Detectives detained former MP Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmed from the immigration section of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka early Monday morning. Mansur, also ex-vice-president of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU), has been detained for quizzing due to some allegations, said DMP Additional Commissioner and Detective Branch chief Rezaul Karim Mallik. Necessary actions will be taken after the interrogation, he added.

Former Minister for Primary and Mass Education and Awami League lawmaker Mostafizur Rahman Fizar passed away on Sunday night. He was 70. Fizar, also President of the Dinajpur District Awami League, breathed his last around 8pm at the LabAid Hospital in the capital while undergoing cancer treatment for a long time, Kamrul Huda, vice-president of the district Awami League confirmed. He left behind his wife, two daughters and a host of relatives and well wishers to mourn his death.  His first and second namaz-e-janaza will take place at Parbatipur Adarsha College ground at 10:30 AM and Phulbari Government College ground at 11:30 AM, respectively. He will be laid to rest in his family graveyard at Jamgram village after the Zuhr prayers, following his third namaz-e-janaza at 12:00 PM at Rudrani Eidgaon Maidan, as stated by Kamrul Huda. Fizar was elected member of Jatiya Sangsad six consecutive times since 1986 from Dinajpur-5. In the seventh parliament, he served as the chairman of the standing committee on disaster management and relief ministry. He also served as a member of the parliamentary standing committee on public accounts and the communication ministry. Additionally, he was appointed State Minister of Environment and Forest. From July 31, 2009, to November 21, 2013, he held the position of State Minister of Land. Born in 1953, Fizar finished his SSC from the Sujapur High School and HSC in 1970 from Phulbari College. He fought in Sector-7 of the Bangladesh Liberation war in 1971. He completed his bachelor's and master's in law from Rajshahi University in 1977 and 1986 respectively.

The Cyber Security Act will be amended or reformed soon, Adviser on Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Asif Nazrul said on Sunday. He made this announcement during a discussion titled "Right to Information – The Supporting Role of NGOs in Establishing Transparency and Accountable Good Governance," which was jointly organized by the Right to Information Forum and the Foundation for Human Rights at the Bureau of NGO Affairs on Sunday. He emphasized that the Cyber Security Act should not be repealed, as it primarily addresses two types of crimes: "Computer Offences" (crimes committed using computers) and "Speech Offences." While it may be feasible to eliminate the provisions related to "Speech Offences," abolishing the "Computer Offences" section would not be advisable. Commenting on the lack of awareness about the right to information, he said, “This right is not like any other right - all rights would be worthless without the right to information. This right is connected to every other right.” He said, “If the country’s law, justice and governance departments are not in order, then the Information Commission or the Human Rights Commission will not be able to do any work. Those who talk about the right to information should also talk about fair elections. We must speak out against forced disappearances, we must out speak against extrajudicial killings.” Dr. Asif reflected on a time when mentioning the Prime Minister’s name was taboo, stating, "We were told that everything could be discussed except for her name. This is how Sheikh Hasina had become a tyrannical figure. Yet, did we protest? Rarely, with no more than 10 to 12 people showing up. It's crucial that we don’t forget these moments. Protesting is essential during periods of bad governance. We must consistently raise our voices, even if we've made mistakes.” Stating that the previous government had made the judiciary a tool of torture, he said: “They made parliament a forum for looting. We should be vocal about these things.” The meeting, chaired by Md Saidur Rahman, Director General of the NGO Affairs Bureau, also included key figures such as Md Mahmudul Hossain Khan, Cabinet Department Secretary for Coordination and Reforms; Sheesh Haider Chowdhury, Secretary of the Information and Communication Technology Department; Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB; Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of SHUJAN; former Ambassador Humayun Kabir; Md Anwar Hossain, Director of the NGO Affairs Bureau; and Hasibur Rahman, Executive Director of MRDI, among others. Shaheen Anam, Convener of the Right to Information Forum, delivered the keynote speech at the event, while Dr. Ananya Raihan served as the moderator.

