Malaysia’s Immigration Department has announced new regulations targeting travelers who overstay in the country. Foreigners exceeding a 90-day stay will face immediate fines ranging from RM30 per day to RM2,000, depending on the duration. Those overstaying beyond 90 days will be investigated. The move aims to speed up legal processes, reduce court cases, and ease congestion at immigration depots. Between January and August, 35,225 illegal immigrants were detained, with 36,557 repatriated, mostly from Indonesia, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

The interim government has strongly condemned the shocking incident in Rajbari’s Goalanda, where the body of self-proclaimed Imam Mahdi, Nura Pagol, was exhumed and burned. Authorities vowed swift and strict legal measures against those involved, stressing that no individual or group is above accountability.

On Friday, a group identifying themselves as “Touhidi Janata” carried out the act, accusing Nura Pagol of distorting Islamic tenets and even claiming divinity. They alleged he was buried in a shrine built to resemble the Holy Kaaba, in defiance of Islamic tradition. Protesters had long demanded the shrine’s demolition and the removal of inscriptions naming him “Imam Mahdi.”

Meanwhile, reports emerged that a man named Russell Molla (28) was killed during the unrest, though local administration has yet to confirm the death.

The Government of Bangladesh has announced financial rewards for the recovery of various police weapons and ammunition that were looted. According to an official statement from the Bangladesh Police, genuine informants who provide accurate leads will be rewarded.

In a notice published on the police’s official Facebook page, the government outlined a detailed reward structure:

Pistol or shotgun: Tk 50,000 each

Chinese rifle: Tk 100,000 each

Submachine gun (SMG): Tk 150,000 each

Light machine gun (LMG): Tk 500,000 each

Ammunition: Tk 500 per round

Authorities have also assured that the identities of those providing information will be kept strictly confidential.

Earlier, on August 25, the Home Affairs Adviser had made a similar announcement regarding the recovery of looted police weapons.

Bangladesh has become Asia’s leading country in non-performing loans (NPLs), with 20.2% of its total loans turning non-performing in 2024, according to the Asian Development Bank. NPLs reached $20.27 billion, a 28% increase from last year, highlighting weaknesses in the banking system. Experts cite lax policies, political influence, and inadequate recovery measures as major causes. ADB warns that global economic and geopolitical risks could worsen the situation, urging stricter laws, market reforms, transparency, and active investor participation.

UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has resigned following a tax investigation into her recent £800,000 apartment purchase in Hove, which revealed an unpaid stamp duty of around £40,000. Though she acted in good faith, the independent inquiry confirmed she breached ministerial ethical standards. Rayner cited personal challenges, including divorce and childcare, in her resignation. Her departure creates a leadership gap in both government and the Labour Party, drawing criticism from opponents and posing challenges for party leader Keir Starmer.

Farida Akhtar, Advisor on Fisheries and Livestock, praised the country’s scientists for their role in sustainable fisheries management. Speaking at the 3rd International Conference for Sustainable Fisheries at Sylhet Agricultural University, she stressed increasing research funding and protecting fish resources from overfishing, illegal nets, and pesticide contamination. She highlighted freshwater aquaculture, hilsa production, and wetland conservation as key priorities. The three-day conference features 250 papers from local and international researchers, aiming to promote innovation, coordination, and long-term sustainability in Bangladesh’s fisheries sector.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate virtually in the upcoming BRICS summit, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed. The videoconference is expected to take place in the coming days. Reports indicate that Brazil is organizing a special online BRICS meeting on September 8. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva plans to discuss with other member nations coordinated responses to challenges facing the multipolar world order, including U.S. tariffs and sanctions, highlighting the bloc’s collective diplomatic and economic strategy.

Government adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan revealed he recently returned two high-value gifts—a luxury wristwatch and an iPad—offered to him during official meetings.

The watch was gifted at a ministerial meeting in Sri Lanka, while the iPad was presented by the head of an Indian power company. Khan admitted he was tempted to keep them but ultimately sent the watch to the state treasury and returned the iPad.

He clarified that he does accept low-value tokens such as books or chocolates from foreign dignitaries, often reciprocating with his own writings. He concluded by expressing hope that voters will choose leaders of integrity in the upcoming elections.

India has witnessed a significant demographic shift over the past five decades, with both birth and death rates halving. The birth rate fell from 36.9 per 1,000 in 1971 to 18.4 in 2023, while the death rate dropped from 14.9 to 6.4. Urbanization, family planning, and female education drove this change, alongside improved healthcare and life expectancy. Infant mortality also declined. Regional disparities remain, but experts say the trend could ease population pressure and boost India’s economic growth through a demographic dividend.

Pakistan and China have signed agreements and MoUs worth $8.5 billion during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Beijing.

The deals include $1.5 billion in contracts between private companies and $7 billion in MoUs covering various development and investment projects aimed at boosting Pakistan’s economy and infrastructure.

Sharif assured that a transparent monitoring mechanism has been established to ensure proper implementation.

Bangladesh’s Housing and Public Works Ministry has taken disciplinary measures against two sub-assistant engineers accused of inflating costs for furniture purchases and installation in the Ruppur Green City project (2019).

Shahin Uddin of Pabna’s Public Works Subdivision has been forced into compulsory retirement, while Alomgir Hossain of Rajshahi’s Public Works Zone has been demoted to a lower pay grade.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus extended heartfelt greetings to the nation and the global Muslim community on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi.

In a statement, he highlighted the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a guiding light for humanity. He described the day commemorating the birth and passing of the Prophet as sacred and glorious for Muslims worldwide. Yunus emphasized that the Prophet, as ‘Rahmatul-lil-Alamin,’ was sent by Allah for the guidance and salvation of mankind. He urged all to draw inspiration from the Prophet’s exemplary life and teachings for peace, prosperity, and collective well-being.

Sonia Gandhi, former Congress president, faces a fresh court case alleging she was registered as a voter before becoming an Indian citizen.

Complainant Vikas Tripathi claims Gandhi appeared on the electoral roll in 1980, though she only received Indian citizenship in 1983. Her name was removed in 1982 but reentered in 1983, according to the complaint.

The BJP argues this raises questions about the legitimacy of Congress leadership, while Congress dismisses the issue as a diversion from pressing concerns such as inflation, unemployment, and agrarian distress. Analysts see the case as part of BJP’s strategy to undermine Congress credibility ahead of elections.

On Friday evening, the National Party’s Kakrail office experienced another round of vandalism and arson. Both the ground and first floors were set ablaze, and furniture in multiple rooms was destroyed. Fire services later controlled the fire.

Party leaders blamed the incident on leaders and activists of the Ganadhikar Parishad, reportedly in retaliation for an attack on Nurul Haque Nur. They criticized the government for failing to provide adequate security for political offices.

“Tobacco kills 442 people in Bangladesh every single day. This is nothing short of an epidemic,” warned public health advocate Sharmin S. Murshid during a seminar.

She criticized the government’s internal disagreements over amending the Tobacco Control Act, urging immediate consensus to save lives.

Key proposed amendments include banning smoking zones in public places, prohibiting all forms of tobacco display and advertising, restricting e-cigarettes, ending the sale of single-stick cigarettes, banning tobacco industry CSR campaigns, and enlarging graphic health warnings to 90% of packaging.

Speakers condemned negotiations with tobacco companies and demanded stronger regulation aligned with WHO’s FCTC guidelines.