Former U.S. President Donald Trump has emphasized the need for a permanent peace agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war, rather than a temporary ceasefire.
Speaking after a 90-minute meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, Trump said, “I personally like ceasefires because they stop the killings immediately, but in the end, we need a sustainable peace deal.”
However, German Chancellor Merz stated that a ceasefire must precede any peace talks. “I cannot imagine negotiations without a ceasefire. Russia must be pressured into stopping hostilities first,” he said.

The Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) has issued show-cause notices to 10 students accused of ragging juniors from the 24th batch.
According to a notice signed by Professor Dr. Md. Mahbubul Alam, Director of Student Welfare, the accused belong to the 23rd batch.
On the night of August 13, CUET authorities found 10 seniors harassing nine juniors inside room N-512 of Muktijoddha Hall during a routine inspection by the hall provost and assistant provosts.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Azharul Sardar in Keraniganj on charges of murdering his stepson, Rakibul.
According to RAB, Azharul confessed during preliminary interrogation that he strangled Rakibul out of anger after his wife, Tofura Khatun, divorced him.
RAB-10 Commander Additional DIG Mohammad Kamruzzaman said Rakibul went missing on August 14 after leaving for work. Later, Tofura received misleading information from Azharul about her son’s whereabouts. On August 16, she discovered that Rakibul’s body was hidden in Azharul’s rented house.
Investigators confirmed that Azharul strangled the boy with a towel before attempting to conceal the body.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has signed an ordinance abolishing the use of political party symbols in local government elections.

Under the new law, candidates must contest as independents, preventing political parties from officially nominating candidates.

The move reverses a 2015 decision under the Awami League government to hold local polls on party lines—a move long criticized by opposition groups and election experts.

The Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) has completed preparations for the sixth mass teacher recruitment recommendations. Pending approval from Education Adviser Dr. C. R. Abrar, recommendations for over 41,000 teacher appointments could be announced on Tuesday, August 19. Over 57,000 candidates applied for a total of 108,822 vacancies across schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions, meaning nearly half of the positions may remain unfilled despite the large recruitment drive.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has achieved a historic milestone by earning an unaudited profit of BDT 9.37 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year, the highest in its 55-year history. Revenue reached BDT 11.63 billion, with 3.4 million passengers transported and 43,918 tons of cargo handled. The cabin factor rose to 82%, and record ticket sales were recorded in January 2025. Enhanced services, faster baggage delivery, and modernized airport processes contributed to higher passenger satisfaction and strong safety performance.

The government has declared all of Savar Upazila in Dhaka District a “Degraded Airshed” due to dangerously high air pollution levels. Starting September, all brick kilns except tunnel and hybrid Hoffman types must halt operations, and open burning of solid waste and new polluting factories are banned. Monitoring data shows Savar’s air pollution exceeds national limits nearly threefold, threatening public health. The move aims to reduce pollution in both Savar and Dhaka and protect the population, especially during the dry season.

In a major political development, the interim government has announced the withdrawal of 16,429 cases it described as “false and politically motivated.”

According to officials, thousands of ordinary citizens and political opponents were deliberately entangled in fabricated lawsuits, which not only caused immense suffering for the accused and their families but also undermined both the political and judicial systems.

The government said the move aims to put an end to unjust harassment, ease political tensions, and create a level playing field ahead of the upcoming national elections.

It added that the decision would encourage broader participation in the polls, rebuild public trust in state institutions, and pave the way for a more peaceful and democratic process.

The Dhaka University administration has extended the deadline for the collection and submission of nomination papers for the 2025 DUCSU elections.

Chief Returning Officer Prof. Mohammad Jasim Uddin confirmed on Monday that, in light of overwhelming enthusiasm among students, many were unable to collect nomination forms within the scheduled time due to long queues at halls and the central office.

To ensure equal opportunity for all candidates, the deadline has been extended by one day:

Collection of nomination papers: Now open until Tuesday, 5 PM

Submission of nomination papers: Extended until Wednesday, 5 PM

So far, 565 nomination forms have been sold for 28 DUCSU central positions, while 1,226 forms have been collected for elections across 18 hall unions.

In response to allegations of harassment during the distribution of nomination forms, the DUCSU election authority has formed a four-member probe committee.

Chief Returning Officer Prof. Mohammad Jasim Uddin announced on Monday that the committee will investigate the incident at Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall, where a Chhatra Dal leader was reportedly mistreated while trying to collect nomination papers.

The committee is headed by Assistant Proctor Prof. Dr. Md. Robiul Islam and includes Prof. Dr. S.M. Arif Mahmud (Department of Anthropology), Dr. A.K.M. Nur Alam Siddiqui (Assistant Proctor), and Assistant Proctor Atia Sanzida Shormi.

They have been instructed to submit urgent recommendations by 12 noon on Tuesday.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam reported that mob justice has decreased around Dhaka but continues in other regions. Ahead of the 13th parliamentary election, 25,871 law enforcement personnel have been deployed. On allegations against the Chairman of MyTV, Alam clarified that courts would handle cases independently and ensure the innocent are not harassed. He emphasized that while major offenders are being apprehended, small-scale offenders are also being monitored and accountability maintained.

Akhtar Ahmed, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission, stated that a plan for the upcoming parliamentary election has already been drafted and submitted for approval. It will be made public later this week. The EC will conduct hearings on 82 boundary objections over four consecutive days starting August 24 and finalize decisions swiftly. Approximately 80,000 initially rejected NID correction requests will be reconsidered. The scanning of remaining voter registration forms is underway, ensuring a richer database. While the number of polling stations will not increase, adjustments will be made for voter distribution, potentially increasing voter capacity per booth from 500 to 600. Verification of applications from 22 political parties is ongoing.

Cox’s Bazar Airport is expected to start partial international flight operations by mid-October, according to CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md. Mostafa Mahmud Siddique. During an inspection of the airport’s second terminal and the sea-runway, he observed that preparations are nearly complete, making it feasible to launch international services soon. While he did not specify the exact percentage of work finished, officials expressed confidence that the airport would be ready to handle international flights. Key airport authorities joined the inspection.

Rokeya University students continued their hunger strike demanding student parliament elections for the second day. Four students have fallen ill, and one is in critical condition. Students claim no response has come from the UGC or government despite 24 hours passing. Vice Chancellor Dr. Shawkat Ali has repeatedly requested students to end the strike, even sitting with them at night, but they have refused. He affirmed his support for their demands and pledged to remain at the office until resolutions are reached.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has detained two ethnic minority men near the Tumbru checkpoint in Ghumdhum, Bandarban, on suspicion of being linked to the Arakan Army. The detainees were identified as Nayan Chakma from Rangamati, Bangladesh, and Ulay Chakma from Maungdaw, Myanmar. During interrogation, Ulay admitted to being a trusted associate of the armed group. Both were later handed over to Naikhongchhari police for legal action. Authorities have stepped up border surveillance amid increasing Arakan Army activity.