Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho, has announced his candidacy as an independent MP from Dhaka-8 in the upcoming national election.

Hadi voiced opposition to the introduction of Proportional Representation (PR) in the lower house, claiming it would allow the ruling Awami League to push more candidates forward. “We don’t want PR in the lower house. But we definitely want it in the upper house,” he said.

Hadi revealed a “one-page manifesto,” which will be displayed at Shahbagh intersection. “If the people send us to parliament, we will be accountable for how many promises we kept and how many we couldn’t,” he added.

He further noted that while he welcomes support from political parties, he does not intend to run as a candidate under the BNP’s “paddy sheaf” or Jamaat’s “scales” symbols.

Ganosamhati Andolon’s chief coordinator Zonayed Saki has warned that certain political groups are attempting to capitalize on the recent coup atmosphere to serve their own interests.

“One group is trying to exploit the people’s struggle against Sheikh Hasina for its own political agenda,” Saki said. “They want to grab power and establish dominance in Bangladesh. But if anyone attempts to snatch away the people’s democratic rights again, the people will resist.”

He urged citizens to stay united and organized to safeguard democratic values.

Jatiya Party Chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud has claimed that Bangladesh’s administration is now fully politicized, questioning how a free and fair election can be held under such circumstances.

He said the 2024 election was one-sided, leading to public disengagement from the voting process. If history repeats, he warned, Bangladesh risks sliding into authoritarian rule akin to Hitler and Mussolini’s regimes.

Highlighting political hypocrisy, Anisul said:
“Those branding Jatiya Party as collaborators once contested elections alongside Awami League. Before the 2014 polls, we held multiple meetings with BNP for an alliance, but BNP’s disinterest thwarted it. Today, Jamaat demands our ban, but we never sought to ban them. In fact, when Awami League banned Jamaat, Jatiya Party opposed it.”

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has issued a strong condemnation and protest against BNP leader Nilufar Chowdhury Moni for blaming the organization for the murder of BUET student Abrar Fahad.

In a statement, the student body demanded that Moni immediately apologize to the nation for what they termed as a baseless and misleading remark. Senior leaders of the organization said her comments not only distort the truth but also undermine Bangladesh’s 16-year-long struggle against fascism.

They asserted that Abrar was brutally tortured and murdered by activists of the banned ruling party student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, simply for speaking out against imperialism. According to Shibir, labeling Abrar with a “Shibir tag” was a deliberate ploy used by his attackers—something later established in court verdicts.

Chhatra Shibir leaders further emphasized that under what they described as a “fascist regime,” their organization has been among the most persecuted in the country. They accused the BNP leader of shielding the crimes of the Awami League and its student wing by scapegoating Shibir.

“Her remarks raise a serious question among the people—whether she is in fact acting as an agent for the fallen fascists,” the statement concluded.

BNP leader Aminul Haque has accused certain political parties of misusing religion for political gain.

“Some parties are selling Islam, while others are deceiving people by exploiting it,” Haque said, citing a viral video where women in burqas allegedly entered homes under the guise of campaigning but instead robbed residents.

Haque described Tarique Rahman’s 31-point program as a blueprint for the nation’s future and urged activists to bring this message to every household. He stressed that a BNP victory would ensure people’s safety, judicial independence, prioritization of education and healthcare, and establishment of good governance.

Recalling years of persecution, he noted, “For 17 years you endured cases and repression. Today, after August 5, 2024, you can walk in freedom and express your views—that is your achievement.”

He urged party workers not just to distribute leaflets, but to engage directly with people to win their trust.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has announced that the July Memorial Museum will document the atrocities of Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year rule, including the Pilkhana massacre, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, the Shapla massacre, and widespread election rigging.

During a briefing, adviser and filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki informed Yunus that construction of the museum will be completed by October 31, with an inauguration planned for the first week of November.

“The museum will curate the dark history of fascism and state repression, preserving it for future generations,” Yunus said, thanking those involved in the project.

Chief Curator Tanzim Wahab added that the museum is being developed in coordination with the ICT prosecution team and the Commission on Enforced Disappearances.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar dismissed allegations that the party distributed cash to influence voters as baseless. “There is not a single piece of evidence showing money was handed out to woo voters. Why would we do that? These are groundless claims,” he said, responding to accusations that certain village committees (VCs) belong to Jamaat.

Parwar challenged critics to publish names if they insist 16 VCs are Jamaat’s, asking who controls the remaining VCs — pointing out that they belong to other parties. On recent organizational changes in Chattogram — including the removal of metropolitan amir Shajahan Chowdhury and others — Parwar said leadership changes were made for organizational reasons, not due to irregularities. “For organizational needs, we appointed a new acting amir there,” he said, noting that no one is above discipline and the party acts when misconduct is discovered.

