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.

Authorities at Qazi Hasanuzzaman & Ajiullah Hafizia Madrasa in Raipur, Lakshmipur, have dismissed two teachers—Ataur Rahman and Sharif Hossain—for severely beating a child student.

The victim, Mahmud Hasan, was hospitalized after sustaining injuries from repeated caning. According to relatives, Mahmud was beaten six times by Sharif Hossain for failing to recite lessons, and again the next day, 12 times by Ataur Rahman, leaving him unconscious.

Mahmud later told family members that the teachers threatened to kill him if he revealed the incident to his mother.

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.

The United States has once again vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. This marks Washington’s sixth veto on similar proposals.

The draft, tabled by 10 elected members of the 15-member council, urged Israel to lift all restrictions, allow humanitarian aid, and secure the dignified release of hostages. Fourteen members voted in favor, with the U.S. the lone dissenting vote.

Hamas condemned the veto, calling it a clear alignment with “genocidal crimes.” Ahead of the vote, Denmark’s UN envoy warned: “Famine in Gaza is no longer a possibility—it is a certainty.”

Nearly two years of relentless Israeli strikes have left over 65,000 dead and 165,925 injured in Gaza, according to local sources.

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, though no immediate casualties or damage were reported.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake’s epicenter was about 128 kilometers east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. While a tsunami warning was initially issued, it was later withdrawn.

Authorities had warned of waves up to 3 meters along parts of Russia’s coast, but no destructive tsunami was recorded, and no alerts were issued for U.S. or Canadian territories.

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.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has emphasized that Bangladesh and China will move forward hand in hand, strengthening their strategic cooperative partnership. In a video message marking China’s 76th founding anniversary and the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic ties, Yunus extended warm congratulations and expressed gratitude for China’s long-standing trust and support for Bangladesh.

He praised China’s achievements under the Communist Party’s leadership in areas such as economic development, technological innovation, poverty alleviation, and public service.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen recalled China’s sacrifices in safeguarding global peace eight decades ago and its transformation into a major power. Highlighting President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative, Yao said the initiative has garnered broad international support, including from Bangladesh, reinforcing multilateral cooperation. He affirmed that China is ready to support Bangladesh’s modernization journey and write a “new chapter” in building a China-Bangladesh community of shared future.

A joint force rescued 66 trafficking victims—including 23 women and 21 children—from a remote hill camp in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
The operation, conducted from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursday in Kachhapia area, found both Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi citizens who were held captive for trafficking purposes.
Authorities confirmed that details will be shared in a press briefing later today.

RAB has arrested Mushfiq Uddin Togor (50), one of the prime accused in the 2002 murder of BUET student Sabekun Nahar Soni.
He was captured from Azimpur on Thursday with a revolver and 156 rounds of ammunition.
Soni, a 1999 batch student of chemical engineering, was killed on June 8, 2002, when she was caught in the crossfire during a clash between two factions of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal on the BUET campus.
RAB will brief the media with further details today.