For the second consecutive day, students of Rajshahi University (RU) have blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway, protesting against sexual violence and demanding the death penalty for rapists. The protest began at 11:30 AM on Paris Road inside the university and later moved to the main gate at around 12:15 PM. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Death for rapists,” “No place for rapists in our golden Bangladesh,” and “Catch every rapist, execute them one by one.” The demonstration reflects growing outrage over gender-based violence in the country.

In an interview with British media outlet The Guardian, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus stated that the upcoming election will be the freest and fairest in decades. He mentioned that the election could take place anytime between December this year and March next year.

Meanwhile, Nahid Islam, convenor of the newly formed National Citizens’ Party, expressed skepticism, saying that given the current law and order situation, a truly free and fair election is not possible. BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury also told The Guardian that the government is in no hurry to hold elections, arguing that they lack a mandate for reforms and should be seen only as an interim government.

Dr. Yunus further revealed in the interview that he agreed to lead the interim government at the request of students.

After more than a decade, Syria has regained its membership in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The decision was approved at the 20th emergency session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. OIC Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha welcomed Syria’s reinstatement, calling it a “historic” moment that will support the Syrian people during this critical period in their history. Syria’s membership was suspended in 2012 due to the Assad regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters, mass killings, and human rights violations.

Qatar has urged the international community to bring all of Israel’s nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Qatari Foreign Ministry called on Israel to place its nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards and join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). This appeal was made following a meeting of IAEA governors in Vienna, where discussions focused on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel’s nuclear capabilities. The meeting emphasized that all Middle Eastern countries, except Israel, are signatories to the NPT and have corresponding safeguard agreements.

Qatar has called on the international community to place all of Israel’s nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Qatari Foreign Ministry urged Israel to bring its nuclear sites under IAEA safeguards and join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The call was made following a meeting of IAEA governors in Vienna, where discussions were held on "Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel’s Nuclear Capabilities." Qatar emphasized that all Middle Eastern nations, except Israel, are NPT signatories with associated safeguard agreements.

Three people were killed and three others injured in a collision between a truck and a CNG-powered autorickshaw in Fulbar, Mymensingh. The victims’ identities have not yet been confirmed. According to the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Fulbar Police Station, the autorickshaw was heading towards Fulbar Bus Stand from Bhaitakandi when it collided head-on with a speeding truck near Chanpur Bridge around 9 AM. Three passengers of the autorickshaw died on the spot, while the injured were taken to a medical facility. Authorities are working to identify the truck driver and take legal action.

On August 5, the Awami League government fell in the face of a mass uprising. The ousted Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, took refuge in India. Dr. Muhammad Yunus assumed responsibility as the head of the interim government.

In an interview with The Guardian, Dr. Yunus stated that Sheikh Hasina inflicted irreversible damage on the country, leaving it in ruins—comparable to Gaza. He described her rule as a regime of lawlessness, where the government was essentially a family of bandits.

“During Hasina’s tenure, there was no real government—only a family of criminals running the state. Any order from her had to be executed without question. If someone caused problems, they would simply disappear. If someone wanted to contest elections, they ensured victory in a predetermined manner. They even facilitated million-dollar loans from banks that never needed to be repaid,” he alleged.

Dr. Yunus also criticized India’s decision to provide shelter to Hasina and give her a platform to speak, calling it a dangerous move.

Garment workers protesting the death of a female colleague in a road accident have withdrawn their blockade of Banani’s roads after seven hours. The protest caused severe traffic congestion in Banani and surrounding areas. Additional police personnel were deployed in the afternoon, forming barricades to control the situation. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Russell Sarkar stated that the accident occurred while the worker was crossing the road, which led to the workers’ spontaneous protest, paralyzing traffic in the area.

Professor Dr. M. Aminul Islam, the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, has resigned from his position. He was responsible for the Ministry of Education. When asked whether he resigned voluntarily or under government pressure, he declined to comment. When questioned about taking on a more significant role after resigning, Dr. Islam stated, "I do not wish to comment on that either." However, he assured that he would remain involved in the education sector in some capacity. According to sources, he resigned following recommendations from senior government officials.

A joint task force arrested two individuals, including a district organizer of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, during a raid at Narayanganj General Hospital on Sunday around 3 PM. Authorities recovered four yaba tablets from their possession.

The detainees have been identified as Mohammad Zidan, a district organizer of the student movement, and Iqbal Hossain, a hospital broker. Investigations revealed that Zidan had been intimidating hospital staff for personal gain and was also involved in drug trafficking within the hospital premises. Following his arrest, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has expelled him from the organization.

U.S. authorities have arrested a leading student activist from Columbia University for his pro-Palestinian stance. Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at the School of International and Public Affairs, was taken into custody by agents from the Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security. His arrest is seen as part of a new policy targeting foreign students supporting Hamas. According to four classmates, Khalil was detained from his campus housing on Saturday by federal agents.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin has confirmed that preparations are underway to announce the national election schedule in October. "Our timeline is set for December, and we are working accordingly. If the elections are held in December, the schedule must be announced in October," he stated. The CEC recently met with British High Commissioner Sarah Cook, clarifying that their discussion focused on preparations for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election rather than local government elections. He also mentioned that assistance has been requested from the British High Commission for training candidates' agents and observers.

Mark Carney, newly elected leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, has strongly rejected the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state of the United States. His statement came in response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that Canada should join the U.S. to benefit from lower tariffs and increased military protection. Carney declared that Canada will remain independent and sovereign, emphasizing that while Americans may desire Canada’s resources, land, and water, they will never own the country.

At an anti-rape rally at Chittagong University (CU), marketing student Sumaiya Shikder faced strong opposition after calling for the resignation of the university proctor. During her speech, some students began chanting “fake, fake” slogans. Khan Talat Mahmud Rafi, a fellow student, intervened and took the microphone from Sumaiya. Although Rafi attempted to continue the protest with slogans, dissenting students kept chanting “fake.” Eventually, Rafi announced the protest’s conclusion, and students dispersed.

To maintain law and order, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury made unannounced visits to several police stations early Monday morning. He inspected Tejgaon, Kalabagan, Shahbagh, and New Market police stations. Chowdhury stated that those involved in organized crime, theft, robbery, extortion, and acts of violence against women and children will be brought to justice and face strict legal consequences.