Journalist Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh, testified at a tribunal against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others in a war crimes case tied to the July uprising.

Rahman alleged that in 2008, then-Army Chief Moeen U. Ahmed struck a deal with Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee to bring the Awami League to power in exchange for job security and a safe exit.

He further claimed that Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and other Awami League leaders conspired in the 2009 BDR mutiny to weaken the army. “Awami fascism was carefully planned, with foreign powers involved,” Rahman told the tribunal.

So far, 45 witnesses have testified in the case against Hasina, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Chowdhury Mamun. Separately, a tribunal in Ashulia begins hearing testimonies today in a murder and corpse-burning case.

Faridpur has seen fresh violence on the second day of protests against parliamentary constituency redistricting, with demonstrators demanding restoration of old boundaries.

Around 11 a.m., protesters blocked at least six key points along the Dhaka-Khulna and Faridpur-Barisal highways near Bhanga, halting traffic to 21 districts including Dhaka.

When police attempted to disperse the protesters, clashes broke out. Demonstrators vandalized and set fire to Bhanga police station, the Upazila Parishad, and the election office.

Local reports confirm several people sustained gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Law enforcement agencies are struggling to regain control of the situation.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Manipur on Saturday for the first time since ethnic clashes erupted two years ago, leaving nearly 250 people dead.

His arrival was met with protests, with crowds chanting “Go Back Modi.” Tensions flared within hours of his visit, as police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators, injuring several.

Modi is on a three-day tour that also covers Assam and Bihar. Violence in Manipur broke out in May 2023 between the largely Hindu Meitei community and the predominantly Christian Kuki population, displacing thousands, many of whom still live in government-run camps.

Addressing the state, Modi said, “The Government of India is making every effort to restore normal life in Manipur. I am here with you today—the people of Manipur are not alone.” He urged all sides to pursue peace.

The government has initiated steps to amend the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) Act of 2018. If approved, the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) will take over printing of textbooks for primary students starting in the 2027 academic year.

Education adviser C.R. Abrar confirmed that the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has proposed the amendment, which is currently under review.

DPE officials argue that since their ministry already receives budget allocations for printing, handling the process directly would cut costs and ensure timely book delivery. They also raised concerns about delays and paper quality under the current system.

However, education experts caution that NCTB’s decades of experience and technical capacity must be weighed carefully before transferring responsibilities.

In a bid to stabilize the foreign exchange market, Bangladesh Bank has purchased approximately $1.13 billion over the past six weeks. Officials say the move is aimed at balancing export earnings and remittance inflows, not manipulating prices.

Banking sector insiders view the initiative positively, warning that if the dollar’s price drops in official channels, remittances may shift to informal routes.

For over a year, the dollar market has remained stable at Tk 121–122 per dollar. Strong export growth and high remittance inflows have boosted supply, alongside foreign loans, strengthening reserves. During the first two months of this fiscal year, Bangladesh received more than $13.5 billion, while imports and debt repayments consumed just over $10.5 billion, leaving a sizable surplus.

To absorb the excess, Bangladesh Bank stepped in as a major buyer through dollar tenders.

Tragedy struck at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) as one of six premature babies born on Sunday passed away in intensive care.

The mother, 23-year-old Moksedha Akter Priya, gave birth to the sextuplets around 9 a.m. Three of the newborns were admitted to DMCH’s NICU, while the other three were taken to a private hospital’s NICU.

Dr. Abida Sultana, an assistant professor at DMCH, explained that Priya delivered at 27 weeks and described the birth as an “inevitable abortion” rather than a viable full-term delivery. Three of the infants weighed about 900 grams each, while the others weighed around 800 grams. Doctors remain cautious, stating that survival will depend largely on medical intervention and luck.

The death toll from violent protests in Nepal has climbed to 72, according to the Ministry of Health. Bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of government buildings, residences, and other destroyed sites.

Angry demonstrators set fire to the Supreme Court, Parliament, and several homes of political leaders during the unrest. Once the clashes subsided, authorities began retrieving victims’ bodies from the debris.

Earlier, officials had confirmed 52 deaths, but the number surged as recovery operations continued. More than 2,000 people have been injured in the violence.

Police in Bhanga, Faridpur, have filed a case naming 90 individuals and accusing another 100–150 unidentified persons in connection with recent blockades on highways and railways.

The case names Algi Union Parishad Chairman and convener of the All-Party Struggle Council, M.M. Siddiq Mia, as the prime accused. Police allege Siddiq and his associates felled trees, set tires ablaze, and blocked the Dhaka-Khulna Highway during protests over constituency redistricting.

