Bangladesh officially joined the United Nations’ Water Convention on June 20, becoming the first South Asian nation and the 56th globally to do so. The move aims to enhance cooperation on managing 57 shared rivers, including the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna system, critical for water security, environmental stability, and regional peace. The convention offers a legal framework for sustainable transboundary water management. Bangladesh has been engaged with the convention since 2012 and will receive full UN support ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Kosovo’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Lulzim Plana, met with Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus to discuss enhancing cooperation. The Chief Advisor urged easier recruitment of Bangladeshi workers in Kosovo and proposed increasing Bangladeshi student enrollment through scholarships. Ambassador Plana expressed gratitude for Bangladesh’s support during Kosovo’s post-war period and highlighted Grameen Kosovo’s role. Both emphasized expanding trade, investment, and collaboration in sectors like garments, pharmaceuticals, and leather. Strengthening business community ties and chamber cooperation was also discussed.

Despite rising global fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict, Bangladesh currently has no plans to increase domestic fuel prices, said Energy Advisor Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan. He emphasized ongoing monitoring and highlighted existing short-term import plans and long-term LNG contracts. A new 10-year gas supply agreement was also signed recently. Fuel subsidies will be covered by BPCL profits if necessary. Additionally, discussions continue with foreign companies on offshore exploration participation and contract amendments.

Farida Akhter, Fisheries and Livestock Advisor, highlighted Bangladesh’s vulnerability to the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions, despite contributing only 0.4% to global emissions. She emphasized the urgent need for Bangladesh to rely on its own capabilities as promised international aid remains unfulfilled. The Livestock and Dairy Development Project’s workshop focused on reducing methane emissions and improving research and data collection. Collaboration with FAO and the World Bank aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s role in addressing climate change in the livestock sector.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that on August 5, through the united movement of students and citizens, divine intervention freed the nation from mafia-led misrule. “Youth spilled their blood in the streets to play a historic role,” he said. He highlighted the martyrdom of Abu Sayeed as a pivotal moment that undermined the foundations of tyranny. Rahman also alleged irregularities in the Dhaka-15 election, where his party’s candidate was detained just three days before voting, and election agents were harassed and prevented from participating. He accused the regime of targeting religious scholars, including Allama Sayeedi.

The Election Commission has reinstated the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and re-allocated its traditional election symbol — the scales. A new gazette notification nullifies the 2018 order that had canceled the party’s registration, following a court directive. The party’s registration was initially scrapped in 2013 for having a constitution that conflicted with the national constitution.

BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi criticized the government’s handling of law and order, saying, “The last three elections were one-sided dramas staged by Sheikh Hasina. All Election Commissioners during these periods were complicit in fascism. No matter how serious the crime, justice must be served through legal channels — mob justice is never acceptable.” Rizvi urged the government to prioritize restoring law and order and to stop vigilante actions before the upcoming national elections. He also warned that action would be taken if any party member was involved in such unrest. He raised concerns over suspects being harassed even in police custody and criticized the government’s inaction against the rising threat of dengue and COVID-19.

In Rajshahi, opposition activists from the Jubo Dal apprehended and handed over a banned Chhatra League leader to police after beating him. The incident occurred Monday night near the Law College field in Barokuthi.

Witnesses said Suman Ali, president of the outlawed Bagatipara unit of Chhatra League, was identified while walking past a group of Jubo Dal members and was subsequently attacked and detained.

Mohammad Mojibur Rahman Mintoo Mia (63), a local leader of the ruling Awami League’s labor wing, was detained by residents in Demra and handed over to police on Monday.
Eyewitnesses said a group of 15–20 people arrived in the Staff Quarter area during an AL protest march, prompting locals to chase them. While most fled, Mintoo Mia was caught and turned over to authorities.
Police confirmed that he is a suspect in a murder case related to the 2009 mass uprising and was arrested accordingly.

The army has detained Hanif Mia, secretary of the Uttara West Thana unit of BNP’s volunteer wing, on charges of inciting a mob during the arrest of former Chief Election Commissioner Nurul Huda. Uttara West Police Station OC Md Hafizur Rahman confirmed the arrest on Monday night, adding that a police team had been dispatched to bring him to the station. Operations to detain others involved in the incident are ongoing.

Following a liaison committee meeting with Gono Forum, BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury reiterated that BNP will form a national government to implement its 31-point reform proposal if it comes to power. "We have fought against fascism together, and that will continue up to the election," he said. He stressed that post-election, they would institutionalize democracy with the combined effort of all allied forces. Khasru noted that the election schedule has not yet been declared and that they will wait for an announcement closer to the polling date. Gono Forum leader Mizanur Rahman mentioned that uncertainties over the election were resolved during the London meetings and suggested that the agreed reforms be tabled in parliament without delay.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has praised China's leadership role in regional politics, calling it a "positive initiative." During a bilateral meeting with the CPC delegation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Fakhrul expressed hope that China’s constructive engagement would expand from bilateral to multilateral platforms. BNP’s media cell member Shayrul Kabir said the meeting was led by Li Hongzhong, Politburo member of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. The Chinese side welcomed the BNP delegation at the start of the meeting. During the talks, Li Hongzhong extended an invitation to BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to visit China.

Rashed Pradhan has described June 23, known as Palashi Day, as a symbol of betrayal in Bengal’s history. “It’s ironic that the Awami League was founded on this day of treachery,” he said, likening Sheikh Hasina’s alleged manipulation of elections to Mir Jafar’s betrayal at the Battle of Plassey. He urged the public to resist anyone attempting to ‘sell out’ Bangladesh to foreign powers, drawing parallels between the historical and contemporary betrayal of national interests. He also questioned those who remain silent on India’s influence over Bangladesh, asking how they differ from historical traitors.

Bangladesh’s Islamic Movement party has called the current stalemate in government offices “unprecedented” and demanded urgent steps to restore normalcy. While acknowledging the contributions of public servants to national progress, the party criticized widespread corruption and inefficiency. They stated that while reforms in revenue and employment regulations have caused unrest, disrupting public services or holding the public hostage is unacceptable. The party condemned recent protests in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and urged all disputes to be resolved logically through dialogue.

BNP leader Aminul Haque condemned attempts at mob justice following the controversy involving former Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda. "Some individuals tried to enforce mob justice, but BNP firmly opposes such culture," he said. He asserted that BNP believes in the rule of law and will continue its struggle accordingly. Aminul criticized advisors showing sympathy to two former CECs who allegedly facilitated rigged elections to keep authoritarian forces in power. He emphasized BNP’s commitment to establishing a government of the people through the upcoming general elections in February and urged the nationwide distribution of BNP’s 31-point reform plan.