The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested Matiur Rahman, a key ringleader in the leak of questions from the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) Thana Assistant Education Officer recruitment exam.

Additional DIG Md. Zahidul Islam confirmed the arrest, stating that Rahman collected large sums via mobile banking and supplied questions disguised as “suggestions” on social media, tarnishing the reputation of the constitutional body. Buyers received leaked questions through private inbox messages and courier services.

Investigators tracked down Rahman by identifying the admin of a suspicious Facebook page and tracing his number through digital forensics, ultimately arresting him in Jamalpur. PSC Assistant Director Sukor Anjan Samajdar has filed a case against him at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.

In a rare show of unity, North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and China’s Xi Jinping appeared together at a grand military parade in Beijing on Wednesday.

The leaders walked side by side on the red carpet, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. This was Kim’s second overseas trip in six years, and the first time he joined both Xi and Putin at the same event. His daughter, Kim Ju-ae, was also present.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Myanmar’s military chief Min Aung Hlaing attended as well.

In his speech, Xi said humanity faces a choice between “peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, shared prosperity or mutual destruction.” He stressed that “China cannot be stopped” and called for eradicating the roots of war.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump reacted online, writing: “Best wishes to President Xi and the great people of China. Please also extend my warm regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un when you conspire against the United States.”

Dhaka University authorities clarified that no candidate was disqualified from the DUCSU elections merely for being linked to the Bangladesh Chhatra League.

University lawyer Shishir Monir explained, “It is a misconception. Caesar’s candidacy was cancelled based on specific allegations, not political affiliation.”

The Appellate Division has also ruled that Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed candidate SM Farhad may contest the polls, confirming that DUCSU elections will be held on September 9 as scheduled.

At least 105 Palestinians were killed on Tuesday in intensified Israeli strikes on Gaza, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that the conflict had reached a “decisive stage.”

The dead include 32 people who were seeking humanitarian aid—among them seven children. Reports say Israel is pushing to seize control of Gaza City, home to nearly one million residents.

Al Jazeera correspondent Hind Khoudary described the city as “a cage,” where civilians are trapped under relentless bombardment. “People are dying not only from airstrikes but also from starvation due to the blockade,” she reported.

At least 13 people died of hunger in the last 24 hours, bringing the total famine-related death toll since the war began to 361.

Bangladesh’s Appellate Division has stayed a High Court order that had suspended the DUCSU and hall union elections until October 30.

As a result, voting will proceed as scheduled on September 9, according to the official election timetable. The ruling was delivered on Wednesday by a seven-member bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refat Ahmed.

The U.S. military has destroyed a drug-laden vessel operated by Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua gang, killing 11 people, former President Donald Trump confirmed.

“We just destroyed a drug boat carrying large quantities of narcotics. Many more are coming from Venezuela,” Trump said, sharing drone footage showing the high-speed vessel exploding in flames.

Typically, such boats are intercepted and crews arrested, but this time the U.S. military opted to sink the vessel outright—a move likely to escalate tensions with Venezuela.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has brushed off viral rumors about his death, calling them “fake news” and a reflection of declining media credibility.

“Millions of people were apparently discussing my so-called death. Really? I hadn’t even seen it,” Trump remarked when asked by a journalist. He noted that after holding several press conferences last week, he skipped two days—prompting speculation about his health.

“President Biden could disappear for months, and no one would say a word. Yet with me, they immediately invent stories,” Trump said with a laugh. “I’ve been active with interviews, events, and posts on Truth Social. Clearly, I’m alive and well.”

Diploma engineering students in Rangpur staged a “Long March to NESCO” demanding withdrawal of what they termed “false cases” and the fulfillment of seven-point demands.

Students from 10 polytechnic institutes blocked the Rangpur–Dhaka highway and attempted to march towards NESCO’s regional office. Security forces intervened, prompting the protesters to stage a sit-in blockade on the road.

