National
President, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Honor Language Heroes on Amar Ekushey
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid heartfelt tributes to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement, commemorating Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day.
Both the Head of State and the Head of Government laid wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city shortly after midnight, marking the solemn occasion.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived at the Shaheed Minar premises seven minutes before midnight, while President Shahabuddin reached the Central Shaheed Minar three minutes before the stroke of midnight.
In a measured pace, the President and the Premier proceeded together to the altar of the Central Shaheed Minar, accompanied by the iconic anthem of Amar Ekushey, “Amar Vaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February… Ami Ki Vulitey Pari?”
President Shahabuddin led by laying the first wreath, followed by the Prime Minister, and they stood in reverent silence, paying homage to the memories of the Language Heroes.
The occasion saw the presence of Speaker, ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, parliament members, chiefs of the three services, senior Awami League leaders, freedom fighters, foreign diplomats, and high civil and military officials.
Following this, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the ruling Bangladesh Awami League, placed another wreath at the Shaheed Minar on behalf of the party, accompanied by cabinet members and senior party leaders.
Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury also paid respects with wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar.
The President, upon arrival at the Shaheed Minar, was received by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor ASM Maksud Kamal.
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, GM Quader, also laid a wreath at the Shaheed Minar.
Later, the Shaheed Minar witnessed wreath-laying by chiefs of the three services, inspector general of police, ambassadors, high commissioners, heads of international organizations, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB), war-wounded freedom fighters, and Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA).
Subsequently, the Shaheed Minar opened to the public, as hundreds walked barefoot with flowers, humming “Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February” to honor the supreme sacrifice of the language heroes in 1952.
Economy
Rain, Gusty Winds Expected Across Bangladesh: Met
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
National
Mild Heat Wave Likely to Ease in Next 24 Hours: Met Office
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Economy
Ex-Ministers Accused in Murders Linked to Anti-Discrimination Protests
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.