Bangladesh has started exporting hilsa to India ahead of Durga Puja, with the first consignment of 37.46 metric tons entering through Benapole land port. Five Indian firms imported the fish, while five Bangladeshi exporters, including Lucky Trading and Swarnali Enterprise, supplied the shipment. In total, Bangladesh has permitted 1,200 metric tons of hilsa to be exported by October 5 at $12.5 per kg. Officials say the move will boost the economy and create opportunities for fish farmers.

Residents of Akhaura in Brahmanbaria blocked railway tracks on Wednesday, demanding the construction of gates and deployment of gatekeepers at level crossings. Around 10 a.m., protesters occupied the Greecenagar rail crossing, halting trains including the Dhaka-bound Chattala Express and the Chittagong-bound Mahanagar Provati Express for about half an hour. The protest followed Monday’s fatal accident at an unprotected crossing, where a train hit an autorickshaw, killing the driver and a female passenger on the spot. Local BNP leaders and police later intervened to calm the situation and restore train services.

Kabir Hossain Patwari, Divisional Forest Officer of Barisal, has been suspended after multiple wives accused him of marrying 17 times by misusing his government position and subjecting them to dowry-related abuse. Following complaints, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change suspended him on Tuesday and reassigned him to Rangpur Range. Dr. Mohammad Zahidur Rahman Miah, the divisional forest officer of Patuakhali, has been appointed acting DFO of Barisal. Meanwhile, residents of Barisal staged a human chain demanding justice, while Public Prosecutor Advocate Hafiz Ahmed Bablu filed a case against him in the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court.

Students of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute blocked roads at Tejgaon’s Sat Rasta intersection on Wednesday morning, bringing traffic to a halt around 11 a.m. Their seven-point demand includes scrapping the 30% promotion quota for craft instructors to junior instructor posts, canceling recent promotion rulings, revising job titles, annulling appointments made in 2021, and amending recruitment regulations. The protest follows a similar demonstration held in the area on Tuesday afternoon.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, has called for the adoption of a proportional representation (PR) system for national elections. He argued that PR elections prevent the emergence of authoritarian governments and ensure every vote counts, enabling all political parties to gain parliamentary representation. Rezaul Karim criticized delays in granting legal recognition to the “July Charter” and demanded its implementation before the next election. He said the charter must also include justice for the Pilkhana massacre and the Shapla Chattar killings. At the event, he introduced Shah Iftekhar Tariq, the party’s central organizational secretary, as Islami Andolan’s candidate for Dhaka-9 constituency in the upcoming national election.

For a second consecutive day, members of the “All-Party United Committee” staged a sit-in outside the Bagerhat District Election Office demanding the reinstatement of four parliamentary constituencies. From 9 a.m., demonstrators gathered in front of the district office and nine upazila election offices, staging rallies and processions. Protesters included leaders and activists from BNP, Jamaat, and other political parties, as well as local residents from diverse professions. They argued that Bagerhat’s population, Mongla Port, and industrial zones justify the restoration of the four seats. The sit-in continued until 1 p.m., with organizers set to announce new programs at 3 p.m. today.

Israeli forces have launched a large-scale ground assault on Gaza City, killing at least 78 Palestinians, according to local reports. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are combining intense airstrikes with ground maneuvers to push Palestinians out of key residential zones, Al Jazeera reported. The European Union has warned that the death toll could rise significantly. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern message to Hamas, urging the release of Israeli hostages. In the West Bank, IDF troops continued operations in Nablus, deploying sound grenades in the town of Kafr Qalil.

The Chinese Embassy has donated 49 computers and 49 printers to the Bangladesh Police, strengthening bilateral cooperation. On September 16, Ambassador Yao Wen handed over the gifts to IGP Baharul Alam, who expressed gratitude and highlighted China as an important development partner. The meeting also included discussions on ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals working on projects in Bangladesh. Officials from both the embassy and the police were present, emphasizing continued collaboration and mutual support between the two nations.

