Interest among Chinese students in learning Bengali and studying Bangladeshi culture at the University of Dhaka is increasing. Enrollment in the university’s special Bengali language course at the Institute of Modern Languages rose from 15 students in 2024 to 26 this year, an increase of about 73 percent. The number of participating Chinese universities has also grown.

In 2024, 15 students from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Yunnan Minzu University joined the course. The following year, participation rose to 19 students from Yunnan Minzu University, Yunnan University and Beijing Foreign Studies University. This year’s cohort includes students from Yunnan Minzu University, Yunnan University, Communication University and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.

On Monday, Chinese students studying Bengali paid a courtesy call on Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam. They discussed their study experiences as well as facilities and problems. The vice-chancellor stressed language and cultural exchange to strengthen bilateral friendship and said necessary facilities for international students, including food, Wi-Fi and accommodation, would be improved.

The High Court has ordered authorities in Muradnagar, Cumilla, to submit a progress report on implementing measures to stop the extraction of fertile soil from agricultural land. The order was issued on Monday by a division bench of Justice JBM Hasan and Justice Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan following a public-interest writ petition filed by Advocate Md Abul Kalam Azad.

The court directed the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Commissioner (Land) to seize dredgers and equipment used to excavate fertile soil, shut illegal brickfields, and investigate cultivated land and sand pits damaged by dredging. It also called for a time-bound action plan to protect farmland and measures to restore pits created through soil cutting and dredging to their previous agricultural condition.

The order requires progress reports from the Cumilla deputy commissioner, police superintendent, Muradnagar UNO, AC Land, and officers-in-charge of Muradnagar and Bangra Bazar police stations. The petitioner, who heads the Agriculture and Environment Foundation, said local residents had long sought action against illegal dredgers and brickfields, while local journalists had reported on the issue.

Bangladesh’s Department of Narcotics Control detained two Indian nationals at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Monday, August 24, after allegedly recovering 5 kilograms and 40 grams of kush, 3 litres of foreign liquor and 24 Indian sarees. The detainees were identified as Sanaowar Ali, 36, and Imtiaz Ahmed, 36, both residents of North 24 Parganas, India.

According to the DNC, a special team led by Assistant Director Dr Md Abu Sayeed Mia of the airport office of DNC Dhaka Metro North took position at the arrivals hall’s green channel around 1pm following intelligence information. The two men had arrived from Bangkok on Thai Airways flight TG-321 and were held as suspects. Officials searched their travel trolleys in front of witnesses and members of airport agencies.

The DNC said the items were concealed beneath clothing using a special method. Two Indian passports, two boarding cards, four smartphones, $400, 1,170 Thai baht and 1,170 Indian rupees were also seized. A case was filed at Airport Police Station under relevant provisions of the Narcotics Control Act, 2018. The agency said it had identified several Bangladeshi associates and would bring them under the law.

Sixteen fishermen were rescued by a Bangladesh Navy team on Sunday night after their vessel drifted for three days near the Pashur River adjoining the Bay of Bengal. The fishermen had left Rayenda in Sarankhola upazila of Bagerhat on 19 August to fish at sea. Their boat’s engine failed on 21 August after two days of fishing, leaving them unable to control the vessel.

The group could not contact relatives or authorities because the boat remained outside mobile network coverage. On the night of 23 August, the vessel entered an area with network access. A fisherman named Lokman then called the national emergency service 999 and reported their situation.

Constable Fazle Rabbi Mia received the call, while 999 police dispatcher SI Md Robiul Islam coordinated with Bagerhat river police, Mongla Coast Guard and the Navy control room. A Navy rescue vessel began searching for the fishermen, though network problems initially delayed identification of their exact location. After a lengthy search, rescuers located the vessel near the Pashur River and recovered all 16 fishermen along with the disabled boat.

Islamic scholar Mufti Ali Hasan Usama called for steadfastness on honesty, morality and Islamic values, saying people should not compromise with falsehood. He made the remarks as chief guest at a prize-giving ceremony and annual Seerat gathering of the month-long Seerat Fest at Osmaninagar Islamic Academy Dakhil Madrasa on Monday, 24 August, at 10pm.

Usama said oppression is not supported in Islam even when its victim is not Muslim, and warned that rulers who establish authority through injustice do not endure. He urged believers to confront hardship with faith and reliance on Allah. He also said political leadership should prioritize principle, ideals and justice over power, positions and electoral promises, criticizing double standards in judging crimes by government and opposition supporters.

