Myanmar’s military has carried out an airstrike on two private schools in a village in western Rakhine State, killing at least 18 people, most of them students, according to local media and an armed group. He said most of the victims were “17- to 18-year-old students from the private schools”. Wai Hun Aung, who directs relief work in Rakhine, said those killed in the air strike were among 30 to 40 boarders from the schools. Local news outlets reported that a military warplane dropped two 500lb bombs on a high school as students slept. The AA serves as the armed wing of the Rakhine ethnic minority movement, which is pushing for autonomy from Myanmar’s central government.

Several people involved in the protracted vote-counting process for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election have fallen ill, according to the chief election commissioner. Speaking to reporters at the university's Senate building on Saturday, Prof Md Moniruzzaman said that medical arrangements had been made in advance in anticipation of such situations, reports bdnews24.com. Around noon, Election Commissioner Prof Lutful Elahi expressed hope that the results could be declared by early afternoon. But a visit to the Senate building on Saturday morning showed that even after a night of non-stop counting, the process was still ongoing. Counting began under tight security at the Senate building after 10 pm that night.

Information and Broadcasting Advisor Mahfuj Alam has faced hostility while attending official engagements in London, with supporters of the Awami League accused of targeting his convoy. Akbar Hossain, press minister at the Bangladesh High Commission in London, shed light on the incident in a statement issued on Facebook on Friday. According to Akbar, 18 Awami League activists gathered outside SOAS, chanting slogans, but the advisor’s car faced no obstacles reaching the venue. Later, as the delegation departed in multiple vehicles, two empty high commission cars were again pelted with eggs. Akbar said London’s Metropolitan Police have been in constant contact with the High Commission and assured them of full security for the advisor.

Emotions run high as India and Pakistan face off after May clashesAn India-Pakistan cricket match is always a blockbuster but emotions will run even higher in Sunday's Asia Cup clash between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who engaged in a four-day military conflict earlier this year. Even before the clashes in May, which nearly escalated into a full-blown war, bilateral cricket ties had been suspended. "Once we are here to play, I think players are focused on playing cricket. I personally don't think they have anything in mind apart from playing cricket and that's what we focus on." "We have been playing good cricket in the last two-three months and we just have to play good cricket," Pakistan captain Salman said on Friday.

US calls on G7, EU to impose tariffs on China, India over Russian oil purchasesGroup of Seven nations' finance ministers discussed in a call on Friday further sanctions on Russia and possible tariffs on countries that they consider "enabling" its war in Ukraine, as the US called on its allies to impose tariffs on purchasers of Russian oil. Bessent and Greer welcomed commitments made during the call to increase sanctions pressure and explore using immobilized Russian sovereign assets to benefit Ukraine's defense, according to the joint statement. Earlier in the day, a US Treasury spokesperson called on G7 and European Union allies to impose "meaningful tariffs" on goods from China and India to pressure them to halt their purchases of Russian oil. But Trump has refrained from imposing additional tariffs on Chinese imports over China's purchases of Russian oil, as his administration navigates a delicate trade truce with Beijing. He said sanctions on banks and oil were an option to increase pressure on Russia, but added that European countries also needed to participate.

Source: CollectedSultana Akter, a returning officer at the Jahargirnagar University Central Students‍‍` Union (JUCSU) polls, has blamed the Election Commission’s mismanagement for the death of teacher Jannatul Ferdous. Jannatul Ferdous, an assistant professor at the fine arts department, died on Friday morning while on duty as a polling officer. “It is due to the Election Commission’s mismanagement that my colleague Jannatul Ferdous died. Sultana explained that polling officials had been told in pre-election briefings that vote counting would be conducted electronically at the Senate Building. Nearly 24 hours after JUCSU polls closed, vote counting for the hall unions have still not been completed.

‘Ma’am taught me how to vote — and now she's gone': Grief grips Jahangirnagar University after teacher's deathThe Jahangirnagar University campus has been plunged into mourning after Jannatul Ferdous, an assistant professor of fine arts, suddenly collapsed and died while on duty during the counting of votes in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election. When the ambulance carrying her body reached the department around 1pm on Friday, colleagues and students broke down in tears. At the service, Arifur Iffat Raisa Nuha, a student of Pritilata Hall, recalled her final interactions with the teacher. Students and polling agents rushed to catch her when she fainted and carried her outside, forcing the vote count to pause. When word of her death reached the counting room, colleagues broke into tears.

