Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, senior judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, has been appointed Acting Chief Justice in the absence of Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, who is abroad on an official tour. According to a Ministry of Law notification, Justice Chowdhury will serve as Acting Chief Justice from September 9 to September 22—or until Justice Ahmed resumes his duties—during his visit to Brazil and Qatar.

The All-Party United Committee has unveiled a new program demanding the reinstatement of four parliamentary seats in Bagerhat. Following a two-day strike that ended Thursday evening, the committee announced a series of demonstrations beginning Sunday. On Friday, imams will raise awareness during Jummah prayers. On Sunday, activists will stage sit-ins outside government offices and courts at district and upazila levels. From Monday to Wednesday, a dawn-to-dusk strike will be enforced. Educational institutions will remain closed, but exemptions will apply between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily. Emergency services, law enforcement vehicles, two-wheelers, fresh produce markets, grocery shops, hospitals, pharmacies, ambulances, and essential goods will remain outside the strike’s scope.

Doha witnessed a solemn funeral on Thursday for the victims of an Israeli airstrike, with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in attendance. Among the six victims, five were Palestinians, whose bodies were draped in Palestinian flags. The sixth was a member of Qatar’s armed forces, honored with the national flag. The deceased were laid to rest at the Mesaimeer cemetery. The September 9 Israeli airstrike targeted senior Hamas leaders, all of whom survived. However, among the dead was the son of Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya. Reports suggest the strike was aimed at assassinating Khalil and his associates.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police have arrested 12 activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations on charges of preparing for an unauthorized “flash rally.” The arrests were made Thursday in the city’s Darussalam area. Those detained include Al Amin (32), Akkas Mia (52), Sohag Majhi (38), Nesar Mia (48), Yusuf Ali (48), Faruk Hossain (47), Mokbul Mridha (54), Manik Mia (38), Md. Shahin (50), Md. Nayeem (25), Emdadul Haque (37), and Abdul Alim (22). Police confirmed that legal proceedings are underway against the detainees and others involved in planning the rally.

The Jahangirnagar University Teachers and Students Unity Forum (Bagchas) have described the JUCSU and hall union elections as “flawed” but has decided to accept the results to safeguard democratic practice and balance of power on campus. Bagchas leaders announced the decision at 2 AM Friday. GS candidate Abu Touhid said, “The fact that the election happened at all is a positive step. Thousands of students voted despite adverse conditions, and we salute them. For that reason, we will not boycott the results.” However, VP candidate Arifuzzaman Ujjal criticized the election commission for poor preparation, citing nomination disputes, ballot mismanagement, lack of transparency in drug test results, and security lapses. He alleged that some ballot papers lacked permanent ink, allowing tampering. Both Shibir- and Chhatra Dal-backed panels were also accused of repeatedly violating the electoral code of conduct.

A tragic incident struck the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and hall elections as Assistant Professor Jannatul Ferdous of the Fine Arts Department collapsed and died while on polling duty Friday morning. She was rushed to Enam Medical Hospital after falling suddenly ill at the university senate building but could not be saved. Ferdous, a respected academic, had completed her MFA (2018) and BFA (2016) at Jahangirnagar University before joining as a lecturer in Fine Arts.

Vote counting is underway in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election, with results expected Friday. Overnight, more than 500 supporters of Islami Chhatra Shibir gathered outside the university gates, closely monitoring developments. One supporter said, “If Shibir performs well here after winning DUCSU, it will have nationwide implications. We are here out of enthusiasm and will leave once results are announced.” Around 2 AM, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka-19 MP candidate, Maulana Afzal Hossain, also briefly appeared at the main gate before leaving on a motorbike, though his associates remained. University proctor Dr. A.K.M. Rashidul Alam said he was unaware of the gathering but had instructed the security team to look into the matter.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally advanced a contentious plan to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank, effectively undermining the possibility of a future Palestinian state. On Thursday, Netanyahu signed an agreement paving the way for construction of 3,400 new settlement units, a move that would sever East Jerusalem from large portions of the West Bank while linking existing Israeli settlements. “We are fulfilling our promise—there will be no Palestinian state. This land is ours,” Netanyahu declared, vowing to double the population of the planned settlement area. International observers warn the move could deepen Israel’s isolation, especially as several Western nations have recently announced plans to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly.

