Ruhel Sangma, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Atpara in Netrokona, has been transferred after a video surfaced showing him brutally beating a teenage boy named Durjoy.
The footage, which spread on social media earlier this month, revealed an incident that took place in March during a VGF rice distribution program. Witnesses said Durjoy accidentally bumped into the UNO while trying to collect rice, prompting Sangma to slap and beat him in public. He later dragged the boy inside, took an Ansar guard’s baton, and assaulted him further before confining him for four hours.
Following the controversy, Sangma has been attached to the Divisional Commissioner’s office pending reassignment.

Information Advisor Md. Mahfuz Alam has called on district administrators to ensure neutrality and inclusivity in the upcoming ‘Notun Kuri’ talent competition.
Speaking at a briefing, the advisor said that after a long hiatus, the competition is resuming with the aim of inspiring cultural awakening among the younger generation. “If the most talented children from the grassroots are not fairly selected, it will impact the Dhaka round of the contest,” he warned.
He stressed that district administrations will play a crucial role in the regional selection process, while divisional administrations will oversee higher-level rounds. Mahfuz emphasized impartial judging and urged that children from all communities, regardless of religion or ethnicity, must be given the opportunity to participate.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has warned that any travel agency found involved in abnormal ticket price hikes or syndicate practices will face deregistration and strict punitive action.

In a circular, the ministry noted that earlier directives issued in February to curb ticket overpricing have not been fully implemented. Some agencies have ignored the requirement to print ticket prices on tickets.

Agencies are now required to clearly display their name, license number, and ticket price on all tickets. Passengers have also been urged not to purchase tickets from unregistered agencies.

The ministry’s warning comes amid mounting passenger complaints, with the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) earlier urging the government to strengthen monitoring and fully enforce its directives.

BNP leader Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal criticized government advisers for indulging in luxury while millions of Bangladeshis struggle to afford basic meals.

Addressing reporters, Alal said:
"In a country where many can’t manage two meals a day, the advisers’ extravagance with duck meat causes us pain."

He also questioned the sincerity of those advocating for proportional representation in elections while simultaneously nominating candidates in all 300 seats. Alal reiterated BNP’s demand for elections by February, warning that the lack of an accountable government has already stalled investment in the country.

Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, has accused the former government of widespread corruption in the power sector, calling it the “largest theft” during their tenure.

Speaking after a meeting of the Advisory Council, Alam claimed the past administration issued “licenses to loot” to their chosen associates. He added that aside from implementing 367 recommendations from 10 reform commissions, ministries have independently carried out hundreds of reforms since the interim government took charge.

Nahid Islam, convener of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), will embark on a two-nation tour later this month, visiting Malaysia (August 22–24) followed by a four-day trip to China.

He will lead an eight-member delegation during the visits. Ahead of the tour, the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka hosted a reception on Thursday, attended by Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and senior NCP leaders.

Party leaders expressed optimism that the trip would elevate Bangladesh-China relations to “a new dimension.” Notably, delegations from both BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have also visited China in recent months.

Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has announced that Bangladesh and Pakistan are taking steps to revive their long-dormant Joint Economic Commission (JEC) to enhance bilateral trade and investment.

Speaking to reporters, he said meaningful discussions were held with Pakistan’s commerce minister, including the possibility of forming a new Trade and Investment Commission. Both countries are also exploring joint ventures in intermediate goods production.

Bangladesh requested Pakistan to withdraw its anti-dumping duty on hydrogen peroxide and restore duty-free access for Bangladeshi tea exports. Additionally, Dhaka sought support for its leather and sugar industries. Talks also covered agricultural products and fruit trade.

When asked whether Bangladesh is tilting toward Pakistan, the adviser responded:
"We are leaning toward everyone—Pakistan, the United States, even importing onions from India. Wherever national interest lies, we will engage."

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that attempts are underway to downplay the Liberation War of 1971. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and united against such efforts.

Speaking at a Janmashtami greetings event, Fakhrul recalled the sacrifices of martyrs and stressed that the spirit of July–August 1971 gave Bangladesh its democratic aspirations. He criticized Awami League leaders who, according to him, now live lavishly abroad, detached from the people.

“An extreme form of divisive politics and radicalism is emerging in Bangladesh,” Fakhrul warned, adding that it must not be allowed to grow. He accused the former government of treating citizens as subordinates rather than partners, looting resources, and sending wealth overseas.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has canceled her planned tour to Bangladesh and four other Asian nations. The decision was officially communicated to the Bangladesh government on Thursday.

Meloni was scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on August 30 at the invitation of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, with a bilateral meeting planned for the following day.

According to diplomatic sources, Italy is playing a crucial role in NATO’s ongoing engagement over the Russia-Ukraine war. The mounting international responsibilities are believed to have led Meloni to postpone her Asia trip.

On his very first day in office, Sylhet’s newly appointed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sarwar Alam inspected the Sadapathar tourist site and uncovered evidence of illegal stone extraction.

Visibly angered, the DC warned: “Anyone trying to remove stones from here will pay dearly. We will seize every truck carrying these stones, no matter where in Bangladesh it is found.”

Alam said stone smuggling under the cover of legal imports was a premeditated act and vowed zero tolerance. He further pledged to prioritize law and order, environmental protection, tourism, education, and healthcare while ensuring sustainable development in the district.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has handed over the deed of a three-katha plot in Purbachal to Mahir Sarwar Megh, son of slain journalists Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi.

The plot was originally allotted to Sagar Sarwar in 2005 after an application in 2004. Despite full payment in 2009, the previous Awami League government failed to deliver possession.

At the handover ceremony, Yunus inquired about the stalled murder investigation of Sagar and Runi, instructing authorities to expedite the process.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority has canceled the temporary allocation of 270 under-construction flats for its staff following recommendations from an investigation committee.

The probe uncovered irregularities in construction and allotment practices. The decision was made at a board meeting attended by Adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan and other members.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has strongly condemned the murder of Bangladeshi journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin, urging swift justice.

She emphasized the importance of protecting journalists who work on local issues from retaliatory attacks. “Perpetrators of crimes against journalists must not escape punishment,” Azoulay said.

Tuhin, 38, was hacked to death by assailants on August 7 in the Chandna Chowrasta area. UNESCO reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom and journalist safety.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman accused rival parties of deliberately complicating the upcoming February election by imposing “new and unnecessary conditions” to block the BNP’s path to victory.

Speaking virtually during a Janmashtami greetings exchange with Hindu community leaders, Tarique alleged multiple conspiracies surrounding the polls.
“Parties that want power should go to the people instead of resorting to tricks,” he said.

He cautioned that while political debate is healthy, conflicts must not reach a level where defeated forces exploit the situation.

Despite registration requirements, Jamaat-e-Islami has yet to provide the Election Commission (EC) with its bank account number and associated details.

While the party submitted its audited income and expenditure report for the 2024 fiscal year on July 31, the absence of an official account number has raised concerns.

According to the report, Jamaat recorded an income of Tk 28.97 crore against expenditures of Tk 23.73 crore—leading all political parties in both income and spending during the year of upheaval. Of this, Tk 16.5 crore came from member contributions, while Tk 6.5 crore was spent on salaries and allowances.

Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, confirmed the audit report was filed but said the party’s finance department would look into the missing account details.