Bangladesh’s overall inflation rate fell to 8.29% in August, its lowest level in more than three years, according to BBS data.
The figure is down from 8.55% in July and significantly lower than 10.49% recorded a year earlier.
Food inflation edged up slightly to 7.60% in August from 7.56% in July, while non-food inflation dropped from 9.38% to 8.90%.
Despite the decline, wage growth slowed to 8.15%, marking the 43rd consecutive month where wage increases lagged behind inflation—further straining low-income households.

Primary and Mass Education Adviser Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar announced that mid-day meals will be introduced in 150 primary schools between September and mid-October.
He also confirmed the reinstatement of primary school scholarships after 16 years.
Bidhan Ranjan noted that teachers are often burdened with non-academic tasks, disrupting education. He pledged to reduce holidays in the school calendar.
Bangladesh’s literacy rate among people aged 7 and above now stands at 77.9%, while 22.1% remain illiterate. He added that 32,000 teachers are awaiting promotion to headmaster positions, which will create thousands of new posts.

Police have arrested Shamsuddoha Khondker, former Additional Inspector General of Police, in connection with a cheque fraud case.
He was picked up on Sunday from his resort, Wonderland Green Park, in Nawabganj.
Shamsuddoha, long accused of corruption, allegedly amassed vast wealth by pocketing commissions from river dredging tenders and extorting industrialists who illegally occupied riversides.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed charges against him and his wife Ferdousi Sultana, accusing them of concealing assets worth over Tk 66.48 crore and acquiring illegal wealth.

Michael Kugelman, Senior Fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation, has dismissed rumors that the U.S. played a role in the downfall of the Awami League.
He noted that former U.S. President Donald Trump suspended most foreign aid and disliked “nation-building,” focusing instead on transactional relations. Kugelman added that Bangladesh was not a priority for the Trump administration, which may have spared the country from greater complications.
On rising right-wing influence, he warned that religious groups have gained more political space in the past year. If they turn violent or anti-democratic, terrorism could become the biggest concern.
Kugelman also noted instability risks following the League’s ban, while suggesting the BNP is well-positioned to return to power in upcoming elections.

Adviser for Home Affairs Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has urged law enforcement agencies not to work in favor of any political party.
Speaking on Sunday, he emphasized the importance of impartiality and patience, stating that transparency would earn the trust of the people. He also said the government’s failures often get highlighted, while successes remain underreported.
The adviser mentioned that police transfers and postings will be conducted via lottery before the elections. Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam described the upcoming election as a “litmus test” for the police, urging officers to discharge duties neutrally despite pressure.

Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar has emphasized that no nation can progress if education and healthcare are treated as private commodities. “These must remain state responsibilities,” he said.

Speaking as an advisor, he stressed the need for volunteer services alongside government initiatives. “If implemented properly, these could advance the nation,” he noted.

Criticizing the current system, he argued that education reforms remain superficial and continue to produce “clerks” as per colonial legacy. He highlighted the weak educational backgrounds of Bangladeshi migrants, leading to low global earnings.

“By privatizing education and healthcare, we serve only a handful of elites at the cost of national interest,” he concluded.

Thousands took to the streets of London demanding the lifting of the ban on Palestine Action Group. The protest, organized by “Defend Our Juries,” drew around 1,500 demonstrators.

Clashes erupted when police moved in, with more than 425 protesters arrested. Eyewitnesses reported baton charges, protesters thrown to the ground, and arbitrary arrests for holding placards saying “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

Press Association reports noted police brutality, including one protester bleeding from the face after arrest. Police later claimed officers were subjected to “unprecedented violence, including punches, kicks, spitting, and stone-throwing.”

A total lunar eclipse, also known as a "Blood Moon," will be visible on Sunday from Bangladesh and various parts of the world. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), if the sky remains clear, people in Bangladesh will also be able to witness the eclipse. The lunar eclipse will begin at 8:28 PM Bangladesh time on September 7 and will last for a total of 7 hours and 27 minutes. However, the changes in the moon may not be easily noticeable to the naked eye. At 9:27 PM, a portion of the moon will gradually start to darken, and by 10:30 PM, the Earth's shadow will completely cover the moon. During this time, the moon will not disappear entirely but will take on a reddish or coppery hue. The eclipse will be fully visible from locations stretching from Hila Island in eastern Indonesia to the port city of Mombasa in western Kenya. However, about 90% of North America, the Caribbean, and South America will not be able to view the eclipse.

