After a seven-year wait, student union (GUCSU) elections are being held at Savar’s People’s University. Voting inside campus polling stations has been festive, but signs of unrest are visible off campus. Reports say crowds of outsiders have gathered near the main gate and surrounding areas, raising concerns about public order.

University rules restrict entry to teachers, staff, voters, candidates and accredited journalists, yet some former students and unfamiliar faces have been seen on campus. Authorities have deployed 350 security personnel on site. AGS candidate Md. Zahid Hasan said that despite police presence, various unfamiliar and external faces are visible inside the campus and urged the administration to take swift action. Election Commission member Dr. Md. Ali Azam Khan said voting inside the campus is proceeding peacefully and that they have not been officially alerted to disturbances outside; he added that if such incidents are confirmed, legal steps will be taken.

A high-level delegation from the Chinese People’s Institute for Foreign Affairs, led by Vice President Mr. Zhou Pingjian, paid a courtesy call on Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. After the meeting, Mia Golam Perwar said that despite a year having passed since the uprising, he believes the Awami League’s conspiracies against the country continue. The Jamaat Amir, Perwar reported, vowed to confront those plots and to work to advance the nation.

Dr. Shafiqur emphasized his desire to strengthen close, neighborly ties between Bangladesh and China, and the two sides discussed ways to deepen bilateral relations. The Jamaat leader also described what he termed the previous government’s record of repression. He said that, if given the opportunity to govern, Jamaat would serve the public rather than rule over them. Perwar added that the meeting covered China’s role in global security and election-related matters, noting that Jamaat is an election-oriented party prepared to contest polls. Mr. Zhou Pingjian described China–Bangladesh diplomatic ties as long-standing and affirmed ongoing efforts to further strengthen people-to-people relations between the two countries.

A half-day road blockade is underway in Khagrachhari, called by Jumma students and local residents demanding justice for the rape of a schoolgirl.

The protest began at 6 AM Thursday and will continue until noon. Members of the Hill Students’ Council, Hill Women’s Federation, and Democratic Youth Forum set up blockades at several points, including Chengi Bridge, burning tires and staging pickets.

The shutdown has halted long-distance and most local transport, though a few small vehicles continue to operate in town. Police remain on alert to prevent violence.

Protesters are demanding immediate justice for the assault of a Marma teenager. In addition to the blockade, they have announced a strike across educational institutions in the three hill districts on September 25–26.

BNP leader AZM Zahid Hossain has accused the ruling Awami League of engaging in “revenge politics,” blaming them for recent attacks on political leaders in New York.

Zahid said BNP will soon finalize its candidate list, stressing that surveys involving local and district leaders will guide the selection process. “BNP is a party so large that there are ten times more aspirants than available seats. Ultimately, only those with strong public support in their constituencies will get nominations,” he added.

He further said Tarique Rahman, currently abroad, will return within weeks to lead BNP and Bangladesh’s broader democratic movement.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met with Danilo Türk, President of Club de Madrid and former President of Slovenia, who invited him to join the global forum of democratic leaders.

Türk praised Yunus’s pioneering work in microfinance and highlighted its worldwide impact, expressing hope that Yunus would contribute to their initiatives. He said the July mass uprising in Bangladesh had astonished the world and emphasized the importance of understanding such democratic transformations globally.

Welcoming the invitation, Yunus voiced his readiness to share Bangladesh’s ongoing democratic reform experience. “We are still walking through the jungle, trying to figure out how to advance on the path to democratic transition. Our commitment to this path remains firm,” he said.

At the U.S.-Bangladesh Executive Business Roundtable, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus called on leading American corporations — including MetLife, Chevron, and Accelerate — to explore fresh investment opportunities in Bangladesh.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said six Bangladeshi political leaders, part of Yunus’s delegation, were also introduced to U.S. business executives during the meeting.

Violent clashes broke out between two rival broker groups at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) over control of ICU patient referrals and the ambulance business, leaving at least seven people injured.

The brawls erupted Wednesday night, first near the emergency department and later in front of the Class IV Employees’ Association office. Witnesses said the fight began when a member of one group attacked Nawshad, prompting a retaliatory assault by the Shahadat group.

