Two suspected women militants surrender two days after law enforcers cordoned off a seven-storey building in Gangpar area of Madhabdi upazila in Narsingdi.

Shahabuddin Alam, managing director of Chattogram-based SA Group and a director of Mercantile Bank, was arrested yesterday on at least five counts of loan irregularities.

At least 17 people were killed and dozens injured at a college in the Black Sea region of Crimea yesterday afternoon when a student went through the building shooting at fellow pupils before killing himself, Russian law enforcement officials said.

The Saudi authorities yesterday deported 80 more Bangladeshi migrants, bringing the total number of deportees close to 600 this month.

The ruling Awami League led 14-party alliance has accused Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar of "violating the oath of secrecy" and it thinks he should resign.

Less than two weeks before the 90-day countdown begins for holding the general election, a number of contentious political issues remain unresolved.

Internal rifts emerged in the leaderships of the Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP) and National Democratic Party (NDP), soon after the two parties had severed ties with the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

The expected defence cooperation deal between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia was not signed as both sides agreed to discuss the matter further.

The Awami League and the BNP, who lead the two major alliances, may not have much to offer their own leaders in the parliamentary polls if they want to keep their partners happy.

Labour migration analysts and businesses have expressed optimism that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will highlight Bangladeshi migrant workers' rights during her meeting with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud today.

Two militant suspects, including a woman, were killed in a police operation at a hideout in Narsingdi's Shaikerchar area yesterday, about two weeks after they came to the district with several other suspects to attend the wedding of one of their female accomplices.

A special court yesterday set October 29 for delivering verdict in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and three other accused.

A Supreme Court lawyer yesterday served a legal notice on the authorities concerned for proper amendments to nine sections of the much-debated Digital Security Act.

The BNP has found itself in an awkward situation again. After weeks of talks and tough negotiations, the party just managed to bring together Dr Kamal Hossain's Gonoforum and three other parties and launch a new alliance, called Jatiya Oikyafront, on Saturday.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda yesterday said the overall atmosphere ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election was “satisfactory”.

Editors of the country's leading newspapers yesterday took to the streets and formed a human chain to press for proper amendments to nine sections of the much-debated Digital Security Act.

An election commissioner yesterday walked out of the election preparatory meeting for what he said was not being allowed to speak on how to hold the 11th parliamentary polls in a free, fair, and inclusive manner. Mahbub Talukder also submitted a “note of dissent” before leaving the Election Commission meeting, held at the Nirbachon Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda in the chair.

The cabinet yesterday approved proposals seeking to enact a new law to regulate broadcasting media and news portals with provisions for stringent punishments like cancellation of licence and jail terms of up to seven years.

The Jatiya Oikyafront, formed recently with the BNP and several other parties, now wants to expand by including more partners from the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia are set to sign a defence cooperation deal, to boost their military relationship, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visits the Kingdom tomorrow.