The Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) has accused the government of expanding the list of essential medicines and fixing their prices without consulting drug manufacturers. The allegation was raised on Saturday at a workshop titled “Bangladesh Pharma Industry: Present Challenges and Future Prospects,” jointly organized by BAPI and the Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum (BHRF) in Gazipur. BAPI leaders said the decision ignored production costs, international raw material prices, quality control, and market realities, posing long-term risks to medicine supply and industry stability.

BAPI Secretary General Dr. Md. Zakir Hossain criticized the policy process, saying no discussions were held with manufacturers or the association before the decision. He noted that the technical committee on pricing lacked members with real pharmaceutical experience. BAPI President Abdul Muktadir warned that about 60 percent of local drug companies are struggling, with nearly 40 percent already closed or near closure, threatening the country’s self-sufficiency in medicine. He urged government intervention to support small and medium firms and restore the industry’s health.

BAPI leaders also emphasized that Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector operates under strict regulatory oversight and called on journalists to highlight the challenges faced by struggling companies.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned and expressed deep concern over an armed attack on Hasnat Abdullah, a veteran injured in the July uprising and officially recognized as a hero. The incident occurred late on January 16 in Chandanaish, Chattogram, where Abdullah and another youth named Mainuddin were reportedly assaulted with sticks and knives by unidentified assailants, leaving them seriously injured. The party’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its publicity and media division, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer, issued the statement on Saturday.

In the statement, Jubayer described the attack as a grave threat to democratic values and justice, emphasizing that targeting individuals who contributed to movements for democracy and voting rights signals a dangerous trend. He warned that political violence under the pretext of differing opinions is unacceptable and could harm the country’s electoral environment and stability if perpetrators are not brought to justice.

Jubayer called for a fair and transparent investigation, exemplary punishment for those responsible, and effective measures to prevent similar attacks in the future. He also urged the government to ensure the safety of all recognized veterans of the July uprising.

A fire broke out at a shoe factory in the Nazira Bazar area of Old Dhaka on Saturday evening, January 17, 2026. Four units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence responded promptly and brought the blaze under control. The fire started on the third floor of a four-storey building, but the cause of the incident has not yet been determined.

According to the Fire Service, they received the report of the fire at 7:13 p.m. and reached the site within ten minutes. After about half an hour of effort, the fire was brought under control at around 7:45 p.m. Md. Enamul Haque, Deputy Assistant Director (Zone-1) of the Fire Service, confirmed that the fire was fully contained and that further investigation would reveal the source of ignition.

Authorities have not yet provided details on damages or casualties, and an official investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has declared that individuals with loan defaults or dual citizenship will not be allowed to contest or vote in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The announcement was made by Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, the party’s spokesperson and chairman of its election management committee, during an emergency press conference held on Saturday evening at the party’s temporary central office.

The press conference was organized to address issues related to election appeals and overall election matters. Bhuiyan stated that the NCP would continue its legal and political struggle against such candidates, emphasizing that the party would resist them both through legal means and on the ground if necessary.

The NCP’s stance underscores its commitment to ensuring that only eligible candidates participate in the election process, reflecting the party’s broader focus on electoral integrity and accountability.

Dr. Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, stated that there is no legal restriction preventing civil servants from campaigning for a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming national referendum. Speaking on Saturday at a meeting of Dhaka divisional administrators at the BIAM Foundation auditorium, he emphasized that the referendum is not about bringing any political party to power but about implementing state reforms based on the July National Charter. He described the referendum as a process to seek public consent on the future direction of Bangladesh.

Riaz said that constitutional experts, former judges, and legal professionals unanimously agreed that no law prohibits civil servants from supporting the 'Yes' campaign. He argued that claims of such restrictions are misleading. He also highlighted the responsibilities of public employees as both officials and citizens, citing constitutional duties to serve the people and uphold discipline. The meeting, chaired by Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, was attended by senior officials, including Monir Haider, who said the referendum would decide whether citizens support the July uprising.

Speakers noted that many voters are unfamiliar with referendums and stressed the need to educate the public on how to vote and the meaning of 'Yes' or 'No' choices.

