United News of Bangladesh

The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) recovered 22,120 Yaba tablets during a special anti-drug drive in Chandpur on Tuesday. Acting on a tip-off, a special team of the Chandpur DNC conducted a raid on a flat in a building owned by Abul Hashem in the Nurullapur area of Bishnupur union under Sadar upazila in the morning. Alleged drug dealer Farhan Roni, 24, who rented the flat, and his associate Nur Hossain fled the scene after sensing the raid, said Md Mizanur Rahman, assistant director of DNC Chandpur. He said 22,000 Yaba tablets were recovered from underneath the bed in a room occupied by Farhan. Another 120 pills were recovered from inside a motorcycle kept in the same room, Mizanur said. The street value of the seized Yaba pills has been estimated at Tk 1.20 crore.    

A 14-year-old girl in Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia is reportedly around seven months pregnant after “being raped” repeatedly by her step-grandfather. Locals caught the accused, Rois Uddin, 55, son of late Nader Uddin of Raydanga village under Kaya union, on Tuesday morning. However, he fled before police arrived to arrest him, locals said. Police and relatives said the girl’s mother died about 12 years ago. After her father remarried, her stepmother sent her to live at her step-grandfather’s house, where Rois allegedly raped her for around a year after threatening to kill her. Recently, the girl developed abdominal pain, and her relatives initially suspected she had a tumour. A gynaecologist examined her and said she was around seven months pregnant. The girl’s maternal grandmother alleged that Rois raped her granddaughter repeatedly for nearly a year. She said local residents caught him and informed police, but he fled before officers arrived. Officer-in-Charge of Kumarkhali Police Station Jamal Uddin said they took the girl into custody for medical examination. He said a rape case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act was being processed and that further details will be disclosed after investigation.  

The Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Tuesday strongly condemned the alleged abduction and hostage-taking of its permanent member and Daily Adin Special Correspondent Kamruzzaman Bablu, and the subsequent taking of money from his bank account and mobile financial services. In a statement, DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mynul Hasan Sohel expressed deep concern and strong protest over the incident. According to the statement, Kamruzzaman was called to a location in the capital’s Postogola area by a Facebook acquaintance and was allegedly held hostage at gunpoint. His hands and eyes were tied before he was taken to an unknown location and threatened with death, he said. Kamruzzaman also alleged that money was taken using his bank card and mobile financial services. The DRU leaders described the alleged incident as extremely serious and alarming, saying such attacks pose a major threat to journalists’ safety and their ability to perform their professional duties independently. They demanded an immediate and impartial investigation to identify and arrest those involved and bring them to justice. The DRU leaders also called for a thorough examination of bank transactions, ATM booth records, mobile financial service transactions, phone numbers and IMEI information related to the incident. They expressed solidarity with Kamruzzaman and urged the law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of the journalist and his family.

The Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) suspended the membership of Md A Jasim Uddin, who contested against NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah in the Comilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The party also issued him a show-cause notice asking why permanent organisational action should not be taken against him for 'breaching organisational discipline' and tarnishing the party’s image. The party’s central office issued the notice on Tuesday. The suspension was ordered by its President Nurul Haque Nur and Acting General Secretary Hasan Al Mamun. The notice, signed by GOP Office Secretary Syed Mahbubur Rahman, however, did not specify the allegations against Jasim Uddin. It just accuses him of a “serious breach of organisational discipline” and tarnishing the party’s image, to which he has been asked to submit a written response within five working days to the central office. The notice said permanent organisational action could be taken against Jasim Uddin if he fails to submit his response within the stipulated time or if his explanation is unsatisfactory. Multiple attempts to contact Jasim Uddin by mobile phone for his side of the story went unanswered. He has made himself unreachable amid the media circus surrounding the case. In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Jasim Uddin contested the Comilla-4 (Debidwar) seat with the Truck symbol representing the Gono Odhikar Parishad. He competed against NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah and secured 49,885 votes with the support of the BNP, who asked their own candidate to stand down in the constituency.

Global efforts to curb tax avoidance by multinational corporations are fundamentally altering the strategies countries use to attract foreign investment, moving the focus away from traditional tax havens toward broader economic fundamentals, according to a report released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In an analytical insight following its latest (October 2026) global outlook, the IMF highlighted that international tax reforms, including the implementation of the global minimum corporate tax framework, are significantly diminishing the efficacy of low-tax regimes as a primary tool for courting global business. It noted that for decades, several jurisdictions relied on ultra-low corporate tax rates and preferential tax incentives to attract multinational enterprises. However, as international rules tighten to prevent profit shifting and base erosion, governments are increasingly forced to re-evaluate their investment promotion strategies, the organisation said. Instead of competing in a "race to the bottom" on corporate tax rates, countries are now shifting their focus toward non-tax competitive advantages, it said. These include strengthening physical and digital infrastructure, building a highly skilled labor force, ensuring regulatory predictability, and improving the overall ease of doing business. The Washington-based lender pointed out that this structural shift offers both opportunities and challenges, particularly for developing and emerging economies. While the erosion of tax-based competition levels the playing field, countries with severe infrastructure deficits or weak governance may face greater pressure to accelerate structural reforms to remain attractive to foreign direct investment (FDI). The IMF urged policymakers globally to adapt to this changing landscape by aligning domestic tax administration with international standards while simultaneously prioritizing investments in productivity-enhancing public assets, human capital, and transparent legal frameworks to secure sustainable long-term economic growth.

Toyota Tsusho Corporation is eying to launch vehicle manufacturing in Bangladesh, as a high-level delegation of the Japanese company briefed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on its investment plans on Tuesday. The delegation, led by Toyota Tsusho Vice Chairman Ichiro Kashitani, met the Prime Minister at his office in the Secretariat and informed him of the company’s plan to establish a Toyota vehicle manufacturing plant in Bangladesh, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. The delegation said the initiative will contribute to employment generation, industrialisation expansion, technology transfer and the development of skilled human resources in the country.  

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced Tuesday that the government plans to introduce a wealth tax from Jan. 1, 2027. The tax will be 1 percent on wealth exceeding 1 billion Hungarian forints (3.1 million U.S. dollars) and 1.5 percent on wealth exceeding 100 billion forints (310 million dollars), Magyar said in a Facebook video. It will cover property, investments and company stakes, including assets held abroad or through asset-management structures, he added. Debts will be deductible from the tax base, while property and vehicle taxes can be credited against the liability. The first annual self-assessed payment will be due by Aug. 31, 2027, based on assets held at the end of 2026, Magyar said. The proposed measure will undergo broad public consultation before being adopted.

A Naogaon court on Tuesday sentenced a man to life imprisonment for killing a woman with a drill machine while attempting to steal her gold ornaments. The convict was identified as Sohel Rana alias Hanif, son of Mofizul Haque of the Nayanandan Darogabari area under Tongibari Police Station in Munshiganj. He had been living in a rented house in the Pargati area of Naogaon town. The court also fined him Tk 5 lakh, in default of which he will have to serve two more years in prison. Judge of the Naogaon Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-2 and Special Tribunal-3 Raju Ahmed pronounced the verdict in the afternoon. According to the prosecution, Kohinoor, wife of Israil Sheikh of the Parghati area, was alone at home on September 11, 2019. Sohel, who was previously acquainted with the family and used to visit their house regularly, entered the house taking advantage of the situation. At one point, he attacked Kohinoor in the head with a drill machine, leaving her critically injured, and fled with cash and gold ornaments. Later, locals rescued Kohinoor in critical condition and took her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi on Tuesday met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, which is seen as further consultations amid efforts from both sides to take forward relations in a positive and constructive way. Quoting diplomatic sources in New Delhi, BBC Bangla reported that his visit was intended to convey Dhaka's current stance regarding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s potential visit to India. However, there has been no official statement regarding this visit from the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh, India's Ministry of External Affairs, or Prime Minister Modi's office. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Monday said the visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India will take place at a conducive time. "I am hopeful about it. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has never said that he will not visit India. The Indian High Commissioner is making efforts, and hopefully, Delhi will be receptive to his views," Kobir said. High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, while talking to reporters in Dhaka recently, laid emphasis on proper preparations by both sides before the meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, noting that there is no benefit in rushing. "We have to make sure that proper preparations are made because many issues will have to be discussed - trade, commerce, water - many issues. We are very positive about the future," he said in response to a question. After a courtesy meeting with Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan on Wednesday, the High Commissioner said they have to give both Prime Ministers a convenient time. "As far as the Prime Minister's visit is concerned, the atmosphere is absolutely positive," said the Indian envoy, noting that no discussion had been held about the timing or month, but the visit would definitely take place. He said there would be no issues for which a solution could not be found if the two leaders met and sat together. "See, challenges will be there. If we think there are no challenges, that would be wrong."

Russian forces struck Ukraine's Parkovyi, Ukrtelecom, Giga and Podolskyi data centers to reduce the country's communications capabilities and disrupt military logistics and troop control, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday. The ministry said Russian forces also struck several targets in the Odesa region, including a missile and artillery weapons depot, a dry cargo vessel delivering military supplies, and berthing infrastructure facilities used for unloading and storing military cargo. Early Tuesday, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said that 650 drones were intercepted on the way to the Russian capital overnight. According to the TASS news agency, the attack was one of the largest Ukrainian drone strikes on the Moscow area in nearly two years. Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov said two people were killed and several others injured in the region.

A cashier of Barishal Government Women’s College died allegedly after jumping from the Barishal Chief Judicial Magistrate Court building on Tuesday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Md Nazmul Haq, 35. He jumped from the 6th floor of the 10-storey court building around 4:00pm, said Monirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station. He was rescued in critical condition and taken to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital, where an emergency department physician declared him dead. Court Police Inspector Tarak Biswas said police went to the spot after receiving information that someone fell from the court building and found Nazmul there. However, it could not be known immediately why Nazmul went to the court building and reason behind the fall. Police were investigating the incident, the OC said.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday urged Canada to boost its investment in Bangladesh and expand cooperation in various sectors. He made the call when Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, the Canadian envoy handed over a congratulatory message from Governor General of Canada Louise Arbour to the President. In reply, Mirza Fakhrul thanked her for the message. The President praised Canada's long tradition of democratic practices and sought its cooperation in institutionalising democracy in Bangladesh. He said the current government is facing challenges due to the prolonged absence of democratic practices and parliamentary traditions and has initiated necessary reforms to institutionalise democracy. Ajit said bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Canada has exceeded 4 billion Canadian dollars annually, noting that there is further scope to expand trade between the two countries. He also informed the President of the upcoming visit of a Canadian minister dealing with foreign affairs to Bangladesh. The President called for greater Canadian cooperation in agriculture, food security, fertiliser, IT, outsourcing and other sectors. He also sought increased Canadian cooperation in education, particularly in technical education, technology, nursing and medical fields. On the Rohingya issue, High Commissioner Ajit highlighted Canada's support, saying the Canadian government has so far provided around 600 million Canadian dollars in assistance. Mirza Fakhrul thanked the Canadian government for its continued support and urged Canada to play an effective role in mounting international pressure for the voluntary and safe return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar. He further said more than 100,000 Bangladeshis are contributing to the development of Canada. The President's secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting. Political Counsellor of the Canadian High Commission Marcus Devies was also present.  

Injured July warriors and representatives of families of martyrs of the July uprising on Tuesday called for constitutional recognition of the mass uprising, legal protection for July fighters and proper treatment and rehabilitation for those injured during the movement. The demands were placed at the sixth meeting of the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment, held at the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with committee Chairman and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed in the chair. More than 60 representatives of families of martyrs and injured July warriors took part in the meeting and presented their views and proposals on various issues. They proposed incorporating the July Declaration and the spirit of the July mass uprising into an appropriate part of the Constitution, granting immunity to July warriors, resolving legal complications they face, and expediting the trials of genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising.  

Former head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service August Hanning was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of passing state secrets to a foreign intelligence service, the federal prosecutor’s office said. Hanning, 80, who headed the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from 1998 to 2005, is strongly suspected of treasonous espionage, spying out state secrets, attempted treason and espionage, prosecutors said. He was arrested in Bad Toelz-Wolfratshausen in southern Germany. A former aide, identified as Manfred D., was also arrested in Steinfurt in western Germany and charged with aiding and abetting attempted treason and treasonous espionage. Federal prosecutor’s office spokesperson Ines Peterson told German broadcaster RTL that Hanning is suspected in one instance of using classified information to prepare an analysis for an employee of a foreign intelligence service. In another case, he allegedly passed on information following an extensive exchange with an employee of another intelligence service. Authorities did not disclose which foreign intelligence services the two men allegedly worked with or which countries were involved. Properties belonging to both suspects were searched Tuesday. Prosecutors said Manfred D. served as Hanning’s chief of staff and later held the same position for several BND presidents between 2012 and 2026. His position gave him access to confidential information. According to prosecutors, the two men allegedly agreed in 2010 that Manfred D. would continuously provide Hanning with valuable BND intelligence in return for payment. Investigators believe Manfred D. supplied Hanning with about 2,000 documents over the years, many of which contained classified information intended solely for internal BND use, particularly executive intelligence briefings. Peterson said Hanning used the information for private consulting work, while Manfred D. continued providing classified material until June 2022. The investigation leading to Tuesday’s arrests emerged from a separate probe into the January 2024 abduction of the children of Hamburg businesswoman Christina Block from their father in Denmark amid a long-running custody dispute. Evidence uncovered during a search of Hanning’s home in connection with that case led to the current proceedings, prosecutors said. Hanning and a retired official of the Hamburg State Criminal Police Office were suspected of accepting a contract from Block in 2022 to abduct her children while working as executives of a security company, German news agency dpa reported, citing prosecutors’ announcement in late 2025. The Block family is prominent in Hamburg and is best known for the nationwide Block House steakhouse chain. The custody dispute has drawn considerable media attention in Germany. A request for comment from the BND was not immediately answered. Konstantin von Notz, a lawmaker from the opposition Greens party and a member of the parliamentary committee overseeing Germany’s intelligence services, called for a swift investigation. He described the allegations against Hanning as “hard-hitting and deeply troubling” and said authorities should conduct a thorough probe. Von Notz also renewed calls for restrictions on former senior officials with high-level security clearances taking up private consulting work after leaving government service.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has sought information on the country’s preparedness to deal with earthquakes, particularly in Dhaka and other cities. The committee made the request at its first meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Tuesday, with committee Chairman Munshi Rafiqul Alam in the chair. It also recommended taking effective measures to ensure the rapid dissemination of early warnings to people in disaster-prone areas. The committee asked the ministry to prepare and present district-wise lists of shelters and volunteers at its next meeting and send the lists to local MPs. It stressed that project officials must discharge their responsibilities with honesty, dedication and accountability. The panel also recommended ensuring proper distribution of relief, assistance and allocations, and keeping shelters clean and fit for use. It called for close monitoring of construction work to prevent contractors from using substandard construction materials. A presentation on the activities of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and its subordinate departments and agencies was made at the meeting. The committee was also briefed on various activities undertaken by the ministry during the past six months.

ICT Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam on Tuesday has stressed the need for trust, capacity-building and international cooperation to ensure responsible and inclusive use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the public sector. “The key question is not simply how quickly we adopt AI, but how wisely, responsibly and inclusively we govern and regulate it,” he said, according to a press release. He made these remarks while addressing the inaugural session of an interregional conference titled “AI Governance in Practice: Practical Use Cases, Institutional Capacity, Innovation at Scale and Global Cooperation” in Istanbul. The two-day conference, being jointly arranged by Korea, Türkiye, the Astana Civil Service Hub and UNDP, brings together ministers and senior officials from countries across the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, along with representatives of UNDP and international development partners. The Minister said AI is no longer merely a technology of the future, as it is already transforming government decision-making, public services and development processes. He identified trust, capacity-building and international cooperation as three fundamental principles for effective AI governance. Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s remarks at the UN General Assembly, he said AI should not create new forms of inequality but should instead help address existing disparities. “Let us ensure that today’s digital divide does not become tomorrow’s AI divide,” he added. He also called for greater technology transfer, skills development and affordable access to modern technologies to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared more broadly. The Minister expressed hope that the conference would create a platform for innovation, trust and inclusive technology where no country is left behind. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s strong commitment and support for the initiative

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Tuesday said the government will fast-track the establishment of a Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF) and simplify approval procedures for the shipbuilding and recycling industry to create a working environment that suits foreign buyers. “The government has taken initiatives to simplify the approval process and remove institutional complications to boost the international competitiveness of the shipbuilding and recycling industry,” he said. The minister made the remarks at a meeting of the committee formed to review existing laws, rules and policies on the ship recycling industry and make recommendations, held at the Ministry of Commerce. The meeting discussed waste management, yard modernisation, compliance with environmental standards and ways to reduce delays in obtaining necessary approvals. Participants also stressed completing clearances and file approvals in Chattogram to avoid delays in Dhaka. Muktadir said Bangladesh must compete with rival countries in terms of capacity and efficiency to attract ship orders and expand its share of the international market. He stressed simplifying domestic procedures by taking the policies and practices of leading shipbuilding nations as benchmarks. A special committee, led by the minister, is working to simplify rules and procedures. Stressing the need for effective and implementable policies, Muktadir said enacting laws alone is not enough and that proper enforcement and compliance must be ensured. “Rules that cannot be implemented eventually lose their relevance,” he said, urging regulatory agencies to change their approach to their work. The minister said Bangladesh will prioritise implementation of the Hong Kong Convention to make the ship recycling sector more environment-friendly and bring it up to international standards. Calling for a balance between environmental protection and economic potential, he said environmental standards must be ensured, but the sector’s growth should not be hindered by unnecessary complications. Muktadir said the process of establishing the TSDF is already underway and will be expedited. On financing and stuck loans in the shipbuilding industry, he said stakeholders should not dwell on the complications of old loans but focus on overcoming the current crisis and moving the sector forward. The minister also called for quick meetings with all concerned parties and coordinated steps to expand facilities for entrepreneurs and remove existing barriers. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said parties linked to European ships are hesitant to work in Bangladesh and are choosing alternative destinations because of the absence of a TSDF, preventing the industry from fully tapping its potential. European ships carry various types of recyclable materials, he said, stressing the need to build the necessary waste treatment, storage and disposal infrastructure to attract them. Mintoo advised all concerned to work together to remove unnecessary procedural complications. Industries Secretary Abdun Naser Khan presented the working paper at the meeting. He said a working group on a one-stop service platform has started work to speed up ship recycling operations. Work is also underway to draft guidelines for building green yards in line with the Hong Kong Convention and decentralise the Department of Environment’s clearance process. The meeting also discussed completing file approvals in Chattogram to avoid the 45- to 60-day delay in obtaining clearances. Participants stressed cutting the processing time by completing approvals locally and streamlining industry operations.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan today said there is a major mismatch between the country's actual population and the data held in the birth and death registration database, calling for urgent corrective measures. "It is a matter of concern that in a country of nearly 19 crore people, the registration database holds information on far more than that. We must remove such discrepancies and make the registration system accurate and credible," the minister was addressing a discussion marking "National Birth and Death Registration Day 2026" at a hotel in Karwan Bazar in the capital, organised by the Office of the Registrar General, Birth and Death Registration, under the Local Government Division. Describing birth and death registration as vital to national administration, he said the state's power must be used to serve people, not obstruct services, and to meet their needs and ensure their rights. Serving the public is the primary responsibility of an elected government, Moyeen Khan said, adding that elected representatives and public officials must work responsibly to fulfil the expectations people carry when they cast their votes. "Whatever the methods, civil servants and elected representatives share one goal, serving the people," he said. Technology alone cannot ensure public service, the minister said, stressing that the people behind it must be accountable. He said no citizen should have to make repeated trips to a union parishad for a simple birth certificate. An ordinary villager may not be highly educated, but he or she is a citizen with a right to public services, he added, urging all concerned to be more alert, responsible and people-oriented in delivering services at the grassroots. Speaking as special guest, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam said birth and death registration was introduced in 2001 with UNICEF support under Begum Khaleda Zia, with the mother's identity recorded alongside the father's. He said the country currently has 24.88 crore birth registrations and 58.19 lakh death registrations, whereas the 2022 census puts the population at around 17 crore. Inaccurate registration, he said, is distorting national statistics, and he called for a fresh look at the issue. The state minister described the Birth and Death Registration Information System (BDRIS) as a key foundation for the "One Citizen, One ID, One Digital Wallet" initiative. He stressed raising awareness at the union, ward and village levels to make grassroots registration more accurate. Citing the government's in-principle decision to reintroduce the Gram Sarkar (village government) system, he said it would make birth and death registration at the village level more precise. At the event, awards were presented in several categories in recognition of accuracy and excellence in registration.

