Rising tensions between Russia and NATO have prompted France to instruct hospitals to be ready for major emergencies by 2026. The directive emphasizes maintaining medical supplies, trained personnel, and rapid response capabilities. Other European nations, including Germany, Italy, and Spain, are strengthening border security and emergency services. Experts warn the situation may be long-term, highlighting the need for vigilance in health, safety, and citizen services. France’s Health Minister Catherine Vautrin calls the preparations a normal, strategic readiness measure.

Facing a 50% U.S. tariff on its goods since August 27, India has chosen diplomatic and strategic measures over direct retaliation. Experts warn prolonged tariffs could cost up to 0.8% of GDP and threaten millions of jobs in textiles, leather, and jewelry. India is focusing on diversifying export markets, strengthening trade with Mexico, Canada, China, Europe, and Latin America, while supporting exporters with technology and tax relief to maintain competitiveness against rivals like Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Russia’s Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev reacted strongly after Western countries transferred seized Russian assets to Ukraine. He stated that even if legal recovery fails, Russia will reclaim the assets “in kind” through land, property, and other resources. Medvedev criticized Britain’s $1.3 billion transfer to Kyiv as supporting “neo-Nazis” and claimed it gives Russia a legal right to demand compensation. He clarified this excludes Donbas and Novorossiya, which he said are already Russian territories.

The government plans to give the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) the power to recommend appointments of principals, head teachers, and assistant head teachers in private educational institutions. Previously managed by school committees prone to corruption, these appointments will now prioritize qualified candidates based on NTRCA recommendations. A committee under the Ministry of Education will finalize selection procedures and ensure transparency. Parents and teachers have long demanded this reform to prevent mismanagement and favoritism in school leadership appointments.

Russia has announced the expulsion of an Estonian diplomat in Moscow after Estonia declared a Russian envoy persona non grata last month. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Estonia’s chargé d’affaires Marek Uhtegi was summoned and informed of the decision. The ministry condemned Tallinn’s “hostile” step, stressing that any unfriendly actions would draw reciprocal measures. The move marks the latest escalation in tense relations between the two countries, as both sides continue to trade diplomatic expulsions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that single dominance in world politics will no longer continue, indirectly pointing at the United States. Speaking in Beijing, he stressed equal rights for all nations and balance in international relations. Putin cautioned against punishing powers like India and China, recalling the West’s colonial past. His comments coincide with Donald Trump’s administration imposing double tariffs on Indian goods over Russian oil imports, drawing criticism from New Delhi and heightening tensions in U.S.–India relations.

Union Bank has agreed to a merger plan amid ongoing restructuring efforts in Bangladesh’s troubled banking sector. However, EXIM Bank has sought more time, saying it needs to focus on its recovery plan first. Bangladesh Bank is holding a series of meetings with weak banks, including Union, EXIM, First Security Islami, Global Islami, and Social Islami. Officials revealed that S. Alam Group withdrew hundreds of billions of taka from some banks, worsening their crises and delaying depositor repayments.

The government has approved the Telecommunication Network and Licensing Policy, aimed at reducing monopoly control and eliminating middlemen in the sector to ensure affordable, high-quality services.

According to Faiz Ahmed Tayyab, the new framework consolidates licensing into just three tiers, with an additional license for satellite-based telecom services.

“This will promote competition and help keep voice and data services within people’s purchasing power,” he said, adding that operators can now provide multiple services under a single license.

The policy also opens the door for new entrants to Bangladesh’s mobile telecom market and enables technologies like private 5G, Voice over WiFi, WiFi-6, and WiFi-7.

The interim government may declare a new pay structure for government employees before the February national election if time allows, according to Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. A pay commission, formed in July, is preparing recommendations considering inflation and socio-economic realities, with its report due within six months. However, the implementation will be carried out by the next elected government. Meanwhile, employees will continue to receive dearness allowance until the new structure is finalized.

French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the U.S. decision to deny visas to Palestinian officials, calling it “unacceptable.” Speaking at a UN meeting on the Israel-Palestine conflict, he urged the reversal of the decision and stressed Palestinians’ right to representation. Macron discussed the upcoming Two-State Solution Conference with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasizing international support for a two-state solution, humanitarian aid in Gaza, disarming Hamas, and strengthening the Palestinian Authority to achieve sustainable peace.

Asaduzzaman Fuad, a leader of AB Party, has issued a stark warning to the interim government, saying it will face “grave consequences” if the attack on Nurul Haque Nur goes unpunished.

“Before stepping onto the gallows, the advisers of this government should take care of their own nooses,” Fuad said while visiting Nur at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

He claimed that names of several advisers were already on “assassination plans” lists, adding that justice must be swift and exemplary.

Fuad alleged that senior army officers gave the command for the attack, yet no action has been taken against them. He further linked the incident to “a long-term conspiracy against Bangladesh’s sovereignty under Indian dominance.”

U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at possible new sanctions on Russia if the war in Ukraine continues. Speaking with Polish President Andrzej Duda in the Oval Office, Trump said that if he is dissatisfied with Vladimir Putin’s response, “something will happen.” He denied being soft on Moscow, citing sanctions on India for Russian oil as proof of his firm stance. Trump plans to speak with Ukrainian President Zelensky soon to determine the next steps.

A U.S. federal court has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to suspend nearly $2 billion in Harvard University research funding, calling it illegal and a violation of the university’s right to free expression. Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that while anti-Semitism exists at Harvard, it was not the real reason for the funding cuts, and issued an injunction to ensure ongoing grants are not withheld. Harvard considers this a major legal victory, though an appeal from the administration is expected.

The Shramik Adhikar Parishad has warned of a siege at the Secretariat if justice is not delivered for the recent attack on Nurul Haque Nur.

At a protest rally, leader Abu Hanif said:
“On August 29, Nur and over a hundred activists, including Al Imran and Nazmul Hasan, were injured in an assault allegedly carried out by police and army personnel. Six days have passed, yet no action has been taken.”

Hanif declared that the attack on Nur was tantamount to an attack on July’s mass uprising. He accused elements within the administration of trying to bring back the Awami League through the Jatiya Party.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said that freedom of expression by political parties, regardless of stance, is a hallmark of democratic culture and should not be dismissed as mud-slinging.

Speaking at a briefing, Rizvi alleged that though Sheikh Hasina has fled, her loyalists within the administration continue to orchestrate unrest to undermine the interim government and obstruct free elections.

He accused former regime figures of conspiring to destabilize the country, warning that no power is greater than the people. “No matter how many conspiracies are hatched, they will fail, and democracy will return through fair elections,” he added.

Rizvi also praised the innovative talents of student Nabil, noting that acting BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has extended congratulations and financial support to him.