Marking the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent 500 kilograms of premium aromatic Chinigura rice as a gift to India. On Monday afternoon, a pickup truck carrying the rice crossed into Agartala, Tripura, through the Akhaura land port. The rice, branded as Chashi, will be distributed from the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi to distinguished recipients. Rajib Bhuiya, owner of Suyeib Trade International, which handled the customs clearance, confirmed that the rice would be presented as gifts to notable figures in India.

A low-pressure system has developed over the North Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, triggering heavy cloud formation. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has warned that squally winds may sweep across the North Bay, coastal regions, and nearby sea ports. On Monday, the BMD advised the ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra to hoist local cautionary signal No. 3. Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the North Bay have been instructed to remain close to shore and proceed with utmost caution until further notice.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam assured that comprehensive 24-hour security will be in place throughout the Durga Puja celebrations this year. Speaking during a visit to Ramakrishna Mission Ashram in Narayanganj’s Missionpara, he praised the arrangements, calling them “well-organized with no cause for concern.” “Durga Puja is a sacred religious festival, and its sanctity must be preserved. We have taken steps to ensure that all faiths can work together harmoniously. There are no security threats, as CCTV surveillance has been installed at every site,” he said. Alam added that coordination meetings with puja committees have been held, ensuring round-the-clock security measures from the outset of festivities. Alongside government security forces, volunteer groups will also provide support. From September 24, Ansar personnel will be deployed. To further support the celebrations, the government has allocated Tk 3.2 million across Narayanganj puja mandaps, along with 500 kilograms of rice for each mandap. Alam expressed optimism that the festival would further strengthen communal harmony in the country.

The Election Commission (EC) is preparing to grant official registration to six new political parties, including the National Citizen’s Party (NCP) and the Bangladesh National League. According to EC sources, a field-level verification of 22 parties has been completed. Following this process, the National Citizen’s Party, Bangladesh Aam Janagon Party, Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party, and Bangladesh National League are among the six parties recommended for final approval. Files recommending their registration have already been submitted to the commission. After the relevant branch concluded its review and signed off on the documents last Sunday, the file is being placed before the commission today for approval. The commission may amend or adjust the proposals before granting final consent. Once approved, a public notice will be issued, giving 15 days for objections and hearings. After resolving any disputes, symbols will be allocated, and the EC will publish the final gazette.

Islamic movement leader Faizul Karim has sharply criticized the country’s ruling class, saying they have failed to bring any meaningful welfare to the people in the past 53 years. Addressing a gathering, Karim said: “For decades, the rulers have been tested, but they have given the people nothing worthwhile. Now, I urge you—test Islam once. Islam has not come into this world to fail; it has come to triumph. If we fail, we will not come before you again.” During the event, he also announced Dr. Noor Alam Siddique, President of Islami Andolon Bangladesh’s Dinajpur South District branch, as the party’s candidate for the Dinajpur-6 parliamentary seat.

Rajshahi University (RU) teachers and staff have enforced a “complete shutdown” of all academic activities following a violent scuffle between students and faculty over the controversial “offspring quota” policy. Speakers at the protest alleged that a group of students carried out a planned and organized attack on teachers—an incident they described as unprecedented in the university’s history. The demonstrators issued three demands: Permanent expulsion of the identified attackers. Cancellation of certificates for those whose studentship has ended. Cancellation of candidacy for those contesting in the RUCSU elections. They vowed to continue the movement until visible punishment is delivered.

Celebrated singer Tahsan Khan has announced that he is gradually stepping away from his two-decade-long music career. His verified Facebook and Instagram accounts—once followed by millions—have mysteriously disappeared, sparking speculation among fans. At a recent concert in Melbourne, Australia, Tahsan clarified, “This is not my last concert, but my last tour. Slowly, I will retire from music—it’s only natural. Can someone jump on stage forever? My daughter is growing up. If I now stand and sing ‘Dure Tumi Dariye,’ how would that look?” The audience was stunned, many breaking into tears, but Tahsan remained resolute, continuing his performance. He later summed up his decision in a single sentence: “I chose this path in hopes of living a simple life.”

