Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Zahir Uddin Swapan said the elected government is working relentlessly to overcome a fragile economy inherited amid problems in the power and energy sectors. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a discussion marking the 43rd founding anniversary of the Daily Janata newspaper at the National Press Club.

Swapan attributed the situation to what he described as 17 years of flawed energy policy, unplanned projects and extensive looting by the previous government. He said the government had automatically inherited the crisis after being elected and was pursuing hard work to emerge from it.

He also said the government was prepared to provide policy support to institutionalise the media and protect the interests of all parties connected with newspapers. Calling the media the fourth pillar of the state, he said journalism should question those in power to ensure accountability, and that an elected democratic government welcomes such questions. He reiterated support for newspaper owners, editors, journalists, printing workers and others in the media industry.

Bangladesh’s Financial Institutions Division has directed Sonali Bank PLC to prioritize actual cash recovery of defaulted loans rather than relying on reclassification or accounting adjustments. The instruction was raised at a recent meeting between Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarek and the bank’s board, which reviewed its financial and operational condition, progress, risks, opportunities and policy needs.

Although Sonali Bank’s default-loan ratio has fallen to 16.4 percent, the division considers the level still high by the standards of a sound and efficient commercial bank. It called for strict oversight, stronger governance and safeguards to ensure Bangladesh Bank’s special exit facility supports genuine settlement and cash collection, rather than extending loans. The board was also asked for information on classified loans eligible for the facility, applications received and cases resolved.

The government urged greater financing for cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises, agriculture, women and new entrepreneurs, while stressing borrower assessment, cash flow, business viability and ownership checks before lending. Priorities for the next 12 to 24 months include improving recoveries, expanding quality lending and digital banking, strengthening risk management, and improving customer services and financial-inclusion programmes.

Farmers in several Bangladeshi regions say an ongoing fertilizer shortage is disrupting cultivation during the Aman season, with concerns that production could fall below target. They report difficulty obtaining TSP and DAP fertilizers despite queues and higher prices, while the Agriculture Ministry has ordered stronger oversight by deputy commissioners and formed a high-level monitoring committee.

Farmers in Kurigram said non-urea fertilizer is unavailable even after waiting in line, and alleged that supplies are sold at prices above government rates. Dealers say monthly government supplies meet demand for about 15 days before shortages emerge. Ministry-linked officials and agricultural officers contend that overall stocks are adequate, blaming artificial shortages, panic buying, misuse, hoarding and fertilizer resale.

The ministry has instructed authorities to act against dealers in 15 northern districts, excluding Panchagarh, who did not collect fertilizer using demand orders. Three deputy directors were withdrawn for negligence, while the new committee must submit weekly reports. The Bangladesh Fertilizer Association urged sales at fixed prices and warned that policy violations could lead to dealership cancellation. The ministry secretary said conditions were expected to improve within a week.

Bangladesh’s hilsa fishery is facing seasonal shortages, unusually high prices and a growing presence of small fish in markets, despite hilsa’s status as the national fish and a geographically indicated product. The article argues that national pride in hilsa cannot protect the resource without science-based management, effective law enforcement, good governance and sustained political commitment. Hilsa production totaled about 529,000 tonnes in fiscal year 2023-24, down from roughly 571,000 tonnes a year earlier, an estimated decline of about 8 percent.

The article identifies river degradation, pollution, loss of navigability, jatka catching, prohibited fine-mesh nets and climate change as major pressures on the migratory fish. It says poor fishers may violate seasonal bans when food support is inadequate, while eligible fishers can miss government assistance because of irregularities or political influence. Enforcement campaigns against illegal nets have not produced lasting results because producers, wholesalers and influential syndicates are not consistently targeted.

The article also links retail price increases to intermediaries, depot operators, stockpilers and weak market oversight. It calls for coordinated action across agencies on river protection, pollution control, livelihoods and market transparency, alongside dredging, cold chains, digital auctions and stronger fisher cooperatives. It says permanent, accountable reforms are needed beyond seasonal campaigns.

Sections of the Farenga link road in Chunti ইউনিয়ন of Lohagara upazila, Chattogram, have collapsed after light rainfall, with residents alleging the use of substandard construction materials. The damage has triggered concern and anger among local people who rely on the route for regular travel.

The road is used daily by several thousand residents, students and vehicles, while people from Lama upazila in Bandarban also use it. Residents said soil has shifted at several points near the bridge on the Farenga-Lama road, creating holes. They also said roadside sections have collapsed and subsided around the pillars.

