United News of Bangladesh

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram on Friday stressed the need to properly present the true history of the Liberation War of 1971 and the sacrifices of those who fought and laid down their lives for Bangladesh’s independence to the new generation. “The responsibility of implementing the spirit of the Liberation War rests with the next generation. Now, all we want is a beautiful country. We want our next generation to realise that the country became independent and understand the sacrifices behind that independence,” he said. The acting president made the remarks while addressing the commissioning and Fellowship Day celebration of the Bangladesh Liberation War Courses at Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka Cantonment as the chief guest. Referring to the Liberation War as more than a struggle for the independence of a territory, the acting president said it was a struggle to establish an independent state based on democracy, equality, human dignity and freedom from discrimination. “Why did we fight the war? We wanted an independent state where everyone would enjoy equal rights, where there would be no discrimination, and where human dignity and equality would prevail. This is what we fought for,” he said. Recalling different stages of the Liberation War, the acting president said Bengali army officers and soldiers, students, youths and people from various professions joined the war for independence in 1971. Many young people, he said, received only a few weeks of training before taking part in frontline battles, and many of them sacrificed their lives. He said around 600 young people were recruited in the Jessore region, of whom nearly 100 were killed in the war. “These young men became fighters after only six weeks of training and fought against the Pakistani forces under extremely difficult circumstances,” he said. Recalling the Battle of Kamalpur, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said around 250 trained and newly recruited fighters took part in the attack without any effective fire support. “Even amid heavy machine-gun fire, a soldier did not retreat,” he said, adding that nearly 50 percent of the fighters became casualties in the battle. The acting president, who is expected to resume his normal duties the Speaker of Parliament following the election of a new president later this month, said the courage and sacrifices of ordinary soldiers and young people who participated in the Liberation War had not been adequately highlighted in the history of Bangladesh. “Ordinary soldiers, poor boys and children from ordinary families proved how much the country meant to them. They came to give their lives for the country and thousands of them sacrificed their lives,” he said. He said the revolt and resistance by Bengali army officers and soldiers in March 1971 marked an important chapter in the beginning of the Liberation War. Later, thousands of students and youths were trained and brought into the war. On the objectives of the Liberation War, Hafiz Uddin said the goal of independence was to establish a state where democracy, equality, human dignity and citizens’ rights would be ensured. Referring to the mass uprising of August 5, 2024, he said it too could be placed within the aspiration for democracy. Against the backdrop of a prolonged political crisis and deprivation of people's rights, he said, the people of Bangladesh expressed their desire for change. Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Khandker Misbah-ul-Azim, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Bangladesh Liberation War Courses Foundation Vice President Colonel (retd) Md Aminul Islam, foundation President Major General (retd) Jamil D Ahsan and its chief patron Major (retd) A Matin Chowdhury also spoke at the programme. To mark the occasion, the acting president cut a cake. Earlier, a one-minute silence was observed in memory of the martyrs, followed by a munajat seeking eternal peace for their departed souls.

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that while overall US ammunition stockpiles remain sufficient, supplies of some types are under increasing strain. Speaking at the White House Oval Office, Trump said the United States has a “virtually unlimited supply” of some munitions, while others are “a little bit tighter,” without providing details. His remarks came two days after reports said the US military had used nearly 80 percent of interceptors for a key missile defense system during the war with Iran, with commanders warning that ammunition stocks were “dangerously low.” The Atlantic, citing current and former defense officials, reported that supplies of long-range weapons and advanced interceptors, including Patriot and THAAD missiles, had fallen to as low as 20 percent of desired levels. Five months into the war, US public support for the prolonged conflict has weakened. A media poll found Americans who expect greater instability in the Middle East outnumber those expecting more stability by three to one. A Marquette University Law School poll found inflation and cost of living were the top public concerns, followed by the economy and then the Iran conflict. Since January, 56 percent have cited inflation and living costs as a primary or secondary concern. Labor Department data showed inflation rose to 3.3 percent in March, 4.2 percent in May and 3.5 percent in June, above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target. Meanwhile, uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz continues to threaten energy security. US crude imports from Saudi Arabia fell to zero in July, the first full month without such imports since 1985. Trump said Thursday that no deal had been finalized to reopen the waterway, but negotiations with Iran were continuing and an agreement could be reached soon. Saudi-based  media, citing senior sources, reported that Iran and Oman had reached an understanding on reopening the Strait for 60 days, pending approval by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

A blaze swept through a cloth market in the Borobazar area of Netrokona town on Friday night, causing extensive damage.  Around a quarter past midnight, 8 Fire Service units, assisted by local residents, were working to bring the blaze under control, but it had not been contained at the time of reporting. The Netrokona Fire Service told UNB they received the first call reporting the fire at 9.27pm on Friday night.  Several shops and properties had already been damaged, with the extent of the losses yet to be assessed. Borobazar is a major commercial hub and central marketplace located in the heart of Netrokona town. The Netrokona Fire Service Department was working intensively to contain the blaze and expected to bring it under control soon, said the district administration. The district administration urged people not to panic and asked them to keep the roads clear to facilitate firefighting and emergency operations.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor and Chief Whip of the opposition Nahid Islam on Friday said Sheikh Hasina was able to hold a press briefing in Delhi because of the BNP government's failures and diplomatic weakness. "This is a diplomatic failure of the government. The foreign ministry is trying to earn praise by issuing a press release over fascist Hasina's Delhi briefing. This is mere rhetoric, what we colloquially call empty posturing. Big words are used in the press release, but no diplomatic action is being taken," Nahid told reporters. Hasina will be taken straight from airport to gallows upon return: Nahid He made the comments after visiting a photo exhibition titled "July Still Not Over," organised by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on the premises of the opposition leader's official residence. Nahid said the Awami League had announced the press briefing in advance and the Delhi government had cooperated with them. “The Indian High Commission should have been summoned and strongly condemned by the government.” He added that the government should make public what diplomatic measures it plans to take against such incidents in future. Alleging that the government is attempting to turn authoritarian, Nahid said if structural reforms are not carried out, the present government too will become autocratic, noting that such a tendency already exists within it. He said history shows that a "failed Awami League" has repeatedly tried at different times to reassert itself in that mould but has failed in the face of public resistance, citing 1996 as an example. He warned that any fresh attempt now would again meet public resistance. NCP's chief organiser for the northern region Sarjis Alam, spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan and chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, among other senior leaders, were present during the visit.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque has ruled out a normal return home for former Bangladesh cricket team captain and member of Bangladesh Awami League, Shakib Al Hasan.  Aminul said he lost that chance after appearing alongside ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina at an event in New Delhi. Court fixes March 3 for submission of investigation report against Shakib Al Hasan, 14 others His comments came hours after Shakib told Reuters that he was ready to return to Bangladesh, face court proceedings, and resume his international career if the government guaranteed his security. "We had been looking at the matter with considerable flexibility and tolerance. After this, I do not think there is any room to think that way anymore," Aminul said. "Someone who has taken the stage with the autocrat no longer has any opportunity to return," he added. Shakib, who has been living in the United States since Hasina's government was toppled in the August 2024 uprising, said he was willing to return immediately if his safety was assured. "If I get the clearance from the government that my security will be ensured, I am happy to go back, face the court trial and everything that's needed to be done," the 39-year-old all-rounder told Reuters by phone from Sri Lanka, where he is playing franchise cricket. Shakib said he wanted to play a farewell series in Bangladesh before retiring and hoped to represent the country at the 2027 ODI World Cup. The former Awami League lawmaker from Magura-1 also defended his virtual appearance at the New Delhi event alongside Hasina, saying he spoke about peace and Bangladesh's progress and had no regrets about taking part. The government, however, said Shakib must face the legal process. Shakib is among dozens of people facing murder investigations linked to the deadly crackdown on protesters before Hasina's government fell. He has denied wrongdoing, saying the cases against him are fabricated.

Amid stated 'outrage' from Bangladesh, the Indian government on Friday reiterated that it had "no role" to play in deposed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's recent press conference in New Delhi, nor does it endorse what was said at the event, where Sheikh Hasina spoke virtually. "I have already stated the government's position on the issue before the press conference happened. You would have seen those remarks. I am reiterating it here," said Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal. Responding to a question at the MEA's regular briefing in New Delhi, Jaiswal said the Indian government had no role to play in what was an event by a private media entity. "And the government does not endorse anything said at the Forum, especially with regard to the duly-constituted government of Bangladesh," he said. The MEA Spokesperson also said they continued to closely follow developments that happen in their neighborhood, keeping their national security interests in mind, and would take whatever measures have to be taken in that regard. Bangladesh was "outraged" that the absconding “convicted genocider” Sheikh Hasina was allowed on Wednesday evening to engage in live interaction with the media in New Delhi where she and her "henchmen launched venomous vitriol" against Bangladesh and her people, according to a terse statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) here in Dhaka Wednesday night. In it, MoFA said Dhaka deeply regrets that in spite of concerns conveyed a priori to the Government of India about the likely ramifications of this event on the reset of our bilateral relations, this public event was permitted to be held, the government said in a statement. On a day when the people of Bangladesh are observing the second anniversary of the July Revolution, this interaction by Sheikh Hasina on the Indian soil stands as an affront to the sovereignty of Bangladesh and a grievous insult to the martyrs of the July Revolution, the MoFA said. The denial of facts established by the United Nations, including gruesome killing of the innocent civilians including minor children during July-August 2024 by the fascist regime, stands as a futile attempt by the absconding convicted mass murderer Hasina and her criminal cohort to reverse the tide of history, said the government. "The people of Bangladesh rejected such heinous attempts in the past and continue to do so now," the statement reads. "Upholding the spirit of the July Revolution, our people have firmly resolved that our nation will never again go back to the dark days of fascism and that Bangladesh will never be a client State. Convicted mass murderer Hasina and her mafia enterprise will never have a place in the polity of Bangladesh," it said. Bangladesh said it desires to maintain a constructive, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking relationship with India based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and national dignity. Regrettably, the Ministry said, Bangladesh’s repeated requests to the Government of India for returning convicted criminal Hasina to Bangladesh under the Extradition Treaty signed between Bangladesh and India in 2013, has not yet elicited a response. "On the contrary, allowing her the opportunity to openly interact with the media under any pretext is deeply hurtful to our people’s sentiment and detrimental to the development of harmonious bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India," said the Ministry.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan on Friday said there has never been a greater opportunity to put the country on the right track than the present, thanks to a combination of factors. “Taken together, the mass uprising, the blood, sacrifice of life, the transparent election, effectiveness of parliament, and sincerity of Tarique Rahman have created a chance to institutionalise democratic values. Otherwise, the opportunity will fade away,” he said. Bangladeshi nationalism reflects inclusive national identity: Information Minister The I&B Minister made these remarks at a program held at Dhaka University's TSC, organized by the DU Debating Society, titled ‘July Mass Uprising and the Democratic Transformation of Bangladesh’. The minister said that the current movement is more vibrant than any other movement in post-independent Bangladesh.   He said, “The movement led Bangladesh to a less controversial national election, resulting in an elected parliament while preserving the spirit of the July Uprising. As conscious citizens, we are trying to assess how much of the country's democratic transformation we have been able to restore. To better understand these issues, debate is the best platform.” “Unable to hold debate on such practical issues is the main cause behind our democratic crisis.” He urged DUDS to transform debate into a culture, not only in the TSC but also across the nation, saying the government will patronize such an initiative. He alleged that a group of people are busy taking credit for the July Uprising. “Observing a growing obsession with who would emerge as a star and how will expand their fame. To carry forward the responsibility entrusted by the martyrs, we can’t act with such immaturity,” he added.   Mentioning that the government is making its utmost efforts to bring everyone together and steer this achievement toward its intended goal, he said, “The first step toward achieving this is to transform the parliamentary system into an effective institution and upholding it. This is the basic need.” Swapan added: “This is the challenge we are facing. Despite ample room for democratic debate, the allies of the democratic movement repeatedly revert to the same old practices. We want to believe that they will overcome this confusion. We will wait until the very end, because the sacrifices and achievements of our martyrs must not be squandered.”

Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) Cultural Secretary Sheikh Jisan Ahmed has announced he is resigning, alleging administrative interference, lack of decision-making freedom and political influence in cultural programmes. Jisan made the announcement in a Facebook post on Friday saying he would resign if he could not work independently or faced interference in performing his duties. JU Chhatra Dal leader show-caused over alleged disciplinary breach He said he was elected independently and was not part of any political party or panel. Jisan alleged that the university administration repeatedly changed the list of presenters for a central cultural programme without consulting him. He said he selected two presenters after discussing the matter with Teachers-Students Centre (TSC) teachers. Later, another presenter was added and subsequently asked to step down. He further alleged that about two hours before the programme, an official received a call from a senior administrative authority to add two more presenters. When he went to the stage, he found two additional presenters, bringing the total to seven. Jisan alleged that political interests influenced the changes. He claimed that one presenter later decided not to host any university programme in the future, while another left the event after feeling humiliated. He also alleged interference during a cultural programme at Mukto Mancha. According to Jisan, several people from the administration and some teachers gave him the names of several student leaders and pressured him to announce their names over the microphone. He said tension broke out among Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leaders after he announced the names. He also alleged that someone later pressured him to apologise on stage. “Am I a pawn in your chess game?” Jisan wrote, expressing his frustration over the alleged interference. Jisan said he had worked on films and videos on a zero-budget basis before joining JUCSU and had collaborated with hundreds of university students. He also said he continued performing his duties for the past 15 days despite having a fractured hand, but did not receive the respect and freedom he deserved. Explaining his decision, Jisan said he valued self-respect more than power. “Where student leaders seek political power, I chose to leave power while holding a position. Power means very little to me; self-respect matters more,” he wrote.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the  central committee has served a show-cause notice on Mohammad Faisal Hossain, joint convener of its Jahangirnagar University unit, for allegedly violating organisational discipline. JCD Central Office Secretary (equivalent to vice president) Md Jahangir Alam signed the notice on Friday, asking Faisal to submit a written explanation within 24 hours. The notice said Faisal allegedly breached organisational discipline while holding a responsible post in the JU unit. It asked him to explain why permanent organisational disciplinary action should not be taken against him. Faisal has been directed to appear at the JCD central office and submit his written explanation in the presence of central President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. The notice said the JCD president and general secretary issued the directive on Friday.

State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Hoque Nur on Friday stressed the need for upholding unity and an uncompromising stance on the question of the Awami League, who remain under an activities ban. “If this government does not perform well, another government will come in power after five years, but we have to remain a single entity, united and uncompromising on the question of the Awami mafia group,” he said, while addressing a discussion in the city. Remain vigilant against 'conspiracies' of Jamaat-NCP alliance: Nur The Government Officers and Employees Welfare Association arranged the discussion following its 2026 council at the National Press Club.  Without naming anyone, Nur said now a 'bad neighbouring country' and ' evil foreign forces' may attempt to trigger a civil or military coup in Bangladesh.  Pointing to the erstwhile Janatar Mancha, a platform formed from within the administration against the then-BNP government in 1996, he urged all to be careful so that they won’t be misguided into implementing any agenda against the country. “Many people may come with various missions to misguide you for implementation of (their) agendas. You need to be careful about it,” he said. Focusing on the misrules including looting money from different banks, repressions and killings carried out by the Sheikh Hasina-led government, Nur criticised "a neighbouring country" with the reference obviously to India, for providing shelter to Sheikh Hasina.  “Our neighboring country, which claims to be our friend, has given shelter to such a vile mass murderer. Not only has it given shelter and allowed her to live there in peace, but they are using her to incite,” said the state minister. He said Awami League should not be rehabilitated in the politics of Bangladesh.   “This Mafia group (AL) should not be allowed to return under any circumstances,” he said.  Speakers at the discussion urged the government to implement the 9th national pay scale immediately. In the council, a newly elected 101-member central committee was announced for the Government Officers and Employees Welfare Association of Bangladesh.

Continuous delays in repairing roads riddled with potholes caused by torrential rainfall have triggered a tailback stretching 15 kilometres on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, causing severe suffering to thousands of passengers and transport workers. The congestion began early Friday from the Mainamati area and stretched to Suagazi in Sadar south upazila, with long queues of vehicles seen on both lanes. Residents suffer as heavy downpour submerges Cumilla city Anisur Rahman (SI), Mainamati Highway Crossing Police Station, said vehicles were moving slowly due to repair work, although the congestion was not permanent. Almas Khan, a businessman returning to Dhaka from Feni, said he got stuck in traffic at Paduar Bazar around noon and took two and a half hours to reach Mainamati. Several ambulances carrying patients were also seen stuck in the congestion. A police report said rainwater had created large potholes near Amtali, close to Cumilla Cantonment, forcing Dhaka-bound vehicles to move slowly. Some vehicles attempted to drive on the wrong side, affecting the Chattogram-bound lane as well. Police deployed two mobile teams and additional personnel at key points to control the situation. Kirtiman Chakma (ASP), Highway Police Cumilla Region, said continuous rain over the past three to four weeks had severely damaged the road. At least four cargo trucks became stuck in potholes over the past two days, causing prolonged disruptions while being removed by tow trucks.

Turkish gendarmerie forces detained 104 people suspected of being members or supporters of the Islamic State (IS) in coordinated operations across the country on Friday, the Interior Ministry said. The operations were carried out simultaneously in 30 provinces by provincial gendarmerie commands in coordination with the Gendarmerie General Command’s Counter-Terrorism Department and local prosecutors, the ministry said in a social media statement. The suspects are accused of providing financial support to IS through individuals affiliated with the group and purported aid organizations, spreading its propaganda on social media and being members of the organization, the statement said. Prosecutors have launched investigations into the suspects, it said. Türkiye designated IS as a terrorist organization in 2013 and has since been targeted in several attacks by the group. In response, Ankara has intensified counter-terrorism operations both domestically and abroad.

Bangladesh Police has urged the public to remain cautious about false, misleading and provocative information being circulated on social media targeting senior police officers and important government figures. A statement circulated from Police Headquarters (PHQ) on Friday said a “vested group” has been deliberately spreading fabricated and inflammatory content on Facebook and other social media platforms. Police warn public against fraudsters posing as officials on social media They strongly condemned and protested against such propaganda, saying it appears to be aimed at confusing the public, destabilising the law-and-order situation, undermining police morale and damaging the government’s image. PHQ said there is evidence that some propagandists have been accused of various criminal offences, sought improper intervention at police and other government offices, and demanded money on condition that they stop spreading misinformation. They urged people not to believe, share or circulate misleading and provocative statements on social media and called on responsible citizens to help prevent rumors and propaganda. The statement warned that strict legal action would be taken against those involved if such campaigns continue. PHQ said the force is performing its duties with determination, professionalism and dedication to maintain law and order and ensure public safety through stronger public trust.

