Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue said on Tuesday, September 1, that customs intelligence officers found dismantled parts of three luxury vehicles in a container imported from Japan as “Used Spare Parts.” The shipment contained components of a Lexus LX 600, Lexus SC 430 and BMW M5, along with a Honda B18C Type R engine, Front Half/Half-cut units, tyres and other vehicle parts.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate identified the shipment after receiving confidential information, according to the NBR. Preliminary information indicates that no bill of entry was submitted for nearly a month after the container reached the port. An attempt was later made to clear the consignment through an auction process, but customs intelligence officers stopped it.

Officials are examining whether the recovered vehicle components possess the “Essential Character” of complete vehicles and are also verifying the other parts. The shipment’s estimated combined market value is between Tk9.5 crore and Tk12 crore. Authorities are reviewing its import value, payment information, commercial documents and transaction pattern, including any possible links to money laundering. An investigation is also under way into those involved.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The meeting took place as the United States intensifies economic pressure and sanctions-related measures against Iran. Information about the meeting was released through the Iranian foreign minister’s Telegram channel, but no details of the discussions were disclosed.

Washington has outlined a new plan aimed at tightening pressure on Iran’s economy and has increased threats of sanctions against other countries maintaining economic ties with Tehran. The United States has also called on governments around the world to join its economic campaign against Iran.

China has opposed the US pressure. Beijing says it will take necessary measures to protect its interests following the new US steps. China’s position is that sanctions will not resolve the ongoing conflict; instead, Beijing has called for a ceasefire during the conflict, which has continued for six months, and warned that US sanctions could make the situation more complicated.

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said France wants to continue economic pressure on Iran. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he said France would discuss Iran with the US administration and with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Lescure said France and the European Union have maintained strong economic pressure on Iran for several years. He indicated that France intends for this pressure to continue.

France plans to discuss what the US administration and Bessent want to do regarding Iran. The source did not provide details on any specific measures, timeline, or outcome of the planned discussions.

Adabor police arrested six alleged members of a robbery gang in separate operations in Dhaka’s Adabor area on Tuesday, September 1. Five people were detained during a raid at a rickshaw garage in Prem Goli near the bridge at the head of Shekhertek Road No. 7, while another suspect was arrested behind Akand Garments Goli in Sunibir Housing. Police recovered four machetes in total.

The five arrested in the first operation were identified as Mirajul Islam, 25, Md Nihad, 20, Md Sheikh Bacchu, 35, Md Faridul Islam, 19, and Md Tamim, 19. Police said Mirajul is named in seven cases. The sixth detainee, Hridoy, also known as TikTok Hridoy, 25, is named in 10 case complaints and has two arrest warrants, according to police.

Police alleged that the group robbed people of cash and mobile phones by threatening them with machetes in Shekhertek, Baitul Aman Housing and Beribadh areas. They are also accused of stealing air-conditioner pipes, electrical wires and rickshaws from garages for ransom. Adabor police station Officer-in-Charge Md Jahidul Islam and Sub-Inspector Tarun led the operations.

Former Indian Lieutenant General Prakash Chandra Katoch has urged Delhi to rebuild trust with Bangladesh through economic diplomacy, water-sharing, border management and greater people-to-people contact. In an analysis published by South Asia Monitor on August 29, 2026, he argued that deteriorating Bangladesh-India relations could create long-term security and geopolitical risks for India.

Katoch identified Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India after her August 2024 removal from power and Bangladesh’s extradition request as a major bilateral obstacle. He also cited the unresolved Teesta water-sharing agreement, the expected expiry of the 1996 Ganges water treaty late in 2026, border disputes, and trade barriers. Bilateral trade is about $13 billion, but customs delays, transit fees, bureaucracy and non-tariff barriers constrain its potential.

The article proposed regular ministerial meetings of the Joint Rivers Commission, an interim data-based Teesta arrangement, advance flood and river-release information sharing, and regular local BSF-BGB meetings. It also recommended expanding border markets, restarting CEPA talks, easing medical and student visas, and increasing track-two dialogue. The source notes that Katoch’s assessments reflect an Indian security perspective and personal opinion.

