The United Kingdom has summoned Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely to protest Israel’s approval of the contentious E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank. Alongside 21 international partners, Britain strongly condemned the move, warning it would constitute a “clear violation of international law” and threaten the viability of a future Palestinian state by splitting it into two. Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently authorized the construction of 3,401 settlement units in Ma’ale Adumim, east of Jerusalem, along with 3,515 more in surrounding areas. Critics say the project is designed to fragment the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem, undermining prospects for a two-state solution.

In a dramatic move, eight leaders of the ruling Awami League from Nonikhir Union, Muksudpur upazila, Gopalganj, have resigned from all party positions. Announcing their decision at a press conference, the leaders said, “We are voluntarily stepping down from all posts in Nonikhir Union Awami League. However, we remain committed to safeguarding the independence, sovereignty, and interests of the people of Bangladesh.” The resigning leaders include: Vice Presidents Monoj Moulik and Kazi Mizanur Rahman, Deputy Publicity Secretary Russell Sheikh, Member Swapon Sheikh, Ward-1 President Md. Nur Alam Mia, Ward-6 Organizing Secretary Subal Roy, Ward-9 Labor Secretary Akkach Chokdar, and Union Volunteer League General Secretary Jalil Kazi. They affirmed that they would continue working for the nation’s welfare beyond partisan interests and declared that they have severed all ties with Awami League, permanently.

The National Consensus Party (NCP) has submitted its formal feedback on the draft July Charter to the National Consensus Commission. The submission came Friday afternoon, following the Commission’s decision to extend the deadline for political parties to provide input. Earlier in the week, BNP and five other parties shared their recommendations, followed by Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday. So far, a total of 11 political parties—including JSD, Khilafat Majlis, and Marxist BSD—have given their opinions on the final draft.

BNP leader Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain has cautioned opposition groups that insisting on a Proportional Representation (PR) voting system could inadvertently strengthen a fallen authoritarian regime if it delays elections. Speaking on Thursday, Zahid questioned whether such parties were “indirectly working in favor of dictatorship.” He urged political unity, saying, “We must resist authoritarianism through politics, not brute force.” He further argued that reforms within BNP had already begun, whereas parties now demanding reform had shown no such initiative in the past.

A devastating fire broke out in a Gandaria residence early Friday after an electrical transformer exploded, leaving three members of the same family critically injured. The victims—Moslem Uddin (65), his wife Salma Begum (50), and their son Mejbah Uddin (28)—were rushed to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Dr. Sultan Mahmud Sikder, acting surgeon at the hospital’s emergency unit, confirmed that Moslem suffered 90% burns, Salma 55%, and Mejbah 100%, including severe damage to their airways. Mejbah has since succumbed to his injuries, while the others remain in critical condition.

The government has formed the Armed Forces Pay Committee 2025 to revise the pay structure for army, navy, and air force personnel. A nine-member committee, led by Lt. Gen. Md. Faizur Rahman, was officially announced on Thursday. Members include Maj. Gen. Md. Nasim Parvez, Rear Admiral Md. Zahir Uddin, Air Vice Marshal Rusad Din Asad, Brig. Gen. Aung Ch Cha Mong, Air Commodore Jamil Uddin Ahmed, Defense Ministry Joint Secretary Milia Sharmin, and Capt. Md. Touhid Sagar. Brig. Gen. Nishadul Islam Khan will serve as member-secretary. The committee has been instructed to submit recommendations by October 31, 2025.

Detectives have arrested Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sachin Moulik in connection with the killing of Golam Nafiz, who was shot dead during the August 4 protests in Dhaka’s Farmgate area. Moulik, a 33rd BCS police cadre officer, was detained Thursday in Mahalchhari, Khagrachhari. He was previously attached to Mahalchhari-6 APBn following July’s uprising but had served as ADC of Tejgaon Zone during the fatal incident. A tribunal had earlier issued an arrest warrant against him after Nafiz’s name became symbolic of the student-led movement. A photograph of the dying Nafiz lying on a rickshaw went viral, making him an icon of the protests. Nafiz was a student at Naval College in Dhaka.

