Malaysia's immigration authorities in Johor have detained 32 undocumented migrants, including nine Bangladeshi men, during a recent crackdown.

The operation, conducted on August 6 under Ops Belanja, Ops Selera, Ops Sapu, and Ops Kutip, targeted Bandar Baru Ayer Hitam. Johor Immigration Director Datuk Mohd Faizal stated the detainees were found working without valid permits. Among those arrested were 20 Pakistani men and three Indonesians (one man and two women). Authorities conducted searches at 16 locations, inspecting a total of 62 foreign nationals and locals.

The Israeli offensive in Gaza has crippled the region’s healthcare system, according to Al Jazeera. Blood banks have become inoperable, leading to a severe blood shortage that endangers patients' lives.

Due to malnutrition and dehydration, even healthy individuals are unable to donate blood. Journalist Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, said, “We’ve seen people begging doctors to take their blood to save loved ones, but they’re being turned away due to their weakened conditions.”

The World Health Organization has warned that over 14,800 patients urgently need specialized care. Meanwhile, despite the crisis, Netanyahu has declared intentions to fully occupy Gaza within the next few days.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has revealed plans to take control of Gaza, but claims the goal is not long-term governance. Speaking to Fox News, he said, “Our objective is to remove Hamas, ensure Israel’s security, and hand over Gaza to a non-Hamas local civil administration with support from regional Arab partners.”

He reiterated that Israel’s aim is not occupation but liberation from Hamas’ rule, allowing a new administration that does not pose a threat to Israel’s existence.

British MP of Bangladeshi origin, Rushanara Ali, has resigned from her position as Minister for Homelessness following criticism over raising rent by £700 after evicting tenants from her townhome.
In her resignation letter, she stated that she did not want personal matters to overshadow the government's goals. Rushanara Ali, the first Bangladeshi-born MP in the UK, has represented Tower Hamlets since 2010.
Earlier, another British-Bangladeshi MP, Tulip Siddiq, resigned amid corruption allegations linked to Bangladesh.

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, is set to visit the United States this week—his second trip in just two months. Though not officially announced, sources confirm the primary reason is to attend a retirement ceremony for U.S. Central Command Chief General Michael Kurilla.

During a recent visit to Pakistan, Kurilla received the military honor Nishan-e-Imtiaz from President Asif Ali Zardari and praised Pakistan’s regional contributions. Notably, Munir also held a closed-door meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump in June, amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions. This visit coincides with growing U.S.-Pakistan trade ties.

The Jammu and Kashmir Home Department has banned 25 books, citing allegations of promoting separatist ideologies. Prominent authors on the banned list include Booker Prize-winning writer Arundhati Roy, constitutional expert A.G. Noorani, Hafsa Kanjwal, Anuradha Bhasin, and historian Sumantro Bose.

Authorities claim these publications “spread false narratives, promote secessionist sentiments, and encourage a sense of victimhood and militancy among youth.” Among the banned titles are Al-Jihad fil Islam by Jamaat-e-Islami founder Maulana Abul A'la Maududi and Mujahid’s Call by Muslim Brotherhood founder Hassan al-Banna.

The move has reignited debates around freedom of expression and democratic space in India.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that China may face higher tariffs—similar to those imposed on India—due to its continued oil imports from Russia. During a briefing in the Oval Office, reporters pointed out that besides India, countries like China are also major buyers of Russian oil. When asked whether China could face the same tariff penalties, Trump responded that it was “a possibility,” though he did not provide further details.

While football took center stage on the pitch, the gallery at the Durand Cup match between East Bengal and a team called "Namdhari FC" witnessed a powerful protest. Bengali-speaking East Bengal supporters unveiled a large protest TIFO in response to being labeled “Bangladeshi” simply for speaking Bengali. The display condemned the pushback of Bengali speakers to Bangladesh, the Delhi police referring to Bengali as a "Bangladeshi language," and BJP leader Amit Malviya’s controversial claim that “there is no language called Bengali.” This sparked widespread anger among the Bengali community. Previously, East Bengal fans had protested against NRC and CAA with the message: “This land is paid for with blood, not documents.” The current TIFO echoed that sentiment. East Bengal’s name itself carries historical ties to undivided Bengal.

