Akhtar Ahmed, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission, stated that a plan for the upcoming parliamentary election has already been drafted and submitted for approval. It will be made public later this week. The EC will conduct hearings on 82 boundary objections over four consecutive days starting August 24 and finalize decisions swiftly. Approximately 80,000 initially rejected NID correction requests will be reconsidered. The scanning of remaining voter registration forms is underway, ensuring a richer database. While the number of polling stations will not increase, adjustments will be made for voter distribution, potentially increasing voter capacity per booth from 500 to 600. Verification of applications from 22 political parties is ongoing.

Cox’s Bazar Airport is expected to start partial international flight operations by mid-October, according to CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md. Mostafa Mahmud Siddique. During an inspection of the airport’s second terminal and the sea-runway, he observed that preparations are nearly complete, making it feasible to launch international services soon. While he did not specify the exact percentage of work finished, officials expressed confidence that the airport would be ready to handle international flights. Key airport authorities joined the inspection.

Rokeya University students continued their hunger strike demanding student parliament elections for the second day. Four students have fallen ill, and one is in critical condition. Students claim no response has come from the UGC or government despite 24 hours passing. Vice Chancellor Dr. Shawkat Ali has repeatedly requested students to end the strike, even sitting with them at night, but they have refused. He affirmed his support for their demands and pledged to remain at the office until resolutions are reached.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has detained two ethnic minority men near the Tumbru checkpoint in Ghumdhum, Bandarban, on suspicion of being linked to the Arakan Army. The detainees were identified as Nayan Chakma from Rangamati, Bangladesh, and Ulay Chakma from Maungdaw, Myanmar. During interrogation, Ulay admitted to being a trusted associate of the armed group. Both were later handed over to Naikhongchhari police for legal action. Authorities have stepped up border surveillance amid increasing Arakan Army activity.

Umama Fatema, former spokesperson of the anti-discrimination student movement, has formed an independent panel for the DUCSU elections. On Monday, she submitted her nomination forms and announced that the panel will be revealed tomorrow. The lineup is expected to include Fatema for Vice President, former DU Journalists’ Association President Al Sadi Bhuiya for General Secretary, and current association president Mohiuddin Mujahid Mahi for Assistant General Secretary. The panel aims to prioritize student-friendly policies.

Nine officials, including the British High Commissioner, visited the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute on Monday to check on those injured in the Uttara Air Force jet crash. According to the hospital’s Resident Surgeon Dr. Shaon Bin Rahman, a meeting with the acting director is ongoing. A British medical team had previously worked with the institute last week.

Jahid Ahsan, Central Secretary of the Bangladesh Democratic Student Parliament, announced that the organization will contest the upcoming DUCSU elections under the “Anti-Discrimination Student Panel.” The allocation of candidates to specific posts has not yet been finalized. Present during the announcement were the organization’s Central Convener Abu Baker Majumdar, DU branch convener Abdul Kader, and other leaders.

Ashraful Haque, Executive President of Bangladesh Nazame Islam Party, criticized the PR (proportional representation) voting system as incompatible with Islamic principles. He argued that Islam mandates selecting qualified and virtuous individuals for governance, rather than voting for parties or symbols. Haque further accused proponents of PR elections—including some Islamic parties—of supporting foreign agendas and weakening state authority. He warned that candidates pushing for PR elections would face disqualification in a fair and transparent electoral process.

Md. Sarwar Alam, a magistrate in the BCS Administration Cadre, has been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Sylhet. Currently serving as the private secretary to the Adviser for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment, Asif Nazrul, Alam is an officer of the rank of Deputy Secretary.

Previously, while serving as Senior Assistant Secretary, he gained public recognition as an executive magistrate of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) for conducting operations against adulteration and irregularities, earning widespread appreciation for his proactive efforts.

Leaders and activists of the Leftist Democratic Student Alliance have collected nomination forms to participate in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections. Sheikh Tasnim Afroze Imi has taken the nomination for the Vice President post, while Meghmala Bose will contest for General Secretary. Zabiur Ahmed Zubel has collected the form for Assistant General Secretary.

Bose also raised a six-point demand list, including the immediate publication and expulsion of all students involved in harassment during the Awami League’s tenure, cancellation of all harassers’ candidacies, removal of “Blue Team” teachers from hall provost positions, clear enforcement of rules for political activities and campaigning in halls, suspension of exams at least fifteen days before the election, provision of additional transport on voting days, improvement of polling centers, strict action against online disinformation, and formulation of a clear plan to manage mob situations. The full panel announcement is expected on Tuesday.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued arrest warrants against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Patwari and four others in a case filed over the alleged staged killing of seven madrasa students in Gazipur.

The case stems from an incident in October 2016, when seven young men were killed during a police raid in Noagaon Patartek area. Before their deaths, they were allegedly picked up and disappeared. Authorities at the time claimed the raid targeted militants linked to the newly-formed JMB faction.

Then Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, who was present at the scene, had insisted that all those killed were involved in militant activities and were attempting to regroup the outfit.

The ICT has set October 15 as the date for submission of the investigation report in the case.

Hundreds of teachers, recently dismissed from NGO-run schools in Ukhiya, staged a protest on Monday by blocking the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf regional highway.

The teachers alleged that around 1,250 of them were abruptly laid off a few weeks ago, with NGOs citing a shortage of funds as the reason. They said they had repeatedly held discussions with local authorities regarding reinstatement but no effective measures had been taken.

“We were left with no choice but to take to the streets again,” said one of the protesting teachers.

The blockade caused severe traffic disruption along the busy highway, leaving vehicles stranded for hours.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said that a free and fair election will not be possible under an administration loyal to the Awami League.

Speaking after paying tribute at the grave of former President Ziaur Rahman, Rizvi declared, “An impartial and credible election will be held in February, but for that to happen, Awami League cadres must be removed from the administration.”

Rejecting the idea of a Proportional Representation (PR) system, he argued that the people are not prepared for such a process and questioned the motives of those who advocate for it.

Turning to the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) polls, Rizvi expressed hope that all voices and groups would be fairly represented. He added that student representation in universities is essential to ensure a healthy and constructive academic environment.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has urged Bangladeshis to protect natural resources and work collectively to expand the fisheries sector. Speaking at National Fisheries Week, he highlighted the growing role of farmed fish in meeting the nation’s protein demand.

However, Yunus criticized unchecked pollution, saying:

“We dump all our waste into rivers. We talk about controlling rivers, but no one talks about nurturing them.”

He emphasized the need for a fisheries industry built on scientific research, coastal protection, and sustainable practices, warning that unplanned infrastructure and environmental destruction are making healthy living increasingly difficult.

At the event, awards were presented: 9 gold, 5 silver, and 2 bronze medals for contributions to the fisheries sector.

The Bangladeshi Embassy in Kuwait has dismissed reports that a Bangladeshi national was behind the recent toxic liquor production and distribution scandal that killed several people.

British daily The Times had claimed the ringleader was a Bangladeshi named “Delora Barkash Darazi.” The embassy investigated, finding the name inconsistent with Bangladeshi origins.

Kuwaiti police confirmed that none of the 67 arrested, nor any of the dead or injured, were Bangladeshi. The embassy condemned the report as “factually wrong and biased,” warning it could harm the reputation of Bangladeshi workers abroad.