No security concerns ahead of February polls, says EC secretary
Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed has said law-enforcing agencies do not find the current situation “worrying” ahead of the parliamentary polls, expected in the first half of February. On Monday, he said a “conducive environment” exists for holding the polls. Rather, I’ve seen a commitment to ensure a good election,” he said after a three-hour preparatory meeting with security representatives at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka. Monday’s meeting was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and attended by the four election commissioners, the home secretary, EC secretary, and senior representatives of law enforcement. We will fine-tune these matters step by step -- individually or jointly -- with the sole aim of ensuring a free, fair, and participatory election.
Source:bd News24
October 20, 2025 12:04 UTC
Dhaka court orders murder case over actor Salman Shah’s death after 29 years
A Dhaka court has ordered the filing of a murder case in connection with the death of popular film actor Salman Shah, nearly three decades after his death rocked Bangladesh’s entertainment industry. The court also granted a revision petition filed by Salman’s mother regarding the case over her son’s death. Following his death, Salman’s father Kamaruddin initially filed an unnatural death case. But on Jul 24, 1997, he appealed to turn it into a murder case, alleging that his son had been killed. The court then directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the murder allegations alongside the unnatural death case.
Source:bd News24
October 20, 2025 11:03 UTC
Bangladesh on radar of new Asia-Pacific hacker group ‘Mysterious Elephant’
A new hacker group named “Mysterious Elephant” has been detected operating across the Asia-Pacific region, according to Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT). The group has primarily been targeting government departments and foreign affairs-related organisations across the region. Kaspersky also reports that the hackers have attempted to steal WhatsApp data from their targets. The group is now using a combination of custom-built tools and open-source software to conduct its targeted cyber operations. Another aspect of the campaign involves the theft of WhatsApp data, where specialised modules are used to collect shared files, photos, and documents from the app.
Source:bd News24
October 20, 2025 10:59 UTC
Nasir, Afridi chatty in court, Salim, Solaiman quiet
In contrast, former member of parliament and Awami League leader Haji Mohammad Salim and his son, ex-lawmaker Solaiman Salim, kept their distance. At one point, Nasir spoke briefly with his lawyer, while Afridi kept looking toward the gallery for his relatives. The hearing began with the case involving Nasir and Afridi -- an attempted murder charge linked to the attack on Durjoy Ahmed. The Mahfuz murder case involves the killing of student activist Shraban on Aug 5, 2024, the day the Awami League government fell. His wife, Rozina Akhter, later filed a murder case at Shahbagh Police Station on Mar 14.
Source:bd News24
October 20, 2025 10:23 UTC
Exporters ‘alarmed’, foreign buyers ‘anxious’ after cargo village fire, says EAB
The Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) has said that the country's exporters are “alarmed” and foreign buyers are “anxious” after the fire at the cargo village at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. He said, "The recent fire at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, one of the most important pieces of infrastructure for the Bangladesh's economy, has become a big warning sign for our business community and export-oriented industries." "We’re alarmed and our foreign buyers are also anxious.”Hatem said, "Incidents like this clearly prove that the security measures at the cargo village are not effective enough and that it is extremely risky in terms of security." 3) Modernisation and expansion of the cargo village, ensuring future security. 6) Make the warehouse management of the cargo village fully automated and base it on modern technology.
Source:bd News24
October 20, 2025 09:41 UTC
MPO teachers rally at Shaheed Minar to press for swift action on allowance demands
The protesters took up positions at Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar on Monday morning and started a rally. The teachers and employees will not leave Shaheed Minar until their demands are met, and classes will not start." However, the teachers and employees have refused to budge from their demand of a 20 percent housing allowance. Along with their basic salary, they currently receive Tk 500 per month as a medical allowance. Earlier, MPO-listed teachers received two annual festival allowances each at 25 percent of basic salary.
Source:bd News24
October 20, 2025 06:34 UTC
Exporters warn Dhaka airport cargo fire’s total losses could be many times the destroyed goods
Exporters warn Dhaka airport cargo fire’s total losses could be many times the destroyed goodsThe devastating blaze at Shahjalal International Airport’s Cargo Village in Dhaka may cause financial losses many times greater than the value of the goods actually destroyed, according to exporters. Pharmaceutical companies often import expensive, critical, or small-quantity raw materials by air to reduce logistical complications and expedite production, he said. “On average, I receive about $100,000 in raw materials per shipment. “We are trying to monitor the status of our raw materials through C&F agents and by visiting personally. “Most of our pharmaceutical raw materials arrive by air, and temperature-sensitive items also come by air.
Source:bd News24
October 19, 2025 20:23 UTC
Nahid visits 'July Warrior' Atiqul, who lost his arm
National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has visited Atiqul Islam, a July activist who was injured during a protest ahead of the July Charter signing ceremony.Nahid went to Atiqul's house in Uttara's Azampur around 9pm on Saturday to inquire about his condition.Atiqul lost his right hand after being shot by police during last year's July Uprising that toppled the Awami League regime. Doctors later fitted him with a prosthetic hand.Hours before the July Charter signing ceremony on Friday, the July activists and their relatives gathered at the venue, demanding state recognition, legal protection and rehabilitation for those injured in the uprising.During the event at the South Plaza of the Parliament Building, National Consensus Commission Vice-President Ali Riaz announced that amendments would be made to the July Charter to address their demands.Despite that assurance, when the July activists refused to leave, police chased and beat them with batons.Officers also used tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd.Atiqul's prosthetic arm was torn off during the police action. �"bdnews24.com
Source:bd News24
October 19, 2025 20:05 UTC
JnU Chhatra Dal leader, tutor Jobayed’s female student arrested after his death
Police have taken a female student into custody for questioning as a “suspect” over the murder of Jobayed Hossen, a Jagannath University leader of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. The arrest took place shortly after 11pm on Sunday, as the officers picked up the student from Noor Box Lane at Old Dhaka’s Armanitola. Earlier, police had questioned the student and her family members for nearly five hours at the building where Jobayed’s body was discovered. He used to tutor the detained student in mathematics and science; she lived with her family on the fifth floor. Until 11pm, Jobayed’s body remained at the scene as members of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) collected evidence.
