Hilsa harvest has fallen sharply this year, with a 38–48% decline compared to 2023, according to Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter. She cited river pollution, climate change, and harmful fishing practices by non-fishermen as key reasons. Speaking at the International Conference on Sustainable Fisheries at Sylhet Agricultural University, she stressed integrated development of fisheries, agriculture, and livestock. Over 600 experts from home and abroad attended the event, which highlighted innovative solutions for resilient fisheries and aquaculture.

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan has credited late finance minister Saifur Rahman with saving Bangladesh’s economy by introducing the Value Added Tax (VAT).

Speaking at a memorial marking Saifur Rahman’s 16th death anniversary, Moin said, “Today, no government can survive without VAT. Yet the Awami League, then in opposition, bitterly opposed it.”

He praised Saifur Rahman as a visionary economist and skilled manager who not only restructured Bangladesh’s economy but also laid the foundation for long-term financial sustainability.

The Gono Odhikar Parishad staged a solidarity rally demanding a ban on Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance, accusing them of propping up Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule.

At least 30 anti-fascist parties — including BNP, Jamaat, Islami Andolon, NCP, JSD, and Gonosonghoti Andolon — expressed support. Leaders denounced Jatiya Party as an “Indian proxy” conspiring to destabilize the country, and called for cancellation of its registration.

Speakers also demanded punishment for attacks on Nurul Haque Nur and other opposition activists, as well as the Home Adviser’s resignation. Leaders urged opposition groups to strengthen unity against fascism.

Hefazat-e-Islam has denounced the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education’s new recruitment policy that favors music teachers over religious instructors, branding it an “anti-Islamic agenda.”

In a statement, the group warned of street protests if the policy is not withdrawn. Hefazat argued that music is prohibited in Islam and should not be imposed in primary education without Muslim parents’ consent.

The statement further alleged that “NGO-backed conspirators” were exploiting the interim government’s weakness to push “de-Islamization projects,” including LGBT and music curricula, echoing similar agendas from the Awami League era.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdullah Mohammad Taher has announced plans to form a broad coalition of like-minded parties ahead of the next national election, united under the “July spirit.”

He claimed that Islamic parties and scholars across the country are rallying to the cause, predicting the alliance would become more visible as elections near. According to Taher, Jamaat’s popularity is growing while that of its rivals is declining.

“The people want free, fair, and festive elections — not manipulated, imposed ones,” he said, framing the polls as a decisive contest against corruption, foreign dominance, and authoritarianism.

The Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) has demanded the resignation of the Home Adviser, blaming him for failing to prevent the recent attack on party convener Nurul Haque Nur. GOP leaders warned of besieging the Secretariat if their demand is ignored.

Rashed Khan, a senior GOP leader, accused ruling party affiliates of orchestrating the attack and demanded stern action against perpetrators within state agencies. BNP’s Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel also declared Sheikh Hasina’s political chapter “closed,” insisting her allies, including Jatiya Party, must also face justice.

Jamaat leader Shafiqul Islam Masud questioned how authorities that failed to protect Nur could guarantee voters’ safety during upcoming elections.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has hailed Tarique Rahman as the chief architect of the July-August mass movement that, he said, played a pivotal role in ending Sheikh Hasina’s “bloodthirsty fascist rule.”

Speaking to reporters, Rizvi argued that the Awami League had aligned itself with “India-centric politics,” while BNP stood firmly for “Bangladesh’s interests.” He accused pro-government groups of running smear campaigns, tagging and cyberbullying BNP supporters, but vowed that no conspiracy could defeat the people’s will.

Political commentator and adviser Asif Nazrul has written an emotional account recalling his experiences with former RAB magistrate-turned-bureaucrat Sarwar Alam.

Nazrul described how Sarwar, once celebrated for his bold anti-corruption drives, was sidelined by powerful vested interests and later transferred to a low-profile post. Despite his professionalism, he too faced smear campaigns online.

“Baseless rumors are spread about me every day. But even Sarwar, a man far removed from politics, was not spared such malicious attempts. I couldn’t shield him from that completely, and it pains me still,” Nazrul wrote.

Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum on Friday visited students of Chattogram University who were critically injured in recent clashes with local villagers. At Parkview Hospital, she met the patients, spoke with doctors about their treatment progress, and wished them a speedy recovery.

Hospital Managing Director Rezaul Karim confirmed her visit, noting that the adviser reassured families of government support and urged continued quality care for the victims.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has issued a warning regarding fraudulent calls claiming financial incentives. Scammers have been using the name and photo of Secretary Abu Taher Md. Masud Rana, contacting officials via WhatsApp from a different number (01851-274565), and requesting credit card and bank details. The ministry confirmed that these claims are entirely false and urged people not to share sensitive information. Citizens are advised to report such incidents to the ministry or the nearest police station.

Lebanon’s cabinet is meeting to review a military plan to disarm Hezbollah, a move driven by U.S. pressure and intensifying Israeli strikes. The plan stems from a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal aimed at ending over a year of Hezbollah–Israel clashes. Hezbollah rejects the proposal as treasonous and serving foreign interests, with reports suggesting its ministers may boycott the session. Analysts warn of possible ministerial resignations or street protests if the plan proceeds, while Speaker Nabih Berri urges dialogue and consensus.

Authorities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka prevented S.M. Siddiqui, the younger brother of politicians Latif Siddiqui and Kader Siddiqui, from leaving the country for Thailand.

The incident occurred on Friday morning when immigration officials stopped Siddiqui, who was accompanied by his wife. According to airport sources, he was barred from boarding due to an active travel restriction order.

S.M. Siddiqui, a former chairman of Tangail’s Kalihati Upazila Parishad, was subsequently sent back after being detained at immigration.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Special Metropolitan Magistrate Court has disposed of 5,558 cases through summary trials between March and August this year.

According to official data, 11,323 individuals were arrested during this period, of whom 2,771 were sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment.

Breakdown of cases by division:

Motijheel Division: 768 arrests, 378 cases, fines of Tk 135,000, with 356 convictions.

Wari Division: 964 arrests, 518 cases, fines of Tk 159,000, with 326 convictions.

Tejgaon Division: 1,675 arrests, 725 cases, fines totaling Tk 438,000.

Gulshan Division: 1,344 arrests, 740 cases, fines of Tk 209,000, with 9 convictions.

Lalbagh Division: 875 arrests, 505 cases, fines of Tk 289,000, with 407 convictions.

Mirpur Division: 2,762 arrests, 1,267 cases, fines amounting to Tk 1.18 million, with 457 convictions.

Uttara Division: 1,897 arrests, 888 cases, fines of Tk 816,000, with 813 convictions.

Ramna Division: 1,038 arrests, 537 cases, fines totaling Tk 338,000, with 276 convictions.

The data reflects a significant crackdown across Dhaka under the DMP’s special magistrate operations, aimed at maintaining law and order in the capital.

Violence erupted in Rajbari’s Goalanda after Friday prayers when enraged locals attacked the shrine of Nurul Haque, popularly known as Nural Pagol, who had declared himself Imam Mahdi. Protesters vandalized and set fire to the premises, sparking deadly clashes.

At least one person, identified as Russell Molla (28), was killed, while more than 50 others — including police officers — sustained injuries. The unrest stemmed from long-standing disputes over Nural Pagol’s elevated burial site. Prior to the violence, local Jamaat leaders had urged his followers to rebury him according to Islamic norms.

In a related incident, another shrine in Rajshahi’s Paba was also vandalized. Locals accused BNP leader and former union council member Golam Mostafa of instigating the attack, a charge he has denied.

Police have arrested eight individuals, including former Awami League MP of Nilphamari-3 Saddam Hossain Pavel, for allegedly planning sabotage and funding disruptive activities in Dhaka.

The arrests, made during a DB operation on Thursday night, come amid allegations that the group sought to create instability through flash rallies and other acts of disruption. Official statements confirmed that all arrested have pending cases in various police stations.