The Alliance for Health Reforms Bangladesh (AHRB) has urged the Chief Adviser to prioritize the implementation of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) policy as a matter of national interest. In an open letter signed by Professor Syed Abdul Hamid of Dhaka University and Professor Syed Md. Akram Hossain of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, the group called for immediate administrative action to reduce import dependency and bolster national health security.

The letter highlights that although Bangladesh can produce most types of medicines, it remains heavily reliant on imported APIs, leaving the pharmaceutical supply chain vulnerable to global market disruptions. The AHRB recommended five urgent steps, including a production-linked incentive scheme, sustained R&D funding, stronger academia–industry collaboration, and formation of a permanent task force. Citing the success of the 1982 National Drug Policy, the group emphasized that strong political commitment and leadership are essential.

Experts argue that developing a knowledge-based pharmaceutical sector could raise the tax-to-GDP ratio and expand exports. The AHRB warned that without top-level oversight, the API policy may remain unimplemented, hindering Bangladesh’s competitiveness and health resilience.

A November 21 earthquake damaged 22 of the 97 government primary schools in Agailjhara upazila of Barishal, Bangladesh. Among them, four schools—Ashoksen, Gaila Nonapukurpar, Taltarmath, and Dakshin Bagdha—suffered major structural cracks in beams, floors, walls, and roofs. The local education office has compiled a list of affected schools and forwarded it to higher authorities for repair and safety assessment.

Teachers and students are reportedly anxious about continuing classes in damaged buildings, fearing potential collapse during aftershocks. Parents have also expressed concern over sending their children to school under such conditions. Headteachers from several schools confirmed visible cracks and immediate reporting to the upazila education office.

Upazila Primary Education Officer Md. Amjad Hossain stated that the list of affected schools has been submitted for urgent renovation approval. Local officials expect repair work to begin soon to ensure student safety and restore normal academic activities.

In Bangladesh’s Satkhira district, the Shyamnagar upazila has seen an unprecedented surge of over 300 individuals claiming to be journalists, many allegedly using fake press cards to gain influence and engage in extortion. Local sources report that eight separate press clubs now operate within the upazila, with more than 250 registered members and dozens of self-styled ‘independent reporters’ roaming freely. The misuse of press credentials has reportedly led to intimidation of officials, teachers, and business owners.

Government officers, speaking anonymously, described a climate of fear and manipulation, where refusal to meet demands often results in negative coverage or online smear campaigns. Senior journalists in Shyamnagar, including Abu Sayed and Sheikh Afzalur Rahman, have urged authorities to shut down unverified online portals and enforce strict verification before issuing press cards.

The situation underscores a growing crisis in local journalism ethics and regulation. Without intervention, professionals warn that genuine reporters may lose credibility, and public trust in the media could erode further.

A Dhaka court has ordered the imprisonment of Daily Nawroj editor Shamsul Haque Durrani after he surrendered in an extortion case. The order was issued on Sunday, December 7, by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Md. Mahbubur Rahman. Durrani’s lawyer, Dhaka Bar Association President Khorshed Mia Alam, had sought bail, but the court rejected the plea and sent him to jail.

The case was filed on November 12 by contractor Rajibul Islam, who accused Durrani of demanding BDT 2 million to allow construction work at a government seed office site in Melandah, Jamalpur, to proceed without interference. The contractor alleged that Durrani threatened to obstruct the project if the payment was not made. Following the complaint, the court had earlier issued an arrest warrant against Durrani.

The incident has drawn attention to alleged misuse of influence by media figures. Legal analysts note that the case underscores growing scrutiny of press accountability in Bangladesh’s judicial process.

Bangladesh Railway has closed 20 unauthorized and high-risk level crossings along the Dhaka–Sylhet rail route passing through four upazilas of Habiganj district. The move aims to reduce frequent accidents and fatalities caused by unprotected crossings lacking safety infrastructure or signalmen. Railway officials confirmed that the closures are part of a phased plan to eliminate all 46 unauthorized crossings in the district.

According to the railway’s engineering division, the first phase targeted the most accident-prone points, with the remaining 26 crossings to be closed gradually. Many of these crossings were locally built without approval, posing serious safety hazards for both trains and pedestrians. However, local residents have expressed frustration, saying the closures were implemented without prior notice or alternative routes.

