India will continue importing oil from Russia despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of imposing a 25% tariff and penalties over India’s energy and defense ties with Moscow. Trump recently claimed India might stop these imports, but Indian officials denied any such plan. They emphasized India’s long-term contract with Russia and said trade cannot be halted overnight. Russia supplies about 35% of India’s oil. The Indian government asserts that these purchases comply with global regulations and are not subject to direct sanctions.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam announced a 24-point manifesto aimed at building a “New Bangladesh,” admitting past shortcomings and calling for collective effort. Key proposals include a new constitution, recognition of the July uprising, democratic and institutional reform, a just legal system, corruption-free governance, decentralization through village parliaments, media freedom, universal healthcare and education, innovation, empowerment of women, a welfare-based economy, sustainable agriculture, and a strong foreign policy aligned with national interest.

Former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has testified as a state witness against Sheikh Hasina and others in a tribunal probing crimes against humanity during the July 2024 uprising. The charges include incitement, mass killings, use of deadly force, and targeted attacks on civilians. Five major allegations have been brought, including the murder of over 1,500 protesters. More investigations are ongoing in related cases of state violence and repression.

A U.S. federal court has halted the Trump administration’s plan to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal. Judge Trina Thompson ruled the move was racially motivated and unconstitutional under the Fifth Amendment. Over 60,000 immigrants will retain TPS for now. The court also criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s comments labeling undocumented immigrants as "criminals," calling them discriminatory and harmful. The ruling is seen as a major legal victory for immigrant rights advocates and ethical questions surrounding the legitimacy of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

The Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal will honor more than 100 BNP leaders and activists, including Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul, for their role in the July–August uprising. The ceremony, titled “Anti-Fascism Movement and Untold Stories,” is scheduled for August 4. Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will also receive a commemorative award in recognition of her uncompromising leadership. Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna shared that 78 youth activists were killed and many more injured or disabled during the uprising. Families of the martyrs will be given awards, gifts, and financial assistance. Tarique Rahman and Mirza Fakhrul are expected to attend the event as chief and special guests respectively.

Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has expressed concern over the health of Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the ailing Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, who is currently undergoing treatment at United Hospital in Dhaka.

On Sunday, a BNP delegation visited the hospital on behalf of Tarique Rahman to check on Dr. Rahman's condition. The delegation included BNP Joint Secretary General Habib-Un-Nabi Khan Sohel and Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie. They met with Dr. Rahman’s family members and received updates on his treatment and current health status.

The BNP leaders conveyed their prayers for his swift recovery. Earlier, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had also visited the hospital to inquire about Dr. Rahman's health.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that the 13th parliamentary election will take place in February. He stated that the decision was finalized through consultations in London between the interim government's chief advisor and BNP’s Acting Chairperson. Addressing the Shahbagh rally, Fakhrul emphasized the people’s anticipation of Tarique Rahman's return and framed the upcoming political struggle as a fight to restore democracy. “This fight is not just of the past 36 days—students and citizens have been sacrificing their lives for 15 years to build a better Bangladesh,” he added.

Speaking at a rally in Shahbagh, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam declared that no one in Bangladesh has the power to suppress Chhatra Dal. “If we want, we can uproot the venomous fangs of those conspiring to destabilize the country,” he said. Rakibul also noted that if BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman issues directives, Chhatra Dal activists could shut down the entire nation. Tarique Rahman is expected to address the rally virtually, with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attending as a special guest.

Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) leader Rashed Khan has said the party will reject the upcoming July Charter unless it includes input and recognition from those involved in the 2018 people’s uprising.

He stated that the movement was the culmination of 14–15 years of struggle, not just a 36-day protest. "The interim government has already fixed the date and time for the Charter, but no discussion has taken place with the revolution's stakeholders,” he said. “July doesn’t belong to any single group—it belongs to us all. A declaration meant to please one party would make July 2024 as one-sided and monopolized as the distorted history of 1971. That would betray the very spirit of the July uprising.”

The stage for the Nationalist Citizen's Party (NCP) rally has been prepared, with the event scheduled to begin at 4 PM on Sunday. However, by 3 PM, only a sparse crowd was observed at the venue. Despite the low early turnout, NCP leader Rafiqul Islam Konok expressed optimism, stating that they anticipate a similar mass participation as seen on August 3 last year. The party is expected to unveil its manifesto for a "New Bangladesh" during the rally. Red carpets have been laid out in front of the Central Shaheed Minar for attendees, and large digital screens have been installed showing footage from the July uprising. Meanwhile, security has been tightened around the rally site.

Nasiruddin Patwari, a leader of the Nationalist Citizens' Party (NCP), has accused the current Election Commission (EC) of being heavily influenced by military and political interests. Following a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner, Patwari stated that the EC is no longer impartial and is actively working to deprive citizens of their democratic rights.

"Previously, people were denied the right to vote. Now, attempts are being made to take away their right to stand for election," said Patwari. "If any party other than the favored one tries to participate in the electoral process, they face obstacles and intimidation. The Commission is becoming spineless and biased."

Patwari emphasized his party's commitment to democracy, recalling past sacrifices made for the right to vote. "We’ve engaged in movements to protect democratic rights. Now we are participating in good faith, but we are constantly pointing out irregularities and giving the Commission chances to correct itself. If things don’t change, we will be forced to reconsider participating in the election altogether," he warned.

The BNP has formed a five-member committee to monitor and respond to the Election Commission’s ongoing efforts to redefine parliamentary constituency boundaries. The committee is headed by senior BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan, with other members including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Dr. M. Jakoria, Md. Shamsul Alam, and Belayet Hossain Mridha.

The decision was taken during a BNP Standing Committee meeting last Thursday night in Gulshan. The Election Commission recently released a draft redistricting plan, keeping over 250 constituencies unchanged and proposing minor adjustments in others. Objections can be submitted until August 10.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of BNP, has made extensive preparations for a student rally in Shahbagh to mark the anniversary of the July-August Uprising. Although the rally was scheduled to start at 2:30 PM on Sunday, the area was already teeming with JCD activists well beforehand.

Despite not receiving official permission for a procession, groups of students have gathered with slogans and national and party flags. A stage has been erected at the site, and while the main setup is complete, final decorations are still underway. Tarek Rahman, acting chairman of the BNP, is expected to address the gathering virtually from London.

Fatema Khanam Liza, former spokesperson for the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Chattogram, announced her resignation from politics via a Facebook live video.

In her emotional address, Liza alleged a systematic smear campaign targeting female leaders to push them out of politics. “There was a time when many women were active in Chattogram’s political scene. Today, they’ve vanished,” she said. “Now they’re targeting me with slander just to sideline me.”

She criticized senior leaders for enabling toxic political culture and said, “Our politics has been hijacked by a few self-serving individuals who form one ‘quorum’ after another in liaison with central leadership. They must be held accountable.”

Bogura, Bangladesh – The Jatiya Party office in Bogura has once again come under attack. On Friday night, a group of 30–35 unidentified individuals stormed the office located on Kabi Nazrul Islam Road near the Sadar Police Station and vandalized the premises.

Local party leaders have expressed strong condemnation and deep frustration over the incident, urging law enforcement to take immediate legal action. According to Lutfar Rahman Sarkar Swapan, Joint General Secretary of the Bogura District Jatiya Party, several members were at the office until around 9 PM before heading to Satmatha for tea. The attack occurred around 9:30 PM, shortly after they left.

Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge stated that legal steps would be taken once a formal complaint is received.