A fire broke out on the fifth floor of Sundarban Square Market in Gulistan at around 10 AM on Saturday. Eleven firefighting units were deployed to bring the blaze under control. Duty officer Lima Akter of the Fire Service confirmed the incident but said the cause and extent of the damage remain unknown.

Philosopher and political thinker Farhad Mazhar stated that the July uprising was a spontaneous people's movement without a central mastermind or organizational control. “That’s not a flaw,” he said, “Most revolutions happen this way.”

Mazhar urged young leaders not to overly rely on electoral politics, warning, “Elections alone will not solve the country's structural problems. Our mission is greater — rebuilding institutions from the ground up.” He acknowledged strategic mistakes made by youth-led political groups but also highlighted their courage and evolving wisdom.

Milestone authorities have published the names and photographs of 33 individuals who perished in a recent aircraft accident linked to the institution. The list includes students from various grades, teachers, parents, and staff.

Among the victims were fourth-grade student Mahit Hasan Arian, several classmates from Sky, Cloud, and Sepia sections, Coordinator Maherin Chowdhury, Assistant Teacher Masuka Begum, and caregiver Masuma Begum. The tragedy has left the institution and community in deep mourning.

Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, Religious Affairs Advisor, stressed the importance of utilizing technology to convey the timeless messages of Islam to today’s youth. “Attractive visuals, short videos, animations, and engaging multimedia formats can significantly boost interest,” he noted.

He added that crossing language and geographical barriers through subtitles, translations, and multilingual content can enhance global outreach. Leveraging internet platforms and social media, he argued, can exponentially amplify Da’wah efforts.

Renowned cultural advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has described July as a month of defiance and powerful resistance against inequality. He praised the younger generation for crafting a modern-day epic through their achievements, asserting, “July is both our inspiration and awakening.”

Farooki called for national unity among supporters of cultural progress in Bangladesh, stating that in July 2024, once again, youth sowed the seeds of liberation on this blood-stained soil. At the same event, Press Secretary Shafiqur Alam emphasized the need to embrace Bangladesh’s cultural identity to overcome ideological challenges, including the legacy of Mujibism.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has launched a special initiative to fill vacant head teacher positions in public primary schools. A request has been sent to the Public Service Commission (PSC) to begin recruitment for 2,382 direct recruitment posts. An additional 31,459 positions remain on hold due to ongoing legal cases. Once resolved, those will be filled through internal promotion. On July 14, the chief advisor directed that the recruitment process be expedited to address the staffing crisis.

Shipping Advisor Sakhawat Hossain visited the Sultanpur River Port and Protocol Port in Rajshahi. He stated that while Bangladesh can dredge its side of the river, it cannot operate on Indian territory. He expressed hope for joint discussions, noting India’s commercial interest in the port. Despite initial trial runs, the port's operation stalled due to insufficient navigability and infrastructure deficiencies. The advisor said the government will seek NBR approval and undertake road and infrastructure upgrades if there is positive response from all stakeholders.

A clash erupted at Shahbagh Friday evening when a group of youths claiming to be the "real July warriors" attacked and dispersed another group blocking the intersection. Police intervened with baton charges to break up the confrontation and clear the road. Arman Shafin, coordinator of the 'July Warrior Council,' claimed that their peaceful protest was disrupted by outsiders and that eight of their members were injured during police action. The protesting group had been demonstrating since Thursday.

Advisor Mahfuz Alam announced that the ‘July Declaration’ will be officially unveiled by August 5. He thanked all contributors for keeping the issue alive through public demand. The interim government has sent a draft of the declaration to major political groups, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizens’ Party. The document outlines 26 points, the first 21 of which recount historical democratic struggles, including the July uprising. The final five points call for democratic reforms, justice for crimes during Awami League rule, human rights, rule of law, and the establishment of an inclusive democratic system.

Dhaka University authorities have suspended the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) degree of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed after confirming he obtained it through procedural irregularities without meeting eligibility requirements. The decision was taken following a Syndicate meeting held on July 20, where Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan presented the findings of a fact-finding committee. A five-member probe committee has been formed to conduct further investigation and is expected to submit a report within 30 working days. The suspension will remain in effect until the final report is submitted.

About 110 meters of the protective embankment at the Padma Bridge construction yard in Shariatpur’s Jajira area collapsed due to strong river currents, causing at least 30 homes to be washed away. Locals are relocating amid fear of further erosion. The Water Development Board is dumping geobags and geotubes to halt the damage, but heavy currents and rain hinder efforts. Authorities plan permanent embankment repairs before the next rainy season and will assist affected families.

A massive power outage hit Habiganj district after a fire at the Shahjibazar power grid burned three transformers and a circuit breaker. Eight upazilas were left without electricity for nearly 20 hours, while Bahubal remained unaffected. Authorities began restoring supply gradually from Friday morning by rotating power between areas. Water shortages worsened public suffering. Officials repaired one transformer and expect another to be fixed soon. Full restoration will take time due to the cost and complexity of replacing damaged equipment.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the US did not impose any unique conditions on Bangladesh in the recent tariff negotiations, aligning the terms with those applied to other nations. He noted that the US is seeking to reduce its trade deficit, and Bangladesh is also interested in importing goods such as agricultural products and cotton. Alam welcomed the outcome of the negotiations, highlighting improved access for Bangladeshi exports to the US market.

Economic Adviser Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan praised Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin for his role in the US tariff negotiations, saying he had proven his competence. “May Allah bless him with a long, purposeful life to continue serving the nation,” Kabir said. Recounting an early meeting with Bashiruddin, Kabir highlighted his patriotism, analytical prowess, and principled stance, noting he even politely declined refreshments out of modesty. Kabir recommended him to the chief adviser, who later appointed him.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Division has announced that fuel prices for diesel, kerosene, petrol, and octane will remain unchanged in August, following the same rates set in July. Diesel will cost Tk 102 per liter, kerosene Tk 114, octane Tk 122, and petrol Tk 118. This decision, effective from Friday, aligns with the automatic pricing formula based on global market trends and aims to ensure affordability for consumers. The last price adjustment was made in June.