BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu has accused those delaying the election process of attempting to restore dictatorship and reintroduce fascism. He stressed that elections must be held on schedule, regardless of ongoing processes such as war crimes trials and the recovery of laundered money.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has called for a thorough investigation into whether any advisor of the interim government is linked to the Gulshan extortion case. “The matter must be clarified before the public,” he said, warning that a lack of investigation would raise further questions about the advisors. He also urged political parties to avoid making misleading statements ahead of the upcoming national election, adding, “Those who attempt to sabotage or boycott the election will be eliminated from national politics.”
The controversy stems from the arrest of former BAGSAS joint convener Jane Alam Apu, whose alleged confessional statement claims a late-night meeting with Advisor Asif Mahmud in front of a Gulshan hotel.

Kazi Anisha, wife of former Bagchas joint convener Zane Alam Apu, has accused BNP leader Ishraq Hossain of coercing her husband into giving a false confession in an extortion case. A video of Apu’s alleged confession—recorded at Ishraq’s residence in Gopibagh—has circulated on social media. Anisha claims the statement was forcibly obtained, edited, and released 14 days later to implicate her husband and weaken the NCP political group. She alleges that Apu was pressured for four days in police remand to name certain individuals.

Bangladesh is on the path from a Least Developed Country to a developing nation, but it is not fully prepared, says Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar. She highlighted discrepancies in GDP, income, and social indicators from the previous government and emphasized the need to assess tariff and GSP benefits carefully. Importing low-cost beef could harm local farmers, while exports like seaweed and Kucchi offer potential. By November 2026, the country must be ready for its developing country status.

In Comilla’s Nangalkot upazila, BNP’s 14 union-level conferences held on Tuesday and Wednesday disrupted classes at 15 educational institutions. Students arriving for regular lessons were surprised to find stages set up on school grounds and hundreds of party activists present.
Some institutions attempted to continue classes despite loudspeakers but eventually had to close. Teachers, students, and parents expressed frustration. Upazila BNP convener Nazir Ahmed Bhuiyan said such events violated party rules and that he would seek action from senior leaders. UNO Al Amin Sarkar said he learned of the incident from journalists and would investigate further.

Gonotantra Moncho is considering fielding candidates in all 300 seats for the upcoming 13th National Election. The idea was discussed at the Uttara residence of JSD President and senior Gonotantra Moncho leader A S M Abdur Rob. Leaders will meet again on August 18 for further talks.
The meeting, attended by Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Saiful Haque, Zonayed Saki, Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu, Hasnat Kaiyum, Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan, and Tania Rob, discussed the political climate, reforms, justice, and the upcoming election. Participants voiced concern over law and order, expressed optimism about working positively under the “July Charter,” and indicated willingness to make reasonable compromises to reach consensus.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has indicated that President Donald Trump will make it clear to Russian President Vladimir Putin that “all options are on the table” during their upcoming meeting. Mnuchin noted that while frustration with Putin has been widespread, there may now be a chance for productive talks. He warned that if discussions fail, sanctions or additional tariffs could be imposed on Russia, urging European partners to support coordinated pressure against Moscow.

After a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin, Harun Chowdhury, claiming himself as the President of Bangladesh’s Communist Party (ML), stated that former General Secretary Dilip Barua’s current whereabouts remain unknown.
Harun said the party had presented its new committee and revised structure to the CEC, noting that a conference on February 7 introduced key changes. Previously, the General Secretary was the party’s top leader, but now the President will hold that position. Both the President and General Secretary posts have been reinstated.
He acknowledged controversies surrounding Barua but stressed they had no knowledge of the details, only that he had not been arrested. Harun also urged the CEC to ensure an election free from muscle power, money influence, and unfair declarations, and called for equal treatment of all candidates.

Following a fall in international prices, Bangladesh has reduced the domestic price of loose palm oil from BDT 169 to BDT 150 per liter. The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC) has instructed local authorities to intensify market monitoring amid concerns that some traders might sell palm oil as soybean oil for extra profit. Bottled soybean oil remains at BDT 189 per liter, while loose soybean oil prices are unchanged. Authorities are also urged to take legal action if unethical practices harm consumers.

The National Revolutionary Council has called for August 14 to be officially declared “Liberation from Colonialism and Bangladesh’s First Independence Day” and celebrated with full state honors. In a statement, the group described the 1947 independence as the foundation of the 1971 liberation and honored six key leaders—Allama Iqbal, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq, Liaquat Ali Khan, Khawaja Nazimuddin, and Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy. The council also announced programs to mark the occasion.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has delivered financial assistance to a family in North Satkania, Chattogram, for the treatment of two ailing children. Acting under the direction of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, the party also gifted the family an auto-rickshaw and provided additional aid to an injured July uprising participant.

The beneficiaries are the children of late Youth Dal leader Mohammad Yusuf of Hashimpur—three-year-old Mohammad Rahan, who has a heart defect, and 11-year-old Mohammad Arafat, who suffers from thalassemia.

Five candidates have so far collected nomination papers for the Vice-President post in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) elections. Chief Returning Officer Mohammad Jasim Uddin reported that on Wednesday alone, 13 candidates collected nomination forms for various central positions, while 18 candidates collected forms for hall union elections.

On August 12, a total of seven candidates took forms, and four have submitted them so far. Jasim confirmed that all candidates have adhered to the election code of conduct. Nomination distribution will continue daily from 10 am to 4 pm until August 18, and submissions will be accepted from 10 am to 3 pm on August 19.

Police have arrested Sujon Sikder, joint convener of the Gopalganj district unit of Swechchhasebak Dal, in connection with clashes during an NCP march. Authorities confirmed that he was shown arrested on Wednesday under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The violent incidents took place on July 16, when an NCP rally in Gopalganj erupted into widespread clashes. So far, police have filed 15 cases, including five for murder.

Islamic Movement leader Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, widely known as the Chormonai Pir, has accused an “opportunist clique” of exploiting the post–August 5 situation for extortion and tender manipulation. Speaking at a seminar in Faridpur, he said Islamic Movement leaders and scholars took to the streets after August 5 to protect the lives and property of minorities.

He claimed the party is working to unite Islamic-minded voters ahead of the next election, which has led to increased hostility from those he described as “fascists” and “extortionists.” He further alleged that attacks are now being directed against Chormonai, Islamic scholars, and particularly the student leaders who played a central role in the August 5 uprising.

The White House has indicated that the upcoming Alaska meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is primarily a listening opportunity for Trump, with little chance of a quick Russia–Ukraine ceasefire. Only one party involved in the conflict will attend, and key issues remain unresolved. While Trump has suggested territorial concessions might be necessary, Ukraine’s President Zelensky has rejected any agreement without Ukraine’s consent. Private talks in Anchorage may precede a possible future Trump visit to Russia.