Former US President Donald Trump has claimed that American forces targeted another Venezuelan drug-laden vessel, killing at least three people onboard. He alleged that the boat was headed toward the United States, marking the third such strike in recent weeks against suspected drug trafficking vessels from Venezuela. In a statement, Trump said the operation was carried out in the Southern Command region, which spans 31 countries across South and Central America and the Caribbean. Intelligence reports, he added, confirmed the vessel was using a notorious smuggling route intended to poison Americans with narcotics.

A 37-member contingent of the Bangladesh Army has successfully taken part in the multinational joint strategic exercise “West-2025,” held in Russia’s Mulino Military Training Ground from September 1–17. According to the army, the drills focused on coordination, responsiveness, and strengthening mutual cooperation through diverse tactical operations. The exercise included participation from the armed forces of several friendly nations, enhancing military-to-military collaboration on a global scale.

BNP leader Hasan Uddin Sarkar has alleged a deep-rooted conspiracy to manipulate the upcoming elections, specifically to prevent BNP from returning to power. He expressed confidence in party acting chief Tarique Rahman, describing him as a “thoughtful and shrewd leader” who will overcome all conspiracies and return to Bangladesh, sparking a people’s uprising. “This may be my last election. If the party nominates me, I will fulfill many unfinished tasks. Denying me the ticket will deprive my constituents, not me,” Sarkar said. Recalling his previous contest, he noted, “Even with a disability, I ran in the 2018 Gazipur City polls under the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol and won the people’s mandate. But the fascist regime robbed me of victory.”

Religious advisor Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain has called for Muslim unity to establish global peace, stressing that divisions within the Ummah must end. “Your political party may differ, your Pir may differ—but for the greater cause of Islam, we must stand united under the Kalema,” he told a gathering. Dr. Khalid emphasized that 2025 presents a historic opportunity for the Muslim Ummah after Bangladesh’s independence. “If we fail to seize this chance, we could fall behind by another hundred years,” he warned. He envisioned a new Bangladesh built in the spirit of the Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings and the Rashidun Caliphate—free from inequality, corruption, and oppression, where fundamental rights are ensured for all.

Shyamoli Sultana Jedni, former organizer of the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangshad (BAGSAS), has become engaged to Abdul Hannan Masud, Senior Joint Chief Coordinator of the NCP. The engagement took place in a small, family gathering on Thursday. Shyamoli had earlier resigned from her student organization post on February 28 this year. Masud, meanwhile, left for Saudi Arabia on Friday, where he will stay for over a week to perform Umrah and participate in party programs.

Tensions flared at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) after the death of a child allegedly due to medical negligence led to violent clashes between patient relatives and trolley men. The incident left trolley man Jewel injured, who was later admitted to the hospital’s One-Stop Emergency Centre. Witnesses said the child died in Ward 210 at night, prompting relatives to accuse doctors of negligence. The dispute escalated when the grieving family confronted hospital staff at the emergency department, leading to scuffles with Ansar members. As Jewel intervened, he was severely beaten by the angry relatives, who also called in reinforcements from outside. Police intervened, detaining three relatives—Samir (30), Soeb (21), and Rezaul (25). Additional security has since been deployed, and the situation remains under control.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Hamidur Rahman Azad has declared that holding elections without reforms would go against the aspirations of the people. Addressing a protest rally in Sylhet, he accused a particular political party of obstructing necessary reforms. “Reform is not a party agenda of Jamaat—it is the demand of the people. We do not want to derail elections. Those who block reforms and oppose proportional representation are the ones truly trying to sabotage the polls,” Azad said. Following the rally, a massive protest march was brought out from Registrar Field, parading through key city points before concluding at Amberkhana. Thousands of activists from various city, thana, ward, and unit-level organizations joined the march in groups.

Students at Rajshahi University staged protests and rallies against the reinstatement of the “offspring quota” in undergraduate admissions. Following Friday prayers, a procession began from the central mosque and culminated in a rally at Shaheed Shamsuzzoha Square. Demonstrators chanted: “The offspring quota is a settled issue—it cannot be reinstated under any circumstances. We will shed blood if needed, but we won’t let it return to this campus.” They accused university authorities of plotting to create divisions between teachers and students ahead of the elections. Earlier this year, on January 2, Vice-Chancellor Saleh Hasan Naqib announced the cancellation of the quota following student protests, pledging not to allow even a 1% reinstatement. However, in recent weeks, teachers, officers, and staff launched a fresh movement demanding restoration of the quota, which led the administration to revisit the decision in a Thursday meeting.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mujibur Rahman has called for introducing a Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, arguing that it is the only way to ensure that every vote truly counts. Speaking at a rally in Barishal on Fazlul Huq Avenue as part of a five-point national program, Mujibur urged the government to conduct a referendum if necessary to gauge public opinion on the system. He insisted that elections should only be held after implementing the July Charter and ensuring a level playing field by removing “fascists and their accomplices” from positions of power. He further demanded accountability for parties, including the Jatiya Party, that supported authoritarian regimes in the past.

