Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam warned that any attempt to disrupt religious harmony would not be tolerated. He made the remarks while handing over land allocation papers for three mosques and a temple in Khilkhet.
He explained that a Hindu temple was displaced during railway land recovery in the area, which was not respectful. To address this, the Railways Ministry allocated new land at its official rate. He also noted that instructions were issued to repair the stairs of Chattogram’s Chandranath Temple as per the temple authority’s request.

Starting today, the United States has imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian exports, bringing the total tariff rate to 50%. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the order through Customs and Border Protection.
The Trump administration said the move was a penalty for India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil, which helps fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine. The new tariff adds to the 25% already in effect since August 1. India’s exports worth nearly $87 billion—about 2.5% of its GDP—are expected to be directly affected.

Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman said BUET students’ road blockades were unnecessary, stressing that their issues could be resolved if submitted through proper channels.
He added that blocking roads only caused public suffering and no formal proposal of the demands had yet reached the government. “Once placed officially, the matter can be resolved easily in coordination with the Public Administration Ministry, the Law Ministry, and the PSC,” he said.

Police blocked engineering university students as they marched toward the Jamuna to press home their three-point demand. Tear gas shells and sound grenades were fired to disperse the crowd, triggering a chase-and-counter chase near Hotel Intercontinental.
Students had begun their protest at Shahbagh around 11 a.m. under the "Long March to Dhaka" program, and by 1:40 p.m. they started moving toward Jamuna. Several were injured during the clashes and taken to hospitals. Adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan urged students to return to classes, assuring that a committee of four advisers—with representatives from both BSc and diploma engineers—was being formed to review their demands.

On the eighth anniversary of atrocities against the Rohingya in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) reiterated its unwavering support for the persecuted community.
In a statement, the OIC called for justice, accountability, and durable solutions while urging stronger international solidarity. The organization highlighted that over one million Rohingya remain in refugee camps in Bangladesh and other host countries, while thousands still inside Myanmar face killings, discrimination, and gross human rights violations.
The OIC reaffirmed support for international legal initiatives, including the ongoing case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and pressed Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army to comply with the ICJ’s provisional measures.
The group praised Bangladesh and other member states for sheltering Rohingya refugees and urged the global community to continue humanitarian aid while pushing Myanmar to ensure safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation.

Bangladesh’s Appellate Division has granted permission to appeal the verdict that abolished the caretaker government system, scheduling the hearing for October 21.
Following the hearing, BNP lawyer Zainul Abedin told reporters: “The scrapping of the caretaker system destroyed the entire justice system and undermined people’s rights. We are hopeful the court will deliver justice on October 21.”
Earlier, during review hearings, the Chief Justice had stressed the need for a long-term and effective solution to prevent repeated political deadlock over the caretaker issue.

A contingent of 180 Bangladesh police officers, including 70 female members, departed Dhaka early Tuesday morning to join the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo.
The unit, led by Superintendent of Police Jannatul Afroz, received a formal send-off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport from Additional IGP Khondker Rafiqul Islam, DIG Rezaul Karim, and UN Operations Wing officials.
Bangladesh first joined UN peacekeeping in 1989 in Namibia, and currently, 215 Bangladeshi police officers are serving worldwide. To date, 24 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have laid down their lives in the line of duty.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched missiles at Israel, claiming the attacks are in protest against Israeli aggression in Palestine and in solidarity with the people of Gaza.
The Israeli military said one missile fired from Yemen was intercepted. The Houthis had previously halted attacks during a two-month truce in Gaza but resumed operations after Israel launched new offensives.
In response, Israel has carried out multiple airstrikes in Yemen, targeting Houthi-controlled ports and Sana’a airport. The recent bombardments caused heavy damage and civilian casualties in the capital.

North Korea has advanced its nuclear program to the extent that it can now produce between 10 and 20 nuclear weapons each year, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung warned on Monday.
According to the Peace Research Institute, the country has already developed around 50 warheads and possesses fissile material sufficient for up to 40 more nuclear bombs.
President Lee blamed the previous administration’s hardline policies and lack of diplomacy with Pyongyang for enabling North Korea to expand its nuclear arsenal unchecked.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to meet Kim Jong-un later this year, while also preparing for renewed trade talks with South Korea. Lee made his first official visit to the White House on Monday.

At least 31 people were killed and 23 injured in landslides triggered by heavy rains in India’s Jammu and Kashmir. The deadliest incident occurred on the route to the Vaishno Devi temple, where torrential rain caused a hillside to collapse.
Rescue operations by the army and disaster response teams have been hampered by continuous rainfall. Authorities fear more people may still be trapped.
Three days of relentless downpour have washed away bridges, cut off roads, and left thousands without electricity and mobile connectivity. More than 3,500 residents have already been evacuated to safer areas. The weather office has warned of further heavy rainfall in the coming days.

Students from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and other engineering institutions blocked Shahbagh intersection on Wednesday, staging a major protest from 11:15 am.
The demonstration, announced the previous night by Engineering Rights Movement president Wali Ullah, drew students from across engineering faculties nationwide.
The protesters placed three key demands: the prohibition of diploma engineers using the title “engineer,” no promotions to the ninth-grade government pay scale, and guaranteed tenth-grade positions for graduate engineers.
“Our movement is not against anyone,” Wali Ullah said. “We are fighting against long-standing discrimination and irregularities in the engineering sector.”

At least 64 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza over the past 24 hours, according to local reports. Among them, 13 people died while collecting humanitarian aid, while three others succumbed to starvation and malnutrition.
Al Jazeera reported that Israeli forces have pushed deeper into Gaza City, systematically destroying entire neighborhoods, leaving families with nowhere left to flee. The ongoing blockade has created catastrophic famine conditions.
Humanitarian groups warn that Israel is attempting to force nearly one million Palestinians into the south, into what is being described as a “concentration zone.”

Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed has said the Appellate Division does not want to reinstate the caretaker government system merely as a stopgap arrangement but rather seeks a long-term and effective solution to ensure political stability.
During Wednesday’s hearing on review petitions challenging the scrapping of the caretaker system, he asked: “If we restore it, from when will it take effect?”
The hearing, now on its second day, is examining four petitions filed by political parties and six individuals seeking a reversal of the earlier verdict that abolished the system.

An independent Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) candidate, Jalal Ahmed, allegedly stabbed his roommate inside Mohsin Hall on Tuesday night. The victim, RabiuI Islam, a political science student, is currently undergoing treatment.
Fellow students accused Jalal, popularly known as “Jwalamoyee Jalal”, of attacking his roommate and then locking him inside the room. Hall authorities and the university proctorial team later handed him over to the police. Jalal, however, has claimed he was also attacked.
Outraged students demanded Jalal’s permanent expulsion from the university and the resignation of the hall provost. DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed confirmed that the provost, two house tutors, and administrative officials escorted the accused to the police station. A case has been filed, and further action will follow under due legal process.

Content creator Touhid Afridi is facing interrogation under a five-day remand after being arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Officials said he played a key role in suppressing the July uprising.

According to investigators, Afridi collaborated with celebrities and online influencers to discourage participation in the protests and intimidate those who opposed him. He allegedly developed close ties with influential Awami League leaders, amassing large sums of money—most of which was funneled abroad.

CID sources revealed Afridi has long supported controversial activities of Sheikh Hasina’s regime through his content. Numerous allegations of harassment and intimidation against him have recently surfaced online.