The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled 59 leaders for running for parliament independently in defiance of party mandates. The move was announced Wednesday night in a media statement. Previously, 11 members faced expulsion for similar defiance, but the bans on two were revoked after they withdrew their nomination papers.
With the symbol allocation completed, candidates will be able to start their campaigns from tomorrow, EC officials said. Returning officers across the 298 constituencies conducted the symbol allocation from Wednesday morning until 5:00 pm, assigning symbols to all 1,973 candidates. All 1,973 candidates nationwide have received their symbols," said Md Ruhul Amin Mallick, Director (Public Relations) and information officer of the EC Secretariat. They will also submit Form-5 containing the candidates' information, which will guide the printing of ballot papers. "Following symbol allocation, candidates can begin their election campaigns from tomorrow," he added.
Photo: BSSMEHERPUR, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - The 'Vote Rickshaw' awareness campaign was launched in the district today to encourage public participation in the upcoming 13th national election and referendum. Deputy Commissioner Dr. Syed Enamul Kabir inaugurated the campaign around 10:30am at the premises of his office. District Election Officer Md. As part of the nationwide referendum awareness initiative, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has launched the Vote Rickshaw campaign in collaboration with the Department of Mass Communication. Through the campaign, voters will be informed about the significance of the referendum, including the potential benefits of voting 'yes' and the consequences of voting 'no'.
The winner of the contest will advance to the final, where Chattogram Royalsawait in the battle for the coveted BPL trophy. After being sent in to bat, Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Sahibzada Farhan providedRajshahi with a brisk start, with Tanzid looking particularly in supremetouch. The opening stand was broken by Salman Irshad, who dismissed Farhan for a 21-ball 26, bringing an end to the 41-run partnership. Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed then gave Rajshahi further blow, getting theprized scalp of Tanzid Hasan Tamim who struck 32 off just 15 balls, hammeringone four and four sixes. For Sylhet, Salman Irshad was the pick of the bowlers with 3-23, while NasumAhmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two wickets each.
Election will be held in 300 constituencies across Bangladesh, with unprecedented security measures including drones and police dog squads deployed, Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, said on Wednesday. According to the Election Commission (EC), Wednesday marked the date for allocation of election symbols, and printing of postal ballots will begin at midnight. Regional election officers have been appointed for Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna. There are 42,779 polling centers and 247,492 polling booths nationwide. Each polling center will have at least 15 law enforcement personnel, including regular and irregular forces.
BEIJING, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Beijing vowed on Wednesday that it would "safeguard" the rights and interests of Chinese businesses if the European Union pushes on with plans to ban "high-risk" foreign telecoms suppliers, a move seen as targeting China. Brussels unveiled the proposal on Tuesday as part of plans to revise its cybersecurity rules in a bid to bolster Europe's defences against a surge in cyber attacks. China's foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters on Wednesday the move amounts to protectionism by the bloc. "We urge the EU to avoid going further down the wrong path of protectionism, otherwise, China will inevitably take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises," Guo told a news conference. Brussels took the new step after the 2023 measures failed to yield enough change across the 27-country bloc.
DHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS)-Hobart Hurricanes Kept their hopes to play thefinal of Big Bash League (BBL) alive following their breathtaking 3-runvictory over Melbourne Stars on DLS method in knock out match at BelleriveOval in Hobart today. The match was hit by rain several times before Hobart laughed last to moveinto the Challenger phase, where they will play against Sydney Sixers for aberth in the final. After Hobart's innings, the rain again intervened to reduce the match furtheras Melbourne got revised target of chasing 85 runs in seven overs. Rishadrepaid the trust by conceding just 11 runs, leaving Melbourne a need of animprobable 26 runs in the last overs. Melbourne batters came down heavily on Mitchel Owen and scored 22 runs,leaving then still short of four runs for a victory.
DHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - Country's both bourses, Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) today plunged as profit booking emerged across major large-cap scrips following consecutive sessions of gains. DSEX, the broad index of the DSE, shed 3.1 points or -0.1% to settle at 5,106 points, as against 5,109 points in the previous trading session. On the sectoral front, Pharma (17.7%) issues exerted the highest turnover, followed by General Insurance (14.1%) and Life Insurance (10.5%) sectors. The port city bourse, CSE, also witnessed a mixed session today. The selected indices (CSCX) and all Share Price Index (CASPI) declined by 4.8 and 6.9 point, respectively.
