Heavy rainfall has lashed Dhaka and other parts of the country, leaving many neighbourhoods in the capital swamped. Dhaka recorded 203mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours, Meteorologist Kazi Zebunnesa said on Wednesday. EIGHT DIVISIONS ON ALERTAccording to the forecast, heavy rainfall is likely not only in Dhaka but also across all eight divisions of the country. “Rainfall will increase tomorrow and we are issuing a heavy rainfall warning for Dhaka," said Zebunnesa. She also urged authorities to take effective measures within the next 24 hours to reduce public suffering from waterlogging.

Of these, 22 were reviewed, and the decision was made to register NCP and Bangladesh Jatiya League." Akhtar said the NCP and Bangladesh Jatiya League have fulfilled the preliminary requirements for political party registration. The parties under "deeper review" are Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party, Jatiya Janata Party, and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal's Shajahan Siraj faction. The nine parties requiring "more inquiry" include Amjanatar Dol, Bangladesh Ganotantrik Party, Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist), Bangladesh Justice and Development Party, Bhasani Janashakti Party, Bangladesh Bekar Mukti Parishad, Janatar Dal, Moulik Bangla, and Janata Party Bangladesh. Those dropped from consideration include Forward Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist-CPBM), Bangladesh Reformist Party, Bangladesh Bekar Samaj, Bangladesh Solution Party, Notun Bangladesh Party, Jamiat-e-Olam-e-Islam & Nezame Islam Party.

Former Bangladesh Bank Governor Mohammad Farashuddin speaks at an event in Dhaka's Banani on Tuesday. -AgencyFormer Bangladesh Bank governor Mohammad Farashuddin has called for the state to take control of the assets held by local corporate groups he likened to "East India companies", claiming they have captured key levers of the economy and must now face justice. Bangladesh Bank has flagged them. He argued that when political and economic power become one and the same, "East India company-style" entities are born, reports bdnews24.com. Without preserving the independence and integrity of institutions like the central bank, he cautioned, "new East India companies will continue to emerge."

As the investigation officer failed to submit the report on the scheduled date on Tuesday, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Arifur Rahman set a new date of Nov 11. Sub-Inspector Abul Bashar of the Prosecution Division confirmed that Meghna’s passport plea had been turned down. On Jul 29, Meghna filed an application with the court seeking the return of her passport, MacBook, mobile and laptop. He told the court, “Meghna is a leadership trainer. For the sake of investigation, I request the application be rejected.”The court later rejected Meghna’s plea for the return of her passport and set a new date for submission of the forensic report.

After losing the authority to appoint staff, private school governing bodies, including managing committees, will now also lose control over appointing head teachers and deputy head teachers. The recruitment process for these positions will now be overseen by the government, with a recommendation procedure under government supervision. The education ministry has formed a committee to determine the specific process and authority to carry out these appointments. At a workshop organised by the Non-Government Teachers' Registration & Certification Authority (NTRCA) on Tuesday, the regulatory agency Chairman Md Aminul Islam shared this information. He said, previously, the managing committee had the authority to appoint headteachers and deputy headteachers.

Former Bangladesh Bank governor Mohammad Farashuddin has called for the state to take control of the assets held by local corporate groups he likened to “East India companies”, claiming they have captured key levers of the economy and must now face justice. Speaking on Tuesday at the launch of the July–August edition of Monthly Macroeconomic Insights in Dhaka’s Banani, Farashuddin said Bangladesh Bank has already identified around 10 to 15 such groups. “These groups took control of banks. Bangladesh Bank has flagged them. He argued that when political and economic power become one and the same, “East India company-style” entities are born.

Nine killed in accident at power station in India's ChennaiNine workers were killed in an accident at a thermal power plant that is under construction in the southern Indian city of Chennai, officials said on Tuesday. Radhakrishnan said one person was injured in the accident, in addition to the nine deaths. Officials at BHEL, which is the contractor of the project, are present at the accident site, Radhakrishnan told reporters in a video posted on X by ANI, in which Reuters has a minority stake. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin confirmed the deaths in an X post and said the nine workers were from the eastern state of Assam. "Saddened by the mishap due to the collapse of a building in Chennai, Tamil Nadu," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X.

