Government primary school teachers in Bangladesh are holding a mass rally at Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar, demanding salary placement in Grade 11. Organized by the “Primary Assistant Teachers’ Organization Unity Council,” the protest highlights delayed implementation of their pay scale despite repeated government assurances. Leaders demand revisions to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education’s consultation committee report, higher grades after 10 and 16 years of service, and 100% promotion from assistant teacher to head teacher positions.

Padma Islami Life Insurance Company Limited’s life insurance fund faced a deficit of Tk 30.77 billion as of June 30, 2025, up from Tk 27.26 billion the previous year. The second-quarter deficit was Tk 0.617 billion, while the first-half deficit reached Tk 1.457 billion. The company has not paid dividends to shareholders since 2016. Listed in 2012, it has a paid-up capital of Tk 3.888 billion, with 31.56% held by promoters and 50.10% by general investors.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has proposed increasing the retirement age for pilots on international flights from 65 to 67, citing rising global demand for air travel and a shortage of pilots. The proposal will be discussed at the UN’s ICAO General Assembly starting September 23. IATA recommends that flights with pilots over 65 must include a second pilot under 65. U.S. pilots’ unions oppose the change, citing safety concerns. ICAO previously raised the retirement age from 60 to 65 in 2006.

Over the past three days, a total of 945 tons of coarse rice has been imported from India through Benapole Land Port in Sharsha Upazila, Jessore, arriving in 27 trucks. The latest shipment of 420 tons arrived on August 27. The government aims to stabilize domestic rice prices through these imports. Importers, with the help of C&F agents, are expediting customs clearance, and more rice-laden trucks are awaiting entry. The last import via this port was on April 15.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has strongly condemned the attack on former DUCSU VP and GOP chief Nurul Haque Nur, calling it a “shameful and unacceptable incident.” Visiting Dhaka Medical College Hospital late Friday night, he was briefed by doctors about Nur’s condition. Doctors reported injuries to his nose and near his eye, internal bleeding, and semi-consciousness. Nur has since been shifted to the ICU for close observation, with further tests planned. Alam assured a thorough investigation into the assault.

Adviser Asif Nazrul was effectively confined inside Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday night by leaders and activists of Ganadhikar Parishad (GOP). The incident occurred around 12:15 a.m. when Nazrul arrived to see GOP President Nurul Haque Nur, who had been admitted to the emergency ward after sustaining serious injuries in a joint forces’ attack earlier that evening. Party leaders and activists surrounded the hospital and chanted slogans, demanding justice for the assault on their leader.

The government has drafted a new Haor Master Plan to ensure sustainable development in Bangladesh’s wetland regions. Prepared by the Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development Board through a comprehensive survey, the draft is now open for public feedback from August 24.

The report is available on the Ministry of Water Resources website (www.mowr.gov.bd) and the Haor Board website (dbhwd.gov.bd). Comments and suggestions can be submitted by September 23 via email to dbhwd.hmp@gmail.com

Five young men have been arrested for attempting to illegally enter India through the Kalmokanda border in Netrokona. They were sent to jail on Friday.

According to officials, three individuals were handed over to the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) by the Border Security Force (BSF) after being intercepted at the Kochugura border point on Friday afternoon. Earlier, on Thursday night, a BGB patrol team apprehended two others attempting to cross via the Bolmath border.

Sources confirmed that a BGB operation, conducted based on secret intelligence, saw three of the youths flee into India, where they were later detained by the BSF and returned to local BGB custody.

Stone extraction at Madhyapara Granite Mine in Dinajpur has been temporarily suspended due to a shortage of ammonium-based explosives, imported from India. The German contractor Trust Consortium, responsible for mining and maintenance, halted operations yesterday. The mine typically produces 5,500 tons of stone daily, worth around 15 million Taka, leading to significant daily financial losses during the halt. Authorities expect shipments of explosives to arrive within 2–3 days, after which extraction and development activities are likely to resume.

Government primary school teachers are organizing a mass rally in Dhaka on 30 August, calling for three main demands: raising assistant teachers’ salaries to the 11th grade, ensuring promotions for all teachers, and resolving complications in higher-grade promotions after 10 and 16 years of service. The “Assistant Teachers’ Organization Unity Council,” representing six teacher groups, announced the event. Over 100,000 teachers from all 64 districts are expected to participate. Political party representatives will also attend to show support.

At the opening of the Bengal Delta Conference 2025, The Wire’s founder-editor Siddharth Varadarajan praised Bangladesh’s handling of US-imposed tariffs on India and Bangladesh as indicative of its economic transformation. Former Malaysian Education Minister Prof. Mazli bin Malik noted that the recent people’s uprising restored democratic culture, with the government consulting stakeholders—a positive reform step. The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam reflected on Bangladesh’s historic struggle to build strong institutions, while Nepal’s ex-minister Dr. Deepak Gawali urged youth to address global climate challenges responsibly.

Northern Electricity Supply Company Limited (NESCO) announced a six-hour power shutdown on Saturday from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM in Kurigram and Lalmonirhat for repairs to damaged conductors on 132kV transmission lines. Approximately 120 MW of load will be affected in these districts, with 20 MW in Rangpur city. Roamari and Rajibpur in Jamalpur will not be affected. NESCO expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience.

No bail petition was filed on behalf of Abdul Latif Siddiqui in the anti-terrorism case, as he refused to sign the lawyer’s authorization. Lawyer Saiful Islam Saif said Siddiqui stated, “Why ask for bail from a court that has no power to grant it?” Other accused parties did seek bail. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque denied bail and ordered the accused sent to jail, with the prosecution represented by Additional Public Prosecutor Shamsuddoha Suman.

In Sreepur, Gazipur, armed assailants attacked police multiple times to snatch Suman Mia, an accused involved in several cases. During the incident near Tengra Road, seven officers were injured, and attackers also targeted two police vehicles. Suman was initially detained by the Detective Branch near Trimohoni Bridge but forcibly taken after repeated assaults in Bormi, Satkhamair, and Tengra Dibar Par areas. Local BNP and Jamaat activists protested the incident, alleging links between the criminal and NCP leaders, while police intensified efforts to recapture him.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard detained 122 boatmen and crew members in the Naf River for allegedly fishing in Myanmar’s territorial waters. The operation, conducted from Mohona to Jaliapara on Friday morning, involved 19 fishing boats. Among those detained, 29 were local residents and 93 were Rohingya.

Officials noted that Bangladeshi fishermen are often detained by the Arakan Army for crossing maritime boundaries, prompting heightened vigilance and strict enforcement by the Coast Guard.