NEW YORK, Oct. 26 — The New York City Board of Elections has reported strong turnout on the first day of early voting, as residents across the five boroughs begin selecting a successor to outgoing Mayor Eric Adams.

According to unofficial figures, 79,409 voters cast their ballots citywide on Saturday. Manhattan led the turnout with 24,046 votes, followed by Brooklyn with 22,105, Queens with 19,045, The Bronx with 7,793, and Staten Island with 6,420.

Adams, who withdrew from the race in September, endorsed independent candidate and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo last Thursday. Cuomo is now facing Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive race.

Early voting will continue daily through Sunday, November 2, with hours varying by location. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, when polling stations across New York City will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Dhaka – Sajeeb Wazed, son of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has urged Bangladesh’s interim government to lift the ban on the Awami League, warning that elections held without the party would be illegitimate and could deepen political instability.

Speaking to The Associated Press from Washington D.C., Wazed said, “This ban has to be lifted. Elections must be inclusive, free, and fair.” He added that current restrictions are “political manipulation disguised as justice,” aimed at preventing his mother and party leaders from participating in the upcoming polls.

Bangladesh is scheduled to hold national elections in February 2026, the first since a student-led uprising last year ended Hasina’s 15-year rule and forced her into exile in India. Three days after her ouster, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed the role of interim head of government, promising to restore order and implement reforms. In May, his administration banned Awami League activities and arrested many of its senior leaders, while others fled the country.

Wazed stressed that if the Awami League is not given sufficient time to prepare for the election, the results “will not be recognized by the people or by international observers.”

The political landscape remains fragmented. While the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) remains a key contender, the Jatiya Party continues to face suppression, including attacks on its headquarters and disrupted rallies. The Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami has also reemerged, expanding its presence and seeking alliances with other hardline groups. Wazed warned that ongoing instability could benefit Islamist parties and accused the Yunus-led government of facilitating their rise through a “rigged election.”

Wazed also highlighted human rights concerns, citing arrests, custodial deaths, and attacks on religious minorities. He criticized the interim government’s handling of last year’s uprising and questioned the impartiality of special tribunals prosecuting Hasina, including a recent call for the death penalty.

International rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists, have urged Yunus to lift the “broad ban” on Awami League activities, calling it an excessive restriction on freedom of association, assembly, and expression. The interim government has not commented on Wazed’s remarks.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday urged all political parties to take part in the upcoming national election, putting aside minor differences, to help restore the democratic process in the country.

“I call upon all political parties to join the coming election by putting aside small differences so that together we can bring back democracy in the country and return to the democratic system,” he said.

He made the call while speaking at a program marking the 21st founding anniversary of the Daily Naya Diganta at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital. Fakhrul said he believes the election will be held on time in February 2026. “We also think that through an acceptable election to all, we will get an opportunity to return to a democratic system.”

He said the student-led mass uprising in August 2024 created a new opportunity to establish a truly democratic state.On behalf of the BNP, Fakhrul paid deep tribute to all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in 2024 for freedom and democracy. He mentioned that the interim government has already announced that the election will be held by February next year.

The BNP leader expressed the hope that the reform issues had already been settled, as the political parties had agreed upon them and signed the National July Charter.

He alleged that around 6 million political leaders and activists faced false cases, about 20,000 were killed, and 1,700 others became victims of enforced disappearance during the past “fascist rule” of the Awami League.

Recalling the post-Liberation War period, Fakhrul said the media, particularly the press, faced severe repression. “After the establishment of Baksal in 1975, all newspapers were shut down. I remember that many journalists became unemployed, and some even worked as hawkers in front of Baitul Mukarram, as there were no newspapers left.”

After the political changeover in 1975, he said, BNP founder and late president Ziaur Rahman was the first to move away from the one-party system and introduce multi-party democracy, ensuring press freedom.

“We must not forget that the key reforms began during his (Zia’s) time and were later carried forward by former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia,” Fakhrul added.

Early in-person voting has begun in New York City for one of this year’s most closely watched mayoral elections. The main contenders are Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist poised to become the city’s first Muslim mayor; Curtis Sliwa, a Republican candidate; and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is not running this year and has recently thrown his support behind Cuomo.

Mamdani has gained popularity among progressive voters with proposals such as universal free childcare, free bus services, and a rent freeze for nearly one million rent-regulated apartments. During the campaign, he has faced anti-Muslim rhetoric and has criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

Cuomo, on the other hand, has described Mamdani’s policies as “economically unrealistic” and has emphasized his experience as the state’s governor to appeal to voters.

