Bangladesh Bank will release a new Tk 100 banknote with a fresh design on August 12, bearing the signature of Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur. The note is part of a new series themed “Historic and Archaeological Architecture of Bangladesh,” featuring images of the Sixty Dome Mosque and the Sundarbans. Initially available from the Motijheel office, the note measures 140mm by 62mm, has a blue color scheme, and includes a watermark of the Royal Bengal Tiger.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur has revealed that printing, storing, transporting, and distributing banknotes nationwide costs around Tk 20,000 crore annually. Speaking at a CPD dialogue, he urged reducing reliance on physical cash and expanding cashless transactions.
The central bank is promoting QR code-based payments, making it mandatory for all licensed institutions. Mansur said this would make transactions faster, safer, and more transparent for both businesses and consumers. He also announced efforts to make quality smartphones available for Tk 6,000–7,000, enabling universal smartphone access to support digital payments.

Labour Affairs Adviser Sakhawat Hossain has raised alarming concerns about corruption and accountability in Bangladesh’s banking sector. Speaking on Sunday, he revealed that Tk 48,000 crore has been looted from 16 banks and 7 financial institutions—half of it from Janata Bank alone.
“Have you ever heard of a central bank governor fleeing? We can’t even find three of them. Even the so-called ‘poor man’s governor’ has fled,” Hossain said. He admitted that the interim government has been unable to prosecute those involved in money laundering and other financial crimes, questioning whether an elected government would fare better. However, he noted a positive shift: “No one is disappearing anymore; at worst, they are called accomplices of fascism. Isn’t that a change?”

Dhaka Metropolitan Police have arrested 24 individuals involved in various crimes during separate raids in Mohammadpur and Adabor on Saturday. Police reports say the detainees include wanted criminals under the Speedy Trial Act, suspects preparing for robbery, extortionists, and others facing outstanding warrants.

BNP leader Abdus Salam has claimed that acting party chairman Tareq Rahman owns no home, car, or bank account in Dhaka. “When he returns to the country, he will have to rent a house to stay in,” Salam said.
He praised Rahman’s leadership, saying that a single directive from him had calmed nationwide unrest that could have otherwise set the homes of Awami League leaders ablaze. Salam pledged that, if in power, Rahman would bring sweeping reforms within a month—ending theft, extortion, and corruption. At the event, Salam united Rajshahi Division leaders in a pledge to set aside differences and work together.

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus will visit Malaysia from August 11–13 at the invitation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The trip will feature a bilateral meeting in Putrajaya, a business conference, and the signing of up to five MoUs on areas including defense, energy, trade, and education. Migration and investment will be key topics, with discussions aimed at boosting Bangladeshi manpower exports. Dr. Yunus will also receive an honorary degree from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia during the visit.

After a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdullah Mohammad Taher said, “We agreed on implementing the proportional representation (PR) voting system in the upper house, but we demand PR for both the upper and lower houses. We will continue our movement for this.”
Taher criticized the past 54 years of electoral history, saying fair elections had never been ensured. While Jamaat has no objection to the February election date, he emphasized that previous three elections left public doubts unresolved. “We have told the CEC that a level playing field is a prerequisite for elections. He assured us of his sincerity, and we want to trust him,” Taher added.

Tariqul Islam, convener of the National Youth Power, stated that top leaders of the National Citizens’ Party (NCIP) are continuously subjected to media trials across the country, not just in Cox’s Bazar.

He accused rival political factions of conspiring against young leaders who are not accepted by the established powers. Tariqul warned that without youthful leadership, the progress toward building a new Bangladesh will stall. He pledged that Youth Power would emerge as a strong platform breaking away from traditional politics. The youth manifesto will be unveiled on August 12.

The body of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) member Masum Billah has been recovered 24 hours after he went missing in Gowainghat, Sylhet. Local divers located the body at around 5:15 PM on Sunday from the riverbed in Ahar Kandi Ambari area.
Officer-in-Charge Sarker Tofayel Ahmed confirmed that joint rescue efforts by BGB, police, administration, and fire service divers had been underway since his disappearance. With the assistance of local divers, the body was finally retrieved after a prolonged search.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening when a BGB patrol attempted to intercept a boat carrying smuggled Indian goods. The smuggler’s boat collided with the BGB vessel, causing it to sink. Masum Billah of the Sylhet BGB-48 Battalion’s Sonarhat Camp went under with his weapon, while other members survived.

Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), announced that the government intends to finalize the recruitment of foreign operators for the country’s major ports by December this year.

Speaking after inaugurating the agent desk at Chattogram port, he said ongoing port reforms are expected to reduce corruption and harassment. The port’s capacity is projected to multiply several times by 2030. Since the Navy-run Dry Dock Limited took over management of the New Moring Container Terminal, container handling has increased by 30%, and ship waiting times have dropped by 13 hours.

BNP leader Amir Khasru observed that countries which quickly restored democratic governance after revolutions achieved stability sooner. He warned that imposing change forcefully will not yield sustainable results.

Khasru emphasized that those who want to act in the public’s interest must secure a legitimate mandate. He added that BNP is preparing to perform from day one if given the opportunity to form the government. Regarding the interim government, he refrained from commenting on its success or failure but noted its role as a transitional body tasked with restoring citizens’ constitutional rights. Praising the National Unity Commission’s initiatives, he remarked that political parties have diverse ideologies, making consensus on all issues unlikely.

In a virtual address during BNP’s biennial conference, Tareq Rahman stated that the previous fascist government not only destroyed the electoral system but also devastated all sectors and brutally suppressed opposition voices. He credited the July uprising’s sacrifices for their downfall.

Rahman said the interim government is moving forward to hold elections in which BNP will emerge victorious. However, he cautioned that BNP will face various challenges upon coming to power, requiring unity and collective effort to overcome. He stressed the importance of creating skilled employment both domestically and internationally and delivering quality education to youth for a brighter future. Rahman also mentioned the possibility of taking water-sharing disputes, including those involving the Padma River, to international courts if necessary.

The High Court has issued a rule seeking clarification on why the MPO-included teacher transfer policies of 2021 and 2024 for private schools, colleges, and madrasas should not be declared unconstitutional. The court also questioned why teachers appointed before December 30, 2015, by managing committees or governing bodies are not given equal transfer opportunities under existing or future policies. The petition, filed by 50 private school teachers, argues the transfer rules cause discrimination, violating Articles 27 and 29 of the Constitution.

The Election Commission of Jahangirnagar University has released the schedule for the Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) election, set for September 11. The draft voter list was published on August 10, with objections accepted until August 14. Nomination submissions will be open on August 18-19, followed by verification and appeals. Campaigning runs from August 29 to September 9. Voting will take place from 9 AM to 5 PM on election day, with results to be announced shortly after. Measures for a fair election will be ensured.

At least 30 workers were injured in a bloody clash between laborers of two factories near Dubail Bus Station in Tangail. The conflict erupted around 10:30 AM when workers from Nasir Quality Glass Industries Limited attempted to lay a water pipeline next to the gas line of Nasir Float Glass Limited.

Fearing the gas pipeline might be damaged, Float Glass workers obstructed the installation, prompting an attack by the Quality Glass laborers. The violent confrontation continued intermittently for two hours until police and military patrols arrived to restore order.

Officer-in-Charge Soheb Khan confirmed both sides have signed agreements pledging to avoid further violence.