EC offered no explanation for excluding ‘Shapla’ from list of poll symbols, says NCPLeaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) are refusing to budge from their demand for allocation of the “Shapla” or water lily as electoral symbol during a meeting with the Election Commission. At the Thursday meeting, the party also sought an explanation from the commission as to why the symbol could not be granted. After the discussion, the party’s Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said the NCP would not accept any symbol other than Shapla. Rejecting the EC’s request, the party urged the commission to amend the rules to include Shapla in the list of electoral symbols. In the letter, Convenor Nahid Islam expressed hope that one of three versions -- Shapla, White Shapla, or Red Shapla -- would be allocated to the party.

Researchers at North Carolina State University have published an inquiry into advanced hyperspectral imaging technology as a potential jumping-off point for sorting municipal waste. The study, published in the journal Matter, discusses the scientists' use of powerful optical sensors to analyze the wavelengths of light reflected against various materials as conveyed through a pixelated image. "Hyperspectral imaging is a powerful tool that allows us to see what human eyes or standard cameras can't," explained Lokendra Pal, an E.J. Learn moreA large body of these "fingerprints" can better equip local recycling systems as they sort through municipal waste — in particular, identifying materials that can be salvaged for various recycling endeavors. This research to speed up and enhance automated sorting techniques through hyperspectral imaging can help pinpoint more salvageable materials and transform our recycling management systems for the better.

The interim government has approved the merger of five financially struggling Shariah-based private banks to form a single new bank. The banks involved in this merger are First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, EXIM Bank, and Social Islami Bank. The merged entity will initially have an authorised capital of Tk 400 billion, with paid-up capital estimated at Tk 350 billion. As part of the initial plan, Tk 150 billion in institutional deposits will be converted into capital through a "bail-in" process. On Sept 16, the Bangladesh Bank’s board approved the “Resolution Plan Scheme 2025” for the merger, which was subsequently endorsed by the Advisory Council.

Observers note that the visit reflects India’s growing effort to open communication channels with the Taliban administration in Kabul. Under diplomatic norms, the visiting leader’s national flag is displayed alongside India’s tricolour during bilateral meetings and official photographs. But since India has not recognised Taliban rule, the new Taliban flag cannot be used in such settings. The NDTV report said that during earlier meetings between Indian officials and Muttaqi, the Taliban flag appeared in the background on Kabul’s side. Earlier, after Foreign Secretary Misri’s meeting with Muttaqi in January, the Taliban government described India as an “important regional and economic power”, it added.

None of the 12 officials of the Roads and Highways Department, who were ordered to work to ease traffic congestion at the Bishwa Road intersection in Brahmanbaria, have complied with a directive given by the road transport advisor. Instead, the department’s temporary office at the site remained locked throughout Thursday. On Wednesday, Road Transport Advisor Fouzul Kabir Khan inspected the damaged highway from Ashuganj roundabout to the Bishwa Road intersection and directed the officers overseeing repairs to work from a temporary base in Brahmanbaria. On Wednesday, Advisor Fouzul himself was stuck in traffic for over two hours before boarding a motorcycle to reach the Bishwa Road intersection. The Roads and Highways Department has begun temporary repair work on the potholes at the Ashuganj roundabout and the Bishwa Road intersection.

The government has approved a draft of the “Deposit Protection Ordinance, 2025”, which will increase the deposit guarantee from Tk 100,000 to Tk 200,000 for bank and financial institution depositors. The move amends the 2000 “Bank Deposit Insurance Act” to include deposit guarantees for financial institutions, which were previously not covered. Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief advisor, said in a media briefing, “Previously, the deposit guarantee was Tk 100,000. These funds will be independent of other Bangladesh Bank funds and managed by a trustee board. The ordinance also outlines that the maximum deposit guarantee will be reviewed every three years.

The government has introduced a new provision in the Cyber Protection Ordinance, effectively dismissing all cases filed under the repealed Digital Security Act. The Digital Security Act, introduced in 2018 to tackle cybercrime, faced criticism for its repressive provisions. In 2023, it was amended and replaced by the Cyber Security Act, with further revisions made by the interim government, culminating in the new Cyber Protection Ordinance. After the meeting, said: “All cases under the Digital Security Act of 2018 have been annulled. Those convicted or charged are now free of any liability.”The Advisory Council also approved two other ordinances, the “Personal Data Protection Ordinance, 2025” and the “National Data Protection Ordinance, 2025”, which are expected to strengthen the protection of citizens' personal data.

