Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the Mecca Joint Defense Pact signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is entirely defensive and not aimed at any country. The agreement was signed in Mecca on Friday, and Dar outlined Pakistan’s position in a statement posted on X.

Dar said the pact’s sole purpose is to strengthen ongoing joint efforts for peace, stability and prosperity across the wider region. Under the agreement, an attack on any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack on all three. The same provision applies if any member faces an external armed attack.

He said the arrangement is consistent with the right to individual and collective self-defense recognized under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. Dar added that regional countries may join if they accept the pact’s basic principles and seek mutual respect, cooperation and peaceful resolution of differences. He also said the pact will not cancel, replace or affect existing bilateral or multilateral agreements among the three states, or their agreements with other countries and international organizations.

Bangladesh is among the top five countries of origin for asylum seekers in the United Kingdom, British High Commissioner Sarah Cook said during a courtesy meeting with Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury on Sunday. The report, published on August 9, said Cook described the British government and public as taking a very strict position on irregular migration.

Cook said only a small number of recent asylum applications in the UK had been approved, while the remaining applicants were being deported to their home countries. People whose applications are rejected may receive £3,000 in financial assistance for rehabilitation if they choose to return voluntarily. The assistance does not apply when a person is deported through a legal process.

The high commissioner also said the UK was interested in working jointly with the Bangladesh government to develop skilled workers in line with international labour-market demand. She raised UK concerns about ensuring labour migration from Bangladesh is safe, regular and conducted at reasonable cost. The meeting highlighted cooperation on workforce skills and regular migration pathways.

Indonesia’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Ms. Listiowati, has pledged support for retaining Indonesia’s visa-on-arrival facility for holders of ordinary Bangladeshi passports. She made the assurance during a courtesy meeting on Sunday at the Secretariat with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam and State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat.

The meeting discussed strengthening Bangladesh-Indonesia bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in tourism. The ambassador expressed interest in working with Indonesia on the development of Bangladesh’s tourism sector. She also showed interest in signing a memorandum of understanding for the development of Bangladesh’s hospitality sector.

Minister Afroza Khanam said the current government is working to develop the country’s aviation and tourism sectors. Noting that Bangladeshi tourists have considerable demand in Indonesia, she described retaining visa-on-arrival access for ordinary Bangladeshi passport holders as an important consideration for the government. The ambassador reiterated her assurance of cooperation in keeping the facility in place.

Syria has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Russia to convert two Russian military bases in the country into joint training and rehabilitation centers. Syrian state news agency SANA reported the development on Sunday, citing the Foreign Ministry. The two sides agreed that the conversion would take place within the next three months.

Under the new arrangement, Russian military bases and facilities at Hmeimim Airport and the port of Tartus will be transformed into what SANA described as joint training and rehabilitation centers. The report said the measures would protect the mutual interests of both Syria and Russia.

No details were provided about how the two sites would be managed in the future. The announcement also did not specify the nature of Russia’s military presence at the facilities after the planned conversion. No further terms of the memorandum or operational details about the proposed centers were disclosed in the report.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment will work jointly with the United Kingdom to prevent exploitation, irregular migration and human trafficking, Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said. He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook at the ministry on Sunday. The minister said the government is committed to building skilled human resources, ensuring safe and quality employment, and protecting migrant workers’ rights, dignity and overall welfare.

Chowdhury said UK support would be important to strengthen existing technical training centres and Institutes of Marine Technology, including training in green and digital skills. He also sought cooperation in English-language, technical and vocational training to develop workers meeting the needs of the UK labour market and international standards.

The minister stressed maintaining sustainable rehabilitation and social reintegration for returnee workers through the ongoing RAISE project, involving FCDO, ILO and the World Bank. He also highlighted the need for a joint working group to oversee migration and skills-development activities. Cook said the UK is interested in working with Bangladesh to develop skilled workers for international labour markets and raised concerns about safe, regular and reasonably priced labour migration from Bangladesh.

A five-day training programme on using artificial intelligence in trade and economic analysis has begun for 30 officials of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Commerce. Running from August 9 to 13, the programme is jointly organised by UK International, the United Nations Development Programme and the ministry. Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir inaugurated the first batch on Sunday afternoon at the ministry’s conference room.

The course covers AI applications in trade administration, policymaking, preparation and analysis of government documents, import-export data analysis and international trade agreements. Sessions will address generative AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, drafting letters, memos, speeches and press releases, market-price analysis and supply chains. Participants will also study AI applications for WTO agreements, FTA and PTA analysis, global trade policy, policy formulation and e-governance.

