Police arrested four people, including three BNP leaders and a Chhatra Dal leader, in Pirojpur over allegations of demanding extortion money from a contractor working on a power substation project. The detainees include former Kadamtala Union chairman and union BNP president Abdus Salam Sheikh, union Sramik Dal general secretary Raju Sheikh, former president Ashraful, and union Chhatra Dal president Hasib Sheikh.

Pirojpur Sadar police said Salam Sheikh was arrested in Dhaka with assistance from Rapid Action Battalion-10, while the other three were detained from different areas of Pirojpur and handed over to police. Pirojpur Sadar police station officer-in-charge Shariful Islam confirmed the arrests in connection with an extortion case.

According to the case statement, contractor Zakir Hossain began sand-filling work at the under-construction substation in Kadamtala village on August 13. He alleged that Salam Sheikh pressured him to take him as a partner and later demanded one taka for each cubic foot of sand. The complaint says that after Zakir refused, Salam and associates broke about one kilometre of sand-filling pipeline, causing an estimated loss of Tk150,000. The case names six accused and four or five unidentified people.

Farmers in Shobhan area of Faridganj upazila, Chandpur, are turning discarded water hyacinth from the Dakatia River into floating beds for chemical-free vegetable cultivation. The practice has become an income source while supplying consumers with safer vegetables. Farmers grow 15 to 17 varieties, including bottle gourd, pumpkin and red amaranth, and later use the remaining beds as organic fertilizer.

Farmer Sahid Talukdar began experimenting with the method after seeing floating-bed seedlings brought from Barishal by a plant seller three decades ago. More than 100 farmers in Shobhan village now follow the approach, while trainees and farmers from other districts and upazilas visit Faridganj to observe it. Talukdar said he made 60 floating beds this year at a cost of about Tk350,000 and expects earnings of around Tk1 million.

Farmer Abu Taher said creating a one-decimal bed costs about Tk5,000 and can generate Tk10,000 to Tk12,000. Faridganj agriculture officer Kallol Kishore Sarkar said the department has arranged 28 demonstrations and that expanded training and technical support could raise production several times.

Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Mohammad Suhada Osman, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam on Monday at the Armed Forces Division office in Dhaka Cantonment. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and covered the longstanding friendly relationship between Bangladesh and Malaysia, defence cooperation, and other matters of mutual interest.

Both sides emphasized improving professional skills among the armed forces of the two countries through regular joint military training, specialized courses, training exchanges, and broader capacity-building. They also discussed possible cooperation on the transfer of modern military technology, sharing information and experience, military equipment and logistics support, and joint partnerships in defence equipment production.

The Malaysian high commissioner praised the sacrifice, discipline, and professionalism of Bangladesh’s armed forces in United Nations peacekeeping missions. He said Bangladeshi peacekeepers’ contribution to global peace was a notable example internationally. The defence adviser highlighted the existing brotherly relationship with Malaysia and expressed hope that defence and strategic cooperation would further strengthen the friendship in the future.

A World Bank report published this year says Bangladesh’s primary education system remains fragile despite its large scale and progress in access and gender equality. The report found that 51 percent of 10-year-old children cannot read and understand age-appropriate basic Bangla and English texts, while also failing to attain grade-appropriate mathematics skills. Bangladesh has 20,183,048 students from pre-primary through grade five.

The report cited weak teaching, gaps in school leadership, inadequate infrastructure, climate-related disruptions and low funding as key factors behind learning deficits. Annual Primary School Statistics 2024 recorded more than 20 million children in 118,607 institutions, including 10,617,962 pupils in 65,567 government schools. Of 65,553 head-teacher posts, 27,734 are vacant, with assistant teachers serving in acting roles.

Teacher association leader Khairun Nahar Lipi disputed the report’s broad portrayal, saying primary education has improved despite challenges. The government has started recruitment for 32,000 head teachers. A proposed World Bank-financed PEDP-5 project worth Tk 417.61 billion awaits approval, covering teacher training, classrooms, WASH blocks and other targets.

Habiganj Medical College has expelled eight students from academic activities and its hostel for varying periods following a fight among students at Hostel-1. The expulsion order, signed by Principal Professor Dr Mohammad Javed Zillul Bari, was issued on Sunday night. The clash occurred at about 12:30am on August 19 and left several students seriously injured.

One injured student, Tafsir Ahmed, was at risk of losing an eye and is receiving treatment at the National Institute of Ophthalmology in Dhaka. The college formed a six-member investigation committee following an emergency meeting of its Academic Council on August 20. The committee submitted its report to the disciplinary committee on August 27.

After reviewing the report, the disciplinary committee recommended punishment, which was approved at the Academic Council’s 22nd meeting. Seven students received academic suspensions ranging from six months to seven years and lifetime hostel expulsions, while one was expelled from the hostel for one year. Five students, including one of those expelled, were identified as instigators and warned of strict action if future involvement is proven.

