Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has said that the scale of looting from Bangladesh’s banking sector is unparalleled anywhere in the world. He blamed rampant disorder, corruption, and a lack of governance for pushing the economy into an “ICU” at one point. In one case, he discovered that 95% of loans in a bank were non-performing. However, he noted that conditions have now improved, with inflation down to around 8%, GDP growth at 3.9% and projected to reach 5–5.7% by year’s end. While acknowledging that not all expectations were met, he insisted progress has been made. He also confirmed that Bangladesh Bank is working on unification, though political changes could alter that plan.

A government-appointed probe committee has begun investigating the July 16 violence in Gopalganj linked to the National Committee for the Protection of People’s Rights (NCP) march. On Tuesday evening, Additional Secretary of the Public Security Division, Khondker Md. Mahbubur Rahman, urged journalists to share more information during a media briefing. Earlier in the day, committee members visited the scenes of clashes, including Ulpur in Gopalganj Sadar, the district prison, the deputy commissioner’s residence area, and the NCP rally venue. The interim government formed the six-member body on July 24, led by former Justice Dr. Md. Abu Tariq.

A Bangladeshi man from Jhenaigati upazila was beaten to death by locals in Meghalaya’s Khasi Hills district over allegations of border intrusion and an attempted abduction. Akram, injured in the assault, died on Tuesday.
Locals alleged that at least eight Bangladeshis tried to kidnap a resident of Rongdangai village on Monday and vandalized homes during the attack. Villagers captured six Bangladeshis, severely beating them before handing them over to authorities. Police recovered a revolver, ID cards, three wireless sets, and a magazine. Three detainees have been produced in court, while two others remain hospitalized.

Adviser Farida Akhter stated that Bangladesh’s vast marine resources could significantly enhance food security, yet only 30% of the country’s required fish is currently sourced from the sea—far below its potential. By contrast, inland water bodies provide about 50%.
She called for effective initiatives to harness marine wealth for economic growth, community development, and foreign currency earnings through exports. Farida stressed that marine fish are vital for nutrition but remain less popular than inland varieties, except for hilsa, which enjoys widespread demand.

Five senior officers of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have been promoted to the ranks of Deputy Police Commissioner and Assistant Police Commissioner. Among the promoted, A.F.M. Anwar Hossain Khan has been assigned to the City Research and Development Division, while Mohammad Morshed Alam will serve in the City Intelligence and Analysis Division. Additionally, Shirin Akter has been posted to the PR and HRD Division of the Detective Branch (DB), Jannatul Ferdous to the Intelligence, Cyber, and Special Crime (North) Division, and Monwara Akter Rifat to the Women Support and Investigation Division.

A small single-engine plane crashed into parked aircraft while landing at Kalispell City Airport in Montana, sparking fires on several planes. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. local time on August 11. Authorities said the pilot lost control before the crash. Two people sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene. The Socata TBM 700 turboprop had originated from Pullman, Washington. Fire crews contained the blaze after it spread to nearby grass. The aircraft was built in 2011 and owned by Meter Sky LLC.

Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser, has urged Malaysia to keep its labor market open to Bangladeshi workers in the long term. Speaking at a joint press conference, Yunus expressed gratitude to Malaysia for welcoming Bangladeshi workers as friends and family, highlighting the mutual benefits of labor cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged the vital contributions of Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia’s development, affirming Bangladesh as one of Malaysia’s key partners. To maintain workers’ family ties and ensure workplace safety, Malaysia has introduced multiple-entry visas for Bangladeshi laborers, further strengthening bilateral relations.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia, along with several regional partner countries, will jointly dispatch a delegation to Myanmar. The mission’s objectives include fostering peace and ensuring humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees sheltering in Bangladesh. Anwar stressed that establishing peace in Myanmar is a top priority, alongside delivering immediate humanitarian aid to victims, including refugees and earthquake survivors. The Malaysian Foreign Minister is expected to coordinate the Myanmar mission in the coming weeks, with participation from foreign ministers of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Anwar expressed concern over the heavy burden Bangladesh bears in hosting a large number of Rohingya refugees. According to UN data, nearly 150,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh in the past 18 months due to escalating violence primarily targeting the Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine State.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sent a letter to Interpol requesting a five-year extension on the red notice for fugitive money launderer Prashanta Kumar Halder. The current notice is set to expire this December. Earlier, on July 5, Interpol notified the ACC through the Police Headquarters, seeking Bangladesh’s position on whether to withdraw or extend the notice. Halder, currently imprisoned in India, was sentenced to 22 years in a Bangladesh court and is under investigation in over 50 cases by the ACC. The move aims to ensure continued international cooperation in his pursuit.

Eight engineering students have fallen ill while on a relentless hunger strike demanding the establishment of an independent education board modeled after the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). The protest, aimed at securing academic and administrative autonomy, has now surpassed 42 hours. Over a hundred students from engineering colleges in Mymensingh, Barisal, Faridpur, and Sylhet are participating. Despite the worsening health of the students, authorities remain silent. The protesters emphasize that engineering education forms the backbone of the country’s industry, technology, and economy and urge the government to support their demands to safeguard the future of engineering education. Although several organizations, including the National Council of Private Institutions (NCPI), have shown solidarity, no response has come from any relevant department or ministry. The students call on officials to witness firsthand the helplessness and suffering their peers are enduring.

Students and stakeholders at Jahangirnagar University have expressed concerns about security in the upcoming Central Student Union (JAKSU) election. They warn that holding votes in residential halls could increase muscle power influence and disorder, especially with unresolved issues of expired-term students and political activity bans in halls. As an alternative, many suggest using faculty or academic buildings as polling centers to ensure a safer, more democratic election environment, reduce manipulation, and improve voter communication.

A delegation led by Dr. Ali Riaz, Vice-Chair of the National Unity Commission, met with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tracy Ann Jacobson at the ambassador’s residence in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon.

The meeting, also attended by U.S. Embassy Political Counselor Eric Gillan and several commission members including Monir Haider, special assistant to the Chief Advisor, focused on political inclusivity and national unity.

Earlier, Tracy Ann Jacobson had also held discussions with the National Coordination Party (NCP).

Keya Cosmetics Limited alleges that four local banks failed to deposit $66 million of its export earnings into their foreign currency accounts over 20 years. Despite exporting goods worth over $150 million, the company faces financial crisis as banks classify it a defaulter, demanding ₹2,700 crore in dues. Keya has requested investigation from Bangladesh Bank, BSEC, and the Ministry of Finance, warning of job losses for 15,000 workers and significant shareholder losses.

The water level of the Padma River in Rajshahi is rising and approaching the danger mark of 18.05 meters. As of August 11, it reached 17.39 meters, flooding several chars and low-lying areas. Thousands of families in multiple unions are waterlogged, forcing residents to move their livestock and belongings to safer mainland areas. Inspections of embankments have been halted for safety, and the Water Development Board has urged traders to evacuate. The situation remains critical with ongoing water level increases.

Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin confirmed that a letter has been sent to India’s Commerce Minister to initiate talks on various trade matters but noted no response has been received yet from Delhi.

He revealed government plans to import onions to stabilize the market and open up imports further. The interim government is preparing to sign free trade agreements with Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. Discussions are ongoing with the U.S. to further reduce tariffs. Bashiruddin assured that deteriorating law and order has not affected trade and commerce activities.