YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has been released after being detained in Gurugram ahead of a planned CJP protest in Delhi. In an Instagram video, he explained the circumstances of his detention and addressed questions surrounding his identity and citizenship by showing his passport. The incident follows a request by former Bengaluru police commissioner Bhaskar Rao for India's Home Ministry to verify Rathee's citizenship and immigration status after he attended an anti-SIR protest in Bengaluru. Rathee's release was reported late Saturday night, with restrictions on further protest participation.
11 Oct 2026
Another flash flood has hit central Nepal, sweeping away an estimated 35–40 houses in Gorkha district on Sunday. The flooding along the Budhi Gandaki River also destroyed bridges and damaged hydropower infrastructure, while rising water levels threatened more settlements. Helicopters and rescue teams have been deployed for evacuations and relief operations. No casualties have been reported so far, as authorities urge residents near the river to move to safer areas.
Police in Delhi detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday ahead of a planned protest demanding the resignation of India’s chief election commissioner, the party said. Television channels reported that officers met Dipke at Delhi airport after his arrival from Mumbai and asked him to call off the protest, which authorities had banned. CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were also detained from their flight upon landing, the movement said in a statement.
10 Oct 2026
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was detained by Delhi Police on Saturday, along with Derek O’Brien, Dola Sen and other party MPs, near South Avenue in the capital. The party said she was taken away in a police “prison van.” The detentions came amid protests called by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Police said more than 3,000 protesters were detained across Delhi as security was tightened.
Bangladesh will not compromise on the security of Mecca and Medina and will provide whatever cooperation Saudi Arabia seeks if the holy sites are attacked, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Saturday. Speaking at a Foreign Service Academy seminar, he said Dhaka is interested in the Mecca pact and wants ties to move beyond labour to investment.
The recent eviction of hawkers from Mirpur 10 has renewed discussion about the challenges of managing public spaces in Bangladesh’s cities. While keeping footpaths accessible and reducing congestion are important urban priorities, street vending also provides a source of income for many people. Addressing the issue requires balancing the needs of pedestrians, businesses, commuters, and hawkers while considering the economic realities of informal workers. The issue also raises questions about the role of market syndicates and intermediaries who may influence access to vending spaces and the financial arrangements surrounding street trade. Focusing only on the hawkers risks overlooking the wider system in which informal vending operates. A sustainable solution would require transparent enforcement, accountability for those who profit from these arrangements, and practical alternatives that protect public access while allowing hawkers to maintain their livelihoods.
Mahdia Joynul Khan | 9 Oct 2026
Congress has mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar by posting a video of Congress leaders chanting, "Where can you find Gyanesh Kumar? In Modi's lap." The remark comes amid nationwide protests demanding Kumar's resignation over alleged voter deletions during the SIR exercise. Rahul Gandhi has accused Modi and Amit Shah of protecting the CEC, while the BJP rejects the charges. Protests continue across states, with a Delhi protest planned on October 10.
8 Oct 2026
YouTuber and commentator Dhruv Rathee has arrived in India to join the CJP's protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the revocation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Protesters allege genuine voters were deleted during the exercise, a charge the Election Commission and BJP leaders reject. The CJP has announced a major Delhi protest on October 10 if Kumar does not step down.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained by Delhi Police on Tuesday evening after a sit-in at Akashvani Bhawan that lasted over eight hours. More than 300 INDIA bloc MPs had marched towards the Election Commission headquarters to protest the poll body's decisions, but were stopped by police. Several protesters outside the building were also detained.
7 Oct 2026
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Paris and Lyon to demand better funding for French high schools, with police using water cannon and tear gas against protesters. Saint-Denis Mayor Bally Bagayoko was tear-gassed after shielding student demonstrators from riot police.
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The price of a 12-kg LPG cylinder, set by the government at over Tk 1,800, has reached Tk 2,200 to Tk 2,600 in the retail market, where supply remains scarce. According to a UNB report, the crisis stems from domestic production supplying just over half of national gas needs, driving households and restaurants toward LPG. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) stated that higher global prices for propane and butane, alongside increased shipping costs, have raised import expenses. Official figures indicate a drop in LPG arrivals in September. However, some operators claim major importers are withholding stock to create artificial market pressure. With fuel demand expected to rise during the upcoming winter, supply concerns persist for domestic consumers.
