Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University students, who earlier enforced a blockade at Agargaon to press their three-point demand, withdrew the program after about an hour. Traffic movement has since returned to normal.
The students announced they will hold discussions with engineering student groups before declaring their next program. They also warned of tougher actions if their demands remain unmet.

Police have detained former minister Latif Siddique along with several others, including Awami League leaders, following tensions at an event organized by Munch 71.
The program, titled “Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh”, was scheduled at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity. Dr. Kamal Hossain was invited as the chief guest but did not attend. According to police, the detainees are being taken to Shahbagh Police Station for questioning.

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has postponed all undergraduate exams scheduled between August 30 and September 18 due to the ongoing student unrest. The decision was announced in an emergency notice signed by the registrar on Wednesday.
The university stated that future exam schedules will be decided after discussions in the Academic Council. The move follows escalating protests by engineering students over their three-point demand, which on Wednesday led to clashes with police as students attempted to march toward the Jamuna River. All engineering universities across the country are observing a complete shutdown today.

Religious Affairs Adviser A.F.M. Khalid Hossain dismissed rumors that a mosque would be built on the site of the Chandranath temple, calling them “baseless.” He confirmed that the administration has instead taken steps to renovate and upgrade the temple.
Highlighting Bangladesh Railway’s recent allocation of land for one Hindu temple and two mosques in Khilkhet, Hossain described it as a “historic moment” for the interim government and a “powerful symbol of communal harmony.”
He added, “Bangladesh is a land of religious coexistence. Everyone will practice their faith freely without obstructing others.”

The tribunal has begun recording testimonies in the case of martyr Abu Said, who was killed during the July uprising. On Thursday, Tribunal-2 commenced proceedings, with Abu Said’s father expected to testify as the first witness.
Earlier, on August 6, the tribunal framed charges against 30 accused, including former Begum Rokeya University Vice-Chancellor Hasibur Rashid. Six arrested suspects were produced in court today, while 24, including the former VC, remain absconding. The court has appointed four state-funded lawyers to represent the fugitives.

Marking one year of Bangladesh’s Commission on Enforced Disappearances, rights group Fortify Rights has called for full accountability for all disappearances that occurred under Sheikh Hasina’s government, describing them as a hallmark of her “brutal authoritarian rule.”
In a statement, the group’s director John Quinley stressed that victims’ families and survivors must receive compensation. Fortify Rights interviewed 10 survivors, relatives of victims, and a lawyer, some of whom described being held at the infamous secret detention center known as “Aynaghar” before being released after Hasina’s ouster.
Many of the disappeared were members of opposition parties, particularly BNP and Jamaat. The commission has already registered over 1,800 cases of enforced disappearances, with hundreds still missing.

Students of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) have launched a blockade in Agargaon to press for the fulfillment of three key demands of agriculturists. The protest, organized under the banner of the Krishibid Oikya Parishad, began at 10 a.m. today.
The students’ demands include:

Ensuring that the 10th-grade positions in DAE, BADC, and other research institutions remain reserved exclusively for agriculturists.

Removing any provision for promotion to the 9th grade without clearing recruitment examinations.

Issuing a government order barring non-agriculture graduates from using the title “Krishibid” (agriculturist).
The protest follows demonstrations earlier this week over attacks on engineering students.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei narrowly escaped injury after being attacked with stones, bottles, and other projectiles by an angry crowd during a rally in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. He was campaigning for upcoming local and midterm elections alongside his sister, Karina Milei, when the incident occurred.
Several objects struck the president, though he managed to flee the scene with his team. The attack comes at a time when Milei is facing public outrage over a corruption scandal that has fueled widespread criticism of his administration.