The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has released a new wanted list containing 330 individuals accused in multiple criminal cases, including murder, robbery, arms, narcotics, extortion, and vandalism. The public notice, issued on Saturday and signed by Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz, prohibits these individuals from entering or staying within the city until further orders. The CMP stated that the listed persons pose a significant threat to Chattogram’s public safety and that legal action will be taken against anyone violating the order.

Assistant Commissioner (Media) Aminur Rashid said the list reflects the city’s current security situation, noting that most of the suspects are fugitives with several police case records. He added that technology is being used to monitor their movements, with additional checkpoints set up at all 17 city entry points. Facial recognition cameras and mobile tracking are also being deployed to prevent unauthorized entry.

Rashid emphasized that the measure is temporary and aimed at ensuring safety around key economic zones, ports, and tunnels. The CMP’s intensified surveillance seeks to prevent potential sabotage and maintain law and order in the city.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook met with BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at around 6 p.m. The meeting took place at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka. Senior BNP leaders including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, who also serves on the party’s Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee, were present during the meeting.

Earlier the same day, ambassadors of Nepal and Bhutan to Bangladesh paid a courtesy call on Tarique Rahman. The report did not provide details about the topics discussed or outcomes of the meetings.

The series of diplomatic meetings at the BNP Chairperson’s office highlights ongoing engagements between foreign envoys and the opposition party leadership in Dhaka, though the specific agendas remain undisclosed.

A report by Middle East Eye describes how Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are trading household goods for basic food items amid worsening economic conditions. A mother from Bethlehem wrote in a private Facebook group that she exchanged kitchen utensils for olive oil and za’atar so her children could take food to school. Since the Gaza war began and Israeli restrictions tightened, such exchanges have become common, reflecting widespread hardship.

Economist Dr. Haitham Weida said the West Bank is being pushed toward a hunger crisis, where families cannot secure enough nutritious food. The region’s economy has deteriorated sharply since October 2023, with poverty reaching 28 percent and unemployment at similar levels. Israel’s restrictions have halted most Palestinian labor access, tourism, and tax revenues, while international aid has fallen to about $710–770 million in 2025. Nearly 898 checkpoints now hinder trade and movement.

The worsening situation has forced many Palestinians to risk their lives crossing into Israel for work. Labor unions report at least 38 workers killed and over 1,500 injured between October 2023 and September 2025 while attempting to find employment.

Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN), admitted his mistake and withdrew his comment after calling journalists 'pet dogs of political parties or individuals' during a meeting in Palashbari, Gaibandha. The incident occurred on Friday evening at the Hasan Azizur Rahman Auditorium of the Bishwasahitya Kendra, where he was addressing a gathering of local citizens.

Following strong protests and pressure from local journalists, Majumdar acknowledged that his remarks were wrong and retracted them. During the same event, he also criticized the abolition of the caretaker government system through constitutional amendment and alleged that Sheikh Hasina sought to remain in power for life out of vindictiveness. He further stated that the 1991 election was the best in Bangladesh’s history.

Majumdar was accompanied by several SUJAN officials, including regional coordinator Jayanta Kar, district facilitator Atik Suman, manager Meherun Nesa, and local leaders from Palashbari. The meeting was attended by local dignitaries and SUJAN members.

Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine was allegedly taken from his home by the army in a helicopter, according to his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP). The party stated that his current whereabouts remain unknown. The information was shared on social media on Friday, January 16, a day after the country held its presidential election. Internet disruptions following the vote have made it difficult to verify details or obtain reliable updates.

The Ugandan government has not yet issued any official response regarding the allegations. Bobi Wine, a former pop star, is considered the country’s most prominent opposition leader and ran against long-time President Yoweri Museveni in the recent election. An Al Jazeera report cited an NUP official confirming that military and security agents entered Wine’s home, though it remains unconfirmed whether he was taken by helicopter.

