The European Union’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Charles Whiteley (Michael Miller in local reports), held a meeting on Thursday with Dr. Ali Riaz, Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission.

The discussion focused on the commission’s activities, objectives, and achievements. Riaz briefed the envoy on the dialogues held with political parties, efforts to build national consensus, and progress in implementing the National Charter announced in July.

Ambassador Whiteley praised the commission’s work, expressing optimism that its ongoing efforts would be successfully completed.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has ordered the commencement of trial proceedings against former MP Saiful and 15 others in connection with the Ashulia mass killing case, where six bodies were burned during the uprising.

The tribunal also issued arrest warrants for eight fugitives linked to the case.

Prosecutors allege that on August 5, 2024, five victims were killed and set ablaze, while another injured man was also burned alive. A day earlier, on August 4, another individual was shot dead outside Ashulia police station.

The formal charges are supported by 313 pages of documents, 62 witnesses, 168 pages of evidence, and two pen drives.

Sukhranjan Bali, a controversial witness in the war crimes trial of Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, has lodged a formal complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal alleging abduction and torture.

Bali claimed that in November 2012, as he attempted to testify in Sayeedi’s favor, plainclothes police abducted him and held him in secret detention for two months and 17 days, before forcing him across the border into India, where he was imprisoned for five years.

His petition names 32 individuals, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, and several senior figures in the judiciary and prosecution.

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.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has directed heads of institutions to submit August salary bills by August 23 in order to disburse payments to MPO-enlisted teachers and staff via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT).

The circular warns that delays in online bill submission will prevent salaries from being sent through EFT. Heads of institutions must download copies of submitted bills, signed by both the head and governing body president, for recordkeeping.

Since January 2024, MPO salaries have been transferred directly to individual bank accounts through EFT. From August, however, monthly MPO payroll submissions by institution heads have been made mandatory to ensure accuracy in cases of retirement, resignation, or death.

Special Assistant Fayez Ahmed Tayeb announced that expansion work on the National Data Center and Disaster Recovery Data Center will be completed within the next six months.

During his visit to the IT Park, Tayeb reviewed site designs, operational facilities, and instructed officials to ensure overall quality improvements. He urged IT Park authorities to organize hackathons, ideathons, startup development programs, and science fairs involving students from local schools and colleges, thereby strengthening the startup ecosystem pipeline.

He also emphasized the need for regular seminars on cybersecurity, digital verification, and cyber literacy. Later, Tayeb visited the operations of Sheba.xyz and Chaldal.com at Jessore Software Technology Park and assured investors that rent reduction demands would be considered.

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.

A total of 175 Bangladeshi nationals have been repatriated from Libya’s Ganfuda Detention Center in Benghazi with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

They arrived at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 6:15 a.m. on Thursday.

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Libya, Major General Abul Hasnat Muhammad Khairul Bashar, along with embassy officials, supervised the repatriation process.

Expressing gratitude to the Libyan authorities and IOM, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of pursuing legal and safe migration pathways. He urged returnees to take legal action against human trafficking networks and assured continued embassy support in this regard.

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.

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.

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.