The University of East Anglia (UK), in collaboration with MH Global Group, plans to open a branch campus in Bangladesh, supported by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The initiative, backed by the Bangladesh Army, will also introduce joint and dual degree programs with Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) and the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST). The project aims to enhance higher education quality, offer opportunities in emerging tech fields, and support students’ global exposure and employability, including provisions for financially disadvantaged talent.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain has said that young people will be the driving force behind political and qualitative transformation in Bangladesh’s future.

Speaking at the Bengal Delta Conference 2025, he emphasized the need to strengthen the country’s constitutional and institutional structures, which he said have remained weak despite decades of independence.

“Politics is not merely about holding office. We must build strong institutions if we are to bring meaningful change,” Hossain said.

He also warned that failure to repatriate Rohingya refugees would prolong the region’s suffering well into the next decade.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin has called on election officials to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and neutrality during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.

Speaking on Friday at the closing of a two-day core training workshop, the CEC stressed that law and order remains the biggest challenge ahead of the polls. “Every day we face new and evolving challenges. Election commissioners must remain focused on addressing these effectively,” he said.

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar echoed this concern, warning that the 13th National Election could be “the most high-risk election in Bangladesh’s history.” He urged the commission and all those involved in the electoral process to remain vigilant.

Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Md. Sanaullah highlighted that the voter turnout may exceed expectations, noting that many expatriates are eagerly waiting to cast their votes with great enthusiasm.

Bangladesh has been ranked as the world’s second most air-polluted country, just after India, according to the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) 2025 report published by the University of Chicago. The study warns that air pollution is robbing Bangladeshis of an average of 5.5 years of life expectancy.

The report highlights that air quality in Bangladesh is far worse than both the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and the country’s own national standards. Alarmingly, all 166.8 million people in the country live in areas where the air is classified as severely polluted compared to WHO thresholds.

Between 1998 and 2023, the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Bangladesh increased by more than 66%, cutting life expectancy by an additional 2.4 years. Researchers note that the impact of air pollution on public health now exceeds the combined effects of smoking, malnutrition, and unsafe water.

For residents of Dhaka, the situation is particularly dire. If air quality in the capital met WHO standards, the average lifespan of its residents could increase by nearly 6.9 years. Even if only Bangladesh’s national standards were met, Dhaka residents could still gain at least 4 years in life expectancy.

Experts point to brick kilns around Dhaka as one of the city’s long-standing major sources of air pollution, yet effective regulation remains elusive. Adding to the crisis, seasonal smog drifting in from neighboring countries further deteriorates air quality, making the problem not just domestic but regional in scale.

Venezuela has launched a massive military drill in response to the deployment of a U.S. naval fleet in Latin American and Caribbean waters. President Nicolás Maduro accused Washington of eyeing Venezuela’s natural resources and seeking to fragment the nation.

Maduro said a formal complaint has been lodged with the United Nations over the U.S. violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. Under his direct supervision, thousands of Special Revolutionary Operations Forces participated in the exercise, showcasing advanced combat maneuvers, mountain warfare, and live-fire drills with modern weaponry.

“The Venezuelan people are ready to resist imperialism. The gringos want our wealth; they want to break our country into pieces,” Maduro declared. He announced that another nationwide drill will take place later this week.

Earlier, the U.S. had dispatched three destroyers, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, and 4,500 naval troops to Venezuelan waters in a mission officially described as countering drug trafficking. In retaliation, Venezuela deployed warships along its coasts and mobilized militias across the country.

A Dhaka court has ordered the imprisonment of former minister Abdul Latif Siddique and 15 others in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act with Shahbagh Police Station.

On Friday morning, the accused were produced before the court, where the investigating officer, Taufiq Hasan, sought their detention in jail. In his submission, he stated that Siddique, under the banner of “Manch 71,” had delivered speeches allegedly inciting armed rebellion to destabilize the country and overthrow the current government.

According to the case details, Siddique’s remarks provoked attendees to chant slogans branding the Awami League as “fascists.” Investigators argued that detaining the accused until the probe is completed is essential to verify their identities and addresses. Police also indicated that a remand petition would be filed soon.

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar has declared that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections will be “the most risk-prone” in Bangladesh’s history. “There will be no scope for irregularities. This is the Commission’s greatest challenge, and we cannot afford to fail,” he stressed.

He urged election officials and all stakeholders to remain vigilant. Commissioner Sanaullah noted that voter turnout may exceed expectations, with expatriates also showing strong interest in casting their votes.

