NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwary has warned that ignoring history will condemn leaders to “stay abroad and online.”
He accused the Chief Adviser of bowing in London and returning with a “divine command” to hold elections in February, insisting the first vote must be for a Constituent Assembly.
Patwary stressed that this is the only way out of the current crisis. He pledged not to return to politics if corruption allegations against him were ever proven.
He also accused India of conspiring “under the banner of nationalism” and noted that 60% of Bangladeshis demand reforms.

Yulia Navalnaya, wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has called on Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump to secure the release of Russian and Ukrainian political prisoners. Detained for opposing the war or expressing dissent, these individuals include activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens. Navalnaya emphasized the need for an irreversible step, citing past prisoner exchanges and urging immediate action to free those imprisoned for anti-war statements or social media posts amid Russia’s strict military censorship laws.

The National Consensus Commission has circulated a draft of the July Charter to political parties, seeking their feedback.
The document recalls the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, the 2013 Shapla Chattar crackdown, and the 2018 quota movement as part of its backdrop.
The draft states that all provisions of the charter will carry full constitutional and legal authority, and no court may challenge its legitimacy or necessity. Urgent recommendations must be implemented by the government before the next election without delay.
The Supreme Court will be the final authority to interpret any part of the charter and oversee constitutional reforms aligned with it.

NCP leader Akhtar Hossain warned that any attempt to obstruct the drafting of a new constitution would bring his party to the streets “in a second.”
He criticized the Yunus-led interim government for sidestepping the July Charter, saying:

“The Commission showed strong intent when discussing reforms, but when it came to implementation, it seemed to bow under pressure.”
Hossain revealed that discussions on 20 key issues have already taken place but insisted that the July Charter must be implemented through broad-based political consensus, not in consultation with just one party.

The NCP has officially withdrawn show-cause notices issued to five central leaders regarding their visit to Cox’s Bazar on the first anniversary of the July Uprising.
A party statement confirmed that after reviewing the replies from the accused leaders, the high command found no breach of party discipline. Accordingly, under the directive of Convener Md. Nahid Islam and Member-Secretary Akhtar Hossain, the notices have been annulled and the matter settled.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah has launched a scathing attack, alleging that the post-uprising head of state “prostrated himself in London” and effectively sold out the government in a joint briefing unprecedented in world history.
Hasnat warned that keeping the old system intact while attempting superficial reforms would only trigger another mass uprising. He stressed that any upcoming election must be a Constituent Assembly election, not one under the “fascist textbook” of the old constitution.
Dismissing allegations that his party took money from businesses, Hasnat challenged accusers to provide proof—vowing to resign from politics if any evidence surfaced. He further criticized the media as being “sold out” to political parties and slammed bureaucrats for “lining up in Gulshan and Paltan” after office hours.
“No one can buy us with seats,” he declared. “We must give the people a new constitution.”

BNP leader Syed Emran Saleh Prince criticized the prior Awami League government for systematically undermining the education system. He highlighted issues such as mass pass rates, unregulated grading, and inflated GPA-5 results, which hindered genuine talent evaluation.

Prince urged a return to classroom-focused teaching and commended students’ leading role in the national movement, promising that their bravery will be remembered. He also noted the “July Declaration” and said a roadmap for the next national election will be announced before Ramadan. He called on teachers to actively support a meaningful and successful election process.

Several figures in the arts community faced backlash for posting “grief narratives” on Facebook regarding August 15, accused of symbolically rehabilitating fascism. A symbolic shoe-beating protest took place at Raju Sculpture at 5 PM, targeting celebrities including actors Chanchal Chowdhury, Shomi Kaiser, Shampa Reza, Jaya Ahsan, Shakib Khan, and others.

Journalists, writers, musicians, and educators were also criticized for allegedly sympathizing with cultural fascism. The July Revolutionary Alliance has declared certain celebrities unwelcome in Uttara for their perceived political stances.

Heavy rains, flash floods, and landslides have devastated northern Pakistan, leaving at least 307 dead in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province over the past 48 hours. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority confirmed widespread destruction, including dozens of homes damaged or destroyed. Relief efforts face major challenges due to washed-out roads and ongoing rainfall, expected to continue until August 21. Around 2,000 rescue workers are engaged, while the army and federal government have mobilized aid and announced significant financial support for affected districts.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said the country’s nuclear weapons are solely for national security, not threats or coercion. In an interview with Geo News, he criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying war with Pakistan has become a nightmare for him as India faces internal unrest. Asif claimed Pakistan fought only defensive wars and accused India of backing groups like the BLA and Taliban factions. He urged good neighborly relations, stressing peace and stability are vital for South Asia’s future.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Anchorage, Alaska, in a three-hour summit focused on ending the Ukraine war. Trump called the talks “extremely productive” but said some issues remain unresolved and that any final deal will depend on Ukraine and NATO allies. Putin described the war as a “tragedy” and stressed the need to address its root causes for a lasting solution, though he did not specify them. Both leaders pledged to keep pursuing peace.

BNP leader Ruhul Kuddus Talukdar Dulu warned of fresh conspiracies surrounding the upcoming elections. “Jamaat and the NCP do not want elections to take place in the country,” he said, asserting that these parties fear a BNP victory.

Dulu stressed the need for a neutral electoral process that allows citizens to freely exercise their right to vote. He urged everyone to unite in resisting efforts aimed at disrupting the elections, emphasizing that safeguarding democracy requires collective vigilance.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the responsibility for reaching a ceasefire deal now lies with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Speaking after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Trump revealed plans for a three-way summit with Zelensky and Putin. While no agreement was reached, Trump described the talks as successful, noting consensus on territorial compromises and U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine. He praised Putin as “strong” yet tough, stressing that Ukraine must agree. His advice to Zelensky: “You must make a deal.”

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has warned that another controversial election would push the nation into uncertainty.

“Those making excuses to delay elections are not defenders of democracy,” he said. “Under Begum Khaleda Zia’s guidance, BNP is pursuing the democratic path. To build a true democracy, anti-fascist forces must unite nationally.”

He called on citizens to resist attempts to derail the electoral process, stressing that “those obstructing democracy with excuses are not on the side of democratic power.”

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan has alleged that the 2008 election was “pre-planned and not free.”

Speaking at a party event, he said, “Awami League has systematically destroyed the country, including the education system.” He claimed nearly 5 million BNP activists faced politically motivated cases during Sheikh Hasina’s rule.

He added that the interim government has mentioned February for the next polls, saying, “We expect the Election Commission to announce a schedule soon.”