NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah has rejected claims that his party is avoiding elections. “We have no issue with election dates—it could even be held tomorrow. Our focus is on reforms and a clear roadmap for justice,” he stated.

Hasnat called for political unity to implement reforms by February, warning against the use of state forces to suppress opposition as in the past. “We are not against state institutions; we want their reform. But enforced disappearances must end, and the Commission must be allowed to work independently,” he stressed.

On the third day of hearings on constituency boundary revisions, participants from Manikganj, Munshiganj, Nawabganj, and Dohar demanded restoration of constituencies that were cut in 2008. Residents of Savar and Ashulia urged the creation of separate constituencies, while BNP leaders in Gazipur welcomed the addition of one more seat.

Tuesday’s hearing reviewed 309 petitions across six districts—Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Manikganj, and Narsingdi. Of these, 259 opposed the draft boundaries and 50 supported them.

The Bangladesh Consulate in New York has lodged an official complaint with the U.S. State Department against 20 leaders of the Awami League’s U.S. chapter. Similar complaints have also been filed with the New York City Mayor’s Office against both Awami League and Chhatra League activists.

The complaints allege violations of international law concerning “diplomatic immunity,” following reported attacks on the consulate. Citing the Vienna Convention, Bangladesh has urged a full investigation and justice. Both the State Department and the Mayor’s Office have contacted the consulate after receiving the complaints.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam has emphasized that the party wants both the Constitutional Assembly and legislature elections to be held under the legal framework of the July Charter. “The sooner this charter gets its legal basis, the sooner elections can be held,” he said before leaving for a five-day trip to China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China.

Nahid explained that the delegation of eight NCP leaders aims to strengthen party-to-party ties, exchange political visions, and enhance government-to-people friendship between Bangladesh and China. He also expressed hope to meet with members of the Bangladeshi diaspora during the visit.

Sylhet Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sarwar Alam announced that authorities have so far seized nearly 2.6 million cubic feet of stone in ongoing drives against illegal stone looting. He confirmed that from Wednesday, a strict operation will begin to recover the remaining looted stones.

On Tuesday, after the district’s three-day ultimatum for traders to return looted stones expired, DC Sarwar Alam, accompanied by the Superintendent of Police, visited the Sadapathor area.

He reported that out of the seized amount, traders themselves returned around 600,000 cubic feet of stone, while authorities confiscated an additional 1.9 million cubic feet during raids. Among the recovered stones, 1.2 million cubic feet have already been reinstated in the Sadapathor area.

An eight-member delegation of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is set to leave Dhaka tonight (Tuesday) for a four-day official visit to China. The delegation, led by NCP Convener Nahid Islam, is scheduled to return on August 30.

Other members of the team include Akhtar Hossain, Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwari, Samanta Sharmin, Nahida Sarwar Niva, Mahbub Alam, and Tahsin Riaz.

Speaking ahead of departure, Nahid Islam said the delegation would also try to meet with members of the Bangladeshi diaspora in China during the trip.

This visit follows similar tours by delegations from BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, both of which recently traveled to China for political engagements.

The interim government has granted policy approval to shorten the procurement process for printing, binding, and distributing free textbooks in 2026, citing urgent state needs. The approval came during the 27th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired virtually by Economic Affairs Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. Officials said the decision, based on a proposal from the Secondary and Higher Education Division, will be executed under Section 83(1)(a) of the Public Procurement Rules 2008 to ensure timely textbook distribution.

Korean Air has signed a $36 billion agreement with Boeing to purchase 103 aircraft, including 737, 777, and 787 models. The deal was announced shortly after South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, where tariffs were discussed. Boeing says the order will help sustain 135,000 U.S. jobs. Korean Air’s CEO Walter Cho said the new jets will modernize the fleet and strengthen competitiveness as the airline merges with Asiana. Hyundai also pledged $26 billion U.S. investment.

Sheikh Bashiruddin, an advisor in the interim government, has been appointed as the new Chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Currently, Bashiruddin is serving as Advisor to the Ministries of Commerce, and Textiles & Jute—a role he assumed on November 10 last year. Expanding his responsibilities further, he was also entrusted with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism on April 15 this year.

With his new role at the helm of the national flag carrier, Sheikh Bashiruddin is expected to play a key role in strengthening the airline’s operations and future growth.

Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, has reiterated his call for adopting a Proportional Representation (PR) system in national elections, arguing that it would ensure fair representation for all political groups.

Speaking at a rally in Shariatpur, he said:

“If elections are held under the PR system, every vote will count, and every party will have representation in parliament. This will prevent the rise of corrupt individuals, killers, and extortionists in politics.”

Rezaul Karim described PR as a system beneficial for the entire nation, adding that such a method would also stop the emergence of “fascist regimes.”

Other speakers at the event called for the realization of the spirit of July, justice for war crimes and genocide, rehabilitation of the families of martyrs, and the establishment of a just welfare state free from discrimination.

They also demanded that no election should take place without the rehabilitation of martyr families.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan has urged tolerance and unity ahead of the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election.

He emphasized that both candidates and voters belong to the same “DU family” and that conflicts and divisions must not be prolonged.

“If tolerance is not maintained, third parties may take advantage of the situation and create further unrest. They will try to fish in troubled waters,” Dr. Khan warned.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the university administration has been engaging in continuous dialogue with all parties but clarified that it is now working under the authority of the Election Commission.

Highlighting the significance of the election, he added:

“We are moving towards DUCSU in a festive and joyous atmosphere. Winning or losing is not the central issue here—the real goal is to activate and strengthen this democratic institution.”

Meanwhile, the final list of candidates has been published. A total of 471 candidates have been confirmed to contest the election, with 39,874 registered voters eligible to cast their ballots.

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof. Dr. S.M.A. Faiez has assured that the Higher Education Excellence and Transformation (HET/“HIT”) Project has been finalized solely on merit, without political bias.

Addressing allegations of favoritism, Faiez emphasized transparency in the process. The World Bank had considered withdrawing due to slow progress, but after leadership changes following the July Movement, the project was revived.

A total of 151 sub-projects have been approved, with contracts set to be signed tomorrow.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is gradually moving away from tax exemptions, as the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio continues to decline—a trend that has raised concerns, said NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan.

He urged businesses and citizens to pay taxes regularly.

CPD Research Director Dr. Golam Moazzem said unfair tax distribution persists, with telecom companies bearing the heaviest burden, followed by banks, financial institutions, and the cement industry. He noted Bangladesh’s VAT rates remain higher than many countries, calling for a minimum tax-to-GDP ratio of 15 percent to sustain growth.

The government is working to set standardized fees for diagnostic tests to reduce healthcare costs, said Prof. Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Health Minister.

Speaking at Shaheed Abu Sayeed Convention Center on Tuesday, he said the Health Ministry is collaborating with a WHO team to finalize the structure. He added that 10,000 physician posts are vacant nationwide, with 3,000 new doctors to be recruited in the first phase.

The ministry is also finalizing a framework for fair medicine pricing to ease patients’ financial burdens.

BNP leader Hasan Uddin Sarkar announced that the party’s high command has given him the green light to prepare for the upcoming election in Gazipur-6.

Speaking at a local gathering, Hasan criticized the Awami League for “destroying the education system” and eliminating sports from schools, which he said is vital for youth development. He vowed to campaign across Tongi, Pubail, and Gacha, promoting BNP’s 31-point agenda set by Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.