Residents and local leaders are urging authorities to construct overpasses or underpasses before closing crossings to prevent public hardship. Officials maintain that the closures are necessary to ensure passenger safety and reduce the risk of future train collisions.

Bangladesh’s bottled soybean oil price has been raised by Tk 6 per liter following a meeting at the Ministry of Commerce. The new retail price is set at Tk 195 per liter, up from Tk 189, and will take effect from Monday, December 8. The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association announced the revised rates through an official press release.

The association had earlier sought government approval twice—in November—to increase prices by Tk 9 per liter, citing rising import and production costs. However, the ministry did not respond, prompting some refiners to raise prices unilaterally to Tk 198 per liter. This led to consumer backlash and government warnings. Commerce adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin confirmed that show-cause notices were issued to several companies for unauthorized price adjustments.

The latest decision aims to stabilize the edible oil market and align official prices with global cost trends. Authorities are expected to monitor compliance closely to prevent further unauthorized hikes and ensure fair consumer pricing.

Bangladesh’s overall inflation increased slightly in November, reaching 8.29 percent compared to 8.17 percent in October, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). Food inflation rose to 7.36 percent from 7.08 percent, while non-food inflation eased marginally to 9.08 percent. The BBS report highlights that inflation has remained above 8 percent for several months, reflecting persistent price pressures across both rural and urban areas.

The report shows rural inflation at 8.26 percent and urban inflation at 8.39 percent, with food costs rising faster in both segments. Despite government efforts—such as raising interest rates and reducing import duties on essentials like oil, potatoes, onions, and eggs—price stability remains elusive. Wage growth in November stood at 8.04 percent, still below the inflation rate, indicating continued pressure on household purchasing power.

Economists warn that sustained high inflation, now persisting for nearly three years, poses a major challenge for the interim government. Further monetary tightening and improved supply chain management may be required to curb price growth in the coming months.

Hundreds of mobile phone traders under the banner of the Bangladesh Mobile Business Community (BMBC) surrounded the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) headquarters in Dhaka on Sunday, demanding reforms to the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system. The protest, which began in the morning, blocked one side of the busy Agargaon road, causing severe traffic congestion. Demonstrators set fires at several points near the BTRC building and confined the chairman and senior officials inside for several hours.

Traders argue that the NEIR system, set to take effect on December 16, will harm thousands of small retailers by restricting the use of unregistered or imported phones. They claim the policy benefits a select group while increasing handset prices for consumers due to added taxes and procedural complexity. BMBC leaders said repeated requests for dialogue with authorities were ignored, leaving them with no alternative but to protest.

Police diverted traffic to alternate routes to ease congestion. The standoff highlights growing tension between regulators and traders ahead of the NEIR rollout, with further demonstrations likely if demands remain unmet.

Local leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami have been accused of attacking government revenue collectors and looting collected funds at the Char Lengta ferry ghat in Companiganj upazila, Noakhali. According to officials, the incident occurred when government staff were collecting revenue from the state-owned ghat, which had not been leased due to an ongoing court petition. The attackers allegedly assaulted the staff and took away around 12,000 to 13,000 taka before ordering them to leave the site.

Assistant Land Officer Selim Chowdhury confirmed the incident and said preparations are underway to file a case. He added that the matter has been reported to higher authorities. The accused Jamaat leaders, Mahbubul Haque and Helal, claimed they had leased the ghat but failed to produce any documents. Companiganj Assistant Commissioner (Land) Rubaiya Binte Kashem stated that legal action will follow upon receiving a written report.

The disruption has halted revenue collection since Thursday, depriving the government of income and raising concerns about law enforcement in the area.

A fire broke out early Sunday morning in the Ambag Nozordighi area of Gazipur’s Konabari police station, destroying four jhoot (garment waste) warehouses. According to the Fire Service and local residents, the blaze started in one warehouse and quickly spread to three others owned by Shahadat Hossain, Sanaullah, and Abu Sayeed. Locals initially attempted to extinguish the flames before alerting the fire department.

Four units from Konabari Modern and Chourasta Modern Fire Service stations responded to the call and managed to bring the fire under control after about an hour of effort. The tin-shed warehouses and stored jhoot materials were completely burned, though no injuries or fatalities were reported. Fire Service Inspector Saiful Islam said preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have originated from an electrical short circuit.

