A forensic expert has testified that voices in a leaked audio recording, which allegedly ordered the use of lethal weapons during July’s mass uprising, matched those of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Dhaka South City Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.

Police Inspector Ruknuzzaman of CID’s Digital Forensic Lab presented the findings before Tribunal-2, stating that the female voice matched Hasina while the male voice matched Taposh. The recording is among several audios leaked since March, purportedly captured by the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC). Earlier this month, the BBC had independently verified parts of the same audio.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has promoted 39 unarmed police inspectors to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). A notification issued on Monday instructed the promoted officials to submit their joining letters through the proper authority to the Senior Secretary of the ministry. The order, issued in the public interest, has been made effective immediately.

At least 34 people were injured in Sunamganj’s Dirai upazila when a minor quarrel escalated into a violent clash involving spears and other homemade weapons. The incident took place at the Rajanagar boat terminal after an argument over splashing water spiraled into a bloody confrontation between supporters of Golap Mia and Akbar Mia.

Of the injured, 24 were rushed to Sylhet hospitals, while 10 others received treatment at Dirai Medical College. Police recovered a large number of spears and local weapons from the scene. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdur Razzak confirmed that law enforcement had been deployed and that the situation was now under control.

The government has ordered an investigation into the shocking discovery of five sacks of National Identity Cards (NIDs) in Narayanganj. Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has directed the Deputy Commissioner to report on what actions the Election Commission is taking in response.

Police recovered the sacks, filled with NIDs, polling officer cards, and official seals, from a roadside garbage heap near the Dhaka-Narayanganj link road on Sunday night. District Election Officer Alamgir Hossain confirmed that the items belonged to the Gazipur Sadar area and said action would be taken once higher authorities issue instructions. Witnesses reported that an unidentified group in a white car dumped the sacks. Police have since launched an investigation, and a general diary (GD) has been filed.

A group of former officials and staff of Biman Bangladesh Airlines who were dismissed from service have staged a sit-in protest in front of Balaka Bhaban at Kurmitola, demanding reinstatement.
The protesters claimed that despite a government circular in August last year promising to resolve all reinstatement petitions within 15 days, most cases remain unsettled even after a year. While a few employees were reinstated under the same order, the majority still await a decision.
They warned that unless their single-point demand for reinstatement is met, they would continue with escalated, ongoing protests.

Law enforcement agencies have arrested six Awami League leaders and activists in separate drives across Dhaka. The arrests, made on Sunday, were disclosed on Monday.
Deputy Commissioner of DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division, Muhammad Talebur Rahman, stated that the detainees were involved in organizing flash processions and financing party activities in the capital. He added that further details would be shared later.

A low-pressure system has developed over the North Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, triggering heavy cloud formation. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has warned that squally winds may sweep across the North Bay, coastal regions, and nearby sea ports.
On Monday, the BMD advised the ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra to hoist local cautionary signal No. 3. Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the North Bay have been instructed to remain close to shore and proceed with utmost caution until further notice.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam assured that comprehensive 24-hour security will be in place throughout the Durga Puja celebrations this year.

Speaking during a visit to Ramakrishna Mission Ashram in Narayanganj’s Missionpara, he praised the arrangements, calling them “well-organized with no cause for concern.”

“Durga Puja is a sacred religious festival, and its sanctity must be preserved. We have taken steps to ensure that all faiths can work together harmoniously. There are no security threats, as CCTV surveillance has been installed at every site,” he said.

Alam added that coordination meetings with puja committees have been held, ensuring round-the-clock security measures from the outset of festivities. Alongside government security forces, volunteer groups will also provide support. From September 24, Ansar personnel will be deployed.

To further support the celebrations, the government has allocated Tk 3.2 million across Narayanganj puja mandaps, along with 500 kilograms of rice for each mandap. Alam expressed optimism that the festival would further strengthen communal harmony in the country.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman has embarked on a four-day official visit to Malaysia to attend the 14th Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs’ Conference.

According to ISPR, the event is co-hosted by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the Malaysian Armed Forces in Kuala Lumpur. Chiefs of Army from across the region will discuss strengthening cooperation, addressing common security challenges, and coordinating responses to regional crises.

The visit is expected to further deepen ties between Bangladesh and Indo-Pacific nations, expanding opportunities for military collaboration. General Waker-uz-Zaman is scheduled to return home on September 27.

Detective Branch (DB) police have arrested Abdul Wadud Pintu, president of the Noakhali municipal Awami League.

Sudharam Police Station OC Mohammad Kamrul Islam confirmed that Pintu was arrested in Dhaka, where he had been hiding since the Awami League government’s ouster on August 5. He faces charges in an explosives case filed in Sudharam.

DB officials said he was apprehended from his second wife’s rented apartment in Dhanmondi. Pintu hails from Krishna Rampur in Ward-4 of Noakhali municipality.

Portugal has officially recognized Palestine as an independent state, joining the UK, Canada, and Australia in a wave of international support.

The announcement came from the Portuguese Foreign Minister in New York. Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed recognition via a video message, citing London’s commitment to reviving the two-state solution. Australia also issued a joint statement declaring its recognition, while Canada had been the first G7 nation to extend formal acknowledgment.

This latest move raises the total number of countries recognizing Palestine to 151. French authorities are also expected to issue a formal declaration today.

Non-stop heavy rainfall since last night has left large parts of Dhaka waterlogged, disrupting daily life. Areas including Mirpur, Green Road, Mohammadpur, and the airport vicinity were severely flooded.

By 7 AM Monday, the city had seen continuous downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning. Stranded commuters, including school and office-goers, faced immense hardship. Vehicles broke down in submerged streets, while rickshaw and CNG drivers were accused of charging inflated fares.

The Met Office forecast cloudy skies with intermittent rain and thunderstorms throughout the day.

A joint operation by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in the remote hills of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, has uncovered a human trafficking and abduction hub.

At least 80 people—including women, men, and children—were rescued. Authorities said they had been abducted or gathered for trafficking via sea routes to Malaysia. The traffickers resisted the raid, opening fire and hurling stones at the forces.

Lt. Col. Ashiqur Rahman confirmed the recovery of two locally made shotguns, one foreign pistol, and three rounds of ammunition. He added that human trafficking, kidnapping, and ransom extortion are on the rise in Teknaf, but law enforcement agencies remain vigilant.

Bangladesh has warmly welcomed the recent recognition of Palestine by influential Western countries including Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Portugal.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid described the move as a “step toward eventual independence” for the Palestinian people, while cautioning that “the road ahead remains long.” He also noted that France is expected to extend recognition soon, which would mean Palestine gains recognition from four of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

For over 75 years, Palestinians have endured displacement, Israeli aggression, and daily human rights violations. The ongoing conflict in Gaza is expected to be a major point of debate in the upcoming UN General Assembly session.

Shock and anger spread through Damurhuda’s Chitla village when a grieving family was forced to pay alleged interest money before burying their dead relative.

Local sources said mason Harun died recently, but his neighbor, Marzina Khatun, blocked the funeral rites, demanding BDT 15,000 she claimed as outstanding interest. The family, desperate and humiliated, paid after a tense standoff lasting an hour.

Marzina later fled the village amid public outrage. Relatives alleged Harun had borrowed BDT 8,000 but was coerced into paying nearly three times that amount in interest.