Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman said Bangladesh is working to strengthen alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, to reduce court case backlogs. He spoke on July 30 at the Secretariat during the signing of two separate memorandums of understanding between the Bangladesh Legal Aid Services Directorate and the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust, or BLAST, and BRAC’s Social Empowerment and Legal Protection programme. He said the partnerships would curb new case filings and provide faster, effective services to justice seekers.

The minister said legal aid activities began in Bangladesh through an administrative order in 1994 and gained an institutional basis through legislation in 2000. He said the government alone cannot resolve case backlogs and needs the experience of organisations working with marginalised communities and mediation. A recent review found that new cases under certain laws in 20 districts fell by more than 62 percent from March to May 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier.

Under the BLAST agreement, court paralegals will be appointed on a pilot basis in Dhaka, Gazipur and Chattogram to provide legal support to workers. The BRAC agreement covers mediator training, certification, legal recognition of successful mediations, reports for failed mediations and joint monitoring. The government is also considering amendments to the Transfer of Property Act.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, arrived in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon, July 30, for a three-day visit. The report said this is Gor’s first visit to Bangladesh. Diplomatic circles view the trip as an important step in assessing the direction of Bangladesh’s foreign policy.

Gor is scheduled to meet Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman in the evening at the state guest house Padma. The planned meeting is among the formal engagements listed for the envoy’s visit to Dhaka.

Later that night, Gor is expected to meet the finance minister at the US ambassador’s residence. The report provided no further details on the agenda of the meetings, additional visit programmes, or any expected outcomes from the discussions.

Dr Mir Hossain Mithu of Chandpur Medical College has faced criticism after referring to July fighters as “so-called revolutionaries” in a Facebook post. The doctor, from Ichapur village in Burichang upazila of Cumilla, made the post from his personal Facebook account at around 10pm on Wednesday. In it, he compared a newborn’s cry announcing its arrival in the world with alleged revolutionaries using abusive language to announce that they had come to become leaders.

Fakhrul Islam Mithu, an active worker in the Cumilla July movement and former president of the metropolitan Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, said a government official should not rebuke July revolutionaries. He called on the Health Ministry to take necessary action. Golam Samdani, convener of the Cumilla metropolitan Inqilab Mancha, described the comment as inappropriate and said action should be taken against those disrespecting the July movement.

Responding to the criticism, Dr Mithu said his post was not aimed at everyone. He said it targeted some “so-called July revolutionaries” who engage in unnecessary shouting. The report also said an investigation committee was formed after allegations in June 2025 that a government jeep was used for personal or unauthorized purposes; its findings have not been published.

With less than three months until Israel’s election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to demonstrate US President Donald Trump’s full support and the strength of US-Israel ties. Netanyahu used a Washington visit following the death earlier this month of US Senator Lindsey Graham to meet Trump privately at the White House for 90 minutes. The report says the meeting also exposed existing discomfort and psychological distance between the two leaders.

While the White House called the discussion positive and constructive, Trump’s recent remarks suggested differences over Iran. He said Netanyahu wanted the United States to remain involved in war, while Trump may no longer want that. Responding to Israeli objections to possible US F-35 sales to Turkey, Trump said no one could tell him what the United States should sell. Analysts cited in the report say Netanyahu is again emphasizing Iran’s nuclear threat amid a lack of visible achievements on Gaza and Lebanon.

Protesters carrying Palestinian flags demonstrated during Netanyahu’s Washington stay and called him a war criminal as his convoy passed. An Economist-YouGov poll found 49 percent of respondents supported his arrest, while separate YouGov and CBS News polls found 67 percent of Americans wanted the war against Iran stopped immediately. Netanyahu is expected to return to Washington in September for the UN General Assembly.

In an opinion column published by Amar Desh on July 30, 2026, Minar Rashid questions whether Sheikh Hasina can return to Bangladesh before December. The writer argues that, despite campaigning and speculation around a possible return, such an outcome is unrealistic under the current political circumstances. The column makes strongly critical assertions about Hasina's departure and the situation of Awami League leaders and activists.

The article examines four possible routes for a return: a new mass uprising leading to a change of power, political maneuvering between the government and opposition, foreign military intervention, and surrendering to the courts for a legal battle. The writer assesses strategic cooperation between the Awami League and BNP, Jamaat or NCP as highly unlikely. Indian military intervention is also described as having very limited prospects.

The columnist describes surrender before the courts as the comparatively most realistic route, but argues that Hasina would not choose it because of alleged accusations and possible legal consequences. The article also calls for a proper investigation and action over an attack in Habiganj on Sarjis Alam and Nasiruddin Patwary.

