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 26th September 2026.

PM conducts 30 diplomatic engagements across 11 nations: Mahdi Amin

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman completed 30 official engagements, including bilateral talks with 11 countries, during his four-day New York visit for the 81st UN General Assembly, Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin said on Friday.

Addressing the UN General Debate, the prime minister pledged to establish a prosperous, democratic Bangladesh. Tarique said the administration is implementing a national recovery strategy while raising education spending to 5 per cent of GDP.

On the assembly sidelines, Tarique held bilateral talks with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard. Assistant Press Secretary KM Nazmul Haque said talks focused on expanding trade and skilled manpower.

During a lunch meeting, Tarique and International Peace Institute President Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein discussed international peace, global security and multilateral cooperation. Haque said both leaders agreed on making the UN-centred multilateral system more effective.

Tarique met Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to discuss expanding manpower exports, trade and investment. The prime minister said historic relations provide a strong foundation for deepening economic cooperation and regular diplomatic communication.

Addressing Wall Street investors at JPMorgan Chase headquarters, Tarique invited American firms to invest in Bangladesh, saying the country is 'open for business'. The prime minister said the government offers regulatory predictability to build a one-trillion-dollar economy.

In his final bilateral engagement, Tarique met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud to discuss expanding Saudi investment. Haque said both sides agreed to deepen economic partnerships, with Riyadh expressing interest in advancing bilateral ventures.

Source: BSS

Attackers demolish Mirpur health centre ahead of vaccination drive

A group of 200 masked attackers demolished the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Dhaka's Mirpur-1 early Friday after holding two security guards hostage. The unidentified assailants looted essential medical equipment, vaccines, documents and cash before razing the non-government healthcare facility with heavy machinery.

The perpetrators erected a signboard under Sammona Dokandar Samabaya Samiti Limited, claiming ownership over the 10-katha property. Clinic authorities estimated the property damage at Tk 1.5 crore, which included stolen ultrasonogram machines, computers, generators, refrigerators and vital national immunisation record registers.

Executive Director Nasrin Akhter filed a police case against one named individual and 250 unidentified attackers, saying the group illegally occupied the premises. Lawmaker Ferdousi Ahmed Mishti, linked by local residents to the cooperative committee, said she had no involvement in the demolition.

All healthcare operations remain suspended, halting regular medical treatments for 400 daily patients and disrupting an imminent government measles vaccination drive for children. Deputy Commissioner Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabdar said police are analysing surveillance video footage to identify the culprits and initiate arrests.

Source: Prothom Alo

Authorities treat 53 people in northern anthrax outbreak

At least 53 people received medical treatment across Gaibandha, Rangpur and Dinajpur over the past month following anthrax infections linked to sick cattle. Health authorities said the cases originated after villagers slaughtered and distributed meat from diseased animals across several northern localities.

In Gaibandha's Sundarganj upazila, 37 people received treatment after a sick cow was slaughtered in Bachhati village, with laboratory tests confirming anthrax. In Rangpur's Pirgachha upazila, testing by the disease control institute confirmed three infections among 11 symptomatic villagers from Adampur who handled tainted meat.

Rangpur Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Firoz Khan said the infected patients are in good health. Sundarganj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Kamrul Hasan said anthrax is curable with appropriate medication, while local livestock officials said infected individuals developed skin blisters after handling meat.

Livestock departments vaccinated 19,000 cattle across 15 unions in Sundarganj, maintaining guidelines requiring 100 per cent coverage within three kilometres of affected areas. Local administrations also conducted public awareness campaigns through loudspeaker announcements and religious leaders to prevent the unregulated slaughter of sick livestock.

Source: The Daily Star

NYPD arrests 103, including Oscar winner in anti-Netanyahu protests

New York police arrested 103 demonstrators on Thursday during widespread street protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the United Nations General Assembly. Hundreds of protesters blocked traffic near the United Nations headquarters, demanding an end to United States military assistance to Israel.

The demonstration, organised by Jewish Voice for Peace and local democratic groups, began as a sit-in along First Avenue before expanding into a broader march. According to police officials, officers took non-compliant participants into custody for disorderly conduct after issuing warnings to clear the intersection.

Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon and actor Hannah Einbinder were among those detained during the rally outside the global assembly. Police also detained Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier and New York City Council Member Chi Osse after participants blocked streets displaying anti-war banners.

Inside the hall, dozens of international envoys staged a walkout as Netanyahu began his address defending Israeli military operations. Outside, organisers said demonstrations would continue, while New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the prime minister should face trial under an outstanding International Criminal Court warrant.

Source: Al Jazeera, The Guardian

Trump rejects Iran seven-day roadmap after concluding Xi summit

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a three-day summit in Washington on Friday marked by extensive diplomatic pageantry but yielding no major breakthroughs. Beyond extending a bilateral tariff truce by two months, the high-level meetings produced no formal policy agreements on trade or technology.

Trump described the bilateral discussions as 'very productive', with Xi affirming that relations achieved 'strategic stability' through mutual respect. Both leaders agreed to meet twice more this year in China and Florida, while American officials said discussions covered artificial intelligence governance alongside Beijing's stance on Middle Eastern hostilities.

Connecting to those regional security discussions, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi presented a seven-day diplomatic roadmap through Qatari intermediaries at the United Nations. The proposal offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if Washington halted regional strikes, lifted naval blockades and released $12 billion in frozen assets.

Trump rejected the proposal, remaining sceptical of Iranian commitments while telling advisers that renewed military strikes appeared likely. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Washington must choose whether to end the war, asserting that Tehran will not surrender sovereign rights as maritime tensions continue disrupting global energy supplies.

Source: The Daily Star, Al Jazeera, CGTN

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