The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues to worsen, with Israeli airstrikes and starvation claiming more lives. In the past 24 hours, 72 Palestinians were killed in Israeli bombings, while seven others—including a child—died of hunger, bringing the total death toll to 64,718, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Hospitals reported 356 new injuries within a day, while many victims remain trapped under rubble. Rescue efforts are being hampered by relentless bombardment. Meanwhile, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians queuing for aid distribution, killing nine and injuring at least 87 more. Since May 27, at least 2,465 people have been killed and 17,948 wounded while trying to access humanitarian relief.

A delegation from the National Committee for the People (NCP) has arrived in Tokyo, Japan, where they were warmly greeted with flowers by members of the Bangladeshi diaspora. The delegation, which departed Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday afternoon, landed at Narita International Airport at 6:30 AM local time Friday. Members include Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwary, and Mahbub Alam. During their visit, the team will attend community events in Tokyo and Osaka, meet NCP supporters, and hold discussions with Bangladesh’s ambassador to Japan regarding expatriate challenges and opportunities.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has expressed concern over the sweeping victory of Islami Chhatra Shibir in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. His remarks drew a sharp response from Meghmallar Basu, a GS candidate in the same election. In an open letter, Basu wrote, “Mr. Tharoor, despite massive state interference, Islamist extremism, and financial muscle power, I still secured nearly 5,000 votes. That makes me a legitimate representative of Dhaka University’s progressive students. While your analysis that people are disillusioned with mainstream parties’ corruption is true, you fail to see that your words inadvertently serve as propaganda for Jamaat.” He continued, “Why is Shibir’s victory ‘alarming’ to you? Weren’t you the same person who stoked right-wing propaganda during the Sabarimala issue in Kerala, just to weaken the CPI(M)? Before advising a neighboring country, first defeat Hindutva fascists in India’s own national elections. We will fight Islamist fascism in Bangladesh ourselves.” Earlier, Tharoor had described Shibir’s win as “a warning sign for the future, reflecting public frustration with both Awami League and BNP, pushing voters toward Jamaat not for its religious agenda, but because it has not yet been tainted by corruption and misrule.”

Akhtar Hossain, Member Secretary of the National Committee for the People (NCP), has been acquitted of a long-pending case filed under the Special Powers Act. The case stemmed from April 13, 2021, when Hossain was distributing iftar items to the underprivileged in Dhaka University during Ramadan. Police detained him and filed charges at Shahbagh Police Station. Later, while he was in prison, another case was brought against him over a peaceful protest against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka. Speaking after the acquittal, Hossain said, “The previous government weaponized false cases against hundreds of thousands of citizens, myself included. While the interim government has withdrawn some of these politically motivated charges, one case against me remains ongoing. I demand that all false cases against anyone be withdrawn immediately.”

A crucial meeting of the National Consensus Commission, chaired by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, was held to review proposals aimed at implementing the July Charter. The two-hour-long meeting discussed both the commission’s recommendations and submissions from political parties. Members confirmed that a detailed report would soon be submitted to the interim government. The commission is scheduled to hold further talks with political parties this Sunday. A six-member subcommittee also presented its recommendations on implementing the July Charter. Emphasizing the government’s core mandate of reforms, Chief Advisor Yunus said, “The July Charter must be treated with the same seriousness as elections and justice. The upcoming national election in February is not just another poll—it is a foundational election that will shape the future of Bangladesh.” He stressed that essential reforms must be finalized before the February elections, which he described as unavoidable.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has summoned 12 senior officials, including two former commissioners, over allegations of violating rules in the allocation of luxury flats in Dhanmondi. Among those called for questioning are former ACC Commissioners Mozammel Haque Khan and Zahurul Haque, along with former secretaries Md. Yunusur Rahman and M.A. Kader, who are scheduled to appear on September 17. Former IDRA Chairman Dr. M. Aslam Alam, former secretary Aktari Momtaz, and Md. Sirajul Haque Khan are to appear on September 18. Additionally, former Registrar Aminul Islam, former Director General of Secondary and Higher Education Prof. Nehal Ahmed, former secretaries Md. Anisur Rahman, and former senior secretary S.M. Golam Faruk have been summoned for September 21. The allegations relate to the 2018 national parliamentary election, where these officials reportedly received luxury flats as rewards for facilitating “daytime voting conducted at night.” The ACC is investigating whether the allocation of these flats breached official policies and ethical guidelines.

BNP Vice Chairman Altaf Hossain Chowdhury claimed during a speech at Dumki Upazila Auditorium that although Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has fled, her remnants remain and are conspiring with India to disrupt Bangladesh’s elections. Altaf urged party members to unite under the leadership of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman to ensure a fair election, citing the ideals of Ziaur Rahman as guiding principles.