BNP leader Ruhul Quddus Talukdar Dulu has claimed that his party will secure more than 250 parliamentary seats in the upcoming February elections. Speaking at a memorial prayer gathering for his father, Nasir Uddin Talukdar, Dulu said the polls would be held in line with discussions between party leader Tarique Rahman and the chief adviser.
He asserted that election plans would be unveiled within days, warning that a few political parties, fearing BNP’s victory, were engaging in conspiracies. “No conspiracy can stop this election — the people of Bangladesh have been waiting too long,” he added, urging unity against any attempts to derail the democratic process.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested six leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations in separate operations across the capital.
Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman said on Friday that the arrests took place within the past 24 hours as part of an ongoing crackdown on the outlawed political group.

In a striking departure from tradition, there were no official commemorations at Dhanmondi 32 on the 50th death anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Instead, music blared from loudspeakers outside his residence, featuring songs like “Killer Hasina” and “Bhalo Hoye Jao Masud Tumi,” while Hindi music videos played on a digital screen. The day saw tensions as several visitors attempting to pay floral tribute were harassed — including rickshaw-puller Azizur, who was beaten by a mob. Police barricades restricted access to the site, allowing only journalists inside, while activists from various political groups, including Chhatra Dal, gathered nearby.

Nationalist Citizens’ Platform convener Nahid Islam has rejected the title of “Father of the Nation” for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, while acknowledging his role in independence. In a statement, he accused Mujib’s rule of turning Bangladesh into an Indian dependency, imposing an unpopular constitution, and laying the foundations for corruption, political killings, and one-party dictatorship under BAKSAL. Nahid argued that the “Mujib cult” and partisan glorification of the Liberation War were used as political weapons to exploit and divide the people, likening it to a “modern feudalism in disguise.” He asserted that no single individual can claim ownership of Bangladesh’s birth or future.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has vowed that those responsible for torturing party chairperson Khaleda Zia in prison will face justice. Speaking at a prayer gathering for her recovery, Abbas hailed her political steadfastness, saying she remains in the country and leads the people, while those who tried to “kill her slowly” are gone. Party leader Nazrul Islam Khan urged BNP activists to avoid actions that instill fear among the public.

GOP leader Rashed Khan has sharply criticized Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus for what he described as poor team selection upon returning from France.

"We are overjoyed whenever we hear promises of justice and reform — as if Hasina will be hanged tomorrow and the massacres will be avenged. But as the saying goes, ‘When time is gone, no remedy works,’" Rashed remarked.

He argued that Yunus’s chosen advisers are akin to “intern doctors” attempting major political surgery, which, instead of curing the disease of fascism, has allowed it to spread throughout the state.

According to Rashed, the first duty after the uprising should have been to remove and prosecute Awami League beneficiaries who had institutionalized the fascist structure. "Their sweet talk about justice and reform is unbelievable to me. This NGO-circle advisory group may be eloquent, but in reality, they are indifferent and inexperienced when it comes to execution," he said.

"Our fighters keep sacrificing their lives for dreams of change, yet the state sees no real structural or qualitative transformation," he concluded.

BNP leader Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain has left Bangladesh for advanced medical treatment in London.

He departed on Friday at 7:00 AM from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport aboard Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG 201. According to BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan, Dr. Mosharraf is traveling under the advice of doctors in Singapore.

Accompanying him are his wife Bilkis Akhter Hossain and their son Khandaker Maruf. His family has requested prayers from party members and citizens for his recovery.

Notably, on August 12, Dr. Mosharraf met with Begum Khaleda Zia to seek her blessings before his departure.

Religious Affairs Adviser A.F.M. Khalid Hossain has expressed confidence that the people of Bangladesh are highly aware and that there is no scope for communal unrest in the run-up to the national elections.

After inspecting the construction work of the Shri Shri Advaita Temple Complex, the adviser stated that the government will hold the national polls at the announced time in a free, fair, impartial, and festive atmosphere.

"We will hand over power to the elected government and return to our old address," he said, adding that police training and deployment planning for the elections have already begun.

BNP leader Zainul Abdin Farooq has accused political actors of plotting against the long-anticipated national elections. He warned that any election-related conspiracy by the interim government would be resisted by the people, not just BNP.

Farooq recalled the bloodshed of August 5 that ended authoritarian rule, saying some have exploited that sacrifice for their own political gain. He criticized those advocating for a proportional representation system, claiming it undermines voting rights. Farooq cautioned that Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s government would be tarnished in history if it failed to ensure a free and transparent election.

BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has warned that conspiracies are underway to derail the upcoming national elections, and uncertainty will persist until the process is completed. Speaking at an event marking Khaleda Zia’s birthday, he urged party activists not to fall into “traps” set by opponents.

Roy lauded Khaleda Zia’s long struggle for democracy, describing her as more than just BNP’s chairperson — “a guardian of the nation.” While expressing hope for elections, he noted that concerns will remain until votes are counted.

Hummam Quader Chowdhury, son of the late Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, announced plans to send a legal notice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanding the release of classified cipher messages that allegedly prevented four overseas witnesses from testifying during his father’s war crimes trial.

He claimed the tribunal’s refusal to allow the witnesses was influenced by communications from the then-foreign ministry, and alleged his father was denied fair justice and “murdered” with direct involvement from the Awami League government. Hummam demanded the declassification of the messages and the public disclosure of all officials connected to them.

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s presence is unnecessary at the upcoming Russia-U.S. summit. Azarov described Zelensky as a “puppet” who does not make decisions independently. U.S. President Donald Trump plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15 to discuss a permanent solution to the Ukraine crisis, with the Kremlin hoping for a follow-up summit in Russia. Sources confirm Zelensky is unlikely to attend the Alaska meeting.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump will meet in Alaska on Friday, starting with a private session attended only by interpreters. Following this, both leaders will engage in broader discussions with their delegations, covering the Ukraine crisis, trade, economic cooperation, and global security. The Russian delegation includes top officials like Sergey Lavrov and Kirill Dmitriev. A joint press conference will follow. The meeting’s duration depends on discussion progress, and the Russian delegation will depart immediately afterward.

India’s Supreme Court has emphasized that restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood must consider ground realities and security concerns, citing the recent Pahalgam attack. Petitioners argue that constitutional rights have been undermined since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019 and urge immediate restoration. The court has asked the central government to respond within eight weeks, highlighting that the matter involves legal, political, and security dimensions. The government maintains restoration will occur at the right time, balancing safety and political commitments.

Norway has taken a firm stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza, announcing that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be arrested if he enters the country. This follows the International Criminal Court’s November 21, 2024, arrest warrant against Netanyahu for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Norwegian officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Kravik, emphasized their legal obligation to enforce the ICC decision, reflecting Oslo’s commitment to international law and accountability for serious international crimes.