The United States is set to impose stricter immigration rules following a recent 50% tariff on Indian goods. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick criticized the H-1B lottery system and proposed prioritizing higher-paid applicants, potentially affecting thousands of mid-level Indian IT professionals. He also highlighted disparities in green card incomes and suggested a “Gold Card” program requiring $5 million investment for permanent residency. Experts warn these reforms may favor wealthy investors over skilled workers, creating fresh challenges for India’s economy and workforce.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused certain political parties of “making desperate pleas for PR benefits,” while also alleging that the Awami League is preparing to set up party offices in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
Speaking at a workers’ conference in Dewanganj, Rizvi claimed that industrialist S. Alam Group had given Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Tk 2,500 crore and offered another Tk 2,000 crore, funds he alleged would be used to “fuel sabotage in the country.”
He urged the government to hold a national election before Ramadan and restore power to the people. Earlier in the day, the families of martyrs and injured from the Jamalpur mass uprising were provided with medical support and electric rickshaws.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that businessman S. Alam paid Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Tk 2,500 crore in Delhi as part of a conspiracy to derail the upcoming election.
Speaking at a discussion marking the 10th death anniversary of Kazi Zafar Ahmed, Fakhrul said not only Hasina but also some political quarters were conspiring under the guise of demands to obstruct elections. “A section within the government is working to prevent pro-democracy forces from coming to power,” he warned, urging vigilance and speedy reforms of the July Charter.

The long-awaited RUCSU election has been postponed by 13 days, with voting now scheduled for September 28 instead of September 15.
Earlier in the day, the distribution of nomination forms continued for the fourth consecutive day at the Treasurer’s Office, running until 5 p.m. The Election Commission also extended the deadline for collecting nomination forms to August 31. So far, 168 candidates have collected forms for 23 posts in the central parliament, 19 for five Senate positions, and 363 for various posts across 17 hall parliaments.

The deadline for collecting nomination papers in the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RAKSU) election has been extended by five days, triggering immediate protests from Islami Chhatra Shibir, several former anti-discrimination movement coordinators, and students.

Originally, nomination papers were scheduled for distribution until August 26. With the revised timeline, students can now collect forms until August 31.

The RAKSU election schedule was announced on July 28 after a 35-year hiatus. Opposition groups have accused the administration of deliberately delaying the election.

BNP leader Aminul Haque has accused several Islamist and newly formed political parties of plotting against free elections. “They know that if fair elections are held, they will have no acceptance, not even a single seat,” he said.

Haque alleged that these groups are being influenced by foreign powers to push for a proportional representation system, which he rejected as unsuitable for national polls. He stressed that February’s elections must ensure people’s right to vote, after 15 years of being denied that opportunity.

“This election will be like Eid for the people,” Aminul said. “We have fought 17 years for democracy, and we cannot repeat the mistakes of autocracy. The people will not forgive us if we fail.”

NCP has suspended a planned human chain protest in Sylhet against corruption allegations made by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) regarding the “white stone” scandal.

The event, initially scheduled for Wednesday at Sylhet’s central Shaheed Minar, was called off following central directives, said party leader Md. Salim Ahmed Khan. Earlier, local coordinators had announced the program, branding the ACC’s report as false and politically motivated. The ACC report had named senior Sylhet NCP leaders as being involved in stone looting.

Following criticism of his father-in-law’s appointment as an additional judge, NCP leader Sargis Alam has defended the decision, citing his long legal career and professional credentials.

“He ranked first in Dhaka University’s Law admission exam in 1991, earned both LLB and LLM, joined the bar in 1998, and has practiced in the Supreme Court since 2006,” Alam stated. He noted that his father-in-law was already serving as Deputy Attorney General before their family connection.

Alam described the judge’s selection by the newly formed Supreme Judicial Appointment Council as merit-based and criticized attempts to undermine it as “narrow-minded.”

A Dhaka court has ordered BNP leader Mamun Hasan to prison in connection with four separate cases. After surrendering in court on Tuesday and seeking bail, his petitions were rejected by four different benches.

His lawyer, Syed Nazrul Islam, said they will appeal to the High Court soon. He argued that Mamun is a grassroots leader who has been targeted with 286 politically motivated cases. The defense claimed that the former Awami League government under Sheikh Hasina used false cases to eliminate opposition leaders.

BNP leader Selima Rahman strongly criticized the ruling party, accusing it of exploiting the nation under the guise of liberation values. Referring to the August 5 uprising, she said, “Students, workers, men, women, and even children took to the streets that day. Many were killed—your authoritarian regime was responsible.”

She warned the ruling camp against conspiracies and reminded them that people are now more vigilant. Selima also hailed Ziaur Rahman for declaring independence and Khaleda Zia for freeing the country from autocracy, accusing the government of fabricating cases to keep Khaleda imprisoned for years.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah has rejected claims that his party is avoiding elections. “We have no issue with election dates—it could even be held tomorrow. Our focus is on reforms and a clear roadmap for justice,” he stated.

Hasnat called for political unity to implement reforms by February, warning against the use of state forces to suppress opposition as in the past. “We are not against state institutions; we want their reform. But enforced disappearances must end, and the Commission must be allowed to work independently,” he stressed.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam has emphasized that the party wants both the Constitutional Assembly and legislature elections to be held under the legal framework of the July Charter. “The sooner this charter gets its legal basis, the sooner elections can be held,” he said before leaving for a five-day trip to China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China.

Nahid explained that the delegation of eight NCP leaders aims to strengthen party-to-party ties, exchange political visions, and enhance government-to-people friendship between Bangladesh and China. He also expressed hope to meet with members of the Bangladeshi diaspora during the visit.

An eight-member delegation of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is set to leave Dhaka tonight (Tuesday) for a four-day official visit to China. The delegation, led by NCP Convener Nahid Islam, is scheduled to return on August 30.

Other members of the team include Akhtar Hossain, Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwari, Samanta Sharmin, Nahida Sarwar Niva, Mahbub Alam, and Tahsin Riaz.

Speaking ahead of departure, Nahid Islam said the delegation would also try to meet with members of the Bangladeshi diaspora in China during the trip.

This visit follows similar tours by delegations from BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, both of which recently traveled to China for political engagements.

Korean Air has signed a $36 billion agreement with Boeing to purchase 103 aircraft, including 737, 777, and 787 models. The deal was announced shortly after South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, where tariffs were discussed. Boeing says the order will help sustain 135,000 U.S. jobs. Korean Air’s CEO Walter Cho said the new jets will modernize the fleet and strengthen competitiveness as the airline merges with Asiana. Hyundai also pledged $26 billion U.S. investment.

Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, has reiterated his call for adopting a Proportional Representation (PR) system in national elections, arguing that it would ensure fair representation for all political groups.

Speaking at a rally in Shariatpur, he said:

“If elections are held under the PR system, every vote will count, and every party will have representation in parliament. This will prevent the rise of corrupt individuals, killers, and extortionists in politics.”

Rezaul Karim described PR as a system beneficial for the entire nation, adding that such a method would also stop the emergence of “fascist regimes.”

Other speakers at the event called for the realization of the spirit of July, justice for war crimes and genocide, rehabilitation of the families of martyrs, and the establishment of a just welfare state free from discrimination.

They also demanded that no election should take place without the rehabilitation of martyr families.