A report published by Amar Desh calls for a new commission to uncover any conspiracy behind the killing of President Ziaur Rahman. Ziaur Rahman was killed in an attack at Chittagong Circuit House in the early hours of May 30, 1981. The issue returned to public discussion after law enforcement arrested Major (retired) Md. Mozzafar Hossain, a fugitive death-row convict in the case, and The Daily Star published a previously undisclosed judicial inquiry report.

Acting President Justice Abdus Sattar formed the inquiry commission on June 6, 1981, led by former chief justice Ruhul Islam. Its original mandate included determining whether the killing resulted from a conspiracy and identifying those involved. The report says a Home Ministry notification dated June 13 removed that mandate, leaving the commission to examine security arrangements, failures by responsible personnel and agencies, and the removal of the bodies.

The commission described the killing as the result of grave security and intelligence failures. It heard 62 witnesses and said it found sufficient evidence that one or more of the president's personal officials had compromised his security. Former Chittagong deputy commissioner Ziauddin M. Chowdhury also argued that a new commission was needed to establish the truth behind the killing.

A human chain in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, demanded the trial and maximum punishment of Sheikh Hasina and all other accused in the July killings. The programme was held at Sreemangal Chowmuhana intersection at 3:30 pm on Sunday under the leadership of Bablu Ahmed, a government-gazetted July fighter.

Children, women and people from different professions joined the demonstration. Participants called for justice through a swift and impartial investigation into those involved in the killings. They carried placards outlining various demands and chanted slogans calling for trials.

Speakers at the gathering recalled different events of the July movement. They said every person involved in the killings must be brought under the law, with speedy justice ensured on the basis of a transparent and impartial investigation. The speakers also demanded exemplary punishment for those found guilty.

The family of Junayed Islam Ratul, a 13-year-old schoolboy from Sultanaganj Para in Bogura, says it remains in grief and uncertainty two years after his death following injuries during the July uprising. According to the family, Ratul was shot by police on August 5, 2024, as a procession moved from Borogola toward Bogura Sadar police station. He died on September 23 after 46 days of treatment.

Ratul, a sixth-grade student at Upashahar Path Public School, was first taken by protesters to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital after being injured. As his condition worsened, he was transferred to the Neuroscience Hospital in Dhaka. His father, grocery shopkeeper Ziaur Rahman, said the family has not received proper justice and wants accountability for his son’s killing.

Ziaur Rahman said the family received an Eid gift in 2024 and Tk50,000 from the district administration on September 25, while political leaders offered assurances. The family holds weekly prayers for Ratul. July Shaheed Family Society leader Ujjwal Hossain Jubayel said many affected families face financial, psychological and social insecurity, while other speakers called for swift justice.

Chittagong University’s 36th Senate meeting is scheduled for August 8, with no student representatives taking part in the institution’s highest forum for decisions on legal and policy matters. The five distinguished educators nominated by the chancellor and the 24 currently serving members from the 33 teacher-representative seats are reported to be aligned with the Awami League.

Under Section 22 of the Chittagong University Act, 1973, the Senate is to include the vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellors, government officials, lawmakers, educators, research-body representatives, affiliated-college principals, teachers and student representatives. The last teacher-representative election was held on April 30, 2015, when the Yellow Panel won all 33 seats; the White Panel did not participate. Although elected members have three-year terms, previous representatives remain in office because no new election has been held.

The last election for 25 registered-graduate representatives was held in 1986, while no election has ever been held for five student representatives. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Al-Forkan said time was limited for teacher elections and five speaker-nominated lawmakers had been newly added. He said the administration failed to arrange student-representative elections during the Chaksu election, but plans to hold elections for categories requiring elected representation.

Bangladesh Police officers at policy-making and field levels report long-running frustration over promotion delays, disparities with the administration cadre and shortages of logistical support, according to a report published on August 3. Officers ranging from assistant superintendent to additional inspector general, as well as inspectors, sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors, said the situation is affecting the force’s chain of command and operational capacity. They alleged that senior leadership has not secured visible progress on demands or morale-building measures.

Officers said administration cadre officials are promoted more regularly and rapidly, while many police cadre officers remain stalled at the same ranks. Some officers from the 15th police cadre batch remain deputy inspectors general, while members of the 20th, 21st and 22nd batches are reported to be stuck as additional deputy inspectors general or superintendents. Police Headquarters data showed five important additional inspector general-level posts remain vacant.