Discussing Ramadan’s final-ten-day itikaf, he said its purpose should be worship, self-purification and closeness to Allah rather than money or social pressure. He described the Quran and Sunnah as enduring guidance for personal, family and social life. Teachers, students, guardians, local scholars and community figures attended, and winners of Seerat Fest competitions received prizes and turbans.

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on assuming office as Bangladesh’s 23rd president and said China wants to work with him to deepen the two countries’ comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Xi sent the congratulatory message on Monday, expressing interest in advancing traditional friendship, strengthening strategic communication and expanding Belt and Road cooperation.

Xi described China and Bangladesh as long-standing friendly neighbouring countries whose bilateral relationship has remained steady amid changing international circumstances. He said the two sides have respected each other and dealt on an equal basis during 51 years of diplomatic relations, while supporting one another on matters of national interest and importance.

Separately, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury met the president at Bangabhaban and briefed him on Supreme Court activities, court administration and challenges including case backlogs, shortages of skilled personnel and structural constraints. Saudi Ambassador to Dhaka Dr Abdullah Jafar H. bin Abiah also conveyed congratulations from King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The president sought Saudi support during the global energy crisis and called for better facilities for Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims.

Israel’s military said it killed a Hamas fighter in an overnight airstrike in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza during a ceasefire. The Israel Defense Forces identified the man as Mohammed Abd al-Nasser Jabr Abu Asad, describing him as a member of Hamas’s elite Nukhba force. The military alleged that Abu Asad was among those who took part in the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel.

The IDF said the same strike also targeted another Hamas member whom it alleged had entered Israel during the October 7 attack. According to the military, that person is believed to have survived the strike. No further details about the second target or the reported attack were provided in the source.

Justifying the strike during the ceasefire, the IDF said the two men had been preparing attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians and were seeking to rebuild Hamas’s military capabilities. It said these activities constituted a systematic violation of the ceasefire. The military said the strike was carried out to remove what it described as a threat.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union, or DUCSU, unveiled the first issue of its literary magazine, “Abhas,” at an event in the DUCSU meeting room at 5pm on Monday, August 24. The publication gives priority to themes of independence, the Liberation War, and Bangladesh’s literature and culture. Organisers said it was launched to encourage Dhaka University students to pursue creative work and literary practice.

The magazine was edited by DUCSU Literary and Cultural Affairs Secretary Musaddique Ali Ibn Mohammad, while assistant editor Ashfaqullah Asif moderated the event. Executive member Afsana Akter said the debut issue sought to highlight stories on independence and the Liberation War, while later editions would also address July and other important literary subjects. Vice President Sadik Kayem said more than 600 submissions were received from students, with selected works included in the first issue.

Musaddique said publication was delayed because the university administration did not provide the necessary budget, forcing organisers to arrange funds from personal and private sources. He said two remaining issues were expected soon. Students can currently collect “Abhas” from DUCSU, and it may later be available through Rokomari.com and other online platforms.

Allegations of extensive irregularities and corruption have been raised against Liton Kumar Ray, officer in charge of the government food warehouse in Roumari, Kurigram, during the current boro paddy procurement season. The claims include collusion with a syndicate, farmers being unable to deliver paddy despite being selected by lottery, demands for bribes, and alleged payments or bills being allocated to others. Paddy procurement in the upazila began on May 24 with a target of 966 metric tonnes.

Sources said the farmer list was supposed to contain 322 names but included 323. The report also alleged that digitalized procurement rules were not followed and that old, worn sacks were used despite a requirement for new sacks. Farmers alleged that names and mobile numbers on the list did not match in several cases, while one individual said his number had been used although he had not applied.

Ray said procurement at his warehouse had ended, but later said he had spoken with farmers whose paddy he would accept. He did not answer questions about mismatched names and phone numbers. Roumari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahbubul Hasan said he was aware of the matter and that it was being verified and investigated.

The Bhurungamari upazila administration in Kurigram has formed a five-member committee to investigate fertiliser looting after a warehouse door was broken in Shilkhuri ইউনিয়ন. The committee visited the scene on Monday afternoon, while authorities said 115 sacks of fertiliser had been recovered so far.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) Aminul Haque Tarek has been named committee chair, with Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Jabbar serving as member secretary. Other members are Election Officer Nazmul Huda, Project Implementation Officer Sabuj Kumar Gupta and Academic Supervisor Saifur Rahman. Tarek said the committee was speaking with witnesses, the dealer and farmers to determine the real cause.

