Engineering students have declared divisional-level “Engineer Assemblies” and a “National Engineer Assembly” to press their three-point demand. They also announced a complete shutdown across all campuses. In a press briefing, student leaders criticized the advisory council for failing to present concrete decisions. They expressed dissatisfaction with the committee’s composition and denounced attempts to frame protesting students as “troublemakers,” despite police baton charges and attacks against them. They also condemned the lack of accountability, noting that no investigation committee has been formed and no police personnel punished despite the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner’s apology.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed said the recently announced roadmap for the 13th National Parliamentary Elections was timely and aligned with public expectations. He stressed that the roadmap must now translate into free and fair polls. His remarks echoed those of BNP’s Amir Khasru, who earlier emphasized that elections would bring economic transformation and new opportunities for nation-building. The Election Commission has already finalized its action plan, including issuing registration notifications for new political parties by September.

Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman returned home Wednesday night after an official visit to China. According to ISPR, he received a Guard of Honor upon arrival at PLA headquarters on August 22. He later met General Chen Hui, Political Commissar of China’s Ground Force, to discuss strategic cooperation, people-to-people engagement, repatriation of displaced Myanmar nationals, and support for Bangladesh’s defense industry. On August 23, he also held talks with Chen Defang, President of China’s Norinco Group, and toured key military installations and factories.

BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has welcomed the Election Commission’s announcement of a national election roadmap. “The nation is now moving toward elections. If polls are held, it will bring a major economic shift. The time for political games is over—it’s time to build the nation,” he said. Khasru added that BNP has prepared to create 10 million jobs within 18 months if elected, stressing equal opportunities for all political parties.

BNP leader Hafiz Uddin Ahmed dismissed calls for constitutional change through the “July Declaration,” stating: “No charter can ever stand above the Constitution. Across the world, only elected representatives amend constitutions—not unelected groups.” He argued that proportional representation (PR) is unfamiliar to most citizens and would make elected officials inaccessible. Hafiz emphasized BNP’s demand for elections under an interim government, saying only the people’s mandate should determine constitutional amendments.

China is preparing for its grand Victory Day Parade on September 3, commemorating 80 years since Japan’s WWII surrender. This year, President Xi Jinping will share the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un—marking Kim’s first appearance at an international forum alongside world leaders. Leaders from 26 nations are expected to attend. The event will feature a 10,000-strong military parade showcasing China’s latest weaponry. While invitations have been extended broadly, South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung has confirmed he will not attend. However, leaders from Iran, Indonesia, Belarus, and Pakistan are expected to join.

At the UN Security Council, 14 of 15 member states—excluding the U.S.—held Israel responsible for Gaza’s famine. Representatives from the UK, France, Russia, and China issued strong statements against Tel Aviv. Heated exchanges broke out between Israel and Algeria’s envoys. The Algerian delegate showed photos of malnourished Palestinian children and read a letter from slain journalist Mariam Abu Daggar to her son. Britain’s ambassador Barbara Woodward said, “For the first time in modern Middle Eastern history, famine has been recorded—entirely man-made.” Israel countered that Palestinian child deaths were caused by illness, not malnutrition. U.S. envoy Dorothy Shea acknowledged Gaza’s hunger crisis but dismissed recent IPC reports as inaccurate.

The Advisory Council has given in-principle approval to the draft “Prevention, Remedies, and Protection Against Enforced Disappearances Ordinance, 2025.” Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed that the ordinance—developed with input from BLAST, Human Rights Watch, and other rights groups—defines enforced disappearance as a continuing crime and includes provisions for the death penalty. Establishing or using secret detention centers will be criminalized. The draft also empowers the National Human Rights Commission to investigate complaints, mandates trial within 120 days of charge framing, and ensures victim protection, compensation, and legal aid. Additionally, the council approved the proposal to mark October 17 each year as a national observance of the mystic bard Lalon Shah’s death anniversary.

Government advisor Faozul Kabir Khan assured that disputes between BSc and diploma engineers would be resolved with neutrality. He emphasized that the government had already taken the demands seriously, making further protests unnecessary. “A 14-member working group has been formed, including representatives from government and educational institutions, to bridge gaps between conflicting demands,” he said. The committee will hold meetings with protestors, engineers’ representatives, guardians, and relevant ministries to seek a balanced resolution.

A scheduled meeting between Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin and U.S. Acting Ambassador Tracy Ann Jacobson was canceled on Thursday following a student blockade near Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Agargaon. The meeting was set for 2 p.m. at the Election Commission office. However, around 11:30 a.m., students under the banner of "Krishibid Oikya Parishad" launched a blockade program, halting traffic in the area. The disruption prompted the cancellation of the meeting.

The long-awaited Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Caksu) and hall union elections have been scheduled for October 12, according to the official election schedule released by Chief Election Commissioner Prof. Dr. Monir Uddin and Member Secretary Prof. Dr. A.K.M. Ariful Haque Siddiqui. The timetable includes draft voter list publication on September 1, distribution of nomination forms on September 14, scrutiny on September 16, preliminary candidate list on September 21, withdrawal deadline on September 23, and the final candidate list on September 25. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin confirmed that the voter list is nearly complete. He described the polls as a historic event, fulfilling students’ 34-year-long demand for democratic representation on campus.

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has announced its full candidate panel for the upcoming Jaksu elections. Mir Mosharraf Hossain has been nominated for Vice President (VP), while Tanzila Hossain Boishakhi will contest for General Secretary (GS). Sajjadul Islam has been nominated for Assistant General Secretary (Male), and Anjuman Ara Ikra for Assistant General Secretary (Female). Thursday marked the last day for nomination withdrawals, with final candidate lists scheduled for release on Friday. Campaigning will officially kick off thereafter, leading up to the election on September 11.

Bangladesh’s Advisory Council has approved the closure of three land ports and suspension of operational activities at one more, in a decision taken at its 40th meeting chaired by Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The ports slated for closure are Chilahati (Nilphamari), Doulatganj (Chuadanga), and Tegamukh (Rangamati). Additionally, operations at Balla land port in Chunarughat, Habiganj, have been suspended until further notice.

Political analyst Badiul Alam Majumdar has called for a balanced electoral framework combining both proportional representation (PR) and constituency-based systems, stressing that each has its strengths and weaknesses. He explained that while constituency-based elections ensure direct accountability between voters and their MPs, PR in the upper house would allow fairer distribution of seats based on vote share. Majumdar cited the 2001 and 2008 elections as examples where disparities between vote shares and seat distribution produced skewed results. “PR in the upper house could correct these imbalances, while the constituency system ensures stability in governance,” he said. He urged political parties to consider national interests above partisan gains when debating electoral reforms.

The BNP-backed Abid-Hamim-Mayed panel has released a 10-point manifesto ahead of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) elections, vowing to prioritize education, research, and student welfare. The manifesto emphasizes creating safe campuses, ensuring freedom in dress for female students, abolishing the restrictive evening law, and providing effective measures against sexual harassment. Other commitments include: Quality healthcare and insurance for students. Inclusive facilities for students with disabilities. Modernization of curriculum, infrastructure, and examination systems. Improved transport services, including battery-operated shuttle vehicles. Interest-free student loans and campus-based employment opportunities. Expanding sports, cultural activities, and digital facilities with cybersecurity measures. Eco-friendly campus initiatives with waste management and greenery programs. Strengthening Daksu’s role nationally and internationally.