The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has directed officers who faced discrimination during their service between 2009 and August 4, 2024, to submit formal applications.

According to the notice, complaints must be filed to the Armed Forces Division’s committee chairman by September 21.

In a historic development, Nepal’s former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has taken oath as the country’s first female interim Prime Minister. She was sworn in Friday evening at the presidential residence Shital Niwas by President Ram Chandra Poudel.

Karki’s appointment under Article 61 of the constitution marks a significant departure from previous governments formed under Article 76. Political analysts view the move as a major constitutional and political shift for Nepal.

The Shapla Memorial Society has initiated financial support for families of those killed in the May 5, 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Square. The announcement came Friday, with the group pledging monthly stipends ranging from Tk 10,000 to Tk 15,000 per family, depending on need.

General Secretary Md. Kamal Uddin said families listed as “martyr households” would receive continuous assistance. Hefazat has so far released a draft list of 93 names, though the number could rise after verification.

Tensions flared ahead of the much-anticipated football final in Cox’s Bazar, as clashes broke out between spectators and law enforcement officers. The unrest left at least 20 people injured, including the local Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

According to reports, the final between Ramu and Teknaf upazilas was scheduled for the afternoon. The stadium filled beyond capacity, prompting many fans to storm the gates. Security personnel from the army, police, and RAB attempted to control the situation, sparking anger among the crowd. Spectators began hurling stones at the galleries and security forces. By 5 p.m., authorities managed to bring the situation under control.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued nine fishermen who were being held hostage by the notorious Ranga gang in the Sundarbans. During the operation, two members of the gang were arrested along with weapons and ammunition.

The detainees were identified as Nasir Molla (31) and Mintu Sardar (40). According to officials, they had long supported the Ranga gang in robbery operations by supplying arms, ammunition, and provisions.

The rescue mission was launched early Friday after intelligence reports indicated fishermen were being held captive in the Adachgi area. Witnesses said the fishermen were abducted on Thursday night while fishing and crabbing, after arriving in the forest on September 3. The gang had demanded ransom before Coast Guard intervention forced them to flee.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has affirmed that the upcoming national election will take place by February 15, dismissing speculation of a delay.

“Differences are natural when multiple parties exist. Otherwise, why would separate parties form? But the election will definitely be held by February 15,” he said while visiting the village home of poet Farrukh Ahmed.

Alam emphasized that attempts to disrupt the election would not succeed. “This is a foundational election. It will set the course for future polls and guide Bangladesh’s political journey forward,” he quoted the Chief Advisor as saying earlier.

He expressed optimism that the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be held in a peaceful, fair, and festive atmosphere. Pointing to the recently concluded DUCSU polls as an encouraging sign, he said security will be ensured with the deployment of nearly 800,000 members of police, BGB, and Ansar.

Sheikh Bashiruddin, Trade Advisor, has acknowledged Bangladesh’s progress in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector but cautioned that the country lags behind in overall competitiveness.

Speaking at the Belt and Road Initiative in Bangladesh Exhibition, he noted that Chinese investment in Bangladesh has surged by 300 percent. “We must identify our weaknesses and advance through knowledge-sharing. By utilizing China’s expertise in production and packaging, we can expand our opportunities,” he said.

He further highlighted road safety concerns, stating that annual fatalities from road accidents in Bangladesh remain alarming. “Improving road infrastructure and transport management is a necessity,” he stressed.

Bashiruddin also revealed that a U.S. government delegation will arrive in Dhaka on Sunday to discuss tariff issues, focusing on how to restructure tariff frameworks for trade efficiency.

Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, senior judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, has been appointed Acting Chief Justice in the absence of Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, who is abroad on an official tour.

According to a Ministry of Law notification, Justice Chowdhury will serve as Acting Chief Justice from September 9 to September 22—or until Justice Ahmed resumes his duties—during his visit to Brazil and Qatar.

The Election Commission has confirmed that counting of votes in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election is progressing. Seventeen hours after polling ended, results from 17 out of 21 residential halls have been finalized.

The university has 11 male halls and 10 female halls. With four halls left, officials expect the counting to conclude by midday. Once the hall-level results are declared, the central union vote count will begin.