Protesting India’s “undiplomatic conduct” toward Bangladesh by allowing fugitive former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was sentenced to death, to hold a press conference in New Delhi, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Friday expressed optimism that the Indian government will revise its stance and hand over Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh. “We expect that India will change its stance and hand over convicted Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh,” said Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar in a statement. He said Bangladesh is committed to maintaining diplomatic relations based on equal and mutual respect with all countries, including neighbouring India, while safeguarding bilateral interests. Bangladesh respects the independence and sovereignty of all countries, he added. “Allowing a convicted fugitive like Sheikh Hasina to remain engaged in conspiracy against the people of Bangladesh from Delhi by ignoring Bangladesh’s diplomatic calls to stop the conspiracy, is a gross violation of international norms and diplomatic etiquette (by the Indian government). We strongly condemn and protest such diplomatic conduct by the Indian government,” he said. Parwar said the “fascist government” led by Sheikh Hasina subjected Bangladeshis to severe repression, killings and enforced disappearances for more than 16 years. He said her government carried out a “mass killing” during the 2024 July Mass Uprising, leaving some 1,500 people dead and more than 30,000 injured. Parwar said the interim government had repeatedly sought Hasina’s extradition, but Delhi continued to shelter, ignoring the requests. “By ignoring Bangladesh’s calls and sheltering fugitive Sheikh Hasina, the Indian government appears to be supporting the activities of the banned Awami League instead of Bangladesh,” he said, adding that India ignores the extradition treaty between the two countries. The Jamaat leader said the current government had failed to bring Hasina back despite the second anniversary of the July mass uprising being observed. “As a result, fugitive Sheikh Hasina is getting scope to conspire against the country and its people from abroad,” he said. He urged the government to take effective steps to bring her back, including seeking an Interpol red notice and assistance from the United Nations. “If the government shows diplomatic laxity, it will have to face strict accountability before the people,” he said.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Friday said the government is working to curb unscrupulous syndicates and brokers who exploit Bangladeshi students seeking to pursue higher education abroad by charging them excessive money. “Unscrupulous syndicates or brokers take advantage of our students, who have to pay extremely high amounts of money to go abroad. The government is obviously aware of the issue and is working on it,” she said. Shama Obaed seeks enhanced global cooperation to prevent irregular migration  The state minister said while addressing the inaugural session of the two-day 14th International Education Expo 2026, organised by the Foreign Admission and Career Development Consultants Association of Bangladesh (FACD-CAB), at a city hotel. This year the fair brought together representatives from 30 countries to provide consultancy services for around 300 world-class educational institutions around the world. Shama Obaed said the foreign ministry has already opened a migration wing for the first time to address the migration related problems. The sole responsibility of this newly opened wing is to address all sorts of migration related problems. She urged FACD-CAB and others concerned to help the wing by providing necessary information to contain the unscrupulous syndicates in the student migration process.    “Together, we have to work in a unison way here. We have to work together to bring these broker syndicates under the law. They are unfairly destroying the future of our children (students),” she said. The state minister said the foreign ministry is ready to cooperate with FACD-CAB to make the migration process more transparent and accountable and to help it provide better services to Bangladeshi students. She asked FACD-CAB to submit in writing its demands and problems so that the issues could be brought to the attention of the Prime Minister as well as the Foreign Ministry together with other concerned ministries, including the Education, Finance and Home ministries, could fulfill their demands and address the problems. Shama Obaed stressed the importance of creating a safe and investment-friendly environment in Bangladesh so that students attained overseas education and experiences can return home and contribute to the country's development. “We certainly want our children to go abroad and study. But at the same time, we need to create a safe, investment-friendly and secure environment in Bangladesh where they can return, invest and become entrepreneurs and thus help the government build the country,” she said. Describing education as an important instrument of diplomacy, she said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to encourage educational and research partnerships between Bangladesh and other countries. Bangladesh's missions abroad can help connect Bangladeshi institutions with international universities, facilitate academic cooperation and support the legitimate interests and welfare of Bangladeshi students. Referring to the national budget for 2026-2027 fiscal year, the state minister said the government has given the highest-ever allocation to the education sector in the latest budget, reflecting its priority to education. The International Education fair, a flagship international education event, started at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, bringing together education consultants, international university representatives, students, and stakeholders under one platform. Visitors need prior registration to visit the education fair from 10:00am to 8:00pm. Visitors get scope to interact directly with representatives of universities from different countries and receive guidance on scholarships, financial aid, tuition fees, visa processing and career planning.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on Friday signed a defense agreement under which an armed attack on any one of the three countries would be considered an attack on all, officials said. The “Mecca Joint Defense Agreement” was signed in Mecca during a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Iraq studies new oil pipeline to Turkey, Syria to reduce Hormuz dependence  The agreement between the three Sunni Muslim-majority states brings together oil-rich Saudi Arabia and nuclear power Pakistan as well as Turkey, which has NATO’s second-largest army and a rapidly growing defense industry. It would increase cooperation and deterrence at a time of increased regional uncertainty and threats from the war in Iran. Turkish media reported the agreement could facilitate joint military exercises, training, technology transfers and intelligence sharing. A Turkish official described it as “purely defensive,” saying it targets no specific country and could be joined by other regional states. The pact does not replace existing bilateral or multilateral agreements. Defense analyst Abdullah Khan called it a formalization of decades of strategic ties, combining Pakistan’s military expertise, Saudi Arabia’s economic and regional influence, and Turkey’s defense technology. Sharif arrived Thursday for a three-day visit with a delegation including Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, while Erdogan arrived Friday. The leaders were also expected to discuss easing US-Iran tensions, trade, economic ties and wider security cooperation.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) on Friday approved the procurement of one cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Aramco Trading Singapore, a fully-owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco based in Singapore, under a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement to help meet the country’s growing energy demand. The approval came at the eighth meeting of the CCGP for the 2026-27 fiscal year, held virtually with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair on the weekly holiday.The committee approved the proposal to purchase one LNG cargo from Aramco Trading Singapore for delivery on August 11-12, 2026 through the direct procurement method under the G2G framework. The LNG will be purchased at a price of US$21.55 per MMBtu, according to officials. However, the committee again did not consider another proposal relating to a long term LNG procurement arrangement with Gunvor USA LLC. The Energy and Mineral Resources Division withdrew its proposal like the Thursday meeting seeking approval for the direct purchase of LNG from Gunvor USA LLC under a G2G arrangement for the period from 2026 to 2038 before it could be placed for the committee’s consideration. Bangladesh has been importing LNG to supplement declining domestic natural gas production and ensure a stable supply of fuel for power generation and industrial use.The latest approval is expected to support the country’s gas supply by facilitating timely delivery of an LNG cargo during August. The country's gas supply is gradually returning to normal after the partial restoration of the Excelerate Energy-operated floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at Maheshkhali, easing a nationwide shortage that disrupted power generation, industries, CNG stations and household cooking for more than two weeks. The crisis began on July 21 when a fire damaged the FSRU’s boiler-related electrical systems, forcing the suspension of LNG regasification from one of the country’s two floating LNG terminals. The outage cut around 450 million cubic feet of gas per day from the national grid, significantly affecting electricity production and industrial operations. Following repair work by local and foreign engineers, the terminal has resumed partial operations, supplying about 115 million cubic feet of gas per day, with output expected to increase in phases. Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood on Thursday said gas supply should return to normal within two to three days as repairs continue. Bangladesh currently faces a daily gas demand of about 3,800 to 4,000 million cubic feet against supply of roughly 2,600 million cubic feet, making imported LNG crucial to meeting domestic demand. The latest disruption has once again highlighted the country’s growing dependence on LNG imports and the vulnerability of its gas supply system to disruptions at a single FSRU.

Repair work on the flood-damaged Dahagram-Angarpota main road in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat began on Friday after the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) facilitated the entry of trucks carrying construction materials through the Tin Bigha Corridor. Osman Gani, Sub-Assistant Engineer (SAE) of the Lalmonirhat Roads and Highways Department, said repair work began on Friday morning. Earlier on Thursday morning, a large section of the paved road in the Srishtiyarpar area collapsed after floodwaters triggered by a surge in the Teesta River from upstream in India washed away part of the road. The damage left a 10-foot-deep crater, cutting off communication for at least 2,000 families. The Lalmonirhat Roads and Highways Department took up emergency repair work and dispatched trucks carrying sand and other materials. However, the work was briefly delayed after the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) stopped the trucks while they were crossing the Tin Bigha Corridor. According to BGB sources, the force coordinated with the BSF, citing the hardship faced by residents and the urgency of restoring the road. Following the request, the BSF allowed the trucks carrying the repair materials to enter Dahagram.

Thirty-one administrative officers, formerly known as Union Parishad Secretaries, working in different UPs in Chandpur have been transferred according to an order on Thursday. The Local Government Branch of the district administration issued the order assigning the officers to new workplaces across the district's eight upazilas. The order was signed by Md Ershad Uddin, acting deputy director of the Local Government Branch at the Deputy Commissioner's Office, Chandpur. It said that in the public interest and with the approval of the appropriate authorities, 31 UP administrative officers have been transferred and posted to various union councils. The transferred officers will have to join their new workplace by August 10. Whoever fails to join their new posts on time will be deemed relieved from their job, it said.  The transferred officers are currently serving in Union Parishads under Chandpur Sadar, Haimchar, Faridganj, Hajiganj, Shahrasti, Matlab North, Matlab South and Kachua upazilas. Copies of the transfer order have been sent to the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner, all Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) in Chandpur and the concerned offices for necessary action. The transfers are expected to bring changes to the working environment of the district's Union Parishads. However, their impact on local government services will depend on how quickly the officers join their new workplaces and perform their duties.

Three children died with measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Friday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 863 this year. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), all the latest fatalities were suspected measles deaths. With the latest update, the number of suspected measles deaths has risen to 767, while the number of laboratory-confirmed measles deaths remained unchanged at 96. A total of 1,017 new suspected measles cases were reported during the 24-hour period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 134,655. Meanwhile, 201 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 16,941. Since March 15 this year, a total of 116,822 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 112,525 have recovered, according to DGHS data.

The residence of former Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury Nowfel in the Sholashahar area of Chattogram city was vandalised and an arson was made early Friday, reportedly following his participation in a press conference in New Delhi, which was also joined by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The attack took place around 2:00am when unidentified miscreants vandalised the house at Chashma Hill. The house is the family residence of late former Chattogram mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, the family members left the house, which has remained unoccupied except for security personnel. Locals said several people came to the house, vandalised it and attempted to set it on fire. At one point, a fire broke out in a pipeline in front of the house after a petrol bomb was thrown. When locals arrived at the scene, the attackers fled. On information, firefighters and police rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control. Additional police were deployed in the area following the incident. Officer-in-Charge of Panchlaish Police Station Md Zahedul Islam said police received information about the attack around 2:00am and immediately went to the scene. “We are investigating the incident,” he said. On August 5, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently staying in India, spoke virtually at a press conference in New Delhi, which was attended by Nowfel. Locals believe the attack on Nowfel’s residence may have been linked to his participation in the press conference.

The Indian High Commission in Dhaka has warned the public against fraudsters posing as its officials and promising visas or other consular services in exchange for money. In a statement issued on Friday, the High Commission said it has received complaints that fraudsters are contacting people while falsely identifying themselves as officials of the mission and making such offers. It clarified that none of its officials will contact anyone over the phone, WhatsApp, social media or email to offer visas or demand money for issuing visas or providing consular services. “All visa applications are processed strictly according to the prescribed procedures,” the High Commission said. It advised people who receive such calls, messages or offers not to make any payment or share personal or financial information. The mission also urged victims or potential victims to immediately report such incidents to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka through email at visa.dhaka@mea.gov.in. It asked people to provide relevant information, including the caller’s phone number, screenshots and other details, when reporting the incidents. The High Commission urged the public to remain vigilant and help raise awareness to protect others from such fraudulent activities.

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday said the government should bring deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back to the country on its own responsibility to let her face trial, while accusing the Awami League of having “destroyed the country’s politics” and saying the party is in no position to return to political activity. He made the remarks at a view-exchange meeting with local journalists at the Bagerhat Circuit House in the morning. “The Awami League has destroyed the country’s politics. It established a reign of terror in the country and left countless mothers grieving. Many people were subjected to enforced disappearance, and not all of them have yet returned,” Shafiqur said. He said the party cannot return to politics simply by changing its appearance. “The Awami League has not apologised so far, nor is there any remorse among its leaders. Provocations from the neighbouring country are continuing,” he said, warning against allowing leaders and activists of the party to join Jamaat just to boost its strength. Jamaat chief, however, made it clear that permission from the central leadership is needed to take anyone into their party. “No one has sought such permission from us. Therefore, no one has been taken into the party,” he said. Responding to a question from journalists about Hasina, he said the government should bring her back on its own responsibility. “She should be allowed to face the verdict delivered against her and the judicial proceedings that are still pending. The trial should be conducted on the basis of fairness. We do not want an unjust trial,” he said. On parliamentary proceedings, Shafiqur said the opposition is sometimes prevented from speaking freely when strategic issues come up in Parliament. He said opposition lawmakers sometimes face procedural obstacles when trying to speak, but the Speaker does not stop them once they stand to speak. “I hope the government will remove these obstacles,” he said. The opposition leader said the country is facing multiple problems, including shortages of oil, gas and electricity. “The people have become frustrated with the activities of the government within a short time. The people will assess the activities of both the ruling and opposition parties over five years. After five years, the people will deliver their verdict,” he said. He said there should be no place for the use of physical force in politics. “Unfortunately, since the birth of Bangladesh, we have seen the use of muscle power in politics. Politics is about principles; there is no place for physical force here. Politics should be conducted with wisdom and judgement. The purpose of politics is to serve the people,” he said. Shafiqur claimed that four Jamaat members were killed in the country since the parliamentary elections held in February. He said Jamaat cooperates with the government wherever cooperation is needed and opposes it wherever opposition is necessary. The Jamaat ameer also said though the ruling party runs the government, not all people vote for it. “People vote according to their choice. This is the language of democracy,” he said. He also claimed that the media is not fully free and should be allowed to operate independently. District Jamaat organised the meeting, chaired by its Ameer Maulana Rezaul Karim. Later, Shafiqur Rahman attended the district Jamaat members (Rukon) conference on the Alia Madrasah premises in Bagerhat town.

Two children died with measles-like symptoms in Sylhet division in the 24 hours until Friday morning, taking the total number of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 122 in the region. The deceased were identified as Yamin, aged one year and five months, from Sylhet Sadar upazila, and Anisa, an eight-month-old girl from Bahubal upazila in Habiganj. Both died while undergoing treatment at Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital in Sylhet. Of the total fatalities, 116 people have died with measles symptoms, while six deaths have been confirmed as caused by measles, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of the total deaths, 43 were reported in Sylhet district, 14 in Habiganj, 13 in Moulvibazar and 52 in Sunamganj. During the 24-hour period, 93 patients with measles symptoms were admitted to hospitals across the division. A total of 294 patients with measles symptoms are currently undergoing treatment at different hospitals in the division. The DGHS said 788 confirmed measles cases have been recorded in Sylhet division from January 1 to August 7 this year. Of them, 256 cases were reported in Sylhet district, 91 in Habiganj, including two rubella cases, 90 in Moulvibazar and 351 in Sunamganj.

A warehouse belonging to Russia's largest online retailer caught fire after Ukrainian long-range drones struck the facility in the Ural Mountains, more than 2,000 kilometers from the countries' border, officials and the company said Friday. Wildberries said its warehouse in Yekaterinburg, Russia's fourth-largest city, was set ablaze in the attack, although most of the goods inside were not damaged. Regional Governor Denis Pasler said three drones struck the warehouse roof. Kremlin representative Artyom Zhoga said about 800 people were evacuated from the facility and no one was injured. Ukraine has increasingly targeted locations deep inside Russia, including in the Urals and western Siberia. Earlier, Ukrainian forces struck a Russian oil refinery nearly 2,500 kilometers from the border. Kyiv has made drone technology a key part of its military response to Russia's invasion, with Ukrainian officials saying the country's advances have led to drone cooperation agreements with nine countries. Talks are also underway with 15 more countries. Ukraine pushes ahead with new weaponsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv is accelerating work on new military technologies, particularly air defense systems designed to counter Russian ballistic missiles. Ukraine has faced growing pressure from Russian missile attacks amid shortages of US-made Patriot interceptor missiles, which have been used to protect civilian areas. Zelenskyy said a joint European anti-ballistic missile development program is already underway, involving 10 countries. He said Ukraine could produce its own missiles and launchers, while partner countries would supply key components, including radars and sensors. He also said Ukraine is developing its own ballistic missiles for use against Russia, adding that initial tests had shown promising potential. Eastern defenses under pressureMeanwhile, Ukrainian forces are facing continued pressure along the eastern front as Russia seeks to break through after months of limited advances. Ukraine has been evacuating civilians, including children, from Kramatorsk, one of four major cities forming the so-called Fortress Belt in the eastern Donetsk region. The roughly 50-kilometer line of heavily fortified cities has played a key role in preventing Russia from capturing Ukraine's industrial heartland. Vadym Filashkin, head of the Donetsk regional military administration, said more than 800 people, including 91 children, were evacuated from the area in the previous 24 hours. Ukraine has also been using medium-range strike drones to disrupt Russian supply routes and slow the advance of its forces. Nightly drone attacks continueRussia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 203 Ukrainian drones between late Thursday and early Friday. Ukraine's Air Force, meanwhile, said Russia launched 147 long-range attack drones at Ukrainian targets. In the northern Sumy region, a Russian drone hit a busy market Friday morning, injuring 10 people, according to local authorities. Russia also launched glide bombs and other drones against the regional capital, damaging residential buildings, transport facilities and infrastructure, regional administration head Oleh Hryhorov said. Two people were injured in those attacks.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Friday said the biggest challenge facing journalism today is the battle between misinformation and accurate information, falsehood and truth, and dishonest journalism and objective journalism. Speaking as the keynote speaker at a seminar titled “Role of Media in Sustainable Democracy” organised by the Television Editors’ Council at a city hotel, he said protecting credible information has become the core ethical responsibility of journalism. “Protecting clean information is now the fundamental ethics of journalism. Combating dishonest journalism is also the responsibility of honest journalism,” the minister said. “Therefore, the main challenge today is not simply the government versus journalists or media owners versus journalists. Rather, it is the battle between misinformation and accurate information, falsehood and truth, and dishonest journalism and objective journalism,” he added. The seminar was attended by Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the chief guest. Swapon said sustainable democracy and a free, responsible media are complementary to each other. “Just as sustainable democracy requires an independent media, the development of an independent media also requires a democratic environment,” he said. The minister said there is currently no interference in the media by the government or any intelligence agency. Raising the question of whether democracy should be established first or whether a sustainable democracy will emerge through the growth of a free media, he said the two must advance together. “These two issues complement one another and should move forward in parallel,” he said. Describing the media as an industry, Swapon said media organisations must remain financially viable to survive. “A media organisation must have financial capacity and ensure profitability to sustain itself. At the same time, accountability, compliance with the law and social responsibility are equally important,” he said, describing the government, media owners and advertisers as key stakeholders in the media ecosystem. “The government is accountable for serving the people, media owners are responsible for ensuring institutional sustainability, and advertisers strengthen the industry's economic foundation. A healthy media system can only be built if there is balance among these three stakeholders,” the minister said. He also highlighted the growing influence of digital platforms, global technology companies and artificial intelligence (AI) on journalism. Swapon stressed that establishing sustainable democracy and a strong media requires a comprehensive understanding of the entire media ecosystem. “It is not possible to reach effective solutions through a partial understanding of these issues,” he said.

Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) Authorities have formed a five-member fact-finding committee to look into allegations that seven teachers of the university were involved in secret activities to support the return of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. An office order signed by Registrar Dr Md Ferdous Rahman, was issued on Thursday night, confirming the formation of the committee. Dr Md Tanziul Islam, an associate professor of the Department of Political Science, has been appointed convener of the committee, while Rehena Akter Moni, assistant registrar of the university’s Legal Cell, has been made member secretary. The other members are Dr Md Moniruzzaman, associate professor of the Department of History and Archaeology; Dr Md Harun Al Rashid, associate professor of the Department of Chemistry; and Md Ataur Rahman, associate professor of the Department of Finance and Banking. According to the office order, media reports recently claimed that 404 teachers from 22 public universities were allegedly maintaining secret communications with Hasina and leaders of Awami League, which faces a ban on its activities. The names of several current and suspended teachers of BRUR also surfaced in the reports. The committee was formed to verify whether any teacher of the university was involved in such activities. The teachers named in the media reports include Associate Professor Asad Mondal of the Department of Public Administration, Dr Mashiur Rahman of the Department of Mathematics, Prof Dr Ayesha Akhter Ankhi and Prof Dr Md Zakir Hossain. However, the reports did not mention the full names of other teachers, identifying them only by codes such as Z Uddin, Debu PK and SKB.  Among them, Asad Mondal and Mashiur Rahman have been suspended as they are accused in the Abu Sayed murder case filed over the July uprising. Ferdous Rahman said the fact-finding committee was formed based on information published in the media. “After receiving the committee’s report, an investigation committee will be formed. If anyone is found involved, necessary action will be taken following the decision of the disciplinary committee and the syndicate,” he said. BRUR Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Showkat Ali said the university administration will take action against anyone found involved in such activities. “No one involved will be spared. Legal action will be taken once the allegations are proven through investigation,” he added.

Three members of a family suffered severe burn injuries in a fire caused by a gas leak in Narayanganj on Friday morning. The victims were identified as Maidul, 24, his wife Beauty, 24, and their eight-year-old son Maruf. They are residents of Narayanganj Sadar upazila. They were rescued with burns and taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, said Dr Shawon Bin Rahman, a resident surgeon of the institute. He said the condition of all three victims was critical. Maidul suffered burns on 85 percent of his body, Beauty 80 percent, and Maruf 90 percent. They are currently undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the physician said.

The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) and the High Commission of India in Dhaka commemorated the 85th death anniversary of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore with an evening of music and poetry titled "Iti Rabindranath” on Thursday. The programme, featuring renowned artistes Shwapnil Shojib and Samiul Islam Poluck, celebrated the enduring literary and cultural legacy of Tagore that continues to inspire generations across borders. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi, among others, was present.    

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday urged the media to continue scrutinising the government and highlighting its shortcomings while also allowing it sufficient time to deliver. “The government must always be kept under watch. If it makes mistakes, those should be pointed out. But at the same time, the government must also be given time,” he said while addressing as the chief guest a seminar titled “Role of Media in Sustainable Democracy”, organised by the Television Editors’ Council at a city hotel. Fakhrul said the media's role should not be limited to exposing government failures but also reflect its achievements. Referring to television talk shows, he said some programmes are being framed around the “government’s four months of failure,” creating an impression that the administration has completely failed, while little attention is being paid to what it has accomplished. “This one-sided approach by the media is not appropriate,” he said. Highlighting the importance of media freedom and responsibility, the BNP leader said a strong and independent media is essential for sustaining democracy. He stressed the need to strengthen media institutions and build a healthy relationship between owners and journalists. “If the media can work independently and without conditions, democracy will also become stronger. But for that, it is not enough to depend only on the government. Media institutions themselves must also become stronger,” Fakhrul said. He also expressed concern over the growing influence of social media, saying it has become “even more dangerous.” “A small post or a short reel can destroy a person’s lifetime achievements within moments,” the BNP secretary general said, noting that countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and France have imposed restrictions on children's access to social media because of its harmful effects. He said it is unrealistic to expect the government to solve every problem within a short period, as the country is currently passing through a transitional phase. “This is not only true for Bangladesh but for many countries in Asia,” he said. Calling for patience and tolerance, Fakhrul said, “We must not become impatient. We have to remain patient and tolerant. Otherwise, democracy can never move forward.” He urged the government, media organisations and media owners alike to exercise patience and tolerance, expressing hope that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh will move towards a sustainable democratic system. “If everyone works with patience alongside Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh can be taken to a stage where democracy stands on a sustainable foundation,” he said. The minister said whenever the BNP assumed office, it inherited a “ruined system.” Referring to the energy sector, he rejected suggestions that the current gas crisis has been created by the BNP government. “Has BNP created the gas crisis? The previous government did not carry out a single exploration scheme. Instead, it built a system dependent on imports,” he said. Fakhrul alleged that the previous government also created major problems in the power sector through quick rental power projects. “The banking sector has also been left in ruins. Restoring it has become a major challenge for the present government,” he said.    

Asian stocks were mixed on Friday after US shares pulled back in the previous session, while oil prices climbed more than 1% amid continued uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.3% to 65,500.10, while South Korea's Kospi declined 0.8% to 6,242.88. Taiwan's Taiex also dropped 0.4%. In contrast, China's Shanghai Composite rose 0.8% to 3,931.54 after the country reported that exports increased by around 24% in July. Although growth slowed slightly, demand remained strong for electronics and other high-tech products. China's trade surplus narrowed during the month, while imports also eased. Hong Kong's Hang Seng edged up 0.2% to 25,582.34, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped less than 0.1% to 9,265.20. On Wall Street, stocks fell Thursday as higher oil prices and a stream of corporate earnings weighed on investors. The S&P 500 declined 0.2%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.9% and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.1%. Brent crude jumped nearly 4% Thursday as uncertainty continued over efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supplies. Iran has said it is nearing an agreement with Oman on reopening the strategic waterway, while US President Donald Trump has also previously indicated that a deal could be close. However, negotiations have faced repeated setbacks over the past five months. A reopening could require a compromise, as the Trump administration has rejected any Iranian plan to charge fees to ships. Iran, meanwhile, has insisted on retaining some control over the waterway. Early Friday, Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 1.6% to $83.78 a barrel, while US benchmark crude gained 1.2% to $78.22. About one-fifth of the world's traded oil and natural gas previously passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices have climbed as high as $113 a barrel during the conflict, increasing inflationary pressure by raising fuel and shipping costs. Markets remain concerned about the war and the possibility of an investment bubble linked to artificial intelligence. However, stronger-than-expected corporate earnings have eased some worries that US stocks may be overvalued. About 85% of S&P 500 companies have reported their latest earnings, with overall profit growth on track to be the strongest since 2021. Warner Bros. Discovery gained 1.7% after posting better-than-expected earnings, while Molson Coors rose 1.3% following encouraging results. Honeywell Aerospace was among the biggest losers, falling 23.2% after its results came in well below expectations. Digital advertising company AppLovin dropped 19.7% after reporting mixed quarterly results. Meanwhile, SpaceX shares rose 6.1% after a lockup period expired Thursday, making more than 911 million shares held by early investors and employees eligible for sale. That figure is more than twice the number of shares initially offered to the public in the company's initial public offering. SpaceX shares climbed as high as $225 following its market debut in June but have since fallen below the initial offering price of $135. The stock was trading around $115. Investors are also awaiting the US monthly jobs report for July, due Friday. The US labour market remains relatively strong, although hiring growth has slowed. A weekly report released Thursday showed applications for unemployment benefits increased last week, though layoffs remained at historically low levels seen in recent years. Employers added only 57,000 jobs in June. In early Friday trading, the US dollar slipped to 158.35 Japanese yen from 158.42 yen, while the euro was unchanged at $1.1524.

Priyanka Chopra is set to share the screen with Hollywood star Russell Crowe in Bluefly, an upcoming military science-fiction thriller directed by Nimród Antal, known for Predators. The film centres on a secret mission in the Congo, where a team is sent into dangerous territory to recover a crashed aircraft that is not supposed to exist. The screenplay has been written by David Frigerio, William Eubank and Carlyle Eubank. Production is expected to begin in the coming months on Australia's Gold Coast. Antal described Bluefly as an intense, character-driven thriller built around a bold science-fiction concept. He said the project would combine a grounded and fast-paced story with a strong sense of suspense. Chopra announced the film on Instagram with the caption, “Onto the next.” Her husband, singer Nick Jonas, showed his support in the comments with fire emojis. According to the film's official synopsis, a grieving UN translator is recruited for a covert operation to retrieve a mysterious aircraft that has crashed deep in the Congo. As a Special Operations team travels upriver through territory controlled by militias, the mission takes an unexpected turn. The closer they get to the aircraft, the more they realise they were never supposed to bring it back. The filmmakers have yet to disclose the roles Chopra and Crowe will play. No other cast members have been announced so far. Crowe has several projects in the pipeline, including Netflix's Unabomber, The Weight, Billion Dollar Spy and a reboot of Highlander. Chopra recently appeared alongside Idris Elba and John Cena in The Bluff. She is also set to star in SS Rajamouli's Varanasi and Reset, opposite Orlando Bloom. Source: NDTV

The United States will host the International High-level Forum of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) groundbreaking Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea (ATLAS) initiative at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington on August 26-27. The landmark event will bring together ministers, policymakers, regulators and industry leaders from around the world to chart a bold path toward the deployment of safe and secure civil applications for nuclear energy at sea, according to the US Department of State. Nuclear energy holds tremendous promise for transforming commercial shipping, including by enabling faster maritime transport without the need for frequent refueling. Cutting-edge innovations, such as floating nuclear power plants powered by advanced small modular reactors, could provide reliable energy to remote and coastal communities and support industrial breakthroughs in desalination and offshore energy production.   Through ATLAS, the IAEA will bring together the full spectrum of stakeholders, from Member States to industry innovators, to address the legal, regulatory and technical challenges standing between vision and reality. On August 25, the US will host an Industry Day highlighting America’s leading nuclear and maritime innovators and showcasing US leadership at the frontier of civil maritime nuclear technology. The US is ensuring that America’s steadfast commitment to safety, security and nonproliferation shapes the future of ATLAS. ATLAS represents a first-of-its-kind opportunity, whose success will depend on strong and sustained collaboration among IAEA Member States, the International Maritime Organization, port authorities, nuclear and maritime regulators and industry. Together, this global partnership will help usher in a new era of credible, scalable nuclear energy on the high seas and deliver on President Trump’s pledge to revitalize innovation in nuclear technologies and expand access to nuclear power.

A student opened fire at a high school outside Bangkok on Friday, killing at least six people and wounding several others, police said. The shooting took place at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province, northwest of the capital, Royal Thai Police spokesperson Trairong Piwpan told The Associated Press. A witness told reporters that students hid inside a classroom as they heard gunshots coming from another building. Police officers later knocked on the door and escorted the students out of the building. About an hour after the shooting, people gathered outside the school, comforting one another, while police and first responders moved around inside the premises. Authorities provided conflicting casualty figures that could not immediately be reconciled. Trairong told broadcaster Channel 3 that the shooter was hospitalized in serious condition and that 15 other people were injured, including two in critical condition. He said three teachers and three students were killed. Health Minister Pattana Promphat said 22 people were injured, nine of them critically. Some of the injuries were caused by falls, and it was not immediately clear how many people were shot. Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee told reporters at the scene that five teachers had died. He also said the shooter had killed his two grandparents at home before going to the school and later died at a hospital. Trairong said the motive was still under investigation. He said the gun was believed to have been taken from a member of the student's family. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed condolences to the victims and said he had instructed relevant officials to provide care and assistance to those affected. In February, a 17-year-old stole a gun from police and opened fire at a public high school in southern Thailand, briefly taking people hostage during a two-hour attack that killed one person and injured two others. In 2023, a 14-year-old boy was accused of carrying out a shooting at a major shopping mall in Bangkok.

A severe heat wave swept across Europe on Thursday, putting all major Italian cities under the highest heat alert while Austria and Slovakia recorded their highest-ever temperatures. Temperatures climbed above 40°C (104°F) in several countries, raising health concerns for millions and putting pressure on power supplies, transport networks and public services. Scientists and officials said increasingly frequent and intense heat waves are linked to a warming climate and are forcing governments to prepare for more extreme weather. Italy issues red alert across all major citiesItaly's Health Ministry placed all 27 cities covered by its heat monitoring system under a red alert Thursday, marking the first time this year that the entire network has simultaneously reached the highest warning level. The alert covers cities from Trieste in the northeast to Palermo in Sicily and indicates a health risk for everyone, not just older people and those with existing health problems. Authorities advised people to avoid direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day, stay indoors when possible and drink plenty of water. The heat wave has also led to changes at major tourist sites. The tourism and culture ministries extended evening opening hours at attractions including Rome's Colosseum and Pantheon. Cooling mist fans were installed at Colosseum entrances, while additional medical stations were set up to help visitors cope with the heat. Rome has also opened a free temporary "urban beach" along the Tiber River in the Marconi area. The Tiberis site offers swimming pools, water fountains and shaded spaces, providing residents and children with a place to escape the heat. Austria, Slovakia record highest-ever temperaturesSlovakia recorded a new national temperature record Thursday, with the mercury reaching 42.2°C (108°F) at Dolne Plachtince in the south, according to the Slovak Meteorological Institute. Low water levels in the Danube have also affected the country's biggest hydroelectric power plant in Gabčíkovo. Seven of its eight turbines were shut down, with the plant producing 15% less electricity this year than during the same period last year. The Academy of Sciences said the Danube recorded its lowest July water flow on record. Austria recorded its highest-ever temperature on Wednesday, reaching 41.2°C (106.2°F) in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg near the Slovak border, according to GeoSphere Austria. The country is also experiencing severe drought. Rainfall during the first six months of the year was 27% below the long-term average nationwide, while some eastern areas received only half their normal rainfall. Climatologist Alexander Orlik said some parts of Austria had not seen such dry conditions since 1885. Hungary cuts power use amid droughtHungary's prolonged drought and record-low Danube levels have affected its only nuclear power plant, which depends on river water to cool its reactors. The plant has cut production to around 10% of normal levels, prompting the government to introduce emergency measures to reduce electricity use. Authorities asked industries and households to limit power consumption, particularly between 5pm and 10pm, when demand is highest. Freight trains have also been banned from operating during those hours, while decorative lighting at Budapest landmarks has been switched off. Major companies, including energy firm Mol, pharmaceutical company Gedeon Richter and automakers Suzuki, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW, have announced plans to reduce electricity consumption. The government also canceled parliamentary sessions this week as part of efforts to save power. Budapest recorded its hottest night on record Wednesday, with the temperature dropping only to 28°C (82°F). Germany concerned over falling river levelsGermany is increasingly concerned about the effects of drought on transport and industry as water levels in the Rhine and other rivers continue to fall. Transport Minister Steffen Bilger met with affected organizations Thursday and said low river levels were creating serious problems for inland shipping, industries and the wider supply chain. Environmental group BUND called for measures to make rivers more resilient to climate change, including retaining more water in the landscape and reducing water withdrawals during droughts. France remains at high wildfire riskFirefighters continued to monitor the Var region in southeastern France after authorities said a major wildfire was no longer spreading but could flare up again. The fire, which started on July 20, has burned more than 60 square kilometers (23 square miles), making it the largest wildfire recorded in the region in recent decades. Authorities warned that strong winds and extremely dry conditions were keeping the wildfire risk very high across southeastern France. In England, temperatures eased, but the effects of the country's driest July on record remained visible. A grass fire temporarily closed the southern runway at London's Heathrow Airport on Thursday. Balkans battle wildfires and droughtThe heat wave peaked across the Balkans on Thursday, with temperatures approaching 40°C (104°F) as countries struggled with drought and wildfires. Firefighters in Serbia battled several blazes after days of dry weather. One major fire spread through pine forests west of Belgrade, while another broke out near Kraljevo in central Serbia, where difficult terrain hampered firefighting efforts. In neighboring Croatia, tourists in Dubrovnik sought shade and avoided the beaches during the hottest hours as temperatures soared along the Adriatic coast.

Flooding triggered by a rise in water level of the Teesta River has washed away a section of a regional road in Dahagram union of Patgram upazila in Lalmonirhat, disrupting communication for thousands of residents. The flash flood inundated around 10 localities in the union, affecting nearly 3,000 families. Gushing floodwater damaged a section of the road on Thursday night, allowing water to enter nearby settlements and severing road communication. Locals said the Teesta water rose by around 2-3 feet from Wednesday evening, flooding several villages of wards 1, 2 and 3 of Dahagram union. Around 500 acres of Aman paddy fields were submerged by floodwater, but no major damage was reported as the water receded within a few hours, according to the upazila office of the Department of Agricultural Extension. After the floodwater receded, the connecting road on both sides of the bridge over the Sakwa River in the Srishtiyarpar area of ward 1 was damaged. A nearly 20-foot section of the paved road from Srishtiyarpar to Angarpota and Patgram was washed away, creating a 10-foot-deep hole, disrupting the movement of about 2,000 families in Dangapara, Mistripara, Pradhanpara, Olerpara and Sakwapara of wards 2 and 3. Children, elderly people and livestock are facing difficulties due to the disruption. Salam Mia, a resident of ward 3, said, “I came here on Friday morning and found that the road broke down. Movement is impossible unless the road is repaired. There is also a risk of accidents while passing through the damaged section.” Debashish Saha, executive engineer of the Lalmonirhat Roads and Highways Department (RHD), said repair work is underway, and the road will be made usable within a few days. Patgram Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Tanvir Hossain said he contacted the RHD executive engineer after learning about the damage and they assured him of resolving the issue soon. 

