Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to significantly expand global trade over the next 15 years. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), AI could lower business costs and increase productivity, potentially raising trade in goods and services between countries by 34–37%. WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill described AI as a “bright opportunity” for global commerce but cautioned that without proper policies, it may worsen economic inequality worldwide.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to depart Dhaka late Sunday night for New York to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

According to Senior Assistant Press Secretary Fayez Ahmed, Yunus will arrive in New York on September 22 and deliver his address to the General Assembly on September 26. He is expected to return to Dhaka on October 2.

Accompanying him on this trip are four political leaders: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, Akhtar Hossain, and Humayun Kabir.

Additionally, on September 30, Yunus will join a high-level meeting titled “High-Level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar”, chaired by the President of the UN General Assembly.

The Bangladesh Railway has announced that four pairs of special trains will operate on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka-Chattogram routes to manage the surge in passengers during the Durga Puja festival. The special services will run from September 30 to October 4, 2025.

Among these, three pairs of “Puja Special” trains will run on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route, and one pair will operate on the Dhaka-Chattogram route. Each special train will have 18 coaches, offering 834 seats for daytime trains and 789 seats for nighttime services.

Ticket prices will align with those of regular services such as Subarna Express, Sonar Bangla Express, and Cox’s Bazar Express. However, passengers will need to pay an additional 30% for AC seats and 20% for non-AC seats during this period.

The railway authority urged passengers to book tickets in advance to ensure smooth travel during the festive rush.

BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie stated that the party will ensure the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ election symbol remains prominent in the upcoming elections under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.

Annie stressed the need to strengthen Tarique Rahman’s leadership through unity and to support party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. “We must focus on the next elections. A strong leadership will emerge from the upcoming conference, which will help us reach every household,” he said.

He added, “Following Tarique Rahman’s guidance, we will mobilize our team to reach the younger generation and honor the sacrifices of mothers and sisters who participated in past movements. At the local level, councilors, delegates, and ward leaders will unite to strengthen the party. Today, we stand together with no divisions, as we successfully built a bond of unity in Ramganj.”

A scuffle broke out between students and faculty at Rajshahi University on Saturday afternoon over the “pet quota” issue, leaving several injured including former coordinator Salahuddin Ammar and Al Shahriar Shuvo, general secretary of the Student Rights Council (RU branch).

Students reportedly besieged the residences of the university’s two pro-vice-chancellors, locking the gates. Unable to enter one residence at midday, pro-vice-chancellor Prof. Main Uddin and proctor Mahbubur Rahman returned. As they moved toward Zuberi Hall, students followed, chanting slogans. A faculty member and a printing-press official tried to restrain the students on the Zuberi Hall verandah, and a physical confrontation began.

Pro-vice-chancellor Main was later confined on the second-floor verandah of Zuberi Hall by students. University officials said around 10 staff members — including the pro-vice-chancellor, the registrar, the proctor and the public relations administrator — were temporarily surrounded. Several students and activists sustained injuries in the clashes.

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan has accused the government of undermining Bangladesh’s economy over the past 15 years, describing its rule as “authoritarian” and detrimental to the nation’s growth.

Moin highlighted that $234 billion of the hard-earned money of ordinary Bangladeshis has been illegally transferred abroad—a sum that, he noted, could have funded the construction of 100 Padma Bridges. He further claimed that the government misappropriated much of the funds allocated for the Padma Bridge project, diverting them through corrupt channels.

On a different note, Moin defended the legacy of the late President Ziaur Rahman, asserting that despite various false allegations against him, no one has ever been able to prove him corrupt or dishonest. He emphasized that eradicating corruption from society is essential for Bangladesh’s development and for ensuring politics remain relevant to improving people’s lives.

The United Arab Emirates has not officially announced any suspension of work or tourist visas for Bangladeshi nationals, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to the UAE, Tarek Ahmed, said in response to viral reports. He noted that the website which circulated the story is not an official UAE government site.

News first appeared on a website called “UAE Visa Online” on 17 September and, after coverage in several Bangladeshi outlets on Saturday, went viral on social media. The Bangladesh embassy said it will contact UAE authorities after the weekly holiday and asked people not to pay attention to visa-related rumours until an official statement is issued.

Acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tareq Rahman, urged party activists to reject personal profiteering and to accept party decisions unconditionally. Addressing the Kishoreganj district BNP triennial conference, he warned that an “invisible force” is becoming visible and stressed that activists cannot afford to remain idle if they want to secure citizens’ rights and advance development.

“Everyone must ensure that no one uses our name to create confusion among the people,” he said, calling for unity among all supporters of the “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol who still strive to establish democracy. “We must remain united at any cost — there is no alternative.”

A fire at the Power Grid’s T-3 transformer in Binerpota, Satkhira, caused a two-hour nationwide blackout in the district on Saturday after 11 a.m.

Sanat Kumar Ghosh, General Manager of Satkhira Rural Electricity Cooperative, reported that the fire was contained within 20 minutes by the fire service. Power supply has now been restored. Swab Hossain, Executive Engineer of Satkhira OJOPADIC, confirmed that the cause of the fire remains unknown. “The entire district experienced a two-hour power disruption. Any remaining minor outages will be restored shortly,” he said.

Chinese tech giant Huawei aims to build the world’s most powerful AI computing cluster within two years, relying on lower-power domestic semiconductors due to U.S. export restrictions. At its Shanghai conference, Huawei revealed timelines for Atlas 950 and Atlas 960 SuperPods, set for 2026 and 2027, which will combine into SuperClusters capable of running advanced AI models. Analysts see this as a major push for self-reliance, with Huawei’s roadmap including Ascend 950, 960, and potential 970 chips to strengthen its computing architecture.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah clarified that his party visited Cox’s Bazar on August 5, but media reports claiming a meeting with former U.S. Ambassador Peter Haas were misleading.

Hasnat Abdullah expressed concern over media bias, stating that despite all parties having recommended advisors in the caretaker government, NCP was unfairly held responsible for its failures. “If the media continues its double standards, the invisible forces conspiring against the nation will gain strength,” he said.

He further emphasized the party’s stance against media and military elements working against Bangladesh, noting that NCP fought largely on its own. “We speak truth to the media and call out falsehoods. Yet, media trials have tarnished the reputations of NCP leaders,” he added. While the party is not against media, Hasnat Abdullah stressed the need for objective and factual reporting.

Financial advisor Salehuddin Ahmed stressed that children should grow up with proper education and strong ethical values. Highlighting the growing influence of billionaires, he expressed concern over Brahmanbaria’s underdevelopment and the reluctance of doctors to work outside Dhaka. He called on local leaders to prioritize collective progress, urged district associations to focus on community interests over personal gains, and encouraged awareness to prevent conflicts among locals, emphasizing that holistic education and honesty are essential for future generations.

Mexico is positioning its southern rail corridor across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec as a faster alternative for shipping goods from Asia to the U.S. amid Panama Canal water shortages. South Korea’s Hyundai has already used the route, with major U.S. automakers expressing interest. The government is investing $540 million to expand ports and rail lines, aiming to establish a full freight corridor. The route cuts transit time to the U.S. by several days compared to Panama or Canadian routes, boosting southern Mexico’s logistics potential.

Canada and Mexico have agreed to boost cooperation as trade uncertainty grows under Trump’s tariff policies. Following talks in Mexico City, both nations pledged unity in negotiations with Washington ahead of the 2026 USMCA review. Tariffs of up to 50% on Canadian steel and aluminum and sector-specific duties on Mexico have disrupted supply chains, raising costs. Analysts warn stalled talks could strain North America’s competitiveness, while compliance with USMCA rules and alternative sourcing are seen as key strategies.

Ahead of the Sharadiya Durga Puja, cash gifts were distributed at 131 puja mandaps in Comilla city on behalf of BNP leader Tarique Rahman.

The event’s chief guest, BNP leader Aminur Rashid Yasin, highlighted the party’s commitment to supporting citizens of all faiths. “BNP believes in ‘Religion for everyone, festival for all’ and has consistently worked to maintain communal harmony,” he said.

Yasin emphasized that Sharadiya Durga Puja is an integral part of Bengali culture. He added, “Tarique Rahman respects people of all religions and backgrounds. Today’s gift distribution is a reflection of his sincere affection. To build a healthy and prosperous Bangladesh, communal harmony must be preserved.”