At least three people died and five were injured after protesters set fire to a regional parliament building in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The unrest began in Jakarta earlier this week over lawmakers’ salaries, labor wages, taxes, and anti-corruption measures. Violence escalated after a ride-hailing motorbike driver was killed by a police vehicle. Protests also hit major cities like Bandung and Jakarta, causing looting and infrastructure damage. Analysts call this the biggest political test for President Prabowo Subianto’s government.

An Israeli soldier has died and four others are missing following intense clashes with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, where 11 soldiers were also injured. The confrontation occurred as Israeli forces advanced toward Gaza City under wartime cabinet orders and faced resistance from Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades. This is among the most severe clashes since the October 7, 2023, Israeli operation began. The IDF has restricted media updates, and prior to the offensive, Gaza was declared a high-risk conflict zone.

Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman stated that the Jatiya Party previously assisted the Awami League in suppressing opposition during controversial elections and the July upheaval. He said the demand to ban the party will be legally examined to determine possible actions. Commenting on recent violence, he called attacks on Nurul Haque Nur part of a larger conspiracy. He also warned corrupt individuals that the new Bangladesh will not tolerate corruption, emphasizing accountability and the unmasking of wrongdoers.

Senior police officials held an emergency meeting in Dhaka following allegations that military and police personnel used batons against over fifty Ganadhikar Parishad activists, including president Nurul Haque Nur, in Bijoynagar. The incident drew sharp criticism from political parties including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman condemned the attack, while Ganadhikar Parishad demanded that those responsible be identified and punished within 24 hours. Authorities are reviewing the situation to prevent further unrest.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tianjin, China, to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, his first visit in seven years. Leaders from 10 member states will participate on August 31 and September 1. Modi is set for bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit comes amid U.S.-India trade tensions and signals a potential restoration of India-China relations, crucial for trade, regional balance, and India’s multidimensional foreign policy strategy.

Thousands of primary school teachers gathered at Dhaka’s Shaheed Minar to demand the 11th-grade salary for assistant teachers and 100% promotion to head teacher. Organized by the Primary Assistant Teachers’ Organization Unity Council, the assembly included a delegation submitting a memorandum to the Chief Adviser’s residence in Jamuna. Teachers warned of stricter measures if demands are unmet. Political leaders and legal experts expressed support, emphasizing solidarity and potential legal action to ensure the government addresses the teachers’ key demands.

Japan has granted the United States permission to deploy medium-range Typhoon missiles during joint military exercises next month, prompting warnings from Russia and China. Both nations describe the move as a threat to regional stability. Russia calls it a direct strategic risk and warns of potential military responses, while China urges Japan to pursue peaceful development and caution. The Typhoon system, previously tested in the Philippines, will be stationed at Iwakuni airbase, but its actual use in upcoming exercises remains unclear.

A secret letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Indian President Droupadi Murmu helped improve India-China relations following the escalation of the U.S.-India trade war under President Trump. The letter, later shared with Prime Minister Modi, expressed Beijing’s concerns over U.S.-India agreements and suggested cooperation with a provincial official. Since June, both countries have returned to dialogue, eased trade and visa restrictions, and prepared to resume direct passenger flights. The SCO summit will mark Modi’s first China visit in seven years.

Hamas’s armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, has warned Israel that any attempt to occupy the Gaza Strip will bring devastating consequences. Spokesperson Abu Ubaida said Palestinian fighters are on high alert and prepared to inflict heavy losses, including more Israeli casualties and captives. He accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of reducing the number of living captives and concealing the dead. Abu Ubaida vowed Hamas would safeguard enemy prisoners and publish names, photos, and details of killed Israeli soldiers.

Yemen’s Chief of General Staff, Major General Mohammed Abdulkarim al-Ghamari, announced an escalation of attacks on Israel in response to alleged assassination attempts by Israeli forces. He warned that Tel Aviv would eventually be forced to halt its offensive in Gaza. The statement followed Israeli claims that airstrikes in Sanaa may have killed senior Yemeni officials. Al-Ghamari condemned the strikes as targeting civilians and vowed Yemen would not retreat from supporting Gaza, despite casualties or leadership losses.

A purported audio clip suggesting instructions to attack Nurul Haque Nur has recently circulated on social media, falsely attributed to Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. The Ministry of Home Affairs has confirmed the recording is fake. In an official statement, the ministry clarified that the voice in the 25-second clip is artificially manipulated and not the adviser’s. The audio, shared via several fake Facebook accounts, including one named “Ismail Chowdhury Samrat,” allegedly instructs an unnamed police officer regarding Nur. The ministry condemned the creation and dissemination of such misleading content, describing it as illegal, and pledged strict legal action against those responsible.

Rashed Khan, leader of Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP), has demanded the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser following the brutal assault on Nurul Haque Nur, citing the government’s failure to maintain law and order. “You have no moral right to stay in office. If you have any shame, resign with an apology,” Rashed said, further alleging possible involvement of security forces in the attack. He claimed that both army and police personnel carried out the assault, with soldiers stomping on Nur’s chest. “Nur may need treatment abroad,” he added. Rashed accused the military of acting under hidden directives and warned against attempts to manipulate the upcoming election. He also alleged that the DGFI is negotiating with the Jatiya Party to make it the official opposition, insisting: “We will not allow such conspiracies.”

On Saturday evening, the Jatiya Party office in Kakrail came under attack, with reports of vandalism and arson. Eyewitnesses said tensions escalated when a group of people marched toward the party office. After a brief standoff, some individuals reportedly began throwing bricks at the building, setting parts of it on fire. Chairs and tables were reportedly removed from inside and also set ablaze outside. Police responded with baton charges and water cannons to control the situation. As of the latest reports, a significant deployment of law enforcement personnel remains at the scene. Earlier in the day, Shamim Haider Patwary, a factional secretary of the Jatiya Party, held a press conference at the same office.

Primary school teachers across the country have issued an ultimatum to the government to meet three key demands by September 25, warning of an indefinite hunger strike starting September 26 if their demands are ignored. The demands, announced at a grand rally organized by the ‘Assistant Teachers’ Unity Council’ at the Central Shaheed Minar, include: raising entry-level assistant teachers’ salaries to Grade 11, ensuring promotion for all teachers, and resolving complexities in grade advancement after 10 and 16 years of service. Representatives from BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and Ganashonghoti Andolon attended the rally, expressing solidarity with the teachers’ movement. The teachers emphasized that their strike will involve all government primary school teachers nationwide.

At a press conference, Shamim Haider Patwary, General Secretary of a faction of the National Party, revealed that several individuals attempted to set fire to the party’s offices during a torch rally yesterday. “Military and police personnel intervened in time to protect party leaders and activists from being burned,” he stated. Patwary criticized the banning of opposing groups, saying, “No party’s principles or programs justify banning another group. A new form of mob rule is emerging in the country.” He added that the current government has yet to restore law and order and raised doubts over whether it can ensure free and fair elections. Patwary also expressed concern over the recent attack on Nur.