Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has announced plans to establish a new Saudi cultural center in Paris, the capital of France. The announcement was made during Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to France. The center is intended to present Saudi culture, history and creative diversity to French audiences and the wider international community.

The ministry said the center will host cultural events and programs. It will also work to strengthen connections among Saudi and French artists, writers, intellectuals and other creative figures. The initiative is expected to create opportunities for cooperation and joint projects between cultural institutions in the two countries.

According to the ministry, the center will help expand the international presence of Saudi artists and cultural practitioners. It will support exchanges of cultural experience and expertise, as well as cooperation on joint cultural projects. Riyadh said the initiative reflects the growing development of Saudi-French relations and will showcase both Saudi traditional heritage and contemporary creative activity.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has introduced special security measures across Bangladesh for Eid-e-Miladunnabi, to be observed on Wednesday, August 26. In a press release issued Tuesday by its Legal and Media Wing, RAB said it had intensified regular patrols and plainclothes intelligence surveillance to ensure religious programmes are held without disruption. Personnel will be deployed at venues as required.

RAB said intelligence activities have been increased to prevent any vested group, suspicious individual or organisation from carrying out attacks, sabotage or other harmful activities around the observances. The force is also monitoring possible provocative or controversial actions that could worsen the law-and-order situation.

RAB has kept its bomb disposal unit and dog squad ready for emergencies. It has also strengthened cyber patrols to identify social-media posts, comments or images that spread rumours, misinformation, propaganda or communal provocation. The force urged people to celebrate in a peaceful and safe environment and asked them to inform nearby law-enforcement agencies about suspicious people, objects or activities.

Natore district Chhatra Dal expelled Lalpur upazila joint convener Md. Maruf Ali after he allegedly used loudspeakers to falsely announce that Section 144 had been imposed at a football tournament final in Keshabpur village. The announcement followed a dispute over his request to name a former municipal mayor as chief guest and himself as special guest at the event.

District Chhatra Dal said the expulsion, announced Tuesday, was for violating organisational discipline. The order removed Maruf from his primary membership and all posts, and instructed party workers at district, upazila, union and ward levels not to maintain organisational ties with him. A press release signed by assistant office secretary K F Kamrul Islam disclosed the decision.

Organisers had refused to invite political or administrative figures, citing a long-standing local tradition. After Maruf's announcement at about 11am on Friday, the final was postponed and the incident sparked tension and anger locally before spreading on social media. The district unit said it had issued him a show-cause notice and found his response unsatisfactory; it also said he admitted the allegation.

Bangladesh has prepared a draft agreement for negotiation meetings on purchasing Chinese J-10CE fighter aircraft, according to Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Jahed Ur Rahman. He made the announcement at a Tuesday, August 25 press conference at the Secretariat on progress in government activities. Information and Broadcasting Minister Andalib Rahman and State Minister Yaser Khan Chowdhury were present.

Ur Rahman said the procurement is part of the Bangladesh Air Force’s modernization plan, which includes fourth-generation multirole combat aircraft, fighter aircraft, attack helicopters, VIP helicopters and UAV systems. He said implementation would proceed if necessary funding is available in the current fiscal year; otherwise, initiatives would be taken in the next budget.

The adviser said Bangladesh is considering cost and effectiveness in strengthening defense capability. He described the J-10 as having demonstrated performance in recent India-Pakistan conflict experience and said Chinese fighters are comparatively less expensive than European aircraft such as Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon with similar capabilities. He also said Bangladesh can make strategic foreign and military policy decisions based on its national interests.

Five more children died with measles symptoms in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours, while 1,077 children were reported affected by measles or measles-like symptoms, according to an updated measles report released by the Directorate General of Health Services on Tuesday afternoon.

The report said none of the five deaths recorded during the latest 24-hour period was confirmed as caused by measles. During the same period, 91 children were diagnosed with measles and 986 were patients with illnesses showing measles symptoms.

