Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has handed over the deed of a three-katha plot in Purbachal to Mahir Sarwar Megh, son of slain journalists Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi. The plot was originally allotted to Sagar Sarwar in 2005 after an application in 2004. Despite full payment in 2009, the previous Awami League government failed to deliver possession. At the handover ceremony, Yunus inquired about the stalled murder investigation of Sagar and Runi, instructing authorities to expedite the process.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority has canceled the temporary allocation of 270 under-construction flats for its staff following recommendations from an investigation committee. The probe uncovered irregularities in construction and allotment practices. The decision was made at a board meeting attended by Adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan and other members.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has strongly condemned the murder of Bangladeshi journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin, urging swift justice. She emphasized the importance of protecting journalists who work on local issues from retaliatory attacks. “Perpetrators of crimes against journalists must not escape punishment,” Azoulay said. Tuhin, 38, was hacked to death by assailants on August 7 in the Chandna Chowrasta area. UNESCO reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom and journalist safety.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman accused rival parties of deliberately complicating the upcoming February election by imposing “new and unnecessary conditions” to block the BNP’s path to victory. Speaking virtually during a Janmashtami greetings exchange with Hindu community leaders, Tarique alleged multiple conspiracies surrounding the polls. “Parties that want power should go to the people instead of resorting to tricks,” he said. He cautioned that while political debate is healthy, conflicts must not reach a level where defeated forces exploit the situation.

Despite registration requirements, Jamaat-e-Islami has yet to provide the Election Commission (EC) with its bank account number and associated details. While the party submitted its audited income and expenditure report for the 2024 fiscal year on July 31, the absence of an official account number has raised concerns. According to the report, Jamaat recorded an income of Tk 28.97 crore against expenditures of Tk 23.73 crore—leading all political parties in both income and spending during the year of upheaval. Of this, Tk 16.5 crore came from member contributions, while Tk 6.5 crore was spent on salaries and allowances. Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, confirmed the audit report was filed but said the party’s finance department would look into the missing account details.

The Dhaka Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has blacklisted 71 chief examiners and examiners for the current year’s SSC exam marking, citing irresponsibility and negligence. These individuals will be barred from performing related duties for the next five years. A board notification stated that lapses in exam marking jeopardize students’ futures, and strict measures are necessary to ensure accountability. The board confirmed that this policy will continue. Most of the blacklisted educators were involved with the English first and second papers. Among them are assistant teachers, headteachers, and principals, including Md. Ishak Ali of Muraid Garbazar Ideal High School, Md. Abdul Mannan of Arabaria High School, Shishir Kumar Bala of Haji Pande Ali High School, and Md. Mostak Ahmed of Manikganj Government High School.

Adviser Asif Mahmud announced Thursday that Bangladesh’s secondary school textbooks will undergo major revisions in the 2026 academic year. The updated curriculum will highlight the July 2024 uprising and include Sheikh Hasina’s name as a “perpetrator of mass killings.” Mahmud emphasized that the new textbooks aim to ensure future generations learn about the July-August 2024 people’s movement and the nation’s long struggle against authoritarianism. The curriculum will also feature information on Bangladesh’s four most recent national elections.

Nazrul Islam Khan, a member of BNP’s Standing Committee, has traveled to Bangkok for medical treatment. According to BNP media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan, Khan departed from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11 am on Thursday via a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. Earlier, on Tuesday morning, BNP leader Mirza Abbas also left Dhaka for treatment on a Thai Airways flight, accompanied by his wife and son.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has released a list of individuals involved in the large-scale illegal stone extraction scandal in Sylhet. The names span government officials, law enforcement, political figures, and businessmen. Among those implicated are officials from the Bureau of Mineral Development, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and UNOs—including Azizunnahar, Mohammad Abul Hasnat, Urmi Roy, and Abida Sultana. Also named are the superintendent of police, officers-in-charge, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials, and at least 42 businessmen and political leaders. Most of the political figures linked to the scandal are affiliated with the BNP, including Rezaul Hasan Quayes Lodi (acting president, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP), Immad Hossain Chowdhury (general secretary), and Companyganj leaders Shahab Uddin and Haji Kamal. The list also mentions Sylhet Jamaat leaders, including Amir Md. Fakrul Islam and Secretary Zainal Abedin, as well as NCP leaders Nazim Uddin and Abu Sadek Md. Khairul Islam Chowdhury. Even ousted Awami League activists—such as Bilal Mia, Shahabuddin, and Gias Uddin, all involved in the stone trade—are on the list. The ACC said names of journalists and other professionals linked to the scandal are still being verified.

BRACNet, backed by World Bank funding, will establish advanced network infrastructure and cloud-based Wi-Fi in 27 public universities across Bangladesh, benefiting over 60,000 students, teachers, and researchers. Key institutions include Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, and Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology. Project Director Professor Dr. Asaduzzaman highlighted the initiative’s potential to enhance research and education to global standards, while BRACNet emphasized transparency, accountability, and technical excellence in implementing the project.

In an article published by Desarat News, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus declared that his government’s sole objective is to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful national election. “The election will take place in February, and after that, I will not hold any elected or appointed office in the next government,” Yunus said. He revealed that upon assuming office, he was “shocked at the scale of mismanagement and destruction” across state institutions. “We began the painstaking process of rebuilding, and gradually, with everyone’s cooperation, we are making progress,” he added. Yunus expressed optimism about Generation Z, describing the recent youth-led movement for fairness in public jobs as “the world’s first Generation Z revolution.” He said the uprising has become a model for young people globally. On foreign policy, Yunus highlighted reforms aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s ties with regional and global partners. He also confirmed that his government has drafted sweeping reform proposals, including a constitutional amendment to safeguard against any return to authoritarian rule. “One clear sign of Bangladesh’s democratic transition was when The Economist named Bangladesh its ‘Country of the Year 2024,’” Yunus noted.

A government taskforce report reveals eight mega projects implemented under the Awami League incurred $7.52 billion extra, with cost overruns ranging from 22% to 221%. Delays, poor planning, and corruption were cited as primary causes. Experts recommend appointing internationally recognized audit firms for transparency, especially since foreign loans and contractors were involved. Despite these recommendations, the interim government has taken no action. Analysts stress quality audits are crucial to prevent future overspending and ensure accountability in large-scale infrastructure projects.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), will participate in the upcoming by-elections despite ongoing political protests. The party’s political committee announced this decision after an emergency late-night meeting on August 20. A majority of the committee members supported contesting the elections. Members argued that opposition parties should not be given a “free field” and instructed preparations to begin for the constituencies where by-elections will be held. The opposition leader in the National Assembly has not yet been finalized. Pakistan’s Election Commission has confirmed that voting for constituencies NA-143, NA-185, and PP-203 will take place on October 5.

Students of Dhaka College and City College in Dhaka clashed again on Thursday morning in the New Market area, leaving three to four students injured. The cause of the confrontation is yet unknown. Police are present at the scene to control the situation. Both institutions have a history of repeated clashes over minor incidents, with previous conflicts this year injuring dozens of students and pedestrians in January, February, and March. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely.

Hamas has declared that Israel’s planned assault on Gaza City will end in failure, similar to previous attempts. The group criticized Defense Minister Israel Katz’s approval of “Operation Gideon’s Chariots 2,” saying it undermines ceasefire and prisoner swap efforts by mediators. Hamas accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of rejecting peace proposals, caring little for captives, and pursuing a brutal war against civilians. The plan reportedly involves displacing one million Palestinians southward before encircling and capturing the city.