President Donald Trump said Tuesday it would be an “insult” to the United States if he does not receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his self-proclaimed role in solving multiple wars. Trump, who has long sought the prize which will be unveiled on October 10, made the latest push for his case a day after he announced a peace plan to end the war in Gaza.

“Will you get the Nobel Prize? Absolutely not. They’ll give it to some guy that didn’t do a damn thing,” Trump said during a speech before hundreds of top US military officers. “It’d be a big insult to our country, I will tell you that. I don’t want it, I want the country to get it,” he added.

“It should get it, because there’s never been anything like it.” Republican Trump has long been irked by the fact that Democrat Barack Obama won the prize in 2009. In his Tuesday speech Trump repeated his recent claim that he has solved seven wars since his return to office in January.

Trump said that if the Gaza plan he unveiled alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday works out, “we’ll have eight, eight in eight months. That’s pretty good.”

Hamas has yet to respond to the plan. But the chances of Trump winning the Nobel Peace Prize this year are regarded as close to zero in Oslo, where the prize is based.

“It’s completely unthinkable,” Oeivind Stenersen, a historian who has conducted research and cowritten a book on the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has also insisted it cannot be swayed by Trump’s campaigning for the prize.

“Of course, we do notice that there is a lot of media attention towards particular candidates,” the secretary of the committee, Kristian Berg Harpviken, told AFP recently. “But that really has no impact on the discussions that are going on in the committee.”

Trump’s administration recently listed the seven wars it said he has ended as being between Cambodia and Thailand; Kosovo and Serbia; the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda; Pakistan and India; Israel and Iran; Egypt and Ethiopia; and Armenia and Azerbaijan.

But while Trump has been quick to claim credit for some, for example announcing a ceasefire between nuclear-armed Delhi and Islamabad in May, many of the claims are partial or inaccurate.

Female students at the University of Dhaka (DU) are pushing back against strict dormitory policies that impose a 10pm curfew, arguing for more flexible entry rules that would allow them to access their halls using student ID cards regardless of the time.

The situation erupted after two female students were barred from entering the Mal Chattar area of the campus at 10:38pm on Sunday, despite showing their university identification.

The incident has highlighted significant gender disparities in dormitory policies, where female students face rigid curfews and limited flexibility compared to their male counterparts, who can generally access most dormitories at any time.

Female students are demanding that while the main dormitory gates may close at 10pm, other gates should remain open with more flexible policies to accommodate work commitments, medical emergencies, and family obligations that often require students to return after the 10pm curfew.

The issue began when two female students were reportedly barred from entering the Mal Chattar area of Dhaka University after 10pm. Students Israt Jahan and Shimu Akter Shimla, residents of Shamsun Nahar Hall, attempted to enter Mal Chattar at 10:38pm on Sunday but were allegedly stopped by staff from DU’s proctorial body. Israt Jahan told, “They (proctorial body) told us that there are orders from above.”

However, DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed later clarified that the Proctor Office had not issued any such directive and that the staff involved were from the university’s Estate Office. Israt added that when she contacted the proctor directly, she was asked for her parents’ contact number.

When contacted, DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed told that he only wanted to confirm that she was indeed a student of the university. “Informing my students’ parents after asking for their contact numbers was not my motive at all.”

The university’s proctor has issued a statement expressing regret over this incident. This information was conveyed in a notice sent to the media from the Proctor’s Office on Sunday afternoon.

The notice stated that no “directive or announcement” has been issued from their end prohibiting female students from entering the Dhaka University campus after 10pm. Last night, there was “some misunderstanding” when a female student was entering the Dhaka University Mal area (Chattar). The DU proctor expresses “sincere regret” over this incident.

How strict are dormitory rules for female students at DU?
Female dormitories operate under stricter rules than male dormitories. Non-resident female students cannot enter their assigned dormitories, let alone others. Male students, however, can generally enter most male dormitories regardless of affiliation or residence.

