Khelafat Majlis's Jalaluddin warns of ‘national crisis’ if July Charter not implemented
Jalaluddin Ahmad, secretary general of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, has warned that a “national disaster is inevitable” if the July Charter is not implemented immediately. Speaking at a protest rally in Dhaka on Thursday, he urged that the Charter must be enforced through the president's constitutional declaration, forming the basis for the national elections. “The July Charter must be implemented without delay, or the national crisis will be unavoidable. As part of a five-point demand, Khelafat led a procession from the northern gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Jalaluddin accused those delaying the implementation of the July Charter, also called the National Charter, of seeking political advantages.
Source:bd News24
September 18, 2025 14:54 UTC
Advisory Council okays revisions to two Election Commission laws
The Advisory Council has passed amended ordinances of two laws related to the Election Commission (EC). The decisions came at a council meeting presided over by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus at his office on Thursday. At a press briefing in the afternoon at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam presented the agenda of the meeting. He said, “The proposal to amend the Election Officer (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, has been passed in the Advisory Council. The amended ordinance of the Election Commission Secretariat Act, 2009, has also been approved.
Source:bd News24
September 18, 2025 13:27 UTC
US revokes visas for Indian business executives over fentanyl links
A private security guard stands outside the US embassy in New Delhi Dec 18, 2013. REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee/File PhotoA private security guard stands outside the US embassy in New Delhi Dec 18, 2013. REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee/File PhotoThe US embassy in New Delhi has revoked and subsequently denied visas for some Indian business executives and corporate leaders based on their involvement in trafficking fentanyl precursors, the embassy said in a statement on Thursday. Fentanyl precursors refer to the basic or parent chemicals that form fentanyl, a leading cause of US overdose deaths. The statement from the embassy did not name the people affected, but a spokesperson said they were Indian nationals.
Source:bd News24
September 18, 2025 13:17 UTC
Bangladesh reports six dengue deaths in highest single-day death toll this year
Bangladesh has recorded the highest single-day death toll from dengue this year, with six people succumbing to the disease in the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of deaths from the Aedes mosquito-borne virus to 167 this year. The deaths occurred at different hospitals, including DNCC Covid-19 Hospital, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Mugda Medical College Hospital, Chattogram Medical College Hospital, and Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal. As of now, 2,042 dengue patients are receiving treatment across hospitals in Bangladesh. The year 2023 has seen the highest hospitalisation rate, with 321,179 people admitted, and a record 1,705 deaths attributed to the disease.
Source:bd News24
September 18, 2025 12:35 UTC
Four shrines vandalised, torched in Cumilla after ‘loudspeaker announcements’
Four shrines vandalised, torched in Cumilla after ‘loudspeaker announcements’Four shrines in Homna Upazila of Cumilla have been vandalised and set on fire following “loudspeaker announcements” accusing a man of blasphemy. Police said they arrested Md Mohsin, 35, on charges of blasphemy before the violence erupted. On Thursday morning, an enraged “mob” gathered in the village and announcements were made through loudspeakers calling for attacks on shrines and houses. The crowd first targeted Mohsin’s house, then vandalised and set fire to the shrine of Kofil Uddin Shah. "Still, on Thursday morning, the mob vandalised and set fire to the shrines,” he added.
Source:bd News24
September 18, 2025 12:08 UTC
Pakistan gearing up for India rematch, says captain Salman
India's Axar Patel celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Salman Agha, caught out by India's Abhishek Sharma on Sept 14, 2025. REUTERSIndia's Axar Patel celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Salman Agha, caught out by India's Abhishek Sharma on Sept 14, 2025. Bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan has been suspended since 2013 and they play each other only in multi-team tournaments. India had cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan last weekend in the first cricket match between the sides since a four-day military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May. India and Pakistan could meet for a third time at the tournament if they both reach the Sept 28 final.
Source:bd News24
September 18, 2025 07:53 UTC
Biman aircraft stuck in Dubai for 26 hours over mechanical error
A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight has been stranded at Dubai International Airport for more than 26 hours after a mechanical failure grounded the aircraft, leaving passengers in limbo. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 178 passengers, had been scheduled to travel from Dubai to Dhaka via Sylhet. The aircraft had landed in Dubai from Dhaka at 10:11pm local time on Tuesday. On Wednesday evening, another Biman flight arrived in Dubai carrying spare parts to repair the Dreamliner. “We were kept in a hotel for 21 hours and then brought to Dubai Airport,” he said over the phone.
Source:bd News24
September 18, 2025 05:42 UTC
'Technical fault' grounds Biman aircraft in Dubai, leaving 178 passengers stranded
A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight has been grounded at Dubai International Airport due to a mechanical fault, leaving 178 passengers stranded. “To ensure passenger safety, the aircraft was grounded after a fault was detected during routine pre-departure checks,” she said. Replacement parts are due to arrive from Dhaka on a Biman flight on Wednesday night. Once repairs are completed, the aircraft is expected to depart later the same night for Dhaka via Sylhet. Several Biman flights have been plagued by technical issues in recent months, with Boeing aircraft being the most affected.
