Bangladesh’s Internal Resources Division under the Finance Ministry has issued a notification exempting gross receipts of up to Tk2 crore from turnover tax for most sectors. The notification, issued by acting IRD secretary and acting NBR chairman Ahsan Habib by order of the President, was published as a gazette on Monday.

The revised rates exclude manufacturers of cigarettes, bidis, chewing tobacco, smokeless tobacco, gul and other tobacco products, as well as carbonated beverage and sweetened drink producers, mobile phone operators and NTTN. For other sectors, gross receipts above Tk2 crore and up to Tk4 crore will face a minimum turnover tax rate of 0.5 percent.

Businesses with gross receipts above Tk4 crore will pay turnover tax at 1 percent. The Finance Act, 2026 had previously set the turnover tax rate at 1 percent, raising concerns of a substantial tax burden. The government has therefore moved away from its earlier position. Turnover tax is charged on a business’s total annual sales or transactions and must be paid even when there is no profit.

A commentary attributed to Turkish journalist, researcher and academic Ardan Zenturk examines the “Mecca Pact,” described as a joint defence agreement signed in Mecca on 7 August by Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. It says the alliance remains open to additional members and portrays Bangladesh as among the Muslim-majority countries that responded positively soon after its announcement. The article argues that Bangladesh may view joining the pact as a starting point for redefining its geopolitical position.

The article says Turkey has supported Egypt’s potential accession and that trilateral discussions have taken place, while noting Egypt’s economic ties with the United Arab Emirates could delay such a move. It presents Saudi Arabia as important to Bangladesh for manpower, the economy, energy security and religious reasons. Turkey is described as a potential supplier of modern defence equipment, while Pakistan-Bangladesh trade, diplomatic and military contacts are said to have expanded after August 2024.

The commentary contends that closer Bangladesh ties with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey would concern India, Israel and a US-centred strategic axis. It also notes China’s deep involvement in Bangladesh’s defence and infrastructure sectors. The author cautions that not all expectations may be realised, but argues membership in the pact could place Bangladesh in a substantially different geopolitical position.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Jahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday that buying J-10 fighter jets from China is part of the government’s specific plan to acquire modern multirole aircraft. Speaking at a Secretariat press briefing on progress in government activities, he said options from the United States, Europe and China had been considered, with the Chinese option appearing comparatively advantageous for Bangladesh.

He said aircraft with similar capabilities could be bought at much lower cost, potentially less than half and close to one-third of the cost of alternatives from the United States and Europe. He also said the Bangladesh Air Force has only a small number of MiG-29 aircraft, which are not fully operational, while its F-7 fighters are very old.

Rahman said the purchase of modern multirole fighters is included in the Forces Goal and was not a sudden decision. He said the government would remain alert to corruption allegations, citing past allegations and cases surrounding MiG-29 purchases. On a question about a reported new Boeing agreement with the United States, he said the government had not announced anything and would disclose any such agreement.

Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator and freedom fighter Md Abdus Salam said eviction drives against businesses occupying sidewalks will continue, with legal action and possible arrests for those who return after removal. He made the remarks on Tuesday, September 1, during an operation from Bakshibazar to Chankharpul in the capital.

The operation was part of DSCC activities on cleanliness, revenue collection and mosquito control. Salam said most people would initially receive warnings and time to comply. If they fail to clean their premises or do not remain in accordance with legal requirements within that period, the corporation will be compelled to take legal measures.

Authorities will instruct relevant people to keep roads and sidewalks clean along the Bakshibazar-Chankharpul route and ask sidewalk businesses to leave those spaces. Businesses without trade licences will be requested to obtain them, while those with unrenewed licences will be asked to renew them. Salam said the corporation does not want to take action if people voluntarily follow the law, and sought residents’ cooperation as mosquito control, health and sanitation staff work in the area.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a courtesy meeting with Inter-Parliamentary Union Secretary Anda Philip on Tuesday afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat in the capital. Philip praised Rahman’s leadership and said his regular attendance at National Parliament sessions conveyed a strong commitment to parliamentary democracy.

Rahman said the country had restored democracy after a long struggle and that the February 12 election had helped facilitate a democratic path. He said the government was committed to protecting every citizen’s constitutional rights and ensuring essential public services. He also described women’s empowerment as a government priority.

Philip said he had read the BNP election manifesto and praised its education initiatives and community-based programmes. He expressed interest in stronger experience-sharing and cooperation between the IPU and Bangladesh’s National Parliament. Philip hoped the Speaker’s participation in the IPU’s 153rd Assembly in Tanzania would deepen ties. Rahman said the government planned free education for women through honours level, stipends for female students, and a Family Card project aimed at women’s financial independence and greater household decision-making participation.