Campus on edge as JUCSU vote tabulation drags on beyond 32 hoursDespite more than 32 hours passing since the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Council (JUCSU) and hall elections, clarity on the timing of result announcements is still lacking. Colleagues have criticised the election commission for its “mismanagement” in the context of her death. After 10pm, vote counting began under tight security at the Senate Bhaban. About 21 hours after counting began, the election commission announced that vote tallying for all 21 halls had been completed by 7pm. Those who withdrew were notably absent during the vote counting process, with many leaving the campus altogether.

The tally for 21 hall councils concludes after a day full of developments, while vote counting for the Jahangirnagar University Central Studen’s Council (JUCSU) election is still ongoing. The day begins with grief as Assistant Prof Jannatul Ferdous of the fine arts department passed away. At 4:20pm on Friday, Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan convened a meeting with polling officers and returning officers at the Senate Bhaban. Later, rumours circulated that vote counting had been temporarily suspended. Chief Election Commissioner Md Moniruzzaman told reporters in the evening: “We hope to complete the count and announce the results within the night.

The Armed Forces have sought applications from officers who have faced "discrimination" over the past 16 years.The Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) issued a statement on Thursday night announcing the move.According to the statement: "Officers who have been subjected to discrimination in the Armed Forces from 2009 to Aug 4, 2024, are requested to send the original copy of their applications to the Chairman of the Committee at the Armed Forces Division by Sept 21, 2025." �"bdnews24.com

Source: CollectedA Jahangirnagar University teacher has died after falling ill while on duty during the vote count for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election. Jannatul Ferdous, an assistant professor at the university‍‍`s Department of Fine Arts, was working as the polling officer at Pritilata Hall during Thursday’s vote, reports bdnews24.com. Soon after, she collapsed and was rushed to Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar, where doctors declared her dead. “In the morning she was called for the vote count. Shortly after arriving here, she fell ill. Later she was taken to Enam Medical College, where doctors declared her dead,” said Prof Sultana Akhter of the History Department.

EC urges students not to be misled as JUCSU vote counting continuesThe Election Commission has called on students and others involved not to be misled over the vote counting for the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and hall elections. Nearly 24 hours after voting ended, the JUCSU election results have yet to be announced. Commenting on the ongoing counting process, Rashidul said: “It must be noted that the votes are being counted manually. Due to this, along with Friday prayers, the funeral, and lunch breaks, the vote counting was temporarily paused but has since resumed. “We earnestly request everyone involved to avoid confusion and cooperate with the Election Commission.”

The Bangladesh Palli Bidyut Association has suspended its “mass leave” programme and urged all officers and employees to return to work. Considering the overall situation in the country and the public suffering, we have decided to suspend the ongoing programme, keeping faith in the government and the advisor.”“All employees of the Palli Bidyut Samity are requested to rejoin their workplaces. According to the association, instead of implementing the committees’ recommendations, REB created instability through “harassment and repression” of Palli Bidyut Samity employees. At a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday, Anju Rani Malakar, assistant secretary of the Palli Bidyut Association, presented four demands of the protesters. Administrative action against corrupt officials and employees of the Rural Electrification Board in line with regulations.

Source: CollectedBNP National Standing Committee Member AZM Zahid Hossain says that questions have arisen over the “neutrality” of the recent Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections. The Chhatra Dal wasn’t the only people who boycotted yesterday’s JUCSU polls. There was an election without voters in 2014, while in 2018, voting was done under cover of night. Those involved must not organise an election which will raise questions. With your neutrality, you can prove your stance and the future will acknowledge it."

Supporters of the Awami League, banned from conducting political activities, have once again taken to the streets to protest against the interim government, this time in the capital's Banglamotor. Around 2:30pm on Friday, thousands of party activists reportedly assembled outside the headquarters of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and then marched towards the InterContinental Dhaka hotel. Across the country, Awami League leaders and activists, including our leader Sheikh Hasina, are being harassed with false cases. We marched to protest this.”An employee of Borak Tower said that marches have become frequent on the road in recent days. "Today, about a thousand people suddenly appeared, chanting slogans in support of Hasina and shouting 'Joy Bangla' as they moved from Banglamotor towards Borak Tower."