Source:bd News24
October 19, 2025 19:21 UTC
Election Commission set to sit with chiefs of security forces on Monday
Election Commission set to sit with chiefs of security forces on MondayThe Election Commission (EC) is set to hold a dialogue with the chiefs of law-enforcing agencies ahead of the 13th national elections. The meeting will be held at 10:30am on Monday at Dhaka's Agargaon. TOPICS TO BE COVEREDAn agenda has been set for this pre-preparatory meeting with the law-enforcing forces. The topics to be discussed include:● Formulating an action plan for the security of polling officers, polling stations, and maintaining a peaceful environment in the constituency● Coordinating and integrating the activities of law-enforcing agencies● Protecting communal harmony and minorities● Preventing and controlling the use of illegal weapons● Determining a strategy to prevent the dissemination of false and misleading information via social media using AI technology● Providing security assistance to foreign journalists and advance observers during the elections● Postal voting management● Planning the deployment of armed forces members to maintain law and order during the elections● Controlling illegal infiltrators● Ensuring the security of the regional, district, and Upazila level election offices● Providing helicopter support for the transportation of election materials and polling officers in hilly or remote areas● Conducting peace and order operations based on the intelligence agencies’ recommendations● Banning the use of drone cameras
Source:bd News24
October 19, 2025 19:21 UTC
Trump urged Zelensky to cut a deal with Putin or risk facing destruction, FT reports
US President Donald Trump welcomes Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in Washington, DC, US, Oct 17, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan ErnstUS President Donald Trump welcomes Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in Washington, DC, US, Oct 17, 2025. Ukraine ultimately managed to swing Trump back to endorsing a freeze of the current front lines, the FT said. The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the FT report. In Thursday's call with Trump, Putin had offered some small areas of the two southern frontline regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in exchange for the much larger parts of the Donbas now under Ukrainian control, the FT report added.
Source:bd News24
October 19, 2025 18:48 UTC
Ex-MP AK Azad’s campaign attacked in Faridpur, vehicles vandalised
Former MP and ex-FBCCI chief AK Azad has come under attack during his campaign in Faridpur, allegedly by the Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal activists. The attackers reportedly vandalised two vehicles during the incident. Police later reported that Azad left the area with his motorcade following the scuffle. The district Jubo Dal, however, denied any involvement in the attack. Faridpur Sadar Kotowali Police Station chief Md Asaduzzaman said the incident occurred around 4:45pm on Sunday at Pomanandapur Bazar in Sadar Upazila’s Krishnanagar union.
Source:bd News24
October 19, 2025 18:11 UTC
30 injured as Chhatra Shibir, Jubo Dal clash over mosque event in Noakhali
At least 30 people have been injured when activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir and Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal clashed over a planned event at a mosque in Noakhali’s Sadar Upazila. After the clash, Jamaat-e-Islami’s student front Chhatra Shibir activists took position inside the mosque while BNP’s youth wing Juba Dal activists gathered outside. Police and witnesses said Chhatra Shibir activists organised a Quran learning programme at the mosque after Asr prayers on Saturday. Neazpur Union Jubo Dal President Jashim Uddin objected, triggering an exchange of words and scuffles. Many were injured, including the two brothers of union Jubo Dal convener Faruk.
Source:bd News24
October 19, 2025 15:33 UTC
Bloodied body of Jagannath Chhatra Dal leader discovered on staircase of Dhaka home
The bloodied body of Zobayed Hossain, a leader of Jagannath University’s Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, has been recovered from the stairs of a building at Old Dhaka’s Armanitola. Around 6pm on Sunday, Banshal Police chief Rafiqul Islam said his body was found in the house on Panir Pump Lane where “he conducted tuition”. Zobayed, a 15th batch student, was a member of the university branch’s Chhatra Dal convening committee and also served as president of the Cumilla District Student Association. I am going to the scene.”Former and current students, along with Chhatra Dal leaders, gathered at the Armanitola building where Zobayed was found. JnU Chhatra Dal’s Joint Convenor Suman Sardar said, “When we received the news and arrived, we found his bloodied body on the staircase of a three-storey house...
Source:bd News24
October 19, 2025 14:55 UTC
Jamaat's push for PR system is a strategic masquerade, says NCP’s Nahid
Jamaat's push for PR system is a strategic masquerade, says NCP’s NahidThe National Citizen Party Convenor Nahid Islam has denounced the Jamaat-e-Islami’s demand for general elections under proportional representation (PR) system as a deliberate “political deception”. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Nahid sharply criticised the Jamaat’s recent political activities. Nahid did not comment on other parties pursuing PR or reforms alongside Jamaat. The NCP did not sign the July National Charter due to differences over implementation, but has remained firm on registration and symbol allocation. But Jamaat and its allies hijacked the agenda, reducing it to a PR issue to serve their narrow political interests.
Source:bd News24
October 19, 2025 14:35 UTC