The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 13 development projects with a combined cost of Tk 8,333 crore, chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
Of the funding, Tk 4,437 crore will come from government resources, Tk 1,225 crore from project loans, and Tk 2,670 crore from agency funds.
Key projects include the third revision of the Information Apa women’s empowerment program, modernization of research labs and infrastructure at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), drilling initiatives under the Ministry of Power and Energy, and the construction of multi-story housing for government employees in Mirpur’s Paikpara.

Students protesting diploma grade reforms lifted their blockade at Tejgaon’s Satrasta intersection on Wednesday afternoon after nearly three hours. The protest, which began at 11:00 a.m., disrupted traffic until around 2:00 p.m.
Leaders announced a nationwide sit-in program at all polytechnic institutes and key points across the country on Thursday. Student representative Mashfiq Islam declared: “Diploma students will not accept any conspiracy over the 10th grade.”

Government Adviser Sakhawat Hossain has reiterated that Bangladesh will not host any additional Rohingya refugees and remains committed to repatriating those already sheltering in the country.
He expressed optimism that repatriation could begin next year but stressed the necessity of international support, noting that the government is pursuing diplomatic channels to make it possible.
Writer and thinker Farhad Mazhar added that the Rohingya issue is not only humanitarian but also political, military, and geopolitical, urging greater involvement from the international community.

The distribution of nomination papers for the long-awaited Chittagong University Central Student Union (CHUCSU) election concluded on Tuesday. A total of 474 candidates collected forms for the central student union, while 589 collected for hall unions.
Nomination submission remains open until Wednesday, with the preliminary candidate list set for release on Sunday. Candidates may withdraw until September 23, after which objections will be reviewed before the final list is published on September 25.
Although the official deadline for distribution was 3:30 p.m., overwhelming student demand pushed the process until 7:00 p.m. The election—returning after 36 years—will see 27,637 registered voters cast their ballots on October 12.

Residents of Akhaura in Brahmanbaria blocked railway tracks on Wednesday, demanding the construction of gates and deployment of gatekeepers at level crossings.

Around 10 a.m., protesters occupied the Greecenagar rail crossing, halting trains including the Dhaka-bound Chattala Express and the Chittagong-bound Mahanagar Provati Express for about half an hour.

The protest followed Monday’s fatal accident at an unprotected crossing, where a train hit an autorickshaw, killing the driver and a female passenger on the spot.

Local BNP leaders and police later intervened to calm the situation and restore train services.

Kabir Hossain Patwari, Divisional Forest Officer of Barisal, has been suspended after multiple wives accused him of marrying 17 times by misusing his government position and subjecting them to dowry-related abuse.

Following complaints, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change suspended him on Tuesday and reassigned him to Rangpur Range. Dr. Mohammad Zahidur Rahman Miah, the divisional forest officer of Patuakhali, has been appointed acting DFO of Barisal.

Meanwhile, residents of Barisal staged a human chain demanding justice, while Public Prosecutor Advocate Hafiz Ahmed Bablu filed a case against him in the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court.

Nearly nine months after taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump has approved the first arms sale to Ukraine. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Undersecretary has already signed off on the shipment.

Two consignments, each worth $500 million in weapons and ammunition, are set to be delivered soon. However, the arms will be purchased by Kyiv’s European allies from the U.S. and then sent to Ukraine, with Europe covering the logistics costs.

American officials revealed that under a new deal, codenamed “PEARL,” Washington has agreed to supply Ukraine with $10 billion worth of arms. The upcoming delivery marks the first shipment under this arrangement.

Notably, during his January 20 inauguration, Trump had pledged to prioritize ending the Russia-Ukraine war and vowed not to authorize further military aid to Ukraine.

Import-export activities through the Akhaura land port in Brahmanbaria came to a halt on Wednesday morning in observance of Vishwakarma Puja.

Despite the suspension of trade, cross-border passenger movement through the international immigration checkpoint and customs operations continued as usual.

Mohammad Rajib Bhuiyan, a C&F trader at Akhaura, confirmed that Indian counterparts from Agartala port in Tripura had earlier informed them of the closure. Trade is expected to resume on Thursday morning with the export of fish to Tripura.

