Remittances surge past $30bn: Can Bangladesh keep hundi out to make growth stick? And for how long will the hundi network remain subdued? Zahid Hussain, former lead economist at the World Bank’s Dhaka office, believes remittance growth “may not slow much” if the current momentum in manpower exports continues. According to him, since the fall of the Awami League–led government, money launderers’ “hundi network isn’t functioning”. Remittance growth in 2021 was 1.46 percent.

ACC brings two charges against former land minister Saifuzzaman over ‘Tk 750mn bribery’The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has brought two charges against former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, accusing him of taking bribes amounting to Tk 750 million from two businesses. The two cases allege that Saifuzzaman received Tk 550 million in bribes from HM Ship Breaking Industries Limited and Tk 200 million from Well Mart Limited (Textile unit). The money was reportedly transferred from Sarwar's loan accounts at UCB to institutions owned by Saifuzzaman, used for loan instalment payments and laundered overseas. On Sunday, a Chattogram court ordered Interpol to issue a red notice for both the former minister and his wife. Saifuzzaman, the son of late Awami League leader Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu and former MP for Chattogram-13, had previously served as state minister and later minister for land.

The Election Commission (EC) has published the process for expatriates to register and vote by postal ballot in parliamentary elections. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed had previously said that an app called “Postal Vote BD” would be launched for expatriate Bangladeshi voters. The EC's website (https://www.ecs.gov.bd/page/process-of-postal-voting-it-supported) outlines the 11 steps of the registration process, from downloading the app to receiving the ballot. The current overseas address must be provided, where the postal ballot paper will be sent. The ballot paper will only have the symbol of the candidate, not their name.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a warning of a low-pressure system forming in the Bay of Bengal, with strong winds and heavy rainfall likely to affect the coastal regions. In response, a local cautionary signal No. 3 warning has been hoisted for four seaports: Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra. In a special weather bulletin issued on Monday, the Met Office reported that the low-pressure system in the northern Bay of Bengal has triggered the formation of clouds, which could bring gusty winds and thunderstorms to the area. Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the northern Bay were advised to stay close to the coast and navigate with caution until instructed otherwise.

The government has published the “Telecommunication Network and Licensing Policy” gazette amid growing opposition from different stakeholders in the sector. The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology issued the gazette on Monday, following objections raised by multiple operators. Earlier, the Advisory Council approved the policy on Sept 4. During a press briefing, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the chief advisor's special assistant on ICT, said the new policy aims to reduce “middlemen” and promote a more competitive environment in the sector.

At least 15 people have been injured in a clash between residents of two neighbourhoods in Pabna’s Bera Upazila. A local BNP office was vandalised and set on fire, while several businesses were looted and multiple houses were attacked. The conflict escalated after a group led by local BNP leader Hasan Ali tried to reclaim the jetty, which was previously controlled by Awami League members. 1 BNP office, and shooting was reported. Bera Municipality BNP President Fazlur Rahman Fakir denied involvement, calling the clash a dispute between extortionists and so-called BNP members.

The Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) authorities have expelled five students and issued warnings to 32 others following a violent clash that occurred seven months ago. The university’s student discipline committee made the decision, handing one a 1-year suspension and the others being expelled for six months. The five students were involved in the Feb 18 incident, which prompted the university to form an inquiry committee six days later, during an emergency Syndicate meeting. The violent clash led to a temporary suspension of 37 students, though those expulsions were rescinded following student protests. This was followed by the removal of the KUET vice-chancellor and pro-vice chancellor on Apr 26 due to the unrest.

The Supreme Court has proposed the establishment of specialised commercial courts nationwide. According to a Supreme Court media statement, the proposal was sent on Monday to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to enhance the investment environment by making it more dynamic and transparent, resolving trade disputes quickly and effectively. It added that the proposal calls for appointing commercial court judges from district judges and for forming a commercial appeal bench in the High Court division by the chief justice. Mediation is made mandatory before filing a case, to settle many disputes out of court and significantly reduce the increasing pressure of cases on the courts. It also highlights the development of infrastructure necessary for the establishment and functioning of commercial courts, training for judges and lawyers, and continuous professional development.

