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 5th October 2026.

BERC raises 12kg LPG cylinder price by Tk 252

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission on Sunday hiked the price of a 12kg LPG cylinder by Tk 252, amid ongoing supply shortages. The commission set the new price at Tk 1,837, up from Tk 1,585. The new rate took effect from 6:00 pm.

However, many households in Dhaka are already paying much more than the regulated rate.

Prices of cylinders ranging from 5.5kg to 45kg were increased proportionately, setting the rate at Tk 153.06 per kg, while autogas prices rose to Tk 84.62 per litre. BERC said the monthly adjustment reflected higher international prices, which form the basis of the domestic pricing structure.

The latest hike comes as consumers grapple with acute supply shortages and soaring retail prices. In several areas, retailers have been selling 12kg cylinders for Tk 2,200 to Tk 2,500, up to Tk 600 above the government-approved rate.

Persistent supply bottlenecks continue to restrict cooking gas availability across neighbourhood markets. While importers said foreign shipments were arriving normally, local traders reported reduced supplies, leaving households unable to obtain cylinders even after offering amounts well above the official ceiling.

Source: The Daily Star

JCD attack injures 10 including 4 journalists in RU

At least 10 people, including four campus reporters, were injured on Sunday night in an alleged attack by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists at Rajshahi University. The incident occurred outside Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall around 8:30pm as armed activists reportedly confronted the reporters and students.

Witnesses said JCD activists marched from the transport market with weapons to attack hall leader Ariful Islam. Attackers then assaulted reporters attempting to film the gathering, snatching mobile phones and issuing death threats to bystanders.

The injured journalists were identified as Nur Ahsan Mridul of The Daily Star, Arifuzzaman Korban of bdnews24.com, Mainul Islam Raju of Samakal and Zahidul Islam of Agamir Shomoy. Several victims suffered serious head injuries and took emergency treatment.

Rajshahi University Proctor Mahbubur Rahman said authorities failed to control the attack as “police fled in fear”. 

Following the incident, central JCD leadership formed a two-member probe committee led by ABM Ijazul Kabir Ruel and Manjurul Alam Riad, ordering a report within 24 hours. Meanwhile, the National Citizen Party demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible.

Source: UNB, The Daily Star

PM directs expediting Inner Circular Road to ease gridlock

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed authorities on Sunday to expedite the Inner Circular Road project to relieve traffic congestion across Dhaka. He instructed ministries during a project review meeting at the Secretariat to accelerate construction work.

The prime minister ordered the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry alongside the Local Government Division to jointly re-evaluate the existing project plan. He said agencies must resolve ongoing implementation obstacles immediately while establishing a realistic timeframe to demonstrate visible construction progress.

Briefing reporters after the session, Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said the PM highlighted seamless inter-agency coordination to complete the bypass without further delays. He said timely delivery remains vital to mitigating urban bottlenecks.

Cabinet members attending the review included Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, LGRD State Minister Mir Shahe Alam and Railway State Minister Habibur Rashid. Dhaka South Administrator Md Abdus Salam and North Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton also participated to align municipal operations.

Source: BSS

President urges communal harmony seven months into government

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday urged citizens of all faiths to preserve communal harmony to build an inclusive Bangladesh. The call came as a delegation from the Sri Sri Hari-Guruchand Matua Mission Central Committee met him at Bangabhaban.

The President said all religious communities fought together during the Liberation War, achieving independence through mutual unity. He said attempts to sow division and spread negative propaganda emerged only seven months after a democratic government assumed office, urging people to firmly resist disruptions.

President's Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam said the President highlighted longstanding social bonds between Hindus and Muslims. He said the government will implement specific development initiatives to support the socio-economic advancement of the Matua community.

Delegation leader Sri Padmanabha Thakur invited the President to visit the Sreedham Orakandi pilgrimage site. The President said public vigilance remains necessary to safeguard democratic progress while the government works to rebuild national economic structures.

Source: BSS

Iran sets seven conditions to reopen Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until seven conditions set out in an interim agreement with the United States are fulfilled, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Sunday. He said Washington must understand that dictating one-sided demands has ended.

Under a proposal submitted during the United Nations General Assembly, navigation could resume within seven days if terms are met. The strategic conduit previously handled 20 per cent of global petroleum and liquefied natural gas shipments before military conflict began in February.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran preferred diplomatic solutions but remained prepared if Washington pursued military confrontation. He said the armed forces would take all necessary actions to defend national sovereignty against renewed strikes.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran communicated broad positions through Qatari mediators, clarifying that current talks exclude nuclear inspections for sanctions relief. Diplomatic disagreements remain centred on the sequencing of reciprocal steps before the waterway can safely reopen.

Source: Reuters

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