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.

Malaysia’s Immigration Department has announced new regulations targeting travelers who overstay in the country. Foreigners exceeding a 90-day stay will face immediate fines ranging from RM30 per day to RM2,000, depending on the duration. Those overstaying beyond 90 days will be investigated. The move aims to speed up legal processes, reduce court cases, and ease congestion at immigration depots. Between January and August, 35,225 illegal immigrants were detained, with 36,557 repatriated, mostly from Indonesia, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has become Asia’s leading country in non-performing loans (NPLs), with 20.2% of its total loans turning non-performing in 2024, according to the Asian Development Bank. NPLs reached $20.27 billion, a 28% increase from last year, highlighting weaknesses in the banking system. Experts cite lax policies, political influence, and inadequate recovery measures as major causes. ADB warns that global economic and geopolitical risks could worsen the situation, urging stricter laws, market reforms, transparency, and active investor participation.

UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has resigned following a tax investigation into her recent £800,000 apartment purchase in Hove, which revealed an unpaid stamp duty of around £40,000. Though she acted in good faith, the independent inquiry confirmed she breached ministerial ethical standards. Rayner cited personal challenges, including divorce and childcare, in her resignation. Her departure creates a leadership gap in both government and the Labour Party, drawing criticism from opponents and posing challenges for party leader Keir Starmer.

India has witnessed a significant demographic shift over the past five decades, with both birth and death rates halving. The birth rate fell from 36.9 per 1,000 in 1971 to 18.4 in 2023, while the death rate dropped from 14.9 to 6.4. Urbanization, family planning, and female education drove this change, alongside improved healthcare and life expectancy. Infant mortality also declined. Regional disparities remain, but experts say the trend could ease population pressure and boost India’s economic growth through a demographic dividend.

Sonia Gandhi, former Congress president, faces a fresh court case alleging she was registered as a voter before becoming an Indian citizen.

Complainant Vikas Tripathi claims Gandhi appeared on the electoral roll in 1980, though she only received Indian citizenship in 1983. Her name was removed in 1982 but reentered in 1983, according to the complaint.

The BJP argues this raises questions about the legitimacy of Congress leadership, while Congress dismisses the issue as a diversion from pressing concerns such as inflation, unemployment, and agrarian distress. Analysts see the case as part of BJP’s strategy to undermine Congress credibility ahead of elections.