A delegation from the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights is currently visiting Bangladesh, led by its Chair, Maria Arena Satori. During the trip, Satori inspected Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and commended Bangladesh’s “extraordinary efforts” in sheltering over one million Rohingya refugees for the past eight years.

She reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to maintaining its financial assistance but stressed that “Bangladesh cannot be left to carry this burden alone.” Satori called for greater global responsibility-sharing and emphasized that a sustainable solution lies in international cooperation and a political resolution in Myanmar to ensure safe and voluntary repatriation.

Expressing optimism, she said the upcoming high-level conference on September 30 in New York could help forge a much-needed global consensus on resolving the crisis. The delegation also held meetings with the Chief Adviser and the Foreign Affairs Adviser during their visit.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said it is carefully assessing the implications of the reported strategic mutual defense pact signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted India’s deepening strategic partnership with Riyadh in recent years and expressed hope that Saudi Arabia would remain mindful of “mutual interests and sensitivities.”

“We have seen reports of a Pakistan-Saudi defense pact. Its implications for our national security, as well as for regional and global stability, will be considered,” Jaiswal said.

Under the reported pact, an attack on either Pakistan or Saudi Arabia would be treated as an attack on both, prompting a joint response.

The Government of Canada has issued a travel advisory for Bangladesh, warning its citizens to exercise “a high degree of caution” due to the risk of political unrest, including protests, strikes, and blockades.

In its notice, Ottawa marked Bangladesh under the yellow alert category, advising heightened vigilance across the country. For the three hill districts, a red alert has been issued, meaning Canadian nationals are advised to avoid travel there altogether.

The advisory cautions that Bangladesh’s security situation may deteriorate suddenly without warning. It highlights the risk of politically motivated violence, kidnappings, and sporadic clashes among ethnic groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, urging citizens to avoid the region entirely.

The National Hindu Grand Alliance has demanded government-declared public holidays on Ashtami, Nabami, and Dashami during the upcoming Durga Puja.

Spokesperson Palash Kanti Dey noted that although the festival spans five days, only two are currently recognized as public holidays. “This prevents many from celebrating with their families or properly observing religious rituals,” he said.

The alliance also called for strengthened nationwide security, government-funded CCTV installations at all temples, army patrols across the country, and the formation of a central monitoring cell to oversee Puja security.

The Armed Police Battalion (APBn) has officially resumed responsibility for security inside Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Air Force personnel, who were temporarily deployed, will now return to their respective units.

The decision was made in a high-level meeting at the Chief Adviser’s Office on Wednesday. Following the Ansar mutiny in August 2024, nearly a thousand Ansar members abruptly abandoned their duties, prompting authorities to deploy Air Force personnel instead.

Reports also suggest disputes arose between APBn and Avsec, with APBn alleging that their office space on the airside was forcibly cleared. Police records confirm a diary entry on the matter.

The meeting finalized six key decisions, including that all agencies must operate under the sole authority of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB), with APBn and Avsec carrying out their respective security responsibilities.

The National Olama Mashayekh Aima Parishad staged a protest demanding the cancellation of government directives to appoint music teachers in primary schools. Instead, they called for mandatory recruitment of religious teachers.

At a rally near Baitul Mukarram Mosque’s north gate, leaders warned of strong movements against the interim government if their demands were ignored. Advisor Fazlul Karim of Islami Andolon Bangladesh stated that the process of appointing music teachers began under Sheikh Hasina’s government and was now being implemented. “If religious teachers are not appointed, we will achieve this through tougher movements,” he said.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has filed a case against Salman F Rahman and 27 international gateway (IGW) operators, accusing them of embezzling Tk 568 crore. The case was lodged on Thursday night at Gulshan Police Station by BTRC Senior Assistant Director Tawfiq-ul Islam.

According to the complaint, the accused violated licensing terms and contractual obligations by forming the IGW Operators Forum and engaging in fraudulent financial practices. The case has been filed under Sections 73, 74, and 76 of the Telecommunications Act, as well as Sections 420 and 406 of the Penal Code.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has emphasized that Bangladesh cannot rely on fossil fuels for long and must urgently transition to clean, affordable energy solutions.

