Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Commander Mahiuddin Ahmed revealed that numerous Bangladeshi boats are “mysteriously” crossing into Myanmar’s waters.
He said BGB is deploying radars, drones, night-vision devices, and modern technology to monitor the border. According to BGB, the Naf River and coastal routes via Maheshkhali, Kutubdia, Banshkhali, Anwara, and Kuakata are now prime drug-smuggling corridors, accounting for 80% of cross-border narcotics trafficking. In the last two months alone, authorities have seized over 2.8 million yaba pills, nearly 1 kg of crystal meth, and other drugs worth Tk 88 crore. Additionally, 22 illegal firearms were recovered, all sourced from Myanmar.
Since December, the Arakan Army has abducted 228 Bangladeshi fishermen; 124 have been rescued, but 104 remain captive, along with 12 trawlers.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen informed Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam that a technical delegation from China will soon visit Bangladesh regarding the Teesta project.
Earlier, Adviser Rizwana Hasan suggested that work on the project could begin by January. Bangladesh has sought a loan of Tk 55,000 crore from China for the project. The interim government has expressed willingness to sign an implementation agreement. China also invited Bangladesh to join its Global Governance Initiative, which Dhaka has taken note of. The Teesta project gained momentum after Yunus’s March visit to Beijing. Meanwhile, India has also expressed interest in investing in the project.

The tenure of the National Consensus Commission, led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has been extended by one month.
A gazette issued under presidential order, signed by the Cabinet Secretary, stated that the commission—originally formed on February 12, 2025—will now remain active until October 15, 2025. The order took immediate effect.

At least 428 people were killed and 791 injured in road accidents across Bangladesh in August, according to a report published by the Road Safety Foundation on Monday. Additionally, 23 people died in waterway accidents and 31 in railway track incidents, bringing the total number of fatalities to 482.
Among the road accident victims, 132 were killed in motorcycle crashes. The overall toll includes 68 women and 34 children. Victims also include 30 bus passengers, 27 from trucks and covered vans, 21 from private cars and ambulances, 97 three-wheeler passengers, 33 from locally made vehicles, and 5 cyclists.
Regionally, Dhaka Division recorded the highest casualties with 117 deaths, while Barishal saw the lowest at 16. Dhaka district alone reported 32 deaths from 37 road accidents.

Additional Assistant Tax Commissioner of Faridpur, Masudur Rahman, has been temporarily suspended on allegations of facilitating massive state revenue losses in exchange for financial benefits.
According to an official gazette, departmental proceedings have been initiated against him. The suspension was enforced under Rule 12 of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018. During suspension, Rahman will receive subsistence allowance as per regulations.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called on citizens to remain vigilant during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations.
Speaking on Monday at a meeting with leaders of various Puja Celebration Committees in Jamuna, Yunus emphasized that no scope should be left for conspiracies around the religious festival. He also inquired about preparations and overall arrangements. Hindu community leaders invited him to visit the Puja mandaps, noting that this year over 1,000 new mandaps have been added compared to last year. Nationwide preparations are in full swing, with government agencies extending support. Community leaders expressed hope that, with everyone’s cooperation, this year’s festivities will be celebrated peacefully, just like the last.

Private primary school teachers excluded from the government’s nationalization process faced police water cannons and sound grenades while marching toward the Jamuna River. Forced to retreat, they regrouped near the National Press Club.
Since morning, around a thousand teachers gathered under the banner of the “Bangladesh Private Primary School General Teachers’ Unity Council.” They demanded urgent nationalization of over 5,000 excluded schools, as per the consultation committee’s recommendations. While 30,000 schools were nationalized in January 2013, nearly 5,000 were left out allegedly for political reasons. Despite a letter sent by the Chief Adviser’s office to the ministry in February, no progress has been made, protesters said.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali has urged police officers to maintain the highest level of neutrality during the upcoming general election. Citing the recently held DUCSU elections as an example of fair practice, he emphasized the importance of collective efforts in ensuring free and credible polls.
He warned against activities of banned organizations, stressing vigilance and strict action against those disrupting law and order. With Durga Puja ahead, he directed preparations for smooth celebrations. Additional Commissioner (Administration) Md. Sarwar highlighted DMP’s modernization drive, including video-based prosecution of traffic violations. At the monthly crime review meeting, outstanding officers were recognized with awards.

BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) has terminated the employment of Rakibul Mobin, a staff member, after he made offensive remarks on social media about newly elected female representatives of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU).

The move followed a formal complaint lodged by newly elected DUCSU Law and Human Rights Secretary Shakhawat Zakaria last Thursday.

In a statement, BIGD said: “Rakibul’s personal comments in no way reflect the values, standards, or institutional stance of BIGD. We strongly condemn any disrespectful or discriminatory remarks based on gender, religion, political affiliation, or any other identity.”

It was revealed that Rakibul had shared a photo of the victorious DUCSU women leaders and referred to them as “house slaves.”

Economic Adviser Farida Akhter has announced that Bangladesh will export 1,200 metric tons of hilsa to India this year on the occasion of Durga Puja—less than half of last year’s volume.

She clarified that the decision was made not under pressure, but out of goodwill in response to India’s request. Additionally, in response to demands from expatriate communities, Bangladesh has approved the export of 11,000 metric tons of hilsa to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.

Farida noted that hilsa production has dropped this year due to the killing of juvenile fish (jatka), leading to tighter supplies in domestic markets. To ease prices, the government will soon initiate sales of hilsa at affordable rates in selected areas.

She also highlighted ongoing efforts to eradicate LSD (Lumpy Skin Disease) in livestock, with vaccination drives now covering districts including Sirajganj, Pabna, and Manikganj.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has expressed Bangladesh’s readiness to increase imports from the United States, hoping the move will pave the way for expanded duty-free access.

During a meeting with Brendan Lynch, US Deputy Assistant Trade Representative, Yunus highlighted Bangladesh’s interest in importing more American agricultural products, including cotton and soybeans. The two sides also discussed strategies to reduce the trade imbalance, strengthen energy cooperation, increase LPG imports, potential aircraft purchases, narcotics control, and the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis.

“Bangladesh is prepared to increase imports from the US. We hope this will help us secure more tariff concessions,” Yunus said after the meeting.

Bangladesh will not form an independent statistics commission but instead a seven-member Statistics Council to ensure transparency and accountability in data management, according to a draft report submitted to the Planning Adviser.

The report recommends renaming the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) to Statistics Bangladesh (STAT), with its head designated as Chief Statistician.

The council will oversee appointments, cadre recruitment, and audit processes, led by the Planning Adviser. Amendments to the Statistics Act 2013, expansion into 16 branches, and creation of 437 new upazila-level posts have been proposed.

Taskforce chief Hossain Zillur Rahman noted that implementing these recommendations would bring about “major institutional reforms.” The report also urged a Tk 50 crore budget allocation to strengthen BBS’s autonomy.

The Election Commission (EC) has started purchasing and distributing materials for the upcoming national elections, with supplies already arriving at EC headquarters.

Deputy Secretary Rashedul Islam confirmed that items such as red cloth seals, transparent ballot box locks, official seals, marking stamps, and large and small hessian bags are being delivered in phases. The full supply is expected by September 30.

According to EC officials, most materials are centrally distributed, though returning officers may source some items locally. Once the election schedule is declared, materials will be dispatched step by step to regional, district, and upazila offices — with ballot papers and sensitive items sent under tight security just before polling.

Adviser Asif Mahmud has announced that 12,877 individuals from families of those injured or killed in the July 2024 mass uprising will receive training and employment opportunities.

He said the uprising opened a historic chance to build a “new Bangladesh” founded on equality, justice, dignity, democracy, and prosperity — with the youth as the driving force.

The government will soon launch the “ARN Project,” providing training to around 900,000 young men, women, and entrepreneurs. A “Youth Entrepreneurship Policy 2025” has also been drafted. On the occasion, three individuals were honored for their contributions to youth development and employment generation.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva is set to hold a virtual meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser tomorrow evening to discuss future cooperation.

Bangladesh is currently under a $5.5 billion IMF loan program, with five installments already disbursed. In June, the IMF approved an additional $800 million for the country.

Earlier, the Chief Adviser had sent a letter thanking the IMF for supporting reform initiatives. In response, Georgieva pledged continued assistance for Bangladesh’s development. The IMF’s executive board first approved the $4.7 billion loan package on January 30, 2023.