Teachers, officers, and employees of Rajshahi University (RU) are observing a daylong strike and sit-in protest today, demanding the restoration of the 5% quota for their children in university admissions, along with seven other demands.

Protesters gathered in front of the administrative building from 9 a.m., suspending classes in several departments, though examinations are continuing.

They argued that their children fulfill all admission requirements and that institutional benefits are their rightful due. Previously, they observed half-day work stoppages to press their demands.

The quota for employees’ children was reduced to 1% in January following student protests. In response, RU students held a human chain protest today, opposing what they termed an “unjust attempt to reinstate the discriminatory quota.”

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has expelled its joint member-secretary Mahin Sarkar for breaching party discipline after he collected a nomination form to contest for the DUCSU General Secretary (GS) position.

Mahin said he first learned of his expulsion during a talk show, claiming the party never issued him a formal explanation notice.

“In response, they treated it as student politics. But I was never told clearly on what grounds or under which policy I was barred from participating in DUCSU elections,” Mahin remarked. “If they had explained further, it would have been better. I even directly answered their questions, yet I still don’t know the real reason behind my dismissal.”

He further alleged that the party asked him to submit a resignation letter without clarifying the grounds. Observers believe the move was taken to protect the interests of BAGCHAS (a student alliance) within the university.

Senior BNP leader Mirza Abbas has flown to Bangkok for medical treatment. He departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday morning, accompanied by his wife Afroza Abbas and their son.

BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan confirmed the development, adding that Abbas will undergo treatment there.

Earlier this month, on August 15, another BNP leader, Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, traveled to London with his family for medical care. Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is also currently in Bangkok with his wife for treatment.

Government advisor Farida Akhter reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to preserving the country’s waterbodies and ensuring sustainable fish production to meet the nation’s protein needs.

Speaking at a fisheries event, she highlighted this year’s slogan: “Let’s build sanctuaries, let indigenous fish fill our land.” She praised fishermen for their crucial role in safeguarding fish diversity while ensuring food security for millions.

“The government will continue to support fishermen both administratively and through policy measures,” she said. Farida also described pearls and oysters as national treasures, noting that the ongoing Fisheries Fair provides citizens with an opportunity to learn more about Bangladesh’s rich aquatic and marine resources.

A low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal has crossed the southern Odisha coast early Tuesday morning and is now positioned over coastal Odisha and adjoining areas, according to a weather bulletin.

The system is expected to move northwest and gradually weaken. However, due to its impact, strong winds are likely to sweep across the northern Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh’s coastal regions, and maritime ports.

Authorities have advised Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra ports to keep hoisted local cautionary signal No. 3. All fishing boats and trawlers in the Bay of Bengal have been instructed to remain close to the shore and proceed with caution until further notice.

European Union (EU) Ambassador Charles Whiteley (Miller) announced that the EU will provide €4 million in assistance to the Election Commission of Bangladesh to ensure that the upcoming national election meets international standards.

Following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin, Ambassador Miller said an EU expert team will arrive in Bangladesh next month to assess whether EU election observers will be deployed.

“The EU supports Bangladesh’s democratic progress. Further discussions will be held with both the Election Commission and the government,” Miller stated. He acknowledged Bangladesh’s experience in holding elections but noted that past polls had raised questions. He expressed hope that the next election would be credible, inclusive, and internationally recognized.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that student activists were prevented from purchasing nomination papers for the Ducsu election due to mob interference, which he described as part of an “illegal nationwide practice.”
He called on the interim government to ensure conditions for a free and fair election where voters can cast ballots without fear. “The nation is waiting for the electoral roadmap,” Rizvi said. He also demanded that politically motivated polling centers established under “fascist rule” be scrapped and replaced with voter-friendly locations.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the next national election will take place in the first half of February 2026, rejecting speculation of delays.
Ahmed criticized the July Charter, claiming it contained inaccuracies, misrepresentations, and unresolved issues. “Some points were included without discussion; some were not properly presented,” he said. He emphasized that the immediate concern is how the provisions will be implemented.
He added that many recommendations could be executed through ordinances and executive orders, while constitutional amendments should be finalized by the next parliament within its first two years—though this commitment was not mentioned in the Charter.
“Some speeches in the field may suggest otherwise, but the timeline remains unchanged. February 2026 is fixed,” Ahmed stressed.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has reaffirmed that the next general election will be held on schedule, with no possibility of delay from the timeline announced by the Chief Adviser.
“The government is firmly determined to complete the polls on time,” Nazrul said. He added that while political parties continue to issue statements in different tones, the quality of their positions has not changed.
He also revealed that recommendations for reforms in the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Election Commission will soon be enacted into law, with legislative work beginning immediately and expected to be completed within months.