QatarEnergy will be unable to supply liquefied natural gas to Bangladesh beyond September because shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted. The company has extended force majeure relief from its contractual obligations for Bangladesh, citing circumstances beyond its control, according to Doha News reports based on Bloomberg and Reuters. Pakistan has also been informed that LNG cargoes will be cancelled through October, while several European buyers received similar notices.

Italy’s energy company Edison said on Friday that QatarEnergy had notified it of the suspension of five additional LNG cargoes. Those shipments had been scheduled to arrive at Italy’s Adriatic LNG terminal between late September and early November. QatarEnergy suspended LNG operations and declared force majeure on March 4 after war began between the United States and Iran.

The suspension has been repeatedly extended as navigation conditions in the Strait of Hormuz have not improved. A missile strike damaged infrastructure at QatarEnergy’s Ras Laffan facility in March, cutting Qatar’s LNG export capacity by 17%, according to Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi. ICC data cited by Euronews showed Qatar exported 18 LNG cargoes during the war’s first six months, compared with 509 a year earlier.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed said Bangladesh will follow a “Bangladesh First” policy regarding the Mecca Pact and will make a decision after reviewing the matter. She said the government would not take any decision that could harm the country. Obaed made the remarks on Tuesday at about 11:30am while responding to journalists after a meeting with the Inter-Parliamentary Union secretary general.

Addressing Bangladesh’s political situation, the state minister said parliamentary democracy has returned to the country. She said the IPU secretary general’s visit to Bangladesh would help further strengthen the country’s democratic system.

Obaed also said the Inter-Parliamentary Union views Bangladesh’s young members of parliament positively. The source did not provide details of the review process for the Mecca Pact, the timing of a decision, or further information about the meeting with the IPU secretary general.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Dr. Jahed Ur Rahman has urged people not to disclose the names of suspected individuals in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi. Speaking at a weekly briefing at the Information Department conference centre in the Secretariat on Tuesday at 11am, he said naming people could influence the investigation and judicial process in the sensitive case.

He made the remarks in response to a question after the chief prosecutor said information had been received about the possible involvement of a cultural activist. Jahed said various names were being speculated about following that statement, but he personally believed no one’s name should be made public at this stage of the investigation.

The adviser said the state would conduct a formal investigation and details should be discussed only if allegations or charges are brought against someone. Preliminary information about a person’s possible involvement should not lead to them being labelled a criminal, he said. Political or social disagreements, including activity during Sheikh Hasina’s rule, should not be linked to the criminal case without proof, he added.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue said on Tuesday, September 1, that customs intelligence officers found dismantled parts of three luxury vehicles in a container imported from Japan as “Used Spare Parts.” The shipment contained components of a Lexus LX 600, Lexus SC 430 and BMW M5, along with a Honda B18C Type R engine, Front Half/Half-cut units, tyres and other vehicle parts.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate identified the shipment after receiving confidential information, according to the NBR. Preliminary information indicates that no bill of entry was submitted for nearly a month after the container reached the port. An attempt was later made to clear the consignment through an auction process, but customs intelligence officers stopped it.

Officials are examining whether the recovered vehicle components possess the “Essential Character” of complete vehicles and are also verifying the other parts. The shipment’s estimated combined market value is between Tk9.5 crore and Tk12 crore. Authorities are reviewing its import value, payment information, commercial documents and transaction pattern, including any possible links to money laundering. An investigation is also under way into those involved.

Adabor police arrested six alleged members of a robbery gang in separate operations in Dhaka’s Adabor area on Tuesday, September 1. Five people were detained during a raid at a rickshaw garage in Prem Goli near the bridge at the head of Shekhertek Road No. 7, while another suspect was arrested behind Akand Garments Goli in Sunibir Housing. Police recovered four machetes in total.

The five arrested in the first operation were identified as Mirajul Islam, 25, Md Nihad, 20, Md Sheikh Bacchu, 35, Md Faridul Islam, 19, and Md Tamim, 19. Police said Mirajul is named in seven cases. The sixth detainee, Hridoy, also known as TikTok Hridoy, 25, is named in 10 case complaints and has two arrest warrants, according to police.

Police alleged that the group robbed people of cash and mobile phones by threatening them with machetes in Shekhertek, Baitul Aman Housing and Beribadh areas. They are also accused of stealing air-conditioner pipes, electrical wires and rickshaws from garages for ransom. Adabor police station Officer-in-Charge Md Jahidul Islam and Sub-Inspector Tarun led the operations.

