Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji received their first National Film Awards at a ceremony held at India’s Vigyan Bhavan on Tuesday. Indian President Droupadi Murmu conferred the honours.

Shah Rukh Khan won the Best Actor award for his performance in Jawan. He shared the title with Vikrant Massey, who was recognized for his role in 12th Fail, which also won the award for Best Hindi Film. Rani Mukerji received the Best Actress award for her portrayal in Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, based on a real-life child custody battle.

Veteran Malayalam actor Mohanlal was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema, recognising his career spanning over 350 films since his debut in 1978.

Sam Bahadur, played by Vicky Kaushal, won the Best Feature Film on National Integration award. Filmmaker Karan Johar was recognized for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for his multi-starrer family drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The 71st edition of the awards marked a milestone for Hindi cinema, with Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji achieving their long-awaited first National Film Awards.

Although national politics has been heated in recent months over him and his party, GM Quader, a factional chairman of the Jatiya Party, had remained silent—until now. He finally spoke out, hinting that the Jatiya Party, which has stood alongside the Awami League for over a decade and a half, might once again be used as a trump card—positioned as the “opposition” with the help of Awami League votes. While not directly rejecting such allegations, Quader expressed confidence that ballots cast for the “Boat” (Awami League’s symbol) could indeed fall for the “Plough” (Jatiya Party’s symbol).

Quader said, “Have Awami League voters lost their citizenship? Will their names not appear on the voter list? Will they not cast votes? Has there been any such declaration? If they vote for my party, then why the fear?”

He added, “Awami League supporters will vote for us. If BNP offers them good incentives, assures them that they won’t face harassment if BNP wins, then they may vote for BNP too. But they will not vote for Jamaat.”

According to Quader, the next election will gain legitimacy only if all parties, including the Awami League, take part. “When Jamaat was banned, we opposed it. Such steps did not bring good for the country. Without everyone’s participation, the election will not be fair. But if I say this now, I will be branded a traitor,” he said.

Quader accused Dr. Yunus’s interim government of sidelining BNP to bring Jamaat forward, insisting that the next polls must be held under a newly elected government—not under the interim one. He also claimed that despite another round of internal splits, the Jatiya Party has emerged stronger.

Jubo League leader Mizanur Rahman, who was arrested for throwing eggs at National Citizens Party (NCP) Member-Secretary Akhtar Hossain, has been released on bail. The Queens County Criminal Court granted him bail at 9 p.m. local time on Tuesday in New York. At that time, Awami League leaders and activists greeted him with flowers and chanted slogans. Mizan said that Awami League President Sheikh Hasina also called him to congratulate him.

Mizanur Rahman stated, “I was supposed to be presented before the judge at 11 p.m., but to avoid the crowd of hundreds of Awami League activists, the court brought me before the judge at 8:30 p.m. Since the charges against me were not proven, the court granted me bail and set a date for next month. I don’t even know Zahid Khan, who filed the case against me. I believe this false case and my arrest were pre-planned, linked to the airport incident.”

The incident occurred on Monday, September 22, around 5 p.m. at Terminal 4 of John F. Kennedy Airport, when Mizanur Rahman threw eggs at Akhtar Hossain, who was part of the delegation of interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus attending the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Later that night, around 9:30 p.m., police arrested Mizan from Bangladesh Street in Jackson Heights.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has claimed that no one harassed the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in New York. He said, “No one harassed Mirza Fakhrul in New York. Various propaganda campaigns have been launched against him. All of it is false, baseless, and fabricated.”

Rizvi further added that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is a national leader who accompanied the Chief Adviser to attend the UN assembly in New York. He alleged that smear campaigns are being spread against Fakhrul.

On Wednesday (September 24) morning, after paying respects at the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman along with newly elected leaders of Pirojpur District BNP, Rizvi made these remarks.

He said, “If the interim government could demonstrate competence in New York, the allies of fascism would not dare to carry out such activities. Because of the government’s failure to take effective measures, the ghosts of those collaborators are active both inside the country and abroad.”

Awami League supporters threw eggs at National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhter Hossen in New York, while he, along with the party’s Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara, was leaving John F Kennedy International Airport with BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders yesterday (22 September). A man has been detained by New York police over the incident, New York-based journalist Sanjiban Sarkar told the BBC Bangla. He said the detained person’s name is Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, who is reportedly an activist of the banned Awami Jubo League.

According to witnesses and videos shared on social media, Awami League supporters chanted slogans and harassed the leaders of the three political parties, including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, until they boarded their vehicles. At the time, some of them hurled eggs at Akhter as he exited the terminal.

“The incident is not only an expression of political violence but also a glaring example of the government’s failure to uphold diplomatic dignity and ensure security during state visits,” the statement read.

The egging and assault incident at New York airport has once again shown that the Awami League feels no remorse for its misdeeds, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said today (23 September). “Everything the Awami League has done wrong will eventually be brought to justice in accordance with the law,” Fakhrul said in a Facebook post.

He also urged party leaders and activists to remain patient for the sake of the party and the country. Yesterday (22 September), eggs were thrown at NCP leader Akhter Hossen while he was leaving New York’s JFK Airport.

In the US as part of a Bangladesh delegation for the United Nations General Assembly, at the chief adviser’s invitation, NCP Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara, as well as leaders of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, were also there. Several eyewitnesses said the act had been carried out by leaders and activists of the Awami League, a party banned in Bangladesh. Later, New York police reportedly detained a man identified as Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury in connection with the incident. He is said to be an activist of the Awami League.

