For the third consecutive day, locals in Faridpur have blocked major highways protesting the inclusion of Algi and Hamirdi unions under Constituency-2 instead of Constituency-4.

The blockade has disrupted traffic on key routes including Dhaka-Khulna, Dhaka-Barishal, and Jashore-Bhanga-Barishal highways. Protesters set up blockades at eight different points, halting transport across 21 districts.

Yesterday, demonstrators had staged a similar blockade from morning until evening before lifting it.

Consensus Commission Vice-President Dr. Ali Riaz has said Bangladesh’s future trajectory hinges on the success of the ongoing reform process, which requires cooperation from all stakeholders.

Speaking on Thursday, he confirmed that the commission has been holding dialogues with political parties regarding the implementation of the “July National Charter 2025.” He emphasized that the commission will not impose decisions but will base them on consensus.

Dr. Riaz noted that while there were some dissenting opinions, most political parties reached broad agreement. The commission has also consulted experts to refine recommendations.

Charlie Kirk, a close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, was shot dead Wednesday during a student event at the University of Utah.
The 31-year-old activist was addressing students when a sniper opened fire from a nearby rooftop. He was rushed to hospital but later died. Just seconds before the shooting, Kirk had been asked about gun violence in the U.S. A suspect was initially detained but later released. President Biden extended condolences, calling the killing a “tragedy.”

In Nepal, Gen-Z protesters have proposed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as prime minister of an interim government.
The decision was announced after a six-hour virtual meeting on Wednesday, led by the army chief and attended by young activists from across the country. Protesters demanded justice for demonstrators killed on government orders, including the arrest and prosecution of senior leaders. Local media reported that Karki has responded positively to the request to lead an interim administration.

Kurigram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mosammat Sultana Parvin has been suspended following allegations of abuse of power in a case involving the midnight sentencing of a journalist by a mobile court.
The suspension came after a court rejected her bail plea and sent her to jail on September 8. The controversy dates back to March 2019, when local journalist Ariful Islam was detained from his home at midnight and sentenced to one year in prison by a mobile court. Authorities later claimed to have found liquor and cannabis in his house, though his family alleged he was targeted for reporting against the DC.

Government secondary school teachers across Bangladesh have put forward a five-point charter of demands, with the establishment of a separate Directorate of Secondary Education topping the list.

The demands include:

Creation of an independent Directorate of Secondary Education.

Upgrading the entry-level grade of assistant teachers to 9th grade with a four-tier promotion scale.

Preservation of administrative and financial authority for regional deputy directors, ensuring autonomy and dignity of all secondary offices.

Immediate recruitment and promotion to fill vacant posts in schools and inspection branches.

Clearance of pending selection-grade and time-scale approvals.

Teachers say these reforms are vital for strengthening secondary education in the country.

As Israeli bombardment continued in Gaza, India and Israel signed a bilateral investment treaty in New Delhi during the visit of Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

The Modi government described the deal as a step toward deepening ties with Israel, highlighting sectors such as cybersecurity, defense, innovation, and high technology. Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the moment was “crucial for expanding cooperation,” while Smotrich posted on X that the agreement reflected “mutual prosperity, innovation, and new opportunities for investors.” India’s finance ministry hailed it as a “historic milestone.”

Adviser Dr. M. Sakhawat Hossain has issued a stern warning against corruption and irregularities within the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).

Speaking at a scholarship awarding ceremony for children of BIWTA officials, Dr. Sakhawat said, “One corrupt member tarnishes the reputation of the entire institution and its workforce.”

He urged officials to uphold integrity while honoring students who received merit-based scholarships.

The High Court has ordered a halt to the construction of the elevated expressway through Panthakunja Park, adjacent to Hotel Sonargaon, and parts of Hatirjheel.

The court also directed that Panthakunja Park be reopened to the public.

The ruling came following a writ petition filed by nine environmental activists, including Amirul Rajib, Anu Muhammad, and Gitiara Nasrin, challenging the construction works.

The 9th meeting of the National Training Council was held under the chairmanship of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

The council decided to shorten the duration of basic training for cadre officers from six months to four months, comprising three months of institutional training and one month of field-level training. The maximum age limit for enrolling in master’s and PhD courses has been raised from 45 to 47 years.

Adviser Yunus emphasized the need to evaluate all government training centers, introduce ranking systems, and ensure regular monitoring. He also proposed forming an independent unit to systematically assess research institutions and maintain data on officials who receive foreign training.

The meeting also approved renaming the “Sanjeeboni Training” program to “Skills Renewal Training,” alongside introducing new initiatives to promote integrity, ethics, and anti-corruption values among public servants. An executive committee, chaired by the Finance Adviser, was also formed.

Two senior officials of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) have been temporarily suspended over allegations of taking bribes in exchange for awarding fuel supply contracts.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Shipping, Additional Director (Marine) Md. Abdur Rahim and Deputy Director Md. Obaidul Karim Khan of BIWTA’s Vessel Preservation and Operations Department were suspended on the instructions of the Adviser for Shipping.

A probe committee has been formed to investigate the incident, with authorities vowing to take departmental action against those involved. Instructions have also been issued to pursue legal measures against any other individuals linked to the corruption.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, accountability of occupying forces, and long-term peace in Palestine.
In a meeting with Palestine’s Chief Justice Dr. Mahmoud Sidki Al-Habbash, Hossain reiterated Bangladesh’s unwavering support for Palestinians and the two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders.
The Palestinian Chief Justice expressed deep gratitude for Bangladesh’s consistent support and highlighted the importance of Muslim unity.

Senior Secretary of the Election Commission (EC), Akhtar Ahmed, revealed the draft count of polling centers under the commission’s election roadmap.
Currently, Bangladesh has 126.16 million registered voters across 300 constituencies in 64 districts. Based on an average of one polling center per 3,000 voters, the EC has proposed 42,618 polling centers.
Each center will have separate booths: one for every 600 male voters and one for every 500 female voters. This translates to 114,939 male booths and 129,107 female booths, totaling 244,046 booths nationwide.
Objections to the draft list will be accepted until September 25, with the final list to be published on October 20.

DUCSU central member candidate Sajib Hossain has alleged that his vote was not recorded properly.
“I want to know where my vote went,” Sajib told reporters, explaining that although he cast his ballot for a GS candidate at Curzon Hall, the candidate’s result showed zero votes.

He demanded clarification and justification if his vote was canceled.

Another candidate, Rakib Hossain Gazi, also complained of irregularities, accusing the election commission of giving preferential treatment to certain groups and ignoring rules on distributing candidate slips. Both said they would file written complaints with the university administration.

Bangladesh’s Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) of the National Board of Revenue has seized locker No. 128 belonging to Sheikh Hasina at Pubali Bank’s Motijheel branch.

CIC Director General Ahsan Habib confirmed that investigators found the locker registered under Hasina’s name at the Sena Kalyan Bhaban branch. One key was in Hasina’s possession while the other remained with the bank. Revenue officials sealed the locker earlier today.

Additionally, investigators froze fixed deposits worth Tk 1.2 million under Hasina’s name and Tk 4.4 million jointly held with her sister Sheikh Rehana. Officials believe the locker may contain sensitive documents, valuables, and jewelry.