Residents alleged that insufficient slope protection, drainage and soil-retention measures along the road made parts of the route hazardous during minor rain. Contractor representative Al Amin said the upazila engineering office had directed action on the holes and that preparations for repairs were under way. LGED Lohagara upazila engineer Kazi Fahad Bin Mahmud said the contractor was instructed to repair the collapsed and damaged sections quickly, warning of action if it fails to respond promptly.

Tank lorry workers staged a protest, rally and human chain on the Khulna-Jashore highway on Tuesday, demanding an end to alleged police harassment and extortion. The programme, called by the Khulna Divisional Tank Lorry Owners-Workers Unity Council, ran from 9am to 11am between Phultala and Pather Bazar in Khulna.

Workers initially attempted to hold their programme in front of Phultala police station but faced police obstruction. They later held the human chain, protest and gathering in the Pather Bazar area under Khan Jahan Ali police station. Vehicle movement was halted on about one kilometre of the highway during the action.

The gathering was chaired by Khulna Divisional Tank Lorry Workers Union president Enam Munshi. Speakers included Sheikh Murad Hossain, Mir Mokshed Ali and union general secretary Ali Azim. They alleged that police and administration personnel stop vehicles on the road for document checks and engage in extortion and harassment. They said documents should be checked at terminals before fuel is loaded, noting each tanker carries about 9,000 litres of flammable material.

Residents of Badarganj in Rangpur have alleged that several BNP and affiliated youth leaders have long extracted and sold sand worth crores of taka from the Yamuneshwari River using dredging machines. They claim the operation continued despite human chains, protest marches and discussions at a monthly law-enforcement meeting over the sand situation in the Nagerhat area.

The allegations name local BNP leader Sabuj Member, BNP vice-president Ahidul Islam, Kutubpur union Jubo Dal leader Sohag Sonar and Lohani Para union Jubo Dal member secretary Amir Hamza. Residents also allege that protesters have been beaten publicly. On the night of August 20, BNP and Chhatra Dal activists went to Nagerhat bus stand, where a banner bearing images of Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman was hung at an office used for illegal sand sales.

A protester, Al-Amin, was allegedly beaten, followed by a clash between Chhatra Dal and BNP activists. Amir Hamza's motorcycle was later set on fire. BNP president Paritosh Chakrabarty said no more illegal sand would be allowed to be extracted, but residents said extraction continued four days later. Police said both sides filed counter-allegations.

Daily Amar Desh journalist Ziaul Haque Mizan said he chased and apprehended a suspected snatcher after his iPhone 12 Pro Max was taken on a main road in Eskaton, Dhaka. The incident occurred at about 10:15am on Tuesday as he travelled by rickshaw from his Khilgaon home toward Banglamotor for work. Police said one suspect is in custody and the motorcycle allegedly used in the snatching has been seized.

Mizan said a passenger on a motorcycle grabbed the phone from his hand after the vehicle crossed the Moghbazar intersection traffic signal. He left the rickshaw and pursued the motorcycle for about half a kilometre. The motorcycle later encountered traffic congestion near ICSP Hospital and entered an alley at Eskaton Sabuj Sangha, where its speed slowed amid rickshaw congestion.

The rear passenger got off and fled with the phone, Mizan said. He caught the motorcycle driver, identified from an NID as Romim Rahman, 20, and held the vehicle. Ramna Model Police Station has detained Rahman, while efforts continue to recover the phone and identify the fleeing suspect through nearby CCTV footage.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said on Tuesday that the appointment of State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir under the technocrat quota is not constitutional if he retains dual citizenship. In a press release, TIB also said his acceptance of the post without clearly explaining his position on the matter raises questions.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman cited Articles 56(2), 66(2)(c) and 66(2a) of the Constitution. He said a person appointed minister or state minister without being an MP must be eligible to be elected an MP, while a person who has acquired foreign citizenship or acknowledged allegiance to a foreign state is ineligible. He said reports from reliable sources indicated Kabir has foreign citizenship and involvement in that country’s active politics.

TIB expressed concern over Kabir’s reported counter-questions to journalists, calling them an example of a “shoot the messenger” tendency and a threat to media freedom and the public’s right to information. Law Minister Asaduzzaman said Tuesday that Kabir took the oath constitutionally. TIB urged Kabir to clarify his dual-citizenship status and called for disclosure by other officials facing similar questions.

An opinion article says Bangladesh has told India that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to Delhi requires a favorable environment. It says Bangladesh also sought the return of Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives convicted of crimes against humanity who are in India. The article attributes to the state minister for foreign affairs that there is no rush for the prime minister to visit India and that he will travel when conditions are favorable.

