The Amar Ekushey Boi Mela, a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s literary culture, will not be held this December as previously planned. The fair is now scheduled to take place after the upcoming national election. Based on the recommendations of the Bangladesh Publishers & Booksellers Association (BAPUS) and other stakeholders, the previously announced dates for the 2026 edition have been postponed.

On Sunday night, a notification regarding the date of Amar Ekushey Boi Mela 2026 stated that this decision was made by the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 21, 2025. The notification further stated that, following consultations with publishers and other stakeholders, a new date will be set at a later time.

Although the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela is traditionally held in February each year, this time the date was initially scheduled for December due to the election and Ramadan, according to the Bangla Academy.

On September 18, Bangla Academy Director General Dr Mohammad Azam stated that Amar Ekushey Boi Mela 2026 would be held from December 17, 2025.

The Bangladesh Army on Sunday night issued an official statement in response to the recent violence in Guimara upazila of Khagrachhari, which occurred on Saturday and Sunday. According to the statement, tensions began escalating following the murder of motorcyclist Mamun on September 19, 2024. In the aftermath, the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) and its affiliated organisations allegedly attempted to incite communal unrest in Dighinala and Rangamati, leading to clashes with security forces. These clashes resulted in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to several locals.

To mark the one-year anniversary of that incident, the UPDF and its affiliates organised protest rallies across various locations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, reportedly in an effort to prevent a recurrence of similar violence, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

On the night of September 23, 2025, following the rape of a schoolgirl in Singinala area of Khagrachhari, a UPDF (Main) suspect, Shayan Shil, was arrested on September 24 with assistance from the army and later remanded.

Despite this arrest, PCP leader Ukhanu Marma—an affiliate of the UPDF—called for a protest and human chain in Khagrachhari on September 24 under the banner of “Jumma Chhatra Janata.”

This was followed by a half-day strike in the district on September 25. Simultaneously, various inflammatory and provocative statements targeting Bangali communities were spread online by domestic and expatriate bloggers, as well as certain individuals from the hill regions.

On September 26, under the leadership of UPDF activist Ukhanu Marma and influenced by provocative online content, tensions surged across Khagrachhari. During a blockade, some protesters allegedly threw stones and bricks at patrolling army personnel, injuring three soldiers. Despite the provocation, the army said it responded with restraint, patience, and humanity, refraining from the use of force.

On Saturday, the UPDF and affiliated groups again allegedly attempted to spark unrest through sabotage—including shooting at civilians (including Bengalis), vandalism, attacks on ambulances, and road blockades. The unrest reportedly deteriorated the law and order situation in the entire Khagrachhari municipality area, taking on the appearance of a communal riot. In response, the district administration imposed Section 144 in Khagrachhari and Guimara.

To restore order, the Army, BGB, and other law enforcement agencies worked through the night with restraint and coordination, ultimately preventing what the Army described as an “inevitable communal riot.”

However, on Sunday, UPDF activists reportedly violated Section 144 in the Ramsu Bazar area of Guimara upazila. From early morning, they allegedly incited the public to block roads, completely shutting down the Guimara–Khagrachhari route.

At around 10:30am, UPDF workers and local Bangali residents clashed in the area. When army personnel intervened, they were attacked with local weapons, bricks, slingshots, and batons, injuring 10 personnel, including three officers.

Simultaneously, BGB vehicles were vandalised in the Ramgarh area, and BGB members were injured. Around 11:30am, members of the UPDF (Main) reportedly opened fire—firing 100 to 150 rounds from automatic weapons from a hilltop west of Ramsu Bazar—targeting army personnel, hill people, and Bengalis involved in the clash. Several civilians were injured by gunfire.

In response, an army patrol team pursued the armed attackers, while other UPDF operatives reportedly set fire to homes in the Ramsu Bazar area and continued clashing with Bengali locals. Additional troops were deployed to Ramsu Bazar and Guimara, bringing the situation under control by around 4:30pm.

The Army claimed that in recent days, UPDF and its affiliated organisations have been systematically forcing women and schoolchildren to participate in their subversive activities in an effort to destabilise the Chittagong Hill Tracts. They also alleged that UPDF has been attempting to bring in external militants equipped with indigenous weapons to incite communal violence.

On the same day, on Sunday, a large cache of local weapons was seized from a passenger bus at a checkpoint operated by the Kaptai Battalion of the BGB—further evidence, the Army said, of UPDF’s alleged efforts to escalate unrest.

The Army views the incidents between September 19 and Sunday as part of a larger, orchestrated conspiracy. Relevant evidence is currently with law enforcement agencies.

It called on all political leaders from different ethnic groups in the Hill Tracts, as well as the general public, to act with restraint. It urged all law enforcement agencies, including the Army, to work together to restore peace and stability in the region.

Despite propaganda, misinformation, and provocation, the Army reaffirmed its firm commitment to protecting the sovereignty of Bangladesh and ensuring the safety of all communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the opening of the newest Flushing Bank location on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 37-44 74th St. in Jackson Heights. Hosted by the Flushing Financial Corporation, the parent holding company for Flushing Bank, the event’s attendees included multiple local business owners and community leaders. Among those on hand for the ribbon-cutting were Flushing Bank President and CEO John R. Buran, Council Member Shekar Krishnan and Foundation for a Better World President and CEO Abdus Sobhan and Director of Youth Development Farhan Abdur Rahman.

“We are excited to be a part of this vibrant and diverse community,” Buran said. “Our multilingual branch staff can provide in-language support to customers. They have been busy developing new relationships and introducing themselves to the residents and businesses within this market.”

During the ceremony, Buran presented a $3,000 check to the Foundation for a Better World, which provides career skill training to community members. The donation will help fund the charitable organization’s youth development program.

