The Bangladesh Rural Electrification Association has suspended its ongoing mass leave program and requested all officers and employees to return to work.
In a statement, the association said its reform movement, launched in January 2024, aimed to eliminate rural-urban disparities in electricity supply and build a sustainable distribution system.
While acknowledging government assurances of a solution, the association said it was unfair to label workers—who serve tirelessly in sun, storm, and rain to light up 140 million homes—as “anti-national.”
The decision to suspend the program follows discussions with the government’s power adviser, who expressed commitment to resolving the issues.

Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a protest rally in Shahbagh demanding the immediate release of JUCSU and hall union election results.
Meanwhile, the Chief Election Commissioner assured that manpower has been increased to accelerate the process and expressed hope that results would be announced by tonight.
The elections, held after 34 years, have kept the entire campus in suspense. Proctor Zakir Ahmed explained that the delay was caused by switching from OMR to manual counting, which requires more time to ensure accuracy.

Chief Election Commissioner Prof. Md. Moniruzzaman announced that results of the JUCSU and 21 hall union elections will be declared tonight after vote counting is completed.
“Counting began at 9 PM last night. So far, 19 out of 21 halls have been counted. Additional manpower has been deployed to speed up the process, and counting is being conducted transparently in front of candidates’ agents,” he said.
He noted that while the commission cannot specify an exact time, results may be released late at night.

Arjun Singh, former BJP MP, has called for a mass uprising in West Bengal similar to the recent youth-led revolt in Nepal.
Referring to Nepal’s ongoing unrest, Singh said: “The way Nepal’s young generation has stood up against corruption is a powerful example. Bengal’s youth must also rise with similar courage.”
His remarks have sparked controversy, with critics accusing him of making inflammatory statements that could incite violence in the state and even issuing threats against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Mazharul Islam, the General Secretary candidate from the Jamaat-e-Islami student wing–backed “Combined Student Alliance” panel, has given an ultimatum for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election results to be announced by Friday.
He warned: “If the results are not declared, we will take the strongest possible stance. No attempt to derail this election will be allowed.”
Mazharul alleged that BNP-backed teachers and JCD leaders are conspiring to stall vote counting under various pretexts, calling the decision to exclude OMR from counting “illogical and inhumane.” He further claimed that aggressive actions by JCD disrupted the voting atmosphere.
“This campus belongs to the students, not any teachers’ group or political party. After 33 years, students finally got a JUCSU election, and they must be allowed to exercise their rights,” he asserted.

Sultana Akter, returning officer at Nawab Foyzunnesa Hall, has boycotted the JUCSU election vote counting process, citing unbearable workload and inefficiency of the manual counting method.

“Three days of relentless labor has left us physically and mentally broken. Under this analog system, even in three days the count won’t finish,” she said, also blaming the administration for a colleague’s recent death during the process.

Meanwhile, election commission member Dr. Lutfur Elahi assured that counting was ongoing, with only three hall unions left to tally before JUCSU results would begin.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has directed officers who faced discrimination during their service between 2009 and August 4, 2024, to submit formal applications.

According to the notice, complaints must be filed to the Armed Forces Division’s committee chairman by September 21.

BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has called on the international community to condemn and pressure Israel over its settlement expansion plans in the occupied West Bank.

In a statement, Tarique wrote: “This expansion will make the possibility of a Palestinian state nearly impossible. The ongoing assault on Palestinian people, land, and culture is not just genocide—it is a deliberate ethnic cleansing.”

Expressing concern for Bangladeshis living and working in the Middle East, he warned that Israel’s actions under Netanyahu threaten regional stability. He further urged the International Court of Justice to expedite trials on Gaza atrocities.

In a major political shift, Al Amin Khan, General Secretary of Jatiya Party’s Nazirpur upazila unit, and Md. Israfil Hawlader, joint convener of the BNP’s volunteer wing, have joined Jamaat-e-Islami as associate members.

The announcement came during a representatives’ meeting attended by Jamaat leader Masud Saidi. Around 40–50 other supporters also joined. Declaring his allegiance, Israfil Hawlader said, “BJP’s ideology is not rooted in Islam. I want to dedicate my life to upholding Islam, which is why I have joined Jamaat.”

India’s former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has issued a stern warning against Jamaat-e-Islami, saying the group remains a threat to regional stability.

Speaking at a seminar in New Delhi, Shringla said: “A leopard does not change its spots, and Jamaat will not change its character.” He emphasized that while India is committed to working with any neighboring government, vigilance is necessary against forces hostile to India’s core interests.

In a historic development, Nepal’s former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has taken oath as the country’s first female interim Prime Minister. She was sworn in Friday evening at the presidential residence Shital Niwas by President Ram Chandra Poudel.

Karki’s appointment under Article 61 of the constitution marks a significant departure from previous governments formed under Article 76. Political analysts view the move as a major constitutional and political shift for Nepal.

Professor Mafruhi Sattar, one of the election commissioners overseeing the JUCSU and hall union polls, has resigned, citing widespread irregularities.

Sattar announced her decision around 8:45 p.m. Friday, stating the election lacked a level playing field and was riddled with complaints. She added that she had been pressured not to step down but could no longer continue in good conscience.

Khelafat Andolon has called for the government to scrap its decision to recruit dance and music teachers for primary schools and instead appoint qualified religious and moral education teachers.

Speaking on the issue, party leader Mujaibur Rahman Hamidi argued that 90 percent of primary school students come from Muslim families yet lack basic Quranic and Islamic knowledge. “A government that cannot ensure Quran education for Muslim children cannot force dance and music upon them,” he warned, urging authorities to recruit trained Islamic scholars for religious and ethical instruction.

The Shapla Memorial Society has initiated financial support for families of those killed in the May 5, 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Square. The announcement came Friday, with the group pledging monthly stipends ranging from Tk 10,000 to Tk 15,000 per family, depending on need.

General Secretary Md. Kamal Uddin said families listed as “martyr households” would receive continuous assistance. Hefazat has so far released a draft list of 93 names, though the number could rise after verification.

Tensions flared ahead of the much-anticipated football final in Cox’s Bazar, as clashes broke out between spectators and law enforcement officers. The unrest left at least 20 people injured, including the local Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

According to reports, the final between Ramu and Teknaf upazilas was scheduled for the afternoon. The stadium filled beyond capacity, prompting many fans to storm the gates. Security personnel from the army, police, and RAB attempted to control the situation, sparking anger among the crowd. Spectators began hurling stones at the galleries and security forces. By 5 p.m., authorities managed to bring the situation under control.