Bangladesh is intensifying efforts to unlock global climate finance by improving climate literacy, developing investment-ready projects and strengthening partnerships with international financial institutions as the country seeks to turn climate vulnerability into long-term resilience, experts said at a high-level policy dialogue in Dhaka on Thursday. They said the success of climate finance should not be measured only by the amount of funding mobilised, but also by whether resources are accessible, transparent, accountable, and directly benefit communities facing the impacts of climate change. The event, titled "Building Bangladesh as a Trillion-Dollar Climate-Resilient Economy: Accelerating Climate Finance Mobilisation Through Strategic and Investment-Ready Climate Project Designs", was organised by the International Climate Finance Cell (ICFC) of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) under the Bangladesh Climate Development Partnership (BCDP), with technical support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Participants, including senior policymakers, international development partners, financial institution and private sector representatives, academics and civil society leaders, stressed that improving climate literacy across public institutions, financial organisations and the private sector is essential to designing bankable projects capable of attracting international climate finance. They noted that limited understanding of climate science, financing mechanisms and project preparation continues to hinder Bangladesh's access to major global climate funds. Addressing the programme as the chief guest, Prime Minister's Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir connected Bangladesh’s economic transformation ambitions with the responsibility of ensuring a safe and sustainable future for coming generations. He urged stakeholders to align national development strategies with global commitments, including the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Titumir called for greater mobilisation of private capital and urged international climate funds to simplify procedures and respond more effectively to the needs of vulnerable developing countries. In his keynote speech, AKM Sohel, chief of the UN Wing at the Economic Relations Division, said climate literacy is the vital connection between climate realities and financial feasibility. He highlighted the importance of developing strategic approaches that help stakeholders design projects capable of meeting the requirements of international climate finance mechanisms, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Delivering the keynote address, ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky acknowledged that Bangladesh has historically faced challenges in securing adequate international climate finance despite being among the countries most affected by climate change. He stressed the need for stronger national ownership, improved institutional capacity, innovative financing approaches, and greater engagement with the private sector to mobilise climate investment at scale. ADB Country Director Qingfeng Zhang reaffirmed the development bank’s continued partnership with Bangladesh, emphasising the importance of creating scalable and financially viable climate projects that can attract global resources. He said climate finance success depends not only on available funding but also on the ability to design projects that deliver measurable development and resilience outcomes. The dialogue also featured discussions involving Prime Minister's Special Assistant for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Affairs Dr Saimum Parvez, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke and UN Resident Coordinator ad interim Carol Flore-Smereczniak, alongside senior representatives from government agencies, international organisations and development partners. Carol Flore-Smereczniak said climate finance is not only about infrastructure or technology. “It is about livelihoods, dignity, resilience, and the ability of communities to remain safe in the face of climate stress.” Two panel discussions examined ways to strengthen Bangladesh's climate finance ecosystem. The first focused on improving climate literacy to support strategic and investment-ready project design, while the second explored practical approaches to developing high-impact concept notes capable of securing Green Climate Fund financing. Experts also underscored the importance of a just transition, saying climate investments must protect livelihoods, generate green jobs and ensure that workers, women, young people and vulnerable communities are not left behind in the shift towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. The dialogue concluded with a renewed commitment from government, development partners and climate stakeholders to strengthen climate governance, expand access to global climate finance and accelerate investments that deliver long-term resilience and sustainable development. Participants said Bangladesh's experience demonstrates how climate-vulnerable countries can combine local knowledge, institutional innovation and inclusive governance to build a more equitable and effective climate finance system.

Sydney Towle, a social media creator who openly documented her life with a rare form of cancer while maintaining an optimistic outlook, has died at the age of 26, her family said. Towle was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the bile ducts, in August 2023. Her mother, Elizabeth Morrow, and brother, Austin Towle, announced her death in a video posted to her TikTok account. Her brother said Towle died peacefully after an almost three-year battle with the disease. He said the family was proud of her strength and grateful for the support she received from her followers. Her mother also thanked people for their messages and said her daughter would not be forgotten. The family described Towle as “an endless ray of sunshine” and someone who had been a friend to many. Towle was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, on Nov. 15, 1999, and grew up in Hobe Sound, Florida, according to The New York Times. She died at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, the newspaper reported. Towle was already active on social media before her diagnosis, sharing videos about her daily life, including her love of the beach and outdoors. She was also an avid surfer and runner. After being diagnosed at 23, she began sharing an honest account of her illness and treatment while continuing to enjoy her hobbies, friendships, travel and personal style. Her TikTok account eventually attracted more than 1 million followers. Shortly after her diagnosis, Towle posted a video saying she was in good spirits and that the experience had made her appreciate life even more. That positive outlook became a central part of her online presence. Her posts showed her running, traveling and spending time with friends alongside updates from hospital rooms and chemotherapy appointments. In February, her mother wrote about the need for greater research funding for the rare cancer and said her daughter had become “a beacon of hope for so many.” She said people regularly told Towle that her openness about her experience had helped them through their own difficulties. Towle graduated from Dartmouth College in 2022 with degrees in government and environmental studies. She later worked as a social media manager at Epic Games. She had also planned to run the 2026 New York City Marathon in November to raise funds for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. She had already raised more than $10,000 for the organization, which supports cancer research and provides resources to patients and caregivers. In a LinkedIn post, Towle acknowledged that running a marathon while dealing with cancer might seem unrealistic but said hope had been an important part of her experience. Towle is survived by her mother and brother. Her father, Philip Towle, died in 2016.

Five coaches of a commuter train derailed near Gafargaon Railway Station in Gafargaon upazila of Mymensingh on Friday morning, suspending train services on the Dhaka-Mymensingh route. The accident occurred around 9:30am, just before the Dhaka-bound Jamalpur commuter train entered Gafargaon Railway Station, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Mymensingh Railway Police Station Md Akhtar Hossain said. Witnesses said the train suddenly made a loud noise before the five coaches behind the engine veered off the track. No casualties or major damage were, however, reported. Train services on the route were suspended following the accident, the OC said, adding that a relief train from Kewatkhali Loco Shed was sent to the spot to salvage the derailed coaches. Several trains, including the Dhaka-bound Haor Express and Brahmaputra Express, remained stranded at different stations due to the accident, causing suffering for passengers.

Shares of Elon Musk's SpaceX rose Thursday despite the expiration of restrictions that allowed many company insiders to sell their shares for the first time. Investors had pushed SpaceX shares lower in recent days amid concerns that employees and other insiders would sell their holdings after the first of several lockup periods expired. More than 900 million additional shares became eligible for trading Thursday, roughly doubling the number previously available. SpaceX shares gained 6.1% to close at $114.92, recovering from a nearly 14% drop a day earlier in one of the steepest declines since the company became publicly traded. Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas said the end of the lockup period could give investors an opportunity to buy the stock at a lower price. He has projected that SpaceX shares could reach $300 by the middle of next year, nearly three times their current level. Morgan Stanley was among the investment banks that earned substantial fees from helping SpaceX go public last month. Earlier this week, SpaceX reported a loss of $541 million, or 9 cents per share, for the three months ending in June. The loss was less than half what analysts had expected. The company reported revenue of $7.8 billion, an increase of more than 90% from the same period a year earlier. However, SpaceX sharply increased spending on research and development and infrastructure, particularly on artificial intelligence and other major projects. Investors have become increasingly concerned about heavy capital spending by technology companies, which has triggered sell-offs in some cases. In June, SpaceX sold shares to the public for the first time in what was the largest initial public offering ever. The stock surged as high as $225, briefly pushing Musk's wealth above the trillion-dollar mark. The subsequent decline has erased hundreds of billions of dollars from SpaceX's market value, with the shares now trading below their initial offering price of $135.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday that trade negotiations with the United States had turned “nasty” after President Donald Trump derided America’s neighbor and its leadership while threatening to expand tariffs. Carney said Canada remained engaged in the negotiations despite Trump’s comments, describing the talks as a fight to protect Canadian workers and businesses. “This is a tough negotiation,” Carney said in French. “You can say ‘nasty.’ But this is a question of Canadian jobs. It’s a question of the future of Canadian businesses.” Trump criticized Canada during a speech Wednesday in Las Vegas. “Canada’s nasty. They are. They’re nasty,” Trump said. “I love the people, but they’re nasty. Nasty leadership.” Carney said “we are in the middle of a tariff war with the Americans” but laughed when asked about Trump’s description. He said Canadian negotiators were in Washington this week and that he expected further conversations with Trump after speaking with him last week. The United States already has tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and automobiles. Trump has threatened to impose 50% tariffs on more Canadian goods beginning Aug. 19. Tariffs are taxes on imports, which companies can then pass along to consumers in the form of higher prices. The president maintains that the costs created by tariffs will cause manufacturing to relocate to the U.S., though there is little evidence of that in the economic data. Trump’s tariff threats and repeated suggestions that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state have angered many Canadians, prompting many Canadians to cancel trips to the United States. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has argued that Canada and China are the only two countries to retaliate against Trump’s tariffs, citing restrictions on U.S. alcohol sales in some Canadian provinces among his concerns. Canadian officials say their countermeasures were a response to existing U.S. tariffs. The latest comments followed months of escalating tensions. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January, Carney criticized major powers for using economic coercion against smaller countries, prompting Trump to respond: “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.” Canada is one of the United States’ largest trading partners, and the move threatens to push prices higher at a time when Americans are already frustrated with the high cost of living ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Carney said existing U.S. tariffs on aluminum have contributed to a 58% increase in aluminum prices in the United States. “That’s not a good situation for American companies,” Carney said.

The air quality in Dhaka remained moderate on Friday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 95 at 9:10 am. With the score, the capital ranked 16th among the world's most polluted cities. Uganda's Kampala, Bahrain's Manama and Qatar's Doha occupied the top three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 179, 153 and 148, respectively. An AQI score between 50 and 100 is considered "moderate" with an acceptable air quality, while one between 101 and 150 is considered "unhealthy for sensitive groups", while a score between 151 and 200 is classified as "unhealthy." AQI readings between 201 and 300 are termed "very unhealthy", and anything above 301 is considered "hazardous", posing serious health risks. The AQI is a daily indicator of air quality, showing how clean or polluted the air is and the possible health effects people may experience. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) on Thursday approved several proposals involving the printing, binding and supply of free textbooks for primary, Ebtedayee, secondary, Dakhil and technical education levels for the 2027 academic year. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presided over the meeting held at Bangladesh Secretariat. The committee gave the approval of a proposal from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education for printing, binding and supplying textbooks for students of Classes I to V under 106 lots out of 110 tenders. Under the proposal, 7.35 crore copies of textbooks will be printed through 63 selected institutions at a cost of Tk 404.02 crore. The committee also approved a proposal from the Secondary and Higher Education Division for printing, binding and supplying free textbooks for Ebtedayee level (Classes I to V). The proposal involves printing 3.18 crore copies of textbooks through 35 institutions under 35 tenders at a cost of Tk 153.91 crore. Besides, the committee recommended approval of separate proposals for printing textbooks for Class VI and Class VII students under the secondary, Dakhil and technical education streams. The Class VI textbook printing proposal covers Bangla and English versions of secondary-level books, Dakhil and technical education books. Under the proposal, 4.11 crore copies of textbooks will be printed through 63 institutions under 70 tenders at a cost of Tk 183.58 crore. For Class VII, the committee recommended approval of a proposal involving printing, binding and supply of 3.84 crore copies of textbooks through 59 institutions under 69 tenders. The cost of the Class VII textbook printing proposal is Tk 206.59 crore. The CCGP approved the proposals following recommendations from the relevant authorities to ensure timely supply of free textbooks among students ahead of the 2027 academic year.

Meta said Thursday that one of its artificial intelligence models independently accessed the internet and exploited a security weakness at another company, adding to growing concerns about AI systems acting beyond their intended instructions. The disclosure comes after OpenAI and Anthropic recently reported similar incidents in which AI models went beyond their assigned tasks while accessing the internet and attempting to bypass digital security measures. Meta said the incident happened during cybersecurity testing conducted by Irregular, an independent company hired by Meta. A “misconfiguration” in the test environment unintentionally allowed one of Meta's AI models to connect to the internet. The model then exploited a vulnerability in a third-party service, Meta said, adding that the incident was similar to cases previously reported by other technology companies. Meta said it is investigating the incident and plans to publish a report after completing the investigation. The latest disclosure has intensified concerns about the ability of increasingly capable AI models to act independently and potentially cause harm. The United Kingdom's AI Security Institute (AISI) also said this week that it had detected “unsanctioned agent behavior” during cybersecurity tests. In one case, an AI agent created fake online identities and used them to pressure a person into approving the use of malicious code. “On investigation, we found that some of the agents being tested had engaged in sustained, potentially harmful activity directed at real people and organizations,” the AISI said Tuesday. The agency said it declared a security incident and contained it within about an hour of discovering the activity before launching a full investigation. During its tests, AI models from Anthropic and OpenAI took autonomous actions online without authorization. The AISI said some safeguards designed to prevent misuse had been disabled as part of the testing. The agency said internet access was intentionally enabled and the AI companies' cyber-safety systems were deliberately turned off to assess the models' maximum capabilities. It stressed that such conditions do not reflect how the models are normally made available to the public. Anthropic welcomed the AISI's work, saying the incidents highlight the need for broader discussions on how to safely test increasingly capable AI agents. OpenAI said the incidents occurred in controlled testing environments with reduced safeguards and did not represent normal use. The company said it would continue working with other AI developers to improve safety standards for testing more advanced models. OpenAI was the first of the companies to disclose a similar incident late last month. It said its models had been instructed to test advanced cyberattack techniques using complex attack paths, but they went further than expected. The models apparently chose to target Hugging Face, a major AI development platform and marketplace, to obtain information they needed to complete their assigned task. Irregular, the San Francisco-based AI security company involved in Meta's testing, said the Meta incident was linked to a problem in a test environment similar to one disclosed by Anthropic the previous week. Irregular said it is preparing a paper outlining best practices for containing such incidents and conducting cybersecurity tests safely in the future.

Japanese gaming giant Nintendo's first-quarter profit rose 53.5% as strong demand for its Switch 2 console and the success of its latest Super Mario movie helped lift earnings. Nintendo Co., based in Kyoto, reported a profit of 147.4 billion yen ($933 million) for April-June, up from 96 billion yen in the same period a year earlier. However, quarterly sales fell 9.5% to 517.8 billion yen ($3.3 billion). Nintendo, like many Japanese companies, is also facing pressure from US tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, along with higher prices for memory chips and other components. For the fiscal year ending March 2027, Nintendo expects profit to reach 310 billion yen ($2 billion), down nearly 27% from the previous year. Annual sales are forecast to fall 11% to 2.05 trillion yen ($13 billion). The company said it sold 3.82 million Switch 2 consoles worldwide during the quarter. Sales of the original Switch console and its games also remained strong despite the launch of the newer system. Switch 2 software sales totaled 9.46 million units during the quarter. Games such as "Yoshi and the Mysterious Book" and "Pokemon Pokopia" were among the popular titles, Nintendo said. Nintendo is looking to maintain the momentum by expanding its game lineup. "Splatoon Raiders" was released last month, while new titles including "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" are in development. The company expects to sell 16.5 million Switch 2 consoles during the current fiscal year, nearly 17% lower than the previous year. Console sales typically decline after a strong launch year. At the same time, Nintendo expects game software sales to rise 23% to 60 million units during the fiscal year. Nintendo's shares rose 2.9% in Tokyo trading following the earnings announcement.

At least 16 people were killed and many others injured in two separate road accidents in Sylhet and Bogura districts on Friday morning. In Sylhet, a collision between two buses on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway in Osmaninagar upazila left nine people, including a child, dead. Three of the deceased were identified as Saiful Islam, 50, of Gobrina Lakshmipur village in Kuliarchar upazila of Kishoreganj, Zaifa Islam, 3, daughter of Jahangir Sheikh of Bikrampur in Dhaka, and Saptam Roy, 22, son of Uttam Roy of Sobhanighat in Sylhet city. Inspector (Investigation) of Osmaninagar Police Station Joynal Abedin said a Dhaka-bound Unique Paribahan bus collided head-on with a Sylhet-bound Bengal Paribahan Ltd sleeper coach in the Kashikapan area around 7:00am. Under the impact of the collision, the Unique Paribahan bus fell into a roadside ditch, leaving seven of its passengers dead on the spot, he said, adding that the accident also left several other passengers injured. The injured were rescued and taken to different hospitals. Critically injured Zaifa was taken to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Another injured succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The police officer said all the deceased were passengers of the Unique Paribahan bus.  Members of Sherpur Highway Police, Osmaninagar Police Station and Fire Service rushed to the spot and carried out a rescue operation. The bodies were recovered and sent to the hospital morgue for autopsy. In Bogura, seven people were killed and at least 25 others injured after a bus ploughed into day labourers standing by the road in the Erulia Silkibandha area of Sadar upazila.

Nine people, including a child, were killed and several others injured after two buses collided on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet on Friday morning. Six of the deceased were identified as Saiful Islam, 50, of Gobrina Lakshmipur village in Kuliarchar upazila of Kishoreganj, Zaifa Islam, 3, daughter of Jahangir Sheikh of Bikrampur in Dhaka, Saptam Roy, 22, son of Uttam Roy of Sobhanighat in Sylhet city, Abul Hossain, 46, of Nabinagar in Brahmanbaria, singer Peheli Bhairabi, 18, of Bhairab in Kishoreganj, and Arman Hossain Rahim, 19, of Laksam in Cumilla. Inspector (Investigation) of Osmaninagar Police Station Joynal Abedin said a Dhaka-bound Unique Paribahan bus collided head-on with a Sylhet-bound Bengal Paribahan Ltd sleeper coach in the Kashikapan area around 7:00am. Under the impact of the collision, the Unique Paribahan bus fell into a roadside ditch, leaving seven of its passengers dead on the spot, he said, adding that the accident also left several other passengers injured. The injured were rescued and taken to different hospitals. Critically injured Zaifa was taken to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared the child dead. Another injured succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The police officer said all the deceased were passengers of the Unique Paribahan bus. Members of Sherpur Highway Police, Osmaninagar Police Station and Fire Service rushed to the spot and carried out a rescue operation. The bodies were recovered and sent to the hospital morgue for autopsy. Traffic on the highway is now normal, while the two damaged buses are in the custody of Sherpur Highway Police. The upazila administration announced Tk 20,000 in immediate financial assistance for each victim’s family.

