A pre-election assessment team from the European Union is scheduled to visit Dhaka on September 18 ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections. The team will include three international and four local observers and will complete its mission by October 7. Based on the team's findings, the EU will decide whether to deploy a full election observation mission. During the visit, they will meet with the Election Commission, political parties, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.

Since August 1, the Hafeezzi Charitable Society of Bangladesh, a government-registered NGO, has been providing food, medical supplies, and clean water to four government hospitals in Gaza. The organization began its humanitarian mission after receiving approval from the Palestinian Ministry of Health on July 31. In addition to hospital support, the charity is establishing a school for over 300 displaced children in Egypt. Vice-President Mawlana Mohsin Bin Muin emphasized that supporting innocent victims of war is a humanitarian duty, not a crime.

Students from the seven government colleges affiliated with Dhaka University have issued an ultimatum demanding the formal ordinance for the formation of Dhaka Central University be issued by August 26. Following a rally and road blockade near Science Lab intersection on Wednesday, students welcomed the government’s initiative and praised the role of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Their three-point demand includes issuing the ordinance, appointing a full administrative structure (including VC and Proctor), and transferring all current students under the new university identity from the 2025–26 academic session.

A returning expatriate from Oman, Bahar Uddin, was involved in a tragic accident in Noakhali’s Begumganj upazila when a microbus carrying his family veered off the road and plunged into a canal. Despite repeated warnings from passengers about the driver’s drowsiness, he reportedly assured them he could continue driving. Sadly, the vehicle lost control and fell into the canal, killing seven family members, including a child. Several passengers escaped, but others were trapped inside and died on the spot.

Chattogram, Bangladesh – Chattogram Superintendent of Police (SP) Saiful Islam Santu has warned of a conspiracy to divide the unity formed in July’s uprising. Speaking at an event honoring families of the martyrs and injured, he said, “There’s an ongoing plot to break your unity, and you’re not even noticing it. Tell the conspirators – ‘She won’t return, he won’t smile again.’”

SP Saiful added that efforts to sow discord are being spread via Facebook and YouTube, labeling it part of a broader cyber warfare strategy. “They are preparing for a comeback. If you do not remain united, no one can protect you – not even us in law enforcement,” he cautioned.

During the same event, DIG Ahsan Habib proposed forming a commission to investigate the police's failures during the July uprising. “We, too, are deeply troubled by the police's role. After August 3, many officers realized they should have stood with the people, but the leadership at the time failed to recognize that,” he said.

Arizona, USA – A medical aircraft crashed near Chinle Airport in Arizona on Tuesday, claiming the lives of all four people on board. The dual-propeller aircraft was en route to pick up a patient from a nearby hospital when it went down shortly after takeoff. The plane burst into flames, killing everyone inside.

The aircraft was typically used for transporting patients and medical equipment. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the crash, but a thorough investigation is currently underway.

Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem declared that Israel’s carefully constructed sense of security over the last eight months could be obliterated in a single hour by missile strikes.
He reaffirmed Hezbollah’s preparedness to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty and rejected international pressure to disarm.
Speaking at a memorial for Iranian martyr General Ezadi, Sheikh Qassem highlighted his legacy of supporting Palestinian resistance.
He added, “The U.S. does not want the Lebanese military to acquire weapons that pose a threat to Israel. If Hezbollah disarms, who will protect Lebanon?”

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has requested detailed information about the executive magistrates who oversaw the 10th, 11th, and 12th national elections.
The request is part of an ongoing investigation based on a case filed at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.
The Election Commission has issued letters to all deputy commissioners and divisional commissioners in Dhaka and Chattogram, asking for names, parental information, addresses, national ID and passport numbers, and mobile numbers of the concerned magistrates.
Two hard copies of the information have been requested to be sent to the Secretariat urgently.

At least 83 Palestinians, including eight children, were killed in the latest Israeli attacks on Gaza, local health officials reported.
Among the dead were 58 civilians who were trying to access aid at a disputed GHF food distribution center.
Al Jazeera reports that the victims were gunned down en route to the center. Malnutrition and starvation are worsening, particularly among children and the elderly.
The UN states that a minimum of 600 aid trucks are needed daily to meet basic needs—currently, only 85 are entering Gaza on average.
So far, over 1,560 Palestinians seeking food aid have been killed by Israeli forces.

A dramatic drone show held on Manik Mia Avenue to mark July Uprising Day displayed powerful political messages. One notable line read:
“Once people deleted posts out of fear of a murderous regime. Now, the regime deletes posts out of fear of the people.”
Advisor Asif Mahmud shared the moment on Facebook with the caption “Self-critique.”
The show opened with a placard reading “Do you miss me?” held by a symbolic hand. This was followed by a terrifying face resembling Sheikh Hasina, then a scene showing her fleeing in a helicopter, with the caption: “Bangladesh is doing better without the killer.” The drone show also depicted alleged misdeeds by the prime minister.

The International Crimes Tribunal is hearing testimony for the third consecutive day in a case alleging war crimes—including genocide—committed during the July-August 2024 uprising. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and one other are accused.
Proceedings began at 10 AM Wednesday, with two more witnesses scheduled to testify. Former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun has already testified as a state witness. Three testimonies have been completed so far.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines successfully used the boarding bridge and Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS) at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s new Terminal 3 for the first time. Flight BG-356 from Rome, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner piloted by Captain Ishtiaq Hossain, landed there on August 4 at 10:30 AM. Following passenger disembarkation, tests were conducted on VDGS, external power, air conditioning, and water supply systems. Senior Civil Aviation Authority officials monitored the trial operations onsite.

A record 10,202 taxpayers submitted their income tax returns online on the first day of the 2025–26 fiscal year, nearly five times more than the previous year’s opening day. The NBR has made e-return filing mandatory for all individual taxpayers, with exceptions for senior citizens, differently-abled individuals, expatriates, and legal heirs of deceased taxpayers. Paper returns may be allowed with special permission. Taxpayers can pay from home and instantly access acknowledgement slips and tax certificates online.

Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said that justice for killings, abductions, and state violence will inevitably happen in tribunals — but that is not the only forum.

"The July Museum will serve as a place where visitors will symbolically hold these perpetrators accountable every day," he announced.

Farooki highlighted that the museum would commemorate the brutal murder of Abrar, the betrayal of national sovereignty, the cries of families of the disappeared, and the theft of voting rights.

"This museum will be one of the most significant acts against fascism," he said, adding that the space will offer an engaging and experiential journey for visitors.

He clarified that current displays are not final: "What you see now are conceptual interpretations. The main content is still under construction."

Dhaka, August 5, 2025 — Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam has expressed disappointment over the absence of any mention of the 2013 Shapla Square crackdown in the recently unveiled July Declaration, a foundational document recognizing the 2024 uprising and outlining future reforms for Bangladesh.

Junaid Habib, Senior Joint Secretary General of Hefazat-e-Islam, stated that the May 5, 2013 incident, in which “over a hundred thousand rounds were reportedly fired in a single night” during their rally at Shapla Chattar, was a defining moment in the fight against authoritarianism. According to Habib, thousands of scholars and religious leaders sacrificed their lives in that protest — an episode that deserved a place in the declaration.

He further criticized the lack of a Qur’an recitation at the beginning of the July Declaration ceremony, saying it hurt the sentiments of over 92% of the country's Muslim population. "This omission is not just a procedural oversight; it's a symbolic disregard for the religious identity of the majority," Habib said.

The July Declaration, which was formally read out today by Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the National Parliament’s South Plaza, was attended by top leaders of various political parties. However, Hefazat’s absence from the content of the document and its ceremonial protocols has triggered backlash from the group.