Other commissioners echoed that there is no chance for this election to be marred by irregularities. They also called for “moderation, not extravagance” in election spending.

Former minister Abdul Latif Siddique and 15 others were produced before a magistrate court on charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act in a case filed by Shahbagh Police Station. Police have requested that all accused be kept in custody.

The other defendants include Dhaka University professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman (Karzon), Md. Abdullah Al Amin, Manjurul Alam, Kazi ATM Anisur Rahman Bulbul, Golam Mostafa, Md. Mohiul Islam alias Babu, Md. Zakir Hossain, Md. Tousif Ul Bari Khan, Md. Amir Hossain Suman, Md. Al Amin, Md. Nazmul Ahsan, Syed Shahed Hasan, Md. Shafiqul Islam Delwar, Dewan Mohammad Ali, and Md. Abdullahil Kaiyum.

Cox’s Bazar Airport is set to open for international flights by mid-October, announced advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin. He confirmed that construction work is progressing rapidly, with 80% of the international terminal building already completed.

Speaking after inspecting the airport’s development progress on Thursday afternoon, Bashir said the first international route will launch with a single flight, gradually expanding services over time. “We will also ensure affordable ticket prices to attract passengers,” he added.

Earlier, he held meetings with airport authorities and project officials to review preparations.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has set up a three-member committee to investigate police actions during recent protests led by BUET and other engineering university students.

The committee, headed by Additional Police Commissioner Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali, includes Joint Commissioner Sufian Ahmed and Deputy Commissioner Sadek Ahmed as secretary.

They have been given three days to submit findings based on CCTV footage, eyewitness testimony, and situational analysis to determine whether police use of force was justified and proportionate.

Chief Returning Officer Mohammad Jasim Uddin clarified that the DUCSU election commission had considered seeking assistance from security agencies, including the army, for candidate protection. However, he stressed:
"The plan remains, but we don’t need to contact the army directly. If needed, we will inform the university administration, who will coordinate with law enforcement."

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has confirmed that the government has issued no directive for army deployment in student union polls, nor is such involvement expected.

Earlier, Returning Officer Prof. Golam Rabbani had announced a three-layered security plan for election day, with army presence considered at seven checkpoints.

Mokbul Hossain, father of martyr Abu Sayeed, gave an emotional testimony at Tribunal-2 during a war crimes trial related to his son’s killing.

"I had hoped to live to see my son get a job. That did not happen. Now I only wish to live long enough to see justice for his murder," said Mokbul, breaking down before the court.

Alongside him, journalist AKM Moinul Haque of NTV Rangpur and cameraman Asaduzzaman Arman also testified. On Wednesday, prosecutors opened the case, stressing that the trial was not just about punishment but about establishing justice and strengthening the nation’s foundation for the future.

Engineering students protesting under the “Engineering Rights Movement” blocked traffic at Matsya Bhaban intersection for an hour Thursday afternoon, burning an effigy of DC Masud Alam.
The march began from BUET and passed Shaheed Minar, TSC, Press Club, and the High Court before reaching Matsya Bhaban, where police halted the procession. Students staged a sit-in, halting traffic across the area, though they allowed ambulances to pass.
Later, they moved near IEB, causing further disruptions. Student leader Tasrif demanded: “The Home Affairs Adviser must apologize, DC Masud must be dismissed, and our three-point demands must be implemented immediately.”

For the first time, prisoners will be able to exercise their voting rights during the upcoming national election, Election Commission Secretary Akhter Ahmed announced.
Under the newly declared roadmap, ballot papers will be delivered to prisons two weeks before election day. The roadmap outlines 24 key initiatives in 207 steps, including electoral law reforms, finalizing constituency boundaries, and ensuring voting rights for expatriates and inmates.
Expatriate Bangladeshis will also vote through postal ballots, with registration closing on November 30. Their ballot papers will be sent abroad by January 5 and returned a week before the polls.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) has filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act against former minister Latif Siddiqui and 14 others, who were detained from the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) premises.

DB Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam confirmed that the case is being processed at Shahbagh Police Station, with police as complainant. Asked whether the detainees belonged to the Awami League, he said:
"We are not looking at political affiliations. We found evidence of sabotage plans on their mobile devices, which is why legal action is being taken."

The arrests followed a chaotic incident Thursday afternoon when a group identifying themselves as “July Warriors” stormed into a DRU roundtable discussion. Around 12:15 p.m., they handed over 15 individuals, including Siddiqui, to police.