Nearly half of the government primary schools in Cumilla are operating without permanent head teachers, a situation that education stakeholders say is affecting academic standards and school administration. According to the Cumilla District Primary Education Office, 894 of the district's 2,107 government primary schools currently have no permanent head teachers. At the same time, 970 assistant teacher posts also remain vacant, creating an acute shortage of teaching staff. Official data show that while there are 2,107 approved head teacher posts, only 1,213 are currently filled, leaving 42.42 percent of the posts vacant. Of the 13,389 approved assistant teacher posts, only 12,419 are occupied. The teacher shortage has forced assistant teachers serving as acting head teachers to shoulder both administrative and academic responsibilities, making it difficult to ensure quality classroom teaching. The situation is evident at North Rasulpur Government Primary School in Cumilla Sadar upazila, where no permanent head teacher has been appointed for nearly a decade. During this period, five assistant teachers have successively served as acting head teacher. Currently, assistant teacher Mohammad Manjurul Alam is performing the role. The century-old school has 225 students and only six teachers. "Apart from taking regular classes, I have to manage all administrative, financial and official responsibilities of the school. Handling both duties simultaneously naturally reduces the time and attention I can devote to teaching, affecting the quality of education," he said. Manjurul called for the immediate appointment of a permanent head teacher and adequate assistant teachers to ensure better learning opportunities for students. A similar scenario exists across most upazilas in the district, including Debidwar, Muradnagar, Nangalkot, Chauddagram, Daudkandi, Barura, Brahmanpara, Chandina, Titas, Meghna, Monohargonj, Sadar Dakkhin, Adarsha Sadar, Laksam and Homna. Rashed Mia, general secretary of the Cumilla district unit of the Bangladesh Government Primary School Assistant Teachers' Association, said the absence of head teachers places an additional burden on assistant teachers. "They have to spend considerable time on administrative work, leaving less time for classroom teaching. Every school should have a permanent head teacher, and each should also have a head clerk to reduce the administrative workload," he said. Kawsar Alam Sohel, president of Lal Sabuj Unnayan Sangha, said teacher shortages remain a major challenge in primary education across the country. "When assistant teachers have to take on additional administrative responsibilities due to the absence of head teachers, students ultimately suffer. The vacant posts should be filled without delay," he said. Prof Dr Md Shahadat Hossain, chairman of the Department of Chemistry at Comilla University, said primary education forms the foundation of a student's academic life. "Without a head teacher, both academic and administrative leadership become weak. Assistant teachers cannot devote adequate attention to classroom teaching while managing additional responsibilities, and the impact extends to students' future education," he said. Cumilla District Primary Education Officer Mansur Ali Chowdhury, however, said senior assistant teachers have been assigned as acting head teachers since 2019. "We do not believe the current situation is causing any major disruption to educational activities. Nevertheless, filling the vacant posts is under consideration by the higher authorities," he said. Education experts stressed that the government should fill vacant head teacher and assistant teacher posts, address school-level staffing shortages, and strengthen administrative structures to improve the quality of primary education and ensure a sustainable education system. They warned that continued delays could weaken the educational foundation of future generations.

Seven people were killed and at least 25 others injured after a bus ploughed into day labourers standing by the road in the Erulia Silkibandha area of Bogura Sadar upazila on Friday morning. Four of the deceased were Tajmul, 45, from Joypurhat, Belal from Fapore union of Bogura Sadar upazila, and Amirul and Nur Alam from Gobindaganj upazila of Gaibandha district. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bogura Sadar Police Station Ibrahim Ali said the bus was travelling from Dhaka to Naogaon when it lost control and hit an electric pole by the Bogura-Naogaon highway around 5:30am. The bus then rammed into the day labourers who were waiting there for work, leaving seven people dead and at least 25 others injured, he said. The OC said the injured were rescued and taken to Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital. The bodies were also sent to the hospital morgue for autopsy. A large number of people gathered at the scene following the accident, causing severe traffic congestion.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) on Thursday approved a proposal to revise the coal price mechanism for two coal-fired power plants, including the 1,320MW SS Power-I plant in Chattogram and the 307MW Barishal Electric Power Company Limited (BEPC) plant. The proposal was placed by the Power Division and involves SS Power-I Ltd, which operates a coal-based power plant at Banshkhali in Chattogram, and Barishal Electric Power Company Limited. According to the proposal, the estimated fuel payment for SS Power-I Ltd under the revised coal price mechanism is around Tk 1,44,250 crore, while the fuel payment for BEPCL is estimated at around Tk 32,724 crore. The CCGP recommended approval of the proposal after reviewing the revised mechanism for coal pricing applicable to the two power plants. The committee’s decision is expected to facilitate the continued operation of the plants by ensuring a revised framework for coal supply costs and related fuel payments.  

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur has called upon the people to remain vigilant against what he described as conspiracies by the Jamaat-NCP led opposition alliance. Speaking at an event organized by the Lawyer’s Rights Council at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, in the capital the state minister alleged that the recent sit-in protest staged by the Jamaat-NCP alliance in front of the Bangladesh Secretariat was a deliberate attempt to destabilize the country. “They should've announced a long march towards the Indian embassy. Instead, they chose the Bangladesh Secretariat. It is a direct attempt to disrupt the country's stability,” Nur said. Asserting that "Awami fascism" has met its political demise, Nur remarked that no amount of wishful thinking from across the border can bring the fallen regime back to life. He claimed that the National Citizen Party (NCP) is strategically dominated by Jamaat-e-Islami members occupying various district and upazila posts, comparing it to past political tactics where hidden affiliates infiltrated multiple political parties, including the BNP and Gono Adhikar Parishad. Recalling the backdrop of the 2024 July mass uprising, Nur noted that the movement was built upon years of struggle, dating back to the quota reform movement launched in 2018 under his leadership. He urged citizens to stay united in upholding the spirit of the July uprising and opposing the return of autocratic forces. The discussion meeting was arranged by the Lawyer’s Rights Council, a platform of lawyers associated with Gono Adhikar Parishad, to mark the jail release of their leaders following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Presided over by Lawyer's Rights Council President Nure Ershad Siddiki, the event was also addressed by Prime Minister's Political Assistant Rashed Khan, alongside leaders, activists and members of the Gono Adhikar Parishad and the Lawyer's Rights Council.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized 12kg of a narcotic known as "Kush", with an estimated street value of Tk 60 million, and arrested a suspected drug trafficker during a drive in Satkhira Sadar upazila on Thursday. The operation was carried out in the Madhabkati area around noon based on intelligence information, BGB said. The arrestee was identified as Tarikuzzaman, 24, son of Ohiduzzaman of Keragachhi village in Kalaroa upazila. According to BGB, Tarikuzzaman was intercepted while travelling by motorcycle from Satkhira town to Jhaudanga carrying the drugs in luggage. After examination, officials identified the seized substance as "Kush," which they described as an emerging narcotic that has recently spread inside the country. Lieutenant Colonel Kazi Ashikur Rahman, commanding officer of 33 BGB, said the seizure was the largest consignment of the drug recovered in Bangladesh so far. He said Kush is primarily made from the flowers or buds of the marijuana plant and is processed into a synthetic drug by adding high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), producing it in liquid, powder or tablet form. According to the BGB official, the drug is highly expensive, with an estimated street value of around Tk 5,000 per gram. The 12kg consignment is valued at approximately Tk 60 million. BGB also seized the motorcycle used by the suspect and two mobile phones during the operation. The force said further legal action was underway against the arrested suspect.

Job seekers staged a protest in Lalmonirhat's Patgram upazila on Thursday night, alleging widespread irregularities in the recruitment of enumerators and supervisors for the Family Card Census, briefly confining the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) to his office. The protest erupted around 8pm on the Patgram Upazila Parishad premises after the publication of the recruitment results. The protesters alleged that the recruitment process lacked transparency and merit, claiming the final results reflected favouritism, nepotism and financial influence. They demanded immediate cancellation of the published results, a fresh and impartial review of the recruitment process, and the publication of a new merit-based result. As tensions escalated, the demonstrators surrounded the UNO's office and confined UNO Md Tanvir Hossain for a short period while pressing for a review of the recruitment process and a fair investigation into the alleged irregularities. They also demanded exemplary punishment for anyone found involved in corruption and warned of tougher programmes if their demands were not met. Patgram Upazila BNP Joint General Secretary Shawkat Hayat Pradhan (Babu) alleged that there had been serious irregularities and corruption in the recruitment process for the government project and called for the immediate cancellation of the results. He said MP Barrister Hasan Rajib Pradhan had assured the protesters that the matter would be resolved and had already begun discussions with the local administration. Contacted by phone, UNO Tanvir Hossain denied the allegations, saying some protesters believed candidates from Patgram municipality had been favoured because more of them were selected. He said the recruitment had been conducted transparently and that the protesters had calmed down after discussions.  

Guardian Life Insurance Limited and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand insurance protection and healthcare services for workers and employees in Bangladesh's knitwear sector. Under the agreement, employees of BKMEA member factories will be able to access Guardian's insurance services by paying an annual premium of Tk 250. The package includes life insurance coverage, 24/7 telemedicine services and discounts at more than 500 hospitals for workers, employees and their family members. The MoU was signed by Guardian Life Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Rakibul Karim and BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem at a hotel in Dhaka. As part of the initiative, BKMEA member factories will facilitate the enrolment of their workers and employees in Guardian's insurance programme. BKMEA has more than 2,500 member factories, creating the opportunity to extend insurance services to a large workforce across the country's knitwear industry. Labour and Employment and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury attended the signing ceremony as the chief guest. Other attendees included Labour and Employment Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Tarafder, Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) Executive Director Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed, International Labour Organization (ILO) Acting Country Director Gunjan Bahadur Dallakoti, Guardian Life Co-Founder Tapan Chowdhury, Sponsor Director Syed Nasim Manzur, BKMEA Vice President Mohammad Rashed, development partners, and senior officials from Guardian and BKMEA. Speaking at the event, Ariful Haque Choudhury said the initiative demonstrated how collaboration between the government and the private sector could help expand healthcare support for workers nationwide. He said Guardian had earned public trust over the years and its partnership with BKMEA could serve as a model for extending similar benefits across the broader employment sector. Labour Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Tarafder described the initiative as a timely step towards improving worker welfare, saying ensuring workers' life, health and social security is essential for building a sustainable and competitive garment industry. Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed of BILS said bringing informal workers under insurance schemes could become an important model for Bangladesh and eventually be linked to government incentives for factories. Guardian Life Co-Founder Tapan Chowdhury said the company had earned customers' confidence within a short period and expressed hope that the initiative would provide meaningful support to workers. Syed Nasim Manzur said the agreement marked a significant milestone, adding that improving workplace conditions and investing in human resources would strengthen Bangladesh's economic progress. BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem welcomed the partnership, saying the association remains committed to initiatives that improve workers' wellbeing. Guardian Life CEO Sheikh Rakibul Karim said the collaboration aims to provide greater financial security for BKMEA members and their workforce. "We believe insurance is not simply a financial product; it is a promise of support during difficult times," he said. The initiative is expected to extend insurance services to a significant number of workers in the knitwear sector, advancing Guardian Life's goal of making insurance accessible to more people across Bangladesh.

Two children were killed and four others injured in collision between a CNG-run autorickshaw and a locally made three-wheeler (votvoti) in Sherpur's Nakla upazila on Thursday evening. The accident occurred around 7:30 pm in the Dhanakusha area on the Nakla-Nalitabari road. The deceased were identified as 17-month-old Mujahidul Islam and Nahid Hasan, 15. The injured include Mujahidul's parents, Monirul Islam, 30, and Nilufa Yasmin, 25, as well as Furkan Hamid, 30, and Jahanara Begum, 55. According to police and local sources, Monirul was returning to his home in Phulpur with his wife and son in a CNG-run autorickshaw after attending a family gathering in Nalitabari. The autorickshaw collided with an oncoming votvoti in Dhanakusha village. The impact threw Mujahidul, who was sitting on his mother's lap, onto the road, causing severe head injuries. He was taken to Nakla Upazila Health Complex, where the attending doctor declared him dead. Another injured passenger, Nahid Hasan, was referred to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital but died on the way. The remaining injured were treated at Nakla Upazila Health Complex. Monirul Islam said he was returning home after visiting his sister's grandson when the accident occurred. "After two daughters, Allah blessed me with a son. Now my only son is gone. Will I ever get justice?" he said tearfully. Nakla Police Station Sub-Inspector Lokman Hossain said Mujahidul's body had been taken to the police station and an inquest report prepared. Both the CNG-run autorickshaw and the votvoti have been seized, he added.

Bangladesh and India on Thursday reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing cooperation based on mutual interest and mutual benefit. The two countries discussed ways to enhance energy security, promote sustainable development, and support the prosperity of the people of both countries. The issues were discussed when Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood at the Secretariat.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) on Thursday approved variation orders worth more than Tk 3,200 crore for several packages under the SASEC Road Connectivity Project-2 aimed at upgrading the Elenga-Hatikamrul-Rangpur highway into a four-lane road. The recommendations were made at a CCGP meeting held at Bangladesh Secretariat with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair, following proposals from the Road Transport and Highways Division. The project is being implemented by the Roads and Highways Department with joint financing from the Government of Bangladesh and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Under package WP-05 (Part-1), the committee recommended approval of Variation Order-01 involving an additional Tk 109.05 crore. The original contract value of the package was Tk 594.75 crore, while the revised contract value stood at Tk 703.80 crore, which is 18.34 per cent higher than the original contract price. Abdul Monem Ltd was the recommended contractor. For package WP-06 (Part-1), the committee recommended approval of Variation Order-02 involving Tk 291.83 crore. The revised contract value reached Tk 941.56 crore, which is 44.92 per cent higher than the original contract value of Tk 649.73 crore. HEGO-MIR AKHTER JV was the recommended contractor. For package WP-07 (Part-1), the recommended variation order amount was Tk 386.59 crore. The revised contract value increased to Tk 1,178.96 crore from the original Tk 792.37 crore, representing a 48.78 per cent increase. Abdul Monem Limited was selected as the recommended contractor. The committee also recommended approval of a Tk 267.87 crore variation order for package WP-08 (Part-1). The revised contract value of the package is Tk 815.93 crore, which is 48.87 per cent higher than the original contract value of Tk 548.06 crore. CPC-TANTIA JV was the recommended contractor. For package WP-09 (Part-1), a variation order involving Tk 347.65 crore was recommended for approval. The revised contract value reached Tk 1,057.73 crore, 48.96 per cent above the original contract price of Tk 710.08 crore. KMC-MONICO JV was the recommended contractor. The committee recommended approval of Variation Order-03 for package WP-10 (Part-1), involving Tk 130.64 crore. The revised contract value stood at Tk 1,100.89 crore, 44.96 per cent higher than the original contract value of Tk 759.42 crore. China Construction Seventh Engineering Division Corp Ltd was the recommended contractor. For package WP-11 (Part-1), the committee recommended approval of Variation Order-02 involving Tk 256.57 crore. The revised contract value increased to Tk 781.88 crore, which is 48.84 per cent higher than the original contract value of Tk 525.31 crore. China Construction Seventh Engineering Division Corporation Ltd was the recommended contractor. For package WP-12 (Part-1), a variation order of Tk 93.64 crore was recommended for approval. The revised contract value reached Tk 720.69 crore, 48.84 per cent higher than the original contract value of Tk 484.20 crore. China Construction Seventh Engineering Division Corp Ltd was the recommended contractor. The committee also recommended approval of Variation Order-01 for package WP-13 (Part-1), involving Tk 335.03 crore. The revised contract value increased to Tk 1,073.44 crore, 45.37 per cent above the original contract value of Tk 738.41 crore. China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Co Ltd was the recommended contractor. For package WP-14 (Part-1), the committee recommended approval of a Tk 86.27 crore variation order. The revised contract value stood at Tk 334.86 crore, 34.70 per cent higher than the original contract value of Tk 248.59 crore. National Development Engineers Ltd was the recommended contractor. Meanwhile, for package WP-15 (Part-1), the committee recommended approval of Variation Order-01 involving Tk 58.76 crore. The revised contract value increased to Tk 204.05 crore, 40.44 per cent higher than the original contract value of Tk 145.30 crore. NDE-FHTTCL JV, comprising National Development Engineers Ltd and Fiber Home Telecommunication Technologies Co Ltd, was the recommended contractor. The Elenga-Hatikamrul-Rangpur highway project is considered one of the major transport infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity between the northern region and other parts of the country.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Thursday recommended a number of proposals in principle, including the emergency procurement of eight liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from four international suppliers through the direct procurement method (DPM), aiming to ensure uninterrupted gas supply amid geopolitical instability. The recommendations came at the 24th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in this year held today at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair. The committee recommended policy approval for purchasing two LNG cargoes each from Blackcube International Ltd, UK; Global Fuel Supplies Pte Ltd, Australia; Plentitude Energy Sdn Bhd, Malaysia; and Maxwell International SPC, Oman through international direct procurement to meet the country’s urgent gas demand. The emergency purchases were proposed in view of the unstable geopolitical situation following the Iran and US-Israel conflict, according to the meeting outcomes. The committee also recommended policy approval for procuring 5,000 metric tons (±5%) of LPG from Speed Marketing Corporation (Speed Group) through direct international procurement at Saudi Aramco CP plus US$97 per metric ton (CFR basis). The LPG will contain 35-40 percent propane and 60-65 percent butane and is intended to meet emergency domestic demand, increase the government’s share in the LPG market and help stabilize prices. In the transport sector, the committee recommended policy approval for implementing a project to procure around 200 electric buses, including buses for women passengers, establish charging stations and develop related infrastructure for the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) under government financing through the Direct Procurement Method (DPM). A proposal seeking policy approval for the draft “Bangladesh Onshore Model Production Sharing Contract (PSC) 2026 (Plain Lands)”, submitted by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division was, however, withdrawn from the meeting.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) on Thursday approved a proposal to import 35,000 tonnes of Muriate of Potash (MOP) fertiliser from Russia under a government-to-government agreement. The approval came from a meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. It approved the proposal for importing the third lot of MOP fertiliser from Russia’s state-owned JSC Foreign Economic Corporation (Prodintorg) under an agreement signed with the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC). According to the proposal placed by the Ministry of Agriculture, the fertiliser will be imported with an estimated cost of Tk 168.29 crore. The price of MOP fertiliser has been fixed at $388.55 per tonne with a provision of plus or minus 10 percent variation. The CCGP meeting reviewed the proposal and recommended its approval. The government has been importing fertiliser through government-to-government arrangements to ensure adequate supply of agricultural inputs and maintain stability in the domestic market.