BNP leader Salahuddin Tuku announced that if the party comes to power, it will introduce a “Family Card” program in every household, issued in the names of mothers, as part of a broader commitment to women’s dignity and social welfare. Speaking at the foundation-stone ceremony of the Shri Shri Mandir at Porabari cremation ground in Tangail, Tuku criticized those who, he said, “hid their identity to do politics under someone else’s banner and later shifted principles.” He labeled such figures as “munafiqs (hypocrites)” who, he asserted, the people of Bangladesh would never accept. He added: “Ziaur Rahman always acted for the people, Khaleda Zia did the same, and Tarique Rahman will carry it forward. Together, we must build this country without caste divisions, guided by humanity.” Tuku also reassured Hindu communities that BNP had previously ensured security during Durga Puja celebrations and would continue to stand by them.

Masud Saeedi, a Jamaat-backed candidate, hailed what he described as a “landslide victory” for Islami Chhatra Shibir in recent Daksu and Jaksu student union elections. He denounced efforts to brand victorious students as “Razakars,” saying such labeling serves no purpose. “The people of Bengal fought in 1971 to end Pakistan’s exploitation, achieving victory in just nine months. On August 5, we again saw the fall of a fascist regime. We must not allow the birth of another,” Saeedi declared. Citing unmet promises by past leaders, he stressed that Bangladeshis still aspire to peace and prosperity. Highlighting local development initiatives of his late father, Allama Saeedi, he said: “Institutions like Pirojpur Shilpakala Academy, Nursing Institute, Youth Development programs, hospitals, and roads—these were all his contributions.”

British MP Tulip Siddiq has accused Bangladeshi authorities of fabricating documents for political purposes, alleging an attempt to falsely portray her as corrupt. According to a report in The Telegraph, Siddiq once held a Bangladeshi passport (issued in 2001, when she was 19) and a national ID card (issued in 2011). She also reportedly applied for passport renewal at the Agargaon Passport Office. The ID card listed her address as her aunt Sheikh Hasina’s residence, despite Siddiq never having lived in Dhaka. Her family maintains that she used a Bangladeshi passport only once as a child and never as an adult. The ID card in question was an older version, not the newer smart card. In the past, Siddiq referred to Bangladesh as “our country” during a 2015 visit to Dhaka. However, when questioned in 2017 by a UK journalist, she firmly stated: “I am a British MP. Do not call me Bangladeshi. I am not Bangladeshi.”

A delegation from the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights is currently visiting Bangladesh, led by its Chair, Maria Arena Satori. During the trip, Satori inspected Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and commended Bangladesh’s “extraordinary efforts” in sheltering over one million Rohingya refugees for the past eight years. She reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to maintaining its financial assistance but stressed that “Bangladesh cannot be left to carry this burden alone.” Satori called for greater global responsibility-sharing and emphasized that a sustainable solution lies in international cooperation and a political resolution in Myanmar to ensure safe and voluntary repatriation. Expressing optimism, she said the upcoming high-level conference on September 30 in New York could help forge a much-needed global consensus on resolving the crisis. The delegation also held meetings with the Chief Adviser and the Foreign Affairs Adviser during their visit.

Leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ward No. 7 unit under Mugda police station organized a mass signature campaign in Maniknagar, demanding a permanent solution to the ongoing gas crisis and immediate repairs to dilapidated roads in the area. Speaking at the program, Jamaat leader Matiur Rahman Akn said: “Maniknagar is a densely populated and important neighborhood, yet residents suffer from a persistent shortage of gas. People from all walks of life are facing daily hardship due to this crisis. It is the government’s responsibility to resolve it, and we hope the authorities will act swiftly.” He further highlighted the dire condition of local roads: “For a long time, the roads here have been badly damaged, filled with potholes that make commuting nearly impossible, especially during rain. These roads urgently need renovation.” Residents participating in the campaign echoed the demands, warning that if their grievances remain unaddressed, they will escalate protests with human chains and public rallies.

Nahid Islam, convener of the Nationalist Students’ Coalition (NCP), admitted disappointment over the performance of their supported panels in recent Dhaka and Jahangirnagar University student union elections. “We had backed the Bachsas panel, but they failed to meet expectations in Daksu and Jaksu polls. We must reflect on what went wrong over the past year and why we could not build the organizational strength we needed in universities and nationwide,” Nahid said. He acknowledged that the country’s political turmoil after the July uprising had posed challenges, but urged student leaders to learn from the shortcomings. “A democratic and safe campus must be ensured. Students played a key role in the uprising, and leadership must rise from them. Our supported panels had limited time in politics, but moving forward, we must be vigilant to avoid repeating mistakes.”