New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reiterated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested on war crimes charges if he visits New York in September to attend the United Nations General Assembly. In an interview published Saturday by The New York Times, Mamdani said he believes Netanyahu belongs in The Hague, describing him as a war criminal indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). However, he clarified that he will not pursue any changes to existing laws to achieve this.

Mamdani emphasized that as mayor he must uphold the rule of law and will act only within the limits of current city regulations. He confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the city’s legal department to determine what the law permits. During his election campaign, Mamdani had pledged to direct the New York Police Department to enforce ICC arrest warrants, naming both Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The report notes that the United States does not recognize ICC jurisdiction, and federal law restricts local governments from cooperating with the court or detaining foreign heads of state.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chairman Colonel (retd.) Oli Ahmed declared that the Awami League has met its 'natural death' and will never return to Bangladesh’s political scene. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing a divisional rally of the 11-party alliance at Hemayet Uddin Eidgah ground in Barishal city.

During his speech, Oli Ahmed criticized communal violence in India, urging people not to be provoked by such incidents and to follow the teachings of the Quran. He emphasized that their alliance was formed with a shared goal to end corruption, extortion, and criminal dominance in the country.

The rally was attended by leaders from various parties within the 11-party alliance, including the National Citizen Party, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Amar Bangladesh Party, Bangladesh Labour Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, Nezame Islam Party, and Bangladesh Development Party, along with central and local leaders and activists.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared that if the recent referendum fails, the government will also be considered a failure. Speaking on Saturday evening at the divisional rally of the 11-party alliance at Hemayet Uddin Eidgah ground in Barishal, he said the government cannot claim legitimacy from the same day’s vote while ignoring the referendum in which 70 percent of people reportedly supported change. The rally was organized to demand implementation of the referendum verdict, control of commodity prices, improved communication, and overall development of the neglected southern region.

Dr. Rahman accused the ruling party of betraying the nation by disregarding the referendum results and failing to ensure balanced development. He criticized poor infrastructure in Barishal and called for a six-lane highway from Bhanga to Kuakata, a bridge linking Bhola and Barishal, and a railway line for Barishal. He urged BNP to avoid conflict and instead work toward constitutional reform based on the referendum outcome.

Other alliance leaders, including LDP chairman Oli Ahmed and AB Party secretary general Asaduzzaman Fuad, also spoke, criticizing the government and calling for justice, anti-corruption measures, and regional development.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and opposition chief whip, warned that his party would move from a mass movement to a mass uprising if the government failed to implement the July Charter. Speaking at an eleven-party alliance rally in Barishal Division on Saturday, he criticized the prime minister, accusing her of not fulfilling promises made regarding the charter and urged her to “reduce theatrics.” The rally demanded implementation of the referendum verdict, control of commodity prices, improved communication systems, and development of the neglected southern region.

Islam said the government was pushing the situation toward confrontation by ignoring the referendum’s outcome, in which he claimed seventy percent supported the charter. He also accused the ruling party of hypocrisy and criticized the BNP as anti-democratic, alleging it fought only for power and abandoned its earlier reform agenda. He further called for unity to protect Bangladesh’s sovereignty, create employment, and end corruption and extortion.

The rally was attended by Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman as chief guest, along with senior leaders from the eleven-party alliance.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Allama Mamunul Haque has accused the BNP and some members of the interim government of committing fraud involving the signing of the July Charter. Speaking as the chief guest at a citizens’ rally held on Saturday afternoon at the Kushtia District Shilpakala Academy auditorium, he alleged that BNP secretly inserted a clause into the charter without informing other political parties.

Haque stated that the July Movement began on May 5, 2013, at Shapla Chattar and ended on July 36, with BNP participating as a partner. He criticized BNP for now denying the July referendum and attempting to bypass the July Charter, warning that another revolution could occur to enforce its implementation. He further accused BNP of following the path of the fascist Awami League and said the people want the 69% referendum verdict implemented without delay or negligence.