The NCP blamed the “mismanagement of the embassy” for the egg attack on Akhter.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday said the party has not yet approved any candidate for the upcoming national election, as the final selection will be made by its Parliamentary Board. “No candidate in any constituency has been given any green signal. The party will nominate those whose performance in party activities is strong. BNP follows a clear constitutional process for nominations, not any informal signal,” he said. Speaking at an urgent press conference at BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan, Rizvi also said some recent media reports suggesting certain people have been chosen as candidates are misleading and baseless.

He said the responsibility for selecting candidates lies solely with the party’s Parliamentary Board, chaired by BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The BNP leader said this board, to be formed with members of the party’s standing committee, will take the final decision about candidates after the election schedule is announced. He urged party leaders and activists across the country not to be misled by speculative news reports. “We call on everyone to remain united and wait for the official announcement from the party high command.”

Rizvi said Tarique Rahman has been giving clear instructions to strengthen unity within the party and to work together in every constituency, instead of giving anyone a green signal.

“He is speaking to leaders virtually and giving clear directions to work in unity and support whoever the party nominates. Those seeking nomination must also follow this guideline,” the BNP leader said. He said no nominations have been given yet, despite reports in various newspapers suggesting that lists have been announced and certain people may be possible candidates.

Rizvi said Tarique Rahman is repeatedly stressing the importance of maintaining a strong bond with the people and avoiding activities that cause dissatisfaction or upset.

He said Tarique also advised party leaders and activists to go door to door, distribute leaflets on the party’s 31-point proposal, and explain to the public how this will bring about real change.

Rizvi said Tarique has asked nomination seekers to become more people-oriented. “He often says something we deeply believe that the people are the source of all political power for BNP. As long as the people are with us, no propaganda can separate them from the party, Insha’Allah.”

He said their acting chairman has called upon all BNP leaders, activists, and well-wishers across the country to stay connected with the people and continue to earn their trust and love.

Rizvi alleged that as the interim government moves forward to restore people’s voting rights, a vested group has begun spreading misinformation and planting the seeds of a deep conspiracy.

“They have crafted different stories and are carrying out a series of harmful activities to confuse the public. Those who falsely accuse BNP and try to label the party are the same ones using certain media outlets to spread or publish false news in BNP’s name,” he said.

The BNP leader also said the people of the country are witnessing an evil effort by a certain quarter to secretly rehabilitate the banned, fascist Awami League, which carried out mass killings during the uprising, just to gain political power and fulfil their ambitions.

He expressed concern that some newspapers, media outlets, and social media platforms have recently published so-called nomination lists of BNP candidates, which he said aim to create confusion, dissatisfaction, and disorder among party leaders and activists.

Rizvi alleged that certain media are deliberately spreading false propaganda with the harmful aim of creating division and conflict within BNP. He said BNP is fully preparing for the national election, and the party will nominate popular and qualified candidates through a careful and systematic process at the right time.

Claiming that they have a target of the Awami League, National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossen on Monday vowed that the Awami League would not be able to make a comeback amid what he called “anti-fascist unity.” Soon after coming out from the John F Kennedy International Airport with BNP and Jamaat leaders, Akhter Hossen and NCP’s First Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara were confronted by a small group of Awami League supporters.

The protesters chanted slogans until the delegation entered their vehicles. At one point, eggs were thrown at Akhter Hossen. Speaking to reporters later at a hotel in New York, Akhter said Awami League activists were resorting to the same intimidation tactics abroad that they practised in Bangladesh.

“We are not afraid of this. The people of Bangladesh showed the highest level of courage against the Awami League and even sacrificed their lives. They will remain united and Awami League will not be able to return,” he said.

Dr Tasnim Jara, who faced verbal abuse during the incident, condemned the attack and linked it to a broader pattern of hostility towards women in politics.

“This is nothing new. We have seen how women – who were on the front during the movement and now getting involved in politics – were targeted and undermined by the Awami League in Bangladesh. Today, we saw a reflection of that again,” she said. Dr Tasnim stressed that such incidents would not deter them from their political mission.

“This cannot stop us. Many people are joining with us, and people rejected the Awami League,” she said. She said the attack was aimed not at Hossen as an individual, but at his political identity as a representative of an anti-fascist movement.

“This attack shows the fear and despair of the defeated forces. It will not weaken Akhter Hossen but only strengthen his determination,” Dr Tasnim said.

The NCP and BNP leaders are part of a delegation accompanying the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The delegation includes BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, and NCP leaders Dr Tasnim Jara and Akhter Hossen. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mohammad Nakibur Rahman is joining the delegation from the US.

The Pentagon has rolled out new restrictions requiring journalists with building access to pledge not to report any information without prior authorization — including unclassified details. Violations could result in loss of credentials, according to a 17-page memo issued Friday.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the policy, saying the press “does not run the Pentagon,” while critics, including the National Press Club and Society of Professional Journalists, denounced it as government censorship and “prior restraint.”

The move follows a series of media access rollbacks under Hegseth and comes after embarrassing leaks, including reports of planned strikes in Yemen and a canceled briefing for Elon Musk.

Security was heightened at Benjamin Cardozo High School in Bayside on Friday, a day after a 16-year-old student was arrested for bringing a loaded handgun onto campus and posting a shooting threat on Instagram.

Meta flagged the post, prompting the FBI and NYPD to quickly trace it to the school. Police recovered a loaded 9mm Taurus GX4 with 13 rounds from the teen’s backpack. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and making terrorist threats.

Mayor Eric Adams credited the swift coordination between federal and local agencies with preventing potential tragedy. “We potentially saved the lives of a lot of students and staff today,” he said.

Students and parents expressed both relief and concern over the new security measures, including metal detectors. The Department of Education said weapons have “no place in schools” and promised additional safety support.