At least 193 people have died following two separate boat sinkings in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and several others are missing, authorities reported. The incidents occurred on Wednesday and Thursday roughly 150 km apart in Équateur province. Officials said a wooden passenger boat overturned after catching fire near the village of Malange, close to Lukolela, on Thursday evening; that accident killed 107 people and rescued 209 others, with 146 still reported missing. A day earlier, a motorized boat capsized in the Basankusu area, killing at least 86 people, most of them students.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has announced a joint movement to ensure the legal foundation of the “July Charter” and to introduce proportional representation (PR) in the electoral system. Party leader Muhammad Rezaul Karim stated that the sacrifices of students and citizens during the July uprising aimed at permanently uprooting dictatorship. While Sheikh Hasina’s fall was part of that demand, Karim warned that the government is preparing for elections without constitutional and political reforms, which could push the nation back into old cycles of turmoil. He demanded: Full implementation and legal recognition of the July Charter. Swift trials of fascism and prevention of its allies’ return to politics. Holding national elections under the PR system.

Ataur Rahman, first joint convener of the NCP district committee in Sunamganj, rejected allegations that he illegally occupied shop land and a ferry-ghat in the Chawk Bazar area, calling the accusations false and politically driven. He said the land in question was purchased by him and that he allowed two people to stay there for humanitarian reasons; those individuals later joined Awami League politics. Ataur said a dispute arose when he asked them to vacate to build a permanent house. One party left, but the other refused, and, he alleges, Farid Ahmed — a local Awami League organizer — conspired with relatives to stage a false human-chain protest against him. Ataur claimed the organizer had earlier sought administrative help to lease the boat landing, which Ataur opposed; he says the organizer retaliated with the campaign. Local traders held a protest against Ataur on Tuesday afternoon.

The official results of the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election have been declared. Independent candidate Abdur Rashid Jitu secured the Vice President (VP) post with 3,334 votes, while Shibir-backed candidate Mazharul Islam won the General Secretary (GS) post with 3,930 votes. Ferdous Al Hasan was elected Assistant General Secretary (AGS), and Ayesha Siddika Meghla became the AGS (Female). The results were announced at the Senate Building on Saturday afternoon. The declaration began with a minute of silence in memory of late teacher Jannatul Ferdous, martyrs of the Liberation War, and the fallen heroes of the 1974 student uprising.

Jahangirnagar University announced it will be closed on Sunday; all classes and offices will be shut and previously scheduled exams postponed. The university cited intense involvement of faculty, students and staff in JUCSU and hall-union vote preparation, polling and counting on September 10–13, during which many worked tirelessly through the night and now face exhaustion. The notice added that many ordinary students are also mentally fatigued; for that reason, the university decided to suspend activities for the day. Regular classes and office hours will resume on Monday, but all finalized examinations already scheduled remain postponed. Admissions for first-year undergraduate (honours) for the 2024–25 academic year will continue as planned tomorrow.

At a teachers’ roundtable, former MP Habibul Islam Habib accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government of having destroyed both the electoral process and the education system. He asserted that in the February election, “people will vote for whom they choose; there will be no more night-time voting.” Addressing teachers’ responsibilities, Habib recalled campaigning under the ruling party’s emblem during his tenure as MP and described alleged mistreatment he suffered in detention. He also pledged that, if re-elected, he would upgrade Patkelghata police station to an upazila.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed emphasized that, despite tactical political differences, a national unity against fascism is essential to defend the country’s independence and sovereignty. He called for a cultural shift in democratic politics aligned with the public’s expectations for mass awakening, aiming to eradicate authoritarian political subcultures. Salahuddin warned that those demanding immediate, wholesale reforms may have ulterior motives. He urged elected government, a functioning parliament, and changes in political culture to achieve genuine democratization. Professor Ali Riaz noted that the Consensus Commission prepared its reform blueprint based on civil-society input, though it has been presented differently by some quarters.

Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of the Election System Reform Commission, warned that partisan politics driven by loyalist students and faculty is damaging the education system. “We are paying the price for politics carried out by partisan teachers and students,” he said, urging political parties to demonstrate the goodwill necessary to end such practices. Badiul argued that to stop the emergence of authoritarianism, students and teachers must act primarily in their educational roles — students as students, teachers as teachers. He added that reforms are needed to ensure free, fair, and impartial parliamentary elections, but that implementation ultimately depends on political parties’ willingness to cooperate.

The Election Commission began formally announcing results for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and hall union elections after 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Voting had taken place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, and counting started around 10:15 p.m. that night. The manual vote-counting process contributed to delays in publication of results. The elections faced a boycott by four panels, including Chhatra Dal, and five independent candidates. Allegations of an uneven playing field and irregularities prompted the resignation of four BNP-affiliated faculty members, including one election commissioner.

Intelligence police arrested former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) AKM Nahidul Islam on Saturday from his home in Dhanmondi, authorities confirmed. Nahidul Islam faces charges at the International Crimes Tribunal, and an arrest warrant had previously been issued in relation to those proceedings. The government placed him on compulsory retirement on July 28. Officials have not yet released further details about custodial arrangements or next steps in the tribunal process.

A Bangladesh Enterprise Institute survey across 12 districts found that just 2.5% of respondents reported being satisfied with the interim government’s fulfillment of public expectations. More than half — 54% — described the administration’s performance as “average” in meeting those expectations. On political-party reforms, the survey reveals broad public demand for change: 96% want democratic practices established within parties, and 94% expect parties to ensure financial transparency and accountability. While 19% prioritize internal reform, 24% say they want elections first. Meanwhile, 78% of respondents want the option to abstain on the ballot in the next parliamentary elections.

Celebrated Lalon singer Farida Parveen has been placed on life support after her health sharply deteriorated, her son Imam Jafar Nomani confirmed on Thursday. “Her natural breathing has completely stopped, and her blood pressure collapsed. Doctors are keeping her alive with maximum medication and ventilator support,” Nomani stated. He added that while chances of recovery are slim, the family is continuing treatment under doctors’ advice. Nomani also warned against fraudulent fundraising scams circulating under his mother’s name, stressing that the family needs no financial assistance. He urged everyone to keep the iconic singer in their prayers.

Ten Bangladeshi nationals detained by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at West Bengal’s Hakimpur border have been handed over to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The group, including three women, three men, and four children, were transferred at Satkhira’s Taluigachha border late Friday night following a flag meeting between BSF and BGB. They are residents of Rangamati, Chattogram, Satkhira, Gazipur, and Bagerhat districts. Authorities confirmed that after verification, the detainees will be released to their families.

The Election Commission has released a draft list of polling centers for Chuadanga’s two parliamentary constituencies—Chuadanga-1 and Chuadanga-2. According to the draft, the district will have 349 polling centers with 1,853 booths to serve 993,680 registered voters. Objections and claims can be filed until September 25, with final decisions due on October 12. The final list is expected on October 20. Chuadanga-1 constituency includes 179 centers serving 507,481 voters, while Chuadanga-2 will have 170 centers serving 486,199 voters.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, has congratulated Sushila Karki on her appointment as Nepal’s interim Prime Minister. In a congratulatory message, Dr. Yunus hailed her leadership during a “critical and challenging time” as a reflection of the trust placed in her by the Nepali people. He expressed confidence that under her guidance, Nepal will continue advancing toward peace, development, and stability. He also extended condolences for recent casualties during political unrest in Nepal and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.