The prosecution has stopped defence lawyers from questioning an investigator about police killings during the trial of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who are facing charges of crimes against humanity. The exchange took place on Tuesday during the questioning of investigating officer Md Alamgir. State-appointed defence counsel Md Amir Hossain, representing Hasina and Kamal, faced objections when he raised the issue of police killings in several districts. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, sided with the prosecution after reviewing the tribunal law. Justice Mozumder initially noted that “there is no limit to cross-examination”, but the prosecution cited legal provisions restricting witness questioning.

Constable claims former officer ordered corpses to be covered during July UprisingA police constable has revealed in court that he was ordered by the chief of Ashulia Police to “cover the bodies” of several victims with banners during the July-August protests. The testimony was given by Constable Rashedul Islam, 46, on Tuesday at the International Criminal Tribunal-2, in connection with the case of six bodies being burned in Ashulia. Rashedul, a driver constable at Ashulia Police Station, said he was not on duty that day and was on the fourth floor of the police station building. Rashedul also described taking refuge in an eight-story building on the west side of the station for about an hour. Rashedul, the 12th witness in this case, hails from Medur West Para village in Sarishabari, Jamalpur.

Gwyn Lewis, the United Nations resident coordinator in Bangladesh, has met with Shafiqur Rahman, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami. Lewis was accompanied by Huma Khan, the human rights advisor to the UN resident representative. According to a statement released by Jamaat, the meeting was conducted in a “sincere and cordial atmosphere”. Discussions focused on the political and human rights situation in Bangladesh, the Rohingya crisis and the country’s upcoming national elections. The meeting also expressed hope for the continued support of the UN in advancing women’s rights, improving workplace skills and contributing to the country’s overall development, the statement said.

All parties reached a unanimous policy decision.”The implementation of key reforms had been “delayed in many ways”, pointing to a "conspiracy", according to Taher. “There were elections held in 2018, 2024 and even in 2014. Did those elections resolve the problems or raise more issues?" “So an election should be held in February because the need for a democratic, representative government is critical. Our past experience says that a free, fair, neutral and participatory election is the only way to resolve problems.”

Reiterating his party's commitment to prioritising Bangladesh’s interests above all else, Tarique insisting that issues such as water-sharing must be addressed with New Delhi. In the interview, BBC Bangla asked Tarique about the differences between the BNP and several other parties, including Jamaat, over proposed political reforms. What kind of democracy is this?” Tarique asked. We, the political parties, have said this together. The same way, many political parties have also spoken of the 31 points together.”

'It went beyond fixing': Former cricketer sounds off on BCB poll 'manipulation'Former cricketer Debabrata Pal, a losing candidate in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) elections, has alleged widespread government interference and manipulation in the voting process. Mashud had been nominated by the BCB under the former cricketers’ quota, while Debabrata represented Jahangirnagar University. I’ve been part of this election process for years. I just wanted to see how low they could go.”'BEYOND FIXING'Bangladesh legend Tamim had alleged “election fixing” as he withdrew his candidacy. The top figure in sports was directly involved in this election process.

Tarique Rahman confident of BNP victory as he plots return for electionTarique Rahman has said he will return home to take part in the upcoming national elections. He insisted that the student-led movement that toppled Hasina’s “authoritarian regime” would only be fulfilled through a “free and credible” election. “We strongly believe we are in a position to form the government alone.”Tarique added that his return to Bangladesh was imminent. He accused the Awami League of being “fascist” and said the BNP would open its doors to new political forces, including student leaders who spearheaded last year’s uprising. He also pledged a “Bangladesh before all” foreign policy with India, aimed at resetting what he described as a “one-sided” relationship.

Lobbying stalls appointment to public administration secretary’s post vacant for over two weeksMinistry of Public Administration has been without a secretary since Sept 21, with the appointment stalled amid intense lobbying by several political parties for their preferred officers, according to multiple officials familiar with the process. The post fell vacant after a sudden government order removed Senior Secretary Md Mokhlesur Rahman, who had been appointed on a two-year contract following the political change on Aug 5, 2024. A recently retired senior secretary told bdnews24.com the authorities are moving carefully to avoid repeating “hurried appointments” that previously had to be reversed. In another development, the committee that oversees senior bureaucratic postings and transfers met at the finance ministry on Monday. An officer present outside the meeting said the appointment of a new public administration secretary could be among the decisions taken there.