The rally, organized to protest rising fuel and electricity prices, law and order deterioration, and to demand implementation of the referendum verdict, was chaired by Maulana Abdul Latif Khan, with several central and local leaders addressing the event.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Prime Minister’s political adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has described the denial of promotion or recognition based on political considerations as an assault on humanity. Speaking at an event organized by the Bangladesh Cardiac Society in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon, he said that for the past 17 years, many qualified individuals have been deprived of fair evaluation because of their political affiliations or family backgrounds.

Rizvi alleged that brilliant students and dedicated professionals, including doctors, were denied promotions or job opportunities for not supporting the ruling party. He argued that such discrimination has led to a loss of talent and hindered national progress, particularly in the medical sector. He cited examples of doctors who met all professional criteria but remained medical officers instead of being promoted to higher academic positions.

Expressing optimism, Rizvi noted that the current government has increased allocations for the medical and education sectors compared to the previous year and reduced treatment costs for serious diseases such as cancer, kidney ailments, thalassemia, and heart disease, which he said reflects accountability to the people.

Iran has suspended the implementation of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MoU) due to what it describes as continuous US attacks and breaches of the agreement. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that Tehran took this step after the United States failed to uphold its commitments under the memorandum, effectively rendering it inactive.

According to Gharibabadi, Iran has halted all its obligations and implementation measures under the MoU in response. He emphasized that the country’s current priority is national defense amid an ongoing military situation, which he said makes it impossible to continue executing the memorandum.

The decision reflects Iran’s shift in focus toward defense activities as tensions rise, with the suspension marking a significant pause in the bilateral understanding originally established under the Islamabad framework.

Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka North launched a ‘July Graffiti Art’ campaign in Uttara, Dhaka, on Saturday to commemorate ‘36 July’. The event was inaugurated by Mohammad Selim Uddin, the party’s Dhaka North Ameer and mayoral candidate for DNCC. During the opening, he warned that weaknesses within the ruling party and disregard for public aspirations could lead to another mass uprising similar to that of July. He urged the government to remain alert to prevent such a situation and criticized attempts to rehabilitate ruling party narratives.

Selim Uddin stated that those opposing the July movement would be rejected by the people and that any distortion or disrespect of July’s history would not be tolerated. He emphasized that the success of ‘36 July’ came through mass participation and sacrifice, calling for the preservation of July’s memory and graffiti as part of the national heritage. Organizers announced related competitions, including ‘Smritite July’ from July 20–30 and a painting contest ‘Tulite July’ on July 25, with awards to be given on July 31.

Several local Jamaat and student leaders attended the inauguration, highlighting Uttara’s historical role in the July movement.

Electricity and Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said that only the worst elements of society join the Awami League, while decent people do not. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at the inauguration of a weaving training center in Mirpur, Sirajganj. Tuku alleged that Awami League members were issuing threats and claimed the party had harmed the country since its inception. He stated that after 17 years of struggle against what he called fascist rule, democracy had been restored and people could vote freely.

The minister said that under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the BNP achieved a landslide victory through a free and fair election and has now formed the government. He described Rahman as liberal and committed to national unity. Tuku urged party members to focus on public welfare and strengthening the organization rather than personal gain.

The event was chaired by Textile and Jute Secretary Sharifuddin Ahmed and attended by several officials, including the district commissioner, police superintendent, and local BNP leaders.

Bangladesh Labor Party Chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran declared that his party would not abandon the ideals of the July uprising, emphasizing the movement’s goal to end the politics of money, muscle, and corruption. He made the remarks on Saturday morning at the party’s Barishal city office during a representative meeting organized by the district and metropolitan units.

Presided over by Barishal Metropolitan Labor Party President Md. Sohel Mahmud, the meeting featured Dr. Iran’s call for implementing the referendum verdict and continuing street activism to realize the spirit of July. He criticized the post-July political environment, saying that honest politicians were withdrawing from politics while opportunists, smugglers, and black market syndicates had taken over. He also noted that politics had become a profit-driven business due to the influence of bureaucrats and capitalists.

Dr. Iran urged party members to strengthen grassroots organization to build a just and principled Bangladesh. Several party leaders, including Vice Chairman Advocate Johra Khatun Jui and Youth Mission Convener Salman Khan Badsha, also addressed the event.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education of Bangladesh has introduced major revisions to the transfer and posting policy for government primary school teachers. The updated policy, issued on July 18, 2026, removes the previously criticized provision allowing undefined 'eminent persons' in transfer committees. Instead, the committees will now include two education enthusiasts or patrons. The national committee’s leadership has also been restructured, with the Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education replacing the ministry secretary as chair.