Amar Desh reported allegations that then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina ordered hospitals to deny treatment and discharge to people injured during the July 2024 student movement. The report said Hasina visited several hospitals between July 27 and 30, including Pangu Hospital and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, where she allegedly told doctors: “No treatment, no release.”

According to the report, the then chief prosecutor disclosed the allegation on February 23 last year at the International Crimes Tribunal prosecution office after a hearing. He said injured patients, relatives and on-duty doctors had acknowledged the alleged instruction, and that the prosecution held supporting information and evidence. The report characterized the alleged actions as crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The report also alleged irregularities involving death certificates and burials of those killed during July and August. It said at least 10,000 people were arrested nationwide, while 264 cases were filed in Dhaka. Courts sent 134 people to jail and granted remand for 17 others in cases over alleged attacks, vandalism and sabotage at key sites in the capital.

Bangladesh’s National Citizens Party, or NCP, alleged that a vehicle carrying its chief organizer for the northern region, Sarjis Alam, was attacked in Golapganj, Sylhet, on Thursday. NCP convener and parliamentary opposition chief whip Nahid Islam said in a Facebook post that the incident occurred while Alam was returning to Sylhet after meeting families of martyrs in Golapganj. Alam also alleged an attack and vandalism of the vehicle on social media.

Nahid accused what he called a BNP “terrorist force” of carrying out the attack. Alam said there was an initial attack in Golapganj and a second attack at Panch Mile Bazar in Sylhet, blaming BNP activists. He also addressed a question to Tarique Rahman in his post. The report did not include an immediate BNP response to the latest allegations.

Sylhet police said stones were thrown at Alam’s vehicle after a program in Golapganj as it headed toward Kanaighat. The vehicle’s glass was broken, but nobody was injured, police said. On Tuesday, NCP had alleged that local BNP and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders and activists attacked its march in Habiganj; BNP leaders denied that earlier allegation.

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said former prime minister Sheikh Hasina would be arrested if she enters Bangladesh’s territory. He made the statement on Thursday morning while answering journalists’ questions at a memorandum of understanding signing event in the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry conference room.

Responding to questions about Hasina’s possible return, raised after a recent interview, the minister said the government was taking necessary measures regarding whether the Foreign Ministry was pursuing extradition efforts. How she would return was her own matter, he said, but legal action would be taken under Bangladeshi law once she came within the country’s legal jurisdiction.

The minister also said there had been no formal government discussion yet on a presidential election. Under Article 123(2) of the Constitution, a new president must be elected within 90 days of a vacancy, he said. He added that the government did not currently see a need for a special parliamentary session, though one could be called if necessary. He said Human Rights Watch observations or allegations would be considered and examined. The legal aid directorate also signed memorandums with BLAST and BRAC’s SELP.

Authorities have withdrawn Section 144 restrictions in Habiganj municipality after determining that the overall law-and-order situation had returned to normal. The order was signed on Thursday by District Commissioner and District Magistrate Dr. M A Sarfaraz. With the withdrawal, restrictions on public gatherings, including meetings and rallies, are no longer in force in the municipal area.

The restrictions were imposed on Wednesday morning following clashes in Habiganj town on July 28 between activists of the National Citizen Party, or NCP, and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal over the “July Jagaran Padayatra.” Several people from both sides were injured in the confrontation.

The district administration had imposed the order amid fears of further conflict after the NCP and the BNP, along with its affiliated organizations, announced programmes at the same time and venue. During the restrictions, meetings, rallies, processions, marches and public gatherings were prohibited. Additional police, army personnel and other law-enforcement forces were deployed to strengthen security in the municipal area.

The National Citizen Party, or NCP, filed a case against 11 people, including Habiganj district Chhatra Dal president Rajib Ahmed Ringon, over an alleged attack. District Jubo Shakti convener Tanmoy Taher filed the case at Kamaischhara Police Outpost in Bahubal upazila at about 8:45pm on Wednesday, naming Ringon as the principal accused.

Earlier, NCP convener Nahid Islam, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, northern region chief organiser Sarjis Alam, Dr Mahmuda Mitu and other central leaders set out from Moulvibazar to join a protest rally in Habiganj. Their convoy was stopped by police in Musai and later by a joint police, RAB and DB barricade near Kamaischhara Rubber Garden.

A sand-laden truck and a passenger bus were positioned across the old Dhaka-Sylhet highway near Amtali Bridge, disrupting traffic from 5pm. After discussions, senior officials persuaded the leaders not to enter Habiganj. Patwary alleged that Sarjis Alam and other activists were injured and claimed losses of about Tk30 lakh. Traffic began returning to normal after 9pm.

