in India without government approval. If Bangladesh maintains its position, Scotland is expected to be included in the tournament lineup.

Private airline Novoair has announced an increase in flight frequency on the Dhaka–Chattogram route to meet growing passenger demand and improve travel convenience. Starting January 26, 2026, the airline will introduce an additional flight on this route, operating every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Currently, Novoair operates one daily flight between Dhaka and Chattogram, departing Dhaka at 1:15 p.m. and returning from Chattogram at 2:40 p.m. According to Novoair Managing Director Mofizur Rahman, Chattogram is a key commercial and tourism hub in Bangladesh, and the decision to expand service reflects increasing passenger needs and the company’s commitment to better connectivity. The new flight will depart Dhaka at 4:15 p.m. and return from Chattogram at 5:40 p.m. on the specified days. In addition to the Chattogram route, Novoair currently operates regular flights to Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, and Saidpur, maintaining its focus on domestic air connectivity within Bangladesh.

The press secretary to the chief adviser of the interim government, Shafiqul Alam, announced that the results of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election may be delayed. He made the statement following a law and order meeting on election issues chaired by the chief adviser on Wednesday. Alam explained that the delay could occur because both the parliamentary election and a referendum will be held simultaneously, along with the counting of postal ballots. According to the press secretary, several new measures have been introduced this year to ensure a thorough and accurate vote count, which may take additional time. He also confirmed that the election will be held in all 300 constituencies on February 12, and ballot paper printing will begin at midnight on January 21. The Election Commission secretary has resolved the complications regarding Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies, ensuring full participation across the country. The announcement aims to preempt rumors that often arise when vote counting takes longer than expected, emphasizing transparency and procedural integrity in the upcoming election process.

The full meeting of the Ninth National Pay Commission concluded on Wednesday, finalizing recommendations for a new pay structure for government employees and pensioners. According to meeting sources, the commission has proposed increasing government employees’ salaries by 100 to 147 percent, setting the lowest salary at 20,000 taka for the 20th grade and the highest at 160,000 taka for the first grade. The proposed pay scale also includes significant pension increases. Pensioners currently receiving less than 20,000 taka per month would see their pensions doubled, while those receiving between 20,000 and 40,000 taka would get a 75 percent increase. Pensioners earning more than 40,000 taka would receive a 55 percent rise. Additionally, the commission suggested raising medical allowances for elderly pensioners, recommending 10,000 taka for those over 75 years old and 5,000 taka for those under 55. Officials said the recommendations were finalized after extensive discussions and reviews. The report will be submitted to the government for verification and approval before the new pay and pension structures are implemented.

Veteran Bangladeshi film actor and choreographer Ilias Javed passed away on Wednesday morning, January 21, 2026, at a hospital in Uttara, Dhaka. He was 82. Born in Pakistan, Javed spent most of his life in Bangladesh, where he became a celebrated figure in the golden era of Bengali cinema. His real name was Raja Mohammad Ilias, and before becoming a leading actor, he was one of the country’s most acclaimed dance directors. Javed began his artistic journey in Mumbai, training under legendary dance masters Sadhu Maharaj and Shambhu Maharaj, and learning alongside Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan. He debuted as a hero in the Urdu film “Nayi Zindegi” in 1964, but his breakthrough came with the 1970 film “Payel,” directed by Mustafiz, where he starred with Razzak and Shabana. He went on to act in over a hundred films, including “Nishan,” “Malka Banu,” and “Kajal Rekha,” pairing with leading actresses such as Shabana, Bobita, and Kabori. Beyond acting, Javed revolutionized dance in Bengali cinema, mentoring top actors and actresses. His wife Dolly Javed described him as a superstar in both acting and choreography, remembered with respect by peers and fans alike.

Former state minister for information and member of Bangladesh’s constitution drafting committee, Professor Abu Sayeed, has officially joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The announcement was made on Wednesday at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka, where he presented flowers to the party’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. A day earlier, Sayeed had met with BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman. Professor Abu Sayeed previously served as a member of parliament from Pabna-1 in 1973 and 1996 and held the position of state minister for information under Sheikh Hasina’s government in 1996. Over the years, he contested elections under various political banners, including BAKSAL, Awami League, as an independent, and as a Gono Forum candidate in 2018. Explaining his decision, Sayeed said that given the rise of extremism, he believes BNP is the only party that should be advanced. He also confirmed submitting his nomination papers as an independent candidate for the upcoming national election from Pabna-1, adding that he will remain in the race if the party instructs him to do so.

Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) have boycotted all classes and examinations in protest against the suspension of the university’s central student union (ShakSU) election. They announced that they would not participate in any academic activities until the Chamber Judge Court grants permission for the election to proceed. The boycott began on Tuesday night through separate statements issued by students from different departments, following continuous demonstrations and sit-in programs on campus. At a press conference held on Wednesday noon in front of the central library building, student leaders expressed frustration over the postponement. Delowar Hasan Shishir, vice president candidate from a Shibir-supported panel, said that the election was supposed to be held the previous day but was halted after two candidates and one voter filed a writ petition in the High Court. He claimed this deprived about 9,000 students of their democratic voting rights and demanded a prompt ruling in favor of the students. Independent general secretary candidate Faisal Hossain urged the court to exempt the ShakSU election from restrictions related to the national election period. Students warned that if the court does not rule in their favor, they will announce a complete campus shutdown.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for a fear-free and fair election that reflects public opinion and allows voters to cast ballots without intimidation. He made the remarks on Wednesday while visiting injured party activists at Ibn Sina Hospital in Dhaka’s Kalyanpur. According to Jamaat, sixteen of its activists were injured in two separate attacks allegedly carried out by BNP supporters in Mirpur’s Pirerbag area on Tuesday. Rahman condemned the incidents, claiming that BNP members assaulted and detained female Jamaat activists before law enforcement intervened. He urged authorities to ensure equal opportunities for all parties and to take legal action against those involved in violence. He emphasized that no group has the right to create mobs or disrupt campaigns, and that political differences should be resolved through lawful and peaceful means. The Jamaat chief reiterated his party’s commitment to a corruption-free and just society, urging all candidates to respect voters’ rights. He warned that any attempt to undermine citizens’ voting rights would be met with a strong response through the ballot box.

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition that sought to ban Bangladesh from international cricket. The case was heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Kariar, who questioned the maintainability of the petition. The judges stated that the reliefs sought involved matters of foreign policy and international relations, which fall under the executive branch’s jurisdiction. The bench observed that entertaining such petitions would amount to wasting judicial time. During the hearing, India’s Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared on behalf of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He informed the court that the petition had included foreign cricket boards without any legal basis. Following the court’s objections, the petitioner requested to withdraw the case, which the court allowed. The ruling came amid heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh that have extended into the cricketing sphere, though the court made clear that such issues lie outside its authority.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that Iran will respond with maximum force if attacked by the United States. The warning came in an opinion column published Tuesday in The Wall Street Journal, as reported by Al Jazeera. Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s armed forces would not hesitate to retaliate with all available means if faced with a new assault, referencing last June’s Israeli attack on Iran. The statement followed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he had already ordered Iran’s destruction if the country attempted to kill him. Araghchi clarified that his warning was not a threat but a statement of reality, adding that as a diplomat and veteran soldier, he despises war. He cautioned that a full-scale conflict would be devastating, lasting far longer than what Israel and its allies in the White House might imagine, and would harm the broader region and civilians worldwide. Last week, Iran reportedly closed its airspace, possibly fearing a U.S. strike, while Gulf Arab diplomats urged Trump to refrain from attacking Iran.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Paltan Model Police Station has recovered 105 lost mobile phones and returned them to their rightful owners. The recovery operation took place between December 1, 2025, and January 15, 2026, across various parts of the country. The effort followed general diary reports filed by phone owners, and the police used technological tools to trace and retrieve the devices. Assistant Police Commissioner Hossain Muhammad Farabi and ASI Iqbal Hossain played key roles in the operation. On January 20, 2026, the recovered phones were officially handed over to their owners at a ceremony held in the Paltan Model Police Station conference room. The event was attended by Deputy Police Commissioner Mohammad Harun Or Rashid, Assistant Police Commissioner Farabi, and other officials. According to police sources, the station had previously recovered and returned more than six hundred lost phones over the past year. Owners expressed happiness at the quick recovery of their phones and extended gratitude to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police for their efforts.