BNP Vice Chairman Altaf Hossain Chowdhury claimed during a speech at Dumki Upazila Auditorium that although Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has fled, her remnants remain and are conspiring with India to disrupt Bangladesh’s elections. Altaf urged party members to unite under the leadership of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman to ensure a fair election, citing the ideals of Ziaur Rahman as guiding principles.

The Sylhet Metropolitan Police launched the mobile app ‘GenieA’ to make the city safer, smarter, and more modern. The app provides location sharing, notifications, complaint tracking, and one-click emergency police assistance. Commissioner Abdul Khuddus Chowdhury stated the app aims to build trust between citizens and police and will eventually include features like a help desk for women and children, prevention of child abduction and domestic violence, drone surveillance, legal support, and blockchain-based evidence protection. He emphasized that achieving a safe and modern Sylhet requires citizen participation. Meanwhile, Mohammad Anwarul Haque has been promoted to Sylhet Range DIG.

A court has barred 286 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, from leaving the country over allegations of participating in a “Joy Bangla Brigade” Zoom meeting to overthrow the government and engage in anti-state activities. According to the court’s process server, Enamul Haque, the request for the travel ban was filed by CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Enamul Haque. The court granted the request to prevent individuals in Bangladesh from fleeing and to detain those abroad if they return.

Members of the newly elected DU panel visited former DU VP Nurul Haque Nur in hospital, breaking into tears while praying for his recovery. GOB leader Shakil Uzzaman confirmed the visit, which included newly elected DU VP Sadiq Qayem, GS SM Farhad, and AGS Mohiuddin. The panel expressed condolences and wished Nur a speedy recovery. Previously, Nurul Haque Nur had congratulated all students who participated in the DU and hall elections and thanked the university administration for a lively, participatory election process.

BNP leader AZM Zahid Hossain stated that domestic and foreign forces are plotting against democracy in Bangladesh. He called for strengthened unity among democratic forces to resist these conspiracies. Zahid emphasized that the BNP’s 31-point program, developed in coordination with other democratic parties, addresses the population’s basic needs and outlines Bangladesh’s future governance, ensuring law and order and protection of the innocent while holding criminals accountable.

Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Shahjahan Mia, contesting Chandpur-3, urged voters to choose justice and fairness in the upcoming election. Speaking at Chandkhar Bazar Jame Mosque and during local community outreach, Shahjahan emphasized that ending terrorism, corruption, and looting, and establishing a justice-based society, requires casting ballots for the candidate symbolized by fairness.

The government has extended special executive magistrate powers for army captains and commissioned officers in the Bangladesh Armed Forces for an additional two months. The Ministry of Public Administration confirmed that military officers serving in the Coast Guard and BGB will also retain these powers during the period. Powers are exercised under sections 64, 65, 83, 84, 86, 95(2), 100, 105, 107, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133, and 142 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898. The government initially granted these powers to commissioned officers last September, gradually expanding to navy and air force officers.

A three-member NCP delegation will visit Japan on Thursday, including Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwary, and Mahbub Alam. According to Sarjis Alam, the visit is at the invitation of the NCP Japan Diaspora Alliance and other expatriates. This marks NCP’s third foreign delegation trip within a month; previous visits included Malaysia (August 22–25) and China (August 26–30). During the visit, the leaders will participate in “Remember the Heroes,” a program commemorating July fighters, with events scheduled in Tokyo and Osaka. Earlier, the delegation met Japan’s Ambassador to Dhaka, Shinichi Saida.

Bangladesh’s unusually high spectrum fees and taxes are hindering mobile network investment, slowing internet speeds, and delaying 5G expansion, according to a GSMA report. Operators spend 16% of revenues on spectrum—double the global average—while total financial burdens reach 55%, among the world’s highest. The report warns that continuing high prices could worsen connectivity by 2035. It recommends lowering fees, releasing new bands, simplifying taxes, and offering long-term licenses to unlock billions in economic benefits and expand digital inclusion.

A total of 8,016 votes were cast in the recent JAKSU and Hall Parliament elections, with 11,919 registered voters, marking a voter turnout of 67.9%. The University Election Commission officially concluded voting across all centers on Thursday at 7:00 PM, according to commission sources. This year, 178 candidates competed for 25 positions across the elections. Eight panels, backed by left-leaning groups, the Chhatra League, Shibir, and independent student supporters, participated in the contest. However, the panel supported by the Chhatra Dal boycotted the election, alleging irregularities and vote manipulation.

Adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan has revealed that he is under pressure to halt existing gas supplies to households. Speaking to reporters, he said: “There will be no new gas connections for households. In fact, there’s pressure on me to cut the supply that households already receive. But I refuse to do it—if I did, I wouldn’t be able to enter my own home.” He further clarified that despite global price concerns, the cost of imported LNG will not rise for now. “Earlier, there was a government plan to hike gas and electricity prices every two to three months. But over the past year, we have not increased prices for either electricity or gas,” he added.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawyer Shishir Monir has called for the implementation of the July Charter through a special constitutional order. He argued that the historic events of August 5 last year reflected the will of the people, and that the constitutional order should recognize that day as the starting point for enforcement. Meanwhile, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher stated that the next national election must be held on the basis of the July Charter. “Discussions are still ongoing regarding the mechanism of its enforcement, but a logical solution will emerge through dialogue,” he assured. Monir, however, pressed for immediate action, emphasizing: “The people’s expectations found expression on August 5. The implementation date of the July Charter must be tied to that day.”

Mufti Syed Mohammad Fayzul Karim, senior Naib Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, said the party is advocating for elections under the proportional representation (PR) system, which he called the safest mechanism to prevent fascism, muscle power, and undue influence. He stated that Islamic parties are exploring unified participation, criticizing the current administration’s inability to conduct free and fair elections. Fayzul also highlighted the recent Dhaka University student elections, describing it as a victory for Islamists over leftist and pro-India factions.

Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, Power and Energy Adviser, has issued a stern warning to rural electrification workers, stating that the government will not tolerate disruptions caused by unreasonable mass leave. Alternative measures are ready if employees fail to return promptly. A seven-member committee will investigate procurement corruption, and employment regulations will be established. Despite some absences, electricity supply continues uninterrupted. Legal action has begun against those obstructing work, while some employee demands are being addressed through ongoing reforms in laws and regulations.

French authorities have detained 675 people during nationwide blockade protests, with 280 arrested in Paris alone. Clashes with police erupted across the country, but efforts to block roads, rail stations, schools, and bus depots largely failed. Police vow to maintain strict measures against further disruptions. Labor unions have called another protest for September 18, while tensions stem from former PM François Bayrou’s 2026 budget plan, which proposes €44 billion in savings to reduce France’s national debt, rejected in a recent confidence vote.