Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei sharply criticized Washington’s measures to implement newly imposed sanctions against Iran, saying US policy toward Tehran had become “a farce.” In a post on X on Wednesday, made two days after the United States announced the new sanctions, Baghaei condemned the steps as further pressure on a country already under sanctions.

Baghaei said Washington was now focusing on Bahrain, which he said has virtually no significant economic transactions with Iran. He argued that this showed the effectiveness of what he described as the US “coalition.” He also said the United States was seeking to halt sporting and educational exchange activities with Iran that, according to him, had already been effectively suspended for years.

Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the new round of sanctions against Iran. Washington has named the campaign “Operation Economic Outcast.” Bessent said the operation would target Iran’s financial networks worldwide and warned that countries and institutions maintaining commercial ties with Tehran could face secondary sanctions.

A new study by Palestinian-American writer Susan Abulhawa says Israel led the world in arms exports per capita in 2025. The study estimated Israeli arms exports at about $263 per person, compared with $41 in the United States and $14 in Russia. Calculated using only Israel’s Jewish population, the figure rose to about $340 per person.

By total arms exports between 2020 and 2025, Israel ranked seventh globally, behind the United States, France, Russia, Germany, China and Italy. The study said Norway was Israel’s closest competitor on a per-capita basis, but Israel’s level was roughly two and a half times higher. Over the 1960-2025 period, Israel also ranked first in average annual per-capita arms exports, at about $56.

Israel’s Defence Ministry said defence exports reached a record $19.2 billion in 2025, nearly 30 percent above $14.8 billion the previous year and the fifth consecutive annual record. SIPRI said Israel’s share of global arms exports rose to 4.4 percent in 2021-25 from 3.1 percent in the prior five-year period.

Ten former ministers, lawmakers and officials of the Awami League government were brought before the International Crimes Tribunal in a case over alleged crimes against humanity linked to killings during the July uprising. They were transported from prison to the tribunal in prison vans under tight security on Thursday.

Those presented included former textile and jute minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, former industries minister Amir Hossain Amu, former agriculture minister Abdur Razzaque, former shipping minister Shajahan Khan and former social welfare minister Dipu Moni. Former lawmaker Faruk Khan, former justice A H M Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, former home secretary Jahangir Alam and former lawmaker Solaiman Selim were also brought to the tribunal.

The group also included Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, former adviser on power, energy and mineral resources to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The prosecution said Thursday had been set for submission of the investigation report in the case. The 10 accused, who are in custody, were produced before the tribunal in connection with that scheduled proceeding.

Police have confirmed that a skeleton recovered from a sugarcane field near Jitarpur intersection in Joypurhat Sadar belonged to missing e-rickshaw driver Farid Hossain, 41. Rapid Action Battalion and police arrested the main accused, Sagar Hossain, from the Atrai railway station area of Naogaon on Wednesday afternoon. He is due to be sent to court after questioning on Thursday.

Farid left his home in Hopirhat village of Khetlal upazila with his e-rickshaw at 10am on August 20 and did not return. His father, Abdul Quddus, filed a general diary the following day. Using information technology, police recovered Farid's e-rickshaw from a garage in the Pakar Matha area on Monday and arrested two people, Robiul and Jakir Hossain.

Farid's father then filed a murder case naming Sagar as the main accused and three or four unidentified people. Locals found the skeleton after jackals dragged human bones onto a road from the sugarcane field. Relatives identified Farid through clothing found with the remains. Police collected DNA samples, and the family buried the remains Tuesday night.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said it thwarted an attempt to push six men into Bangladesh through the Ramdaspur border in Gomastapur, Chapainawabganj, early Thursday. The incident occurred near border pillar 216/MP in the Ramdaspur BOP area under Naogaon Battalion 16, according to Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum.

BGB said members of the Shamshernagar BSF camp of the 12 BSF Battalion attempted to push the six men into Bangladesh at dawn. After receiving information, a patrol from Ramdaspur BOP reached the site and identified the six men while they were inside the zero line on the Indian side of the border.

BGB personnel prevented the men from entering Bangladeshi territory, the force said. Efforts were under way to send the six men back into Indian territory. BGB said it had lodged a protest with the BSF over the incident and strengthened border patrols and surveillance. The force said it remained alert to prevent illegal entry and any attempt at push-ins.

A survey of more than 36,000 people across 34 countries found strong public support for international cooperation amid wars, nuclear threats and rising conflict among major powers. Former British prime minister Gordon Brown cited the findings in a Guardian article, arguing that people are rejecting divisive and nationalist politics in favour of cooperation. The poll, conducted by Focaldata for the Rockefeller Foundation, found that 55% would support international cooperation even if it required some compromise of national interests, while 20% opposed it.

