Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a courtesy meeting with Inter-Parliamentary Union Secretary Anda Philip on Tuesday afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat in the capital. Philip praised Rahman’s leadership and said his regular attendance at National Parliament sessions conveyed a strong commitment to parliamentary democracy.

Rahman said the country had restored democracy after a long struggle and that the February 12 election had helped facilitate a democratic path. He said the government was committed to protecting every citizen’s constitutional rights and ensuring essential public services. He also described women’s empowerment as a government priority.

Philip said he had read the BNP election manifesto and praised its education initiatives and community-based programmes. He expressed interest in stronger experience-sharing and cooperation between the IPU and Bangladesh’s National Parliament. Philip hoped the Speaker’s participation in the IPU’s 153rd Assembly in Tanzania would deepen ties. Rahman said the government planned free education for women through honours level, stipends for female students, and a Family Card project aimed at women’s financial independence and greater household decision-making participation.

QatarEnergy will be unable to supply liquefied natural gas to Bangladesh beyond September because shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted. The company has extended force majeure relief from its contractual obligations for Bangladesh, citing circumstances beyond its control, according to Doha News reports based on Bloomberg and Reuters. Pakistan has also been informed that LNG cargoes will be cancelled through October, while several European buyers received similar notices.

Italy’s energy company Edison said on Friday that QatarEnergy had notified it of the suspension of five additional LNG cargoes. Those shipments had been scheduled to arrive at Italy’s Adriatic LNG terminal between late September and early November. QatarEnergy suspended LNG operations and declared force majeure on March 4 after war began between the United States and Iran.

The suspension has been repeatedly extended as navigation conditions in the Strait of Hormuz have not improved. A missile strike damaged infrastructure at QatarEnergy’s Ras Laffan facility in March, cutting Qatar’s LNG export capacity by 17%, according to Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi. ICC data cited by Euronews showed Qatar exported 18 LNG cargoes during the war’s first six months, compared with 509 a year earlier.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed said Bangladesh will follow a “Bangladesh First” policy regarding the Mecca Pact and will make a decision after reviewing the matter. She said the government would not take any decision that could harm the country. Obaed made the remarks on Tuesday at about 11:30am while responding to journalists after a meeting with the Inter-Parliamentary Union secretary general.

Addressing Bangladesh’s political situation, the state minister said parliamentary democracy has returned to the country. She said the IPU secretary general’s visit to Bangladesh would help further strengthen the country’s democratic system.

Obaed also said the Inter-Parliamentary Union views Bangladesh’s young members of parliament positively. The source did not provide details of the review process for the Mecca Pact, the timing of a decision, or further information about the meeting with the IPU secretary general.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Dr. Jahed Ur Rahman has urged people not to disclose the names of suspected individuals in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi. Speaking at a weekly briefing at the Information Department conference centre in the Secretariat on Tuesday at 11am, he said naming people could influence the investigation and judicial process in the sensitive case.

He made the remarks in response to a question after the chief prosecutor said information had been received about the possible involvement of a cultural activist. Jahed said various names were being speculated about following that statement, but he personally believed no one’s name should be made public at this stage of the investigation.

The adviser said the state would conduct a formal investigation and details should be discussed only if allegations or charges are brought against someone. Preliminary information about a person’s possible involvement should not lead to them being labelled a criminal, he said. Political or social disagreements, including activity during Sheikh Hasina’s rule, should not be linked to the criminal case without proof, he added.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue said on Tuesday, September 1, that customs intelligence officers found dismantled parts of three luxury vehicles in a container imported from Japan as “Used Spare Parts.” The shipment contained components of a Lexus LX 600, Lexus SC 430 and BMW M5, along with a Honda B18C Type R engine, Front Half/Half-cut units, tyres and other vehicle parts.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate identified the shipment after receiving confidential information, according to the NBR. Preliminary information indicates that no bill of entry was submitted for nearly a month after the container reached the port. An attempt was later made to clear the consignment through an auction process, but customs intelligence officers stopped it.

Officials are examining whether the recovered vehicle components possess the “Essential Character” of complete vehicles and are also verifying the other parts. The shipment’s estimated combined market value is between Tk9.5 crore and Tk12 crore. Authorities are reviewing its import value, payment information, commercial documents and transaction pattern, including any possible links to money laundering. An investigation is also under way into those involved.

