The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has released a list of individuals involved in the large-scale illegal stone extraction scandal in Sylhet. The names span government officials, law enforcement, political figures, and businessmen.

Among those implicated are officials from the Bureau of Mineral Development, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and UNOs—including Azizunnahar, Mohammad Abul Hasnat, Urmi Roy, and Abida Sultana. Also named are the superintendent of police, officers-in-charge, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials, and at least 42 businessmen and political leaders.

Most of the political figures linked to the scandal are affiliated with the BNP, including Rezaul Hasan Quayes Lodi (acting president, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP), Immad Hossain Chowdhury (general secretary), and Companyganj leaders Shahab Uddin and Haji Kamal.

The list also mentions Sylhet Jamaat leaders, including Amir Md. Fakrul Islam and Secretary Zainal Abedin, as well as NCP leaders Nazim Uddin and Abu Sadek Md. Khairul Islam Chowdhury.

Even ousted Awami League activists—such as Bilal Mia, Shahabuddin, and Gias Uddin, all involved in the stone trade—are on the list. The ACC said names of journalists and other professionals linked to the scandal are still being verified.

BRACNet, backed by World Bank funding, will establish advanced network infrastructure and cloud-based Wi-Fi in 27 public universities across Bangladesh, benefiting over 60,000 students, teachers, and researchers. Key institutions include Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, and Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology. Project Director Professor Dr. Asaduzzaman highlighted the initiative’s potential to enhance research and education to global standards, while BRACNet emphasized transparency, accountability, and technical excellence in implementing the project.

In an article published by Desarat News, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus declared that his government’s sole objective is to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful national election.
“The election will take place in February, and after that, I will not hold any elected or appointed office in the next government,” Yunus said.

He revealed that upon assuming office, he was “shocked at the scale of mismanagement and destruction” across state institutions. “We began the painstaking process of rebuilding, and gradually, with everyone’s cooperation, we are making progress,” he added.

Yunus expressed optimism about Generation Z, describing the recent youth-led movement for fairness in public jobs as “the world’s first Generation Z revolution.” He said the uprising has become a model for young people globally.

On foreign policy, Yunus highlighted reforms aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s ties with regional and global partners. He also confirmed that his government has drafted sweeping reform proposals, including a constitutional amendment to safeguard against any return to authoritarian rule.
“One clear sign of Bangladesh’s democratic transition was when The Economist named Bangladesh its ‘Country of the Year 2024,’” Yunus noted.

A government taskforce report reveals eight mega projects implemented under the Awami League incurred $7.52 billion extra, with cost overruns ranging from 22% to 221%. Delays, poor planning, and corruption were cited as primary causes. Experts recommend appointing internationally recognized audit firms for transparency, especially since foreign loans and contractors were involved. Despite these recommendations, the interim government has taken no action. Analysts stress quality audits are crucial to prevent future overspending and ensure accountability in large-scale infrastructure projects.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), will participate in the upcoming by-elections despite ongoing political protests. The party’s political committee announced this decision after an emergency late-night meeting on August 20. A majority of the committee members supported contesting the elections. Members argued that opposition parties should not be given a “free field” and instructed preparations to begin for the constituencies where by-elections will be held. The opposition leader in the National Assembly has not yet been finalized. Pakistan’s Election Commission has confirmed that voting for constituencies NA-143, NA-185, and PP-203 will take place on October 5.

Students of Dhaka College and City College in Dhaka clashed again on Thursday morning in the New Market area, leaving three to four students injured. The cause of the confrontation is yet unknown. Police are present at the scene to control the situation. Both institutions have a history of repeated clashes over minor incidents, with previous conflicts this year injuring dozens of students and pedestrians in January, February, and March. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely.

Md. Sarwar Alam officially took charge as the new Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Sylhet on Thursday morning. He was welcomed at the DC office by district officials in the presence of senior administration leaders, including the Divisional Commissioner. A 27th BCS administration cadre officer, Alam previously served as Private Secretary to an advisor at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. Widely recognized for his anti-adulteration drives as RAB Executive Magistrate, he has now been appointed Sylhet’s DC.