The revised policy retains the four-tier committee structure—upazila, district, divisional, and national—but adds seven new conditions to ensure transparency and discipline. These include minimum service requirements before transfer eligibility, restrictions on repeated transfers, and prioritization rules for teachers applying from the same school. Transfers will only occur against vacant posts, and female teachers will receive priority for placements near their permanent or spouse’s address.

Officials expect the new rules to reduce irregularities and lobbying in teacher transfers, as committees must now meet monthly to review and finalize applications.

Bangladesh’s Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) aims to strengthen its geopolitical, economic, and business relations with China. Speaking at a discussion organized by the Bangladesh-China Friendship Association at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, he said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to China had further deepened the existing ties between the two nations.

The event, titled “Long Live Bangladesh-China Friendship,” was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen as guest of honor. Mirza Fakhrul highlighted that BNP’s relationship with the Communist Party of China has been longstanding, continuing even during periods of political repression. He emphasized that China maintains relations not only with the ruling Awami League but also with other political parties, including BNP.

He added that Bangladesh seeks Chinese technological assistance in infrastructure, solar and green energy, and technical education. Mirza Fakhrul expressed optimism about future cooperation, noting ideological and business alignment between the two countries and BNP’s interest in maintaining balanced relations with China, India, and the United States.

A BNP leader in Langadu upazila of Rangamati has been served a show-cause notice after allegations surfaced on social media that he sold trees worth about Tk 2.4 million from a teak garden owned by an Awami League leader. The notice was issued on July 17 by the upazila BNP, signed by its president Md Tofazzal Hossain and general secretary Abul Kalam Azad, asking member Abdur Razzak to explain his actions.

According to party sources, a video circulating online showed Razzak claiming that after the political change on August 5, the upazila BNP sold the trees from the garden owned by Awami League leader Fayezul Azim Fayez. The video went viral, sparking widespread discussion locally. The upazila BNP has dismissed the allegation as false and politically motivated, saying it was intended to damage the party’s image.

Razzak has been asked to submit a written explanation with evidence within three working days. The upazila BNP warned that failure to provide a satisfactory response could lead to permanent expulsion and further organizational or legal action under district BNP directives.

Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh, stated that Hindutva and Hinduism are distinct concepts and that Hindutva’s foundation lies in hostility toward Muslims. Speaking as chief guest at a book unveiling ceremony at Dhaka University’s R. C. Majumdar Auditorium on Saturday, he said India, as Bangladesh’s largest neighbor and a major regional power, should be engaged intellectually rather than militarily or economically. The event marked the release of two books published by Bedouin Publications: A. M. Abdullah’s “Bangladeshe July Biplob” and the Bengali translation of Syed Sadatullah Husaini’s “Hindutvabadi Extremism: Ideological Conflict and Muslims.”

Rahman emphasized that Hindutva is a political ideology, not merely a religious identity, and must be countered through intellectual and political discourse. He argued that the Muslim world has fallen behind due to a lack of research and intellectual leadership, urging renewed focus on knowledge and critical study. He also stressed preserving historical accuracy, promoting reading habits, and encouraging research-based publications to strengthen intellectual leadership among the younger generation.

He concluded by urging students to debate, question, and research before forming opinions, asserting that intellectual strength is essential to confront ideological challenges.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad said the government will always stand by the people in times of crisis, describing it as their ideal, purpose, and commitment. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while visiting flood-affected areas in Pekua, Cox’s Bazar.

The minister noted that floods, tidal surges, and natural disasters are regular realities in riverine and coastal regions. He emphasized that the government’s main goal is to build sustainable and strong embankments to better protect coastal areas. Ahmad also said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has introduced a policy prioritizing Bangladesh and its people before power.

He added that the government will assist those who lost their homes in the recent floods and urged wealthy citizens to support the poor. The visit and remarks came as part of the government’s ongoing disaster response efforts in affected regions.