The Election Commission has postponed the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) elections to Oct 16, citing unrest and logistical challenges. The announcement came at 7:30pm on Monday after an emergency meeting. The commission cited two key reasons for the delay: the ongoing “complete shutdown” by university staff and the inability to ensure the participation of sufficient faculty and staff for election duties. The commission said, “Given the current situation, holding the RUCSU elections is not feasible.”The new date aims to allow for better preparations and a peaceful, inclusive election process, it added. The elections, initially scheduled for Sept 25, will now take place on Thursday, Oct 16.

Bangladesh has recorded two more deaths from dengue fever over the past 24 hours, while another 687 people have been hospitalised. According to the health directorate’s bulletin on Monday, one patient died at Barishal Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital, and the other at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. The month of September has seen a notable spike, with 59 deaths reported until Monday, surpassing the previous high of 41 fatalities in July. September has seen the highest number of hospital admissions with 11,033 patients, followed closely by July with 10,684. The health directorate says dengue shock syndrome was the leading cause of death, followed by expanded dengue syndrome.

Bangladesh has recorded two more deaths from dengue fever over the past 24 hours, while another 687 people have been hospitalised. This tally of deaths rose to 181 this year, and the total number of hospitalisations this year to 42,609. The month of September has seen a notable spike, with 59 deaths reported until Monday, surpassing the previous high of 41 fatalities in July. Bangladesh also witnessed deaths from dengue in other months, including 10 in January, three in February, seven in April, three in May, 19 in June, and 39 in August. At present, 2,142 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have rescued 84 people, including women and children, who were gathered together deep in the hills of Teknaf Upazila in Cox's Bazar for trafficking to Malaysia. Three members of the trafficking ring were arrested in the operation and their weapons were seized. The BGB said an international human trafficking ring working in Bangladesh, Myanmar and Malaysia is operating under the protection of some influential locals. 62 TRAFFICKERS ARRESTED IN EIGHT MONTHSSo far this year, the BGB has arrested 62 people suspected of being involved in human trafficking from the Teknaf border area. Two days before that, on Sept 16, the BGB rescued 11 another people, including women and children.

As ex-Janata Bank chief Abul Barkat stands in a prison van, his two daughters call out to him – “Father, father!”His sister-in-law calls out to him as well. Eminent economist Barkat has been sent to jail over a Tk 2.97 billion loan fraud case connected to the AnonTex Group. Central Insurance Deputy Managing Director Md Sainik said, "I come to the court at every scheduled date hearing to see him. However, the disbursement of large sums mainly took place during the period 2013-14, when Barkat, former president of the Bangladesh Economic Association, was the chairman of Janata Bank. It is alleged that Janata Bank, which was once financially stable, became weak under Barakat.

Bangladesh’s Chief of Army Staff Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman has set off for Malaysia to attend the 14th Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference. He left Dhaka for Kuala Lumpur for a four-day trip on Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations said at a press conference. The conference, jointly organised by the US Indo-Pacific Command and the Malaysian Defence Force, will be attended by the chiefs of the land forces of the Indo-Pacific region. "They will discuss ways to strengthen friendship and cooperation, exchange views on common challenges, and take coordinated action in regional crises," the ISPR said. The ISPR expressed its hope that through this visit, the relationship between the Indo-Pacific countries and the Bangladesh Army will be further strengthened and the potential for mutual cooperation will increase.

Traffic congestion was reported across Dhaka from the start of the workday. The downpour triggered waterlogging in Motijheel, Rajarbagh, Green Road, Panthapath, Dhanmondi, Bijoy Sarani, Mirpur No. I reached the office with great difficulty after wading through the water and enduring the traffic jam.”In Motijheel, water kept accumulating in front of the Agrani Bank head office as late as 1:30pm. Md Fazlul Karim, additional deputy commissioner of DMP Traffic Motijheel Division, said flooding at Shantinagar, Rajarbagh Police Lines Gates 1 and 2, the Shahjahanpur intersection and Motijheel caused the delays. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Traffic, Mirpur Division) Deputy Commissioner Gautam Kumar Biswas said breakdowns added to the gridlock.