Russian expert claims India will ‘gain’ if Moscow sells fighter jet engines to PakistanSelling fighter jet engines to Pakistan will benefit India, a Russian defence expert has claimed amid growing debate in Delhi over Moscow’s reported plan to supply RD-93 engines for Pakistan’s Chinese-made JF-17 aircraft. Pakistan uses the Chinese-built JF-17 fighter jets and is reportedly seeking to buy engines for them from Russia -- India’s long-time strategic partner. The reports have stirred controversy in India, where questions were raised about why Moscow would agree to military cooperation with Pakistan, a country viewed as India’s adversary. Pyotr Topychkanov, head of the South and Southeast Asia Section at Russia’s state-run Primakov Institute, however, claimed that if Moscow indeed sells the engines, India would actually “benefit”. India and Russia are scheduled to hold their annual summit in December, which Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend.

Journalists have urged the Election Commission to take a firm stance in ensuring a free, fair and inclusive parliamentary polls, stressing equal opportunity for all candidates and effective action against misinformation on social media and cyber platforms. Print and online media journalists presented the recommendations during a dialogue with the commmission at its Agargaon office in Dhaka on Monday afternoon. At the beginning of the meeting, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said the national election would “determine the nation’s future”. It is a national election, and we intend to conduct it at the national level. We wish to move forward together to make this election free and fair,” the CEC added.

Pakistan looks to unlock Saudi investment in visit following defence pactSaudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embrace each other on the day they sign a defence agreement, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sept 17, 2025. Photo: ReutersSaudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embrace each other on the day they sign a defence agreement, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sept 17, 2025. Under last month's defence deal Pakistani forces are expected to be stationed in Saudi Arabia, with Riyadh indicating it will also come under the protection of Islamabad’s nuclear weapons. “Don’t just ask us for money.”Past Saudi pledges of large investment in Pakistan in recent years have not delivered. A Pakistani official said that the Saudi visit was focused on the private sector and that Pakistan recognised that institutional reforms were needed.

Former police chief Mamun was “influenced” to falsely testify, says Hasina’s lawyerLawyer Amir Hossain has claimed that ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was “provoked” into giving a statement implicating suspects in a crimes against humanity case linked to the July Uprising. The claim came on Monday during cross-examination of the case’s investigating officer Md Alamgir at the International Crimes Tribunal-1. Among the three suspects in the case, former IGP Mamun has given a statement as a state approver. The defence counsel also claimed that reports published in the daily Amar Desh newspaper were “false and hostile” towards Hasina, but Alamgir denied this. Former police chief Mamun was present in court during the proceedings.

Saudi opens doors for skilled Bangladeshi workers with first formal dealBangladesh and oil-rich Saudi Arabia have signed a bilateral labour agreement for the first time, a move expected to substantially expand Bangladesh’s overseas employment market. Although Bangladesh has been sending workers to Saudi Arabia informally since 1976, no formal agreement on general worker recruitment existed until now. The new deal is expected to boost the recruitment of skilled workers from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia while ensuring “greater” protection of the rights and interests of both employees and employers, the government said. The ministry said before the signing, a bilateral meeting was held between the Saudi minister and Advisor Nazrul. The meeting also included "productive" discussions on recruiting and training skilled workers, safeguarding the welfare of expatriate workers, and strengthening cooperation between the two countries, the statement read.

Despite requests in two phases, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has not received the information and documents within the stipulated time for the inquiry it launched against former Bangladesh Bank governor Atiur Rahman over a series of allegations. This time, the Bangladesh Bank reserve heist issue was given special importance." The agency had first requested details on him from the Bangladesh Bank in June. Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arief Hossain Khan told bdnews24.com that all information requested by the ACC is always provided. Later, on Mar 15 of that year, a Bangladesh Bank official initiated a case at Dhaka’s Motijheel Police Station over the heist.

After a dip in August, inflation rate has surged again, to 8.36 percent, in September. The inflation rate in July this year was recorded at 8.55 percent. The following month saw a slight decrease, marking the lowest inflation in 37 months. According to the latest BBS data, both food and non-food inflation rose in September. Food inflation increased from 7.60 percent in August to 7.64 percent in September, while non-food inflation rose from 8.90 percent in August to 8.98 percent.