Local BNP leaders were accused of attempting to take control of a newly emerged river char in the Meghna River at Char Ramani Mohan Union of Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila on Sunday morning. Farmers resisted the effort, and the group ultimately left without gaining control, according to the report. Union BNP president Abdul Kader, along with BNP members Md Ripon and Md Milon, reportedly travelled from Majuchowdhury Hat in two trawlers with supporters.

Farmers said they had cleared weeds and made the river chars suitable for cultivation, growing rice, soybeans and various vegetables. They alleged that the leaders arrived with around 50 people and locally made weapons, and that they sought Tk20,000 per acre in exchange for renting the char land. Farmers said the alleged attempt to evict them followed their refusal to pay.

Abdul Kader denied the allegations, saying some party activists had gone to the char for a picnic and that it remained controlled by Awami League and Jubo League members. Police and river police later went to the area, brought the situation under control and moved both sides away to prevent any untoward incident.

The High Court has upheld the death sentence of Hitu Sheikh, the principal accused in the rape and murder case of eight-year-old Achia in Magura. A bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja delivered the verdict at about 11am on Monday.

Achia was raped and sexually abused in early March 2025 while visiting her sister’s in-laws’ home in Nij Nanduali village of Magura. She was initially taken to hospitals in Magura and Faridpur with severe injuries, then admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka. She died during treatment on March 13, 2025.

On May 17, 2025, Judge M Zahid Hasan of the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal sentenced Hitu Sheikh, Achia’s sister’s father-in-law, to death. Three other accused—Achia’s sister’s husband Sajib Sheikh, his brother Ratul Sheikh and their mother Jaheda Begum—were acquitted. The tribunal’s records later reached the High Court as a death reference. The verdict had been scheduled for August 25 but was deferred following a state application.

A Dhaka court sentenced Md Al-Amin Sheikh to life imprisonment with hard labour for the murder of teenage battery-run auto-rickshaw driver Iman Kazi and disposal of his body in Kadamtali. The Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court of Dhaka, presided over by Mohammad Moin Uddin Chowdhury, delivered the verdict on Monday after completing proceedings in 12 working days.

The court also fined Al-Amin Tk20,000, with six additional months of hard labour if unpaid. For destroying evidence and concealing the body under Section 201 of the Penal Code, he received a separate three-year hard-labour sentence and Tk5,000 fine, with one additional month if unpaid. The sentences will run concurrently, while time already spent in custody will be deducted from the main sentence.

Iman went missing on 30 May 2023 after leaving with his auto-rickshaw. Police recovered his bound, bagged and decomposed body from a pond in West Mohammadbagh on 3 June. Investigators said he was killed over suspected family infidelity and a dispute involving Tk5,000. Al-Amin was arrested in Barishal on 5 June 2023 and later gave a Section 164 confession. The court ordered his transfer to Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur.

Bangladesh repaid more than twice the foreign loans disbursed by development partners in July, the first month of the current fiscal year. New external loan disbursements totalled $180.18 million, while repayments of principal and interest on earlier borrowing reached $453.23 million, according to an updated Economic Relations Division report released on Sunday. The repayment outflow exceeded new disbursements by $273.05 million.

For every dollar newly received during the month, Bangladesh spent about $2.5 servicing existing external debt. Loan disbursements were 13.39 percent lower than in July of fiscal year 2025-26, when development partners released $208.04 million. Meanwhile, foreign debt repayments increased by about 4 percent from $446.68 million in that earlier July.

The widening gap at the start of the fiscal year reflects slower new financing alongside rising instalment payments on past loans. Experts said pressure could increase as grace periods for loans linked to major projects end and principal repayments begin. They warned that if new disbursements do not rise as expected, foreign-currency inflows and financing management for development projects could be affected.

Rajshahi University has assigned AHM Aslam Hossain, deputy registrar of its academic branch, as acting registrar, triggering criticism over his educational qualifications and appointment. A university office order issued on Sunday afternoon gave him the responsibility and relieved Professor Dr Iftekharul Alam Masud of the acting registrar’s duties. The report says Hossain does not hold an honours degree, though he claims to have a postgraduate degree.

Former pro-vice-chancellor for education Professor Dr Mohammad Farid Uddin Khan questioned the appointment in a Facebook post, saying an honours degree was mandatory in deputy registrar recruitment criteria but had been relaxed in Hossain’s case. He also alleged that educational qualifications and seniority had been violated, and said he had heard of strong political recommendations. Masud said Hossain did not appear qualified based on the file he had reviewed.

Hossain rejected the allegations as false and said his appointment complied with university rules. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Faridul Islam said Hossain was selected on merit and that no exception was made for the acting role. The report says Hossain earned an MA in History from Rajshahi University in 1992 and joined the university as deputy registrar in January 2007.

