A new executive order signed by Donald Trump has raised the application fee for the popular H-1B visa program for skilled foreign workers to $100,000 annually—a dramatic increase from the previous average of $1,500.

The order argues that the program has long been abused, negatively affecting American jobs. However, business leaders including Elon Musk countered that the H-1B system attracts top global talent critical to U.S. innovation.

Alongside the hike, Trump introduced a new “Gold Card” program, allowing certain immigrants to fast-track visas by paying fees starting at £1 million. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the move, saying, “Big companies have agreed, and now it’s time we train our own youth.”

Legal experts, however, warn the move could be devastating for startups and small businesses. Immigration attorney Tahmina Watson described it as “the final nail in the coffin” for many. Analysts predict the sharp increase will disproportionately affect Indian applicants, who make up the majority of H-1B recipients.

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed has stressed that political disputes can only be resolved through dialogue. Speaking to reporters, he said, “If someone insists on elections under a proportional representation system, the people will ultimately decide.”

He urged students to actively demand change rather than just rely on appeals. Highlighting constitutional uncertainties, Salahuddin noted that the judiciary has yet to clarify how the July declaration would be implemented.

Meanwhile, NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah criticized the government for blaming coalition partners for failures despite having advisors nominated by all parties. He warned that biased media coverage only strengthens “invisible conspirators” seeking to destabilize the country.

Israeli airstrikes over the past 24 hours have killed 33 Palestinians and injured 146 more in Gaza. Since October 2023, at least 65,174 Palestinians have been killed and 166,071 injured in Israel’s ongoing military campaign, widely condemned as genocidal.

Many victims remain trapped under rubble, while rescue efforts are hampered by relentless bombardment. In the last day alone, one person was killed and 17 others injured while trying to collect humanitarian aid. Since May 27, 2024, aid-related violence has claimed 2,514 lives and left more than 18,431 injured.

Additionally, four more Palestinians—including children—died from starvation in the past 24 hours, bringing famine-related deaths to 440, of which 147 were children.

Police have arrested former Keronkhal Union Parishad chairman Suman Bhuiyan in connection with an attack on the convoy of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Dr. Redwan Ahmed. He was sent to jail through a court order on Friday.

The case stems from an incident on May 9, 2022, when Dr. Ahmed was heading to a post-Eid reunion at Chandina’s Redwan Ahmed College. His car came under gunfire and attack. On August 26, 2024, Ahmed filed a case naming former MP Pran Gopal Dutta and 52 others. Bhuiyan is one of the listed accused in that case and faces charges in another case as well.

An air-conditioner explosion inside a Jatrabari apartment has left four members of the same family severely burned. The victims—Md. Tuhin Hossain (38), his wife Iba Akter (30), and their two sons, Tawhid (7) and Tanvir (9)—were rushed to the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in critical condition.

The accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Friday night on the seventh floor of the building. Neighbors reported that the family was asleep when the AC exploded, instantly setting the room on fire. Nearby tenants managed to extinguish the blaze and rescued the family before taking them to the hospital. Doctors have described their condition as extremely serious.

Police have blamed former MP Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury Nixon for disrupting law and order in Bhanga, Faridpur, through provocative remarks.
The police headquarters said unrest began after the inclusion of Algi and Hamirdi unions into Faridpur-2 constituency, sparking protests since September 5.
According to police, Nixon capitalized on the agitation, posting inciting messages on social media and even declaring the interim government and Election Commission “illegal” in a September 9 video message.
On September 15, his loyalists infiltrated the protest and allegedly vandalized government establishments, including Bhanga police stations and the UNO office.
Police urged citizens not to be misled by instigators and assured that no innocent individuals would be harassed in connection with the cases filed.

The Malaysian Immigration Department has detained 55 foreign workers in Johor during a special operation codenamed “Ops Selera” targeting six restaurants on Thursday.
Immigration Director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the raid uncovered multiple offenses, including employment without valid permits.
Those arrested include 46 Myanmar nationals, six South Koreans, and three Bangladeshis aged between 18 and 53, suspected of working illegally as waiters and cooks.
Authorities also detained four restaurant managers—three locals and one foreign national—for facilitating the violations.

