BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has accused the government of jeopardizing Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry through opaque and one-sided policies.

In a statement, Fakhrul said no new drug registrations have been issued in nearly two years, and medicine prices have not been adjusted for an extended period — putting the country at risk of losing its TRIPS waiver benefits when Bangladesh graduates to middle-income status on November 24, 2026.

He criticized the exclusion of Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries representatives from key drug regulation committees, calling it against the sector’s interests.

Fakhrul urged swift action to protect the industry, taking into account the post-LDC graduation scenario, and highlighted the BNP government’s past role in strengthening the sector.

Distinguished academic and theorist Professor Jatin Sarkar passed away on Wednesday at 2:45 PM in the ICU of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. He was 90. Sarkar had been under treatment for the past two and a half months after suffering a right femoral neck fracture in a fall on June 5. His son-in-law Rajib Sarkar confirmed the news of his passing. His younger brother, Professor Matindra Sarkar, said the body is being brought to his home in Netrokona, where people from all walks of life will pay their respects before the final rites. Professor Sarkar was a recipient of the Bangla Academy Literary Award.

The International Crimes Tribunal has scheduled August 21 to deliver its order on framing charges in the Ashulia case, in which six people were killed and their bodies burned during the 1971 Liberation War.

Earlier on Wednesday, police brought the accused to court in a prison van. On July 28, the tribunal appointed two state-funded lawyers for absconding defendants.

The prosecution formally submitted charges against 16 people on July 2, prompting the tribunal to issue arrest warrants for eight fugitives.

Advisor Asif Nazrul announced that Malaysia has agreed in principle to introduce a Graduate Pass Visa for Bangladeshi students studying there.

Following a productive meeting with Malaysia’s Minister of Higher Education, Nazrul said both sides must complete certain formalities before the policy is implemented.

Currently, around 10,000 Bangladeshi students are enrolled in Malaysian universities but lack the post-study employment opportunities available to students from other countries. If enacted, the visa will open the Malaysian job market to them.

Professor Muhammad Yunus also urged Malaysian authorities to officially recognize Bangladeshi degrees. In a separate meeting, the Malaysian Education Minister expressed strong interest in Yunus’s “Three Zero” campaign — aiming for zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero carbon emissions.

Attorney General M. Asaduzzaman has claimed that the High Court’s verdict on setting a minimum age for recognition as a freedom fighter was politically biased.

During Wednesday’s appellate hearing, the Attorney General argued that the case has stalled the verification process for freedom fighters. Previously, the minimum age was set at 12 years and 6 months, but a High Court ruling declared the related gazette and legal provision invalid after a petition challenged their legality.

The state later appealed, leading the Appellate Division to stay the High Court’s verdict.

Tangail’s joint forces have arrested 34 individuals, including Asgar Ali, president of the Sadar Upazila BNP, during a late-night raid at the so-called “Shatabdi Club” gambling den.

The operation, conducted early Tuesday night, recovered Tk 149,410 in cash, various gambling materials, and two empty liquor bottles.

Confirming the incident, Tangail Sadar Police Station OC Tanvir Ahmed said the detainees were handed over to police for legal action. A case is being prepared, and the accused will be presented before the court following formal charges.

Teachers from MPO-listed private educational institutions have given the interim government a one-month deadline to announce steps towards nationalizing their jobs.
Speaking at a rally at the National Press Club on Wednesday afternoon after meeting the education adviser, leaders of the Nationalization-Seeking Teachers’ Alliance warned that if “visible and logical” progress is not made, they will launch a full-day work stoppage across all educational institutions on September 15.

Testimony has begun in three separate corruption cases against Sheikh Rehana, Tulip Siddiq, Azmina Siddiq, and Radwan Mujib Siddiq over alleged irregularities in Purbachal land allocations.
Earlier on August 11, testimonies began in three similar cases against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter Saima Wazed Putul.
According to Anti-Corruption Commission prosecutor Moinul Hossain, RAJUK plots are intended for Dhaka residents without existing property. However, the Hasina family allegedly submitted false affidavits claiming they had no land or houses in the capital, despite ACC findings to the contrary. The family is accused of misusing power to obtain a 60-katha plot, an offense punishable by up to life imprisonment.