Speaking at a virtual conference with Anthropocene Institute Chairman Carl Page, Yunus said, “It is time for Bangladesh to seriously consider large-scale solar power as a key alternative.”

Carl Page highlighted floating barge-based nuclear reactors as another option, describing them as cost-effective, low-maintenance, and capable of powering Bangladesh’s industrial growth for decades. He added that nuclear energy is no longer taboo for major development financiers like the World Bank, citing Indonesia’s adoption of similar technologies.

Yunus confirmed that the interim government has already drafted a new national power policy aimed at accelerating solar energy expansion.

Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, chief of the Election System Reform Commission, has revealed that two reform commissions have suggested a mixed system—constituency-based elections for the lower house and proportional representation for the upper house.

He stressed that while both systems have strengths and flaws, adopting them together is necessary. “Only through consensus can we hold free and impartial elections, paving the way for a functioning democracy,” he said.

Police have filed a case against 2,200 people in connection with the violent attacks and arson at four shrines in Cumilla’s Homna upazila.

The unrest erupted after a Facebook post allegedly insulting religion went viral on Wednesday. Although a follow-up apology was posted from the same account, tensions escalated, leading to a protest under the banner of “Touhidi Janata.”

That night, police detained the accused individual, Mohsin. But by Thursday, mobs vandalized and set fire to four shrines. The army was eventually deployed to bring the situation under control.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman has warned that no matter what political parties say in the media, a fair election cannot take place without their genuine commitment.

Speaking on Thursday, he said, “If the mindset is only to win by any means, fair elections are impossible.”

He added that decades of entrenched partisan politics have crippled the country’s institutions, and it is unrealistic to expect reforms within just a year or two. Though several commissions were formed under the interim government to propose reforms, their recommendations have seen no real progress.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman also lamented the absence of anti-discrimination values in politics and bureaucracy, urging that a proper environment must be created to ensure voter confidence and participation.

The United States has canceled the visas of several Indian businesspeople and corporate executives over allegations of trafficking raw materials used in the production of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic drug.

The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi confirmed that not only were their visas revoked, but any future visa applications from these individuals have also been denied. However, the embassy declined to release their names.

Fentanyl precursors—core chemical substances used to manufacture the drug—are considered the primary driver behind America’s opioid overdose crisis. Fentanyl is now the leading cause of drug-related deaths in the United States.

The embassy also stated that Washington is working closely with the Indian government to combat narcotics trafficking. It is worth noting that during his administration, Donald Trump had imposed tariffs of up to 50% on imports from India.

Bangladesh has secured re-election to the Administrative Council of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), earning 97 votes out of 157 during the council’s session in Dubai. The country ranked ninth among ten elected members, securing a four-year term for the second consecutive time.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus congratulated the Bangladesh delegation for their success, noting that despite limited in-person participation in the past term, coordinated diplomatic efforts helped overcome challenges to re-election.

Several Awami League activists have been arrested in connection with the recent attack and vandalism at the Bangladesh Consulate in New York.

Press Minister Golam Mortuza, based at the Bangladesh Embassy, confirmed that the consulate has formally reported the incident to U.S. authorities, including police and the Secret Service, with video evidence identifying the attackers.

He emphasized that while freedom of expression is valued, violent actions cannot be tolerated. Investigations are ongoing, and U.S. agencies will share findings with the consulate and embassy before any charges are filed. Mortuza dismissed claims of compromise with Awami League, calling them baseless.

Mahalaya, the auspicious start of Durga Puja, will be observed on September 21. This year, no official public holiday has been declared for Mahalaya, though many take optional leave on the day.

An analysis of the government holiday calendar shows that public servants will enjoy a four-day break during the main festival, as October 1 (Mahanabami) has been declared a special holiday, followed by the October 2 holiday for Vijaya Dashami.

Primary schools will remain closed from September 28 to October 7, with the preceding weekend extending the break to 11 days. Secondary schools and colleges will be closed from September 26 to October 7, totaling 12 days. Madrasas will begin their vacation on September 30, resuming classes on October 5, with Fatheha-e-Yazdaham included in the schedule. Technical institutions, however, will observe only a two-day Puja holiday on October 1–2, followed by the weekend.