A newly constructed marine drive road in Kuakata, built at a cost of BDT 48.6 million, was washed away by the Bay of Bengal during a cyclone on Thursday—before its official inauguration.
One-third of the 1,300-meter road has already been destroyed. A five-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident.
Sources revealed that the project began construction at sea level without any feasibility study. The contract was awarded to three firms closely associated with then-Mayor Md. Anwar Howlader—also affiliated with ruling party leaders.

BNP leader Khairul Kabir Khokon has alleged that a vested group is orchestrating a deep-rooted conspiracy surrounding Bangladesh’s national election. Speaking at a public event, Khokon claimed the group aims to delay the election and create political instability in the country. “The people of Bangladesh will not allow such conspiracies to succeed. If a clear election date is not announced by December, the people of Bengal will be forced to take to the streets again,” he warned.

Commenting on the role of the National Security Adviser, Khokon said, “He is not even a citizen of Bangladesh—he’s a foreign national. How can he be involved in running the country?” Khokon reiterated that the BNP fully supports the formation of an interim government but accused the ruling authorities of stalling on election arrangements. He demanded the announcement of a definite election date within December.

BNP leader Salahuddin Tuku stated that the previous fascist regime destroyed electoral politics and democracy. “People must reclaim their right to vote and their democracy,” he said. “Under Tareq Rahman's leadership, we aim to return power to the people.” Tuku also reiterated that it was Ziaur Rahman who first declared Bangladesh’s independence and shifted the country from a one-party system to multi-party democracy, working tirelessly for citizens’ rights and welfare.

A tourist boat in Tanguar Haor, Sunamganj’s Tahirpur upazila, caught fire around 8 PM on Friday. The blaze destroyed 80% of the boat, but all 12 tourists onboard managed to escape safely. According to the fire service, the likely causes of the fire could include a gas cylinder explosion, a kitchen fire spreading, or an electrical short circuit.

Three police officers and an Ansar member have been arrested in Bogura with 850 Yaba pills. Detective Branch (DB) police conducted the operation on Thursday. A narcotics case has been filed against them. Superintendent of Police Zaidan Al Musa stated, “The force will not take responsibility for individual misconduct.” One officer has been suspended, and disciplinary reports for the others have been sent for further action.

Cultural adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has criticized the BNP’s monopolization of Ziaur Rahman’s legacy. “I’ve always wanted to prevent any event about Ziaur Rahman from being limited to BNP members only. He is not the exclusive property of one party,” Farooki said. “The Awami League made a similar mistake in the past, and I hope BNP avoids repeating it.” He added that their current government is short-lived and cannot bring radical changes, but they are working to unite diverse cultural groups, including Chakma, Marma, and Garo communities, in national celebrations.

Muhammad Ubaidul Haque, who had resigned from his teaching post at Oxford University to join BRAC University, has now been reappointed by Oxford after BRAC unexpectedly cancelled his offer letter. Ubaidul has secured a new role as Academic Officer at Oxford’s Merton College. “My intention to teach at BRAC was fueled by patriotism,” he said. “But BRAC University never explained why they withdrew the offer. It was disheartening.” This marks his third position at Oxford, where he now serves in an independent academic role.

On Friday, BSF reportedly forced 29 individuals across the border into Bangladesh via two upazilas in Moulvibazar district. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) later detained them from Juri and Kamalganj upazilas. With this latest incident, the total number of individuals detained in push-in cases in Moulvibazar has risen to 326 — including 240 through Barlekha, 10 through Juri, 21 through Kulaura, and 55 through Kamalganj.

Barisal’s district unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BNP's student wing) has announced partial committees for six colleges in Muladi Upazila, sparking outrage. Grassroots activists allege that the committees include non-students and members from rival student organizations like Chhatra League and Bangabandhu Chhatra Parishad. For example, in Char Kalekhan Adarsha College, the newly appointed vice president Al Amin was previously the finance secretary of Bangabandhu Chhatra Parishad, and general secretary Maruf Billah was an active Chhatra League member, despite reportedly not being a current student.

BNP leader Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah has claimed that no Bangladeshi leader has ever matched the integrity and patriotism of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. “Whenever Bangladesh faced a crisis, Ziaur Rahman emerged as the savior,” he said. “In his absence, Begum Khaleda Zia fulfilled that role, and for the past 17 years, Tareq Rahman has led the struggle to restore voting rights and democracy in the country.” Rahmatullah emphasized that under Tareq Rahman's leadership, Bangladesh will move forward.

Just hours after an unsuccessful attempt to push intruders into Bangladesh through the Roumari border in Kurigram, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) flew four surveillance drones into Bangladeshi airspace. The incident occurred around 8:30 PM on Friday night, raising alarm among local residents. No statement has been released yet by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Previously, BSF had flown five drones in two separate instances along the border.

Abrar Faiyaz, the younger brother of slain BUET student Abrar Fahad, has received death threats via social media. A General Diary (GD) has been filed naming two individuals, including Shahriar Ibrahim, former president of Dhaka Metropolitan Student Union. According to the GD, Faiyaz had posted a comment criticizing the injustice under the current regime, which was later shared by Ibrahim with the caption: “Justify the killing of that JAS leader’s dog Abrar Fahad.” In the same post, a person named Nowaz Hossain Fardin commented: “He too will follow the same path.”

Speaking at a memorial for Ziaur Rahman’s death anniversary, BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, “Nothing can be implemented without an elected government. We urgently need one.” He stressed that the solution to Bangladesh’s problems lies within the country, not outside. “Let us stop looking abroad. The solution is with the people of Bangladesh. Reforms and justice are secondary—first, we must empower the people,” he stated. He called on party members to accelerate their efforts to build a Bangladesh guided by the visions of Zia and Khaleda Zia.

BNP leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy accused the authorities of stalling over the national elections. Speaking at a public gathering, he demanded that elections be held by December without further delay. “People want immediate, fair, and impartial elections—not more talks of reform,” he said. He warned that the July uprising would fail unless democratic rights were restored through a credible vote. Roy also emphasized the sacrifices of Begum Khaleda Zia and reiterated that Ziaur Rahman’s ideals are the BNP’s core inspiration.

At a community reception in Japan, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus credited expatriates for helping Bangladesh recover from the brink of collapse. “The ousted regime left the treasury and banks empty. Without remittances sent by our overseas brothers and sisters, Bangladesh would not have survived,” he said. Dr. Yunus urged everyone to take ownership of the struggle, adding, “Great movements begin with just a few people. Now it has spread nationwide. We must realize the dreams of the students who gave their lives.”