Former US President Donald Trump has claimed that American forces targeted another Venezuelan drug-laden vessel, killing at least three people onboard.
He alleged that the boat was headed toward the United States, marking the third such strike in recent weeks against suspected drug trafficking vessels from Venezuela.
In a statement, Trump said the operation was carried out in the Southern Command region, which spans 31 countries across South and Central America and the Caribbean. Intelligence reports, he added, confirmed the vessel was using a notorious smuggling route intended to poison Americans with narcotics.

A 37-member contingent of the Bangladesh Army has successfully taken part in the multinational joint strategic exercise “West-2025,” held in Russia’s Mulino Military Training Ground from September 1–17.
According to the army, the drills focused on coordination, responsiveness, and strengthening mutual cooperation through diverse tactical operations.
The exercise included participation from the armed forces of several friendly nations, enhancing military-to-military collaboration on a global scale.

BNP leader Hasan Uddin Sarkar has alleged a deep-rooted conspiracy to manipulate the upcoming elections, specifically to prevent BNP from returning to power.
He expressed confidence in party acting chief Tarique Rahman, describing him as a “thoughtful and shrewd leader” who will overcome all conspiracies and return to Bangladesh, sparking a people’s uprising.
“This may be my last election. If the party nominates me, I will fulfill many unfinished tasks. Denying me the ticket will deprive my constituents, not me,” Sarkar said.
Recalling his previous contest, he noted, “Even with a disability, I ran in the 2018 Gazipur City polls under the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol and won the people’s mandate. But the fascist regime robbed me of victory.”

Religious advisor Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain has called for Muslim unity to establish global peace, stressing that divisions within the Ummah must end.
“Your political party may differ, your Pir may differ—but for the greater cause of Islam, we must stand united under the Kalema,” he told a gathering.
Dr. Khalid emphasized that 2025 presents a historic opportunity for the Muslim Ummah after Bangladesh’s independence. “If we fail to seize this chance, we could fall behind by another hundred years,” he warned.
He envisioned a new Bangladesh built in the spirit of the Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings and the Rashidun Caliphate—free from inequality, corruption, and oppression, where fundamental rights are ensured for all.

Shyamoli Sultana Jedni, former organizer of the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangshad (BAGSAS), has become engaged to Abdul Hannan Masud, Senior Joint Chief Coordinator of the NCP.
The engagement took place in a small, family gathering on Thursday.
Shyamoli had earlier resigned from her student organization post on February 28 this year. Masud, meanwhile, left for Saudi Arabia on Friday, where he will stay for over a week to perform Umrah and participate in party programs.

Tensions flared at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) after the death of a child allegedly due to medical negligence led to violent clashes between patient relatives and trolley men.
The incident left trolley man Jewel injured, who was later admitted to the hospital’s One-Stop Emergency Centre.
Witnesses said the child died in Ward 210 at night, prompting relatives to accuse doctors of negligence. The dispute escalated when the grieving family confronted hospital staff at the emergency department, leading to scuffles with Ansar members. As Jewel intervened, he was severely beaten by the angry relatives, who also called in reinforcements from outside.
Police intervened, detaining three relatives—Samir (30), Soeb (21), and Rezaul (25). Additional security has since been deployed, and the situation remains under control.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Hamidur Rahman Azad has declared that holding elections without reforms would go against the aspirations of the people. Addressing a protest rally in Sylhet, he accused a particular political party of obstructing necessary reforms.
“Reform is not a party agenda of Jamaat—it is the demand of the people. We do not want to derail elections. Those who block reforms and oppose proportional representation are the ones truly trying to sabotage the polls,” Azad said.
Following the rally, a massive protest march was brought out from Registrar Field, parading through key city points before concluding at Amberkhana. Thousands of activists from various city, thana, ward, and unit-level organizations joined the march in groups.

Students at Rajshahi University staged protests and rallies against the reinstatement of the “offspring quota” in undergraduate admissions.

Following Friday prayers, a procession began from the central mosque and culminated in a rally at Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Square. Demonstrators chanted: “The offspring quota is a settled issue—it cannot be reinstated under any circumstances. We will shed blood if needed, but we won’t let it return to this campus.”

They accused university authorities of plotting to create divisions between teachers and students ahead of the elections.

Earlier this year, on January 2, Vice-Chancellor Saleh Hasan Naqib announced the cancellation of the quota following student protests, pledging not to allow even a 1% reinstatement. However, in recent weeks, teachers, officers, and staff launched a fresh movement demanding restoration of the quota, which led the administration to revisit the decision in a Thursday meeting.