Awami League supporters attempted to harass Adviser Mahfuz Alam as he entered the Bangladesh Consulate in New York on Sunday evening. Protesters reportedly threw eggs at him and damaged the glass door of the consulate building. Golam Mortoza, Press Minister at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, compared the protest to the fall of monarchies in history, saying that movements fueled by student leaders’ blood sacrifices naturally attract resistance. Information Adviser, addressing expatriates later, thanked the diaspora for their role in the July Movement, assuring their contributions would be recognized in the “July Charter.” Responding to calls for banning Indian media in Bangladesh, he said he opposed blanket bans, advocating instead for promoting better alternatives.

Diplomatic missions in Dhaka issued a joint statement marking eight years of the Rohingya crisis, condemning the escalating violence and human rights abuses by Myanmar’s military junta and other armed groups. The statement highlighted that over 1.1 million Rohingya remain in Bangladesh, many of them forced to flee during the 2017 crackdown. It emphasized that Rohingya refugees are still determined to return to their homeland and reaffirmed the international community’s steadfast support for both the Rohingya people and Bangladesh. Diplomats also reiterated their commitment to working toward a sustainable solution to the crisis.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for the formation of a united national front to resist what he described as U.S. attempts to subjugate Iran.

“Never will the Islamic Republic bow to America,” he declared in a Sunday address.

Khamenei linked last June’s joint Israeli-U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities to broader efforts to destabilize the country.

Meanwhile, Iran is preparing to reopen negotiations with world powers over its nuclear program, signaling a new round of diplomacy amid escalating tensions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China next week to attend a high-level summit in Tianjin scheduled for August 31 to September 1.

The summit will host leaders from more than 20 countries and representatives of international organizations, according to Russian media.

Speculation had earlier surfaced about a possible trilateral meeting involving Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and former U.S. President Donald Trump, though the Kremlin later denied knowledge of such plans.

Putin last met Xi Jinping during the Chinese leader’s visit to Moscow in May.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has claimed that unresolved issues relating to the 1971 Liberation War were “settled not once, but twice.” Speaking on the genocide committed in Bangladesh, Dar said apologies had already been issued, first in 1974 and later during then-President Pervez Musharraf’s visit to Dhaka in 2000.

Dar likened disputes between Bangladesh and Pakistan to disagreements within a family, saying Islamic teachings encourage forgiveness and reconciliation. He added, “Pakistan wants to move forward in that spirit.”

Turkey’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan has written to former US First Lady Melania Trump, urging her to raise her voice for the children of Gaza.
Recalling their meeting at the White House six years ago, Erdoğan praised Melania’s compassion for children affected by the Ukraine war and called for the same empathy toward Gaza.
“Thousands of children are being buried unidentified, with their coffins marked ‘unknown child.’ UNICEF has described Gaza as ‘hell on earth above and a graveyard for children below,’” she wrote.
“As a mother and a woman, I share your emotions. I hope you will extend the same message of hope to Gaza’s children,” Erdoğan added.

Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Feldkamp has resigned after failing to secure consensus on imposing tough sanctions against Israel for its military aggression in Gaza and expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank.

Feldkamp said he faced strong resistance within the cabinet and could not achieve meaningful measures. However, he did ban visits by Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir and canceled three export permits for naval ship components.

Warning that the situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating, he expressed concerns that exported weapons could be misused. Following his resignation, all ministers and state ministers from his party also stepped down in solidarity.

The opposition in the Dutch parliament had long been pressing for strict sanctions. Feldkamp’s proposal to suspend the EU–Israel trade agreement was blocked by Germany, leading to calls for unilateral Dutch action.

Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, currently visiting Dhaka, announced that direct flights between Bangladesh and Pakistan will begin “very soon.” He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, science, and investment.
On August 24, the two nations are set to sign a Joint Working Group agreement, paving the way for a trade and investment roadmap. Discussions are also underway to establish direct feeder shipping services between Chattogram and Karachi to boost bilateral trade.

The United States has announced new sanctions targeting individuals and companies accused of facilitating Iran’s illegal oil sales. The State Department revealed Thursday that two China-based crude oil and petroleum terminal operators were sanctioned for importing “millions of barrels” of Iranian crude via blacklisted tankers.
The Treasury Department also sanctioned Greek national Antonios Margaritis, his network, and associated firms for allegedly exploiting his shipping industry ties to transport Iranian petroleum. Several additional vessels and operators were blacklisted as Washington tightened pressure on Tehran’s oil exports.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a dual message: immediate talks for the release of hostages in Gaza and an official green light for the Israeli military’s plan to seize control of Gaza City—two moves critics describe as contradictory.

During a visit to the army’s Gaza Division, Netanyahu said, “I have come to approve the military’s decision to take control of Gaza City and intensify the war against Hamas. At the same time, I am calling for immediate negotiations to secure the release of all hostages and end the war under conditions acceptable to Israel.”

He described the conflict as reaching a “decisive stage” and expressed gratitude to both reserve and active-duty soldiers. Stressing that both goals must advance together, he added, “Defeating Hamas and freeing all captives must proceed in parallel.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has canceled her planned tour to Bangladesh and four other Asian nations. The decision was officially communicated to the Bangladesh government on Thursday.

Meloni was scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on August 30 at the invitation of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, with a bilateral meeting planned for the following day.

According to diplomatic sources, Italy is playing a crucial role in NATO’s ongoing engagement over the Russia-Ukraine war. The mounting international responsibilities are believed to have led Meloni to postpone her Asia trip.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has launched a blistering attack on the Indian government, saying if it is serious about deporting illegal Bangladeshis, it should “start with Sheikh Hasina.”

Owaisi urged New Delhi to recognize Bangladesh’s recent popular uprising and build ties with the new government.

He criticized the treatment of poor Bengali-speaking citizens in West Bengal, who are being picked up from Pune, flown to Kolkata, and dumped in no man’s land without verification of nationality.
“Anyone speaking Bengali is branded a Bangladeshi. This paranoia is unacceptable,” Owaisi said, condemning the exclusion of Muslims from voter rolls.

The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, carried out an attack in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, injuring several Israeli soldiers. The assault reportedly involved anti-personnel shells.

According to the Israeli military, around 18 armed fighters launched a raid on an army camp early Wednesday, leaving at least three soldiers wounded, one critically. Palestinian media, however, claimed that as many as seven soldiers were injured.

Meanwhile, in Syria’s Golan Heights, seven Israeli soldiers were injured while attempting to defuse bombs.

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll has found that 58% of Americans believe all UN member states should recognize Palestine as an independent state. In contrast, 33% oppose the move, while 9% remain undecided.

The six-day survey shows 78% of Democrats support recognition, whereas 53% of Republicans oppose it. Additionally, 65% of respondents said the U.S. should take steps to help Palestinians facing starvation in Gaza, with 28% disagreeing—most of them Republican.

Analysts suggest the findings indicate a troubling decline in U.S. public support for Israel, posing diplomatic concerns for Tel Aviv.

The US has introduced a new policy requiring immigration officials to assess visa applicants’ “attitude towards America.” Those found expressing anti-American sentiments may be denied entry.

This includes monitoring applicants’ activities on social media. Evidence of anti-American views, ties to terrorist organizations, or involvement in antisemitic activities could disqualify applicants.

The revised guidelines from USCIS have raised concerns among immigration rights activists and lawyers, who fear the measure could be misused.

CNN reports that the US State Department has already canceled more than 6,000 student visas this year under tightened scrutiny.