BNP Vice Chairman Dr. Asaduzzaman Ripon has predicted that the Awami League is on the path to political extinction due to its alleged involvement in corruption, crimes against humanity, and anti-state activities.

He demanded the removal of pro-Awami bureaucrats from the administration, legal action against officials involved in controversial elections, and the establishment of a transparent, accountable governance system. Ripon stated that the public uprising in July and August has already set the stage for change, but structural reforms are now essential.

India is advancing its missile technology with two new versions of the Agni-5 intercontinental ballistic missile. One version will serve as a bunker buster, carrying up to 7,500 kg of explosives to targets within 2,500 km at supersonic speed. The other can deliver nuclear weapons over distances exceeding 5,000 km. Developed by DRDO, this missile is claimed to match the power of the US GBU-57 bunker buster, strengthening India’s strategic deterrence capabilities.

Setara Begum continues to mourn her son, bus driver Abu Zafar, who was shot dead during a protest in Golapbagh, Dhaka, on July 18, 2024. He was the family's sole earner. Zafar’s mother often dreams of his return and demands justice before her death. He was fatally shot by police, according to the family, while walking to his workplace. Locals took him to the hospital, where he was declared dead. Social services have promised support, but the family remains devastated.

ATM Azharul Islam, Central Executive Committee member of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, emphasized the importance of realizing the vision for which youth were martyred in the July-August uprising. Speaking in Pirganj after visiting the grave of Shaheed Abu Saeed, Azhar noted that he spent 14 years in prison on false charges of war crimes and credits his release to the sacrifices of the martyrs.

He stressed that meaningful change has yet to materialize and called for a united movement to restore democracy and voting rights. Highlighting the oppression during the Awami League era, he urged the public to prepare for ultimate sacrifices to fulfill the dream of a just Bangladesh.

Dhaka has emphasized the need to strengthen economic cooperation with Colombo, recognizing the friendly bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. During a meeting with Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Dharmapala Weerakkody discussed expanding trade, ICT, education, tourism, and pharmaceutical exports. They also explored how Sri Lanka can open its educational institutions to Bangladeshi students. Both sides agreed to pursue new areas of cooperation and welcomed the proposal to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations later this year.

On July 3, 1988, the US warship USS Vincennes fired missiles at Iran Air Flight 655 over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 passengers aboard. The US claimed it was a mistaken identity, suspecting a hostile fighter jet, but evidence showed it was a civilian plane on a commercial route. The attack is widely condemned as a calculated war crime during the Iran-Iraq war, leaving a lasting scar in Iranian history and fueling calls for justice and resistance.

Dr. Mirza Galib, former Dhaka University Islami Chhatra Shibir president and Howard University assistant professor, accused Sheikh Hasina of instituting a dictatorship and textbook fascism in Bangladesh. Speaking at a youth conference in Vedarganj, he claimed her government enjoyed strong support from police, military, and judiciary. He emphasized the need for a modern, progressive youth who promote development and awakening rather than flattering leaders. The event featured key Jamaat-e-Islami leaders from Shariatpur and Vedarganj.

A BNP leader in Daudkandi, Cumilla, allegedly attacked Krishak Dal convener Ahmed Hossain Talukder after not receiving a desired post in the local union committee. The incident occurred Thursday night following the announcement of the new Goalmari Union BNP committee. The accused, Mizanur Rahman Pradhan, now faces a show-cause notice from the party. Central BNP leaders condemned the attack, demanding the perpetrators be brought to justice. Talukder is receiving treatment, while Pradhan has yet to respond to the allegations.

Masud Saeedi stated that just as the demand for a caretaker government by Jamaat-e-Islami in 1984 was initially misunderstood but later accepted as justified, the demand for elections under a Proportional Representation (PR) system will also gain support over time.

He emphasized that the PR system safeguards voting rights, reduces corruption and nomination trade, and ensures meaningful representation. Saeedi called for the implementation of this system to realize the dream of an equitable Bangladesh—one that requires justice for past genocides and systemic reforms. He warned that holding elections without foundational reforms could lead to the resurgence of fascism, which the public will reject.

The National Revolutionary Council has staged a protest against the proposed opening of a United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Dhaka. The organization claims that Bangladesh’s human rights situation is improving since the fall of the Hasina government, making such an office unnecessary. Instead, they urge the UN to establish offices in Gaza, Kashmir, and Rakhine to address more pressing humanitarian concerns.

Speakers at the protest harshly criticized certain UN policies, including the appointment of LGBTQ envoys, and condemned the genocide by Israel and the silence of global powers. They called for urgent international action to halt atrocities in Muslim-majority regions.

NCP's Southern Organizer Hasnat Abdullah said their primary goal is an election preceded by justice and reforms. Speaking to reporters in Thakurgaon after the July March, he stated that they are visiting the families of those martyred and injured in the July uprising. He emphasized that while elections are necessary, they must follow a framework of justice and structural reform. Central leaders, including Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhter Hossain, were present during the statement.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced that the party has taken action against 4,000–5,000 members since August 5 under Tarique Rahman’s "zero-tolerance" policy. Speaking at a press briefing in Nayapaltan, Rizvi emphasized that no individual engaging in unethical or violent behavior under the BNP name would be spared. Following incidents in districts like Chilmari, Comilla, Bhola, Lalmonirhat, and Mohakhali, several leaders have been expelled or suspended.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, was imprisoned and tortured in Tehran’s infamous Ebrat Prison during the 1960s and 1970s under the Shah’s regime. His revolutionary activities and multiple arrests by SAVAK, the Shah’s secret police, marked his early struggle. Now a powerful Middle Eastern figure, Khamenei’s harsh imprisonment and resistance are commemorated at the Ebrat Museum, which preserves the prison’s brutal history and the stories of many political and religious prisoners.

Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has doubled her monthly salary to 35,500 soles (about $10,000), sparking widespread criticism amid the country’s economic struggles. With only a 2% approval rating, Boluarte’s decision contrasts sharply with the national minimum wage of 1,025 soles ($288). Many citizens view the raise as insensitive during a time of hardship. Boluarte assumed office in 2022 after the impeachment of former president Pedro Castillo and has faced several controversies since, including accusations of ignoring rising crime rates.

Over 1,500 flights were canceled in France on July 3 and 4 due to a strike by air traffic controllers, affecting more than 300,000 passengers. The strike, condemned by Airlines for Europe, occurred during the busy summer travel season, forcing thousands to cancel their plans. Major airports including Nice, Paris Orly, and Charles de Gaulle saw significant cancellations. The French Civil Aviation Authority reported 933 cancellations on Thursday alone, with 272 out of 1,000 controllers participating in the strike.