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.

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.