Their demands include the arrest of those accused of creating disorder in the power sector, withdrawal of conspiratorial cases against diploma engineers, and implementation of their seven-point charter within a week. Protest leaders submitted a memorandum to the Chief Engineer of Rangpur.

Dhaka University has expelled student Ali Hossain for six months after he allegedly threatened to rape a female student who filed a petition concerning the DUCSU elections.

The university confirmed that the decision followed recommendations from the Proctorial Investigation Committee. Officials described the penalty as the “maximum punishment under the Proctor’s jurisdiction” in line with university regulations.

Ali Hossain, a student of Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, has been further referred to the university’s Sexual Harassment Committee for investigation.

Protests erupted on the Dhaka–Aricha highway after Jahangirnagar University students seized 25 buses in response to a fellow student being pushed off a moving bus.

The victim, Halima Khatun of the Public Administration Department (Batch 50), was thrown off a Capital Transport bus around 5:40 p.m. She sustained severe injuries, including a sprained leg, and was rushed to Enam Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

University Proctor Prof. AKM Rashidul Alam condemned the incident as “inhumane,” adding that a meeting with bus owners has been scheduled for Wednesday to decide further action.

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated career diplomat Brent Christensen as the next ambassador to Bangladesh. The proposal was submitted to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, where approval is pending.

Christensen currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arms Control and International Security. Between 2019 and 2021, he was posted at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka as Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs. A graduate of the National War College, he earned a Master’s degree in National Security Strategy in 2022.

Before joining the Foreign Service in 2002, Christensen worked as a management consultant in Houston and New York City.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has congratulated architect Marina Tabassum for winning the Aga Khan Award for Architecture for the second time.

Her project, Khudi Bari—a climate-resilient, portable, and affordable housing solution for families displaced by river erosion—was hailed as a humanitarian and visionary contribution.

Yunus described it as a historic achievement for Bangladesh, proving that architecture is not limited to aesthetics but embodies dignity, resilience, and human creativity.

He recalled Tabassum’s first Aga Khan Award in 2016 for designing the Baitur Rauf Mosque in Dhaka, saying, “Once again, Bangladesh has been placed on the global stage of creativity and social innovation.”

Tabassum currently serves as Chairperson of the Governing Council of the Bangladesh National Museum and Chief Adviser of the July Uprising Memorial Museum.

Vice President candidate Abdul Kader has alleged that Ali Hossain, who threatened to gang-rape a female petitioner, is linked to Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Kader said, “We cannot understand how he is still a student after making such a statement. We demand the highest punishment.”

He claimed evidence of Hossain’s Shibir ties was found on his social media, though some deny the affiliation.

Meanwhile, GS candidate SM Farhad rejected what he called “false propaganda” and said they had already filed a written complaint with the proctor’s office seeking action.

AGS candidate Ashrefa Khatun condemned the increasing harassment of women on social media since August 5, urging, “Resist women politically, not sexually.”

A Gaibandha court has ordered a case against lawyer Shefaul Islam Ripon for allegedly assisting hacker gang leader Palash Rana (25) in obtaining bail by falsifying documents to show him as a minor.

Court staff Salahuddin filed the complaint with Gaibandha Sadar Police. Officer-in-Charge Shahinul Islam Talukdar confirmed the written complaint had been received, pending some revisions before formal registration.

Ripon has denied the allegations, saying he will fight the case in court if filed.

On July 15, Rana and three others were arrested in a joint army-police operation for hacking into government allowances and embezzling millions.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has assured that the national election scheduled for February 26 will be held in a festive atmosphere. However, he warned that groups opposed to the interim government will attempt to obstruct the process.

“Some signs of this are already visible. We must remain vigilant,” Yunus told reporters, according to his press secretary.

He pledged a better voting experience for all citizens—especially those who were previously deprived of their rights or faced intimidation. He also stressed the need to safeguard the election from foreign interference.

Yunus added that ensuring a peaceful environment during Durga Puja celebrations was a collective responsibility, warning that some groups may attempt to incite unrest.

Earlier, he held meetings with seven political parties and Hefazat-e-Islam.