US President Donald Trump said Iran would not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, reiterating Washington’s position in an interview with Fox News. Trump said plainly that Iran could not be permitted to acquire such weapons and would not get them. He described Iran’s leadership as highly violent and evil, claiming Tehran would use nuclear weapons if it possessed them. Trump said an Iranian nuclear capability would effectively devastate the Middle East and destroy Israel, while also raising the possibility that the United States or Europe could later become targets. Trump also called Iran a failed state and said he was surprised when Tehran began attacking Gulf countries at the start of the war. He said others were shocked as well. However, he ultimately characterized the move as positive, saying it caused Iran to lose the support it had received.

The High Court has upheld the death sentence of Hitu Sheikh, the principal accused in the rape and murder case of eight-year-old Achia in Magura. A bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja delivered the verdict at about 11am on Monday. Achia was raped and sexually abused in early March 2025 while visiting her sister’s in-laws’ home in Nij Nanduali village of Magura. She was initially taken to hospitals in Magura and Faridpur with severe injuries, then admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka. She died during treatment on March 13, 2025. On May 17, 2025, Judge M Zahid Hasan of the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal sentenced Hitu Sheikh, Achia’s sister’s father-in-law, to death. Three other accused—Achia’s sister’s husband Sajib Sheikh, his brother Ratul Sheikh and their mother Jaheda Begum—were acquitted. The tribunal’s records later reached the High Court as a death reference. The verdict had been scheduled for August 25 but was deferred following a state application.

A Dhaka court sentenced Md Al-Amin Sheikh to life imprisonment with hard labour for the murder of teenage battery-run auto-rickshaw driver Iman Kazi and disposal of his body in Kadamtali. The Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court of Dhaka, presided over by Mohammad Moin Uddin Chowdhury, delivered the verdict on Monday after completing proceedings in 12 working days. The court also fined Al-Amin Tk20,000, with six additional months of hard labour if unpaid. For destroying evidence and concealing the body under Section 201 of the Penal Code, he received a separate three-year hard-labour sentence and Tk5,000 fine, with one additional month if unpaid. The sentences will run concurrently, while time already spent in custody will be deducted from the main sentence. Iman went missing on 30 May 2023 after leaving with his auto-rickshaw. Police recovered his bound, bagged and decomposed body from a pond in West Mohammadbagh on 3 June. Investigators said he was killed over suspected family infidelity and a dispute involving Tk5,000. Al-Amin was arrested in Barishal on 5 June 2023 and later gave a Section 164 confession. The court ordered his transfer to Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur.

Bangladesh repaid more than twice the foreign loans disbursed by development partners in July, the first month of the current fiscal year. New external loan disbursements totalled $180.18 million, while repayments of principal and interest on earlier borrowing reached $453.23 million, according to an updated Economic Relations Division report released on Sunday. The repayment outflow exceeded new disbursements by $273.05 million. For every dollar newly received during the month, Bangladesh spent about $2.5 servicing existing external debt. Loan disbursements were 13.39 percent lower than in July of fiscal year 2025-26, when development partners released $208.04 million. Meanwhile, foreign debt repayments increased by about 4 percent from $446.68 million in that earlier July. The widening gap at the start of the fiscal year reflects slower new financing alongside rising instalment payments on past loans. Experts said pressure could increase as grace periods for loans linked to major projects end and principal repayments begin. They warned that if new disbursements do not rise as expected, foreign-currency inflows and financing management for development projects could be affected.

Rajshahi University has assigned AHM Aslam Hossain, deputy registrar of its academic branch, as acting registrar, triggering criticism over his educational qualifications and appointment. A university office order issued on Sunday afternoon gave him the responsibility and relieved Professor Dr Iftekharul Alam Masud of the acting registrar’s duties. The report says Hossain does not hold an honours degree, though he claims to have a postgraduate degree. Former pro-vice-chancellor for education Professor Dr Mohammad Farid Uddin Khan questioned the appointment in a Facebook post, saying an honours degree was mandatory in deputy registrar recruitment criteria but had been relaxed in Hossain’s case. He also alleged that educational qualifications and seniority had been violated, and said he had heard of strong political recommendations. Masud said Hossain did not appear qualified based on the file he had reviewed. Hossain rejected the allegations as false and said his appointment complied with university rules. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Faridul Islam said Hossain was selected on merit and that no exception was made for the acting role. The report says Hossain earned an MA in History from Rajshahi University in 1992 and joined the university as deputy registrar in January 2007.

