Top opposition leaders protested in Delhi against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, accusing the BJP-led government of targeting only opposition-ruled states. Trinamool Congress’ Abhishek Banerjee demanded the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and the resignation of the central government, calling the current voter list flawed. He accused the BJP of using the Election Commission as a tool to suppress democratic votes, warning of mass protests if voting rights are compromised in Bengal. Tensions between opposition and authorities are expected to escalate.

A high-level European and South Asian delegation arrives in Dhaka today for a three-day visit aimed at strengthening dialogue and cooperation. Organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, the group includes German Bundestag members, business leaders, and civil society representatives. Their agenda includes meetings with government officials, NGOs, and regional bodies, as well as visits to a garment factory in Savar. Discussions will focus on labor rights, regional security, media freedom, climate change, and enhancing Bangladesh-Germany relations.

Five senior officers of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have been promoted to the ranks of Deputy Police Commissioner and Assistant Police Commissioner. Among the promoted, A.F.M. Anwar Hossain Khan has been assigned to the City Research and Development Division, while Mohammad Morshed Alam will serve in the City Intelligence and Analysis Division. Additionally, Shirin Akter has been posted to the PR and HRD Division of the Detective Branch (DB), Jannatul Ferdous to the Intelligence, Cyber, and Special Crime (North) Division, and Monwara Akter Rifat to the Women Support and Investigation Division.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has pledged to continue supporting Bangladesh, particularly in addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis. Speaking after talks with Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus in Putrajaya, Anwar called for ASEAN unity in resolving the Myanmar conflict. He praised Bangladesh’s role in multilateral forums and announced plans for Malaysia’s foreign minister to visit Myanmar with regional counterparts. Dr. Yunus also attended a luncheon and cultural program hosted by Anwar, and will join business and community events in Malaysia.

A small single-engine plane crashed into parked aircraft while landing at Kalispell City Airport in Montana, sparking fires on several planes. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. local time on August 11. Authorities said the pilot lost control before the crash. Two people sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene. The Socata TBM 700 turboprop had originated from Pullman, Washington. Fire crews contained the blaze after it spread to nearby grass. The aircraft was built in 2011 and owned by Meter Sky LLC.

Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser, has urged Malaysia to keep its labor market open to Bangladeshi workers in the long term. Speaking at a joint press conference, Yunus expressed gratitude to Malaysia for welcoming Bangladeshi workers as friends and family, highlighting the mutual benefits of labor cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged the vital contributions of Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia’s development, affirming Bangladesh as one of Malaysia’s key partners. To maintain workers’ family ties and ensure workplace safety, Malaysia has introduced multiple-entry visas for Bangladeshi laborers, further strengthening bilateral relations.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia, along with several regional partner countries, will jointly dispatch a delegation to Myanmar. The mission’s objectives include fostering peace and ensuring humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees sheltering in Bangladesh. Anwar stressed that establishing peace in Myanmar is a top priority, alongside delivering immediate humanitarian aid to victims, including refugees and earthquake survivors. The Malaysian Foreign Minister is expected to coordinate the Myanmar mission in the coming weeks, with participation from foreign ministers of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Anwar expressed concern over the heavy burden Bangladesh bears in hosting a large number of Rohingya refugees. According to UN data, nearly 150,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh in the past 18 months due to escalating violence primarily targeting the Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine State.

Bangladesh will allow onion imports to increase market supply and stabilize prices, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin announced on August 12. The decision follows a sharp price hike in Dhaka, where onions rose from Tk 60 to Tk 80–85 per kilogram within a week. Imports will be permitted from any country, not just India, based on demand, supply, and price considerations. The government’s primary goal is to ensure affordability for consumers, though the specific import dates and quantities are yet to be set.

Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has invited Malaysian companies to invest in Bangladesh, highlighting the interim government’s efforts to create a business-friendly environment. Speaking at a business forum in Kuala Lumpur, he emphasized the country’s growing potential and opportunities for young, creative talent. The event also featured presentations by key industry leaders and was held after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Malaysian and Bangladeshi chambers of commerce to boost trade and investment ties.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sent a letter to Interpol requesting a five-year extension on the red notice for fugitive money launderer Prashanta Kumar Halder. The current notice is set to expire this December. Earlier, on July 5, Interpol notified the ACC through the Police Headquarters, seeking Bangladesh’s position on whether to withdraw or extend the notice. Halder, currently imprisoned in India, was sentenced to 22 years in a Bangladesh court and is under investigation in over 50 cases by the ACC. The move aims to ensure continued international cooperation in his pursuit.

Scott Ritter, ex-US Marine intelligence officer, stated that Ukraine will inevitably lose regions like Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk to Russia following the 2022 referendums. He criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying he is not a good leader and should face this reality. Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump suggested territorial concessions from both sides to end the war, with upcoming talks planned with Putin in Alaska to explore peace agreements.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the country is deploying all its resources and diplomatic capabilities to foster hope in Gaza. Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdogan condemned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his network, accusing them of dragging the region into deeper crisis to maintain political power. Since October 2023, Israel’s military actions have caused immense loss of life and humanitarian suffering in Gaza. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and others for war crimes in Gaza.

Eight engineering students have fallen ill while on a relentless hunger strike demanding the establishment of an independent education board modeled after the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). The protest, aimed at securing academic and administrative autonomy, has now surpassed 42 hours. Over a hundred students from engineering colleges in Mymensingh, Barisal, Faridpur, and Sylhet are participating. Despite the worsening health of the students, authorities remain silent. The protesters emphasize that engineering education forms the backbone of the country’s industry, technology, and economy and urge the government to support their demands to safeguard the future of engineering education. Although several organizations, including the National Council of Private Institutions (NCPI), have shown solidarity, no response has come from any relevant department or ministry. The students call on officials to witness firsthand the helplessness and suffering their peers are enduring.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is planning to send players to Malaysia and Thailand for medical treatment due to ongoing visa issues with India. Political tensions have led to a suspension of Indian visas for over a year, making it difficult for players to get timely treatment there. To reduce dependency on India, BCB aims to finalize medical agreements with Malaysia and Thailand soon. This move will ensure faster visa processing and better medical support, including workshops for BCB’s medical staff.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Punjab government regarding former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s bail petition in a May 9 violence case. A three-member bench led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi started hearing multiple bail pleas after the Lahore High Court rejected them. The court refrained from commenting on legal matters for now and scheduled the next hearing for August 19. Imran Khan remains imprisoned in Adiala Jail as the case proceeds.