Newly appointed South African High Commissioner to Dhaka, Anil Sooklal, has said his country is committed to opening an embassy in Bangladesh as soon as funding is allocated. He noted that Bangladesh and South Africa face similar challenges, including poverty, inequality, and unemployment, and that his country is eager to share its development experience.
Sooklal revealed that the idea of establishing an embassy was first proposed by Nelson Mandela during his 1997 visit to Bangladesh. He added that if a new mission opens in the region, it will be in Bangladesh. The envoy expressed interest in Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical, garment, and agricultural sectors, and is working to arrange a high-level bilateral visit.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has dismissed claims that party activists extorted money from a Chattogram-based doctor whose live-streamed complaint went viral. Speaking to reporters, Rizvi said the doctor faced legal action for constructing a building without approved plans, not due to extortion, and alleged the doctor staged his injuries to smear BNP members.
Rizvi accused a religion-based political group of orchestrating the propaganda to cover its own misdeeds. He also condemned the mob killings of two Hindu men in Rangpur, calling for laws to prevent vigilantism.
Additionally, Rizvi criticized the government for failing to recover over Tk 2,000 crore allegedly looted and deposited in Farmers Bank (now Padma Bank). He reiterated that Bangladesh is not yet ready for proportional representation voting. BNP will hold nationwide prayer gatherings on Friday to mark Khaleda Zia’s birthday and honor fallen martyrs.

Israeli forces have killed 73 more Palestinians in Gaza in the past 24 hours, despite condemnations from 26 countries, including the UK, EU, and Canada. Among the dead are two people who died of starvation—one a six-year-old child—and 19 who were shot while attempting to collect food aid.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s offensive has killed 61,599 Palestinians and injured 154,088, according to Gaza health authorities. Survivors describe catastrophic conditions as food shortages and relentless attacks devastate the enclave.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ahead of his scheduled meeting with Donald Trump this Friday.
According to the Kremlin, the two leaders reaffirmed commitments to strengthening their “friendship, mutual trust, and cooperation.” Putin thanked Pyongyang for its military assistance in the Ukraine conflict, specifically during the recapture of the Kursk region.
Putin also briefed Kim on preparations for the upcoming Alaska summit and shared details about the Trump meeting. Reports indicate that around 10,000 North Korean troops are currently fighting alongside Russian forces, which recently advanced 10 kilometers near Dobropillia, Ukraine.

Iranian police arrested nearly 21,000 “suspects” during a 12-day conflict with Israel and the United States in June, according to police spokesperson Saeed Montazerolmahdi. Public tip-offs rose by 41% during this period, leading to the arrests.
Although the spokesperson did not specify the alleged crimes, espionage charges were among Iran’s claims. Authorities detained 2,774 undocumented migrants, investigated 30 high-security cases through phone inspections, and arrested 261 people on suspicion of espionage along with 172 for unauthorized video recording. Seven men convicted of espionage have been executed. Many detainees have since been released.
During the war, Iranian police handled more than 5,700 cybercrime cases, including online fraud and unauthorized withdrawals.

Political adviser Asif Mahmud has announced he will resign from government duties before the election schedule is declared, citing his active involvement in politics since 2018. Speaking on Khaled Muhiuddin’s program Thikana on Tuesday, Mahmud stressed that election-time governments should not include politically active figures, to avoid any conflict of interest.
Mahmud dismissed speculation that he would contest from Muradnagar, stating that his political focus remains at the national level and that Dhaka is his preferred political base. He also denied confirming whether he would join the NCP, though acknowledged close ties with its former wing, Janak. Additionally, Mahmud labeled allegations against his father involving corruption and sheltering criminals as smear campaigns, vowing legal action.

BNP leader Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain has warned that threats to block elections indicate an ominous return to authoritarianism. Speaking after paying tribute to former President Ziaur Rahman with newly elected Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) leaders, Zahid said, “Intimidation cannot suppress the journey towards elections. Those who threaten to prevent polls do not care about the people’s will.”
He reminded that the fall of the Awami League government came through a united student and public movement, not through the agitation of a single group.