Central Depository Bangladesh Limited data show that 8,570 investors were added to Bangladesh’s stock market during the first six months after the BNP government took office on February 17. The number of BO account holders rose from 1,647,916 to 1,656,486 by August 16. This was about half the 16,960 net increase recorded in the first six months of the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus after its August 8, 2024 swearing-in. During the BNP government’s first six months, 55,814 new BO accounts were opened while 47,244 were closed. Under the interim government, 39,172 accounts were opened and 22,212 closed. In contrast, the number of investors fell by 49,680 in the first six months after the Awami League government formed in 2009, despite 141,158 new accounts being opened and 190,838 closed. Market participants said government formation may affect account openings, but economic conditions, fiscal policy, listed companies’ finances, IPO approvals and securities regulator leadership also matter. They noted that annual June BO-account renewal fees can lead to account suspensions. BSEC leadership changed on June 4, about four months after the BNP government formed.

International oil prices rose by more than 1% in early Asian trading on Monday after a US military strike on Iran-linked targets at Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz and an Iranian retaliatory attack on two US air bases in Jordan. Brent crude gained $1.08, or 1.23%, to $89.18 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose 92 cents, or 1.10%, to $84.32. US Central Command said its forces targeted two Iranian missile or rocket launchers on Larak Island in the first direct US attack on Iranian targets there since late July. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched its response on Monday morning. IG Markets analyst Tony Sycamore said the conflict appeared to have entered a renewed phase of escalation, though its duration remained uncertain. Talks aimed at ending the conflict remain stalled as mediators seek to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping data showed visible cargo vessel traffic through the waterway fell to five ships a day over the weekend. ANZ analysts said increased oil flows had eased supply worries somewhat, but full reopening remained uncertain.

Bangladesh’s government has ordered preparation of a specific action plan to raise exports from five promising sectors and reduce reliance on ready-made garments. The directive was issued at a second consultation meeting with leading private-sector entrepreneurs, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The initiative aims to accelerate economic growth, diversify exports and attract foreign investment. The source says ready-made garments generate 80 to 85 percent of export earnings, while five to six other products account for 10 to 15 percent. Priority sectors for the plan include information technology, light engineering, agricultural processing and leather goods. Investment Bangladesh Authority Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun stressed stronger public-private coordination, a business-friendly environment and needed policy reforms. A high-level committee led by the Export Promotion Bureau’s director general has been formed and has held one meeting, according to a Commerce Ministry official. The government also ordered research into district-level production, existing capacity and future export potential. It has directed stronger implementation of the One Village One Product concept to develop local small and cottage industries for international markets.

Six months after taking office, the BNP-led government has made no visible progress on key banking-sector reforms pledged in its election manifesto, according to the report. The government formed after the February 12 parliamentary election, and the new cabinet led by Tarique Rahman took oath on February 17. Commitments included ensuring Bangladesh Bank’s autonomy, abolishing the finance ministry’s Banking Division, ending political interference and acting against major defaulters. The manifesto also promised an Economic Reform Commission comprising economists, researchers, experienced bankers, corporate leaders and administrators. A proposed amendment to the Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972 had earlier been drafted with IMF technical assistance and sent to the finance ministry in mid-October last year. It proposed greater independence in appointments, budgeting, financial control, staffing and policymaking. Stakeholders say continued finance ministry influence over state-owned banks weakens central-bank oversight and creates conflict-of-interest risks. Economists argue that lasting reform requires genuine central-bank independence, accountable boards, improved loan approval and recovery systems, and banking free of political influence. CPD fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya said the government had not moved toward institutional reform in its first six months.

India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized nearly seven kilograms of gold at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai and arrested six people, including five Bangladeshi transit passengers and a Vietnam Airlines employee. The seized gold was estimated to be worth 110 million rupees, according to reports citing DRI sources. Officials had placed Vietnam Airlines employee Munaf Mosharaf Jamadar under surveillance following specific intelligence alleging his involvement in airport gold smuggling. Investigators recovered seven oval capsules from him containing gold powder wrapped in a wax-like substance. During questioning, he admitted that he was responsible for handing the gold to a person outside the airport. Based on information provided by Jamadar, officials identified five passengers who had allegedly handed the gold to him. Three were named as Bangladeshi nationals: Muhammad Abu Nasr, Muhammad Alam and Muhammad Naximuddin. Muhammad Mohiuddin and Muhammad Hossain were also arrested. DRI officials said nearly seven kilograms of gold were recovered from a total of 16 balls.

