A delegation from the National Cooperation Party (NCP) held a meeting with Palestinian Ambassador Yusuf S.Y. Ramadan at his residence in Baridhara. The NCP delegation included Convener Nahid Islam, Nahida Sarwar Chowdhury Niva, and Alauddin Mohammad.

During the meeting, Nahid Islam reaffirmed the commitment of Bangladesh’s younger generation to the cause of an independent Palestinian state. He also expressed the party’s determination to create more opportunities for Palestinian students in Bangladesh.

BNP leader Dr. Rafiqul Islam has strongly criticized political analyst Dr. Asif Nazrul for labeling doctors as “agents of pharmaceutical companies” and questioning their professional integrity. “Such sweeping accusations are not only baseless but also a direct attack on the dignity and professionalism of the medical community,” Rafiqul said.
While acknowledging that Nazrul’s past statements have sometimes contributed to positive debate, Rafiqul warned that exaggerations like this breed confusion and mistrust. He urged resolving weaknesses in the healthcare sector through reforms and dialogue rather than branding the entire profession with derogatory terms.
He further noted that promoting overseas treatment by discrediting local doctors is deeply harmful. Rafiqul demanded that Nazrul withdraw his offensive remarks and show respect to a medical community that feels deeply hurt.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has raised concerns over the final draft of the “July National Charter 2025,” stating that several sections contain inconsistencies and have not been presented accurately. He confirmed that BNP will formally provide its opinion by August 20 after reviewing the draft.
The draft, prepared by the National Consensus Commission, has already been circulated among political parties. It notes areas of agreement through collective dialogue, but acknowledges that not all parties have consented to every recommendation.

BNP leader Amir Khosru has called for a united, inclusive Bangladesh built on equality, rejecting the notion of “minorities.”

“There is no word called minority. We are all Bangladeshis, and it is the duty of any government to ensure equal rights for all,” Khosru said.

He stressed that people of all faiths must freely practice their religions and celebrate their festivals, insisting that communalism has no place in society. “Ordinary people despise sectarianism with all their hearts,” he added.

Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque hailed the July uprising as unprecedented in global history.

“Elderly parents, mothers, and fathers came out of their homes to fight tyranny. People took to the streets, ready to sacrifice their lives. No power could defeat them,” he said, crediting mass resistance with forcing Sheikh Hasina to flee after 16 years of repression.

Haque compared her escape to that of Lakshman Sen centuries ago, adding that ministers, senior officials, and university vice-chancellors also fled following her departure.

Jamaat leader Masud Sayedee has alleged that the war crimes trials were politically motivated executions aimed at halting Jamaat’s rise, rather than genuine justice for 1971 atrocities.

Speaking at a religious gathering, Sayedee challenged the legitimacy of the trials, questioning why alleged crimes had gone unprosecuted for decades. “If our leaders truly committed crimes, were only six individuals responsible for the deaths of millions and mass rapes? The government has no answers,” he said.

He insisted that imams and clerics must continue to speak the truth despite repression, describing their role as a divine duty rather than a profession.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Helal Uddin has warned that free and fair elections cannot take place in Bangladesh without justice and reforms addressing past mass killings. “If perpetrators are not brought to trial, the same situation will recur in the future, and the people will not accept the next election,” he declared.

He noted that the current political space emerged from a people’s uprising, and emphasized that the sacrifices of wounded student activists must never be forgotten. Helal also urged for immediate reforms alongside the proposed February elections and demanded that the incomplete July Declaration be finalized and incorporated into the constitution.

“If Islamists unite, no force can stop us,” he said.

BNP Standing Committee member Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal has accused sections of the media of publishing misleading reports regarding BNP’s attempts to reclaim homes and businesses allegedly seized during the previous Awami League government.

Speaking at an event, Alal revealed that in the past year, over 3,000 party members at different levels were disciplined for violating party rules. “After the fall of the autocratic Hasina regime, many BNP members disregarded party discipline. Where violations were visible, actions have been taken,” he said.