Most female dormitories close gates at 10pm and open at 6am. In emergencies, resident students can get permission to use late gates, typically open until 11pm. Despite these provisions, female students report difficulties returning to dormitories after vacations or late-night events. Some have waited the entire night for the gates to open despite multiple guards being present.

Anika Tahsin Hafsa, a student from Ruqayyah Hall, told that she was going to donate blood for a surgery around 9:30pm on Friday. “They (hall administration) delayed me 20–25 minutes for late permission, and even then I had to enter by the written deadline of 10:30pm.”

Nela Akter, a resident student from Kabi Sufia Kamal Hall, who has a part-time job, argued that work does not end at the same time every day, and after leaving the office, she often has to face severe traffic jams, causing her to be late. “I can’t count how many times I’ve had to listen to lectures from the floor in-charge and at the gate. Now, where exactly is my fault in this?”

“To those who keep shouting ‘What are girls doing outside after 10pm?’ — I want to tell them: we don’t enjoy working either. You take care of our financial responsibilities, and we won’t go outside except for class time,” Nela added.

Tanjila Tasnim, a resident at Ruqayyah Hall, argued: “Those who want to enter the hall by 10pm can do so — no one stops them, but for those who have jobs or tutor students a bit far away, the struggle they face — no one even considers that.”

Israt Jahan Imu, resident of Shamsun Nahar Hall, told that she once arrived in Dhaka at 5am but could not enter her dormitory. “I had to wait for an hour at TSC, alone that day,” she said.

She added that contacting house tutors or provosts late at night often causes irritation, which can create negative impressions affecting students later.

Most female students argued that they want the main dormitory gate to be closed at 10pm, but the late gate should remain open so that students can enter or exit in case of emergencies. According to female students, hall closing and opening times are a separate matter. Female students should be able to enter their dorms at night without any obstacles.

“The time limit should be extended. If not extended, at least it should be relaxed. Even if they close at 10pm, the late gate policy should be more flexible,” suggested Anika Tahsin Hafsa.

“The late gate should be open until 12am without any harassment, and when there are special needs (returning from home, medical emergencies), alternative arrangements should be kept in place,” suggested Tanjima Pathan, a student from Ruqayyah Hall.

“There are emergencies, urgent work, programs — so many different situations. Whoever has the opportunity to enter should be able to enter when they can. Any barrier to entering the hall is unacceptable,” stated Fateha Tasnim Anne, a resident from Ruqayyah Hall.

“Those who want to enter the hall by 10pm, if the hall gate timing is extended, no one will force them to stay outside. But we’re being forced to enter the hall at that fixed time,” Tanjila Tasnim suggested.

“Those who want to come back early can do so. But just because they come back early doesn’t mean it’s fair to demand that everyone must return by 10pm. Those who have work commitments should be able to enter the hall smoothly by showing their ID cards, even if they’re late — this should be ensured,” suggested Samia Islam Preetymony, a resident from Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall.

Ducsu leaders, Central Social Welfare Secretary Jubair Bin Nesari and Central Executive Member Hema Chakma, had a meeting with the Proctor around 12pm on Sunday regarding the Mal Chattar issue.

This year, on July 14 — in recognition of women’s role in the July uprising — “Dhaka University Women Student Day” was observed. Vice-Chancellor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan had announced that this day would later be added to the university calendar. On this day, female students were allowed to roam outside dormitories after 10pm, but a group of female students staged a protest criticizing this one-night outing.

The Bangladesh Army on Sunday night issued an official statement in response to the recent violence in Guimara upazila of Khagrachhari, which occurred on Saturday and Sunday. According to the statement, tensions began escalating following the murder of motorcyclist Mamun on September 19, 2024. In the aftermath, the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) and its affiliated organisations allegedly attempted to incite communal unrest in Dighinala and Rangamati, leading to clashes with security forces. These clashes resulted in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to several locals.

To mark the one-year anniversary of that incident, the UPDF and its affiliates organised protest rallies across various locations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, reportedly in an effort to prevent a recurrence of similar violence, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

On the night of September 23, 2025, following the rape of a schoolgirl in Singinala area of Khagrachhari, a UPDF (Main) suspect, Shayan Shil, was arrested on September 24 with assistance from the army and later remanded.

