Bangladesh’s High Court has ordered the government to give priority to 17,777 workers identified as affected after being unable to travel to Malaysia. The direction applies to 10,000 workers whom the government plans to send to Malaysia free of cost under its announced zero-cost scheme. The order followed a hearing on a writ petition after the relevant ministry submitted a report to the court on Monday. The ministry’s report outlined government measures concerning the sending of workers to Malaysia. It said 17,777 people had been affected among 33,000 workers intending to travel to the country. During the hearing, the government-appointed lawyer told the court that a new initiative was being arranged to send 10,000 workers to Malaysia without any cost. The court said the workers identified in the investigation committee’s report had suffered financially and mentally because they could not go to Malaysia. Authorities also informed the court about administrative and legal measures taken against manpower-exporting agencies that failed to send workers and were identified as involved in irregularities. The case has been adjourned for four months, and the government has been directed to submit a report on its next steps.

The Dewanganj upazila administration in Jamalpur seized 100 sacks, or five metric tonnes, of TSP fertilizer during an operation on Monday night. A trolley carrying the fertilizer was also seized in the Pollakandi area on the Dewanganj-Sanandabari road. According to the upazila administration, officials acted on a tip-off that a group was transporting illegally stored TSP fertilizer elsewhere to sell it at higher prices. Dewanganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Shah Jahurul Hossain led the operation, with Upazila Agriculture Officer Ratan Mia present. Ratan Mia said the fertilizer was likely being moved to create an artificial shortage through stockpiling and then sell it at inflated prices. Shah Jahurul Hossain said the seized fertilizer would be sold to farmers at government-set prices, with the proceeds deposited in the state treasury. He added that such operations would continue to prevent illegal stockpiling, artificial shortages and attempts to sell fertilizer at excessive prices.

The government is seeking a foreign strategic partner for Sammilito Islami Bank PLC to restore normal banking operations and strengthen its long-term business capacity. Qatar has already proposed investing in the bank following discussions during Prime Minister’s economic and planning adviser Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir’s August 17–18 visit to Qatar. The government is also contacting potential investors in several other Islamic countries. Sammilito Islami Bank was formed during the interim government by combining Exim, Social Islami, First Security Islami, Global Islami and Union Bank after prolonged irregularities and fraud prevented deposit repayments. The five banks hold deposits of about Tk142,000 crore from around 7.6 million depositors. Of their Tk192,000 crore in loans, 86 percent are classified as defaulted, while the capital shortfall exceeds Tk150,000 crore. Individual account holders will be able to withdraw their full principal deposits from September 7, without profit payments, with applications accepted from Tuesday. The bank has filed about 10,000 cases to recover defaulted loans and formed a collection and recovery war room. Its management says it is preparing to resume regular transactions under directives from Bangladesh Bank and the board.

Flash floods in Nepal and China’s autonomous region of Tibet have killed 1,003 people, while 4,462 remain missing, AFP reported Tuesday citing the latest information from both sides. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction Authority reported 987 deaths, and China confirmed 16 deaths in Tibet. Rescue operations continued on the seventh day of the disaster. In Nepal, the number of missing people fell to 3,916 after many people were rescued alive. Of those missing there, 583 are foreign visitors from 30 countries. Tibet has 546 people still missing, including 261 foreign nationals from 23 countries. Authorities fear the death toll could rise because of the large number of people unaccounted for. The flooding began last Wednesday on the Bhotekoshi River in Nepal’s Rasuwa district. The current was so strong that bodies of those killed were carried hundreds of miles away. Nepal is struggling to preserve bodies because of insufficient freezer capacity, so DNA samples are being collected before bodies are placed in mass graves. If identities are later confirmed through DNA testing, the bodies will be exhumed and handed over to families.

Global fuel oil prices rose twice in a single day, according to Reuters data reported on Monday. At 10:36am Bangladesh time, Brent crude gained $2.21, or 2.51%, to $90.31 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.83, or 2.19%, to trade at $85.23 per barrel. Analysts said rising tensions around Hormuz created concerns about oil supplies, pushing prices upward. The market impact followed a new US attack in Iran. An attack on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran’s subsequent retaliatory attack renewed tensions in the Middle East. The duration of the price increase remains a key market question. Reuters said prices could decline again if the conflict is brought under control quickly. However, if supply operations through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted for a prolonged period, prices above $90 a barrel could maintain a stronger position.