Authorities are assessing the extent of property damage, while fire officials have urged warehouse owners to improve electrical safety and fire preparedness to prevent similar incidents.

A 14-year-old boy named Tajim Molya died after falling from a tree while allegedly stealing betel nuts in Lohagara upazila of Narail district, Bangladesh. Police recovered the body on Sunday and sent it to Narail Sadar Hospital for autopsy. The incident occurred late Saturday night when Tajim and three friends went out after playing carrom to steal betel nuts from a local tree.

According to police, Tajim’s friends — Injamul Sheikh (15), Shipon Sheikh (17), and Ibrahim Sheikh (15) — fled the scene after the fall. When Tajim did not return home, his family began searching for him. The next morning, locals discovered his body near a pond close to his home. Police later detained the three friends for questioning.

Investigators said the death appears accidental, pending autopsy results. Authorities are continuing inquiries to confirm the exact circumstances and determine if further legal action is necessary.

Bangladesh’s Agriculture Adviser Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has warned that any agricultural officials found colluding in market manipulation will lose their jobs. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday, December 7, he said there is no shortage of onions in the country, yet prices have risen sharply. To stabilize the market, the government has decided to allow onion imports and identify those responsible for the artificial price hike.

Chowdhury stated that the Ministry of Commerce will handle traders’ malpractice while the Agriculture Ministry will ensure internal accountability. He noted that onion prices have increased by about 40 taka due to manipulation and stressed that fair pricing around 70 taka per kilogram benefits both consumers and producers. The adviser also mentioned that 70 percent of Aman paddy has been harvested with good yields, and vegetable prices remain stable.

He further discussed potential subsidies for potato farmers who suffered losses this season and hinted at a new transfer policy for agricultural officers through a lottery system to prevent corruption and favoritism.

A madrasa principal, HM Mostafa Joardar, aged 52, died after being hit by a speeding motorcycle in Monohardi, Narsingdi, on Saturday night. He was declared dead at Dhaka Medical College Hospital after being transferred there from Monohardi Upazila Health Complex due to critical injuries. The accident occurred around 8:30 p.m. while he was crossing the Dhaka–Kishoreganj regional highway near Monohardi bus stand.

Mostafa Joardar, a resident of Sallabaid area under Monohardi municipality’s Ward 6, served as the superintendent of Purachar Paratala Jalal Uddin Dakhil Madrasa in Kishoreganj’s Katiadi upazila and was a local leader of Jamaat-e-Islami. Police said they are awaiting a formal complaint to initiate a full investigation. Local witnesses reported that the motorcycle fled the scene immediately after the collision.

Authorities have urged caution among motorists and pedestrians on the busy regional highway, where several similar accidents have been reported in recent months. The incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter traffic enforcement and improved road safety measures in the area.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has officially exempted Bangladesh Railway from the requirement to submit proof of income tax return filings, known as PSR documents. The exemption was granted under Section 264(4) of the Income Tax Act 2023, recognizing the railway as a non-taxable government entity. The directive, issued on December 7 and signed by Nusrat Farzana, Second Secretary (Tax Law-1), clarifies that no tax return evidence will be sought from the state-run organization.

Officials noted that government departments often face procedural complexities in managing tax-related documentation. The NBR’s decision aims to reduce bureaucratic delays and streamline administrative processes within Bangladesh Railway. The move is expected to ease compliance burdens and improve operational efficiency across the organization.

Experts believe this exemption could serve as a model for simplifying tax compliance for other state-owned bodies that are not subject to income tax, potentially leading to broader administrative reforms in the public sector.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury announced that a new digital application will be launched next year to reduce bureaucratic harassment faced by entrepreneurs during business registration. Speaking at the inauguration of the seven-day National SME Product Fair on December 7, he said the app will allow entrepreneurs to complete registration processes online, minimizing direct contact with government offices.

The event, attended by industry advisers and SME representatives, highlighted persistent challenges in the SME sector, including high interest rates—15% for bank loans and up to 25% for NGO loans—driven by inflation. Speakers also noted that loan disbursement to SMEs has declined amid election-related stagnation, despite banks holding surplus liquidity of about BDT 1.5 trillion.

Stakeholders urged reforms to make bonded warehouse procedures more SME-friendly and emphasized that increased investment in industrial parks could protect agricultural land and stimulate economic recovery once demand improves.