Police have arrested 13 people, including 10 women, during a raid on a residential hotel in Gazipur on Saturday evening.

The operation took place at South Bangla Residential Hotel in the Chandna Chowrasta area after police received a tip-off.

Gazipur police chief Md. Shaheen Khan confirmed the arrests, stating that the detainees were engaged in “immoral activities.” Hotel staff managed to flee during the raid.

Cases have been filed against the detainees, who will be presented before court on Sunday.

At least 10 people were injured when a passenger bus veered off the road and fell into a roadside pond in Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali early Saturday. The accident occurred around 1 a.m.

One of the injured has been admitted to the Upazila Health Complex, while others received first aid before being released.

Passengers alleged that buses plying the Galachipa–Dashmina route are often driven by the same driver day and night, without rest, leading to frequent accidents on this route.

The U.S. State Department has announced the suspension of all visas for Palestinians living in Gaza, citing an ongoing review of humanitarian visa procedures.

The move comes shortly after three severely injured Palestinian children and their families were brought to the U.S. for treatment through a non-profit initiative. The case triggered outrage from far-right activist Laura Loomer, a close ally of Donald Trump, who criticized the decision.

Until the review is complete, no new visas will be issued to Gazans.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said Ukraine should seek a peace settlement with Russia, stressing that “Russia is a massive power, and Ukraine is not.” His comments come after a high-stakes meeting in Alaska, where President Vladimir Putin reportedly demanded additional Ukrainian territory.

Following the talks, Trump informed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Putin would agree to a ceasefire if Kyiv ceded full control of the Donetsk region — a demand Zelenskyy immediately rejected.

Trump emphasized that a mere ceasefire would not suffice, arguing that a formal peace treaty was essential. Zelenskyy, however, countered that Russia’s unwillingness to halt aggression remains the greatest obstacle to lasting peace, adding that “stopping the bloodshed is the only path to ending the war.”

Despite sharp disagreements, Zelenskyy is set to meet Trump in Washington on Monday. European allies have cautiously welcomed Trump’s mediation efforts but reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine, alongside pledges to tighten sanctions against Moscow.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has stated that he has no intention of entering active politics or contesting the upcoming February parliamentary elections.

In an interview with Bernama, Yunus emphasized that he accepted the advisory role solely at the people’s request. “Our priority is to implement the reform agenda within the stipulated timeframe. The government’s main focus is restoring peace and rebuilding the nation after the July uprising,” he said.

Yunus also called for Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, to play a stronger role in facilitating Rohingya repatriation.

Bangladesh’s mass typhoid vaccination program for children and adolescents has been delayed due to health assistants’ strikes. Initially scheduled to begin on September 1, the campaign will now start on October 12.
The program will run for 18 working days: the first 10 in schools and the following eight at vaccination centers for out-of-school children. Around 50 million children aged 9 months to 15 years 11 months will receive the injectable single-dose vaccine, which provides 3–7 years of protection.

Fresh intelligence reports have revealed explosive claims about the publication of The Unfinished Memoirs, attributed to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and released in 2012.

According to the findings, the book was in fact compiled by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) and later ambassador Javed Patwary, who was promoted to IGP in return. A total of 123 individuals allegedly assisted in the project, each receiving one crore taka and an apartment in Dhaka.

The revelations raise questions about the authenticity of the publication, long championed by Sheikh Hasina as an authoritative source on Mujib’s life. The documents related to the compilation have reportedly been destroyed, sparking calls for investigation.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reportedly directed diplomats to remove President Mohammed Shahabuddin’s portraits from all embassies, consulates, and diplomatic residences abroad.

Unlike standard practice, the order was not issued through formal letters or emails but communicated via telephone to select ambassadors, who were then asked to inform other missions. While some diplomats confirmed receiving the directive, others said they had not yet been officially notified.

One diplomat revealed that instructions were relayed indirectly through another nearby mission.

