Seventeen Bangladeshi nationals — men and women — were detained by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) while attempting to enter the country illegally from India through the Maheshpur border in Jhenaidah.
According to 58 BGB Assistant Director Munshi Imdadur Rahman, four women and three men from Narail and Khulna were detained at Baghdanga village in the morning. Six men from Jashore were caught at Jinjirpara village around noon, followed by four more women apprehended from Khosalpur fields. All detainees have been handed over to Justice and Care, Jashore branch.

The Ministry of Finance has issued a new directive significantly increasing allowances for government training programs. Under the revised policy, officials at the Joint Secretary level and above attending subject-specific internal training sessions will receive 3,600 taka per hour, while Deputy Secretaries and lower-level employees will receive 3,000 taka.

Previously, third-grade officials or those at Joint Secretary level earned 2,500 taka per training hour. Fourth- and fifth-grade officials or Deputy Secretaries earned 2,000 taka per hour; the new rates now provide 3,600 and 3,000 taka, respectively.

Daily training allowances have also been increased: Grade 9 and above employees now receive 1,200 taka per day (up from 600), and Grade 10 and below receive 1,000 taka per day (up from 500). The honoraria for course directors have risen from 1,500 to 2,000 taka per day, course coordinators from 1,200 to 1,500 taka, and support staff from 500 to 1,000 taka.

This move reflects the government’s effort to better incentivize participation and acknowledge the contributions of trainers and staff involved in professional development programs.

A 45-year-old man, Mozaher Ali, was brutally beaten to death in Purboboroghona, Banshkhali on Thursday night. The victim’s family alleges that relatives of defendants in a previous case carried out the attack.
Months earlier, Mozaher’s home had been set ablaze, leading him to file a case against 23 people. Three suspects were in jail, and their bail was denied earlier in the day. On his way back from court, Mozaher was allegedly ambushed. Police have deployed forces in the area and sent the body for autopsy. A manhunt for the attackers is underway.

Tensions flared at Dhanmondi 32 on Thursday evening when three individuals, suspected of supporting a banned organization, were detained by curious onlookers and handed over to police. Witnesses say the suspects were beaten before being taken into custody.
With August 15 approaching, security has been tightened in and around Dhanmondi 32 to prevent any untoward incidents. Ramna Division DC Masud Alam confirmed that barricades were placed at entry points from the afternoon, restricting vehicle and pedestrian movement. Additional police forces have been deployed, and authorities say legal action will be taken after verification.

Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has hailed Bangladeshi Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s recent Kuala Lumpur visit as a “significant step forward” in strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in strategic and high-impact sectors.

The visit saw the signing of five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and three “Notes of Exchange” covering defense, energy, halal products, STEM, research, education, semiconductors, and the blue economy.

A landmark outcome was the introduction of a multiple-entry visa system for legal Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, enabling them to travel home and return without reapplying for a visa. Ismail described the initiative as a gesture of gratitude for Bangladeshi workers’ contributions to Malaysia.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation, while Malaysia reiterated its support for ASEAN peace efforts and international collaboration to address the Myanmar crisis and the Rohingya refugee situation.

“These agreements are not just paperwork — they will directly impact people’s lives through job creation, skills development, and joint economic growth,” Ismail said, adding that mutual respect and trust will continue to propel Malaysia and Bangladesh as regional and global strategic partners.

GOP leader Abu Hanif has stated that the political dynamics of the country have undergone a significant transformation following the July mass uprising. “The era of seizing political centers or becoming a Member of Parliament by purchasing votes for 500 to 1,000 taka is over,” Hanif asserted.

Hanif reflected on the historical context of Kishoreganj, noting that while the region has produced many prominent leaders since independence, the lives of its people have not seen substantial improvement. He emphasized that during the July uprising, it was the youth who led the movement, demonstrating their unwavering courage in the face of fear.

Commenting on the current law and order situation, Hanif said that even though an interim government assumed responsibility after the uprising, over a year has passed without fully restoring public security. “Criminals may be arrested, but they often secure bail within days and return to committing crimes. Many of these offenders face 15 to 20 cases each,” he warned.