A. F. Hassan Ariff, Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD), has revealed that a significant portion of the assets belonging to the Samabaya Bank have been illegally captured. Those who were once associated with the bank have now taken possession of its properties. He further disclosed that 12,000 bhori of gold is missing from the bank, and an investigative committee has been formed. Legal actions are being initiated in this regard. He made these remarks as the chief guest at the 57th Annual Planning Conference of the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) in Cumilla today. During a briefing with journalists, the adviser provided further details. The event was attended by special guests including Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Chairman of the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC), Professor Dr. Tofail Ahmed, a local government expert, and Saif Uddin Ahmed, Director General of BARD. The session was presided over by Mosammat Shahanara Khatun, Secretary of the Rural Development and Cooperative Division under the Ministry of LGED. During his speech, the Advisor emphasized that the cooperative sector has been unable to thrive due to a lack of genuine cooperative spirit among its members. "Many cooperators are only interested in joining committees, but they pay little attention to the actual development of the cooperative sector," he remarked. The conference also featured discussions on BARD’s recent research and initiatives in the field of rural development and cooperatives in Bangladesh. The special guests offered valuable suggestions during their addresses.

Law and Expatriates’ Welfare and Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Sunday said the Cyber Security Act will be amended as parts of it are necessary for tackling the anti -social activities in the virtual world. He said at a views-exchange meeting titled 'Right to Information – The Supporting Role of NGOs in Establishing Transparency and Accountable Good Governance' organised jointly by the Right to Information Forum and the Foundation for Human Rights at the Bureau of NGO Affairs in the city Saying that all rights would be worthless without the right to information, Professor Nazrul said the right is not like any other right. This right is connected to every other right. He also said anti-people laws, including the Cyber Security Act, will be amended very soon. “There is a lack of awareness about rights. Our movement for the right to information has faded. Laws have been enacted but not properly implemented,” Asif said. “The Right to Information Act was formulated during the tenure of the previous government and the Right to Information was also abolished, setting a vile example of anarchy. Arrangements will be made so that these acts are not repeated,” Asif Nazrul said. Mentioning that concealing information is an instrument of repression, he said, “It is not possible to implement any law without fixing the governance, law and judiciary. We must be vocal about democracy, voting rights, and independence of the judiciary.” He said, "If the country's law, justice and governance departments are not in order, then the Information Commission or the Human Rights Commission will not be able to do any work. "Those who talk about the right to information should also talk about fair elections. We must speak out against forced disappearances, we must out speak against extrajudicial killings," he added. Stating that the previous government had made the judiciary a tool of torture, he said: “They made parliament a forum for looting. We should be vocal about these things.” Badiul Alam Majumdar, the chief of the electoral system reform commission, Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh, Executive director of Media Resources Development Initiative ( MRDI) Hasibur and representatives of the NGOs presented their views in the programme. Chief executives of NGOs have unanimously agreed on the need for improving mindsets within authorities and raising public awareness on a mass level to ensure the RTI Act effectively promote transparency, accountability, and good governance at the roundtable. Secretaries of Cabinet Division (Coordination and Reform) Mahbub Hossain Khan and ICT Division attended as special guests at the roundtable while Director General of Non Government Organisation Affairs Bureau Saidur Rahman presided over the session.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, urged all administrative and police officials to take effective measures in ensuring ban on plastic polythene and polypropylene bags. A nationwide crackdown on polythene manufacturers will start from November 1 and all Deputy Commissioners, Deputy Inspector Generals of Police, Police Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Superintendents of Police were asked to take effective measures in this regard. She came up with the urge while speaking at a meeting held on Sunday at the ministry’s conference room. She provided guidance on banning plastic polythene and polypropylene bags during the meeting, where the officials joined online. Syeda Rizwana Hasan announced that from October 1, the operation to stop polythene usage would begin in superstores, followed by 10 markets in Dhaka from November 1. The adviser also called for active involvement in preventing hill cutting, river encroachment, and pollution.   She stressed the harmful impacts of unchecked plastic polythene usage on the environment, explaining that it depletes soil fertility, pollutes rivers and water bodies, and severely affects biodiversity. “Strict actions are necessary at all levels to curb the use of polythene bags,” she said. The adviser requested all administrative and police officials to take appropriate actions within their jurisdictions to stop the production, transportation, and use of polythene bags. She remarked that a coordinated effort by the administration is key to building a polythene-free Bangladesh. The officials present at the meeting committed to supporting the initiative and pledged to raise public awareness and enforce strict regulations in their respective areas.