During Police Week, members sought solutions including supernumerary promotions, a separate pay structure, allowances, more staff and training capacity, logistical assistance and an independent cyber unit. The report also cited shortages of patrol pickups, weak training-centre infrastructure and staffing constraints at CID. Officers warned that unresolved uncertainty could weaken morale and adversely affect law-and-order management.

Discussion over contract-based appointments has intensified in Bangladesh’s administration, focusing on the cabinet secretary, principal secretary to the prime minister and public administration secretary posts. The two-year contract terms of Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Gani and Senior Secretary Ehsanul Haque of the Public Administration Ministry end this month. On July 29, Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Saidur Rahman Khan was appointed secretary of the Anti-Corruption Commission, while Housing and Public Works Secretary Nazrul Islam was retired after reaching age 59.

Secretariat speculation suggests Land Ministry Senior Secretary Saleh Ahmed could receive an extended contract to replace Ehsanul Haque. Principal Secretary Abdus Sattar may take charge as cabinet secretary, or Nasimul Gani’s contract could be extended by another year. Contract recruitment is also being discussed for the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry, while the administration is said to be considering a regular officer for Housing and Public Works.

The report lists 22 secretary-level officials currently serving on contract. On July 23, the Public Administration Ministry issued separate notifications appointing officials on one-year contracts to 12 important posts, including an additional secretary at the Election Commission Secretariat. Former secretary Abdul Awal Majumdar said contract appointments to the cabinet secretary post were not new and argued that integrity, competence and professionalism should guide promotions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government is pursuing administrative and law-enforcement reforms aimed at reducing political influence and strengthening accountability in state institutions. On July 27, the Ministry of Public Administration issued an order sending 32 former deputy commissioners, now joint secretaries, into compulsory retirement. The article says they had served as returning officers during the 2018 election, while government-linked sources describe the measures as part of efforts to build a neutral and democratic state system.

Information adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said the government had not formally stated that the officials were retired because of their 2018 election duties. He said rules permit compulsory retirement in the public interest without a show-cause notice after 25 years of service. He called for neutral inquiries into the 2008, 2014 and 2018 elections and said criminal action could be considered against those involved in electoral offences.

Police restructuring has also continued, with 17 senior officers retired on July 23 and 33 in June; the article puts the total at 80 in the current government’s five months. Officials say the aim is a professional, impartial and people-oriented force. Reviews and investigations are also under way across ministries and agencies into officials identified as having received political patronage or engaged in controversial activities.

Mediators are preparing to travel to Tehran for a new indirect dialogue between the United States and Iran, according to a report published on August 3, 2026. The initiative gained momentum after a major shift in former US President Donald Trump’s position over the past 24 hours. Trump had previously threatened a full-scale military attack on Iranian infrastructure, but later said both sides were very close to an agreement.

Regional diplomatic activity intensified after Trump’s announcement. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held meetings and telephone conversations with Pakistan’s army chief, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister and Iraq’s foreign minister. Al Jazeera correspondent Osama bin Javed said a new indirect meeting would take place in Tehran, based largely on discussions held between Iran and Oman in recent days.

Washington and Tehran still have substantial differences over the terms of a final agreement, with both sides remaining far apart on key issues. However, Araghchi and Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the talks were making significant progress and expressed optimism about reaching a deal. The proposed agreement’s framework, conditions and possible concessions have not been disclosed.

Opposition Chief Whip Md Nahid Islam said Bangladesh could further strengthen its sovereignty by developing and strengthening its maritime and shipping routes in a planned manner. He made the remarks as chief guest at a discussion titled “July Mass Uprising: Resistance and Future Roadmap,” organized by Jatiya Chhatra Shakti’s Chittagong University unit on August 3, 2026.

Islam said Bangladesh is bordered by India on three sides and that the sea is its only open route for communication with the world. He said the country has not depended on Delhi because of its seaport and can become self-reliant. He added that Chittagong University should lead efforts related to maritime routes and ports.

He also raised demands for reforms, justice and implementation of the July Charter, saying any government could become authoritarian if the charter is not implemented. Islam said Chittagong University has a responsibility to lead the wider Chittagong division and should join future movements in support of the people. Other speakers included Professor Mozammel Haque, Assistant Professor Mohammad Sohaib, Sarwar Tushar, Ali Ahsan Junaed and Abu Bakar Majumdar.

US President Donald Trump said discussions between the United States and Iran would begin on Monday, potentially through intermediaries. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on August 3, Trump said the talks could start that afternoon. He said he wanted to pursue an agreement because it could save many lives and avoid what he described as unnecessary use of force.