The article portrays Indian media, former diplomats and Awami League campaigners as criticizing Bangladesh’s position and arguing that the prime minister should have accepted the invitation immediately. It says some Indian voices warned about possible disruptions to diesel and electricity supplies, while arguing that Bangladesh purchases rather than receives such supplies for free.

It also discusses speculation about Bangladesh joining a possible Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan economic or defense framework. According to the article, no formal discussion or invitation has taken place. It cites State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir as saying the government follows a balanced foreign policy under a “Bangladesh First” approach and would consider any framework based on national interests.

Fresh erosion driven by the Padma River’s strong current has hit Jajira upazila in Shariatpur, affecting nearly 1,000 families in Majhirghat, Palerchar Bazar, Kathuria, Modhu Madbarer Kandi, Pailan Mollar Kandi and nearby areas. In Kathuria, about 150 metres of land, including a road and electricity poles, has already been swallowed by the river. Thousands of residents are living in fear as the erosion continues.

Within several hours, several more metres of land disappeared in Kathuria, according to an on-site account. Twenty-five homes and seven shops have been dismantled and moved for safety. Electricity workers are relocating vulnerable poles, while residents are removing bricks from the road. Locals allege that illegal sand extraction from the riverbed and delayed action by the Bangladesh Water Development Board have worsened the situation.

The water board said work is underway through 39 packages on a 10.67-kilometre riverbank protection embankment from Naodoba to Pathaliakandi at a cost of Tk 1,130 crore. It said three kilometres of the project are currently at risk, while emergency sand-filled geobags are being placed after earlier geobags were washed away by strong currents.

A Kuwaiti expatriate from Raipura, Narsingdi, has accused Advocate Md Nayon Molla of luring away his wife and taking their two children, Tk 11 million and 30 bhori of gold. Lutfor Rahman presented the allegations to journalists at Narsingdi Press Club on Sunday, August 23, and submitted written complaints to police, district authorities, the district bar association and Bangladesh Bar Council.

Rahman said he met Molla while pursuing a land dispute case and alleged that the lawyer arranged for his wife Hafsa Akter to become the plaintiff. He claimed Molla and Hafsa had lived as husband and wife for about seven months in a rented home in the city’s Bank Colony. After returning from Kuwait on August 6, Rahman said he learned they had left with the children and valuables.

Molla denied all allegations, saying Hafsa divorced Rahman because of alleged abuse and denying that he took money or went into hiding. He also alleged Rahman attacked his law chamber. The Narsingdi District Bar Association said it assigned its general secretary to investigate, while police said an inquiry is under way.

Average global sea-surface temperature outside the polar regions reached a record 21.1°C on Saturday, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. The reading slightly exceeded the previous 21.09°C record registered for three days in March 2024. Scientists said the timing is particularly concerning because the new record was set in August, whereas global ocean temperatures usually peak in March or April.

The record has occurred before the strengthening El Niño reaches its maximum intensity. El Niño brings unusually warm water to the surface in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, raising global average temperatures. Copernicus deputy director Samantha Burgess said the record was a clear signal of mounting pressure on the oceans, with El Niño adding heat to a system already warmed over decades by human activity.

Scientists said El Niño could strengthen until around Christmas and warned it may be heading toward one of the strongest events in several centuries. Marine heatwaves are also affecting waters near Europe, while warmer seas can intensify storms, increase coastal flood risks and damage marine ecosystems, including coral reefs.

The government has formed a cabinet committee to support the Ministry of Agriculture on fertiliser-related matters. A notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Tuesday, 25 August, said the committee will monitor fertiliser lifting, distribution and fertiliser dealer appointment activities across the country and provide necessary advice to the ministry.

Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Abu Jafar Md. Zahid Hossain has been named convener of the committee. Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam have been appointed as members.

The Ministry of Agriculture will provide secretarial support to the committee. The notification was signed by Cabinet Division Additional Secretary for Committees and Economic Affairs Md. Humayun Kabir on behalf of the President. It said the committee's formation will take effect immediately.

Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission has filed three cases against former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, his wife Rukmila Zaman and their associates over allegations of embezzling Tk141.30 crore. The allegations involve opening bank accounts using false and forged documents and conducting 27 allegedly fictitious “Bai Murabaha” deals.

According to ACC sources, the commission reviewed the investigation team’s submitted report and documents before approving the cases. The accused face allegations under provisions of the Penal Code of 1860, the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1947 and the Money Laundering Prevention Act of 2012.

The three cases were filed through separate memorandums signed by ACC Deputy Director for Money Laundering-1 Md Nur-e-Alam. The source does not provide further details on the accused’s response, the banks involved, or subsequent legal proceedings.