Today’s top 5 news stories

Beyond Headlines brings together the five biggest news stories of the day in one concise news digest to keep readers informed about the developments that matter. Here’s the news digest for 3rd October 2026.

Former MP, Jamaat leader Akhtaruzzaman arrested over airport row

Police on Friday evening arrested Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former lawmaker Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman over allegations of assaulting security personnel and obstructing operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch Additional Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam said Akhtaruzzaman was detained from his residence in Dhamal Kot.

Md Shahriar Alam Sajib, a security officer at the airport, filed a case following the dispute involving 34 arriving Jamaat representatives over baggage delays and trolley shortages. The complaint alleged Akhtaruzzaman verbally abused airport Executive Director Group Captain SM Ragib Samad and physically assaulted security supervisor Mohammad Kamal Uddin.

Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman demanded his unconditional release, describing the charges as fabricated. He said Akhtaruzzaman did not assault anyone and only protested against passenger harassment, adding that two airline employees were suspended over the incident.

Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said the arrest of the freedom fighter before examining surveillance footage was intentional.

Source: The Business Standard

First uranium consignment for Rooppur lands in Dhaka

A special cargo flight carrying uranium fuel for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant landed in Dhaka late Friday night under international security guidelines. The Russian Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport before transporting the cargo toward Pabna.

The fuel is now being taken to the project site in Rooppur, Pabna, under special security arrangements by the army, officials said.

Golam Mahabub, chief of administration of the plant, said nine flights will deliver over 200 assembled fuel elements, including 163 assemblies for Unit 2. Highway police cleared a dedicated traffic lane to allow the army convoy safe passage across Jamuna Bridge.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat inspected airport arrangements on Friday night, saying police established necessary security measures. 

The consignment was delayed last month for lack of airspace clearance from Pakistan. A shipment scheduled for September 24 was cancelled. 

While the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka called the matter procedural under aviation protocols, Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam said transit approvals caused the delay.

Source: The Daily Star

PM inaugurates Bay of Bengal talks spanning 100 nations

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the fifth Bay of Bengal Conversation in Dhaka today, convening delegates from over 100 countries. Organised by the Centre for Governance Studies, the three-day international conference at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon runs from 3 to 5 October.

The gathering hosts over 200 speakers and 300 delegates, including former Serbian President Boris Tadić and former Malian Prime Minister Moussa Mara. The discussions will focus on regional security, technology and connectivity under the theme 'Fragments, Frontiers and Futures'.

CGS President Zillur Rahman said the Bay of Bengal serves as a vital bridge connecting South and Southeast Asia. He said the conference explores practical solutions to regional security and climate challenges while promoting cooperation across trade, technology and governance.

The event features plenary sessions, leadership forums and closed roundtables before concluding on 5 October. Organisers said the sessions aim to build diplomatic consensus and address shifting power balances, guiding multilateral collaboration across the region.

Source: UNB

Delhi Police detain over 700 protesters demanding CEC ouster

Delhi Police detained over 700 demonstrators on Friday during unauthorised gatherings across the capital demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Security personnel enforced prohibitory orders around Jantar Mantar, setting up barricades and halting protest marches across central New Delhi.

Security forces detained Aam Aadmi Party leaders and student activists after crowds marched towards parliament. Demonstrations also erupted at Mumbai's Shivaji Park over alleged voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision exercise, prompting transit shutdowns across 12 central metro stations.

Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi sought Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, saying thousands of youth protested peacefully on Gandhi Jayanti against 'vote theft'. He said police batons could stop a crowd but could not silence questions confronting authorities.

Cockroach Janata Party Convenor Abhijit Dipke said the party will march to Jantar Mantar on 10 October if the commissioner does not resign. Dipke said any location where police block protesters will become their demonstration ground.

The Election Commission of India rejected allegations of wrongdoing, saying internal procedural queries represented standard administrative practice rather than dissent. Opposition groups planned additional actions, including a march to election headquarters on Tuesday and nationwide rallies demanding transparency in voter rolls.

Source: The Economic Times, New Age

Chief Whip to eliminate juvenile gangs within three months

Juvenile gangs will be eliminated within three months, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said on Friday. Speaking at a youth event in Dhaka, he said the state will rehabilitate offenders through education and technical training in artificial intelligence and robotics.

Addressing the shadow parliament organised by Debate for Democracy at BFDC, the chief whip said he wants youth holding books rather than weapons. He said sponsors backing juvenile gangs must be prosecuted, saying criminals cannot hold any political identity under the law.

The chief whip said criminals frequently change political affiliations alongside shifts in power, attempting to operate under new patronage. He also added that authorities are actively identifying individuals who ran juvenile gangs under former political protection to prevent further crimes.

He urged the practice of blaming the government after every crime must stop, urging citizens to allow authorities time to act. Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran also spoke at the session, which concluded with a national school debate final.

Source: BSS

That concludes today’s briefing. Stay with Beyond Headlines for in-depth news and analysis, explainers, opinion pieces, long reads, and more.