Trump said the United States was ready to act whenever it chose, but added that he wanted a deal and did not want people to be killed. He said many people die in such circumstances. His remarks presented negotiations as an alternative to military action and emphasized his stated preference for reaching an agreement.

He said a planned “major attack” for Friday had to be cancelled after discussions involving Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iran. Trump said he hoped an understanding could be reached over the management of the Strait of Hormuz. He also said he hoped for an agreement to halt Iran’s nuclear program.

BNP Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulbul said Sheikh Hasina’s fall occurred because of Awami journalists and intellectuals, while urging reporters to uphold objective journalism. He made the remarks on 3 August as chief guest after a friendly football match organized by the Noakhali Journalists Union at a football turf field in Ekhlaspur union of Begumganj, Noakhali.

Bulbul described journalists as the conscience of the nation, saying they have no political party and should expose social inconsistencies for public welfare. He said journalists’ responsibilities have increased in the new reality following the country’s political change, and that truthful, objective reporting is needed to meet public expectations.

He said independent journalism is highly important in any democratic state and that reporters should not take sides with an individual or political party. He called on journalists, intellectuals, businesspeople and all other groups to place the country’s interests first. The friendly match was held in a festive atmosphere, with Noakhali Journalists Union members, district BNP leaders and sports figures among those present.

Adam Ereli, a former US ambassador to Bahrain, said President Donald Trump has no “realistic plan” on Iran as the war continues. In an interview with Al Jazeera cited in a report published on August 3, 2026, Ereli said it was impossible to know whether Trump had cancelled planned strikes this week to keep the path open for diplomatic talks. But he said the lack of a viable plan had become clearer as the conflict lengthened.

Ereli said the Trump administration was seeking the quickest and least costly way out of what he described as a dead end or maze of its own making. He said Trump’s conduct throughout the war had followed a recurring pattern. According to Ereli, Trump convinces himself that sustained heavy US strikes on Iran will force the Islamic Republic into an agreement.

He said leaders of several Gulf countries then call Trump to urge against such strikes, fearing they would face Iran’s retaliation. Trump subsequently steps back and says the United States will give diplomacy another chance, while maintaining threats to be ready to strike if Iran rejects a deal. Ereli said the cycle leaves Iran controlling the Strait of Hormuz, with claimed agreements later collapsing.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said a memorandum of understanding signed with the United States will serve as a “main foundation” for Tehran’s foreign relations. In a post on X cited in a report published on August 3, 2026, he described the agreement as a basis for the country’s future external relations.

Pezeshkian said the memorandum was the product of the collective wisdom and foresight of members of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. He also said all council members had agreed on the matter. The president said he believed the document would become a foundation for Iran’s foreign relations in the future.

He said efforts must continue to compel the opposing side to honor what it had signed. Pezeshkian added that the agreement would further strengthen the security of Iran, the region, and its allies. The report did not provide further terms of the memorandum or a timetable for its implementation.

The Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP, will meet to determine its future programme after a month-long protest against an exam paper leak at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, India. Organisational sources said the meeting will be held on August 5 at the residence of CJP founder Abhijit Deepak in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. Core members are expected to discuss the group’s next activities and future plans.

According to the sources, after last month’s Jantar Mantar protest, CJP workers and volunteers were asked to spend some time with their families. Students and volunteers were also asked to consult with others, gather views and suggestions, and join the meeting with that input. The organisation claimed that its movement over the alleged paper-leak scandal received a strong response among the Gen Z generation across the country.

CJP also claimed that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned last week following the movement. The organisation said it will announce its next steps at a press conference after the August 5 meeting.

A new CNN poll of Democratic Party supporters and Democratic-leaning voters found New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to be the party’s most popular leader. The report, published on August 2, 2026, said he surpassed both senior party leadership and the Democratic Party itself in popularity among the surveyed group.

Mamdani recorded a net favorability rating of 54 percent, according to the poll. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ranked second with a net popularity rating of 45 percent. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries had a net favorability of 22 percent, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s popularity stood at 1 percent.

The results were interpreted as indicating that Democratic voters place greater trust in a newer generation of leaders than in the party’s long-standing leadership. Mamdani, who took office as New York mayor only seven months ago, has built strong support within the party in a short period, the report said. Political analysts described the findings as an important message for Democratic leadership, which may need to reconsider whom grassroots supporters trust most.