The caretaker government’s Advisory Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the purchase of vaccines for the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) through UNICEF from Gavi under the direct purchase method. The decision, made during the 30th ACAE meeting chaired by Economic Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, covers a three-month supply for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Officials said future procurements may follow competitive bidding, ensuring timely and efficient vaccine availability to strengthen the national immunization program.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged India to decide whether it wants to remain an enemy or be a good neighbor, emphasizing that both countries must coexist. Speaking to expatriate Pakistanis in London, he highlighted the cost of past wars and called for investing in education, healthcare, and infrastructure instead. He stressed resolving the Kashmir issue, condemned the Gaza crisis, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness for dialogue on equal terms. Recent national achievements, economic progress, and strengthened global standing were also highlighted.

U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded Afghanistan’s Taliban government return the Bagram airbase, warning of “terrible consequences” if they refuse. In posts on Truth Social and remarks at the White House, Trump insisted the airbase must be handed back immediately, hinting at undisclosed action if demands are ignored. He earlier revealed during a UK trip that talks are underway to regain Bagram. Trump has long criticized its loss, citing its strategic importance and alleging growing Chinese influence in Afghanistan.

Brazil has formally joined South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing genocidal acts in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Exercising its right under Article 63 of the ICJ Statute, Brazil argued that Israel’s impunity threatens international law. The country now stands with Spain, Ireland, Mexico, Turkey, and others supporting South Africa’s case. Since the conflict began in October 2023, over 65,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Gaza.

Farmers in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, are celebrating a bumper harvest of Aman paddy in salt fields, an area once unsuitable for rice cultivation. With support from the Department of Agricultural Extension, 300 hectares of salt fields were cultivated with BRRI dhan-75 and BINA dhan-17 varieties, yielding excellent results. Farmers can now grow both salt and rice on the same land, boosting income and food supply. Authorities plan to expand this practice to other abandoned salt fields across the region.

Rajshahi University (RU) has formed an investigation committee after allegations surfaced that Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Main Uddin Khan was assaulted during a dispute over the “pet quota” admission system. The university’s syndicate meeting has meanwhile suspended institutional privileges for pet quota admissions, pending a final decision. The long-delayed RUCSU election will proceed as scheduled on September 25. However, a section of RU teachers, officers, and employees rejected the syndicate’s suspension of the quota system, announcing a complete campus shutdown and tougher programs starting tomorrow. Earlier, staff staged a work stoppage outside the Senate building in protest of the alleged assault.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) says it has no knowledge of any cash reward scheme for arresting leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliates, despite recent media reports claiming officers would receive Tk 5,000 per detainee. Deputy Commissioner of DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division, Muhammad Talebur Rahman, said police officers are indeed rewarded for good performance, including financial incentives, but he was unaware of any such targeted program. He added that DMP currently operates over 600 CCTV cameras across the capital, while private initiatives in Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Niketan have installed around 1,200 additional cameras, significantly aiding crime prevention and public security.

Dhaka — BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has voiced support for delaying Bangladesh’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, citing concerns over economic readiness. The statement came after a meeting between BNP leaders, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and top business figures at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. Discussions centered on LDC graduation and labor laws. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said while they were not calling for a full halt, businesses needed at least three more years for infrastructure readiness. Bangladesh is set to graduate from LDC status on November 24, 2026, following UN assessments over the past eight years. The government must submit a progress report on preparations by October 31 this year.

Savar — Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities have strongly condemned recent remarks by Jamaat leader Amir Hamza, dismissing them as fabricated and defamatory. Hamza had claimed he was admitted to the Journalism and Media Studies department and alleged that students rinsed their mouths with alcohol in the dormitories, even assaulting teachers with sticks. In a statement, JU clarified that the Journalism and Media Studies department was only established in 2011, making Hamza’s claim false. The administration labeled his allegations as baseless, malicious, and “deeply regrettable,” urging him to refrain from making such unfounded comments.

Police have arrested Enayet Karim Chowdhury, a man who posed as an intelligence operative and allegedly swindled high-profile individuals by promising to have US sanctions lifted against them. Enayet was detained while moving suspiciously around Minto Road in Dhaka. Investigators say he targeted former government heavyweights who had come under US sanctions, offering them false assurances that he could use his “connections” to remove the restrictions. He even claimed he could arrange meetings with US President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Among those he allegedly approached is fugitive former police chief Benazir Ahmed, along with several other influential figures. According to investigators, Enayet siphoned off hundreds of crores of taka through these schemes, laundering the money abroad via hundi networks. He is believed to have invested the funds in numerous overseas businesses. Officials describe Enayet as a “cold-blooded conman” whose prime targets were corrupt and compromised government officials as well as vulnerable political leaders. Masquerading as a CIA agent, he lured them with promises of quick solutions to their troubles or the ability to neutralize rivals.

BNP leader Zahiduddin Swapan has claimed that Sheikh Hasina has fled the country, and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia watched the development on television from her hospital bed. Speaking at a political program, Swapan said, “Some parties are fueling conflict to prevent elections in February. If this government truly wants to hold a ballot-based election but any group stands in the way, we will expose them before the people. And if anyone dares to misuse the Holy Quran or mosques in this evil game, we believe the devout citizens will understand and resist.”

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan has said that no reform will work unless corruption is eradicated from society. “The previous government looted so much wealth that it could have built 100 Padma Bridges. The stolen money equals five years of the national budget,” he alleged. He argued that the wealthy elite benefit most from corruption, while ordinary citizens are left to suffer. “Ziaur Rahman was an honest leader. Even the Awami League could never accuse him of corruption,” he said, calling for accountable governance and citizen participation to ensure sustainable development.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam has called for the Awami League to be brought under trial as a political party for crimes committed during its tenure. Speaking after cross-examination as the 47th witness in Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumder, Nahid said, “Sheikh Hasina, as party chief, ordered killings to maintain her grip on power. The people have since overthrown her, making these crimes the responsibility of Awami League as a party. We will formally petition the tribunal for their trial.” Hasina currently faces two additional cases: one over enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during her regime, and another linked to the deadly crackdown on Hefazat-e-Islam’s Shapla Square rally.

BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie emphasized the sacrifices of today’s youth in the political struggle, saying, “We never think outside the generation. They wanted movement, and so did we — but they were on the frontlines. They were martyred, disappeared, and killed, just like us.” Annie noted that unlike in the past, no student organizations mobilized them — they took to the streets on their own, sometimes holding their parents’ hands. “Even when bullets rained from helicopters, they did not back down,” he said. He added that today’s generation knows Tarique Rahman more directly than late President Ziaur Rahman, but the leadership of Zia, Tarique, and Khaleda Zia carried the same vision for Bangladesh. Annie urged student leaders to embody this generation’s sentiment in campuses across the country.

Dhaka — British MP Tulip Siddiq, granddaughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has been identified as the owner of a flat in Eastern Housing, according to documents presented in court. The records were submitted during the fourth day of witness hearings in the corruption case involving RAJUK plot allocations linked to the Sheikh family. On Sunday, three officials from Eastern Housing Ltd. testified, along with Akhtar Jahan, an administrative officer at the Ministry of Housing and Public Works. So far, 15 witnesses have testified across three related cases. The next hearing is scheduled for October 6. Earlier witnesses claimed that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had ordered an irregular allocation of a 30-katha plot in Purbachal under the influence of Tulip Siddiq. The ACC subsequently filed cases against 23 individuals.