Tulsi Gabbard, former U.S. National Intelligence Director, has called for legal action against former President Barack Obama and top officials for allegedly fabricating intelligence to accuse Russia of interfering in the 2016 election. She described the incident as a treasonous conspiracy aimed at removing Donald Trump from office. Gabbard is submitting classified documents to the Justice Department to support her claims. This renewed debate follows the Mueller investigation, which found no collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia.

Speaking at the Jamaat rally, NCP’s Northern Region organizer Sarjis Alam alleged that Mujibist elements were regaining strongholds in places like Gopalganj and pushing a pro-India agenda in Bangladesh.

He stressed that combating “Mujibism” requires a comprehensive approach—legally, economically, socially, and politically. Calling for unity among all dissenters, he demanded a trial of Sheikh Hasina, the drafting of a new constitution, and elections for a fresh constituent assembly. “We need unity, not blind loyalty,” he asserted.

Five people died in violent clashes during an NCP program in Gopalganj, but postmortems were not conducted on the initial four bodies. Families claim lack of support forced them to bury without examination, while police cite unruly crowds as the reason. Experts warn that without postmortems, holding perpetrators accountable becomes difficult. Legal experts say postmortems can still be ordered by courts later. The police have not clarified if further steps will be taken.

India’s NCERT has revised eighth-grade textbooks for 2025-26, portraying Mughal emperors Babur, Akbar, and Aurangzeb as both patrons of culture and ruthless rulers. The changes depict Akbar as a temple destroyer and Aurangzeb as a symbol of religious persecution, igniting debate over historical accuracy versus political motives. Critics argue this revision downplays Muslim contributions and fuels communal distrust. This move continues a trend since 2014 to reshape history textbooks to emphasize Hindu nationalism, raising concerns about fostering intolerance and rewriting India’s pluralistic past.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) launched a special cleanliness and mosquito control campaign in wards 74 and 75, involving over 600 workers and local residents. The initiative, held to commemorate the Student People’s Mass Uprising, focused on cleaning drains, gutters, and sidewalks and applying mosquito pesticides. Officials emphasized that success in dengue control depends on community participation and maintaining clean surroundings. DSCC also plans infrastructure development in new wards, aiming to build a healthier, cleaner city.

Imprisoned former Pakistani PM Imran Khan has accused Army Chief General Asim Munir of orchestrating abuse against him and his wife Bushra Bibi in jail. In a social media post, Khan warned that Munir should be held accountable if anything happens to them. He claimed the mistreatment stems from past personal and political tensions with Munir. PTI has announced a nationwide protest on August 5 demanding their release, with Khan’s sons Sulaiman and Qasim expected to lead the movement.

Hezbollah’s deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem declared that Israel will never succeed in disarming the Lebanese resistance group. Speaking at a memorial for Commander Ali Karaki, Qassem emphasized Hezbollah’s readiness against Israeli aggression. He criticized U.S.-Israel plans for a new deal aimed at weakening Hezbollah, stating it poses an existential threat to Lebanon. Qassem acknowledged the cost of resistance but warned that surrender would expose the entire nation to attack. He urged unity and resistance to safeguard Lebanon’s sovereignty.

At the Jamaat-e-Islami rally in Suhrawardy Udyan, Islami Chhatra Shibir's Literary Secretary Sadiq Kayem proclaimed that “the upcoming revolution will be an Islamic one.” He asserted that the people of Bangladesh have previously stood up to fascism and will do so again. Kayem referenced the martyrdom of activists at Shapla Chattar, on university campuses, and in the recent July uprising. He accused the previous Awami League government of committing mass killings following Delwar Hossain Sayeedi’s verdict and pointed to the deaths of students, including Abrar Fahad, at the hands of student wing members. “A new revolution is needed to achieve our seven-point demands and safeguard national sovereignty,” he stated.

At a local rally in Cox’s Bazar, NCP senior organizer Nasir Uddin Patwari alleged the rise of a new political godfather in the region. “Previously, we had Shamim Osman in Narayanganj under the Awami League. Now, a new godfather from Shillong is reportedly grabbing land and extorting locals here,” he said.

He called on the people of Cox’s Bazar to resist land grabbing and extortion, accusing local authorities of failing to reform. NCP leaders warned that unless their charter of demands is fulfilled by the end of July, a mass gathering would be held at the Shaheed Minar on August 3.

Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that the era of political godfathers had ended under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership and vowed not to let a new generation of such figures emerge.

He criticized the ruling Awami League for allegedly exploiting Cox’s Bazar in the name of tourism, turning it into a hub of drug trafficking. He emphasized the need for environmentally friendly tourism and the protection of local people's rights.

On the Rohingya issue, Nahid said, “We have compassion for the Rohingya, but hosting them indefinitely is unjust to the people of Cox’s Bazar.” He urged for a prompt solution to facilitate their repatriation.

At the rally, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar called on young voters to support the party in upcoming elections. “To build a new Bangladesh based on good governance, the first vote of the new generation should go to the ‘Scales’ symbol,” he said.

Porwar claimed Jamaat is the most oppressed political group in the country. “By Allah’s mercy, we have stood beside the families of countless martyrs, unlike any other political party,” he added.

BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has stated that his party has often had to bear the burden of Jamaat-e-Islami’s controversies. “People used to say BNP was a democratic party, one that contributed to the Liberation War. So why associate with war collaborators?” he questioned during a protest in Tangail Press Club against derogatory remarks about Ziaur Rahman and Tarique Rahman. Tuku announced that Tarique is calling for national unity against fascism and has plans to form a national government. Addressing Jamaat, he warned, “If you obstruct the people’s rights, you too will face rejection from the public.”

Dhaka, July 19 – Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman collapsed on stage toward the end of a mass rally at Suhrawardy Udyan while delivering his speech. He was quickly assisted by party members and resumed his address while seated on the stage.

Before falling ill, Dr. Rahman urged party members to uphold the values of sacrifice and humility. Reflecting on the legacy of the 24 martyrs, he warned against arrogance and disdain toward other political groups, stating, "Pride and contempt, if left unchecked, can lead to fascism." Although the incident caused concern among attendees, the situation quickly returned to normal.

In a striking display of public mobilization, thousands of people walked over eight kilometers to join Jamaat-e-Islami’s national rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, due to an absence of available vehicles on the roads. Abdul Hannan Masud, Senior Joint Chief Coordinator of the NCP, expressed astonishment on Facebook at the massive turnout, calling it a “historic event” for those who have been politically sidelined for the past 16 years.

Jamaat-e-Islami presented a seven-point demand during the rally, including calls for free and fair elections, justice for mass killings, fundamental reforms, proportional representation in national elections, and ensuring voting rights for expatriates.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed that his party was not officially invited to Jamaat-e-Islami’s national rally. Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Taher clarified that only parties supporting Proportional Representation (PR) were invited. The event formally began at 2 PM with Quran recitation, featuring speeches from party Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar. Jamaat organized the rally to press for a seven-point charter of demands.