A close aide to the Kremlin, Yuri Ushakov, confirmed that the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow was “appropriate and constructive.” According to Ushakov, the two discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and the potential for strategic cooperation between Moscow and Washington. He noted that Russia had sent “certain signals” regarding the conflict and had received “relevant signals” in return from Trump’s side. "President Putin is now fully informed about the current situation," Ushakov added. However, he also mentioned that Trump has not yet been briefed on the outcome of the meeting, and as such, he refrained from making further comments. Russian official Kirill Dmitriev echoed the positive tone, saying, “Constructive U.S.-Russia dialogue is ongoing, and it is crucial for global peace and security.” Bloomberg reports that Russia is considering concessions to Trump, including the suspension of drone and missile strikes.

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes for the "complete conquest" of Gaza, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Yaal Zamir has warned that such a move could entrap Israeli forces in hostile enclaves and endanger remaining hostages. In a recent meeting, Zamir advised focusing on encircling key zones where hostages might be held, instead of deeper incursions into central Gaza. He noted that the army is already struggling with burnout and losses among reserve troops. Despite political pressure from far-right leaders, Zamir emphasized adherence to strategic caution. The military claims it currently controls around 75% of Gaza.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week—the first such meeting between the two countries' leaders since Biden and Putin met in Geneva in June 2021. According to The New York Times, Trump informed European leaders during a phone call on Wednesday that he plans to meet Putin and hopes to soon initiate trilateral talks involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. White House Press Secretary confirmed ongoing discussions. A Kremlin aide described a recent meeting between Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff as "productive and constructive." Trump initially hailed it as “great progress” but later tempered expectations.

A military helicopter crash in Ghana has claimed the lives of eight individuals, including Defense Minister Edward Oman Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. The aircraft, carrying five passengers and three crew members, disappeared from radar shortly after departing for Obuasi from northwestern Accra. President Mahama’s party confirmed that among the deceased were several top officials, including former Agriculture Minister Alhaji Muniru Limuna and NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong. The crash has prompted a full-scale investigation by the Ghana Air Force.

India has condemned the United States for imposing an additional 25% tariff on its exports over alleged continued oil imports from Russia. The executive order, issued by Donald Trump, adds to previous sanctions.

In a statement, New Delhi called the move “unjust, unreasonable, and unacceptable,” adding that India’s energy policies are guided by the need to ensure security for its 1.4 billion citizens. “Several nations are importing oil from Russia in their national interest—singling out India is regrettable,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi is set to visit China later this month. No trade deal has yet been signed with the U.S.

Malaysia's Immigration Department has detained 306 Bangladeshi nationals for allegedly abusing their work permits. The arrests were made during a raid at a factory on Wednesday.

Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, Director-General of Immigration, stated that documents of 749 individuals were inspected during the operation. Of them, 307 were found violating immigration laws, including misuse of sector-specific permits, working at unauthorized locations, holding expired permits, or lacking valid travel documents. The detained individuals are aged between 20 and 40 and include one Nepali national in addition to the 306 Bangladeshis.

A tragic incident at Kuwait's Mina Abdullah Port has claimed the lives of three migrant workers after a water tank exploded during a chemical cleaning operation. The explosion occurred while the workers were using chemical substances to clean the inside of the tank.

According to Gulf News, the blast may have been triggered by a chemical reaction intensified by the extreme heat currently affecting the region. All three victims were inside the tank at the time of the explosion, leaving no chance for rescue.

Emergency responders, including police, ambulance services, and forensic teams, arrived at the scene promptly following the explosion.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether proper safety protocols were followed during the operation. The incident has sparked renewed concerns about worker safety, especially regarding the training and protective equipment provided to migrant laborers performing high-risk tasks.