Brown said the world is shifting from a rules-based system towards one driven by power, with military strength and economic pressure increasingly used to influence international politics. He said concern about a third world war in Europe has reached its highest level in decades. He also criticised the approaches of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump.

More than 70% of respondents wanted government action on human rights, rule of law, climate change, AI and cybersecurity regulation, and humanitarian aid. Nearly 80% wanted a global system addressing peace, stability, poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy. Brown said countries beyond the United States, China and Russia could pursue institutional reform and coordinated action.

Flash floods triggered by mountain runoff in Nepal have killed 162 people, with several villages inundated by the powerful Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa district. Homes, bridges and wider infrastructure were damaged in the disaster. Prime Minister Balendra Shah urged citizens affected by the floods to remain patient and united, saying the state stands beside them during the crisis.

Shah said the government has assumed full responsibility for rescue operations, medical treatment, food and shelter. He said all available government resources were being mobilised to strengthen rescue and relief efforts. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the National Council and the cabinet held emergency meetings and decided to intensify the response.

The Nepali Army, Armed Police Force and other security personnel have been deployed for rescue work. Bir Hospital and the National Trauma Centre have prepared 100 beds for free treatment of injured people, while doctors, rescuers and medical supplies have been sent to affected areas. The government is arranging food, clean water, medicine and temporary shelter, and Shah pledged rapid rebuilding of damaged roads, bridges, electricity and water systems, alongside relocation of displaced families to safer places.

An investigation found that a purported think tank called the Hanover Institute for Public Policy published large volumes of pro-Israel material in the United States in an apparent effort to influence AI chatbot responses. The source says the institute has no verifiable existence, office or known staff. Between August 6 and 14, its website published 124 reports totaling more than 560,000 words, including 73 reports of about 354,000 words over August 12 and 13.

The reports were framed as answers to questions users might ask AI systems, including allegations concerning genocide in Gaza, displacement of Palestinians and whether opposition to Zionism is antisemitism. Their wording sought to weaken allegations against Israel. The Guardian found that 20 reports stressed that no court had issued a final ruling on genocide or apartheid allegations, while 55 described casualty and aid figures as information from a party involved in the conflict.

Information linked the site to New York-based media company Pyro Inc., which registered work for the Israeli government under US foreign-agent law in a contract worth $1 million. Israel denied conducting an influence campaign, while Pyro co-founder Daniel Rosenberg said its work presented accurate, sourced information and countered misinformation.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said China is actively working with Bangladesh to address the country’s current energy crisis through renewable energy development, particularly solar power. Speaking to reporters after a Thursday morning meeting at the Secretariat with Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moin Khan and State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, he said both countries want to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Yao said China sees an opportunity to use its technological capabilities to help meet Bangladesh’s energy shortfall. He said the prime minister’s recent visit to China created a new historic opportunity for cooperation between the two countries. According to him, they decided to build a “China-Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era,” adding a new dimension to bilateral relations.

He said notable economic progress had been made in the two months following the visit. The foundation stone for Bangladesh’s first special economic zone project with Chinese assistance has been laid, while a feasibility study for the Teesta River project is under way. Construction of a women’s residential hall at Dhaka University and a hospital is progressing, and discussions are continuing on increasing direct flights between Bangladesh and China.

Aminul Islam Sujon, head teacher of Berakhla Abdul Matin Khasru Girls’ High School in Brahmanpara, Cumilla, submitted his resignation to the upazila executive officer on August 10. Sujon, also the organising secretary of Brahmanpara upazila Awami League, said he voluntarily decided to leave the post while issues over his employment and assumption of duties remained before the High Court Division.

In his resignation letter, Sujon said he was temporarily suspended and served a show-cause notice on September 12, 2024, and later replied. He claimed that the school’s managing committee withdrew the suspension on September 17, 2025, but that the acting head teacher did not hand over responsibility. He also cited a High Court Division direction of January 20, 2026, to dispose of his application according to law.

The report cites allegations against Sujon involving forged certificates, improper leave, drawing salaries from two workplaces, and forcing his return to the school. Acting head teacher Mosammat Hasina Islam filed a case against Sujon and 10 others over an alleged attack. UNO Munni Islam confirmed receiving the resignation and said steps were being taken to process it.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for changes to the US-led global order and said Canada will not yield to pressure from President Donald Trump. In speeches in Davos, Switzerland, in January and in Ottawa on August 22, Carney argued that the post-Second World War US-centred system can no longer be relied upon as before.

