Bangladesh’s unusually high spectrum fees and taxes are hindering mobile network investment, slowing internet speeds, and delaying 5G expansion, according to a GSMA report. Operators spend 16% of revenues on spectrum—double the global average—while total financial burdens reach 55%, among the world’s highest. The report warns that continuing high prices could worsen connectivity by 2035. It recommends lowering fees, releasing new bands, simplifying taxes, and offering long-term licenses to unlock billions in economic benefits and expand digital inclusion.

Adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan has revealed that he is under pressure to halt existing gas supplies to households.

Speaking to reporters, he said: “There will be no new gas connections for households. In fact, there’s pressure on me to cut the supply that households already receive. But I refuse to do it—if I did, I wouldn’t be able to enter my own home.”

He further clarified that despite global price concerns, the cost of imported LNG will not rise for now. “Earlier, there was a government plan to hike gas and electricity prices every two to three months. But over the past year, we have not increased prices for either electricity or gas,” he added.

Late Wednesday night in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, local criminals opened fire on a police patrol, injuring three officers, including ASI Md. Selim. Two of the injured are in critical condition. The attack occurred near the new connecting bridge at Afzalia Para, where a criminal-extortion gang has been active. Police and RAB launched joint operations, rescuing the injured and recovering several illegal weapons. Authorities continue efforts to apprehend those responsible while the injured receive hospital treatment.

Sudden flash floods triggered by heavy rains in Bali and East Nusa Tenggara provinces have claimed 14 lives, with at least two people still missing. Rivers overflowed, causing severe flooding, landslides, and damage to over 120 areas. More than 500 residents have been evacuated to schools and mosques. Indonesian authorities, led by President Prabowo Subianto, have deployed hundreds of personnel for search, rescue, and relief operations. Denpasar’s mayor has declared a state of emergency.

Contrary to earlier media reports, the wife of former Nepali Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal is alive but in critical condition after being severely burned in an arson attack during protests in Kathmandu.

Rajyalakshmi Chitrakar was trapped inside the family home when demonstrators set it ablaze. While several outlets had prematurely reported her death, corrected statements confirm she survived but with life-threatening injuries as most of her body was burned.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed that the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) and hall union elections were conducted peacefully. The Advisors’ Council expressed gratitude to the Home Affairs Adviser for ensuring a fair and orderly election.

He added that the Chief Adviser emphasized decentralization of local government, strengthening of institutions, and the establishment of an independent police investigation commission.

Other updates included:

The national football team’s return journey from Nepal.

Progress in medical education reforms with 51 initiatives implemented and 246 ongoing.

Tax exemptions granted for seagoing vessels up to 5,000 DWT.

The Foreign Affairs Adviser’s upcoming participation in an OIC meeting on September 15.

A powerful partial monsoon circulation, named Eshan-2, is expected to remain active across several parts of Bangladesh between September 14 and 19.

The monsoon trough currently extends from Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and central Bangladesh to Assam, with a branch stretching into the northern Bay of Bengal. Meteorologists anticipate intensified rainfall in northern Bangladesh even before the system fully sets in.

According to BWOT, Eshan-2 will be most active in Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions. However, its broader effect will also help ease the prevailing sweltering heat across the rest of the country.

Garment workers in Kuril have once again blocked major roads demanding overdue wages and benefits.

Around 500–600 workers from Eurozone Fashion Garments staged a sit-in on Thursday, blocking both incoming and outgoing traffic at Badda’s Kuril intersection. Another 200 workers disrupted traffic on the Dhaka-Uttara-Mymensingh Highway near Airport Road, police confirmed.

Earlier this month, the workers had lifted a similar blockade after being promised payment by September 10. When the pledge went unfulfilled, they returned to the streets.

Students of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU) formed a human chain on Thursday demanding immediate reopening of the campus, justice for recent outsider attacks, and the resumption of academic activities.

The protest took place at Jabbar’s Mor, with students from various faculties participating. They said despite a meeting with university authorities on September 8, where they placed six demands, no decision had yet been announced and no syndicate meeting had been held.

“Prolonged closure is disrupting classes and exams, threatening session jams and academic crises,” the protesters warned, urging swift implementation of their demands.

Mojaharul Islam Mitthu, a contractor notorious for his dealings in the health sector during the Awami League government, has been arrested by DB Gulshan police.

Joint Police Commissioner Rabiul confirmed on Wednesday night that Mitthu faces graft cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). On Thursday, he was handed over to the ACC. The Commission has already approved a case accusing him of amassing illegal wealth worth Tk 76 crore, along with embezzlement and money laundering through syndicates.

In violence-hit Nepal, army helicopters were seen rescuing government ministers and their families on Thursday, with dramatic footage showing them dangling in harnesses as they were airlifted over a hotel in Kathmandu.

The country has been rocked by mass protests led by Gen-Z demonstrators who stormed parliament, torched the house of Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, and attacked the residence of Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel. Videos show Finance Minister Paudel being chased and kicked on the street.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba and her husband, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, also came under attack at their home. Footage showed the former PM bloodied before army personnel rescued him.

Riots spread even to prisons, but the army quickly intervened and relocated inmates. Troops have been patrolling Kathmandu streets, enforcing stay-at-home orders as unrest continues.

For the third consecutive day, locals in Faridpur have blocked major highways protesting the inclusion of Algi and Hamirdi unions under Constituency-2 instead of Constituency-4.

The blockade has disrupted traffic on key routes including Dhaka-Khulna, Dhaka-Barishal, and Jashore-Bhanga-Barishal highways. Protesters set up blockades at eight different points, halting transport across 21 districts.

Yesterday, demonstrators had staged a similar blockade from morning until evening before lifting it.

Consensus Commission Vice-President Dr. Ali Riaz has said Bangladesh’s future trajectory hinges on the success of the ongoing reform process, which requires cooperation from all stakeholders.

Speaking on Thursday, he confirmed that the commission has been holding dialogues with political parties regarding the implementation of the “July National Charter 2025.” He emphasized that the commission will not impose decisions but will base them on consensus.

Dr. Riaz noted that while there were some dissenting opinions, most political parties reached broad agreement. The commission has also consulted experts to refine recommendations.

Charlie Kirk, a close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, was shot dead Wednesday during a student event at the University of Utah.
The 31-year-old activist was addressing students when a sniper opened fire from a nearby rooftop. He was rushed to hospital but later died. Just seconds before the shooting, Kirk had been asked about gun violence in the U.S. A suspect was initially detained but later released. President Biden extended condolences, calling the killing a “tragedy.”

In Nepal, Gen-Z protesters have proposed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as prime minister of an interim government.
The decision was announced after a six-hour virtual meeting on Wednesday, led by the army chief and attended by young activists from across the country. Protesters demanded justice for demonstrators killed on government orders, including the arrest and prosecution of senior leaders. Local media reported that Karki has responded positively to the request to lead an interim administration.