The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance and accelerate anti-corruption initiatives.

The agreement was signed by ACC Director General Md. Akter Hossain and TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman. Under the MoU, the two organizations will collaborate on public awareness campaigns, systemic improvements, integrity promotion, research, training, and advocacy programs.

This is the fifth such partnership since their first agreement in May 2015. Subsequent renewals were made in 2017, 2019, and 2022.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will brief the international community on Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections during his official visit to the United States. The elections are scheduled to take place in the first half of February next year.

On September 26, Professor Yunus is set to address the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he will highlight the interim government’s reform initiatives, economic recovery measures, and steps toward democratic transition over the past 14 months.

“The core message is that by February 15, fundamental elections will be held—free, fair, peaceful, acceptable, and celebratory,” said the Press Secretary. He added that world leaders have already pledged their support for the polls, assuring that people will vote freely, just as they did in the recent Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and Jatiya University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections.

He further stated that political parties are maintaining regular dialogue with the interim government and are not in conflict. Referring to the Awami League’s 15-year rule, he remarked: “People were killed, disappeared, and thousands of false cases were filed. Look at where the Awami League stands today—friendless and isolated.”

The ‘Global Sumud Flotilla,’ a Gaza-bound humanitarian mission, reported hearing explosions nearby and spotting Israeli drones overhead. The ships, which set sail from Tunisia, Greece, and other countries, are now traveling together southwest of Crete.
Organizers said their VHF radio communications were being jammed, accusing Israel of using drones to intimidate and mentally weaken the passengers. In a statement, they condemned Israel and its allies for “crossing all limits to prolong starvation and genocide against the people of Gaza.”

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, where discussions covered democracy, climate action, and the Rohingya humanitarian crisis.
Yunus said the upcoming February election will mark a new era for democracy in Bangladesh. He also highlighted Hidalgo’s role in making the Paris 2024 Olympics a major social business event, stressing that all future Olympics, particularly Los Angeles, must aim to be carbon-neutral.
Mayor Hidalgo praised Yunus’s leadership, saying: “You have done remarkable work, and I admire your leadership.” Both leaders called for urgent funding to support over one million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar. Yunus also invited Mayor Hidalgo to visit Bangladesh.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has expressed profound sorrow at the passing of Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia and head of the Council of Senior Scholars.
In his condolence message, Yunus said the Muslim world had lost “a great scholar and guiding voice of Islamic thought.” He praised Sheikh Abdul Aziz’s lifelong dedication to Islamic scholarship, which he said would remain unforgettable.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz began his higher studies in Shariah at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh in 1961 and earned a specialized degree in Arabic and Islamic Shariah in 1965.

Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has been awarded the ‘Unlock Big Change Award’ at Theirworld’s Annual Global Education Dinner. The recognition celebrates his pioneering contributions to social and economic development and his lifelong commitment to education.
The event was jointly hosted by UN Special Envoy for Global Education and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Theirworld Chair Sarah Brown. Alongside Dr. Yunus, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi was also honored.
In his remarks, Gordon Brown said, “In the last 50 years, no private sector initiative has done more to lift people out of poverty than Grameen Bank.”
Accepting the award, Dr. Yunus emphasized that access to food, healthcare, and education should be recognized as fundamental human rights, adding: “If the doors of finance are opened, poverty will disappear. I linked microcredit with education to ensure women could send their children to school. Children must learn entrepreneurship from an early age.”

Police in Jhenaidah’s Shailkupa have arrested a man identified as Md. Monjer Ali (50) in connection with the vandalism of Durga idols. The incident occurred in the early hours at the Haritala Sarbajanin Puja Mandir in Fulhuri village. CCTV footage showed the suspect removing the heads of three to four partially completed idols on Tuesday. Authorities confirmed that Monjer Ali is now in custody, and legal proceedings are underway.

Dr. Song S.I. Jack, a burn specialist from Singapore, arrived in Dhaka late Tuesday night to assist in the treatment of three firefighters critically injured in the Tongi chemical factory blaze.
He went directly from Shahjalal Airport to the National Burn Institute, where he met with hospital directors and medical staff before visiting the injured patients. Dr. Jack discussed treatment strategies with local specialists and assessed the victims’ current condition.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has urged the World Trade Organization (WTO) to provide full support to ensure Bangladesh’s transition from an LDC to a developing country faces no obstacles.
In a meeting with WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Yunus called for meaningful outcomes in the upcoming ministerial conference. In response, Okonjo-Iweala pledged full cooperation and sought Bangladesh’s leadership role in WTO reforms.
Highlighting global economic concerns, she noted that 75% of trade still operates under WTO rules despite growing protectionism. Yunus agreed reforms are essential, stressing the need for the WTO to become more active in today’s rapidly changing trade environment.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s motorcade was halted in New York after police blocked several roads for U.S. President Donald Trump’s convoy, according to The Guardian.

Caught in the security lockdown, Macron reportedly phoned Trump directly to resolve the situation. The blockade was lifted shortly afterward.

However, Macron was forced to abandon his vehicle and proceed the rest of the way on foot.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has issued disciplinary orders against two engineers over major irregularities in the Ruppur Green City Project in Pabna.

Assistant Engineer Rafiquzzaman has been dismissed from service, while Supervising Engineer Zillur Rahman has been demoted.

According to the ministry’s notification, investigations confirmed that furniture and supplies for 16- and 20-story buildings were procured and moved in violation of procurement rules (PPR), with abnormally inflated costs. Media reports on the irregularities triggered the probe, which found both officers responsible.

UNESCO’s Bangladesh representative Susan Vize met with Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam. During the meeting, the adviser confirmed that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is working on drafting the Journalism Rights Protection Ordinance in line with the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission.

He assured that the government will extend full cooperation to ensure media outlets can work freely during the upcoming national elections. Emphasizing neutrality, he stated: “There is no government interference in the media. We only expect responsible and impartial journalism.”

Shamim Ahmed, 40, a firefighter critically injured in the Tongi chemical warehouse explosion, has died from his burns.

He was among four fire service personnel severely injured while battling the blaze at Sahara Market in Gazipur’s Tongi BSCIC industrial area on Monday. Doctors earlier reported that two had suffered 100% burns, one 42%, and another 5%.

Shamim succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, leaving three colleagues still fighting for their lives.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has described the egg attack on NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain in New York as “unfortunate,” adding that Bangladesh’s Consulate and Foreign Ministry will look into the matter.

He highlighted Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s engagements in New York, including his speech at an IMF meeting on social business and receiving the prestigious SDG Award. Yunus also held discussions with U.S. officials, including Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gore, where topics ranged from reviving SAARC, strengthening ties with Nepal and Bhutan, ASEAN membership, and expanding U.S.-Bangladesh trade relations.

Alam noted that Gore, a close associate of President Trump, will directly convey these issues to him.

Religious Affairs Adviser A.F.M. Khalid Hossain has assured that the government is taking all possible steps to ensure peaceful celebrations during the upcoming Durga Puja. During a visit to Golpahar Kalibari temple in Chattogram on Tuesday, he said, “Every year, isolated incidents occur during Puja. We must all remain vigilant to prevent any untoward events.”

He also announced that the government has allocated Tk 5 crore in grants to temples and Puja celebration committees across the country.