Nasiruddin Patwari, Chief Coordinator of the Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP), has declared confidence that his party will secure victory in 150 constituencies in the upcoming polls. Speaking after a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner, he stressed that NCP will not compromise on its demand for the lotus (Shapla) symbol.

“If denied, we know how to claim what is rightfully ours,” Patwari warned, insisting that the party’s electoral symbol must be either the white or red lotus. He added that NCP will form a separate electoral bloc, distinct from both the BNP and religion-based groups, by uniting smaller parties that have led protests in recent years. “The coming election will be a referendum against corruption and extortion, and it will not feature Awami League or Jatiya Party as contenders,” he said.

GOP leader Abu Hanif has said that most leaders of the National Committee Party (NCP) are disciples of Nurul Haque Nur, chairman of the Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP). Given political experience and the current reality, he believes that if the two parties unite, Nur should naturally lead the alliance.

Hanif emphasized GOP’s “clean image,” saying:
“In the past year since the mass uprising, not a single allegation of extortion or land grabbing has been raised against our leaders. This is why our party, representing the youth, is seen as the most promising force today. GOP activists will not defect to other parties. Born out of street movements against fascism, GOP emerged from the quota reform movement in 2018 and officially launched in 2021. Before that, our youth wings under the banners of student, youth, and workers’ rights councils protested against corruption and fought for democratic rights.”

Hanif added that the political ideology of NCP leaders closely aligns with GOP’s principles. Discussions are ongoing about unity, but he clarified:
“Unity does not mean dissolving one party to merge with another—it means building strength together while maintaining identity.”

Jamaat leader Abdul Halim has declared that national elections must take place in February, but warned that without granting legal recognition to the historic July Accord, any election will be rejected by the people.

Speaking at a political gathering, Halim said:
“Election results cannot be selectively accepted. Even in festive and inclusive elections like those at Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU), where students from all backgrounds cast their votes, some parties refused to accept the outcome. The July Accord is not the demand of one party alone—it is the demand of BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and most importantly, of students, farmers, and workers who sacrificed their lives. Their blood must be given legal recognition, and elections must be held on this foundation.”

Halim reminded that in 1991, BNP came to power through elections under a caretaker government after 173 days of strikes, which later led to the system’s constitutional inclusion. “Awami League too came to power through caretaker-led elections in 2008 but buried the system in 2011,” he added.

He warned: “If you think you can hold elections without the legal basis of the July Accord, the people of this country will not accept it. Yes, elections must be held in February, but not without the Accord’s legal recognition.”

In a disturbing incident in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, a Muslim imam was allegedly assaulted by Hindu extremists after refusing to chant “Jai Shri Ram.”
The victim, identified as Imam Mustaqim, claimed he was targeted because of his beard and cap while riding a bicycle. He said a group stopped him, forced him to chant the slogan, and when he refused, they beat him with sticks for nearly two hours, threatening to bury him on the spot.
Police, however, downplayed the incident, labeling it a case of “general assault” rather than communal violence.
According to reports, the attack stemmed from a prior dispute involving local children and another individual named Zeeshan.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he has “pleasant memories” of former U.S. President Donald Trump and is ready for dialogue if Washington abandons its demand for nuclear disarmament. Kim previously met Trump three times during his first term, but talks broke down in 2019 over North Korea’s nuclear concessions. The Korean leader emphasized that peaceful coexistence is possible if the U.S. acknowledges reality. His comments come as Seoul’s new government urges renewed engagement with Trump.

Several Western nations, including the UK, Australia, Canada, and Portugal, formally recognized the State of Palestine on September 21, marking a historic shift in foreign policy. Israel condemned the move, while the U.S. criticized it as mere “showmanship,” emphasizing priorities like hostage release, Israeli security, and regional peace. Palestinians in Gaza welcomed it as a victory. Netanyahu reaffirmed that no Palestinian state will be established west of the Jordan River. Other countries may announce recognition at the upcoming UN General Assembly.