UNO Amrit Dev Nath said officials expected to recover another 20 to 25 sacks by Monday. The fertiliser dealer has received a show-cause notice from the agriculture office, and the committee was instructed to submit its report by Monday. The situation was calm, he said. Dealer Taifur Rahman Mukul, proprietor of Messrs Shah Amanat Enterprise, filed a written complaint with police, which the Bhurungamari police station officer confirmed.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman attended the 21st annual commanders’ conference of the Bangladesh Infantry Regiment (BIR) on Monday at Shaheed Nakib Hall of the Bangladesh Infantry Regimental Centre in Rajshahi Cantonment. He held discussions with commanders of the regiment and instructed BIR personnel to continue serving the country.

During the exchange, the army chief expressed hope that BIR units would function as the backbone of the infantry force. He also praised the Bangladesh Infantry Regiment’s training and administrative activities. The event focused on engagement between the army chief and the regiment’s commanders.

The army chief was received at the BIRC conference hall by the acting GOC of the Army Training and Doctrine Command, the BIRC commandant, and the GOC of the 11 Infantry Division and area commander of Bogura Area. Senior officials from army headquarters and relevant areas, BIR commanders, and army personnel from different organizations attended the conference.

Bangladesh’s government has approved the purchase of two cargoes of liquefied natural gas from suppliers in South Korea and the United Kingdom. The decision was taken on Monday at the 41st meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, which approved a proposal submitted by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

The proposal was presented under an international quotation collection process for procuring the two LNG cargoes. Under the approved plan, one cargo will be purchased from POSCO International Corporation for delivery during September 13-14 at $24.625 per MMBtu.

A second LNG cargo will be bought from TotalEnergies for delivery during September 23-24 at $24.25 per MMBtu. The LNG procurement proposal was among 13 proposals presented at the committee meeting.

Police arrested a mother and her son in Faridganj, Chandpur, after recovering 2,000 yaba tablets from a bag they were carrying. The operation was conducted at Faridganj bus stand on Monday by a police team led by Sub-Inspector Mohammad Humayun Kabir.

According to Officer-in-Charge Ershad Ullah, the two suspects were standing in front of Hotel Arafat and Restaurant at the bus stand. Police identified them as Abdul Mannan, also known as Ashiq, 41, and his mother Chhemon Khatun, 60. They were described as residents of Purba Pankhali in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar.

Police searched the suspects and found the yaba tablets inside their bag. A regular case has been filed against both detainees, and they have been sent to court, police said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed relevant authorities to examine the feasibility of restoring universal stipends for female students from class six through graduation. The instruction was issued at a Monday afternoon meeting arranged by the Prime Minister’s Education Assistance Trust in the Cabinet Division meeting room at the Bangladesh Secretariat, according to Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain.

The meeting stressed preparing a clear proposal assessing potential costs, beneficiary numbers, implementation methods, and expected social and educational effects of reinstating the programme. Officials also briefed the prime minister on the trust’s ongoing work, objectives and role in preventing student dropouts through financial support. Merit- and eligibility-based stipends for boys were also discussed as a way to encourage their education.

Participants reviewed the impact of the universal stipend programme for girls introduced during the tenure of late former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, including its reported positive effects on attendance, continued schooling and discouraging child marriage. The prime minister also ordered pilot projects in two separate districts to assess two alternative mid-day meal delivery methods, with attention to cost, management, local participation and food-quality control.

A rare marine fish locally known as bhola poa was caught in a fishing net in the deep Bay of Bengal near Kuakata in Patuakhali. The roughly three-kilogram fish was brought to Sifat Fish at Alipur fishing port on Monday morning and bought by local fish trader Rakibul Islam for Tk 11,125. It was caught by helmsman Shaikhul aboard the MS Sifat trawler.

The fish, also known as big-eyed poa, white poa and poa, was sold through an open auction at about Tk 150,000 per maund. Shaikhul said the unusually large fish drew crowds after it was brought ashore. Sifat Fish owner Mizanur Rahman said catches of such uncommon fish encourage both fishers and traders.

Experts said its external features suggest it belongs to the poa or croaker family, Sciaenidae, but scientific testing is needed to confirm the exact species. Fisheries official Apu Saha said such catches are a positive sign for marine biodiversity and could provide useful information for future research. Rakibul said he bought the fish against an order from a Dhaka businessman, whose partner plans to export it.