The High Court expressed its inability to hear Julius Caesar’s petition challenging the cancellation of his Dhaka University Vice President candidacy.

Caesar, originally assigned ballot number 26, faced allegations of ties with a banned student organization after the final candidate list was released. Following recommendations from the Election Commission, his candidacy and ballot number were removed. He filed the petition after receiving no response to a legal notice sent to the Chief Returning Officer.

The Asian Pacific Human Rights Organization (APHR) has called on ASEAN to take urgent action regarding the humanitarian crisis in Rohingya refugee camps.

In a statement in Dhaka, APHR thanked Bangladesh for sheltering Rohingyas and warned that the crisis threatens regional stability. The organization urged ASEAN to establish a dedicated humanitarian fund, as reduced international aid has heightened food insecurity among the refugees.

François Valériane, Chairperson of Transparency International’s International Board, says corruption continues in Bangladesh, but has decreased since the July political upheaval. Allegations against some advisors of the interim government remain under investigation.

Valériane emphasized that corruption undermines democracy, and attacks or harassment of media and civil society weaken accountability. TIB Executive Director Iftikharuzzaman added that post-August 5 banking reforms have curbed money laundering, though it has not been entirely eliminated.

The Anti-Corruption Commission has sent a letter to the Police Headquarters requesting Interpol red alerts against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy.

The notice relates to an ongoing case of plot fraud in the Purbachal New Town project. According to the ACC, both accused are abroad, and the court has issued warrants to ensure they are returned for trial. Investigations into illegal plot allocations began in December 2024, with allegations that they misused power for personal gain.

Drivers and workers of four long-distance bus companies have suspended services on the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar route demanding salary hikes, leaving passengers stranded.

Since Thursday morning, employees of Saudia, Purabi, Marsa, and Swadhin transport services have ceased operations, citing unpaid wages and rising living costs. The 36-hour strike is set to escalate if demands are not met. Meanwhile, local buses are providing “closed-door” services at higher fares, sparking passenger complaints.

In 2017, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina granted 900 acres of land in Mirsarai, Chattogram, free of cost to India’s Adani Group for a Special Economic Zone, during her meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Analysts argue this served India’s interests unilaterally while undermining Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
Later, another 700 acres of farmland were acquired on Hasina’s assurance, without any written agreement. India established a jetty on the Bay of Bengal coast and began using the Maitree Bridge over the Feni River to transport goods to its northeastern states.
Local farmers lost their land, Indian workers dominated the project, and access restrictions fueled public outrage, which was suppressed by authorities. Critics described the project as “a slice of India inside Bangladesh,” warning it posed grave risks to national independence and security.
After Sheikh Hasina’s ouster on August 5, 2024, Indian personnel withdrew, and BEZA has since proposed canceling the project. A letter has been sent to India, but no response has been received.

Indonesia is in turmoil as mass protests spiral into a nationwide uprising following a controversial decision to increase MPs’ allowances.

For over a week, demonstrations have erupted across the country—women in pink uniforms marched with brooms, protesters torched regional parliament buildings, and violent clashes with police left casualties.

The spark came on August 25 in Jakarta but escalated after a 21-year-old motorcyclist was killed on August 28, run over by a police vehicle during clashes.

Despite apologies from President Prabowo Subianto and the police chief, unrest continues. Protesters say MPs already earn over 100 million rupiah ($6,150) per month—30 times the national average—while ordinary citizens struggle with rising costs. Experts warn the uprising could reshape Indonesia’s political system.

Thousands of Israelis marched in Jerusalem against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to occupy Gaza. Protesters lit fires and clashed with police outside his residence.

Another crowd gathered in front of the Knesset, while demonstrators blocked train tracks before being dispersed with water cannons.

Critics accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political gain at the expense of hostages still held by Hamas. “He is risking their lives to serve his own agenda,” one protester said.

Bangladesh’s Supreme Court Appellate Division has upheld the acquittal of Tarique Rahman, former State Minister Lutfozzaman Babar, and others in the August 21 grenade attack case.

The devastating 2004 attack on an Awami League rally left dozens dead and injured hundreds. A trial court had issued harsh sentences, but the High Court overturned them on December 1 last year, acquitting the accused.

Following the High Court’s detailed verdict, the state filed appeals, which the Appellate Division has now dismissed, keeping the acquittals intact.

A Bangladeshi national has died while attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Italy. His body was recovered late Monday from a migrant boat near Lampedusa, according to the Italian Coast Guard and Financial Police.

The vessel, which departed from North Africa, carried 52 migrants—51 of whom were rescued alive. Authorities suspect the Bangladeshi died from inhaling toxic fuel fumes. His identity remains unknown.

Survivors from Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Syria, Sudan, and Bangladesh reported that another migrant had fallen overboard during the journey and could not be saved.

Italy says 43,860 irregular migrants have landed by sea so far this year, including 13,271 Bangladeshis—the largest national group.

A violent attack targeted the Sohag Paribahan ticket counter and the adjacent residence of its owner, Palash Talukdar, near Malibagh Railgate late Wednesday night.

Around 11:15 PM, a group of 60–70 men stormed the counter, smashing property and launching a brutal assault. Palash Talukdar sustained injuries, while his driver Mamun was critically wounded by sharp weapons.

Palash’s brother, Majedul Haque Nadim, alleged that members of the ruling party’s volunteer wing carried out the attack. Police confirmed that a team rushed to the scene after receiving a 999 emergency call.

Former minister Abdul Latif Siddique, arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act, has withdrawn his bail application, according to his lawyer Mohsin Reza.
The withdrawal was made from the relevant branch of the CMM Court.

Meanwhile, of the 15 others arrested in the same case, six — Golam Mostafa, Zakir Hossain, Tousif-ul Bari Khan, Amir Hossain, Shafiqul Islam, and Abdullahil Qayyum — also applied for bail, but their petitions were rejected by the court.

Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud confirmed that the much-anticipated taskforce report will not be submitted today.
Speaking at a luncheon with Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) officials and taskforce members on Wednesday, he said:
“The taskforce will submit their report directly to me, but not today. I am here mainly to share lunch with everyone, not for any official discussion. I haven’t yet seen what is in the report.”

Taskforce member Zillur Rahman noted, “It’s not the right time for detailed questions. Once we officially submit the report, everything will be disclosed. We’ll hand it over once the adviser sets a convenient date.”

Earlier, the government had said the taskforce was working on implementing the recommendations of the Public Administration Reform Commission, including establishing an independent statistics commission to counter past data manipulation.
According to officials, the report is expected to be formally submitted on September 10.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has begun a public investigation into widespread looting of valuable white stones from mines, following allegations of official complicity.

ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain said enforcement operations had earlier uncovered police and political involvement. “Based on the report, the Commission decided to launch a full-fledged investigation to assign responsibility,” he explained.

Documents suggest at least 53 individuals—including police officers, political leaders, and government officials—were implicated in receiving commissions from illegal stone traders.

The ACC’s open probe aims to hold accountable those found directly complicit in the large-scale resource theft.

Police have filed charge sheets in nine cases linked to violent attacks on student demonstrators in Rajshahi during the recent mass uprising.

Two of the cases are murder trials in which former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader, and Rajshahi Mayor A.H.M. Khairuzzaman Liton are among 244 accused individuals.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Gaziur Rahman confirmed that detectives investigated all nine cases before submitting the charge sheets to court.

The cases stem from the killing of two students, Sakib Anjum and Ali Raihan, who were shot dead on August 5 last year during protests in Rajshahi.