Cameroonian President Paul Biya has been out of the country for two months, fueling concerns over his health and criticism from opposition leaders over what they describe as a growing leadership vacuum in the Central African nation. Biya, 93, the world's oldest serving president, has ruled Cameroon since 1982. He began his eighth term in November after winning a disputed presidential election in October. He left Cameroon on June 7 for what the presidency described as a "brief private stay in Europe," but the trip has become one of his longest overseas absences. The government later confirmed that he is in Switzerland. The veteran leader's health has long been the subject of speculation as he frequently spends extended periods in Europe, particularly in France and Switzerland, while senior ruling party figures and family members oversee day-to-day affairs. Although Cameroon's constitution does not bar the president from remaining abroad for an extended period, the absence of a vice president has prompted opposition figures to argue that the country is effectively operating on "autopilot." Opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who finished second in last year's presidential election and was once a close ally of Biya, said many Cameroonians believe "all is not well" with the president. Speaking from exile in The Gambia, he said Biya's prolonged stay in Switzerland has further undermined his legitimacy and intensified concerns over his continued grip on power. Biya's more than four decades in office have seen mixed results. Cameroon continues to face security challenges from Boko Haram insurgents in the north and separatist groups in the English-speaking western regions, while economic stagnation has left many young people frustrated. Wilson Tamfuh, a professor of public and international law at the University of Dschang, said the country's leadership has suffered as Biya's health appears to have affected his ability to govern. He also criticized repeated Cabinet reshuffles, saying they have largely involved moving the same officials between ministries without meaningful reform. Biya's reelection in 2025 triggered protests that left at least four people dead, highlighting tensions between the country's predominantly young population and its long-serving leader. Earlier this week, Biya reshuffled Cameroon's senior military leadership, replacing commanders in four of the country's five joint military regions and promoting several senior officers. Officials did not explain the changes, although one commander had died and another had retired. Biya assumed office in 1982 after the resignation of Cameroon's first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo. A 2008 constitutional amendment removed presidential term limits, allowing him to remain in power. More than 70% of Cameroon's nearly 30 million people are under the age of 35, meaning Biya has governed longer than most citizens have been alive. If he completes his current term, he will leave office at nearly 100 years of age.

State-owned mobile operator Teletalk’s special Gen-Z offer, launched on the occasion of the July 36 Mass Uprising Anniversary, has already received a huge response from youths. On the occasion of the 36th of July commemoration, under the guidance of Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam, the state-owned mobile operator launched the special '36th July Commemoration Offer' for its customers. The offer has already received a huge response from youths, said a PID handout on Thursday. Under this special offer, Gen-Z SIM, which is regularly priced at Tk 150, is available at all Teletalk customer care centers for just Tk 36. Since the launch of the offer, significant presence of customers has been observed at various Teletalk customer care and customer care points across the country. Besides, 36 minutes of talk time and 3.6 GB data (valid for 7 days) are being provided to all Teletalk package customers for just 36 taka under the special commemorative offer. Customers can easily avail the offer by dialing the designated USSD code or recharging Tk 36. Teletalk Bangladesh Limited will continue to provide timely, affordable and innovative telecommunication services to all customers, including the young generation of the country, in the future.

The government has appointed senior broadcast journalist Kazi Jesin as the director general (DG) of Bangladesh Television (BTV) on a one-year contractual basis, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Thursday. The notification, issued by the ministry's Contract and Foreign Recruitment Wing, said the appointment was made under Section 11(2) of the Bangladesh Television Authority Act, 2001. It said Kazi Jesin will serve as BTV director general for one year from the date of joining, subject to relinquishing any other profession, business or employment with any government, semi-government, private institution or organisation. The notification added that the remaining terms and conditions of the appointment will be specified in the contract agreement. It also said the order was issued in the public interest.

Customs officials seized two gold bars, weighing a total of 100 grammes, from an outbound passenger at the Benapole International Check Post. The seizure was made around 6:00pm on Wednesday after customs officials, acting on a tip-off, intensified surveillance in the passenger departure area of the check post, according to a customs statement. The passenger, identified as Md Mobarak Hossain, was stopped on suspicion while preparing to cross into India. During initial questioning, he admitted that he was carrying two gold bars weighing 50 grammes each.

A suspended accounts officer of Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) died after falling from the 7th floor of a residential building in the capital's Ramna area early Thursday while allegedly attempting to evade arrest during a police operation. The deceased was identified as Md Nazrul Islam, 56, who lived with his family in Flat B-8 of Rangs Garden Palace on the Siddheswari Road. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ramna Police Station Yasin Mia said police went to Nazrul's residence to execute an arrest warrant issued by the Gazipur District and Sessions Judge's Court. Sensing the presence of police, Nazrul allegedly attempted to flee through a small window gate attached to the bedroom of his apartment despite repeated warnings from police, he said. He fell from the building during the attempt around 1:00am and sustained critical injuries, the OC said. Police immediately took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he died around 2:30am, he added. Following an autopsy, the body was handed over to his family.

A man in Kushtia's Khoksa upazila on Thursday handed over his teenage son to police after the boy has been accused of raping a five-year-old girl. The accused, a Class-VIII madrasah student, was taken into custody after his father took him to Khoksa Police Station, claiming he tracked him down after the incident, said Officer-in-Charge Molla Zakir. The alleged rape took place on Wednesday afternoon at Bosoa village under Shimulia union. The child fell seriously ill after the incident and was first taken to Khoksa Upazila Health Complex before being shifted to Kushtia General Hospital for advanced treatment. According to the victim's family, the girl's parents were washing jute in a nearby wetland while she was playing near their home with other children. The boy allegedly lured the child away by telling her he would take her to her parents before allegedly raping her in a nearby field. The girl later returned to her parents and disclosed the incident. The boy’s father, a village police member, said he learned about the allegation on Wednesday evening and immediately began searching for his son, who fled. He said he later located him at his maternal grandmother's house in Pangsha and handed him over to police on Thursday morning. "My son has committed a wrongdoing. That's why I handed him over to the police," he said.

Pakistani High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider and his spouse have been hospitalised as a precautionary measure after a fire broke out at the envoy's official residence early Thursday. The fire erupted from the TV room of the residence around 5:00am, said Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector (Media Cell) at the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters. He said two firefighting units from the Baridhara Fire Station rushed in and brought the fire under control within 10 minutes. The High Commission said the envoy and his wife were taken to hospital as a precaution following the incident. Their health condition is stable, it said.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain on Thursday demanded the immediate extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, warning that her legal status must never be used as a “bargaining chip” in bilateral or geopolitical negotiations. Addressing a press briefing at the NCP's Banglamotor office, he said the party viewed with "deep concern and profound disappointment" Hasina's public address at an event in New Delhi marking the 2nd anniversary of the July uprising on Wednesday, calling it an affront to a date of profound significance for Bangladesh's struggle for democratic renewal and accountability. Hasina will be taken straight from airport to gallows upon return: Nahid "Sheikh Hasina has been convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh for crimes against humanity. Her continued ability to participate in political activities from India, despite the judicial process against her, raises serious concerns regarding respect for Bangladesh's legal institutions," Asif Mahmud said. "We condemn India's such action humiliating the sovereignty of Bangladesh," he said, urging New Delhi to give due consideration to Bangladesh's judicial decisions and facilitate Hasina's prompt return under the existing extradition framework between the two countries. The NCP spokesperson said mutual respect for each other's legal systems, sovereign institutions and democratic processes remains essential to sustaining a "constructive and forward-looking" bilateral relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi. He also urged the government to pursue all available legal, diplomatic and institutional avenues "with greater urgency, transparency and effectiveness" to secure Hasina's return, saying the people of Bangladesh deserve a credible, coordinated and institutionally robust approach demonstrating the state's commitment to justice. "This issue should not be reduced to political rhetoric or managed solely through diplomatic formalities. It requires sustained political commitment, effective intergovernmental engagement, and clear institutional accountability," Asif Mahmud told reporters. Reaffirming the NCP's commitment to democracy, constitutional governance and the rejection of "authoritarian and fascist politics in all their forms," he said the party opposes any attempt to treat Hasina's legal status as an instrument of bilateral political negotiation or geopolitical bargaining. "Any arrangement that compromises Bangladesh's sovereignty, judicial independence, or democratic future will be contrary to the interests and aspirations of the Bangladeshi people," the NCP spokesperson said. He further said the lasting dismantling of authoritarian structures will require comprehensive constitutional, institutional and political reforms, adding that no individual or institution accused of grave crimes against the people of Bangladesh, or of undermining the country's sovereignty, should be permitted to return to political life without first facing a credible process of justice and accountability.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday joined a doa mahfil and Islamic discussion seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of former Bangladesh Navy chief Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan on the occasion of his 42nd death anniversary. The programme, organised by Mahbub Ali's family, was held at Mahbub Bhaban in Dhanmondi after Maghrib prayers. It began with Quran Khwani and the recitation of Durood Sharif. Several prominent Islamic scholars addressed the gathering, highlighting integrity, distinguished public service and contributions of Mahbub Ali, also Prime Minister’s father-in-law, to the nation. Mahbub Ali’s family members, including his wife Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu, daughters Shahina Khan Zaman and Dr Zubaida Rahman, granddaughter Barrister Zaima Rahman and other close relatives, attended the doa mahfil. Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's younger brother Shamim Iskander, Syed Shafiuzzaman, the husband of Mahbub Ali's eldest daughter, and other relatives were also present. The doa mahfil, held under a canopy in the courtyard of Mahbub Bhaban, was attended by acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, Commerce, Industries, Jute and Textiles Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, MPs, senior military and civil officials, as well as BNP leaders and activists. Earlier in the day, members of Mahbub Ali's family visited his grave at Banani Military Graveyard and offered prayers. The Bangladesh Navy and several other organisations also paid tribute by placing wreaths at his grave. Mahbub Ali became the chief of the Bangladesh Navy in 1979 and later served as a minister in the government of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. He died on August 6, 1984, and was laid to rest at the Banani Military Graveyard.  

Prime Minister's Adviser on Public Administration Md Ismail Zabihullah on Thursday said Bangladesh has entered "a new chapter with renewed momentum and optimism" and now is the time for Bangladesh and China to jointly create prosperity for the benefit of the people. "We must seize this historical opportunity to build a future of shared growth and mutual prosperity," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a programme in Dhaka.  Drawing lessons from China's rapid development over the past four decades, Zabiullah said sustained progress depends on long-term planning, institutional continuity, technological innovation and investment in human capital. "History teaches us that countries progress not simply because they possess natural resources, but because they continue to learn from one another," he said. He also stressed that Bangladesh has valuable experiences to share in areas such as microfinance, disaster management, climate resilience and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The four-day "Comparative Governance Forum 2026", jointly organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and the School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA), Fudan University, concluded at the BIISS Auditorium. 

State Minister for Social Welfare Barrister Farzana Sharmin on Thursday alleged that Pro-fascist forces are attempting to discredit the July Mass Uprising, saying the movement was the result of the collective efforts of pro-democracy political parties, students and the public rather than any single group. Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the seven-day Inter-Hall Debate Competition 2026, organised by the Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Debating Society in Dhaka, she said the competition to claim sole credit for the uprising was weakening its original spirit. "Although fascism has been removed from power, its roots have not yet been eradicated," she said, adding that the current government was elected by the people and deserved respect. The state minister urged young people to play a leading role in building a new Bangladesh, saying the country's transformation would be possible through the combined efforts of youth and people from all walks of life. "The vision of 'Bangladesh First' and 'Bangladesh for All' can only be realised through collective participation," she said. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Abdul Latif and Debate for Democracy Chairman Hassan Ahamed Chowdhury Kiron also addressed the event as special guests.Kiron said democracy thrives on respecting differing opinions and making decisions through dialogue. He alleged that the previous government had weakened democratic institutions through uncontested elections, undermined parliament and constitutional bodies, and suppressed political opposition. He said the July uprising reflected years of accumulated public frustration over alleged repression, enforced disappearances, killings and political discrimination.Calling the July uprising a historic milestone after the 1971 Liberation War, Kiron said it symbolised national unity and warned against attempts to create divisions over its legacy. He also said the July martyrs and participants would be remembered as national heroes, adding that both the Liberation War and the July uprising would remain enduring chapters in Bangladesh's history. The programme, chaired by Prof Dr Md Tajul Islam Chowdhury, moderator of the Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Debating Society, was also addressed by Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Belal Hossain, Treasurer Prof Md Abul Bashar and Director of the Agricultural Information Service Md Mosihur Rahman, among others.

The scheduled banks disbursed Tk 42,834.16 crore in agricultural and rural credit in the just-concluded fiscal year 2025-26, exceeding the central bank's annual target of Tk 39,000 crore (9.83 percent), according to a monthly report released by Bangladesh Bank (BB). The report, titled "Monthly Report on Agricultural and Non-Farm Rural Credit Position" and prepared by the Agricultural Credit Department-1 (Monitoring and Oversight Wing) of the central bank, shows disbursement through 58 participating banks rose 14.76 percent compared to Tk 37,326.52 crore disbursed in FY2024-25. Including Tk 1,334.22 crore disbursed by the Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB), the total agricultural credit flow for FY26 stood at Tk 44,168.38 crore, up 13.97 percent from Tk 38,754.26 crore in the previous fiscal year. Target achievement by bank category: Specialised banks – Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank and Probashi Kallyan Bank – posted the highest target achievement at 123.40 percent, disbursing Tk 12,615.57 crore against a target of Tk 10,223 crore. State-owned commercial banks achieved 109.89 percent of their Tk 3,657 crore target, disbursing Tk 4,018.62 crore, while foreign commercial banks reached 104.05 percent of their Tk 1,593 crore target with disbursement of Tk 1,657.46 crore. Private commercial banks, the single largest contributor to overall disbursement, achieved 108.05 percent of their Tk 17,106 crore target, disbursing Tk 18,483.19 crore, which alone accounted for 43.15 percent of the year's total agricultural credit. Islamic banks were the only category to fall short of their target, disbursing Tk 6,059.32 crore against a target of Tk 6,421 crore, an achievement rate of 94.37 percent and a 1.50 percent decline from the previous year. Under the Agricultural and Rural Credit Policy and Programme for FY26, banks were required to disburse 55 percent of credit to the crops sector, 20 percent to livestock and poultry, 13 percent to fisheries, 2 percent to irrigation and agricultural equipment, and the remaining 10 percent to non-farm rural income-generating activities. Actual disbursement, however, showed a somewhat different pattern: crops received 47.32 percent of total disbursement, livestock and poultry 26.38 percent, fisheries 13.33 percent, non-farm rural credit 11.68 percent, and irrigation and agricultural equipment combined just 0.93 percent. A further 0.37 percent went to grain storage and marketing. Loan recovery outpaces disbursement growth: Recovery of agricultural loans grew faster than disbursement during the year, rising 19.99 percent to Tk 45,626.93 crore from Tk 38,024.50 crore in FY25. Amounts due for recovery also rose 9.37 percent to Tk 66,025.75 crore. Overdue loans fell 8.43 percent year-on-year to Tk 19,807.33 crore, while classified agricultural loans declined 5.92 percent to Tk 18,578.47 crore, offering some relief after a sharp jump in both categories during FY25. Foreign commercial banks reported zero overdue and zero classified loans in both fiscal years, while Islamic banks saw their overdue loans surge 73.11 percent and classified loans nearly two-and-a-half times higher, the only category to see a rise in both indicators. Outstanding agricultural credit across all bank categories stood at Tk 63,574.38 crore at the end of FY26, up 5.55 percent from Tk 60,232.42 crore a year earlier. Month-wise figures show disbursement fluctuated through the year, peaking in December 2025 at Tk 4,915.49 crore before falling sharply in the following months. Disbursement picked up again in June 2026, the final month of the fiscal year, rising 29.47 percent from May to close the year at Tk 4,757.55 crore for the month. The Bangladesh Rural Development Board disbursed Tk 1,334.22 crore in agricultural credit in FY26, 6.55 percent lower than its Tk 1,427.74 crore disbursement in FY25, against a target of Tk 1,486.10 crore. Recovery through BRDB, however, rose 2.71 percent to Tk 1,311.23 crore. BB data going back to FY2016-17 shows agricultural credit disbursement has more than doubled over the past decade, from Tk 20,998.70 crore to Tk 42,834.16 crore, alongside a steady rise in the annual disbursement target, which has grown from Tk 17,550 crore to Tk 39,000 crore over the same period. The report noted that the agriculture sector continues to contribute 11.71 percent to Bangladesh's GDP and employs around 46 percent of the country's workforce, underlining its centrality to food security and rural livelihoods even as the sector faces mounting pressure from climate change and shrinking arable land. The central bank's report cautioned that despite the positive overall disbursement picture, the continued scale of overdue and classified loans "compels" close attention to recovery and default management to sustain healthy agricultural financing going forward.

Artificial intelligence could enable developing nations to achieve a century's worth of progress within a single decade, but only if governments move quickly to fix critical deficits in power, internet access, and skills, according to a landmark World Bank report. According to the report—the Bank's first comprehensive assessment of AI’s impact on the global south—only 4.5 percent of jobs in low- and middle-income countries are at risk of automation, compared to 14.2 percent in high-income nations. Conversely, AI could meaningfully enhance productivity for 16.2 percent of workers in developing economies, close to the 18.7 percent expected in wealthy nations. World Bank approves $1.1 billion for food security, emergency response in Bangladesh The World Development Report 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence highlights that while developing countries face lower risks of job displacement from generative AI compared to high-income economies, they stand to gain nearly equal productivity boosts if they adopt the technology effectively. "AI has thrown developing economies a lifeline, and they should seize it," said Indermit Gill, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist of the World Bank Group. "They do not need large models or big data centers to reap its benefits. By adapting small, low-cost AI tools to local conditions, they can bring better medical care, education, judicial services and agricultural extension within reach of millions." The findings come at a critical time as developing economies struggle through their weakest average growth performance in three decades. The report notes that AI could significantly accelerate growth before the end of the 2020s, particularly in regions constrained by shortages of trained professionals, reliable records, and institutional capacity. However, the World Bank warned that the opportunity is not guaranteed. Advanced AI development remains concentrated among a small group of nations and corporations, threatening to widen global inequalities if poor infrastructure prevents adoption elsewhere. In Sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, nearly one-third of rural schools lack electricity, while over two-thirds lack dependable internet access. To prevent a deepening digital divide, the report outlines a three-step strategy for developing nations: first adopt available international tools, then adapt them to local contexts and languages, and eventually advance toward developing frontier AI systems over time. "The window to get this right is narrow," warned Gaurav Nayyar, Director of the World Development Report 2026. "Developing countries that build the foundations now—power, connectivity, skills, and institutions—will be positioned to adopt and adapt AI for their people." The report stresses that governments must also focus on expanding computing power, creating local language datasets, establishing clear regulatory frameworks, and protecting data privacy to build public trust as AI tools roll out.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Industries held its first meeting on Thursday, underscoring the need for ensuring transparency, accountability and efficiency in implementing the ministry’s budget, while calling for the timely completion of development projects. The committee also stressed the proper utilisation of budget allocations, enhancing the competitiveness of the industrial sector, promoting entrepreneurship and improving the quality of public services through coordinated efforts by all agencies under the ministry. The meeting, held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, was chaired by committee chairman Md Abul Kalam. Members reviewed the organisational structure of the Ministry of Industries, the budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, expenditure plans and the progress of ongoing development activities. Officials informed the meeting that the ministry currently oversees 14 organisations, comprising four corporations, six departments and agencies, two boards and two foundations. These institutions play a key role in industrialisation, industrial management, quality control, technological advancement, skills development and the promotion of cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises (CMSMEs). During the budget presentation, the committee was told that the allocation for the Ministry of Industries for FY27 stands at Tk 1,691.90 crore. Of the total allocation, Tk 361.02 crore has been earmarked for operational expenditure, while Tk 1,330.88 crore for development expenditure. The operational budget includes allocations for the ministry’s secretariat, the Office of the Chief Inspector of Boilers, the Department of Patents, Industrial Designs and Trademarks (DPDT), the National Productivity Organisation (NPO), the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), the Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (BITAC), the Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM) and the Bangladesh Accreditation Board. The committee also reviewed the progress, budget allocations and expenditure plans for ongoing development projects being implemented by the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), BSCIC, BITAC and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). The projects include the establishment of industrial parks and industrial estates, warehouse construction, technology modernisation, laboratory upgrades, expansion of training infrastructure and other initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s industrial sector. The committee urged all organisations under the ministry to work in a coordinated manner to ensure effective implementation of the budget and development programmes.

