More than 51,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia for Hajj—4,583 under government management and 47,364 through private agencies. Tragically, nine pilgrims (eight men and one woman) have died so far, with four passing away in Mecca and five in Medina.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy informed the Israeli Ambassador that due to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israeli obstruction of aid, the UK is suspending all new free trade discussions with Israel. Lammy described the starvation of millions in Gaza as “horrific and heartbreaking” and warned that continued blockades would prompt the UK to take even stronger measures.

In 2024, Bangladesh and Pakistan ranked among the top countries with the highest Schengen visa rejection rates. Citizens of Comoros faced the worst rejection rate at 62.8%, with 1,754 out of 2,853 applications denied. Bangladeshi applicants fared poorly as well—out of 39,345 applications, 20,957 were rejected, marking a rejection rate of 54.9%, up from 42.8% in 2023. Pakistani citizens filed 78,362 applications in 2024, of which 35,139 were rejected—a rejection rate of 47.5%.

Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International Airport authorities (AKPS) deported 112 individuals, including Bangladeshis, for failing to meet entry requirements. The deportees did not report to immigration even six hours after landing. While the exact number of Bangladeshis was not disclosed, authorities stated that many appeared to deliberately avoid immigration counters, raising suspicions about their intentions. Among those deported were also citizens of India and Pakistan.

The Co-op, one of the UK’s largest retail chains, has voted to boycott all Israeli products in response to ongoing atrocities in Gaza. If implemented, it will become the first major UK retailer to fully sever trade ties with Israel. The proposal passed with 73% support among employees, urging the board to take a morally courageous stand. A company spokesperson stated that Co-op continuously reviews its policies to align with the values and principles of its members.

A Turkish Airlines aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after taking off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport when one of its engines caught fire. The quick actions of the pilot saved the lives of all 291 passengers on board. Airport engineering teams later discovered a dead bird inside the engine, suggesting a possible bird strike. Civil aviation official SM Ragib Samad confirmed that sparks were noticed in one engine immediately after takeoff.

Amid India’s threats to cut water supplies to Pakistan, China is fast-tracking the construction of the Mohmand Dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to secure Pakistan’s water future. Since 2019, the state-owned China Energy Engineering Corporation has been working on the Mohmand Hydropower Project. The company has now started concrete filling to expedite completion. This multipurpose project aims to generate 800 MW of electricity, control flooding, irrigate agricultural land, and supply 300 million gallons of water daily to Peshawar.

Tumo Poutiainen, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh, stated that while the country's labour conditions have improved, greater effectiveness is still needed. “Everything depends on how effectively employers, workers, and the government address concerns through dialogue,” he said. After 10 years in Bangladesh—seven as Country Director and three in the garment sector—Poutiainen is now moving to ILO’s regional office in Bangkok. He noted significant investment in factory safety after the Rana Plaza disaster but emphasized that other sectors still lag behind in worker safety and compensation frameworks.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin via phone on Monday at 8 PM Bangladesh time. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the call focused on the outcomes of last week’s Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul. “We’ve already clarified our position on the Istanbul talks,” Peskov stated. “Following the call, we will release a full statement.” This was the first known conversation between Putin and Trump since March 18.

The United States has imposed visa restrictions on individuals associated with certain Indian travel agencies, accusing them of knowingly facilitating illegal immigration. In a statement, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the decision was based on information gathered by U.S. missions in India. The statement did not specify the names or number of individuals involved. Washington alleges that these Indian entities played an active role in supporting unlawful migration.

Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan announced that Bangladeshi nationals are now receiving Kuwait visas without needing special permission. The development was confirmed by Kuwait’s Ambassador Major General Syed Tariq Hossain. Although this policy has not been formally announced, Bangladeshis have reportedly been obtaining visas under this relaxed framework for the past week. The ambassador also issued a strong warning against visa fraud. In a separate post, Bhuiyan criticized scheduled banks for charging excessive passport endorsement fees and additional service charges on foreign currency sales, discouraging customers. A new maximum fee of BDT 300 has been set to standardize charges.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to visit Dhaka in the last week of August. Both countries are making final preparations to ensure a successful state visit. Earlier this month, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi visited Bangladesh and emphasized the importance of legal migration pathways. PM Meloni previously met Interim Government Chief Professor Muhammad Yunus during the 79th UN General Assembly session.

Facing intense pressure from the United States and widespread international criticism, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has allowed humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israeli authorities stated that the move, based on IDF recommendations, is essential for the ongoing war effort and aims to prevent a worsening hunger crisis in Gaza, which could jeopardize Israel’s objectives. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel will ensure the aid does not fall into Hamas’ hands.

Pakistan’s Minister for Defence Production, Mohammad Raza Hayat, has reaffirmed that Islamabad will never recognize the occupying Israeli regime. He accused Israel of fueling tensions in South Asia and stressed that the people, government, and armed forces of Pakistan remain steadfast in their support for Kashmir. “We are aware of Israeli attempts, in collaboration with certain countries, to harm Pakistan. But the people of Pakistan will resist all such conspiracies,” he said. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly canceled his Vatican visit due to fears of being arrested.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Legal Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul have arrived in South Africa to gain firsthand experience before the formation of Bangladesh’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. They were welcomed at the airport by Bangladesh’s Ambassador to South Africa, Shah Ahmed Shafi. The delegation is scheduled to meet with officials of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Earlier, Dr. Nazrul announced the commission’s formation during a consultation on the draft of the "Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Ordinance 2025."