The Ministry of Tourism has announced that Saint Martin’s Island will reopen for visitors starting November 1.

Secretary Nasreen Jahan said a daily quota of 2,000 tourists will be allowed. However, for the first two months, visitors will only be permitted day trips. Overnight stays will be allowed in January and February.

Tourism and Aviation Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin added that a new tourism policy is underway to ensure sustainable growth. On Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal, he said: “The government has invested Tk 21,000 crore. We are working relentlessly to launch it as soon as possible.”

Chief Election Commissioner A. M. M. Nasir Uddin said the Shapla (water lily) symbol was first requested by Nagorik Oikyot but was not allotted to them; later the NCP sought the Shapla, but the symbol has not been granted to anyone. The CEC dismissed claims that he viewed a statement by NCP leader Sarjis Alam as a threat, saying politicians often make many remarks and the election administration will continue its duties. He pledged to use maximum effort to ensure a level playing field for elections and reiterated that preparations for a February poll are well underway. According to the constitution and RPO, proportional representation (PR) voting is not currently permitted; adopting PR would require constitutional and RPO changes. The CEC said a decision on registration of new political parties will be made within days as verification continues.

Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus expressed optimism that major political parties will soon sign a “July Charter” addressing core constitutional and political reforms. He said the reforms aim foremost to prevent the rise of another autocrat in Bangladesh. Following talks with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the two leaders discussed several important issues; Dr. Yunus expressed deep sorrow over the floods in Pakistan that killed more than one thousand people. He said Bangladesh is preparing to hold national elections in February and hopes that the substantial reforms proposed by 11 national commissions will pave the way for meaningful political transformation. Shehbaz Sharif extended an invitation to Dr. Yunus to visit Pakistan before the interim government’s term ends.

Agricultural Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury asserted there is no shortage of fertilizer anywhere in the country, saying all syndicates have been dismantled and promising that prices will not increase while he remains in office. He announced the formation of a national committee to develop fertilizer policy and said major changes are being made to dealership arrangements. He added that ongoing gas shortages will not affect fertilizer production and that outstanding fertilizer liabilities totaling BDT 20,691 crore have been cleared.

Chowdhury also noted that although potato production is high this year, farmers are not receiving fair prices; the government is seeking to raise potato prices to protect growers’ interests. He said Bangladesh has exported mangoes to China for the first time and that jackfruit exports will begin next year.

A half-day road blockade is underway in Khagrachhari, called by Jumma students and local residents demanding justice for the rape of a schoolgirl.

The protest began at 6 AM Thursday and will continue until noon. Members of the Hill Students’ Council, Hill Women’s Federation, and Democratic Youth Forum set up blockades at several points, including Chengi Bridge, burning tires and staging pickets.

The shutdown has halted long-distance and most local transport, though a few small vehicles continue to operate in town. Police remain on alert to prevent violence.

Protesters are demanding immediate justice for the assault of a Marma teenager. In addition to the blockade, they have announced a strike across educational institutions in the three hill districts on September 25–26.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met with Danilo Türk, President of Club de Madrid and former President of Slovenia, who invited him to join the global forum of democratic leaders.

Türk praised Yunus’s pioneering work in microfinance and highlighted its worldwide impact, expressing hope that Yunus would contribute to their initiatives. He said the July mass uprising in Bangladesh had astonished the world and emphasized the importance of understanding such democratic transformations globally.

Welcoming the invitation, Yunus voiced his readiness to share Bangladesh’s ongoing democratic reform experience. “We are still walking through the jungle, trying to figure out how to advance on the path to democratic transition. Our commitment to this path remains firm,” he said.

At the U.S.-Bangladesh Executive Business Roundtable, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus called on leading American corporations — including MetLife, Chevron, and Accelerate — to explore fresh investment opportunities in Bangladesh.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said six Bangladeshi political leaders, part of Yunus’s delegation, were also introduced to U.S. business executives during the meeting.

Violent clashes broke out between two rival broker groups at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) over control of ICU patient referrals and the ambulance business, leaving at least seven people injured.