Around 60 university students and aspiring entrepreneurs took part in a daylong programme at Dhaka International University (DIU) on Tuesday, learning how to test business ideas and understand the policy and regulatory factors that can affect their ventures. The Campus Incubation Bootcamp and Smart Policy Reform Lab, organised by Preneur Lab Youth & Innovation Trust with support from Atlas Network, was held as part of StartKoro Season 5. The programme focused on helping participants identify problems worth solving and test whether potential customers need their proposed solutions, according to a press release. Mentors Alamin Pranto, director of Start2Scaleup, and M. Ashraful Tanvir, head of operations and administration at Preneur Lab, led the sessions, while university faculty members joined as guest speakers. Participants worked through ideation, market research, customer needs, product validation and the development of a minimum viable product (MVP). In the Smart Policy Reform Lab, they discussed the policy and regulatory environment for young businesses and put forward recommendations on issues that could affect startups and small businesses. StartKoro aims to support young people from the idea stage through validation and development of a first product to establishing a running business capable of creating employment. The fifth season has so far engaged more than 365 entrepreneurs, who have launched more than 60 new businesses, while Preneur Lab estimates that around 200 new jobs have been created. The organisers said entrepreneurship training alone may not be enough if licensing, taxation and access to finance create barriers for young businesses. Across five Smart Policy Reform Labs, participants have submitted more than 260 recommendations, which will be synthesised into policy research focusing on business registration, licence validity and SME finance. In July, the programme launched the StartKoro AI Hub, an AI-powered platform providing guidance on business registration, licences, taxation and business planning in the Bangladeshi context. By September, 100 entrepreneurs had accessed the platform. The organisers plan to expand the incubation programme from five cities to 10 and publish the policy research. The initiative aims to contribute to a startup ecosystem that is less concentrated in Dhaka and encourage young entrepreneurs to view policy engagement as part of running a business.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will sign an agreement with Airbus on Wednesday to acquire 10 Airbus aircraft as part of its fleet expansion plan. The agreement will be signed at a ceremony, titled “Spreading Our Wings Together,” at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden at 6:30pm. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, Executive Chairman of Invest Bangladesh Authority Ashik Chowdhury, and President and Managing Director of Airbus (India & South Asia) Jürgen Westermeier are scheduled to attend the ceremony. The deal signing will mark a significant milestone in Biman’s fleet expansion. Biman earlier signed deals with Boeing to procure 25 aircraft from the US company.

Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid Tuesday pressed for increasing the allocation for fisheries in the national budget, while insisting that more money must come with strict transparency, accountability and an end to financial waste. "Alongside boosting production, priority must be given to preserving the natural habitats of fish," the minister said, noting that native fish species are fast disappearing as natural water bodies shrink and the environment changes. He was addressing a workshop titled "Budget and Government Development Vision in the Fisheries Sector," organised by the Department of Fisheries at Matsya Bhaban in the capital this morning. Underscoring that the identity of "Mache-Bhate Bangali" is deeply rooted in fisheries, the minister said launching projects and spending money alone would not do. Field-level verification, he said, is needed to find out whether fish sanctuaries are actually working. "The primary purpose of sanctuaries is to create opportunities for fish breeding and reproduction. Regular reviews are necessary to examine where money was spent, what was actually accomplished, and its impact on overall fish production," he said. The minister also warned against irregularities in the list of fishermen, saying the inclusion of fake or ineligible persons deprives genuine fishermen of government assistance. He urged local officials to be more responsible during verification. Turning to the deep sea, he observed that many countries commercially harvest tuna in international waters and that Bangladesh can tap the same potential. "Instead of merely conducting surveys and spending money, a clear plan is required to translate survey findings into actual marine harvesting," he said, adding that Bangladesh must develop skilled manpower, suitable vessels and technological capacity to exploit deep-sea resources. Speaking as special guest, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku emphasised encouraging young entrepreneurs and providing fish farmers with necessary advice and technical support. He directed field-level officials to inspect farms regularly and monitor activities. He said the government is working to increase freshwater fish production, expand exports and bring canals, rivers and other water bodies under fish cultivation. Pollution-free water bodies, river navigability, fish processing and export promotion are vital for the sector's sustainable development, the state minister added. Department of Fisheries Director General Khaled Kanak chaired the workshop. Ministry Secretary Delwar Hossain attended as honoured guest, while Public Service Commission Member ASM Golam Hafiz was discussant. Senior officials of the ministry and the department were also present.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday called for collective efforts to ensure the rights and dignity of the Christian community and build an inclusive Bangladesh. “We do not want division and communalism in the name of religion. We never want authoritarianism and fascism to return,” he said, calling for a social movement to this end. The President made the remarks when a 25-member delegation, led by Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dhaka Subrata B Gomes, paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban in the afternoon. He said Bangladesh belongs to all its citizens and everyone is equal here. “It is very important to ensure that no citizen is deprived or discriminated against because of their religious identity,” he said. During the meeting, the delegation briefed the President on various issues concerning the Christian community and sought his cooperation in addressing them.  

The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) imposed fines totalling more than Tk 1 crore (Tk 1,00,65,000) on food establishments across the country in September under the Safe Food Act, 2013, and filed 44 cases through mobile courts and other enforcement drives. The agency disclosed the figures in a statement Tuesday, saying it also monitored 1,307 food establishments during the month and issued health certificates for three export-quality products. In Dhaka metropolitan area, BFSA conducted 26 drives under the law in September, fining 12 establishments a total of Tk 16 lakh and filing 14 cases. Common irregularities found at these establishments included operating without mandatory registration, preparing food in unhygienic conditions, and storing unlabelled fish, meat and other items in refrigerators. Many also failed to display trade licences, food workers' health certificates and pest control certificates. Outside the capital, BFSA raided 28 establishments in different districts. The offences found there included making chanachur by trampling it underfoot, using burnt oil and unauthorised chemical colours, cockroaches and bedbugs at production sites, use of unapproved ghee, and the use of kewra water in biryani. Others were selling products without labels and producing food in filthy, unhealthy conditions. For these, the establishments were fined a total of Tk 45.70 lakh and 30 cases were filed. Separately, 31 establishments were fined Tk 38.95 lakh through summary trials led by the judge of the Pure Food Court and a metropolitan magistrate. In all, BFSA conducted 71 drives in September, imposing fines of over Tk 1 crore and filing 44 cases, the statement said. Alongside enforcement, BFSA has stepped up monitoring of food establishments nationwide. In September, it inspected markets, hotels and restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops, and food production and processing facilities. The agency said the monitoring checks whether food safety rules are followed in production, storage, serving, processing and marketing. Establishments are given instructions and, where necessary, legal action is taken. BFSA is also running multi-channel campaigns to raise public awareness about safe food consumption, hygienic production and marketing, and the responsibilities of consumers, it added.

A 34-year-old man was stabbed to death allegedly following a dispute over drugs in the Akua Bhangarpul area of Mymensingh City Corporation on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Saddam Hossain, son of Pannu Miah and a resident of the area. Police detained a 25-year-old man, Antar, in connection with the killing, said Mohammad Shibirul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Mymensingh Kotwali Model Police Station. Law enforcers also recovered the knife allegedly used in the killing from the scene. Citing locals, police said Saddam went to Antar's two-storey house in Akua Bhangarpul around 11:30am. An argument broke out between the two over a drug-related issue and later turned into a scuffle. At one point, Antar allegedly stabbed Saddam repeatedly in the chest and abdomen with a knife. Locals rescued Saddam in critical condition and took him to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where he died around 2pm while undergoing treatment. The OC said preliminary investigation suggested that the killing stemmed from a dispute over drugs. The body was sent to the hospital morgue for an autopsy. A case will be filed in connection with the incident, the OC said.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed on Tuesday assured people of a peaceful and smooth celebration of Durga Puja in the capital, saying foolproof security measures will be in place across Dhaka. Describing the first major Hindu religious festival under the current democratic government as an “acid test”, he said the DMP will remain on high alert to ensure the safety of devotees and visitors at every puja mandap. The DMP commissioner made the remarks while chairing a meeting on security, law and order and traffic management for the five-day Durga Puja, beginning on October 17, at the DMP Headquarters. He said comprehensive security measures will be in place for the Durga Puja celebrations and idol immersion. Every puja mandap will be brought under CCTV surveillance, while mandap in-charges will perform duty wearing body-worn cameras, Mosleh Uddin said. He said police personnel in uniform and plainclothes, along with SWAT, Crisis Response Team, Quick Response Team, Crime Scene Van and Bomb Disposal Unit, will remain ready throughout the festival. Addressing the leaders of the puja celebration committees, the DMP chief urged them to remain vigilant and make efforts to ensure the security of their respective mandaps. He also asked them to keep an eye on puja committee members, volunteers and visitors. Mosleh Uddin called on people to contact the National Emergency Service 999 or the nearest police station in case of any emergency. He expressed hope that the upcoming Durga Puja will be celebrated safely, smoothly and in a festive atmosphere through the collective efforts of all concerned. DMP Joint Commissioner (Operations) Mohammad Shahidullah presented detailed information on the DMP’s security, law and order and traffic management measures for the Durga Puja through a PowerPoint presentation. Leaders of the puja celebration committees sought all-out cooperation from the DMP to ensure security at puja mandaps and smooth traffic management during the festival. DMP Additional Commissioner (Protection and Diplomatic Security) Md Abul Bashar Talukder, Additional Commissioner (Detective Branch) Md Shafiqul Islam, Additional Commissioner (Logistics, Finance and Procurement) Md Masud Karim, Additional Commissioner (Special Response Unit) Mohammad Shamsul Haque, and Additional Commissioner (Estate, Development and ICT) and Additional Charge of Crime and Ops Mohammad Osman Gani, among others, attended the meeting. Representatives of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee and Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad were also present.    

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to reassure NATO ally Iceland on Tuesday that President Donald Trump's administration has no plans involving the island, while stressing shared concerns over Arctic security amid rising tensions with Russia. Rubio highlighted the importance of diplomacy in resolving conflicts as he began a three-nation tour of NATO allies, including Greece and Portugal, amid concerns in Europe about the Trump administration's sometimes abrasive approach toward traditional partners. He met Icelandic Foreign Secretary Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir at Reykjavik's Hofdi House, where US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev held their landmark 1986 summit widely seen as helping bring an end to the Cold War. “The house symbolizes diplomacy’s role in ending the Cold War and defeating communism,” Rubio said in a social media post following the meeting, held days before the summit's 40th anniversary. Rubio and Gunnarsdóttir played down differences between the two allies and stressed their intention to strengthen military and commercial cooperation. Rubio also made clear that Washington would not take any action in Iceland without its consent. “We would be open to having those conversations to see what we can do together,” he said, referring to potential cooperation. He noted that the United States maintained a permanent military presence at Iceland's Keflavik base until 2006, when changing priorities led to its closure. “ We have tremendous respect for the people. We have respect for the country in the role it plays, and it has for a very long time,” Rubio said. Iceland had grown uneasy about Trump's intentions after a map posted online showed the US flag extending across North America and into Iceland and Greenland. Concerns continued even after Washington reached an agreement last month to increase its presence in Greenland, apparently ending Trump's earlier push for full US control of the Danish territory. Following Rubio's talks with Gunnarsdóttir and Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, however, tensions appeared to have eased. Gunnarsdóttir said the issue had been largely, if not completely, resolved. “We remain focused on the future,” she said. Rubio said he was not in Iceland to discuss social media posts, adding, “Everything is very positive.” Before leaving Washington, Rubio said his trip was aimed at advancing “our shared priorities: a secure Arctic, stronger commercial and energy ties, and closer defense cooperation.” Iceland, a NATO member without a standing army, is located about 180 miles (290 kilometers) from Greenland. Gunnarsdóttir had earlier summoned US Ambassador Billy Long after the map was posted, saying it was unacceptable. Long himself has faced controversy in Iceland. Before taking up his post in August, thousands of Icelanders signed a petition urging the prime minister to reject him after he joked earlier this year about Iceland becoming the 52nd US state and him becoming its governor. He later apologized. Another Trump-era ambassador to Iceland, Jeffrey Ross Gunter, also drew criticism during Trump's first term after seeking armed bodyguards in relatively low-crime Reykjavik. Rubio's next stop is Athens, where another US ambassador, Kimberly Guilfoyle, has faced allegations of misconduct and impropriety. US Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he would investigate the allegations and could seek Guilfoyle's dismissal if they were substantiated. The Wall Street Journal reported that Guilfoyle told guests at a reception that Washington could undermine the Greek government, promoted the interests of a Greek construction and energy company and allowed its lobbyist to attend private diplomatic meetings. Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and California prosecutor who was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr., has denied wrongdoing. Rubio has defended her, calling her an “incredible advocate” for Trump's agenda in Greece and Europe. The Trump administration views Greece as an important partner in promoting and exporting US-produced liquefied natural gas to southeastern and central Europe.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday recalled a childhood memory of seeing a fresh pugmark of a Royal Bengal Tiger beside a pond in the Sundarbans during a three-day family trip with his parents and younger brother. Responding to a child’s question about his favourite childhood memory, Tarique Rahman said his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, once took him, his younger brother and their mother, Begum Khaleda Zia, to the Sundarbans. “We went to the Sundarbans. We got down at a place called Hiron Point, which was like a small island. There was a pond there. Local people told us that a tiger had come to the pond the previous night to drink water. There was a very fresh pugmark of the Royal Bengal Tiger in the mud beside the pond. I still remember that,” he said. The Prime Minister was answering questions from children at a special session at Bangladesh Shishu Academy marking Children’s Rights Day 2026 and the 50th anniversary of the academy. Asked what he had dreamed of becoming when he was a child, Tarique Rahman said he did not have any particular ambition at that age. “To tell you the truth, I did not really have any dream then. When I was little like you, I only thought that when I grew up, I would buy all the toys,” he said. Responding to a question about the government’s plans to ensure a bright future and quality education for children, the Prime Minister said children should be given opportunities to develop their abilities alongside their studies.  

Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested two alleged armed men with a foreign-made pistol, magazines and bullets in the Bauniabadh residential area of Pallabi on Monday night, said a press release issued by DMP. The arrestees were identified as Jony, 28, and Parvez, 31. Acting on a tip-off, a DB Mirpur team conducted a drive in the area and arrested the duo. Another alleged associate, identified as Babu, managed to flee. Police recovered a 9mm foreign-made pistol, a magazine and five rounds of ammunition from Jony, while three rounds of KF 7.65 ammunition were recovered from Parvez. According to DB, the detainees told police during initial questioning that Babu had another firearm in his possession. They allegedly had been involved in establishing control and dominance in the area. A case has been filed with Pallabi Police Station, while efforts are underway to arrest Babu and recover the additional firearm.  

Bangla Academy on Tuesday launched the ‘Bangla Academy Font’, developed under the ‘Enriching Bangla Language through Information Technology’ project, as part of an initiative to enrich the use of Bangla in the digital sphere. The font was unveiled at a programme held at the Shaheed Munier Chowdhury Conference Hall of the Bangla Academy at 3 pm. Project Director Mahbub Karim, language technology expert Mamun-or Rashid and publication specialist Shahidul Islam attended the programme on behalf of the ‘Enriching Bangla Language through Information Technology’ project. They formally handed over a specimen of the newly developed ‘Bangla Academy Font’ to Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam. The font has been developed under the project as part of efforts to further facilitate and enrich the use of the Bangla language in information technology. With the use of Bangla continuing to expand across digital platforms, education, publishing, media and official communication, initiatives aimed at strengthening the language's presence in the digital environment have gained increasing importance. The launch of the new font marks another step towards expanding the scope of Bangla language use in information technology. The programme was held on Tuesday, corresponding to 21 Ashwin 1433 in the Bangla calendar.

Deepening energy sector bottlenecks, alongside financial sector vulnerabilities and weak revenue mobilization, continue to severely drag down Bangladesh's economic momentum, the World Bank said on Tuesday, projecting a sluggish growth rate of 3.4 percent for FY26 and FY27. In its latest Bangladesh Development Update released today, the global lender cautioned that persistent energy supply shortages—coupled with elevated inflation, softening investment, and loss of export momentum—are squeezing household purchasing power and driving up business operational costs. The report noted that GDP growth could marginally recover to 3.9 percent in FY28, but emphasized that this turnaround hinges critically on a gradual easing of energy supply constraints and an accelerated government reform agenda. “To avert economic downturn and return to an inclusive growth path, driven by private investment, fast and bold reforms are needed in banking sector, domestic revenue mobilization, and energy sector,” said Jean Pesme, World Bank Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan. “The country needs to respond with urgency and speed up the reforms essential for protecting the poor and creating more and better jobs. The time to act is now,” Pesme added. The report paints a grim picture of the country's social and financial metrics for FY26. Driven by sluggish job creation and rising living costs, about 2.1 million additional people slipped into poverty compared to last year. Banking sector vulnerabilities intensified further, with the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio climbing to 33.2 percent in June 2026, up from 30.6 percent in December 2025. Additionally, Bangladesh’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains among the lowest in the world at 8.3 percent, constraining the government’s fiscal space and widening the fiscal deficit to 3.9 percent of GDP in FY26 from 3.5 percent in FY25. To cushion the impact on vulnerable populations, the report recommended optimizing social safety net programs. The World Bank highlighted that nearly half of the poorest households currently remain outside social protection coverage. It noted that expanding and implementing the government’s 'Dynamic Social Registry', consolidating food subsidies, and refining the 'Family Card' system could pull an additional 2.85 million people out of poverty. The Bangladesh Development Update was released alongside the World Bank’s regional report, the South Asia Economic Update, which projected South Asia’s overall regional growth at 6.9 percent this year, slowing to 6.7 percent in 2027. World Bank Vice President for South Asia Johannes Zutt and Chief Economist for Asia Franziska Ohnsorge underscored the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the region. They urged South Asian nations to bridge foundational infrastructure and skill gaps to leverage AI for boosting labor productivity, expanding export opportunities, and improving public service delivery.  

Bangladesh recorded its highest single-day dengue death toll this year on Tuesday, with 10 people succumbing to the mosquito-borne disease in the past 24 hours. With the latest fatalities, the dengue death tally has risen to 281 in the country this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of the 10 new deaths, three were reported in Khulna division, two in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), two in Barishal division, and one was recorded each in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Dhaka division and Rajshahi division. Men accounted for 47.7 percent of the total deaths, while women accounted for 52.3 percent. The previous highest daily dengue death toll this year was recorded on September 8, when nine people died of the disease. Since January 1, a total of 90,356 dengue patients have been admitted to hospitals across the country, of whom 84,299 have recovered. Of the total, 75 people have died in DSCC, 55 in Khulna division, 35 in DNCC, 25 in Chattogram division, 24 in Barishal, 23 in Mymensingh, 19 in Rajshahi, 17 in Dhaka division, six in Rangpur and two in Sylhet division, according to the DGHS report.

Persistent shortages of gas and electricity are disrupting operations at some textile mills, industry leaders told Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday, while seeking policy support to address energy, tax and other challenges confronting the sector. A delegation of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) raised the concerns during a meeting with Shafiqur Rahman, also Jamaat-e-Islami ameer, at his official residence in the capital. “Gas and electricity are continuing problems. There has been considerable improvement, but some factories are still facing problems,” BTMA Vice President Shafiqul Islam Sarker told reporters after the meeting. He said the association also discussed problems related to incentives, increased taxes, Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category and misuse of bonded yarn. “We have informed the opposition leader about our existing problems, including issues related to incentives, gas and electricity, LDC graduation and increased taxes,” he said. He said the government had already addressed some of the concerns raised by the industry, while discussions were continuing on others. He said the textile sector has around US$32 billion in investment and serves as a key backward-linkage industry for Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector by supplying raw materials. Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat, said the Jamaat Ameer assured the BTMA delegation that he would raise the sector’s concerns in Parliament and work with the government to help resolve them. “He will always speak about the country’s issues and will work with the government on these matters,” Porwar said, conveying the opposition leader’s position. Porwar said the Jamaat Ameer also told the delegation that the opposition would support government initiatives in the public interest while opposing measures it considers harmful, describing the approach as constructive opposition.  

