Engineering students protesting under the “Engineering Rights Movement” blocked traffic at Matsya Bhaban intersection for an hour Thursday afternoon, burning an effigy of DC Masud Alam. The march began from BUET and passed Shaheed Minar, TSC, Press Club, and the High Court before reaching Matsya Bhaban, where police halted the procession. Students staged a sit-in, halting traffic across the area, though they allowed ambulances to pass. Later, they moved near IEB, causing further disruptions. Student leader Tasrif demanded: “The Home Affairs Adviser must apologize, DC Masud must be dismissed, and our three-point demands must be implemented immediately.”

For the first time, prisoners will be able to exercise their voting rights during the upcoming national election, Election Commission Secretary Akhter Ahmed announced. Under the newly declared roadmap, ballot papers will be delivered to prisons two weeks before election day. The roadmap outlines 24 key initiatives in 207 steps, including electoral law reforms, finalizing constituency boundaries, and ensuring voting rights for expatriates and inmates. Expatriate Bangladeshis will also vote through postal ballots, with registration closing on November 30. Their ballot papers will be sent abroad by January 5 and returned a week before the polls.

Jamaat leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has warned that without adopting a proportional representation (PR) election system, Bangladesh risks political conflict and bloodshed. “You are a product of the July spirit,” Taher told the Chief Adviser, accusing him of betraying promises of reform. “You announced elections without implementing reform and justice first. This pushes the nation into uncertainty.” He urged immediate dialogue and threatened mass street protests. “Millions will surround polling centers. If this is a managed election, ballots won’t even reach the booths,” he declared. Taher also called on the Election Commission to frame its roadmap around PR-based reforms.

Explosive witness testimonies in three Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) cases allege that Sheikh Rehana, her daughter Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, and Azmina Siddiq Ruponti falsely identified themselves as “homeless, helpless, and poor” to secure residential plots from RAJUK despite owning multiple properties. One witness claimed Sheikh Rehana herself sought allocations under this pretense for herself and her children. ACC prosecutor Khan Md. Moinul Hasan said the next hearing is set for September 4. On July 31, charges were formally framed in three cases implicating Rehana, Tulip, Sheikh Hasina, and other family members — with 17 to 18 accused in each case.

The Ministry of Public Administration has revised the holiday for Eid-e-Miladunnabi (PBUH) to September 6 (Saturday) instead of the previously announced September 5. A government circular issued Thursday confirmed the adjustment after the lunar month of Rabiul Awwal was officially counted from August 26. On this day, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and private offices will remain closed.

The interim government has officially recognized the death anniversary of mystic bard Lalon Shah as a National Day. Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki emphasized that state recognition of cultural icons strengthens Bangladesh’s intellectual identity against historical neglect. “For decades, our establishment sidelined cultural riches from national celebration. This recognition helps craft a cultural identity beyond borders,” Farooki wrote. He revealed that discussions are also underway to elevate artist S.M. Sultan’s birthday to a Class-A National Day, alongside honoring post-independence cultural figures such as Humayun Ahmed. “Celebrating Lalon means we are now looking beyond Tagore and Nazrul. The day isn’t far when contemporary masters like Ayub Bachchu will also be honored at the state level,” he added.

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.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is on her way to Evercare Hospital from her residence, Firoza, for routine medical examinations, BNP’s media cell confirmed. She was scheduled to leave around 7 p.m. This marks her second hospital visit in recent weeks. On July 23, a medical board oversaw a series of urgent tests at Evercare. Earlier this year, on January 8, she traveled to London aboard a special air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar for advanced treatment, under the supervision of specialists Prof. Patrick Kennedy and Prof. Jennifer Cross at London Clinic. Khaleda Zia returned home on May 6.

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.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has sharply criticized the announcement of the election roadmap before finalizing the July Charter, calling it a violation of commitments made by the Consensus Commission and the interim government. NCP leader Ariful Islam Adib said the public expected justice and reform from the government, but the lack of a clear implementation roadmap in the July Charter draft was deeply disappointing. Adib revealed that six proposals were discussed within the Consensus Commission, including demands for a Constituent Assembly election, while other parties pushed for a referendum or constitutional reforms. He expressed frustration that, despite these discussions, the Chief Adviser unilaterally announced an election date. “We accepted it in the greater interest of the nation, but it was agreed that substantial progress in reforms and justice must precede elections,” Adib stressed. He warned that preparing for elections without finalizing the Charter’s implementation process risks future political crises.

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.