Sheikh Mohammad Maruf, Managing Director of Dhaka Bank, has resigned, submitting his resignation to Chairman Abdul Hai Sarkar on Thursday. He joined the bank as MD in October 2024 for a three-year term, having previously served as Deputy MD at City Bank. Maruf cited personal reasons for stepping down and declined to comment further. His departure marks a significant leadership change at Dhaka Bank, as the institution prepares to appoint a successor to continue its strategic and operational initiatives.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb will join a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. The discussions will focus on security guarantees, regional stability, and continued sanctions against Russia. The meeting follows concerns after the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska and aims to reinforce support for Ukraine, address territorial integrity, and shape future diplomatic and military cooperation between the U.S. and European allies.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 11 projects totaling BDT 9,361.92 crore, including five new initiatives, two revised plans, and three projects with extended duration. Key projects cover sustainable agriculture in Rangpur, modernization of power sub-centers, Rabindra University establishment, medical facilities expansion, multi-storey government housing, water supply improvements, and telecom network development in Chattogram’s Mirersarai Economic Zone. Funding includes BDT 6,677 crore from government sources, BDT 2,428.04 crore from loans, and BDT 256.89 crore from agency contributions.

The National Consensus Commission has finalized the draft of the July National Charter 2025, outlining presidential election, pardon, and impeachment procedures. The charter grants the president significant powers, including appointing key commission members, while ensuring impeachment is possible for treason, serious misconduct, or constitutional violations through a two-thirds parliamentary majority. Political parties have until August 20 to submit feedback before finalization. The draft also establishes the charter’s legal supremacy, with interpretation disputes reserved for the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division.

Eight Nordic and Baltic countries have reaffirmed their steadfast support for Ukraine following the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska. In a joint statement, leaders of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden emphasized that any steps toward a just and lasting peace must involve Ukraine directly. They called for credible security guarantees, continued arms supplies, and strengthened European defenses to prevent future Russian aggression, underlining that no decisions about Ukraine should be made without Ukraine’s participation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized Moscow’s commitment to resolving disputes peacefully while respecting the U.S. administration’s stance on ending conflicts swiftly. After returning from a high-level summit in Alaska with President Donald Trump, Putin met with top Russian officials to review the talks’ outcomes. He described the visit as “timely and highly effective” and highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes of the crisis, stating that eliminating these underlying issues should form the foundation for a lasting solution.

After a one-day closure for Janmashtami, Dinajpur’s Hili land port resumed import and export operations at 1 pm on Sunday, 17 August. Ferdous Rahman, president of the Hili Customs C&F Agents Association, confirmed that trade halted on Saturday due to the public holiday but picked up again on Sunday, restoring activity at the port. Ariful Islam, acting officer of Hili Immigration, noted that passport-holding passengers continued to cross the border between the two countries without interruption.

U.S. President Donald Trump is planning a trilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by August 22. The move follows Trump’s three-hour meeting with Putin in Alaska, where he reportedly proposed a peace plan involving a Donbas concession and ceasefire. Zelensky confirmed he will meet Trump in Washington on Monday. European leaders have also been invited, though Russia has not publicly committed. Reports suggest the talks aim to ensure security guarantees for Kyiv and Europe.

Southern Europe is reeling from one of its worst wildfire seasons, with blazes sweeping from Greece to Portugal. At least four people have died—three in Spain and one in Portugal—as thousands are evacuated and nearly 100 injured. Spain faces the heaviest damage, battling more than 14 major wildfires that have destroyed 390,000 acres. Transportation has been disrupted, with highways closed and rail suspended. The EU has deployed firefighting aircraft, while Portugal fights seven large blazes with 4,000 firefighters.

Md. Sarwar, 33, allegedly posed as a coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP) to secure government contracts worth crores of taka and arrange officials’ transfers for bribes. He used multiple identities and even worked on projects under rented licenses. Locals recall he was once a teacher accused of raping a student in 2022, leading to his dismissal. Student leaders confirm there is no central NCP leader named Sarwar, calling him an impostor exploiting people for personal gain.

Israel announced plans to forcibly evacuate Palestinians from Gaza City to the south, declaring the city a battlefield. The move follows its pledge to capture Gaza’s largest urban center. The army said the UN and aid groups would provide tents and shelters through the Kerem Shalom crossing, though the UN has not confirmed its role. Palestinian group Islamic Jihad condemned the plan as a crime against humanity. Recent Israeli air and tank strikes have intensified around Zeitoun and Shujaiya.

Advisor Rizwana Hasan has confirmed that national elections will take place in February. She emphasized that the recent removal of the President’s photographs from foreign missions is unrelated to the election schedule. “The government sets the election date after careful consideration and consultation with political parties,” Rizwana said. Responding to claims by the NCP that elections would not occur in February, she added, “Everyone speaks from their own political stance. The government does not act based on anyone else’s statements. We have announced elections for February and remain committed to that timeline.” Regarding the Jaflong stone extraction issue, Rizwana criticized those expressing concern for workers today, saying, “The same people once used dynamite for sand extraction, which resulted in the deaths of 65 to 80 workers. At that time, we did not see them expressing any sympathy.”

The High Court has scheduled October for hearings on former Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque’s bail plea and case dismissal in the murder trial of Jubo Dal activist Abdul Qayyum Ahad, who was killed in Jatrabari during the July uprising. On Sunday, Haque’s lawyer sought more time, a request also echoed by the Attorney General. Earlier this month, an attempt to hear the case saw heated arguments and even scuffles between lawyers from both sides. Apart from this case, Haque also faces three other charges, including alleged verdict forgery.

A delegation from the National Cooperation Party (NCP) held a meeting with Palestinian Ambassador Yusuf S.Y. Ramadan at his residence in Baridhara. The NCP delegation included Convener Nahid Islam, Nahida Sarwar Chowdhury Niva, and Alauddin Mohammad. During the meeting, Nahid Islam reaffirmed the commitment of Bangladesh’s younger generation to the cause of an independent Palestinian state. He also expressed the party’s determination to create more opportunities for Palestinian students in Bangladesh.

The Press Wing of the interim government has requested a formal explanation from the Officer-in-Charge of Dhanmondi Police regarding the grounds for arresting the rickshaw driver who went to pay tribute on August 15. The DMP has also been asked to review whether any inconsistencies exist in the recent conduct or statements of the involved officer. Furthermore, the investigation into Azizur Rahman’s alleged involvement in the case will follow the recently amended Section 173(A) of the Criminal Procedure Code, which mandates expedited reporting. Authorities have instructed that the investigative report be submitted promptly.