BNP leader Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has warned that true democracy in Bangladesh cannot be realized without timely elections. Speaking on the current interim government's performance, he said, “Though formed through significant sacrifices and supported by all major parties including the BNP, the interim council appears to be delaying elections to stay in power longer.”

Hafiz also commented on the current proportional representation (PR) voting system, arguing that it distances voters from candidates. “BNP supports a system where individuals, not parties, are held accountable. Voters should be able to choose candidates based on merit, not just party affiliation.”

A recent Al Jazeera documentary titled “36 Days of July: Uncovering Sheikh Hasina’s Secret Directives” has sparked controversy, particularly regarding the portrayal of political activist Sadik Kayem. AHM Shaheen, writing critically about the film, argued that Sadik was strategically presented as a frontline leader of the July uprising, overshadowing others like Nahid and Asif, who, according to him, played more prominent roles.

The post was shared by Nazifa Jannat, who added strong criticism, stating: “The journalists behind this Al Jazeera report deserve serious accountability — if not a slap in the face, at least a call to responsibility. How can someone hiding under the Student League’s umbrella be framed as a key figure of the July uprising? Shame!”

Police have arrested five individuals accused of attempting to extort money from the residence of a former Member of Parliament by falsely claiming to be "coordinators." The suspects — Md. Siam, Sadman Sadab, Md. Aminul Islam, Ibrahim Hossain, and Abdur Razzak Riad — are currently in custody, with a formal case under process.

Among those detained, Abdur Razzak Riad is reported to be the acting convener of the Combined Private University Chapter of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and a member of the Democratic Student Union. The others are affiliated with various ranks of the anti-discrimination movement. According to Gulshan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Hafizur Rahman, the group demanded Tk 10 million from former MP Shammi Ahmed. They had allegedly already taken Tk 1 million earlier and were caught when they returned to collect the remaining amount. Shammi Ahmed alerted the police, leading to their arrest.

In an exclusive interview with Turkish media outlet Yeni Şafak, Sadik Kayem revealed that during the July uprising, Dhaka was divided into ten strategic zones. He claimed that after internet shutdowns, curfews, and a wave of killings post-July 18, he assumed the central role of coordinating the movement. He named key contributors including Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud, Hasnat Abdullah, Sarjis Alam, and Mahfuz Alam. Dr. Mirza Galib was described as the intellectual architect of the revolution, with notable contributions from Zulkarnain Sayer, journalist Elias Hossain, and Pinaki Bhattacharya. Sadik also emphasized the importance of August 4 as a turning point in the mass uprising and expressed hope for a people-powered Bangladesh.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $566.5 million loan package during his two-day visit to the Maldives and initiated discussions on a bilateral free trade agreement. Modi aims to deepen development cooperation amid growing competition with China for influence in the island nation. Despite recent political tensions, India has supported the Maldives economically. The financial aid will enhance security, health, housing, and education in the Maldives. Modi also inaugurated the Hanimaadhoo airport expansion project remotely.

Microsoft has accused Chinese state-linked hacker groups of exploiting vulnerabilities in its SharePoint server software to carry out cyberattacks targeting global organizations. The attackers, identified as Lilin Typhoon, Violet Typhoon, and Storm-2603, infiltrated on-premises servers to steal sensitive data. Microsoft confirmed its cloud-based SharePoint was not breached and has released security updates, urging users to patch systems immediately. The hackers reportedly used encryption to maintain ongoing access. Investigations continue as Microsoft warns of potential repeat attacks on unpatched systems.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Hamas of avoiding a ceasefire deal with Israel due to fears of retaliation once Israeli hostages are freed. Speaking at the White House, Trump said Hamas doesn't truly want peace and warned its members will be hunted down. He emphasized that the U.S. and Israel seek only a temporary pause in fighting. Hamas, however, claims it wants a permanent ceasefire and criticized the U.S. stance, while Israel has pulled its negotiators from Qatar-mediated talks.

A 10-day exhibition has begun in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, showcasing what organizers describe as 16 years of misrule under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The display includes events such as attacks on students during the Safe Roads Movement, border killings, enforced disappearances, judicial killings, and the 2013 Shapla Chattar crackdown. It also highlights the 2009 Pilkhana massacre and the 2006 logi-boitha violence. Organized by Inqilab Mancha and July Oikko, the exhibition will continue until August 6.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that if the party comes to power, it will implement programs to eliminate child labor and reintegrate working children into education and a normal life.

Joining an event in Thakurgaon virtually, he said, "Bangladesh's economic realities are forcing children into labor. However, ESDO’s initiative in Thakurgaon sets a commendable example. If replicated nationwide, child labor can be eradicated."

He emphasized that child labor has no place in a civilized society and reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to protecting child rights. "We will continue to support such initiatives across the country," he added.

During a meeting with political parties at Jamuna, Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus stated that “regressive forces are attempting to derail the electoral process through unrest.” He called for unity among all anti-fascist democratic forces to resist such attempts.

He emphasized, “If all pro-democratic movements fail to organize a credible election, we risk losing a historic opportunity.” Seeking cooperation from all political parties, he added, “Every time we move forward with election preparations, conspiracies surface. However, no conspiracy can stop the march of democracy, as there is a clear unity among democratic forces against fascism.” A minute of silence was also observed in memory of the victims of the Milestone Tragedy during the meeting.

At the World AI Conference in Shanghai, Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the urgent need for global consensus on balancing the rapid development of artificial intelligence with its security risks. He called for responsible governance, open-source collaboration, and announced a new China-led international body to enhance AI cooperation. Li highlighted challenges such as misinformation, job displacement, and loss of human control. Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump vowed aggressive policies to ensure American dominance in AI, aiming to reduce regulatory hurdles for private innovation.

In an interview with Turkish media, Sadiq Kayem, leader of Bangladesh's July uprising, accused India of treating Bangladesh like a colony for 16 years and backing the Hasina regime, including the August 5 massacre. He likened India's treatment of Muslims to that of Israel’s policies, rejecting Indian dominance. Kayem also called the Awami League a terrorist group and emphasized the movement's independence from foreign influence. He expressed hopes for a balanced foreign policy, especially with China.

BNP Joint Secretary General Habib-Un-Nabi Khan Sohel visited the family of Rojoni Islam, a parent who died in a tragic Air Force jet crash near the Milestone School & College campus in Dhaka’s Uttara Diabari area.

Offering condolences, Sohel met with the victim’s husband, daughter, and son, encouraging them to remain strong during this difficult time. He also emphasized the urgent need for more effective disaster management systems to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Following a meeting with the Chief Adviser and 14 political parties on Saturday afternoon, Mostafa Jamal Haider, Chairman of the Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar faction), announced that the date for the upcoming national parliamentary election will be declared within four to five days.

“There could be no greater news than this,” he said, adding that elections are the key to resolving current unrest. He emphasized that many of the country’s ongoing problems can only be addressed through a credible electoral process.

Previously, the Chief Adviser held two rounds of meetings with leaders of various political parties and alliances, including the NCP, BNP, and Jamaat-e-Islami.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that while structural reform of the state and economy cannot happen overnight, democratic practices are essential for achieving such transformation. Speaking at an event in Dhaka, he remarked that democracy has been systematically destroyed over the past 15 years, leading to rampant corruption due to lack of accountability. "BNP believes in democracy, which is why we are demanding elections," he said.

Criticizing the proportional representation (PR) system, Fakhrul noted that the people of this country prefer to directly elect their leaders. He also referred to the potential impact of Trump's proposed tariffs as a major threat, stressing the need for dialogue among political parties to address pressing national issues.