Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Coordinator of the NCP’s Southern Region, urged the youth to lead the movement for an Awami League-free Bangladesh, even if it means risking their lives.

Speaking at the conclusion of a march in Rajbari, Abdullah recalled past incidents involving the Awami League, including the use of sticks and oars during political conflicts, and the party’s alleged role in the Pilkhana and Shapla Square killings. He criticized media and cultural institutions like Bashundhara for allegedly aiding the ruling party.

He asserted that although some forces attempted to eliminate opposition leaders, they failed—because new visionary leaders are emerging as alternatives. Addressing young people and Islamic scholars (ulema), Abdullah warned that the country's freedom will not be fully restored unless the Awami League is eradicated from politics.

Central NCP leaders and others also addressed the rally, chanting slogans demanding change.

At a street rally in Faridpur, Akhtar Hossain, Member Secretary of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), stated that the people of Bangladesh no longer want to see the Awami League or the politics of Mujibism.

He alleged that certain so-called civil society members are trying to bring the Awami League back into power, but the public will resist such efforts.

Hossain accused the ruling party of undermining democracy through what he called “midnight elections” in 2014, 2018, and 2024. Referring to recent attacks on NCP leaders in Gopalganj, he claimed that even firearms could not silence the party’s slogans.

Calling for the formation of a caretaker government, Hossain demanded that all Awami League members be brought to justice to ensure the country’s sovereignty and security.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami organized a protest rally and gathering in Chattogram condemning the recent attacks, arson, and unrest in Gopalganj. The demonstration began on the afternoon of July 17 from the north gate of Andarkilla Shahi Jame Masjid and marched through key city streets before concluding with a rally in front of the Press Club.

Addressing the rally, Jamaat's Acting Metropolitan Ameer Muhammad Nazrul Islam stated that the July 2024 uprising was a mass explosion against fascism, symbolized by the martyrdom of Abu Sayeed and others. He alleged that during this significant anniversary, an orchestrated attack in Tungipara aimed to destabilize the situation.

Nazrul Islam also highlighted the historical contexts of the Liberation War, national unity, and ongoing political oppression during his speech.

A high-profile delegation from Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet venture, led by Vice President Lauren Dreyer, will visit Dhaka on July 18. The team, which includes International Strategy Director Richard Griffiths, is scheduled to hold meetings with government IT officials and policymakers to discuss potential investment opportunities and technology implementation strategies. The government views the visit as a significant step toward advancing digital connectivity, particularly in rural areas. During their visit, Dreyer and Griffiths will meet Dr. Yunus, tour a nursing college, attend a press conference, and participate in a drone show at Hatirjheel. The delegation will depart Bangladesh on July 19.

Former State Minister for Home Affairs Tanjim Ahmed Sohail Taj and his elder sister Sharmin Ahmed have paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The meeting took place on Thursday at the State Guest House Jamuna. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed the meeting by sharing a photograph on Facebook. Sohail Taj, son of Bangladesh’s first Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad, previously served as a junior minister under the Awami League government.

The Bangladesh Army has announced recruitment for female nurses under its 42nd Direct Short-Term Commission (AFNS). Applicants must have a B.Sc. in Nursing from a recognized college with a minimum GPA of 3.50 in both SSC and HSC, and be under 26 years of age by January 1, 2026. Married, unmarried, widowed, and divorced women are eligible. Benefits include competitive salary, secure housing, military hospital care, and educational opportunities for children. Applications are open online until August 2, 2025.

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States is close to finalizing a new trade agreement with India. Talks are progressing rapidly, with Indian commerce officials currently in Washington. India aims to secure better terms than Indonesia recently received. However, issues remain over tariffs on agricultural, dairy, steel, and automotive products. While the U.S. trade deficit with India grew to $45.7 billion in 2024, both countries are optimistic about enhanced market access through tariff reforms and an eventual deal.

Rashed Khan, a prominent leader of the 2018 quota reform movement, also played a key role in the nationwide uprising of July 2024. He stated that after the High Court verdict, observing students’ reactions allowed him to foresee the potential for mass protests. He then helped coordinate with BNP and other political groups to amplify the movement’s impact.

According to Rashed, the joint student-public protest gained strength with the backing of political parties, ultimately contributing to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. He believes that years of repression led to an eruption of public anger, and it was the unity, sacrifice, and spontaneous participation of students and the general public that made this historic movement successful.

The Advisory Council has approved the draft of the Voter List (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, allowing eligible citizens to register as voters up to the announcement of the election schedule. Previously, only those who turned 18 by December of the previous year could vote in the upcoming election. The new ordinance ensures that citizens who become 18 within a reasonable time before the schedule announcement can be included in the voter list, expanding voter eligibility and enabling broader participation.

A curfew in Gopalganj will remain in effect until 11 AM Friday following deadly clashes sparked by an attack on a National Citizens Party (NCP) rally, allegedly by the banned Awami League. The government will pause the curfew for three hours from 11 AM to 2 PM, after which it will resume indefinitely. At least four people have died, and hundreds, including police and journalists, are injured. Section 144 remains in place, and the NCP has issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding arrests of the attackers.

An old video from Brahmanbaria has been falsely circulated as footage from a recent violent incident in Gopalganj. The video shows a dead body being loaded into a police vehicle, with claims that the person was shot by police during a clash on July 16. However, investigations confirmed the video originated in June 2024 and depicts a mob handing over a suspected mugger to police. Social media users shared it with misleading captions to spread misinformation.

BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Zainul Abdin Farroque has alleged that the recent attack on National Citizens’ Party (NCP) leaders in Gopalganj is part of a conspiracy to delay the upcoming election. Speaking at a human chain event at the National Press Club, Farroque said the plot surfaced soon after BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman initiated dialogue on elections from London. He criticized the government, saying its failure to hold elections even after 11 months reflects incompetence. Farroque urged Jamaat-e-Islami to apologize to the nation for its past mistakes, adding that allies of the ruling Awami League still dominate the administration.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced nationwide prayer sessions and silent marches in memory of those killed and for the recovery of those injured during the July-August Uprising. In a statement issued on July 17, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi informed that prayers will be held at mosques across Dhaka and all districts and metropolitan areas on Friday, alongside silent marches. BNP leaders, activists, and the general public have been invited to participate.

BNP’s Organizing Secretary for the Faridpur Division, Shama Obaid, strongly condemned the attack on NCP's “March to Gopalganj” program and called for the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible. She claimed the attack was part of a broader effort to destabilize the country. The BNP’s media cell published her statement on Facebook, which also included wishes for a speedy recovery of the injured police officers.

Central leaders of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) have reached Manikganj as part of their ongoing ‘July Uprising’ campaign and the ‘July March to Rebuild the Nation’ program. On July 17 at around 9 PM, district leaders welcomed them at Bhasha Shaheed Rafiq Chattar in Khalpar area, where a public gathering was held. Prior to arriving in Manikganj, the leaders had marched through Faridpur and Rajbari. Law enforcement, including uniformed police, detectives, and plainclothes officers, were deployed in multiple security layers to ensure order during the event. Traffic police also worked to prevent congestion along the route.