Israeli forces have destroyed more than 3,000 olive trees in the occupied West Bank during a three-day military campaign, leaving Palestinian farmers devastated. The operation, launched in Al-Mughayir village after an Israeli settler was shot, also damaged nearly 500 acres of farmland and razed homes.

For the village’s 4,000 residents, olive trees are their primary livelihood. Farmers say the destruction has left many families destitute. “They may uproot our trees and gardens, but they will never uproot us,” one farmer said defiantly. “Our roots run deeper than the olive trees.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for the formation of a united national front to resist what he described as U.S. attempts to subjugate Iran.

“Never will the Islamic Republic bow to America,” he declared in a Sunday address.

Khamenei linked last June’s joint Israeli-U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities to broader efforts to destabilize the country.

Meanwhile, Iran is preparing to reopen negotiations with world powers over its nuclear program, signaling a new round of diplomacy amid escalating tensions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China next week to attend a high-level summit in Tianjin scheduled for August 31 to September 1.

The summit will host leaders from more than 20 countries and representatives of international organizations, according to Russian media.

Speculation had earlier surfaced about a possible trilateral meeting involving Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and former U.S. President Donald Trump, though the Kremlin later denied knowledge of such plans.

Putin last met Xi Jinping during the Chinese leader’s visit to Moscow in May.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is set to formally inaugurate the main session of a three-day international conference on the Rohingya crisis in Cox’s Bazar today.

The opening session, held on Sunday evening, featured an interactive dialogue with Rohingya representatives, focusing on building trust for safe and dignified repatriation.

Rohingya participants expressed frustration at what they called the international community’s silence, saying they remain trapped in refugee camps with little hope. “We want to return to our homeland as rightful citizens, not through forced repatriation,” one representative said.

The conference has brought together foreign and domestic experts, diplomats, politicians, academics, international organizations, and Rohingya delegates.

At least two people were killed and five others injured in Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Sunday.

The Israeli military said the strikes targeted a military base near the presidential palace, two power stations, and a fuel storage facility, in retaliation for Houthi missile launches.

Houthis had earlier claimed to have fired a ballistic missile toward Israel as a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli officials said the projectile may have carried multiple sub-munitions designed to explode midair.

This marks the first reported launch of such a missile from Yemen. The Houthis vowed to continue attacks “in solidarity with Gaza.”

A Dhaka court has granted bail to Shahidul Islam Babul, general secretary of the BNP’s farmers’ wing, in a 2017 case filed by Paltan police for obstructing government duties and unlawful assembly.

Babul had surrendered to the court on August 18 seeking bail pending appeal, but his plea was initially rejected, and he was sent to jail.

In November 2023, he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison with hard labor and fined Tk 2,000, with an additional week in jail in case of default. He also received a separate one-year prison term under another charge.

Local BNP activists expressed anger at his earlier imprisonment, but his release on bail has eased tensions.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has stressed the importance of cultural exchange in strengthening ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan, saying, “Whenever Pakistani artists perform in Bangladesh, they are warmly praised. This spirit must guide our relationship.”

He made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, where both leaders emphasized deeper bilateral cooperation in trade, education, culture, and regional collaboration through SAARC.

Dar conveyed greetings from Pakistan’s Prime Minister and hailed Yunus’s role in poverty alleviation and community empowerment. “Bangladesh is fortunate to have you as its head of government,” he said.

Dar also announced that Pakistan’s Fly Jinnah is expected to launch direct Dhaka-Karachi flights by October.

Relatives of those killed and injured during the July uprising staged a demonstration outside the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs on Sunday, protesting bail granted to accused perpetrators.

The protesters also demanded the resignation of Legal Adviser and Special Assistant Khoda Bux Chowdhury, accusing him of shielding the culprits.

Speaking under the moderation of Rabiul Hasan, brother of slain protester Imam Hasan Tayim, victims’ families alleged that police attacked them under Chowdhury’s direction when they attempted to demonstrate earlier.

