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.

July Unity has issued an ultimatum demanding the ban of the National Party and 14 other parties allied with the Awami League, citing their role in alleged genocide, oppression, and disruption of democracy. The group consulted with families of martyrs, injured activists, and 80 organizations aligned with the July Mass Uprising before deciding. If the interim government fails to act by September 9, July Unity plans legal measures and street protests to enforce the ban and hold these parties accountable.

BNP leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy called for vigilance against inequality masquerading as reform. He cautioned that voters need to recognize candidates personally, rather than blindly following party symbols or slogans.

He emphasized that the nation’s citizens cast their votes based on parties, individuals, and reputation. “We must focus on holding timely, single-issue elections nationwide. When the entire country engages in elections, conspirators will have nowhere to hide,” he said.

Addressing participants of the July uprising, Roy urged them to focus on the future, warning against becoming pawns in political games and instead dedicating themselves to establishing democracy. He also praised Tarique Rahman’s leadership, noting that despite his long stay abroad, Rahman has not faltered in guiding the movement. “He will continue to play a key role in defending democracy in the future,” Roy said.

BNP leader Begum Selima Rahman has accused the ruling government of plundering the country under the pretext of upholding the spirit of the Liberation War. She warned that a new “2024 mentality” is emerging, being used to undermine the upcoming elections.

Speaking on political accountability, Selima stressed that despite the fall of authoritarianism, the struggle is far from over. “We must ensure the people’s right to vote. No further conspiracies will be allowed,” she said.

She affirmed that the BNP is fully prepared for the next election and called on all party leaders and activists to work toward this goal. Addressing the controversy over the proportional representation system, she remarked that in such a system, citizens would not even know whom they are voting for. “The people will elect their leaders. The BNP will fight for votes and, more importantly, for democracy,” she added.

The government has constituted a three-member inquiry commission to investigate the recent attack on Nurul Haque Nur, President of the Gono Adhikar Parishad.

The commission will be headed by Justice Md. Ali Reza of the High Court Division, with the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division as members.

The panel has been given 30 working days to submit its findings, including identifying those responsible for the assault and recommending legal action against them. It will also propose measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Addressing Abdul Kader, a candidate for Dhaka University Vice President, Bangladesh Nationalist Student Party (JSD) President Rakibul Islam assured: “Kader, I promise that the BNP student wing will stand firmly with you against the descendants of Rajakars, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams, InshaAllah.”

Rakib also highlighted the exposure of certain militant networks within rival student groups. He said, “Leaders and operatives trained for cyberbullying are systematically targeting not only conscious women leaders but anyone with opposing views. These individuals must be identified and held accountable. Over time, justice will be ensured.”

Earlier, Kader described his struggle for safety: “I do not need to win DU elections; I just want to survive. Since speaking about the Rajakars, harassment has escalated daily. I cannot sleep, and even my family faces threats.”