At least 70 people have died after a migrant boat carrying mostly Gambian and Senegalese citizens sank off the coast of Mauritania. Around 150 passengers were on board, and 16 were rescued. Mauritanian authorities recovered 70 bodies, while eyewitnesses suggest the toll could exceed 100. The route from West Africa to Spain via the Canary Islands is one of the world’s most dangerous migration paths. The Gambian government urges citizens to avoid such perilous journeys.

In Kalmakanda, Netrokona, two individuals were fined a total of 100,000 taka by a mobile court for illegally extracting sand from areas including Mahadeo River, Mandaria Beel, Gojarmari, and Sidholi. The gang transported the sand via boats, lorries, and pickups for sale. During Friday’s raids, Imran Hasan and Golap Hossain were each fined 50,000 taka. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mahmudul Hasan stated that such operations will continue to curb illegal sand mining in the region.

Primary school teachers across the country have issued an ultimatum to the government to meet three key demands by September 25, warning of an indefinite hunger strike starting September 26 if their demands are ignored.

The demands, announced at a grand rally organized by the ‘Assistant Teachers’ Unity Council’ at the Central Shaheed Minar, include: raising entry-level assistant teachers’ salaries to Grade 11, ensuring promotion for all teachers, and resolving complexities in grade advancement after 10 and 16 years of service.

Representatives from BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and Ganashonghoti Andolon attended the rally, expressing solidarity with the teachers’ movement. The teachers emphasized that their strike will involve all government primary school teachers nationwide.

In a dramatic turn of events on the Simanta Express, a member of the infamous “knockout gang” was caught red-handed after attempting to drug two female passengers — only to end up unconscious himself.

The incident took place early Saturday morning in coach “J,” seats 78 and 79, on the Khulna-bound Simanta Express heading toward Chilahati.

According to witnesses, the man boarded the train disguised as a passenger and struck up a conversation with two women sitting beside him. After persistent persuasion, he convinced them to drink juice he had brought. Moments later, both women lost consciousness, and the suspect began removing their earrings and nose rings.

A fellow passenger, noticing the suspicious behavior, intervened and caught the suspect, later identified as Ful Mia, red-handed. To confirm his doubts, passengers forced him to drink from the same juice. Within minutes, he too collapsed, proving the concoction was laced with sedatives.

All three — the two victims and the assailant — were rushed to the railway hospital, where they are currently under treatment.

Officer-in-Charge Mahmud-un Nabi confirmed that a written complaint has been filed. “Legal action will be taken as per procedure,” he said.

Special Assistant Fayez Ahmed Tayeb has warned of security breaches where one-time passwords (OTPs) from Facebook and banking accounts are being intercepted.

“SMS messages containing OTPs and passwords must pass through secure channels. Without regulation, personal security is at risk,” he cautioned.

Currently, mobile operators handle international SMS traffic, but the BTRC’s proposed licensing system will make separate licenses mandatory for international SMS services. This, Tayeb argued, will ensure 100% revenue collection and improved security.

He added that in the future, OTP codes will be delivered via mobile authenticator apps instead of SMS, reducing reliance on vulnerable text-based systems.

Amid tensions over U.S. tariff hikes, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has declared that “national interest comes above all else—India has no permanent friends or enemies.”

Speaking on defense growth, Singh said India does not view any country as an enemy but will not compromise its people’s interests.

He highlighted India’s defense export boom—from less than ₹700 crore in 2014 to ₹24,000 crore today—signaling the country’s rise from a buyer to a major supplier.

“Under self-reliance, India now builds all its warships domestically, and the Navy has pledged not to buy from abroad,” he added.

The statement comes as former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian products.

Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman has described the attack on Nurul Haque Nur as “heinous, condemnable, and criminal,” stressing that it was part of a deep-rooted conspiracy rather than an isolated event.

He also revisited historical grievances, accusing the Jatiya Party of betraying the people between 1982 and 1990 and assisting the Awami League during the July uprising. “If the Awami League can be banned, why not the Jatiya Party?” he asked.

While acknowledging public anger, he said law enforcement agencies were working to control mob incidents as swiftly as possible.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has announced that BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will hold a meeting with the Chief Adviser on Sunday to discuss the political situation and upcoming elections.

He also confirmed that the attack on Gano Adhikar Parishad leader Nurul Haque Nur will be subject to a judicial probe, with assurances of maximum medical care.

Alam stated that an “election-friendly environment” now exists and reaffirmed that the national polls will be held in the first half of February 2026. “No force or conspiracy can stop it,” he said.

Leaders of the Diploma Engineering Struggle Council have accused engineering university students of trying to weaken their own professional standing by pressing a “so-called three-point demand.”

They alleged that the movement was designed to embarrass the government, warning that fulfilling the demands would jeopardize more than 500 polytechnic institutes nationwide.

According to the leaders, the agitating students are rejecting government circulars issued in 1978 and 1994. Instead of joining the protests, diploma professionals are calling for the implementation of their own seven-point demand.

Currently, BSc engineers from BUET and other universities are campaigning to stop diploma engineers from using the title “Engineer,” while diploma engineers are demanding safeguards against BSc engineers being appointed to sub-assistant engineer positions.

The Karnaphuli Tunnel in Chattogram, Bangladesh’s first underwater tunnel, has started generating profit after several months of losses. Initially struggling due to low traffic, the tunnel now benefits from a privately-operated dry dock across the river, which has increased cargo and vehicle flow. Daily toll revenue has risen to Tk 400,000–500,000, with prospects for further growth as more jetties become operational. Faster cargo movement via the tunnel reduces congestion and import costs, marking a major turnaround for the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.

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.