BSF personnel have detained a Bangladeshi man, Iqbal Hossain (38), from the Kutubpur border area in Meherpur. Iqbal, son of Jarabat Hossain, was reportedly cutting grass in a field when he accidentally crossed into Indian territory. Witnesses said BSF soldiers beat him severely before taking him into custody. Though BGB immediately called for a flag meeting, BSF did not respond. Later, BGB confirmed that Iqbal is being held at the BSF’s Hathishala camp and is in stable condition. BSF has indicated he may be repatriated through a commander-level flag meeting.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has handed back five Bangladeshi women to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) following a flag meeting at the Banglabandha frontier in Panchagarh. The women—Jasmine Sultana (36), Parveen Khatun (38), Shirina Parveen (32), Amina Akter (40), and Laboni Akter (30)—had been detained in India. According to BGB, they had been working in households and beauty parlors in Gujarat for about a year. Indian police detained them recently and turned them over to BSF, which later returned them to Bangladesh. The women have since been transferred to Tentulia Police Station.

Abdus Salam, veteran freedom fighter and adviser to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, has been admitted to a private hospital in Dhaka after falling ill. His personal aide said Salam first developed mild cold symptoms during BNP’s biannual conferences in Rajshahi and Naogaon last week. His condition worsened due to overwork, lack of sleep, and weather changes, leading to hospitalization. Doctors have begun treatment following urgent tests, and his condition is now stable. Physicians have restricted visitors, allowing only close family members. Salam has sought prayers for his recovery.

The student platform Bagchash has announced its ‘Student Unity Forum’ panel for the upcoming Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) elections. The declared panel includes Arifuzzaman Ujjal as Vice President (VP), Abu Touhid Md. Siam as General Secretary (GS), Zia Uddin Ayan as Assistant GS, and Maliha Namlah as Women’s Assistant GS. However, the announcement sparked internal discord. Joint convener Md. Nazmul Islam resigned, citing nepotism and favoritism in panel formation. Another senior joint convener, Kawsar Alam Arman, also threatened resignation. In response, panel nominee Abu Touhid Md. Siam said, “Selections were made based on organizational decisions, prioritizing competence and representation.”

Ruhel Sangma, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Atpara in Netrokona, has been transferred after a video surfaced showing him brutally beating a teenage boy named Durjoy. The footage, which spread on social media earlier this month, revealed an incident that took place in March during a VGF rice distribution program. Witnesses said Durjoy accidentally bumped into the UNO while trying to collect rice, prompting Sangma to slap and beat him in public. He later dragged the boy inside, took an Ansar guard’s baton, and assaulted him further before confining him for four hours. Following the controversy, Sangma has been attached to the Divisional Commissioner’s office pending reassignment.

Information Advisor Md. Mahfuz Alam has called on district administrators to ensure neutrality and inclusivity in the upcoming ‘Notun Kuri’ talent competition. Speaking at a briefing, the advisor said that after a long hiatus, the competition is resuming with the aim of inspiring cultural awakening among the younger generation. “If the most talented children from the grassroots are not fairly selected, it will impact the Dhaka round of the contest,” he warned. He stressed that district administrations will play a crucial role in the regional selection process, while divisional administrations will oversee higher-level rounds. Mahfuz emphasized impartial judging and urged that children from all communities, regardless of religion or ethnicity, must be given the opportunity to participate.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has warned that any travel agency found involved in abnormal ticket price hikes or syndicate practices will face deregistration and strict punitive action. In a circular, the ministry noted that earlier directives issued in February to curb ticket overpricing have not been fully implemented. Some agencies have ignored the requirement to print ticket prices on tickets. Agencies are now required to clearly display their name, license number, and ticket price on all tickets. Passengers have also been urged not to purchase tickets from unregistered agencies. The ministry’s warning comes amid mounting passenger complaints, with the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) earlier urging the government to strengthen monitoring and fully enforce its directives.