A 45-year-old man died after being electrocuted while allegedly attempting to steal a tube-well motor in Loknathpur West Para of Damurhuda upazila, Chuadanga, early Tuesday. The incident occurred at the home of Keramat Ali. The deceased was identified as Shafiqul Islam Karun, son of Sirajul Islam of Shantipara in Darshana.

According to local sources, Karun entered Keramat Ali’s house during the night with the intention of stealing the tube-well motor. He was electrocuted while trying to disconnect the motor’s electrical connection and died at the scene. Family members found his body near the tube-well at dawn.

As news of the incident spread, local residents gathered at the location. Damurhuda Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mesbah Uddin said police had been sent to the scene after receiving information. The body was being recovered and necessary legal procedures for a post-mortem examination were under way.

A Dhaka court has postponed the verdict in a corruption case over alleged irregularities in the construction of the collapsed Rana Plaza building in Savar. On Tuesday morning, the court of Dhaka Divisional Special Judge B M Tarikul Kabir set October 6 for further arguments against owner Sohel Rana and seven others, according to court bench assistant Ariful Islam.

Rana was brought to court from prison, where he is held in a murder case, although he is on bail in this case. Two accused, Mahbubur Rahman and Farzana Islam, have remained fugitives since the beginning, while the other accused attended court on bail. Rana’s father Abdul Khaleque and mother Morzina Khatun Begum died during the trial and were discharged from the case.

The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case against 17 people on June 15, 2014, alleging construction outside the approved design. Investigators later included Rana after finding he was the building’s principal supervisor. The trial began after charges were framed on May 21, 2017, and 19 of 20 witnesses testified. Rana Plaza collapsed on April 24, 2013, killing 1,136 people and injuring more than 1,500.

The United States has lifted its suspension on issuing immigrant visas to citizens of Bangladesh and 74 other countries, effective from August 21 following a federal court ruling. The US State Department confirmed the change on its website updated August 28. Applicants from the affected countries may now be issued immigrant visas if they meet all regular visa requirements.

The State Department had temporarily halted immigrant visa issuance for the 75 countries in January. It had said some applicants from those countries could become dependent on US government assistance, requiring additional scrutiny. Immigrant visas offer a route to permanent residence in the United States and can subsequently open a path to obtaining a green card.

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network challenged the policy in a case against US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Judge Jeannette Vargas of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York found that withholding immigrant visas solely because of an applicant's nationality exceeded the secretary of state's authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Previously issued visas were not cancelled during the suspension, while applications and interviews continued; the pause applied at the final visa-issuance stage.

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned after serving for about 18 months, the White House confirmed Monday. His departure comes amid months of reported tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, although the specific causes of their dispute have not been fully disclosed. Reuters also reported that Driscoll submitted his resignation amid the continuing strain.

The White House praised Driscoll in a statement to CBS, saying he had been highly effective in advancing President Donald Trump’s “Make America Strong Again” agenda and had shown exceptional leadership in military operations. It also cited his role in talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. At 41, Driscoll was known as the youngest Army secretary in US history and was often called Trump’s “drone man.”

His resignation follows wider leadership changes at the Pentagon. Navy Secretary John Phelan left in April, while Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, General Christopher Donahue and other senior officers have recently departed. Reports linked Driscoll’s tensions with Pentagon leaders to George’s departure and disagreements over scaling back modernization and unmanned-technology initiatives.

An elderly Palestinian woman, Fatima Muqattam, was seriously injured and hospitalized after an attack by Israeli settlers in Burqa village, east of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Palestinian medical sources said settlers attacked Muqattam and her husband, Wajih Hamdan, after the couple tried to stop them from taking their livestock.

Hospital sources said Muqattam was severely beaten during the incident, resulting in serious injuries that required hospital treatment. Palestinian officials have long warned of increasing attacks and violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, affecting Palestinian farmers, herders and local residents.

A large part of the international community considers Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank a violation of international law. The United Nations and other international organizations have expressed concern over allegations of settler attacks and seizures of Palestinian property. Palestinians say adequate action is often not taken against settler violence, leaving families insecure. The latest attack could raise tensions around Ramallah, where confrontations and attacks involving settlers and local Palestinians have recently occurred.

