Content creator Touhid Afridi is facing interrogation under a five-day remand after being arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Officials said he played a key role in suppressing the July uprising. According to investigators, Afridi collaborated with celebrities and online influencers to discourage participation in the protests and intimidate those who opposed him. He allegedly developed close ties with influential Awami League leaders, amassing large sums of money—most of which was funneled abroad. CID sources revealed Afridi has long supported controversial activities of Sheikh Hasina’s regime through his content. Numerous allegations of harassment and intimidation against him have recently surfaced online.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has ruled out any plans to normalize relations with Israel, citing the ongoing occupation of the Golan Heights. “Our conflict with Israel is fundamentally different from that of other Arab states. The Abraham Accords were signed with countries that had neither occupied land nor direct confrontation with Israel. Syria’s situation is different—our Golan Heights remain under occupation. At this moment, normalization is not on the table,” al-Sharaa said. He emphasized that Damascus’s priority is stabilizing southern Syria under the 1974 UN-mediated disengagement agreement or international supervision. Al-Sharaa is scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly in September, making him the first Syrian president to do so since 1967. “This participation itself sends a message—Syria is no longer isolated and is returning to the arena of international diplomacy,” he noted. Relations between Syria and the United States, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and European nations have reportedly improved significantly in recent months.

A Reuters journalist has resigned in protest following the killing of media workers in Israeli strikes on Gaza. Valerie Zink, a contract journalist with Reuters for eight years, snapped her company ID card and posted its photo on Facebook, announcing her resignation. She accused the news agency of siding with Israel despite the brutal deaths of her colleagues. Zink pointed out that slain journalist Anas al-Sharif, who once won Reuters a Pulitzer Prize, was falsely labeled as a Hamas member and terrorist in reports instead of being honored. Her resignation has sparked debate over media n

The deadline for collecting nomination papers in the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU) election has been extended by five days, triggering immediate protests from Islami Chhatra Shibir, several former anti-discrimination movement coordinators, and students. Originally, nomination papers were scheduled for distribution until August 26. With the revised timeline, students can now collect forms until August 31. The RAKSU election schedule was announced on July 28 after a 35-year hiatus. Opposition groups have accused the administration of deliberately delaying the election.

The Election Commission has formed a taskforce to resolve complaints regarding violations of the code of conduct in the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. The taskforce will be led by Professor Dr. Golam Rabbani as convener. Members include Professor Dr. Shahidul Islam (Banking and Insurance), Associate Professor Sharmin Kabir (Institute of Education and Research), Associate Professor Syed Tanvir Rahman (Psychology), Assistant Proctor Dr. Muhammad Rafiqul Islam, Jahangir Alam, and Rezaul Karim Sohag.

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has filed a chargesheet against 14 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader, in connection with the killing of Abdul Latif during the July uprising in Narayanganj. Others accused in the case include Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Shamim Osman, Yasin Mia, Azmeri Osman, Md. Mojibur Rahman, Ayon Osman, Matiur Rahman Mati, Ashraf, Yasin Arafat Russell, Abu Bakar Siddiq, Shahjalal Badol, and Omar Faruk. The case was filed by Latif’s father on September 9 last year. Inspector Md. Kaiyum Khan confirmed that the chargesheet will be presented in a magistrate court on Wednesday, with the next hearing scheduled for September 24. Among the accused, two are already in custody.

Engineering students have declared a "Long March to Dhaka" program on Wednesday to press home their three-point demands. The march will culminate in Shahbagh, Dhaka. The students stated that the government has ignored their ultimatum, forcing them to escalate their movement. They have urged engineering students from across the country to join the march. Protesters allege that despite holding BSc engineering degrees, they face discrimination in the job sector due to quotas in the 9th and 10th grade positions, leaving them at a disadvantage. They also oppose the use of the title "engineer" by those without a BSc degree. Earlier on Tuesday, BUET students blockaded Shahbagh after a former student was allegedly harassed at the workplace. Students from Dhaka University and other institutions later joined them. For several days, engineering students nationwide have been staging demonstrations over their three-point charter of demands.