Adabor police arrested six alleged members of a robbery gang in separate operations in Dhaka’s Adabor area on Tuesday, September 1. Five people were detained during a raid at a rickshaw garage in Prem Goli near the bridge at the head of Shekhertek Road No. 7, while another suspect was arrested behind Akand Garments Goli in Sunibir Housing. Police recovered four machetes in total.

The five arrested in the first operation were identified as Mirajul Islam, 25, Md Nihad, 20, Md Sheikh Bacchu, 35, Md Faridul Islam, 19, and Md Tamim, 19. Police said Mirajul is named in seven cases. The sixth detainee, Hridoy, also known as TikTok Hridoy, 25, is named in 10 case complaints and has two arrest warrants, according to police.

Police alleged that the group robbed people of cash and mobile phones by threatening them with machetes in Shekhertek, Baitul Aman Housing and Beribadh areas. They are also accused of stealing air-conditioner pipes, electrical wires and rickshaws from garages for ransom. Adabor police station Officer-in-Charge Md Jahidul Islam and Sub-Inspector Tarun led the operations.

Former Indian Lieutenant General Prakash Chandra Katoch has urged Delhi to rebuild trust with Bangladesh through economic diplomacy, water-sharing, border management and greater people-to-people contact. In an analysis published by South Asia Monitor on August 29, 2026, he argued that deteriorating Bangladesh-India relations could create long-term security and geopolitical risks for India.

Katoch identified Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India after her August 2024 removal from power and Bangladesh’s extradition request as a major bilateral obstacle. He also cited the unresolved Teesta water-sharing agreement, the expected expiry of the 1996 Ganges water treaty late in 2026, border disputes, and trade barriers. Bilateral trade is about $13 billion, but customs delays, transit fees, bureaucracy and non-tariff barriers constrain its potential.

The article proposed regular ministerial meetings of the Joint Rivers Commission, an interim data-based Teesta arrangement, advance flood and river-release information sharing, and regular local BSF-BGB meetings. It also recommended expanding border markets, restarting CEPA talks, easing medical and student visas, and increasing track-two dialogue. The source notes that Katoch’s assessments reflect an Indian security perspective and personal opinion.

A 45-year-old man died after being electrocuted while allegedly attempting to steal a tube-well motor in Loknathpur West Para of Damurhuda upazila, Chuadanga, early Tuesday. The incident occurred at the home of Keramat Ali. The deceased was identified as Shafiqul Islam Karun, son of Sirajul Islam of Shantipara in Darshana.

According to local sources, Karun entered Keramat Ali’s house during the night with the intention of stealing the tube-well motor. He was electrocuted while trying to disconnect the motor’s electrical connection and died at the scene. Family members found his body near the tube-well at dawn.

As news of the incident spread, local residents gathered at the location. Damurhuda Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mesbah Uddin said police had been sent to the scene after receiving information. The body was being recovered and necessary legal procedures for a post-mortem examination were under way.

A Dhaka court has postponed the verdict in a corruption case over alleged irregularities in the construction of the collapsed Rana Plaza building in Savar. On Tuesday morning, the court of Dhaka Divisional Special Judge B M Tarikul Kabir set October 6 for further arguments against owner Sohel Rana and seven others, according to court bench assistant Ariful Islam.

Rana was brought to court from prison, where he is held in a murder case, although he is on bail in this case. Two accused, Mahbubur Rahman and Farzana Islam, have remained fugitives since the beginning, while the other accused attended court on bail. Rana’s father Abdul Khaleque and mother Morzina Khatun Begum died during the trial and were discharged from the case.

The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case against 17 people on June 15, 2014, alleging construction outside the approved design. Investigators later included Rana after finding he was the building’s principal supervisor. The trial began after charges were framed on May 21, 2017, and 19 of 20 witnesses testified. Rana Plaza collapsed on April 24, 2013, killing 1,136 people and injuring more than 1,500.

A purported trade fair has been operating on the runway of the inactive Cumilla airport, despite residents’ longstanding demand for the airport to be reopened. Local businessman Amir Hossain arranged the event for two months from August 16, according to the report. His associates Badal and Billal Hossain were also named in connection with local supervision of the fair.