Russian President Vladimir Putin inspected military exercises wearing full combat uniform, according to footage released by Moscow. Anadolu reported that Putin visited the drill site alongside Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and senior military commanders.

At the command center, Putin issued operational instructions and personally reviewed modern weaponry used in the exercise.

The drills are part of a seven-day joint military exercise under the CSTO alliance, launched in late August in Belarus. Forces from Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are participating across 41 locations, with over 100,000 troops involved. The CSTO, formed in the 1990s after the fall of the Soviet Union, has become a key defense platform for the region.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump landed in Britain on Tuesday night for what is being described as an unprecedented second state visit. The trip is expected to see the signing of multiple investment agreements between Washington and London.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would use Trump’s visit to highlight the strengthening of the “special relationship” between the two nations. Ahead of the visit, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves jointly announced the creation of a “Transatlantic Taskforce.”

King Charles will formally welcome Trump on Wednesday, while Starmer is set to host him at the prime minister’s countryside residence, Chequers, on Thursday. Starmer is also arranging meetings with leading business groups to promote Britain as an attractive destination for U.S. investment.

As part of a nationwide anti-drug campaign, the Directorate of Prisons has declared September as the “Month of Anti-Drug Activities.”

In an official statement, the Directorate said drug abuse has become a global crisis, with alarming growth in Bangladesh as well. In response, special security checks are being carried out on prison visitors, inmates, and staff. Additionally, drug tests have been introduced for inmates and employees suspected of substance abuse.

Authorities confirmed that those identified will be placed under strict monitoring and administrative measures.

The Directorate also emphasized its ongoing mission under the motto “Keep them safe, show them the path of light.” Rehabilitation programs, awareness campaigns, and modern training initiatives are being implemented to help inmates return to society as skilled, productive citizens.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has praised Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus for his leadership in steering Bangladesh’s economic reforms. During a videoconference, she commended Bangladesh’s adoption of a market-based exchange rate and efforts to restore foreign reserves, describing them as “bold steps that have given new momentum to the economy.”

Yunus thanked Georgieva for IMF’s support during challenging times and reassured her that credible elections will be held on schedule in February—before the holy month of Ramadan. “Once the elections are complete, I will return to my previous work,” Yunus stated.

Georgieva stressed the importance of banking sector reforms and boosting domestic revenue. Yunus also highlighted Bangladesh’s youth initiatives and referenced Nepal’s youth movements and the nation’s aspiration to join ASEAN.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Tracy Ann Jacobson has visited the ongoing joint military exercise ‘Operation Pacific Angel 25-3’, involving the Bangladesh Air Force and the U.S. Pacific Air Forces.

She inspected the drill at Chattogram’s BAF Zahurul Haque Base on Tuesday and exchanged greetings with air force personnel from both nations, according to ISPR.

The seven-day exercise, running until September 18, includes Bangladesh’s C-130J transport aircraft, an MI-17 helicopter, two C-130J transport aircraft from the U.S., 150 Bangladeshi personnel, and 92 U.S. participants.

Religious Affairs Adviser A.F.M. Khalid Hossain has assured that the ministry will work closely with Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAB) and others to reduce airfare for the upcoming Hajj season. He added that support from the Chief Adviser will be sought if required.

“If elections are held in February, I will return to my old position, but before that, I want to establish a good management framework for the next government,” he said.

The adviser also stated that if Saudi authorities permit, Bangladesh is interested in developing residential facilities for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

Md. Mezboul Haque, former Spokesperson and Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, resigned citing personal reasons after coming under pressure following the fall of the Awami League government. He faces allegations of involvement in reserve theft and irregularities in Nagad. Mezboul was promoted to Executive Director in December 2022, the same day he was assigned the role of spokesperson. He is also known to be a close associate of Sajeeb Wazed Joy and, through this connection, was involved in various digital transaction initiatives during the Awami League government. After the popular uprising, Mezboul was transferred from the headquarters to the Rajshahi office of Bangladesh Bank.