Saudi Arabia will provide BDT 2.44 billion (approximately USD 208 million) for the construction of eight iconic mosques in Bangladesh under a royal grant. The announcement was made by Saudi Ambassador Dr. Abdullah Jafar H. Bin Biya during a meeting with Religious Affairs Advisor Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain at the Secretariat on Saturday. The advisor said construction would begin as soon as possible. He also acknowledged the contributions of nearly 3.2 million Bangladeshi expatriates in Saudi Arabia through remittances and noted their role in achieving Saudi Vision 2030. Additionally, the ambassador assured improvements in facilities during Hajj, including more washrooms in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, uninterrupted water and power supply, and larger bedding arrangements in Mina tents.

Nahid Islam, convener of the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP), has sharply criticized the Awami League and addressed a stern warning to India. Speaking in Sherpur, he stated, “If you push anyone into Bangladesh, make it Sheikh Hasina and the Awami terrorists.” He further added that government officials who support the Awami League and give shelter to political violence must also face justice.
At the event, Sarjis Alam said, “We will no longer tolerate anyone unconditionally in Bangladesh. If someone does 95 things right and 5 wrong, we will still hold them accountable.”
Samantha Sharmin demanded transparency about the Milestone incident, questioning the involvement of corporate entities or private forces.

In a move approved by the President, the Election Commission Secretariat has transferred 71 election officials, most of whom are serving as Upazila or Thana-level election officers.

According to the official notification, the transferred officers must be released from their current posts by August 3. If not released by then, they will be considered officially released as of August 4.

Among the changes, the Assistant Director of the Election Training Institute in Dhaka has been appointed as Assistant Secretary at the Election Commission Secretariat. Additionally, the Election Officer of Cumilla Adarsha Sadar Upazila has been appointed as the new Assistant Director of the Election Training Institute in Dhaka.

Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has reiterated his call for Malaysia to support Bangladesh’s efforts to gain membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The appeal came during a meeting on Sunday with Nurul Izzah Anwar, Vice President of Malaysia’s People’s Justice Party. Both leaders expressed condolences over the recent tragic aviation accident.

Professor Yunus emphasized that Bangladesh is undergoing a reform process, stating, “Our students have risked their lives to overthrow the autocratic Hasina regime.” He added, “While much of Asia faces rapid aging, Bangladesh has a vibrant and youthful population. We invite investment in our industries and encourage exports from Bangladesh. Such cooperation will benefit both our economies.”

Human rights adviser Farida Akhtar clarified that the United Nations’ intent to open a human rights office in Bangladesh should not be interpreted as an indication of a worsening rights situation.

“It reflects our proactive approach—whoever is in power, we want a mechanism to ensure accountability and protection of rights,” she said during an event at Gonoshasthaya University.

Akhtar added that many human rights violations are structural and often backed by those in power. She acknowledged the role of the National Human Rights Commission in documenting abuses under what she called a "fascist regime." She also emphasized the media’s role in preventing mob violence and called for identifying the root causes behind such incidents.

A four-member Bangladeshi delegation, led by Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, will travel to the United States on Monday evening to discuss newly imposed tariffs. Senior Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman confirmed that bilateral meetings will take place on July 29–30 in Washington, marking the third round of negotiations.

Previous discussions were positive, Rahman said, and hopes are high for a favorable outcome. He added that a final decision may be announced before August 1 and assured that any increase in U.S. imports will not negatively affect local consumers.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for strong political will to implement the Padma Barrage and the proposed Second Padma Bridge, projects vital for the livelihood of nearly 80 million people.

Despite seven feasibility studies, no final decision has been made yet, which Fakhrul called "deeply unfortunate." He stressed that the Farakka Barrage is not a localized issue but one affecting the entire southern region. Fakhrul reiterated that any future government must prioritize these projects.

He also affirmed the BNP’s commitment to building the Second Padma Bridge and said, “The people of this country want real progress and a true democratic system.”

BNP leader Amir Khasru stated that individuals or groups afraid of elections have no place in politics and should instead operate as pressure groups or NGOs.

"You can’t be in politics, avoid elections, and simultaneously obstruct democratic processes," he said. Khasru warned that countries delaying elections often experience civil unrest and division, while those returning to democracy through timely elections prosper socially and economically.

He emphasized the need for tolerance and mutual respect in politics and predicted that those ignoring the psychological shift among the people after the fall of the authoritarian regime led by Sheikh Hasina have no future in politics.

Two patients, Kazi Amzad Said (20) and Sabuj, have been discharged from the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery following significant improvement in their condition, Director Professor Nasir Uddin confirmed on Sunday.

Currently, the institute is treating 34 patients, including 28 children and 6 adults. Four are in critical condition in the ICU, with two on life support. Additionally, 3 patients are in the medical HDU, 6 in the female HDU, 8 in post-operative wards, and 12 in cabin care. Of the total, 4 are critically ill, and 9 are in serious condition.

Global power management leader Eaton Corporation hosted ‘Customer Day 2025’ in Dhaka, unveiling three cutting-edge technologies aimed at boosting efficiency and sustainability in Bangladesh’s electricity sector. These innovations improve power quality by reducing wastage and carbon emissions, enabling smart substation upgrades with minimal investment. Experts from Eaton’s regional offices and local power authorities attended, emphasizing the benefits of lower costs, enhanced network stability, and support for renewable energy integration, marking a significant step toward a greener, more reliable power infrastructure.

Political parties in Bangladesh have agreed to limit a Prime Minister’s term to a maximum of 10 years, according to Professor Ali Riaz. There is also a consensus on establishing an independent police commission.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed reaffirmed his party's commitment to these reforms, emphasizing that no individual should hold the Prime Minister's post for more than a decade. He also advocated for embedding the process of appointing key constitutional positions—such as the Election Commission—within the constitution itself to ensure transparency and public trust.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Towhid Hossain has departed for the United States to attend a high-level UN conference in New York on July 28–29, focused on the peaceful resolution of the Palestine crisis and advancing the two-state solution. Co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, the summit follows a UN resolution adopted in December 2024. Global foreign ministers and UN officials will join the event. Bangladesh, a long-time supporter of Palestine, was among the first to recognize its independence in 1988.

Industry Advisor Adilur Rahman has called for urgent reforms in Bangladesh's judicial and bureaucratic systems, emphasizing the importance of youth participation. Speaking at a conference on the July Revolution at Dhaka University, he criticized remnants of the former Awami League regime for ongoing instability. He asserted that justice for the martyrs of the July Movement is inevitable and condemned past incidents of enforced disappearances, mass arrests, and killings. Rahman urged young people to remain vocal and active in ensuring justice and institutional accountability.

The first-ever Bangladesh Branding Festival will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 27, 2025, from 10 AM to 10 PM at the Craft Complex. Open to all with free entry, the event aims to promote Bangladeshi products, culture, innovation, and the contributions of the expatriate community. Organized by the Malaysia Bangladesh Forum Association (MBFA), the festival seeks to boost Bangladesh’s global image and expand its market in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia, through cultural and economic exchange.

From July 27, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka will allow only two people to accompany each passenger in the departure and arrival areas. This new rule aims to reduce traffic congestion, ensure smoother passenger movement, and enhance security within the airport. The airport authority announced this measure to maintain order and requested cooperation from all visitors. Currently, the airport handles around 12.5 million passengers annually with 140 to 150 international flights daily.