Discrepancies have emerged in Bangladesh’s official fertilizer stock records, with allegations that ministry and departmental data do not match supplies held at warehouses and in the field. The issue has raised concerns over fertilizer distribution, particularly during periods of higher demand for boro and aman cultivation. Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid told parliament on Sunday that there was no fertilizer shortage and said field-level monitoring was under way to ensure timely supplies at fixed prices. Agriculture Ministry statistics show urea stocks fell to 1,203,399 tonnes from 1,406,926 tonnes a year earlier, while DAP stocks declined to 36,040 tonnes from 43,343 tonnes. TSP stocks increased to 30,265 tonnes from 26,123 tonnes, and MOP rose to 53,388 tonnes from 51,035 tonnes. Dealers say allocations have not increased despite expanded agricultural activity. The government removed three officials amid debate over fertilizer distribution. Officials said farmers were buying DAP in advance of the potato season, while urea sales were limited. Nineteen dealers and retailers had been fined by Thursday over alleged irregularities, and four retailers in Kurigram were fined by August 27 for overpricing and illegal stocking. Authorities are also updating the national dealer and retailer database.

US Central Command said it carried out a limited, precision operation against Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps mine-laying forces on Larak Island, alleging they posed a threat in the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said the operation was intended to address what it described as an immediate danger to shipping in the waterway. CENTCOM said Iran had created the threat and that US forces removed it to protect civilian mariners, commercial vessel traffic and the free flow of global trade. Iran had described the US strike on Larak Island as an act of aggression, a characterization CENTCOM rejected. The Strait of Hormuz is described as one of the world's most important sea routes, carrying energy shipments that form a major part of international trade. The source said military activity or disruption to vessel movements there could have significant effects on global commerce and energy supplies. CENTCOM said its stated objective was to keep civilian sailors and commercial ships safe while ensuring uninterrupted trade flows.

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance plans to begin a major street campaign on September 5 with a Dhaka-to-Chattogram long march, citing constitutional reform, implementation of the July Charter and referendum verdict, and public-interest concerns. The alliance says this will be its first and largest programme as an opposition force during the current government’s six-and-a-half months in office. It plans further marches in three divisions before holding a mass rally in Dhaka in December or January. Alliance leaders say they turned to street programmes after receiving no response to reform demands raised in parliament and through meetings, rallies, statements and speeches over nearly five months. Their six listed demands include implementing the referendum verdict, trying the July killings, addressing electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser shortages, curbing price rises, improving law and order, and ending partisanisation of the administration. Organisers said the September 5 march will start after a 7am gathering at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka and end at Chattogram’s Laldighi ground at 9pm, with meetings planned along the route. They said they met the inspector general of police about necessary cooperation and will keep one side of the divided highway open for public travel.

Six months after the United States and Israel launched a major military campaign against Iran, the conflict has left all three countries facing mounting political and economic strain. The article says Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several other leaders were killed in attacks on targets in Tehran, but Iran’s government has remained in power and key US-Israeli objectives remain unmet. In the United States, oil prices have risen 50 percent since the war began on February 28, adding pressure on President Donald Trump ahead of November’s midterm elections. An Ipsos survey found fewer than one in three Americans support the war. Trump has imposed fresh sanctions on Tehran under what he calls “Economic D-Day,” while saying a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could come soon. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not secured the expected political gains, according to analysts cited in the article. Iran has suffered economic damage exceeding $145 billion by April and annual inflation reached 66 percent last month, but its economy has not fully collapsed. The article says none of the sides is prepared to concede.

A low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal-north Odisha coast has intensified into a well-marked low, prompting Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department to issue local warning signal No. 3 for four seaports. The marine warning was issued on Sunday, August 30, as gusty winds were forecast over the ports, northern Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh’s coastal areas. Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra ports were instructed to continue displaying the signal. The system may move west and northwest. Fishing boats and trawlers in the northern Bay of Bengal were advised to stay close to the coast and navigate cautiously until further instructions. The monsoon trough extends through several Indian regions, the low-pressure centre, southern Bangladesh and Assam, while monsoon activity is moderate over Bangladesh and strong over the northern Bay. Light to moderate rain or thunderstorms with gusty winds are forecast for many areas, with heavy rainfall possible in places. River ports in six regions were also told to display signal No. 1 amid winds of 45 to 60 kilometres per hour from 5am to 1pm Monday.