The Editors’ Council has strongly protested sweeping accusations made against the media at the “National Youth Conference 2025” organized by the NCP’s ‘National Youth Power.’
Conference speakers accused the media of attempting to tarnish the reputation of those involved in the mass uprising and of acting like “mouthpieces of intelligence agencies” reminiscent of Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian era.
In its statement, the Editors’ Council rejected these claims, stressing that the media played a vital role during the uprising, despite facing repression, harassment, and censorship during the Awami League’s 15-year rule.
It noted that journalists brought to light state violence, human rights abuses, internet blackouts, and other crucial issues, and that most print outlets actively helped shape public opinion in favor of the uprising while working under intense pressure and threats.

Kuala Lumpur — Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser, Major General (retd) Khililur Rahman, met with ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy on Myanmar, Othman Hashim, at Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing Rohingya crisis.

During the meeting, Ambassador Hashim expressed gratitude for Bangladesh’s continued generosity towards the displaced Rohingya population. Both sides voiced deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State and the decline in international financial aid for Rohingya refugees sheltering in Bangladesh.

They agreed to work closely towards a swift and sustainable solution to the crisis. Rahman briefed the envoy on the upcoming stakeholder dialogue on the Rohingya issue, scheduled for August 25 in Cox’s Bazar, and exchanged views on the forthcoming UN international conference on the matter. Both expressed hope that the discussions would pave the way for a concrete action plan.

Newly appointed South African High Commissioner to Dhaka, Anil Sooklal, has said his country is committed to opening an embassy in Bangladesh as soon as funding is allocated. He noted that Bangladesh and South Africa face similar challenges, including poverty, inequality, and unemployment, and that his country is eager to share its development experience.
Sooklal revealed that the idea of establishing an embassy was first proposed by Nelson Mandela during his 1997 visit to Bangladesh. He added that if a new mission opens in the region, it will be in Bangladesh. The envoy expressed interest in Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical, garment, and agricultural sectors, and is working to arrange a high-level bilateral visit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ahead of his scheduled meeting with Donald Trump this Friday.
According to the Kremlin, the two leaders reaffirmed commitments to strengthening their “friendship, mutual trust, and cooperation.” Putin thanked Pyongyang for its military assistance in the Ukraine conflict, specifically during the recapture of the Kursk region.
Putin also briefed Kim on preparations for the upcoming Alaska summit and shared details about the Trump meeting. Reports indicate that around 10,000 North Korean troops are currently fighting alongside Russian forces, which recently advanced 10 kilometers near Dobropillia, Ukraine.

According to Bloomberg, India and China are planning to resume direct air services as early as next month. India’s Civil Aviation Department has reportedly asked Air India and IndiGo to be ready on short notice to operate direct routes. An official announcement may come around the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Direct flights and the Kailash–Mansarovar pilgrimage were halted in May 2020 due to COVID-19. Tensions escalated further after a deadly clash in Galwan, eastern Ladakh, a month later. Talks earlier this year paved the way for restoring air links as part of efforts to ease bilateral strains.

Five Bangladeshi fishermen from Shah Porir Dwip, Teknaf, were abducted at gunpoint by Myanmar’s Arakan Army from the Naf River estuary near Naikhyongdia. The abductees are Md. Ilyas, his sons Akkal Ali and Nur Hossain, along with Saber Hossain and Saiful Islam.
According to Teknaf’s UNO Sheikh Ehsan Uddin, the armed group used a speedboat to seize the men along with their fishing boat.

The water level of the Padma River in Rajshahi is rising and approaching the danger mark of 18.05 meters. As of August 11, it reached 17.39 meters, flooding several chars and low-lying areas. Thousands of families in multiple unions are waterlogged, forcing residents to move their livestock and belongings to safer mainland areas. Inspections of embankments have been halted for safety, and the Water Development Board has urged traders to evacuate. The situation remains critical with ongoing water level increases.