MAHDIA ARPA | 7 Oct 2026
Lawmakers from India’s opposition INDIA bloc marched towards the Election Commission of India headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday. Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was among the MPs participating in the march. Near the NITI Aayog office, Gandhi and other opposition MPs climbed atop heavy iron barriers, waving the Indian national flag as they proceeded towards the commission’s headquarters.
6 Oct 2026
Mohammad Ilias Hossain, an assistant sub-inspector at Chunarughat Police Station in Habiganj, has been withdrawn from the station and attached to the police lines after a video of him publicly defending bribe-taking circulated on social media. Police said he was withdrawn on Monday night, October 5, following reports published by several media outlets. The remarks attributed to Hossain included the statement, “I bought the uniform with bribes to take bribes.” The information provided confirms his withdrawal and attachment to the police lines, but does not establish that he was formally suspended. Video: Collected
At least 10 people, including four journalists, were injured after Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders and activists allegedly attacked students and journalists with locally made weapons at Rajshahi University on Sunday night. The incident followed a dispute involving Chhatra Dal and RUCSU leaders.
5 Oct 2026
More than 5,000 supporters of imprisoned former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have begun a dayslong march toward Islamabad, demanding his release after talks between his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the government failed. The convoy of trucks, buses and cars left Lakki Marwat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with provincial Chief Minister Sohail Afridi leading the march. Authorities have set up roadblocks around Islamabad as tensions rise amid a surge in militant attacks in the northwest. Khan’s supporters are also demanding his transfer to a hospital and permission for his family to visit him. The former prime minister has been imprisoned since 2023 on corruption and other charges, which he and his party say are politically motivated.
In the second instalment of our Lunch in a Nutshell interview series, the Invest Bangladesh chairman discusses his unexpected move into public service, Bangladesh’s investment challenges and his hopes for a renewable-energy revolution.
4 Oct 2026
A graduate glut can create frustration among educated young people when job opportunities fail to meet expectations. Similar patterns have been seen in Bangladesh’s quota movement, Tunisia, Egypt, Sri Lanka and Sudan. Such frustration has repeatedly turned into public protests.
Mahdia Joynul Khan | 30 Sept 2026
A footpath eviction drive in Mirpur 10 turned violent on Wednesday, with hawkers setting fire to three Dhaka North City Corporation vehicles and vandalising a police vehicle as authorities tried to clear roadside stalls. The confrontation is the latest episode in a long running cycle in Dhaka, where governments repeatedly remove hawkers from roads and footpaths only for them to return, while disputes over livelihoods and alternative spaces continue.
30 Sept 2026
Betel nut chewing may date back as far as 25,000 years to the Ice Age, according to new research. Grooves and traces of arecoline found in the teeth of ancient hunter-foragers in Sulawesi, Indonesia, suggest they regularly sucked whole betel nuts for their psychoactive effects—pushing the history of habitual drug use far beyond the rise of farming.
Mahdia Joynul Khan | 29 Sept 2026
PM Tarique Rahman told the UNGA that his government is implementing the 31 point programme it promised voters ahead of February 12's national election. He highlighted that at least 37 percent of these programme activities directly match the UN's SDG theme "leave no one behind," while another 27 percent align indirectly. He said the government expects this work to close the development gap between urban and rural areas, while also advancing accountability and inclusive, sustainable development across all goals of the 2030 Agenda.
25 Sept 2026
PM Tarique Rahman addressed the 81st UN General Assembly in Bangla, raising several key issues facing Bangladesh and the world. He reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to remaining free of nuclear weapons and backed a two state solution for Palestine. On the Rohingya crisis, he said Bangladesh has borne heavy pressure on its resources, environment and security by hosting a huge refugee population, and stressed the only solution is their safe return to Myanmar. He warned that failure to ensure justice for displaced Rohingyas could soon turn into a full humanitarian crisis, urging stronger UN support.