RAB has arrested Belal Talukdar, the prime suspect in the violent attack on Sohag Paribahan’s counter, along with two accomplices.

On September 3, a group of 50–60 men armed with machetes and sharp weapons stormed the Malibagh counter, vandalizing property. A case was later filed against 16 named and 15–20 unidentified attackers.

Eyewitnesses reported that the clash began when counter staff asked two men to smoke away from the premises. They later brought reinforcements, sparking the sudden attack.

A nationwide special training program for police officers is set to launch today to enhance professionalism, skills, and capacity in managing the upcoming national election.

The program will be inaugurated at Rajarbagh Police Auditorium by the Home Affairs Advisor. More than 150,000 police personnel will undergo specialized election-duty training across 130 small and 4 large training centers nationwide.

Earlier, from August 31 to September 2, 150 master trainers were trained at police headquarters in Dhaka. Plans are in place to develop 1,292 “trainers of trainers” at 19 police centers, who will subsequently train field-level officers for election duty.

Advisor C.R. Abrar emphasized that schools are institutions not only for acquiring knowledge but also for learning ethics and values. “All life decisions must be guided by principles,” he said. “One must live with dignity rather than succumb to temptations.”

Addressing students, he said he firmly believes they will emerge as capable citizens committed to building a new Bangladesh. He also highlighted the impact of recent youth-led movements, noting that the aspirations of the younger generation will drive progress.

Abrar further stressed the role of educational institutions as the “engine of life,” warning about environmental degradation despite technological advancements. “Global warming is causing rapid melting of polar ice, increasing the average temperature of the Earth, and threatening future generations. Our generation failed to act; in this regard, we are accountable,” he added.

Employees of the Rural Electrification Board have declared an indefinite nationwide work stoppage starting Sunday, pressing a four-point demand.
The demands include reforms in rural electrification, elimination of job discrimination, and an end to harassment through punitive measures.
Assistant Office Secretary Anju Rani Malakar stated that despite repeated assurances, the Ministry of Power had failed to resolve longstanding issues. Instead, workers faced termination, transfers, and suspensions.
The protesting employees also called for reinstating unjustly dismissed staff and demanded legal action against corrupt officials within the Rural Electrification Board.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has announced that the government has set a fixed price for potatoes to ensure farmers receive fair compensation.
Speaking during a visit to a newly established temporary police camp in Jamalpur, Guagachhia union of Gazaria upazila, Chowdhury said the camp would be made permanent and illegal firearms gradually seized.
He noted that despite fixing potato prices, cold storage facilities were still withholding supply, causing concern among growers.

Eleven police personnel, including a sub-inspector, have been suspended in Kishoreganj for allegedly extending “undue privileges” to former National Board of Revenue (NBR) official Matiur Rahman while escorting him from court to prison.
Superintendent of Police Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury confirmed the suspension, stating that the accused officers accepted bribes and allowed the detainee to dine in a separate room during a stopover.
An internal probe confirmed the allegations. The officers will remain suspended and stationed at the police lines, where they must attend roll calls and training sessions in plain clothes.

The Hathazari Upazila administration in Chattogram has imposed Section 144 following violent clashes between madrasa students and Sunni groups. According to a Saturday order from the UNO, Section 144 will be in effect from 10:00 PM today until 3:00 PM Sunday, covering the areas from Mirer Hat to the Eleven-Mile Substation and from the Upazila Gate to the Agriculture Training Institute, along with adjacent areas.

During this period, gatherings or movement of five or more individuals are strictly prohibited. The unrest erupted after a young man, identified as Arian Ibrahim, allegedly made offensive gestures in front of Hathazari Madrasa, took photos, and posted them on Facebook. The incident sparked outrage in the Qawmi madrasa community.

Police arrested Arian Ibrahim around 7:30 PM, after which he issued a video apology for his actions. The situation escalated further when madrasa students and locals protested in Hathazari town in the evening, resulting in damage to a bus and suspension of traffic. Tensions between madrasa students and Sunni groups later escalated into a clash, leaving several people injured.