Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam organized a protest in front of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka condemning the passage of India’s Waqf Bill and the ongoing persecution of Muslims there. Protesters labeled Indian Prime Minister Modi the “Butcher of Gujarat” and accused him of systematically stripping Muslims of their rights, destroying their homes, and displacing them. The group also called for a united resistance against what they termed as genocidal acts by occupiers.

In Germany, several student protesters were arrested after they entered the Emil Fischer Lecture Hall at a university building in Berlin to protest Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and the planned expulsion of four pro-Palestinian individuals by the Berlin state government. The students hung banners from the windows that read, “You are complicit in genocide,” “There is only one state, Palestine ’48,” and “Intifada until victory.” Outside the building, around 20 demonstrators expressed solidarity with slogans such as “Free Palestine,” “Boycott Israel,” “No borders, no expulsions,” “Germany is a fascist state,” and “Resistance is a right under international law.” Police later arrested at least five protesters, one of whom was reportedly wearing a press jacket.

In a foreword for TIME Magazine, Hillary Clinton praised Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus for his role in steering Bangladesh toward democracy after the fall of its authoritarian leader during the people’s uprising. Clinton highlighted Yunus’ decades-long work with Grameen Bank in empowering the poor through microloans. Recalling her first meeting with him in Arkansas with then-Governor Bill Clinton, she noted his global impact and praised his current efforts to restore human rights and accountability in Bangladesh.

According to White House sources, Israel had planned an airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities in May, aiming to set back Iran’s nuclear capabilities by at least a year. Despite months of discussion with the US, former President Trump ultimately opted for diplomatic negotiations over military action. The next round of US-Iran talks is scheduled for Saturday in Rome. The UN had earlier warned that Iran was nearing nuclear weapon capability.

Legal Action Network reported that Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar abruptly cut short his UK visit and left the country after a formal request for an arrest warrant was submitted against him. They claim Sa’ar is under investigation for serious crimes and urge the public to alert London Metropolitan Police if he is spotted, but warn against approaching him due to possible armed security. The Hind Rajab Foundation also filed a similar request. During his secret visit, Sa’ar held a private meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, discussing Gaza and other Middle East issues, confirmed by the UK’s Commonwealth and Development Office.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the government of Bangladesh strongly condemns the recent attacks on Muslims in India and calls for full protection of the minority community. Dhaka urged both the central Indian government and the West Bengal state government to ensure the safety of Muslim citizens. The interim government also vehemently protested attempts to link Bangladesh to communal violence in Murshidabad, where Indian security forces reportedly opened fire on a Muslim protest linked to the Wakf Bill.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with recently freed hostage Alexander Trufanov and his family in the Kremlin. He attributed Trufanov’s release to Russia’s longstanding relationship with the Palestinian people and expressed hope for more such humanitarian successes. Putin publicly thanked Hamas’ political leadership for heeding Russia’s request and facilitating the release.

Students from Ta’mirul Millat Kamil Madrasa organized a protest in Tongi condemning the ongoing genocide by Israeli occupying forces in Palestine. The rally began at the madrasa’s main gate and marched through key areas of the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, including Ershadnagar, Hossain Market, and College Gate, before concluding with a brief gathering near Asia Petrol Pump.

The protest was led by Student Parliament Vice President Iqbal Kabir and General Secretary Saidur Rahman. Vice Principal Maulana Mizanur Rahman addressed the rally as the chief guest, urging the international Muslim community to unite and take decisive action for the establishment of a free and independent Palestine.

The European Union has proposed adding Bangladesh, along with six other countries—Kosovo, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia—to its list of “safe countries.” Once listed, asylum applications from these nations will be more easily rejected, as the EU will assume the applicants do not face serious threats at home. This move also aims to streamline the deportation process for migrants from these countries. Human rights organizations have strongly criticized the proposal, warning it may endanger vulnerable individuals. The EU clarified that countries applying for EU membership will also be considered “safe” by default. While EU states may add more countries to the list, they will not be allowed to exclude these seven.

Despite ongoing wartime turbulence, the Russian ruble has outperformed all global currencies, becoming the best-performing currency against the US dollar in 2025. According to Bloomberg data, the ruble has appreciated by 38% since the start of the year. This surge is largely attributed to declining confidence in the US dollar, exacerbated by former President Trump’s global trade conflicts.

Investment returns on the ruble have surpassed those of the Swedish krona and Swiss franc, which appreciated by 13% and 11% respectively. The British pound also recorded a modest gain of around 6%. Meanwhile, gold and silver prices have risen by 23% and 12%, respectively. The ruble’s remarkable performance has been bolstered by Russia’s high interest rates—currently set at 21% by the central bank—and restrictions on capital outflow for foreign companies.

A World Population Review study listed the top 10 most hated countries globally, with China at the top and India in 10th place. India’s rising religious tension, treatment of minorities, and internet censorship have hurt its global image. Border disputes and internal unrest further fuel this negative perception. China is widely criticized for its authoritarian rule, suppression of freedoms, and treatment of Uyghur Muslims. The U.S., Russia, North Korea, and Israel also appear in the top five.

For the first time, over 100 Jews were seen praying at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Wednesday, marking a significant deviation from long-standing agreements and customs. Historically, no more than 30 individuals were allowed to enter together, and while Jews could visit the compound, they were not permitted to pray there. This arrangement stems from a post-1967 agreement after Israel took control of East Jerusalem. Despite the agreement, Jewish groups have increasingly prayed at what they refer to as the Temple Mount, drawing criticism. Israel’s Chief Rabbinate has previously declared that only spiritually pure Jews should pray there, a stance Orthodox groups have criticized as discriminatory. Even some Israeli ministers have defied the agreement by praying at the site, raising fears of further tensions and violence.

TIME Magazine has named Nobel Laureate and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus in its 2025 list of the world’s 100 most influential individuals. The list includes global leaders, innovators, and cultural icons like Donald Trump, Elon Musk, JD Vance, Claudia Sheinbaum, and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Dr. Yunus took office on August 8, following Sheikh Hasina’s fall from power and exile in Delhi amidst a popular uprising.

A strong earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region early Wednesday morning. Initial estimates placed the magnitude at 6.4, later revised to 5.9 by India’s National Center for Seismology. The quake, with its epicenter 75 km below the surface, was felt in Delhi and surrounding NCR areas. No casualties have been reported. Meanwhile, Tajikistan experienced a separate 5.8 magnitude quake earlier in the day—its third significant quake in the past 48 hours.

Responding to queries about the reported arrest warrant against British MP and former UK minister Tulip Siddiq, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of local Bangladeshi authorities. She emphasized that Bangladesh’s future must be determined by its people, noting the importance of elections and cautioning against decisions that could damage the lives of citizens. Bruce remarked, “For 20–25 years we’ve seen how bad choices can destroy lives. Now, many countries must decide which path they want to take.”