At a seminar hosted by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Saturday, top business leaders and economists emphasized the need to restore investor confidence by increasing private sector credit flow to double-digit levels. They also called for enhanced oversight to reduce non-performing loans, ensure financial sector governance, and lower lending interest rates. Additionally, they urged stricter market controls to curb inflation. Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, pointed out that collecting only $40 billion in revenue from a $500 billion economy is insufficient. He suggested that proper implementation of logistics policies and trade facilitation could reduce overall trade costs by 10–15%.

Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman urged judges to reconsider judgments based solely on pre-August 5th theories. Referring to the case of martyr Mughda, he stated that post-mortem could not be conducted as no hospital agreed to accept the body. He added that if judges base their decisions on this information, it would not support the accusation of murder in a post-mortem report. He respectfully called on the judiciary to adopt progressive interpretations of the law, emphasizing that judgments should not be based on outdated notions. “A new era of history is upon us,” he stated, highlighting the difference between past and present policing, and stressing the need to dismantle all syndicates. The Attorney General also urged strong measures to suppress any revolutionary forces.

A new organization named “July 24 Martyrs’ Family” has emerged, with its leaders calling for justice for those who gave their lives for the country’s independence. They criticized the lack of justice for the victims of the 1971 genocide, despite the nation’s freedom being built on their blood. The group has demanded swift trials for genocide before any elections are held. Expressing disappointment in the interim government, they stated that many helmeted police officers have yet to be arrested. The group also accused one faction of forming a political party to seize power, while another is desperate to hold elections as quickly as possible. The mother of a martyr revealed that seven months have passed since her son was burned alive, yet the killers have not been brought to justice.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has declared that incidents of voter suppression and violence at polling stations will no longer be tolerated. Seeking the nation’s support for a fair election, he urged citizens to play an active role in ensuring their voting rights. Speaking at an annual sports event, he emphasized the need for a nationwide movement to establish free and fair elections. He also encouraged voters to safeguard polling stations as if they were their own homes. Expressing hope for an election filled with the spirit of festivity, much like Eid celebrations, he wished for capable and deserving candidates to be elected.

Police have solved the mystery behind the murder of Rajib Talukder (38) in Netrakona. According to the police, Rajib had repeatedly raped the wife of his friend, Deep Bhowmik (35). Seeking revenge, Deep hacked him to death. On Saturday evening, Deep confessed to the crime before the court under Section 164. Police recovered Rajib’s bloodied body on Friday near the road adjacent to Gobindapur Government Primary School. Shortly afterward, Deep was detained on suspicion of involvement. Later, Rajib’s wife, Mina Rani Talukder, filed a case, in which Deep was officially shown as arrested.

Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain stated that 17 years of chaos, mismanagement, and disorder cannot be undone in just 15 months. He emphasized that the previous government left the state system in disarray before fleeing, and restoring order will take time. He assured that efforts are being made to improve law and order. With Ramadan approaching, he urged everyone to cooperate with the administration in breaking the price syndicate, stating that commodity prices are now largely under control. During his visit, he listened to local grievances and remarked that Nijhum Dwip has significant potential to boost the country’s tourism sector.

After a four-day shutdown, partial power generation has resumed at Dinajpur’s Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant. Among the three units of the 525 MW coal-based plant, Unit 1, with a capacity of 125 MW, was restarted at 5:29 PM on Saturday after resolving mechanical issues. Chief Engineer Md. Abu Bakkar Siddique expressed optimism that Unit 3, which has a capacity of 275 MW, could also be operational within the next couple of days.

Breaking a 90-year-old tradition, the Assam government under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has removed the two-hour break for Friday prayers during state assembly sessions. Muslim legislators in Assam were denied the usual Friday prayer break for the first time. The chief minister justified the move, stating that work should take precedence over tradition. This practice was introduced in 1937 by Syed Saadulla of the Muslim League. Earlier, the state government formed a seven-member team to assess the need for the break. AIUDF legislator Rafiqul Islam condemned the decision, calling it an injustice imposed by the majority on the minority. Meanwhile, the Congress party has demanded designated prayer spaces nearby.

