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.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleev Rahman said the government has no intention of creating obstacles or disruptions to cultural activities. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a press conference in the Information Department conference room at the Secretariat, while responding to journalists’ questions about progress in various government activities.

Addressing reports that local Islamic scholars had obstructed cultural events in Brahmanbaria and Kishoreganj, Rahman said a cancelled concert should not automatically be seen as evidence of government non-cooperation or opposition. He said cancellations may result from security concerns or other factors, and that the matter could be clarified through discussion with the relevant ministry.

The minister said concerts can sometimes be cancelled for different reasons and not always because of objections from any group. Bangladesh is currently hosting many concerts, including large events, he said. However, concerns over security at a particular venue may require separate consideration. Rahman said the government does not share any thinking that cultural activities should be obstructed or disrupted.

The Bangladesh Navy rescued 16 fishermen along with their fishing boat, FB Al Amin, after it drifted in the Bay of Bengal for about three days following an engine failure. The rescue took place near the Mongla Fairway Buoy on Monday, after naval ship BNS Kopotakkho located the vessel amid high waves and adverse weather.

According to navy sources, BNS Kopotakkho received information during a patrol on Sunday night that a fishing boat was drifting with an inoperative engine. The navy began a rescue operation that night and found the boat the following morning near the Mongla Fairway. Rescued fishermen were given food, safe drinking water and primary medical care.

The fishermen said they had left the Sharankhola area of Bagerhat on August 19 for fishing. Their boat's engine failed two days after going to sea. The navy towed the boat through rough seas to Hiran Point near the Sundarbans and handed over the vessel and all 16 fishermen to the Bangladesh Coast Guard.

A proposal to name a wholesale fish market in Surat, Gujarat, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has triggered controversy among fish traders. The Surat Fish Merchant Association inaugurated the market on Monday with a banner reading “Shri Narendra Modi Wholesale Fish Market” and carrying Modi’s photograph. After objections from a section of the association, the banner was covered with white cloth on Tuesday.

The market is Surat’s first municipal corporation-operated wholesale fish market and has space for 80 fish-selling shops or outlets. Its construction received funding under the central government’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana: the central and Gujarat governments each provided 3 crore rupees, while Surat Municipal Corporation contributed 1.5 crore rupees. During the inauguration, some traders argued over the proposed name.

Fish trader Surendra Lashkari opposed the naming, saying it could affect Modi’s image and identity because the prime minister is vegetarian. Association president Kalpesh Navsariwala defended it, citing project funding and Modi’s emphasis on fisheries development. Municipal authorities said the proposal is before the cultural committee, followed by approval processes through the standing committee and general board.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman Partha said democracy is not a mechanical system but a matter of mindset, speaking at a regular briefing at the Department of Information conference centre in the Secretariat on Tuesday. He said the country had lacked a willingness to hear criticism over the past 17 years and television channels had been compelled to speak in support of the government.

The minister said the current government has pledged to change that mindset and has clearly stated that it will not control anyone or silence anyone. He urged the media to play a responsible role as Bangladesh passes through what he described as the most difficult period in its history and attempts to repair a broken system.

Asked whether the government was taking new steps to bring former fugitive prime minister Sheikh Hasina back from India, Partha said the effort was continuing. Referring to a report by The Indian Express, he said India might leave the matter to its courts, adding that the situation would not be pleasant if it reached an Indian court. He also claimed there had been no malign influence on media in the past six months, no intelligence-agency calls about publishing news, and no government-backed disappearances or extrajudicial killings.

Bangladesh has prepared a draft agreement to purchase Chinese-made J-10CE multirole fighter aircraft and attack helicopters, according to Information and Broadcasting Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman. He disclosed the development during a Tuesday press briefing at the Secretariat on progress in government activities. The announcement has increased interest among defence-conscious observers in the aircraft’s capabilities.

The J-10CE is the export version of China’s J-10C, a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter made by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. The aircraft is designed for air combat and strikes against land and maritime targets. The source describes it as equipped with modern radar, long-range air-to-air missiles, advanced avionics and comparatively lower operating costs.

