At least 81 Palestinians were killed in a single day of Israeli attacks on Gaza, while 30 others died while attempting to collect humanitarian aid.

The Israeli military has launched a ground offensive to seize Gaza City, where nearly one million people remain trapped in dire conditions.

Meanwhile, three more Palestinians died of hunger on Wednesday, bringing the total starvation-related death toll to 269—including 112 children.

The World Food Programme (WFP) warned: “This is not just hunger—it is starvation.” The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that one in three children in Gaza City now suffers from malnutrition.

Israeli human rights group Gisha accused the government of deliberately blocking aid and using starvation as a weapon of war, while attempting to deflect blame through false justifications.

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.

In a bid to sustain business momentum, Bangladesh Bank has relaxed its lending guidelines, allowing banks to distribute loans without implementing the Internal Credit Risk Rating Systems (ICRRS).

Banks can now disburse loans based on their own risk assessments to safeguard institutional interests.

The central bank explained that the earlier mandatory ICRRS-based lending policy was causing delays due to lengthy audits and financial scrutiny of entrepreneurs. To cut through such complications, a new circular has been issued.

India has successfully tested its indigenously developed Agni-5 missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha.

The medium-range ballistic missile can strike targets up to 5,000 kilometers away and is the most advanced in India’s Agni series. Weighing 1.5 tons, it is equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, allowing it to deliver multiple warheads to different targets with a single launch.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the test met all operational and technical standards, marking a major boost to the country’s strategic defense capabilities.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has announced that revenue collection grew nearly 25% in July, the first month of the 2025–26 fiscal year.
NBR collected Tk 27,249 crore in July 2025, up from Tk 21,916 crore in the same month last year—an increase of 24.33%.
The highest revenue came from VAT, totaling Tk 11,352 crore, marking a 32.45% growth compared to last year’s Tk 8,571 crore. Income tax and travel tax generated Tk 6,295 crore (up 21.65% from Tk 5,175 crore), while import duties rose 17.52% to Tk 9,602 crore from Tk 8,170 crore last year.

Hefazat-e-Islam has expressed deep concern and outrage over the public death threats issued against researcher Dr. Mohammad Sarowar Hossain and writer Asif Mahatab Utso.
In a statement, Hefazat alleged that Safwan Chowdhury Rebel, identified as a homosexual activist, is not only engaged in anti-religious and anti-social propaganda but is also attempting to destabilize law and order through open threats of violence.
The statement described Dr. Hossain as a respected academic and researcher, known for his analysis on religion, nationalism, history, and politics, while Asif Mahatab was praised for his Islamic ideals and cultural resistance narratives that resonate with youth.
“Threats against such intellectuals are not merely personal attacks, but direct assaults on freedom of thought in Bangladesh,” Hefazat declared.

In a gesture of solidarity, Chhatra Dal and BAGSAS refrained from nominating Sanjida Ahmed Tanvir for the Research and Publications Secretary post in last year’s DUCSU elections, in honor of the injuries she sustained on July 15.

Tanvir expressed gratitude to those who trusted her abilities and believed she could fulfill students’ aspirations if elected. She emphasized her strong interest and experience in research, highlighting that a paper from her undergraduate work is pending publication in a reputed international journal, while her master’s research on the mental health of female students is ongoing. She noted that this research has been shortlisted for the National Science and Technology Fellowship and pledged to achieve her goals with continued support from peers.

The district administration’s investigation committee on the Sylhet white stone looting incident has finally submitted its report. The submission occurred on Wednesday, just hours after outgoing DC Mohammad Sher Mahbub Murad vacated his office.

The committee, led by Additional Deputy Commissioner Padmasan Singh, presented a seven-page report naming 137 individuals allegedly involved in the looting. Although the report has not been publicly released, sources indicate it includes ten recommendations to prevent future incidents, focusing on the protection of tourist sites and stones.

The three-member committee was formed on August 12 following the looting, which also led to the transfer of the then DC and the UNO of Companyganj.

Legal analyst and adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has warned that the problem of forged migration documents cannot be solved individually, stressing it has become a systemic crisis.

“If hundreds of thousands forge papers to go abroad, there’s little one can do,” he said, noting that violations by migrants abroad affect other nations too.

He praised government initiatives in labor migration and worker protection, highlighting unprecedented growth in overseas employment and remittance inflow over the past year.

Efforts are ongoing to expand labor markets in the Middle East and UAE, regulate female migration, and reintegrate workers deported during the July Movement protests.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has officially published the gazette on the Welfare and Rehabilitation Ordinance Rules for the families of martyrs and fighters of the July Uprising.

According to the gazette, recognized members of martyr families will receive a one-time savings certificate worth Tk 3 million along with a monthly allowance of Tk 20,000.

For those injured in the movement, benefits will vary by severity:

Critically injured: Tk 500,000 one-time grant + Tk 20,000 monthly allowance

Severely injured: Tk 300,000 one-time grant + Tk 15,000 monthly allowance

Injured: Tk 100,000 one-time grant + Tk 10,000 monthly allowance

In addition, welfare and rehabilitation committees will be formed at central, district, and upazila levels. The central committee will be chaired by the Minister or Adviser of the Liberation War Affairs Ministry, district committees by Deputy Commissioners, and upazila committees by UNOs.

Government adviser Asif Mahmud said the administration is fully preparing for the national election, but broader consensus on the July Charter would allow the process to move even faster.

He admitted that local government elections could not be held earlier due to party disagreements, though 23 development projects have been revised to reduce regional disparity.

Mahmud acknowledged past vote rigging and polling center takeovers, which led to the dissolution of several local government bodies. Many vacant posts are now being temporarily managed by officials, affecting normal operations.

“Despite challenges, with goodwill and consensus, Bangladesh can move steadily toward a credible election,” he said.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has denied claims that Awami League members are conducting Bangladesh-related political activities within India.

Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian government is “not aware of any Bangladesh-opposing or illegal activities” by Awami League affiliates on Indian territory, stressing that India does not allow political operations against other countries from its soil.

He reaffirmed India’s hope that Bangladesh will hold “free, fair, and participatory elections reflecting the people’s mandate at the earliest opportunity.”

The denial comes after Bangladesh urged New Delhi to shut down an alleged Awami League office reportedly operating in India.

The Cabinet Division has formed a five-member high-powered probe committee to investigate the illegal extraction of white stone in Sylhet.

The committee, headed by the Division’s Secretary for Coordination and Reform, has been directed to submit its findings within 10 days.

Members include senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources. The committee has been tasked with identifying those responsible for the large-scale looting.

A fishing trawler named FB Mayer Doa, carrying 20 fishermen, capsized near Kuakata in the Bay of Bengal on Sunday. While 14 have been rescued, six remain missing, authorities confirmed Wednesday.

Thirteen fishermen were found floating near the Payra channel’s pipe buoy and rescued by locals. Another was saved earlier that morning, 20 km off the Payra port.

The survivors, now under treatment at Kalapara Hospital, reported clinging to plastic water drums for two days before being spotted. Missing fishermen include Abu Taher (55), Kamal (35), Riaz Uddin (22), Tamiz (18), Sohag (20), and Shahabuddin (45).

The Coast Guard has been alerted to continue search operations.

The Election Commission (EC) has finalized the draft roadmap for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, outlining action plans in 24 key areas, according to Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.

He said the final roadmap will be published within the week, stressing there is currently “no reason for concern over law and order.”

Hearings on boundary demarcation for 82 constituencies will begin on August 24 and continue for four days. The EC also clarified that polling centers will not be increased: each will serve 3,000 voters, with booth capacity raised from 500 to 600 voters.