“We want to make sure that we are supporting our community, building roots in the community,” Krishnan said. “And the fact of the matter is, as the world changes and the city changes around us too, to know that we have small businesses here that understand the importance of building relationships in our community and do so from the beginning really stands out to me, and that’s especially true for our financial institutions and our banks.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday he is suspending his re-election campaign, effectively making him a one-term mayor. In an eight-minute video, Adams blamed negative press and being denied public campaign financing for crippling his chances, despite touting achievements on housing, crime reduction, and economic recovery.

His exit turns the November race into a three-way contest between Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Adams declined to endorse anyone but warned against “chaos” from radical promises.

Polls show Mamdani leading but without majority support. Cuomo now has a chance to consolidate moderates, though Sliwa remains in play. Adams’ name will still appear on the ballot due to deadlines, but his campaign is over.

Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji received their first National Film Awards at a ceremony held at India’s Vigyan Bhavan on Tuesday. Indian President Droupadi Murmu conferred the honours.

Shah Rukh Khan won the Best Actor award for his performance in Jawan. He shared the title with Vikrant Massey, who was recognized for his role in 12th Fail, which also won the award for Best Hindi Film. Rani Mukerji received the Best Actress award for her portrayal in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, based on a real-life child custody battle.

Veteran Malayalam actor Mohanlal was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema, recognising his career spanning over 350 films since his debut in 1978.

Sam Bahadur, played by Vicky Kaushal, won the Best Feature Film on National Integration award. Filmmaker Karan Johar was recognized for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for his multi-starrer family drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The 71st edition of the awards marked a milestone for Hindi cinema, with Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji achieving their long-awaited first National Film Awards.

Although national politics has been heated in recent months over him and his party, GM Quader, a factional chairman of the Jatiya Party, had remained silent—until now. He finally spoke out, hinting that the Jatiya Party, which has stood alongside the Awami League for over a decade and a half, might once again be used as a trump card—positioned as the “opposition” with the help of Awami League votes. While not directly rejecting such allegations, Quader expressed confidence that ballots cast for the “Boat” (Awami League’s symbol) could indeed fall for the “Plough” (Jatiya Party’s symbol).

Quader said, “Have Awami League voters lost their citizenship? Will their names not appear on the voter list? Will they not cast votes? Has there been any such declaration? If they vote for my party, then why the fear?”

He added, “Awami League supporters will vote for us. If BNP offers them good incentives, assures them that they won’t face harassment if BNP wins, then they may vote for BNP too. But they will not vote for Jamaat.”

According to Quader, the next election will gain legitimacy only if all parties, including the Awami League, take part. “When Jamaat was banned, we opposed it. Such steps did not bring good for the country. Without everyone’s participation, the election will not be fair. But if I say this now, I will be branded a traitor,” he said.

Quader accused Dr. Yunus’s interim government of sidelining BNP to bring Jamaat forward, insisting that the next polls must be held under a newly elected government—not under the interim one. He also claimed that despite another round of internal splits, the Jatiya Party has emerged stronger.

Jubo League leader Mizanur Rahman, who was arrested for throwing eggs at National Citizens Party (NCP) Member-Secretary Akhtar Hossain, has been released on bail. The Queens County Criminal Court granted him bail at 9 p.m. local time on Tuesday in New York. At that time, Awami League leaders and activists greeted him with flowers and chanted slogans. Mizan said that Awami League President Sheikh Hasina also called him to congratulate him.

Mizanur Rahman stated, “I was supposed to be presented before the judge at 11 p.m., but to avoid the crowd of hundreds of Awami League activists, the court brought me before the judge at 8:30 p.m. Since the charges against me were not proven, the court granted me bail and set a date for next month. I don’t even know Zahid Khan, who filed the case against me. I believe this false case and my arrest were pre-planned, linked to the airport incident.”

The incident occurred on Monday, September 22, around 5 p.m. at Terminal 4 of John F. Kennedy Airport, when Mizanur Rahman threw eggs at Akhtar Hossain, who was part of the delegation of interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus attending the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Later that night, around 9:30 p.m., police arrested Mizan from Bangladesh Street in Jackson Heights.

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.”

Awami League supporters threw eggs at National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhter Hossen in New York, while he, along with the party’s Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara, was leaving John F Kennedy International Airport with BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders yesterday (22 September). A man has been detained by New York police over the incident, New York-based journalist Sanjiban Sarkar told the BBC Bangla. He said the detained person’s name is Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, who is reportedly an activist of the banned Awami Jubo League.

According to witnesses and videos shared on social media, Awami League supporters chanted slogans and harassed the leaders of the three political parties, including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, until they boarded their vehicles. At the time, some of them hurled eggs at Akhter as he exited the terminal.

“The incident is not only an expression of political violence but also a glaring example of the government’s failure to uphold diplomatic dignity and ensure security during state visits,” the statement read.

The egging and assault incident at New York airport has once again shown that the Awami League feels no remorse for its misdeeds, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said today (23 September). “Everything the Awami League has done wrong will eventually be brought to justice in accordance with the law,” Fakhrul said in a Facebook post.

He also urged party leaders and activists to remain patient for the sake of the party and the country. Yesterday (22 September), eggs were thrown at NCP leader Akhter Hossen while he was leaving New York’s JFK Airport.

In the US as part of a Bangladesh delegation for the United Nations General Assembly, at the chief adviser’s invitation, NCP Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara, as well as leaders of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, were also there. Several eyewitnesses said the act had been carried out by leaders and activists of the Awami League, a party banned in Bangladesh. Later, New York police reportedly detained a man identified as Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury in connection with the incident. He is said to be an activist of the Awami League.

The NCP blamed the “mismanagement of the embassy” for the egg attack on Akhter.