UK MP Tulip Siddiq, niece of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is facing trial in Bangladesh over allegations of illegally acquiring government land. The Anti-Corruption Commission claims she holds Bangladeshi citizenship and is registered as a voter, though Siddiq denies this. Her legal team calls the documents forged. The trial proceeds in her absence, raising political and legal debate. Siddiq resigned earlier from her UK Treasury post after reports of benefiting from assets linked to Hasina’s party.

Kuala Lumpur — Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser, Major General (retd) Khililur Rahman, met with ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy on Myanmar, Othman Hashim, at Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing Rohingya crisis.

During the meeting, Ambassador Hashim expressed gratitude for Bangladesh’s continued generosity towards the displaced Rohingya population. Both sides voiced deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State and the decline in international financial aid for Rohingya refugees sheltering in Bangladesh.

They agreed to work closely towards a swift and sustainable solution to the crisis. Rahman briefed the envoy on the upcoming stakeholder dialogue on the Rohingya issue, scheduled for August 25 in Cox’s Bazar, and exchanged views on the forthcoming UN international conference on the matter. Both expressed hope that the discussions would pave the way for a concrete action plan.

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir recently issued a direct nuclear threat to India, warning of potential attacks on infrastructure and extreme retaliatory measures. The remarks sparked outrage in India, with actress and MP Kangana Ranaut mocking him on social media. Delhi’s diplomatic and defense circles are closely monitoring the situation. Experts suggest Pakistan’s economic and political pressures may drive such statements. Kangana’s comments have ignited a heated debate, highlighting the growing verbal tension between the two nations.

Prime Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has returned home after a three-day state visit to Malaysia. According to the Prime Adviser’s Press Wing, his flight landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9:10 pm on Wednesday. Dr. Yunus departed Kuala Lumpur for Dhaka at 7:30 pm local time. The visit, which began on August 11, was made at the invitation of Malaysia’s Prime Minister.

At least 10 people were injured when a passenger bus of Gorai Paribahan overturned into a pond in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah, on Wednesday afternoon. The accident occurred around 1:00 PM in Keyabagan when the Jessore-bound bus from Kaliganj lost control while attempting to overtake another vehicle. Locals and firefighters rescued the injured and took them to the Upazila Health Complex. Police confirmed there were no fatalities.

Amid rising tensions over trade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit the U.S. in late September to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. On the sidelines, a possible bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump could focus on import tariffs, the bilateral trade deal, and India’s oil purchases from Russia. Earlier tariff hikes and potential sanctions have strained relations, making this visit a crucial moment. Outcomes of any Trump-Putin discussions could further influence India’s diplomatic strategy.

Yemen’s Houthi armed group has claimed attacks on four major Israeli locations—Haifa Port, Negev, Umm al-Rashrash (Eilat), and Beersheba—citing retaliation for Israel’s military operations and civilian casualties in Gaza. Six drones reportedly hit all intended targets. The Houthis warned their strikes will continue until Israel halts aggression and lifts the blockade. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports at least 73 killed in the last 24 hours and rising deaths from starvation, including children. The Haifa Port strike is one of the most significant claimed attacks so far.

India is reducing engagement with Turkey across tourism, education, and aviation as public anger grows over Ankara’s support for Pakistan and other disputes. Tourist arrivals from India fell 37% year-on-year, with mass cancellations hitting high-end travel segments. Several Indian universities have suspended exchange programs with Turkish institutions, citing national interest. Aviation authorities have revoked security clearance for Turkish-owned ground-handling firms. Analysts say India is leveraging its consumer and passenger base as a strategic tool against nations opposing its core interests.

Jatiya Party Co-Chairman Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa has declared Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, Ruhul Amin Hawlader, and Mujibul Haque Chunnu “unwelcome” in Rangpur Division, accusing them of plotting to split the party. Calling for unity behind GM Quader, Mostafa expressed concern over deteriorating law and order and suggested deploying the army alongside police for a phased general election. He also alleged that a conspiracy is underway to ban the Jatiya Party, similar to the Awami League’s ban.

Following the large-scale plundering at Sadapathor, illegal stone extraction has now spread to Jaflong in Sylhet — not only during the day but also under the cover of night. Large boulders have already been removed from the Zero Point area, damaging both the beauty of the tourist hotspot and the environment. Visitors have expressed outrage, while authorities claim patrols have been increased to curb the theft. Sadapathor itself has been left almost barren due to open looting.

Dhaka — The Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (JAGPA) has sent a formal letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the extradition of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to face trial over her alleged role in the July massacre.

The letter, submitted in both English and Bengali on Wednesday afternoon to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, was signed by Rashed Pradhan. As no High Commission official came forward to receive it, the letter was handed over through Additional Deputy Police Commissioner of the Diplomatic Security Division, Talat Mahmud.

In the letter, JAGPA accused Delhi of granting asylum to Hasina and condemned India’s “aggressive interference” in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. It also extended early greetings to the people of India on the eve of their 78th Independence Day before launching into sharp criticism:

“During the 1971 Liberation War, India looted resources from Bangladesh worth nearly USD 4 billion. From the beginning, India sought to treat Bangladesh as a tributary state, undermining our sovereignty and independence.”

The letter further accused India of exploiting Bangladesh while denying it its rightful shares of resources, contrasting this with Bangladesh’s generosity towards its neighbour. The party demanded that Sheikh Hasina be sent back to Bangladesh to face justice.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into large-scale illegal stone extraction from the Sadapathor tourist site in Sylhet. A nine-member ACC team visited the area on Wednesday, collecting evidence and speaking with locals. Police and administrative officials are also inspecting the site. Environmentalists and traders claim around 15 million cubic feet of stone worth over Tk 200 crore have been looted in the past year. ACC officials say a detailed report will be prepared, and action will be taken against those found guilty.

A court has withdrawn the temporary injunction on Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader’s political activities after senior co-chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, the plaintiff, dropped the case. The suit had alleged that Quader’s appointment as chairman in 2019 violated party rules and that he unlawfully approved a new constitution later that year. The dispute deepened after the removal of 10 presidium members from all party posts in June 2025, leading to the lawsuit filed in July.

Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL) has reduced the prices of 33 essential medicines by 10–50% by dismantling market syndicates and downsizing unskilled staff, said Managing Director Samad Mridha. He revealed that the previous government had nearly 2,000 more employees than needed, most of them unskilled, with 722 already laid off and overtime halted. Cost-cutting measures have enabled significant price drops for drugs including omeprazole capsules, ketorolac injections, ondansetron injections, ceftriaxone, and ceftazidime. Montelukast tablets were reduced from Tk 10.67 to Tk 5. Prices of 22 of the 32 medicines supplied to rural clinics have also been cut.

Jamaat-e-Islami staged demonstrations demanding legal status for the “July National Declaration” and “July National Charter” and holding the next national elections under their framework. Party leader Abdullah Mohammad Taher warned that if elections are orchestrated under foreign influence, the people will resist with their lives and blood. He accused certain groups of creating confusion over electoral reforms to sabotage the polls and insisted that elections must be arranged after formalizing the July documents.