Brac Bank has introduced a collateral-free loan facility at a market-lowest 13.75% interest rate for entrepreneurs in the Cottage, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (CMSME) sector. The offer is valid from August 1 to September 30 under the “SME Means Brac Bank” campaign. Two new solutions—“Probrton” for online entrepreneurs and “BizPay” for large transactions—have also been launched. With over 2 million SME clients and BDT 2 trillion disbursed, Brac Bank reaffirms its leadership in SME financing in Bangladesh.

In the first half of 2025, major U.S. tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Amazon have spent over $1.55 trillion on artificial intelligence infrastructure. The spending exceeds U.S. government allocations for education and social services. Investments focus on data centers, servers, and power-intensive systems needed to run AI. Microsoft alone plans to spend over $300 billion this quarter. With 2026 plans already underway, global AI investment is expected to grow rapidly, even surpassing some national defense budgets in scale.

On Monday, Additional Superintendent of Police KN Rai of RAB-4 confirmed the arrest of Mashrikul Islam Imon (32), one of the main coordinators behind the clashes and attacks on law enforcement during the NCIP rally in Gopalganj.

Imon is a banned student league leader, serving as the Deputy Legal Secretary of Dhaka District North and General Secretary of the People's University. He is also one of the prime accused in the high-profile murder case of Suman in Baipayl, along with other murder cases.

In a separate operation, RAB arrested two leaders affiliated with the Awami League and its youth wing from Manikganj — Samir Moulik (35) and Mohammad Mahamudul Hasan Munna Dewan (45).

On the first anniversary of the mass uprising that toppled the Awami League government, Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus will present the much-anticipated “July Declaration” this afternoon. Later in the evening, he is expected to address the nation, during which he may announce the tentative month for the 2026 national election.

Sources indicate the speech will also highlight the interim government’s achievements over the past year, progress in the July massacre trials, and ongoing reform initiatives. However, official confirmation of the election timeline could not be obtained from the press wing.

A proposal to establish a modern Hilsha fish landing center in Chandpur was presented by the District Commissioner during the February District Commissioners’ Conference. The project was approved as a mid-term development initiative.

Following this, the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) has expressed interest and begun work to implement the project. The proposed modern Hilsha landing center will include facilities such as a state-of-the-art ice factory, auction sheds, market halls, a mini dry dockyard, water purification filters, and a pontoon. It will also feature modern fish freezing and packaging units, a fisheries museum, fisheries-based corporate office spaces, banking facilities, and restaurants.

This initiative is expected to transform the lives of nearly 10 million people across six districts in southern Bangladesh, including Chandpur, bringing widespread enthusiasm among locals.

Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain stated that if necessary, Bangladesh would seek international cooperation to bring fugitive Sheikh Hasina in India to justice. However, at present, he sees no such need. He emphasized that the government has never hidden its intention and has always wanted her to be extradited to face trial.

He added that no positive response has yet come from India, and they are still awaiting a reply. Meanwhile, the legal proceedings have already begun, and whether or not she returns does not halt the judicial process.

For the first time, a Biman Bangladesh Airlines aircraft utilized the boarding bridge and Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS) at the newly constructed Terminal 3 of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. On Monday morning, flight BG-356, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner arriving from Rome, marked this milestone by docking at Terminal 3.

Following passenger disembarkation, tests were conducted from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM on systems including the VDGS, external power supply, air conditioning, and water supply. Biman officials stated that this trial marks the beginning of a new era in both domestic and international passenger services.

On the second day of testimony in the International Crimes Tribunal regarding crimes against humanity during the July uprising, two witnesses completed their statements against Sheikh Hasina. Both witnesses, Imran (a Dhaka College student) and day laborer Parvin, lost sight and mobility due to the attacks. They held Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal responsible for their injuries and the deaths of others. The next hearing is scheduled for August 6.

Following claims by Janakantha’s editor and publisher Shamima Akhter in a leaked audio that political activists had taken over the newspaper, staff and journalists refuted these as unfounded. Shamima also stated she never ordered the template to be blackened, but rather red. The journalists presented eight demands: punishment of owners involved in disrespecting July revolution martyrs by blackening the template, reinstatement of all sacked journalists with dignity, a full print strike on August 6-7 protesting owners’ fascist behavior, immediate payment of nearly 150 million BDT in unpaid salaries, appointment of a government administrator, and swift arrest of those charged in pending cases.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has initiated legal proceedings against a KFC franchise, its oil supplier, and two other food business owners over allegations of cooking with substandard oil. Metropolitan Magistrate Nusrat Sahara Beethy accepted the case and issued arrest warrants for four accused. The complaint states that oil samples collected from KFC’s Paltan branch on July 27 and 29 tested below standards and were harmful to consumers’ health. Additionally, Paltan’s Kasturi Restaurant was found using fake BSTI codes on yogurt, and ‘Ma Sweets’ was caught adulterating sweets.

After receiving assurances from the district administration to meet three demands, Sunamganj district transport workers’ union ended their indefinite blockade after 16 hours. A joint meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office involving transport owners, workers, university authorities, police, and administration led to the decision. Earlier clashes between university students and bus drivers had triggered the protest. The demands include taking action against those who vandalized vehicles and assaulted drivers, securing bail for a bus driver jailed for five months, and arresting perpetrators who fractured Anwar’s bones in an attack.

A report published Monday by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) revealed the formation of a ‘Kings Party’ with government backing. Dr. Iftikharuzzaman stated there is nothing to hide. The party, also referred to as NCP (Nationalist Communist Party), includes two members currently in government, hence the ‘Kings Party’ label. TIB’s research covering August last year to June this year documented 471 political violence incidents causing 121 deaths and over 5,100 injuries. BNP was involved in 92% of cases, Awami League 22%, Jamaat-e-Islami 5%, and NCP 1%. The report warns that the banning of Awami League activities could risk normalizing political repression and create political instability due to lack of a clear government roadmap.

Maritime Advisor M. Sakhawat Hossain announced that construction of 18 vessels for the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) at the Three Angle Shipyard in Gazaria, Munshiganj, is 90% complete.

“Although delivery was originally scheduled to begin in March, some delays occurred. Now, we expect deliveries to start from September,” he said during a site visit. He declined to comment on issues like sand mining and warship construction. The shipyard’s managing director confirmed that preparations are underway to deliver the vessels promptly.

The Election Commission (EC) has announced an 11-day correction period before publishing the final voter list.

According to EC spokesperson Shariful Alam, a draft voter list including all citizens born on or before January 1, 2007, will be released on August 10. Voters will have until August 21 to apply for corrections, transfers, or removal of ineligible or deceased voters. The final voter list will be published on August 31, with all applications resolved by August 24.

Advisor Mahfuz Alam stated that Islami Chhatra Shibir played a significant role in the July Uprising by providing manpower and coordination.

“Shibir activists contributed from various platforms and, in some cases, led the movement forward,” said Mahfuz. He cautioned against denying anyone’s contributions due to ideological or political differences.

He also acknowledged the roles of Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Adhikar Parishad, Chhatra Union, madrasa students, working-class communities, and even rickshaw-pullers and lower-income citizens. He noted that women also fought on the streets and cared for the wounded. “It was a collective resistance involving people from all walks of life,” he added.