The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Patwari and four others in a case filed over the alleged staged killing of seven madrasa students in Gazipur.

The case stems from an incident in October 2016, when seven young men were killed during a police raid in Noagaon Patartek area. Before their deaths, they were allegedly picked up and disappeared. Authorities at the time claimed the raid targeted militants linked to the newly-formed JMB faction.

Then Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, who was present at the scene, had insisted that all those killed were involved in militant activities and were attempting to regroup the outfit.

The ICT has set October 15 as the date for submission of the investigation report in the case.

Hundreds of teachers, recently dismissed from NGO-run schools in Ukhiya, staged a protest on Monday by blocking the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf regional highway.

The teachers alleged that around 1,250 of them were abruptly laid off a few weeks ago, with NGOs citing a shortage of funds as the reason. They said they had repeatedly held discussions with local authorities regarding reinstatement but no effective measures had been taken.

“We were left with no choice but to take to the streets again,” said one of the protesting teachers.

The blockade caused severe traffic disruption along the busy highway, leaving vehicles stranded for hours.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said that a free and fair election will not be possible under an administration loyal to the Awami League.

Speaking after paying tribute at the grave of former President Ziaur Rahman, Rizvi declared, “An impartial and credible election will be held in February, but for that to happen, Awami League cadres must be removed from the administration.”

Rejecting the idea of a Proportional Representation (PR) system, he argued that the people are not prepared for such a process and questioned the motives of those who advocate for it.

Turning to the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) polls, Rizvi expressed hope that all voices and groups would be fairly represented. He added that student representation in universities is essential to ensure a healthy and constructive academic environment.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has urged Bangladeshis to protect natural resources and work collectively to expand the fisheries sector. Speaking at National Fisheries Week, he highlighted the growing role of farmed fish in meeting the nation’s protein demand.

However, Yunus criticized unchecked pollution, saying:

“We dump all our waste into rivers. We talk about controlling rivers, but no one talks about nurturing them.”

He emphasized the need for a fisheries industry built on scientific research, coastal protection, and sustainable practices, warning that unplanned infrastructure and environmental destruction are making healthy living increasingly difficult.

At the event, awards were presented: 9 gold, 5 silver, and 2 bronze medals for contributions to the fisheries sector.

The Bangladeshi Embassy in Kuwait has dismissed reports that a Bangladeshi national was behind the recent toxic liquor production and distribution scandal that killed several people.

British daily The Times had claimed the ringleader was a Bangladeshi named “Delora Barkash Darazi.” The embassy investigated, finding the name inconsistent with Bangladeshi origins.

Kuwaiti police confirmed that none of the 67 arrested, nor any of the dead or injured, were Bangladeshi. The embassy condemned the report as “factually wrong and biased,” warning it could harm the reputation of Bangladeshi workers abroad.

A Dhaka court has sent Krishak Dal General Secretary Shahidul Islam Babul to prison after convicting him in a 2017 case involving obstruction of government duty and illegal assembly.

Babul surrendered to the court and sought bail pending appeal, but the court ordered him into custody.

The case stems from October 31, 2017, when BNP activists staged protests during Khaleda Zia’s return from Cox’s Bazar, blocking VIP Road in Paltan and clashing with police.

Babul was sentenced to 2.5 years’ imprisonment with fines in one charge, and an additional one year with fines under another, with default imprisonment in case of non-payment.

The Student Rights Council has announced its “Daksu for Change” panel for the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union election.

The panel nominates Bin Yamin Molla, the organization’s central president, as Vice President (VP) candidate and Sabina Yasmin as General Secretary (GS).

Other key candidates include Rakibul Islam for Assistant GS, Shakil Khan for Science & Technology Secretary, and Ashik Hridoy Ahmed for Liberation War & Democratic Movements Secretary. The panel also includes several young activists as general members.

The government has suspended former Detective Branch (DB) chief Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid along with 17 other senior police officials.

A Ministry of Home Affairs circular stated the officers were charged under Section 3(g) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018, for “offenses punishable by dismissal due to desertion.”

