BNP has submitted an urgent letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking assistance in facilitating party chairperson Khaleda Zia’s travel to the UK for advanced medical treatment. The request includes the issuance of Note Verbale for Khaleda and four accompanying individuals. BNP official ABM Abdus Sattar confirmed that her previous UK visa had expired, and a new 10-year multiple-entry visa has been requested. However, her travel date has yet to be finalized.

Four people, including a Bangladeshi-origin NYPD officer, were killed in a mass shooting at an office building in New York City. The officer, Didarul Islam (36), had served in the NYPD for over three years. The gunman, identified as Shane Tamura from Las Vegas, had a history of mental illness and took his own life after the attack. Two others were injured. Officer Islam leaves behind a pregnant wife and two young children.

Between 1980 and 2024, Dhaka lost 60% of its water bodies, saw a 3–5°C rise in land temperature, and experienced a sevenfold increase in densely populated areas. Green coverage dropped to just 11.6%, far below international standards. Experts warn this is not just poor planning but environmental injustice threatening future generations. Without urgent legal recognition of nature’s rights and sustainable urban reforms, Dhaka faces an irreversible ecological crisis.

BNP leader Abdus Salam has criticized the government for failing to maintain stability, stating that even after a year, no election date has been announced. He claimed internal dysfunctions are hampering governance. Salam also addressed criticism that a BNP victory would lead to authoritarianism, stating, “BNP was born to fight corruption, protect democracy, and oppose autocratic regimes.” He pointed to unresolved border issues and economic instability as further proof of the current government's failure.

The government has imposed a ban on all political activities of the ruling Awami League, citing fears that members might be secretly planning acts of violence. In response, law enforcement agencies across the country have been placed on high alert. The police Special Branch warned of potential unrest—both online and offline—between July 29 and August 8, including possible attacks on public and private institutions. A confidential directive has been issued to all police units instructing heightened surveillance and enhanced security measures nationwide.

The Bangladesh Air Force has paid tribute at the grave of Masuma Begum (38), an office assistant who lost her life in the Milestone School and College aircraft crash. On Monday, a team from the Air Force laid floral wreaths at her grave in Ward 7 of Borhanuddin Upazila’s Bara Manika. Following the tribute, prayers were held for her departed soul, and condolences were extended to the grieving family. The Air Force reiterated its commitment to providing full support to her family as needed.

The General Economics Division’s July 2025 report highlights positive economic recovery signals in Bangladesh’s first fiscal month of 2025-26. Despite progress in economic activities, challenges like political uncertainty, sluggish private investment, industrial slowdown, and global economic pressures persist. Inflation has eased somewhat, but rice prices rise due to costs and artificial shortages. Export sectors and remittances show improvement, supporting external balance. However, revenue collection faces disruptions from tax reforms, and banking sector credit remains low. Bold structural reforms and political stability are vital for sustained growth.

Sylhet is grappling with a severe power crisis due to the 10-day shutdown of the 25MW Kumarghat Power Station. A transformer fire led to the closure, and repairs are delayed as critical components must be imported. Residents are suffering from long daily power outages. The city relies entirely on the national grid, and supply disruptions from Dhaka have worsened the situation. Officials say there's no immediate fix, with a 33% electricity shortfall last Thursday. The situation is deteriorating with no clear resolution in sight.

India’s exports to Bangladesh fell by 6.19% between April and June 2025, driven by rising political tensions and reciprocal trade restrictions. The sudden halt of transshipment facilities by India and Bangladesh’s ban on yarn and other goods via land ports triggered the decline. June alone saw an 11.06% drop in exports. Key sectors like garments and textiles were hit hardest. Experts warn that prolonged political friction may further strain bilateral trade, affecting both economies, especially Bangladesh due to its higher dependency on Indian imports.

AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju has cautiously welcomed the decision to establish a United Nations Human Rights Commission office in Dhaka. However, he criticized the interim government for signing the agreement without consulting relevant stakeholders.

