Bangladesh will export 1,200 tons of hilsa fish to India ahead of this year’s Durga Puja festival, the Ministry of Commerce has announced.

Interested exporters must apply by September 11 with hard copies of updated trade licenses, export registration certificates, tax and VAT documents, and sales agreements. The government has set a minimum export price of $12.50 per kilogram.

Notably, Bangladesh had permitted 2,420 tons of hilsa exports for Durga Puja last year—double this year’s quota. The ministry clarified that permits cannot be transferred or exceeded and warned that the government may suspend exports at any time.

Press Secretary Shafiqur Rahman has said that although climate change impacts nearly every sector of Bangladesh, the country’s story rarely makes its way to the international stage.

Speaking on Monday, he stressed that without effective global outreach, securing adequate funding and support becomes increasingly difficult. “Bangladesh is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. Cyclones, floods, tidal surges, and salinity intrusion are intensifying every year,” he noted.

From Sylhet’s water crisis to salinity in the southwest and chronic waterlogging in Bhobdaha, the secretary identified clear consequences of climate change that fail to attract global attention. He called on the media to take the lead in shaping strong narratives for climate finance, citing world-renowned journalists Bill McKibben and Elizabeth Kolbert as examples of impactful reporting.

At least 19 people were killed and over 347 injured on Monday after police opened fire on protesters in Nepal, where a youth-led movement has erupted against corruption and a government-imposed social media ban.

The protests, spearheaded by “Generation Z,” began outside the Parliament building in Kathmandu before spreading across major cities. Despite a curfew imposed from 3:30 p.m., demonstrations continued, prompting security forces to use water cannons, tear gas, and live ammunition.

In Jhapa district, protesters hurled bricks at Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s residence in Damak, forcing police to disperse them with warning shots. The National Human Rights Commission has urged restraint from both sides as military and police units were deployed to safeguard key locations.

Hospitals across Nepal are overwhelmed as hundreds of injured were rushed in simultaneously, adding strain to already limited healthcare services.

Anti-Corruption Commissioner Miah Muhammad Ali Akbar Azizi has condemned officials who exploit citizens for personal gain, saying, “Those who trap people for more than they deserve should be ashamed.”
Speaking at a public hearing in Sherpur, he reminded civil servants that their salaries come from taxpayers, not privileges of office.
During the event, citizens shared complaints of bribery and harassment across government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, and banks. The commissioner ordered immediate investigations and corrective action against those accused.

Members of the banned student group Chhatra League staged a sudden protest march in Cumilla South on Monday before dispersing ahead of police arrival.
Eyewitnesses said several hundred gathered near Bishwaroad on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, chanting slogans demanding the government’s resignation. The flash protest lasted only a few minutes, after which demonstrators scattered into nearby streets.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education has ordered all private educational institutions with expired or ongoing ad hoc committees to form permanent governing committees by November 30, 2025.
Institutions without an ad hoc committee must form one within 15 days, under the updated Governing Body and Managing Committee Regulations 2024.
The notice warns that all ad hoc committees will be dissolved on December 1, and heads of institutions failing to comply will be held responsible.

A Dhaka court has sent former secretary Abu Alam Mohammad Shahid Khan to jail in an anti-terrorism case filed at Shahbagh Police Station.
Prosecutors allege Khan conspired to topple the interim government through the group “Manch 71.” Earlier, 16 others, including Latif Siddique, were arrested on similar charges.
Khan, once a privileged Awami League insider, served as Sheikh Hasina’s deputy press secretary from 1996 to 2001.

Addressing questions about an attack on Kader Siddique’s residence, Bangladesh Army Headquarters declared that no mob will be allowed to insult freedom fighters.
“The army is actively working to prevent mob violence and will act decisively if needed,” the statement read.
Army officials also dismissed rumors of involvement in the upcoming DUCSU election, calling it propaganda. “We want a fair and transparent election that strengthens democracy,” they stressed.
On the general election, the army said it will act under the direction of the Election Commission and the government but has yet to receive formal orders.

BNP leader Zainul Abedin Farooque has called on the government to ensure tomorrow’s Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election is free from outside influence.
He urged students to vote wisely in support of the Chhatra Dal panel, while warning against alleged conspiracies by Sheikh Hasina abroad.
“United resistance will restore democracy. We are confident that under Dr. Yunus, the 2026 election will be free of terror,” Farooque said, urging political parties to focus on the electoral process.

NCP leader Sarzis Alam has issued a fiery warning to BNP members in Tetulia, accusing them of widespread extortion and corruption.
He alleged BNP-linked groups have been profiting illegally from cross-border stone trucks, dredging machines, and tenders, vowing to expose their operations.
“The days of thieves hiding behind loud voices are over. The mask of saints-turned-leaders will be torn off—it’s only a matter of time,” Sarzis declared.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam announced that over 33,000 mandaps will host Durga Puja celebrations across Bangladesh this year.
He outlined strict security protocols: idols must be immersed by 7 PM, with Dhaka processions following an orderly sequence. Each mandap will have round-the-clock Ansar deployment, along with committee-assigned volunteers assisting police patrols.
The adviser noted that Puja organizers expressed no security concerns this year. A special mobile app will allow instant reporting of incidents, and gatherings around mandap fairs will be closely monitored to prevent drug-related activities. “Any attempt at disruption will be met with stern action,” Alam warned.

Brigadier General Asaduzzaman, Director of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, has confirmed that student leader Nurul Haque Nur may be discharged within days if his family wishes. However, full recovery is expected to take 4–6 weeks.
He revealed that Nur suffered multiple nasal fractures causing occasional bleeding, but emphasized there is no displacement of the bones. Importantly, Nur has shown no signs of short-term memory loss.
On September 2, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus had instructed Nur be sent abroad for advanced treatment. A judicial inquiry, led by Justice Md. Ali Reza, is also underway into the attack on him.

A youth-led protest movement in Nepal, fueled by outrage over social media restrictions and government corruption, has escalated dramatically into the country’s Parliament.
Thousands of demonstrators defied security barricades and stormed the Parliament building in Kathmandu. Security forces responded with gunfire, tear gas, and water cannons, leaving at least three dead and more than a hundred injured.
The government has imposed a curfew and deployed the army to regain control. According to AFP, Nepal blocked 26 unregistered online platforms last Friday, making Facebook, YouTube, and X inaccessible, sparking anger and confusion among citizens.
Last month, the Cabinet ordered social media companies to register locally within seven days, appoint representatives, and set up grievance and compliance offices. Officials insist the government “respects freedom of thought and expression” and claims these measures are to ensure “a safe and uninterrupted digital environment.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has finalized a plan to induct her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed Putul into the top leadership of the Awami League with defined responsibilities, BBC Bangla reports. Sheikh Rehana’s son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby will also play a role. Analysts note the strategy mirrors the Indian National Congress model of placing Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi in key positions. Saima Wazed, recently on indefinite leave from WHO, is expected to become more politically active. Party insiders say Awami League leaders support Hasina’s succession plan.

Abidul Islam, BNP-backed VP candidate for Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu), has alleged a cyberattack after his Facebook account was disabled twice within hours on Monday. Abid claimed political rivals resorted to online attacks after failing to challenge him politically. “We were campaigning through Facebook. Now I don’t know if my account will be restored before the election,” he said. Meanwhile, GS candidate Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim remarked, “Earlier, dissidents were abducted; now they are silenced through cyberattacks.”