Former Indian Lieutenant General Prakash Chandra Katoch has urged Delhi to rebuild trust with Bangladesh through economic diplomacy, water-sharing, border management and greater people-to-people contact. In an analysis published by South Asia Monitor on August 29, 2026, he argued that deteriorating Bangladesh-India relations could create long-term security and geopolitical risks for India.

Katoch identified Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India after her August 2024 removal from power and Bangladesh’s extradition request as a major bilateral obstacle. He also cited the unresolved Teesta water-sharing agreement, the expected expiry of the 1996 Ganges water treaty late in 2026, border disputes, and trade barriers. Bilateral trade is about $13 billion, but customs delays, transit fees, bureaucracy and non-tariff barriers constrain its potential.

The article proposed regular ministerial meetings of the Joint Rivers Commission, an interim data-based Teesta arrangement, advance flood and river-release information sharing, and regular local BSF-BGB meetings. It also recommended expanding border markets, restarting CEPA talks, easing medical and student visas, and increasing track-two dialogue. The source notes that Katoch’s assessments reflect an Indian security perspective and personal opinion.

A 45-year-old man died after being electrocuted while allegedly attempting to steal a tube-well motor in Loknathpur West Para of Damurhuda upazila, Chuadanga, early Tuesday. The incident occurred at the home of Keramat Ali. The deceased was identified as Shafiqul Islam Karun, son of Sirajul Islam of Shantipara in Darshana.

According to local sources, Karun entered Keramat Ali’s house during the night with the intention of stealing the tube-well motor. He was electrocuted while trying to disconnect the motor’s electrical connection and died at the scene. Family members found his body near the tube-well at dawn.

As news of the incident spread, local residents gathered at the location. Damurhuda Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mesbah Uddin said police had been sent to the scene after receiving information. The body was being recovered and necessary legal procedures for a post-mortem examination were under way.

A Dhaka court has postponed the verdict in a corruption case over alleged irregularities in the construction of the collapsed Rana Plaza building in Savar. On Tuesday morning, the court of Dhaka Divisional Special Judge B M Tarikul Kabir set October 6 for further arguments against owner Sohel Rana and seven others, according to court bench assistant Ariful Islam.

Rana was brought to court from prison, where he is held in a murder case, although he is on bail in this case. Two accused, Mahbubur Rahman and Farzana Islam, have remained fugitives since the beginning, while the other accused attended court on bail. Rana’s father Abdul Khaleque and mother Morzina Khatun Begum died during the trial and were discharged from the case.

The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case against 17 people on June 15, 2014, alleging construction outside the approved design. Investigators later included Rana after finding he was the building’s principal supervisor. The trial began after charges were framed on May 21, 2017, and 19 of 20 witnesses testified. Rana Plaza collapsed on April 24, 2013, killing 1,136 people and injuring more than 1,500.

A purported trade fair has been operating on the runway of the inactive Cumilla airport, despite residents’ longstanding demand for the airport to be reopened. Local businessman Amir Hossain arranged the event for two months from August 16, according to the report. His associates Badal and Billal Hossain were also named in connection with local supervision of the fair.

Visitors are alleged to be buying entry coupons that offer a chance to win prizes through a lottery. The lottery activity was initially halted but resumed from last Friday, the report said. Various rides and temporary structures have been built on the runway. Amir Hossain said stalls had been set up to sell domestic and foreign products and denied that any illegal activity was taking place.

Cumilla-6 MP Monirul Haque Chowdhury said 10 local BNP leaders had sought his approval for the fair, but he did not grant permission. Cumilla City Corporation administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu said no permission had been obtained from the corporation and it did not know who was organizing the event. Police Superintendent Md Anisuzzaman said no application for permission had reached his office.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Jahed Ur Rahman said the government is trying to reduce load shedding with the highest priority despite the country facing various crises. He made the remarks at a regular press briefing in the Secretariat at about 11:15am on Tuesday, held to provide information on the government’s recent activities.

Ur Rahman said that in the past, electricity supply was ensured in Dhaka while rural areas experienced greater load shedding. The current government, however, has decided that the burden of the crisis should be shared by everyone.

He also said data would be released on the actual level of load shedding during periods when uninterrupted electricity supply was claimed under the previous Awami League government and the interim government. He said he was working on the data and hoped to provide it to journalists next week, including figures on how much load shedding occurred and its megawatt level.