Bangladesh is reviving ‘no’ vote to stop walkovers. Electoral law should be consistent across the board, say reform advocates, stressing that piecemeal rules undermine voter equality. ‘NO’ VOTE IN BANGLADESHThe option was first introduced in the ninth parliamentary election under the army-installed caretaker government of Fakhruddin Ahmed. If ‘no’ votes accounted for half or more of ballots cast in a constituency, a fresh election would be held. The party selects a candidate, the candidate wins, and then suddenly they’re told the affidavit was flawed.

Spokesperson Arief Hossain Khan told bdnews24.com that the central bank bought the dollars at Tk 121.5 each. “Bangladesh Bank will continue to play a role in keeping the dollar market stable. Pubali Bank Managing Director Mohammad Ali welcomed the central bank's action, calling it “a stabilising force” for the currency market. In three separate phases earlier, the central bank had already purchased around $500 million at varying rates. A senior Bangladesh Bank official explained that the recent softness in the dollar rate is largely due to increased supply.

Two killed in clash over football match in SunamganjTwo people have been killed and several others injured in a clash over a football match in Dowarabazar Upazila in Sunamganj. Police said the violent clash occurred in Lakshmipur village on Friday. According to police and local residents, an argument broke out between the groups during the football match, later turning into a clash. Matin and Akbar were gravely injured in the fight and taken to the hospital, where they died during treatment. Dowarabazar Police Station chief Zahidul Haque told bdnews24.com that police have been deployed in the area after the clash, and the situation is under control.

Five killed as dome collapses at Humayun’s Tomb in DelhiAt least five people have died after part of the dome at the historic Humayun’s Tomb complex collapsed in south New Delhi’s Nizamuddin area. The incident occurred at 4:30 pm on Friday, according to Delhi Fire Services, which warned that more may be trapped under the debris. Authorities are investigating whether monsoon rainfall may have weakened the dome, if maintenance was inadequate, or if there was a structural flaw. Constructed in 1562 by Humayun’s widow Hamida Banu Begum, the mausoleum was the first garden‑tomb of Mughal architecture -- a design that influenced later masterpieces such as the Taj Mahal. Designed by Mirza Ghiyas of Bukhara, the sandstone tomb is one of Delhi’s foremost archaeological sites and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, regarded by scholars as the earliest complete Mughal garden‑tomb.

Palestinian Ambassador Yousef Ramadan has voiced opposition to sending students to the Asian University for Women (AUW), citing what he claimed were affiliations of the university's financial backers and patrons with Israel.Speaking at a briefing in Dhaka on Thursday, he outlined the Palestinian government's stance, emphasising that for this reason, the university is not recognised by the Palestinian authorities.During the briefing, he presented detailed "information and evidence" demonstrating how AUW is linked to Israel.Referring to the deaths of two students-one Afghan and one Lao-at the university, the ambassador highlighted serious concerns over AUW's ability to ensure the safety and security of its students. "These concerns are amplified by AUW's associations with entities and individuals directly or indirectly supporting the Israeli government and its policies toward Palestine," he said.The envoy added, "While the Embassy welcomes the arrival of Palestinian students to Bangladesh, it cannot endorse their placement in institutions whose affiliations or funding sources contradict the Palestinian national interest. "Media reports on Wednesday said that 130 Palestinian students were facing uncertainty in their studies due to the cancellation of on-arrival visa permissions.The reports said AUW had arranged scholarships for the students but faced opposition from the Palestinian embassy.They, however, did not explain the reason for the opposition.The reports also claimed that at least 30 scholarship recipients were unaccounted for after delays in their arrival process. It was suspected they had either been killed in Israeli attacks or moved elsewhere.Ramadan outlined eight reasons for opposing the admission of Palestinian students to AUW, noting that its Founding Chancellor Cherie Blair is the wife of former UK prime minister Tony Blair, who is a "public supporter" of Israel's expansion of geographical and economic interests in Gaza.He said AUW is the only university in Bangladesh with a foreign chancellor, while all others have the president as chancellor. �"bdnews24.com

Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) has warned that equating independence architect Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with what it calls “fascist” Sheikh Hasina would risk allowing “fascism” to slip into the shadows. “As long as Bangladesh exists, Bangabandhu will remain, and so will ‘Joy Bangla’. Six months after Hasina’s fleeing, Bangabandhu’s house at Dhanmondi 32 had been demolished with bulldozers. Through these restrictions, Bangladesh JaSaD paid tribute to the Bangabandhu at its temporary office on Topkhana Road, despite being the strongest opposition to Bangabandhu’s government in post-Liberation War Bangladesh. We strongly condemn the demolition of Dhanmondi 32.”