United States apparel imports experienced a broad decline in the first half of 2026, according to recent data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA). Total apparel imports fell to $35.09 billion during the January-June period of 2026, marking an 8.04 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2025. In terms of volume, measured in square metre equivalent (SME), imports dropped by 8.50 percent, while the average unit price saw a slight rise of 0.50 percent. Garment production hit in Savar as fuel crisis, load shedding disrupt operations Apparel imports from Bangladesh by the US totalled $4.01 billion in the first six months of 2026, down by 5.75 percent year-on-year. However, for the single month of June 2026, imports from Bangladesh grew by 5.74 percent compared to June 2025, reaching $763.57 million. In terms of import value during the January-June period, Cambodia posted the highest growth at +12.32 percent, followed by Indonesia +3.40 percent and Vietnam +1.08 percent.  Conversely, major supplying countries recorded declines, with Pakistan down 3.50 percent, Bangladesh down 5.75 percent, India down 25.27 percent, and China seeing the steepest decline at 37.69 percent. In terms of import volume, Cambodia +14.59 percent, Indonesia +10.89 percent, Vietnam +3.30 percent, and Pakistan +2.26 percent all achieved positive growth. On the other hand, Bangladesh's import volume dropped by 3.69 percent, while India experienced a 22.74 percent fall and China's volume dropped by 26.30 percent. Regarding average unit prices, all major suppliers saw a reduction. Unit prices for both Vietnam and Bangladesh fell by 2.15 percent, while Cambodia dropped 1.98 percent, India dropped 3.28 percent, Pakistan dropped 5.63 percent, Indonesia dropped 6.75 percent, and China dropped 15.46 percent. Analysing the trends, Mohiuddin Rubel, founder and chief executive officer of Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV), noted that Bangladesh's decline in the first half of 2026 was smaller than those of China and India, and remained roughly in line with Pakistan's performance.

The government has announced that no admission test will be held for Class-I from the next academic year, with students to be selected through the existing lottery system. The Ministry of Education issued a notice in this regard on Thursday, signed by its Senior Information Officer Abdullah Shibli Sadiq. According to the notice, admissions to Class-I in all schools will continue through the current lottery system. However, admission to all other classes in both primary and secondary schools will be based on admission tests from 2027. The announcement came amid concern among parents after the government earlier indicated that it was considering introducing tests for admission from Classes I-XI, starting in 2027. The ministry also announced that the results of this year's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations will be published on August 10.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday said India needs to decide whether it will continue to allow convicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leaders to carry out what she described as conspiratorial activities from Indian territory. "If the autocratic, fascist, convicted Awami League leaders and the head of the Awami League, sitting on Indian soil, continue to carry out such conspiratorial activities, and if the Indian government does not stop it right now, then it will certainly create a cause for concern for the people of Bangladesh," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the evening. The State Minister said discussions between the two countries would continue while urging India to be more sensitive to the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh. "India needs to be more sensitive in that area and take a very intelligent decision about what it wants to do in the future," she said. The State Minister accused the Awami League (whose activities are currently banned) of attempting to revive what she described as an old political narrative linking Bangladesh to extremism. "This theory of militancy is the old dirty politics of the Awami League. They are now trying to do it again on foreign soil. Whether India will allow it or not... it is up to the Indian government to decide," she said, stressing that the AL is doing this to gain international attention. Shama expressed hope for healthy bilateral ties based on equality and mutual respect. "India is a democratic country. India itself has to decide what its foreign policy regarding Bangladesh will be. We want good relations, in the interest of the people of both countries. But the relationship has to be based on equality, with mutual respect and dignity. If India understands that, it will be good for everyone," Shama Obaed said. Rejecting allegations of militancy in Bangladesh, she said the country has an elected government supported by the people and that such claims have no credibility either domestically or internationally. She also criticised the Awami League's record on democracy and human rights. Shama Obaed said Bangladesh wants stronger relations with India but urged New Delhi to make its position clear over the activities of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leaders from Indian soil, warning that the issue could affect bilateral ties. She said Bangladesh has already conveyed its concerns through an official statement and stressed that India now needs to decide what kind of relationship it seeks with Bangladesh. "You have seen our statement. In the statement, we have said and tried to convey as much as a country can in diplomatic language. And before that, we have repeatedly said that India's position should be clear about what kind of relationship it wants with Bangladesh," the State Minister said. Referring to Sheikh Hasina, Shama Obaed said, "When a convicted criminal sits on Indian soil and says such things, and the Indian government allows it, then, of course, there is concern for Bangladesh and the people of Bangladesh about where our relationship will stand in the future." "Now, when we hear democracy from the mouth of the Awami League, when we hear human rights from the mouth of the Awami League, it becomes a very ridiculous thing," she said, referring to allegations of enforced disappearances and killings during the party's rule. Shama Obaed said the people of Bangladesh remain united against any return of what she termed fascism. Despite the concerns, the State Minister reiterated that Dhaka wants constructive engagement with New Delhi, noting that the two neighbours have a wide range of bilateral issues requiring continued dialogue. "We want our relations... because we have many issues with India, many bilateral issues—water, energy, and the border—that need to be resolved through discussion and dialogue," she said. Shama Obaed, however, emphasised that Bangladesh's relationship with India extends far beyond the current dispute. "A country has many aspects to its relationship with another country. We need to have a lot of dialogue with them, and we need to hold discussions. We have cooperation on energy, we have a major issue with them over water, and there are issues on the border - these have to be resolved through discussions," she said. On Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's possible participation in the BRICS Summit, the State Minister said the country remains interested in the grouping while noting that any decision on the Prime Minister's attendance at a future summit would depend on his schedule. "Bangladesh is currently chairing BIMSTEC. BRICS is a multilateral organisation in which Bangladesh is definitely interested in participating. Whether the Prime Minister will participate in it or not... that decision will have to be taken by him according to his schedule," she said.

The country on Thursday observed the 85th death anniversary of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, with people from all walks of life paying tribute to the literary giant revered as the Bishwakobi (World Poet). Although Tagore died on August 7, 1941, according to the Gregorian calendar, at the age of 80, his death anniversary is traditionally observed on the 22nd of Srabon in the Bengali calendar. Tagore's poetry inspires freedom-loving Bangladeshis: Chief Whip  Various cultural organisations and institutions arranged commemorative events featuring music, recitation, discussions and reflections on Tagore’s life and works. The state-run and private television channels aired special programmes highlighting the poet’s legacy. Born on May 7, 1861 (25th of Baishakh, 1268 in the Bengali calendar) in Jorasanko, Kolkata, Tagore was the youngest of 13 surviving children of Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi. A towering figure in Bengali literature and culture, Tagore composed over 2,000 songs, establishing a unique genre known as “Rabindra Sangeet.” His vast literary contributions include eight novels, 84 short stories, countless poems, plays, and essays over a career spanning nearly seven decades. He founded Visva Bharati University at Santiniketan in 1921, envisioning it as a centre for global learning rooted in Indian traditions. In 1913, Tagore became the first non-European to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature for his English translation of Gitanjali (Song Offerings). Two of his songs became national anthems – “Amar Sonar Bangla” for Bangladesh and “Jana Gana Mana” for India – reflecting his enduring influence across the subcontinent. 

The High Court on Thursday dismissed a writ petition seeking a directive to enact a new law titled the "Prevention and Suppression of Violence Against Men Act." The order was passed by a High Court bench comprising Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury after hearing the petition. The writ was filed in May by Supreme Court lawyer Kazi Eliasur Rahman, founding chairman of Butterfly Human Rights Foundation, along with the organisation's founding member Md Khalilur Rahman. Kazi Eliasur Rahman argued the petition himself. Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal and Deputy Attorney General Md Jasidul Islam Jony represented the state during the hearing. In the petition, the petitioners argued that enacting a "Prevention and Suppression of Violence Against Men Act" would help ensure equality before the law and prevent the alleged misuse of the existing Women and Children Repression Prevention Act against men. The writ sought a rule asking why the government's failure to enact such a law should not be declared illegal and without lawful authority. It also requested a directive compelling the authorities to introduce the proposed legislation to protect men from what the petition described as unnecessary harassment through the alleged misuse of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act and the Dowry Prohibition Act. Pending disposal of the rule, the petition also sought an interim order directing the government to enact the proposed law. The Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and Law Secretary were made respondents in the writ petition.

A Dhaka court has sentenced four former officials of Dhaka Bank Limited to 20 years' imprisonment under three separate charges for forgery, criminal breach of trust and embezzlement in connection with a fraudulent loan case. The verdict was delivered on Thursday by Judge Muhammad Hasanuzzaman of the Special Judge's Court-1 in Dhaka. Tk 37.7mn missing: ACC files case against two Dhaka Bank officials The convicts are Kazi Farid Uddin Ahmed, former Executive Vice President of the bank's Central Accounts and Investment Division; Abu Mohammad Sayeed Khan, former Vice President; and former Senior Principal Officers Prabir Kumar Bhowmik and Shawkat Ali. The court sentenced each of them to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment and fined Tk 50,000 for criminal breach of trust, with an additional six months' imprisonment in default of payment. They were also sentenced to five years' imprisonment and fined Tk 20,000 each for forgery, with an additional three months' imprisonment in default. In addition, the court handed each of them another five-year prison term and fined Tk 25,000 for embezzlement, with a further three months' imprisonment in default of payment. The court ordered that all three sentences would run concurrently, meaning each convict will serve a maximum of 10 years in jail. As Shawkat Ali remains absconding, the court issued an arrest warrant against him. The remaining three convicts were sent to jail after the verdict. According to the prosecution, Mohammad Yusuf Ali opened an account with Dhaka Bank on Nov 4, 2002, and obtained a loan of Tk 17 lakh. He later increased the loan limit to Tk 24 lakh by depositing what were claimed to be 1,000 shares of Confidence Cement and 7,500 shares of Meghna Cement as collateral. Subsequent verification found the share certificates to be forged. Investigators alleged that Yusuf Ali fraudulently obtained and misappropriated the loan using fake shares, while Shawkat Ali assisted him by identifying him during the account-opening process. The case was filed with Motijheel Police Station on May 31, 2008, by Sirajul Haque, then Senior Vice President of Dhaka Bank. The Anti-Corruption Commission initially submitted a charge sheet against Shawkat Ali alone on Dec 14, 2008. Following further investigation, the ACC submitted a fresh charge sheet on Aug 22, 2023, implicating all four former bank officials in the case.

A flash flood triggered by upstream hill runoff and continuous rainfall damaged a regional road in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat district, disrupting communication for around 2,000 families. The Teesta River swelled above the danger level on Wednesday evening, causing a sudden flood that inundated at least six localities in Dahagram Union. However, the water began receding from Thursday morning. According to local residents, the Teesta's water level rose by two to three feet within a few hours due to heavy upstream flows from India, flooding several areas in Wards 1, 2 and 3 under Dahagram Union. The flood submerged around 500 acres of transplanted Aman paddy fields, local people said. However, the Department of Agricultural Extension in Patgram said the crop did not suffer significant damage as the floodwater receded within a few hours. As the floodwater receded on Thursday, the approach roads on both sides of a bridge over the Sakoa River in the Sristiarpar area of Ward No. 1 were damaged. A nearly 20-foot stretch of the regional paved road connecting Sistiarpar with Angarpota and Patgram collapsed, leaving a crater about 10 feet deep, according to locals. The damage has cut off road communication for nearly 2,000 families in Dangapara, Mistripara, Pradhanpara, Olerpar and Sakoapara villages under Wards 2 and 3, causing hardship for residents, including children, elderly people and those with livestock. "Asad Mia, a resident of Ward No. 3, said they found the road washed away on Thursday morning. "It will be impossible to travel unless the road is repaired. There is also a risk of falling into the large crater while trying to cross," he said. Patgram Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tanvir Hossain said he had spoken with the executive engineer of the Roads Department after learning about the road damage. "The Roads Department has assured us that the damaged section will be repaired as soon as possible," he said.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday asked former Army officer Hafizur Rahman to surrender before the court within 24 hours in a case filed with the killing of Cumilla Victory College student Sohagi Jahan Tonu.The Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Md Rezaul Haque passed the order after staying his bail granted by the High Court in the case.The court also asked police to arrest him if he fails to appear before the court within 24 hours.Earlier on August 2, the High Court granted anticipatory bail for six months to Hafizur in the case. Later, he was released from the jail on Tuesday upon bail.The state filed a petition with the Appellate Division seeking a stay on the HC bail order.On April 22, 2026, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) arrested Hafizur, former senior warrant officer of the Bangladesh Army, from Dhaka in connection with the murder case.Tonu, a second-year student of the history department at Victoria College, went missing on March 20, 2016, after leaving for private tuition inside Cumilla Cantonment.Her body was later recovered from a nearby forest area, prompting her father Yar Hossain to file a murder case at Cumilla Kotwali Model Police Station.The case has since seen multiple changes of investigation agencies, moving from local police to the Detective Branch, then Criminal Investigation Department, and later to the PBI, but no breakthrough has been achieved so far.

The investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has submitted a report against eight people, including former Dhaka University (DU) Vice Chancellor Prof ASM Maksud Kamal and former Shahjalal University of Science and Technology teacher Prof Dr Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July 2024 mass uprising. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim confirmed the development on Thursday, saying the investigation agency submitted its report to the Office of the Chief Prosecutor after completing a lengthy investigation in connection with the case. The report is currently under review and will subsequently be submitted to the tribunal as formal charges, he said. Earlier, Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said formal charges would be filed with the tribunal after scrutinising the investigation report. Others named as accused include former Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik, DU Sociology Department teacher Prof AKM Jamal Uddin and former General Secretary of banned Bangladesh Chhatra League Wali Asif Enan. Earlier, during proceedings in a separate case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over the July uprising, the prosecution presented before the tribunal a recorded phone conversation allegedly between Hasina and former DU Vice-Chancellor Maksud Kamal. The prosecution claimed that during the conversation, Hasina expressed a desire to have protesting students hanged.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood on Thursday expressed hope that the gas supply situation will return to normal within the next two to three days as the repair to a floating LNG terminal at Moheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar has completed. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, he said repair works on the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), operated by Excelerate Energy, was completed, paving the way for resumption of gas transmission. Worsening gas shortage threatens exports, disrupts daily life The minister said gas transmission will return to normal soon. “With the beginning of supply, pressure in the transmission network, which has dropped significantly, will gradually improve. We hope to overcome the current crisis,” he said. Asked how long it will take for the situation to return to normal, Mahmood said it will take at least two to three days. “It will take a minimum of two to three days. The situation will return to the level it was before the FSRU went out of operation,” he added. Mahmood acknowledged that the gas shortage has affected electricity generation, resulting in load shedding in different parts of the country. “Naturally, if there is no gas, consumers will not receive it, nor will my power plants. Power stations that have been shut down due to the gas shortage will restart once gas supply resumes,” he said. Responding to a question on criticism over disruptions to gas and electricity services despite praise for the government’s other initiatives, the minister said the mechanical failure was beyond human control. “Was this something within anyone’s control?” he asked. On allegations of unusually high electricity bills, he said consumers often failed to submit their bills for verification despite raising complaints. “When we ask people to bring the bills, they do not bring them,” he said. Mahmood noted that electricity tariffs were increased in June and also pointed out that weather conditions and electricity consumption vary between months. Referring to a recent social media complaint from a journalist who claimed his electricity bill rose from around Tk 3,500 to Tk 7,000, the minister said officials inspected the residence and found that two air conditioners, a refrigerator and several other electrical appliances were regularly in use. “Considering the level of electricity consumption, I do not think such a bill is unusually high,” he said. Mahmood also confirmed holding a routine meeting with the Indian High Commissioner, during which issues of mutual interest between the two neighbouring countries were discussed. He said Bangladesh requested India to increase diesel exports through the existing cross-border pipeline. Asked whether the recent online press conference by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina featured in the discussion with the Indian envoy, the minister said the issue was not discussed and declined to comment further.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested two alleged armed men and seized a rare foreign-made Sterling submachine gun, a foreign-made pistol and 34 rounds of live ammunition in separate raids in Rajbari's Sadar and Goalanda upazilas. The arrested men were identified as Md Momin Molla and Hasan Ali Biswas. RAB said they have links to the banned Sarbahara Party's Manju-Jahangir group. The arrests were made in separate operations conducted by members of RAB-10's CPC-3 Faridpur Camp on Wednesday evening and night, RAB-10 Commanding Officer Additional DIG Md Asaduzzaman told a press conference at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar on Thursday afternoon.  Company Commander of RAB's Faridpur Camp, Major Farhan Mahmud Moktada, was also present. Briefing reporters, the Commanding Officer said, acting on a tip-off, its members conducted the first raid at Mahishkhola Mollabari area under Pachuria Union in Rajbari Sadar around 6:45 pm on Wednesday. Momin Molla was arrested during the operation. RAB recovered a foreign-made Sterling submachine gun, two magazines, 28 rounds of live ammunition and two mobile phones from his possession. Asaduzzaman said Momin Molla is a Saudi Arabia expatriate who returned to Bangladesh about a month ago and was scheduled to fly back to Saudi Arabia on August 13. He added that the recovered Sterling submachine gun is an extremely rare type of firearm. In another operation around 10:15 pm the same day, RAB arrested Hasan Ali Biswas near Jalil Member Bridge in Chhoto Bhakla Union under Goalanda upazila. During the raid, RAB recovered a foreign-made pistol, one magazine, six rounds of live ammunition, several locally made weapons, four mobile phones and Tk 15,300 in cash from his possession. The RAB-10 chief said preliminary interrogation revealed that both arrested men have links to the Sarbahara Party, while Hasan Ali Biswas is associated with the party's Manju-Jahangir group.  He said RAB's drive to arrest the group's leader, Manju-Jahangir, is continuing. He also said local residents had been disturbed by the alleged criminal activities of the arrested men. RAB will seek remand of the accused to identify the source of the weapons, their use and other associates. RAB said cases under the Arms Act are being filed against the two men with the respective police stations and legal action is underway.

