Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan has described the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) election as “challenging under any circumstance.”

Speaking at a discussion marking “Black Day,” he said, “So far, the behavior of student organizations has been encouraging. But if anyone tries to obstruct the election, we will make it clear who did what.”

The VC noted that the entire nation has its eyes on this election and that preparations are being carried out under the commission’s directives. Discussions have also been held with all stakeholders to ensure a fair environment for voting.

“Dhaka University, as a national institution, has always stood against injustice. We must learn from history and continue resisting wrongdoing in any situation,” he said, calling on the army and all other stakeholders to work together for a successful election.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam has assured that all necessary preparations for the upcoming national elections in February have been completed, in line with the Chief Adviser’s announcement.

He emphasized that no conspiracy will succeed if the public remains focused on the election process. The adviser also noted that the interim government is actively working to recover looted arms while law enforcement agencies are striving to prevent illegal weapons from entering the country.

“The borders are now far more secure than before,” he stated. Jahangir Alam further highlighted the increasing freedom of expression, saying, “Previously people had no scope to speak freely, but now they can express their views even on social media platforms like Facebook.”

On rising vegetable prices, he attributed the surge to recent heavy rainfall, adding that the government will purchase potatoes directly from farmers at a fixed rate to ensure fair prices.

A local leader of the opposition Jubo Dal was brutally hacked to death in Khulna’s Aatharo Mile area on Friday night. Police have detained two suspects in connection with the killing.

The victim, Shamim Ahmed (35), was the son of Abdul Gaffar from Tala, Satkhira, and served as joint convener of Islamkati Union Jubo Dal.

According to his wife, Bushra Akter, two acquaintances—Ejaz and Shariful Islam—visited their home Friday evening. Later that night, Shamim was found murdered on the third floor of the building where they had gathered. The suspects had fled by the time she discovered the scene.

Police confirmed the incident as a homicide and sent the body for autopsy. An investigation is underway.

Police have arrested a mosque imam accused of raping an 11-year-old madrasa student in Mymensingh.

The suspect, identified as Md. Al Amin (30), was captured Thursday in Sylhet Sadar Upazila after a manhunt. According to the case filed at Pagla Police Station, Al Amin lured the child into a classroom on July 31 after dismissing other students and then raped her while threatening to kill her.

RAB used digital tracking to locate and apprehend him. The suspect has since been handed over to the local police for further legal proceedings.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has stated that the proportional representation (PR) system is not included in Bangladesh’s constitution. “Debates on the matter are political; the Election Commission’s role is not to engage in them. If the law changes, elections will follow the new method,” he said.

Addressing preparations for the upcoming election, he confirmed that voter lists have been updated, constituency boundary drafts published, and hearings scheduled from Sunday through Thursday.

On law and order, he announced that the army will be deployed instead of a striking force, and polling centers seized in the past will face immediate cancellation of votes.

The CEC also confirmed that 5,700 officials under the commission will be deployed, and those previously involved in irregularities will be excluded. “The current government has not pressured us regarding the election. If they do, I will resign,” he added.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to be briefed within the next two weeks on the progress of ongoing talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

Commenting on Russian strikes that damaged U.S. factories in Ukraine, Trump said: “I am not happy about it. In fact, I am unhappy with everything about this war.”

He added that he is weighing a “very important decision”—whether to impose massive sanctions, huge tariffs, both, or declare the conflict to be solely Russia and Ukraine’s war.

On the prospects of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky working together, Trump remarked: “It’s like oil and vinegar. Clearly, they don’t get along, but we’ll see.”

Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen has criticized attempts to disenfranchise citizens in the name of revising India’s national voter list. Speaking at an event, Sen asserted: “The right to vote cannot be taken away under the pretext of voter list correction. This is non-negotiable.”

Referring to reports that Bengali speakers could be sent to Bangladesh, he said wryly: “If I knew French, would I be sent to France? It’s absurd.”

He further added: “Many citizens lack proper documents. That doesn’t mean they can be stripped of their voting rights. Somewhat improving a process should not come at the cost of causing enormous damage.”

Jokingly, Sen remarked that he would not object to being sent to Bangladesh, as his family roots were there and they once had a house in Dhaka. The event also marked the reprint of his grandfather Kshitimohan Sen’s book “Joint Endeavors of Hindus and Muslims in India.”

Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Feldkamp has resigned after failing to secure consensus on imposing tough sanctions against Israel for its military aggression in Gaza and expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank.

Feldkamp said he faced strong resistance within the cabinet and could not achieve meaningful measures. However, he did ban visits by Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir and canceled three export permits for naval ship components.

Warning that the situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating, he expressed concerns that exported weapons could be misused. Following his resignation, all ministers and state ministers from his party also stepped down in solidarity.

