The Election Commission will review the timeframe for holding Union Parishad elections in phases before finalising the election schedule, said Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Thursday. "We'll review requests from different ministries and agencies concerned before finalising the schedule for the Union Parishad elections. But everyone agreed that we need to finish the elections by June 6 next year," he said. The Commissioner made the remarks while briefing reporters after an interministerial preparatory meeting on a parliamentary by-election and local government elections at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city.

Senior representatives from more than 20 ministries and divisions, including the Armed Forces Division, law enforcement and intelligence agencies attended the meeting. Sanaullah said the EC received a number of requests from the participants regarding the timing of the elections. They requested us to consider that the annual examinations in schools will be held throughout November and December next, he said.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sought details of bank accounts, assets and overseas investments of former interim government adviser and National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and his wife. The commission recently wrote to the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) seeking comprehensive information on their financial transactions and wealth, a senior ACC official confirmed today. Signed by ACC Deputy Director and investigating officer Md Zahed Kalam, the letter sought details of all accounts held by the couple with banks and non-bank financial institutions, including active, dormant and closed accounts.

The ACC also sought information on their debit and credit cards, safety deposit lockers, bonds, savings certificates, fixed deposits, DPS accounts and loans. It asked the BFIU to obtain documents related to allegations of land purchases, money laundering and the incorporation of shell companies in Portugal, Australia, Dubai, Singapore and Switzerland. The BFIU was also asked to coordinate with relevant foreign agencies to determine whether the couple holds bank accounts or investments in those countries.

The United Arab Emirates has cancelled the visas of over 4,000 Bangladeshis, leaving many stranded at home after returning on leave, with no explanation as to why they can no longer go back to their jobs and businesses. The government has taken up the matter with the UAE through diplomatic channels and sought a review of the cancellations, while affected Bangladeshis have given the authorities until September 22 to find a solution. For many returnees, the visa cancellations came without warning.

Bangladesh began sending workers to the UAE in 1976. Over the past 50 years, the Middle Eastern country has become one of the major destinations for Bangladeshi expatriates, with more than 12 lakh Bangladeshis now living there. On September 7, State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur said in a Facebook post that his ministry and the foreign ministry were aware that the visas of 4,000 Bangladeshis had been cancelled.

The Special Response Battalion (SRB) formally began its operations as a specialised unit of Bangladesh Police following the publication of the Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act, 2026 in the gazette on Tuesday. SRB Director General Additional Inspector General of Police Md Ahsan Habib Palash gave operational guidelines to its members on Wednesday (Sep. 16) at the SRB headquarters, joining personnel of all battalions nationwide through videoconferencing.

In his address, the DG directed all personnel to ensure the highest level of transparency and accountability in conducting operational activities under the new law and formally announced the SRB's journey. He said changes to the SRB's logo, flag and uniform in line with the new law are underway and will be implemented after government approval. Palash urged every member of the force to ensure public safety and the rule of law through integrity, honesty and patriotism to earn public trust.