Central Depository Bangladesh Limited data show that 8,570 investors were added to Bangladesh’s stock market during the first six months after the BNP government took office on February 17. The number of BO account holders rose from 1,647,916 to 1,656,486 by August 16. This was about half the 16,960 net increase recorded in the first six months of the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus after its August 8, 2024 swearing-in.

During the BNP government’s first six months, 55,814 new BO accounts were opened while 47,244 were closed. Under the interim government, 39,172 accounts were opened and 22,212 closed. In contrast, the number of investors fell by 49,680 in the first six months after the Awami League government formed in 2009, despite 141,158 new accounts being opened and 190,838 closed.

Market participants said government formation may affect account openings, but economic conditions, fiscal policy, listed companies’ finances, IPO approvals and securities regulator leadership also matter. They noted that annual June BO-account renewal fees can lead to account suspensions. BSEC leadership changed on June 4, about four months after the BNP government formed.

Bangladesh’s government has ordered preparation of a specific action plan to raise exports from five promising sectors and reduce reliance on ready-made garments. The directive was issued at a second consultation meeting with leading private-sector entrepreneurs, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The initiative aims to accelerate economic growth, diversify exports and attract foreign investment.

The source says ready-made garments generate 80 to 85 percent of export earnings, while five to six other products account for 10 to 15 percent. Priority sectors for the plan include information technology, light engineering, agricultural processing and leather goods. Investment Bangladesh Authority Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun stressed stronger public-private coordination, a business-friendly environment and needed policy reforms.

A high-level committee led by the Export Promotion Bureau’s director general has been formed and has held one meeting, according to a Commerce Ministry official. The government also ordered research into district-level production, existing capacity and future export potential. It has directed stronger implementation of the One Village One Product concept to develop local small and cottage industries for international markets.

Six months after taking office, the BNP-led government has made no visible progress on key banking-sector reforms pledged in its election manifesto, according to the report. The government formed after the February 12 parliamentary election, and the new cabinet led by Tarique Rahman took oath on February 17. Commitments included ensuring Bangladesh Bank’s autonomy, abolishing the finance ministry’s Banking Division, ending political interference and acting against major defaulters.

The manifesto also promised an Economic Reform Commission comprising economists, researchers, experienced bankers, corporate leaders and administrators. A proposed amendment to the Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972 had earlier been drafted with IMF technical assistance and sent to the finance ministry in mid-October last year. It proposed greater independence in appointments, budgeting, financial control, staffing and policymaking.

Stakeholders say continued finance ministry influence over state-owned banks weakens central-bank oversight and creates conflict-of-interest risks. Economists argue that lasting reform requires genuine central-bank independence, accountable boards, improved loan approval and recovery systems, and banking free of political influence. CPD fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya said the government had not moved toward institutional reform in its first six months.

Discrepancies have emerged in Bangladesh’s official fertilizer stock records, with allegations that ministry and departmental data do not match supplies held at warehouses and in the field. The issue has raised concerns over fertilizer distribution, particularly during periods of higher demand for boro and aman cultivation. Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid told parliament on Sunday that there was no fertilizer shortage and said field-level monitoring was under way to ensure timely supplies at fixed prices.

Agriculture Ministry statistics show urea stocks fell to 1,203,399 tonnes from 1,406,926 tonnes a year earlier, while DAP stocks declined to 36,040 tonnes from 43,343 tonnes. TSP stocks increased to 30,265 tonnes from 26,123 tonnes, and MOP rose to 53,388 tonnes from 51,035 tonnes. Dealers say allocations have not increased despite expanded agricultural activity.

The government removed three officials amid debate over fertilizer distribution. Officials said farmers were buying DAP in advance of the potato season, while urea sales were limited. Nineteen dealers and retailers had been fined by Thursday over alleged irregularities, and four retailers in Kurigram were fined by August 27 for overpricing and illegal stocking. Authorities are also updating the national dealer and retailer database.

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance plans to begin a major street campaign on September 5 with a Dhaka-to-Chattogram long march, citing constitutional reform, implementation of the July Charter and referendum verdict, and public-interest concerns. The alliance says this will be its first and largest programme as an opposition force during the current government’s six-and-a-half months in office. It plans further marches in three divisions before holding a mass rally in Dhaka in December or January.

Alliance leaders say they turned to street programmes after receiving no response to reform demands raised in parliament and through meetings, rallies, statements and speeches over nearly five months. Their six listed demands include implementing the referendum verdict, trying the July killings, addressing electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser shortages, curbing price rises, improving law and order, and ending partisanisation of the administration.

Organisers said the September 5 march will start after a 7am gathering at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka and end at Chattogram’s Laldighi ground at 9pm, with meetings planned along the route. They said they met the inspector general of police about necessary cooperation and will keep one side of the divided highway open for public travel.