Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Professor Dr Md Sayedur Rahman addressed a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy this afternoon. Photo: CA's Press WingDHAKA, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS) - The Advisory Council at its weekly meeting today approved guidelines on the National Essential Drugs List and Drug Price Determination aimed at making medicines more affordable and accessible for the general people. "Under the newly approved guidelines, the Essential Drugs List has been significantly expanded. Noting that currently, the Drug Price Fixation Committee will oversee the implementation of the guidelines, he said, in future, the government plans to establish an independent National Drug Pricing Authority, separate from the existing Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA). This body will focus exclusively on drug price benchmarking, global reference pricing, and market monitoring, Dr Sayedur Raman said.

French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: CollectedPARIS, France, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that the United States was "breaking free from international rules" and "gradually turning away" from some of its allies. "Multilateral institutions are functioning less and less effectively," Macron said in his annual speech to French ambassadors. "We are living in a world of great powers with a real temptation to divide up the world."

There is a great excitement among the BNP and Thakurgaon residents ahead of Tarique Rahman’s arrival here. Sources said Tarique Rahman will arrive in Thakurgaon on Monday (12 January) night and will stay at the guest house of the BURO Training Centre-Thakurgaon. He (Tarique Rahman) last came to Thakurgaon for a blanket distribution programme in the winter of 2003." He further said, "The arrival of Tarique Rahman again after 23 years is a great joy for the leaders and activists even for the general masses. Most recently, on September 7, 2025, he delivered a guiding speech as the chief guest at the BNP Thakurgaon district unit bi-annual conference.

The Jatiotabadi Swecchasebak Dal has said it will launch rigorous protests if the killers of its slain leader Azizur Rahman Muchabbir are not arrested within the next 24 hours. Robin said, “We demand the arrest of Muchabbir’s killers within the next 24 hours. In support of this demand, we are announcing protest programmes across all cities and districts, including the Dhaka metropolitan, this Saturday. BNP Joint Secretary General Habib Un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Swecchasebak Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sopu, and other central leaders, alongside Yasin and numerous activists, attended the funeral. On Muchabbir’s murder, our colleagues have given a 24-hour ultimatum.

DHAKA, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS) – The government has taken measures to prevent playing of horn to check noise pollution in the country with a view to considering public health. Excessive noise pollution is creating multiple health risks to people, while noise pollution causes various physical and mental problems, including hearing loss, partial or complete deafness, heart disease, high blood pressure, insomnia and mental concentration disorders, as well as the possibility of miscarriage in pregnant mothers, and the birth of deaf or disabled/special needs child in the womb. The government issued the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025 on November 24, 2025. Rule 6 of the Noise Pollution (Control) Rules, 2025 contains restrictions on vehicle horns. As per the Rule 6(3), no horn shall be played at night in a quiet area and as per Rule 6(4), no horn shall be played in residential areas.

Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 08, 2026 (BSS)- Member of the European Parliament and Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission Ivars Ijab has said a 200-member EU delegation will observe Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election. He said this to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban at Agargaon here today. Ijab said EU long-term observers are working in Bangladesh since the end of December while short-term observers will join with advanced team on February 12. The delegation will include members of the European Parliament and will stay in Bangladesh throughout the election period. Ijab emphasized that the EU mission would observe the electoral process impartially.

Photo: BSSCHATTOGRAM, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS) – The Fisheries Department of Fatikchari upazila today confiscated 900 metres of illegal fishing nets and 12 fishing rods during a special drive in the Halda River, recognised as the only natural fish breeding ground in South Asia. Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer of Fatikchari Fisheries Department Md Azaziul Islam said they conducted the raid this morning along the Nazirhat stretch of the Halda River, from Nazirhat to the Haladar estuary, and seized the illegal nets and fishing rods. The seized nets have been kept at a temporary naval police camp along the Halda River and will be destroyed later, he added.

Foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain. Photo : CollectedDHAKA, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS) – The foreign ministry has agreed with the Ministry of Youth and Sports on the decision not to travel to India to play, following the exclusion of cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, citing security concerns, foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain said today. How can we be assured that they will remain safe”, Touhid said while speaking to journalists at the foreign ministry here this afternoon. Regarding reports of purchasing fighter aircraft from Pakistan, Touhid Hossain said discussions on the matter are ongoing. The foreign adviser informed the reporters that he is scheduled to leave Dhaka tomorrow (Friday) to attend a multilateral forum to be held in Saudi Arabia.

Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her nieces Tulip Siddiq. File PhotoDHAKA, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS) - A Dhaka court today set January 13, 2026 for placing arguments in a case against 18 people, including ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and her nieces Tulip Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, over alleged irregularities in allocating a plot in the RAJUK New Town Project. The court on January 5 brought the testimony in the case to an end and set today for the placing of the statement by the defence. A total of 31 witnesses testified in the case. The ACC filed the case against 16 on January 13, 2025, and filed a charge sheet on March 10 against 18.

Bangladesh’s World Cup participation in spotlight amid rising tensionsThe Bangladesh Cricket Board has publicly confirmed that it is in active communication with the International Cricket Council regarding security concerns surrounding the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. “In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament,” the statement continued. Speaking to bdnews24.com, he said, “The ICC has told us they want to stage the World Cup with Bangladesh included. They said they are finalising the security plan and asked us to outline the specific areas where we have concerns. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board remains firmly committed to placing the highest priority on the safety, security and well-being of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team,” the statement concluded.

DHAKA, Jan 08, 2026 (BSS) – Stocks today closed on a positive note with key indices showing slight gains despite a higher number of declining stocks. Similarly, the blue-chip DS30 index saw an increase of 1.56 points, reaching 1,914.94, while the Shariah-based DSES index ticked up by 1.42 points to close at 1,010.80. Peoples Leasing saw the most significant decline, followed by FAS Finance, Premier Leasing, and Fareast Finance. Other companies in the top 10 losers list included International Leasing, First Finance, Prime Finance, Family Tex, BIFC, and GSP Finance. The Selective Categories' Index (CSCX) and All Share Price Index (CASPI) increased by 19 points and 18.68 points, respectively.

DHAKA, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has named the squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2026 to be held in Nepal from January 28 to February 1. The Bangladesh team will depart for Kathmandu on January 12. Bangladesh are drawn in Group A alongside the USA, Ireland, Namibia and Papua New Guinea. Bangladesh Women’s team will take on the USA on January 18 at the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier. The 10 teams participating in the tournament will vie for four qualification spots in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to be held in England and Wales in June-July.

In a presentation, PRI showed that Bangladesh has made notable progress in digital payments, led by mobile financial services, QR payments, and online banking, yet it remains largely cash-dependent. Arief Hossain Khan, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, graced the event as the chief guest. In his remarks, he highlighted, “Bangladesh Bank is actively pursuing initiatives to promote digital payments, financial inclusion, and a secure payment ecosystem. “The cashless economy contributes to productivity growth, but the valuations generated within the cashless economy must be captured. Cooperation among the Bangladesh Bank, BBS, and research organizations will be required, including access to relevant data from the Bangladesh Bank,” he added.

No manipulated election to take place in Bangladesh: CECChief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin today spoke to journalists during a visit to the appeal filing centre at the Election Commission Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS) – Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin today reiterated that no manipulated election will be conducted in the country, so there is no reason to take to the streets. The CEC made the remarks while replying to journalists’ questions during a visit to the appeal filing centre at the Election Commission Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon area this morning. Regarding the hearing of appeals against the rejection of nomination papers, the CEC said the Election Commission, as the appellate authority, would ensure the highest level of justice. The CEC visited the appeal filing centre at around 10:00 am.

The research was highlighted at a workshop titled “Eco-friendly Management Strategy Using Seaweed-based Bio-stimulants to Improve Crop Resilience against Climate Change-induced Abiotic Stresses”, held today at the conference hall of the Faculty of Agriculture, BAU. The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr Md Tahjib-ul-Arif, Sub-Project Manager and Associate Professor of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at BAU. Members of the research team, Prof Dr Shayla Sharmin and Prof Dr Md Abdul Hannan, said the successful application of this technology would bring positive physiological and molecular-level changes in crops. The workshop was chaired by Prof Dr Shayla Sharmin, Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Special guests included Prof Dr Masum Ahmad, Dean (In-Charge) of the Faculty of Agriculture; Prof Dr Mohammad Mosharraf Uddin Bhuiyan, Director of the Planning and Development Section; and Prof Dr Md Hammadur Rahman, Director of the Bangladesh Agricultural University Research System (BAURES).