Since March 15, 844 children have died nationwide with measles symptoms, while another 99 children have died after contracting measles. The combined death toll linked to measles and measles symptoms during this period stands at 943. The report also recorded 890 new hospital admissions in the past 24 hours, with 890 children discharged from hospital during the same time.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir had renounced his British citizenship and that no law was violated in his oath-taking. He made the remarks on Tuesday at an event in the capital, saying the government had acted in accordance with the constitution.

The minister stated that Humayun Kabir’s oath had been administered without any legal deviation. He also said the government’s actions concerning the matter complied with Bangladesh’s constitution.

The event included the signing of a memorandum of understanding among the Directorate of Legal Aid, the Department of Social Services and the Department of Women’s Affairs. No further details about the citizenship renunciation, the oath-taking process or the memorandum were provided.

The government has formed a new cabinet committee to support the Ministry of Agriculture in fertilizer-related activities nationwide. Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain has been appointed convenor of the committee. The Cabinet Division issued a notification on Tuesday announcing the decision.

The committee will monitor fertilizer lifting, distribution and the appointment of fertilizer dealers across the country. It will also provide the Ministry of Agriculture with necessary advice on these matters. The Ministry of Agriculture will provide secretarial support to the committee.

Other members of the committee are Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam. The notification, signed by Cabinet Division Additional Secretary for Committees and Economic Affairs Md Humayun Kabir on behalf of the President, said the order establishing the committee would take effect immediately.

The bodies of five fishers missing after the fishing trawler FB Barkat sank in rough weather in the Bay of Bengal were recovered about 22 hours later. The bodies were found in deep waters around 11am on Tuesday, August 25, according to trawler owner and helmsman Badal Mollah. A trawler carrying the bodies was returning toward the coast and was expected to take about three hours to reach Patharghata.

FB Barkat sank on Monday afternoon after being hit by adverse weather and strong waves. There were 13 fishers aboard; eight were rescued alive while five remained missing. The deceased were identified as Nur Alam, 37, Kawsar, 30, Saikul, 33, Ibrahim, 28, and Bellal, 22, all from different areas of Patharghata Sadar Union.

Survivor Yunus Mollah, the trawler’s cook, said several exhausted fishers had been sleeping inside the bridge while preparations were underway to cast nets. He said a sudden storm and heavy waves overturned the vessel. Eight fishers floated in the sea for about two hours before another fishing trawler rescued them. A trawler dispatched by the district fishers’ trawler owners association located the bodies. Police said legal action would follow after the bodies arrived.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon left Dhaka for China on Tuesday. The visit is aimed at expanding cooperation in education with Chinese universities, according to a press release from the Education Ministry.

The minister is accompanied by Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin and Technical and Madrasa Education Division Secretary Md Daud Mia. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and Chinese Embassy Cultural Counsellor Li Shaopeng were present at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka to bid him farewell before his departure.

During the visit, Milon is scheduled to meet representatives of various Chinese universities and attend education-related forums and conferences. He will also visit technical and vocational institutes in China. Several memorandums of understanding related to education are expected to be signed during the trip, the ministry said.

A dispute over warming milk for a child on a Kolkata pavement has triggered political controversy around an anti-encroachment drive. Sita, a woman from Punjab who has lived with her family on the pavement near Park Street and Free School Street for 50 years, was heating milk on a stove on Saturday evening when Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul arrived during the operation. The minister questioned why milk was being heated on the pavement and who had permitted the family to live there.

The incident drew criticism on social media and from political circles. Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh met Sita and asked about her family. He criticised the eviction drive, saying pavement-clearing efforts should not be inhumane and calling for a proper rehabilitation blueprint for homeless people.

Paul said the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy on pavement encroachment. She said neither boiling milk nor frying snacks could justify occupying pedestrian space, and warned that using a stove on the pavement could create a serious fire risk for both the family and passers-by. She also criticised opponents for politicising the issue without bringing milk for the child.

Israeli media outlets have criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for escalating tensions with Turkey over Syria, warning that Israel could face another war front. The criticism followed an Israeli attack on the Abu al-Duhur military base in northern Syria on August 18, which the reports said heightened friction between the two countries.

