To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations, the Anhui Museum of China and the National Museum of Bangladesh jointly inaugurated a special exhibition on Monday.
The exhibition, displayed in the National Museum’s lobby, showcases replicas and photographs highlighting the 5,000-year-old Lingjiatan civilization. Environmentalist and advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan inaugurated the event as chief guest, while Anhui Vice Governor Sun Yong attended as special guest.
The prehistoric Lingjiatan site, discovered in 1987, spans 1.4 million square meters and dates back over five millennia.
The exhibition runs until September 26, open to visitors Saturday–Wednesday (10:30 AM–5:30 PM) and Fridays (2:30 PM–7:00 PM). It remains closed on Thursdays and public holidays.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has described his 36-hour visit to Bangladesh as “highly productive,” expressing optimism that it would inject new momentum into bilateral ties.

Dar, who arrived in Dhaka on Saturday and departed late Sunday night, held bilateral talks with Bangladesh’s foreign affairs adviser and met political figures including Chief Adviser, Begum Khaleda Zia, Shafiqur Rahman, and Akhtar Hossain.

“I firmly believe this visit will pave the way for greater cooperation and more exchanges in the future,” Dar posted before leaving Dhaka.

France has summoned US Ambassador Charles Kushner after a letter published in The Wall Street Journal accused President Emmanuel Macron of failing to curb anti-Semitism and violence in Paris. The letter also criticized France’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state. In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry strongly rejected the allegations, reaffirming France’s commitment to combating anti-Semitism. It accused Ambassador Kushner of violating diplomatic norms by interfering in France’s internal affairs. The US State Department, however, defended him, saying he was effectively representing US interests. Notably, Charles Kushner is the father of Jared Kushner, son-in-law and former adviser to ex-President Donald Trump.

Bangladesh and Pakistan have signed one agreement and five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during a bilateral meeting at the foreign ministerial level.

Key agreements include the abolition of visa requirements for holders of official and diplomatic passports and the formation of a joint working group on trade.

The Bangladesh delegation was led by Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, and senior foreign ministry officials. Pakistan’s delegation was headed by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

Discussions also touched on sensitive issues, including Pakistan’s formal apology for the 1971 genocide and the return of assets taken to West Pakistan before independence. Business, investment, and agricultural cooperation were also prioritized. Both countries expressed interest in strengthening ties.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain dismissed Pakistan’s claim that issues from the 1971 Liberation War had already been resolved. “We disagree with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s remarks. Bangladesh still demands settlement of financial accounts and a clear apology for the genocide,” Hossain said.

He added that while Bangladesh seeks normal ties with Pakistan, unresolved matters cannot be brushed aside. The bilateral meeting also discussed health cooperation, trade expansion, and Pakistan’s interest in exporting energy. Broader regional issues, including the Rohingya crisis and the Gaza conflict, were also addressed.

The Border Security Force (BSF) detained a senior Bangladeshi police officer on Saturday evening near the Hakimpur border outpost in North 24 Parganas. The officer was reportedly attempting to enter Indian territory illegally. Authorities have withheld his identity for investigative reasons and handed him over to West Bengal police for questioning.
Indian officials noted this is the first time a serving Bangladeshi police officer has been caught attempting such an entry. Investigators are probing whether he acted alone or on behalf of a network. Border surveillance has since been intensified.

Cox’s Bazar: Twelve Bangladeshi fishermen have reportedly been abducted by the Arakan Army from the Naf River estuary in Teknaf.
The incident occurred Saturday afternoon while the fishermen were returning home from St. Martin’s Island after fishing in the Bay of Bengal. They were seized along with two boats in the Naikkhyongdia waters. All abductees are residents of Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Ehsan Uddin confirmed the incident, stating that higher authorities, including the district administration, have been informed. “We hope they will be released soon,” he said.

The next round of biannual Director General–level talks between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) will be held in Dhaka from August 25 to 28, BSF confirmed on Friday.

The last meeting took place in New Delhi in February this year. The upcoming conference will be led by BSF DG Daljit Singh Chaudhary, while BGB DG Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui will head the host delegation.

The agenda includes curbing cross-border crimes, fencing issues, border infrastructure, and joint efforts to implement the Coordinated Border Management Plan and Confidence-Building Measures, among other matters.

Advisor Md. Mahfuz Alam has expressed profound sorrow over the death of senior journalist Alamgir Mohiuddin.

In his condolence message, Alam prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family. He said, “Alamgir Mohiuddin practiced fearless, objective journalism. He was a role model for many in the profession. His passing is an irreparable loss to Bangladesh’s media.”

Mohiuddin, former editor of Daily Naya Diganta, breathed his last on Saturday afternoon while undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Dhaka on Saturday for a three-day official visit.

He was received at the airport by Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Nazrul Islam. Later in the evening, Dar is scheduled to attend a reception hosted by the Pakistan High Commission, where academics, journalists, and professionals will participate.

On Sunday morning, he will meet with business leaders over a breakfast session before holding a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser at 10 am. The meeting is expected to result in the signing of six to seven agreements and MoUs, covering trade and cooperation.

Dar is also scheduled to meet the Chief Adviser at 4 pm, where bilateral, regional, and international issues will be discussed. Additionally, he may call on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan residence, and also meet with Jamaat-e-Islami leaders.

Several Reuters journalists have accused the agency’s editors and management of pro-Israel bias in coverage of the Gaza conflict.

The controversy escalated after Palestinian journalist Anas al-Sharif—formerly with Reuters and a Pulitzer Prize winner—was killed in an Israeli strike. Reuters’ headline described him as “an Al Jazeera journalist who Israel says was a Hamas commander,” sparking outrage among staff.

An internal review of 499 “Israel-Palestine” tagged stories revealed that Israeli perspectives were disproportionately highlighted, while Palestinian voices were marginalized. Journalists also said Reuters policies prohibited using the word “Palestine” except in pre-1948 historical contexts.

Criticism also centered on limited coverage of “genocide” accusations against Israel, while similar claims against Russia in Ukraine received prominent reporting.

Following backlash, Reuters issued new guidance allowing the term “genocide” if attributed to a source—but the restriction on “Palestine” largely remains. Journalists argue the revised policy still reflects pro-Israel bias.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will pay an official visit to Bangladesh on August 23–24 at the invitation of the Bangladesh government, Islamabad confirmed.

During his visit, Dar will hold key meetings in Dhaka with the Chief Adviser, the Foreign Affairs Adviser, and several political leaders. Discussions will cover the full spectrum of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues.

This will be the first bilateral visit to Bangladesh by a Pakistani foreign minister in more than three decades. Dar had originally been scheduled to visit Dhaka on April 27–28, but the trip was canceled following the killing of 26 tourists in an armed attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which reignited tensions between India and Pakistan.

The body of veteran journalist Bibhuranjan Sarkar was recovered from the Meghna River in Gazaria, Munshiganj, a day after he went missing. Police discovered his body floating in the river near Kalagachhia on Friday afternoon. His family later confirmed the identification.
Sarkar, a senior assistant editor at Dainik Ajker Patrika, left his Siddheshwari residence Thursday morning for his office but never arrived. His son filed a missing person’s report that night at Ramna Police Station. The discovery of his body has shocked Bangladesh’s journalism community.

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.

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.