Despite this arrest, PCP leader Ukhanu Marma—an affiliate of the UPDF—called for a protest and human chain in Khagrachhari on September 24 under the banner of “Jumma Chhatra Janata.”

This was followed by a half-day strike in the district on September 25. Simultaneously, various inflammatory and provocative statements targeting Bangali communities were spread online by domestic and expatriate bloggers, as well as certain individuals from the hill regions.

On September 26, under the leadership of UPDF activist Ukhanu Marma and influenced by provocative online content, tensions surged across Khagrachhari. During a blockade, some protesters allegedly threw stones and bricks at patrolling army personnel, injuring three soldiers. Despite the provocation, the army said it responded with restraint, patience, and humanity, refraining from the use of force.

On Saturday, the UPDF and affiliated groups again allegedly attempted to spark unrest through sabotage—including shooting at civilians (including Bengalis), vandalism, attacks on ambulances, and road blockades. The unrest reportedly deteriorated the law and order situation in the entire Khagrachhari municipality area, taking on the appearance of a communal riot. In response, the district administration imposed Section 144 in Khagrachhari and Guimara.

To restore order, the Army, BGB, and other law enforcement agencies worked through the night with restraint and coordination, ultimately preventing what the Army described as an “inevitable communal riot.”

However, on Sunday, UPDF activists reportedly violated Section 144 in the Ramsu Bazar area of Guimara upazila. From early morning, they allegedly incited the public to block roads, completely shutting down the Guimara–Khagrachhari route.

At around 10:30am, UPDF workers and local Bangali residents clashed in the area. When army personnel intervened, they were attacked with local weapons, bricks, slingshots, and batons, injuring 10 personnel, including three officers.

Simultaneously, BGB vehicles were vandalised in the Ramgarh area, and BGB members were injured. Around 11:30am, members of the UPDF (Main) reportedly opened fire—firing 100 to 150 rounds from automatic weapons from a hilltop west of Ramsu Bazar—targeting army personnel, hill people, and Bengalis involved in the clash. Several civilians were injured by gunfire.

In response, an army patrol team pursued the armed attackers, while other UPDF operatives reportedly set fire to homes in the Ramsu Bazar area and continued clashing with Bengali locals. Additional troops were deployed to Ramsu Bazar and Guimara, bringing the situation under control by around 4:30pm.

The Army claimed that in recent days, UPDF and its affiliated organisations have been systematically forcing women and schoolchildren to participate in their subversive activities in an effort to destabilise the Chittagong Hill Tracts. They also alleged that UPDF has been attempting to bring in external militants equipped with indigenous weapons to incite communal violence.

On the same day, on Sunday, a large cache of local weapons was seized from a passenger bus at a checkpoint operated by the Kaptai Battalion of the BGB—further evidence, the Army said, of UPDF’s alleged efforts to escalate unrest.

The Army views the incidents between September 19 and Sunday as part of a larger, orchestrated conspiracy. Relevant evidence is currently with law enforcement agencies.

It called on all political leaders from different ethnic groups in the Hill Tracts, as well as the general public, to act with restraint. It urged all law enforcement agencies, including the Army, to work together to restore peace and stability in the region.

Despite propaganda, misinformation, and provocation, the Army reaffirmed its firm commitment to protecting the sovereignty of Bangladesh and ensuring the safety of all communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday he is suspending his re-election campaign, effectively making him a one-term mayor. In an eight-minute video, Adams blamed negative press and being denied public campaign financing for crippling his chances, despite touting achievements on housing, crime reduction, and economic recovery.

His exit turns the November race into a three-way contest between Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Adams declined to endorse anyone but warned against “chaos” from radical promises.

Polls show Mamdani leading but without majority support. Cuomo now has a chance to consolidate moderates, though Sliwa remains in play. Adams’ name will still appear on the ballot due to deadlines, but his campaign is over.