The brawls erupted Wednesday night, first near the emergency department and later in front of the Class IV Employees’ Association office. Witnesses said the fight began when a member of one group attacked Nawshad, prompting a retaliatory assault by the Shahadat group.

Shahadat, accused of leading one of the groups, denied the allegations, claiming that Nawshad was first beaten by rivals near the emergency ward. The situation escalated when Dhaka International Hospital owner Anisur Rahman arrived at the scene, leading to further clashes.

Previously, Shahadat had been expelled from his position as General Secretary of Dhaka University’s JCD hall branch for alleged involvement in patient-snatching incidents.

Italy and Spain have dispatched naval vessels to escort and safeguard the Samoud Flotilla, a humanitarian convoy carrying aid to Gaza. The ships, now en route, will provide security for the flotilla and conduct rescue operations if necessary.

The move follows multiple drone strikes on the flotilla near the coasts of Tunisia and Greece, which left several aid vessels damaged. Human rights activists on board appealed for international protection, prompting Spain and Italy to step in.

The latest reports indicate the flotilla was advancing southwest of Crete. The Global Samoud Flotilla set sail from Barcelona with relief supplies for Gaza after its previous four missions were blocked by Israel. This fifth mission comprises nearly 50 vessels and includes activists from 44 countries, among them Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Bangladeshi mountaineer Taufiq Ahmed Tamal has successfully scaled Mount Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak at 8,163 meters, on Thursday at 4 a.m.
Tamal began his expedition on September 1 and has now added Manaslu to an impressive mountaineering career spanning 14 years. He previously summited several peaks between 5,000 and 6,500 meters, including two above 6,500 meters.
Among his achievements: the first Bangladeshi winter ascent of Tharpu Chuli, the first Bangladeshi climb of Bhagirathi-II (6,512m), and a successful expedition to Mount Ama Dablam (6,814m), one of the world’s most technically challenging peaks.
Trained at India’s prestigious Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Tamal continues to make history for Bangladesh in the world of mountaineering.

On the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus held bilateral meetings with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Earlier, he also met Spain’s King Felipe VI, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
Additionally, Yunus had discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has briefed U.S. President Donald Trump on Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections, scheduled for February.
Bangladesh’s Press Minister in Washington, Golam Mortuza, confirmed that President Trump inquired about the country’s political reforms and election process. Yunus extended an invitation to Trump to visit Dhaka.
During the engagements, Yunus also exchanged pleasantries with several world leaders attending events in Washington.

The Election Commission (EC) has released a list of 115 electoral symbols, excluding the ‘Boat’ symbol, which has been suspended.

Notably, the much-debated ‘Shapla’ (water lily) symbol sought by the NCP is absent from the list. According to Wednesday’s gazette notification, the EC amended the 2008 electoral regulations under powers granted by the Representation of the People Order, 1972.

The Commission stated that, apart from the suspended symbol, any of the 115 approved symbols may be allocated subject to availability.

Prosecutor Mizanul Islam told Tribunal-1 that Sheikh Hasina herself had ordered the burning of Setu Bhaban, citing audio recordings of her conversation with Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.

However, he noted that instead of burning the specific targets she had mentioned, Setu Bhaban was set on fire. The tribunal also played other recordings, including Hasina’s conversations with JASAD president Hasanul Haq Inu and former Dhaka University VC ASM Maksud Kamal.

In the recordings, Inu assured Hasina that “no other government will come to power in Bangladesh” and urged her to use the opportunity to “break the backbone of Jamaat-Shibir” by arresting its members. Hasina reportedly agreed to the proposal.

A tribunal has heard audio evidence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina allegedly discussing the use of helicopters to bomb protesters during the July 2024 movement.

In a recorded phone conversation with JASAD leader Hasanul Haq Inu, Hasina reportedly said that protesters barricading areas could be bombed from the air. Inu agreed with her stance and mentioned unrest in Rampura and Shanir Akhra, to which Hasina responded that security forces were already taking action there.

Hasina also allegedly ordered military deployment and dismissed proposals to restore internet services, claiming data centers had been destroyed. “I will not fix this. The next government will,” she was heard saying.