After nearly four decades, two Bangladeshi swimmers — Nazmul Haque Himel from Kishoreganj and Mahfizur Rahman Sagar from Pabna — have successfully crossed the English Channel. The duo completed the 12-hour swim on Tuesday after training for ten days in the UK. This marks the first such achievement by Bangladeshis since Mosharraf Hossain in 1987. Prior to that, Brojen Das, the first Asian to cross the channel, did it six times between 1958 and 1961, followed by Abdul Malik in 1965.

In a court statement, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun disclosed that Barrister Arman was secretly detained in the TFI cell under orders from the Prime Minister’s military advisor, Tariq Siddiqui. Mamun stated that many abductions and illegal detentions were executed through intelligence agencies without his knowledge or approval, even during his tenure as IGP. He admitted knowing about Arman’s detention but took no action, citing pressure and direct orders from higher authorities, bypassing the police command chain.

Students, teachers, and guardians in Narayanganj protested against a government directive that restricts the primary scholarship exam participation to only government school students. The move excludes private, kindergarten, and MPO-registered school students, causing disappointment and claims of rights violation. Organizers demanded immediate cancellation of the directive to ensure equal opportunity for all primary students. They warned of a stronger movement if their demands are ignored, emphasizing the importance of inclusive education for the future of children.

Faruk-e-Azam, adviser on the Liberation War to the interim government, revealed discrepancies in the official lists of those injured and killed during the July movement. Some individuals who were not involved have been mistakenly included as martyrs. The government is working to correct these records by verifying information with relevant ministries and local authorities. Efforts are also underway to ensure monthly stipends and rehabilitation support for the injured. The aim is to preserve the memory of July accurately and respectfully.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has mandated that individuals with more than 10 SIM cards registered under one national ID must de-register the extra SIMs by October 30. Previously, up to 15 SIMs were allowed, but the limit has been reduced to 10 to align with international standards and enhance national security. Customers can check their registered SIMs by dialing *16001#. Around 2.6 million users will need to deactivate a total of 6.7 million SIMs as part of this new regulation.

Dr. Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, Deputy Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, emphasized that the reform proposals agreed upon by political parties can lead to qualitative change if properly implemented. He expressed disappointment over the draft charter's lack of clear timelines and legal backing. Taher stressed the importance of legally binding reforms to gain public trust and warned that without this, the proposals would be symbolic and meaningless. He called for discussions with legal experts to ensure enforceability.

Discussions between political parties and the National Consensus Commission are nearing completion, but fundamental disagreements remain. BNP seeks parliamentary debate on caretaker government formation if the ranking system fails, while Jamaat and NCP oppose some proposals, calling the July Charter draft incomplete and risky. Legal frameworks and implementation methods, including ordinances or referendums, are major points of contention. The commission aims to finalize the charter by July 31, incorporating agreed issues and awaiting party feedback in the next two days.

Education Advisor C.R. Abrar revealed that during the Awami League government, secret deals were made with representatives of a neighboring country on critical state matters without ministry officials present. He criticized the past 17 years for political subservience, abductions, and lawlessness, crediting youth movements for reclaiming citizens’ rights. Abrar emphasized the need for political neutrality in universities and highlighted ongoing efforts to improve education quality and provide accurate textbooks. The remarks were made during Sylhet Agricultural University’s orientation program.

Md. Khairul Bashar, chairman of Cambrian Education Group and BSB Global Network, was sent to jail after a 10-day remand in a money laundering case. He was arrested by the CID from Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area on July 14. Bashar and his associates are accused of defrauding 448 victims out of over BDT 530 million through fake overseas education schemes. No lawyer represented him during the hearing, and the court ordered his detention. Multiple fraud cases are filed against him at Gulshan Police Station.

The government is forming a seven-member committee to address the longstanding conflict between the Saad and Zubair factions of Tabligh Jamaat. The committee, led by an additional secretary from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, will include two representatives from each group. The decision came after a meeting at the Secretariat involving top government advisers and leaders from both sides. The initiative aims to ensure peaceful relations, especially ahead of the upcoming Bishwa Ijtema. The committee will work on resolving disputes and maintaining harmony within the group.

The Tista River at Dalia Point in Rangpur has surged 5 centimeters above the danger level due to the release of water from India’s Gazaldoba barrage, causing severe flooding and distress to nearby residents. Hundreds of families in multiple unions are submerged, with roads and homes inundated. Farmers face the dual challenges of drought and flood, blaming India’s irregular water management. Local leaders urge a fair, sustainable water-sharing agreement between India and Bangladesh to prevent recurring crises.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court will announce its verdict on August 6 regarding the review petition over the Order of Precedence for key state officials. The case stems from a dispute over ranking constitutional post holders below administrative officials in the 1986 protocol. The Bangladesh Judicial Service Association initiated the legal battle, later joined by deputy and assistant attorney generals. A previous verdict had revised the High Court’s directives, sparking this review to seek further changes.

Political analyst Professor Ali Riaz announced that a list of consensus-based agreements will be shared with political parties by the end of today. “We hope to present a coordinated and acceptable draft charter to all parties by tomorrow,” he said. While Tuesday’s session opened discussions on women’s representation, they were not concluded. Deliberations on presidential powers are also pending. Riaz noted that all parties had initially agreed in principle to expand citizens' fundamental rights by amending Sections II and III of the Constitution. However, consensus was not reached on five key proposals put forward by the commission.

Security Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has assured that there is no threat of sabotage related to the upcoming Uprising Day celebrations on August 5. “There are no security concerns. Everything is under the control of law enforcement agencies,” he said. He noted that any special operations undertaken by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) are internal matters, and the DMP can act at any time to maintain security. In response to questions about recent attacks on minorities in Gangachara, Rangpur, he affirmed that no one involved would be spared.

A high-level review meeting on Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Adviser. The meeting reviewed progress on 16 key decisions. NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan reported that 19 agencies have already joined the National Single Window initiative, and briefed the Chief Adviser on the implementation status of the 2023 Tariff Policy action plan. Discussions also covered extending incentives and duty-free benefits to export sectors beyond ready-made garments. Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus criticized the neglect of the leather industry, stating, “We’ve committed a disservice to the leather sector by failing to evaluate it properly.” He called for a separate meeting to resolve the industry’s issues and urged legal reforms to eliminate ineffective policies.