Under this initiative, financial assistance will be disbursed from the Prime Minister's Education Assistance Trust (PMEAT). Professor Mohammad Anwar, who is also the Member Secretary of the Preliminary Screening Committee for admission assistance, said that if the proposed guidelines are implemented, three times more students will receive admission assistance compared to the previous framework. At the secondary level, currently five students in each upazila receive Tk 5,000 as admission assistance. At the higher secondary level, instead of the existing two students per upazila, assistance of Tk 6,000 will be provided to 10 students. For the undergraduate level, where there was previously no specific quota, the new guidelines propose admission assistance of Tk 8,000 for a maximum of 2,000 meritorious students nationwide.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crime Tribunal (ICT) Muhammad Tajul Islam. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - The Chief Prosecutor of the International Crime Tribunal (ICT) Muhammad Tajul Islam today said the aims of enforced disappearances were to instil fear in the people, silence the opposition and sustain fascism in the country. Tajul said a group of security personnel played the role of mercenaries in implementing the passion of fascist state plan. The first tribunal on December 23, 2025, framed charges against 17 accused, including 10 army officers. Among the 17 accused in the case, 10 army officers have been arrested.

Bangladesh and Afghanistan have agreed to elevate their relations from friendly ties to a practical economic partnership aimed at increasing trade, strengthening mutual trust and generating tangible economic benefits for both countries. Afghanistan has expressed its desire to strengthen bilateral relations with Bangladesh during the first official visit of Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Ahmadullah Zahid. He is leading a delegation of around 50 members to expand bilateral trade relations between the two countries, according to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Both sides agreed to elevate their ties from friendly relations to practical economic cooperation to boost trade volume and strengthen mutual trust. Bangladesh reiterated its interest in exporting quality medicines and medical products to Afghanistan on a regular and sustainable basis.

Trump sought in August to dismiss Fed governor Lisa Cook, a key official serving on the Fed's interest rate-setting committee, accusing her of mortgage fraud. The conservative-dominated Supreme Court barred Trump from immediately removing Cook, allowing her to remain in her post until it could hear the case contesting her dismissal. In a sign of the significance of the case and public support for Cook, Fed Chair Jerome Powell plans to personally attend Wednesday's Supreme Court hearing, a source familiar with the matter told AFP. The court recently allowed Trump to fire members of other independent government boards, but created a carveout for the Fed in its ruling. Cook took office as a Fed governor in 2022 and was reappointed to the board in 2023.

DHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh men's team take on Pakistan in the SAFF Futsal Championship 2026 scheduled to be held at the Nonthaburi Stadium in Nonthaburi, Thailand tomorrow. Bangladesh currently stand second position in the points table with seven points from four matches while Pakistan following Bangladesh closely also with seven points playing the same number of matches. Earlier, Bangladesh team played to a fighting 4-4 goals draw with India in their tournament opening match, suffered 6-1 goal defeat to Maldives in their second match. While Pakistan lost to Maldives 7-1, beat Bhutan 4-2, defeated Sri Lanka 5-2 and played out to a 4-4 draw with Nepal. After Pakistan, Bangladesh will play the last match of the championship against Nepal on Saturday (Jan 24) at the same venue.

Photo : BSSRAJSHAHI, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - Two business establishments were fined Tk 60,000 for producing substandard products in unhygienic conditions at Charghat Upazila in the district today. During the operation, Messrs Mayer Doa Bakery, located in the Raipur area, was fined Tk 10,000 for producing and selling biscuits, bread and cakes in an unhygienic environment without obtaining BSTI quality certification. In addition, Russell Jaggery Factory, located in the Pirojpur area, was fined Tk 50,000 for producing adulterated jaggery in extremely unhygienic conditions by mixing sugar, dalda, lime and non-food-grade colours. The prosecutor was Engineer Junaid Ahmed, an officer of the Certification Marks Wing of the BSTI Divisional Office, Rajshahi. In the public interest, BSTI, Rajshahi will continue such operations regularly to prevent adulteration and ensure the supply of quality food products.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday assured support to the families of those killed and injured in the aircraft crash at Milestone School in Uttara. At that time, relatives of the victims of the Milestone aircraft crash were waiting in front of the office to meet him. On behalf of the affected families, a memorandum was handed over to Tarique Rahman. After listening to everyone, Tarique Rahman advised them to remain patient and assured them of his cooperation. Tarique Rahman said he would communicate with the interim government to ensure advanced treatment for the injured.

DHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation (BKF) today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of its treasurer Md Monir Hossain. Monir Hossain passed away wee hours of Wednesday due to brain stroke at around 1.30 am at the age of 54, said a press release. With his death, BKF has lost a skilled organizer and a dedicated sports personality. In another message, Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) also expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of BKF treasurer Monir Hossain. The BOA family is deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden death of Monir Hossain.

File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) — The final surviving patient of the tragic Milestone School and College fighter jet crash discharged today from the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery (NIBPS). Resident Surgeon of NIBPS, Dr Shawon Bin Rahman, confirmed that the patient released. The patient, Abidur Rahim Abid, an 11-year-old class V student of Milestone School and College, was admitted to the burn institute on July 21, 2025, the day of the incident. “With Abid's discharge, all 36 injured patients from the Milestone School and College tragedy have now been released following treatment,” Dr Rahman said. The incident occurred on July 21, 2025, when a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) fighter jet crashed into a two-storey building of Milestone School and College’s Uttara branch minutes after taking off at around 1:00 pm.

BNP will take organisational action against its "rebel" candidates if they do not step aside from the election race, party Election Steering Committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Wednesday. Now discussions will be held by the Election Steering Committee and by the top leadership of BNP. After that, if anyone remains a candidate, organisational action will definitely be taken against them by the party,” he said. “Some of them feel they could have received the nomination.”He, however, said, rebel candidates must quit the race to maintain the party. According to media reports, nearly 76 rebel BNP candidates remain in the field across the country as they did not withdraw their nomination papers on Tuesday, the last date for withdrawal.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) celebrates after a touchdown against the New York Jets with teammate Demario Douglas (3) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will begin his election campaign on Thursday 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 Wednesday morning. Tarique Rahman is expected to return to his Gulshan residence in the capital late at night after completing the day’s programs. 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.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s Nagorik Oikya has withdrawn from the BNP-led alliance following the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD). The party has also announced it will contest 11 seats independently. Now, after negotiations over seat allocation with BNP also failed, Manna’s party has decided to go solo. On Monday, he held an urgent press conference, announcing that his party would contest the election independently. At the press conference, it was revealed that party president Manna will contest the Dhaka-18 and Bogra-2 seats.

BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-13 constituency Bobby Hajjaj, who has since left the party, has been allocated the paddy sheaf symbol, while Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis candidate Maulana Md Mamunul Haque has received the rickshaw symbol. The symbols were allocated on Wednesday at the Election Training Institute (ETI) in Agargaon, Dhaka, under the supervision of Md Yunus Ali, returning officer for Dhaka-13 and Dhaka-15 constituencies. Bobby Hajjaj’s chief election agent Kazi Md Yusuf received the symbol on his behalf. The rickshaw symbol was received by Mashrurul Haque, younger brother of Mamunul Haque. According to the revised election schedule, the returning officer published the final list of candidates and allocated election symbols on Wednesday.