Although national politics has been heated in recent months over him and his party, GM Quader, a factional chairman of the Jatiya Party, had remained silent—until now. He finally spoke out, hinting that the Jatiya Party, which has stood alongside the Awami League for over a decade and a half, might once again be used as a trump card—positioned as the “opposition” with the help of Awami League votes. While not directly rejecting such allegations, Quader expressed confidence that ballots cast for the “Boat” (Awami League’s symbol) could indeed fall for the “Plough” (Jatiya Party’s symbol).

Quader said, “Have Awami League voters lost their citizenship? Will their names not appear on the voter list? Will they not cast votes? Has there been any such declaration? If they vote for my party, then why the fear?”

He added, “Awami League supporters will vote for us. If BNP offers them good incentives, assures them that they won’t face harassment if BNP wins, then they may vote for BNP too. But they will not vote for Jamaat.”

According to Quader, the next election will gain legitimacy only if all parties, including the Awami League, take part. “When Jamaat was banned, we opposed it. Such steps did not bring good for the country. Without everyone’s participation, the election will not be fair. But if I say this now, I will be branded a traitor,” he said.

Quader accused Dr. Yunus’s interim government of sidelining BNP to bring Jamaat forward, insisting that the next polls must be held under a newly elected government—not under the interim one. He also claimed that despite another round of internal splits, the Jatiya Party has emerged stronger.

Jubo League leader Mizanur Rahman, who was arrested for throwing eggs at National Citizens Party (NCP) Member-Secretary Akhtar Hossain, has been released on bail. The Queens County Criminal Court granted him bail at 9 p.m. local time on Tuesday in New York. At that time, Awami League leaders and activists greeted him with flowers and chanted slogans. Mizan said that Awami League President Sheikh Hasina also called him to congratulate him.

Mizanur Rahman stated, “I was supposed to be presented before the judge at 11 p.m., but to avoid the crowd of hundreds of Awami League activists, the court brought me before the judge at 8:30 p.m. Since the charges against me were not proven, the court granted me bail and set a date for next month. I don’t even know Zahid Khan, who filed the case against me. I believe this false case and my arrest were pre-planned, linked to the airport incident.”

The incident occurred on Monday, September 22, around 5 p.m. at Terminal 4 of John F. Kennedy Airport, when Mizanur Rahman threw eggs at Akhtar Hossain, who was part of the delegation of interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus attending the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Later that night, around 9:30 p.m., police arrested Mizan from Bangladesh Street in Jackson Heights.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has claimed that no one harassed the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in New York. He said, “No one harassed Mirza Fakhrul in New York. Various propaganda campaigns have been launched against him. All of it is false, baseless, and fabricated.”

Rizvi further added that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is a national leader who accompanied the Chief Adviser to attend the UN assembly in New York. He alleged that smear campaigns are being spread against Fakhrul.

On Wednesday (September 24) morning, after paying respects at the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman along with newly elected leaders of Pirojpur District BNP, Rizvi made these remarks.

He said, “If the interim government could demonstrate competence in New York, the allies of fascism would not dare to carry out such activities. Because of the government’s failure to take effective measures, the ghosts of those collaborators are active both inside the country and abroad.”

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday said the party has not yet approved any candidate for the upcoming national election, as the final selection will be made by its Parliamentary Board. “No candidate in any constituency has been given any green signal. The party will nominate those whose performance in party activities is strong. BNP follows a clear constitutional process for nominations, not any informal signal,” he said. Speaking at an urgent press conference at BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan, Rizvi also said some recent media reports suggesting certain people have been chosen as candidates are misleading and baseless.

He said the responsibility for selecting candidates lies solely with the party’s Parliamentary Board, chaired by BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The BNP leader said this board, to be formed with members of the party’s standing committee, will take the final decision about candidates after the election schedule is announced. He urged party leaders and activists across the country not to be misled by speculative news reports. “We call on everyone to remain united and wait for the official announcement from the party high command.”

Rizvi said Tarique Rahman has been giving clear instructions to strengthen unity within the party and to work together in every constituency, instead of giving anyone a green signal.