Source:bd News24
September 18, 2025 01:51 UTC
Polytechnic students stage street protests in Dhaka, Rajshahi and Dinajpur
Polytechnic institute and technical students have launched fresh street protests in Dhaka, Rajshahi and Dinajpur to push through a series of demands. Meanwhile, in Dinajpur, polytechnic institute students blocked railway lines in the morning as part of the same campaign. Appointment of individuals with a technical education background to all administrative posts in the technical education sector. Formation of a separate Ministry of Technical Education and a Technical Education Reform Commission. Earlier, in April, polytechnic institute and technical students had staged similar demonstrations across Dhaka and other parts of the country with six demands.
Source:bd News24
September 17, 2025 22:42 UTC
51% of the population, but Islamist parties resist even 5% direct quota for women MPs
51% of the population, but Islamist parties resist even 5% direct quota for women MPsDespite women’s prominent role in Bangladesh’s pro-democracy uprising last year, efforts to improve their political representation face resistance, particularly from Islamist parties, as the country prepares for its next general election. But several Islamist parties, including Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and Nizam-e-Islami Party, have opposed even this modest quota. “There’s not much more we can do,” he said after talks with political parties ended in July. While all major parties agree on increasing the number of reserved seats for women from 50 to 100, they remain divided over implementation. ACTIVISTS ‘FRUSTRATED’Women’s groups have condemned the political parties’ failure to commit to stronger representation.
Source:bd News24
September 17, 2025 20:34 UTC
Consensus Commission unveils expert, party recommendations on July Charter implementation
The National Consensus Commission has presented recommendations from political parties and an expert panel on implementing the July Charter, also known as National Charter, which includes a seven-point pledge. Experts have proposed four methods for implementation: ordinances, executive orders, referendums, and special constitutional orders, a statement from the commission said on Wednesday. On the other hand, political parties have suggested implementation through a referendum, special constitutional orders, the formation of a Constituent Assembly, and constitutional amendments via general election. On Sept 11, the Commission finalised the July Charter draft, stating that political parties would be unable to challenge the accord in court once signed. Discussions are now ongoing with representatives from 30 political parties to determine the best path for implementation.
Source:bd News24
September 17, 2025 20:31 UTC
Biman pilot in trouble after flying to Jeddah with wrong passport
Biman pilot in trouble after flying to Jeddah with wrong passportA Biman Bangladesh Airlines pilot has landed in hot water in Saudi Arabia after mistakenly travelling with his mother’s passport instead of his own. Captain Muntasir Rahman flew a Boeing 777 to Jeddah on Tuesday night, but immigration officials discovered he did not have his own passport upon arrival. He was detained and questioned before being released on Wednesday morning following the intervention of Biman officials in Jeddah. Later in the day, Biman arranged for his passport to be flown from Dhaka to Jeddah on an evening flight. “Captain Muntasir mistakenly boarded the flight with his mother’s passport.
Source:bd News24
September 17, 2025 19:59 UTC
‘Suspicious movement’: US citizen of Bangladeshi origin faces extended interrogation
A Dhaka court has ordered a five-day remand for Enayet Karim Chowdhury, a Bangladesh-origin US citizen, following his detention for “suspicious roaming” in a car on Minto Road. His associate, SM Golam Mostafa Azad, has also been sent into custody for questioning, for the same period. The decision came after an application by Inspector Akhtar Morshed of the detective police Ramna zone. Enayet was arrested by Ramna Model Police on Saturday around 10:30am, allegedly for suspicious activities. Meanwhile, a terrorism case was filed against him, and he was arrested under this charge, leading to his two-day remand by the Detective Branch.
Source:bd News24
September 17, 2025 18:19 UTC
Theaters bet big on massive screens, booming sound and recliners to lure movie fans
With a $5 million makeover, Phoenix Theatres transformed a 10-screen cinema at Cleveland's Great Northern Mall into a cinematic escape where wall-to-wall screens, thundering sound, and luxurious recliners lure movie lovers back to the big screens. AMC told investors last month that its upgraded auditoriums attract close to three times the occupancy of a regular theater. Texas-based Cinemark has invested $225 million this year to maintain and enhance its global theaters, according to Cinema United's Cinema Investment Report. Theater owners charge an average $5 per ticket premium for these more luxurious experiences, according to EntTelligence, helping to offset the 23 percent decline in ticket sales since 2019. "If movie theaters were not recovering -- which they've done, pretty amazingly considering they were shut down in March of 2020 -- premium wouldn't even be on the table," said Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore senior media analyst.
Source:bd News24
September 17, 2025 17:58 UTC
CUCSU election: More candidates join as 528 eye central position, 1,162 for hall council
The Chattogram University Central Students' Union (CUCSU) election is witnessing increased interest, with 528 candidates now vying for central positions. This follows an extension of the nomination period on Wednesday, which saw an additional 39 students collect forms for the central election. The hall council election also saw a rise in contenders, with 34 more students picking up nomination forms on the final day. For instance, 42 candidates from AF Rahman Hall, 41 from Alaol Hall, and 53 from Atish Dipangkar Srigyan Hall picked up nomination forms. In terms of form submission, 125 central candidates and 246 hall council hopefuls have already turned in their papers.
Source:bd News24
September 17, 2025 17:54 UTC