The home of Zahid Uddin Mahmud Lipton, former chairman of Sonagazi Upazila Parishad and joint general secretary of the banned Feni district Awami League, was set on fire Friday night.

According to reports, assailants poured petrol and ignited the house while the caretaker was away for prayers. Local residents managed to extinguish the fire after nearly an hour. The attack caused damage to furniture, clothes, and parts of the ground-floor drawing room. The assailants also attempted to break the doors on the second floor and set them on fire but failed. Lipton, who has not resided in the house since August 5, 2024, stated that he was not shaken by the attack.

Amartya Roy Jan, the vice-presidential candidate of the “Sompriti’s Oikko” panel, has been removed from the voter and candidate lists for the upcoming JAKSU elections.

According to the election commission’s notification, Jan, a former president of a faction of the Student Union University Council, was deemed ineligible under Clause 4.38 of JAKSU’s constitution. Consequently, his name has been withdrawn from all election-related lists.

BNP leader Aminul Haque has called for a free and fair general election in February with the participation of all political parties.
Addressing a gathering, Haque said citizens have been deprived of their voting rights for 15 years and are now eager to exercise them. He accused some political groups of conspiring to derail the upcoming election and urged them not to obstruct the democratic process.
He pledged that if BNP came to power, it would safeguard fundamental rights, resolve local issues, establish community clinics and maternity hospitals in every ward, and provide free education for low-income families.
Haque also promised job opportunities for educated unemployed youth and expansion of sports to build a healthier, more capable nation.

In a symbolic move, local farmers were the chief guests at a regional screening of “Krishi Kotha,” a documentary based on BNP Acting Chairman Tarek Rahman’s reform agenda in Kapasia.
The film, built around the 27th point of Tarek Rahman’s 31-point reform plan, highlights the struggles, resilience, and neglected role of farmers in nation-building. Directed by BNP leader Habibur Rahman, the documentary portrays farmers as not only food producers but also architects of the state.
Farmers in attendance shared their experiences, challenges, and aspirations, describing the film as deeply moving. The documentary is being screened across districts and upazilas and is expected to reach every upazila before the next national election.

Amir of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Rezaul Karim, has renewed his party’s demand for proportional representation (PR) in national elections, stressing that only such a system can prevent authoritarian rule.
Speaking at a public gathering, Karim said his party has consistently demanded PR-based elections since 2008, alongside legal recognition of the July Charter and restoration of law and order.
He argued that the current system produces “fascists” and leaves 60 percent of the population neglected. By contrast, PR elections would ensure broader representation.
He criticized the Yunus-led government for failing to deliver on its promises of reform, justice, and free elections.

Suspended BNP leader Fazlur Rahman has denounced the exhumation and burning of a body as an “anti-Islamic act,” warning the government not to provoke religious unrest.
He alleged that such incidents were occurring under the current administration, cautioning that faithful Muslims would not tolerate attempts to inflame sectarian tensions.
Fazlu urged devout Muslims to strongly protest and resist such “heinous acts,” adding that Sunnis, who make up the majority of Bangladesh’s Muslim population, are peaceful but uncompromising in defending their faith.

Khelafat Majlis has expressed grave concern and condemnation over the burial and subsequent burning of the body of “Nural Pagla” in Goaland.
Party Secretary-General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad said the deceased was buried in a manner that disregarded Islamic rites, sparking strong protests among local Muslims. He accused the authorities of failing to intervene in time, which allowed miscreants to infiltrate public demonstrations and desecrate the grave by burning the body—an act he described as a “blatant violation of Islam.”
He stressed that no Muslim has the right to bury or burn a body in such a way and condemned those who failed to prevent the incident. He called for stronger and more responsible action from the administration.

The Bangladesh Chhatra Dal (JCD) has expelled a local leader from its Rupsha unit for violating party decisions during the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) elections.
According to a press release, Imtiaz Ali Sujon, member secretary of the East Rupsha unit, was removed from his organizational position after he was caught soliciting votes despite no party directive being issued. The JCD stated that Sujon’s actions tarnished the organization’s image and violated party discipline.
The decision followed the circulation of a viral video showing Sujon calling a voter and requesting support for the JCD panel in the DUCSU polls.

The European Union is set to meet in Washington on September 8 to discuss imposing new sanctions on Russia. Led by EU sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan, the delegation will hold talks at the U.S. Treasury Department on increasing economic pressure against Russia. Officials from the White House, State Department, and U.S. Trade Representative will also participate. The move follows EU President António Costa’s announcement of the U.S. visit. Meanwhile, Putin criticized Western nations for using the Ukraine crisis to manage their own economic challenges.

Jatiya Party chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud has condemned repeated arson attacks on his party offices, calling them part of a broader conspiracy to destabilize Bangladesh.
“This is not just an assault on one party, but on democracy, political tolerance, and the rule of law,” he said, blaming the interim government for failing to maintain order.

He expressed gratitude to the BNP for condemning the attacks, while Jatiya Party Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader decried the burning of prayer rooms and Qurans in the attacks. “As a Muslim, my heart bleeds,” Hawlader said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on aerospace leaders to focus on developing rocket engines for spacecraft launches, stressing the need to preserve Russia’s global standing in space technology. During a visit to Samara after trips to China and Vladivostok, he toured the Kuznetsov Design Bureau plant and highlighted Russia’s ability to innovate despite Western sanctions. Putin noted advances in energy-sector engines and said modernization of the PD–26 aircraft engine could support both military and civilian aviation projects.

Iran will present a draft resolution at the upcoming IAEA General Conference in Vienna, declaring attacks on nuclear facilities unacceptable. Diplomatic sources confirmed Tehran is finalizing the text. Russia’s envoy Mikhail Ulyanov supported the move, criticizing a Wall Street Journal reporter for confusing the IAEA Board of Governors with the General Conference. He said anti-Russian voices should prepare better before commenting. The conference begins on September 15 and will continue for five days.

China marked the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II by unveiling a vast array of new weapons, many shown for the first time. Key highlights include the DF-61 intercontinental missile, DF-17 hypersonic missile, YJ-12 anti-ship cruise missile, J-15T fighter jet, and AI-powered drones. Experts say the arsenal demonstrates nuclear triad strength and rapid growth, signaling deterrence toward the U.S. The Tiananmen Square parade ended with an 80-gun salute and release of 80,000 doves.

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan accused the Awami League of systematically destroying the country’s once-thriving jute industry.
He recalled that late President Ziaur Rahman had introduced the first eight-hour work shifts and worked to modernize mills, but in the past 15 years, the sector has been left in ruins.

Highlighting the closure of historic mills like Ghorashal and Fouji Jute Mills in Narsingdi, Moin said workers are now living in misery. “When BNP returns to power, those responsible for this destruction will be held accountable,” he declared.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has said his party is open to discussions with the government and Election Commission on the Proportional Representation system.
He warned that without elections based on the July Charter, the people would be deprived of a fair outcome. “Repeating failed elections of the past is not an option,” Taher stated.

He stressed that Bangladeshis no longer wish to live under fascism or dictatorship and vowed that the democratic uprising of 2024 would not be allowed to fail.