Khagrachhari blockade suspended until Oct 5, with assurance of demands being metThe Jumma Chhatra Janata has suspended its blockade in Khagrachhari until Oct 5, following four days of protests. The statement said the suspension came after receiving assurance from the authorities to implement eight key demands, and in respect of the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations. The statement also said the protests had been initiated following the “gang-rape” of a schoolgirl from the Jumma community in Khagrachhari on Sept 23. On Monday, a six-member delegation from the group participated in a law and order meeting convened by the Khagrachhari district administrator. During the meeting, the delegation presented their eight demands, which the authorities assured would be met.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has alleged that “conspiracies” are being hatched "openly" at home and abroad to obstruct Bangladesh’s electoral process. “PR is a system of permanent restlessness. “One survey showed 56 percent of people in Bangladesh oppose the PR system. If 56 percent reject PR, how can 70 percent support it? Those who want to make proportional representation a system of permanent restlessness will not succeed.”

The medical examination of the Marma victim-survivor in Khagrachhari has found “no signs of rape”, said the lead doctor of the examining team. On Tuesday, Dr Joya Chakma of Khagrachhari Modern District Hospital, who headed the three-member medical board, said: “We have submitted the report to the medical authority. We conducted all possible examinations.”A copy of the medical report, obtained by bdnews24.com, shows that all 10 indicators of the test were recorded as “normal”. Her father subsequently filed a rape complaint at the Sadar Police Station. The same day, Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury claimed that the violence in Khagrachhari was instigated with the intention of disrupting the Durga Puja celebrations.

Poet and political thinker Farhad Mazhar has criticised Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus for taking Bangladesh to a “very dangerous place” by prioritising elections without sincerely implementing the aims of the July Uprising. “We hoped he would understand our hearts and the intent of the Uprising.”“But he did not understand,” Mazhar said. That is my complaint against you.”Mazhar insisted there are no “genuine” political parties in Bangladesh. “Why do you want to hold elections, Yunus? Yet you sit down to talk with political parties, not with the people.

19 arrested in 15 cases over Durga Puja incidents across Bangladesh, says IGPA total of 19 people have been arrested in 15 cases filed over Durga Puja-related incidents across Bangladesh, according to Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam. The police chief said 49 incidents were reported by Monday night during the festival. He also said rumours are often spread on social media during religious festivals, undermining communal harmony. “Sometimes old videos and incidents of idol vandalism are re-circulated on social media,” he said, adding that the cyber unit is working to dispel such confusion. We are vigilant in this regard.”He also highlighted ensuring equal security at every Puja pandal.

Over 5,000 candidates, who were recommended for entry-level MPO-listed teaching and lecturer positions in private educational institutions, have failed to join their jobs. While 41,626 individuals were recommended for these positions through the sixth public notice, 36,343 candidates have joined the posts, as reported by Md Aminul Islam, chief of the Private Teacher Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA), responsible for the recruitment process. Many others have secured alternative jobs, while some candidates failed to join positions, citing distance from their homes. The NTRCA chairman also highlighted issues with some institutions where governing bodies or heads demanded bribes to accept the appointed teachers. The workshop was organised to provide information on the NTRCA’s recruitment process, with participation from NTRCA members and media personnel.

A study has found that two out of three female garment workers in Bangladesh marry before the age of 18, shedding light on the harsh realities faced by women working in the country’s apparel industry. The research, conducted by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), says almost 65 percent have had their first pregnancy before reaching 18. The research, which spans from August 2022 to December 2024, focused on garment workers in the slums of Karail, Mirpur, and Tongi. The findings were presented at a seminar on sexual and reproductive health and rights of women workers in the garment sector, held at icddr,b in Dhaka. Moreover, only one in five women reported workplace violence to the authorities, and this figure did not improve over the two years.

Jamaat-e-Islami has confirmed it is in the process of changing its party logo after a redesigned emblem that dropped Quranic text and introduced flag-like imagery sparked criticism within the party and beyond. “Some of these are being edited, and the final version will be approved unanimously by our decision-making forum. Once finalised, we will inform you.”The controversy began on Sept 28, when a redesigned emblem appeared on the wall of Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman’s office during a meeting with Spanish Ambassador Gabriel Cistiaga Ochoa de Chinchetru and a European Union delegation. I don’t blame them for thinking so, but it's not the final logo,” he said. What you saw is not the final version.