Renowned photographer Shahidul Alam is set to become the first Bangladeshi to join the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s media flotilla, which seeks to break the information and media blackout in Gaza. Alam will depart for Italy on Sunday before heading toward Gaza. At a press conference in Dhaka’s DrikPath Bhavan, he described the mission as an act of solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide. “Israel and the U.S., with support from several Western allies, are carrying out mass killings in Gaza. Yet, people worldwide are raising their voices against this brutality. By joining the flotilla, I carry with me the love and solidarity of the Bangladeshi people,” Alam said. He warned that failure in this struggle would mean a defeat for all humanity.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman met with Spain’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Gabriel Sistiaga Ochoa de Chinchetru, during a courtesy call. The envoy inquired about Rahman’s health and wished him well. The meeting featured an open discussion on Bangladesh’s political climate, bilateral and international relations, and investment prospects. The Spanish Ambassador reaffirmed Spain’s firm support for Bangladesh and expressed optimism about stronger economic cooperation and development partnerships in the future.

Information Advisor Mahfuz Alam has alleged that since August 5, BNP and Jamaat have divided administrative control among themselves. He argued that without freeing the civil and military bureaucracy from fascist dominance, ensuring a free press will be impossible. Speaking at a discussion, Mahfuz said the media still operates to protect business interests, while national interests must take priority over group or partisan agendas. He urged political parties not to obstruct freedom of expression and to reach consensus on safeguarding press independence. Other participants accused successive governments of allowing irregularities in the media, with some outlets shifting loyalties whenever power changes hands. They also alleged that news agencies often exercise undue control over reporting. Speakers stressed that establishing the rule of law is essential to curb yellow journalism.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has extended greetings to Hindus in Bangladesh and around the world on the occasion of Durga Puja, urging vigilance against any attempt to disrupt communal harmony. He warned that, as in previous authoritarian regimes, there may be efforts to create unrest during the festival. Law enforcement agencies, he said, must remain alert to safeguard peace. Highlighting Bangladesh’s tradition of interfaith friendship and brotherhood, Rahman stressed that ensuring the safety of all citizens is a constitutional obligation. He also invoked a Hadith, warning against oppressing or depriving non-Muslims under state protection. “Communal harmony is the essence of Bangladesh’s cultural and social values. Any attempt to destroy it must be strongly resisted,” he concluded.

Kamal Ahmed, chairman of the Media Reform Commission, has criticized the government for failing to implement any of the commission’s recommendations on press freedom and media reform. He cited the murder of journalist Tuhin in Gazipur as an example of the dangers faced by reporters, stressing that many lack even basic safety training due to institutional neglect. “If media owners don’t ensure staff training, the proposed Journalism Protection Act must hold them accountable,” he said. Ahmed also called for clear qualifications for journalists, editors, and publishers, as well as the establishment of an independent, effective media regulatory body instead of reviving the “half-dead” Press Council. He urged withdrawal of all false cases against journalists and welcomed political parties’ pledges to allow the media to work independently.

Chief of the Election System Reform Commission Badiul Alam Majumdar has called for bringing political parties under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. He argued that candidates’ educational qualifications and income-expense reports should be made public ahead of the election. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman added that the interim government has failed to set an example in implementing RTI. “Information belongs to the people, not the officials. Unless the culture of secrecy changes, the benefits of the RTI law will not be realized,” he said.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has assured that this year’s Durga Puja will be celebrated peacefully across Bangladesh, dismissing concerns of unrest. He warned, however, that “neighboring countries and fascist collaborators” may attempt to spread false rumors online. “We must counter misinformation on social media with facts and ensure public trust,” he said. Chowdhury confirmed that 100,000 armed forces personnel, 70,000 police officers, and 430 platoons of additional security units, including BGB and volunteers, will be deployed nationwide. Any attempt to incite communal unrest will be met with firm action, he added.

Malaysia-bound migrant workers protesting at Karwan Bazar have withdrawn their road blockade following assurances of dialogue with authorities. The demonstrators began their protest around 10 a.m. Sunday, demanding resolution of five key issues, including alleged ticket syndicates preventing their departure despite valid visas. Many claimed to have spent 500,000–800,000 taka but remain stranded for up to three years. After repeated government assurances failed to resolve the issue, protesters formed an eight-member delegation to meet with the secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment for negotiations.