After voting concluded, Bobi Wine posted on social media alleging that the number of votes counted exceeded the number of registered voters and urged citizens to remain alert.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified the political atmosphere in West Bengal by calling for the removal of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress government. Speaking at a rally in Malda on Saturday, Modi labeled the state government as an ‘enemy of the people’ and accused Trinamool leaders of embezzling central funds meant for the poor. He declared that the time had come to end what he described as a cruel administration and establish good governance in Bengal.

Modi told the crowd that his call for change should be met with their demand for a BJP government, a slogan that drew loud support from attendees. He linked the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047 to the need for good governance in Bengal, citing Bihar, Odisha, and Tripura as examples of states where the BJP had gained strong support. Referring to recent municipal election results in Maharashtra and Kerala, he said these showed growing trust in the BJP’s development model among younger generations.

Modi also accused the Trinamool government of turning illegal immigrants into voters and pledged strict action against them if the BJP came to power in the state.

A verbal altercation broke out between National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Hasnat Abdullah and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate Abdul Awal Mintoo during an appeal hearing at the Election Commission (EC) in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred during a recess in the hearing on the validity of Manikganj-3 candidate Afroza Khanam’s nomination, which was under review due to dual citizenship concerns.

Witnesses said that after the Chief Election Commissioner and other members left the stage for a break, lawyers from both sides engaged in heated arguments. Mintoo, whose own nomination for Feni-3 was also under appeal for alleged dual citizenship, expressed anger toward those seeking to cancel his candidacy. Hasnat, present for another hearing, objected to Mintoo’s remarks, leading to a tense exchange. Law enforcement officers later brought the situation under control.

After the break, Hasnat lodged a complaint with the commission, accusing Mintoo of using abusive language and attempting physical aggression. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud termed the incident “undesirable” and advised filing a complaint with the election investigation committee.

An Israeli military Yasur (Black Hawk) helicopter crashed in the occupied West Bank on Friday, January 16, 2026. According to the Israeli army, no casualties were reported in the incident. The helicopter had earlier made an emergency landing in an open area of the Etzion Brigade zone in the southern West Bank due to adverse weather conditions. It lost control and crashed while being removed from the site.

Israeli Air Force chief Tomer Bar has ordered the formation of a military investigation committee to determine the exact cause of the crash. The incident occurred as tensions in the West Bank have intensified since the start of the Gaza war. Local sources reported that since October 2023, more than 1,080 Palestinians have been killed, around 11,000 injured, and over 20,000 arrested during Israeli operations in the area.

The crash adds to the ongoing instability in the region, where military operations and humanitarian conditions have sharply deteriorated since the escalation of conflict in Gaza.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has alleged that Bangladesh experienced extensive money laundering and looting through accounting manipulation and corruption over the past 15 years. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 17, at the ‘SAFA International Conference’ held at a hotel in Dhaka.

Hossain stated that a lack of transparency and weaknesses in financial accounting have hindered both foreign investment and the proper use of domestic resources. He said the burden of financial mismanagement ultimately falls on ordinary citizens, emphasizing the urgent need to ensure professional ethics and competence. He also urged South Asian countries to work together to address global instability.

The adviser added that the next generation of professionals—including accountants, auditors, and economic analysts—will play a vital role in restoring the economy through integrity, accountability, and innovation, helping to strengthen Bangladesh’s position amid global challenges.

Tahmina Zaman Shraboni, wife of BNP candidate and former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, has withdrawn her independent candidacy from the Netrakona-4 (Madan–Mohanganj–Khaliajuri) constituency. On Saturday morning, her supporter Mirza Mukul formally submitted the withdrawal application at the Netrakona district returning officer’s office. District Commissioner and Returning Officer Md. Saifur Rahman confirmed that the application was accepted as it was submitted within the stipulated time.

Shraboni had previously contested the 2018 national election from the same constituency and secured a notable number of votes. In the current election, she initially filed as an independent candidate but later decided to withdraw. Other candidates contesting in Netrakona-4 include Lutfozzaman Babar, Al Helal Talukdar of Jamaat-e-Islami, Mokhlesur Rahman of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and Jolly Talukdar of the Communist Party of Bangladesh.

The withdrawal narrows the field in Netrakona-4, potentially reshaping the competition among the remaining candidates in the constituency.