Police in Birampur, Dinajpur, arrested eight gamblers during a raid at Shantimor Bazar. Acting on a tip-off, officers from Birampur Police Station conducted the operation early in the morning and seized gambling equipment. The arrested individuals are identified as Ashraful, Mizanur, Zakir, Zahidul, Liton, Faruq, Tobarak, and Raju Ahmed. Officer-in-Charge Momtazul Haque stated that cases have been filed against them under the Gambling Act, and they were presented before the Dinajpur court on Saturday.

A human trafficking gang lured Arif Hossain (45) from Kaliganj with the promise of a job in Italy, only to trap him in Myanmar and subject him to brutal torture. The gang extorted Tk 1 million in ransom in multiple phases but still refused to release him. The case was uncovered by Officer-in-Charge Alauddin’s team, leading to the arrest of four members of the gang, including a Rohingya national, from Cox’s Bazar. The victim had sought assistance from local agents to travel abroad, but they turned out to be traffickers. Law enforcement tracked the phone numbers used for ransom demands and apprehended the criminals. The victim remains in Myanmar, and efforts are ongoing to rescue him, police confirmed.

Two robbers arrested for a robbery and assault on passengers aboard a bus traveling from Dhaka to Tangail on the Dhaka-Rajshahi Highway have given confessional statements in court. Another suspect, who refused to confess, has been remanded for five days. The confessions were made by Sabuj (30) and Shariful Islam Sharif (28). Shahidul Islam Muhit (30) has not confessed. According to lawyers, four more individuals are involved in the incident. The suspects were arrested from Savar, Dhaka, on Friday.

Islamic scholar Mizanur Rahman Azhari emphasized the power of unity in a recent gathering in Chapainawabganj. He said, “When we are alone, we are individuals; when we unite, we are a force.” Azhari urged the need to harness this collective strength for the betterment of Islam. He highlighted the successes of unity, citing how Bangladesh has shown resilience in the face of oppression. “What could not be achieved in 16-17 years was accomplished in just a few days through unity,” he remarked. He also expressed a desire for a Bangladesh where no one dares to oppress others, emphasizing the importance of peaceful politics and leadership that resonates with the entire nation. “We want leaders whose illness will bring the entire country to their knees in prayer,” he concluded.

Law enforcement agencies have arrested an additional 769 individuals across the country in the ongoing Operation Devil Hunt. Among those arrested, 572 were wanted in connection with various cases. A total of 1,341 arrests have been made nationwide. The police headquarters reported that the operation has resulted in the seizure of a locally made single-barrel shotgun, two cartridges, four machetes, two cleavers, a knife, an LG, and a pair of scissors. To date, a total of 8,079 people have been arrested under the Devil Hunt operation.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, President of Nagorik Oikya, has alleged that he was prevented from entering the Ekushey Padak award ceremony. Speaking at a rally in Dhaka on Saturday, he claimed that although he had received an invitation, security personnel denied him entry. The award ceremony took place last Thursday, where notable figures were invited. Manna expressed deep humiliation, stating that he was turned away for arriving slightly late. “Nowhere on the invitation card did it say that doors would close 15 minutes early!” he remarked, directing his frustration at the current administration.

Farida Akhter, an adviser for livestock and fisheries, remarked that the younger generation of Bangladesh is more inclined toward poultry rather than traditional fish-based meals. “We have always been a nation that thrives on fish and rice, but is the younger generation truly following this tradition?” she questioned. She pointed out that many youths now refuse to eat meals without eggs or meat, making them a “poultry and rice generation.” Stressing the importance of fish consumption, she emphasized teaching children to eat fish, including those with bones, to make fish more popular again.