The Election Commission (EC) will convey its message on conducting the best election in the country’s history during the ongoing Deputy Commissioner (DC) conference. On Sunday, Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar confirmed the EC’s invitation to the DC conference, stating, "We are committed to holding a flawless election at any cost." He emphasized that there will be no political bias in administrative appointments, as the EC will make postings strictly based on necessity, without any government pressure.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has emphasized the importance of establishing a joint economic framework among Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. He believes that due to their geographical proximity, all four countries would benefit significantly from such an initiative. He also mentioned that the process of economic collaboration has already begun. Speaking as the chief guest at the Bangladesh Administration Service Association conference, Yunus highlighted the region’s natural wealth and its large population as valuable resources. He also praised the potential of the youth, stating that the achievements of Bangladeshi youth in July-August were unprecedented on a global scale.

In a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the Palestinian resistance group Hamas cannot continue to exist as a military or governmental force. He emphasized that former President Donald Trump’s stance on Hamas is clear— they must be eliminated entirely. Rubio also accused Iran of being the primary instigator of instability in the Middle East, stating that Tehran supports both Hamas and Hezbollah. He further blamed Iran for the unrest in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank. Netanyahu, in response, called Trump the greatest friend of Israel in the White House.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of movable and immovable assets belonging to former State Minister for ICT, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, following an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) petition. The ACC cited concerns over possible asset transfers that could hinder the investigation. Seized assets include 15.15 acres of land, two buildings, and four shops in Natore, along with significant bank deposits. Palak, his son, and mother-in-law collectively hold over Tk 47 million in multiple bank accounts, according to the ACC.

In response to calls for the implementation of the water-sharing agreement and comprehensive planning, the ‘Teesta River Protection Movement’ has announced a 48-hour program, with participation expected from a million people across five northern districts under the slogan “Save Teesta, Wake Up”. The situation worsened when India released floodwater from upstream, drying out the Teesta riverbed. This has caused immense concern among local farmers, as the release of water during the dry season is unprecedented. Farmers fear that their crops may be damaged. Despite the water release, the program organizers confirmed that the event will continue along the Teesta banks, with BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman joining virtually.

The High Court has ruled that the appointment of an administrator for the mobile financial service ‘Nagad’ is valid, dismissing the related writ petition. BM Elias Kochi, a lawyer for Bangladesh Bank, clarified that the court referred to Nagad as an agent of the Postal Department. Prior to appointing the administrator, Bangladesh Bank issued a notice to the Postal Department, which responded. After inspecting Nagad’s operations and discovering multiple irregularities, Bangladesh Bank appointed the administrator in the interest of customer protection. The writ petitioner argued that they were not given prior notice, but since Nagad is an agent of the Postal Department, the petitioner could have filed an application with the department, which they did not. Based on these considerations, the writ was dismissed.

In a statement, Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association Secretary-General Mojammel Haque Chowdhury alleged that the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) had succumbed to the demands of CNG rickshaw drivers, who staged rampage across the capital demanding meter-based fare implementation. The BRTA canceled orders to file cases against rickshaws overcharging passengers and allowed the drivers to control the situation. The statement also accused the BRTA, under the leadership of Obaidul Quader, of building a massive syndicate that led to a corruption scandal worth 1,200 crore taka, inflating CNG prices from 3 lakh to 30-35 lakh taka. These drivers are allegedly fueling protests, the association claimed.

During his speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern that Vladimir Putin has become the most influential member of NATO, suggesting that NATO’s decisions may shift according to his will. Prior to this, Putin set two conditions to end the war: Ukraine must abandon its NATO membership aspirations, and Ukrainian troops must withdraw from four Ukrainian regions under Russian control. Following a phone conversation with Putin, former U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at accepting these conditions. In response, Zelensky proposed the creation of a new European military alliance, stating that the U.S. will no longer support Europe as it did in the past.

Officials from the United States and Russia will soon meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, according to Reuters. However, Ukraine has not been invited to the talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Kyiv will not engage in talks with Russia without consulting its strategic partners first. The U.S. delegation will include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Walz, and White House Middle East Representative Steve Witkoff. The objective of the discussions, as per McColl, is to arrange a meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Zelensky to establish peace and bring an end to the conflict.

Israel has violated the ceasefire agreement in Gaza by launching an airstrike on the eastern part of Rafah city. The attack, which targeted members of Hamas-controlled police, resulted in the deaths of three police officers, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Interior. Gaza officials stated that this airstrike, which occurred on Saturday, constitutes a clear violation of the ceasefire that has been in place since January 19. Israel claimed the attack targeted armed individuals approaching their forces. Hamas authorities confirmed the slain officers were stationed to secure the entry of aid trucks into Gaza. The international community has been urged to take a stand against the Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s police forces.

Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, Education Adviser, announced that specific educational qualifications will now be mandatory for positions in the managing committees of educational institutions across the country. To be eligible for a school managing committee, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree, while a Master’s degree is required for a college managing committee position. The move aims to ensure qualified leadership in educational institutions. Additionally, textbooks for non-exam subjects will be distributed by February, with remote areas prioritized, and efforts are being made to arrange teachers’ retirement benefits via bonds.

The Director General of the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate, Mohammad Aleem Akhtar Khan, has issued a warning of severe penalties for businesses that impose conditions on customers buying edible oil, such as bundling it with other products. He highlighted ongoing market instability in soybean oil prices and assured that companies caught in such practices would be fined. The statement came during a meeting to ensure price stability and a smooth supply of oil ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against Nazrul Islam Majumder, the founder of NASA Group and former chairman of Exim Bank, for accumulating illegal assets worth 781 crore 31 lakh 22 thousand 454 Taka. The ACC alleges that Majumder used his power to acquire wealth through corruption, bribery, and money laundering, which is disproportionate to his known income. The case includes charges of embezzlement, financial irregularities, and illegal wealth acquisition.

Senior officials linked to the so-called ‘Police League’ forced Bangladesh’s Narcotics Department to change its newly introduced uniform, citing similarities with police attire. Despite a government committee’s ruling that the colors were distinct, high-ranking police officials pressured the department to comply. The uniform switch cost the government over Tk 4 crore, with the contract awarded to a company linked to an ex-Awami League MP. Further controversy arose as lab tests revealed the new uniforms were of substandard quality, sparking widespread dissatisfaction among officers.

The press secretary of the Chief Adviser, Shafiqul Alam, announced that the media’s role during the July 1–August 5 period will be thoroughly documented. He emphasized the need for an in-depth review of media coverage in major incidents over the last 15 years. The interim government aims to create a space where all voices are heard, including media critical of the government. A robust environment for accountable journalism will be established, ensuring that all governments remain answerable for their actions.