Former Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted two years ago in a mass uprising and has been living in exile in India, announced that she will return to Bangladesh in December to surrender before the court. In a phone interview with Reuters from Delhi, she said the Bangladesh government is seeking her extradition from India, but she intends to return voluntarily. Hasina urged her exiled party leaders to come back with her and expressed confidence in the judicial process, saying she wants to prove the trial will expose the court as a farce.

Her announcement has stirred intense discussion in political and media circles, coinciding with the second anniversary of the July uprising. Critics and commentators questioned the timing and sincerity of her plan, noting her past avoidance of political risks. Nahid Islam, head of the NCP and a leader of the July revolution, stated that the government, not Hasina, will decide how and when she returns to face her death sentence.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that the ruling Awami League aims to act before losing influence in the administration and judiciary, learning from the BNP’s earlier strategic mistakes.

Former Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad and former Acting President of Bangladesh, Jamir Uddin Sarkar, has passed away. His youngest son, Nowfel Jamir, confirmed the news in a Facebook post, stating that he died at dawn on July 12, Bangladesh time.

Journalist Oliullah Noman shared on Facebook that he had many memories with Jamir Uddin Sarkar, recalling his time as Acting President and Speaker when he often invited journalists for discussions and news advice. Noman described him as a patriotic politician whose political philosophy centered on establishing a sovereign Bangladesh free from foreign dominance. He expressed that the nation has lost a distinguished political figure with his passing.

Prayers were offered for the forgiveness of his sins and for his acceptance in paradise, along with wishes for patience and strength for his bereaved family.

Mohammad Sarjis Alam, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for northern Bangladesh, made strong remarks against Sheikh Hasina and the current BNP government during a rally in Rahanpur, Chapainawabganj, on Saturday night. Speaking after a July march demanding a referendum, employment, and border security, he accused Sheikh Hasina of disgraceful defeat and alleged she had fled the country. He also claimed that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s family members were not true Bangladeshis and criticized their legacy.

Sarjis Alam further accused the BNP government of distributing state benefits only among its supporters, questioning whether the government served the entire nation or just its party members. He also expressed concern over media freedom, alleging that the Awami League previously controlled the press and that similar interference was re-emerging under the current administration.

Calling for public support, Alam urged citizens to trust the NCP, emphasizing that the party was newly formed and committed to protecting voters’ trust and rights.

Prominent political figures, lawyers, journalists, and injured fighters have demanded the immediate implementation of the 'July Charter', justice for those convicted of crimes against humanity including Sheikh Hasina, and proper rehabilitation for injured and martyred families. The demands were made on Saturday, July 11, at a program organized by the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka, where an audio-visual series on the July Revolution and its first song were launched.

Speakers including Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, ICT Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam, former adviser Sharmin S Murshid, and lawyer Tajul Islam emphasized fulfilling the aspirations of the July Revolution and ensuring equality and justice. They criticized the current parliament and government for neglecting the revolution’s ideals and failing to rehabilitate injured fighters. Several speakers also called for the establishment of a July Museum and media boycott of those opposing the revolution.

Former BFUJ president M Abdullah expressed frustration over the foundation’s financial crisis and urged MPs and officials to contribute one month’s salary. Injured fighters described their dire living conditions, alleging government inaction in their rehabilitation.

Leaders of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh have called for a full evaluation of the July martyrs and urged that those still injured receive proper medical treatment. The demand was made at the council and member conference of the party’s Dhaka North unit, held on Saturday at the Kabi Nazrul Islam Hall of the National Press Club. The event was chaired by Mufti Mokbul Hossain Kasemi and conducted by Maulana Nur Mohammad Kasemi, with party president Shaikhul Hadis Maulana Ubaidullah Faruq as the chief guest.

Speakers emphasized that millions of Qawmi madrasa students are citizens of the country but remain neglected in areas such as the national budget. They urged the government to ensure their rights and take effective steps for the full implementation of the Qawmi certificate. The conference also presented a 10-point demand, including improving law and order, stopping anti-Qawmi propaganda, and making religious education compulsory at all levels.