Ukraine has yet to convince Donald Trump to put sufficient pressure on Russia to force it to negotiate a peace deal, so it has deployed a new lobbying tactic: nominate the US president for the Nobel Peace Prize. "If Trump gives the world – above all, the Ukrainian people – the chance for such a ceasefire, then yes, he should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize," Zelensky said in comments released Thursday. Last week, a group of Ukrainian lawmakers submitted a motion asking colleagues to nominate Trump for the Nobel prize, arguing that it was a critical show of loyalty to a strategic partner. "If we can't show today that Ukraine and the Ukrainian parliament absolutely and totally support Donald Trump and his peace plans, then what can we talk about?" Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday that Trump deserves the honour if he can convince China to abandon the use of force against the island.

The board’s pay proposal requires Musk to remain a Tesla executive for at least seven-and-a-half years to collect any stock compensation. MODEST TARGETS WORTH BILLIONSHitting any two product goals in a decade, along with a $2.5 trillion valuation, pays Musk $26.4 billion in stock. In its pay proposal, Tesla’s board declared Musk the only person capable of transforming Tesla into an artificial-intelligence juggernaut. Wei Jiang, vice dean at Emory University’s business school, said Tesla’s board has granted Musk a “monopoly” on Tesla’s top job. Neither will the “handful of billions” for lower-rung goals matter much to Musk, who cares more about historic technological achievements, Murphy said.

No changes to Champions League format, UEFA says after talks with Super League promotersUEFA said on Thursday it had held informal discussions with A22 Sports Management, the company behind plans to revive a European Super League, but stressed that no changes were being considered to the format of its elite club competition. "We categorically reaffirm that there are no plans to change the format of the UEFA Champions League." Media reports said earlier on Thursday that A22 had entered exploratory talks with UEFA officials to discuss a possible framework for a new competition. However, football bodies and national leagues have consistently opposed the idea, warning it could undermine the European football pyramid. The original Super League project collapsed in 2021 after a backlash from fans, governments and the wider football community.

India thumped West Indies by an innings and 140 runs inside three days of the opening Test in Ahmedabad and look on course to win their first test series under Gill's captaincy at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium. West Indies were blanked 3-0 by Australia in their previous Test series in July, which included the ignominy of being bundled out for 27 in the final test in Kingston. "It doesn't matter who you're playing. It doesn't matter if you're playing West Indies, Bangladesh, Australia or England. His counterpart Roston Chase drew inspiration from his chat with three former West Indies captains -- Viv Richards, Richie Richardson and Brian Lara -- ahead of the match.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is extending a loan of $100 million, equivalent to nearly Tk 12.17 billion, to develop and promote Bangladesh’s small and medium enterprises (SME) sector. The deal was signed on Thursday in Dhaka under the second phase of the 2nd Small and Medium Enterprise Development Project. Hoe Yun Jeong, ADB’s country director for Bangladesh, signed for the lender, according to a media statement issued by ERD. A separate project agreement was also signed between ADB and Bangladesh Bank. The earlier phase of the project also benefited underserved entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban areas outside the two major cities.

Political parties will sign the “July National Charter”, which includes decisions on state reform and implementation commitments, on Oct 15. On Thursday, the National Consensus Commission announced that the signing ceremony will take place at the South Plaza of the parliament. Representatives from different political parties and alliances will participate." It also said, during the meeting, experts' opinions on the implementation of the Charter were discussed, along with insights gathered from five meetings between the commission and political parties. “The commission expressed hope that, after analysing the opinions from experts and political parties, recommendations on the implementation of the July Charter will be prepared and submitted to the government soon."

The chiefs of nine Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education have announced Oct 16 as the possible date for the publication of the HSC and equivalent examinations’ results. Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board Chairman Mian Md Nurul Haq said the decision was reached during a meeting of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee held on Thursday at the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dhaka. The final date will be confirmed once the government approves.”This year’s HSC and equivalent examinations were held from Jun 26 to Aug 19. Approximately 1.25 million students from 11 education boards submitted forms to participate in the exams. Traditionally, results are published within 60 days of the examinations’ completion.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi attend the Global Fintech Fest on Oct 9, 2025, in Mumbai, India. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERSBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi attend the Global Fintech Fest on Oct 9, 2025, in Mumbai, India. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERSIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British counterpart Keir Starmer hailed their new trade deal as potentially transforming commercial links, as London unveiled new Indian investment that would be a "launch pad" for closer ties. Starmer said the focus of his visit was about doubling down on the potential of the trade deal, which is expected to take effect within a year. INDIA, UK SIGN DEFENCE DEALSEarlier, Starmer's office said 64 Indian companies would collectively invest 1.3 billion pounds ($1.75 billion) in Britain, without elaborating.