Visitors are alleged to be buying entry coupons that offer a chance to win prizes through a lottery. The lottery activity was initially halted but resumed from last Friday, the report said. Various rides and temporary structures have been built on the runway. Amir Hossain said stalls had been set up to sell domestic and foreign products and denied that any illegal activity was taking place.

Cumilla-6 MP Monirul Haque Chowdhury said 10 local BNP leaders had sought his approval for the fair, but he did not grant permission. Cumilla City Corporation administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu said no permission had been obtained from the corporation and it did not know who was organizing the event. Police Superintendent Md Anisuzzaman said no application for permission had reached his office.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Jahed Ur Rahman said the government is trying to reduce load shedding with the highest priority despite the country facing various crises. He made the remarks at a regular press briefing in the Secretariat at about 11:15am on Tuesday, held to provide information on the government’s recent activities.

Ur Rahman said that in the past, electricity supply was ensured in Dhaka while rural areas experienced greater load shedding. The current government, however, has decided that the burden of the crisis should be shared by everyone.

He also said data would be released on the actual level of load shedding during periods when uninterrupted electricity supply was claimed under the previous Awami League government and the interim government. He said he was working on the data and hoped to provide it to journalists next week, including figures on how much load shedding occurred and its megawatt level.

BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the party’s central goal is to fulfil promises made to the public. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday morning after paying tribute at the graves of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, he said work was under way on development, production and public-welfare programmes after a government was formed through what he described as a free election.

Rizvi said the country’s progress could face challenges, conspiracies and plots, but efforts would continue to address them. He praised Khaleda Zia’s leadership of the country and party through repression, persecution, abuse and disorder, saying attempts had been made by domestic and international forces to weaken both her and the BNP.

Addressing energy and electricity shortages, Rizvi said the government was taking initiatives to ensure fuel supplies and resolve obstacles. He alleged that bombs had struck more than one ship carrying fuel to Bangladesh. He also said substantial spending beyond the allocated energy and power budget was being used to address gas shortages, while technical faults at a terminal in Maheshkhali were being addressed.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested 442 people in regular operations across the capital over the past 24 hours. Police also filed 19 cases during the same period, according to the report. The operations covered several policing divisions in Dhaka.

Among those arrested, Mirpur recorded the highest number with 133. Tejgaon arrested 59 people, Motijheel 56, Wari and Uttara 50 each, Lalbagh 36, Ramna 32, Gulshan 23, and the Detective Branch five.

During the operations, police recovered one locally made revolver, four rounds of ammunition, 6,324 yaba tablets, 33 packets of cannabis, and Tk 3,400. Legal action against those arrested is under process.

An opinion article argues that textbooks should serve as blueprints for nation-building rather than political documents. It says classroom materials strongly shape children’s confidence, identity and social understanding, and warns that content reflecting inequality, narrowness or irrational social ideas can cause long-term harm. The writer calls for Bangladesh to rethink how curricula and textbooks are developed.

The article says curriculum discussions often begin after books have been printed, while research and consultation should occur before writing starts. It argues that teachers, students, parents and researchers are often excluded from national-level policymaking, leaving centrally designed curricula poorly matched to classroom realities, particularly in remote areas. It also urges textbooks to treat cooking and household responsibilities as life skills for all children, alongside finance, technology and leadership.

The writer proposes consulting experienced teachers from urban and rural model institutions, specialists in child development and subject experts. Draft curricula should be opened for public feedback, then piloted for at least a year with a national online feedback platform for registered teachers. Examples from Finland, Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom are cited to support participatory development, research, piloting and sustained evaluation.

A 35-year-old man, Shamim Hossain, was allegedly beaten overnight and killed after the tendons in his leg were cut in Barpur, Bogura. The incident occurred at about 4:30am on Tuesday. His body was taken to the morgue at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura.

Relatives alleged that ABM Shafi, a ward 5 member of Nishindara Union Parishad and a Union Awami League leader, his son Nazmul Hossain Kayum, described as a Chhatra Dal leader, and several others were directly involved. Shamim’s mother-in-law, Chhobeda Begum, said he had gone to Barpur to attend the burial of a close relative.

She said Shamim was detained while walking in the area at night, severely beaten and left in an abandoned place after his leg tendons were cut. Village police rescued him and took him to hospital, where he died during treatment. Bogura Sadar police station officer-in-charge Ibrahim Ali visited the scene. Residents blocked a road following the incident, according to the report.