India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has denied claims that Awami League members are conducting Bangladesh-related political activities within India. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian government is “not aware of any Bangladesh-opposing or illegal activities” by Awami League affiliates on Indian territory, stressing that India does not allow political operations against other countries from its soil. He reaffirmed India’s hope that Bangladesh will hold “free, fair, and participatory elections reflecting the people’s mandate at the earliest opportunity.” The denial comes after Bangladesh urged New Delhi to shut down an alleged Awami League office reportedly operating in India.

The Cabinet Division has formed a five-member high-powered probe committee to investigate the illegal extraction of white stone in Sylhet. The committee, headed by the Division’s Secretary for Coordination and Reform, has been directed to submit its findings within 10 days. Members include senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources. The committee has been tasked with identifying those responsible for the large-scale looting.

Bangladesh has called on India to shut down all political offices of the Awami League operating in the country. According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, several Awami League leaders, convicted of crimes against humanity and facing criminal cases in Bangladesh, remain in India. The statement noted that some of these leaders attempted to hold a meeting under an NGO banner at the Delhi Press Club on July 21, distributing pamphlets to attending journalists. Indian media have also reported on this incident. The Bangladesh government described such activities by leaders of a banned political party as a clear affront to the Bangladeshi people and state. It stressed that these actions not only undermine mutual trust and respect between the two countries but could also negatively impact Bangladesh’s ongoing political transformation process. Additionally, political activity by Bangladeshi citizens based in India could provoke public resentment back home, potentially affecting Dhaka–New Delhi relations.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said his party has observations on the July Charter and will discuss them with the National Consensus Commission. Speaking after visiting BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in hospital, Taher emphasized that while parties have reached consensus on key issues, “the July Charter remains crucial for both Bangladesh’s future and its upcoming elections.” Meanwhile, Fakhrul, who had returned home after treatment abroad, was re-hospitalized at midnight due to health complications but has since been discharged.

A fishing trawler named FB Mayer Doa, carrying 20 fishermen, capsized near Kuakata in the Bay of Bengal on Sunday. While 14 have been rescued, six remain missing, authorities confirmed Wednesday. Thirteen fishermen were found floating near the Payra channel’s pipe buoy and rescued by locals. Another was saved earlier that morning, 20 km off the Payra port. The survivors, now under treatment at Kalapara Hospital, reported clinging to plastic water drums for two days before being spotted. Missing fishermen include Abu Taher (55), Kamal (35), Riaz Uddin (22), Tamiz (18), Sohag (20), and Shahabuddin (45). The Coast Guard has been alerted to continue search operations.

The Election Commission (EC) has finalized the draft roadmap for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, outlining action plans in 24 key areas, according to Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. He said the final roadmap will be published within the week, stressing there is currently “no reason for concern over law and order.” Hearings on boundary demarcation for 82 constituencies will begin on August 24 and continue for four days. The EC also clarified that polling centers will not be increased: each will serve 3,000 voters, with booth capacity raised from 500 to 600 voters.

A dramatic situation unfolded at Bangladesh Bank as AFM Shahinul Islam, head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), appeared at his office despite being placed on mandatory leave. Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur confirmed Shahinul had been sent on leave following demands from central bank officials. However, Shahinul dismissed the directive, saying, “Mandatory leave? I am working as usual.” Earlier, several officials submitted a memorandum demanding his removal, citing the release of multiple controversial videos and allegations that he authorized the withdrawal of Tk 190 million from a frozen account belonging to transport magnate Khandaker Enayet Ullah, causing reputational damage to the financial sector.