A delegation of the British Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) met Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal at his office on Tuesday and discussed strengthening parliamentary cooperation between Bangladesh and the UK. The delegation, led by APPG Chair Apsana Begum, MP, also included Shockat Adam, MP, and Lord Qurban Hussain, a member of the House of Lords. The delegation congratulated Bangladesh on holding what it described as a free and fair parliamentary election in 2026. Kayser Kamal said the election was accepted as free and fair both at home and abroad. He described Bangladesh-UK relations as deep and traditionally friendly, saying they have been built on long-standing bilateral and diplomatic ties. The Deputy Speaker also highlighted the contribution of Bangladeshis living in the UK to strengthening relations between the two countries. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has introduced the Family Card and Farmers’ Cards, among other initiatives, to improve people’s living standards and strengthen the social safety net. Referring to institutional reforms, Kayser Kamal said the Prime Minister is working to strengthen Bangladesh’s institutions in line with the institutions in Britain. He said Tarique Rahman considered the British Parliament a model for Bangladesh’s Parliament. During the meeting, the British delegation expressed interest in opening branches of British educational institutions in Bangladesh.  

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Tuesday recommended formulating a policy on electricity use by mosques across the country and taking up rooftop solar power projects at mosques. The recommendations were made at the first meeting of the committee of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, held at the Parliament complex with committee chairman Rafiqul Islam Jamal in the chair. The committee also recommended formulating a policy on people who go on Hajj at government expenses. It further recommended the quick transfer of doctors and other officials and employees who have been working at the same hospitals and missions under the Islamic Foundation for a long period, aiming to ensure better public service. At the beginning of the meeting, the Holy Quran was recited and officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Parliament Secretariat introduced themselves to the committee members. The meeting was briefed through PowerPoint presentations on the activities of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and its subordinate offices and agencies. The committee was informed about Hajj management, the Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh Waqf Administration, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust, Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust and Christian Religious Welfare Trust. The presentations also covered the implementation progress of the ministry’s 180-day action plan, manpower, budget, the vision and mission of its offices and agencies, their functions and notable achievements. The committee was also briefed on the implementation of the government’s election manifestoes  and future plans of the ministry and its subordinate bodies. Committee members and officials concerned attended the meeting.  

Regional Conference of Youth Asia-Pacific (RCOY APAC) 2026 concluded Tuesday with a final day field programme at the CCDB Climate Centre in Gazipur, with a Regional Youth Statement carrying the priorities of young people across the Asia-Pacific region set to be taken to COY21 and COP31. The conference, held from Oct 3 to 5, brought together more than 500 young leaders from 28 countries, including around 100 international delegates, for discussions, workshops and COP-style simulations on climate change, climate transition, climate finance and youth-led climate action, said a press release issued on Tuesday. Hosted in Bangladesh for the first time, the conference is recognised under YOUNGO, the Official Children and Youth Constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  Participants represented 28 countries, including more than 500 young leaders, around 100 of them international delegates. Government and UN representatives, researchers, policymakers, innovators, development partners, academics and youth-led organisations also took part. Discussions focused on climate action, climate justice, resilience, youth leadership, regional cooperation, knowledge exchange and youth-led solutions.  Experts and climate leaders, including Khondkar Morshed Millat, Tahmina Zaman Khan, Selina Shelley Khan, Sumaiya Binte Selim Sudha, Kamrul Hasan Shawon and Roufa Khanum, contributed to sessions on youth-led climate action, sustainability and climate finance.  Alongside dialogues, workshops, networking, exhibitions and side events, participants contributed to the Regional Youth Statement, which is meant to reflect the priorities and demands of young people across Asia-Pacific. The priorities will be taken forward to COY21 and COP31. Chief guest AKM Sohel, UN Wing Chief at the Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry of Finance, spoke about the place of young people in decisions on climate and development.  “Every dollar we take a loan, the youth have to pay back in the future. If you have the stake in the dollar, you should have the voice. Every single utterance has to be based on evidence, data and science,” he said. Miguel Mateos Muñoz, Chief, Communication and Advocacy, UNICEF in Bangladesh, urged the young delegates to look beyond those present. “As you take the Regional Youth Statement to COP31, ask yourselves: whose voice is still missing? Bangladesh’s NDC 3.0 puts children and young people at the centre of climate action. Now comes the real test: implementation. As you step onto the global stage, carry with you the realities, demands and hopes of those who cannot be in the room, and make sure no child is invisible in the decisions shaping their future,” he said. Dr Ainun Nishat, Emeritus Professor and noted scientist associated with the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), encouraged young people to build their own capacity, understand policy processes and ground their work in evidence.  “Learn the language of policy. Youth advocacy needs to be evidence based and data driven,” he said.  The final day gave those messages a practical setting. Nearly 150 national and international delegates gathered at the CCDB Climate Centre for a field-based learning and reflection programme that tied the discussions, panel sessions and key lessons of the previous three days to real-world climate action. Participants looked at how climate commitments, climate finance, climate transition and climate solutions translate into practice, and the programme also served as a simulation-based preparation for COP31, bringing together dialogue, negotiation, learning and practical experience. Held under the motto “From Mountains to Sea: United for Climate Justice”, RCOY APAC 2026 was jointly organised by youth-led organisations from across Asia-Pacific, with Seecto Bangladesh as the host country organisation.  As the Regional Youth Statement now heads to COP31, those delegates leave better prepared to take part in shaping a more just, resilient and sustainable climate future. 

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Tuesday called for stronger coordination among UN agencies and closer alignment of UN programmes with Bangladesh’s Five-Year Strategic Framework for Reform and Development (2026-2031). “Bangladesh highly values its longstanding partnership with the United Nations and remains committed to further reinforcing its cooperation in support of shared priorities and national development,” he said during a meeting with Carol Flore-Smereczniak, UN Resident Coordinator ad interim, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The State Minister expressed appreciation to Flore-Smereczniak for her leadership of the UN Country Team in advancing Bangladesh’s development priorities.

A Dhaka court on Tuesday sentenced three muggers to death for killing a garment worker while snatching his mobile phone in 2022. Judge of the Additional Metropolitan and Sessions Judge Court-13 Zahidul Islam delivered the verdict. The convicts are Md Yusuf, Iqbal Khan and Mehedi Hasan. They were also fined Tk 20,000 each. The court also sentenced a man identified as Sujon for purchasing the stolen handset. The court issued a warrant for his arrest as he was tried in absentia. According to the prosecution, Saimon, a worker of Liberty Garment in the Mirpur-1 area of the capital, went to a market with his two colleagues – Rifat Hossain Rabbi and Hridoy Hasan – after finishing work on October 11, 2022. On the way back home, the convicts intercepted him in front of Aarong around 9:00pm and took him to the Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard, where they tried to take away his mobile phone. When Saimon tried to prevent them from mugging him, they hit him with a knife and snatched his mobile and money belonging to him, leaving him critically injured. Later, he was taken to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, where doctors declared him dead. Victim’s father Shahjahan Sheikh filed a case with Darus Salam Police Station in this connection. Police later arrested Yusuf, who gave a confessional statement. Following his statement, police arrested the two other convicts. During interrogation, they said they sold the mobile to one Sujon for Tk 2,200. On January 31, 2023, police submitted a charge sheet against them.

The realities of married life, from changing patterns of communication to small misunderstandings and everyday compromises, take centre stage in Chorki Original film ‘Happily Married’, which had its premiere in Dhaka on October 5. The romantic comedy-drama, directed by Jahid Preetom, will be released on Chorki on October 8. The premiere was held at the Liberation War Museum auditorium in the capital, where audiences enjoyed the film’s blend of humour and emotion while following its portrayal of different experiences within married life. The film’s story, screenplay and dialogues were written by Jahid Preetom, who said his own experience of marriage helped him understand the different layers of a relationship and influenced the story. “I have been married for about one and a half years, and I am gradually understanding the different layers of a relationship. The four or five hours of communication during a relationship eventually become 24 hours of being together after marriage. I am understanding the changes that come with that,” he said. “My friends told me that after getting married, I would understand and would no longer feel like telling love stories. But that did not happen to me. Rather, it has become more serene. I am learning to deal with reality,” he added. Preetom said the story originated from an idea of presenting a relationship-focused narrative that would make audiences laugh while also allowing them to reflect on their own relationships. “I tried not to make anything too critical in the story. Understanding each other is actually what makes a married couple happy. Small doubts and small decisions can create distance between people. Instead of that, take care of the person you love and love them every day,” he said. ‘Happily Married’ marks the first collaboration between Preetom and actor Arifin Shuvoo, while the director had previously worked with actress Keya Payel. Describing his experience of working with the lead actors, Preetom said Shuvoo was very supportive during the shoot. “Shuvoo bhai does not bring his phone to the set or watch the monitor during shooting. During breaks, he stays by himself, listens to music and reads books. On the other hand, Keya Payel is quite active on social media, and her character Anamika is also like that. So, I felt they were very good casting choices for these two characters,” he said. For Payel, ‘Happily Married’ marks her first work for an OTT platform. She said the project attracted her because of its story and the opportunity to work with Preetom, Shuvoo, Chorki and Chabial. “It is a very good project for me because the story is beautiful, the director is Jahid Preetom, my co-actor is Arifin Shuvoo, and Chorki and Chabial are involved with it. Anyone would want to be part of a project like this,” she said. The film also marks Arifin Shuvoo’s return to Bangladeshi OTT after a considerable gap. His last released content on Chorki was ‘Unish20’ in 2023. Shuvoo has said that he considers every project a new challenge and a comeback in its own way. He has also invited audiences to watch ‘Happily Married’. Chorki CEO Redoan Rony said the film presents a story that is relevant to contemporary life. “People are so concerned about everything around them that they often forget to enjoy their time and life. This content will, to some extent, give audiences an opportunity to spend some time in their own way,” he said. Producer Nusrat Imrose Tisha, representing co-producer Chabial, said the response at the premiere was encouraging. “Judging by the response we received at the premiere, I feel others will also enjoy it and be able to relate it to their own experiences,” she said. Presented by Sensation, ‘Happily Married’ is the seventh film under the ‘Ministry of Love’ (MOL) project. Previous releases under the project include ‘Something Like an Autobiography’, ‘Last Defenders of Monogamy’, ‘Kacher Manush Dure Thuiya’, ‘Forget Me Not’, ‘36-24-36’ and ‘Dimlight’. The film stars Arifin Shuvoo and Keya Payel in the lead roles, alongside Salahuddin Lavlu, Tushar Khan, Deepa Khandakar, Cristiano Tanmoy, Umme Jamilatun Naima, Parvez Suman and Twink Carroll. For Jahid Preetom, ‘Happily Married’ is his second film for Chorki, following his directorial debut ‘Ghumpori’.

An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of Chunarughat Police Station has been closed to Habiganj Police Lines after a video purportedly showing him making remarks about taking bribes went viral on social media. The punitive action was taken against ASI Mohammad Ilias Hossain, said Habiganj Superintendent of Police Md Tareq Mahmud on Tuesday. He said an assistant superintendent of police has been assigned to investigate the matter. The video reportedly shows Ilias making remarks about bribery while speaking to people during an investigation in connection with a case at Ranigaon Bazar in Chunarughat upazila recently. In the video, which is around one minute long, the ASI is heard telling those present, “If I say I am a Daroga and I do not take bribes, will I be the imam of Baitul Mukarram? I put on this uniform with bribe money to take bribes.” A local resident reportedly recorded the officer’s remarks on a mobile phone and the video was later circulated on Facebook, triggering criticism and discussion on social media. Officer-in-Charge of Chunarughat Police Station Mohammad Saiful Islam said he had seen the video and that the matter was being verified. 

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday stressed the need for a strong and institutionalised partnership among NGOs, the private sector and the government to address development challenges and ensure sustainable financing. He also called for time-bound measures to create a sustainable financing framework for NGOs. The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Beyond Foreign Dependency: The Future of NGO Financing in Bangladesh” at Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS). He said the government is working to address crises emerging in the country and ensure accountability. “We do not want merely to listen; we want to provide effective responses,” he said. Khosru said an integrated framework is needed for human development, preservation of local culture and greater participation of the private sector. He said NGOs and other stakeholders are already working in various areas, including the creative economy, but such cooperation needs to be given a more institutional and policy-based shape. Emphasising the importance of strong institutional partnerships among NGOs, the private sector and the government, the minister said NGOs play a vital role in taking government services directly to people at the grassroots. He urged the authorities to formulate and implement policies within specific timeframes to facilitate sustainable financing for NGOs. Referring to traditional local crafts such as Shital Pati, Khosru said Bangladesh needs to promote modern designs, value addition and marketing to take such traditional products to international markets. The minister also stressed ensuring four conditions when approving development projects: value for money, returns against investment, employment or entrepreneurship generation, and environmental considerations and protection. “No project will be approved if these four conditions are not met,” he said.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Anis Matta on Tuesday welcomed Bangladesh’s specific five proposals to strengthen the relations and expressed Indonesia’s interest in upgrading the existing bilateral relations to a long-term strategic partnership. He held a bilateral meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir at his office and discussed issues of mutual interest. Vice Minister Anis Matta is on an official visit to Bangladesh from October 5-9 at the invitation of State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Reaffirming the longstanding and growing cooperation between Bangladesh and Indonesia, both sides discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations including trade and investment, energy cooperation, health cooperation, disaster management, education and training, consular cooperation, as well as  issues of mutual interest at the regional and multilateral level. Welcoming Vice Minister Matta to Bangladesh, State Minister Humaiun Kobir put forward five specific proposal in order to deepen the existing excellent relations between Bangladesh and Indonesia. These included restoration of visa-on arrival for Bangladeshi nationals in Indonesia, request to import more pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to meet the growing demand in Indonesia, procurement of jute bags from Bangladesh through G2G arrangement to support the eco-friendly packaging of coffee, beans and other products of Indonesia, opening of Indonesian market for Bangladeshi potatoes and initiating an institutional cooperation in the field of disaster management.  In this regard, he handed over a draft Memorandum of Understanding on Disaster Management to the Vice Minister of Indonesia. Highlighting Indonesia’s position as the world’s largest halal food consumer market, State Minister Kobir stressed the need to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in this regard.

El Nino and warming in the tropical Atlantic could help provide early warning of extreme heat in the Amazon, with some signals appearing as much as seven months earlier, new research has found. Researchers from the Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century and Brazil's National Institute of Space Research studied how major patterns of natural climate variability influence temperature and rainfall extremes across the Amazon Basin, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Australian center. The study found Amazon heat extremes were more likely to follow unusually warm conditions associated with El Nino in the tropical Pacific and warming in parts of the tropical Atlantic. The clearest long-range signal occurred from March to May, when extreme heat across much of the Amazon was associated with climate conditions observed up to seven months earlier, according to the study published in the journal Earth's Future. The research also found early-warning potential for compound hot-dry events, particularly in the northern and lower central Amazon, although predictability was considerably weaker elsewhere. Researchers said machine learning allowed them to examine relationships with extreme compound events, which are harder to predict. Compound hot-dry events can increase fire risk, damage ecosystems and threaten human health, food security and water supplies, while weakening the Amazon's ability to absorb carbon dioxide, they said, noting that hot-dry events have become more frequent and intense, with early warnings helping communities and governments prepare for dangerous heat and drought. The study identifies regions and seasons where Pacific and Atlantic climate conditions could provide early warning, but further research is needed to translate these relationships into practical warning systems. 

A delegation of East West University, led by Chairperson of its Board of Trustees Prof Dr Mohammed Farashuddin, paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at Bangabhaban on Tuesday. During the meeting, Farashuddin, also the university’s founding vice chancellor, briefed the President on the university’s academic activities. He said around 16,000 students are currently studying at the university and that it continues to provide scholarships to meritorious students from financially disadvantaged families. Mirza Fakhrul urged the university authorities to continue supporting underprivileged and disadvantaged students and maintain the quality of education. Farashuddin also formally invited the President to attend the university’s upcoming convocation. The President accepted the invitation and assured the delegation that he will attend the programme. The President’s military secretary, secretary and press secretary, and East West University Pro-VC, treasurer and registrar were present at the meeting. 

A Rangamati court on Tuesday sentenced a man to death for killing a woman and setting her body on fire in 2022. Rangamati District and Session Judge Mohammad Ahsan Tarek handed down the judgment. The convict is Mohammad Mahibur Kamal Mahibullah, son of Monir Uddin of Netrakona district. The court also fined him Tk 50,000. According to the prosecution, Mahibur went to Kaptai for work and had a love affair with Hasina Begum Sumi, 28. On March 11, 2022, Mahibur and Sumi had an altercation over their relationship and financial transaction at BFIDC Model Government Primary School in Kaptai. During the altercation, Mahibur hit Sumi on the head with a brick, leaving her dead on the spot. Later, he took Sumi’s body to an abandoned toilet of the school and set it on fire. Amena Begum, Sumi’s mother, filed a case. Following the call records of Sumi’s mobile phone, law enforcers arrested Mahibur. Later, he gave a confessional statement under Section 164.  

Six more children died with measles-like symptoms in 24 hours until 8:00am on Tuesday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 1134 this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified all six latest fatalities as suspected measles deaths. With these, the total number of suspected measles deaths has reached 1032, while confirmed deaths from measles have remained the same at 102, it said. A total of 1,291 new suspected measles cases were reported during the 24-hour period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 199,013 Meanwhile, 102 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 21,910. Since March 15 this year, a total of 176,516 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 169,290 have recovered, according to DGHS data.    

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s wife and Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) Vice President Dr Zubaida Rahman on Tuesday called for ensuring a safe childhood and a secure future for every child so that they can realise their dreams and aspirations with renewed enthusiasm. She said every child has immense potential and talent, and appropriate opportunities and an enabling environment must be created to help them develop those abilities. Zubaida was speaking at a programme marking Children’s Rights Day 2026 and the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh Shishu Academy on the academy premises in the capital. She congratulated all officials, employees and children of the Bangladesh Shishu Academy on its golden jubilee. Recalling the establishment of the academy 50 years ago, she said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman founded the Bangladesh Shishu Academy with the aim of nurturing children’s potential and building their future. “Despite various obstacles, the institution has been working tirelessly for the past five decades,” she said. The ZRF vice president said countless children and young people had developed their talents through painting, music, dance, recitation and literary activities at the academy, describing it as an important institution for nurturing children’s creativity and talent. Referring to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s contribution to expanding children’s rights and educational opportunities, Zubaida said she had taken important initiatives to expand compulsory and free primary education and free education for girls as the country’s first women prime minister. She said the Bangladesh Shishu Academy should reach children in every part of the country through new initiatives and modern technology. Zubaida expressed hope that the academy will continue to serve as a reliable platform for children to develop their dreams and talents. Addressing the children, she urged them to overcome all obstacles and flourish, saying every child has immense potential that needs to be given the opportunity to emerge. “InshaAllah, children will succeed through renewed enthusiasm and fresh initiatives,” Zubaida said. “May every childhood be safe and every child’s future be secure — this is our wish,” she added. Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who addressed the programme as the chief guest, and Zubaida Rahman were welcomed by around 150 children upon their arrival at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy. The programme began with the national anthem. After the discussion, Tarique Rahman and Zubaida Rahman enjoyed a cultural programme performed by children. They also visited an exhibition of paintings by children and a photography gallery.

