In an exclusive interview with Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus clarified, “I am not someone with any prospect of joining politics. My primary focus is on implementing the reform agenda.”

Yunus noted that the youth-led mass uprising brought down Sheikh Hasina, ending her 15-year authoritarian rule. “We have made significant progress within a year,” he said, highlighting the formation of a Consensus Commission tasked with implementing the recommendations of 11 reform commissions.

The commission’s final report is expected by the end of this month, marking a major step toward a more inclusive, participatory, and credible electoral system. Its mandate also includes building consensus on the constitution and political framework.

“The country has been steered back on the right path, and the upcoming February elections will be the first credible elections in decades,” Yunus asserted, pointing out that all previous elections under Sheikh Hasina were marred by allegations of rigging, controversy, and voter suppression. Currently, Bangladesh has around 126.1 million registered voters, including approximately 4.5 million new voters.

Authorities in Sylhet have recovered approximately 100,000 cubic feet of stolen stone, though the total looted volume is estimated to be over 1.5 crore cubic feet.

On Friday, the district administration launched raids on crusher mills in Companyganj, seizing large stones and measuring the stockpile. Officials reported that the mills were deserted during the operation. Processed stone already in the supply chain will also be confiscated.

The latest recovery comes after 40,000 cubic feet of stone was seized in Dhaka’s Demra area on Thursday night, and another 60,000 cubic feet was retrieved from Sylhet over the past two days.

Tensions flared in Joypurhat as rival factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) student wing clashed over the council session of the Government College unit. The confrontation left seven people injured, including a police officer.

Eyewitnesses reported that from Friday morning, a faction led by Joint Conveners Sagar Chowdhury and Ahad Hossain staged a sit-in on the college premises, chanting slogans against the planned council. Their protest delayed the scheduled council session, which central leaders had intended to begin at 3:00 PM.

Around 4:30 PM, another group led by college unit leader Habibur Rahman marched toward the main gate. The rival sides then engaged in chase-and-counter-chase, escalating into violent clashes that left several injured.

Police in Sylhet’s Balaganj area have recovered the partially decomposed, headless body of an Indian national from a canal.
Local residents spotted the body floating on Thursday afternoon and alerted authorities. Police believe the remains were carried downstream from the Indian side of the border via the Kushiyara River.
Items found in the victim’s pockets included a mobile phone, a set of keys, a wallet, Indian currency, photographs, and an Indian national identity card identifying the deceased as Gouranga Ghosh.
Assistant Sub-Inspector Kanon Kumar Das confirmed that the body has been sent to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of transforming the Awami League into an authoritarian, non-political entity since coming to power.
Speaking on August 15, Annie alleged that Hasina’s rule over the past 17 years had been marked by oppression, even targeting women. He claimed she came to power primarily to avenge her father’s assassination, not to serve the country’s interests.
Annie said that neither Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina, nor the Mujib family had a place in the hearts of the people, and that the post-independence government ruled through “fascist brutality” rather than popular support.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan has said that the late President Ziaur Rahman replaced the BAKSAL system with democracy, and later, Khaleda Zia defended democracy against military autocracy.
Speaking at a milad mahfil marking Khaleda Zia’s 81st birthday, he expressed confidence that democracy would once again be restored under BNP leadership.
Nazrul criticized the repeated imprisonments of Khaleda Zia and alleged that she had been deliberately subjected to inadequate medical treatment. He urged party members to win the hearts of the public and avoid actions that cause fear or dissatisfaction among citizens.

BNP leader Ruhul Quddus Talukdar Dulu has claimed that his party will secure more than 250 parliamentary seats in the upcoming February elections. Speaking at a memorial prayer gathering for his father, Nasir Uddin Talukdar, Dulu said the polls would be held in line with discussions between party leader Tarique Rahman and the chief adviser.
He asserted that election plans would be unveiled within days, warning that a few political parties, fearing BNP’s victory, were engaging in conspiracies. “No conspiracy can stop this election — the people of Bangladesh have been waiting too long,” he added, urging unity against any attempts to derail the democratic process.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested six leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations in separate operations across the capital.
Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman said on Friday that the arrests took place within the past 24 hours as part of an ongoing crackdown on the outlawed political group.

In a striking departure from tradition, there were no official commemorations at Dhanmondi 32 on the 50th death anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Instead, music blared from loudspeakers outside his residence, featuring songs like “Killer Hasina” and “Bhalo Hoye Jao Masud Tumi,” while Hindi music videos played on a digital screen. The day saw tensions as several visitors attempting to pay floral tribute were harassed — including rickshaw-puller Azizur, who was beaten by a mob. Police barricades restricted access to the site, allowing only journalists inside, while activists from various political groups, including Chhatra Dal, gathered nearby.

Nationalist Citizens’ Platform convener Nahid Islam has rejected the title of “Father of the Nation” for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, while acknowledging his role in independence. In a statement, he accused Mujib’s rule of turning Bangladesh into an Indian dependency, imposing an unpopular constitution, and laying the foundations for corruption, political killings, and one-party dictatorship under BAKSAL. Nahid argued that the “Mujib cult” and partisan glorification of the Liberation War were used as political weapons to exploit and divide the people, likening it to a “modern feudalism in disguise.” He asserted that no single individual can claim ownership of Bangladesh’s birth or future.

Bangladesh has received over $1.05 billion in remittances in the first 12 days of August, according to Bangladesh Bank — a sharp rise from $721 million during the same period last year. In the 2024–25 fiscal year just ended, remittance hit a record $30.33 billion. July alone saw $2.47 billion, marking a 29% year-on-year growth. The surge has strengthened foreign exchange reserves, now standing at $30.24 billion as of August 10, and eased pressure on the dollar market.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has declared that the upcoming national election will be held in February, as announced by the Chief Adviser, and no force can delay it. Speaking in Magura after visiting the graves of martyrs Rabbi and Al Amin, he said the entire nation and all election-related institutions are already preparing. Once the monsoon ends, election fervor will spread to every neighborhood, he added.

On the occasion of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s birthday, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus sent a floral tribute to her residence in Firoza on Friday afternoon. His private secretary Sajib M. Khairul Islam and office director Mohammad Nazmul Islam delivered the bouquet, which was received by Khaleda’s personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, who later conveyed thanks on her behalf.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has confirmed that the Bangladesh Army had already been aware of and was investigating abuse allegations against a senior officer before they surfaced on social media. The accused officer has been relieved of his duties, and a high-level inquiry board is in place. Disciplinary action is pending. ISPR stressed that the process is being conducted with sensitivity toward the complainant’s dignity. While dismissed personnel lose access to army housing and benefits, the family was allowed to remain temporarily for humanitarian reasons due to the child’s upcoming SSC exams. The Army reiterated its commitment to moral values and discipline, vowing zero tolerance for misconduct.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has vowed that those responsible for torturing party chairperson Khaleda Zia in prison will face justice. Speaking at a prayer gathering for her recovery, Abbas hailed her political steadfastness, saying she remains in the country and leads the people, while those who tried to “kill her slowly” are gone. Party leader Nazrul Islam Khan urged BNP activists to avoid actions that instill fear among the public.