At the 81st UN General Assembly, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reaffirmed his country's commitment to complete disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and arms control, calling Bangladesh a peace-loving nation that stands behind every UN effort for global peace. He also voiced strong solidarity with the Palestinian people, saying Bangladeshis remain deeply concerned about their suffering under occupation. PM Tarique renewed Bangladesh's unwavering support for Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, positioning Dhaka firmly behind the two-state solution on the world stage during his maiden address as prime minister to the General Assembly.
Addressing a high-level UN side event on September 23, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman identified five measures considered necessary for a durable Rohingya solution, with safe repatriation at the centre alongside calls for rights guarantees in Myanmar, accountability, sustained aid and action against cross-border crime. The proposal followed a September 22 meeting with UNHCR chief Barham Salih on the conditions required for voluntary return.
24 Sept 2026
Donald Trump visibly winced and ducked at the deafening sound of two B-1 Lancer strategic bombers during a low-altitude flyover, while Chinese President Xi Jinping remained completely unfazed.
Speaking before the General Assembly's 81st session, President Khalilur Rahman said the UN's 80-year survival is not proof of success, and that rebuilding public trust requires facing hard truths. He called for Security Council reform, noting Africa lacks a permanent seat despite its role in peacekeeping. "Africa needs a seat at the table, not to be on the menu," he said.
Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh's Foreign Minister and President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, urged the global community to confront its own failures rather than looking away from them. He noted that the pace at which new crises are emerging makes this reckoning especially urgent, with fresh challenges arising almost daily on top of existing ones that remain unresolved. He singled out the war in Gaza as a stark example of this collective failure, pointing to a death toll that has now surpassed 70,000, a figure that includes thousands of children. Dr. Rahman also stressed that the humanitarian response has fallen well short of what the crisis demands, with aid reaching only a small portion of those in need.
23 Sept 2026
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman walked up six floors to promote energy conservation, leading to widespread national news coverage.
Mahdia Joynul Khan | 23 Sept 2026
The United Nations provides humanitarian assistance and acts as a global platform for dialogue despite ongoing criticism. The annual United Nations General Assembly allows smaller nations to address international issues. Historical events at the forum include Cuban leader Fidel Castro speaking for 4 hours and 29 minutes, and former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi calling for the removal of the veto system. Additionally, Nepal may claim millions from UN climate funds after attributing its 2026 floods to climate change. Bangladesh holds a prominent role in the 81st General Assembly, with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman serving as President to lead major sessions.
Multiple videos showing a mysterious object hovering over Tehran’s night sky have sparked speculation online, with users suggesting possibilities ranging from drones to other flying objects. Iranian authorities have not identified the object or confirmed whether it posed any threat. The footage, reportedly recorded on September 20, emerged amid heightened tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel. The sighting also drew comparisons with a 1976 Tehran aerial incident, though there is no evidence linking the two events. The latest videos have not been independently verified, and details about the object’s location, size, speed or origin remain unclear.
22 Sept 2026
Following a devastating flood that caused nearly $2 billion in damage, Nepal is positioning its recovery as a climate disaster issue ahead of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 24. On 1 September, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal stated that Nepal would move beyond requesting aid to seeking “justice and compensation,” pointing to major polluters China, the United States, and India. However, Kathmandu international-relations analyst Mahesh Bhatta noted that Nepal is not directly demanding money from India or China, as both have provided assistance and Nepal seeks to avoid a confrontation. Instead, Nepal is targeting the UN’s Loss and Damage Fund.
Mahdia Joynul Khan | 22 Sept 2026
Fire breaks out in a train carriage at Kamalapur railway station on 20 September 2026. Smoke filled the platform as passengers gathered.
21 Sept 2026
Nepal’s next challenge is not only rebuilding, but rebuilding differently. With villages destroyed, infrastructure damaged and thousands still missing, the country must focus on safer settlements, better disaster preparation and stronger climate adaptation to prevent future losses.
