BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has called for a shift in Bangladesh’s political culture, stressing that politics should be pursued “for service and dignity, not for profiteering or dominance.” He urged leaders to abandon the mentality of using politics as a means of personal gain.
Annie reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to rebuilding the nation under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, vowing to resist what he termed “fascist Hasina’s legacy.” He added that Rahman aims to introduce a new era of uncompromising politics and social reform, following the vision of late President Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia.

Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, currently visiting Dhaka, announced that direct flights between Bangladesh and Pakistan will begin “very soon.” He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, science, and investment.
On August 24, the two nations are set to sign a Joint Working Group agreement, paving the way for a trade and investment roadmap. Discussions are also underway to establish direct feeder shipping services between Chattogram and Karachi to boost bilateral trade.

The United States has announced new sanctions targeting individuals and companies accused of facilitating Iran’s illegal oil sales. The State Department revealed Thursday that two China-based crude oil and petroleum terminal operators were sanctioned for importing “millions of barrels” of Iranian crude via blacklisted tankers.
The Treasury Department also sanctioned Greek national Antonios Margaritis, his network, and associated firms for allegedly exploiting his shipping industry ties to transport Iranian petroleum. Several additional vessels and operators were blacklisted as Washington tightened pressure on Tehran’s oil exports.

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.