Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman held separate meetings on Monday with President Md. Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban and Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at Jamuna.
Earlier, on Sunday morning, the Army Chief met Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed. Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman had recently returned from an official visit to China on August 21.

A devastating earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, leaving more than 250 people dead and at least 500 others injured, officials confirmed.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck at 11:17 PM local time, with its epicenter located 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad. The tremor, registering 6.0 on the Richter scale, had a shallow depth of just 8 kilometers, intensifying its destructive impact.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Information reported severe casualties across several districts of Kunar province, including Nurgal, Sawkai, Watapur, Manogi, and Chapa Dara. Authorities fear the death toll could rise further as many remote areas remain cut off, and rescue teams are still struggling to reach those locations.

Locals described it as one of the strongest quakes to hit the region in recent years. Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said local officials and residents have begun rescue operations, while additional relief teams from neighboring provinces are on their way to assist.

Professor Dr. Mojibul Haque, consultant at the Center of Integrated Medicine in Texas, said that with proper lifestyle changes, people can stay healthy without medicine. Speaking at a book launch in Dhaka, he warned against antibiotic use in livestock, refined sugar, white flour, and overuse of electronic devices. He stressed that modern diets and stress are causing illness, while natural detoxification can keep the body disease-free. Dr. Haque treats patients in Dhaka without chemical drugs.

A total of 2,049 polling centers across the country have been declared unsuitable for use ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, according to a report by the Education Engineering Department (EED).

The report, signed by EED Chief Engineer Md. Altaf Hossain, estimates that Tk 110.27 crore will be required for repair work and construction of boundary walls at these centers.

Among the centers, 1,490 educational institutions under the Secondary and Higher Education Division will need Tk 33.78 crore for repairs. Additionally, boundary wall construction at 559 institutions has been projected to cost Tk 76.48 crore.

The EED has already written to the Education Secretary seeking allocation of the necessary funds, with a copy of the request also sent to the Election Commission.

Police have recovered the body of a 50-year-old US citizen, identified as Jackson, from The Westin Dhaka. Initial investigations suggest that his death was natural.

According to OC Hafizur Rahman, Jackson checked into the hotel on August 27 through the US Embassy. Hotel staff grew suspicious after he stopped ordering food for two consecutive days and alerted both the embassy and police.

A medical team from the embassy and a police team later entered his room, where they found Jackson lying dead on his bed.

Police confirmed that as the death appeared natural, the US Embassy formally took custody of the body. Initial information indicates Jackson had arrived in Bangladesh for business purposes.

A strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border late Sunday night, killing more than 20 people and injuring over 115 others. Officials fear the death toll may rise.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck at 11:47 pm local time at a depth of just 8 kilometers. At least three aftershocks, ranging between 4.5 and 5.2 in magnitude, followed the initial tremor.

The worst-hit provinces are Nangarhar and Kunar, where hospitals are overwhelmed with the injured. Tremors were felt in Kabul for several seconds and even as far away as Islamabad.

Afghanistan has a tragic history of devastating earthquakes. In October 2023, a 6.3-magnitude quake killed at least 4,000 people in the country.

The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Companiganj Police Station, Uzair Al Mahmud Adnan, has been transferred to Sylhet Sadar Court as a police inspector following widespread criticism over the looting of limestone at Bholaganj. He has been replaced by Md. Raton Sheikh.

On August 13, a delegation from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) visited the Bholaganj stone quarry, where large-scale looting occurred due to alleged negligence by local administration and law enforcement. Following the incident, on August 18, Companiganj’s UNO Azijunnahar was transferred to Fenchuganj, while Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad was withdrawn.

According to the ACC’s investigation report, OC Uzair Al Mahmud Adnan and several officers of the local police station received commissions from illegal stone traders and actively facilitated the looting.

The war crimes trial over the July uprising, in which Sheikh Hasina and two others are accused, is nearing its conclusion. In just nine days, testimony from 29 witnesses has been recorded, including family members of martyred protesters, injured activists, eyewitnesses, and medical personnel.

Witnesses unanimously called for the death penalty for Sheikh Hasina and her associates. The prosecution expects an additional 10–15 witnesses over the next 3–4 days, after which both sides will present arguments. The tribunal is expected to announce a verdict following the conclusion of testimonies and arguments by October 15.

Advisor Farida Akhter expressed concern over the ecological impact of illegal fishing in Bangladesh’s Haor wetlands. During the release of fingerlings in Kishoreganj’s Itna area, she stated, “Fishing using Chinese nets and electric shocks is threatening the Haor. This must stop immediately.”

She also raised concerns about water flow disruption caused by a newly constructed road connecting Itna to Mithamain and Ashtagram, urging the Road Ministry to consider adding culverts and bridges to prevent further ecological damage.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam conveyed that Chief Adviser Professor Yunus stated, “Any thought of an alternative to elections would be extremely dangerous for this nation. In the first half of February, a free and fair election will take place in a festive environment.”

Professor Yunus emphasized that the caretaker government’s primary duty is to ensure a peaceful electoral process. During the meeting, political parties discussed their views on implementing the July Charter, while the National Consensus Commission’s Vice-President Dr. Ali Riaz and Special Assistant Munir Haidar updated the Chief Adviser on progress. The discussions were held in a cordial atmosphere, with parties voicing concerns and expectations regarding the upcoming election.

Chief Justice Syed Refat Ahmed highlighted recent judicial reforms, including the establishment of the Judicial Appointment Council and the reinstatement of the Supreme Judicial Council, as proof that the judiciary is prioritizing action over rhetoric. “We are committed to upholding independence, discipline, and integrity in serving the people,” he said.

Justice Md. Akhtaruzzaman, who sentenced former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to five years in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust case, has resigned.
The judge had earlier been placed on leave after allegations of misconduct surfaced. Summoned by the Supreme Judicial Council on July 1 to explain himself in person, he submitted his resignation to Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on Sunday. The resignation has since been forwarded to the President.

Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman held a meeting with Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed on Sunday at the Chief Justice’s residence in Gulshan.
The agenda of the discussion was not disclosed. Almost simultaneously, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt. Gen. SM Kamrul Hasan met Interim Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at Jamuna. No details of either meeting were made public.

Authorities have imposed Section 144 in Hathazari municipality and within a 10-kilometer radius of Chittagong University, effective from 3 PM Sunday until 3 PM Monday.
The move follows repeated clashes between students and locals near the university’s second gate, which left several people injured, including the university proctor. The administration said the restrictions aim to prevent further violence.

Asif Mahmud, political advisor and aide to Nurul Haque Nur, has alleged that the Awami League is conspiring to re-enter politics through Jatiya Party.
Speaking at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Mahmud claimed that the attack on Nur was part of this broader scheme. He labeled both parties as “clearly fascist” for legitimizing an “illegal parliament” in the past.
He warned that if any political force attempts to support such moves, the people, alongside anti-fascist groups, would resist. “Even during Awami League’s tenure, such brazen attacks on political leaders were rare,” he added, demanding accountability from the interim government.