The deadline for political parties to submit their opinions on the July Charter has been extended until 3 PM on August 22, according to the National Consensus Commission. BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed that the party has already sent its observations on the charter to the commission on Wednesday. Earlier, on August 16, the draft was circulated among political parties seeking feedback. The draft charter references several national incidents, including the Pilkhana massacre, the Shapla Chattar crackdown, and the 2018 quota reform movement, as part of its historical background.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a six-day program to mark its 47th founding anniversary on September 1. Senior BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan unveiled the plan, which includes: August 31: Discussion at Engineers’ Institution auditorium in Dhaka. September 1: Hoisting of national and party flags at BNP offices nationwide; wreath-laying at Ziaur Rahman’s grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar; discussions and rallies at metropolitan and district levels. September 2: Colorful rally in Dhaka, beginning at 2 PM from the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters. September 3: Discussions and rallies at upazila and municipal levels. September 4: Tree plantation, fish release, free medical camps, and sports events nationwide. September 5: Roundtable discussion in Dhaka (venue and time to be announced). The party will also release a commemorative publication and posters marking the anniversary.

Following its earlier move in the administration cadre, the review committee on promotion deprivation has now recommended retrospective promotions for 78 retired officials from other cadres. The report was submitted Wednesday to the Chief Adviser by committee convener and former Finance Secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan. Earlier, based on the committee’s first report, 764 retired administration officials from deputy secretary to secretary level were granted retrospective promotions. The recommendations cover officials who faced career stagnation between 2009 and August 4, 2024, before retiring.

The much-anticipated Moulana Bhashani Bridge, connecting Gaibandha and Kurigram, was inaugurated Wednesday afternoon by Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan. Arriving from Rangpur via Sundarganj, he unveiled the plaque before leading a motorcade across the bridge and attending a views-exchange meeting. The inauguration drew thousands of jubilant locals, turning the area festive. The bridge spans 1,490 meters in length and 9.6 meters in width, with two lanes and 31 spans. Stretching from Haripur Ghat in Sundarganj to Chilmari in Kurigram, it is being hailed as a milestone project for the people of the Teesta river basin.

Bangladeshi expatriates will now be able to register as voters even without a passport, the Election Commission (EC) announced. Instead, applicants can submit a declaration from three expatriates with valid NIDs in the host country, certifying their Bangladeshi nationality. Supporting documents may also be provided either directly at registration centers abroad or through representatives in Bangladesh. Currently, voter registration activities are being conducted through Bangladeshi missions in nine countries, with nearly 50,000 applications already received.

The Election Commission (EC) will release the draft list of polling centers for the upcoming parliamentary election on September 10. Objections and claims will be accepted until September 25 and resolved by October 12, after which the final list will be published on October 20. The EC Secretariat confirmed that the process follows the guidelines for polling station establishment issued for the upcoming election.

Environmental activist Syeda Rizwana Hasan stressed that restoring natural forests is essential to protecting Bangladesh’s elephants—and that rural communities must be involved in this effort. Speaking at a wildlife conservation event, she added that the Forest Department has been directed to ban the use of elephants for entertainment shows. Speakers at the event highlighted that wildlife preservation has yet to gain political priority in Bangladesh. They urged immediate elephant population surveys, updated research beyond the outdated decade-old studies, and measures for breeding, habitat management, and food supply. They also called for a cross-border management protocol to reduce human-elephant conflict. According to the Forest Department, 18 elephants have died unnaturally in just the first six months of this year, while 146 elephants have died nationwide in the past nine years. The discussion coincided with World Elephant Day (August 12).

The Bangladesh Agricultural Students’ Association (BAGSCHAS) has announced its panel for the DUCSU polls. Abdul Kader has been nominated for Vice President (VP), Abu Bakar Mojumdar for General Secretary (GS), and Ashrefa Khatun for Assistant General Secretary (AGS). Other nominations include Nahiyan Faruk (Literature & Culture), Mohir Alam (Social Services), Md. Hasibul Islam (Liberation War & Democratic Movements), Md. Sakib (International Affairs), Al Amin Sarkar (Sports), Anika Tahsina (Law & Human Rights), Mitu Akter (Common Room & Cafeteria), Ahad Bin Islam Shoaib (Science & Technology), Sabbir Ahmed (Health & Environment), Rezwan Ahmed Rifat (Career Development), and Md. Ismail Hossain Rudra (Student Transport). The organization dedicated its Research & Publications post to injured student Sanjida Ahmed Tonvi in solidarity. Thirteen additional member candidates were also nominated.