New York has allowed early voting since 2019, and in the June mayoral primary, roughly 35 percent of ballots were cast early in person.

Three Bangladeshi nationals were beaten to death, reportedly by Indian nationals in Tripura state of India, on Thursday. The deceased were identified as Pandit Mia, son of Kana Mia; Sajal Mia, son of Kuddus Mia; and Jewel Mia, son of Asrab Ullah, all residents of Chunarughat upazila in Habiganj district.

Lt Col Tanjinul Rahman, commanding officer of BGB-55, said the incident occurred at Karangichhara in Tripura state, about 4–5 kilometres inside India from the zero point of the border. The exact time of the incident, however, could not be confirmed.

According to BGB sources, the three Bangladeshis had allegedly crossed into India two to three days ago when local Indian residents attacked them, suspecting them to be cattle lifters. The attackers allegedly beat and stabbed the men indiscriminately, leaving them dead on the spot.

The bodies were later kept at Sampahar police station. Quoting Pandit Mia’s son, BGB officials said the victims had gone to the hilly area to collect betel leaves on Tuesday morning and had been missing since then.

“On Wednesday, we came to know that the bodies of all three were in India,” said Zahir Mia, son of Pandit. BGB personnel have contacted the Border Security Force (BSF) regarding the incident, said Lt Col Tanjinul.

“Efforts are ongoing to verify the authenticity of the incident and to gather detailed information. All necessary measures are being taken to maintain peace and harmony in the border area and to prevent the recurrence of such unwanted incidents in the future,” he added.

The results of the 2025 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations have been published. This year, the combined pass rate across nine general education boards, the Madrasah Education Board, and the Technical Education Board stands at 58.83%. Dhaka Education Board Chairman and Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee Chairman Prof Dr Khondokar Ehsanul Kabir announced the results on Thursday.

The pass rate has dropped by 18.95 percentage points compared to last year. A total of 39,097 students achieved a GPA 5 this year. In 2024, the average pass rate was 77.78%, while in 2023 it was 78.64%. This year the pass rates are 64.62% in the Dhaka Board, 59.40% in Rajshahi, 48.86% in Comilla, 50.20% in Jessore, 52.57% in Chittagong, 62.57% in Barisal, 51.86% in Sylhet, 57.49% in Dinajpur, 51.54% in Mymensingh, 75.61% in the Madrasah Education Board, and 62.67% in the Technical Education Board.

Of them, the Madrasah Board topped the pass rate with 75.61% while Comilla Board positioned at the bottom with 48.86%. Ehsanul Kabir informed that a total of 69,097 students secured GPA-5 this year, a cut by 76,814 than that of the past year.

Examinees will be able to get their results through the websites of the country’s education boards, all relevant examination centers, educational institutions, and via SMS. This time, 1,251,111 students participated in the examination under 11 education boards.

Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, who served under Donald Trump, has been charged with storing and sharing classified documents from his time in government. According to the 18-count indictment filed in Maryland, Bolton kept top-secret materials at his home and shared over 1,000 pages of sensitive notes with family members. Prosecutors also allege Iranian-linked hackers accessed classified information from his hacked email in 2021.

Bolton’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said the charges relate to “personal diaries” long known to the FBI, denying any wrongdoing.

The case comes amid recent indictments of James Comey and Letitia James, both of whom deny separate charges. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Bolton indictment shows “no one is above the law.”

Bolton, a longtime Republican foreign policy figure, previously faced controversy over his 2020 memoir “The Room Where It Happened,” which the Trump administration claimed contained classified material.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that the future of the nation’s economy and its overall political landscape hinges upon the upcoming general election. He alleged that, overall, BNP leaders and activists have endured the most severe political persecution in recent years.

He made these remarks on Tuesday afternoon, while addressing an extended meeting of the Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila and Ruhea Thana BNP units as the chief guest at the Thakurgaon District Shilpakala Academy auditorium.

The senior BNP leader claimed that the party’s workers have faced unprecedented oppression during what he termed the 16-year ‘dictatorial’ rule of Sheikh Hasina. Providing statistics, he asserted that nearly 6 million leaders and activists have been targeted with ‘false’ cases. Furthermore, he alleged that 20,000 workers have been ‘killed’ and 1,700, including three sitting MPs, have been ‘forcibly disappeared’ (gums).

