The Election Commission (EC) has released a list of 115 electoral symbols, excluding the ‘Boat’ symbol, which has been suspended.

Notably, the much-debated ‘Shapla’ (water lily) symbol sought by the NCP is absent from the list. According to Wednesday’s gazette notification, the EC amended the 2008 electoral regulations under powers granted by the Representation of the People Order, 1972.

The Commission stated that, apart from the suspended symbol, any of the 115 approved symbols may be allocated subject to availability.

Prosecutor Mizanul Islam told Tribunal-1 that Sheikh Hasina herself had ordered the burning of Setu Bhaban, citing audio recordings of her conversation with Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.

However, he noted that instead of burning the specific targets she had mentioned, Setu Bhaban was set on fire. The tribunal also played other recordings, including Hasina’s conversations with JASAD president Hasanul Haq Inu and former Dhaka University VC ASM Maksud Kamal.

In the recordings, Inu assured Hasina that “no other government will come to power in Bangladesh” and urged her to use the opportunity to “break the backbone of Jamaat-Shibir” by arresting its members. Hasina reportedly agreed to the proposal.

A tribunal has heard audio evidence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina allegedly discussing the use of helicopters to bomb protesters during the July 2024 movement.

In a recorded phone conversation with JASAD leader Hasanul Haq Inu, Hasina reportedly said that protesters barricading areas could be bombed from the air. Inu agreed with her stance and mentioned unrest in Rampura and Shanir Akhra, to which Hasina responded that security forces were already taking action there.

Hasina also allegedly ordered military deployment and dismissed proposals to restore internet services, claiming data centers had been destroyed. “I will not fix this. The next government will,” she was heard saying.

World Bank President Ajay Banga has met with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, praising his leadership in guiding Bangladesh during one of its most critical moments.

Banga emphasized the urgent need for strong reforms in Bangladesh’s banking and revenue sectors to ensure sustainable, high-growth economic development.

Yunus sought World Bank assistance in recovering stolen funds and modernizing the Chattogram port, highlighting its potential to create millions of jobs and boost regional cooperation. “Chattogram port is the key to regional economic growth,” Yunus said, noting that landlocked Nepal, Bhutan, and India’s northeastern states would benefit from its expansion.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus attended a reception in New York hosted by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

During the event, Yunus invited Trump to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time. He also exchanged greetings with several world leaders, including Spain’s King Felipe VI, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

Yunus also held discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor.

The National Committee Party (NCP) has formally applied to the Election Commission (EC) to have the water lily (Shapla) listed as its electoral symbol.

The party argued that during its July march, citizens spontaneously brought Shapla flowers from rivers and wetlands to participate in the campaign. NCP claims the EC’s earlier rejection of the symbol on grounds of similarity with other entities was discriminatory and unlawful.

In its application, the NCP requested recognition of one among three variations: 1) Shapla, 2) White Shapla, or 3) Red Shapla. “We expect the Commission to amend its decision and allocate one of these symbols in our favor,” the party stated.

A group of Awami League and Chhatra League activists—both banned from political activity—staged a sudden flash procession in Chattogram city on Wednesday morning.

Eyewitnesses reported that around 10:30 am, the rally began near CDA Avenue after activists gathered at the entrance of MM Ali Road. The procession marched past the Police Commissioner’s office and reached Dampara bus stand, where it dispersed upon spotting a police vehicle.

OC Md. Shaheen confirmed that police operations are underway to identify and arrest those involved.

A 51-year-old man, Haidar Islam, was killed in a mob lynching on suspicion of robbery preparation in Gazipur Sadar upazila early Wednesday. Another suspect, 25-year-old Alamin, was severely injured and remains hospitalized.
Police said locals intercepted 7–8 suspected robbers around 3:30 AM in Noyapara, capturing two of them. Both were beaten before police intervened. Haidar was declared dead at the hospital. Weapons were recovered from the suspects. Authorities confirmed Haidar had multiple robbery cases pending against him.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested Jahangir Alam, an AGM at Aramit PLC, for allegedly withdrawing Tk 1.76 crore using 11 cheques issued in the name of fugitive former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed.
Alam was detained from Aramit Group’s office in Kalurghat Industrial Zone. ACC sources allege he withdrew the money without authorization during Javed’s absence. Alam, however, claims the funds were used to cover legal expenses for two Aramit officials already arrested in a money laundering case.

Environmental Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has urged immediate finalization of the RAJUK Building Code by November, stressing its importance for Dhaka’s livability and public health.
Speaking Wednesday, she emphasized:

Dhaka must transition into a green city through strict enforcement of waste and sewage management laws.

RAJUK and WASA must take responsibility for phased implementation.

Protecting rivers like the Buriganga and cleaning canals linked to them, though difficult, is achievable with collective effort.

Police have detained at least 40 leaders and activists from the banned Awami League and its affiliates while preparing for a flash procession in the capital. The arrests took place around 2 PM Wednesday near Panthapath’s Panibhaban.
Authorities said activists were organizing an unauthorized demonstration when law enforcement, supported by NCP activists, carried out the raid. At least 21 detainees were handed over by NCP members.

Six corruption cases against Sheikh Hasina and her family members are currently underway, and verdicts are expected by mid-November, according to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Abdul Momen.
Speaking at a signing ceremony between the ACC and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) for a five-year MoU to strengthen anti-corruption initiatives, Momen said the judiciary was progressing toward finalizing these cases. The MoU was signed by ACC Director General Md. Akhter Hossain and TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman.

Another firefighter, Nurul Huda, has died after sustaining critical burns in the devastating Tongi chemical warehouse fire, raising the death toll among firefighters to two.

Doctors confirmed that Huda, who suffered 100% burns, had been in intensive care but succumbed to his injuries. Earlier, another firefighter had died under similar circumstances.

The fire, caused by an explosion on Monday afternoon at Sahara Market in Tongi’s BSCIC industrial area, left four firefighters injured—two with 100% burns, one with 42%, and another with 5%. Two firefighters remain under treatment.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam has announced that around 100,000 armed forces personnel will be deployed during the upcoming national elections to ensure security.

Currently, about 30,000 army members are on the ground, but their numbers will be tripled during the polls. Alongside the army, the navy, air force, police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Ansar, Coast Guard, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will also be mobilized.

He emphasized that the success of the election will ultimately depend on the people and political parties. “When citizens are motivated to vote, no one can stop them,” he said.

The Adviser also noted progress in recovering illegal arms, particularly in Chattogram, and assured that Durga Puja festivities will remain peaceful. On the issue of repeat offenders securing bail easily, he said the government is considering stricter measures to prevent them from reoffending.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that former U.S. President Donald Trump must stop the war in Gaza if he truly wants to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Speaking at a press conference, Macron declared that France is ready to respond if Israel imposes sanctions following Paris’s recognition of Palestine. However, he stressed that the priority now should be the path of peace and diplomacy.

“We cannot remain silent if the killing of civilians in Gaza continues,” Macron said, pointing to U.S. leverage over Israel due to its weapons supply. He emphasized that France’s diplomatic initiatives aim to pressure both Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government while reassuring Israelis that the ultimate goal is peace.