A case has been filed over the controversial incident in which an elderly man, Fakir Halim Uddin, was forcibly held and had his hair and beard cut in Tarakanda, Mymensingh. The victim's son, Mohammad Shahid Akand, initiated the case on Saturday afternoon, according to Tarakanda Police chief Mohammad Tipu Sultan. The case names several individuals from the organisation Human Service Bangladesh and some local associates, though officer Tipu refrained from revealing the names of the accused for investigative reasons. Since the incident, Halim has confined himself almost entirely to his home. Officer Tipu said the incident took place nearly four months ago, but the video prompted widespread criticism.

Man lynched on suspicion of theft in NarsingdiA man has been beaten to death by a “mob” on suspicion of theft in Narsindi’s Shibpur Upazila. The incident took place around midnight on Friday outside the Upazila health complex at Monowar Hossain Rana’s pharmacy, said Shibpur Police chief Afzal Hossain. Passers-by heard noises inside and called the shop owner to alert him. On arrival, the shop owner raised the alarm. He was first taken to Shibpur Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital.

Three others were injured in the accident that occurred around 12pm on Saturday on the Dhaka-Khulna Highway near Majhgati bus stand, according to Sergeant Md Rasel Mia of Bhanga Highway Police Outpost. The injured have been admitted to Kashiani Upazila Health Complex. Police and witnesses said an Imad Paribahan bus heading to Dhaka from Khulna collided head-on with the easy bike travelling in the opposite direction. The impact left the three-wheeler in a crumpled heap, killing two passengers on the spot and two more after being taken to hospital. Rasel said the group was travelling from Madaripur to Majhgati village to attend a wedding ceremony.

A dawn-to-dusk road blockade is under way in Khagrachhari demanding the arrest of those involved in the alleged rape of a Marma teenage girl. Road connectivity between Khagrachhari and Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rangamati has been severed since Saturday morning due to the blockade enforced by the “Jumma students and locals”. Tourists Ashutosh, Saidul, and Rakib had come to visit Khagrachhari, but said they were unaware of the blockade. Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station chief Abdul Baten Mridha said, "The road blockade in Khagrachhari is ongoing. The Jumma students and locals also observed a half-day road blockade in Khagrachhari on Thursday, making the same demands.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has expressed interest in signing a free trade agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh and in linking the special economic zones of the two countries. Welcoming the proposals, Yunus said that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Bhutan could be taken "to a new level" through increased connectivity, trade and investment. Tshering also suggested connecting Bhutan’s special economic zone, Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), with the special economic zones in Kurigram allocated for Bhutanese investors, noting that such a move would benefit both nations significantly. He mentioned that Buddhist monks from Bangladesh could visit Bhutan, which would contribute to tourism development. Yunus later invited the Bhutanese PM to visit Bangladesh.

Another firefighter has died from injuries suffered while battling a chemical warehouse fire in Gazipur's Tongi, marking the fourth death linked to the incident. Khondokar Jannatul Naeem, a warehouse inspector with the Fire Service and Civil Defence, passed away around 10am on Saturday while undergoing treatment at Dhaka’s National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute. The men were severely burnt while trying to extinguish the blaze at the chemical factory near Sahara Market on Sept 22. After a sudden explosion inside the warehouse, people inside fled, but a subsequent blast from a chemical drum injured four firefighters. He joined the Fire Service in August 2016, serving in Manikganj and Narayanganj before being promoted to warehouse inspector in Chattogram and later posted at Tongi Fire Station.

As concrete crowds out nature in Cox’s Bazar, foreign tourists stay awayCox’s Bazar, home to the world’s longest natural sea beach, is one of Bangladesh’s most popular tourist destinations. CONCRETE OVERTAKES NATUREEnvironmental groups warn that unregulated construction is damaging the very asset Cox’s Bazar depends on: its natural beauty. Moazzem Hossain, chairman of Save the Nature of Bangladesh, said: “Unplanned hotel construction seems to have become the norm in Cox’s Bazar. Foreigners will not come to see concrete -- they will be drawn by nature and culture.”Prof Moinul Hasan Palash, head of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Cox’s Bazar City College, says tourism in Cox’s Bazar has always been unplanned and disorderly. Experts warn that until foreign tourists begin arriving in larger numbers, the sector will struggle to contribute significantly to Bangladesh’s economy.