At least 1,000 families in three unions of Sadarpur, Faridpur, have been marooned after the Arial Khan and Padma rivers rose above danger levels, triggering severe flooding and river erosion.
The Water Development Board reported that water in the Arial Khan is now 109 centimeters above danger mark. To curb erosion, authorities have begun dumping geo-bags along the Shaitan Khali area of Akoterchar on the Padma’s banks.
Nearly 15 villages in Char Nasirpur, Diyar Narikelbaria, and Char Manair unions are inundated, damaging crops and cutting off rural roads. Many residents are dismantling their homes in fear of losing land to the rivers.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jakia Sultana said: “We are fully prepared to respond. Residents along the riverbanks have been urged to remain cautious, and emergency assistance will be provided if necessary.”

Sheikh Tasnim Afroze Imi, former VP of Shamsunnahar Hall and now contesting for Ducsu VP as part of the Left Democratic Student Alliance, has come under scrutiny after a resurfaced video showed her supporting lifetime Ducsu membership for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In the 2019 video, Imi said:
“As elections in my hall were fair, even if some were not elsewhere, I must acknowledge that without the Prime Minister’s sincerity this Ducsu election could not have been organized fairly. She was once a student here, and her warmth and hospitality to us at Ganabhaban deserve gratitude. At least for that reason, she should be declared a lifetime member of Ducsu.”
Despite opposition from then-VP Nurul Haq Nur, the declaration went ahead without his or Akhtar Hossain’s support. Responding to the renewed circulation, Imi wrote: “A selective clip is being spread. My position is clear: I am innocent, and I demand the highest justice for those who ordered student killings. Full stop.”

BNP leader Aminul Haque has pledged to stand by the people, declaring that he views their problems as his own. Addressing supporters, Haque said that if the BNP wins in the upcoming elections, his constituency will see permanent solutions to issues such as mosque and Eidgah development, playgrounds, water supply, drainage, sanitation, and gas facilities.
“I hold no official power—I am only here as a son of this area, a political worker, and a representative of the Zia family,” Haque said. “I will try to solve whatever problems can be addressed immediately, and if others remain unresolved, Insha’Allah, they will be fixed once the BNP and the paddy sheaf symbol win in February.”
He stressed the need for capable leadership, adding: “If any party leader fails to step forward to resolve your issues, come directly to me. A leader who does not care about people’s problems has no value to me.”

The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) Election Commission has extended the deadline for collecting and submitting nomination papers by one day, following requests from students.
Originally set to end on Tuesday, the deadlines for collection and submission have now been extended to Thursday, with nomination forms available until 2 PM and submissions accepted until 4 PM.
The extension also accommodates the university’s closure on Wednesday in observance of Akhiri Chahar Shomba.

The U.S. has revoked visas for more than 6,000 foreign students over multiple violations, including overstaying, breaking immigration laws, and engaging in criminal activities.
According to the State Department, many of those whose visas were canceled were involved in offenses such as assault, drunk driving, theft, and in some cases, alleged “support for terrorism.” The Trump administration also targeted certain students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests, accusing them of engaging in anti-Semitic behavior.
Authorities said about 4,000 visas were canceled due to legal violations, while 200–300 were revoked over alleged links to “terrorist activities.” The crackdown follows earlier directives requiring student visa applicants to submit social media account details as part of background checks.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to hold a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky within the next two weeks.
“We don’t yet know if President Putin will have the courage to attend such a summit—pressure is still required,” Merz said. He added that Trump was “impressed by European unity” and that discussions with Washington are now moving toward details of Ukraine’s security guarantees.
During a break in Monday’s talks, Trump reportedly spoke to Putin by phone, leading to agreement on a direct meeting between the two presidents. Trump also committed to convening a trilateral summit to “truly launch the talks.” Praising the announcement, Merz noted that the U.S. is also prepared to lend its support.