BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has claimed that no one harassed the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in New York. He said, “No one harassed Mirza Fakhrul in New York. Various propaganda campaigns have been launched against him. All of it is false, baseless, and fabricated.”

Rizvi further added that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is a national leader who accompanied the Chief Adviser to attend the UN assembly in New York. He alleged that smear campaigns are being spread against Fakhrul.

On Wednesday (September 24) morning, after paying respects at the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman along with newly elected leaders of Pirojpur District BNP, Rizvi made these remarks.

He said, “If the interim government could demonstrate competence in New York, the allies of fascism would not dare to carry out such activities. Because of the government’s failure to take effective measures, the ghosts of those collaborators are active both inside the country and abroad.”

The US State Department’s 2025 Fiscal Transparency Report says Bangladesh’s interim government has moved to make all natural resource extraction procurements fully open and transparent, suspending direct negotiations led by the previous administration.

The report noted that the government has set clear rules for awarding extraction contracts and licences and provided limited information on procurement. However, the country’s supreme audit institution failed to meet international independence standards and did not fully review accounts due to the change in government.

To improve fiscal transparency, the US recommended Bangladesh publish timely end-of-year reports, prepare budgets in line with global standards, provide a complete picture of revenues and expenditures, and strengthen the audit institution’s independence.

The State Department emphasized that fiscal transparency builds accountability, market confidence, and fair competition for US firms.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the decision of student representatives to join the government was “not right. They had the opportunity to play a role as a pressure group on any issue of the state. But it is not for us to call on them to step down from the government — that urgency must come from within themselves,” he said on Saturday while speaking at the Third Dialogue on Youth’s State Thought at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, in the capital’s Kakrail.

“In a democratic system, there is no scope to be in both government and opposition at the same time. From the moment the students of the July movement entered the government, I realized they would no longer be able to contribute to rebuilding the state,” he added.

Referring to a newspaper report, Salahuddin said: “I saw one leader remark, who will be the ruling party and who will be the opposition party. If you are so confident, then why don’t you join the election? You are only trying to obstruct it with various excuses.”

The BNP leader further observed that no one can decide which party will be in power or in opposition — only the people can. He also cautioned that pursuing dialogue and movements simultaneously would be contradictory. “We are negotiating on the legal basis of the July Charter. We want a solution through dialogue. There is no objection if any party makes demands, but they should not impose it on the nation,” he said. Salahuddin urged all political parties to maintain unity without creating fresh crises.

The Trump administration is seeking congressional approval to sell Israel $6.4 billion in support equipment and weapons including attack helicopters and troop carriers, people familiar with the matter said on Friday. Israel‘s military said it had expanded operations in Gaza City on Friday and bombarded Hamas infrastructure.

The news of the proposed sale came days before world leaders were set to gather in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly next week, which the UN Security Council is also due to hold a high-level meeting on Gaza.

The planned package includes a deal worth $3.8 billion for 30 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and $1.9 billion for 3,250 infantry assault vehicles for the Israeli army. Another $750 million worth of support parts for armored personnel carriers and power supplies are also working its way through the sale process, one of the people said.

US Republican President Donald Trump’s full-throated support for Israel‘s military contrasts with growing wariness about Israel‘s campaign in Gaza among Democrats. On Thursday, a group of US senators introduced the first Senate resolution to urge recognition of a Palestinian state and more than half of Democrats in the Senate recently voted against further arms sales.

The Wall Street Journal reported the potential helicopter and vehicle sales on Friday. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

NEW YORK — The United States on Thursday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, along with the lifting of Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid.

The draft, backed by 14 of the council’s 15 members, also demanded the release of all hostages and restoration of essential services. Algeria, which co-sponsored the text, expressed regret at the council’s failure.

US envoy Morgan Ortagus said the resolution “failed to condemn Hamas or recognize Israel’s right to self-defense,” accusing other members of pushing language that legitimized Hamas narratives. Critics accused Washington of shielding Israel as Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens.

US military buildup in Bangladesh’s strategic Chittagong region is raising alarms in India and Myanmar, with experts warning of potential regional security implications, reports The Economic Times.

The paper noted that a C-130J Super Hercules – a tactical transport aircraft normally based at the US Air Force’s Yokota station in Japan – recently touched down at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong.

Analysts cited by the publication said the visit appeared linked to growing involvement of external powers in the Bay of Bengal area, which lies near India’s Northeast and Myanmar. Both Washington and Beijing are reportedly trying to court Myanmar’s rebel groups, the report added.

Since Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed power in Dhaka, the US military has made frequent stops in Chittagong, ranging from reconnaissance trips to joint drills, The Economic Times said. Earlier this year, Bangladesh and the United States conducted exercises codenamed Operation Pacific Angel-25 and Tiger Lightning-2025 in the same zone.

Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan have signed a sweeping mutual defense agreement, declaring that any attack on either country will be treated as an attack on both. The accord comes days after Israel launched a military strike on Qatar, escalating a conflict that has already engulfed multiple fronts across the Middle East.

The two nations share decades of close political, religious, and security ties, with Riyadh having long provided financial backing to Islamabad — including, according to some analysts, support during Pakistan’s nuclear weapons development. Over the years, diplomats and experts have speculated that Saudi Arabia could fall under Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella if regional threats intensified.

The timing of the pact is widely seen as a direct warning to Israel, which is believed to be the region’s only nuclear power. Since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 assault, Israel has carried out a broad military campaign striking Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, Syria, and Yemen.