A 61-member committee was formed for the Dhaka North unit, with Mufti Mokbul Hossain Kasemi as president, Maulana Nur Mohammad Kasemi as general secretary, and Maulana Taher Saeed as organizational secretary.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer (southern region) of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and Member of Parliament for Comilla-4, said that citizens have been hurt by the government’s withdrawal from the referendum process. Speaking at a street rally in Chandpur’s Baitul Amin Square on Saturday, he claimed that ongoing crises have made civic life unbearable, citing unemployment, rising prices of essentials, and persistent power outages.

Abdullah alleged that the government failed to deliver on its promise to create jobs within six months of taking office. He also criticized the increase in fuel prices, saying it was justified by the government on the grounds of the Iran-related war situation, yet electricity supply did not improve. He described the fuel price adjustment committee as a “decorative initiative” that failed to break syndicates in the energy sector.

On the referendum issue, Abdullah claimed that around 70 percent of people supported the “yes” vote but the government did not reflect the true results. He accused the authorities of “stealing the results” rather than the votes themselves.

At a seminar titled 'Post-July Revolution Education Reform and Future Roadmap' held at the National Press Club, speakers emphasized that reforming the education system is essential for restructuring the state. They called for prioritizing moral and religious education to build a generation capable of competing globally. The event was organized by the Ideal Teachers Federation, with Professor Dr. Zubair Muhammad Ehsanul Haque presenting the keynote paper.

Former interim government adviser Professor A F M Khalid Hossain criticized past changes in education that, he said, weakened national identity and religious studies. He highlighted Japan’s education model and warned against excessive politicization in universities. Chief guest Mahmudur Rahman, editor of *Amar Desh*, stressed that teachers must free themselves from political influence to ensure merit-based recruitment and uphold the ideals of the July Revolution. He also called for strengthening religious and moral education to build ethical and self-reliant citizens.

Speakers including Professor Mujibur Rahman MP urged the government to end partisan appointments and make Quran education mandatory at all levels, arguing that a faith-based, merit-oriented education system is vital for national progress.

Speakers at a seminar in Dhaka on Friday said that the city’s intellectuals failed to play the expected role during the July Revolution, comparing their inaction to that seen in 1971. The event, titled “July Through Perspectives: Opinions and Differences,” was organized by the Center for Bengal Studies at Sirajul Islam Lecture Hall of Dhaka University. Among the speakers were Faisal Mahmud, Hasan Robayet, Faisal Ahmed, and Mowlobi Ashraf, with Abdullah Al Mahmud delivering the welcome address.

Participants described the July Revolution as an expression of collective anger and revolutionary aspiration against a former fascist regime. They emphasized the need to uphold the core spirit of July to continue the struggle against fascism and for state reform. The speakers urged sustained intellectual and political efforts to build an inclusive, just, and discrimination-free society reflecting the revolution’s ideals.

Additional remarks were made by researchers and representatives from various organizations, including the National Revolutionary Council and Inquilab Moncho, reinforcing the call for continued engagement with the revolution’s foundational goals.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare, Professor Dr. Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain, arrived in Islamabad to attend the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women Affairs, scheduled for July 12–13, 2026. The delegation was received at Islamabad International Airport by Pakistan’s Minister of State for Law and Justice, Barrister Aqil Malik, and Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Md. Iqbal Hossain Khan.

The minister was accompanied by his spouse, Dr. Sharifa Karim Swarna, along with Women and Children Affairs Secretary Yasmin Parveen and Private Secretary Dr. Md. Mahmudul Haque. During the visit, the minister inspected Bangladesh’s newly constructed chancery complex in Islamabad’s Diplomatic Enclave, where embassy officials and staff welcomed him. He exchanged greetings with them and planted a tree in the chancery compound.

The visit highlights Bangladesh’s participation in the OIC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation among member states on women’s development and social welfare issues.

A report by The New York Times claims that former U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been exerting significant influence over Venezuela’s state affairs from Washington. Over the past six months, Rubio’s role has reportedly expanded across key areas including the economy, natural resources, government decisions, and sanctions enforcement. The report links this development to a U.S. special forces operation earlier this year that led to the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, after which Rubio began working closely with the country’s interim administration.

According to the report, Rubio maintains regular communication with Delcy Rodríguez, recognized by the U.S. as Venezuela’s interim leader, through Spanish-language WhatsApp exchanges. It also claims that most of Venezuela’s export revenues are first deposited in the U.S. Treasury before being released to Venezuelan banks under conditions determined by Rubio’s team. This arrangement is said to have reduced corruption and eased pressure from international creditors while increasing U.S. influence over the interim government.

