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.”

In retaliation for the egg attack on Akhtar Hossain in New York, local NCP activists in Bangladesh targeted the house of US Awami League leader Zahid Hasan. Protesters threw eggs at the main gate and walls of his family home in Telipara, Shariatpur, on Tuesday evening.
The demonstration was led by district NCP coordinator Advocate Ruhul Amin, who marched with supporters and students before throwing eggs at the residence.
However, NCP Joint Coordinator Sabuj Talukder later distanced the party from the act, saying: “We protest through slogans and rallies, not by attacking homes. The incident was not organized by the district NCP.”

Excitement is building as Bangladesh faces India in a crucial Asia Cup showdown tonight. With a win, Bangladesh’s path to the final would become clearer.
To mark the occasion, the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) has announced a giant-screen live screening at the Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall ground at 8:30 PM Wednesday.
In its statement, DUCSU said: “Students will have separate spaces to watch the match in a festive atmosphere as Dhaka University celebrates cricket with passion.”

Mizanur Rahman, a youth leader accused of throwing eggs at NCP Member-Secretary Akhtar Hossain in New York, has been released on bail. He was freed at 9 PM Tuesday after being arrested Monday night outside Jackson Heights’ Nabanno Restaurant.
Police identified and detained Mizanur after the incident, in which several Awami League and Jubo League activists also hurled verbal abuse at Tasnim Zara and threw eggs at Akhtar. The confrontation occurred as Dr. Yunus’s delegation was leaving the airport under police escort.

NCP leader Sarjis Alam has alleged that no political party can come to power in Bangladesh without India’s support. He claimed the 2024 uprising was not only against Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League but also against India’s dominance in Bangladesh.
Sarjis accused India of still sheltering “killer Hasina” and warned the BNP against compromising with India or other political forces to regain power, saying: “If anyone thinks they can defy the people’s will, be influenced by agencies, and still rule Bangladesh, they are mistaken. Those who try to save their skin will not survive in this country.”

The ‘Global Sumud Flotilla,’ a Gaza-bound humanitarian mission, reported hearing explosions nearby and spotting Israeli drones overhead. The ships, which set sail from Tunisia, Greece, and other countries, are now traveling together southwest of Crete.
Organizers said their VHF radio communications were being jammed, accusing Israel of using drones to intimidate and mentally weaken the passengers. In a statement, they condemned Israel and its allies for “crossing all limits to prolong starvation and genocide against the people of Gaza.”