The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has temporarily suspended four tax officials for obstructing office work during protests against the government’s Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, 2025. The order, issued by the Internal Resources Division and signed by IRD Secretary and NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman, cited their involvement in halting colleagues’ duties. The suspended officers include Sadhan Kumar Kundu, Abul Ala Mohammad Amimul Ihsan Khan, Sanowarul Kabir, and Saidul Islam. They will receive allowances during suspension, as per regulations.

Tensions flared ahead of the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections as leaders of the Bangladesh Chhatra Dal (JCD) alleged that one of their female leaders was obstructed from collecting a nomination form at Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall.

At a press conference on Monday, JCD leaders claimed that a mob was mobilized to stop their representative, effectively confining her inside the hall premises. As a result, students were reportedly forced to leave without being able to obtain nomination papers.

They warned that a free and fair DUCSU election will not be possible unless the current law-and-order situation and intimidation on campus are brought under full control.

The student group further alleged that a section of their rivals, “envious of Chhatra Dal’s growing popularity,” has been attempting to sabotage the election process since the very beginning.

Former Home Minister Mokha Alamgir, known as Mokha, is under scrutiny for massive corruption, loan fraud, and money laundering tied to Padma Bank (formerly Farmers Bank). Investigations reveal nearly BDT 5,000 crore misappropriated, 33 accounts used by him, his wife, and family-controlled firms, and multiple fake companies involved. While associates face prison sentences, Alamgir remains abroad. A forensic audit and legal action are recommended. Government intervention partially stabilized the bank, but irregularities persist. Efforts continue to recover funds for depositors.

The Election Commission (EC) will conduct hearings from August 24 to 27 on 1,760 claims and objections regarding constituency boundary revisions ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Hearings will cover all major regions, including Comilla, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Faridpur, and Sylhet. The EC previously published a draft delimitation for 300 constituencies on July 30, proposing adjustments in 83 constituencies. Following the hearings, the commission will review the claims and finalize the constituency boundaries.

The government has formed a nine-member committee to review applications from retired military officers who faced deprivation, injustice, or persecution between 2009 and August 2024 under the Awami League government. Chaired by Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Abdul Hafiz, the committee will assess applications, set submission deadlines, and provide formal recommendations within two months. The Armed Forces Division will offer secretarial support, and retired committee members will receive honorariums from the Defence Ministry. The order is effective immediately.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could end the war with Russia immediately if he wished. Speaking ahead of their meeting in Washington, Trump also dismissed Ukraine’s NATO membership prospects and recalled Crimea’s 2014 annexation under the Obama administration. Writing on Truth Social, he emphasized that “some things never change.” Trump added that the White House meeting with Zelensky would be significant, with numerous European and NATO leaders expected to join the discussions.

The United States is closely watching India-Pakistan relations every day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday. He warned that ceasefires are fragile and hard to sustain, noting parallels with the Russia-Ukraine war. Rubio and President Trump both claimed Washington helped avert a possible nuclear clash, though India denied any external role. Pakistan, however, credits Trump’s intervention and has deepened engagement with the US. Washington now seeks to balance ties with both neighbors while valuing India’s strategic importance due to its ties with Russia.

Umama Fatema, former spokesperson of the anti-discrimination student movement, has formed an independent panel for the DUCSU elections. On Monday, she submitted her nomination forms and announced that the panel will be revealed tomorrow. The lineup is expected to include Fatema for Vice President, former DU Journalists’ Association President Al Sadi Bhuiya for General Secretary, and current association president Mohiuddin Mujahid Mahi for Assistant General Secretary. The panel aims to prioritize student-friendly policies.

Jahid Ahsan, Central Secretary of the Bangladesh Democratic Student Parliament, announced that the organization will contest the upcoming DUCSU elections under the “Anti-Discrimination Student Panel.” The allocation of candidates to specific posts has not yet been finalized. Present during the announcement were the organization’s Central Convener Abu Baker Majumdar, DU branch convener Abdul Kader, and other leaders.

Ashraful Haque, Executive President of Bangladesh Nazame Islam Party, criticized the PR (proportional representation) voting system as incompatible with Islamic principles. He argued that Islam mandates selecting qualified and virtuous individuals for governance, rather than voting for parties or symbols. Haque further accused proponents of PR elections—including some Islamic parties—of supporting foreign agendas and weakening state authority. He warned that candidates pushing for PR elections would face disqualification in a fair and transparent electoral process.

Leaders and activists of the Leftist Democratic Student Alliance have collected nomination forms to participate in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections. Sheikh Tasnim Afroze Imi has taken the nomination for the Vice President post, while Meghmala Bose will contest for General Secretary. Zabiur Ahmed Zubel has collected the form for Assistant General Secretary.

Bose also raised a six-point demand list, including the immediate publication and expulsion of all students involved in harassment during the Awami League’s tenure, cancellation of all harassers’ candidacies, removal of “Blue Team” teachers from hall provost positions, clear enforcement of rules for political activities and campaigning in halls, suspension of exams at least fifteen days before the election, provision of additional transport on voting days, improvement of polling centers, strict action against online disinformation, and formulation of a clear plan to manage mob situations. The full panel announcement is expected on Tuesday.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said that a free and fair election will not be possible under an administration loyal to the Awami League.

Speaking after paying tribute at the grave of former President Ziaur Rahman, Rizvi declared, “An impartial and credible election will be held in February, but for that to happen, Awami League cadres must be removed from the administration.”

Rejecting the idea of a Proportional Representation (PR) system, he argued that the people are not prepared for such a process and questioned the motives of those who advocate for it.

Turning to the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) polls, Rizvi expressed hope that all voices and groups would be fairly represented. He added that student representation in universities is essential to ensure a healthy and constructive academic environment.

A Dhaka court has sent Krishak Dal General Secretary Shahidul Islam Babul to prison after convicting him in a 2017 case involving obstruction of government duty and illegal assembly.

Babul surrendered to the court and sought bail pending appeal, but the court ordered him into custody.

The case stems from October 31, 2017, when BNP activists staged protests during Khaleda Zia’s return from Cox’s Bazar, blocking VIP Road in Paltan and clashing with police.

Babul was sentenced to 2.5 years’ imprisonment with fines in one charge, and an additional one year with fines under another, with default imprisonment in case of non-payment.

The Student Rights Council has announced its “Daksu for Change” panel for the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union election.

The panel nominates Bin Yamin Molla, the organization’s central president, as Vice President (VP) candidate and Sabina Yasmin as General Secretary (GS).

Other key candidates include Rakibul Islam for Assistant GS, Shakil Khan for Science & Technology Secretary, and Ashik Hridoy Ahmed for Liberation War & Democratic Movements Secretary. The panel also includes several young activists as general members.

Islami Chhatra Shibir has unveiled its 28-member panel for the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election.

The panel will be led by VP candidate Sadiq Kayem and GS candidate SM Forhad. Announcing the lineup at a press briefing, Nurul Islam Saddam confirmed nominees for key posts, including Nurul Islam Sabbir for Literature and Culture Secretary, Arman Hossain for Sports Secretary, and Asif Abdullah for Student Transport Secretary.

The panel also includes female candidates from Inqilab Mancha, such as Fatima Tasnim Juma, and visually impaired activist Khan Jasim, who lost an eye during the July clashes, as International Secretary.