A devastating fire broke out at a CNG fuel station in Auskandi, Nabiganj on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway early Thursday morning. The blaze, triggered by an explosion while refueling a bus, spread rapidly, destroying 10 CNG-run auto-rickshaws and a bus. Six people, including station staff and drivers, were critically injured and rushed to Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital. Firefighters brought the blaze under control after 30 minutes. Initial estimates suggest damages of around Tk 200 million.

Strong winds and intermittent rainfall have lashed Noakhali’s coastal areas since early Thursday, leaving residents in distress and making sea routes risky. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported 68mm of rainfall in 24 hours and warned that squally weather may continue due to active monsoon clouds over the Bay of Bengal. Authorities have advised Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra ports to hoist cautionary signal 3. Fishing boats and trawlers have been urged to stay close to shore and fishermen to remain in safe shelters.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah has indicated that the Election Commission may provide a briefing on the election roadmap next Sunday. “We have begun meetings to finalize our action plans. Since there are many issues to discuss, the process may not conclude today; we might need to wait until Sunday or Monday,” he said.

Sanaullah explained that after consultations with commissioners and senior officials, overall progress will be reported to the Chief Election Commissioner. He also confirmed that a formal announcement will follow only after the final plan is ready. Today’s meeting, which began at 2:30 pm, included all four election commissioners and senior officials from the EC Secretariat.

Around 25,348 students failed to secure a college seat in the first phase of 11th-grade online admissions, including 5,765 students with GPA-5. A total of 1,073,310 students applied, submitting nearly 5.93 million college preferences, while 1,047,962 were selected. Some colleges received no applicants, and competition in popular institutions left even top scorers without seats. Students who did not get admission will automatically move to the second phase, where they can adjust their preferences. All students are expected to be accommodated.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Hamidur Rahman Azad has stated that there is no objection to holding elections in February. However, he stressed that a level playing field has not yet been ensured ahead of the polls. “Our demand is that elections must be conducted under the National Committee for Observing Rules (NCOR),” he said after meeting the Election Commission (EC).

Azad added that Jamaat has urged the Chief Election Commissioner to consider all stakeholders’ opinions regarding the redrawing of parliamentary constituency boundaries. He emphasized that proportional representation (PR) is essential to prevent election-related violence and irregularities. “Not everyone may favor this system; even the caretaker government had reservations. But a PR-based election is ultimately in the nation’s interest. If the people demand it, it must be implemented,” he said.

Azad affirmed that Jamaat will campaign vigorously for the PR system while simultaneously preparing for the upcoming elections. “We have always been sincere about fair elections. We believe this system will benefit the country. We are fielding candidates for all 300 parliamentary seats and are actively engaging with the public to shape opinion,” he added.

The High Court has recognized the United Nations’ report on the July-August genocide as a historic document. The court also directed that the report be officially gazetted as the ‘July Revolution-2024’ within three months. The petitioner’s lawyer, Md. Tanvir Ahmed, stated that the petition seeks to preserve the UN report for future generations’ research and knowledge.

NCP Secretary Akhtar Hossain stated that the party aims to amend the constitution through a People’s Assembly before holding national elections. He emphasized that while many focus only on parliamentary elections, the government must decide on the full reform agenda to ensure proper timing and implementation. Akhtar has been actively distributing campaign materials across Rangpur to raise public awareness on reform, justice, the People’s Assembly, and national elections.

From exile in India, former state minister Mohammad A. Arafat says his only mission is to overthrow Muhammad Yunus’s “illegitimate” government and bring Sheikh Hasina back. Arafat claims he works day and night for the Awami League, with no time for leisure. Reports note that over 2,000 Awami League leaders, officials, and journalists fled to India after Hasina’s fall, many settling in Kolkata’s New Town. Some ex-MPs live together, pray regularly, exercise, and adjust to life in exile.