BNP leader Aminul Haque has accused several Islamist and newly formed political parties of plotting against free elections. “They know that if fair elections are held, they will have no acceptance, not even a single seat,” he said. Haque alleged that these groups are being influenced by foreign powers to push for a proportional representation system, which he rejected as unsuitable for national polls. He stressed that February’s elections must ensure people’s right to vote, after 15 years of being denied that opportunity. “This election will be like Eid for the people,” Aminul said. “We have fought 17 years for democracy, and we cannot repeat the mistakes of autocracy. The people will not forgive us if we fail.”

The government has announced that all buses in Dhaka will now run under a single, unified management system. Companies must operate only on designated routes and stops, according to the Press Wing. Currently, Dhaka’s chaotic and unregulated bus services cause daily suffering—traffic jams, accidents, fare scams, and overcrowding. Passengers, especially women, children, and the elderly, face immense hardship. Authorities estimate traffic mismanagement causes losses of Tk 37,000 crore annually and wastes 3.2 million work hours every day. Officials say the new system will bring order to bus routes, reduce fare manipulation, and help ease chronic congestion in the capital.

NCP has suspended a planned human chain protest in Sylhet against corruption allegations made by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) regarding the “white stone” scandal. The event, initially scheduled for Wednesday at Sylhet’s central Shaheed Minar, was called off following central directives, said party leader Md. Salim Ahmed Khan. Earlier, local coordinators had announced the program, branding the ACC’s report as false and politically motivated. The ACC report had named senior Sylhet NCP leaders as being involved in stone looting.

Following criticism of his father-in-law’s appointment as an additional judge, NCP leader Sargis Alam has defended the decision, citing his long legal career and professional credentials. “He ranked first in Dhaka University’s Law admission exam in 1991, earned both LLB and LLM, joined the bar in 1998, and has practiced in the Supreme Court since 2006,” Alam stated. He noted that his father-in-law was already serving as Deputy Attorney General before their family connection. Alam described the judge’s selection by the newly formed Supreme Judicial Appointment Council as merit-based and criticized attempts to undermine it as “narrow-minded.”

A Dhaka court has ordered BNP leader Mamun Hasan to prison in connection with four separate cases. After surrendering in court on Tuesday and seeking bail, his petitions were rejected by four different benches. His lawyer, Syed Nazrul Islam, said they will appeal to the High Court soon. He argued that Mamun is a grassroots leader who has been targeted with 286 politically motivated cases. The defense claimed that the former Awami League government under Sheikh Hasina used false cases to eliminate opposition leaders.

BNP leader Selima Rahman strongly criticized the ruling party, accusing it of exploiting the nation under the guise of liberation values. Referring to the August 5 uprising, she said, “Students, workers, men, women, and even children took to the streets that day. Many were killed—your authoritarian regime was responsible.” She warned the ruling camp against conspiracies and reminded them that people are now more vigilant. Selima also hailed Ziaur Rahman for declaring independence and Khaleda Zia for freeing the country from autocracy, accusing the government of fabricating cases to keep Khaleda imprisoned for years.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah has rejected claims that his party is avoiding elections. “We have no issue with election dates—it could even be held tomorrow. Our focus is on reforms and a clear roadmap for justice,” he stated. Hasnat called for political unity to implement reforms by February, warning against the use of state forces to suppress opposition as in the past. “We are not against state institutions; we want their reform. But enforced disappearances must end, and the Commission must be allowed to work independently,” he stressed.

On the third day of hearings on constituency boundary revisions, participants from Manikganj, Munshiganj, Nawabganj, and Dohar demanded restoration of constituencies that were cut in 2008. Residents of Savar and Ashulia urged the creation of separate constituencies, while BNP leaders in Gazipur welcomed the addition of one more seat. Tuesday’s hearing reviewed 309 petitions across six districts—Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Manikganj, and Narsingdi. Of these, 259 opposed the draft boundaries and 50 supported them.