Marking one year of Bangladesh’s Commission on Enforced Disappearances, rights group Fortify Rights has called for full accountability for all disappearances that occurred under Sheikh Hasina’s government, describing them as a hallmark of her “brutal authoritarian rule.”
In a statement, the group’s director John Quinley stressed that victims’ families and survivors must receive compensation. Fortify Rights interviewed 10 survivors, relatives of victims, and a lawyer, some of whom described being held at the infamous secret detention center known as “Aynaghar” before being released after Hasina’s ouster.
Many of the disappeared were members of opposition parties, particularly BNP and Jamaat. The commission has already registered over 1,800 cases of enforced disappearances, with hundreds still missing.

Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) have launched a blockade in Agargaon to press for the fulfillment of three key demands of agriculturists. The protest, organized under the banner of the Krishibid Oikya Parishad, began at 10 a.m. today.
The students’ demands include:

Ensuring that the 10th-grade positions in DAE, BADC, and other research institutions remain reserved exclusively for agriculturists.

Removing any provision for promotion to the 9th grade without clearing recruitment examinations.

Issuing a government order barring non-agriculture graduates from using the title “Krishibid” (agriculturist).
The protest follows demonstrations earlier this week over attacks on engineering students.

Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport is grappling with a staggering Tk 2,126 crore in unpaid dues owed by six domestic and international airlines. Among them, three carriers have already shut down operations without clearing their liabilities.

According to airport authorities, Regent Airways alone owes Tk 252.56 crore, while United Airways has an outstanding Tk 54.96 crore and GMG Airlines Tk 29.30 crore. All three airlines ceased operations without settling their accounts.

Among the active carriers, US-Bangla Airlines owes Tk 2.38 crore and Novoair Tk 1.20 crore. The largest single debtor, however, is the state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines, with a massive outstanding of Tk 1,786.96 crore.

Despite repeated official reminders and correspondence, authorities say little progress has been made in recovering the dues.

Over the past 25 years, 15 airlines have pulled out of Shah Amanat International Airport. Today, only two foreign airlines continue operations from Chattogram. Industry insiders blame the exodus on poor facilities, inadequate services, and lack of passenger-friendly amenities, which have discouraged international airlines from maintaining their routes through the airport.

The Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU) election, initially postponed to September 28, has been rescheduled again to September 25 to accommodate Hindu students’ Durga Puja festivities.
According to the new schedule:

Nomination papers distribution ends on August 31

Submission on September 1–4 and 7

Scrutiny on September 8–9

Preliminary candidate list on September 11

Appeals and objections resolved by September 14

Final candidate list published on September 16

Voting and results on September 25

Pakistan has demolished a protective dyke next to a major dam to relieve water pressure caused by heavy rainfall, but the move has submerged one of Sikhism’s holiest sites, Kartarpur Sahib.
Punjab Disaster Management spokesperson Mazhar Hussain confirmed that the dyke was deliberately destroyed to safeguard the dam infrastructure.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry also revealed that India had given advance diplomatic notice before releasing water from its dams. Still, relentless rainfall across northern India led to an abnormal surge in Pakistan’s eastern rivers—the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej—forcing authorities to issue a high flood alert across Punjab province.

A daring robbery attempt at a Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank branch in Bhajanpur Bazar, Panchagarh, was foiled late Tuesday night with the help of locals.
Police identified the suspect as 28-year-old Shahidul Haque. The night guard, upon noticing suspicious movements inside the bank, alerted authorities and locals. Together, they caught the suspect inside the branch with burglary tools in his possession.
Police have confirmed that legal proceedings against the detainee are underway.

Engineering students across the country have declared a “complete shutdown” in all engineering universities on Thursday, suspending classes and exams as part of their ongoing movement.
Movement leader Sakibul Haque Lipu said, “None of our three-point demands have been met. Policymakers remain completely unaware of our concerns. Until our demands are addressed, we will continue.”
Students, however, clarified that they will not block Shahbagh this time to avoid causing public suffering. Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner visited protesting students on Wednesday night and expressed regret over recent confrontations.

Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves have crossed $31 billion once more, fueled by higher remittance inflows, export earnings, and loan support from international organizations.
As of Wednesday, gross reserves stood at $31.33 billion, while reserves calculated under IMF’s BPM-6 methodology reached $26.31 billion.
Earlier in July, after clearing $2.02 billion in ACU payments, reserves had dropped to $29.53 billion. By August 24, gross reserves recovered slightly to $30.86 billion.

Bangladesh is vying for a Category-C membership seat at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council. Ahead of the vote, Foreign Affairs Advisor M. Sakawat Hossain briefed diplomats, highlighting Bangladesh’s strategic maritime significance and ongoing infrastructure projects.
He noted the construction of a deep-sea port in Matarbari, along with three other seaports and 52 inland river ports contributing significantly to the country’s maritime sector. “Bangladesh is playing a strong role in the international maritime arena,” he said, emphasizing that 95% of the nation’s trade occurs via sea. Hossain urged diplomats to support Bangladesh’s bid, highlighting the country’s leadership in environmentally sustainable shipping and ship recycling initiatives.

Advisor Sharmin S. Murshid has cautioned that the coming days will be challenging as the country moves toward elections. “To ensure elections, a peaceful environment must be maintained. If the environment deteriorates, holding elections will become difficult,” she said.
Sharmin added that in the past, corruption and irregularities were widespread across 15 countries. “After August 5, we inherited a country where funds were unavailable, and systems were not functioning. Eliminating corruption in a short period is difficult.” She emphasized the need for patience and urged political parties to cooperate for a rule-based electoral process.

Eight members of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police were injured while trying to prevent protesting BUET students from marching toward the Jamuna area. The injured officers were admitted to Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital, with two in critical condition. Additionally, three journalists were reportedly hurt during the clash.
Earlier in the afternoon, engineering students had gathered at the university’s Gol Chattar as part of their pre-announced “Long March to Dhaka” program, pressing three specific demands. When students attempted to march toward Jamuna, they clashed with police, who used batons, tear gas, sound grenades, and water cannons to disperse the crowd.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali described the police action against engineering students outside the InterContinental Hotel as “disturbing.” Speaking briefly with students at Shahbagh around 10:15 PM on Wednesday, he said, “As the DMP Commissioner, I am deeply sorry and regretful for the unfortunate incident that took place outside the hotel.”
He confirmed that a committee would be formed the following day to investigate the matter. Regarding the earlier incident in Rangpur, the commissioner stated that he had already been in touch with the Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner. A General Diary (GD) has been filed in that case, and authorities have assured that the accused will be apprehended. Meanwhile, students demanded the resignation of Ramna Zone DC Masud Alam.

Adviser Fauzul Kabir Khan has described the recent clash between engineering students and police as “unfortunate,” adding that the police will issue a formal apology.

“The students’ demands are primarily related to jobs and the recruitment process. These issues involve multiple stakeholders, and decisions must be taken after thorough discussion,” Fauzul told reporters after a meeting attended by the Environmental Adviser as well.

The nearly hour-long meeting, however, ended without a concrete resolution, leaving the engineering students frustrated. Protesters at Shahbagh vowed not to leave the streets until their demands are addressed, declaring they will continue their sit-in until a favorable outcome is reached.

Agriculture Advisor Jahangir Alam has announced that the government will introduce a Farmland Protection Act to ensure agricultural land is not diverted to other sectors.
Speaking at a cold storage handover ceremony in Singair on Wednesday, he said middlemen often reap more profits from crops than farmers, using the money to build buildings while farmers remain in shabby homes.
“The responsibility to break this syndicate falls on all of us,” he stressed. He further declared that if agricultural land is used for road construction, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) will be required to pay three times the compensation. Officials failing to carry out their duties properly will face departmental action, he warned.

Heavy monsoon rains in Himachal Pradesh have left at least 310 people dead, with 158 killed in rain-triggered disasters such as landslides, flash floods, and lightning, while 152 died in road accidents. Mandi, Kangra, and Chamba districts were worst affected. Infrastructure losses exceed ₹2,450 crore, including major damage to roads, power, and water supply. Over 324 houses collapsed, 1,800 cattle and 26,000 poultry perished, and hundreds of villages remain cut off as roads, transformers, and supply schemes remain disrupted.