Consumers in Faridpur are being forced to pay Tk 200 to Tk 500 more than the government-fixed price for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, adding to the financial pressure on households and small businesses amid price hikes. Consumers in different upazilas, including remote markets in Nagarkanda, Bhanga, Saltha and Madhukhali, said they often have to buy LPG cylinders at prices significantly higher than the official rate. Although LPG cylinders are available in the markets, consumers alleged that many retailers are selling them without adhering to the government-fixed price. The price  of a cylinder varies by brand and size, with some cylinders being sold for around Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,500 in different markets of Faridpur. The higher prices are particularly burdensome for low- and middle-income families who depend on LPG for cooking. Two auto-rickshaw drivers, a hotel owner and a homemaker on Mujib Road in Faridpur town said prices of almost all essential commodities have increased, leaving households with little room to absorb additional costs. Small businesses feel the pinch The rising cost of LPG is also affecting small businesses that depend on the fuel for cooking. Owners of hotels, restaurants, food shops and tea stalls said higher gas prices are increasing their operating costs at a time when their revenues have not risen proportionately. Several people in Nagarkanda Bazar said LPG costs differ significantly between the upazila headquarters and smaller rural markets. “Gas cylinders cost even more at small shops in villages. Who will control this system?” one local resident asked. A hotel owner said the rising price of LPG is making it increasingly difficult to maintain business operations. “As the price of gas rises, so does the cost of cooking. Other products are also expensive. Taken together, it has become difficult to run the business as before,” he said. Business owners said continued increases in LPG prices could further squeeze their already narrow profit margins, with some fearing that prolonged cost pressures could force small establishments to shut down. Retailers blame supply costs Retailers, however, attributed the higher prices partly to inadequate supply. They claimed they are often forced to procure cylinders at higher prices because of supply shortages, while transportation and other associated costs make it difficult to sell LPG at the government-fixed rate. Consumers, however, said supply-related costs should not be used as a justification for routinely charging prices above the official rate. They also alleged that regular monitoring by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection is not visible in many markets of the district. They called for regular market drives and stronger enforcement to ensure that LPG is sold at the government-fixed price. Authorities promise action Faridpur Additional District Magistrate Susmita Saha said instructions have already been given to the upazila nirbahi officers and executive magistrates across the district to monitor LPG prices. “The UNOs and executive magistrates of all upazilas have been instructed to monitor the market over LPG prices. If evidence is found that LPG is being sold above the fixed price, necessary legal action will be taken,” she said.

Francis Halzen won the Nobel Prize in physics on Tuesday for his contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and his discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the award in Stockholm. The Nobel Prize comes with prize money of 12 million Swedish kronor (about $1.2 million) this year, whether awarded to an individual, a small group of laureates or an organization. Last year, three scientists received the Nobel Prize in physics for research into the unusual behavior of subatomic particles known as quantum tunneling. Their work enabled the ultra-sensitive measurements used by MRI machines and helped lay the groundwork for improved cellphones and faster computers. The announcement of this year's Nobel prizes began Monday, with the medicine prize going to three scientists whose work led to a tool that uses light to help unravel how the brain works. The awards continue Wednesday with the chemistry prize and Thursday with the literature prize. The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Friday, followed by the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences on Monday.

Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said political reconciliation with Awami League is not impossible but the party itself must come forward by acknowledging its responsibility to initiate such a process. He made the remarks while responding to questions from reporters at a press briefing at Secretariat. Zahed said many people in the country still support Awami League and they are citizens of Bangladesh. “Taking an initiative for reconciliation with the active activists and supporters of Awami League is not a bad idea. Rather, it would be good if such an initiative was taken,” he said. He also stressed the need to establish the fundamental basis for any reconciliation before starting the process. “If someone in the middle wants reconciliation and thinks it is a good initiative, then I also think it is a good idea. They should reach out to Awami League. The basic ground for initiating reconciliation needs to be established through discussions with the party’s top leadership. If that is ensured, the matter can be discussed.” He also said merely initiating talks would not be enough, as the basic conditions and respective positions of the parties involved must be made clear. If Awami League comes forward on that basis, reconciliation can be discussed, Zahed said.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Tuesday said the initiative to transfer sub-registrars through a lottery system has been taken to break syndicates operating in offices that have a negative public perception regarding corruption. “There is a negative perception about sub-registrar offices among people. We have taken this initiative to break the syndicates,” he said while responding to questions from reporters at a programme on the lottery-based transfer of sub-registrars at the Secretariat on Tuesday. He said the government cannot change everything overnight from a negative situation and has to start somewhere. “Dhaka city is considered the most sought-after posting. As part of that starting process, we are holding the first lottery for these coveted postings,” he said. Asaduzzaman said 18 sub-registrars were selected through the lottery from among 131 Category-A sub-registrars across the country. He said the selected officials would be posted to different areas. Responding to criticism of the lottery process, the minister said skilled officials are needed in Dhaka. However, responsibilities would be assigned to the officials selected through the lottery after considering their competence. Asked whether the lottery-based transfer system would be introduced elsewhere, he said recruitment cannot be conducted through a lottery, but the system would be gradually followed for postings. “This process is aimed at breaking the syndicates in places that we believe, based on public perception, are hubs of corruption,” he said. Asked whether the initiative would help reduce corruption, Asaduzzaman said, “Of course, we are hopeful.” Regarding the tenure of sub-registrars, he said they generally have a provision to serve for two years, but an official would not be retained if they became involved in corruption after taking charge. Asked about the total number of sub-registrars currently working across the country, the minister said 372 are currently in service, while 139 posts remained vacant. The minister also said the ministry has seriously reviewed media reports alleging corruption involving sub-registrars. “Every news published in media regarding corruption by sub-registrars, invariably, we have sought explanations and conducted investigations in our own way,” he said. However, he said none of the allegations could so far be considered conclusively proven due to a lack of specific evidence.

Police in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City have arrested 12 men suspected of stealing and selling around 2,700 cats for meat, according to state media. Police identified 39-year-old Luu Thanh Binh as the alleged leader of the network. He and 11 others are being investigated on suspicion of theft, state media reported Monday. Investigators said Binh bought stolen cats, kept them at a facility in the northern part of the city and resold them for meat. He allegedly worked with suppliers who recruited others to ride motorcycles through residential neighbourhoods between 11pm and 4am, trapping four to 10 cats each night. Police raided the network on July 8 and recovered around 50 cats and dozens of traps, according to state media. The suspects told investigators they had stolen and sold about 2,700 cats, although police did not disclose how long the operation had been running. Authorities returned 13 rescued cats to their owners. The remaining animals were placed in the care of a nonprofit animal rights group while officials tried to identify their owners. Eating dog and cat meat has been practised in parts of Asia, although it is not widespread. In Vietnam, cat meat has traditionally been more popular in northern areas, particularly among older generations. The practice has declined as pet ownership and urbanisation have increased. Younger Vietnamese people are more likely to view cats and dogs as companion animals. In 2024, more than 250,000 people signed a petition calling for an end to Vietnam's dog and cat meat trade. The city of Hoi An also pledged in 2021 to stop the sale and consumption of the meat. Some people believe eating cat meat brings good luck, but there is no scientific evidence to support the belief. Under Vietnamese law, dogs and cats are considered private property, making their theft a criminal offence. Criminal prosecution generally applies when the value of stolen property exceeds 2 million dong, or about $77. In a separate raid in June, police rescued more than 400 cats. At least 40 were reunited with their owners, while dozens of dead cats were found packed in ice.

A cargo barge carrying 540 metric tonnes of methanol departed from the Bogibeel terminal on the Brahmaputra River in Assam’s Dibrugarh for Dhaka on Monday, marking the first cargo shipment from Upper Assam to a foreign port since India gained independence in 1947. The voyage comes nearly seven decades after Dibrugarh’s historic river ghat ceased operations. Indian Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal formally flagged off the vessel at a ceremony attended by several ministers, MPs and MLAs. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma joined the programme virtually. The methanol, manufactured by state-owned Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd. (APCL) at Namrup, is being transported to Pangaon Port in Dhaka, reports Indian media. The vessel will initially travel around 768 kilometres along National Waterway-2 on the Brahmaputra to the India-Bangladesh border before proceeding through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR). The overall journey from Bogibeel in Dibrugarh to Narayanganj in Dhaka will cover approximately 1,300 kilometres. The voyage is being viewed as a test of the Brahmaputra’s potential as a commercially viable freight corridor connecting India’s Northeast with international markets. “Our grandparents grew up hearing the steamer whistle at Dibrugarh Ghat. For 70 years, that whistle fell silent and the ships stopped coming,” Sonowal said. “Today, a ship leaves Dibrugarh for the world once again. The river never failed us. What it lacked for decades was the will to revive it.” Sonowal added. “Assam’s own product, made in Namrup, is now traveling to an international market on Assam’s own river. The Northeast is no longer a frontier. It is India’s gateway to the East,” he said. Sonowal described the shipment as the start of a new chapter. “This is the first voyage, not the last,” he said. Dibrugarh was historically one of eastern India’s major river ports. Government steamers had begun reaching the town from Calcutta, now Kolkata, by 1856. The Dibru-Sadiya Railway started operating from the Dibrugarh steamer ghat in 1882, while by 1913 steamers were making daily journeys up the Brahmaputra to the town, transporting tea, timber and passengers. The Partition of 1947 disrupted the river route, forcing Assam’s goods to travel through East Pakistan to reach Calcutta. A 1950 earthquake also altered the riverbed around Dibrugarh. Regular bookings from Dibrugarh Ghat ended in 1954, and the ghat was formally closed on October 15, 1956, as tea transportation increasingly shifted to railways. Cross-border river trade was further halted following the 1965 India-Pakistan war. India and Bangladesh signed a river trade protocol in 1972. In 1988, the 891-kilometre stretch of the Brahmaputra between Sadiya and Dhubri was declared National Waterway-2. However, regular cargo operations on the waterway began only in December 2017, when cement was transported from Pandu to Dhubri. River transport along the route has expanded in recent years. Tata Steel barges reached Pandu via Bangladesh in February 2022, while the river cruise vessel MV Ganga Vilas travelled from Varanasi to Dibrugarh through Bangladesh in 2023. The Bogibeel passenger and cargo terminal, for which the foundation stone was laid in July 2023, became operational in February 2024. The ‘Jalvahak’ cargo incentive programme was introduced in December 2024. The voyage involved the Inland Waterways Authority of India, Assam Petro-Chemicals, Cochin Bunkers Pvt. Ltd. and Bangladeshi partners.

A Lalmonirhat court on Tuesday sentenced a man to death for killing his wife in 2023 over family feud. Lalmonirhat District and Sessions Judge Md Haider Ali handed down the punishment. The convict is Atiqul Islam, son of Habibur Rahman of Sadar upazila in Lalmonirhat. The court also fined him Tk 20,000, in default, to suffer six months more in jail. According to the prosecution, Atiqul married Mitu Akter in 2021, and the couple had a five-month-old daughter. The couple used to have altercations over family matters after their marriage. On September 20, 2023, Atiqul and Mitu had an altercation over the issue and at one stage, Atiqul beat Mitu with a bamboo stick, leaving her dead on the spot. Atiql later managed to flee the scene. Hearing the baby girl crying, local people went to the house and found the body of Mitu. They later informed the police, who recovered the body. A case was filed with Sadar Police Station. On July 4, 2024, police submitted a chargesheet against Atiqul.      

All deputy commissioners (DCs) have been instructed to take necessary measures to keep LPG supplies normal in the open market and ensure that LPG and autogas are sold at the prices set by Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), said Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday. The government has intensified monitoring across the country to ensure the sale of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and autogas at prices fixed by the commission amid volatility in international fuel prices, he said at a press briefing held at Secretariat on the progress of various government activities. Fuel prices in the international market remain highly volatile, while the government is trying to adjust LPG prices accordingly, he said adding “However, there have been complaints that LPG is not available at the adjusted prices in some places,” he said. The Energy and Mineral Resources Minister held an online meeting with the DCs and issued necessary directives in this regard, he added. Monitoring is also being conducted in different districts through mobile courts operated by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and local administrations, he said. “Earlier, many were fined. Now, these monitoring activities have been intensified further,” the adviser said. The government is also holding discussions with LPG traders to improve the market situation, he said. The energy minister has held several meetings with leaders of LPG-related businesses to review the situation, Zahed said, adding that the traders assured the minister of their cooperation in keeping the market stable. The government hopes the current crisis in the LPG market will ease through these efforts, he said. Zahed urged the media to highlight any complaints about LPG not being available at the government-fixed prices. “If LPG is still unavailable at the fixed price anywhere, the media will highlight the issue in the public interest, and the government will take necessary action. LPG is an extremely essential product. In fact, it is not possible to manage without it,” the adviser said.

Students blockaded high schools across France on Tuesday as planned demonstrations tested the strength of a weeks-long nationwide movement demanding more resources for the country's education system. At Hélène Boucher High School in Paris' 20th district, protesters placed rubbish bins and bicycles on their sides to build a makeshift barricade at the entrance. The school was among hundreds closed across the country. Authorities began shutting schools last week in an effort to curb the demonstrations following widespread property damage and increasing injuries among school staff, students and police. French media reported protests in several other cities and towns on Tuesday morning. Labour unions also called on workers to demonstrate later in the day in support of the student movement, which has put pressure on President Emmanuel Macron's government. The government's response has been forceful. Police arrested more than 5,000 people last week, around 85% of them minors. However, the widespread use of arrests, tear gas and riot-control weapons against teenage protesters has fuelled anger and defiance, including among some parents and teachers. At Hélène Boucher High School, parents and other adults positioned themselves between the demonstrators and police officers monitoring the protest. The school blockades began in the Paris region in mid-September before spreading to other cities and towns. Students have raised a range of grievances, particularly the shortage of resources and opportunities for advancement in disadvantaged schools. Protesters say these conditions fall short of the promise embodied in France's national motto, “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.” Students have highlighted deteriorating classroom conditions, including shortages of basic furniture such as desks and chairs, inadequate cooling during summer heat and rat infestations. They have also complained about staff shortages and exhausting academic workloads. French high school students are required to spend among the highest numbers of compulsory school hours in Europe. The demonstrations and planned labour union action on Tuesday are expected to test the movement's ability to maintain momentum as pressure mounts on the government to address students' concerns.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday likened children to the strong pillars of a house, saying Bangladesh’s foundation will become stronger in the competitive world if every child is given the opportunity to develop their abilities properly. “Children are the pillars of their families. When children are given the right environment and opportunities to grow and flourish, families also become stronger,” he said while addressing a programme marking Children’s Rights Day, 2026 and the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh Shishu Academy on the academy premises in the capital. In the same way, Tarique Rahman said, “If we can ensure opportunities for every child across Bangladesh to develop their full potential, the foundation of our country will become much stronger, enabling Bangladesh to emerge as a strong country in the competitive world.” He said the government wants to develop children in a way that strengthens their future, as the strength of today’s children will determine the strength of the nation’s future. “We want to develop our children in a way that makes their future strong. A strong future for today’s children means a strong future for the nation. And a strong future for the nation means we will be able to build a strong and powerful Bangladesh,” the Prime Minister said. He urged children to develop themselves not only through education but also through sports, Quran recitation, music and other cultural activities. “You have to become good human beings,” he said, urging children to properly develop the qualities and talents within them. Tarique Rahman also called on children to be kind to all living beings and caring towards nature and the environment. “People should show kindness not only to other people but also to nature and all of its creations.” He urged children to care for trees around their homes and schools and to be kind to birds and animals, describing them as national assets. The Prime Minister said people should understand that their own survival depends on nature and that they must help protect it. “If we are kind to nature, it will also be kind to us,” he said, urging people to live in harmony with the natural environment. Tarique Rahman said environmental pollution ultimately harms children and future generations. “If I, as a child today, am harmed, that means millions of children in Bangladesh are harmed,” he said. He said his government wants to build a humane Bangladesh and expressed hope that the younger generation will develop the compassion that, in his view, previous generations could not fully cultivate. The Prime Minister also urged parents and guardians to instil in children a sense of responsibility towards nature and living beings.

Lionel Messi is set to make his final appearance for Argentina on Tuesday when the World Cup champions face Benin in a friendly at the Estadio Monumental, bringing an emotional chapter of the country's football history to a close. The 39-year-old forward leaves behind a remarkable international career spanning two decades, highlighted by Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph, two other World Cup final appearances in 2014 and 2026, Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, an Olympic gold medal in 2008 and a national-record 125 goals. Messi's departure inevitably raises questions about whether Argentina can maintain its place among the world's elite or face another prolonged wait for major silverware, similar to the 35-year trophy drought that followed Diego Maradona's era. “Messi leaves behind something unequaled,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “We have to keep playing, but the feeling of having him on the pitch is unique.” Scaloni, who is in advanced talks to extend his contract for another four years, remains confident about Argentina's future. “The Argentine national team will endure. We will remain at a high level, I have no doubt about that,” he said. A new generation emergesArgentina have already shown signs of life beyond Messi, winning their first two matches without him by convincing margins last week. They defeated Bolivia 4-0 and Burkina Faso 7-0, with several emerging players making their mark. Established stars including goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, defender Cristian Romero, midfielder Enzo Fernández and striker Lautaro Martínez remain central to the team, while younger talents such as Nicolás Paz, Franco Mastantuono, Gianluca Prestianni and Leonel Flores are pushing for bigger roles. Paz, who plays for Italian club Como, scored against Burkina Faso and has been viewed by supporters as one of the leading candidates to carry Argentina forward. Flores, a Boca Juniors academy product who made his professional debut only two months ago, has already received senior international experience. “There's a changing of the guard; maybe we have to play differently now, not thinking in terms of ‘Messi and 10 others,’ but rather as a unified team,” Argentina supporter Cristian Versalles, 55, told AP. His 23-year-old son Ramiro also pointed to the depth of emerging talent, saying there is “definitely a new generation ready to step up.” Lautaro Martínez, meanwhile, continues to strengthen his place in Argentina's history. His goal against Burkina Faso took his international tally to 42, making him the country's third-highest scorer. For Argentina fans, Messi's departure is emotional, but many remain confident about the team's prospects. “As long as the players are eager to give their all for the shirt, for me, Argentina will remain a contender,” supporter Valentina Gago, 20, said. Argentina's next major test without Messi will come at the 2028 Copa América.  

