Jahangirnagar University witnessed the release of various wildlife species, including 42 parakeets, 4 green pigeons, 7 vultures, 2 black kites, and several turtles. The release took place at the Botanical Garden area, conducted by the Wildlife Crime Suppression Unit. The unit noted that many animals were rescued from illegal trade or recovered in a sick state and rehabilitated. Inspector Asim Mallik emphasized ongoing efforts to curb wildlife trafficking and raise public awareness, while wildlife researcher Johra Mila highlighted legal penalties under the Wildlife Act 2012, including up to one year in prison, a 100,000 BDT fine, or both.

After a six-month suspension, rice imports have restarted at Satkhira’s Bhomra land port. On the first day, 960 tons of rice arrived from India, with traders showing strong interest in importing more. Trucks carrying rice are waiting at the border, though local market prices have yet to be affected. Retail rates for miniket, bri, and coarse rice remain stable. Officials expect the influx to influence local rice prices within a few days.

Two journalists in Chattogram have accused the officer-in-charge (OC) of Double Mooring Police Station, Babul Azad, of harassment while covering a labor protest on Wednesday evening.

The incident occurred in front of the police station, where workers were demonstrating for unpaid wages. Shahidul Islam Masum, a reporter for Jaijaidin, and Abdul Qaiyum, a reporter for Ajker Patrika, alleged that police chased them away, confiscated their phones and microphones, and verbally abused them.

Masum was reportedly dragged into the police station lockup and held for 20 minutes before being released following pressure from fellow journalists.

The Chattogram Multimedia Reporters’ Unity condemned the incident, demanding a neutral investigation and stern action against the OC within 24 hours. The organization warned of tougher programs if their demand is not met.

Feni University students staged a protest on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway on Thursday, demanding a permanent campus and six other key demands. The demonstration at Mohipal area blocked both lanes for about 30 minutes. Their demands include appointing a new vice-chancellor and initiating campus bus transport services. Students noted that despite 13 years since the university’s establishment, a permanent campus has yet to be built, affecting their studies. The protest followed the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jamaluddin Ahmed the previous night.

Law enforcement agencies have submitted 26 charge sheets in connection with cases filed during incidents that occurred amid the recent mass uprising.

According to the Police Headquarters, eight of these cases are murder charges from Sherpur, Feni, Chandpur, Cumilla, Kurigram, and Chattogram Metropolitan Police. The remaining 18 relate to other criminal offenses in Bogura, Chapainawabganj, Sirajganj, Pabna, Jamalpur, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Barishal Metropolitan Police, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, and the Police Bureau of Investigation.

A total of 1,153 individuals have been charged in the murder cases, while 682 stand accused in other cases. Authorities stated that investigations into remaining cases are ongoing, with a commitment to bring all perpetrators to justice under close supervision of senior officials.

Sub-Inspector Sheikh Afzalul Haque has applied to become a state witness in the Ashulia case involving the killing and burning of six victims.

On Thursday, he submitted his petition to the International Crimes Tribunal-2, which also ordered the commencement of trial proceedings against eight accused in the case.

The tribunal, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, directed that the hearings begin after the accused were produced before the court earlier in the day. Among the 16 accused, former lawmaker Saiful Islam and seven others remain absconding. The tribunal has appointed lawyers to represent them.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court will announce its verdict on September 4 regarding the state’s appeal against the acquittal of all accused in the August 21 grenade attack case, including BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and former state minister Lutfozzaman Babar.

The fifth day of hearings on the appeal was held this morning under the leadership of the Chief Justice.

In 2018, a lower court sentenced Babar, BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu, and 17 others to death, while 19—including Tarique Rahman—were sentenced to life imprisonment. Eleven others received varying prison terms.

However, on December 1 last year, the High Court acquitted all accused, prompting the state to file a leave-to-appeal petition on March 19 this year. The Appellate Division granted the appeal but did not stay the High Court verdict.

