The Election Commission (EC) on January 4 sent a letter to the Power Division seeking steeps to install power supply system at 325 polling stations, which currently have no power connections. “There is no electricity connection at 325 polling stations among the 42,761 polling stations that have been set up for the referendum and the 13th parliamentary election,” the EC letter said. Energy Adviser Fawzul Kabir Khan ordered to take necessary measures to provide power connection or alternative supply in all polling stations within a week. He said, "To ensure uninterrupted power supply, round-the-clock monitoring should be maintained. Chairman of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) informed the meeting that necessary arrangements will be made to ensure power supply in each area in coordination with the district administration.

Photo: BSSGOPALGANJ, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - Gopalganj Science and Technology University (GSTU) on Tuesday awarded merit scholarships to 475 students to encourage excellence in education and research. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Hossain Uddin Shekhar attended the programme as the chief guest, while Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman and President of the Department of Physics Professor Dr. Md. He also said steps were being taken to establish a scholarship desk soon to assist students in obtaining various scholarships at home and abroad. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan addressedc a rally as the chief guest at Ambika Stadium in Faridpur today. She attributed this to the government’s firm stance in favor of holding elections and the role of political parties in building public support. She said the interim government had consulted political parties extensively to build national consensus, and the elected government would be responsible for implementing the approved reforms. Earlier in the day, Rizwana participated in a rally to motivate voters ahead of the election and referendum. A video message from the Chief Adviser on the referendum was screened on a mobile voting vehicle at the end of the programme.

DAMASCUS, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Syria's defence ministry said seven soldiers were killed on Wednesday when the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces targeted an arms depot in the country's northeast, despite a fresh ceasefire announced a day earlier. "Army forces found a factory for producing explosive devices and drone munitions" in Hasakeh province near a border crossing with Iraq, the ministry said, adding that as government forces began securing the site, the SDF "targeted it with a suicide drone, leading to an explosion and the death of seven soldiers", with 20 others wounded.

So, this past winter break, I put my Netflix subscription to use. It was far from your typical Shakespeare — in fact, Shakespeare’s name is only said once — and all the better for it. Hamnet was absolutely gorgeous, but it’s the kind of movie you need recharge time before rewatching, lest you be emotionally destroyed. I recognize that this miscellany of movies doesn’t include the ones most cinephiles would recommend, but at least I’m trying! Melissa Moon Melissa Moon is a member of the Class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Ninth National Pay Commission today submitted its report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) – The Ninth National Pay Commission today submitted its report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna here. The government formed the 23-member Ninth National Pay Commission on July 27 last year and set a six-month deadline for submitting its report. This commission was constituted after a long gap of 12 years following the formation of the Eighth Pay Commission in 2013. If an employee has a differently-abled child, the Pay Commission recommends a monthly allowance of Taka 2,000.

The high-stakes five-match T20I series between India and New Zealand began on January 21, 2026, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. This series is a critical final rehearsal for both nations ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup scheduled for February. The ‘Bangladesh reason’ behind James Neesham’s absence from IND vs NZ 1st T20IThe reason James Neesham is not playing in the 1st T20I is his extraordinary commitment to the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and his franchise, the Rajshahi Warriors. Sarkar praised Neesham’s Warrior Spirit noting that the player handled all the formalities himself to ensure he could play in the BPL final on January 23. We all knew how important a player like Neesham is for our team, so we tried everything possible.

Former State Minister for Information Professor Abu Sayeed on Wednesday formally joined BNP. Earlier on Tuesday, Prof Abu Sayeed met BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. After the 1/11 political changeover, he came to be known as a reformist and did not receive an Awami League nomination in the 2008 parliamentary election. He contested the 2014 parliamentary election as an independent candidate but was defeated. In the 11th parliamentary election in 2018, he contested from Pabna-1 seat as a candidate of the BNP-led alliance Jatiya Oikyafront, but also lost.

Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh Army General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Wednesday said 3,619 weapons were looted from different police stations of the country during the mass uprising in 2024. Of this, 237,100 rounds have already been recovered, which is 52 percent, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing quoting the Army Chief as saying at the meeting. The meeting, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, was held at the Chief Adviser’s office. After the meeting, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy. Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad were also present at the media briefing.

Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Bank (BB) study has laid emphasis on strengthening oversight regarding fertilizer price manipulation by dealers to reduce agricultural products production costs. The study recommended that the local agriculture office discourage the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides. To address price fluctuations in the rice market, the study recommended the immediate withdrawal of import duties on fine rice. For potatoes, the report recommended that Bangladesh Bank launch a refinance scheme for large-scale growers to construct model homes for storing produce at minimal costs. The study proposed a major policy shift for the poultry industry, suggesting the introduction of a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for broiler chicken and eggs.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will begin his election campaign tomorrow from Sylhet, addressing seven consecutive rallies in different areas. Mahdi Amin also the party’s election steering committee spokesperson revealed this at a press conference held at the BNP’s election office in Gulshan-2, Dhaka this morning. Chief Coordinator of the Election Steering Committee Ismail Zabihullah, other committee members, BNP leaders and distinguished persons will be present on the occasion. Members of the party’s Election Steering Committee Mohammad Zakaria, Jubayer Babu and Mostakur Rahman, and Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan were present at the press conference.

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh is seeking to conquer cricket's "last great frontier" as one of the investors in a new European T20 franchise competition set to feature Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh. Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, a global T20 star, is one of the owners of the Belfast team. Waugh, 60, said the Amsterdam Flames had already signed Australia great Smith and Marsh, who is Australia's T20 captain. Former Australia skipper Waugh, who scored nearly 11,000 Test runs, said the opportunity to invest in the venture "stood out because it is driven by aspiration and long-term thinking". "This is about helping uphold the standards and spirit of cricket while supporting its growth into Europe, which remains the game's last great frontier."

The University Teachers’ Network has demanded the immediate reinstatement of two faculty members dismissed from the University of Asia Pacific (UAP), alleging that the decision was influenced by a “mob” and violated academic freedom. The Teachers’ Network presented four key demands:Immediate reinstatement of the dismissed teachers and protection of staff and students opposing the decision. Cessation of threats against university teachers and staff, with implementation of unified service rules for job security. Highlighting the broader context, they said Bangladesh is facing a prolonged crisis of academic freedom, with powerful groups suppressing dissent and enforcing conformity. “The dismissal of the two UAP teachers is the latest example.”According to the Teachers’ Network, Laika Bashir had posted on Facebook due to security concerns, not from a religious perspective.

Md Abu Naser, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Chattogram-8, has decided to withdraw from the race, even after the official deadline for candidate withdrawal had passed. His decision to quit the race was revealed on Wednesday at a press conference at the Chattogram Metropolitan Jamaat-e-Islami office by the unit’s Assistant Secretary Md Morshedul Islam Chowdhury. Morshedul, serving as the election coordinator for Chattogram-8, said: “In line with the party’s decision and to maintain unity in the coalition, Abu Naser has chosen to step aside from the Feb 12 election in support of the NCP candidate.”

A driver’s assistant for Victor Paribahan died after being crushed between two buses operated by Ajmeri and Victor Paribahan in front of Khaddar Market in Paltan area of the the capital, early Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Md Ilias Hossain, 25,Following the incident, the drivers of both buses were taken into custody by Paltan police. The accident occurred around 12:30am, said Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost. The victim’s sister, Rokhsana Akhter, said: “We learned that he was seriously injured after being crushed between two buses in front of Khaddar Market. He was later rescued in critical condition and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment.”Md Faruk added that the body has been kept at the hospital morgue and that the relevant police station has been informed.