More than 300 applications have been submitted to a search committee for appointments as chairman and commissioners of Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission, known as ACC. The applications are being scrutinized after the call for applications opened on July 2 and closed on July 13. The report says the commission has been effectively stalled for four months because new leaders have not been appointed.

Sources said several retired judges, former secretaries and lawyers met Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, while some others sought meetings with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Applicants include retired justices, former secretaries, retired military and police officers, teachers, lawyers and other professionals. The committee is assessing professional experience, integrity, administrative ability, anti-corruption positions and public-service records.

A five-member search committee headed by Appellate Division Justice Rezaul Haque was formed on June 22. It will send six names to the president, who will appoint three commissioners and select one of them as chairman. Former secretary AKM Abdul Awal Mazumdar said applicants who meet government figures should be considered disqualified.

Six people were injured when two local BNP groups clashed over the upcoming union council election in Mahmudp ur Union of Melandaha, Jamalpur. The clash occurred at Chargobindi Bazar on Wednesday afternoon. The injured were initially taken to Melandaha উপজেলা Health Complex, while several were later referred to Jamalpur General Hospital after their conditions worsened. Police said the situation is currently under control.

Those injured included ward BNP organizational secretary Shahidullah, BNP worker Jakir Hossain, former union Jubo Dal president Altafur Rahman, Md Belal, Jubo Dal member secretary Md Solaiman and ward BNP member Haji Abdus Sattar. Tensions had reportedly persisted for several days between supporters of Mahmudp ur Union BNP president Tayebur Rahman Master and BNP leader Runu Talukdar.

Tayebur alleged provocation by the opposing side and said he had instructed party activists to remain calm. Union BNP general secretary Mahbubur Rashid Babul also alleged provocative remarks by rival supporters, while Runu rejected the allegations and said the other side initiated the violence. Melandaha police chief ATM Mahmudul Haque said the dispute began Tuesday night and escalated into violence Wednesday; legal action will follow if a written complaint is filed.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) removed Hafiz Matabbar, assistant information and communications affairs secretary of its Haimchar upazila unit in Chandpur, from all party posts. The action followed specific allegations that he promoted leaders of the banned Awami League as political authorities on Facebook and violated party discipline. The order was issued in a press release signed Wednesday by Chandpur district BNP office secretary Md Hazrat Ali Dhali.

According to the letter, Matabbar used his verified Facebook page, “Hafijur Rahman,” to publicize Awami League leaders while holding an important party responsibility. The district BNP said the activity seriously damaged the party’s image. It also alleged that misleading campaigning against the party had created strong anger among activists and dissatisfaction among the public.

The press release further said Matabbar had remained inactive and absent from organizational activities for a long time. His conduct was deemed contrary to the party’s policies, ideals and discipline, and the removal took immediate effect. Copies of the order were sent to the BNP’s Cumilla division organizational secretary, Chandpur district president, assistant organizational secretary and general secretary.

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti held a protest march and brief rally at the University of Dhaka on Wednesday night over an alleged attack on a convoy carrying leaders and activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Habiganj. The group also protested the imposition of Section 144 on a centrally announced programme and alleged police obstruction. The march began at the Raju Sculpture at about 9pm, circled the VC Chattar, and ended at the Raju Sculpture.

Central and University of Dhaka branch leaders attended the rally. Branch president Tahmid Al Mudassir Chowdhury alleged that the current government was following the previous government's approach to suppress dissent. He also raised concerns about electricity and gas shortages, alleging a major gap between the government's development promises and the situation on the ground.

Central parliament general secretary Abu Bakar Majumdar alleged that the BNP was moving toward a one-party system after the national election. He also accused the government of using Chhatra Dal to create violence on campuses and said repression of free expression could increase public dissatisfaction. Speakers demanded the swift arrest and trial of those involved in the Habiganj attack.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami sent a delegation to a reception at the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday evening marking the 99th founding anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. The event was organised at the invitation of Senior Defence Attaché Colonel Du Xinsheng.

The five-member Jamaat delegation was led by Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar. Its members included Barrister Najibur Rahman Momen MP, Colonel (Retd.) Abdul Baten MP, Dr Mosleh Uddin Farid MP, and Ali Ahmad Mabroor, a member of the opposition leader’s foreign affairs advisory committee. Ambassadors, high commissioners, diplomats, political figures, retired military officers, senior government officials and civil society representatives also attended.

On behalf of Jamaat Amir and opposition leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman MP, Porwar conveyed greetings and congratulations to Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen. The delegation wished continued stability for the Chinese government and peace, prosperity and progress for China’s government and people. It also expressed hope that bilateral trade and diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and China would become stronger and more meaningful.