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).

DHAKA, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS) - Muhammad Waseem struck a scintillating half-century as Rajshahi Warriors continued its winning run in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), thrashing Noakhali Express by four wickets at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today. A 43 ball-59 from Soumya Sarkar steered Noakhali to 151-5 but United Arab Emirates (UAE) recruit Waseem trumped him with 35 ball-60, a knock that led Rajshahi to victory in 19 overs, with 152-6. While Rajshahi registered their fourth victory in fifth match, the defeat was Noakhali's sixth in a row, meaning still they stayed win-less in the BPL. Ripon Mondol broke through with the wicket of Shahadat who made 30 before Rajshahi spinners stifled Noakhali batters in the slow-paced wicket. However, after Hasan Murad, got another crucial breakthrough with the wicket of Soumya, Noakhali slowed down considerably.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday said the latest decision taken by the US administration against Bangladesh is very unfortunate that hurt them but he thinks such a decision is nothing abnormal given the immigration related problems. “This decision is not just imposed on Bangladesh alone. Bangladesh is among the countries which have immigration related problems. Adviser Touhid said this problem - policy-related, had been continuing since long but this government from day one raised voice against irregular migration. Applicants must agree to the terms of the bond through the US Treasury Department’s online payment platform, Pay.gov, the State Department said.

Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of its long-time and devoted supporter Ataur Rahman Ata, popularly known as ‘Ata Bhai’ in the country’s sports arena. Ataur Rahman breathed his last at around 11:00 pm on Wednesday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital. In a condolence message, the board of directors of Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited, along with its donors, permanent members, former and current players, and employees, said they were deeply saddened by his passing. Ataur Rahman Ata was a loyal and veteran supporter of the country’s traditional football powerhouse Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited and was widely respected within the sports community for his lifelong dedication to the club. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) also expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of the devoted Mohammedan supporter.

It said all districts in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, along with Gopalganj, Moulvibazar, Cumilla, Feni, Khulna, Jashore, Chuadanga and Kushtia, are experiencing cold wave conditions. BMD officials said that the cold wave may continue for several more days, with its coverage shifting from one area to another. As per BMD classification, temperatures between 6.1 degree Celsius and 8 degree Celsius denote a moderate cold wave, while 8.1 degree Celsius to 10 degree Celsius is mild. Besides, severe cold wave conditions occur between 4.1 degree Celsius and 6 degree Celsius, and below 4 degree Celsius is considered very severe. The long-range forecast issued earlier by BMD this month predicted at least five cold waves in January, including one severe cold wave.

The arrested individuals are Touhid Bhuiyan (21) of Narsingdi district and Hridoy Hasan (21) of Jamalpur district. According to the case details, the fraudsters cloned the website of a foreign company, creating a fake platform identical in name and design. Members of the gang sent links to the fake website to victims and introduced themselves as employees of the foreign company. Digital forensic analysis of devices seized from Hridoy Hasan revealed that he controlled around 30 bank accounts opened in the names of different individuals. Although Hridoy claimed to be a computer engineer involved in web development, CID officials stated that he was actually engaged in investment fraud by cloning foreign company websites.

The Election Commission (EC) has opened a Law and Order Coordination Cell ahead of the national election and the referendum. The contact numbers of the coordination cell are 0255007470, 0255007471, 0255007472, 0255007474 and 0255007506, said a press release on Thursday. Citizens can lodge complaints or provide information regarding violations of the election code of conduct, electoral irregularities or the spread of false information by calling the designated numbers. The coordination cell will remain operational until February 13, the release added.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1 on Thursday fixed January 14 to pass an order on charge framing in a case against former director general (DG) of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan, over his alleged involvement in enforced disappearances and more than a hundred killings. The two-member tribunal, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, set the date after the prosecution pleaded for framing of charges, while the defence sought his discharge from the case. Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam appeared on behalf of the prosecution, whereas senior advocate Mansurul Haque Chowdhury represented the accused. Earlier, on December 17, 2025, the prosecution submitted the formal charge, bringing three specific counts against Ziaul Ahsan. Ziaul Ahsan is currently in custody and is facing trial in several cases involving allegations of abduction, torture, enforced disappearance, killings, and other crimes against humanity.