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.”

Israeli forces say they now control about 40% of Gaza City, including Jaitun and Sheikh Radwan. Heavy ground and air assaults have left at least 53 Palestinians dead in one day, most of them civilians. Gaza officials warn no area is safe, even in designated “humanitarian zones.” Since October 7, 2023, over 63,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks. U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley accuse Israel’s government of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank.

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.

Senior Hamas leader Osama Hamdan said U.S. President Trump’s recent suggestion to end the Gaza conflict through Israeli prisoner release is “just an idea, not a real proposal.” Hamas seeks a clear political plan with practical steps, including full Israeli troop withdrawal, Palestinian prisoner release, lifting of the blockade, border openings, and reconstruction. Hamdan urged Trump to pressure Israel and Netanyahu, noting international opinion is increasingly siding with Palestinians. He emphasized Palestinians will never surrender.

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.

Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin announced that the advisory council has repeatedly discussed potato prices, and export incentives are being offered to stabilize the market.

Efforts include purchasing potatoes from the market through the TSC for distribution and encouraging exports. Bashiruddin noted that last year’s prices ranged from 80–90 BDT per kg, prompting higher cultivation this year and resulting in oversupply. He emphasized that exports are crucial to ensuring farmers receive fair prices and warned against syndicate practices, promising strict action against offenders.

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.

The interim government has strongly condemned the shocking incident in Rajbari’s Goalanda, where the body of self-proclaimed Imam Mahdi, Nura Pagol, was exhumed and burned. Authorities vowed swift and strict legal measures against those involved, stressing that no individual or group is above accountability.

On Friday, a group identifying themselves as “Touhidi Janata” carried out the act, accusing Nura Pagol of distorting Islamic tenets and even claiming divinity. They alleged he was buried in a shrine built to resemble the Holy Kaaba, in defiance of Islamic tradition. Protesters had long demanded the shrine’s demolition and the removal of inscriptions naming him “Imam Mahdi.”

Meanwhile, reports emerged that a man named Russell Molla (28) was killed during the unrest, though local administration has yet to confirm the death.

The Government of Bangladesh has announced financial rewards for the recovery of various police weapons and ammunition that were looted. According to an official statement from the Bangladesh Police, genuine informants who provide accurate leads will be rewarded.

In a notice published on the police’s official Facebook page, the government outlined a detailed reward structure:

Pistol or shotgun: Tk 50,000 each

Chinese rifle: Tk 100,000 each

Submachine gun (SMG): Tk 150,000 each

Light machine gun (LMG): Tk 500,000 each

Ammunition: Tk 500 per round

Authorities have also assured that the identities of those providing information will be kept strictly confidential.

Earlier, on August 25, the Home Affairs Adviser had made a similar announcement regarding the recovery of looted police weapons.

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.