The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues to worsen, with Israeli airstrikes and starvation claiming more lives. In the past 24 hours, 72 Palestinians were killed in Israeli bombings, while seven others—including a child—died of hunger, bringing the total death toll to 64,718, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Hospitals reported 356 new injuries within a day, while many victims remain trapped under rubble. Rescue efforts are being hampered by relentless bombardment. Meanwhile, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians queuing for aid distribution, killing nine and injuring at least 87 more. Since May 27, at least 2,465 people have been killed and 17,948 wounded while trying to access humanitarian relief.

A delegation from the National Committee for the People (NCP) has arrived in Tokyo, Japan, where they were warmly greeted with flowers by members of the Bangladeshi diaspora. The delegation, which departed Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday afternoon, landed at Narita International Airport at 6:30 AM local time Friday. Members include Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwary, and Mahbub Alam. During their visit, the team will attend community events in Tokyo and Osaka, meet NCP supporters, and hold discussions with Bangladesh’s ambassador to Japan regarding expatriate challenges and opportunities.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has expressed concern over the sweeping victory of Islami Chhatra Shibir in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. His remarks drew a sharp response from Meghmallar Basu, a GS candidate in the same election. In an open letter, Basu wrote, “Mr. Tharoor, despite massive state interference, Islamist extremism, and financial muscle power, I still secured nearly 5,000 votes. That makes me a legitimate representative of Dhaka University’s progressive students. While your analysis that people are disillusioned with mainstream parties’ corruption is true, you fail to see that your words inadvertently serve as propaganda for Jamaat.” He continued, “Why is Shibir’s victory ‘alarming’ to you? Weren’t you the same person who stoked right-wing propaganda during the Sabarimala issue in Kerala, just to weaken the CPI(M)? Before advising a neighboring country, first defeat Hindutva fascists in India’s own national elections. We will fight Islamist fascism in Bangladesh ourselves.” Earlier, Tharoor had described Shibir’s win as “a warning sign for the future, reflecting public frustration with both Awami League and BNP, pushing voters toward Jamaat not for its religious agenda, but because it has not yet been tainted by corruption and misrule.”

Akhtar Hossain, Member Secretary of the National Committee for the People (NCP), has been acquitted of a long-pending case filed under the Special Powers Act. The case stemmed from April 13, 2021, when Hossain was distributing iftar items to the underprivileged in Dhaka University during Ramadan. Police detained him and filed charges at Shahbagh Police Station. Later, while he was in prison, another case was brought against him over a peaceful protest against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka. Speaking after the acquittal, Hossain said, “The previous government weaponized false cases against hundreds of thousands of citizens, myself included. While the interim government has withdrawn some of these politically motivated charges, one case against me remains ongoing. I demand that all false cases against anyone be withdrawn immediately.”

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.

BNP Vice Chairman Altaf Hossain Chowdhury claimed during a speech at Dumki Upazila Auditorium that although Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has fled, her remnants remain and are conspiring with India to disrupt Bangladesh’s elections. Altaf urged party members to unite under the leadership of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman to ensure a fair election, citing the ideals of Ziaur Rahman as guiding principles.

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.

Members of the newly elected DU panel visited former DU VP Nurul Haque Nur in hospital, breaking into tears while praying for his recovery. GOB leader Shakil Uzzaman confirmed the visit, which included newly elected DU VP Sadiq Qayem, GS SM Farhad, and AGS Mohiuddin. The panel expressed condolences and wished Nur a speedy recovery. Previously, Nurul Haque Nur had congratulated all students who participated in the DU and hall elections and thanked the university administration for a lively, participatory election process.

BNP leader AZM Zahid Hossain stated that domestic and foreign forces are plotting against democracy in Bangladesh. He called for strengthened unity among democratic forces to resist these conspiracies. Zahid emphasized that the BNP’s 31-point program, developed in coordination with other democratic parties, addresses the population’s basic needs and outlines Bangladesh’s future governance, ensuring law and order and protection of the innocent while holding criminals accountable.

The Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and hall council election results are expected by Friday noon, the Election Commission has announced. Prof. A.K.M. Rashidul Alam, member secretary of the commission, stated, “The vote counting will continue throughout Thursday night. We hope to announce the final results by Friday noon. Around 68% of students have cast their votes.” Ballot counting began at Senate Hall around 10:15 p.m. Thursday, following daylong voting at the university’s 21 residential halls. Security forces remain deployed across campus to ensure safety.

Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Shahjahan Mia, contesting Chandpur-3, urged voters to choose justice and fairness in the upcoming election. Speaking at Chandkhar Bazar Jame Mosque and during local community outreach, Shahjahan emphasized that ending terrorism, corruption, and looting, and establishing a justice-based society, requires casting ballots for the candidate symbolized by fairness.

The government has extended special executive magistrate powers for army captains and commissioned officers in the Bangladesh Armed Forces for an additional two months. The Ministry of Public Administration confirmed that military officers serving in the Coast Guard and BGB will also retain these powers during the period. Powers are exercised under sections 64, 65, 83, 84, 86, 95(2), 100, 105, 107, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133, and 142 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898. The government initially granted these powers to commissioned officers last September, gradually expanding to navy and air force officers.

A three-member NCP delegation will visit Japan on Thursday, including Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwary, and Mahbub Alam. According to Sarjis Alam, the visit is at the invitation of the NCP Japan Diaspora Alliance and other expatriates. This marks NCP’s third foreign delegation trip within a month; previous visits included Malaysia (August 22–25) and China (August 26–30). During the visit, the leaders will participate in “Remember the Heroes,” a program commemorating July fighters, with events scheduled in Tokyo and Osaka. Earlier, the delegation met Japan’s Ambassador to Dhaka, Shinichi Saida.