Mahdia Joynul Khan | 21 Sept 2026
AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood glitched on an interview with Piers Morgan, switching to Cantonese mid-answer. Asked by Tom Conti whether her co-stars in the upcoming film Misaligned were real people, Norwood began explaining they were digital twins before abruptly changing languages. The episode adds to the debate over AI performers in Hollywood, where Norwood, created by Eline van der Velden's studio, has drawn criticism from actors and unions since her debut last year.
20 Sept 2026
Fire breaks out at a garment factory in Savar's Ashulia on 20 September 2026. Video: Muhammad Milon Islam/Facebook.
Bangladesh imported around 500 tonnes of hilsa from India this year as local production fell. Pollution, siltation and overfishing are making our national fish harder to find. So, what’s happening to Bangladesh’s beloved hilsa?
Mahdia Joynul Khan | 16 Sept 2026
A video from Kadamtoli Bridge shows several auto-rickshaws lined up at the bridge entrance, creating a long traffic jam and disrupting the movement of other vehicles. The congestion comes as auto-rickshaws continue to be a common source of road obstruction in the city, with vehicles often stopping or gathering at busy points and slowing down traffic. The footage also shows police officers present at the scene, though no visible action appears to be taken against the auto-rickshaws. The recurring disruption is raising concerns among commuters over traffic management on otherwise relatively clear roads.
15 Sept 2026
A child makes their way to school through the rubble in Gaza, where the effects of war have disrupted even the most ordinary parts of childhood. The scene reflects the daily reality faced by many children as damaged streets and shattered buildings become part of their journey to education, day after day.
14 Sept 2026
Netizens have criticised Indian authorities over the installation of blue-and-white screening panels around Delhi’s Coolie Camp ahead of the BRICS summit, arguing that the measures appear designed to conceal the settlement from visiting delegates. Residents say similar barriers were erected during the 2023 G20 summit and recall that the restrictions disrupted their work and daily movement, while reinforcing a feeling that their community was being kept out of public view. Authorities had not publicly explained the purpose or duration of the new screens at the time of reporting.
13 Sept 2026
Protests broke out in Dublin on September 12 as US President Donald Trump began a two-day visit to Ireland, with demonstrators gathering near the Garden of Remembrance to oppose his presence. Protesters carried banners and placards, including one that read, “Trump out of Ireland. US military out of Shannon,” and chanted, “Donald Trump, can you hear? We don’t want you here.” Some participants also brought large inflatable figures depicting Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jeffrey Epstein. Trump spent the morning in Dublin, where he met Irish President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, before departing for his golf course in Doonbeg. He is attending the Irish Open during the visit.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has described India as a constant presence in Bangladesh’s foreign policy discussions, saying, “India at breakfast, India at lunch, India at dinner.” The remark came during his address as he spoke about Bangladesh’s relationship with its neighbouring country and the broader context of bilateral ties. Humaiun Kobir has repeatedly stressed that Bangladesh seeks a positive relationship with India while prioritising its own national interests. His latest remarks come amid ongoing discussions over Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India and the future direction of Dhaka-New Delhi relations.
At a press conference held in his role as President of the UN General Assembly, an Indian reporter asked Dr. Khalilur Rahman whether Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would attend the BRICS Summit in India. Dr. Khalilur declined to answer, saying he was speaking there as UNGA president and could only address UN-related matters, not questions in his capacity as Bangladesh's Foreign Minister.
10 Sept 2026
The final part of the investigation into Tawhidi Janata examined whether the movement operates as a mob or a pressure group, drawing on interviews with experts, political figures and individuals from across the debate. Fact-checker and investigative editor Qadaruddin Shishir argued that India benefits from the violence, while Jamaat leader Shahrier Kabir said India and the Awami League had built the narrative of extremism around the group. Hefazat patron Mufti Harun Izhar rejected claims of being influenced by India, saying he was instead a victim of it. NCP politician Samantha Sharmin, who was present during the December 18 attack on The Daily Star building and helped journalists escape, offered a different perspective.
Mahdia Joynul Khan | 10 Sept 2026
A fire broke out Thursday morning at an old building of British American Tobacco in Dhaka's Mohakhali, with the Fire Service and Civil Defence control room receiving reports around 11:12 am, according to duty officer Khaleda Yasmin. Three units from Tejgaon Fire Station rushed to the scene to douse the flames, though the cause of the blaze and extent of any casualties or damage remained unconfirmed, with authorities promising further details later.
