K.M. Mamunur Rashid Mamun, former joint convener of Turag Thana BNP in Baibichar, has been missing for three days. At a press conference on Wednesday, the youth wing of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) demanded his immediate recovery. Central organizer Mahtab Bandhan stated that Mamun left home in traditional attire on Sunday morning and has not been seen since. A general diary (GD) has been filed with the local police, and appeals have been made to RAB, PBI, Counter-Terrorism Unit, and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Party leaders expressed deep concern over the safety of those involved in anti-fascist movements and issued a 24-hour ultimatum for Mamun’s safe return, followed by a protest rally in Uttara Sector-7.

Islami Andolon Bangladesh has urged Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to strongly raise the issues of Palestine, the Rohingya crisis, and good governance in Bangladesh at the ongoing UN General Assembly session. Party spokesperson Ataur Rahman condemned what he described as “genocide in Gaza” and called for Bangladesh to take a firm pro-Palestine stance at the UN. He also stressed the need to present Bangladesh’s struggle for democratic reform, efforts to combat corruption, and the push to repatriate stolen funds and fugitives. On the Rohingya issue, Rahman criticized the international community for limiting its role to aid while failing to ensure their safe repatriation to Myanmar.

BNP leader Salahuddin Tuku has reaffirmed that his party remains committed to serving the people and solving their problems through collective effort. Speaking in Tangail while consoling the families of two missing boys, Mehedi Hasan (8) and Adib (9), who drowned in a local waterbody, Tuku stressed the importance of teaching swimming to children in riverine Bangladesh. He noted that urbanization has reduced natural water bodies where children could traditionally learn swimming, calling for modern city planning that addresses such realities. Tuku added that real change requires unity and goodwill, pledging that BNP will prioritize education, healthcare, sports, and child development to build capable citizens from an early age.

BNP leader Syed Emran Saleh Prince has called on Hindu communities to celebrate the upcoming Durga Puja with religious devotion and festive spirit in a peaceful environment. Prince emphasized that BNP believes in the principle of “religion belongs to each individual, but the state belongs to all” and assured that the party would extend full cooperation to ensure smooth festivities. He highlighted Tarique Rahman’s vision of building an inclusive Bangladesh that embraces all faiths, ethnicities, and cultures.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has briefed U.S. President Donald Trump on Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections, scheduled for February. Bangladesh’s Press Minister in Washington, Golam Mortuza, confirmed that President Trump inquired about the country’s political reforms and election process. Yunus extended an invitation to Trump to visit Dhaka. During the engagements, Yunus also exchanged pleasantries with several world leaders attending events in Washington.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has taken responsibility for the medical expenses of Abdur Razzak, a rickshaw-puller suffering from kidney disease and father of young Lamia Akter. On Wednesday, senior BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi visited Razzak’s family home in Dhaka’s Shyamoli Housing area, where he assured support and handed over financial assistance. Razzak currently requires two dialysis sessions per week. His wife is willing to donate a kidney, but lack of funds has stalled the transplant. The issue gained national attention when Razzak’s daughter Lamia made an emotional appeal in a televised interview. In response, Tarique Rahman directed the “Amra BNP Poribar” platform to stand by the family.

The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) has announced its new leadership, electing Kazi Sajjad Zahir Chandan as President and Abdullah Kafi Ratan as General Secretary. The decisions came at the first meeting of the newly elected committee formed during the party’s 13th Congress, held at Muktibhaban in Purana Paltan, Dhaka. Other presidium members include Mujahidul Islam Selim, Rafiquzzaman Layek, S.A. Rashid, Ragib Ahsan Munna, Jolly Talukder, and Aminul Farid. Chandan, a former president of the Bangladesh Student Union in the 1990s, steps into the top role, while Ratan—also a Student Union leader and former elected General Secretary of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU)—assumes the post of General Secretary. They succeed outgoing President Mohammad Shah Alam and General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince.

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.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has appealed to the public to help trace Awami League activists hiding in residential hotels, apartments, and student hostels. DMP Additional Commissioner Nazrul Islam said police raids and surveillance operations are ongoing, as many activists are reportedly staying in rented flats free of charge. Citizens have been assured that any information they provide will remain confidential. He added that several activists have already been arrested during flash processions, thanks to public cooperation. “Future arrests will help reduce such illegal gatherings. The banned political party is attempting to disrupt law and order ahead of the election, but operations against them will continue,” he said.

BNP leader Zainul Abedin Farroque narrowly escaped injury when his private car was hit in a road accident in Siddhirganj while traveling from Dhaka to Noakhali. The collision occurred at Sanarpar on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway when another private car struck his vehicle from behind around 10 am. Farroque and his companions were unharmed, but the car sustained significant damage, causing temporary traffic congestion. Police later stated that no damaged vehicles were found at the scene upon their arrival, but assured that necessary measures would be taken if a formal complaint is filed.