British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to unveil a plan this week to recognize the State of Palestine, according to The Times. At least seven cabinet members are pressuring Starmer to fulfill this election pledge made by the Labour Party prior to their July 2024 victory.

Sources say the UK Prime Minister has also shared the details of his recognition plan with European leaders.

Advisor Mahfuz Alam has claimed that he is the target of a conspiracy involving senior figures from various political parties. In a statement, he said people must unite against rumor-mongers and opportunists.

He recounted an incident where someone offered a commission in exchange for helping with a BTV tender and overseas programs related to July. After learning of this, Mahfuz says he rejected the proposal, and the tender was later suspended. He also stated that his conversations were secretly recorded and sent to a journalist.

Mahfuz emphasized, “Even in the past 12 months, my harshest critics haven’t accused me of financial misconduct or corruption.”

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Mohammad Tazul Islam has announced that a significant portion of the trials related to the July massacre will be concluded by December this year. Speaking at a discussion and documentary screening event titled “Justice for the July Genocide”, he also confirmed that the first witness testimony in the case involving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will begin on August 3.

Environmental lawyer Syeda Rizwana Hasan commented during the event that those who orchestrated and fled after the massacre must also face justice.

Professor Ali Riaz, Vice Chair of the Consensus Commission, stated that agreements reached in both the first and second phases of political dialogue will be shared with parties within a day or two. The goal is to conclude the second phase by July 31.

Riaz mentioned the commission aims to finalize a charter within the next few days. Regarding new proposals from political parties on a caretaker government, he said efforts are underway to consolidate these into a comprehensive draft. Today’s agenda includes discussions on caretaker government models, women's representation in parliament, and appointments of key constitutional figures like the Auditor General and Ombudsman.

The Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) has been unable to meet its fish fry production targets in Rangamati’s Kaptai Lake, mainly due to a shortage of nursery ponds. The Marishya Char Hatchery, active since 2017, aims to produce 100 kg of fish spawn and release 100 tons of fry annually, but current output remains at about 70 kg and 60–70 tons respectively. BFDC is seeking private pond support to overcome this challenge and hopes to reach full production in the coming years.

Two leading Israeli human rights organizations—B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights—have jointly accused the Israeli government of committing genocide in Gaza. Their report details extensive atrocities, including mass killings of women, children, and the elderly, widespread displacement, and deliberate starvation. They highlight the destruction of civilian infrastructure, depriving Palestinians of essential services like healthcare and education. B’Tselem director Yuli Novak stated, “This is a deliberate campaign against civilians aimed at eradicating an entire population.” The groups urged the U.S. and Europe to take decisive action.

Government adviser Mahfuz Alam expressed optimism that a political consensus will be reached by August 5, paving the way for the long-delayed ‘July Declaration’ to be published. Initially scheduled for December 31 last year, the process was delayed due to disagreements among parties. He noted renewed discussions in May and June, with senior advisers now tasked with finalizing the declaration. Alam stressed that the declaration would reflect the rightful demands of students and the public.

Adviser to the Ministries of Local Government, Youth and Sports, Asif Mahmud, emphasized that only democratic processes can ensure a legitimate transfer of power. In a verified Facebook post, he warned against attempts to seize power by force, referencing previous incidents such as those on August 5. “Any undemocratic move will be firmly resisted,” he said.

Four people, including a Bangladeshi-origin NYPD officer, were killed in a mass shooting at an office building in New York City. The officer, Didarul Islam (36), had served in the NYPD for over three years. The gunman, identified as Shane Tamura from Las Vegas, had a history of mental illness and took his own life after the attack. Two others were injured. Officer Islam leaves behind a pregnant wife and two young children.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a $60 million food aid initiative for Gaza and plans to establish a U.S.-operated “Free Food Center” in the region. During a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump emphasized the urgency of food security for the people of Gaza, urging other nations to join the humanitarian effort. “I recently saw images of starving children in Gaza. No one can deny that reality,” Trump stated. PM Starmer also acknowledged the humanitarian crisis, calling it deeply disturbing.

Between 1980 and 2024, Dhaka lost 60% of its water bodies, saw a 3–5°C rise in land temperature, and experienced a sevenfold increase in densely populated areas. Green coverage dropped to just 11.6%, far below international standards. Experts warn this is not just poor planning but environmental injustice threatening future generations. Without urgent legal recognition of nature’s rights and sustainable urban reforms, Dhaka faces an irreversible ecological crisis.

The government has imposed a ban on all political activities of the ruling Awami League, citing fears that members might be secretly planning acts of violence. In response, law enforcement agencies across the country have been placed on high alert. The police Special Branch warned of potential unrest—both online and offline—between July 29 and August 8, including possible attacks on public and private institutions. A confidential directive has been issued to all police units instructing heightened surveillance and enhanced security measures nationwide.

The Bangladesh Air Force has paid tribute at the grave of Masuma Begum (38), an office assistant who lost her life in the Milestone School and College aircraft crash. On Monday, a team from the Air Force laid floral wreaths at her grave in Ward 7 of Borhanuddin Upazila’s Bara Manika. Following the tribute, prayers were held for her departed soul, and condolences were extended to the grieving family. The Air Force reiterated its commitment to providing full support to her family as needed.

Sylhet is grappling with a severe power crisis due to the 10-day shutdown of the 25MW Kumarghat Power Station. A transformer fire led to the closure, and repairs are delayed as critical components must be imported. Residents are suffering from long daily power outages. The city relies entirely on the national grid, and supply disruptions from Dhaka have worsened the situation. Officials say there's no immediate fix, with a 33% electricity shortfall last Thursday. The situation is deteriorating with no clear resolution in sight.

Allianz Life, a major insurance provider in North America, has fallen victim to a significant cyberattack, compromising personal data of over 1.4 million customers. The breach occurred on July 16 through a third-party cloud-based CRM system. Hackers used social engineering tactics to steal sensitive information belonging to customers, financial advisors, and employees. The parent company, based in Germany, confirmed the incident and stated that affected individuals are being contacted and supported. Allianz serves more than 125 million customers worldwide.