Nearly nine months after taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump has approved the first arms sale to Ukraine. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Undersecretary has already signed off on the shipment. Two consignments, each worth $500 million in weapons and ammunition, are set to be delivered soon. However, the arms will be purchased by Kyiv’s European allies from the U.S. and then sent to Ukraine, with Europe covering the logistics costs. American officials revealed that under a new deal, codenamed “PEARL,” Washington has agreed to supply Ukraine with $10 billion worth of arms. The upcoming delivery marks the first shipment under this arrangement. Notably, during his January 20 inauguration, Trump had pledged to prioritize ending the Russia-Ukraine war and vowed not to authorize further military aid to Ukraine.

Import-export activities through the Akhaura land port in Brahmanbaria came to a halt on Wednesday morning in observance of Vishwakarma Puja. Despite the suspension of trade, cross-border passenger movement through the international immigration checkpoint and customs operations continued as usual. Mohammad Rajib Bhuiyan, a C&F trader at Akhaura, confirmed that Indian counterparts from Agartala port in Tripura had earlier informed them of the closure. Trade is expected to resume on Thursday morning with the export of fish to Tripura.

Russian President Vladimir Putin inspected military exercises wearing full combat uniform, according to footage released by Moscow. Anadolu reported that Putin visited the drill site alongside Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and senior military commanders. At the command center, Putin issued operational instructions and personally reviewed modern weaponry used in the exercise. The drills are part of a seven-day joint military exercise under the CSTO alliance, launched in late August in Belarus. Forces from Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are participating across 41 locations, with over 100,000 troops involved. The CSTO, formed in the 1990s after the fall of the Soviet Union, has become a key defense platform for the region.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump landed in Britain on Tuesday night for what is being described as an unprecedented second state visit. The trip is expected to see the signing of multiple investment agreements between Washington and London. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would use Trump’s visit to highlight the strengthening of the “special relationship” between the two nations. Ahead of the visit, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves jointly announced the creation of a “Transatlantic Taskforce.” King Charles will formally welcome Trump on Wednesday, while Starmer is set to host him at the prime minister’s countryside residence, Chequers, on Thursday. Starmer is also arranging meetings with leading business groups to promote Britain as an attractive destination for U.S. investment.

Shahjahan Mia, the Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate for Chandpur-3 constituency, has called on voters to cast their ballots for the “Scale” symbol, which he described as a representation of justice and fairness. He said the step was essential to realizing the dreams of the martyrs of the July Revolution. While campaigning in Baburhat Bazar, Shahjahan Mia interacted with local shopkeepers and traders, exchanging greetings and seeking their support ahead of the upcoming election. “The ‘Scale’ is the emblem of justice and equity. I humbly seek your prayers and cooperation,” he told locals, urging them to rally behind his candidacy.

The Congress has accused the Modi government of handing 1,050 acres of land in Bihar’s Bhagalpur to the Adani Group on a 33-year lease for just ₹1 annually. The site, with nearly one million trees, will host a 2,400 MW thermal power plant. Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged Adani would use free land, coal, and water but sell power at ₹6.75 per unit, calling it “double loot.” He also claimed farmers lost land without fair compensation. No government response yet.

Dhaka: Youth Shakti Convener Tariqul Islam has called for the inclusion of voting rights as a fundamental right in the Constitution of Bangladesh. He criticized the current Constitution, arguing that it fails to recognize people’s basic needs as fundamental rights—a shortcoming that even led two key members of the original Constituent Assembly to withhold their signatures. Tariqul noted that only a Constituent Assembly directly elected by the people has the legitimacy to draft a Constitution. However, the 1972 Constitution was framed by representatives who had been elected under Pakistan’s authority in 1969, not by representatives chosen in independent Bangladesh. “As a result, the Constitution has failed to reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people. A Constitution that does not speak to the basic needs and expectations of citizens is not the Constitution we want,” he said. He further asserted that a new Constitution is necessary to prevent the Awami League’s return to power, pointing out that in 54 years, the word ‘Liberation War’ has not been properly enshrined in the nation’s supreme law. Youth Shakti Member Secretary Dr. Zahedul Islam echoed these concerns, saying: “The Constitution has been mutilated over the years, leaving it distorted and disfigured. It must be thrown into the dustbin, and a new Constitution must be written for the people.”