The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has formally begun an investigation into allegations of crimes against humanity against the Awami League as a political party, the first in history, said Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam yesterday.

The BNP will not agree to a referendum before the general election.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has said there is nothing Bangladesh can do if India chooses to back an autocrat and fall out of favour with its people.

Bangladesh’s economy is showing signs of recovery after months of political uncertainty, with the World Bank forecasting growth to rise to 4.8 percent in the current fiscal year from 4 percent a year earlier, as inflation moderates and private consumption begins to strengthen.

Those accused in cases filed with the International Crimes Tribunal will not be able to hold or run for public office once formal charges are pressed against them.

Four people, including a couple, were killed and two others injured after a bus hit a battery-run easy bike on the Bonpara-Kushtia highway in Baraigram upazila of Natore on Monday.

State defence counsel Amir Hossain, representing ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, yesterday claimed that the July uprising was part of a long-term plan and conspiracy.

Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, nayeb-e-ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has urged the government to “take some crucial decisions quickly and decisively” to implement the July Charter and ensure that the next national election is held in February as planned.

National Citizen Party Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam yesterday slammed some advisers to the interim government, saying those seeking a “safe exit” should remember that “the only real safe exit is death.”

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s recent media interview has left the party’s leaders and activists excited and energised.

The government is set to declare oxygen as an “essential drug”, considering its importance in patient treatment, said Prof Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser for the health ministry, yesterday.

At least two dengue patients died while 715 others were hospitalised in the 24 hours till 8:00am yesterday.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday urged teachers to extend their support to BNP in the upcoming national election so the party can form a government to build a knowledge and merit-based state and implement its plans for national and political reforms.

Election experts and former Election Commission officials yesterday urged the commission not to assign election duties to “politically biased officials” and those who had served in the past three national polls.

UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis yesterday paid a farewell call on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna.

Vegetable growers in Jashore have been severely affected by persistent monsoon rains that damaged their fields and seedbeds. Despite replanting several times, farmers are struggling to save their crops due to continuous rainfall.

The water level in the Teesta river has fallen below the danger mark, easing flood conditions in Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, and Nilphamari.

Unidentified assailants shot a businessman dead after ambushing his SUV in broad daylight in Hathazari upazila of Chattogram yesterday.

Rubel Mia, 28, of Shantipur village under Mirzarchar union in Narsingdi’s Raipura upazila, became homeless overnight after the Meghna swallowed his home.

Türkiye yesterday reaffirmed its strong commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s democratic transition and institution-building efforts as the country moves toward elections early next year.