Rail communication between Rajshahi and the rest of Bangladesh resumed after emergency repairs to a broken railway track in Bagatipara, Natore. The damage was detected around 6:30am on Tuesday near Lokmanpur station, between rail pillars 227/0 and 227/1. Services were suspended for nearly two hours as railway engineering and repair teams worked at the site. At least six trains were stranded at Abdulpur and Rajshahi stations during the disruption, causing hardship for passengers. The affected services included the Sagardari Express, Titumir Express, Bonolota Express, Silkcity Express, Rajshahi Commuter and Modhumoti Express. Railway workers spotted the damaged section during a regular inspection and immediately informed senior authorities. Following the initial repairs, trains were permitted to use the affected section at 20 kilometres per hour. Railway mechanic Mostak Ahmed said normal speeds would resume after full repairs are completed. Abdulpur station master Masud Rana said rail links were now normal and the delayed trains were leaving for their destinations in stages.

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Masud Khan said investor confidence in the capital market is under strain and must be restored through action rather than words. Speaking Monday at a DSE Brokers Association of Bangladesh discussion at DSE Tower in Nikunja-2, Dhaka, he said the regulator’s core responsibility is to protect investors by ensuring a fair, transparent and orderly market. Khan said he removed the floor price on his second day in office, after which MSCI indicated it would reinstate Bangladesh’s index from next November. He described this as important progress for attracting foreign investment. The BSEC is also taking steps to make BSEC and Dhaka Stock Exchange surveillance systems AI-based. The chairman said all bonds must be listed on the stock market’s main board and many bonds are expected to be listed there within a year. Draft work on direct-listing regulations is nearly complete and will be sent for public opinion after commission approval. He also cited progress on script netting and T+1 settlement, with a roadmap prepared through discussions with exchanges, CDBL and foreign custodian banks.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders and activists observed the party’s 48th founding anniversary in Bogura on Tuesday through a range of programmes. National and party flags were raised at the district BNP office in the morning, beginning the day’s observances. District BNP president and Bogura-6 MP Rezaul Karim Badsha raised the party flag, while acting general secretary and Kahalu-Nandigram MP Mosharraf Hossain also took part. Participants later placed floral wreaths at portraits of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Former district general secretary Ali Azgar Talukdar Hena, metropolitan BNP president Advocate Hamidul Haque Chowdhury, leaders and activists from different levels of the party, and representatives of affiliated and associate bodies were present. After the flag-raising at 7:30am, BNP leaders and activists joined anniversary-related activities. The party office and nearby areas took on a festive atmosphere, according to the report. A friendly football match was scheduled for the afternoon. BNP and its affiliated and associate organisations also planned day-long programmes in all 13 upazilas of Bogura.

A mega project intended to promote tourism in Kutubdia, Cox’s Bazar, has stalled, leaving the Citizen Park and installations at Baraghop Steamer Ghat in poor condition. The project was launched about seven years ago by then executive officer Sujon Chowdhury near the police station pond and land office. It included a Balaka water fountain, gate, wall art, animal murals and sculptures of fish and fruit, while a seating area and dolphin sculpture were built at the steamer ghat. About Tk 13 lakh was spent in several phases to build nearly 20 sculptures at the two locations, but work later stopped for unspecified reasons. Several murals have broken through neglect and others have lost their paint. NGO worker Umme Khairunnesa Urmi said children visit the park to take photographs, but its appearance has deteriorated and repairs could draw regular local visitors. Craftsman Mahabub said the fountain has electricity and water lines, but no further action was taken after its connecting motor was stolen. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mizanur Rahman said there is no separate project for Citizen Park, although work on a new children’s park has begun. He said arrangements will be made to repair damaged murals at Citizen Park and the steamer ghat.

Farmers in Chilmarí of Kurigram and Madarganj of Jamalpur are facing drought conditions during the current aman rice planting season, with fields drying and cracking because of insufficient rainfall. Growers are using shallow machines, electric pumps and, in some cases, deep tube-well water to prepare land, transplant seedlings and keep crops alive. They fear that a prolonged dry spell could reduce aman rice production. In Chilmarí, about 7,450 hectares have been planted with aman rice, and water has dried up on about 50 percent of the land, according to relevant sources. In Madarganj, the cultivation target is 17,600 hectares and seedlings have been transplanted on 16,500 hectares, with the remaining planting expected to finish within the week. Some transplanted seedlings are drying up, while farmers say delayed rain has made timely planting difficult. Farmers report rising costs for fertilizer, pesticides, labour and irrigation. One farmer in Madarganj estimated that costs could rise by nearly 50 percent, while growers put total costs at about Tk14,000 to Tk15,000 per bigha, including cultivation, planting, inputs, irrigation and harvesting. Agricultural officials warned water shortages can limit plant growth, reduce tillers, increase weeds and pests, and lower yields.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department said a well-marked low-pressure area over the northwestern Bay of Bengal, together with active monsoon conditions, may sustain rain and thunderstorms across all divisions. The forecast, signed by meteorologist Md Abdul Hamid Miah on Tuesday, covers weather conditions through September 5. Until 9am on September 2, many places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet may receive light to moderate rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty winds. Moderate to heavy rainfall is possible in some areas, while day and night temperatures may fall slightly. In subsequent daily forecasts, rain is expected to remain more widespread at different times in Rangpur, Chattogram, Sylhet and Mymensingh, with some locations in the other divisions also likely to see showers or thunderstorms. Heavy rainfall may occur in isolated areas, particularly in Rangpur, Chattogram, Sylhet and later Mymensingh. Temperatures are forecast to remain nearly unchanged on September 2 before rising slightly in later periods.