When police attempted to clear the blockade, protesters reportedly resisted but eventually fled after a chase, restoring order. Siddiq Mia was arrested Saturday night in Nagarkanda.

A dialogue was held in Kuala Lumpur focusing on ensuring voting rights for Bangladeshi expatriates and distributing smart cards.

Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar told participants, “Expatriates are a driving force in our economy. It is our duty to secure their voting rights. For the first time, they will be able to cast ballots in the national election.”

He announced the introduction of “IT-assisted postal voting” for expatriates, allowing online registration and applications. Ballot papers will be mailed to registered addresses abroad, with completed ballots returned in sealed envelopes directly to returning officers. A ballot-tracking system will also be in place.

Expatriates welcomed the move enthusiastically, with one worker remarking, “We were long deprived of our right to vote. Now we are thrilled to finally participate.”

The government has transferred Md. Nahidur Rahman, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Rajbari’s Goalanda, shortly after the police chief of the same upazila was replaced.

According to a gazette notification, Nahidur Rahman has been reassigned to the Ministry of Commerce as Deputy Director at the Export Promotion Bureau. He must join his new post by September 21 or face immediate release from service the same afternoon.

Rahman dismissed speculations linking the transfer to recent unrest, saying, “This is just part of routine government reshuffles. Nothing else is involved.”

The development comes against the backdrop of intense protests in Goalanda over the 12-foot-high tomb of local spiritual leader Nural Pagla. Unrest escalated earlier this month when agitated crowds vandalized police and UNO vehicles, torched the leader’s house, burned his body, and killed one individual.

Former National Board of Revenue (NBR) member Matiur Rahman, accused in the widely discussed “goat scandal,” faced a public scolding from his wife, former Raipura Upazila Chairman Laila Kaniz, while standing in the dock on Sunday.

Witnesses said the couple stood in the courtroom for 45 minutes during an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) hearing. As Matiur attempted to speak with their lawyers, Laila abruptly snapped at him, saying: “You talk too much. Stay quiet. This happened because of you.” Stunned, Matiur fell silent while Laila continued conversing with the lawyers.

At one point, a woman nearby whispered, “There are journalists here. Be careful what you say.” Later, ACC Deputy Assistant Director Sabikun Nahar petitioned for a three-day remand of the accused couple.

A Sylhet court has served a show-cause notice on Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md. Sarwar Alam over the dismissal of two teachers and the vice-principal of The Sylhet Khajanchibari International School and College.
The court has ordered the DC to respond in writing within 15 working days. As of Sunday evening, the notice had not yet reached his office, confirmed Sarwar Alam.
The action follows a writ petition challenging the controversial dismissals. The matter was confirmed by Advocate Irshadul Haque, lawyer for senior teacher Abeda Haque of the institution.

The Chairman of the Pay Commission, Zakir Ahmed Khan, has assured Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus that the new pay structure will be finalized earlier than the scheduled six months.

Speaking on Jamuna TV, Khan said that while inflation and GDP have risen over the past decade, salaries have not kept pace. The commission is working on a timely pay scale that includes:

Separate salary structures for specialized jobs

Income tax-adjusted salaries

Revised allowances for housing, medical, and transport

Inflation-linked wage adjustment mechanisms

Updated pension and retirement benefits

Recommendations will also address anomalies in grades and increments, rationalize perks such as phone and car allowances, and evaluate employee performance as a basis for pay reform.

Chief Adviser Yunus emphasized that fair pay alone is not enough: “We often see a single illness wipe out entire family savings. With proper insurance, families feel secure. Neighboring countries already follow such models.”

Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur received a hospital visit on Sunday evening from legal adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
Dr. Nazrul entered through the Bagan Gate of the administrative block and met Nur briefly before leaving. Party General Secretary Rashed Khan confirmed that Dr. Nazrul inquired about Nur’s health and ongoing treatment.

Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has emphasized the caretaker government’s determination to leave behind tangible contributions for citizens before its tenure ends.

“I asked the NBR chairman whether we’ll be able to see some of the benefits of our reforms before February, when we step down,” Dr. Salehuddin said. “The Chief Adviser often reminds us that we should try to leave some lasting contributions. Yet, I see certain newspapers publishing only despair—no signs of hope. We want to show people a ray of hope.”

He explained that any new government would need time to settle in, so it was crucial for the current administration to act with goodwill and demonstrate immediate progress.

Addressing tax lawyers, Dr. Salehuddin criticized harassment in public services:
“People are made to run around unnecessarily. Even I sometimes get fed up and say, ‘Just process it.’ For instance, I tell my driver not to bother me repeatedly about his driving license. Citizens need to be freed from such hassles. People want service, and when they receive good service, they are willing to pay for it without hesitation.”