Police recovered the charred body of a businessman from a field in Sujanagar upazila of Pabna district on Tuesday, a day after he went missing. The deceased was identified as Suprabhat Modok, 38, son of Satyacharan Modok of Ahmadpur village. He ran a hotel business at Kashinathpur Bazar. Police said Suprabhat went to a doctor on Monday for his wife’s check-up and then sent his wife home saying that he would return later. As he did not return they informed Aminpur Police Station at night. Local people spotted his charred body in the field behind his house around 8am on Tuesday and informed police. Officer-in-Charge Aminpur Police Station Fazle Elahi said it seems that Suprabhat has been murdered, but it is not yet clear whether he was burned before or after the killing. Police are investigating the incident, he said. The body was sent to Pabna General Hospital morgue for autopsy, and the family is preparing to file a case.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi climbed a police barricade and waved the national flag during a protest by opposition parties in New Delhi on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in voter list revisions. Leaders and lawmakers of the opposition INDIA bloc gathered at Makar Dwar of Parliament and marched towards Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission of India's (ECI) headquarters, carrying banners reading “Save Democracy” and chanting slogans against Kumar. Gandhi, who moved through a large crowd of protesters, climbed a barricade after police stopped the march at multiple security barriers. His action drew loud cheers from opposition leaders and supporters. Gandhi and his sister, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were detained and taken onto a police bus. However, the two later got off the bus and continued towards the ECI headquarters. The protest centred on alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have accused the commission of manipulating voter registrations to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The commission and the government have denied wrongdoing. The INDIA bloc has been developing a broader campaign against Kumar since a strategy meeting last week. The protest has also received support from some young activists associated with the satirical Cockroach Janata Party. Two alliance partners, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), did not participate in Tuesday's march. The Congress plans to continue its campaign through the winter session of Parliament, seeking to keep the election-related allegations in the public spotlight. The party and the Samajwadi Party also hope to sustain attention ahead of assembly elections in five states scheduled for February. At a meeting on Monday, the Congress discussed its next steps and began referring to the Election Commission as the “Cheating Commission”. Under its campaign plan, the party will organise a “Save Vote, Save Country” programme from October 10 to 20 at the block level, including bicycle and motorcycle rallies, the burning of an effigy of Kumar and leaflet distribution. Booth-level public meetings, known as chaupals, are scheduled from October 25 to November 25, with senior Congress leaders participating. A major rally will be held at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on November 1. The party also plans six marches from areas around Delhi on November 25 and 26 under its “Chalo Delhi” campaign. The marches will converge in the capital on November 26, Constitution Day. The Congress intends to raise the issue during Parliament's winter session, which begins after November 26, and pursue an impeachment motion against the chief election commissioner. The opposition is also monitoring a Supreme Court case concerning the Election Commission. The court has issued notices to Kumar and the commission and indicated that disputed election-related decisions could potentially be stayed if they were not reached unanimously. However, the Supreme Court has so far declined to take immediate action against Kumar, observing that newspaper reports are not necessarily entirely accurate. Hearings in the case will continue.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning after a military aircraft crashed in the southern state of Ondo, killing all 32 people on board. The aircraft was on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos when it crashed near a naval base in Igbokoda on Monday morning, according to authorities. A local resident told the BBC that the plane came down near a swamp, where clothes and shoes were found at the crash site. Smoke was also seen rising from the area. Tinubu expressed his deepest condolences over the deaths of 25 passengers and seven crew members and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the accident. He also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the victims. "This is a painful moment for our Armed Forces and for the entire nation," Tinubu said. "Our Air Force personnel put their lives on the line every day to secure Nigeria. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten," he added. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo earlier said he had been informed about the disappearance of military aircraft NGR 931 while it was travelling from Benin City to Lagos at 9:13am on Monday. He said attempts to contact the aircraft by radio were unsuccessful before authorities confirmed that it had crashed near the naval base in Igbokoda, Ondo State. Search and rescue operations were under way, he added. The aircraft was identified as an ATR-42, a model manufactured to carry between 30 and 50 passengers. Tinubu ordered the Nigerian Air Force to immediately investigate the cause of the crash and take steps to prevent similar incidents. The identities of the victims have not yet been released. Authorities said the names of the officers would be made public after their families were notified. The Nigerian Air Force plays a key role in military operations against armed groups and insecurity across several parts of the country. The crash is among Nigeria's deadliest aviation disasters in recent years. In May 2021, army chief Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other officers died when their aircraft crashed in Kaduna State amid bad weather. In February 2021, seven people were killed when a military aircraft crashed short of a runway in the capital, Abuja. With inputs from BBC

Road Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Tuesday said a policy on the battery-run rickshaws is being formulated and under that policy their movement on major roads and in important areas will have to be controlled. “We do not want to cause harm to anyone, but Dhaka city cannot be allowed to become dysfunctional for the interests of any particular group. That is the main point,” Rabiul said. The minister made the remarks after inaugurating the re-excavation work of Dhanmondi Lake in the capital in the morning. Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam was present on the occasion. Rabiul said the vehicles are seriously disrupting the functioning of Dhaka and the government is concerned over it. Acknowledging that many people have been engaged in the profession for a long time and could face difficulties under the proposed restrictions, he said collective agreement is necessary to overcome the existing mismanagement. “If auto-rickshaws operate anywhere and everywhere in an uncontrolled manner in Dhaka, the city does not function,” he said. Responding to a question about Jamaat leader Golam Parwar's statements on battery-run auto-rickshaws, Rabiul said it is the opposition’s failure to understand citizens’ rights and the needs of Dhaka. “Such are their demands. They have always been unable to understand what should be said, what constitutes citizens’ rights, what is about protecting Dhaka and what is a genuine demand of citizens. That is why they have been the opposition since their birth as a political party, let alone being in government,” he said. He said Jamaat-e-Islami got the opportunity to become the main opposition party for the first time at the age of 85, questioning why the party has failed to understand public expectations over the years. “They never wanted to understand what people wanted. They neither understand during the Liberation War, nor after independence. They also failed to understand whom to support during the Ershad era and did not consider that government authoritarian. They failed to understand even after the one-eleven government. They understood somewhat in 2024, but lost the thread again. This is their political judgment,” he said. He said Dhanmondi Lake would be equipped with modern facilities after completion of its renovation and urged citizens to remain aware of the need to keep the lake and the city clean. “Modern facilities will be developed at the lake. All the facilities, including greenery, that a modern lake should have will be here,” he said. Rabiul said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had approved two projects to fulfil the government’s commitments to improving the environment in Dhanmondi area. Asked about the project’s duration and budget, he said the two lake-centred projects, worth around Tk 83 crore, would take about two and a half years to complete. The work includes dredging, excavation, sludge removal and necessary infrastructure development. Some structures would also have to be newly built, including facilities around Nazrul Mancha which is currently abandoned. “There are some infrastructure facilities and lighting there. One task has to be completed before another because all the work cannot be done simultaneously,” he said. He said regular maintenance would be essential to preserve the lake’s greenery, facilities and pleasant environment, calling on citizens not to dump garbage or waste into the water. “Citizen awareness is very important. We should not throw garbage or waste into the lake. Those who come to the lake should remain alert and conscious so that we can preserve this pleasant environment,” he said. The minister called upon citizens to work together to keep Dhaka clean, usable and pleasant and to ensure that the lake’s facilities and beauty remain sustainable. Referring to waterlogging as a major problem in Dhaka during the monsoon, Rabiul said a separate Tk 350 crore project has been undertaken. The project aims to address waterlogging across a large part of Dhaka South, covering Dhanmondi, the low-lying areas of Hazaribagh and Chawkbazar, the area extending from Shikdar Medical College towards the embankment, and Kalabagan. “We are continuously working and taking up these projects to improve citizens’ quality of life and resolve the obstacles that are affecting it. Once these projects are implemented, Dhaka residents will certainly get a new Dhaka,” he said.

An Israeli documentary accusing the country's military of recklessly killing civilians in Gaza is opening in U.S. theaters, potentially reviving debate over American military support for Israel ahead of congressional elections. "NAZA," named after the Hebrew acronym for collateral damage, features anonymous Israeli military insiders who allege that Israel used sophisticated, including artificial intelligence-powered, systems to identify suspected militants and conduct strikes despite knowing that many civilians could be killed. The documentary received a record 25-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. Its release has also triggered strong criticism in Israel, which will hold elections later this month. The Israeli military has categorically rejected the filmmakers' findings and threatened to identify soldiers who spoke to them. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the film antisemitic, while a Cabinet minister threatened to revoke the filmmakers' citizenship. Co-director Yuval Abraham has said he fears returning to Israel. At the film's New York premiere last month, protesters displayed images from the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war. Abraham condemned the attack but said it could not justify the killing of civilians in Gaza. Abraham and co-director Rachel Szor previously made "No Other Land," which won an Oscar but drew anger in Israel. "NAZA" consists largely of nighttime interviews on Tel Aviv rooftops, with the interviewees' faces and voices concealed. Some use drawings to explain the systems they describe. The filmmakers say the sources spoke anonymously because of fears of retaliation and that their claims were thoroughly checked. The interviewees describe AI systems that analyze surveillance footage, identify people with alleged Hamas links and create databases containing tens of thousands of names. Another system, they say, recommends buildings for attacks. One source alleged that an operation targeting a single Hamas militant was approved despite an estimate of 500 civilian deaths. The military denied the claim. Much of the reporting had previously appeared in +972 Magazine, Local Call and The Guardian, which collaborated on the documentary. The Israeli military said its orders clearly distinguish between militants and civilians and that it seeks to minimize civilian casualties. It acknowledged using AI but said intelligence officers select targets and operational commanders decide whether to strike. The film's reporting is based on interviews with more than 100 confidential sources conducted with The Guardian's investigation desk between 2023 and 2025. Rights groups and experts have accused Israel of genocide over civilian deaths, destruction and restrictions on aid. Israel rejects the allegations, saying it sought to protect civilians while fighting Hamas. Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 others in the Oct. 7 attack. Israel's offensive has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians, including over 1,400 since a fragile ceasefire began a year ago, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry's figures do not distinguish between civilians and militants but say women and children account for about half the deaths. "NAZA" is being released in the U.S. without a traditional distributor. It is playing at New York's IFC Center and will expand to cities including Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle on Oct. 9. It will be available for free streaming on The Guardian's website in late November. The Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Documentary Association have condemned threats against the filmmakers. More than 2,000 people, including prominent Israeli filmmakers, have signed a petition supporting Abraham and Szor. The filmmakers say they want audiences in both Israel and the United States to understand the situation in Gaza and America's role in supporting Israel. A study published last year estimated that the Biden and Trump administrations provided at least $21.7 billion in military assistance to Israel during the first two years of the war. "Much of what is being described was done with American taxpayer money," Abraham said.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences is set to announce the Nobel Prize in physics on Tuesday in Stockholm. Last year, three scientists received the physics Nobel for their research into quantum tunneling, a phenomenon involving the unusual behavior of subatomic particles. Their work contributed to the highly sensitive measurements used in MRI machines and helped establish foundations for improved mobile phones and faster computers. The announcement of this year's Nobel prizes began Monday with the medicine prize, which was awarded to three scientists whose research contributed to the development of a technique that uses light to investigate how the brain functions. The Nobel announcements will continue Wednesday with the chemistry prize, followed by the literature prize on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Friday, while the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences is scheduled to be announced on Oct. 12. The prize money this year stands at 12 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to about $1.2 million. The amount will be awarded whether the prize goes to an individual, a small group of laureates or an organization.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Tuesday underscored that the protracted Rohingya crisis has evolved beyond a humanitarian concern, with wider security and irregular migration implications and called for stronger international efforts towards the early and dignified return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar. He made the remarks when a visiting delegation led by Chair of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Bangladesh Apsana Begum MP paid a courtesy call on the State Minister at the Ministry. The delegation also comprised of Shockat Adam MP and Lord Qurban Hussain, Member of the House of Lords. The State Minister welcomed the delegation and appreciated the APPG’s continued interest in strengthening Bangladesh-UK relations. The State Minister highlighted the UK government’s support toward Bangladesh’s democratic consolidation and reform initiatives. Acknowledging the role of APPG as a bridge between the UK Parliament, Bangladesh and the British-Bangladeshi community, the State Minister sought the APPG’s support in facilitating greater engagement with the UK Parliament in conveying Bangladesh’s progress and ground realities. Apprising that the delegation will be visiting the Rohingya camps on Wednesday, the APPG delegation affirmed their support to address the plight of the Rohingya community. The delegation reassured to keep their voice high in different international mechanisms including in the UK Parliament for continuing humanitarian assistance and for their sustainable repatriation to their homeland, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The discussions focused on strengthening parliamentary cooperation and exchanges between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom, alongside issues of mutual interest including democratic consolidation, trade and investment, migration, skill mobilization and human rights. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues and expressed their interest in continuing cooperation through relevant bilateral and multilateral channels.

A four-month-old baby struggling with pneumonia and breathing difficulties spent three nights on the floor of Rangpur Medical College Hospital before finally getting a bed—only to share it with three other children. The experience of Sumi Akter from Kachakata in Kurigram is far from exceptional. In the paediatric department of Rangpur Medical College (RMC) Hospital, 86 beds are routinely packed with three to four times as many patients. Children are being treated on floors and several sharing a single bed as the hospital struggles to cope with a daily average of 260-300 admitted patients. The overcrowding is placing enormous pressure on doctors and nurses while raising concerns about the spread of infectious diseases such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis. The crisis persists despite the existence of a modern 100-bed children’s hospital nearby, whose construction was completed nearly seven years ago but which is yet to begin full-fledged operations due to shortages of manpower and medical equipment. Hospital authorities said the children’s department comprises wards 8, 9 and 10, with a total of 86 beds. Against this capacity, 260-300 children are admitted on average every day. Besides, against  an approved strength of 150 nurses, only around 50 are currently working. In September alone, 59 children died at the hospital, according to hospital data. Hospital officials said none of the children who died was infected with measles. Dr ANM Tanvir Chowdhury, assistant professor at the RMC Hospital children’s department, said the number of patients far exceeds the designated capacity. “In some cases, three or four or even more patients have to be accommodated in a single bed. This puts additional pressure on doctors and nurses. At the same time, the risk of infection increases because patients with infectious diseases such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis are being treated amid the overcrowding,” he said. Sumi said her baby has been admitted for four days and spent the first three nights on the floor. “My child is suffering from breathing problems. We have been here for four days. We could not get a bed. There is no place for children to stay in such a big hospital,” she said. Mamata Begum of Mominpur in Rangpur Sadar has been at the hospital with her child for seven days. “We came here hoping to get better treatment, but there is no space. I am very worried about my child,” she said. Dolly Khatun, nurse-in-charge of Ward 10, said the ward has 40 beds but around 180 children are admitted there at any given time. She said the number of patients is likely to rise further during winter, when respiratory illnesses among children typically increase, while the number of nurses remains far below requirements. Another major problem is the shortage of phototherapy machines used to treat newborns suffering from jaundice. Ismail Hossain from Gaibandha has been at the hospital with his newborn for 31 days. He said two babies are sometimes placed under the same phototherapy machine, raising concerns about infection. Seven years, but no full operation The pressure on RMC Hospital was supposed to ease with the opening of a 100-bed modern children’s hospital constructed close to the city’s Nagar Bhaban. The facility has provisions for an emergency department, outpatient services, doctors’ rooms, laboratories, an operation theatre, specialised units, wards and cabins. Yet most of its rooms remain unused. Health department sources said a proposal seeking 659 staff members for the hospital was sent to the Health Ministry in June 2023. The hospital currently provides outpatient services for children, but inpatient treatment and full-fledged operations have not yet begun. Dr Wazed Ali, deputy director of the divisional health directorate, said some furniture had recently arrived at the facility. “Three truckloads of furniture have recently arrived. I do not know when the required doctors, manpower and equipment will arrive. It depends on a decision by the concerned ministry,” he said. Dr Tanvir said the 100-bed hospital could significantly ease the pressure on RMC Hospital if it was fully equipped and made operational. “Rangpur Medical College Hospital serves a huge population across the northern region. If the 100-bed children’s hospital is made fully operational with the necessary manpower and other facilities, the pressure of child patients on RMC Hospital will decrease considerably,” he said.

Opposition parties staged protests in India's capital on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over controversial changes to voter lists, as hundreds of police personnel were deployed across central New Delhi. The demonstration was the latest in a series of almost daily protests that began last week involving student groups, opposition parties and India's "Cockroach" youth movement. Protesters accused the Election Commission of manipulating voter registrations to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The commission and the government have denied the allegations. Security personnel, some carrying batons, stood behind barricades outside the Election Commission's office near Parliament. Authorities issued travel advisories for areas surrounding the planned demonstration and closed several roads. India launched a Special Intensive Revision of voter lists in Bihar last year ahead of state elections. The exercise has since been expanded to most states and federally administered territories. Critics say the process requires documents that are confusing and difficult for many people to obtain, raising concerns that millions of eligible voters could be excluded. Election Commission data indicates voter rolls could decline by as much as 30% in some areas. The commission says the revision is intended to remove duplicate and ineligible entries while ensuring that eligible voters remain registered. Opposition parties and activists, however, argue that the process could disenfranchise legitimate voters. The campaign against the Election Commission has been partly led by the "Cockroach" movement, which began online and calls itself the Cockroach Janata Party. Earlier street protests organized by the group contributed to the resignation of India's education minister in July.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella on Monday launched a joint task force to combat rebel groups and drug gangs in the country's northeast, signaling a shift toward military operations after the government ended peace negotiations with armed groups. The newly formed Task Force Urano will focus on disrupting activities by the National Liberation Army, or ELN, Colombia's largest remaining rebel organization, particularly its alleged theft of gasoline and diesel from a pipeline linking the Caribbean coast to a refinery in Barrancabermeja. De la Espriella accused the ELN of using stolen fuel to finance criminal activities, including cocaine production, illegal mining and what he described as terrorist operations. "They use it to make cocaine, to power illegal mines and to generate income for terrorist activities," he said at a ceremony in Valledupar. For nearly two decades, Colombia's armed forces used joint task forces involving the army, navy and air force to combat rebel groups in rural areas. Directly supervised by commanders in Bogota, the units helped the military secure major victories over the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, before the group signed a peace agreement with the government in 2016. The strategy was abandoned two years ago under former President Gustavo Petro, whose administration sought to give regional military commanders greater authority over operations. Critics argued that the move weakened the country's military response. De la Espriella, a conservative who took office in August, has ended peace talks with the remaining rebel groups. He said restoring joint task forces would allow security forces to confront rebels and drug gangs more forcefully. Police officers will also be part of Task Force Urano. "There will be no negotiations or empathy with terrorism," he said.

Rajshahi University (RU) authorities have relieved Prof Md Mahbubar Rahman,  provost of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, of duties over allegations of inaction and deletion of CCTV footage after an attack on journalists allegedly by Chhatra Dal activists. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Faridul Islam announced the decision after a meeting with protesting journalists and students at the VC's conference room around 1am Tuesday. The university authorities also assured the protesters that action would be taken against those involved in the attack within three days. “Respecting the sentiments of the journalists, we have removed the provost of Zia Hall. The remaining issues will be investigated and punishment will be ensured based on the findings,” he said. The protesting journalists said they placed six demands before the university administration, of which the demand for removing the hall provost has been accepted. They said the administration sought three days to implement the remaining five demands. Journalists said they want those involved in the attack to be identified through a fair investigation within these three days and punished according to university rules. The protesting journalists also alleged that although they sought CCTV footage of the attack, the provost refused to provide it and that the crucial footage was subsequently deleted. However, the hall provost denied the allegation of deleting CCTV footage. A five-member committee has been formed to investigate an attack on journalists carried out allegedly by activists of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on the campus. On Sunday, 10 people including four journalists were injured in an attack allegedly by some leaders and activists of JCD in front of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall around 8:30 pm.

A pink cockatoo has been chosen as the official emblem of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane, beating out other Australian icons such as the kangaroo, koala and bin chicken following an accidental social media leak. The emblem was officially launched Monday, several days after organizers held an emergency news conference to address the premature release of the design. The Olympic emblem features a crest depicting a pink cockatoo, an Australian bird, with colors styled to evoke the Olympic and Paralympic flame and a shape representing Queensland, the host state. Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the emblems celebrate the city and its lifestyle. “They reflect the Brisbane people know and love: vibrant, resilient, connected, friendly, playful and a little bit cheeky,” Schrinner said, adding that they also symbolize the growing excitement ahead of the Games. Organizers said the designs incorporate First Nations elements, noting that cockatoos are regarded as messengers carrying cultural significance and connecting people with places, stories and ceremonies. The emblems are separate from the official Games mascot, which will be announced closer to the event. The designs were accidentally revealed Friday night when an explanatory video intended to be released after a planned ceremonial event briefly appeared on the Brisbane 2032 YouTube channel. Screenshots quickly spread across social media. Brisbane 2032 vice president Tim Mander and Chief Marketing Officer Brent Hill said at a weekend news conference that the leak turned into an unexpected publicity opportunity. Hill said the resulting attention had been “incredible.” Brisbane 2032 Chairman Andrew Liveris said the emblems would help highlight the region’s unique character and encourage people worldwide to visit, invest and participate in the Games. Australian sprinter Lachlan Kennedy, who attended Monday’s launch, praised the design, saying it represented Brisbane well and had “soul.” Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski, chair of the IOC coordination commission for the 2032 Games, described the emblems as a “vibrant expression” of the region. Brisbane will host the Games alongside venues in cities including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Australia has previously hosted the Summer Olympics in Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.