Hanif called for justice for those responsible for the killings during the uprising, stressing that without visible progress in reforms and judicial accountability, elections could once again pave the way for fascism—something the public will no longer tolerate.

Masud Saeedi, son of Allama Delwar Hossain Saeedi, criticized attempts to disrupt elections, accusing certain groups of instigating Jamaat. “We do not only want elections. First, there must be reforms and justice for the July martyrs. Judges who gave false testimonies against our fathers must face trial. Only then can elections proceed,” he stated. He also noted that despite threats and personal losses, the family remains committed to seeking accountability through ballots.

Bangladesh has rejected the latest draft of the Global Plastics Treaty, calling it weak and inadequate. The government insists the treaty must include binding measures on harmful chemicals, emissions, and primary plastic production, rather than relying on voluntary approaches. At INC-5.2 in Geneva, Bangladesh highlighted its vulnerability as a low-lying country and stressed the need for a global framework to tackle cross-border plastic pollution. Officials also urged promoting circular economy models, sustainable product design, and just transitions for waste sector workers.

Rafiqul Islam held a press conference in Bhairab, Kishoreganj, accusing local Awami League leaders of illegally seizing 20.50 decimals of ancestral land belonging to him and his brothers. He claimed that the land was forcibly occupied by leaders Jasim Uddin and his wife Nili, who used political influence to construct a wall. Rafiqul filed a case in Kishoreganj court and lodged a GD at Bhairab police station. Despite police restrictions, the construction continues, allegedly supported by local criminals.

Sohel Rana, a Youth League leader from Barguna, voluntarily admitted his involvement in a secret meeting of the banned Student League to take over Dhaka. The DB inspector, Md. Jehad Hossain, recorded his statement in court. Two other accused were sent to five-day remand, with the court approving the request despite bail petitions from defense lawyers.

The Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has presented a 30-point plan to modernize and morally strengthen the country’s education system. Proposals include forming an inclusive education commission, incorporating the July Mass Uprising into curricula, integrating Islamic values with modern education, prioritizing STEM subjects, reforming language education, ensuring military and physical education, improving school budgets, providing free and compulsory secondary education, creating independent education commissions, expanding girls’ education, and establishing student-friendly campuses. Additional recommendations cover research-based higher education, madrasa reforms, technical education enhancement, teacher training modernization, fair employment practices, and strengthening parental accountability.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that 246 additional recommendations from various state reform commissions have been selected for implementation. Of the total 367 recommendations, 37 have already been implemented and 14 partially applied. The new recommendations include 82 labor-focused, 71 from the Women’s Commission, 37 local government-related, 33 health-related, and 23 media-related proposals. Another 316 recommendations remain under review.

Audio recordings from Patiya police reveal SI Hanan threatening a teenager’s mother, warning her to bring her son to the station within an hour or be forcibly taken. The officer stated that a GD (General Diary) had been filed against her son for allegedly threatening someone. The mother, Shahina Akter, claims the officer may have filed the GD intentionally to protect a favored party and subsequently threatened her via phone. Patiya OC Mohammad Nuruzzaman acknowledged the behavior as a violation of police conduct, noting that he had no knowledge of the GD filing.

Syed Muhammad Foyzul Karim of Shaykhe Charmonai criticized widespread extortion, looting, occupation, and oppression across Bangladesh. “We did not risk our lives on the streets to witness such a Bangladesh. No government institution has been left untouched—even the judiciary has been occupied. Abu Saeed did not allow us to accept this,” he said in Netrokona. Karim urged citizens to resist extortion and oppression, asserting that if they could stand against Sheikh Hasina’s bullets and tanks in the past, they could confront injustice today.

GOP leader Rashed Khan raised concerns over interim government appointments, reacting to Advisor Asif Mahmud’s statement that those involved in politics or elections should not serve in an election-period government. “I fail to understand why individuals planning to contest elections are acting as interim government advisors. Previously, it was stated that advisors could not engage in politics or elections. Now, references to an election-period government appear. Has the interim government been replaced by a caretaker model?” Khan questioned.
He stressed that advisors assume responsibilities to ensure free and fair elections and should not resign prematurely. Any dereliction of duty, he said, should be met with accountability and potential dismissal.