The suspended officials include three Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), six Additional DIGs, four Superintendents of Police (SPs), four Additional SPs, and one Assistant SP.

Islami Chhatra Shibir has unveiled its 28-member panel for the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election.

The panel will be led by VP candidate Sadiq Kayem and GS candidate SM Forhad. Announcing the lineup at a press briefing, Nurul Islam Saddam confirmed nominees for key posts, including Nurul Islam Sabbir for Literature and Culture Secretary, Arman Hossain for Sports Secretary, and Asif Abdullah for Student Transport Secretary.

The panel also includes female candidates from Inqilab Mancha, such as Fatima Tasnim Juma, and visually impaired activist Khan Jasim, who lost an eye during the July clashes, as International Secretary.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has released a full verdict ordering the reinstatement of 85 Upazila election officers dismissed 18 years ago.

The court ruled that the Election Commission’s action was unconstitutional, restoring the officers’ full rights and benefits. They had been terminated on September 3, 2007, by the caretaker government, which accused them of being politically appointed during the alliance government’s tenure.

Last year, the officers filed appeals and review petitions challenging earlier verdicts. The Appellate Division has now sided with them, ending a long legal battle.

A police constable named Omi Das has been arrested for allegedly leaking sensitive walkie-talkie communications from Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz.

Das, posted at Khulshi Police Station on deputation, faces charges under the Official Secrets Act. On August 12, Commissioner Aziz had ordered officers over radio to “shoot on sight” armed attackers, following the assault on a Bandar Police Station officer by ruling party activists.

A recording of the message was leaked online, sparking controversy. Investigators later traced the leak to Das, leading to his arrest.

Two Jamaat-affiliated leaders in Pirojpur’s Nesarabad have reportedly received threatening letters sent by post, demanding they quit politics and pay extortion money. Both victims have lodged separate written complaints with the local police station.

On Saturday, Jamaat labor leader Md. Abdur Rahman received a registered letter warning him to withdraw from Jamaat politics and demanding Tk 50,000 as extortion. The envelope listed the sender as “Md. Kabir Mia” of Kamarakathi village in Nesarabad.

Earlier, Jamaat’s religious leader Shariful Islam also received a similar threat letter, allegedly sent by “Md. Zahid Sikder,” a resident of Swarupkathi municipality.

Police said the mobile numbers mentioned in the letters were tracked and found to be registered in Chattogram. “We are actively investigating the matter,” a police official confirmed.

At least 23 people have died and 160 others have fallen ill in Kuwait after consuming illegally brewed alcohol containing methanol, authorities confirmed.

Kuwaiti officials have arrested 67 individuals in connection with the incident, including the alleged mastermind — a Bangladeshi national. Police said they had raided and shut down 10 illegal factories operating across residential and industrial areas.

Under Kuwait’s Islamic laws, the production and import of alcohol are strictly prohibited.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait reported that nearly 40 Indian nationals were hospitalized in recent days, though the exact causes were not disclosed.

Yemen’s armed forces claim to have carried out a “special operation” targeting Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport with a ‘Palestine-2’ hypersonic ballistic missile.

The strike forced the suspension of all flights and sent millions of Israelis rushing to shelters in panic.

Military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the attack was “a response to the genocide and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza, as well as aggression against Yemen.” He condemned the wider Muslim world for failing to act against Israeli atrocities:
“For two years, Gaza has been bleeding, yet the Islamic world has taken no effective measures. Our operations will continue until the war ends and the blockade of Gaza is lifted.”

Just hours before his scheduled White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump declared on Truth Social that peace with Russia requires Ukraine to abandon its NATO ambitions — and give up hope of ever reclaiming Crimea.

“Crimea will never return to Ukraine. Russia took it more than a decade ago,” Trump wrote. His remarks sparked sharp criticism, with analysts saying the U.S. president’s stance echoed Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric.

In a separate post, Trump celebrated the gathering of European leaders at the White House, calling it “a big day” and an honor to host so many leaders together for the first time.