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman has embarked on a four-day official visit to Malaysia to attend the 14th Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs’ Conference. According to ISPR, the event is co-hosted by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the Malaysian Armed Forces in Kuala Lumpur. Chiefs of Army from across the region will discuss strengthening cooperation, addressing common security challenges, and coordinating responses to regional crises. The visit is expected to further deepen ties between Bangladesh and Indo-Pacific nations, expanding opportunities for military collaboration. General Waker-uz-Zaman is scheduled to return home on September 27.

Economic adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has cautioned investors against treating the stock market as a regular source of income. “Believing that profits are guaranteed from the capital market is a mistake,” he said, stressing that investments should target genuinely profitable sectors. He recommended making Sukuk bonds privately issued to encourage productive investment. Reflecting on past infrastructure planning, he noted that even during Barrister Nazmul Huda’s tenure as communications minister, he had opposed taking World Bank loans for mega projects like the Padma Bridge. “Funds for such projects could be raised from the share market,” he added.

Detective Branch (DB) police have arrested Abdul Wadud Pintu, president of the Noakhali municipal Awami League. Sudharam Police Station OC Mohammad Kamrul Islam confirmed that Pintu was arrested in Dhaka, where he had been hiding since the Awami League government’s ouster on August 5. He faces charges in an explosives case filed in Sudharam. DB officials said he was apprehended from his second wife’s rented apartment in Dhanmondi. Pintu hails from Krishna Rampur in Ward-4 of Noakhali municipality.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that competent officials are being sidelined in the administration over accusations of ties with the BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal, while key posts such as deputy commissioners (DCs) and superintendents of police (SPs) are being awarded to ruling party loyalists. He warned of possible “sabotage and untoward incidents” under ongoing domestic and international conspiracies. Rizvi also claimed a smear campaign against BNP has intensified since August 5, comparing the government’s actions to the era of “1/11.” He accused authorities of trying to eliminate BNP from politics by branding it with various labels. Rizvi urged party members to remain vigilant and continue guarding puja mandaps across the country.

Abidul Islam Khan, a defeated vice-president candidate in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, has accused the administration of deliberately delaying responses to written complaints of irregularities. He alleged that ballot papers lacked serial numbers, and the number of used and unused ballots was never disclosed. Khan also claimed that polling officers misinformed journalists, student leaders were repeatedly harassed by mobs, and outsiders entered the campus with the help of BNCC, Rover Scouts, and Girl Guides. “Students are questioning whether individuals cast multiple votes,” he added. Despite the alleged irregularities, Khan emphasized that his panel refrained from protests, hoping the university would ensure transparency and accountability through proper investigation.

Portugal has officially recognized Palestine as an independent state, joining the UK, Canada, and Australia in a wave of international support. The announcement came from the Portuguese Foreign Minister in New York. Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed recognition via a video message, citing London’s commitment to reviving the two-state solution. Australia also issued a joint statement declaring its recognition, while Canada had been the first G7 nation to extend formal acknowledgment. This latest move raises the total number of countries recognizing Palestine to 151. French authorities are also expected to issue a formal declaration today.

For the first time since 1967, Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara has arrived in Washington to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Syrian state TV confirmed he is accompanied by four ministers, with expectations that the visit could open dialogue on restoring diplomatic ties with the United States, including reopening Syria’s embassy in Washington. Al-Shara is scheduled to address the Assembly on September 24. A meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump is also being planned on the sidelines. Reuters noted that the U.S. once placed a $10 million bounty on al-Shara’s head due to his alleged links with al-Qaeda. However, his meeting with Trump in Riyadh earlier this year was hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough, leading Washington to lift most sanctions on Syria and pledge support for a “unified and stable” Damascus.

Non-stop heavy rainfall since last night has left large parts of Dhaka waterlogged, disrupting daily life. Areas including Mirpur, Green Road, Mohammadpur, and the airport vicinity were severely flooded. By 7 AM Monday, the city had seen continuous downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning. Stranded commuters, including school and office-goers, faced immense hardship. Vehicles broke down in submerged streets, while rickshaw and CNG drivers were accused of charging inflated fares. The Met Office forecast cloudy skies with intermittent rain and thunderstorms throughout the day.