In response to threats involving nuclear weapons and the possible destruction of the Sindh Dam, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has sharply criticized comments made by Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, during his U.S. visit.
India called Munir’s statements “irresponsible,” labeling nuclear threats as part of Pakistan’s “old playbook.” The statement said the international community could easily see the recklessness behind such remarks, reinforcing longstanding concerns over the safety of nuclear weapons in a country whose military has been accused of collaborating with terrorist groups.
India expressed regret that such remarks were made on the soil of a friendly third country and reiterated it “will never bow to nuclear threats” and will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its national security. Meanwhile, the Congress Party questioned why the U.S. would extend special honors to such a figure.

After a long lull, the sound of gunfire has returned to the Ghumdhum border area in Bandarban. On Sunday night, intermittent shooting inside Myanmar sparked panic in nearby Bangladeshi villages.
Locals suspect heavy clashes near two Arakan Army camps in Tumbru’s Narikel Bagan area. BGB Commander Lt. Col. S.M. Khairul Alam said the gunfire occurred about 300–330 meters inside Myanmar, possibly between the Arakan Army and ARSA or RSO rebels. No bullets crossed into Bangladesh, but BGB remains on high alert.

The Indian Border Security Force has handed over 10 Bangladeshi nationals to BGB via Nakugaon land port in Sherpur after a formal flag meeting on Sunday night.
The group, which included men, women, and children from Rajshahi’s Godagari and Tanore upazilas, had crossed into India without documents at different times. After the handover, they were transferred to Nalitabari police custody.

Students of the 2019–20 academic session from the Department of Al-Fiqh and Law at Islamic University have launched protests over delayed exams and results.

On Sunday, students began a sit-in in front of the department at noon, later locking its gates at 1:00 p.m. Their three demands are:

Publication of the first-semester results of the fourth year by Monday.

Completion of the second-semester exams by the end of August.

Release of the second-semester results by September 15.

While most of the university’s 36 departments have completed the honours program for the 2019–20 batch, this department has yet to publish the fourth-year first-semester results. The second-semester exams, originally scheduled for June 28, have also been postponed.

The department chair said an emergency meeting has been called to address the issue.

The results of the 2025 SSC and equivalent exam recheck process have been published simultaneously at 10:00 AM across all nine general education boards, as well as Madrasa and Technical boards. This year saw a notable rise in applications—92,863 students requested rechecking of 223,664 scripts, an increase of about 21,000 applicants and 40,000 scripts compared to last year. According to the latest figures, 606,660 students failed in the SSC and equivalent exams this year, including 324,716 boys and 275,944 girls.

A strong earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck Russia’s Kuril Islands on Saturday morning. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the quake’s epicenter was located 10 kilometers underground in the eastern part of the islands. No immediate reports of casualties or damage have emerged. This comes after a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake hit Russia on July 30, triggering tsunami warnings in at least 14 Pacific nations. Waves up to four meters were recorded in Kamchatka during that earlier event.

The results of the 2025 SSC and equivalent examinations’ recheck process will be published today at 10:00 AM. Students under the country’s nine general education boards, as well as the Madrasa and Technical Education Boards, can check their results using their roll numbers on their respective websites. According to Dhaka Board Exam Controller Professor S.M. Kamal Uddin, applications for rechecking were accepted from July 11 to July 17 via Teletalk mobile service. A record 92,863 students applied to recheck a total of 223,664 exam scripts, with mathematics being the most challenged subject—42,936 scripts. The recheck process does not involve re-evaluating answers but verifies whether marks were correctly added, if any question was left unmarked, and if OMR sheet entries were accurate.

The Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) has expressed grave concern over the recent wave of attacks and killings targeting journalists in Bangladesh. The organization called for the immediate formation of a Judicial Commission to investigate all journalist murders, including those of Sagar and Runi.
While acknowledging initial optimism for press freedom under the interim government, DRU warned that the safety of journalists remains precarious. Attacks, false cases, torture, and killings of journalists have surged alarmingly. The brutal hacking to death of journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin last Thursday night was described as a direct assault on press freedom and free expression. DRU said impunity and lack of security are key factors fueling such violence.