Today’s top 5 news stories

Beyond Headlines brings together the five biggest news stories of the day in one concise news digest to keep readers informed about the developments that matter. Here’s the news digest for 8th October 2026.

PM commits to equal rights, granting Tk 8 crore

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said his government is committed to ensuring equal rights and dignity for all citizens during a meeting with Hindu and Buddhist community representatives on Wednesday. The delegation met him at the Bangladesh Secretariat to discuss minority welfare and upcoming religious festival arrangements.

The PM handed over cheques allocating Tk 5 crore to the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust and Tk 3 crore to the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust. The grants exceeded the original appeals of Tk 4 crore and Tk 2 crore, respectively for the Durga Puja and Kathin Chibar Dan festivals.

He said Bangladesh must remain an inclusive society where religion, caste or identity never obstructs citizens' rights and opportunities. Community delegates expressed gratitude to the government for increasing the festival allocations and extending the national holiday for Durga Puja.

The allocated funds will be disbursed directly into beneficiary bank accounts through the religious trusts and district administrative channels. Community representatives also invited the prime minister to visit several Durga Puja mandaps during the upcoming nationwide celebrations.

Source: BSS

ECNEC approves 13 projects worth Tk 16,207 crore

ECNEC approved 13 development projects involving Tk 16,207.55 crore on Wednesday during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Government funds will provide Tk 10,600.80 crore, with the remaining financing drawn from external project loans and agency contributions.

Under the largest scheme, the Power Development Board will construct a Tk 2,498.08 crore, 442-megawatt solar plant in Rampal, Bagerhat. Planning Commission officials said the facility will expand renewable power to help meet the 20 per cent clean energy target by 2030.

Seven approved municipal schemes include drainage and road modernisation across Dhaka South, Rangpur and Gazipur city corporations, alongside rural infrastructure works in Sirajganj, Bogura and Naogaon. The local government ministry will also implement cooperative programmes for women's entrepreneurship and execute the second phase of urban infrastructure development.

Transport approvals comprise 30 diesel-electric locomotives for Bangladesh Railway, 43 vessels and two slipways for inland shipping, the Second Karatoya Bridge and the Thanchi-Rimakri road. The committee also sanctioned modernising the Paris chancery building while reviewing river and canal re-excavation across Joypurhat district.

Source: BSS

Government to install 17 radiotherapy machines across state hospitals

The government will install 17 new radiotherapy machines across state hospitals to expand cancer care, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain said on Wednesday. Six units will go to Dhaka facilities, while 11 will be placed outside the capital.

The minister said broken equipment deprives poor citizens of treatment, while technician training has already commenced. He said timely medical interventions can save lives as the ministry works to deliver visible improvements across the health sector.

To strengthen family planning, the ministry will launch a nationwide campaign from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2027 under the slogan 'No more than two children, one is better'. According to him, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the initiative, which includes door-to-door contraceptive distribution.

Addressing the dengue situation, the health minister said 94,356 patients were hospitalised this year, with 88,299 discharged at a 90 per cent recovery rate. He said physicians must monitor cardiac complications, while hospitals maintain saline supplies under World Health Organisation guidelines.

Source: Prothom Alo

Russian missile strikes kill 32 people across Ukraine

Russian missile and drone strikes killed at least 32 people across Ukraine on Wednesday, damaging residential buildings and energy infrastructure, according to government officials. The nationwide assault wounded over 100 people, with emergency teams recovering victims from collapsed structures on Thursday morning.

In Pryluky, a destroyed apartment building raised the local death toll to 22, including five children, while capital strikes killed six residents. Ukrainian military data showed air defences intercepted over 80 per cent of 46 jet drones, though Russia launched 70 missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the assault represented one of Moscow's most 'vile strikes', describing the civilian casualties as a calculated birthday action for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said acquiring Patriot interception systems remains vital to protect lives.

Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi said Ukraine will channel a new €1.2 billion European Union funding tranche toward defence requirements. Following retaliatory drone hits on Russian oil facilities, Ukrainian forces plan to deploy domestic long-range missiles capable of striking Moscow by autumn.

Source: Reuters

Biman signs 10-aircraft Airbus deal expanding pipeline to 35

Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed an agreement with Airbus on Wednesday evening to acquire 10 aircraft, expanding its planned procurement pipeline to 35 jets. The purchase includes four A350-900 widebody aircraft for long-haul operations alongside six A321neo single-aisle aircraft for regional routes.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said the fleet expansion supports plans to enlarge Biman's market footprint. The national flag carrier currently handles 20 per cent of passenger traffic in Bangladesh, where annual passenger movements exceed 15 million travellers.

The transaction follows two earlier agreements signed this year to procure 25 Boeing aircraft valued at $6.4 billion. Across both manufacturers, Bangladesh has committed to purchasing 19 widebody and 16 narrow-body jets to replace ageing planes and expand route operations.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said Bangladesh executes agreements solely to serve the interests of its citizens rather than to satisfy foreign partners. He said commercial cooperation must rely on a sound business case matching domestic aviation requirements.

Biman Board Chairman Rumee A Hossain said adding Airbus aircraft establishes a sustainable mixed fleet to serve destinations across Europe, North America and Asia. Deliveries are projected to begin by 2030, with Boeing shipments starting from November 2031.

Source: BSS

That concludes today’s briefing. Stay with Beyond Headlines for in-depth news and analysis, explainers, opinion pieces, long reads, and more.