Shahadat, accused of leading one of the groups, denied the allegations, claiming that Nawshad was first beaten by rivals near the emergency ward. The situation escalated when Dhaka International Hospital owner Anisur Rahman arrived at the scene, leading to further clashes.

Previously, Shahadat had been expelled from his position as General Secretary of Dhaka University’s JCD hall branch for alleged involvement in patient-snatching incidents.

Despite global calls for a ceasefire at the UN, Israeli forces have continued their bombardment of Gaza, killing 85 Palestinians in the past 24 hours.

Among the casualties were 12 people — including seven women and two children — killed when a stadium sheltering displaced families in Nuseirat refugee camp was struck.

One survivor, Najwa, who fled Gaza City, told Al Jazeera: “We left with nothing. We are terrified. Even moving from place to place is costly, and we can’t afford supplies.”

The UN warned that Israeli forces are sowing terror in Gaza City and forcing mass displacement. Its investigative commission said Israel’s actions are aimed at establishing permanent control over Gaza and ensuring Jewish demographic dominance in the West Bank.

Since the war began on October 7, 2023, more than 65,419 Palestinians have been killed and over 167,000 injured.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) is set to begin regular medical camp services on campus. As part of the initiative, a “Medical Series Camp” will be held once a month.

The first camp will take place Thursday at Jagannath Hall and Shamsunnahar Hall, running from 10 AM to 4 PM. Specialists in medicine, gynecology, and dermatology will provide free consultations. Students will also receive prescribed doses of essential medicines at no cost.

The program is supported by Ibn Sina Trust. DUCSU General Secretary S. M. Farhad confirmed that only students with valid DU ID cards will be eligible for services, adding that the monthly initiative aims to make healthcare more accessible to students.

BNP leader and veteran freedom fighter Hasan Uddin Sarkar alleged that both local and international groups are conspiring to prevent BNP from returning to power in the upcoming elections.

He accused a “party of anti-liberation forces” of opportunistically aligning with Awami League, BNP, or Jatiya Party whenever convenient for political gains, saying: “They have no principles. They exploit religion to seize power.”

Sarkar also praised former President Ziaur Rahman as a symbol of integrity, noting that he introduced Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim into the constitution and was never accused of corruption in his political career.

Professor Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York. The meeting was confirmed Wednesday night by Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar, the Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser.

Earlier, Yunus attended a reception hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, where he invited Trump to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time. During the event, he exchanged greetings with Trump and held discussions with several world leaders.

Italy and Spain have dispatched naval vessels to escort and safeguard the Samoud Flotilla, a humanitarian convoy carrying aid to Gaza. The ships, now en route, will provide security for the flotilla and conduct rescue operations if necessary.

The move follows multiple drone strikes on the flotilla near the coasts of Tunisia and Greece, which left several aid vessels damaged. Human rights activists on board appealed for international protection, prompting Spain and Italy to step in.

The latest reports indicate the flotilla was advancing southwest of Crete. The Global Samoud Flotilla set sail from Barcelona with relief supplies for Gaza after its previous four missions were blocked by Israel. This fifth mission comprises nearly 50 vessels and includes activists from 44 countries, among them Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Bangladeshi mountaineer Taufiq Ahmed Tamal has successfully scaled Mount Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak at 8,163 meters, on Thursday at 4 a.m.
Tamal began his expedition on September 1 and has now added Manaslu to an impressive mountaineering career spanning 14 years. He previously summited several peaks between 5,000 and 6,500 meters, including two above 6,500 meters.
Among his achievements: the first Bangladeshi winter ascent of Tharpu Chuli, the first Bangladeshi climb of Bhagirathi-II (6,512m), and a successful expedition to Mount Ama Dablam (6,814m), one of the world’s most technically challenging peaks.
Trained at India’s prestigious Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Tamal continues to make history for Bangladesh in the world of mountaineering.

Shahjahan Mia, Jamaat’s candidate for Chandpur-3 constituency, campaigned in Haimchar upazila on Wednesday, urging voters to support the party’s “balance scale” symbol in the upcoming elections.
“I am committed to establishing equality, justice, and fairness in society,” Shahjahan told locals during his campaign.
He pledged to work for the welfare of the people if elected and vowed to establish a peaceful and just social system.

On the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus held bilateral meetings with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Earlier, he also met Spain’s King Felipe VI, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
Additionally, Yunus had discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor.