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.

The first-ever “Election Officers’ Conference” is set to take place, with both central and field-level officers participating. The conference comes at a time when the government has given its consent to amending the law to launch a dedicated “Election Commission Service” for the EC’s own officers. Ahead of the 13th general election, the gathering will provide a platform for officials to raise their demands while also receiving guidance on election preparations. Mohammad Monir Hossain, convenor of the Bangladesh Election Commission Officers’ Association (BECOA), said: “For the first time, a conference of election officers is being organised at the initiative of the association. The conference will not only allow them to present their views but also receive directives from the EC ahead of the polls.”

Three rival factions of the Jatiya Party (JaPa) have begun wrangling over the right to use the election symbol “plough”, amid demands to ban the party. Raushon, widow of Jatiya Party founder Hussain Muhammad Ershad, initially remained silent after breaking away before the 12th parliamentary election. But Secretary General Shameem Haider Patwary, from the GM Quader-led group, said no one else could be allocated the plough. Now political disputes [over JaPa] are ongoing, let us see what happens.”The GM Quader-led faction remains the only registered version with the Election Commission. The leadership split has now left the Election Commission uncertain about which faction is entitled to the symbol.

Bangladesh sea ports on alert as low pressure turns into depressionA well-marked low over the northwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression near the coast of southern Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh, prompting authorities to issue Local Cautionary Signal No. The special bulletin from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Friday night said the system had moved west-northwest and developed into a depression. The sea remains rough near the depression centre. Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra ports have been put on alert, with fishing boats in the northern Bay told to stay close to shore and proceed cautiously. It intensified into a well-marked low by Friday morning and turned into a depression by evening.