Israel has introduced a new weapon in Gaza, dubbed “booby-trap robots” by locals—old armored vehicles filled with explosives and detonated remotely in residential areas. Eyewitnesses say each blast can destroy up to 500 square meters, wiping out entire buildings and families. Since August 13, over 1,100 people have been killed and 6,000 injured amid combined airstrikes and robot explosions. Analysts say Israel uses them to avoid troop losses, while health officials warn of mass displacement and looming genocide.

In Mymensingh’s Gafargaon upazila, more than 50 BNP leaders and activists have officially defected to Jamaat-e-Islami.
The group joined Jamaat on Sunday evening at Charshankhchura village under Paikbagh union. Local Jamaat leaders welcomed them with flowers at a reception ceremony.
Upazila Jamaat Ameer, Maulana Ismail Hossain Sohel Master, said the new members were inspired by Jamaat’s ideology and joined to work against drugs, terrorism, bribery, and corruption while striving for an Islamic governance system.

A forensic expert has testified that voices in a leaked audio recording, which allegedly ordered the use of lethal weapons during July’s mass uprising, matched those of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Dhaka South City Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.

Police Inspector Ruknuzzaman of CID’s Digital Forensic Lab presented the findings before Tribunal-2, stating that the female voice matched Hasina while the male voice matched Taposh. The recording is among several audios leaked since March, purportedly captured by the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC). Earlier this month, the BBC had independently verified parts of the same audio.

Thirty-five teachers and researchers from Dhaka University have earned a spot on the 2025 list of the world’s top 2% scientists, compiled by Stanford University and Dutch publisher Elsevier.

Last year, only 10 DU scholars made the list, but this year the number jumped by 250%. The ranking is based on published research, citations, H-index, consistency, and co-authorship influence. Congratulating the achievers, DU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan said, “This recognition not only highlights the remarkable achievements of our teachers and researchers but also reflects the university’s commitment to nurturing academic excellence despite various challenges.”

BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu has stressed that Bangladesh must hold elections without delay, warning that delays would worsen the country’s situation.
Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with imams and muezzins, Pintu said:
“People support the traditional election system. They neither know nor accept any other process. Voters must be able to choose their candidates freely.”
He added that despite possible conspiracies, the public would resist all plots, and elections would be held by February next year.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has promoted 39 unarmed police inspectors to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). A notification issued on Monday instructed the promoted officials to submit their joining letters through the proper authority to the Senior Secretary of the ministry. The order, issued in the public interest, has been made effective immediately.

At least 34 people were injured in Sunamganj’s Dirai upazila when a minor quarrel escalated into a violent clash involving spears and other homemade weapons. The incident took place at the Rajanagar boat terminal after an argument over splashing water spiraled into a bloody confrontation between supporters of Golap Mia and Akbar Mia.

Of the injured, 24 were rushed to Sylhet hospitals, while 10 others received treatment at Dirai Medical College. Police recovered a large number of spears and local weapons from the scene. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdur Razzak confirmed that law enforcement had been deployed and that the situation was now under control.

The government has ordered an investigation into the shocking discovery of five sacks of National Identity Cards (NIDs) in Narayanganj. Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has directed the Deputy Commissioner to report on what actions the Election Commission is taking in response.

Police recovered the sacks, filled with NIDs, polling officer cards, and official seals, from a roadside garbage heap near the Dhaka-Narayanganj link road on Sunday night. District Election Officer Alamgir Hossain confirmed that the items belonged to the Gazipur Sadar area and said action would be taken once higher authorities issue instructions. Witnesses reported that an unidentified group in a white car dumped the sacks. Police have since launched an investigation, and a general diary (GD) has been filed.

The much-anticipated Rokeya University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) election has been rescheduled for October 16, following Durga Puja, after heated slogan battles between Bangladesh Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir supporters.

Earlier, the two rival groups staged counter-demonstrations in front of the Roksu treasurer’s office. While Shibir-backed candidates and supporters demanded elections on September 25, left-aligned and independent candidates opposed a “voter-less” process. Amid mounting tensions, five student panels, including Chhatra Dal, declared that the environment was not conducive to a fair election and called for a level playing field. However, Shibir’s university unit president and VP candidate, Mostakur Rahman Zahid, insisted that the September 25 election date must be upheld.