Pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh are aggressively offering doctors cash, electronics, and foreign trips in exchange for prescribing their drugs, including substandard or unnecessary ones. This unethical practice is inflating healthcare costs and endangering public health. Experts and regulators warn that many doctors are prioritizing incentives over patients’ wellbeing. Oversight is weak, allowing companies to exploit the system. Reforms are being planned, but enforcement remains limited. Foreign drug companies are exiting the market, unable to compete with these unethical tactics.

The government has reorganized the Bangladesh Press Council, nominating 12 new members. A gazette notification in this regard was issued on Monday (July 28) by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The newly appointed members are:
Obaidur Rahman Shaheen, Acting President of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists
Daulat Akhtar Mala, President of the Economic Reporters Forum
Md. Shahidul Islam, President of the Dhaka Union of Journalists
Mahfuz Anam, Editor of The Daily Star
Nurul Kabir, Editor of New Age
Shamsul Haque Zahid, Editor of The Financial Express
Dr. Ramiz Uddin Chowdhury, Editor of Dainik Purbokone
Akhtar Hossain Khan, Adviser to the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB)
Professor Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy
Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam, Secretary of the University Grants Commission
Zainul Abedin, Vice-Chairman of the Bangladesh Bar Council
This reorganization is seen as a significant step toward ensuring ethics and accountability in the country's media landscape.

A gunman opened fire at an office building in Midtown Manhattan, killing five people, including a Bangladeshi immigrant and NYPD officer Didarul Islam. The suspect, 27-year-old Shane Tamura from Las Vegas, used an M4 rifle and moved through multiple floors before being stopped. The motive remains under investigation. The tragic incident occurred at 345 Park Avenue, with one injured person hospitalized. Police and eyewitnesses confirm the shooter targeted several victims before the police responded.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, emphasized the need for justice not only for the July 2024 massacre perpetrators but also for those who helped them escape the country. She warned that supporters of the killers remain active in various sectors, enabling their flight. Rizwana urged political leaders to prioritize national interest over personal and party gains. The event, held at the Judicial Administration Training Institute, included a documentary screening and prayers for victims.

Malaysian immigration authorities arrested six Bangladeshi nationals suspected of running illegal hundi operations targeting fellow Bangladeshis in the Klang Valley. One individual is believed to be the mastermind. Only one among them had a valid work pass; the rest were undocumented. Authorities seized RM 1.215 million in cash, transaction records, and mobile phones. The operation had allegedly been active for a year. A local woman and two other Bangladeshis were also summoned to assist with the ongoing investigation.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has raised concerns about introducing new electoral systems like proportional representation (PR), citing the general public’s lack of understanding of even existing systems such as Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

“People still don’t fully understand how EVMs work. How can you expect them to grasp proportional representation?” he asked.

Fakhrul continued, “There are many new ideas being floated, but our people are unfamiliar with them. When you mention PR, people ask, ‘What’s that?’” He urged for an electoral system that aligns with the people's familiarity and understanding, emphasizing that meaningful representation in parliament must remain the priority.

He also added, “Some accuse us of being against reforms, but the very idea of reform has always been central to our cause.”

Bangladesh has welcomed the ceasefire declared between Thailand and Cambodia after over four days of clashes. The Foreign Ministry praised both countries for agreeing to a ceasefire without conditions and commended Malaysia, the ASEAN Chair, for mediating talks. Bangladesh also acknowledged the role of other friendly parties involved. The statement expressed hope that both nations will continue resolving their century-old border dispute through dialogue and diplomacy, ensuring peace and stability in the affected border areas to restore normal life.

The National Consensus Commission has released the draft of the “July National Charter 2025,” outlining reforms in the constitution, elections, judiciary, administration, police, and anti-corruption systems. Following the 2024 student-led uprising, the charter aims to rebuild democratic governance. It reflects consensus among 35 political parties and pledges full implementation within two years of the next election. The draft honors those who sacrificed during the uprising and promises legal protections for all reform steps.

Bangladesh plans to present a comprehensive trade package to the United States to seek relief from the additional tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Bangladeshi goods. A delegation led by the Trade Advisor departed for Washington to negotiate and explore opportunities for increased purchases, including wheat, soybean oil, and aircraft from Boeing. The government has also announced tariff exemptions on 626 products to ease trade tensions and aims to reduce the US trade deficit through strategic imports.

Dhaka University is set to announce the schedule for the long-awaited DUCSU election today, July 29, along with election schedules for 18 hall student councils. Professor Mohammad Jasim Uddin has been appointed as Chief Returning Officer, leading a 10-member team to oversee the process. For the first time, six polling centers will be set up outside residential halls. Students from the 2019–20 session through the current academic year are eligible to participate. The last DUCSU election took place in 2019.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against former MP and cultural icon Asaduzzaman Noor for amassing illegal wealth worth over BDT 5.37 crore and engaging in suspicious financial transactions amounting to BDT 159 crore.

According to the case documents, Noor acquired assets that significantly exceed his known sources of income. He allegedly maintained 19 bank accounts through which BDT 85.72 crore was deposited and BDT 73.05 crore withdrawn, resulting in transactions totaling over BDT 158.78 crore deemed suspicious.

Following the fall of the Awami League government, Noor — a five-time elected MP — was arrested on September 15.

Bangladesh's law enforcement has issued a nationwide alert amid fears that banned Awami League activists may incite violence from July 29 to August 8. The Special Branch warns of potential attacks, sabotage, or chaos through coordinated online and offline campaigns. Police units have been instructed to monitor political activities, enhance security at key sites, and intensify cyber surveillance. Special operations, including vehicle searches and increased patrolling at transport hubs, will be conducted to prevent unrest during this politically sensitive period.

Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) has reopened after 160 days of closure due to violent clashes over demands to ban student politics. Over 100 students were injured during the February incident. The previous Vice-Chancellor was removed following student protests and hunger strikes. Although a new acting VC was appointed, faculty members refused to resume classes until justice was ensured for assaulted teachers. With the appointment of Dr. Md. Maksud Helali as the new VC, academic activities resumed on July 29.

At a rally in Mymensingh, NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah warned that the party will not tolerate extortion under its name. He criticized so-called activists who exploit the party for personal gain, calling for a cleansing campaign within the organization. Convener Nahid Islam stressed the need for institutional reforms and adoption of the July Charter by August 5. NCP also condemned BNP’s walkout from a national meeting and highlighted environmental and infrastructural issues in Mymensingh.

NCP leader Sarzis Alam has denounced the role of certain media outlets, accusing them of blindly serving political interests during the 2024 elections.

“We do not want a media that acts as a broker for any political party in the future. Several outlets, before the 2024 elections, shamelessly acted as mouthpieces for one particular party. Journalists from those platforms are now ashamed to even name their workplace,” Alam said.

He also criticized the lack of urgency in bringing justice for the murder of Maruf in Tangail, noting continued obstruction in addressing the killings that occurred in July and August in the region.

Alam further added, “During the popular uprising, Hasina fled quickly — a fact that forced us to make swift decisions at the time. Today, we closely observe which media outlets and administrative branches are serving the people, and which are serving political interests.” He also called out the selective recognition of national leaders, stating, “While Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is honored, Maulana Bhashani and Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq remain unrecognized.”