Social Welfare and Women & Children Affairs Adviser Sharmin S. Murshid has announced that around 80,000 officials and staff from her ministries will work alongside law enforcement to ensure a peaceful and safe celebration of Durga Puja. She emphasized that every citizen has the right to share in the joy of religious festivals, with a special focus on women’s and children’s safety and participation. Monitoring teams and help desks will be set up at puja venues to provide immediate support. Hotline numbers 1098 and 109, along with dedicated control room numbers, will remain active for emergencies. Special provisions have also been made for lodging complaints in case of harassment, in addition to financial support for the festivities.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has drawn a striking comparison between Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and late President Ziaur Rahman, the party’s founder. “When Professor Yunus spoke, it felt as though I was hearing President Ziaur Rahman’s voice,” Fakhrul said, noting that Yunus’s vision for a democratic, prosperous, and corruption-free Bangladesh reflected Zia’s ideals. He stressed that Bangladesh’s youth will play a decisive role in shaping the nation’s future and highlighted BNP’s openness to embracing their modern outlook. “The people of Bangladesh are inherently resilient. They know how to unite and fight in times of crisis. July proved that spirit, and BNP will continue to act in the interest of the people,” he added.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan has dismissed concerns over the location or number of ballot papers printed for the DUCSU and hall union elections, saying the process cannot compromise electoral integrity. He explained that ballot preparation involves multiple steps: cutting to precise size, embedding security codes, pre-scanning through OMR machines, and final validation with the signatures of both the Chief Returning Officer and designated polling officers. According to the VC, a total of 239,244 ballots were printed for the DUCSU polls, while 39,874 voters were registered. Of them, 29,821 cast votes, using 178,926 ballots, with 60,318 left unused.

National Congress Party (NCP) leader Samanta Sharmin has claimed that BNP is weakening its own electoral prospects by its leaders’ statements. “This election will overturn every equation,” she said, accusing vested interests and certain NGOs of manipulating pre-election polls to serve political agendas. Sharmin argued that the upcoming election is “conspiratorial,” involving interim government actors, BNP, Awami League, Jamaat, and even certain international stakeholders. “A project is underway to keep Bangladesh trapped in the old establishment, but that project will eventually be exposed,” she warned. She further noted that 60 percent of Bangladesh’s population is youth, many of whom see this election as an act of protest. Floating voters, she said, will play a decisive role. “BNP leaders expose their political weakness every time they speak—and with each statement, their vote bank shrinks.”

Bangladesh has called for urgent international action to end Israeli occupation, stressing that sustainable peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without justice and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Speaking at the annual coordination meeting of OIC foreign ministers, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain reiterated Bangladesh’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s just struggle. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s principled stance on Palestine, emphasizing that peace will remain elusive unless Palestinians attain statehood. Hossain also underscored the need for meaningful reforms within the OIC, stronger resource mobilization, and practical, result-oriented cooperation. Highlighting Bangladesh’s role in strengthening unity across the Islamic world, he referenced Bangladesh’s contributions to the OIC’s ten-year action plan.

For the first time in Bangladesh’s history, around one million election officials and others directly involved in conducting polls will be allowed to cast their votes, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A. M. M. Nasir Uddin announced Sunday. The declaration came during a dialogue between the Election Commission (EC) and civil society representatives ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. “In past elections, those serving in the field were excluded from voting. This time, they will be enfranchised,” the CEC said. He added that even prisoners would be given an opportunity to vote, as well as government officials working away from home districts. Nasir Uddin stressed that the dialogue was not mere formality, but part of the Commission’s broader reform efforts, which include updating voter rolls, narrowing the gender gap in voter registration, and implementing postal ballot provisions that had long existed only on paper.

Authorities in Khagrachhari have imposed Section 144 indefinitely following violent clashes between two rival hill-dwelling groups. Since Sunday morning, major roads in the town have seen little activity, with shops largely closed and public life paralyzed. Officials said the restriction was necessary to prevent further deterioration of law and order and to protect lives and property. The unrest began Saturday when Jumma student groups staged blockades demanding justice for sexual violence against women in the hills. The protest spiraled into confrontations, prompting the sweeping restrictions.