Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed has clarified that NCP will not be allowed to use the ‘Shapla’ (water lily) as its electoral symbol, as it is not included in the EC’s official list of 115 approved symbols.

He urged the party to propose an alternative symbol from the existing list. Meanwhile, NCP remains adamant, having twice requested the Shapla symbol in its registration applications. The EC will begin dialogues with political parties participating in the national polls from September 28, with schedules adjusted around Puja holidays.

Religious Affairs Adviser A.F.M. Khalid Hossain has assured that the government is taking all possible steps to ensure peaceful celebrations during the upcoming Durga Puja. During a visit to Golpahar Kalibari temple in Chattogram on Tuesday, he said, “Every year, isolated incidents occur during Puja. We must all remain vigilant to prevent any untoward events.”

He also announced that the government has allocated Tk 5 crore in grants to temples and Puja celebration committees across the country.

Police in New York have arrested Mizan Chowdhury, the man accused of attacking NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain. He is scheduled to be produced before a court on Wednesday.

Mizan, identified as an Awami League activist from Jakiganj, Sylhet, allegedly threw eggs and hurled abuses at Hossain upon his arrival at the airport with the Chief Adviser’s delegation for the 80th UN General Assembly. The incident has sparked outrage within NCP and beyond.

The government has approved the purchase of 40,000 body cameras for use in the upcoming national election, confirmed Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed. The procurement, estimated at Tk 400 crore, was cleared by the relevant purchase committee.

The adviser said the Election Commission will allocate the budget, and the cameras will be procured through UNDP to ensure transparency. Notably, the final voter list will be published on November 18, including all citizens who turned 18 by October 31.

The Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP) has announced a protest rally in Dhaka over the attack on its Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain and other politicians in New York. The rally will take place at 4 p.m. in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, organized by NCP’s Dhaka South and North units.

The party said the demonstration is aimed at protesting the “attack by Awami terrorists,” criticizing the interim government for failing to ensure security, and demanding justice for the ruling Awami League. NCP has also instructed all its district and upazila branches to organize similar protest marches nationwide.

In a shocking incident, a 13-year-old Afghan boy managed to travel from Kabul to Delhi by hiding inside the landing gear compartment of a commercial flight. The incident occurred on Sunday morning when Kam Air’s flight RQ-4401 landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport after a two-hour journey.

Authorities said the boy, from Kunduz city, sneaked into the Kabul airport and concealed himself in the rear central landing gear bay. After landing, he was spotted wandering near the aircraft’s security control room. Airline staff detained him and handed him over to security officials. During questioning, the boy admitted he entered the plane “out of curiosity.” By 12:30 p.m., he was deported back to Afghanistan on the same flight.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has assured that firefighters injured in the devastating blaze in Gazipur are receiving the highest level of medical care. He further stated that the government will provide any additional support needed for their treatment. Speaking during a visit to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, he emphasized that there will be no negligence in their care.

The fire broke out yesterday afternoon around 3 p.m. at a chemical warehouse in Tongi, leaving four firefighters critically injured. Doctors have confirmed that burn injuries exceeding 40% are life-threatening, and they are making every possible effort to save the victims. The adviser urged the nation to keep the injured in their prayers.

Long-haul bus services from Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, and Natore to Dhaka, Chattogram, and other destinations remain suspended for a second day as workers continue their strike demanding fair wages.

Drivers said they earn only Tk 1,350 per round trip from Chapainawabganj to Dhaka, while supervisors and helpers receive just over Tk 500. The pay structure has remained unchanged for 15 years despite multiple rounds of negotiations.

Humayun Kabir, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s foreign affairs adviser, said the attack on Akhtar Hossain reflected poor coordination among officials.

He noted that both the Bangladesh Embassy and the country’s Permanent Mission to the UN shared responsibility.

“Had we mobilized our party supporters here, the attackers wouldn’t have stood a chance. The Awami League has no footing in this community,” Kabir said.

He emphasized that the BNP joined Yunus’s delegation as the country’s largest political party, highlighting the interim government’s inclusiveness.

Prime Adviser Yunus met the family of Didarul Islam, the Bangladeshi-American NYPD officer killed in a July 28 shooting in Manhattan.

Expressing deep condolences, Yunus presented a crest of honor to the grieving family.

“I was shocked when I read about the incident. I saw on TV the sea of mourners at his farewell. He earned immense love, respect, and admiration,” Yunus said.

Islam joined the NYPD in 2021 and was serving in the Bronx’s 47th Precinct. He leaves behind two children.

France has officially recognized Palestine as a state, joining a growing list of Western nations.

The announcement came at a high-level meeting in New York, where Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Monaco also declared recognition. The UK had made its recognition just a day earlier.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated:

“We are here today because the time has come. It is our responsibility to do everything possible to uphold a two-state solution. Today I announce that France recognizes the State of Palestine.”

Spain, Norway, and Ireland extended recognition last year. Spain has also imposed sanctions on Israel over the war in Gaza. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said:

“When a people are subjected to genocide, a two-state solution becomes impossible. For the sake of reason, law, and human dignity, this massacre must end.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the Assembly via video message.

The main session of the UN’s 80th General Assembly begins today, with the world leaders’ debate running until Saturday.

Tradition dictates that Brazil will be the first to speak, followed by the United States and others. This year’s Assembly is chaired by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and will see participation from leaders of 140 nations.

Palestinian statehood recognition is expected to dominate discussions, alongside the Russia-Ukraine war, sustainable development, the global energy crisis, and climate change. The session concludes on September 30.

Five students of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) have been expelled for their involvement in a campus clash and the assault of a faculty member. Another 32 students have been issued warnings.

Among the punished, MSc student Salim Sadman has been expelled for one year. Four others—Omar Bin Hossain (Leather Engineering, Batch 23), Shanto Islam (Textile Engineering, Batch 21), Md. Ridoy (Textile Engineering, Batch 21), and Safwan Ahmed Ifaz (Electronics & Communication, Batch 22)—have been suspended for six months.

The decision followed a thorough review of investigation reports, video footage, and student testimonies by the university’s disciplinary committee after the February 18 incident.

Prime Adviser Yunus met with Sergio Gor, U.S. Special Envoy for South Asia and Ambassador to India.

During the meeting, Yunus assured that the interim government is making extensive preparations to hold a free, fair, and peaceful national election in early February.

The two sides also discussed bilateral and regional issues. Gor praised Yunus’s leadership and reaffirmed U.S. support for Bangladesh’s democratic efforts. Yunus invited Gor to visit Bangladesh.

Speaking at a high-level side event on “Social Business, Youth and Technology,” Prime Adviser Yunus warned that reducing UN budgets or development aid for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) would be counterproductive.

He highlighted Bangladesh’s unique challenges—hosting over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees, tackling climate shocks, and navigating global economic instability.

“Instead of cuts, what we urgently need is increased international support, guaranteed technical assistance, and a fair path for vulnerable nations to graduate,” Yunus said.

He stressed that building a better world cannot be measured by past failures but requires courage, action, and unwavering commitment today. Yunus also emphasized the importance of social business, renewed multilateral diplomacy, and deeper global cooperation to achieve sustainable development.