Manju said, “We welcome the establishment of the UN Human Rights Commission office in Dhaka with vigilance. Unfortunately, the interim government has already made a major mistake by entering into the agreement without dialogue with those affected. As a result, many stakeholders who have concerns and anxieties about this issue are justifiably upset.”

He emphasized the need for the UN mission in Dhaka to focus on critical human rights violations such as enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and unlawful torture. Additionally, the mission should remain alert and responsive to other sensitive issues raised by stakeholders.

Addressing incidents of Indian aggression and media misinformation, Manju expressed dissatisfaction with the UN’s global role in addressing human rights violations, saying, “We are not satisfied with the United Nations’ role worldwide in protecting human rights.”

NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwari criticized Mymensingh’s local administration for neglecting the families of those killed or injured during the July movement.

“If any martyr’s family member is ever made to stand in front of your chairs again, the students and the people will bring them chairs,” he warned.

Patwari added, “We are standing on the blood of July’s martyrs, launching the journey of a new Bangladesh. Their dreams—both the wounded and the fallen—are our foundation. Yet, we see some trying to walk out on this cause. You cannot walk away from the blood of the martyrs.”

He concluded by underscoring the NCP’s core mission: “There is only one goal before us—reform. What Bangladesh needs now is justice and structural change.”

According to a report from the Economic Relations Division (ERD), Bangladesh paid approximately $4.087 billion in principal and interest to development partners in the recently concluded fiscal year. This marks the highest amount of loan repayment ever made by the country in a single fiscal year.

The repayment amount represents a 21.2% increase from the previous fiscal year’s payment of $3.372 billion. Interest payments alone rose to $1.491 billion, up 10.5% compared to $1.349 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24.

The ERD data also reveals that Bangladesh signed new loan agreements worth $8.323 billion with development partners during the fiscal year 2024-25, down from $10.739 billion in the prior fiscal year.

Speaking at the United Nations Food Conference in Ethiopia, Food Advisor Ali Imam Majumdar highlighted Bangladesh’s readiness to collaborate with global partners to build a better food future for all. He noted that over the past several decades, Bangladesh has made significant strides in food production, nutrition, and poverty reduction. "From a country facing food shortages, we are now self-sufficient in rice," he said.

Majumdar explained that the country has introduced necessary changes in production systems to achieve self-sufficiency not only in rice but also in fisheries, vegetables, and livestock. However, Bangladesh continues to face emerging challenges, particularly climate change and price volatility.

The advisor emphasized the importance of food security measures, including empowering women, ensuring equitable food access for vulnerable populations, and supporting social safety nets such as school feeding programs to combat malnutrition.

BNP leader Hummam Qader Chowdhury has stated that if there is any attempt to hold elections after February or postpone them, there will be no alternative but to launch a movement. He emphasized that the weaknesses of the interim government can only be addressed through elections. "Our country does not have the current government's mandate to negotiate with foreign states," he said. He added that even the law enforcement agencies are conflicted over the decisions made by the current administration, as it lacks a proper mandate. According to him, the police should replace the army in maintaining law and order.

Hummam Qader further explained that in the last two illegitimate national elections, BNP had a strategic plan. They anticipated that the Awami League would try to disqualify their candidates, so they prepared three candidates per constituency. This approach has created some grouping within the party, which he believes will be resolved through the election process.

Speaking at a street rally in Jamalpur on Monday, Dr. Tasnim Zara, a key leader of the National Citizens' Platform (NCP), declared that Bangladesh must decisively move away from the authoritarian state structure that allowed enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by security forces in recent years.

"We refuse to return to a system where absolute power is concentrated in the hands of one Prime Minister," said Dr. Zara. "The system that permitted citizens to be abducted and killed by state forces must be dismantled. We will not go back to that dark past."

Earlier in the day, fellow NCP leader Nahid Islam visited families of local martyrs, toured the Harijan community, and engaged in discussions with students at a madrasa.