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 30th September 2026.

Biman to purchase 10 Airbus aircraft in October

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to sign an agreement with Airbus in October to purchase 10 aircraft, creating a mixed fleet alongside 25 ordered Boeing jets. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat announced the procurement at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

The order comprises four wide-body A350-900s and six narrow-body A321neo planes, with deliveries projected between 2033 and 2037. At list prices, the jets represent a value of $2.05 billion, with European nations providing financing for 85 per cent of the cost. If the deal is inked, Biman will have 35 new planes in its procurement pipeline, including 25 Boeing jets.

Millat said growing passenger demand prompted the decision rather than geopolitical pressure, as Biman currently serves only 20 per cent of demand. He said the carrier formed a committee to lease 10 additional aircraft to cover Middle Eastern and regional route deficits.

The European purchase revives a 2023 commitment made during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Dhaka. French diplomats previously said the deal served as a bilateral 'test', while Bangladesh also finalised separate agreements worth $6.4 billion to acquire 25 Boeing aircraft through 2035.

Source: bdnews24.com, The Daily Star

Over 8.52 lakh miss first cholera vaccine dose

Bangladesh's first-round oral cholera vaccination campaign reached 82.6 per cent of its target, administering doses to over 40.47 lakh people across 14 high-risk areas between 22 August and 21 September, according to Directorate General of Health Services data.

Official data showed that 8.52 lakh people missed their first dose, with Narayanganj accounting for 42 per cent of the shortfall. Though Brahmanbaria recorded 98.4 per cent coverage and Kishoreganj 94.8 per cent, Narayanganj vaccinated only 6.72 lakh of its targeted 10.32 lakh.

DGHS Director for Disease Control Prof Halimur Rashid said the coverage remained typical for broad campaigns targeting everyone aged above one. He said working hours and population mobility caused local shortfalls, though international vaccine alliance Gavi expressed satisfaction with the overall results.

The drive forms part of a five-year plan to inoculate 144 cholera hotspots nationwide. The government commenced the second-dose campaign on 26 September, which will run through 25 October across Dhaka and four selected districts using WHO-prequalified oral vaccines.

Source: The Daily Star

Government offers compromise on 'note of dissent' to opposition

The government is open to compromise on dissenting constitutional proposals if opposition parties join discussions, Home Minister and Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment Chairman Salahuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday following the body's fourth meeting at parliament.

Speaking at parliament's media centre, Salahuddin said consensus remains achievable on disputed issues if the opposition nominates committee members. Media editors attending two days of consultations had submitted proposals on forming a caretaker government, establishing judicial independence and evaluating a bicameral parliament.

Addressing criticism regarding executive term limits, Salahuddin said the ruling party maintained its proposal capping prime ministerial tenure at 10 years to prevent authoritarianism. He said alternative proposals from other political parties could be discussed in parliament, while no final decision exists regarding caretaker governance.

The committee plans broader discussions with legal experts, July uprising groups and the National Consensus Commission ahead of a December deadline to finish stakeholder consultations. The resulting report will be placed before parliament to draft a constitutional amendment bill for subsequent legislative approval.

Source: The Business Standard

ECNEC approves Tk 8.48 billion third terminal cost hike

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved a Tk 8.48 billion cost increase and a one-year extension for Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport third terminal project on Tuesday, raising the total expenditure to Tk 222.13 billion.

Planning ministry officials said construction reached 99.93 per cent physical progress while financial progress stood at 95.23 per cent. The revised deadline now extends to June 2027, although authorities are planning a partial opening of the facility on 16 December.

Planning Secretary SM Shakil Akhtar said missing high-speed internet and incomplete immigration instruments prevented immediate commissioning. State Minister for Planning Zonayed Saki said the cost expansion includes Tk 6.67 billion for equipment maintenance through June 2027 and Tk 2.95 billion to settle contractor disputes.

Remaining installations include explosive detection power systems, cargo handling facilities and sewage treatment testing alongside increased consultancy fees. Tuesday's ECNEC meeting also approved 12 other development projects across healthcare, water resources and rural infrastructure, committing a combined investment of Tk 158.24 billion nationwide.

Source: bdnews24.com

Supreme Court lets Trump resume deportations to 29 countries

The United States Supreme Court on Tuesday permitted President Donald Trump to resume deporting migrants to third countries without procedural hearings. A 6-3 conservative majority granted an emergency stay against a lower court injunction, allowing removals to restart pending litigation.

Under the policy implemented last year, authorities deported over 25,000 migrants to 29 nations, mainly Mexico. Human rights groups filed a class-action lawsuit, stating that migrants were expelled without formal notice or opportunities to assert the risks of torture and persecution.

Department of Homeland Security officials welcomed the ruling, calling third-country deportations an essential enforcement tool. However, plaintiffs' attorney Trina Realmuto said the order allows the administration to send individuals to dangerous territories where they face severe harm, torture, sexual assault or arbitrary disappearance.

US District Judge Brian Murphy previously halted the expulsions, ruling that bypassing hearings violates constitutional due process. The Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments for December to determine whether the policy can permanently proceed without administrative hearings.

Source: Reuters

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