Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain confirmed that Bangladesh’s candidacy for the presidency of the 81st UN General Assembly remains valid and clarified that the country is not competing against Palestine. “Four years ago, we announced our candidacy, when Cyprus was the expected contender. Palestine joined much later. This does not place us in direct confrontation,” he explained. Touhid Hossain condemned Israel’s actions against peace negotiators, calling it “heinous,” and expressed solidarity with Qatar after attending an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha.

BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has urged Bangladesh to take precautionary measures to address risks and challenges following its graduation from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category. He warned that the economy and people’s livelihoods may come under strain, with the garment sector particularly vulnerable. Post-graduation, Bangladesh will lose access to WTO trade benefits and subsidies, likely driving up the price of essential medicines. “To remain competitive, the country must boost productivity, strengthen trade logistics, and invest in modern infrastructure,” he wrote, emphasizing urgent action to protect businesses amid shrinking reserves and rising debt.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has announced that any individuals proven to be falsely listed as July Fighters or Martyrs will be removed from official records, with legal action to follow. The ministry noted recent media reports alleging inclusion of fake names. It confirmed that names already verified as false have been deleted and fresh gazettes issued. The July Uprising Directorate is now re-verifying all names exposed in the media. “If proven fake, those names will be struck off the list, new gazettes will be issued, and legal measures will be taken,” the ministry said.

The High Court has issued a rule questioning why the government’s gazette, which removed Algi and Hamirdi unions from Faridpur-4 and added them to Faridpur-2, should not be declared illegal. The order came after two nomination hopefuls filed a writ petition. Lawyer Humayun Kabir Pallab, representing the petitioners, said the respondents must reply within 10 days. The court also asked why Article 125(a) of the Constitution and Section 7 of the Election Act should not be declared contradictory, and why the gazette itself should not be struck down. Earlier, the Election Commission was served a legal notice seeking cancellation of the gazette.

Policy adviser Asif Mahmud confirmed that Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum has long been battling cancer and is undergoing treatment in Singapore. He stressed that such medical issues should be approached from a humanitarian perspective: “One cannot simply change hospitals after assuming office. Continuity of treatment is crucial, especially for cancer patients.” Asif called on policymakers to strengthen the domestic healthcare system so that Bangladeshis no longer have to travel abroad for treatment of critical diseases. Nurjahan Begum flew to Singapore on a midnight flight yesterday.

Nahid Islam, convener of the Nationalist Citizen Platform (NCP), appeared at the International Crimes Tribunal to testify against Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and another accused in a case of crimes against humanity. However, as the cross-examination of journalist Mahmudur Rahman was not concluded, Nahid’s deposition was postponed. Speaking to reporters, Nahid said: “I may well be the last witness in Sheikh Hasina’s case. Once my testimony is recorded, the tribunal will proceed to judgment.” He added that so far his party was satisfied with the tribunal’s proceedings and called for a coordinated national roadmap to ensure all such trials move forward seriously. He urged political parties to commit in their manifestos that the trial of the July massacre will continue after the election.

Police in Shyamoli have alleged that supporters of the banned Awami League faction freed several detained activists by detonating crude bombs during a clash on Tuesday morning. Around 11 am, Awami League activists began a march from Shishu Mela intersection toward Agargaon. Police detained five to six participants, but soon after, another group of 25–30 motorcyclists from the party launched an attack, exploding several crude bombs and forcibly pulling the detainees away from police custody. Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station’s OC confirmed the incident, saying police could not hold the detainees due to the “backup team.” He added that six people, along with a motorcycle, were later detained from the attacking group.

Jamaat-e-Islami has called for holding the next general election under the Proportional Representation (PR) system “at least once.” Speaking after a meeting with a high-level European Parliament delegation, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said discussions covered the upcoming election and the country’s current political situation. He revealed that during the Consensus Commission’s meeting, 26 out of 31 political parties expressed support for PR. While some favored it only for the upper house, Jamaat and others supported PR for both chambers. Taher stressed the urgent need to move away from the mindset of “forcibly seizing polling centers and entering parliament through rigging.” Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman described the meeting with the EU delegation as “fruitful.”

NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain reaffirmed that the party remains committed to contesting under the lotus symbol, dismissing talk of alternatives. He cited statements from over a hundred lawyers asserting there is no legal barrier to the symbol’s allocation. Speaking on broader political reforms, Akhtar argued that elections without structural changes would only restore outdated systems. He emphasized that future elected representatives must adhere to proposed reforms before assuming power. NCP leader Ariful Islam Adib added that the party is prepared for elections and sees the Constituent Assembly as the key to resolving Bangladesh’s political crisis. While NCP has not engaged in alliance talks, it believes a new political equation centered on the youth generation could soon emerge.

Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed described the dispute over constituency boundaries in Faridpur-2 and 4 as “unfortunate” but stressed it must not escalate into harmful actions. He acknowledged public grievances but urged resolution through dialogue, noting that final demarcation decisions have already been made and are now under judicial review. The controversy began when Algi and Hamirdi unions of Bhanga upazila were shifted from Faridpur-4 to Faridpur-2, prompting protests by local residents.

A UN investigative commission has found evidence of genocide committed by Israel in Gaza, directly implicating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Israeli leaders. The 72-page report accuses Israel’s top officials—including the prime minister, president, and former defense minister—of inciting and orchestrating atrocities. The findings cite mass killings, blocking humanitarian aid, forced displacement, and the destruction of fertility clinics as evidence supporting the genocide claim. So far, nearly 65,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza due to Israeli attacks, the report states.

Luxembourg has announced it will officially recognize Palestine as an independent state, joining France and the United Kingdom in declaring the move at the upcoming UN General Assembly. Luxembourg’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister confirmed the decision, which follows similar announcements by France, Belgium, and other European nations. Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would extend recognition in September if Israel failed to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza and commit to long-term peace. Currently, 147 countries—representing 75% of the world—recognize Palestine as a sovereign state.

The “All-Party United Committee” staged a sit-in on Tuesday morning in front of the Bagerhat District Election Office, demanding the restoration of four parliamentary constituencies in the district. The protest, which ran from 10 am to 1 pm, drew participation from leaders and activists of BNP, Jamaat, and other political groups, as well as people from diverse professions. Speakers stressed that the district’s population, industrial zones, and the importance of Mongla Port justify reinstating four seats. On Monday, a writ petition was also filed in the High Court seeking the same demand.

Four coaches of the Padmarag Mail train derailed Tuesday afternoon at Pirgacha station in Rangpur, disrupting train services across the region. According to the station master, the Lalmonirhat-bound train departed Santahar and reached Pirgacha around 12:45 pm. Shortly after leaving the station, a broken line separator caused four coaches behind the engine to derail. No casualties were reported, though some passengers complained of missing belongings during the chaos. A relief train has been dispatched from Lalmonirhat to clear the tracks.

BUET students have alleged that diploma engineers, having failed at the negotiation table, are now preparing for violent agitation. In a statement Tuesday, BUET students firmly declared they would not blockade streets or hold the public hostage in pursuit of their demands. They reiterated their three-point demand, which includes: Ensuring that recruitment for Grade-9 positions is limited to BSc engineering graduates. Abolishing the 100% quota for diploma holders in Grade-10 posts. Enforcing strict legal action against anyone without a BSc degree using the professional title “Engineer.”