BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan has credited late finance minister Saifur Rahman with saving Bangladesh’s economy by introducing the Value Added Tax (VAT).

Speaking at a memorial marking Saifur Rahman’s 16th death anniversary, Moin said, “Today, no government can survive without VAT. Yet the Awami League, then in opposition, bitterly opposed it.”

He praised Saifur Rahman as a visionary economist and skilled manager who not only restructured Bangladesh’s economy but also laid the foundation for long-term financial sustainability.

The Gono Odhikar Parishad staged a solidarity rally demanding a ban on Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance, accusing them of propping up Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule.

At least 30 anti-fascist parties — including BNP, Jamaat, Islami Andolon, NCP, JSD, and Gonosonghoti Andolon — expressed support. Leaders denounced Jatiya Party as an “Indian proxy” conspiring to destabilize the country, and called for cancellation of its registration.

Speakers also demanded punishment for attacks on Nurul Haque Nur and other opposition activists, as well as the Home Adviser’s resignation. Leaders urged opposition groups to strengthen unity against fascism.

Hefazat-e-Islam has denounced the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education’s new recruitment policy that favors music teachers over religious instructors, branding it an “anti-Islamic agenda.”

In a statement, the group warned of street protests if the policy is not withdrawn. Hefazat argued that music is prohibited in Islam and should not be imposed in primary education without Muslim parents’ consent.

The statement further alleged that “NGO-backed conspirators” were exploiting the interim government’s weakness to push “de-Islamization projects,” including LGBT and music curricula, echoing similar agendas from the Awami League era.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdullah Mohammad Taher has announced plans to form a broad coalition of like-minded parties ahead of the next national election, united under the “July spirit.”

He claimed that Islamic parties and scholars across the country are rallying to the cause, predicting the alliance would become more visible as elections near. According to Taher, Jamaat’s popularity is growing while that of its rivals is declining.

“The people want free, fair, and festive elections — not manipulated, imposed ones,” he said, framing the polls as a decisive contest against corruption, foreign dominance, and authoritarianism.

The Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) has demanded the resignation of the Home Adviser, blaming him for failing to prevent the recent attack on party convener Nurul Haque Nur. GOP leaders warned of besieging the Secretariat if their demand is ignored.

Rashed Khan, a senior GOP leader, accused ruling party affiliates of orchestrating the attack and demanded stern action against perpetrators within state agencies. BNP’s Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel also declared Sheikh Hasina’s political chapter “closed,” insisting her allies, including Jatiya Party, must also face justice.

Jamaat leader Shafiqul Islam Masud questioned how authorities that failed to protect Nur could guarantee voters’ safety during upcoming elections.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has hailed Tarique Rahman as the chief architect of the July-August mass movement that, he said, played a pivotal role in ending Sheikh Hasina’s “bloodthirsty fascist rule.”

Speaking to reporters, Rizvi argued that the Awami League had aligned itself with “India-centric politics,” while BNP stood firmly for “Bangladesh’s interests.” He accused pro-government groups of running smear campaigns, tagging and cyberbullying BNP supporters, but vowed that no conspiracy could defeat the people’s will.

Lebanon’s cabinet is meeting to review a military plan to disarm Hezbollah, a move driven by U.S. pressure and intensifying Israeli strikes. The plan stems from a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal aimed at ending over a year of Hezbollah–Israel clashes. Hezbollah rejects the proposal as treasonous and serving foreign interests, with reports suggesting its ministers may boycott the session. Analysts warn of possible ministerial resignations or street protests if the plan proceeds, while Speaker Nabih Berri urges dialogue and consensus.

Authorities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka prevented S.M. Siddiqui, the younger brother of politicians Latif Siddiqui and Kader Siddiqui, from leaving the country for Thailand.

The incident occurred on Friday morning when immigration officials stopped Siddiqui, who was accompanied by his wife. According to airport sources, he was barred from boarding due to an active travel restriction order.

S.M. Siddiqui, a former chairman of Tangail’s Kalihati Upazila Parishad, was subsequently sent back after being detained at immigration.

Police have arrested eight individuals, including former Awami League MP of Nilphamari-3 Saddam Hossain Pavel, for allegedly planning sabotage and funding disruptive activities in Dhaka.

The arrests, made during a DB operation on Thursday night, come amid allegations that the group sought to create instability through flash rallies and other acts of disruption. Official statements confirmed that all arrested have pending cases in various police stations.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Dr. Redwan Ahmed has accused Jamaat-e-Islami of being the only political party that directly collaborated with Pakistan during the Liberation War by forming the Razakar, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams forces.

Speaking at a discussion, Dr. Redwan said, “Even today, there are people in our country who chant slogans for Pakistan. They never wanted Bangladesh’s independence. In 1971, they were Razakars. Jamaat-e-Islami not only sided with the Pakistani occupation forces but also played a central role in forming auxiliary forces. They abducted women, handed them over to Pakistani camps, and provided information about the freedom fighters to the enemy.”

Dr. Redwan further alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami is plotting to derail the upcoming national elections scheduled for February 2026, but such attempts will not succeed. He criticized Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, claiming she scrapped the caretaker government system to cling to power indefinitely, but the people resisted.

“The current government has failed completely in governance,” he added. “Despite that, we are extending our full cooperation so that it can hold a free, fair, and neutral election and transfer power to a government truly elected by the people.”

India will maintain its fuel imports from Russia, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed in an interview. She emphasized that decisions on fuel procurement depend on price, logistics, and national requirements, especially concerning foreign exchange. Fuel accounts for the largest share of India’s import expenditure. Russia’s share in India’s fuel imports has risen from under 1% pre-Ukraine conflict to nearly 40% now. Indian refineries process discounted Russian fuel, while Europe bans Russian crude but imports refined products from India. Sitharaman also noted government support for industries affected by high duties.

The government will train over 150,000 police officers to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful 13th parliamentary election. Deputy Inspector General Kazi Zia Uddin said nine training modules have been prepared in consultation with experts, along with documentaries, audio-visuals, and booklets. Training has already begun with 150 master trainers, and more than 1,200 will be prepared to train others nationwide. Scenario-based exercises will also be conducted at 134 training centers to strengthen election security and maintain law and order.

Israel has temporarily halted its plans to annex parts of the West Bank after a warning from the United Arab Emirates, which cautioned that such a move could violate the Abraham Accords and endanger regional agreements. The Israeli cabinet shifted its focus to the ongoing security situation in Palestinian territories, especially amid possible discussions at the UN on Palestinian state recognition. Analysts suggest that regional and diplomatic pressure has forced Netanyahu to step back, despite his previous opposition to Saudi Arabia’s stance.

Pakistan Peoples Party leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has accused India of violating the Indus Water Treaty and failing to share flood-related data. Speaking from flood-hit Kasur, he demanded India either follow the treaty or return Pakistan’s rivers. Pakistan expressed concern over incomplete data and called on India to comply fully with international law. Tensions escalated earlier this year after fatalities in Jammu and Kashmir, but a U.S.-brokered ceasefire temporarily stabilized the situation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

More than 4,000 scientists, including 14 Nobel laureates and 5 Fields Medalists, have called for urgent measures to stop the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They condemned the denial of medical care, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the artificial food shortage pushing residents toward famine. The statement also urged Hamas to release hostages while highlighting the mass civilian deaths. Addressed to world leaders and the UN, the scientists called on governments and international organizations to take immediate action to prevent further catastrophe.