U.S. President Donald Trump is set to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War through an executive order. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would be titled “Secretary of War,” and his deputy “Deputy Secretary of War.” The move reverses a 1949 decision meant to signal restraint in nuclear-era conflicts. Critics warn the change could cost billions as documents, signage, and systems are updated. Trump has also reversed other renamings, including restoring bases once stripped of Confederate-linked titles.

BNP leader Tarique Rahman has extended heartfelt greetings to Muslims in Bangladesh and worldwide on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

In his message, he said: “The Prophet (PBUH) established truth, justice, and compassion by dispelling the darkness of ignorance. His ideals in serving the oppressed, honoring women, showing mercy, and protecting children remain unmatched. That is why he is recognized as the greatest human being of all time.”

He called the day both solemn and joyous, as it celebrates the Prophet’s arrival and the eternal guidance of the Holy Qur’an.

Rahman concluded with prayers that Muslims everywhere embody the Prophet’s teachings of sacrifice, justice, and mercy in their lives.

Israeli airstrikes on besieged Gaza killed at least 75 people within 24 hours, with 44 casualties reported in Gaza City alone.

UNICEF has described Gaza City as a “city of terror.” One strike on a tent in Tel al-Hawa killed five members of the same family, including three children.

Witness Isra al-Basus recounted: “I was sleeping with my children when the bomb hit. Shrapnel pierced our bodies. My four children screamed in terror.”

Al Jazeera’s correspondent Hani Mahmoud said residents are fleeing from one neighborhood to another, only to be pursued by continuous airstrikes and shelling.

UNICEF warned that nearly one million people are now trapped in what it called a “city filled with fear, funerals, and flight.”

According to the Israeli military, its forces currently control about 40% of Gaza City and plan to expand operations further in the coming days.

A local activist of the opposition youth wing was shot dead in Khulna’s Rupsa area late Thursday night.

Eyewitnesses reported that assailants fired 5–6 close-range shots at Imran Hossain Manik’s head before fleeing the scene. Manik, son of Belayet Hossain from Bagmara village, died instantly.

Police later recovered the body and sent it for autopsy. Officials confirmed a manhunt is underway to capture those responsible, though the motive behind the killing remains unclear.

EU Ambassador Michael Miller paid a courtesy visit and held discussions with Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday at the party chief’s residence. Deputy Head of Delegation Beiba Zerina also attended the meeting.

The discussions focused on issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and the European Union, with particular emphasis on strengthening Bangladesh’s democracy. Both parties expressed optimism that cooperation, development, and progress between them will continue in the future.

Ambassador Miller also inquired about Dr. Rahman’s health. The meeting included preliminary discussions about a high-level EU delegation visit to Jamaat-e-Islami, scheduled for mid-September.

Pakistan’s political advisor Rana Sanaullah has confirmed that Field Marshal Asim Munir will continue as Army Chief until November 2027 under current law. He emphasized no new notification is required, and automatic retirement applies after five years. Sanaullah highlighted Munir’s leadership successes and stressed continuity is vital amid security and regional challenges. The government ruled out early elections, reaffirming the National Assembly will serve until 2029. Economic discussions focus on financial balance, with provinces’ stronger capacity helping resolve fiscal challenges.

Austrian NATO committee member Gunther Fellinger has ignited outrage by calling for the breakup of India along religious, linguistic, and regional lines. Posting a map on social media, he suggested North India as Khalistan and proposed separate states for other regions. He claimed discussions with Sikh activists focused on achieving Khalistan’s independence and freeing India from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s influence. The remarks have drawn sharp criticism, highlighting tensions over foreign interference and divisive narratives targeting India’s sovereignty and unity.

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.