The Financial Times has exposed secret global assets belonging to former Bangladeshi minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, revealing ownership of 482 properties worth $295 million. The Bangladeshi government is reportedly seeking to recover some of these assets. The investigation uncovered that Saifuzzaman owns forest land in Florida, luxury properties in Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa, and significant real estate holdings across London. His portfolio includes:
• 315 properties in the UK
• 142 properties in Dubai
• 16 properties in New York
• 6 properties in Florida
• 3 properties in New Jersey

The report also found that Bangladeshi elites have acquired an estimated $578 million worth of properties in Singapore and Canada, raising further concerns about wealth accumulation abroad.

Local business owners in Tongi, Gazipur, staged a protest on Saturday at 11 AM, blocking the BRT flyover to demand the construction of a Bailey Bridge over the Turag River. The protest caused severe traffic congestion in both directions. After an hour, the blockade was lifted at noon. Among the protesters were leaders from the BNP’s Tongi East unit, including its president, Javed Ahmed Suman. Speakers at the protest highlighted that Tongi Bazaar has been a historic business hub, and the absence of a Bailey Bridge is severely impacting trade and causing financial losses to businesses and the government.

The holy month of Ramadan begins tomorrow. In light of this, metro rail passengers will be allowed to carry up to 250 milliliters of water for iftar throughout the month at station platforms and inside trains. However, authorities have urged passengers to ensure that no water spills on the platform and to dispose of empty bottles in designated dustbins.

According to the official notice, consuming any other food or drink inside metro stations, concourses, or trains will remain strictly prohibited. The metro rail schedule will remain unchanged.

The newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), launched on Friday, has come under controversy for appointing an individual linked to the LGBTQ community. The party, which named Nahid Islam as its convener and formed a 151-member committee, faced criticism after it was revealed that a committee member, Muntasir Mamun, had connections to the LGBTQ community. In response, key organizers Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam distanced themselves from the decision, stating, “As Muslims, we do not support anything that goes against religious values. This was an unintentional mistake.” Social media activist Mahin Sarkar wrote, “Muntasir Bhai helped us arrange safe homes, but I had no knowledge of his activities. By Allah, we do not want homosexuality in Bengal!”

Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has reassured that the Bangladesh-Myanmar border remains secure. “There are no security threats on our borders,” he stated. However, he acknowledged that the Arakan Army currently controls parts of the Bangladesh-Myanmar border region, making it uncertain whether Myanmar or the Arakan Army will have control in the future. “To maintain stability, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is maintaining communication with both sides,” he explained. He also announced the deployment of four additional battalions alongside the existing 64 BGB battalions, strengthening the country’s border security capabilities. The adviser expressed hope that these reinforcements would enhance efforts to curb drug trafficking and smuggling.

Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has stated that a persistent issue within the administration is the tendency to appease members of the political party most likely to come to power. “This happens without any directives from higher authorities or ministries,” he remarked. Addressing concerns about political favoritism in handling criminals, he clarified, “We are not working under any party’s influence but solely for the nation’s welfare. No department has been instructed to show leniency toward any particular political group.” On the Rohingya crisis, he mentioned that communication is ongoing with the Arakan Army, as their presence at the border is disrupting trade.

Following Syed Jamil Ahmed’s resignation, Cultural Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has strongly refuted his claims, calling some of them outright falsehoods.

“Jamil is a talented artist, and I have written extensively in praise of his work,” Farooki stated. “However, being skilled in art and being professionally competent are not the same.”

While expressing his respect for Jamil, Farooki insisted that many of the allegations were not entirely true. “Some of what he said is completely false, and some of it stems from frustration over his inability to manage certain situations,” he added.

Farooki also hinted that he would write a detailed response addressing the allegations in full.

Syed Jamil Ahmed has announced his resignation as the Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, citing bureaucratic complications and interference from the Ministry of Culture and its advisors.

