Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Advisor to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, has ordered strict enforcement to resolve mechanical issues in Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ fleet.

Speaking at a discussion, he emphasized that such technical problems directly affect passenger safety and must be treated with utmost priority to protect the airline’s reputation.

He called on both administration and engineering divisions to act responsibly, warning that negligence will not be tolerated. Bashir Uddin also stressed the importance of rigorous pre-flight inspections to prevent accidents and ordered stern action against any human-caused lapses.

Renowned academic and advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul has visited Ratargul, Bangladesh’s only swamp forest, alongside Sylhet DC Sarwar Alam and senior government officials.
He highlighted the need for eco-friendly infrastructure development to boost tourism while preserving the environment.
During his boat tour of the forest, he listened to boatmen singing traditional songs and emphasized that improving local livelihoods must remain a key part of development plans.

The rights body Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has strongly opposed demands to scrap music teacher recruitment in primary schools, warning that such moves threaten cultural diversity.
“Music education is not just entertainment—it fosters creativity, moral values, tolerance, and psychological growth,” ASK said in a statement.
They argued that some groups are deliberately politicizing the issue to weaken national culture, which could have “far-reaching negative consequences” for social unity.
While acknowledging the need for religious instruction, ASK insisted that such demands must not come at the expense of artistic and cultural education.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has raised concerns over the Public Administration Ministry’s renewed push to purchase luxury cars for future ministers, despite earlier rejection of a similar proposal by the Finance Ministry.
TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said the move reflects “the same sycophantic behavior by bureaucrats that was seen under authoritarian governments.”
“If the interim government approves this purchase, questions will arise as to why this matter was given priority and on what justification,” he warned, calling the decision “unwanted and unacceptable.”

The National Consensus Commission may recommend that the government issue a “Constitutional Order” to implement the July National Charter 2025, said commission vice-chairman Professor Ali Riaz.
He explained that the order would require final approval through a nationwide referendum, to be held on the same day as the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Experts had previously debated between two options—referendum or constitutional order—but have now proposed a combined approach.

The National Board of Revenue’s Central Intelligence Cell has seized two lockers belonging to Sheikh Hasina at Agrani Bank’s Dilkusha branch. Officials carried out the operation on Wednesday as part of an investigation into possible tax evasion.
According to reports, the lockers numbered 751 and 753 were registered under her name. Earlier, on September 10, another locker belonging to Hasina was seized at Pubali Bank. With this, authorities have so far seized three lockers from the two banks combined.

A Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 38 others in connection with a murder case during the mass uprising.

The case alleges that during protests in Vatara, Hasina’s directives led to clashes that caused the death of Mohammad Jahangir, a participant in the movement.

The investigating officer, SI Nazmul Amin of Vatara Police Station, requested the ban, citing fears the accused might flee abroad.

Notable figures named include Obaidul Quader, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Kazi Rakib Uddin, KM Nurul Huda, and Habibul Awal, among others.

The case accuses ruling party leaders and financiers of supplying weapons and orchestrating attacks on protesters, resulting in Jahangir’s fatal injuries.

Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud has announced major reforms in public procurement, ensuring greater opportunities for new contractors.

Under the new rules, 30% of all government tender work must be allocated to new contractors. Previously, powerful groups repeatedly secured contracts through collusion, but this practice is being phased out.

Mahmud explained that bids will no longer be judged solely on experience. Instead, a contractor’s past performance, business dealings, and financial integrity—including loan defaults or corruption—will be scrutinized.

“This marks a quiet revolution in government procurement,” he said, describing it as one of the administration’s landmark reforms.

He added that steps are underway to resolve land acquisition bottlenecks in project implementation and to prioritize the use of state-owned (khas) land to protect agricultural fields. A committee has already been formed to identify and manage khas land across the country.

Bangladesh and India have joined six countries in Zapad-2025, a large-scale military exercise hosted by Russia and Belarus.

India’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that it has deployed 65 soldiers to the five-day drill, which involves around 100,000 troops. The exercises showcased nuclear-capable bombers and warships, underscoring their strategic weight amid heightened NATO-Russia tensions following the downing of a Russian drone over Poland last week.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, donning military attire, announced: “Today we are conducting the final phase of the Zapad-2025 strategic exercise.”

Apart from Bangladesh and India, Iran, Burkina Faso, Congo, and Mali also sent military representatives. Analysts suggest Washington may risk losing India—its key Asian ally and long-standing counterbalance to China—to Moscow’s growing defense influence. Notably, India had also taken part in Russian military exercises prior to the Ukraine war.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam has assured that this year’s Durga Puja celebrations will be even more festive than last year’s, with round-the-clock security at all mandaps.
During a visit to Dhaka’s Ramna Kali Temple, Jahangir said the interim government had taken all necessary measures to ensure peaceful and joyous festivities, stressing that law and order remain stable.
He warned against misinformation campaigns claiming mass migration of Hindus and temple demolitions, urging vigilance against communal incitement. Hindu Buddhist Christian Welfare Trust Secretary-General S.N. Tarun Dey also appealed to journalists to help counter false propaganda.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 13 development projects with a combined cost of Tk 8,333 crore, chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
Of the funding, Tk 4,437 crore will come from government resources, Tk 1,225 crore from project loans, and Tk 2,670 crore from agency funds.
Key projects include the third revision of the Information Apa women’s empowerment program, modernization of research labs and infrastructure at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), drilling initiatives under the Ministry of Power and Energy, and the construction of multi-story housing for government employees in Mirpur’s Paikpara.

Students protesting diploma grade reforms lifted their blockade at Tejgaon’s Satrasta intersection on Wednesday afternoon after nearly three hours. The protest, which began at 11:00 a.m., disrupted traffic until around 2:00 p.m.
Leaders announced a nationwide sit-in program at all polytechnic institutes and key points across the country on Thursday. Student representative Mashfiq Islam declared: “Diploma students will not accept any conspiracy over the 10th grade.”

Government Adviser Sakhawat Hossain has reiterated that Bangladesh will not host any additional Rohingya refugees and remains committed to repatriating those already sheltering in the country.
He expressed optimism that repatriation could begin next year but stressed the necessity of international support, noting that the government is pursuing diplomatic channels to make it possible.
Writer and thinker Farhad Mazhar added that the Rohingya issue is not only humanitarian but also political, military, and geopolitical, urging greater involvement from the international community.

The distribution of nomination papers for the long-awaited Chittagong University Central Student Union (CHUCSU) election concluded on Tuesday. A total of 474 candidates collected forms for the central student union, while 589 collected for hall unions.
Nomination submission remains open until Wednesday, with the preliminary candidate list set for release on Sunday. Candidates may withdraw until September 23, after which objections will be reviewed before the final list is published on September 25.
Although the official deadline for distribution was 3:30 p.m., overwhelming student demand pushed the process until 7:00 p.m. The election—returning after 36 years—will see 27,637 registered voters cast their ballots on October 12.

Residents of Akhaura in Brahmanbaria blocked railway tracks on Wednesday, demanding the construction of gates and deployment of gatekeepers at level crossings.

Around 10 a.m., protesters occupied the Greecenagar rail crossing, halting trains including the Dhaka-bound Chattala Express and the Chittagong-bound Mahanagar Provati Express for about half an hour.

The protest followed Monday’s fatal accident at an unprotected crossing, where a train hit an autorickshaw, killing the driver and a female passenger on the spot.

Local BNP leaders and police later intervened to calm the situation and restore train services.