BNP leader Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal criticized government advisers for indulging in luxury while millions of Bangladeshis struggle to afford basic meals. Addressing reporters, Alal said: "In a country where many can’t manage two meals a day, the advisers’ extravagance with duck meat causes us pain." He also questioned the sincerity of those advocating for proportional representation in elections while simultaneously nominating candidates in all 300 seats. Alal reiterated BNP’s demand for elections by February, warning that the lack of an accountable government has already stalled investment in the country.

Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, has accused the former government of widespread corruption in the power sector, calling it the “largest theft” during their tenure. Speaking after a meeting of the Advisory Council, Alam claimed the past administration issued “licenses to loot” to their chosen associates. He added that aside from implementing 367 recommendations from 10 reform commissions, ministries have independently carried out hundreds of reforms since the interim government took charge.

Nahid Islam, convener of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), will embark on a two-nation tour later this month, visiting Malaysia (August 22–24) followed by a four-day trip to China. He will lead an eight-member delegation during the visits. Ahead of the tour, the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka hosted a reception on Thursday, attended by Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and senior NCP leaders. Party leaders expressed optimism that the trip would elevate Bangladesh-China relations to “a new dimension.” Notably, delegations from both BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have also visited China in recent months.

Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has announced that Bangladesh and Pakistan are taking steps to revive their long-dormant Joint Economic Commission (JEC) to enhance bilateral trade and investment. Speaking to reporters, he said meaningful discussions were held with Pakistan’s commerce minister, including the possibility of forming a new Trade and Investment Commission. Both countries are also exploring joint ventures in intermediate goods production. Bangladesh requested Pakistan to withdraw its anti-dumping duty on hydrogen peroxide and restore duty-free access for Bangladeshi tea exports. Additionally, Dhaka sought support for its leather and sugar industries. Talks also covered agricultural products and fruit trade. When asked whether Bangladesh is tilting toward Pakistan, the adviser responded: "We are leaning toward everyone—Pakistan, the United States, even importing onions from India. Wherever national interest lies, we will engage."

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that attempts are underway to downplay the Liberation War of 1971. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and united against such efforts. Speaking at a Janmashtami greetings event, Fakhrul recalled the sacrifices of martyrs and stressed that the spirit of July–August 1971 gave Bangladesh its democratic aspirations. He criticized Awami League leaders who, according to him, now live lavishly abroad, detached from the people. “An extreme form of divisive politics and radicalism is emerging in Bangladesh,” Fakhrul warned, adding that it must not be allowed to grow. He accused the former government of treating citizens as subordinates rather than partners, looting resources, and sending wealth overseas.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has canceled her planned tour to Bangladesh and four other Asian nations. The decision was officially communicated to the Bangladesh government on Thursday. Meloni was scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on August 30 at the invitation of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, with a bilateral meeting planned for the following day. According to diplomatic sources, Italy is playing a crucial role in NATO’s ongoing engagement over the Russia-Ukraine war. The mounting international responsibilities are believed to have led Meloni to postpone her Asia trip.

On his very first day in office, Sylhet’s newly appointed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sarwar Alam inspected the Sadapathar tourist site and uncovered evidence of illegal stone extraction. Visibly angered, the DC warned: “Anyone trying to remove stones from here will pay dearly. We will seize every truck carrying these stones, no matter where in Bangladesh it is found.” Alam said stone smuggling under the cover of legal imports was a premeditated act and vowed zero tolerance. He further pledged to prioritize law and order, environmental protection, tourism, education, and healthcare while ensuring sustainable development in the district.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has launched a blistering attack on the Indian government, saying if it is serious about deporting illegal Bangladeshis, it should “start with Sheikh Hasina.” Owaisi urged New Delhi to recognize Bangladesh’s recent popular uprising and build ties with the new government. He criticized the treatment of poor Bengali-speaking citizens in West Bengal, who are being picked up from Pune, flown to Kolkata, and dumped in no man’s land without verification of nationality. “Anyone speaking Bengali is branded a Bangladeshi. This paranoia is unacceptable,” Owaisi said, condemning the exclusion of Muslims from voter rolls.