Trump slaps new US tariffs on drugs, trucks and furnitureUS President Donald Trump on Thursday unveiled sweeping new import tariffs, including 100 percent duties on branded drugs and 25 percent levies on heavy-duty trucks, set to come into force next week. Trump's announcement on Truth Social did not say whether the new levies would be on top of existing national tariffs. Recent trade deals with Japan, the EU, and Britain include provisions that cap tariffs for specific products like pharmaceuticals. He previously imposed national security tariffs on steel and aluminum and derivatives, light-duty autos and parts, and copper. Trump said the new heavy-duty truck tariffs would benefit companies such as Paccar-owned Peterbilt and Kenworth and Freightliner.

Source: CollectedThe Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad says it has received “assurances” from the administration that various steps have been taken to ensure that Durga Puja, the main religious festival of Bengali Hindus, is held “unhindered”. A range of initiatives taken by the government for Durga Puja were highlighted at a joint press conference by the Upjapan Parishad and the Mahanagar Sarvajanin Puja Committee at the Dhakeshwari National Temple on Friday. The organisers expressed their hope that Durga Puja would be celebrated without disruptions and demanded uninterrupted power supply across the country during the days of the puja. Newly formed civil society platform “Sampriti Jatra” has identified 29 districts of the country as “risky” ahead of Durga Puja. Some incidents in different districts have been resolved with the intervention of the Army.

At least three people, including a woman and her son, have been killed in a collision between a truck and a pick-up van in Rangpur. Three others were injured in the accident that occurred around 4am on Friday in the Domdoma area of Rangpur city, according to Tajhat Police Station chief Shahjahan Ali. The dead were identified as Arif Hossain, 20, the pickup van driver's assistant, Shahina Begum, 28, wife of Motaleb Hossain of Purgachha's Satdarga, and her 1-year-old son Walid Hossain Swadhin. Three people, including passengers on the pickup van, were killed on the spot." "Among the three injured, pickup van driver Nishat Mia has been admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital in critical condition."

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus will address the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session on Friday. The session is scheduled to begin at 9am local time (7pm in Bangladesh). The chief advisor will address the session as the 10th speaker of the day. After the end of the 15-year rule of the Awami League, the interim government of Bangladesh took office on Aug 8, 2024. A month and a half later, on Sept 27, Chief Advisor Yunus addressed the United Nations for the first time as a leader of Bangladesh.

Source: CollectedThree people have been killed, including a father and son, after a sand-laden truck crashed into a CNG autorickshaw in Bogura’s Shariakandi. Two people – the mother and daughter of the family – have also been injured in the accident. The dead have been identified as Bipul Chandra Das, 38, from Gaibandha’s Saghata Upazila, his son Biplob Chandra Das, 5, and autorickshaw driver Shukur Ali, 40, from Shibganj Upazila, reports bdnews24.com. They left Dhaka by bus early in the morning, reached Bogura, and then got on an autorickshaw headed to Narchi village. A speeding truck headed in the opposite direction crashed into the vehicle along the way.

Bangladeshi mountaineers Babar Ali and Tanvir Ahmed have successfully scaled Mount Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak. Babar, who previously summited Mount Everest, climbed Manaslu without supplemental oxygen -- his fourth successful ascent of an “eight-thousander”. The expedition, titled “Manaslu Ascent: Vertical Duo”, was organised by the mountaineering club Vertical Dreamers. “It was Babar’s long-cherished dream to summit an eight-thousander without supplemental oxygen. One summited without oxygen, and the other succeeded relying only on local training.”The duo left Bangladesh for Nepal on Sept 5.

March 6 - Trump exempts goods from Canada and Mexico under a North American trade pact for a month. July 22 - Trump strikes a trade deal with Japan that includes lowering tariffs on auto imports to 15%. August 7 - Trump's higher tariffs on imports from dozens of countries kick in, leaving major trade partners such as Switzerland, Brazil and India searching for a better deal. August 21 - The US and EU administrations lock in a framework trade deal that set the duties at 15% on most goods imported from Europe. September 25 - Trump unveils tariffs on a broad range of goods, including 100% duties on branded drugs and 25% tariffs on heavy-duty trucks.