The minister said AI could make government work faster, more efficient and data-driven, while supporting quicker decisions and more effective public services. He stressed the need for data security, personal privacy, transparency and human oversight. UNDP Senior Economic Adviser Wise Parry also cautioned against complete reliance on AI and called for human judgement and supervision. The programme, funded by UNDP, will conclude with capstone projects and live presentations.

Hong Kong recorded a temperature of 36.9 degrees Celsius at 3:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, its highest since weather records began in 1884, according to the Hong Kong Observatory cited by China’s state media Xinhua. The record was reported as a heatwave gripped the city.

The Observatory said the unusual heat was caused by descending airflow associated with Typhoon Dolphin. The temperature reading surpassed all previous records in Hong Kong’s weather history since systematic records were first kept 142 years ago.

Intense heat may continue over the next several days, with temperatures in some areas expected to exceed 37 degrees Celsius, the Observatory said. Typhoon Dolphin made landfall in China’s eastern Zhejiang province on Sunday afternoon.

Elon Musk’s net worth has again surpassed $800 billion after SpaceX shares rose 11.7%, according to Forbes. By the close of trading on Friday, his wealth reached $823.6 billion. His fortune increased by more than $100 billion in less than two weeks as SpaceX shares climbed to $129, their highest level in three weeks.

Musk’s wealth had fallen below $700 billion on July 27 after a sharp decline in SpaceX shares. The company released quarterly financial results early last week showing that quarterly spending had risen nearly sixfold over a year, which initially pushed its share price down. SpaceX reported quarterly revenue of $7.8 billion, above Wall Street’s forecast of about $6.9 billion.

The company’s net loss narrowed from $1 billion to $541 million in the latest quarter. Starlink satellite internet is one of SpaceX’s main revenue sources, and its revenue nearly doubled in the second quarter. Capital expenditure rose to $18.3 billion, including $15.8 billion spent on artificial intelligence. Musk owns about 38% of SpaceX, making his personal wealth directly sensitive to changes in the company’s share price.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the grave of Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi, the late amir of Hefazat-e-Islam, at Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Ulum Moinul Islam Madrasa in Hathazari. He arrived at the madrasa premises at 5:50pm on Sunday, August 9, and recited Fatiha beside the grave. The prime minister also offered prayers seeking forgiveness for the deceased’s soul.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, and State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin were present. Prime Minister’s Defence Affairs Adviser ATM Shamsul Islam, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, and madrasa principal Maulana Khalil Ahmad Qureshi also attended the visit.

After paying respects at the grave, the principal escorted the prime minister to the second floor of the madrasa, where he exchanged greetings with Islamic scholars. As he departed, students standing in rows on the field greeted him. The prime minister shook hands with the students.

Speakers at a Sunday seminar at the Juhur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club said the Chittagong Hill Tracts are not merely an administrative region in Bangladesh’s state thinking, but a crossroads of history, borders, security, national cohesion, development and geopolitics. The Chittagong Center for Regional Studies, Bangladesh organized the event on the region’s history, identity politics, constitutional position and responses to current challenges.

The seminar was chaired by the organization’s chairman Liaqat Ali Chowdhury. Its executive director, Professor Dr Mahfuz Parvez, presented the keynote paper, while lecturer Abdullah Al Mamun moderated. Panelists included retired Brigadier General S. M. Mahbub-ul-Alam, Kumar Sui Ching Pru Sain, a community leader from Khagrachhari, and Chittagong Hill Tracts and Rohingya specialist Nazmul Islam Chowdhury.

In the keynote, Parvez said the region cannot be understood in isolation because of the Rakhine crisis in Myanmar, Rohingya displacement, China-India competition, Bay of Bengal geopolitics and international NGO politics. He cited inter-group conflict, extortion, illegal weapons, cross-border links, drugs, human trafficking, information warfare, foreign influence and corridor politics as current concerns.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is reportedly close to securing the party’s nomination for Bangladesh’s next president. A senior BNP leader told Daily Wada that party chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had nearly finalised Fakhrul’s nomination. No formal party announcement on the decision has been reported.

Several senior BNP leaders told Daily Wada that the full authority to select the candidate rests with Tarique Rahman and that they had not been formally informed. However, a leader close to the prime minister confirmed that Fakhrul Islam’s name had been finalised, according to the report. Tarique Rahman had earlier been given responsibility for finalising the party’s presidential candidate.

