Thousands thronged central Dhaka this week to celebrate the first anniversary of Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, hailing a “New Bangladesh” under interim leader Muhammad Yunus. Festivities masked deep challenges: rights groups warn of mob violence, religious extremism, and political revenge attacks. Women’s rights reforms have stalled amid Islamist opposition, while exiled Awami League leaders allege persecution and exclusion from upcoming polls. Despite economic stability, Transparency International reports persistent extra-judicial killings. Activists fear the uprising’s democratic gains could be lost without systemic change. “We have overthrown an authoritarian regime, but unless we end authoritarian practices, we cannot create a new Bangladesh,” warned TIB’s Iftekhar Zaman. (PC: BBC)

Leaders of the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission have declared that any peace talks with Russia must include Ukraine. The joint statement comes ahead of US President Donald Trump’s planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Trump has floated a possible trilateral summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but, for now, it remains a Trump-Putin meeting. Zelensky warned any deal without Kyiv would be “dead decisions,” rejecting proposals for territorial swaps. European leaders reaffirmed that “international borders must not be changed by force” and pledged continued diplomatic, military, and financial support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir visited the United States for the second time in two months, following his private lunch with President Donald Trump at the White House. During this trip, Munir held high-level meetings with U.S. military leaders, including Joint Chiefs Chairman General John Dan Caine, and attended the CENTCOM change-of-command ceremony in Tampa. Discussions focused on “mutual professional interest” and regional security cooperation. Munir expressed confidence in continued collaboration and invited Caine to visit Pakistan. The visit comes amid speculation about Munir’s growing influence and follows Trump’s announcement of enhanced U.S.-Pakistan cooperation. Pakistan’s military has denied rumors of Munir seeking the presidency, calling them baseless. (PC: Wikipedia)

The United States thwarted Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s planned visit to Pakistan—scheduled for August 4—by withholding a required UN sanctions exemption. The move, reported by Dawn, came at the last minute, citing Muttaqi’s international sanction status under UNSC Resolution 1988. The visit followed Pakistani Deputy PM Ishaq Dar’s earlier trip to Kabul, backed by China. Analysts suggest Washington’s decision reflects growing apprehension over an emerging strategic alignment among the Taliban regime, China, and Pakistan, and signals continued international resistance to Taliban diplomatic normalization. (PC: The Times of India)

UK police arrested over 466 people linked to the banned activist group Palestine Action during coordinated raids across multiple locations on August 9. The arrests targeted individuals allegedly involved in disruptive protests and direct actions against companies supplying arms to Israel. Authorities stated the operation was based on extensive intelligence and aimed at preventing further unlawful activity. Palestine Action, known for targeting defense contractors, has been accused of vandalism and trespassing. Human rights groups have criticized the scale of the arrests, calling it excessive and a threat to civil liberties. The crackdown comes amid heightened tensions over the Gaza conflict and growing global scrutiny of UK arms exports to Israel. (PC: Reuters)

On August 9, 2025, London witnessed its largest mass arrests in over a decade as police detained more than 470 protesters during a demonstration against the UK’s ban on Palestine Action, labeled a terrorist organization by the government. Around 1,000 people gathered in Parliament Square, many supporting the banned group. The Metropolitan Police cited arrests for supporting a proscribed organization and other offenses, including assaults on officers. Human rights groups criticized the crackdown as disproportionate and a threat to free expression. The government maintained the ban was necessary to protect national security. (PC: The Guardian)  

The White House is contemplating inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled for August 15 in Alaska. While the invitation is not finalized, senior officials suggest Zelenskyy's attendance is a strong possibility. The summit aims to negotiate an end to the 41-month-long war in Ukraine. However, Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any territorial concessions, emphasizing that Ukraine will not cede land to Russia. European leaders have also stressed that Ukraine must be directly involved in any peace negotiations. 

Pakistani security forces killed 47 militants in two major raids near the Afghanistan border in Balochistan province, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The operations took place in Sambaza, Zhob district, with 33 militants neutralized on the night of August 7–8 and another 14 on August 8–9. The raids were part of a sanitization effort targeting terror groups operating in the region. Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the slain militants. The crackdown comes amid a surge in terrorist attacks across Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022, intensifying violence along Pakistan’s western frontier. (PC: Reuters, The Print & Al Jazeera)

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska on August 15 to discuss the Ukraine war. Trump announced the meeting via social media, and the Kremlin confirmed it, citing Alaska’s proximity to Russia. The announcement followed Trump’s controversial remarks suggesting Ukraine might need to cede territory to end the conflict. He stated that “some swapping of territories” could benefit both sides, though no details were provided. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded firmly, saying any resolution must include Ukraine and rejecting preconditions involving territorial concessions. The meeting marks Putin’s first U.S. visit in a decade and comes amid rising global pressure for a negotiated peace settlement. (PC: ABC & Hindustan Times)

Israel has rejected global condemnation after its security cabinet approved a five-point plan to seize Gaza City and expand the war. The plan includes disarming Hamas, returning hostages, demilitarising Gaza, taking security control, and setting up an alternative civil administration. It begins with relocating about one million Gaza City residents south, followed by a second offensive alongside increased aid. The UN, UK, France, Canada, Germany, and others warned it will worsen the humanitarian crisis. Germany halted arms exports, while Hamas called it a “new war crime.” Families of hostages and some Israeli officials voiced strong opposition. (PC: BBC)