The opposition in the Dutch parliament had long been pressing for strict sanctions. Feldkamp’s proposal to suspend the EU–Israel trade agreement was blocked by Germany, leading to calls for unilateral Dutch action.

At least nine members of the same family suffered burn injuries early Saturday after a fridge compressor exploded due to an electrical short circuit in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj.

The injured were rushed to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. They include Tanzeel Islam (40), his wife Asma Begum (35), their children Tisha (17) and Arafat (15), Hasan (35), his wife Salma Begum (32), and their children Muntaha (11), Jannat (4), and one-month-old Imam Uddin. Their mother, Tahera Khatun (60), was also injured.

Locals said the two sisters, Asma and Salma, lived with their families in adjacent rooms. The explosion occurred around 3:30 a.m., after which neighbors rushed to rescue them.

Tasnia (15), a student of Milestone School and College who sustained severe burns in the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash at the institution, has died after 33 days of treatment.

Doctors at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery confirmed that she passed away at 8 a.m. on Saturday while under intensive care. Tasnia had suffered burns on 37 percent of her body.

She was an eighth-grade student and hailed from Madhukhali in Faridpur.

The National University of Bangladesh has launched several initiatives aimed at improving the skills and quality of its affiliated college teachers to better prepare students for the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. MASM Amanullah announced that training programs for accounting teachers and divisional-level workshops will be arranged. Plans are also in place to introduce high-quality audits to ensure good governance and transparency.

Highlighting the problem of graduate unemployment, he said: “Every year, at least one million students graduate from the National University, but 40 percent fail to secure jobs. The main reason is an outdated curriculum.”

To address this, the university is focusing on curriculum reforms, integrating advanced information technology—particularly Artificial Intelligence—and encouraging students to learn multiple languages. “Despite our large population, we face a severe shortage of skilled manpower due to insufficient investment in education,” the Vice-Chancellor noted.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President ASM Abdur Rob has cautioned that the “echoes of fascism” are once again being heard in Bangladesh following the historic July uprising. He emphasized that the country’s student movement will not allow any attempt to revive fallen fascist forces or their enablers.

Speaking on Friday, Rob urged students to remain vigilant, vocal, and united, warning that power-centric politics could otherwise undermine the dreams of the July people’s movement.

“In today’s context of growing social and economic inequality, an inclusive, universal, and people-oriented education system is the key not just to the empowerment of students, but to the liberation of the entire nation,” he said. Rob also stressed that students must play an active role in building a participatory political system.

Calling for collective resolve, he added: “Let us pledge together—education must be entirely people-centric, free from discrimination, and a driving force for national progress.”

Several Reuters journalists have accused the agency’s editors and management of pro-Israel bias in coverage of the Gaza conflict.

The controversy escalated after Palestinian journalist Anas al-Sharif—formerly with Reuters and a Pulitzer Prize winner—was killed in an Israeli strike. Reuters’ headline described him as “an Al Jazeera journalist who Israel says was a Hamas commander,” sparking outrage among staff.

An internal review of 499 “Israel-Palestine” tagged stories revealed that Israeli perspectives were disproportionately highlighted, while Palestinian voices were marginalized. Journalists also said Reuters policies prohibited using the word “Palestine” except in pre-1948 historical contexts.

Criticism also centered on limited coverage of “genocide” accusations against Israel, while similar claims against Russia in Ukraine received prominent reporting.

Following backlash, Reuters issued new guidance allowing the term “genocide” if attributed to a source—but the restriction on “Palestine” largely remains. Journalists argue the revised policy still reflects pro-Israel bias.

A fire broke out on the seventh floor of a 10-story residential building in Keraniganj Model Town around 2 a.m. Friday night.

Fire service officials said they reached the site shortly after receiving the call and brought the blaze under control by 2:45 a.m. It was fully extinguished by 3:30 a.m.

Keraniganj Fire Service officer Hasanul Alam estimated property damage at around Tk 10 lakh. While the exact cause remains unknown, residents suspect an air-conditioner explosion triggered the fire.

Israel has intensified its assault on Gaza, killing at least 71 Palestinians and injuring 251 in the past 24 hours alone, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Thirty-seven of the deaths occurred in Gaza City, where Israel is reportedly planning a major strike. Two more people—including a child—died of starvation, raising the total famine-related death toll to 273, of which 112 are children.

Since March 18, when Israel broke a ceasefire and resumed its offensive, 10,717 Palestinians have been killed and 45,324 injured.

Meanwhile, 24 people were killed and 133 injured in the past day while attempting to collect aid. Since May 27, at least 2,060 Palestinians have died and 15,197 injured in attacks during humanitarian aid distribution.