“He is speaking to leaders virtually and giving clear directions to work in unity and support whoever the party nominates. Those seeking nomination must also follow this guideline,” the BNP leader said. He said no nominations have been given yet, despite reports in various newspapers suggesting that lists have been announced and certain people may be possible candidates.

Rizvi said Tarique Rahman is repeatedly stressing the importance of maintaining a strong bond with the people and avoiding activities that cause dissatisfaction or upset.

He said Tarique also advised party leaders and activists to go door to door, distribute leaflets on the party’s 31-point proposal, and explain to the public how this will bring about real change.

Rizvi said Tarique has asked nomination seekers to become more people-oriented. “He often says something we deeply believe that the people are the source of all political power for BNP. As long as the people are with us, no propaganda can separate them from the party, Insha’Allah.”

He said their acting chairman has called upon all BNP leaders, activists, and well-wishers across the country to stay connected with the people and continue to earn their trust and love.

Rizvi alleged that as the interim government moves forward to restore people’s voting rights, a vested group has begun spreading misinformation and planting the seeds of a deep conspiracy.

“They have crafted different stories and are carrying out a series of harmful activities to confuse the public. Those who falsely accuse BNP and try to label the party are the same ones using certain media outlets to spread or publish false news in BNP’s name,” he said.

The BNP leader also said the people of the country are witnessing an evil effort by a certain quarter to secretly rehabilitate the banned, fascist Awami League, which carried out mass killings during the uprising, just to gain political power and fulfil their ambitions.

He expressed concern that some newspapers, media outlets, and social media platforms have recently published so-called nomination lists of BNP candidates, which he said aim to create confusion, dissatisfaction, and disorder among party leaders and activists.

Rizvi alleged that certain media are deliberately spreading false propaganda with the harmful aim of creating division and conflict within BNP. He said BNP is fully preparing for the national election, and the party will nominate popular and qualified candidates through a careful and systematic process at the right time.

Claiming that they have a target of the Awami League, National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossen on Monday vowed that the Awami League would not be able to make a comeback amid what he called “anti-fascist unity.” Soon after coming out from the John F Kennedy International Airport with BNP and Jamaat leaders, Akhter Hossen and NCP’s First Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara were confronted by a small group of Awami League supporters.

The protesters chanted slogans until the delegation entered their vehicles. At one point, eggs were thrown at Akhter Hossen. Speaking to reporters later at a hotel in New York, Akhter said Awami League activists were resorting to the same intimidation tactics abroad that they practised in Bangladesh.

“We are not afraid of this. The people of Bangladesh showed the highest level of courage against the Awami League and even sacrificed their lives. They will remain united and Awami League will not be able to return,” he said.

Dr Tasnim Jara, who faced verbal abuse during the incident, condemned the attack and linked it to a broader pattern of hostility towards women in politics.

“This is nothing new. We have seen how women – who were on the front during the movement and now getting involved in politics – were targeted and undermined by the Awami League in Bangladesh. Today, we saw a reflection of that again,” she said. Dr Tasnim stressed that such incidents would not deter them from their political mission.

“This cannot stop us. Many people are joining with us, and people rejected the Awami League,” she said. She said the attack was aimed not at Hossen as an individual, but at his political identity as a representative of an anti-fascist movement.

“This attack shows the fear and despair of the defeated forces. It will not weaken Akhter Hossen but only strengthen his determination,” Dr Tasnim said.

The NCP and BNP leaders are part of a delegation accompanying the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The delegation includes BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, and NCP leaders Dr Tasnim Jara and Akhter Hossen. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mohammad Nakibur Rahman is joining the delegation from the US.

The Pentagon has rolled out new restrictions requiring journalists with building access to pledge not to report any information without prior authorization — including unclassified details. Violations could result in loss of credentials, according to a 17-page memo issued Friday.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the policy, saying the press “does not run the Pentagon,” while critics, including the National Press Club and Society of Professional Journalists, denounced it as government censorship and “prior restraint.”

The move follows a series of media access rollbacks under Hegseth and comes after embarrassing leaks, including reports of planned strikes in Yemen and a canceled briefing for Elon Musk.