Police have filed cases against 42 individuals, including Mahiyuddin Roni, for attacking doctors, nurses, and staff participating in a human chain protest at Barisal Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

OC Mizanur Rahman said, “The complaints are under verification. Legal action will follow accordingly.” Among the accused, 12 have been named, and 30 remain unidentified.

The case alleges that the attackers wielded knives, iron rods, SS pipes, hockey sticks, and other improvised weapons. Roni allegedly struck cleaning worker Rafiqul Patwari on the head with an iron rod, causing serious injuries. Roni currently leads a health sector reform movement.

Unprecedented plundering in Bangladesh’s banking sector under the Awami League government has left banks facing liquidity shortages, slowing industrial growth. Machinery imports fell 25% in FY2024-25, while LC openings dropped similarly, limiting future industrial imports. Raw material imports for export industries rose, boosting exports, but non-export sectors saw declines. Political instability, rising interest rates, and reduced private sector credit have prolonged nearly five years of industrial slowdown, affecting production growth, credit availability, and loan recovery across multiple sectors.

A mass food poisoning incident has affected 365 school students in Sragen, Indonesia, following the consumption of free meals under President Prabowo Subianto’s “Free Meal Program.” This marks the largest such incident in the program’s history.

Despite previous improvements to kitchen and distribution standards after earlier incidents, the problem recurred. Sragen Chief Sigit Pamungkas confirmed that food samples are being tested in laboratories and the kitchens involved have been temporarily closed.

Students reported that the meal included turmeric rice, boiled egg slices, fried tempeh, cucumber-lettuce salad, apple slices, and a box of milk. So far, over 15 million people have benefited from the program, which aims to reach 80 million recipients by the end of the year.

India’s rice prices surged nearly 14% in just two days following Bangladesh’s announcement of duty-free rice imports. Major Indian traders quickly exported rice to Bangladesh, creating a temporary supply-demand imbalance in India. Prices of popular varieties like Sarna, Miniket, Ratna, and Sona Masuri saw significant increases. Bangladesh’s duty withdrawal aims to stabilize domestic prices and curb inflation, while Indian exporters benefit from new demand, helping offset global price declines and boosting their profits.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned Israel’s plans to build thousands of new settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, calling them illegal under international law. He warned that such settlements deepen occupation, heighten tensions, and threaten the viability of a future Palestinian state. The UN urged Israel to immediately stop all settlement activities, reaffirming obligations highlighted in the International Court of Justice advisory opinion. The Palestinian Authority also criticized the move as part of the “Greater Israel” vision.

The Kremlin has stated that no final document is anticipated following the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that preparations were limited, and any agreements or understandings will be outlined during a joint press conference after the summit. Discussions on Ukraine remain bilateral, and Kyiv’s position will be addressed later. Peskov also highlighted that previous meetings between Trump’s envoy and Putin were productive, but warned against rushing predictions about the summit’s outcome.

Saudi Arabia has strongly criticized Israel’s plan to build over 3,000 homes in the occupied West Bank, calling it a provocative move that obstructs the long-standing process of establishing an independent Palestinian state. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said such illegal actions threaten the peace process and the two-state solution. According to Peace Now, around 700,000 Jews live in 160 settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, lands Palestinians hope to use for a future sovereign state.

Heavy rains and upstream water inflows have caused rivers like the Teesta, Padma, and Jamuna to rise near or above danger levels, threatening low-lying areas in 12 districts. Croplands, homes, and river islands are already submerged, leaving thousands of families stranded. Cities like Rajshahi face waterlogging in slums, while districts such as Kushtia, Kurigram, and Bhola report worsening flood situations. Authorities have opened control rooms, provided relief, and warned residents to stay alert as water levels continue to rise.

Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur has demanded that the activities of the Jatiya Party be banned ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Speaking in Brahmanbaria, Nur said, “Even after banning fascism, we still see its allies flaunting their presence. For 16 years, the 14-party alliance kept the Awami fascism alive, and one of its key partners was the Jatiya Party.”

He added, “Awami League may be banned, but we still witness the arrogance of the Jatiya Party. The interim government must prohibit their activities.” Nur also urged the authorities to take similar action against other political groups aligned with the Awami League before the elections.

An internal UK military investigation has revealed that British soldiers stationed in Kenya have engaged in transactional sex, rape, and abuse of local women, violating Kenyan laws against sexual exploitation. Allegations span years, including the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru. Despite a 2022 ban on paying for sex abroad, abuses persist. The UK Ministry of Defence is investigating recent cases, including a rape charge. Army Chief General Roly Walker vowed action, saying such conduct is incompatible with British military values.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has transferred 29 Assistant and Deputy Commissioners from Chattogram Customs House in an unprecedented move, citing recent shutdowns and work stoppages that disrupted trade and caused major losses. DCs must vacate posts by 14 August, ACs by 21 August. The shake-up follows the dismissal of the Customs Commissioner over similar allegations. Officials say the mass transfer may slow operations initially, but replacement officers are set to join soon to ensure work continuity.

Bangladesh will launch its first pipeline-based fuel supply from Chattogram to Dhaka on Saturday, aiming to cut costs, prevent theft, and modernize distribution. Energy ministry officials will inaugurate the 250 km pipeline at Padma Oil’s Chattogram terminal. The system, equipped with SCADA control, optical fiber monitoring, and automated depots, will serve Chandpur, Brahmanbaria, and nearby regions. With no manual handling, operations will be fully computerized, marking a major leap in the country’s energy infrastructure and efficiency.

Extending warm greetings to the Hindu community on the occasion of Janmashtami, the Chief Adviser emphasized Sri Krishna’s lifelong message of justice, love for humanity, and peace.

The adviser urged citizens to remain vigilant so that no one disrupts the nation’s harmony, unity, and communal brotherhood. He affirmed the interim government’s commitment to preserving this spirit of togetherness.

Highlighting Sri Krishna’s legacy, the adviser said, “Whenever injustice and tyranny emerged, Sri Krishna appeared to protect righteousness.” He noted that Bangladesh has long upheld communal harmony, with people practicing their faiths side by side.

He expressed hope that Sri Krishna’s ideals would further strengthen mutual respect and fraternity, calling for united efforts to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh rooted in peace and inclusivity.

In an exclusive interview with Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus clarified, “I am not someone with any prospect of joining politics. My primary focus is on implementing the reform agenda.”

Yunus noted that the youth-led mass uprising brought down Sheikh Hasina, ending her 15-year authoritarian rule. “We have made significant progress within a year,” he said, highlighting the formation of a Consensus Commission tasked with implementing the recommendations of 11 reform commissions.

The commission’s final report is expected by the end of this month, marking a major step toward a more inclusive, participatory, and credible electoral system. Its mandate also includes building consensus on the constitution and political framework.

“The country has been steered back on the right path, and the upcoming February elections will be the first credible elections in decades,” Yunus asserted, pointing out that all previous elections under Sheikh Hasina were marred by allegations of rigging, controversy, and voter suppression. Currently, Bangladesh has around 126.1 million registered voters, including approximately 4.5 million new voters.

Authorities in Sylhet have recovered approximately 100,000 cubic feet of stolen stone, though the total looted volume is estimated to be over 1.5 crore cubic feet.

On Friday, the district administration launched raids on crusher mills in Companyganj, seizing large stones and measuring the stockpile. Officials reported that the mills were deserted during the operation. Processed stone already in the supply chain will also be confiscated.

The latest recovery comes after 40,000 cubic feet of stone was seized in Dhaka’s Demra area on Thursday night, and another 60,000 cubic feet was retrieved from Sylhet over the past two days.