BB Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur today addressed as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Banking sector: current state and future challenges”, held at Jagannath University in the capital. In his speech, Dr Mansur clarified that this resolution framework will not be limited to banks but will also bring Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) under its coverage. Regarding the structure of the economy, the Governor pointed out that while the banking sector usually ranks third among financial sectors globally, it holds the top position in Bangladesh. To combat tax evasion, Dr. Mansur advocated for a transition toward a cashless society. The session was presided over by BEA Convener Professor Dr Mahbub Ullah, with a welcome speech by Member Secretary Professor Dr Mohammad Helal Uddin.
Fourty-three labour organisations working on garment workers' rights have placed a six-point charter of demands before candidates contesting the Dhaka-19 (Savar–Ashulia) constituency, calling for improved security, better living standards and the resolution of long-standing problems faced by garment workers in the industrial belt on Wednesday. The demands were unveiled at a press conference at the Savar Press Club, organised by the Dhaka-19 Workers' Demand Realisation Committee, which coordinates the 43 organisations. The key demands include:Construction of workers’ colonies, government schools and colleges, day-care centres, playgrounds, and a 500-bed government hospital with a burn unit. Strict action against criminal activities, including jhut-related violence, drug trafficking, mugging, and extortion. Presentation and implementation of recommendations from the Labour Reform Commission and SCOPE’s nine-point demands.
US President Donald Trump in Davos, Switzerland. Photo: CollectedDAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump on Wednesday proclaimed his country was the world's "economic engine," and slammed Europe as "not heading in the right direction," as Washington's allies push back against its bid to seize Greenland. "The USA is the economic engine on the planet. It's been the history," he said during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where the Greenland crisis has dominated talks. On Europe, the US leader said parts of continent were "not recognizable," adding: "I love Europe, and I want to see Europe go good, but it's not heading in the right direction."
The Ninth National Pay Commission has recommended a sharp increase in the salaries and allowances of government employees, ranging from 100% to 142%, while keeping the existing 20-grade pay structure unchanged. The 23-member Pay Commission, headed by former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, submitted its report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday, three weeks ahead of the stipulated deadline. Commission chief Zakir Ahmed Khan said implementing the proposed pay structure would require an additional Tk1,06,000 crore. The commission has recommended that the revised pay structure be implemented partially from January 1, with full implementation beginning from July 1 - the start of the 2026–27 fiscal year. Sources said separate pay commissions will be formed later to finalize salary structures for the armed forces and the judiciary, following the submission of the general pay commission report.
Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. File pfotoDHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) – A court here today set February 9 for holding a further hearing on charge framing in a sedition case filed against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others. Of the 286 accused, 259, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, are still at large and are tried in absentia. On October 14, 2025, the court ordered publication of notices in newspapers asking the fugitives, including Sheikh Hasina, to appear before the court. After the investigation, the CID officer submitted a charge sheet on August 14 against 286 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina.
LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry struck a combative tone as he testified Wednesday in his lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail and disputed suggestions he was cozy with journalists who covered the royal family or that his friends dished dirt about him to the tabloids. “My social circles were not leaky,” he declared in the third and final round of his battle against the British tabloids . He said journalist Katie Nicholl had the luxury to use the term “unidentified source” deceptively to hide unlawful measures of investigation. He said “vicious persistent attacks," harassment and event racists articles about Meghan, who is biracial, had inspired him to break from family tradition to finally sue the press. The trial is expected to last nine weeks and a written verdict could comes months later.
Photo: CollectedLONDON, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Prince Harry said Wednesday that his joint court battle against the publisher of two UK tabloid newspapers was "not just about me" and was in the public interest, according to his witness statement. "There is obviously a personal element to bringing this claim, motivated by truth, justice and accountability, but it is not just about me. There is also a social element concerning all the thousands of people whose lives were invaded because of greed," he said. "I am determined to hold Associated accountable, for everyone's sake... I believe it is in the public's interest," he stated in the witness statement to his "unlawful information gathering" case against Associated Newspapers, publishers of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, at London's High Court.