Passengers suffer as long-haul buses stay off Rajshahi roads for third dayLong-distance bus services from Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi and Natore have remained suspended for a third straight day as drivers, supervisors and helpers press for better benefits. On Saturday, no buses left or entered these districts, leaving passengers heading to Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar and other distant destinations facing severe hardship. Bus owners said they stopped long-haul services from 10pm on Thursday after workers raised fresh demands despite recent increases in wages and allowances. “We already raised wages this month. Workers stopped services twice earlier in September to press their demands, and services resumed after a settlement in Dhaka.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Waker-uz-Zaman has returned to Bangladesh following a four-day official visit to Malaysia. He landed in Dhaka on Friday night after attending the 14th Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference in Kuala Lumpur, bdnews24.com reported citing a statement of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday. From Tuesday to Friday, army chiefs from across the Indo-Pacific region met to discuss strengthening friendship and cooperation, addressing common challenges, and coordinating responses to regional crises. At the conference, Gen Waker stressed partnership and cooperation over competition in tackling the Indo-Pacific region’s multifaceted challenges, the ISPR said. During his visit, Gen Waker also paid courtesy calls on Gen Ronald Patrick Clark, commanding general of the US Army Pacific Command, and Gen Tan Sri Dato' Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain bin Jantan, chief of the Malaysian Army.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Waker-uz-Zaman has returned to Bangladesh following a four-day official visit to Malaysia. He landed in Dhaka on Friday night after attending the 14th Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference in Kuala Lumpur, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Saturday. At the conference, Gen Waker stressed partnership and cooperation over competition in tackling the Indo-Pacific region’s multifaceted challenges, the ISPR said. He reiterated the Bangladesh Army’s commitment to regional peace and stability through a humanitarian approach, professionalism, and constructive engagement, it added. During his visit, Gen Waker also paid courtesy calls on Gen Ronald Patrick Clark, commanding general of the US Army Pacific Command, and Gen Tan Sri Dato' Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain bin Jantan, chief of the Malaysian Army.

Forward Harry Kane struck twice, including a record-extending first half penalty, to reach 100 goals across all competitions for the German champions as they cruised to a 4-0 victory over visitors Werder Bremen on Friday. It's an honour to reach 100 goals for this great club. Hopefully to another 100 goals." However, Kane, whose deal with Bayern runs to 2027, said he was not thinking of a return at this stage. "It was another great moment for Harry Kane," Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said.

ACC Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Aktarul Islam confirmed to bdnews24.com that a court order was received to seize Joy's assets. Citing information from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), the ACC application says: "The accused, Sajeeb Wazed, has made illegal investments in the United States. ACC also says, "It is very important to freeze and annex Joy's immovable and movable assets in the United States immediately." Earlier, in July, the court ordered the seizure of Joy's two houses in the United States following an application by the ACC. It said that the accused opened multiple bank accounts abroad under different names and made illegal money transactions.

The "Arakan Army" has accused Bangladeshi officials of involvement in attacks carried out by "Rohingya insurgents" on its bases in Myanmar's Rakhine state. The Irrawaddy, a Myanmar-based outlet run from Thailand, reported that the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) jointly attacked an Arakan Army base in Maungdaw Township on the night of Sept 18. Claiming that Bangladeshi officials "supported" the assault, the armed group chief Tun Myat Naing said his forces were already struggling to restore order in territories taken from the Myanmar government. "Bangladeshi military officers who support militants on the other side of the border told them to attack us," he added. In an interview with Irrawaddy, the Arakan Army chief said Bangladeshi officials instructed the Muslim militants to attack Taungpyo, near the Bangladesh border, or, if that was not possible, military positions north of Taungpyo.

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. Sub-section 2 of the same clause specifies that, for Islamic banks, Bangladesh Bank may clarify the objectives of resolution through regulations as needed.

India overcome Nissanka ton and Super Over drama to edge out Sri LankaDefending champions India survived Pathum Nissanka's blistering hundred and some intense Super Over drama before beating Sri Lanka in a dead rubber to maintain their unbeaten run in the Asia Cup on Friday. Sri Lanka, however, managed only two runs in the Super Over before losing both the wickets in five deliveries from Arshdeep Singh. Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka removed Abhishek but Tilak Varma, who made 49 not out, and Sanju Samson (39) maintained the pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers. In their chase, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Mendis for a duck in the first over but cruised to 72-1 after the six powerplay overs. Nissanka raced to a 52-ball hundred but fell in the first ball of the last over, which ended with Sri Lanka also on 202-5 forcing the Super Over.