Police have detained at least 40 leaders and activists from the banned Awami League and its affiliates while preparing for a flash procession in the capital. The arrests took place around 2 PM Wednesday near Panthapath’s Panibhaban. Authorities said activists were organizing an unauthorized demonstration when law enforcement, supported by NCP activists, carried out the raid. At least 21 detainees were handed over by NCP members.

A nationwide survey by Innovision Consulting shows BNP holding the lead ahead of the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections, with 41.3% of voters indicating support. Over 30% favor Jamaat-e-Islami, while Awami League has 18.8% support—nearly 5% higher than in previous surveys. The survey also reveals: BNP is leading in six divisions. Jamaat is ahead in Rangpur. Awami League leads only in Barishal. 4.1% support the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP). Notably, voters are prioritizing individual candidates over party symbols. While Jamaat retains strong grassroots activity, a portion of its supporters remain undecided. Results were based on responses from 10,413 people nationwide.

BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has criticized Awami League supporters, accusing them of resorting to petty acts like throwing eggs after being politically defeated. “Such actions only make their future more uncertain,” Khosru said. Addressing graduating medical interns at Chattogram’s Mother and Child Hospital, he announced plans to transform the hospital into a university, expanding healthcare services. “Every citizen will have access to free healthcare. It is the responsibility of new doctors to prevent people from seeking treatment abroad,” he added.

Six corruption cases against Sheikh Hasina and her family members are currently underway, and verdicts are expected by mid-November, according to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Abdul Momen. Speaking at a signing ceremony between the ACC and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) for a five-year MoU to strengthen anti-corruption initiatives, Momen said the judiciary was progressing toward finalizing these cases. The MoU was signed by ACC Director General Md. Akhter Hossain and TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman.

Just two days before the DUCSU elections, opposition-backed VP candidate Abidul Islam Khan has alleged that large numbers of ballot papers were discovered in an unsecured condition. Despite filing complaints, he claims the university administration has taken no action and offered no explanation. “Ballot papers found at Nilkhet cannot be swept under the rug. The truth will come out. Transparency is our responsibility,” Abidul wrote on social media. He added that everything would soon be clear and urged supporters not to be swayed by misinformation. On Tuesday, Abidul and several other candidates, including VP hopeful Umama Fatema and Abdul Kader, submitted formal complaints at the Vice-Chancellor’s office. Abidul alleged the ballots were found at a press in Nilkhet’s Gausul Azam area, but the authorities have failed to respond.

Another firefighter, Nurul Huda, has died after sustaining critical burns in the devastating Tongi chemical warehouse fire, raising the death toll among firefighters to two. Doctors confirmed that Huda, who suffered 100% burns, had been in intensive care but succumbed to his injuries. Earlier, another firefighter had died under similar circumstances. The fire, caused by an explosion on Monday afternoon at Sahara Market in Tongi’s BSCIC industrial area, left four firefighters injured—two with 100% burns, one with 42%, and another with 5%. Two firefighters remain under treatment.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam has announced that around 100,000 armed forces personnel will be deployed during the upcoming national elections to ensure security. Currently, about 30,000 army members are on the ground, but their numbers will be tripled during the polls. Alongside the army, the navy, air force, police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Ansar, Coast Guard, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will also be mobilized. He emphasized that the success of the election will ultimately depend on the people and political parties. “When citizens are motivated to vote, no one can stop them,” he said. The Adviser also noted progress in recovering illegal arms, particularly in Chattogram, and assured that Durga Puja festivities will remain peaceful. On the issue of repeat offenders securing bail easily, he said the government is considering stricter measures to prevent them from reoffending.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that former U.S. President Donald Trump must stop the war in Gaza if he truly wants to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Speaking at a press conference, Macron declared that France is ready to respond if Israel imposes sanctions following Paris’s recognition of Palestine. However, he stressed that the priority now should be the path of peace and diplomacy. “We cannot remain silent if the killing of civilians in Gaza continues,” Macron said, pointing to U.S. leverage over Israel due to its weapons supply. He emphasized that France’s diplomatic initiatives aim to pressure both Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government while reassuring Israelis that the ultimate goal is peace.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have surrounded Gaza City from all directions, expanding their offensive under the operation Gideon’s Chariot. A new army division has been deployed to intensify the assault, with reports confirming that over 600,000 residents have already fled Gaza City. At least 36 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours. While Hamas appears severely weakened and has avoided major clashes apart from isolated incidents, Israel continues its aggressive campaign despite recent recognition of Palestine by several influential countries.

Officials of the BCS Education Cadre have strongly opposed the government’s proposal to transform Dhaka’s seven colleges into faculties or schools of a proposed Central University. They warned that changing the name or structure of these institutions would harm the interests of students, teachers, and staff, and undermine the colleges’ long-standing traditions at the higher secondary level. “The Central University plan is attempting to swallow the seven colleges,” they said in a statement, vowing not to accept any decision that compromises students’ rights or erases the colleges’ historic identity.

Former Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) General Secretary and Awami League leader Ajay Kar Khokon has been arrested. Dhaka Metropolitan Police confirmed that Khokon was detained in Gulshan late Tuesday night by the Detective Branch. Authorities said multiple cases are pending against him, and legal proceedings are underway. Khokon served as BCL General Secretary from 1998 to 2002 before becoming active in mainstream Awami League politics.

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.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has dismissed reports of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir being harassed in New York, calling them “completely false and baseless.” Speaking at a press conference, Rizvi accused the ruling Awami League’s allies of spreading misinformation and warned party members to remain alert. He criticized the interim government for failing to prevent anti-democratic elements from staging such activities at home and abroad. Rizvi further alleged that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has failed to bring back looted money or prosecute major offenders, labeling it “ineffective and paralyzed.” Calling for unity among BNP activists, he urged grassroots workers to strengthen the party so that the people would once again vote for the “sheaf of paddy” symbol. Rizvi described Sheikh Hasina as “the symbol of brutal fascist misrule,” adding that ongoing conspiracies must not allow the sacrifices of July martyrs to go in vain.

A faction of Rajshahi University’s teachers, officers, and employees has withdrawn their shutdown program after receiving assurances from the university administration. Treasurer Masud Rana confirmed that on September 23, a bilateral meeting was held between the university administration and the Officers’ Association. Based on the administration’s promise to implement their demands swiftly, the ongoing shutdown was suspended as of 1:00 p.m. Wednesday. The association warned, however, that if the demands are not fulfilled within the next seven days, a larger movement will be launched with wider participation.

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.”