The interim government will begin selling essential goods at fair prices in industrial areas through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) starting October 1, Labour and Employment Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan said on Sunday. Speaking at an event organized by the Labour Welfare Foundation at the ministry, he said the initiative aims to provide relief to workers struggling with high inflation. The move follows discussions between the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Labour Ministry. The BGMEA had urged the government to sell essential goods at affordable prices to ease ongoing labour unrest in areas such as Ashulia, Tongi, Bypile, and other parts of Gazipur. Workers in these areas have been protesting, demanding increased wages and benefits to cope with rising living costs. The Labour Ministry Secretary, AHM Shafiquzzaman, told UNB that the government plans to gradually extend this fair price initiative to around 40 lakh workers across the country.

Joint forces in a drive arrested 35 people including suspected drug peddler "Picchi Raza" from Geneva Camp in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area on Sunday. According to an ISPR press release, the joint forces comprising RAB, police and army personnel conducted the drive in Geneva Camp and seized arms and drugs. The drive was conducted days after a gunfight between two groups that left a man killed in the Geneva Camp. The seized arms include two pistols, 20 bullets, six axes, 39 knives, 16 sharp weapons, eight machetes, 12 packets of splinters, 53 petrol bombs and 50 helmets. "Pichchi Raza" and his followers were allegedly involved in drug business and a gunfight between two gangs in the Geneva Camp with arms looted from local police on August 5, 2024.  

The government has sought support from the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and other development partners for various ongoing and future programmes, Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with a delegation from the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) at the Finance Division Conference Room in the Bangladesh Secretariat, Dr. Salehuddin outlined the government’s requests for technical and financial assistance. “We have asked for their support in some of our ongoing and future programs. We will formally communicate our needs later, and further discussions will take place,” he said. The government is seeking assistance specifically in areas such as banking sector reforms, recovering laundered money, and tax reforms, including improvements in income tax and VAT collection. The government needs resources to carry out reforms across various economic fronts, Dr. Salehuddin explained.  While IFC support is part of the request, the government is also coordinating with other development partners to avoid duplication. “We will ensure that there is no overlap in the support we seek from different partners,” he added. Dr. Salehuddin stressed that while the government will utilize local resources as much as possible, foreign assistance is crucial in some areas. “In some cases, we need funding from external sources like the IFC, which provides balance of payment support, as well as assistance in revenue and banking reforms,” he said. During the meeting, the government briefed the World Bank and IFC about the steps already taken to implement reforms in banking, revenue, and other sectors. “This was not a technical team, but we discussed our broad objectives and policy perspectives,” Dr. Salehuddin said, noting that the government is taking necessary steps, though reforms will take time to materialize. He added that the World Bank team plans to meet with Bangladesh Bank officials to discuss foreign exchange market issues, banking reforms, and macroeconomic policies. They will also engage with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to support tax reform initiatives. The Adviser mentioned that further discussions will take place during the upcoming Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group in October, where Bangladesh’s policymakers will meet with officials from the lending agencies. World Bank regional vice president for South Asia Martin Raiser, South Asia Regional Director Imdad Fakhoury, World Bank Country Director Abdoulaye Seck and World Bank Operations Manager for Bangladesh Gayle Martin were present among others. Meanwhile, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga recently announced that the global lender would provide $3.5 billion to support Bangladesh’s reform initiatives. Of this, $2 billion will be fresh lending, while $1.5 billion will be repurposed from existing programs. Banga made the announcement during a meeting with Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has designated a 1.5km radius around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as a “Silent Zone” to control noise pollution. The official announcement was made by DNCC Public Relations Officer Mokbul Hossain on Sunday morning.  The designated zone stretches from Scholastica School to Hotel Le Méridien, covering both the northern and southern sides of the airport. This decision aligns with Rule 4 of the Noise Pollution Control Rules, 2006, and aims to reduce noise levels in the vicinity of the airport. The regulation will come into effect starting October 1.