1. Bangladesh Violence: No foreseeable End of Violence, Despite Hasina Outested; New Delhi Concerned with Safety of Miniorites; US Revoke Visa, and UK Refuses for Asylum
2. J&K: Encounter between militants and security forces underway in Basantgarh of Udhampur
3. India advises its citizens to ‘exercise caution’ amid riots, violent protests in UK
4. IIT Madras gets historic $271,000 donation from alumnus
5. ED files chargesheet in Lalu Prasad’s land-for-job case, 11 suspects named

What Else

1. 8 yrs into probe, CBI books Aditya Birla Group’s Hindalco for ‘corruption’ over environmental clearances
2. Bangladesh: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus appointed as interim govt’s head
3. US arrests Pakistani man in alleged plot to kill politicians
4. Trump supporters go after Tim Walz’s China experiences after Kamala Harris picks him as VP
5. Chinese firms stockpile high-end Samsung chips as they await new US curbs: report

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Bangladesh Violence: No foreseeable End of Violence, Despite Hasina Outested; New Delhi Concerned with safety of Miniorites; US Revoke Visa, and UK Refuses for Asylum

• Development in Nutshell: Hasina leaves Bangladesh, UK rule book says no asylum from outside UK, US won’t comment on Hasina’s US visa revocation; India concerned about minority situation; Major reshuffle in B’dsh Army; Protest leaders meet B’desh President; Muhammad Yunus to reach Dhaka; Khaleda Zia released, Violence Continue
• At least 24 killed in hotel owned by Awami League leader: 24 people, including an Indonesian national, were burnt alive by a mob at a starred hotel owned by a leader of the AL party after its leader Sheikh Hasina fled the country, local journalists and hospital sources said on Tue.
• The victims, mostly boarders, were burnt alive on Mon night as the mob set afire Zabir International Hotel owned by district AL general secretary in Joshor district.
• There were almost identical reports from across the country where the angry mob simultaneously vandalized residences and business establishments of many AL leaders and activists, including its central office in Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital. (here)
• Hindu temples vandalized amid ongoing political unrest: An ISKCON temple in Meherpur is part of a broader wave of violence targeting multiple Hindu temples across Bangladesh within the past 24 hours.
• The situation for religious minorities in Bangladesh has become increasingly precarious
• Kajol Debnath, leader of the HBCUC, said that at least 4 Hindu temples were targeted on Mon and sustained minor damage.
• In addition to the temple attacks, an Indian cultural center in Dhaka was vandalized by an unruly mob.
• The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, which promotes cultural exchange between India and Bangladesh, was damaged in the violence. (here)
• Attacks on Hindu homes, businesses, and temples were reported from 29 districts out of a total of 64 districts.
• Rahul Ananda’s home, a once vibrant cultural hub, looted and burnt Singer and family now at a safe place, confirm band members: The Daily Star
• B’desh intel report- Khaleda Zia’s son, ISI and London [-DC?] plan in Dhaka turmoil: The blueprint for regime change was drafted in [& with] London in collaboration with Pakistan’s ISI, as per intel reports.
• Dhaka’s officials have claimed they have evidence of meetings between Tarique Rahman, the acting chief of the BNP and son of Khaleda Zia, and ISI officials in Saudia.  
• In the lead-up to the violence, several “anti-Bangladesh” handles on X were continuously fuelling the protest.
• Over 500 negative tweets were made against the Hasina govt, including those from Pakistani handles.
• Sources said the Pakistan Army and the ISI aimed to destabilize Hasina’s government and restore the opposition BNP, which is known to be pro-Pakistan.
• China, through the ISI, also played a role in escalating the protests that eventually forced Hasina to flee to India. (here)
• EAM S Jaishankar to address Parliament on Bangladesh situation: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed both houses and briefed the development. He expressed concern about the security of minorities in Bangladesh.
• Earlier on Wed he chaired an all-party meeting in Parliament and briefed the leaders about the ongoing developments in Bangladesh and the prevailing situation (here)
• The minister briefed the leaders about the current situation in the violence-hit nation and the steps taken by the Indian govt to address the possible security, economic, and diplomatic consequences of this situation.
• He also informed that the government is monitoring the situation and is in touch with the Bangladeshi Army – which is set to form an interim govt. (here)
• As UK, US refuse to play ball, one likely destination for Sheikh Hasina is Dubai: Trouble is mounting for ousted Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina with both the UK and the US refusing to accommodate her, even temporarily.
• Media reports, which have not been yet confirmed, say the US, which has called for fixing accountability for the torture and killings of protesters in Bangladesh, has canceled Hasina’s visa.
• Sources in the security establishment said she was not planning to go to the US but to the UK, which is also stonewalling her case.
• They said she has a valid visa but indications are that the UK, which has called for a UN-led probe into the violence in Bangladesh, is not willing to give her asylum
• Diplomatic sources said the UK has a proud record of protecting people who needed it [who can be UK assets for their own country].
• Meanwhile, security sources said a possible destination for Hasina would be Dubai in the UAE.
• They said that no decision had yet been taken by the former Bangladeshi PM.
• Sources also said there was no time limit to Hasina staying in India (here)

