A crucial meeting of the National Consensus Commission, chaired by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, was held to review proposals aimed at implementing the July Charter.

The two-hour-long meeting discussed both the commission’s recommendations and submissions from political parties. Members confirmed that a detailed report would soon be submitted to the interim government. The commission is scheduled to hold further talks with political parties this Sunday.

A six-member subcommittee also presented its recommendations on implementing the July Charter.

Emphasizing the government’s core mandate of reforms, Chief Advisor Yunus said, “The July Charter must be treated with the same seriousness as elections and justice. The upcoming national election in February is not just another poll—it is a foundational election that will shape the future of Bangladesh.” He stressed that essential reforms must be finalized before the February elections, which he described as unavoidable.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has summoned 12 senior officials, including two former commissioners, over allegations of violating rules in the allocation of luxury flats in Dhanmondi.

Among those called for questioning are former ACC Commissioners Mozammel Haque Khan and Zahurul Haque, along with former secretaries Md. Yunusur Rahman and M.A. Kader, who are scheduled to appear on September 17. Former IDRA Chairman Dr. M. Aslam Alam, former secretary Aktari Momtaz, and Md. Sirajul Haque Khan are to appear on September 18. Additionally, former Registrar Aminul Islam, former Director General of Secondary and Higher Education Prof. Nehal Ahmed, former secretaries Md. Anisur Rahman, and former senior secretary S.M. Golam Faruk have been summoned for September 21.

The allegations relate to the 2018 national parliamentary election, where these officials reportedly received luxury flats as rewards for facilitating “daytime voting conducted at night.” The ACC is investigating whether the allocation of these flats breached official policies and ethical guidelines.

The Sylhet Metropolitan Police launched the mobile app ‘GenieA’ to make the city safer, smarter, and more modern. The app provides location sharing, notifications, complaint tracking, and one-click emergency police assistance. Commissioner Abdul Khuddus Chowdhury stated the app aims to build trust between citizens and police and will eventually include features like a help desk for women and children, prevention of child abduction and domestic violence, drone surveillance, legal support, and blockchain-based evidence protection. He emphasized that achieving a safe and modern Sylhet requires citizen participation. Meanwhile, Mohammad Anwarul Haque has been promoted to Sylhet Range DIG.

A court has barred 286 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, from leaving the country over allegations of participating in a “Joy Bangla Brigade” Zoom meeting to overthrow the government and engage in anti-state activities. According to the court’s process server, Enamul Haque, the request for the travel ban was filed by CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Enamul Haque. The court granted the request to prevent individuals in Bangladesh from fleeing and to detain those abroad if they return.

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.