In Ottawa, during a 23-minute address, Carney explained Canada’s decision to withdraw from trade talks with the United States. He said US demands made at the final stage were unacceptable and rejected the use of economic ties as a tool for political pressure. Trump responded angrily on social media, criticising Canadian leaders and making controversial comments about Canadian sovereignty.

Carney cited economic interdependence, saying Canada imports large volumes of US goods while nearly 99 percent of US natural gas comes from Canada. The United States has imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on Canadian products, and Canada plans retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion in US goods from September 8. Carney also said Canada would diversify its economy and deepen ties with Europe, Asia and other countries.

A sudden flood struck Nepal’s Tibet-bordering areas on Wednesday morning, sending water and mud through Nuwakot, Dhading and surrounding areas. Witnesses said the surge swept across a wide area, burying homes and structures beneath mud. Local resident Deepika said she alerted her family after seeing the floodwater and mud approaching at about 9:30am, and they took refuge on their roof.

Although Deepika’s family survived, the ground floor of their home was completely filled with mud and they could not recover furniture or essential belongings. Even a water vessel kept for drinking was buried several feet under mud, leaving them without a glass of drinkable water. Witnesses described the landscape as a grey sea of mud, with temple spires, parts of two-storey houses and large rocks from the hills visible in places.

Twenty-four-year-old worker Bibek Kumal was swept away while fleeing a construction site but survived after becoming lodged in a mango tree; his right leg was seriously injured by the current and rocks. Eleven-year-old student Rihana Lamichhane was injured while attempting to cross a river during the flood and was rescued and admitted to hospital.

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Bagerhat-3 MP Sheikh Faridul Islam said the Bangladesh Coast Guard has played a firm role in seizing banned polythene. Speaking on Wednesday in Mongla, Bagerhat, he said Coast Guard operations had recovered banned polythene worth several crore taka. He made the remarks after inaugurating the Coast Guard Tree Plantation Programme 2026.

The programme, held under the theme “Let us decorate the country through tree planting, Bangladesh first,” was organised by Enroute Foundation under the overall supervision of the Bangladesh Coast Guard. About 9,400 saplings are planned for planting in different areas of the Coast Guard’s West Zone, with environmental protection and biodiversity conservation in Mongla and nearby coastal areas prioritised.

Sheikh Faridul Islam said tree planting is important for maintaining coastal environmental balance, conserving biodiversity and addressing adverse effects of climate change. He stressed both expanded planting and proper care and protection of planted trees. He also called for continued operations to stop the use of environmentally harmful banned polythene. Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon said similar environmental activities will continue in the future.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has assigned two experienced military commanders to lead a new grouping aimed at strengthening defenses around key industrial cities in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. During a visit to frontline areas, he gave Third Army Corps chief Andriy Biletskyi and First Corps Azov commander Denys Prokopenko responsibility for the cities described as a “fortress belt,” including Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.

Russian forces have increased pressure toward these defensive hubs. DeepState, an open-source military map analysis group, said Russian troops were seeking to push deeper into Kostiantynivka, while Moscow was conducting extensive air and artillery strikes on Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in preparation for a possible larger assault. Analyst Mykola Bielieskov backed the appointments, while drone forces commander Robert Brovdi called them a step toward technology-driven “smart warfare.”

Zelenskyy said Ukraine struck 16 sites inside Russia in one day, including oil facilities, airfields, missile units, military factories and supply infrastructure. Russian attacks damaged a thermal power plant in Kherson and injured two people at an industrial site in Kryvyi Rih. Ukraine and Russia also exchanged 10 prisoners each, according to the source.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon called for a deeper and more structured education partnership between Bangladesh and China at the China-Bangladesh Education Exchange Conference at South China Normal University in Guangzhou on Wednesday. The conference aimed to strengthen academic cooperation and identify new opportunities for students and institutions in both countries.

Milon emphasized long-term collaboration in joint research, scholarships, student and teacher exchanges, short-term training, and joint master’s and PhD programmes. Education Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin highlighted Bangladesh’s changing education needs, including technical education, research collaboration, university partnerships and Chinese-language learning. He also stressed the importance of establishing Chinese language centres in Bangladesh.

Guangdong education chief inspector Xu Shimin reaffirmed the province’s commitment to international education and expressed willingness to admit more Bangladeshi students. During the 2024-2025 academic year, 261 Bangladeshi students studied in Guangdong, while 20 received Guangdong government scholarships in 2025. Both sides pledged to expand university cooperation, academic exchanges and long-term education partnerships.