The four-day South Asia Trade Fair 2025 in Dhaka features participants from SAARC countries, offering visitors a variety of products under one roof. Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka have brought items ranging from textiles, fashion, and electronics to processed foods, jewelry, home appliances, and kitchenware. The event highlights regional trade opportunities, cultural diversity, and business potential while attracting buyers and promoting both local and international market growth. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Sunday.

Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman has declared that Islami Chhatra Shibir’s victory in both Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections will have far-reaching political implications.

Speaking to supporters, he said the results had left many “astonished” and predicted that the win would influence the upcoming national elections. “With those who love us and whom we love, we aim to contest all 300 seats in the next election,” Rahman stated.

He praised party leaders for enduring imprisonment, repression, and even sacrificing their lives under the previous government. According to him, their sacrifices paved the way for today’s “free and independent political environment.”

Referring to the mass uprising of July–August 2024, Rahman called it a turning point that ushered in a “new Bangladesh,” achieved through sacrifice and struggle.

BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie stated that the party will ensure the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ election symbol remains prominent in the upcoming elections under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.

Annie stressed the need to strengthen Tarique Rahman’s leadership through unity and to support party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. “We must focus on the next elections. A strong leadership will emerge from the upcoming conference, which will help us reach every household,” he said.

He added, “Following Tarique Rahman’s guidance, we will mobilize our team to reach the younger generation and honor the sacrifices of mothers and sisters who participated in past movements. At the local level, councilors, delegates, and ward leaders will unite to strengthen the party. Today, we stand together with no divisions, as we successfully built a bond of unity in Ramganj.”

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan has accused the government of undermining Bangladesh’s economy over the past 15 years, describing its rule as “authoritarian” and detrimental to the nation’s growth.

Moin highlighted that $234 billion of the hard-earned money of ordinary Bangladeshis has been illegally transferred abroad—a sum that, he noted, could have funded the construction of 100 Padma Bridges. He further claimed that the government misappropriated much of the funds allocated for the Padma Bridge project, diverting them through corrupt channels.

On a different note, Moin defended the legacy of the late President Ziaur Rahman, asserting that despite various false allegations against him, no one has ever been able to prove him corrupt or dishonest. He emphasized that eradicating corruption from society is essential for Bangladesh’s development and for ensuring politics remain relevant to improving people’s lives.

Acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tareq Rahman, urged party activists to reject personal profiteering and to accept party decisions unconditionally. Addressing the Kishoreganj district BNP triennial conference, he warned that an “invisible force” is becoming visible and stressed that activists cannot afford to remain idle if they want to secure citizens’ rights and advance development.

“Everyone must ensure that no one uses our name to create confusion among the people,” he said, calling for unity among all supporters of the “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol who still strive to establish democracy. “We must remain united at any cost — there is no alternative.”

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah clarified that his party visited Cox’s Bazar on August 5, but media reports claiming a meeting with former U.S. Ambassador Peter Haas were misleading.

Hasnat Abdullah expressed concern over media bias, stating that despite all parties having recommended advisors in the caretaker government, NCP was unfairly held responsible for its failures. “If the media continues its double standards, the invisible forces conspiring against the nation will gain strength,” he said.

He further emphasized the party’s stance against media and military elements working against Bangladesh, noting that NCP fought largely on its own. “We speak truth to the media and call out falsehoods. Yet, media trials have tarnished the reputations of NCP leaders,” he added. While the party is not against media, Hasnat Abdullah stressed the need for objective and factual reporting.

Mexico is positioning its southern rail corridor across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec as a faster alternative for shipping goods from Asia to the U.S. amid Panama Canal water shortages. South Korea’s Hyundai has already used the route, with major U.S. automakers expressing interest. The government is investing $540 million to expand ports and rail lines, aiming to establish a full freight corridor. The route cuts transit time to the U.S. by several days compared to Panama or Canadian routes, boosting southern Mexico’s logistics potential.

Canada and Mexico have agreed to boost cooperation as trade uncertainty grows under Trump’s tariff policies. Following talks in Mexico City, both nations pledged unity in negotiations with Washington ahead of the 2026 USMCA review. Tariffs of up to 50% on Canadian steel and aluminum and sector-specific duties on Mexico have disrupted supply chains, raising costs. Analysts warn stalled talks could strain North America’s competitiveness, while compliance with USMCA rules and alternative sourcing are seen as key strategies.