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.

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.

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.

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.