As a first step toward the merger, Bangladesh Bank decided on Sept 16 to appoint administrators to the five banks. Yet, no one has disputed the names circulating in the media: First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, EXIM Bank, and Social Islami Bank. To finalise the merger process, Bangladesh Bank has already held meetings with the boards of these banks. According to Bangladesh Bank officials, the proposed merged bank would have a paid-up capital of Tk 350 billion. Using powers under the Bank Resolution Ordinance, a Bank Restructuring Resolution Fund will be established.

Another low-pressure system has formed over the Bay of Bengal towards the end of September, reports bdnews24.com. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) warned that it may intensify further and turn into a depression. Meteorologist Hafizur Rahman told bdnews24.com on Thursday morning, "Another low-pressure area has formed in the sea and it may turn into a depression. Earlier on Monday, a low-pressure area formed over the north bay and its adjoining areas. The Met Office's regular bulletin on Thursday said that the low over the bay and the adjoining coastal areas now lies over the northwest bay and the adjoining Odisha-Andhra coast.

Human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has expressed concern over incidents of people being forcibly subjected to haircuts for their appearance or lifestyle choices. In a statement on Thursday, ASK said such acts were “entirely inhuman, unlawful and a clear violation of the Constitution and human rights”. Recently a video circulating on social media shows several individuals publicly cutting off a passer-by’s hair and dreadlocks against his will. ASK said such acts violate the rule of law and human rights in Bangladesh. Legal experts say forcibly cutting someone’s hair or beard amounts to a “criminal offence” from any perspective.

The Transparency International Bangladesh has expressed “deep disappointment” over the interim government’s decision to send a large delegation to the United Nations General Assembly. In a statement issued on Thursday, the anti-graft organisation questioned the message the interim government intended to send by participating in the UN session with over 100 representatives. He said, by sending such a large delegation, the government has created doubt about its credibility. Instead, they described the government's backward step as a continuation of “embarrassing practices” that contradict the principles of transparent governance. He called on the government to clarify the roles of the delegation members and ensure that their participation aligned with national interests.

Senior BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmad has warned against accepting any party's “unconstitutional demands” that could push the nation into crisis. On Thursday, he urged those wishing to govern by law to avoid submitting to any political, non-political, illegal, or unconstitutional demands that could destabilise the country. “Merely declaring the rule of law isn’t enough, we must practice it,” he said. He said the PR systems often lead to long delays in forming a government. He said, “If instability persists, another ‘fascist’ like Sheikh Hasina could rise to power, allowing external forces to assert their interests.”

Imports, exports to be suspended for 6 days through BenapoleImports and exports through Jashore’s Benapole Land Port will remain suspended for six days during Durga Puja. Hilsa exports to India, however, will face no interruption. “Although import and export will remain suspended during the holiday, passenger movement will continue as usual.”Md Shamim Hossain, director (Traffic) at the Benapole Port, said both Bangladeshi and Indian exporters have been notified of the suspension. He explained that port and customs services will continue, and empty Indian trucks will be allowed to return after unloading. Authorities have warned of possible traffic congestion at Petrapole and Benapole after the holiday, with hundreds of laden trucks waiting to cross the border once trade resumes.

Bangladesh opted to field first with two changes to the line-up against Pakistan in a bid to secure a spot in the final of the Asia Cup. The Tigers brought in Mahedi Hasan, Nurul Hasan Shohan and Taskin Ahmed in place of Nasum Ahmed and Saifuddin for their must-win clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Pakistan are fielding an unchanged side from their win against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh won the last two of the three outings against Pakistan in the format, including a series win in their backyard. A bit of moisture in the air too, and Simon Doull chimes in, saying the ball will swing and seam early.

A vehicle is set on fire during a protest by locals demanding statehood for the federal territory and job quotas for local residents in Leh, in the Ladakh region, India, Sept 24, 2025. REUTERSA vehicle is set on fire during a protest by locals demanding statehood for the federal territory and job quotas for local residents in Leh, in the Ladakh region, India, Sept 24, 2025. REUTERSSecurity forces patrolled the streets on Thursday in India's Himalayan region of Ladakh, where curfew was clamped in some areas a day after four people were killed in violent protests demanding statehood for the federal territory and job quotas. KDA legal adviser Haji Ghulam Mustafa condemned Wednesday's violence, saying protests in Ladakh over the last five years had always been peaceful. In its statement, the interior ministry said the protests, which injured more than 30 police officers, were triggered by "provocative" speeches by Wangchuk.