Digital Science has appointed Charlesworth as its strategic sales partner of Altmetric and Dimensions in China’s scholarly publishing sector. This collaboration aims to support the growing demand for research data and information across this rapidly developing market. China’s local publishing industry has grown significantly in scale and maturity, with journal publishers actively strengthening their international position, investing in publishing capability and seeking greater insight into the reach and impact of research. The partnership brings together Digital Science’s research technology and data solutions with Charlesworth’s extensive knowledge of the Chinese publishing market and established relationships across publishing clusters, publishers and journals. Dimensions is one of the world’s largest connected research databases, with 430M+ interconnected records – including publications, conference abstracts, grants, patents, clinical trials and more – enabling users to discover and analyze the global research landscape. Altmetric tracks and analyzes engagement with research as it is shared, mentioned, reviewed and read online, providing insight into the attention surrounding research beyond traditional citations. Together, the products can support the continued development of Chinese publishers by providing greater access to research information and a broader understanding of the reach and attention generated by published research. Michael Evans , CEO of Charlesworth, said: “Chinese scholarly publishing has developed significantly over recent years. We are seeing increasingly ambitious publishers, publishing clusters and journals looking to build their capabilities, strengthen their international presence and better understand their position within the global research landscape. “Charlesworth has worked with Chinese publishers for many years, giving us a strong understanding of both the market and its changing needs. Altmetric and Dimensions are highly relevant to this next stage of growth, and we are delighted to be working with Digital Science to make these products more accessible to publishers across China.” Stephen Leicht , CEO of Digital Science said: “China is an important and rapidly developing part of the global research ecosystem. As its publishing sector continues to grow and mature, access to high-quality research data and insights can play an important role in supporting that development. Charlesworth’s knowledge of the local market and relationships across the publishing community make them an excellent partner for Digital Science in China.” The agreement builds on Charlesworth’s long-standing work with the Chinese scholarly publishing community and its role in connecting publishing clusters, publishers and journals with international publishing expertise, technology and services. About Charlesworth Charlesworth, part of Enago, works with publishers and the wider research community in China and internationally, providing sales, marketing, technology and author services to support the development and internationalisation of scholarly publishing. About Digital Science Digital Science is an AI-focused technology company providing innovative solutions to complex challenges faced by researchers, universities, governments, funders, industry and publishers. We work in partnership to advance global research for the benefit of society. Through our brands – Altmetric, Dimensions, Figshare, IFI CLAIMS Patent Services, metaphacts, Overleaf, ReadCube, Symplectic, and Writefull – we believe when we solve problems together, we drive progress for all. Visit digital-science.com and follow Digital Science on Bluesky , on X or on LinkedIn .

Former Ohio music pastor and “American Idol” contestant Caleb Flynn was sentenced Monday to life in prison without parole after a jury convicted him of murdering his wife while having an affair. The judge said Flynn, 40, used his Christian faith to manipulate others and showed no remorse for actions involving “layers of deceit, manipulation and cruelty.” Flynn wept as he apologized to his family before sentencing, beginning with his two young daughters, who were home when he shot their mother, Ashley Flynn, while she slept. He described their births as the “greatest joy in this life.” Although Flynn said he accepted responsibility for his words and decisions, he continued to insist he was innocent. “As I stand here before God, who is my ultimate judge, I am not lying when I say I did not kill my wife,” he said. Prosecutors said Flynn staged a home invasion in February and falsely claimed that a burglar had killed Ashley, a 37-year-old schoolteacher and volleyball coach. Flynn briefly appeared on “American Idol” in 2013, crediting Ashley with encouraging him to pursue his singing ambitions. He did not advance to the main Hollywood competition. Flynn did not testify during the trial, and no witnesses testified on his behalf. Ashley’s family supported the harsh sentence but said they had forgiven Flynn because they did not want hatred to define her legacy. Her sister, Kayla Keyt, said the killing had deeply affected their church community, with children running into their parents’ bedrooms to make sure their fathers had not killed their mothers. Prosecutors said Flynn wanted to end his marriage and sent his lover a message the night before the shooting saying, “I choose you. I’m free. Actions will come tomorrow.” His lover, Alleigha Botner, testified that she met Flynn in 2022 and had an affair with him for more than a year. She said he told her he hated his wife and had considered killing her. The murder weapon was not found, but prosecutors said Flynn’s fingerprints and DNA were at the scene and electronic data showed him moving around the house despite claiming he was asleep. The jury convicted him of murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan on Monday night inspected the post-hawker eviction situation, cleanliness drives, and dengue prevention measures in Mirpur-10 area. Around 11pm on Monday, the administrator unexpectedly drove out to inspect various parts of Mirpur, assessing overall conditions. During the drive, the administrator ordered the immediate disconnection of illegal electricity lines used by hawkers at Mirpur-10 following the clearance of unauthorised structures. He also inspected tree plantation initiatives undertaken in the evicted areas. Additionally, he issued directives for the rapid implementation cleanliness drives, drainage system repairs, installation of projector dustbins, and measures to alleviate public suffering. While reviewing the stretch between Mirpur-10 and Shewrapara, he evaluated the removal of illegal posters and leaflets from Metro Rail pillars and adjacent walls, providing instructions for DNCC's upcoming graffiti artwork project on those surfaces. The administrator instructed relevant officials to take all necessary steps to develop Mirpur-10 into a clean and disciplined urban zone.

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) officials have seized 631 cartons of foreign cigarettes, a mobile phone and three laptops from the baggage of three passengers at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The seized goods, valued at around Tk 32.40 lakh, were recovered during an operation conducted on Monday based on confidential information received by the CIID director general, according to a press release. A team of officials from the Airport Customs Intelligence and Investigation Circle (C-shift) took position at the airport following the intelligence input and conducted screening and searches of baggage of passengers arriving on Air Arabia flight G9 571 from Sharjah. During the search, 320 cartons of cigarettes, a mobile phone and a laptop were recovered from the baggage of passenger Mohammed Shahin. Another 125 cartons of cigarettes and a laptop were recovered from the baggage of K M Fozol Haque, while 186 cartons of cigarettes and a laptop were seized from the baggage of Belayet Bhuiyan Hossain. The CIID said its operations at the airport are continuing to prevent smuggling and misuse of baggage facilities through intelligence gathering, passenger profiling and close surveillance.

Dhaka ranked first among the world's most polluted cities on Tuesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 213 at 11:10 am. The air quality was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, signaling a serious health alert where everyone may experience health effects, according to the AQI scale. Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia ranked second with an AQI score of 208, while Singapore in Singapore  ranked third with a score of 179 and Kolkata in India ranked fourth with an AQI score of 177. According to AQI standards, a reading between 101 and 150 is considered 'unhealthy for sensitive groups', while 151 to 200 is classified as 'unhealthy'. A reading between 201 and 300 is considered 'very unhealthy', while levels above 301 are deemed 'hazardous', posing serious health risks. The AQI provides daily updates on air quality, indicating how clean or polluted the air is and highlighting potential health impacts. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, with air quality typically deteriorating during winter and improving during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution causes around seven million deaths globally each year, mainly from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

The government has appointed 40 more candidates to the education cadre under the 49th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS), according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration Monday night. The appointments were made in the second phase following recommendations by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC). Earlier, on September 30, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification appointing 611 candidates to the education cadre under the 49th BCS. Following the earlier appointments, some BCS candidates who had been recommended by the BPSC alleged that many of them had been excluded in the name of police verification. They also launched a movement protesting the issue. According to Monday's notification, the newly appointed candidates have been asked to join at the designated offices of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education by October 12. Unless the Secondary and Higher Education Division issues any further instructions, the appointees will join the ministry concerned on that date. If any appointee fails to join within the stipulated date, it will be considered that they are unwilling to join the service, and their appointment will be deemed cancelled.

The FBI has arrested a California real estate agent as she was preparing to travel to China, accusing her of secretly working for Beijing to monitor the family of Taiwan’s president in the United States, federal officials said. The case comes amid strained U.S.-China relations, with Taiwan remaining a major point of military and diplomatic tension between Washington and Beijing. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory. Federal prosecutors and the FBI allege that Wanying Zhang monitored the home of the Taiwanese president’s son and provided a Chinese government official with photos, videos and license plate information from the vehicles used by the family member. The federal criminal complaint does not identify the alleged target. However, the FBI’s rapid response account on X identified him as the president’s son. Ting-Yu Lai, the elder son of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, lives and works as an engineer in the Seattle area. Zhang, 34, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Irvine who also uses the name Heather, was arrested Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport. She was charged with acting as an unregistered agent for China, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said. Shawn Lewis, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office, confirmed her citizenship. Zhang appeared in federal court in downtown Los Angeles Monday for an initial hearing to ensure she understood her rights. She has not been formally indicted. Judge Steve Kim said Zhang did not qualify financially for a public defender and instructed her to obtain a private lawyer as soon as possible. A hearing on whether she should be released on bail or remain in custody was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Her husband, Edric Ding, attended the hearing but declined to comment. California records show Zhang has held a real estate license since 2016. According to a Zillow listing, she sold seven homes in Orange County over the past year. Justice Department targets alleged Chinese agentsThe case is the latest in a series of Justice Department prosecutions targeting alleged covert agents accused of advancing Beijing’s interests in the United States. Many such cases have involved what the department describes as China’s efforts to identify and intimidate pro-democracy activists living in the U.S. and restrict their speech. The department has also accused Beijing of trying to influence American public opinion by developing relationships with political figures considered influential. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday, while China’s Foreign Ministry in Beijing was closed for holidays. Taiwan’s Presidential Office confirmed that relatives of President Lai were targeted but did not specify whether the alleged target was his son. It described the incident as “a classic case of transnational repression.” Taiwan strongly condemned the alleged surveillance, spokesperson Karen Kuo said, describing such actions as attempts to suppress, threaten or potentially harm people who support freedom and democracy and their families. Surveillance allegedly took place in 2025According to an affidavit accompanying the criminal complaint, Zhang and another person traveled to Seattle on Sept. 1, 2025, at the direction of Chinese officials and conducted surveillance outside the target’s home. A nearby security camera reportedly captured the pair filming the target and family members from inside a vehicle. Zhang allegedly later sent a Chinese official surveillance material, including photographs, videos and license plate information from the family’s vehicles. The affidavit said such information and the locations of close relatives of a senior Taiwanese official could potentially help China “obtain leverage” over President Lai during a possible conflict. The affidavit also said Zhang attended Beijing’s University of International Relations, which the FBI agent who prepared the document described as having close ties to China’s intelligence apparatus. Many graduates reportedly go on to work for Chinese government ministries, including intelligence agencies. Zhang and a former classmate who later became a Chinese government official reportedly remained in contact after graduating around 2014. The classmate introduced Zhang to another Chinese government official, and she was in contact with both officials in 2025, according to the affidavit. In a Sept. 2, 2025, post on the Chinese-language social media app Xiaohongshu, Zhang complained about a lengthy security wait at Seattle airport and questioned whether it was the least efficient international airport in the United States. She also frequently posted photographs of international trips and meals at expensive restaurants. Tensions between Taiwan and ChinaTaiwan and China separated after a civil war in 1949, but Beijing continues to claim the island as its territory. Lai, who was elected president in 2024, has said Taiwan and China do not belong to each other and that the People’s Republic of China has no authority to represent Taiwan. China considers Lai a separatist and has accused him of undermining peace. Since taking office, Lai has increased Taiwan’s defense spending, including a pledge to raise it from 3% to 5% of gross domestic product. His government has also approved a special budget for developing a T-Dome air defense system. The case follows another Southern California prosecution involving alleged Chinese influence. In May, Eileen Wang, the mayor of Arcadia, agreed to plead guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government and resigned from her city position. Wang was charged with acting in the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign government and accused of carrying out requests from Chinese officials, including sharing articles favorable to Beijing, without notifying the U.S. government as required by law.

A Nicaraguan exile who was imprisoned and tortured after participating in anti-government protests has been deported from the United States to Nicaragua, where authorities immediately detained him again, his family and lawyer said Monday. Jeffrey Jarquín, 35, was taken into custody after stepping off a U.S. deportation flight in Managua last week and returned to the same prison where he had previously been tortured, according to a family member. The relative spoke to The Associated Press anonymously, citing fears of government persecution. Local media first reported Jarquín’s deportation and detention. Jarquín was a prominent participant in Nicaragua’s 2018 anti-government protests, which triggered a yearslong crackdown by co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo against dissent. The government’s campaign against critics, civil society organizations, religious groups and others has contributed to more than 800,000 people fleeing Nicaragua, according to U.N. figures. Osley Sallent, Jarquín’s U.S. lawyer, confirmed that he was deported after seeking asylum in the United States. Jarquín was arrested in 2018 along with other protesters and held at El Modelo, a maximum-security prison. According to a 2019 Organization of American States report, Jarquín and other detainees were tortured in prison areas known as “tiny hell.” He was released a year later and subsequently fled to the United States. Sallent said Jarquín had been living in Miami when he was detained. After a Louisiana court rejected his asylum case in July, he was held at Alligator Alcatraz, a Florida immigration detention facility in the Everglades that has faced reports of harsh conditions. Sallent did not provide further details about the asylum case. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Asked why Jarquín had been imprisoned again, a spokesperson for Nicaragua’s government replied, “Thank you very much! Hugs.” The Trump administration has repeatedly criticized Nicaragua’s government and described it as a dictatorship, particularly after authorities canceled elections scheduled for next year. Last week, Deputy U.S. Secretary of State Christopher Landau told the Organization of American States that the situation in Nicaragua was “intolerable.” “Murillo and Ortega’s dictatorship has no place in our hemisphere,” he said. Despite Washington’s criticism of Managua, ICE has increased deportations to Nicaragua in recent months, according to a Human Rights Watch report. The organization said the Trump administration deported 6,300 Nicaraguans between January and July 2026. Human Rights Watch also documented the detention of at least eight Nicaraguan exiles whose citizenship had been revoked, a measure observers say was intended to punish government critics. Some of those detained had pending asylum applications. Juan Pappier, deputy director for the Americas at Human Rights Watch, said Washington’s criticism of Nicaragua while deporting people who fled government repression “makes Washington look hypocritical.” “Nicaragua has the most brutal government in the Western Hemisphere, and any government critic who is sent back is at real risk of torture or persecution,” Pappier said.

The separatist Parti Québécois won Quebec's provincial election Monday but fell short of enough seats to govern alone, returning to power with a promise to hold another referendum on independence from Canada. The result returns Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's party to power for the first time in more than a decade but denies it the majority it sought, forcing the separatists to rely on opposition parties even as they try to revive Quebec's independence debate. The PQ will form a minority government, meaning it will need support from opposition lawmakers to pass key legislation and survive confidence votes. It fell short of the 64 seats needed for a majority in Quebec's 127-member National Assembly, the provincial legislature. St-Pierre Plamondon has pledged to hold another referendum on independence, though he has said he would wait until U.S. President Donald Trump is no longer in office. Coalition Avenir Québec leader Christine Fréchette conceded defeat, saying voters had made their choice and that she took full responsibility for the "difficult result." The CAQ, which held 79 seats before the election, was at risk of losing every seat in the legislature. But the PQ's victory does not mean most Quebecers support leaving Canada. Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, said the victory reflects Quebec's multiparty system, where support is divided among several parties, rather than a surge in separatist sentiment. Support for independence remains at about 30%, low by historical standards, he said. Béland said the result should not be viewed as a rejection of Prime Minister Mark Carney, who remains very popular in Quebec. Carney congratulated St-Pierre Plamondon and signaled that Ottawa would work with the incoming separatist government. "Building a stronger Québec is core to our mission of building a stronger Canada," Carney said. He said the two governments would work together to support businesses and workers affected by U.S. tariffs, create jobs and build housing. Still, Béland said a separatist government in Quebec poses a new national-unity challenge for Carney, particularly with another independence-related vote approaching elsewhere in Canada. The Quebec result comes two weeks before Albertans vote Oct. 19 on whether to hold a referendum on separation from Canada. "Seeing that a pro-independence party won in Quebec barely two weeks before an independence-related referendum takes place in Alberta might suggest to the Trump administration that national unity remains a major issue in Canada despite the popularity of Mark Carney," Béland said. Quebec voters have twice rejected sovereignty, most recently by a razor-thin margin in a 1995 referendum. Quebec, which is about 80% French-speaking, already has significant autonomy. The province of 9.1 million collects its own income tax, has immigration policies favoring French speakers and has laws giving the French language priority over English. Even with the PQ victory, Trump's tariffs and 51st-state rhetoric have complicated the separatist argument by stirring Canadian nationalism and giving some French-speaking Quebecers another reason to value remaining part of Canada. Trump's tariffs and repeated threats against Canada became a defining issue in the 2025 federal election, helping lift Carney's Liberals to victory after the party had trailed badly before Trump returned to office.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday joined a programme marking Children’s Rights Day 2026 and the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh Shishu Academy. The three-day observance is being held at Bangladesh Shishu Academy in the capital from October 6 to 8, with this year’s theme “Let every child have a secure future.” Around 150 children welcomed the prime minister upon his arrival at the venue in the morning. The event began with the national anthem, after which the prime minister took his seat alongside other guests. Prime Minister’s wife and Ziaur Rahman Foundation Vice-Chairman Dr Zubaida Rahman was present at the programme, chaired by Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said mass arrests continue "the cycle of political repression" in Bangladesh, even though the BNP came to power promising to restore human rights and the rule of law.  "Instead, the new government has arbitrarily detained perceived opponents and rolled back human rights safeguards the interim government proposed," said Elaine Pearson, Human Rights Watch's Asia director, overseeing the work of the Asia division in more than 20 countries. Pearson said the current ruling party, the Bangladesh National Party, faced severe repression under the Awami League government.  Since being elected in February, it has targeted its own perceived opponents with arbitrary detention and hundreds of Awami League members are currently in jail, mostly without charge, she said. The international human rights law guarantees freedoms of expression and association for all.  Pearson said past violations of those rights committed when the Awami League was in power cannot justify the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s current violations of the same rights.  She said Bangladeshi history is rife with examples of where such repression can lead. The mass arrest of attendees at a small left-wing party’s meeting in Dhaka on September 26 is the latest incident in the Bangladesh authorities’ ongoing assault on civil and political rights, said the Asia Director of the New York-based rights body.  She said police took around 290 supporters of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal into custody after members of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s youth wing, the Jubo Dal, claimed the gathering was a “secret” meeting of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, which is banned.  A court remanded 27 of those arrested to custody, because it was alleged they had chanted “Joy Bangla” (Victory to Bengal), a slogan associated with the Awami League. The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal was part of a 14-party alliance, led by the Awami League, that governed Bangladesh from 2009 until 2024, when it was toppled by student led protests in which hundreds were killed by security forces.  Police have repeatedly raided alleged gatherings of Awami League supporters.  On September 26, the same day as the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal meeting, police in Barisal detained 12 Awami League activists for allegedly holding a “secret” meeting to “plan sabotage”; two days later, 15 were arrested in Dhaka under the 2009 Anti-Terrorism Act on similar allegations.  In both cases those detained said they had gathered to mark Hasina’s birthday. During Hasina’s authoritarian rule, the HRW said, there were widespread and grave rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and the arbitrary detention of political opponents.

Dr. Karl Deisseroth spent hours receiving congratulatory calls after learning early Monday that he had won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for helping establish a new field of brain science known as optogenetics. But the California scientist soon asked for a break from the celebrations for a much more routine responsibility preparing school lunches for his children. His children were asleep at the family's home in Stanford while their father spoke with journalists and well-wishers in the early hours of the morning. Deisseroth, 54, shared this year's medicine Nobel with German researchers Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for their work in optogenetics, a technique that uses light and genes to control neurons in living brains. A self-described night owl, Deisseroth, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and Stanford University professor, often works past midnight. After reviewing research papers and emailing students, he said he had just gone to bed when he received the call from the Nobel Assembly in Stockholm. “I almost felt as if I'd lost the power of forming words,” he told The Associated Press, adding that he recovered after a minute or two. He was soon able to take remote interviews with AP science reporters. Stanford's communications team helped arrange the interviews through a series of quick emails. “No real sleep was achieved,” Deisseroth said about an hour after the Nobel announcement. As the interviews continued by phone and Zoom, an AP photographer and videographer rushed to his Stanford home. The photographer arrived around 3:30 a.m. and saw Halloween decorations outside the house, with only one light on inside. Unsure whether he had found the right home, he eventually knocked on the door. Deisseroth's wife, Dr. Michelle Monje-Deisseroth, answered and welcomed the photographer inside. The Nobel laureate was sitting on the couch, taking calls. Monje-Deisseroth, also an HHMI investigator and a Stanford pediatric neuro-oncologist, stayed beside her husband when she was not preparing coffee for Stanford communications staff who had joined the celebration. Deisseroth said he was surprised that his research had received the Nobel Prize. His wife, however, was not surprised. He discussed his research with Hegemann and Nagel and its potential impact on patients. “As a physician-scientist, I am a psychiatrist. I care about patients and my patients who have autism, who have depression,” he said, adding that he valued the hope the research could bring. At the same time, he said he remained interested in basic science and in understanding how the brain works, processes information and produces the qualities that make humans unique. After finishing the interviews, Deisseroth told Stanford staff that he needed an hour-long break starting at 6:30 a.m. His children would soon wake up and needed lunches before heading to school, he said. When a Stanford representative wondered whether neighbours might be disturbed by the late-night activity, Monje-Deisseroth appeared unconcerned. They live in faculty housing, she said, adding that “there are a lot of Nobels in the neighborhood.”