The J-10C was publicly unveiled in July 2017, while China’s air force formally assigned it combat duties in April 2018. Its design includes canards ahead of delta wings, intended to support control and manoeuvrability at high speed. The source says the aircraft can carry more than 40 types of weapons, has a top speed of about 2,415 kilometres per hour, and can operate from shorter runway sections.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman has said depositors of the five merged banks will face no haircut on their profits. The central bank has also instructed Sammilito Islami Bank to make arrangements so depositors can withdraw money according to their needs from September 1.

The directive was issued during a Tuesday meeting between the governor and Sammilito Islami Bank Chairman Kazi Shairul Hasan and Managing Director Abedur Rahman Sikdar. Bangladesh Bank said the governor asked the bank to remove uncertainty among depositors over profits, stressing that all depositors must be clearly informed that no haircut will be applied.

Under a scheme announced on December 29, deposits are already being repaid, Bangladesh Bank said. From September 1, individual depositors will be able to withdraw funds beyond the specified portion of principal in Al-Wadiah current accounts, Mudaraba savings accounts and Mudaraba term deposits, based on need. The bank, launched with Tk35,000 crore in capital, was also told to take steps to resume all normal banking operations quickly.

State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad inspected a damaged Khowai River embankment in Kaliganj, Laskarpur Union of Habiganj Sadar Upazila at 11am on Tuesday. He said projects needed to ease people’s suffering would be taken up quickly, following flooding caused by the breach.

Azad said he visited on the instruction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to pursue a permanent solution. As an immediate measure, he said the embankment would be repaired with geo-bags. Habiganj-3 MP and Whip Alhaj GK Gaus, Habiganj-2 MP Dr Sakhawat Hasan Jibon, Deputy Commissioner GM Sarfaraz, Water Development Board Executive Engineer Sayedul Haque and local residents were present.

He said several projects had been adopted to prevent Habiganj town from being inundated, with work expected to begin immediately after the monsoon. Rising Khowai River water breached the embankment on Sunday morning, flooding at least 20 villages. Cropland, ponds and fish from fisheries were washed away, according to the report.

The government has formed a three-member cabinet committee to provide necessary advice and support to the Ministry of Agriculture on fertiliser lifting, distribution and fertiliser dealer appointment activities nationwide. A notification on the committee was issued on Tuesday by the Cabinet Division’s committee-related branch.

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

Under its terms of reference, the committee will monitor fertiliser lifting, distribution and dealer appointment activities across the country and provide the Ministry of Agriculture with necessary advice. The notification said the Ministry of Agriculture will provide the committee with required secretarial support.

Bangladesh’s Test cricket team secured its first Test victory over Australia on Australian soil in Darwin, before losing the second match in Mackay to finish the two-Test series level at 1-1. Former Bangladesh batter and current chief selector Habibul Bashar said he saw a markedly different level of respect for Bangladesh during the tour compared with his first visit to Australia as a player 23 years earlier.

Bangladesh won the Darwin Test by nine wickets in 11 sessions. Hasan Mahmud took nine wickets, Tanzid Hasan scored a century, captain Shanto made 84, and Mehedi Hasan Miraz claimed five wickets in Australia’s second innings. The result followed a preparatory-match collapse in which Bangladesh were bowled out for 54, underlining the team’s recovery.

The source highlights Bangladesh’s pace bowling as a central feature of the tour, saying the fast bowlers created pressure throughout the series. In Mackay, Bangladesh lost by an innings and 51 runs as their batting struggled against Mitchell Starc and Australia’s pace attack. Despite that defeat, the drawn series and Darwin win were presented as major achievements.

A clash between two groups of transport workers during an organisational election in Halishahar, Chattogram, injured 10 people, including the officer-in-charge of Halishahar Police Station and three other police personnel. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon in front of the Dulhan Community Centre in the area’s Boubazar neighbourhood.

Police and local sources said an argument began between the two groups over late casting of votes while polling was under way. The dispute escalated into a physical confrontation. Police intervened and positioned themselves between the groups to bring the situation under control, but officers were pelted with bricks and stones, according to police.

Officer-in-Charge Kazi Muhammad Sultan Ahsan Uddin said he and three police colleagues were injured and received primary treatment. Six workers were also hurt in the clash. Police said the situation has been brought under control and an investigation is under way to determine how the incident began and who was involved. Details on polling, the identities of participants and injured workers were not immediately available, while legal action remains under process.