Filmmaker and adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, who fell ill while attending a ministry workshop in Cox’s Bazar, has been brought to Dhaka for treatment. His wife, actress Nusrat Imroz Tisha, confirmed he is currently out of danger.
Tisha said: “Farooki suddenly became unwell during the workshop. He is now under hospital care, and doctors have said he is stable. Please keep him in your prayers.”
Earlier, Cox’s Bazar Civil Surgeon Dr. Mohammadul Haque stated that food poisoning had caused dehydration, which led to his condition worsening. He was flown back to Dhaka around 9:30 p.m. on an Air Force medical aircraft.

Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) has strongly condemned recent remarks by Adviser Asif Nazrul regarding “unnecessary medical tests and treatments” in private hospitals, terming his comments “derogatory” and “disrespectful.”

In a statement, DAB leaders urged Asif Nazrul to reconsider his words and either clarify or issue a public apology in the interest of transparency. They argued that such remarks undermine the dedication, hard work, and sacrifices of physicians, and could erode public trust in healthcare services.

The association highlighted that despite inadequate salaries and allowances, doctors across Bangladesh continue to serve tirelessly. While acknowledging that constructive criticism is a hallmark of democracy, DAB emphasized that such critiques must be fact-based and respectful.

“Casting aspersions on the entire medical community dishonors thousands of honest and devoted doctors, damages the doctor-patient relationship, and discourages future generations from entering the profession,” the statement read.

China’s Director of Political Affairs, Zhong Jing, has said that work on the long-awaited Teesta Mega Project may begin as early as January 2026, provided all preparations stay on track.
A Chinese delegation recently met with political leaders, organizations, and Teesta basin residents.
The Tk 12,000 crore project will span 10 years, focusing in the first phase on irrigation, erosion control, and permanent embankments. Officials say it will bring relief to nearly 20 million people and shield northern Bangladesh from India’s “unjust water policies.”
Currently, annual floods and river erosion cost residents of five northern districts more than Tk 100,000 crore in damages.

Two suspects arrested in the killing of businessman Rahat Hossain Rabbi (31) have confessed that the murder stemmed from a turf war over dominance inside the “360 Degree Shisha Lounge” in Banani.
RAB reported that Rabbi had long-standing disputes with the accused over control of the lounge. The suspects were arrested in Cumilla and placed on remand by a Dhaka court.
Police have confirmed that the accused are linked to the notorious Patali Group, with extensive criminal networks in Mohammadpur.

Azizur Rahman, a rickshaw puller who was beaten while paying respects at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s memorial in Dhanmondi 32, has been shown arrested by police in an attempted murder case.
The case, filed on April 2 at Dhanmondi Police Station, relates to an August 4 shooting incident in Dhaka’s Science Lab area. Following his arrest, Azizur was sent to jail by court order.
Before being detained, Azizur said: “I don’t belong to any political party. I only came because I love Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I did not come for Sheikh Hasina or the Awami League. I brought flowers bought with my own hard-earned money.”

Prominent filmmaker and government adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki suddenly fell ill during his stay in Cox’s Bazar and was flown to Dhaka by helicopter on Saturday night.
According to Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Salahuddin, the helicopter carrying Farooki departed the coastal city around 10:40 p.m. Family sources said he had been suffering from abdominal pain since the afternoon, for which specialists provided initial treatment. Later, on the family’s decision, he was shifted to Dhaka for advanced care.
Farooki had arrived in Cox’s Bazar on Friday afternoon on a private flight to attend several government programs scheduled until Tuesday.

Government agencies including the ACC, CID, and BFIU have launched investigations into three former Bangladesh Bank governors—Dr. Atiur Rahman, Fazle Kabir, and Abdur Rauf Talukdar—over unprecedented looting in the banking sector during the Awami League’s 15-year rule.
They stand accused of enabling loan scams, bank takeovers, reserve theft, and printing money to bail out weak banks, much of which was allegedly siphoned abroad.
The probe also targets former deputy governor SK Sur Chowdhury and ex-BFIU chief Masud Biswas.