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.

BSF personnel have detained a Bangladeshi man, Iqbal Hossain (38), from the Kutubpur border area in Meherpur.
Iqbal, son of Jarabat Hossain, was reportedly cutting grass in a field when he accidentally crossed into Indian territory. Witnesses said BSF soldiers beat him severely before taking him into custody.
Though BGB immediately called for a flag meeting, BSF did not respond. Later, BGB confirmed that Iqbal is being held at the BSF’s Hathishala camp and is in stable condition. BSF has indicated he may be repatriated through a commander-level flag meeting.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has handed back five Bangladeshi women to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) following a flag meeting at the Banglabandha frontier in Panchagarh.
The women—Jasmine Sultana (36), Parveen Khatun (38), Shirina Parveen (32), Amina Akter (40), and Laboni Akter (30)—had been detained in India. According to BGB, they had been working in households and beauty parlors in Gujarat for about a year. Indian police detained them recently and turned them over to BSF, which later returned them to Bangladesh. The women have since been transferred to Tentulia Police Station.

Abdus Salam, veteran freedom fighter and adviser to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, has been admitted to a private hospital in Dhaka after falling ill.
His personal aide said Salam first developed mild cold symptoms during BNP’s biannual conferences in Rajshahi and Naogaon last week. His condition worsened due to overwork, lack of sleep, and weather changes, leading to hospitalization.
Doctors have begun treatment following urgent tests, and his condition is now stable. Physicians have restricted visitors, allowing only close family members. Salam has sought prayers for his recovery.

The student platform Bagchash has announced its ‘Student Unity Forum’ panel for the upcoming Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) elections.
The declared panel includes Arifuzzaman Ujjal as Vice President (VP), Abu Touhid Md. Siam as General Secretary (GS), Zia Uddin Ayan as Assistant GS, and Maliha Namlah as Women’s Assistant GS.
However, the announcement sparked internal discord. Joint convener Md. Nazmul Islam resigned, citing nepotism and favoritism in panel formation. Another senior joint convener, Kawsar Alam Arman, also threatened resignation.
In response, panel nominee Abu Touhid Md. Siam said, “Selections were made based on organizational decisions, prioritizing competence and representation.”