Policy advisor Sharmin S. Murshid highlighted the urgent need to value women’s unpaid labor, stressing that women spend 7.3 times more hours on unpaid work than men, according to BBS data (2021).

“Women are desperate for equality, yet their contributions remain invisible,” she said. Murshid called for:

An inter-ministerial coordination framework to formally recognize unpaid work

Gender-sensitive planning in fiscal, labor, and social protection policies

Encouraging private sector involvement in dignified caregiving jobs and gender-friendly workplaces

Alignment with international labor standards in care-related regulations

Bangladesh is experiencing widespread power outages due to the sudden shutdown of several major power plants caused by technical malfunctions, the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has announced.

In an official statement, the BPDB explained that these unexpected mechanical failures have led to an increase in load-shedding across the country.

The board expressed optimism that the situation will improve within the next two to three days. In the meantime, it urged citizens to cooperate and show patience during this temporary crisis.

Dhaka University has declared a suspension of all classes and exams on Wednesday due to the ongoing DUCSU elections.

The campus has taken on a festive atmosphere, with polling ending at 4 PM on Tuesday, according to a press release from the university’s public relations office.

At a seminar, political analyst and advisor Asif Nazrul criticized the Public Service Commission (PSC), saying,
“Like the country itself, PSC exams were turned into the Awami League’s family property.”

He urged reform and emphasized creating jobs in the private sector.

Meanwhile, economist Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stressed moral training for building an honest society, while advisor Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan noted, “Transforming a country fundamentally takes time, but efforts are underway.”

Recent police data shows a rise in murders and abductions. However, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam clarified that much of the increase stems from cases previously suppressed under the former government.

“In the past 20 months, 6,056 murder and 1,358 abduction cases were recorded. Many of these—like 1,130 murder cases—date back to Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year rule but were only filed after the change in power,” Alam explained.

He added that ruling party operatives had discouraged victims from filing cases, with police often complicit.
“Now victims can file cases without fear of political terror, and police are not obstructing them. Accountability has improved, even if some crimes appear numerically higher.”

Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, along with his wife, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, were injured after their residence was attacked and set ablaze by Gen Z protesters.

The couple was reportedly beaten before being handed over to police.

Earlier, a viral video showed Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat fleeing from protesters in Kathmandu before being tripped and struck by a demonstrator. He crashed into a wall but quickly got back up and continued running.

Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has resigned following days of intense anti-government protests and is reportedly preparing to leave the country under the pretext of medical treatment.

According to Firstpost, Oli’s destination is likely Dubai, with India Today reporting that he requested military assistance to exit the country safely. He also held a final phone call with Army Chief Gen. Ashok Raj before stepping down. Sources confirm that Himalaya Airlines has been readied for his departure.

Meanwhile, protesters set fire to homes of top leaders, including Oli’s own residence, former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba’s house, President Ram Chandra Paudel’s residence, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak’s home, and Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’s residence. Demonstrators also torched parts of Nepal’s parliament building and stormed the historic Singha Durbar complex.

Economic Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed has confirmed that the government will purchase 300 vehicles for on-ground election operations. However, a previously proposed plan to buy vehicles for ministers has been rejected by the Finance Ministry.

Salehuddin also highlighted ongoing banking reforms, stating, “When banks merge, customers will face no inconvenience, and no funds will be lost.” The government formed an eight-member working committee on Monday to oversee the integration of five Shariah-compliant banks, potentially named “United Islami Bank,” following a policy decision by Bangladesh Bank.

On international labor and education initiatives, he added that 100,000 workers are set to be sent to Japan, emphasizing the need for language skills, technical proficiency, and opportunities for PhD graduates to secure employment there.

The High Court has directed authorities to reinstate Amartya Roy’s candidacy in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections, scheduled for September 11. Roy, contesting for the VP post from the “Unity for Harmony” panel, had his candidacy canceled on September 6 via a university election commission notice.
Following his writ petition, the High Court ordered that its decision be communicated to the university by today.

Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has resigned following violent anti-corruption protests that rocked Kathmandu.
According to Reuters, his resignation came just hours after demonstrators set fire to the parliament building. At least 19 people have been killed over two days of unrest, with protesters attacking the residences of top leaders, including Oli and former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Tuesday’s clashes claimed two more lives and left nearly 90 others injured. Prior to stepping down, Oli had called for an all-party meeting to address the crisis.

Legal Adviser Asif Nazrul hailed the DUCSU election as a turning point for democracy, noting that students were voting freely after one and a half decades.
In a social media post, he wrote: “I hope Dhaka University students will seize this opportunity and vote in large numbers. Whoever wins should be accepted by all.”
Nazrul described the polls as a “massive step toward democracy” and prayed for their success.

Police have arrested 18 people, including a local imam, over the violent attack on the shrine of Nuru Pagla in Rajbari’s Goalanda. The incident involved vandalism of police vehicles, exhumation of a body, and its subsequent burning.
The Press Wing of the Chief Adviser confirmed that Imam Latif Huzur, who had been absconding, was captured at dawn in Manikganj.
A case has been filed by the father of the deceased, naming 4,000 unidentified suspects linked to vandalism, looting, injuries, and the shocking act of grave desecration.

Facing mounting protests, the Nepalese government has lifted its ban on social media.
Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Parbati Subba Gurung, said the cabinet reached consensus to restore access after widespread youth-led protests branded the “Gen-Z Revolution.”
The government had banned social media on September 4 in a controversial move that sparked massive demonstrations. Violent clashes have since killed at least 19 people and injured over 400. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned earlier on “moral grounds.”

A seven-member committee has been formed to streamline prosecution of cases filed over the July Uprising—excluding those under trial in the International Crimes Tribunal.
The uprising saw killings and other serious crimes during crackdowns on demonstrators. Recent months have seen charge sheets submitted in several cases.
The new committee will be chaired by the Law Secretary and include representatives from the Home Ministry, Bangladesh Police, a martyr family member and lawyer nominated by the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation, a human rights activist nominated by the Law Ministry, and the Deputy Solicitor of the Law and Justice Division.
The committee will identify existing challenges in prosecution, recommend solutions to the government, ensure security for victims and witnesses, and keep affected families and the public informed of progress.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met six Bangladeshi students who recently won medals at international math and biology Olympiads.

The students—Ariz Anas, Ha-Mim Rahman, Farabid Bin Faisal, Jitendra Barua, Jowad Hamim Chowdhury, and Tahsin Khan—shared their experiences and challenges with him.

“You have come this far through your own dedication. Your passion inspires us,” Yunus told them.

Education Adviser C. R. Abrar praised the achievements: “Competing against 111 countries, one of our students won gold in the Math Olympiad. Others secured bronze in various subjects. These competitions connect students to global networks and open doors to scholarships in top universities.”