Prof Ali Riaz urges NGOs to mobilize public support for referendum ensuring democracy and transparency. Photo : BSSDHAKA, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS)- Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Professor Ali Riaz today said the upcoming referendum, if it passed, will prevent the ways of the future governments to be fascist one. He said they must stop this path of becoming fascists by winning the "yes" vote in the upcoming referendum. Stating that there is no room for doubt about what or why a referendum is, Prof Ali Riaz said the referendum will be like any other general election, but through the referendum the people will decide how the future of Bangladesh will run. Prof Ali Riaz recalled the contribution of NGOs and development workers to the reconstruction of independent Bangladesh, the welfare of the poor, and mitigating all natural disasters and crises.

DHAKA, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS) - Three more matches of the 1st Division Volleyball League have been decided on the fourth day held at Shaheed Noor Hossain National Volleyball Stadium in the capital today. On the day’s matches, East End Club beat Fire Service and Civil Defense, Shahbagh Sporting Club outplayed Bhai Bhai Sangha and Maultifabs Limited defeated Azad Sporting Club, all by straight 3-0 set. The week-long competition is organized by Bangladesh Volleyball Federation and jointly patronized by Zarif Dairy and Agro Project Limited and RK Ceramics (Bangladesh) Limited.

DHAKA, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS)—The International Cricket Council today announced the list of the match officials for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15. Seventeen umpires and four match referees from the Emirates ICC International Panels of Umpires and Referees will officiate at the tournament, the ICC said in a press release. Bangladesh’s match referee Neeyamur Rahul and umpire Mausudur Rahman Mukul are in the list to officiate the matches of the tournament. The four match referees are Dean Cosker, of England, India’s Prakash Bhatt, as well as Graeme La Brooy and Neeyamur Rahul, who represented Sri Lanka and Bangladesh internationally respectively. Referees: Dean Cosker (Eng), Graeme La Brooy (SL), Neeyamur Rahul (Ban), Prakash Bhatt (Ind).

BOURNEMOUTH, United Kingdom, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Antoine Semenyo said goodbye to Bournemouth by clinching a dramatic 3-2 win that heaped pressure on under-fire Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on Wednesday. Semenyo is on the verge of a reported o65 million ($87 million) move to Manchester City and the Ghana forward ensured his likely last game for the Cherries was a memorable one. On his 26th birthday, Semenyo scored his 10th goal of the season in stoppage-time at the Vitality Stadium to leave Frank in turmoil. While Postecoglou also struggled to improve Tottenham's domestic form, he did end their 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League last season. In contrast to Frank's prosaic tactics, which have earned him widespread criticism this season, Postecoglou embraced Tottenham's 'to dare is to do' ethos with a committment to attacking football.

Trump says Venezuela will buy only US products with oil proceedsWASHINGTON, United States, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Caracas would only buy US-made products with the profits from what Washington says is a deal to sell oil from Venezuela following the toppling of Nicolas Maduro. "I have just been informed that Venezuela is going to be purchasing ONLY American Made Products, with the money they receive from our new Oil Deal," Trump said on his Truth Social network. They would include agricultural products, machinery, medical devices and energy equipment, he added.

Australia 71-2 at lunch, need 89 more to win final Ashes TestSYDNEY, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Australia zeroed in on victory in the fifth and final Ashes Test Thursday, needing 89 more runs to seal a 4-1 series triumph with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith at the crease. At lunch on day five in Sydney, the hosts were 71-2 after being set 160 to win when England were dismissed for 342 on the back of Jacob Bethell's stylish 154. The 22-year-old's maiden Test century had given England hope of back-to-back victories after winning the last Test at Melbourne inside two days. Australia won the first three Test in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide to retain the Ashes. It was Starc's 31st wicket of the series, more than any other bowler, with the 35-year-old finishing on 3-72.

CARACAS, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The US attack that led to Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro's capture in Caracas left 100 people dead and dozens more wounded, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said Wednesday. "So far -- and I mean so far -- there are 100 dead and a similar number of wounded. The attack on our country was terrible," Cabello said on state television. The minister added that Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were injured in the seizure but were "recovering." Both were seen walking on their own power during a New York court arraignment this week.

Uruguay could emerge as gateway for RMG exports to Mercosur market: BGMEAAlberto Guani, Ambassador of Uruguay to Bangladesh, paid a courtesy visit to the BGMEA office today. Photo: BGMEADHAKA, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS) - Uruguay could emerge as a key gateway for Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) exports to the Mercosur market, one of South America’s most influential regional trading blocs, said leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) today. The observation came when Alberto Guani, Ambassador of Uruguay to Bangladesh, paid a courtesy visit to the BGMEA office today. BGMEA Director Shah Rayeed Chowdhury said Uruguay could particularly play a vital role as the main gateway for Bangladeshi apparel exports to the wider Mercosur region. Both sides expressed keen interest in working closely together to strengthen trade and investment ties between Bangladesh and Uruguay.

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.