The European Union’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Charles Whiteley (Michael Miller in local reports), held a meeting on Thursday with Dr. Ali Riaz, Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission.

The discussion focused on the commission’s activities, objectives, and achievements. Riaz briefed the envoy on the dialogues held with political parties, efforts to build national consensus, and progress in implementing the National Charter announced in July.

Ambassador Whiteley praised the commission’s work, expressing optimism that its ongoing efforts would be successfully completed.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has ordered the commencement of trial proceedings against former MP Saiful and 15 others in connection with the Ashulia mass killing case, where six bodies were burned during the uprising.

The tribunal also issued arrest warrants for eight fugitives linked to the case.

Prosecutors allege that on August 5, 2024, five victims were killed and set ablaze, while another injured man was also burned alive. A day earlier, on August 4, another individual was shot dead outside Ashulia police station.

The formal charges are supported by 313 pages of documents, 62 witnesses, 168 pages of evidence, and two pen drives.

Sukhranjan Bali, a controversial witness in the war crimes trial of Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, has lodged a formal complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal alleging abduction and torture.

Bali claimed that in November 2012, as he attempted to testify in Sayeedi’s favor, plainclothes police abducted him and held him in secret detention for two months and 17 days, before forcing him across the border into India, where he was imprisoned for five years.

His petition names 32 individuals, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, and several senior figures in the judiciary and prosecution.

The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, carried out an attack in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, injuring several Israeli soldiers. The assault reportedly involved anti-personnel shells.

According to the Israeli military, around 18 armed fighters launched a raid on an army camp early Wednesday, leaving at least three soldiers wounded, one critically. Palestinian media, however, claimed that as many as seven soldiers were injured.

Meanwhile, in Syria’s Golan Heights, seven Israeli soldiers were injured while attempting to defuse bombs.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has directed heads of institutions to submit August salary bills by August 23 in order to disburse payments to MPO-enlisted teachers and staff via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT).

The circular warns that delays in online bill submission will prevent salaries from being sent through EFT. Heads of institutions must download copies of submitted bills, signed by both the head and governing body president, for recordkeeping.

Since January 2024, MPO salaries have been transferred directly to individual bank accounts through EFT. From August, however, monthly MPO payroll submissions by institution heads have been made mandatory to ensure accuracy in cases of retirement, resignation, or death.

Special Assistant Fayez Ahmed Tayeb announced that expansion work on the National Data Center and Disaster Recovery Data Center will be completed within the next six months.

During his visit to the IT Park, Tayeb reviewed site designs, operational facilities, and instructed officials to ensure overall quality improvements. He urged IT Park authorities to organize hackathons, ideathons, startup development programs, and science fairs involving students from local schools and colleges, thereby strengthening the startup ecosystem pipeline.

He also emphasized the need for regular seminars on cybersecurity, digital verification, and cyber literacy. Later, Tayeb visited the operations of Sheba.xyz and Chaldal.com at Jessore Software Technology Park and assured investors that rent reduction demands would be considered.

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll has found that 58% of Americans believe all UN member states should recognize Palestine as an independent state. In contrast, 33% oppose the move, while 9% remain undecided.

The six-day survey shows 78% of Democrats support recognition, whereas 53% of Republicans oppose it. Additionally, 65% of respondents said the U.S. should take steps to help Palestinians facing starvation in Gaza, with 28% disagreeing—most of them Republican.

Analysts suggest the findings indicate a troubling decline in U.S. public support for Israel, posing diplomatic concerns for Tel Aviv.

A total of 175 Bangladeshi nationals have been repatriated from Libya’s Ganfuda Detention Center in Benghazi with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

They arrived at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 6:15 a.m. on Thursday.

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Libya, Major General Abul Hasnat Muhammad Khairul Bashar, along with embassy officials, supervised the repatriation process.

Expressing gratitude to the Libyan authorities and IOM, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of pursuing legal and safe migration pathways. He urged returnees to take legal action against human trafficking networks and assured continued embassy support in this regard.