Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur has said that repatriating laundered money through legal processes could take four to five years. However, overseas assets can be frozen within a year. He added that funds recovered from absconding money launderers will be used for public welfare and poverty alleviation, with a dedicated fund being set up for this purpose. "Everything will be done in accordance with the law," said Mansur. "If necessary, the law will be amended to facilitate this."

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) 2024 quarterly labor force survey, the number of unemployed people in the country has increased by 160,000 compared to 2023. The total now stands at 2.62 million, up from 2.46 million. Male unemployment rose to 1.8 million from 1.64 million, while female unemployment remained unchanged at 820,000. The BBS defines unemployed individuals as those who did not work for at least one hour in the past week but were actively seeking paid work within the last 30 days.

Police have rescued a 65-year-old domestic worker, Mariam Bibi, who had been confined for five years in the Faridpur apartment of one Abdul Kader. She was reportedly subjected to abuse and completely cut off from contact with her family. Her son appealed to the court, which ordered her rescue. Mariam is now under police protection at Kotwali Police Station and will be produced in court on Monday.

A murder suspect named Jewel Khan (27) escaped from police custody while being brought to court in Jessore on Sunday. Jewel is the prime accused in the 2021 killing of an auto-rickshaw driver named Al-Amin in Bagharpara. Jewel and his associates allegedly lured the victim under the pretense of hiring his vehicle before killing him. On December 15, 2021, a RAB special team arrested Jewel and three others. Authorities are currently conducting a manhunt.

Students of Rajshahi University held a human chain protest demanding the announcement of a full election schedule for the RAKSU (Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union), alongside three other demands: publishing the election code of conduct, releasing a draft voter list, and ensuring 100% residential facilities for students. Protester Mehedi Hasan Sojib said although an election commission was formed, no concrete steps have been taken. “The deadlines have passed, yet the authorities have failed to publish even the voter list or code of conduct,” he added.

Pakistan’s Minister for Defence Production, Mohammad Raza Hayat, has reaffirmed that Islamabad will never recognize the occupying Israeli regime. He accused Israel of fueling tensions in South Asia and stressed that the people, government, and armed forces of Pakistan remain steadfast in their support for Kashmir. “We are aware of Israeli attempts, in collaboration with certain countries, to harm Pakistan. But the people of Pakistan will resist all such conspiracies,” he said. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly canceled his Vatican visit due to fears of being arrested.

Election Commissioner Md. Abdur Rahman Mashiud reaffirmed that national elections will be held within the timeframe set by the Chief Adviser—between December this year and June next year. When asked about preparations, he stated, “We are always prepared. As the implementing authority, our readiness is ongoing.”

In a statement, the Local Government Division (LGD) said that protests outside the Nagar Bhaban by a political group have been disrupting official work. The ministry urged protesters not to create public inconvenience over a sub-judice matter. LGD stated that any official decision regarding Ishraque Hossain will be taken based on legal counsel from the Ministry of Law and through due administrative procedures. A writ petition has already been filed in the High Court citing irregularities and requesting that Ishraque be barred from taking oath.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Dr. Mohammad Abdul Momen admitted that corruption persists within the organization. He remarked, “After independence, fake freedom fighters emerged. Now, we see fake coordinators. Let’s begin our anti-corruption drive by addressing these fakes—starting with any bogus ACC chairmen.” He acknowledged that corruption starts with lies and noted that the commission lacks adequate manpower. He emphasized tackling the ‘supply side’ of corruption first—those who offer bribes—before addressing the demand side.

Md. Shahjahan Mia, Additional Secretary in the Local Government Division and current Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Dhaka WASA. Upon receiving the appointment, Shahjahan Mia stated, “I’ve been given the responsibility, and now it’s time to get to work. Once entrusted, there’s no room for negligence, regardless of where the responsibility lies.”

The court has once again postponed the submission deadline for the investigation report into the Bangladesh Bank reserve heist. The new date has been set for July 2. On February 5, 2016, hackers fraudulently transferred $81 million from Bangladesh Bank’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York via SWIFT codes. The stolen funds were later funneled to the Philippines. Investigators believe a local network may have aided the cybercriminals in laundering the money abroad.

The Chattogram Protection Committee held a sit-in protest from 10 AM to 1 PM on Sunday, opposing any plans to hand over management of the Chattogram Port to foreign companies. Speakers called for dismantling syndicates formed under successive Awami League governments and emphasized that while they are not against foreign investment, there is no justification for outsourcing the management of facilities that the country can operate independently. Tarique Rahman also stated that handing over the port is beyond the mandate of an interim government. Several political and religious groups, including Hefazat-e-Islam, Gano Adhikar Parishad, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the 12-party alliance, have also expressed opposition, asserting that such a decision cannot be made unilaterally by the government.

Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud has assured that the upcoming national budget will be responsible and sustainable. “It will not burden the next fiscal year,” he said. While the size of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) has been reduced, allocations will be increased in health and education. Around 2,500 doctors and healthcare workers will be recruited, and operating funds for the health sector will be adjusted accordingly. Provisions for repaying teacher welfare dues and other debts have also been included. The budget aims to control inflation, increase revenue collection, reduce foreign debt, improve implementation capacity, and ensure a sustainable economic framework.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has assured that the investigation into the murder of Dhaka University student Shahriar Alam Samya will be handed over to the Detective Branch (DB). A delegation led by DU Vice Chancellor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan met the adviser at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Following the meeting, Professor Hosne Ara Begum stated that they demanded swift and fair justice. Samya’s friend, SS Nahin Islam, said they had given Shahbagh police a 48-hour deadline but saw no significant progress. The adviser assured them that the DB would take over the investigation and that a special tribunal would be set up for trial.

The UN Human Rights Office has launched an investigation into allegations that Indian authorities forcibly deported around 40 Rohingya refugees into the sea. Reports say the refugees were blindfolded and transported to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where they were put on an Indian Navy ship and forced to swim to an island inside Myanmar’s maritime border. The UN further alleges that approximately 100 Rohingyas were moved from a detention center in Assam to an undisclosed location near the Bangladesh border. The UN stressed that any forced repatriation of refugees must stop immediately and has appointed a special expert to lead the investigation.