J&K: Encounter between militants and security forces underway in Basantgarh of Udhampur

• An encounter started between the security forces and a group of terrorists in the Basantgarh area in Udhampur district of J&K on Tue.
• The encounter started after the security forces established contact with the group of terrorists who were hiding in the higher reaches of the Pathi Nalla Khanerd area
• There was no report of any casualty, and a hunt for the terrorists was underway.
• Earlier today, a joint search operation by police and the Army was launched in the Pathi Nalla Khanerd area following a tipoff about the presence of a group of terrorists in the higher reaches of Basantgarh of Udhampur district.
• Reinforcements have also rushed to the area to track down and neutralize the holed-up terrorists, the officials said.
• Meanwhile, the opposition parties in J&K announced a joint protest in Kathua on Aug 8 in support of their demands for the restoration of statehood and the rollback of amendments by the central govt to empower the Lt governor in the UT. (here)

India advises its citizens to ‘exercise caution’ amid riots, violent protests in UK

• The High Commission of India in London on Tue issued an advisory urging Indian nationals traveling to the UK to “exercise caution and stay vigilant” amid widespread violent protests raging across the country.
• These protests have erupted following the fatal stabbing of 3 girls last week in the northwest English town of Southport.
• The High Commission’s advisory points to the heightened state of alert for Indian nationals amid ongoing tensions in the UK.
• In its advisory, the HC stated it is “closely monitoring the situation” and advised Indian nationals to “follow local news and advisories issued by local security agencies, and to avoid areas where protests are underway.”
• British authorities are currently faced with the violent unrest that began a week ago after the tragic knife attack at a children’s dance class in Southport.
• PM Keir Starmer has blamed the unrest on far-right agitators and the spread of disinformation on social media. (here)

IIT Madras gets historic $271,000 donation from alumnus

• Indian Institute of Technology, has received a record high funding of $271,634 from US-based industrialist and entrepreneur Dr Krishna Chivukula, officials said on Tue
• It is considered to be one of the single largest donations received by IIT Madras, which would utilize the funds for taking up “various initiatives”.
• IIT Madras officials said the institute raised funding of $611,177 during 2023-24, which is a 135% increase from the previous financial year.
• The total amount raised through alumni alone during 2023-24 was $437,236, which is also an increase of 282% over the previous year.
• Chivukula had set up his company, Indo-US MIM, in the US with a projected revenue of Rs 1,000 crore [0.15 Billion]. (here)

ED files chargesheet in Lalu Prasad’s land-for-job case, 11 suspects named

• In connection with the land-for-job fraud case, the ED on Tue filed a supplementary chargesheet naming Lalu Prasad Yadav, the former railways minister, his son Tejashwi, and other individuals.
• The chargesheet has named 11 suspects and includes 96 supporting documents.
• The court has scheduled a review of the chargesheet and documents on Aug 13.
• The case concerns the time when Lalu served as the minister in the UPA-led govt.
• Allegedly, many people were assigned to Group “D” jobs in different Indian Railways zones between 2004 and 2009. (here)

8 yrs into probe, CBI books Aditya Birla Group’s Hindalco for ‘corruption’ over environmental clearances

• 8 years after starting a preliminary inquiry, the CBI last month registered a case of corruption against Hindalco Industries Ltd, a subsidiary of the Birla Group, and a former director of the environment ministry.
• The case pertains to an alleged violation of environmental clearances issued to Hindalco for mining coal in Odisha from 2000-13, with the company mining coal more than the permitted capacity.
• The CBI has also charged T. Chandini, then a director in the Ministry of Environ and Forests (MoEF), for allegedly misusing her position to provide undue benefits to Hindalco, despite a prohibition imposed by the ministry in critically polluted areas.
• The CBI alleged that Chandini, instead of returning the project, misused her official position to process the company’s request to double its coal production. (here)

[Neighborhood]

Bangladesh: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus appointed as interim govt’s head

• Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the head of Bangladesh’s interim govt, Dhaka Tribune reported.
• Bangladesh President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin made the announcement.
• The decision regarding Bangladesh’s interim govt head was made during a meeting between President Shahabuddin and the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
• Joynal Abedin said that the remaining members of the interim govt will be finalized after talks with various political parties.
• Earlier, a 13-member team from the ADS Movement traveled to Bangabhaban to discuss the current situation and the outline of the interim govt (here)
• Muhammad Yunus: With patronization of CIA and Clintons, Yunus attempts to creating path for coup d’état in Bangladesh: Reuters has catered an interview of Mohammed Yunus, known as the “father” of microcredit, who jointly received the Nobel Peace Prize along with Grameen Bank in 2006, which clearly reflects his actual desire of returning to politics and ultimately become head of the govt in Bangladesh – a long-cherished dream that could not see the light despite frantic bids of Hillary Clinton as well as few other top brasses in the Democratic Party.
• One of the key goals of this interview is to portray B’desh as being turned into a “one-party state” and to brand the ruling AL govt led by PM Hasina as authoritarian.
• Also, Yunus attempted to also put Jan 7 elections into controversy by stating it was “boycotted by the main opposition party, whose top leaders were either jailed or in exile ahead of the polls”.
• It may be mentioned here that Al Qaeda-connected BNP boycotted the election thinking it would succeed in returning to power through an unconstitutional path with active support from the WH, as Hunter Biden has been working as its lobbyist for years.
• Chairperson of BNP, Khaleda Zia is serving rigorous imprisonment on charges of misappropriating funds from an orphanage, while her son, Tarique Rahman
• While Reuters in the interview says, “Prof Yunus, who helped to lift millions from poverty by providing tiny loans of sums less than $100 to the rural poor, angered Hasina with a 2007 plan to set up a political party”, the reality is just the opposite. (here)

US arrests Pakistani man in alleged plot to kill politicians

• A Pakistani man with ties to Iran has been charged over an alleged plot to assassinate US politicians and officials.
• FBI director Wray called the scheme a “dangerous murder-for-hire plot… straight out of the Iranian playbook“.
• Asif Merchant, 46, is accused of attempting to hire a hitman in New York to kill prominent American officials.
• CBS, quoted sources as saying Donald Trump was among the targets.
• Security for the Republican presidential nominee was increased in June after authorities learned of an Iranian plot to kill him.
• Mr Merchant was arrested in July and is being held in New York.
• According to the justice department’s indictment, Mr Merchant arrived in the US from Pakistan in April after having spent time in Iran. (here)
• White House says Asif Merchant has NO connection to Trump’s assassination plot.
• Pakistan’s first reaction on the issue: “We are in touch with the US authorities and await further details. We have also noted the statements by US officials that this is an ongoing investigation. Before giving our formal reaction, we also need to be sure of the antecedents of the individual in question”

Trump supporters go after Tim Walz’s China experiences after Kamala Harris picks him as VP

• In the first hours after US Vice-President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic candidate for president, announced on Tue that her running mate would be Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, supporters of Donald Trump scrambled to find the harshest criticisms they could about the pick.
• What did they home in on? From anonymous online posters to former Trump officials to hard-right news outlets, they went with Walz’s extensive personal history in China.
• Numerous social media posts, including those from accounts followed by members of Trump’s inner circle, with some suggesting he could be a Communist Party agent.
• “Communist China is very happy with @GovTimWalz as Kamala’s VP pick. No one is more pro-China than Marxist Walz,” Richard Grenell, a former acting director of National Intelligence in the previous Trump admin, posted on X
• Gabriel Noronha, who served as an adviser to the Iran Action Group in Trump’s State Department, shared a quote purportedly by Walz in 2019 that called for “expanding military-military contacts” for a “solid, lasting partnership” with China. (here)

Chinese firms stockpile high-end Samsung chips as they await new US curbs: report

• Chinese tech giants including Huawei and Baidu 9888.HK as well as startups are stockpiling high bandwidth memory semiconductors from Samsung Electronics in anticipation of US curbs on exports of the chips to China, three sources said.
• The companies have ramped up their buying of AI-capable semiconductors since early this year, helping China account for about 30% of Samsung’s 005930.KS HBM chip revenue in the first half of 2024, one of the sources said.
• The moves show how China is gearing up to keep its technology ambitions on track amid rising trade tensions with the US and other Western nations.
• They also show how the tensions are impacting the global semiconductor supply chain.
• US authorities are planning to unveil an export control package this month that will impose new restrictions on shipments for China’s semiconductor industry, Reuters reported last week, citing sources.
• The package is expected to lay out parameters for restricting high-bandwidth memory chip access.

The US Dept of Commerce declined to comment but had said in a statement that it is continually assessing the evolving threat environment and updating export controls “to protect US national security and safeguard our technological ecosystem.” (here)