Popular content creator Ashraful Alom, widely known as Hero Alom, was attacked by unidentified assailants on Monday night in Dhaka’s Aftabnagar area.
Witnesses said several youths on motorcycles launched the assault, leaving Alom with visible injuries. Locals rescued him and took him to a hospital. His wife, Ria Moni, confirmed the incident to the media.

From November, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will expand its subsidized sales program by adding five new essential products — tea, salt, detergent, and two types of soap. Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin announced that the government spends nearly Tk 5,000 crore annually to sustain TCB operations, and the new additions aim to provide relief for low-income families while curbing inflation. He urged quick progress in finalizing beneficiary lists and card activations nationwide. TCB currently has over 6 million active cards, with an additional 339,000 pending activation.

The 27 BGB Marishya Zone organized a dialogue with local dignitaries in Baghaichhari, Rangamati, focusing on law and order. Commander Lt. Col. Zahidul Islam Zahid emphasized the collective responsibility of both hill residents and Bengalis in maintaining communal harmony. He urged citizens not to be swayed by rumors, warning that any attempts to disrupt peace would be dealt with firmly. Community leaders present pledged to uphold law and order in their respective areas.

In a shocking revelation, nearly 1,000 call records — including ownership details of four phone numbers used by Sheikh Hasina — were deleted from the NTMC server on August 5, 2024, the very day she fled to India. Tribunal’s Special Investigation Officer Tanvir Zoha confirmed that former NTMC Director General Ziaul Ahsan oversaw the deletion. Records linked to former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun and a former planning minister were also erased. Investigators are now working to recover the data, which reportedly contains crucial instructions issued by Hasina during the July uprising.

The interim government has decided to restrict the use of messaging apps Telegram and Botim to prevent banned Awami League leaders from holding virtual meetings with party chief Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India during the mass uprising.

The decision was discussed at a recent high-level security committee meeting. Officials said the ban would take effect after the election schedule is announced. According to intelligence reports, over 150 of the 244 activists arrested during flash protests on September 24 were found using the apps to communicate with exiled leaders, including Hasina.

Detective Branch (DB) police have arrested former MP and Awami League leader Faizur Rahman Badal, as well as Jatiya Party (Rowshan faction) Secretary General Kazi Mamunur Rashid, on charges of anti-state conspiracy.

Badal, also the president of Awami League’s Nabinagar Upazila unit, was arrested late Sunday night in Dhaka, while Rashid was detained near the Westin Hotel early Monday. DB sources said Badal faces two cases filed after the August 5 uprising, while Rashid has a history of conspiracy and multiple murder charges related to recent political unrest. He was previously arrested in November 2024 in a rape case but was released on bail.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has demanded an immediate investigation into the violent clashes in Guimara, Khagrachhari, where at least three people were killed and 15 law enforcement personnel, including a major, were injured.

In a written statement, Rahman questioned the sudden escalation of unrest in the hills and urged authorities to identify both the perpetrators and any hidden actors behind the violence. He stressed that Khagrachhari is an inseparable part of Bangladesh and that ensuring the security of citizens and law enforcement is the government’s undeniable duty.

The Government of Japan has announced a $3.4 million humanitarian grant to support Rohingya refugees and vulnerable host communities in Bangladesh.

According to the Japanese Embassy, the funds will enable the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide monthly food and nutrition assistance to more than 100,000 Rohingya refugees and 2,000 Bangladeshis. Families will receive e-vouchers to purchase rice, lentils, vegetables, and other essentials from camp stores. Special nutrition packages will also be distributed to children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers.

Japanese Ambassador Iwama Kiminori reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting both Rohingyas and local communities, especially women and children. WFP Country Director Dom Scalpelli thanked Japan for its generosity and urged global partners to step up efforts to prevent further deterioration of humanitarian conditions in the camps.

More than 305,000 rounds of ammunition were fired nationwide to suppress the July uprising, with over 90,000 rounds discharged in Dhaka city alone, prosecutors informed the International Crimes Tribunal.

The prosecution presented chilling video evidence of mass killings allegedly carried out under the orders of Sheikh Hasina and others, broadcasting it live during tribunal proceedings. Testimonies of investigating officers were also aired.