British bestselling novelist Jeffrey Archer, whose political career was ruined by a conviction for perjury, has died at the age of 86. Archer died “suddenly and peacefully” at his home on Monday, a day before the worldwide release of his final novel, Adam and Eve, publisher HarperCollins said. Like his bestselling novel Kane and Abel, the new book follows two characters named after biblical figures who are born on the same day but grow up in different social classes. Archer enjoyed a decades-long career as a successful author while facing repeated political and personal controversies. He continued writing through a prison sentence and later returned to the political arena. His literary career spanned five decades and helped him recover from financial difficulties caused by unsuccessful investments. His debut novel, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, was published in 1976 and was reportedly inspired by his own experience of coming close to bankruptcy. According to HarperCollins, Archer spent 14 years and five months on Britain's Sunday Times bestseller lists and more than five years on The New York Times bestseller lists. His books sold 300 million copies worldwide. Archer rose through the ranks of Britain's Conservative Party under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In 1992, he was appointed to the House of Lords by her successor, Prime Minister John Major. However, his political career collapsed after allegations emerged that he had lied under oath during a libel case more than a decade earlier. The allegations surfaced in 1999 while he was running for mayor of London. Archer had sued a newspaper that accused him of paying a sex worker and won £500,000 in damages. A jury later found that he had fabricated an alibi during the 1987 case against the Daily Star. He was convicted of perjury and jailed for four years in 2001, after being expelled from the Conservative Party. He was released early in 2003 after serving slightly more than two years. Despite his conviction, Archer retained his seat in the House of Lords as there was no legal mechanism at the time to remove him. He continued as a politically unaffiliated member until retiring in 2024. Archer later documented his prison experiences in a three-volume memoir series titled A Prison Diary. The books, Hell, Purgatory and Heaven, offered insights into life inside British prisons, including the high-security HMP Belmarsh and the open prison North Sea Camp. Before his imprisonment, Archer had also campaigned to change royal succession laws to give daughters equal rights with sons. His efforts later helped inspire the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, which ended the centuries-old practice of giving younger sons precedence over their older sisters in the line of succession. Gender inequality and social differences also featured in his literary work. His final novel, Adam and Eve, tells the story of an earl's daughter, whose father wanted a son to inherit his estate, and a shepherd's son, whose father wanted a daughter because he feared a son would be sent to war. Describing the book as a love story and a reflection on social class set against the backdrop of war, Archer said Adam and Eve had been “the most satisfying thing I have ever written.” Archer is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dame Mary Archer, their two sons, two granddaughters and three grandsons, HarperCollins said.

US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink recently drew attention by confirming that the United States has deployed weapons in space, but he did not disclose what the weapons are, how they operate or whether they are designed to target other objects in orbit. The lack of information is not limited to American space weapons. Experts say uncertainty over the military capabilities of satellites and the development of new weapons remains a major concern as countries expand their activities in space. What is known about space weapons Speaking at a defence conference, Meink said the United States had deployed “on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action”. The Joint Force refers to US military forces operating together. However, he did not specify the type of weapons involved. The 2026 Global Counterspace Capabilities Report, published by the nonprofit Secure World Foundation using publicly available information, provides an overview of potential space weapons and related technologies. The report identifies five categories of counterspace capabilities and examines systems being developed by 13 countries, including the United States, Russia, China, India, Australia, France, Iran and Israel. These capabilities include satellites that can approach, inspect, disable or destroy other spacecraft. The report also covers missiles launched from the ground, aircraft or ships to physically destroy satellites. Other technologies include electronic warfare systems that disrupt satellite communications, lasers and high-powered microwaves that can blind or damage satellite sensors, and cyber operations targeting space networks. Victoria Samson, chief director of space security and stability at the foundation, which promotes the peaceful use of space, said the existence and physical location of satellites were generally transparent, but their capabilities and intended purposes were much harder to determine. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, based in Vienna, maintains a register linking space objects to the countries responsible for them. Under a 1976 agreement, participating states must provide information about launches conducted by governments and private companies, along with the general functions of the objects. However, they are not required to disclose their specific purposes. Some space technologies can serve both civilian and military purposes. In 2021, it emerged that China had tested a satellite equipped with a robotic arm capable of approaching another object, grabbing it and moving it out of orbit. China used such technology in 2022 to tow one of its defunct satellites out of orbit for the first time. The United States also warned two years ago that Russia was developing a new space-based anti-satellite weapon, although the White House said the threat was not imminent at the time. Then-White House national security spokesman John Kirby declined to say whether the weapon could carry nuclear warheads but said it would violate the Outer Space Treaty. Russia denied developing the capability. A treaty born during the Cold War The Outer Space Treaty is the main international agreement governing how countries explore and use space. The United States, Russia, China and all other nuclear-armed nations are parties to the treaty. Article IV prohibits signatories from placing nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in Earth's orbit, installing them on celestial bodies or stationing them in space in any other way. The treaty also establishes space as an area to be used for peaceful purposes. Agreed upon in 1967 during the Cold War, the treaty emerged as the United States and the Soviet Union competed to explore space and conducted nuclear tests beyond Earth's atmosphere. The space environment was vastly different at the time. Jonathan McDowell, a retired astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has tracked satellite launches for more than 40 years. By the end of 1967, only 128 satellites were orbiting Earth and communicating with the planet, according to McDowell. All were part of publicly funded, state-backed programmes. Today, around 16,810 functioning satellites are in orbit, he said, many of them operated by private companies such as SpaceX, which runs the Starlink satellite network. The dangers of nuclear weapons in space became clear through a series of tests conducted by the two superpowers. In 1962, the United States detonated several atomic bombs in space under Operation Fishbowl. The first test, known as Starfish Prime, was launched from an atoll southwest of Hawaii. The explosion created an artificial radiation belt that destroyed several satellites and partially disrupted street lighting and telephone lines in Hawaii. The Soviet Union also conducted nuclear tests in space under Project K between 1961 and 1962. The tests caused power-grid failures, disrupted telephone lines and triggered a fire that destroyed an entire power plant in Kazakhstan. These tests demonstrated the serious risks that nuclear explosions in space could pose to civilian infrastructure and communications on Earth. They helped push the superpowers towards an agreement banning nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in space. Experts point to gaps in international law Despite the treaty, analysts say international law has not kept pace with modern space technology and military developments. Jessica West, a senior researcher at Canadian peace and security research institute Project Ploughshares, said the legal framework governing space needed fundamental changes. She described the Outer Space Treaty as a constitutional foundation that remained relevant but said the international community had failed to build a sufficiently strong legal framework around it. She highlighted the need for better mechanisms to verify space activities and broader rules addressing conventional weapons in space. Michelle Hanlon, executive director of the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law, also pointed to a gap in the treaty, saying it did not adequately prohibit conventional weapons in space. No agreement on what constitutes a space weapon International negotiations on a new agreement to ban all weapons in space have stalled partly because countries cannot agree on what qualifies as a space weapon, Samson said. Many technologies have both civilian and military applications, making it difficult to distinguish weapons from equipment used for peaceful purposes. “You can get up close to a satellite to refuel it, but you can also get up close to a satellite to release objects at it, shine a laser at it, or try to jam it,” Samson said. The debate comes as the United States, under President Donald Trump, places greater emphasis on space-based military capabilities. During his first term, Trump established the US Space Force as a separate military branch in 2019. In his second term, he announced the Golden Dome missile defence system, which includes plans to deploy weapons in space. Russia and China have attempted to introduce a new treaty prohibiting the placement of all weapons in space, but the proposals have faced obstacles, partly because of disagreements over definitions. Washington has also argued that the proposals fail to address ground-based anti-satellite missiles, which can generate large amounts of dangerous debris when used. In November 2021, Russia launched an anti-satellite missile that destroyed a defunct Soviet-era satellite, creating more than 1,500 pieces of debris. The fragments increased risks to astronauts aboard the International Space Station, where US and Russian crews were present, and China's Tiangong space station. With negotiations on a comprehensive treaty stalled, international discussions have increasingly focused on responsible behaviour in space, including measures to prevent the accumulation of dangerous debris. Space weapons may not involve physical destruction Samson said the United States had long followed a policy of avoiding the creation of space debris because it threatens the safety of spaceflight and can damage American interests. For that reason, she said, the weapons Meink referred to could be non-kinetic systems, such as electronic jammers that disrupt communications, rather than weapons that physically destroy targets. Space debris is produced not only by weapons but also by collisions between satellites, which can break them into countless fragments and smaller particles. Travelling at high speeds, these fragments can damage or destroy other spacecraft. Steven Freeland, an emeritus professor of international law at Western Sydney University and a professorial fellow at Bond University, warned that such collisions could trigger a chain reaction. “If you start having collisions causing more debris, and more debris causing more collisions, you run the risk of this irreversible cascading effect,” he said. According to the European Space Agency, space surveillance networks regularly track around 46,950 pieces of debris in Earth's orbit. Statistical models suggest that millions of smaller pieces of space debris also remain in orbit, posing additional risks to satellites and other spacecraft.

France coach Zinedine Zidane secured his first home victory in charge as his side came from behind to beat Belgium 4-1 in the Nations League on Monday, while Roberto Mancini also celebrated his first home win since returning to lead Italy. France scored four goals in the final 14 minutes through substitutes Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise, who netted twice, to turn around a match in which they had trailed until the 77th minute. “Tonight, this is soccer, this is what we love,” Zidane said. He acknowledged that France had struggled in the first half but praised the team's response after the break. The victory strengthened France's position at the top of Group A1, three points ahead of second-placed Italy, who defeated Turkey 3-1. Belgium remained third, four points behind France, while Turkey stayed without a point. Zidane began his tenure with victories over Turkey and Belgium before France drew with Italy in his home debut on Friday. Olise praised the team's collective effort, saying the players had followed Zidane's ideas well over their last four matches. France have yet to secure a place in the quarterfinals. A victory over Belgium combined with an Italian failure to beat Turkey would have guaranteed France a top-two finish in the group. France's substitutes turn the game around Belgium took the lead at the Stade de France in the 35th minute when Dodi Lukébakio broke through the offside trap to meet a long pass from Roméo Lavia. He raced clear of France debutant goalkeeper Guillaume Restes and fired the ball into the net. France levelled in the 77th minute as Doué sent a low shot into the bottom-right corner. Four minutes later, Cherki put France ahead in an unusual fashion. Belgium goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt appeared ready to save his shot, but the ball struck his foot before rebounding off his left arm and crossing the goal line. Olise, who assisted Cherki's goal, then scored twice within three minutes to complete France's emphatic comeback. Zidane praised the impact of his substitutes but stressed that the victory reflected the efforts of the entire squad. Italy beat Turkey for first home win In Bologna, Mancini recorded his first home victory since returning as Italy coach. Italy had lost to Belgium in Rome in Mancini's first match back in charge but responded with an impressive 4-1 away victory over Turkey before drawing with France. Turkey, who had scored only once and conceded eight goals in their previous three matches, started brightly despite missing several key players. Italy, however, took the lead against the run of play in the 26th minute. Gianluca Scamacca attempted to control a cross, which bounced off a Turkish defender's shoulder before returning to him. Scamacca then volleyed the ball into the net off the underside of the crossbar. Turkey equalised in the 61st minute when Aral Şimşir finished with a sweeping shot. Italy restored their lead just three minutes later as Riccardo Calafiori headed home Nicolò Barella's free kick. Pio Esposito secured the victory late in the match by tapping in Alessandro Romano's shot. Esposito became only the second Italian player to score seven international goals before turning 21. Gyökeres extends scoring record Victor Gyökeres continued his record-breaking run by scoring in Sweden's 1-0 victory over Romania. The striker extended his Nations League scoring streak to seven consecutive matches, adding his fourth goal of the current campaign after setting the record on Friday. Sweden remained top of Group B4, two points ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina, who defeated Poland 1-0. Northern Ireland stayed top of Group B2 after being held to a goalless draw by Georgia. Hungary moved into second place with a 2-1 victory over Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday easing restrictions on the tax-free use of red-dyed diesel, saying the move would save farmers millions of dollars and help lower the prices of goods as Republicans face a tough midterm election campaign. Trump signed the order during a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, as part of his campaign to help Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 elections, now just four weeks away. Addressing Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts and Gov. Jim Pillen, Trump said the move would strengthen their election prospects. “Pete and Jim, this should absolutely ensure your election, I guarantee you that,” he said. Diesel prices have surged following the war with Iran, increasing pressure on household budgets and creating challenges for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. Red-dyed diesel, intended for off-road uses such as farming, is exempt from federal and state excise taxes. The fuel is dyed to help law enforcement distinguish it from diesel used on public roads, according to a White House fact sheet. The administration said temporarily easing restrictions would reduce costs for businesses that depend on diesel. “The typical trucker will save more than $100 every time they fill up,” Trump said at the rally, adding that the order would save farmers millions of dollars and reduce the prices of goods. However, Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy, a platform that tracks fuel prices, said last week that the proposed measure could save money for on-road users but would not benefit farmers, who already use red-dyed diesel. “Taxes aren't the problem, supply is,” De Haan wrote on X. Trump's Nebraska visit is part of what he described as a 32-day series of rallies ahead of the November 3 elections. His campaign has already taken him to Republican strongholds such as Oklahoma and Alabama. He is scheduled to visit San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday for his second rally in the state within two weeks. Republicans face voter frustration over rising costs Republicans are facing growing dissatisfaction among voters over the administration's handling of the economy, particularly persistently high fuel and grocery prices. The rising cost of living has become a major concern for rural voters who have supported Trump and his party in recent elections. The administration's proposal to increase imports of foreign beef has also angered ranchers in Nebraska, a major agricultural state. Trump wants to lower beef prices for consumers, but ranchers argue that imported beef would hurt domestic producers. “The plan to import low-quality foreign beef is not helping Nebraska ranchers,” Ricketts told The Associated Press. He urged the White House to reconsider the policy and focus on long-term measures to expand cattle herds and eventually lower beef prices for consumers. At the Grand Island rally, supporters said they trusted Trump to address the rising cost of living. Marlene Abel of Garfield, Kansas, said she believed fuel and grocery prices would eventually decline if the situation in Iran was resolved and US reserves were rebuilt. She expressed greater confidence in Trump than in any previous president. David Kuncl, a Lincoln, Nebraska, resident who grew up on a farm, also said he expected conditions to improve over time. He blamed what he described as a plot to undermine Trump and Republicans ahead of the midterm elections rather than the president's policies for the economic difficulties. “It's hurting us. Gas prices. Diesel prices. Beef prices,” Kuncl said, adding that Trump could not immediately lower prices. Democrats target competitive Nebraska House race Republican Rep. Adrian Smith represents the Grand Island area in the House of Representatives, and his seat is not expected to be competitive. However, a closely watched contest is taking place in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, centred on Omaha, which is often called the state's “blue dot” because it frequently votes Democratic in presidential elections. Republican Brinker Harding and Democrat Denise Powell are competing for the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Don Bacon. The rally came as the Congressional Leadership Fund, a political action committee supporting Republican House candidates, cancelled $1.1 million in planned broadcast advertising for Harding's campaign, according to AdImpact, which tracks political advertising expenditure. The decision could indicate that Republican leaders believe the money would be more useful in other competitive races. The group did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump is also tentatively planning visits to other battleground states, including Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Kansas, Montana, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Nevada and Arizona, before Election Day, according to a person familiar with the plans who spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to discuss them publicly. The person cautioned that the schedule could change. Independent candidates complicate Senate races Ricketts is seeking his first full six-year Senate term against independent candidate Dan Osborn, a former labour union leader who has received support from national Democrats. Ricketts, a former Nebraska governor, was appointed to replace Sen. Ben Sasse after Sasse left the Senate in 2023 to lead the University of Florida. Ricketts later won election to complete the term. Osborn previously challenged Republican Sen. Deb Fischer in 2024 but lost by seven percentage points. He has declined to say which party he would caucus with if elected in November. Independent senators Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, however, work with Democrats for organisational purposes and committee assignments. Osborn is among several independent candidates challenging Republicans in conservative states this year, where the Democratic Party remains unpopular. In South Dakota, Brian Bengs is running as an independent against Republican Sen. Mike Rounds. Bengs previously ran as a Democrat in 2022 but lost heavily to John Thune, who is now the Senate majority leader. In Idaho, independent Todd Achilles is challenging Republican Sen. Jim Risch. Nebraska Democrats nominated Cindy Burbank, who campaigned on preventing Democratic votes from being diverted away from Osborn in the general election. She has since withdrawn from the race. Osborn has travelled across Nebraska to hold meetings in all 93 counties and repeatedly criticised Ricketts for not holding town hall meetings with constituents. Ricketts, whose family founded TD Ameritrade and owns Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs, served as Nebraska governor from 2015 to 2023. Vance campaigns for Republicans in Alaska Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance travelled to Fairbanks, Alaska, to campaign for Republican candidates, including Sen. Dan Sullivan, who is facing Democrat Mary Peltola in a closely watched race that could help determine control of the Senate. Speaking to a crowd at the airport, Vance praised Sullivan, saying the two-term senator frequently contacted Cabinet members, even in the middle of the night, to advocate for Alaska's interests. Vance criticised Peltola, who served in the House from late 2022 before losing her re-election bid in 2024, describing her as ineffective and calling her a “servant of the far left.” Peltola has sought to distance herself from national Democrats and emphasise that she prioritises Alaska's interests. Alaska Democrats described Vance's visit to support Sullivan as an act of desperation. Sullivan was at the White House last week when Trump announced that South Korea planned to invest around $54 billion in a natural gas project in Alaska. However, South Korean officials adopted a more cautious position, saying they needed to assess the project's commercial viability before committing to the investment. Vance also endorsed Republican Rep. Nick Begich, describing him as a hard worker. Begich, first elected in 2024, is facing independent candidate Bill Hill, a commercial fisherman and former educator, as his main challenger.