A Cumilla court has sentenced a husband and wife to life imprisonment in the murder case of Shilpi Rani Das, who was killed following a land dispute in Chandina. Additional District and Sessions Judge First Court Judge Mithila Islam delivered the verdict at about 12:30pm on Monday. Samir Chandra Das, 42, and his wife Rupali Rani Das, 37, were absent when the judgment was announced, while co-accused Bakul Rani Das was present and acquitted. According to court sources, an argument over land took place on January 10, 2018, in Mahichail, Chandina, involving Ranjit Chandra Das, his wife Shilpi Rani Das and the accused. The three accused allegedly attacked the couple with sharp machetes. Shilpi was declared dead at Chandina উপজেলা Health Complex, while Ranjit was treated in Cumilla and later Dhaka. The victim’s brother-in-law filed the murder case the same day. The prosecution presented 18 witnesses. The court imposed life terms and fines of Tk10,000 each under Penal Code section 304(1)(b), with additional penalties for non-payment. It also handed each convict seven years’ rigorous imprisonment and Tk5,000 fines under section 302.

The Local Government Division cancelled the transfer of Sitakunda municipality Chief Executive Officer Md Nazrul Islam on August 30, two days before his September 1 deadline to join Shibpur municipality in Narsingdi. He had been transferred on August 20 in the public interest under memorandum No. 703. The cancellation means he will remain in Sitakunda rather than joining Shibpur. The original order said Nazrul Islam would be considered stand released from September 2 if he did not join within the deadline. A subsequent order, also cited as memorandum No. 703 and signed by Joint Secretary Md Sagir Hossain, revoked the transfer. Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer and municipal administrator Md Fakhrul Islam said both the transfer and its cancellation fall entirely under the ministry’s authority. Local government officials in Chattogram similarly declined to explain why the order was withdrawn, saying the ministry could clarify the decision. Municipal sources alleged longstanding internal conflict among staff and administrative power struggles. The report also cited allegations involving Nazrul Islam’s use of an official room as living quarters and concerns over electricity costs, while residents complained that administrative instability was affecting civic services.

Dhaka University’s Syndicate took several major decisions at a meeting on Monday, August 31, including the temporary suspension of four teachers. Three teachers were suspended over allegations of opposing the July uprising, while Associate Professor Dr Mohammad Ziaur Rahman of the Department of Music was suspended over allegations related to appointment qualifications. The university also extended the closing time of women’s residential hall gates by one hour, setting it at 11pm. The three suspended teachers are Professor Dr M Wahiduzzaman and Professor Dr Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman of the Institute of Education and Research, and Professor Dr Mashiur Rahman of the Department of Sociology. The decisions followed recommendations from an investigation committee formed by the university administration. A tribunal has been constituted to pursue subsequent legal and administrative procedures regarding the allegations against them. A separate investigation committee will examine how Dr Ziaur Rahman, also known as Sayem Rana, was appointed despite allegations that he did not meet the advertised requirements. The advertisement required honours and master’s degrees in music, while he holds honours and master’s degrees in Islamic Studies and MPhil and PhD degrees in music. Women’s hall gates previously closed at 10pm.

Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Mannan, provost of Suhrawardy Hall at the University of Chittagong, resigned citing personal and family reasons. Information about his resignation emerged from a letter submitted to the university vice-chancellor on Monday night. The resignation followed the circulation on social media of an audio recording of an argument over a recommendation for hall accommodation. In the recording, Chittagong University unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal general secretary Abdullah Al Noman is heard recommending accommodation for a student named Rashedul. The provost declined, saying the student was not a currently enrolled MPhil student. Noman accused the provost of favouring Chhatra Shibir figures outside the merit list and demanded details of all hall accommodation allocations. In a Facebook post explaining the audio, Noman said the student had already received a seat on merit and sought an extension while MPhil admission procedures were underway after master's results were published. He alleged that the provost ignored the matter and later asked the student to leave the hall after a pro-vice-chancellor's recommendation was presented. Noman also alleged derogatory remarks about the student's parents' financial means.