He further alleged that a section of political actors is trying to pin blame for nationwide extortion and unrest on BNP, which he dismissed as “baseless.”

At the same program, Bangladesh Arm Wrestling Association president Zakir Hossain criticized the spread of false or exaggerated news reports, reminding journalists of their accountability before God.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mia Ghulam Parwar has declared that regardless of political parties’ stance, the next parliamentary election in Bangladesh will be held under the Proportional Representation (PR) system.
He emphasized that the people of the country will also embrace this system. “The PR method is not something Jamaat is demanding anew. Our former leader, Professor Ghulam Azam, had earlier suggested two mechanisms for free and fair elections: a caretaker government and the PR system. Just as the caretaker system was once established to ensure neutrality, the PR system will also be implemented. InshaAllah, the next parliamentary polls will be held under this method,” Parwar said.
He further noted that the PR system is widely recognized as the most acceptable and neutral model for fair elections, currently practiced in 91 countries.

Islami Andolon leader Yunus Ahmad has expressed frustration over the failure of political parties to reach consensus on electoral reforms, particularly on the proportional representation (PR) system.
He said the public had expected a shift toward fairness after the July uprising, but instead, old patterns of violence and mistrust are reappearing. Ahmad noted that for nearly every election in Bangladesh’s 54-year history, fraud, ballot-stuffing, and violence have undermined public will, pushing the country toward authoritarianism, most starkly visible in the last 15 years.
He vowed that Islami Andolon will actively resist electoral malpractice: “If anyone tries to cast illegal votes or use muscle power, they will be stopped. Our organizational branches must prepare responsibly.”

Health and Family Welfare Ministry Adviser Nurjahan Begum has visited the Goalkhali BSCIC Chemical Industrial Park in Sirajdikhan to inspect the proposed sites for a vaccine project and new pharmaceutical facilities.

During the visit, she stressed the importance of establishing the projects in line with the government’s official roadmap. “Once operational, these initiatives will not only enhance public healthcare but also create employment opportunities, reduce unemployment, and bring direct benefits to the local community,” she said.

Officials noted that the projects, once implemented, would mark a significant step toward strengthening Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical and vaccine production capacity while boosting regional economic activity.

Sudden floods and landslides in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Buner district have devastated villages, particularly Beshantri, leaving houses destroyed and many residents missing. Local imam Maulana Abdul Samad and several families were swept away, with multiple deaths reported. Rescue teams from neighboring villages and authorities are struggling to reach the affected areas. Heavy rainfall has also impacted Swat, Bajaur, Torghar, Mansehra, Shangla, and Battagram. In Bajaur, an aid helicopter crashed, killing five crew members. Thousands remain displaced and in urgent need of assistance.

Onion prices in Hili, Dinajpur, have dropped by Tk 10 per kilogram within two days following news of imports from India. Increased supply of local onions and the release of hoarded stock have contributed to the decline, bringing prices down to Tk 60–65 per kg from Tk 70. Buyers are purchasing more in larger quantities. Authorities continue monitoring markets to prevent artificial shortages, while low-income consumers welcome the price relief as the government facilitates further imports.

Dr. Reza Kibria criticized the interim government for betraying the blood of the July–August uprising martyrs and failing to deliver promised reforms. Speaking at a National Press Club discussion, he called the current administration dishonest, incompetent, and semi-educated, warning that many in power may flee the country. He questioned the fairness of upcoming elections and stressed that only a neutral government can ensure proper leadership, honest governance, and meaningful reform in Bangladesh.

U.S. President Donald Trump has backed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for Ukraine to cede some territory to end the war, revealed after a three-hour meeting in Alaska. Ukrainians reacted angrily, calling it a diplomatic victory for Putin and a humiliation for the U.S. Residents in Kyiv and Kharkiv expressed frustration, saying the talks ignored Ukraine’s role. Meanwhile, Washington proposed NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine, reportedly with Putin’s consent, during a call with President Zelensky and European leaders.