They vowed to continue their movement until justice is delivered. “Killers are still walking free, and now they are being granted bail,” one protester said, citing the release of a police sub-inspector charged in the killings. The group later marched to Hotel Intercontinental, declaring plans for a hunger strike if their demands remain unmet.

Revolutionary Student Masses staged a protest outside BNP leader Fazlur Rahman’s residence in Segunbagicha on Sunday, demanding his arrest and punishment for labeling participants of the July uprising as “dark forces.”

Protesters accused Rahman of attempting to “revive fascism” in the country. “Students gave their lives to free Bangladesh from fascism. We will not allow another fascist to emerge here,” they declared.

They also warned that political activities would be denied to those who refuse to acknowledge the 2024 uprising, just as earlier regimes tried to undermine the struggles of 1952 and 1971.

Protesters vowed to continue their demonstration outside Rahman’s home until he is arrested and jailed.

The BNP has formally lodged a complaint against the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal, accusing it of failing to act on the party’s allegations.

On Sunday, BNP leader Salah Uddin Khan, coordinator for enforced disappearances, killings, and data preservation, submitted the written complaint to the tribunal’s chief prosecutor.

The letter claims that despite numerous complaints about enforced disappearances and killings of BNP leaders and activists over the past decade and a half under the Awami League government, no charge sheets have been filed and no suspects arrested.

The BNP alleges that 2,276 of its members were killed in staged “gunfights” and that 526 of the 848 people killed during July’s mass uprising were BNP activists and supporters. Nine formal cases have been filed so far, the party said.

Religious Affairs Adviser A F M Khalid Hossain has dismissed rumors about the construction of a mosque on Chandranath Hill in Sitakunda, Chattogram.

“This is nothing but baseless speculation,” he said, adding, “If someone wishes to build a mosque, it should be in a Muslim-populated area. Who would go up the hill to pray? The interim government will never take a step that could disrupt communal harmony.”

Emphasizing peaceful coexistence, the adviser said, “Every faith has its own places of worship. Forcing one religion’s establishment into another’s sacred space inevitably sparks conflict. We stand for tolerance, compassion, and harmony.”

He noted that Chandranath Hill is a revered pilgrimage site that attracts devotees from home and abroad every year. “The government is committed to ensuring that pilgrims can pay their respects in peace.”

A writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking directives to protect the personal information of female students, including photographs, in the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) voter list.
The petition was filed by lawyer Advocate Fayzullah Fayez on behalf of four students, naming the Education Secretary, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor, and the Chief Returning Officer of the DUCSU election as respondents.
The petition argues that while publishing male students’ details may not pose significant risks, publicly displaying photographs and personal data of female students has already led to harassment and online misuse. The petitioners claimed their earlier appeals to authorities went unaddressed, prompting the legal move.

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader has said that the country is running in “utter confusion,” with no clarity about who is truly governing.
He accused both major political parties of enjoying the privileges of power while excluding smaller parties from meaningful participation. “The Jatiya Party is the only true voice of the people, and for that reason, it is facing repression,” he said.
Quader alleged that the current government is repeating the same conspiracies against Jatiya Party that past governments carried out. He further argued that reforms imposed without public consent will never be accepted, and that meaningful justice in Bangladesh cannot be rushed.

Leaders of Ganadhikar Parishad met Hefazat-e-Islam chief Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari at Fatikchhari’s Babunagar Madrasa on Sunday afternoon.
The delegation included senior council members Abu Hanif, Abduj Zaher, Jasimuddin Akash, and other local leaders. Earlier, they visited the graves of Hefazat’s late leaders Ahmad Shafi and Junaid Babunagari and met Hafez Khaleel Ahmed Quraishi, director of Hathazari Madrasa. Abu Hanif said the visit was part of their organizational activities in Chattogram.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Committee Party (NCP), has dismissed speculation about seat-sharing with BNP in the upcoming general election, calling it “false propaganda.”
Addressing an event in Malaysia, he said, “Postponement of elections or such rumors are nothing but gossip. For us, reforms matter more than simply winning seats.” Nahid stressed that his party’s main agenda is to secure reforms and justice, asserting that even if elections are held in December, they will participate as long as reforms are guaranteed.