The Chittagong University Election Commission has announced that the CUCSU elections will be delayed by three days, with voting now scheduled for October 15 instead of October 12. The rescheduling followed requests from several candidates. On Monday, the commission had published a preliminary candidate list, rejecting 19 nominations, including two for VP and one for GS positions. A total of 1,162 nomination forms were collected, of which 931 were submitted. The VP race has 25 candidates, while both GS and AGS posts saw 22 submissions each.

BNP central leader and Liberation War veteran Hasan Uddin Sarkar has raised alarm over the widespread drug crisis in Bangladesh. Speaking at a meeting with teachers at Tongi Shahaj Uddin Sarkar School and College, he said: “Drugs have infiltrated every part of society. If we fail to protect our youth, destruction is inevitable. Without saving the younger generation from this menace, the nation will have no future leadership.” He urged urgent collective action to tackle the drug epidemic.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s motorcade was halted in New York after police blocked several roads for U.S. President Donald Trump’s convoy, according to The Guardian. Caught in the security lockdown, Macron reportedly phoned Trump directly to resolve the situation. The blockade was lifted shortly afterward. However, Macron was forced to abandon his vehicle and proceed the rest of the way on foot.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has issued disciplinary orders against two engineers over major irregularities in the Ruppur Green City Project in Pabna. Assistant Engineer Rafiquzzaman has been dismissed from service, while Supervising Engineer Zillur Rahman has been demoted. According to the ministry’s notification, investigations confirmed that furniture and supplies for 16- and 20-story buildings were procured and moved in violation of procurement rules (PPR), with abnormally inflated costs. Media reports on the irregularities triggered the probe, which found both officers responsible.

Abidul Islam Khan, a defeated VP candidate in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections, has accused the university administration and the Election Commission of deliberately delaying investigations into election irregularities. After meeting the Vice Chancellor, Abidul said he demanded updates on the probe but received little clarity. “We submitted written complaints, including evidence of ballot papers found in the basement of Gausul Azam Super Market. Yet, the commission refuses to take them into account,” he said. Abidul, along with Umaama Fatema and Abdul Kader, raised further concerns over irregularities in polling at SM Hall and Zahurul Haq Hall. Fatema noted that the administration still has not explained discrepancies regarding ballot papers.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has urged party activists not to respond to insults or criticism with hostility. “Those who insult Jamaat deserve no reply. Our response will be our program, Insha’Allah,” he said in a recent address. He emphasized that Jamaat’s core responsibility is to work for the welfare of the country and its people. “Ultimate judgment rests with the Almighty. Patience and trust in Allah must be our greatest tools. May Allah protect our beloved Bangladesh from all dangers,” Rahman added.

UNESCO’s Bangladesh representative Susan Vize met with Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam. During the meeting, the adviser confirmed that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is working on drafting the Journalism Rights Protection Ordinance in line with the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission. He assured that the government will extend full cooperation to ensure media outlets can work freely during the upcoming national elections. Emphasizing neutrality, he stated: “There is no government interference in the media. We only expect responsible and impartial journalism.”

NCP Convener Nahid Islam has accused the government and relevant ministries of failing to ensure security, leading to the attack on Akhtar Hossain. He said, “The fascist Awami League continues targeting July Uprising leaders. We saw assassination attempts in Gopalganj during the July march, and attacks abroad on our leaders like Mahfuz Alam. Yesterday’s attack on Akhtar Hossain is part of the same pattern.” Nahid added that many Awami League members accused of violence are freely roaming after bail and even threatening families of martyrs. “The government must identify and punish these collaborators of fascism,” he said. On the lotus symbol issue, Nahid said NCP will give its official response once the EC announces a decision. He also confirmed that discussions are ongoing regarding a possible merger between GOP and NCP.

Shamim Ahmed, 40, a firefighter critically injured in the Tongi chemical warehouse explosion, has died from his burns. He was among four fire service personnel severely injured while battling the blaze at Sahara Market in Gazipur’s Tongi BSCIC industrial area on Monday. Doctors earlier reported that two had suffered 100% burns, one 42%, and another 5%. Shamim succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, leaving three colleagues still fighting for their lives.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul has condemned the attack on NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain and others at New York airport, blaming the ruling Awami League. “What happened proves again that Awami League feels no remorse for its injustices,” Fakhrul said in a statement. He vowed that all past wrongs committed by the party will be brought to justice through law, urging BNP supporters to remain patient “for the sake of the party and the nation.”

NCP leader Sarjis has demanded that the Election Commission grant the party its requested lotus symbol, warning of consequences otherwise. “The EC Secretary admitted there is no legal barrier, only that the lotus is not on their symbol list. But NCP clearly applied for it during registration. Whose responsibility was it to update the list?” Sarjis questioned. He accused the EC of acting under external influence and warned, “Since there is no legal obstacle, NCP must get the lotus symbol—there is no other option. If denied, we too will see how elections are held and who dreams of coming to power to enjoy its fruits.”

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mia Golam Porwar has strongly rejected BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul’s claim that Jamaat pressured BNP over proportional representation after being denied 30 seats. Calling the remarks “false and vindictive,” Porwar challenged Fakhrul to present evidence. “If Jamaat indeed demanded seats, let him show proof to the nation,” he said, adding that Jamaat functions under its own leadership and has “no involvement with seat-bargaining politics.” Porwar demanded that Fakhrul either prove his claim or apologize to the public for tarnishing Jamaat’s image. He urged BNP leaders to refrain from making “baseless and misleading statements” in the future.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has described the egg attack on NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain in New York as “unfortunate,” adding that Bangladesh’s Consulate and Foreign Ministry will look into the matter. He highlighted Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s engagements in New York, including his speech at an IMF meeting on social business and receiving the prestigious SDG Award. Yunus also held discussions with U.S. officials, including Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gore, where topics ranged from reviving SAARC, strengthening ties with Nepal and Bhutan, ASEAN membership, and expanding U.S.-Bangladesh trade relations. Alam noted that Gore, a close associate of President Trump, will directly convey these issues to him.

BNP leader Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain has firmly rejected the idea of imposing constitutional or presidential mechanisms that bypass direct voting. “The people of Bangladesh are accustomed to voting directly under the constitution. They have never practiced proportional representation voting, not in 54 years of Bangladesh, not in 24 years of Pakistan, nor during British rule,” he said. He warned, “If such a system is imposed through constitutional orders or presidential decrees, the people will not accept it. BNP will never agree to it.” Zahid reaffirmed that the interim government must ensure elections are held strictly in line with the constitution, the supreme law of the land.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has revealed that Jamaat-e-Islami demanded 30 parliamentary seats from BNP, but the party showed little enthusiasm for the proposal. Speaking to India’s Ei Samay, Fakhrul said, “We proposed a much smaller number, which Jamaat did not accept. In reality, Jamaat is not as powerful as it is often portrayed. We have given them undue importance in the past.” Fakhrul stressed that Jamaat is preparing for elections independently, already announcing candidates in various constituencies. He noted that people across the country are strongly demanding elections. “The army wants it, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus wants it, and the polls will be held in February without doubt,” he said. On the role of student protests, Fakhrul remarked, “It was the students who ignited the flame against Sheikh Hasina. But now NCP has nothing left. They never demanded seats from us—only Jamaat did. The NCP’s sole agenda now is to prevent BNP from forming a government.”