Students of Begum Rokeya University (BeraUB) have begun an indefinite hunger strike demanding the immediate announcement of a roadmap for student union elections.
The strike began at noon on Sunday in front of the university’s administrative building under the banner of general students. They alleged that despite repeated appeals and protests since the July Revolution, the administration has failed to provide any clear timeline.
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Md. Shawkat Ali stated that a proposal to incorporate the Student Union Act into the University Act has been sent to relevant authorities. “The matter now depends on the UGC and the President’s approval. It will be resolved soon, though no exact date can be given,” he said.

BNP leader Altaf Hossain Chowdhury has delivered a scathing critique of his party, pointing out that while Jamaat affiliates hold positions as vice-chancellors in universities and judges in higher courts, BNP leaders are busy seizing bus stands, launch terminals, and ferry docks.
“I’m not here to malign Jamaat,” Altaf said, “but leadership requires quality. If leaders think extortion and grabbing are their main duties, when will they truly lead?”
He also warned that BNP has records of extortionists and land grabbers in Patuakhali since August 2024. “When the time comes, the truth will be exposed, and no one will escape accountability,” he said. However, insiders note that his remarks have not been well-received by district-level BNP leaders, with some calling them self-destructive.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has emphasized that there is no alternative to free and fair elections for establishing democracy, ensuring fundamental rights, and building an accountable state.
Speaking at a discussion titled “The Role of Writers and Poets in Democratic Progress”, Tarique warned that Bangladesh must not become a breeding ground for extremism and fundamentalism. He called on citizens to remain vocal in defense of their voting rights, freedom of speech, and democratic values.
“The people are the true owners of this country,” Tarique said, stressing that accountability can only be ensured by protecting citizens’ right to vote.

Detectives have arrested My TV Chairman Md. Nasir Uddin Sathi in connection with the murder case of Asad in Jatrabari. He was detained from the Gulshan area on Sunday, according to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) officials. Authorities confirmed that he has been taken to the DB office and legal proceedings are underway.
The case was filed on September 1 last year at Jatrabari Police Station by a man named Md. Zainal Abedin, naming Nasir Uddin Sathi, his son and content creator Touhid Afridi, Sheikh Hasina, and 25 others as accused.

Adviser Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Poddar has reassured that the much-anticipated Sunamganj-Netrokona flyover project has not been canceled. “There were some irregularities in the tendering process, so it will be re-tendered. Work will begin as soon as a fresh tender is floated,” he said.

He also noted that the proposal for establishing residential schools in the haor region failed to gain support from teachers and is unlikely to proceed. On land acquisition for the flyover, Poddar said compensation will follow existing laws.

The project, approved by ECNEC in November 2021, was designed to boost rural infrastructure across Sunamganj, including Jamalganj and Dharmapasha upazilas.

A minibus carrying Islamic University (IU) teachers was involved in a head-on collision with a passenger bus in Kushtia’s Sadar upazila on Sunday morning.

At least 7–8 people were injured, including Prof. Dr. Shafiqul Islam and the driver, Nazrul Islam. They were given primary treatment, but the driver, who sustained a serious spinal injury, was later referred to a specialized hospital.

IU transport administrator Prof. Dr. Abdur Rauf confirmed the accident occurred near the Egarmile area while the teachers were on their way to campus.

The Election Commission (EC) has received 1,760 applications challenging its draft of redrawn parliamentary constituencies. Of these, objections have been raised over 83 seats.

On July 30, the EC published its draft, which proposed boundary changes in 39 constituencies. Citizens and political stakeholders were asked to file objections by August 10. The EC is now reviewing the submissions before finalizing the new electoral map.

A fire broke out on Sunday evening at Eureka Filling Station opposite Dhaka’s RAOWA Club in Mohakhali. Witnesses reported several loud explosions as the blaze spread rapidly.

Eleven fire service units rushed to the scene and are battling the flames. The fire reportedly started while fuel was being transferred from a tanker truck. Though no casualties have been reported yet, authorities fear significant property damage.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 11 projects totaling BDT 9,361.92 crore, including five new initiatives, two revised plans, and three projects with extended duration. Key projects cover sustainable agriculture in Rangpur, modernization of power sub-centers, Rabindra University establishment, medical facilities expansion, multi-storey government housing, water supply improvements, and telecom network development in Chattogram’s Mirersarai Economic Zone. Funding includes BDT 6,677 crore from government sources, BDT 2,428.04 crore from loans, and BDT 256.89 crore from agency contributions.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an inquiry into allegations that former IGP Javed Patwary and 122 others received money and apartments in exchange for ghostwriting Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Unfinished Memoirs.

ACC Director General Akhtar Hossain confirmed the matter, saying intelligence operations have begun.

Though Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had earlier said the book was published from her father’s old notebooks after editing, recent reports claim it was authored by Patwary with the help of over a hundred team members, who allegedly received government positions, cash, and flats as rewards.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan has clarified that the “No-Vote” option was never a demand from his party but rather a proposal from certain distinguished individuals. “We have no particular comment on its current implementation,” he told reporters after a meeting with the Election Commission.

The BNP delegation primarily sought clarity on constituency boundary redrawing and election-time security. On expatriate voters, the CEC informed them that only those with NID and e-passports would be included in the voter list. The BNP, however, demanded voting rights for all expatriates, including ordinary passport holders.

Nazrul added that the party has not yet discussed seat-sharing, which will be taken up after the election schedule is announced.

BNP leader Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal has emphasized that democracy thrives on differences of opinion and healthy debate. “Without disagreements, society becomes stagnant. But debates must never harm national interests,” he said.

Alal warned against any attempt to rehabilitate fascism, urging all parties to stand firm on safeguarding democracy. On the upcoming elections, he suggested creating a structural framework first to guide future electoral methods.

He also hailed Bangladesh’s freer press, saying journalists no longer face the same restrictions or political patronage pressures. “The current media openness didn’t happen overnight — people are finally seeing what was long hidden under censorship,” he remarked.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdullah Mohammad Taher has stressed that free and fair elections are not possible without introducing a proportional representation (PR) system. “Those who depend on black money and muscle power are the ones opposing PR,” he said.

Taher also hinted at a possible political consensus excluding the BNP, accusing anti-democratic forces of siding with fascism. He urged for inclusive, transparent, and festive elections that reflect people’s opinions.

Meanwhile, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar dismissed the July declaration as illegitimate, warning that an election without legal reforms could “create another Sheikh Hasina.” He added that most people support PR, as confirmed by multiple surveys, but alleged that some parties are misleading the public by conflating PR with EVMs.

The National Consensus Commission has finalized the draft of the July National Charter 2025, outlining presidential election, pardon, and impeachment procedures. The charter grants the president significant powers, including appointing key commission members, while ensuring impeachment is possible for treason, serious misconduct, or constitutional violations through a two-thirds parliamentary majority. Political parties have until August 20 to submit feedback before finalization. The draft also establishes the charter’s legal supremacy, with interpretation disputes reserved for the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division.

After a one-day closure for Janmashtami, Dinajpur’s Hili land port resumed import and export operations at 1 pm on Sunday, 17 August. Ferdous Rahman, president of the Hili Customs C&F Agents Association, confirmed that trade halted on Saturday due to the public holiday but picked up again on Sunday, restoring activity at the port. Ariful Islam, acting officer of Hili Immigration, noted that passport-holding passengers continued to cross the border between the two countries without interruption.