A case has been filed against Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor-politician Thalapathy Vijay following allegations that his bodyguard misbehaved with a fan during a recent rally. The actor, who has drawn significant attention by declaring a political battle against the BJP, announced earlier this month that he would contest the 2026 Assembly elections from Madurai East—his most direct confrontation with the ruling DMK to date.
At the rally, Vijay pledged to work for the release of Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka and ensure the safety of Tamil Nadu’s fishermen—long-standing demands in state politics. Presenting TVK as a “clean and uncompromising force,” Vijay declared: “We are not a party that secretly makes deals or betrays the people. We fear no one. The people of Tamil Nadu, especially women and the youth, stand with us.”
On social media, he also condemned the arrest of sanitation workers in Chennai, calling it “fascist” and “inhumane.”

Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport is grappling with a staggering Tk 2,126 crore in unpaid dues owed by six domestic and international airlines. Among them, three carriers have already shut down operations without clearing their liabilities.

According to airport authorities, Regent Airways alone owes Tk 252.56 crore, while United Airways has an outstanding Tk 54.96 crore and GMG Airlines Tk 29.30 crore. All three airlines ceased operations without settling their accounts.

Among the active carriers, US-Bangla Airlines owes Tk 2.38 crore and Novoair Tk 1.20 crore. The largest single debtor, however, is the state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines, with a massive outstanding of Tk 1,786.96 crore.

Despite repeated official reminders and correspondence, authorities say little progress has been made in recovering the dues.

Over the past 25 years, 15 airlines have pulled out of Shah Amanat International Airport. Today, only two foreign airlines continue operations from Chattogram. Industry insiders blame the exodus on poor facilities, inadequate services, and lack of passenger-friendly amenities, which have discouraged international airlines from maintaining their routes through the airport.

Islamic Movement leader Maulana Ahmad Abdul Kayum has said that establishing a fascism-free society requires proportional representation (PR) elections.
“Fascism thrives when power is centralized in one hand. The constitution has been amended repeatedly to serve partisan interests. Only a PR-based election system can save this country, Islam, and humanity,” he argued.
Kayum stressed that the people of Bangladesh have already risked their lives to free the nation from fascism. He called for visible justice for past atrocities, constitutional reforms, and a transition away from “the old arrangements.”
Referring to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said: “On August 5, the killer, fascist, and money launderer Hasina didn’t even realize she would have to flee the country. Those who fail to learn from history will face the same fate.”
He warned extortionists and vested interest groups: “The people are now united. They will throw these looters and killers into the Bay of Bengal.”

The Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU) election, initially postponed to September 28, has been rescheduled again to September 25 to accommodate Hindu students’ Durga Puja festivities.
According to the new schedule:

Nomination papers distribution ends on August 31

Submission on September 1–4 and 7

Scrutiny on September 8–9

Preliminary candidate list on September 11

Appeals and objections resolved by September 14

Final candidate list published on September 16

Voting and results on September 25

Pakistan has demolished a protective dyke next to a major dam to relieve water pressure caused by heavy rainfall, but the move has submerged one of Sikhism’s holiest sites, Kartarpur Sahib.
Punjab Disaster Management spokesperson Mazhar Hussain confirmed that the dyke was deliberately destroyed to safeguard the dam infrastructure.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry also revealed that India had given advance diplomatic notice before releasing water from its dams. Still, relentless rainfall across northern India led to an abnormal surge in Pakistan’s eastern rivers—the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej—forcing authorities to issue a high flood alert across Punjab province.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged that the Election Commission is being used as a tool by the ruling BJP during elections.
“I respect the Election Commission, but it cannot become BJP’s lollipop,” Mamata said. She also criticized discrimination against Bengali speakers in India, claiming they face obstacles in jobs, education, and even basic hospitality.
Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she asked: “Why does he say money is stopped because Bengalis are thieves? If theft is the issue, look at Uttar Pradesh or Maharashtra. Why target Bengal?”
Mamata accused the central government of financially depriving West Bengal through discriminatory policies.

A daring robbery attempt at a Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank branch in Bhajanpur Bazar, Panchagarh, was foiled late Tuesday night with the help of locals.
Police identified the suspect as 28-year-old Shahidul Haque. The night guard, upon noticing suspicious movements inside the bank, alerted authorities and locals. Together, they caught the suspect inside the branch with burglary tools in his possession.
Police have confirmed that legal proceedings against the detainee are underway.