A purported trade fair has been operating on the runway of the inactive Cumilla airport, despite residents’ longstanding demand for the airport to be reopened. Local businessman Amir Hossain arranged the event for two months from August 16, according to the report. His associates Badal and Billal Hossain were also named in connection with local supervision of the fair.

Visitors are alleged to be buying entry coupons that offer a chance to win prizes through a lottery. The lottery activity was initially halted but resumed from last Friday, the report said. Various rides and temporary structures have been built on the runway. Amir Hossain said stalls had been set up to sell domestic and foreign products and denied that any illegal activity was taking place.

Cumilla-6 MP Monirul Haque Chowdhury said 10 local BNP leaders had sought his approval for the fair, but he did not grant permission. Cumilla City Corporation administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu said no permission had been obtained from the corporation and it did not know who was organizing the event. Police Superintendent Md Anisuzzaman said no application for permission had reached his office.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Jahed Ur Rahman said the government is trying to reduce load shedding with the highest priority despite the country facing various crises. He made the remarks at a regular press briefing in the Secretariat at about 11:15am on Tuesday, held to provide information on the government’s recent activities.

Ur Rahman said that in the past, electricity supply was ensured in Dhaka while rural areas experienced greater load shedding. The current government, however, has decided that the burden of the crisis should be shared by everyone.

He also said data would be released on the actual level of load shedding during periods when uninterrupted electricity supply was claimed under the previous Awami League government and the interim government. He said he was working on the data and hoped to provide it to journalists next week, including figures on how much load shedding occurred and its megawatt level.

The United States carried out attacks inside Iran on at least 15 separate dates or periods between April 8, when the first ceasefire took effect, and August 30, according to a report. The strikes targeted radar sites, air-defense systems, and facilities linked to drone and missile launches and production. The latest reported operation targeted two missile-launching installations or launchers on Iran’s Larak Island on August 30.

US Central Command said the military operations were conducted in response to potential threats or attacks from Iran. Although the two countries reached an understanding on a ceasefire framework on June 17, the arrangement effectively collapsed amid retaliatory attacks by both sides. US President Donald Trump later declared that understanding cancelled.

Tensions intensified in July, with repeated US military operations reported from July 11 through July 23 against Iranian military installations. Iran also launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting US-linked military positions in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted during the same period, the report said.

Argentina’s national-team players shared emotional farewell messages on social media after Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football. The tributes came from members of the Albiceleste squad, who described the World Cup-winning captain as an enduring source of inspiration, leadership and support for the team.

Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul thanked Messi for his unconditional love for Argentina, resilience, strength in confronting injustice, and humanity toward players joining the camp. Leandro Paredes said he felt fortunate to have shared the national-team journey with Messi, while Emiliano Martinez thanked him for making him a world champion and helping him reach an unimaginable level.

Defender Cristian Romero expressed love, deep respect and lasting gratitude toward Messi, calling him captain. Nicolas Tagliafico thanked him for memories that would last a lifetime. The players’ messages portrayed Messi as more than a teammate or captain, describing him as an inspiration and guardian figure within Argentina’s squad. The source says his retirement leaves an irreplaceable void in Argentine football.

More than 600 workers may be trapped inside mud-filled tunnels near Nepal’s Trishuli River after flooding struck hydropower projects, while rescuers race to reach possible survivors. On Monday, teams tried to access the Trishuli-3 hydropower project by blasting a route through a mountain slope and began pumping air into a tunnel. Nepal’s disaster management authority said the Nepal-Tibet border floods had killed 939 people, with 3,925 missing.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah said 279 people had been rescued from the projects. An international operation led by Chinese and Nepali military personnel includes specialists from India, South Korea and Australia. A rescue team entered a tunnel leading toward one hydropower project on Monday but found no one and withdrew. Relatives of missing workers said oxygen support should have begun sooner and urged faster action.

Australian engineer Arnold Dix said rescuers were struggling even to identify the tunnels’ locations after the devastation, describing the landscape as resembling the moon’s surface. At least 11 completed or under-construction hydropower projects were damaged. Authorities have identified only 4% of nearly 900 recovered bodies, while temporary burials and DNA collection are underway in Chitwan district.