BNP has begun formal preparations for the presidential election, collecting two nomination forms from the Election Commission on Sunday. Vice Chairman and parliamentary Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi collected them in Agargaon. The Election Commission set August 20 for the vote. The office became vacant after Mohammad Shahabuddin Chuppu resigned on July 24, while Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has been serving as acting president.

The prosecution has applied to produce dismissed military officer Ziaul Ahsan before the International Crimes Tribunal in a case alleging the disappearance and torture of Salahuddin Ahmed in the Rapid Action Battalion’s Taskforce Interrogation Cell. The application was filed at the tribunal on Sunday, according to the report.

Prosecution sources said Ziaul Ahsan may be formally shown arrested in the case after he is produced before the court. On Saturday, Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam told journalists that the investigation agency had found the involvement of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Ziaul Ahsan, and senior officials of the then RAB and police.

Citing the investigation agency’s findings, the chief prosecutor said Salahuddin Ahmed, then a joint secretary general of BNP, was disappeared from Uttara in the capital in 2015. He was allegedly held and tortured in a secret detention facility, the TFI Cell, at RAB headquarters. The prosecution said it would complete the investigation quickly and bring those involved to trial.

International Indigenous Peoples’ Day was observed in Madhupur, Tangail, with a colourful programme focused on indigenous rights, dignity and sustainable development. On Sunday morning, a procession began from the grounds of Bhutia High School in the upazila. The event was organised by Joyenshahi Indigenous Development Council, Tribal Welfare Association, Achik Michik Society, Jalchhatra Harisabha Development Project, Nagorik Uddyog, Bagachhas, Caritas, Bela and other indigenous organisations.

Representatives of different indigenous communities spoke at a subsequent discussion meeting about culture, heritage, education, health, land rights and socio-economic development. Mr Eugene Nokrek chaired the meeting, while Mr Ajay A Mr inaugurated it. Speakers included indigenous researcher and writer Mr Theophil Nokrek, Advocate Janyetra, retired district judge Jagadish Chandra Barman, Mr Mrigen Hagidok, Nagorik Uddyog executive director Zakir Hossain and Caritas regional director Mrs Rosie Rangma.

Speakers called for coordinated action by the government, local administration and all sections of society to preserve indigenous languages, cultures and traditions and ensure education, healthcare, employment and constitutional rights. They stressed establishing the legitimate rights of indigenous communities to build a society free of discrimination. The discussion was followed by a cultural programme featuring traditional dances, songs and other performances by indigenous artists.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr Shafiqur Rahman will travel to Gaibandha on Monday to attend several party programmes, according to the party’s central publicity department. In the morning, he will meet and exchange views with the families of Shibir leader Saifullah Bari and Jamaat worker Salauddin, who were killed in an attack in Saghatta on June 21.

The report describes the attack as having been carried out by ruling-party terrorists. Rahman will later speak as chief guest at a public rally scheduled for 10am at Bonarpara-Kazi Azhar Ali High School field in Saghatta upazila.

The gathering will demand justice for the killings and protest what organisers describe as a deterioration in law and order across the country. Special guests are expected to include Jamaat assistant secretary general Maulana Abdul Halim, central executive council member Principal Shahabuddin, Islami Chhatra Shibir secretary general Sibgatullah Sibga, and Gaibandha district amir Abdul Karim MP. Gaibandha-5 lawmaker and freedom fighter Abdul Warech will chair the rally.

Pakistan’s defense minister Khawaja Asif called on Muslim countries to unite against Israel hours after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca, according to an August 9 report cited by Israel-based Times of Israel. Italian political adviser and geopolitical analyst Sergio Restelli said Pakistan appeared interested in giving the pact a wider purpose resembling a European NATO-style Islamic military framework.

Under the agreement, an armed attack on one member would be treated as an attack on all three. The report described their combined population as about 380 million. Restelli said the formal document avoids naming an adversary and is defensive on paper, but Asif’s remarks highlighted Israel and India as potential common opponents. Pakistan contributes nuclear weapons and a large professional military, Turkey brings combat experience and a growing defense industry, while Saudi Arabia offers financial resources and political influence.

The report said the members have differing positions on Israel. Turkey recognizes Israel, while Saudi Arabia faces complexities involving possible normalization and wider strategic considerations. An explicitly anti-Israel interpretation could therefore create difficulties for Riyadh. Whether Saudi Arabia and Turkey share Pakistan’s broader ambitions will determine the pact’s future, Restelli said.