Neither Israel nor the U.S. State Department responded to requests for comment. The pact represents the most consequential Gulf defense move since the attack on Qatar and signals a possible realignment of security guarantees in the region.

Riyadh/Islamabad — Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan have signed a sweeping mutual defense agreement, declaring that any attack on either country will be treated as an attack on both.

The accord comes days after Israel launched a military strike on Qatar, escalating a conflict that has already engulfed multiple fronts across the Middle East.

The two nations share decades of close political, religious, and security ties, with Riyadh having long provided financial backing to Islamabad — including, according to some analysts, support during Pakistan’s nuclear weapons development. Over the years, diplomats and experts have speculated that Saudi Arabia could fall under Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella if regional threats intensified.

The timing of the pact is widely seen as a direct warning to Israel, which is believed to be the region’s only nuclear power. Since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 assault, Israel has carried out a broad military campaign striking Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, Syria, and Yemen.

Neither Israel nor the U.S. State Department responded to requests for comment. The pact represents the most consequential Gulf defense move since the attack on Qatar and signals a possible realignment of security guarantees in the region.

Sri Lanka chased down a daunting target of 170 with six wickets in hand to knock Afghanistan out of the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Sri Lanka wrapped up their Group B fixtures unbeaten, with the former champions getting home with eight deliveries to spare. Having topped the group, Sri Lanka marched into the second round, with Bangladesh joining them as the other qualifier.

It was quick Nuwan Thushara who set the tone, rattling through the Afghan top order with four wickets. Then it was wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis who stole the limelight in the chase, crafting an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls with 10 boundaries.

Opening the innings, Mendis dropped anchor against Afghanistan’s much-vaunted four-pronged spin attack. He later shifted gears in a blistering 52-run stand off just 23 balls for the fifth wicket with his namesake Kamindu Mendis. Sri Lanka had their noses in front from the moment Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first. Thushara struck twice in his second over, eventually finishing with four for 18.

At 137 for seven heading into the final over, Afghanistan looked dead and buried, but veteran Mohammad Nabi turned the script on its head. The all-rounder bludgeoned 32 runs off the last over, lifting his side to a fighting 169 for eight.

Dunith Wellalage, playing his first T20 since November 2024, dropped Nabi on five, a mistake that cost dearly. Thrown the ball for the final over, the left-arm spinner was carted for five sixes, conceding the second-most expensive over by a Sri Lankan in T20 history. Nabi finished with a whirlwind 60 off 22 balls, peppered with three fours and six sixes, his half-century equalling the record for the quickest by an Afghan batter.

A mob attacked and set fire to four shrines on Thursday morning in Comilla, following an alleged derogatory Facebook post about Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). The incident occurred around 9:30am in Asadpur village of Homna upazila’s Asadpur union. Police and army personnel rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.

Comilla SP Nazir Ahmed Khan added: “Police acted swiftly to arrest the accused. Those who took the law into their own hands and attacked the shrines have been identified, and legal action will follow. Additional police have been deployed to maintain security.”

Khyemalika Chakma said: “Derogatory remarks against the Prophet (PBUH) sparked public outrage, leading to attacks on shrines.”

According to police and locals, a Facebook account posted derogatory remarks about the Prophet (PBUH) on Wednesday at 10:52am. Enraged villagers gathered in front of the police station, demanding strict action against the post. The accused was arrested from Fakirbari area of Asadpur village on Wednesday afternoon. That evening, Homna unit Islami Jubo Sena’s organizing secretary Shariful Islam filed a case against the accused at Homna police station. On Thursday morning, he was produced before court.

Despite the arrest, locals rallied with loudspeakers on Thursday morning and set fire to Kofil Uddin Shah and Hawali Shah shrines, while vandalizing Kalai Shah and Abdu Shah shrines. Two fire service units extinguished the flames.

Upazila Islami Front secretary Shafik Rana and Islami Jubo Sena leader Shariful Islam said the arrested individual had repeatedly posted provocative content online.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday criticized joint street programs announced by several Islamic parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, describing them as “not good for democracy.”

“Talks are still underway. At such a time, announcing programs only creates unnecessary pressure,” he told reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his return from Singapore.

Fakhrul said the movement by Islamic parties is neither beneficial for democracy nor helpful in making the right decisions. Asked about Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar’s claim that street action became necessary as talks failed, Fakhrul questioned its effectiveness. “Will coming to the streets actually resolve anything?” he asked.

He emphasised that BNP, as the country’s largest political party, has not resorted to street protests since the fall of the Awami League. “We are trying to resolve everything through discussions. We believe this will be settled through talks,” he said.

Fakhrul returned home Thursday evening on a regular Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight after accompanying his wife to Singapore for medical treatment on September 10.

On the proportional representation (PR) system, Fakhrul reiterated BNP’s stance against it. “We think there is no need for PR in Bangladesh. Discussions are ongoing at the July Charter. We have agreed on several issues… and those matters can be addressed when the time comes.”

He added that public support, expressed through elections and Parliament, is essential for any action, as only Parliament can amend or change the constitution. Addressing the possibility of banning the 14-party alliance, including the Jatiya Party, Fakhrul said BNP has consistently opposed banning any political party.

Responding to other questions, he said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will return soon. On his potential participation at the 80th UN General Assembly alongside Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Fakhrul said he has not yet discussed his role. “I think the focus there will be on the progress of democracy in the country, as well as on the country’s development,” he said.

On whether decisions for the country are often made externally, he said, “Bangladesh has always made its decisions within the country and will continue to do so, with its people taking those decisions. There is no need for external intervention.”