US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has indicated that President Donald Trump will make it clear to Russian President Vladimir Putin that “all options are on the table” during their upcoming meeting. Mnuchin noted that while frustration with Putin has been widespread, there may now be a chance for productive talks. He warned that if discussions fail, sanctions or additional tariffs could be imposed on Russia, urging European partners to support coordinated pressure against Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly rejected any Russian proposal to give up the Donbas region in exchange for a ceasefire, warning it could be exploited for future attacks. Speaking ahead of the Russia–U.S. meeting in Alaska, he emphasized Ukraine will not surrender territory, citing constitutional requirements for a referendum on land exchanges. Despite recent Russian advances, Zelensky stressed Kyiv will defend against attackers. The announcement comes amid global concern over possible territorial negotiations following Trump’s comments on peace deals.

After a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin, Harun Chowdhury, claiming himself as the President of Bangladesh’s Communist Party (ML), stated that former General Secretary Dilip Barua’s current whereabouts remain unknown.
Harun said the party had presented its new committee and revised structure to the CEC, noting that a conference on February 7 introduced key changes. Previously, the General Secretary was the party’s top leader, but now the President will hold that position. Both the President and General Secretary posts have been reinstated.
He acknowledged controversies surrounding Barua but stressed they had no knowledge of the details, only that he had not been arrested. Harun also urged the CEC to ensure an election free from muscle power, money influence, and unfair declarations, and called for equal treatment of all candidates.

Following a fall in international prices, Bangladesh has reduced the domestic price of loose palm oil from BDT 169 to BDT 150 per liter. The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC) has instructed local authorities to intensify market monitoring amid concerns that some traders might sell palm oil as soybean oil for extra profit. Bottled soybean oil remains at BDT 189 per liter, while loose soybean oil prices are unchanged. Authorities are also urged to take legal action if unethical practices harm consumers.

The National Revolutionary Council has called for August 14 to be officially declared “Liberation from Colonialism and Bangladesh’s First Independence Day” and celebrated with full state honors. In a statement, the group described the 1947 independence as the foundation of the 1971 liberation and honored six key leaders—Allama Iqbal, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq, Liaquat Ali Khan, Khawaja Nazimuddin, and Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy. The council also announced programs to mark the occasion.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has delivered financial assistance to a family in North Satkania, Chattogram, for the treatment of two ailing children. Acting under the direction of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, the party also gifted the family an auto-rickshaw and provided additional aid to an injured July uprising participant.

The beneficiaries are the children of late Youth Dal leader Mohammad Yusuf of Hashimpur—three-year-old Mohammad Rahan, who has a heart defect, and 11-year-old Mohammad Arafat, who suffers from thalassemia.

Five candidates have so far collected nomination papers for the Vice-President post in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) elections. Chief Returning Officer Mohammad Jasim Uddin reported that on Wednesday alone, 13 candidates collected nomination forms for various central positions, while 18 candidates collected forms for hall union elections.

On August 12, a total of seven candidates took forms, and four have submitted them so far. Jasim confirmed that all candidates have adhered to the election code of conduct. Nomination distribution will continue daily from 10 am to 4 pm until August 18, and submissions will be accepted from 10 am to 3 pm on August 19.

The Bangladesh Army has warned the public about multiple fake social media accounts operating under the name of Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman. According to an ISPR statement issued Wednesday night, the Army Chief does not maintain any personal Facebook or other social media accounts and has no plans to do so in the future. The statement urged citizens and the media not to be misled by false information spread through these accounts.

Three more witnesses have testified before the tribunal in the case of six people killed by gunfire at Chankharpul during the July mass uprising. Rahima Akhter, mother of martyr Yakub, described seeing her son’s lifeless body with a bullet wound to the abdomen and severe bleeding.

Another witness, Shahid Ahmed, alleged that while heading toward Ganabhaban on August 5, he heard uniformed men speaking Hindi. He claimed police fired warning shots to disperse them, but when the group advanced again, officers fired directly. Testimony was also given by Yakub’s uncle Shahid Ahmed and Mahibul Haque, brother of martyr Ismamul Haque. The defense later cross-examined the witnesses. Yakub had been a deliveryman at a store in Dhaka’s New Market.

At least 5,000 families in Lalmonirhat are stranded as floodwaters from the Teesta River have submerged low-lying and char areas in five upazilas. Water levels at the Teesta Barrage point in Dalia were recorded at 52.18 meters—above the danger mark. On Tuesday, the river was 1 cm above danger level; by Wednesday morning, it had risen to 7 cm over.

The situation is expected to persist for at least two more days. Flooding has damaged homes, croplands, and roads in Lalmonirhat Sadar, Hatibandha, Kaliganj, Aditmari, and Patgram. Locals allege that solar panel installations have altered the river’s course, causing water to enter populated areas and threatening embankments. The district administration has instructed UNO offices to prepare lists of affected residents so that relief can be distributed promptly.

Police have arrested Sujon Sikder, joint convener of the Gopalganj district unit of Swechchhasebak Dal, in connection with clashes during an NCP march. Authorities confirmed that he was shown arrested on Wednesday under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The violent incidents took place on July 16, when an NCP rally in Gopalganj erupted into widespread clashes. So far, police have filed 15 cases, including five for murder.

Islamic Movement leader Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, widely known as the Chormonai Pir, has accused an “opportunist clique” of exploiting the post–August 5 situation for extortion and tender manipulation. Speaking at a seminar in Faridpur, he said Islamic Movement leaders and scholars took to the streets after August 5 to protect the lives and property of minorities.

He claimed the party is working to unite Islamic-minded voters ahead of the next election, which has led to increased hostility from those he described as “fascists” and “extortionists.” He further alleged that attacks are now being directed against Chormonai, Islamic scholars, and particularly the student leaders who played a central role in the August 5 uprising.

The White House has indicated that the upcoming Alaska meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is primarily a listening opportunity for Trump, with little chance of a quick Russia–Ukraine ceasefire. Only one party involved in the conflict will attend, and key issues remain unresolved. While Trump has suggested territorial concessions might be necessary, Ukraine’s President Zelensky has rejected any agreement without Ukraine’s consent. Private talks in Anchorage may precede a possible future Trump visit to Russia.

Britain, France, and Germany have warned the UN they will reinstate sanctions on Iran if no diplomatic deal is reached over Tehran’s nuclear program by the end of August. In a joint letter, the E3 said they are ready to use the 2015 deal’s “snapback mechanism” if Iran continues violating limits, accusing Tehran of stockpiling 40 times the permitted uranium. The warning follows Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and Iran’s suspension of cooperation with the IAEA.

In Gouripur, Mymensingh, farmer Md. Shahidullah has amazed locals by successfully growing pesticide-free tomatoes during the monsoon through grafting onto wild eggplant plants. This technique, supported by the Department of Agricultural Extension, protects against wilt disease and ensures high yields. Out of 1,000 grafts, 998 succeeded, producing premium tomatoes sold at Tk 180–200 per kg. From a small 10-decimal plot, Shahidullah earned Tk 70,000 from the first harvest and expects up to Tk 45,000 more, drawing nationwide attention from farmers and traders.