He observed: “Our political activists can, at least, sleep peacefully at night now.”

Fakhrul mentioned that numerous party workers in Thakurgaon have spent long periods in prison and been convicted in false cases over the last 15 years. He expressed gratitude to the lawyers for providing crucial legal assistance during this period.

On the subject of a nationwide referendum (or plebiscite), Mirza Fakhrul disclosed that the BNP has proposed to the National Consensus Commission that the national election and the referendum be held simultaneously on the same day. The meeting was chaired by Thakurgaon District BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin.

Among the other attendees were District BNP General Secretary Paygam Ali, Municipal BNP President Shariful Islam Sharif, Sadar BNP President Abdul Hamid, Ruhea Thana BNP President Abdul Jabbar, and other local leaders from the BNP and its affiliated bodies.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami has formed a special team to spread false propaganda using digital technology. Speaking at a discussion marking the founding anniversary of the BNP-affiliated Olama Dal at the National Press Club on Tuesday, Rizvi said: “Jamaat is conducting misleading campaigns using digital platforms. They have formed a group of young individuals to spread lies, offensive remarks, and vulgar content on social media. These people are packaging falsehoods and spreading them regularly.”

He further said: “Claiming that voting can lead to heaven is a deception. Jamaat is trying to impose PR (proportional representation) out of frustration and is conspiring to disrupt the election. Ordinary people are not familiar with PR.”

Rizvi also remarked: “Those calling for a referendum in November have a master plan. Through certain conditions, they aim to confuse the public and delay the national election.”

He accused Jamaat of trying to remain under the shadow of the Awami League, saying: “Their political maneuvering shows they are trying to draw votes away from the Awami League. On one hand, they are creating debate over PR, reforms, and referendums; on the other hand, they are manipulating religious sentiments.”

He warned about the spread of a misleading ideology under the guise of a new Islamic trend in Bangladesh, saying: “This can be identified as ‘Maududism.’ The people of Bangladesh will never accept it. There is no place for such ideology in our faith, beliefs, and unity in monotheism.”

Referring to the events of 1971, Rizvi said: “Those who committed horrific acts during the Liberation War were also Muslims. But how can one Muslim inflict such atrocities on another? Those who supported or are still supporting such crimes—can they be called good people? Using religion as a tool to mislead the public and justifying any means for power is not supported by Islam.”

NEW YORK — Independent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo is taking aim at Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to raise taxes on corporations and millionaires, calling the plan “an impossibility.”

In an interview with WNYC’s Brian Lehrer, the former governor argued that Mamdani’s idea to boost state corporate and high-income tax rates to fund New York City programs would never pass in Albany.

“A Buffalo assemblyman or a Long Island senator is not going to raise taxes on their corporations to give the money to New York City,” Cuomo said. “It is an impossibility that a state legislature would raise statewide corporate taxes dedicated to only New York City.”

Cuomo, who served as governor for 11 years, said lawmakers from outside the five boroughs would never back a tax hike that doesn’t benefit their constituents. He also noted that Gov. Kathy Hochul, who faces reelection next year, has stated she has no interest in raising taxes on the wealthy or corporations.

Mamdani, a Queens assembly member and democratic socialist, has made tax increases on corporations and high earners the centerpiece of his affordability platform — aimed at funding free city buses, universal subsidized childcare, and other social programs.

Mamdani’s campaign pushed back, accusing Cuomo of defending the interests of the wealthy.

“Don’t get it twisted: Andrew Cuomo will stop at nothing to protect the billionaires and corporations making life more expensive for New Yorkers,” said Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec, noting that Cuomo initially resisted but ultimately signed a 2021 tax hike on the rich.

Cuomo’s spokesperson Rich Azzopardi countered that Cuomo’s record speaks for itself.

“The governor proposed a millionaires tax in his 2021 budget amid the financial burdens of the pandemic and it remains on the books,” Azzopardi said. “Mamdani’s operation should get their facts right.”

The sharp exchange comes as Cuomo tries to revive his underdog campaign following a loss to Mamdani in last month’s Democratic primary. Also in the general election race are Mayor Eric Adams (running on an independent line), Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, and independent candidate Jim Walden.

Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations he denies, has since revamped his campaign strategy — spending more time meeting voters and embracing short-form social media videos that proved successful for Mamdani.

“The reason it’s dangerous,” Cuomo said of Mamdani’s proposals, “is because none of it happens, none of it works. Then you just disillusion the public — and nothing changes.”