What’s going on today?
Raida Munir Aunuva | 10 Sept 2026
A fire broke out at the Centre Point shopping mall in Uttara on Wednesday, prompting firefighters to rush to the scene to bring the blaze under control. No information was immediately available on casualties, the extent of damage or the cause of the fire.
9 Sept 2026
Raida Munir Aunuva | 9 Sept 2026
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman was sworn in as President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Tuesday(8th September) night, following the closing ceremony of the 80th session. He is scheduled to preside over the first plenary meeting of the new session at 1am Wednesday, taking on the role for the next one year. The 81st session carries the theme "Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all." World leaders, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, are expected to attend the General Debate from September 22 to 28, when heads of state and government will outline national priorities on global cooperation, the Sustainable Development Goals, and collective action for peace and equality. Dr Khalilur was elected on June 2 under Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure, representing the Asia-Pacific Group under established regional rotation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres met him on Monday ahead of the session, quoting the UN Charter's opening phrase, "We the peoples." The United Nations in Bangladesh congratulated Dr Khalilur on assuming the role.
8 Sept 2026
The debate over AI and thinking is often reduced to two extremes: either the technology is eroding human cognition, or it is an indispensable tool for progress. Fardeen Ameen, former Head of Gaming Business at Grameenphone, argues the reality is more nuanced. The risk isn’t using AI itself, but the shift from using it to assist thinking to using it to replace thinking altogether. What starts as delegating a simple email can quietly extend to more consequential tasks. The real question isn’t whether to use AI, but which mental work is worth preserving.
Mahdia Joynul Khan | 8 Sept 2026
A prominent figure near the ideological center of Bangladesh’s “Towhidi Janata” street movement is Mufti Harun Izhar, joint secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam and founder of the Shariah Graduation Institute. The son of a founder of the banned extremist group Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami, Harun Izhar has faced multiple arrests, though he maintains no convictions. He claims that charges of radicalism are weaponized by moderate Islamists to undermine religious factions and maintain leverage with Western interests.
7 Sept 2026
In the first Lunch in a Nutshell interview, Ekushay Padak laureate Rokeya Sultana reflects on Bangladesh’s cultural branding problem, the need for stronger institutions and her hopes for the country’s artists. 📍Sear at Renaissance
Under an unregistered banner known as “Tawhidi Janata,” recurring crowds have exerted significant influence on Bangladesh’s streets, prompting state authorities to repeatedly step back. Open-source investigations by journalist Qadaruddin Shishir and the Lowy Institute identified key recurring figures in these mobilizations, some of whom have past arrest records linked to banned extremist groups. While experts like political scientist Ali Riaz suggest extremists exploit these fluid street dynamics rather than create them, organizational backing remains widely disputed. Leaders from groups like Jamaat-e-Islami reject accusations of organizing the mobs, claiming the phrase broadly represents the country’s Muslim majority while condemning specific incidents of violence. Ultimately, the phenomenon operates as a powerful collective force on the streets without any centralized leadership claiming official responsibility for its actions.
Mahdia Joynul Khan | 6 Sept 2026
A video circulating on social media shows a darkened room at Barishal Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital, where people can be seen relying on mobile-phone flashlights because there is no electricity. The narrator says the scene might initially look like it was filmed on a launch, but it is in fact a distressing situation inside a hospital. The incident comes as power shortages continue across the country, while electricity supply in the capital has also remained unreliable.
2 Sept 2026
Bangladesh’s labour market has a quirk: tertiary-educated workers are more likely to be unemployed than those with lower levels of education. The 2024 Labour Force Survey puts unemployment among tertiary-educated Bangladeshis at 13.5 per cent, roughly three times the national rate. Nearly 885,000 graduates were unemployed. Unless the productive economy develops alongside the people being educated for it, Bangladesh risks producing more qualifications without enough of the economic opportunity that was supposed to make education a viable investment case.
Mahdia Joynul Khan | 1 Sept 2026