A Dhaka court has acquitted Selim Bhuiyan, BNP’s Organizing Secretary for Comilla Division, in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The case, lodged in June 2019, accused Bhuiyan of concealing assets worth over Tk 10.9 million and possessing unexplained wealth totaling Tk 13.1 million. According to ACC findings, his total assets were valued at Tk 44.3 million. After lengthy hearings, the court ruled in his favor, clearing him of all charges.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a dual message: immediate talks for the release of hostages in Gaza and an official green light for the Israeli military’s plan to seize control of Gaza City—two moves critics describe as contradictory. During a visit to the army’s Gaza Division, Netanyahu said, “I have come to approve the military’s decision to take control of Gaza City and intensify the war against Hamas. At the same time, I am calling for immediate negotiations to secure the release of all hostages and end the war under conditions acceptable to Israel.” He described the conflict as reaching a “decisive stage” and expressed gratitude to both reserve and active-duty soldiers. Stressing that both goals must advance together, he added, “Defeating Hamas and freeing all captives must proceed in parallel.”

Azizur Rahman Bacchu, father of BNP Information Affairs Adviser Mahfuz Alam, has been elected General Secretary of Ichapur Union BNP in Ramganj upazila, Lakshmipur. He secured 266 votes under the “rooster” symbol in Thursday’s election held at Srirampur High School, where 453 members cast their votes. Bacchu previously served as Vice President of the same union committee. In the same election, Md. Oli Ullah was elected as Union BNP President. BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie attended the election as chief guest.

At the India-Russia Business Forum in Moscow, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the urgent need to finalize the long-discussed India-Russia Free Trade Agreement. Calling for greater Russian participation in India’s expanding economy, Jaishankar said, “India is moving rapidly towards urbanization and modernization, creating new demand across sectors. This presents a significant opportunity for Russian companies in our market.” Highlighting areas of collaboration, he noted that Russian firms could play a pivotal role in supplying essential industrial and agricultural goods such as fertilizers and chemicals. He expressed optimism that the free trade deal would help remove existing trade barriers. Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to maintaining oil supplies to India and expanding cooperation in natural gas.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 70 Palestinians were killed and 356 injured in Israeli airstrikes over the past 24 hours. Rescue operations remain hampered, with many victims trapped under rubble and on roads inaccessible to emergency teams. The ministry also said that 18 people were killed and over 117 wounded while attempting to collect humanitarian aid. This brings the total number of Palestinians killed while seeking aid to 2,036 since May 27, with more than 15,064 injured. Additionally, two people died from hunger and malnutrition in the past day, raising the famine-related death toll to 271, including 112 children.

Students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) staged a protest march on Thursday night opposing the seven-point demand raised by diploma engineers. The procession began at the BUET Shaheed Minar and ended after passing through Central Shaheed Minar, TSC, and Doel Chattar. The students alleged that diploma engineers were pushing for the reinstatement of a quota system and promotions from sub-assistant engineer to assistant engineer positions, which they deemed “unreasonable and harmful” to the integrity of the engineering profession. On August 20, diploma engineers and polytechnic teachers had staged a human chain in Dhaka Press Club to press their demands. BUET students warned that meeting such demands could undermine the quality of engineering education and practice in Bangladesh.

United Nations Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews met with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to discuss the human rights situation in Myanmar and the plight of Rohingya refugees. Andrews praised Yunus for prioritizing the Rohingya issue internationally, noting that his initiative has paved the way for an international conference on September 30 at the UN headquarters. Yunus expressed concern over recent cuts in international aid, which have severely affected healthcare and education for Rohingya refugees. He urged Andrews to continue advocacy efforts. Andrews acknowledged challenges, including disinformation campaigns that derailed UN-led repatriation efforts, but reiterated hope for a lasting solution. He is currently in Bangladesh to attend a stakeholder dialogue on Rohingya issues in Cox’s Bazar on August 25.

A 22-year-old man, identified as Mohammad Sayem, was beaten to death by a mob while attempting extortion at the BSCIC Industrial Estate in Cumilla on Thursday evening. Sayem, originally from Rangpur, had lived in Cumilla for years and was reportedly involved in extortion, robbery, and other crimes. Police confirmed that multiple cases and arrest warrants were pending against him. Witnesses said Sayem tried to extort money from Jannat Foods factory workers, who overpowered him and delivered a fatal beating. He was later declared dead at the hospital. Following the incident, Sayem’s associates attacked the factory, but police intervened to restore order.