Source: CollectedChief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has sent a bouquet of flowers to Khaleda Zia on her birthday. He said, "As you know, today is the birthday of the mother of democracy, three-time prime minister and leader Begum Khaleda Zia. "This afternoon, the chief advisor to the interim government sent a bouquet of flowers for madam. The Chinese Embassy had sent the BNP chief a bouquet of flowers on Thursday night on behalf of the Chinese ambassador to mark her birthday. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was born on Aug 15, 1945 in Dinajpur, according to the BNP website.

“You may have noticed that a few days ago our press secretary gave some instructions. The Dhanmondi OC’s comment was referring to remarks Shafiqul made earlier this month to journalists about Awami League programmes planned for Aug 15. We don’t interfere.”The press aide explained that journalists had asked him days earlier what the authorities would do if the Awami League held programmes on Aug 15. I am very embarrassed.”Asked if police had any instructions from the press secretary, Dhaka’s Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner Masud Alam said: “Why would there be instructions from the press secretary? “There is no scope for carrying out instructions from the press secretary.

The Bangladesh Army has formed a “high-level” board to investigate allegations of sexual assault against a senior officer, reportedly made by the wife of a former army officer. She claimed to have later married the brigadier general, but after becoming pregnant, she suffered a miscarriage due to physical abuse, and was subsequently divorced by him. She said she married the brigadier general as she was struggling to raise her child alone. The Army statement said, “Recently, an allegation concerning the abuse of a woman by a senior army officer has been circulated on social media. The accused senior officer has already been relieved of his duties, and a high-level investigation board has been formed to uncover the truth.

Several people have reportedly been assaulted and harassed at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka over their suspected links to the Awami League, amid tight security on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's death anniversary. Dhanmondi Police Station chief Kyashainu Marma, present at the scene in plainclothes, said that the situation was “normal” and that routine security measures had been adopted. We’ll follow those instructions.”Earlier, on Aug 10, NTV quoted Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam as saying: “Currently, Awami League activities are banned. Three people were beaten on suspicion of being Awami League supporters and handed over to the police. A couple with their three children were also harassed for allegedly being Awami League supporters before police removed them from the scene.

BNP leader Mirza Abbas has called for justice for those he claims were responsible for subjecting Khaleda Zia to extreme mistreatment during her time in prison. “Khaleda Zia was subjected to extreme torture in prison. “I believe that the torture inflicted on Khaleda Zia during her imprisonment, and those responsible for it, should be brought to justice,” he added. Praising Khaleda’s leadership during the BNP’s “dark days”, Abbas said: “Those of us who have worked with her have seen how strong the leader is under pressure. She fell ill while being held in the old Central Jail in a damp environment without medical treatment.

A couple and their two children found dead in Rajshahi housePolice have recovered the bodies of a husband, his wife, and their two children from a house in Rajshahi’s Paba. The dead were identified as Minarul Islam, 30, his wife Munira Begum,28, their son Mahim, 13, and daughter Mithila, 1. Locals say Mahim was in eighth grade at Kharkhari High School. Police say Minarul’s body was found hanging from a fan. Gaziur Rahman, additional deputy commissioner (media) of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, said that a note was found in the room where Minarul’s body was hanging.

Shakib Al Hasan made a disappointing return to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) as his Antigua & Barbuda Falcons slumped to a six-wicket defeat against the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the tournament’s opening fixture. The Bangladesh all-rounder, making his first CPL appearance in two seasons, had prepared for the campaign with a week’s training in England. Karima Gore provided the lone resistance with an enterprising 61 from 34 balls, but no other batter passed 12. Cornwall claimed two wickets for Antigua, with Obed McCoy and AM Ghazanfar adding one each, but the result was never in doubt. Shakib and the Falcons will look to bounce back in their next fixture on Sunday, which starts at 5am Bangladesh time.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul says the legal recommendations put forward by the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission will be implemented in the next couple of months. “The Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission has made certain recommendations regarding the ACC,” he said on Thursday during a visit to the graft watchdog’s offices in Dhaka’s Segun Bagicha on Thursday. “The laws recommended by the ACC Reform Commission will be implemented in one or two months.”The law adviser spoke to the media after meeting with ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Momen. The eight-member ACC reform panel, led by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, began work on Oct 3. On Jan 15, the commission presented its report to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

From deal to ordeal: Biman Bangladesh grounded by glitches amid talks for 25 Boeing jetsAs the government pushes ahead with plans to buy 25 Boeing aircraft from the United States, Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ existing Boeing fleet has been repeatedly hit by mechanical failures, prompting speculation about maintenance shortfalls and even possible sabotage. In the past 28 days alone, eight Boeing aircraft and one Dash-8 in the flag carrier’s fleet have suffered faults. On Monday, two Biman aircraft failed on the same day. The same day, a Boeing Dreamliner was grounded at Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome with a flap problem. On Jul 16, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was grounded in Dubai for 30 hours after a wheel defect.