Haaretz said Netanyahu’s policies risk drawing Israel into another “unnecessary conflict” and argued that military action cannot be the only means of ensuring security. It warned that a possible confrontation with Turkey could carry a heavy cost, noting Turkey’s NATO membership and close ties with the United States. Ynet said the tension could create a new, or “eighth,” front in Israel’s ongoing regional conflicts, while Maariv reported concerns among senior officials about another war front.

Israel said its attack was driven by concerns over an expanded Turkish military presence in Syria, a claim criticized by Turkey and the United States. Syria suspended contacts with Israel after the attack and said it would continue defense cooperation with Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said there was no reason for direct conflict, accusing Netanyahu of portraying Turkey as a political rival.

Police have arrested Tamal Sarkar, 35, described as the main accused in a case over an attack and vandalism targeting the motorcade of Sirajganj-3 MP VP Aynul Haque. Police detained him during a late-night operation on Monday in the Dhangara Bazar area of Raiganj upazila. Additional Superintendent of Police for the Raiganj Circle Saiful Islam Khan confirmed the arrest.

The attack occurred on the evening of August 15, after the MP attended a discussion meeting on selecting land for a proposed Technical Training Centre in Dhangara Bazar. The motorcade was attacked while returning from the meeting. The MP was unharmed, but the rear portion of his vehicle was damaged.

Former Chandai Kona union BNP vice-president Shamimul Hasan filed the case, naming 15 people and listing another 30 to 40 unidentified accused. Police had arrested two named accused, Md Golam Muktadir and Alamgir Hossain, on August 17. Tamal’s arrest brings the total number of arrests in the case to three. A local BNP leader said Tamal is related to late BNP leader Nur Saeed Sarkar but has no connection with BNP and is involved in NCP politics.

Rajshahi University unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir has presented five demands, including announcement of a specific schedule for the next Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union, or RAKSU, election. The demands were announced at a press conference at the university’s transport area at 11:30am on Tuesday.

The group called for a clear roadmap to ensure full residential accommodation, housing allowances for non-residential students, a complete modern medical centre, activation of the university Senate, and a definite RAKSU election timetable. Unit president Mujahid Faisal said many students face difficulties because of the accommodation shortage and urged swift implementation of a roadmap and allowances for those without seats in residential halls.

Faisal said the Senate should operate regularly under university laws and regulations, with regular sessions and a role in policymaking, accountability and administration. He described the RAKSU election as an important means of students’ democratic rights and representation, calling for a neutral, acceptable and participatory environment. The group said it had raised the demands previously but had not received the expected response from the administration.

The chiefs of Bangladesh’s army, navy and air force paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at Bangabhaban on Tuesday afternoon. Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral Khondkar Misbah Ul Azim and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan attended the meeting and congratulated him on assuming the presidency.

The three service chiefs briefed the president on the activities of their respective forces. They also sought his guidance and cooperation in carrying out their duties in his capacity as supreme commander of the armed forces.

President Alamgir expressed satisfaction with the armed forces’ activities. He said the current government was working to develop the forces into a modern, multidimensional military. The president also assured continued maximum cooperation for the overall development of the armed forces and for improving the professional skills of their personnel during his tenure.

Artists from several countries gathered in San Francisco, United States, to express solidarity with Palestinians through art. The event aimed to bring Palestinian voices to a global audience and spread messages of peace and unity. Palestinian-origin rapper MC Abdul, comedian Anwar Jibawi and singer Anis took part in the programme.

The participants discussed their experiences as artists and the role of creative work in supporting Palestine. Organised by Mohammad Usman Hassam, the gathering was supported by Kubra Bayrambey and Buse Plan from Turkey in bringing internationally known artists together. Speakers stressed peace, solidarity and the power of creativity.

The event also included discussion of artificial intelligence and changing technology. Participants considered how rapid technological shifts are changing artistic forms and helping artists reach people across different parts of the world. Organisers said the programme sought to increase global awareness of Palestine by combining art, technology and public awareness, while encouraging dialogue, peace and solidarity through creative work.