Meanwhile, the tribunal has set October 14 for the hearing on framing charges against Jasad leader Hasanul Haq Inu in connection with crimes against humanity, including the killing of seven people in Kushtia. Testimony is also ongoing in the case of BRUR student Abu Sayeed at Tribunal-2.

The Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad and Dhaka Metropolitan Puja Committee have voiced grave concern over the distorted depiction of the demon Mahishasura in some Durga idols across the country.

In a statement, the organizations said that immediate action was taken in collaboration with local administration, law enforcement, and the military to address the matter. They stressed that no room should be left for misunderstanding. While the nation celebrates Durga Puja with unprecedented enthusiasm and government support, such incidents are both “shocking and unfortunate.” The statement further added, “Whatever lies behind this, no one can undermine the extraordinary unity of the people of Bangladesh.”

Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Akhtar Ahmed said the European Union intends to send 150 observers for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. A tripartite memorandum of understanding between the EU, the Foreign Ministry, and the Election Commission will be signed to formalize the arrangement.

Akhtar noted observers will not all arrive at once; they will come in separate groups following the announcement of the election schedule. The EU delegation has asked about procedures such as access to polling stations, presence during vote counting, and the status of the secure room. They also inquired how and where results are published and whether results are posted on official websites.

He said an EU delegation recently visited Rangpur and Chattogram and expressed satisfaction with the Commission’s preparations. The delegation will return tomorrow and is expected to submit a report; a draft memorandum has been shared for review and signature, and the Commission will raise any further observations.

Bangladesh’s representative, Hafez Anas bin Atique, secured third place at the 13th International Hifzul Qur’an Competition 2025 held in Libya, earning a prize of 50,000 Libyan dinars. The tournament drew 120 contestants from 75 countries, with 18 finalists declared winners.

The event was attended by ministers, secretaries, senior government and military officials, and a large public audience. Maulana Qari Masudur Rahman participated as an observer on behalf of the International Qirat Organization’s central deputy general secretary, Shaikh Saad Saifullah Madani.

Bangladesh has a history of strong performances at this competition: Saleh Ahmad Takrim placed seventh in 2022; in 2023 Abu Talha finished second (prize: 200,000 dinars) and Mustafizur Rahman Gazi won sixth place in Tafsir; and in 2024 Mahmudul Hasan earned recognition in Tafsir.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has uncovered preliminary evidence suggesting embezzlement of around BDT 100 crore in sales of government LP gas cylinders. The ACC has therefore launched an investigation into alleged annual siphoning of funds by the BPIC (Bangladesh Petroleum Import Company).

Earlier, on 6 May this year, the ACC raided BPIC offices following allegations of irregularities and embezzlement in sales of government cylinder LP gas. The probe team reported finding signs of malpractice and negligence. Investigators say roughly 1.4 million government cylinders are sold each year but many customers never receive them — alleged syndicates purportedly diverted and sold those cylinders. Officials from Padma and Jamuna Oil Companies, responsible for cylinder supply, were reportedly unable to give satisfactory explanations. The ACC also said BPIC officials failed in public promotion of legitimate government cylinder distribution, suggesting deliberate obstruction.

Home Affairs adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury warned that “forces backed by neighboring countries and fascist allies” are fomenting unrest in Khagrachhari. Speaking after inaugurating construction for five police station buildings of the DMP, he said there are deliberate attempts to disrupt peaceful Durga Puja celebrations and to create unrest in the hill districts. He asserted that steps are being taken at the highest level to prevent such incidents.

Jahangir said the Adviser on Chittagong Hill Tracts is on site, coordinating with local leaders, and that security forces are monitoring the situation closely. He added that some armed groups fired from hill positions and that many of these weapons are smuggled from abroad, calling for public cooperation to thwart the problem.

He also noted that major religious festivities began yesterday and urged that no one exploit the period to create disorder or block roads. Most stranded tourists have already been escorted back.

Detectives from the DB have arrested 13 leaders and activists, including two former Awami League members of parliament, under the country’s anti-terrorism law. Those detained include former Brahmanbaria-5 MP Foyzur Rahman Badal and former reserved-seat MP Tamanna Nusrat Bubly. The arrests follow the organization’s designation and the ongoing enforcement of the law.