A consensus has emerged among 30 political parties, including BNP and Jamaat, to strengthen the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and free it from political influence. Held at the Foreign Service Academy, the dialogue also discussed reforms to the Public Service Commission. The proposal to enshrine the ACC in the Constitution received positive feedback, though some parties suggested revisions. The National Consensus Commission will continue discussions. The BNP initially walked out in protest but later rejoined, a move welcomed by the Commission.

North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un, has firmly rejected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s attempts to improve inter-Korean relations. She condemned recent conciliatory steps like stopping loudspeaker propaganda along the border as mistakes and warned South Korea against expecting a change through emotional appeals. Kim also criticized Seoul’s “blind faith” in the US alliance and declared no interest in dialogue or meetings with South Korea, maintaining the long-standing tensions between the two nations.

In Assam’s border areas, Bengali Muslims—many born and raised in India—face mass eviction and accusations of being illegal immigrants from Bangladesh ahead of state elections. Over 50,000 have been displaced since 2021, with homes demolished under government orders. Assam’s BJP-led government claims to combat “Muslim infiltration,” fueling fears of religious and ethnic polarization. Human rights groups warn these actions target a vulnerable community, intensifying social unrest in a politically charged environment.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has questioned India's selective pushback policy, saying, “Sheikh Hasina is also a Bengali Muslim and a Bangladeshi citizen—why isn’t she being pushed back?”

Rizvi accused India of political bias: “Thousands of people who’ve lived in India for generations are being labeled as Bangladeshis and deported simply because they are Muslim and speak Bengali. Yet, criminals and looters who have fled Bangladesh to India are not being sent back.”

He added, “We’ve seen such attempts before, but they were resisted. A nationalist government must take a stand against this.”

The United States and European Union have signed a new trade agreement following weeks of negotiations. The deal imposes a 15% flat tariff on all EU goods entering the U.S. market. In return, the EU has pledged to buy $750 billion worth of American energy and increase its investment in the U.S. economy by $600 billion. The agreement was reached during a closed-door meeting between President Donald Trump and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Turnberry, Scotland.

Abdul Razzak Riyad, once an armed cadre of Quader Mirza, the brother of AL leader Obaidul Quader, was arrested in Gulshan for attempting to extort Tk 40 lakh from a former MP. Claiming to be a student coordinator, Riyad’s sudden rise in wealth had already raised local suspicions. He was appointed as the acting convener of the Combined Private Universities unit of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Riyad is also reported to be serving as a student representative at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Police arrested him and four others during the incident, while his associate fled the scene.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has called for urgent action to prevent starvation deaths in Gaza, describing the crisis as entirely preventable. Citing alarming reports, he stressed the need to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians. The WHO reports rising malnutrition rates, with 63 of 74 famine-related deaths in July alone. In response to international pressure, Israel has announced a daily 10-hour pause in attacks to permit safe aid delivery in select areas of Gaza.

Top diplomats from Pakistan and Turkey have expressed strong condemnation of Israel’s ongoing military aggression in Gaza, highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis. They called the violence “crimes against humanity” and urged for an immediate ceasefire alongside unhindered humanitarian aid. Both countries emphasized the need for united international efforts toward a just, lasting peace and expressed hope for progress at the upcoming UN conference on the two-state solution. Observers stress a stronger Muslim world diplomatic stance is necessary.

Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, personal physician to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, confirmed that no decision has been made regarding her receiving medical treatment abroad.

“There hasn't even been any formal discussion on this matter,” he said. “If necessary, we will consider sending her abroad for treatment. But reports circulating in the media are completely false—I have no knowledge of such plans.”

Nila Israfil, previously associated with the National Citizens' Committee, publicly announced she was severing all ties with the NCP via a Facebook post on Monday, citing ethical concerns and lack of justice for a female member allegedly harassed within the party.

In response, NCP Secretary Akhtar Hossain clarified: “Nila was involved with the National Citizens' Committee but was never part of NCP due to her controversial actions.”

Nila stated, “I choose ethics over corrupt politics. A woman was harassed, and the offender was never punished—instead, he walks proudly under party protection. From this moment, I cut all ties with NCP.”

Nahid Islam, convenor of the National Citizens’ Platform (NCP), asserted that their movement had evolved into a mass uprising to establish voting rights and true democracy. “Simply changing governments won't change people’s lives. Real change requires structural reforms—economic, educational, and healthcare.”

He criticized ongoing misinformation campaigns: “There’s propaganda claiming we're trying to derail the election. But without this uprising, elections wouldn't even be a possibility.”

He demanded the government issue the July Charter and Declaration before August 5, reiterating the movement’s commitment to structural reform and accountable governance.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against Radwan Mujib Siddiq, son of Sheikh Rehana, for accumulating illegal assets worth nearly Tk 30 million and suspicious bank transactions exceeding Tk 125 million. Despite no known business, Radwan allegedly used three bank accounts to conceal illicit money. The charges cite violations of anti-corruption and money laundering laws. Related cases involving Sheikh Hasina’s family members and officials are ongoing in court, highlighting broader scrutiny of the family’s financial dealings.

Pakistan has banned road travel to Iran and Iraq for pilgrims attending Arbaeen this year due to rising security concerns. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the decision following discussions with the Foreign Ministry, Balochistan authorities, and security agencies. While road travel is restricted, air travel will remain open, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordering additional flights. The move follows increased militant activity in border areas like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Iran, meanwhile, will host 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims in Mashhad with food and lodging.

Akhtar Hossain, a senior leader of the National Consensus Party (NCP), has called on the BNP to align with other political parties in supporting the formation of non-partisan appointment committees for all constitutional institutions, not just the Election Commission.

Speaking on the matter, Hossain stated, “If the Election Commission had been appointed through a neutral process in the past, we wouldn't have witnessed one-sided, voter-less elections like those in 2014, 2018, and 2024.”

He emphasized that the BNP, having been one of the main victims of electoral injustice, clearly understands the need for neutrality in the Election Commission. “But if they can accept neutrality in this one case, why resist it in others?” he questioned.

Hossain further criticized the BNP for what he described as selective support for institutional reforms: “Is the BNP implying that they only support non-partisan bodies where they’ve suffered directly, and not in other areas where they haven’t? That’s a serious concern.”

Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, chaired a meeting on Monday at the state guest house Jamuna to assess the law and order situation and evaluate the readiness of law enforcement agencies for the upcoming elections. The meeting focused on ensuring a secure environment for the polls and discussed strategies to address any potential threats. Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar informed the media about the proceedings of the high-level review session.