The government has decided to increase its strategic food grain reserve to meet the country's growing food demand, strengthen food security and expand social safety net programmes. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee (FPMC) held at the Home Affairs Ministry on Thursday, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Food. The meeting was chaired by Home Minister and FPMC Chairman Salahuddin Ahmed. Under the decision, the government's strategic food grain reserve will be increased from the existing 1.3 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes during normal times and 1.5 million metric tonnes during emergencies and disaster situations. The committee said the decision was made in view of the country's steadily increasing food grain demand, the need to ensure food security, reduce poverty and expand the coverage of social protection programmes. The meeting also approved the implementation of the government's Food-Friendly Programme in the 2026-27 fiscal year, under which 55 lakh poor and ultra-poor rural families will receive 30 kilograms of rice per month at Tk 15 per kilogram for six months. A total of 990,000 metric tonnes of rice will be distributed under the programme during the period. To improve nutrition and address malnutrition, fortified rice enriched with vitamins and minerals will also be distributed in 300 upazilas under the same programme. The committee was informed that the government distributed an average of 3.232 million metric tonnes of food grains annually over the past five fiscal years, while distribution reached 3.508 million metric tonnes in the 2025-26 fiscal year. As government demand for food grains continues to rise, the committee decided to increase the strategic reserve accordingly. To ensure uninterrupted storage and supply of food grains in remote hill districts during natural disasters, emergencies and temporary disruptions to transport networks, new food warehouses will be constructed in all three hill districts. The meeting also decided to increase the country's overall food grain storage capacity by 3 million metric tonnes by 2030. Members of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee and senior officials concerned attended the meeting.

Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday alleged that India is once again using deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a “tool” to influence Bangladesh. He made the remarks while addressing a programme organised by the Shaheed July Smriti Sangsad at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 2nd anniversary of the July uprising. The event included financial assistance for families of those killed in the movement and a remembrance session. Rizvi, also BNP senior joint secretary general, said allowing Hasina to address a press conference on Wednesday was a “planned” move. “The country that claims to be the world's largest democracy has patronised this. Through this, Bangladesh’s sovereignty and independence have been insulted. Permission was deliberately granted to disrespect Bangladesh,” he said. The BNP leader alleged that India previously sought to control Bangladesh through Hasina but is no longer able to do so. “That is why Hasina is once again being used as a tool. The bloodthirsty monster has been driven out of Bangladesh. Now, a question has arisen can a fugitive convict engage in politics from the country where she has taken refuge? India has given her shelter, let her stay there. But from there, audio messages and statements are continuously being sent to create instability inside Bangladesh,” he said. Rizvi further alleged that Hasina was formally allowed to speak on the very date marking her ouster from power. “The Bangladesh government protested this. But the Indian government said it had no connection with the event. However, such a programme cannot be held without government approval. Without a government green signal, how could a fugitive convict and her son hold a press conference?” he said. The BNP leader also claimed that if Hasina returns to Bangladesh, the country will once again witness “bloodshed and she will spare no one.” Referring to the Awami League government, he alleged that there had been no fair justice during Hasina’s tenure. Rizvi claimed that judges who attempted to deliver impartial verdicts risked enforced disappearance or had to flee the country to save their lives.

Police have recovered important evidence in connection with the triple murder in Kachua upazila and are examining the materials as part of their investigation, while suspected perpetrators are being kept under surveillance. Police have deployed several teams to investigate the killings and are using technology to identify clues and uncover the motive behind the murders. However, no one has been arrested so far. The killing of a mother, her son and her elderly mother from a poor family in a remote village has left the local community shocked and grieving. Residents have demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and exemplary punishment. The victims were identified as Monira Begum, 50, her son Ahat Howlader, 25, and Monira’s mother Rashida Begum, 85.

Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities have temporarily suspended an archaeology student over allegations of making derogatory comments on social media about the July 2024 mass uprising and maintaining links with a banned organisation. The university also formed a five-member investigation committee to probe the allegations. The decisions were announced in two separate office orders signed by Acting Registrar Dr ABM Azizur Rahman on Thursday.  According to the suspension order, Sharafat Sharik, a 54th batch (2024-25 academic session) student of the Department of Archaeology and a resident of Sher-e-Bangla A K Fazlul Huq Hall, was temporarily suspended under Section 4(1)(b) of the ‘Jahangirnagar University Students' Discipline Ordinance, 2018’. In a separate order, the university constituted the probe committee to investigate the student's alleged derogatory remarks on the July 2024 mass uprising posted on social media, his alleged links with the banned organisation, identify those involved and establish the facts surrounding the incident. Prof Dr Md Abdul Halim of the Department of Botany will head the committee. The other members are Prof Dr Abu Sayeed Md Mostafizur Rahman of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Prof Dr Md Kamruzzaman of the Department of Zoology and Md Rezaul Alam, System Analyst of the ICT Cell. Associate Prof Dr Abdus Sattar of the Department of Philosophy will serve as the member secretary. The university administration asked the committee to submit its report, along with specific recommendations, within 15 working days.

A trolley driver was killed after his vehicle was hit by a train while crossing rail track in Nachol upazila of Chapainawabganj on Thursday morning. The deceased was identified as Abul Kalam Azad, 35, son of Mohibur Rahman of Bandra village in the upazila. According to police and locals, Azad was returning home from Deopara with a consignment of goats on his trolley. The Khulna-bound Mahananda Express struck the trolley at the Deopara level crossing near Nachol Railway Station around 6:20am, leaving him dead on the spot, said Officer-in-Charge of Nachol Police Station Sukomal Chandra Debnath. He said the Railway Police was carrying out the required legal procedures.

Israeli forces arrested 60 Palestinians, including women and children, during the second day of an ongoing military operation in the Qalandiya refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Prisoner's Society. In a statement, the organisation said those detained were subjected to interrogation as Israeli troops continued raids across the camp. Hamas agrees to disarm under Gaza ceasefire roadmap The group alleged that the operation involved severe beatings, intimidation and the use of restraints as a form of torture. It also claimed that Israeli forces forced residents from their homes and damaged property and personal belongings during the raids. Meanwhile, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said at least 16 Palestinians were injured after being assaulted by Israeli forces during the operation over the past two days. With inputs from Al Jazeera

Following the successful completion of its pilot phase, the government will officially launch the Family Card programme on August 16 in Kishoreganj, aiming to bring around 1.60 crore families under the scheme over the next four years, Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain said on Thursday. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the programme in Latibabad Union in Sadar upazila of the district, after which it will be expanded in phases to all upazilas and unions across the country by the end of October, he told reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on the Family Card programme at the Ministry of Finance. The meeting was chaired by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. The minister said pilot projects were implemented in 56 areas across the country before the programme's nationwide rollout. Minor data collection issues were identified in Jashore and Kalmakanda of Netrokona, but those have since been resolved. The remaining 54 pilot areas were implemented successfully, with the rate of fraudulent cases remaining below 3 percent, he added. Zahid said the Family Card programme is a dynamic social registry-based scheme, allowing beneficiaries' information to be updated regularly in line with changes in their socio-economic conditions. "If a family moves out of poverty or falls back into financial hardship, the registry will be updated accordingly," he said. To ensure transparency and accurate beneficiary selection, public hearings will be held at the union level after data collection, the minister said, adding that the information will be reviewed and updated every month so that eligible families are included while ineligible ones are excluded. No discrimination will be made based on religion, ethnicity or political affiliation, and beneficiaries will be selected solely on eligibility, he said. Zahid said the government's objective is not only to provide financial assistance but also to help beneficiary families become self-reliant. Women in recipient households will be encouraged to use the support for children's education, nutrition and healthcare, as well as income-generating activities such as poultry farming, tree plantation, cottage industries, tailoring and small businesses, he said. "This initiative will strengthen women's economic empowerment while contributing to poverty reduction in rural areas," the minister said. The programme's impact will be monitored regularly through independent evaluations involving the Finance Division, the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), and researchers from local and international universities, he said. Zahid also expressed hope that an initial impact assessment could be conducted within six months of the programme's launch. A three-tier monitoring mechanism has been established to oversee data collection, verification and approval, he said. Separate committees will operate at the union, upazila, district, divisional and national levels, with Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs), Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and the Cabinet Committee supervising implementation at their respective levels. The data will be cross-checked with the Ministry of Finance and other relevant agencies to prevent individuals from receiving multiple social benefits, ensuring transparency, accountability and technology-driven management throughout the programme, said the minister.

Around 36 percent of the total loans disbursed in the country's banking sector are currently non-performing, posing a major risk to the financial sector, Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman said on Thursday. To tackle the crisis, the central bank has adopted an 18-month special action plan aimed at reducing non-performing loans (NPLs) and stabilising the banking sector, he said while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on Bangla QR Code at Dhaka University. Bangladesh Bank cuts repo rate by 50 bps to 9.50% to spur investment, economic recovery The central bank chief stated that around 2 crore depositors were affected due to various irregularities during the tenure of the previous government. He emphasised that there is no alternative to taking strict measures to restore normal operations in the banking sector. Detailing the plan, Mostaqur explained that borrowers will be offered an exit facility through the bullet payment method during the first six months of the programme. Over the following year, necessary measures will be enforced to recover defaulted loans under the proposed Distressed Asset Management Act and the Artha Rin Adalat Act, he said.  The BB governor further announced that a new credit package of Tk 60,000 crore will be introduced starting this September to boost loan flow to the private sector. Additionally, he shared that an initiative will be taken to create 5,000 new entrepreneurs in each upazila of the country to facilitate the rehabilitation and employment of July fighters who participated in the 2024 mass uprising.

The Ministry of Commerce has invited government agencies and stakeholders to submit written feedback by Sunday on a draft "Gold Policy 2018 (Amended) 2026," aimed at transforming the country's gold sector from an informal state into a legal, recognised and accountable business sector. Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir gave the directive on Thursday while chairing a meeting on the draft policy at the ministry's conference room. Gold price jumps by Tk 9,856 per bhori The minister said the gold sector has long played a significant role in the economy but has failed to achieve full institutional shape due to the absence of proper policy and regulatory frameworks, adding that regulatory weaknesses, not businesses alone, should be held responsible for the situation. "We need to fix our mindset. It has not been right for a recognised business sector to remain outside a formal structure for so long. This situation arose because necessary steps were not taken in time. We now want to bring the sector under a legal and institutional framework," the minister said. Noting that the government aims to allow the gold sector to operate like other industrial and business sectors, Muktadir said formalisation would boost employment generation, legal imports, revenue collection, and transparency in gold stocks and transactions, with businesses paying duties and taxes as per rules while the government ensures favourable regulations. Every stage of the purchase, sale and storage of legally imported gold must be brought under accounts, he said, adding that regulators should have regular oversight of how much gold traders hold, how much is sold, and where it is sourced from. Highlighting the economic importance of gold, the minister said one of the primary functions of currency is to preserve value, and gold is similarly recognised internationally as a means of preserving value, with central banks across the world holding significant gold reserves alongside foreign currency. "If $4 billion or $10 billion worth of gold is legally imported into the country and remains here instead of being illegally taken abroad, then value is essentially being preserved within the country," he said. To prevent gold from being smuggled abroad, the minister stressed avoiding an abnormal gap between domestic and international market prices, noting that a significantly lower local price compared to neighbouring or nearby countries creates economic incentives for illegal outflow. He said international gold prices, particularly rates from major trading hubs including Dubai, must be considered while setting customs duties and tax rates. The minister said the policy is not limited to gold imports but also gives serious consideration to the potential for jewellery manufacturing and exports through value addition within the country, adding that allowing raw material imports at minimal and reasonable duties would enable local artisans and entrepreneurs to produce internationally competitive products. He said two aspects need consideration: first, whether gold imported at international prices can be exported after value addition domestically; and second, the significant domestic demand for gold, particularly for weddings and social occasions, which requires the policy to also account for the purchasing power of ordinary consumers. Noting that rising gold prices are putting pressure on common people, the minister said a rational policy and supply system would increase market competition and allow consumers to purchase gold at comparatively fairer prices. Before finalising the draft policy, the ministry will review the policies and regulatory systems of three to four gold jewellery-exporting countries, including India, the minister said, adding that a comparative analysis will be conducted of their import systems, tariff structures, stock management, export facilities and monitoring mechanisms against Bangladesh's proposed policy. He called on the National Board of Revenue (NBR), Bangladesh Bank and other relevant agencies to identify possible questions, risks and implementation-related complexities and submit written opinions accordingly. "It is not the government's intention to push the sector into a new crisis by formulating this policy. Everyone involved here is experienced and aware. We must collectively build a framework that prioritises the country's interest, so that the gold sector becomes legal, transparent and sustainable," the minister said. The meeting was told that after compiling feedback from various stakeholders, another stakeholder meeting would be held if necessary, following which the revised gold policy would be finalised at the earliest. Commerce Secretary Ataur Rahman Khan presided over the meeting, where Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) President Enamul Haque Khan and Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman Mohammad Hasan Arif, among others, spoke. Representatives from the NBR, Bangladesh Bank and other relevant government agencies and the gold sector also shared their views at the meeting.

Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir on Thursday called for a paradigm shift towards a universal social security system, saying Bangladesh needs a stronger and more accountable framework to address poverty, exclusion and fiscal challenges through reforms to the government's Family Card Programme. Titumir made the remarks as chief guest at a high-level roundtable on the future of social protection, jointly organised by the International Growth Centre (IGC) and the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) at a city hotel in Shahbag. PM orders transparent implementation of Family Card programme nationwide The discussion focused on how the government's flagship Family Card Programme can be strengthened to build a more effective and inclusive social protection system, amid plans to raise social protection spending to around 3 percent of GDP by 2030 and eventually expand the programme to as many as 20 million families. "What we want to achieve is a paradigm shift to a universal social security system," Titumir said, urging think tanks and development partners to work closely with the government in designing an accountable and sustainable system.

A Dhaka court on Thursday placed former Joint Secretary Syed Jaglul Pasha on a seven-day remand in a case over the alleged obstruction of then BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's movement by placing sand-laden trucks in front of her Gulshan residence in December 2013. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Didarul Alam passed the order following a remand petition filed by police. Rape, forced abortion case: Expelled Shibir leader Jisan remanded Detective Branch Inspector of Gulshan Zonal team Anwar Hossain, also the investigating officer of the case, produced him before the court with a 10-day remand prayer. Pasha was arrested by detectives of Dhaka Metropolitan Police from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area on Tuesday. Shariful Islam Shaon, joint secretary of Nawab Abdul Latif Hall unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatral Dal in Rajshahi University, filed the case against 111 people, including Pasha, at Gulshan Police Station in October 2024 for obstructing the movement of Khaleda Zia by placing trucks in front of her residence. According to the case statement, Pasha, along with other accused equipped with arms, took position in front of Khaleda Zia’s residence on December 28, 2013. They also physically assaulted leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies. They put up barricades by placing sand-laden trucks and other trucks and used pepper spray to prevent Khaleda Zia from joining a rally on December 29, 2013, leaving the then BNP chairperson along with some leaders and activists injured. Apart from this case, Pasha is also accused of preparing forged documents and giving false testimony in court in connection with the Zia Orphanage Trust case involving Khaleda Zia.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Thursday expressed hope that UNDP and the wider UN system would support Bangladesh in navigating the emerging challenges during the transition period until LDC graduation. He appreciated UNDP's valuable contributions to Bangladesh's development journey. Dr Khalilur noted that UNDP has played a significant role in supporting the country's progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The issues were discussed when Stephen Rodriques, the newly appointed Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to Bangladesh, presented his credentials to Dr Khalilur at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Welcoming Rodriques, the Foreign Minister congratulated him on his appointment and reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to working closely with UNDP in advancing shared development priorities. Rodriques thanked the Foreign Minister for the warm reception and reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to further strengthening its cooperation with the government of Bangladesh.  

A fifth-grade student from Rangpur saw her dream come true on Thursday as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman gifted her a harmonium and invited her to meet him after being touched by a letter she wrote expressing her love for music and inability to afford the instrument. Anushree Roy, a student of Purba Nabanidas Government Primary School in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur, met the Prime Minister at his office in the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat along with her parents, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Md Suzauddhowla (Suzon Mahmood). PM calls for eco-friendly solutions to tackle riverbank erosion The young singer secured first place in patriotic songs and third place in Nazrul Sangeet at the National Primary Education Award-2026 competition. During the National Primary Education Award ceremony held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre on July 15, Anushree handed a letter addressed to the Prime Minister to one of his officials.

Six more children died with measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Thursday, bringing the country’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 860 this year. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), all the latest fatalities were suspected measles deaths. With the latest update, the number of suspected measles deaths has risen to 764, while the number of laboratory-confirmed measles deaths remained unchanged at 96. A total of 733 new suspected measles cases were reported during the 24-hour period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 133,638. Meanwhile, 85 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 16,740. Since March 15 this year, a total of 115,879 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 111,587 have recovered, according to DGHS data.  

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance on Thursday announced a series of long march in  four divisions and a ‘grand rally’ in Dhaka to press for a set of demands including the withdrawal of increased LPG prices, ensuring adequate supplies of gas, electricity, safe drinking water and implementation of the July Charter. Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman announced the programme at a sit-in programme organised by the alliance at Muktangan in the capital. The sit-in was held in protest against what the alliance described as the fuel and gas crisis, “ghost” electricity bills, deteriorating law and order situation, and soaring prices of essential commodities. According to the announced schedule, the programmes will begin with a long march from Dhaka to Chattogram on Sept 5. This will be followed by a long march from Dhaka to Rangpur on Sept 19, from Dhaka to Khulna on Oct 10 and from Dhaka to Sylhet on Oct 24. Besides, a grand rally in Dhaka has been scheduled for Nov 14. Highlighting shortages of gas and electricity, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said every household must receive electricity, gas must be ensured for cooking, sufficient gas should be supplied for transport, and safe drinking water must be made available to people. Criticising the recent increase in LPG prices, he demanded its immediate withdrawal and warned that the relevant offices would be surrounded if the decision is not reversed. “If an artificial gas crisis is created and then used as a pretext to increase prices, it will not be accepted,” he said. The Jamaat chief also said their movement would continue until justice is ensured for those involved in killings, crimes and looting. “Those responsible for oppression, repression and opening fire on innocent people will not be allowed to return and rule Bangladesh again,” he said. About the Rangpur programme, he said meetings would be held at different points along the route to hear public concerns and present the alliance’s demands, with the aim of preparing people for a larger movement. Explaining why the Sylhet programme would be held by rail instead of road, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said ongoing road construction work in the region would cause severe public suffering if hundreds of vehicles join the march. “Considering public inconvenience, we have chosen the railway route,” he said.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at places over Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions during next 24 hours commencing 9 am on Thursday. “Due to active Southwest Monsoon, heavy (44-88mm/24hrs) to very heavy (> 88mm/24hrs) rainfall is likely to occur at places over Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions during next 24 hours,” it said. Due to very heavy rainfall landslide may occur at places over the hilly regions of Chattogram division.