He stated that prolonged bureaucratic delays, the appointment of the academy’s secretary as the focal person—hindering his official responsibilities—the slashing of budgets, the disappearance of important files, and internal disruptions instigated by certain officials all contributed to an environment unsuitable for artistic work. Additionally, he claimed that he faced resistance when attempting to use the term “Adivasi” (Indigenous).

“These issues, along with the activities of corrupt groups within the institution, have forced me to step down,” Jamil said in his resignation statement.

The pro-BNP teachers' organization, "Sada Dal," has strongly condemned the assault on Dhaka University professor Adib Shahriar Zaman. The professor was allegedly beaten by the driver and assistant of a Mirpur Super Link (Route 36) bus.

In a statement, the group expressed deep concern over the incident and solidarity with the victim. They reported that the professor was attacked in front of a large crowd after he protested against prolonged stops for passenger collection, which caused delays for university admission test candidates.

Sada Dal demanded strict legal action against those responsible and urged the university authorities to ensure justice.

Aminul Haque, convener of the BNP’s Dhaka Metropolitan North unit, has claimed that six months after the fall of the authoritarian regime, the country remains in ruins due to 17 years of misrule. He emphasized the need for a people’s government to rebuild state institutions and restore national stability.

"We have repeatedly called for an interim government to undertake crucial state reforms. Only an elected government can establish true democracy in Bangladesh," Haque stated. He urged the authorities to hold elections as soon as possible to pave the way for national reconstruction.

Masud, the alleged mastermind behind the recent attack on police officers and the escape of a detainee, has been arrested in Rajbari. The incident occurred on Friday around 5:30 PM when members of the District Detective Police were assaulted, leading to the escape of a suspect.

According to police sources, Masud is a notorious drug dealer and top-tier criminal. The Additional Superintendent of Police confirmed that Masud orchestrated the attack and has 13 cases filed against him, including charges of murder, arms possession, and drug trafficking. His wife also has five pending cases.

Earlier, police had apprehended Farid Sheikh with 310 yaba pills and four bottles of phensedyl. However, when officers attempted to transport him, his family members—both men and women—launched a coordinated attack, enabling his escape.

The newly established Ukhiya Battalion (64 BGB) of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has officially commenced operations with a flag-raising ceremony. The inauguration took place at the Cox’s Bazar Battalion training ground, with Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury presiding over the event. BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui was also present.

Speaking to reporters, the Home Affairs Advisor highlighted that ongoing conflicts inside Myanmar have heightened tensions along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Establishing a new battalion in the region was a timely necessity. He expressed hope that the battalion would play a crucial role in ensuring public safety and national security.

Malaysia’s Immigration Department has arrested 96 undocumented migrants, including Bangladeshis, during a raid in Selangor. According to an official statement, authorities screened 135 foreigners during the operation, detaining 96 individuals aged between 20 and 69. The arrested individuals include nationals from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Indonesia. The detainees have been placed at the KLIA Immigration Depot for further processing.

A Bangladeshi national, Al-Amin Mia (30), was shot dead by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) near the zero line of the Kasba border in Brahmanbaria on Friday night. According to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) sources, Al-Amin had approached the border at around 9 PM when BSF troops opened fire, leaving him injured. The BSF later took him to Bishalgarh Hospital in India, where he succumbed to his injuries. The BGB has sent a protest letter demanding a flag meeting and the immediate repatriation of Al-Amin’s body.

In Sylhet, street vendors staged a road blockade at Zindabazar from 8 PM to 10 PM on Friday, protesting against alleged extortion by a Jubo Dal leader and the abduction of two fellow vendors. The protest turned violent when police rescued the abducted vendors, as angry demonstrators attacked the officers. Later, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP Secretary Imdad Hossain intervened and announced the suspension of the accused Jubo Dal city unit leader, Joydeep Choudhury Madhab, within 24 hours. Following this assurance, the protesters ended the blockade.