The report further states that Rubio plays a key role in implementing sanctions, reforming Venezuela’s oil sector, and advising on major government appointments. However, the claims have not been independently verified, and neither the U.S. nor Venezuelan governments have issued official responses.

Hasnat Abdullah, Member of Parliament for Comilla-4 and chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) in the southern region, said that the BNP does not want to end extortion but rather replace existing extortionists with their own. He made the remarks on Saturday at a rally in Chengarchar College field, Matlab North, Chandpur, during the NCP’s ‘July March’ program demanding implementation of a referendum, job creation, and border security.

Abdullah emphasized the need for youth participation in national leadership, noting that while senior citizens have responsibilities, social and environmental limitations often restrict their actions. He praised the sacrifices of young people during the 2024 movement and encouraged them to contest in upcoming local government elections for chairman, member, and mayor positions.

Criticizing the current political environment, Abdullah called for freeing politics from criminal influence and urged action against those involved in drug trade and price hikes. He stressed the necessity of political reform to ensure citizens’ rights, employment, and security, highlighting the role of the younger generation in shaping the country’s future.

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam stated that the people of Bangladesh want Awami League President Sheikh Hasina to return to the country immediately to face trial. He made the remark on Saturday afternoon at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy during the inauguration of an audio-visual publication series on the 2024 mass uprising, organized by the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation.

Aminul Islam said he had seen on social media that Sheikh Hasina planned to return to Bangladesh in December, but argued that the public wanted her brought back sooner for justice. He further commented that, from a legal standpoint, Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League have no standing among the people of Bangladesh. The Chief Prosecutor added that investigations into the crimes of the Awami League as an organization are ongoing alongside the trials of the July accused, and that the party would soon face trial.

The remarks were made in the context of ongoing legal and political discussions surrounding accountability for alleged crimes linked to recent national events.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has pledged to avenge the killing of his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and all martyrs who died in recent wars. In a written message released on social media on Saturday, Mojtaba declared that Iran would take revenge on the perpetrators and that the act of retribution was inevitable, regardless of who leads the country.

He emphasized that the pursuit of revenge was not dependent on any individual or official, asserting that it would be carried out whether or not the current leadership remains in place. Mojtaba also expressed gratitude to the millions who attended mourning ceremonies across Iran and Iraq, praising the “historic and defiant” turnout in cities including Tehran, Qom, Najaf, Karbala, and Mashhad.

The message was issued following the burial of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family members at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad late Thursday night, after a state funeral held several months after his death.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has emphasized the need to uphold the spirit of the July uprising and to fully and swiftly implement the July Charter. Speaking on Saturday at the inauguration of an audio-visual publication series on the 2024 mass uprising, he said that fulfilling the aspirations of July and establishing a just, discrimination-free Bangladesh would be the best way to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs.

The event, organized by the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation, took place at the National Music and Dance Auditorium of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka. Rokeya Begum, mother of child martyr Jaber Ibrahim and an opposition member of parliament, attended as chief guest, while State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Md. Ishraq Hossain was present as special guest. Participants included leaders from various political parties, families of martyrs, and individuals injured or disabled during the July–August 2024 uprising.

The program began with recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by prayers, and concluded with the formal launch of the audio-visual series on the 2024 uprising.

Opposition leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman accused the government of remaining silent while India allegedly engages in provocative activities along the border. Speaking at an eleven-party alliance rally at Rangpur Zilla School field on Saturday afternoon, he said citizens and Border Guard Bangladesh personnel are jointly resisting such actions and deserve praise for their courage.

Dr. Rahman demanded justice for the killing of Hadi, urging the government to resign if it fails to deliver accountability. He criticized the administration for excluding allocations for the Teesta project despite earlier promises and declared that an eleven-party government would implement the Teesta mega plan. He also pledged to transform Rangpur Division into the “agricultural capital,” reduce cold storage costs for potato farmers, and ensure fair prices for agricultural products.

He further vowed that under an eleven-party government, corruption and extortion would be eliminated, asserting that even a prime minister involved in corruption would face justice.