Due to manual counting, the process is taking longer than anticipated. Authorities estimate that the final results of the JUCSU election will likely be available in the evening.

Polling took place yesterday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Although the Election Commission initially planned to use OMR technology for counting, objections raised by several student panels, including Chhatra Dal, led to the process being conducted manually.

The All-Party United Committee has unveiled a new program demanding the reinstatement of four parliamentary seats in Bagerhat.

Following a two-day strike that ended Thursday evening, the committee announced a series of demonstrations beginning Sunday. On Friday, imams will raise awareness during Jummah prayers. On Sunday, activists will stage sit-ins outside government offices and courts at district and upazila levels.

From Monday to Wednesday, a dawn-to-dusk strike will be enforced. Educational institutions will remain closed, but exemptions will apply between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily. Emergency services, law enforcement vehicles, two-wheelers, fresh produce markets, grocery shops, hospitals, pharmacies, ambulances, and essential goods will remain outside the strike’s scope.

Doha witnessed a solemn funeral on Thursday for the victims of an Israeli airstrike, with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in attendance.

Among the six victims, five were Palestinians, whose bodies were draped in Palestinian flags. The sixth was a member of Qatar’s armed forces, honored with the national flag. The deceased were laid to rest at the Mesaimeer cemetery.

The September 9 Israeli airstrike targeted senior Hamas leaders, all of whom survived. However, among the dead was the son of Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya. Reports suggest the strike was aimed at assassinating Khalil and his associates.

A crucial meeting of the National Consensus Commission, chaired by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, was held to review proposals aimed at implementing the July Charter.

The two-hour-long meeting discussed both the commission’s recommendations and submissions from political parties. Members confirmed that a detailed report would soon be submitted to the interim government. The commission is scheduled to hold further talks with political parties this Sunday.

A six-member subcommittee also presented its recommendations on implementing the July Charter.

Emphasizing the government’s core mandate of reforms, Chief Advisor Yunus said, “The July Charter must be treated with the same seriousness as elections and justice. The upcoming national election in February is not just another poll—it is a foundational election that will shape the future of Bangladesh.” He stressed that essential reforms must be finalized before the February elections, which he described as unavoidable.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has summoned 12 senior officials, including two former commissioners, over allegations of violating rules in the allocation of luxury flats in Dhanmondi.

Among those called for questioning are former ACC Commissioners Mozammel Haque Khan and Zahurul Haque, along with former secretaries Md. Yunusur Rahman and M.A. Kader, who are scheduled to appear on September 17. Former IDRA Chairman Dr. M. Aslam Alam, former secretary Aktari Momtaz, and Md. Sirajul Haque Khan are to appear on September 18. Additionally, former Registrar Aminul Islam, former Director General of Secondary and Higher Education Prof. Nehal Ahmed, former secretaries Md. Anisur Rahman, and former senior secretary S.M. Golam Faruk have been summoned for September 21.

The allegations relate to the 2018 national parliamentary election, where these officials reportedly received luxury flats as rewards for facilitating “daytime voting conducted at night.” The ACC is investigating whether the allocation of these flats breached official policies and ethical guidelines.

The Sylhet Metropolitan Police launched the mobile app ‘GenieA’ to make the city safer, smarter, and more modern. The app provides location sharing, notifications, complaint tracking, and one-click emergency police assistance. Commissioner Abdul Khuddus Chowdhury stated the app aims to build trust between citizens and police and will eventually include features like a help desk for women and children, prevention of child abduction and domestic violence, drone surveillance, legal support, and blockchain-based evidence protection. He emphasized that achieving a safe and modern Sylhet requires citizen participation. Meanwhile, Mohammad Anwarul Haque has been promoted to Sylhet Range DIG.

A court has barred 286 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, from leaving the country over allegations of participating in a “Joy Bangla Brigade” Zoom meeting to overthrow the government and engage in anti-state activities. According to the court’s process server, Enamul Haque, the request for the travel ban was filed by CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Enamul Haque. The court granted the request to prevent individuals in Bangladesh from fleeing and to detain those abroad if they return.