Forces backed by a Saudi-led military coalition have recaptured several key areas near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Iran-backed Houthi rebels, Yemeni officials said, as fighting intensified along Yemen’s western coast. The Houthis, meanwhile, claimed to have launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities, airports and military bases. Yemeni officials said government-allied forces retook the strategic town of Dhubab, just north of the strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a major international shipping route. The forces also captured the towns of Bab and Hadeid, the officials said on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to talk to reporters. Witnesses reported seeing government troops and tanks entering the towns. The offensive began early Monday with air support from the Saudi-led coalition. Houthi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Saree said in a prerecorded statement that the rebels used ballistic and cruise missiles and drones to target King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and an oil refinery in Rabigh, a Red Sea city. He also claimed attacks on Abha airport, military facilities in Khamis Mushait and other strategic sites in Najran and Jizan. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Saudi-backed Yemeni government was expected to retaliate against the Houthis to regain lost territory. Asked whether the operation had been coordinated with Washington, Rubio said Saudi Arabia and the United States had a defence agreement but declined to provide further details. He said Saudi Arabia had the right to defend itself following Houthi attacks and the loss of government-controlled territory. US warns citizens of possible attacks The United States has provided support to Saudi Arabia in its campaign against the Houthis, including intelligence sharing, target identification and operational planning, according to a regional official and a US official who spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to comment publicly. Washington had supported the Saudi-led coalition during the early years of Yemen’s war before withdrawing from the coalition in subsequent years. The US Embassy in Riyadh urged American citizens to remain alert to possible drone and missile attacks. The latest offensive came shortly after the Houthis announced further territorial gains in southwestern Yemen, including the capture of a key town as they advanced towards an important provincial capital. Saudi-led coalition spokesman Maj Gen Turki al-Malki said 100 fighter jets were supporting government forces. He added that the coalition had secured air protection over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and destroyed hundreds of Houthi targets. Pakistan, Turkey agree to send forces to Saudi Arabia On Monday, the foreign and defence ministers of Pakistan and Turkey agreed with Saudi Arabia to deploy military forces to the kingdom under their defence pact. A joint statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry after an emergency meeting in Riyadh did not specify the number of troops, the countries that would contribute them or the deployment schedule. The three countries condemned what they described as attempted attacks on the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, along with continued attacks on Saudi cities, civilian facilities and economic infrastructure. The statement did not identify those responsible. Fighting escalates after Houthi capture of key town The latest escalation has reignited Yemen’s civil war following a four-year ceasefire. The Houthis captured Turbah on Sunday. The town lies on a major road connecting Taiz, the provincial capital, with the port city of Aden, which serves as the interim seat of Yemen’s internationally recognised government. Turbah has long been an important position for government forces defending Taiz. The rebels had earlier captured several villages and areas on the outskirts of Taiz, raising concerns that they could encircle the country’s third-largest city. The Houthis made rapid advances along Yemen’s western Red Sea coast in early September, capturing the strategic city of Mokha and several Red Sea islands. These gains enabled them to control Yemen’s side of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which around 12% of global trade passes. The Saudi-backed government announced on Sunday that it was mobilising troops across areas under its control. Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, said in a televised address that the military operations aimed to recover the remaining territories held by the Houthis. He also urged the international community to support his government. Hours later, coalition spokesman al-Malki pledged full military support for Yemeni government forces until the Houthis were eliminated. Government launches ‘Yemen Dawn’ operation In a post on X on Monday, al-Alimi said an operation dubbed “Yemen Dawn” had begun to restore state institutions, retake Sanaa, the rebel-controlled capital, and end what he called the Houthi militia’s coup. Al-Nazili said government forces were conducting a strategic offensive towards Sanaa. Houthi media outlets reported multiple airstrikes on rebel-held areas, including the capital. The capture of Turbah could make it harder for government forces to reinforce troops and deliver supplies to front-line positions across Taiz province, including the provincial capital, according to the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War. Conflict takes a heavy humanitarian toll Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when the Houthis advanced from their northern stronghold, seized Sanaa and forced the government into exile in Saudi Arabia. The conflict has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and killed more than 150,000 people over the years. According to the World Health Organization, the latest round of fighting has killed at least 959 people and injured more than 4,200 others. The UN migration agency said the violence had forced around 174,097 people to flee their homes within Yemen, while more than 3,000 others had crossed the sea to Djibouti. Last week, Yemen’s Health Ministry, which operates under the internationally recognised government, warned that the conflict was disrupting healthcare services and putting medical workers at risk across Taiz province. In a statement on Friday, the ministry said healthcare facilities in the province’s coastal, western and southern areas had either closed or were operating only partially.

Digital banking services, including card transactions, ATM withdrawals, POS payments, e-commerce, QR code payments, and National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) transfers, across 19 banks are facing temporary disruptions due to scheduled system upgrades and maintenance. According to notices issued by the banks, the disruption stems from system migration under the Q-Cash network, which runs from 9:00 PM on October 4 until 12:00 PM on October 10. The affected financial institutions are Bank Asia, Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Janata Bank, Bengal Commercial Bank, Community Bank, Jamuna Bank, Midland Bank, Meghna Bank, Mercantile Bank, Modhumoti Bank, National Bank, NRBC Bank, NCC Bank, Rupali Bank, Shahjalal Islami Bank, Shimanto Bank, Social Islami Bank, Trust Bank, and Uttara Bank. While the service outages vary by institution—ranging from a few hours to several days—the simultaneous timing of maintenance across 19 banks has drawn widespread consumer concern, particularly over potential difficulties in obtaining cash during emergencies or completing online and card transactions. Addressing customer concerns, Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan stated that banks routinely perform technical maintenance and system enhancements after notifying the central bank. "Each bank made its decision independently, but coincidentally, 19 banks fell into the same timeline for system upgrades," Khan said, adding that central bank officials discussed the matter with the institutions to ensure advance notices and SMS alerts were issued to clients. The banks assured customers that all affected services will be restored gradually upon completion of system migration and maintenance tasks, while expressing regret for the temporary inconvenience. Branch-based counter services will remain subject to individual bank guidelines.

A Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inspector was killed after being crushed under the wheels of a truck in Khulna city on Monday night. The deceased was identified as Md. Fazlur Rahman, 47, son of Abu Taleb Khan of Barandi Fakirhat area under Abhaynagar upazila in Jashore district. The accident occurred around 8:30pm at the Garrison intersection under Khanjahan Ali Police Station in the city. Babul Akter, Khanjahan Ali Police Station Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), said police rushed to the scene following the report and legal procedures regarding the crash are currently underway.

BATEXPO 2026, a major platform to showcase Bangladesh’s global apparel capabilities, international acceptance and emerging opportunities, is set to return after more than a decade. The two-day mega event will be held on November 18-19 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka, bringing together leading global buyers, retailers, sourcing leaders and fashion industry decision-makers. The participation of sourcing and supply-chain platform PDS Limited, along with senior representatives from Primark, Pepco, M&S, Walmart Global Sourcing, Kmart, Cotton On, PDS and LC Waikiki, has generated significant international interest in the event, organisers said.   The event is being organised under the theme “A Legacy of Excellence. A Future of Innovation.” BATEXPO 2026 will serve not only as an exhibition but also as a national branding platform to highlight the transformation, international buyer confidence and future potential of Bangladesh’s apparel industry. Over the past decade, the country’s ready-made garment sector has made significant progress in workplace safety, workers’ wellbeing, social compliance, green manufacturing, resource efficiency, sustainability, digitalisation, automation, technology, product diversification and higher-value manufacturing. The transformation has further strengthened Bangladesh’s competitive position in the global sourcing landscape, organisers said. The RMG sector is also a key ambassador of Bangladesh’s country branding, carrying the “Made in Bangladesh” identity to consumers across the world while increasingly associating the country’s apparel industry with quality, compliance, sustainability, innovation and reliability.   The industry’s impact extends beyond factories to millions of families and a wide range of supporting industries, including yarn, fabric, accessories, dyeing, washing, logistics, banking, technology and transport. In particular, the sector’s contribution to women’s employment, income and economic participation has played an important role in Bangladesh’s social and economic transformation. Bangladesh is now positioning itself not only as a manufacturing destination but also as a trusted, responsible, competitive and increasingly future-ready sourcing partner, according to the organisers. BATEXPO 2026 will bring global buyers, brands, manufacturers, policymakers, investors, technology providers and industry leaders together on a single platform, creating opportunities for new business, long-term sourcing partnerships, product diversification and market expansion. The event will highlight Bangladesh’s readiness not only for today’s orders but also for the future of global apparel sourcing.

Detective Branch (DB) and Kaliganj police have given conflicting accounts over the arrest of a sweetmeat businessman from Hatibandha’s Tushbhandar. Debdas Roy Babul, owner of Jatin and Sons Mishtanna Bhandar, 58, was picked up by DB from the Lalmonirhat District and Sessions Judge Court premises on Monday afternoon while attending a hearing in a land-related case, his lawyer said. DB Officer-in-Charge Roushan Kabir said Babul was taken into custody as police feared he could face a mob attack on the court premises. However, later Kaliganj police said Babul was arrested in front of the BGB canteen in Lalmonirhat town in connection with an anti-terrorism case filed at Kaliganj Police Station about a year ago. Kaliganj Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Osman Gani said he could not immediately recall details of the case. Babul’s lawyer claimed that a local influential group was trying to occupy 40 percent of his client’s land, worth around Tk 5 crore, and that a related case was pending in court. Lalmonirhat Police Superintendent Md Asaduzzaman said Babul’s involvement had been found during the investigation of the anti-terrorism case filed a year ago. He also said police would take legal action if anyone tried to enter the disputed land in Babul’s absence.

Jatiotabadi Chhatradal (JCD) on Monday expelled three leaders of its Rajshahi University (RU) unit and issued show-cause notices to six others over their involvement in an assault on journalists on campus. Central JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir approved the organizational action on Monday, according to press releases signed by Central JCD Office Secretary Md. Jahangir Alam. The expelled leaders are RU JCD Vice-President Ahsan Habib, Joint General Secretary Hasib Hasan, and student leader Bishal Chakraborty. Ahsan Habib and Hasib Hasan were stripped of their organizational posts, while Bishal Chakraborty was expelled from primary membership for breaching organizational discipline. Meanwhile, show-cause notices were served to six other leaders: Vice-Presidents Takbir Ahmed Imon, Shariful Islam, Bulbul Rahman, and Faruk Hossain; Assistant Office Secretary Shahariar Alam; and activist Saju. They were instructed to submit written explanations in person at the central office within 48 hours in the presence of the central president and general secretary. Following the announcement, expelled Vice-President M Ahsan Habib posted a sharp critique of the central leadership on Facebook. Sharing the expulsion notice, Habib wrote: "Did you give a hat-trick trophy of expulsions? From today, RU JCD became a 'hijra' unit in the cantonment of Shibir."

Journalists working at Islamic University in Kushtia on Monday formed a human chain protesting the attack on Rajshahi University Journalists allegedly by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists, student wing of the ruling BNP, demanding a safe environment for independent journalism. The demonstration was held at the university's main gate, where 3 journalists’ organizations of IU including Islamic University Journalists’ Association, Press Club and Reporters’ Unity attended.   Protesting journalists displayed placards with various written slogans including 'Attacks on journalists are attacks on democracy,' 'Journalists will speak out against injustice, pens will move even if blood flows,' and 'Journalists are assets, have you forgotten?' Among others, IU Journalists' Association President Niamatullah Munim, General Secretary Juel Rana, Press Club President Abir Hossain, General Secretary Nazmul Hussain, Reporters' Unity President Saqib Aslam, and General Secretary Rabiul Alam participated in the program alongside other campus journalists. Earlier, the journalists’ organizations issued statements strongly condemning the incident. There they said that physical attacks, threats, and intimidation on campus journalists are threats to press freedom and journalists' safety. They also demanded an impartial investigation to identify those involved in the RU incident and bring them to justice.

Terming trust as the true foundation of capital markets, Tanvir Shahriar Ghani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Investment and Capital Market, on Monday emphasized that consistent implementation of financial standards and uncompromised professional integrity are essential to win investor confidence and attract sustainable global capital. “Financial reporting, accounting, auditing, corporate governance, and risk management may appear technical, but their true foundation is trust,” Ghani said while addressing as the Chief Guest at a high-level national conference in the capital. “Investors rely on the integrity and accuracy of financial information when making decisions. If that trust is broken, investors lose money, and confidence in the entire capital market suffers,” he warned. The conference, titled “Building Investor Confidence: The Role of Professional Bodies in Audit, Reporting, Governance and Risk Management,” was organized jointly by five major accounting and secretarial bodies—ICAB, ICMAB, ICSB, IIAB, and ACCA—at the CA Bhaban in Kawran Bazar to mark the 10th Annual World Investor Week (WIW) 2026, spearheaded globally by IOSCO from October 5 to 11. Ghani noted that while Bangladesh possesses the requisite institutional framework, the main hurdle lies in execution. “The challenge is not merely adopting global standards, but implementing them consistently and effectively. We must ensure comparable companies are assessed under comparable standards and strengthen professional integrity through self-discipline, accountability, and ethical conduct.” Speaking as the Special Guest, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Masud Khan underlined the need to establish reasonable audit fees to ensure quality. He announced that once BSEC establishes proper audit fee benchmarks, it will roll out stringent regulations to enforce high-quality audits compliant with the IFAC Code of Ethics. Highlighting the prolonged drought of initial public offerings (IPOs) since March 2024, ICMAB Council Member Arif Khan FCMA presented a keynote paper titled “Rebuilding Corporate Confidence in Getting Listed,” citing low valuations, sluggish approval procedures, and policy uncertainty as major barriers. Drawing lessons from India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, he called for market-driven pricing, predictable regulations, and faster clearance to revitalize IPO activity in Bangladesh. ICAB Vice President Asifur Rahman FCA presented another paper on investor resilience, emphasizing ICAB's Document Verification System (DVS) and strategic ties with the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), National Board of Revenue (NBR), Bangladesh Bank, and RJSC to eliminate fake financial statements. Chaired and moderated by ICAB President Sabbir Ahmed FCA, the event also featured ICMAB President Kausar Alam FCMA, ACCA Country Manager Prawma Khan FCCA, IIAB President M. Nurul Alam FCS, and ICSB President Mohammad Shahajahan FCS as panelists.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has expressed deep grief over the death of M Ghaziul Haque, a pioneer in the country’s financial sector, founding director and former chairman of Eastern Bank PLC (EBL), and chairman of MGH Group. In a condolence message, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said Ghaziul Haque played an outstanding lifelong role in Bangladesh’s economic growth, expansion of modern banking and development of international trade. His visionary leadership and contribution to establishing Eastern Bank PLC and strengthening the foundation of private-sector banking in the country will always be remembered, he said. Mahmud Hasan Khan also said Ghaziul Haque’s dynamic leadership of MGH Group, a global company supporting international supply chains, logistics and foreign trade, significantly contributed to the overall economy and particularly the growth of the apparel sector. His contribution to earning foreign exchange and diversifying exports in global markets had a far-reaching positive impact on the national economy, he said. BGMEA prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed its deepest sympathy to the bereaved family. The association said the nation would always remember Ghaziul Haque’s outstanding contributions with profound respect.

Sweden is advocating more open, rules-based trade at a time when many countries are turning inward amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties, Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks has said. “At a time when many are turning inward, Sweden is doing the opposite. Open, rules-based trade has built Swedish prosperity – and it has done the same for Bangladesh. The answer to today’s uncertainty is more trade, not less,” he said. The ambassador made the remarks while addressing a session themed “Rewiring Global Trade” on the second day of the three-day Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026 on Sunday, the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka said on Monday. The high-level discussion focused on how geopolitical shifts, economic nationalism, technological change and supply-chain vulnerabilities are reshaping global commerce. As a small, export-dependent economy, Sweden has long been one of the world's strongest advocates of free trade, Weeks said. He said Bangladesh's own story shows what openness can achieve: export-led growth has lifted millions out of poverty and is carrying the country towards LDC graduation. Representing a European perspective, the Swedish envoy underlined that the European Union, Bangladesh's largest export market, remains committed to open markets and reliable partnerships, and that EU-Bangladesh trade will matter even more in the years after graduation. Openness and sustainability go hand in hand, he said. “As global markets increasingly demand traceability and lower emissions, Swedish companies bring innovation and clean technology that help Bangladesh stay competitive. Through trade, both our countries grow stronger,” Weeks added.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu on Monday called for justice for crimes against humanity committed against forcibly displaced Rohingyas in Myanmar. He made the call during a meeting with Nicholas Koumjian, head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), at the Secretariat. The minister also urged the IIMM to play a vocal role in restoring the legitimate rights of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas and ensuring their sustainable repatriation to Myanmar. Koumjian said more than 154,000 Rohingyas have crossed the border into Bangladesh since the beginning of 2024. They have joined more than 1 million Rohingyas already living in Bangladesh, who remain unable to return safely as violence and insecurity continue in Rakhine State, he said. The situation highlights the link between developments inside Myanmar and the prolonged displacement of Rohingyas in Bangladesh, the IIMM head said.

Ukraine has claimed that its long-range strikes have disabled 51% of Russia’s oil refining capacity, affecting Moscow’s ability to supply its troops during the ongoing war. Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said strikes on refineries in Moscow, Yaroslavl, Ust-Luga, Perm, Saratov and Syzran had caused significant damage. The claim could not be independently verified. Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara said the attacks were assessed by intelligence agencies, the General Staff and the ministry. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that refinery attacks had partially damaged the economy, costing about 1% of GDP. The International Energy Agency said repeated attacks had reduced Russian diesel production by around 30%, while fuel shortages forced motorists to wait up to 40 hours. Russia has banned diesel exports and lowered fuel quality standards to maintain supplies. Meanwhile, Russian attacks killed at least four people in Ukraine’s Kharkiv and Donetsk regions on Sunday and Monday. Ukraine said Russia launched 205 drones overnight, 172 of which were intercepted or suppressed. Separately, Moldova suspended operations at a border crossing with Ukraine after a shell struck a parked passenger bus near the checkpoint during a Russian attack. One border guard suffered minor injuries.

Shopping malls, markets and shops will remain open from 11am to 10pm until Oct 22 on the occasion of Durga Puja 2026. The Power Division issued a circular in this regard on Monday. From October 23, the previous schedule of 11am to 8pm will be reinstated, according to the circular.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly condemned and expressed deep concern over the “armed attack and death threats” against media workers at Rajshahi University (RU), calling for justice irrespective of the political identity or influence of those involved. In a statement on Monday, it called on the leadership of the ruling BNP and opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami to undertake fundamental reforms and effective initiatives for self-correction within their respective parties and affiliated organisations to end the violent struggle for asserting authority. According to media reports, an attack allegedly involving leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal took place at RU on Sunday night, leaving at least 10 people, including four journalists, injured. The RU proctor acknowledged the administration’s failure, while, according to his account, the police also fled out of fear, TIB said. Reacting to the incident, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, “Justice must be ensured for the media workers and students who were attacked. Regardless of their political affiliation or power, the perpetrators of the attack, along with their accomplices and supporters, must be prosecuted and held to a high standard through an unbiased investigation.” “We must ensure appropriate medical treatment for the injured, security for media workers and students, and accountability of the police, including an investigation into the reasons for their failure to discharge their duties,” he said. Attacks on journalists compromise the public’s right to information and limit the ability to hold those in positions of authority responsible, Iftekharuzzaman said, adding that the state must provide remedies for this. He said the “helplessness” of the university authorities and the police’s “failure” to act, including their reported retreat, demonstrate that resolving such power-struggle-driven problems cannot depend solely on holding those directly responsible accountable. “Without fundamental reforms and self-correction within political parties, particularly those in positions of power, not only will the aspirations of the July Uprising remain distant, but fundamental rights, including freedom of the media, freedom of speech and dissent, security of life and livelihood, and equal rights for all citizens, will face increasingly serious threats,” the TIB executive director said. Calling for specific action by the political leadership, he said, “Can the ruling BNP and the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami evade their primary political responsibility to end the violent struggle for asserting authority and to control their respective parties and affiliated organisations?” Rather than considering their responsibility discharged merely by forming investigation committees or taking organisational measures, they must stop providing patronage and protection to violence, ensure an environment conducive to bringing those involved in criminal activities under the law, and establish democratic practices and accountability in party decisions and conduct, Iftekharuzzaman said. He said without ensuring such changes within their own organisations, it will not be possible for political parties to earn public trust. “Political leaders must realise that they are increasingly detached from the people due to their party leaders’ and activists’ behaviour.” “There is no scope to view this incident in isolation,” the TIB chief said, explaining that the administration’s failure to stop the attack is part of a larger context of the university’s institutional authority erosion. “Demands for the resignation of vice-chancellors and teachers, violence over influence on campus, attempts at occupying spaces and institutions, and displays of muscle power at different times have also exposed this institutional weakness,” he said. Iftekharuzzaman underscored the need for protecting students’ right to seek justice and to peacefully raise their demands. “If allegations arise against a vice-chancellor or teachers, we must ensure impartial investigation and due process-based accountability.” However, party influence, intimidation, or the use of force to enforce demands for resignation cannot be accepted, he said. “A situation in which, under political patronage, a section of students becomes so empowered that the university administration is unable to discharge its responsibilities and the police fail to enforce the law cannot be allowed to continue.” The TIB executive director said universities must be governed by law and regulations, not by the dominance of party power. The organisation called for an investigation into the university authorities’ and police’s “failures” and for fixing responsibility. “There can be no scope for evading responsibility by citing political pressure or helplessness.” The government must ensure that political identity does not become a shield against criminal accountability and that university administrations and law enforcement agencies are able to discharge their responsibilities independently of partisan influence, it said.