Responding to speculation about Asif Mahmud possessing an AK-47, the Home Affairs Advisor clarified that the object in question was an empty magazine for a pistol, not an assault rifle. He described it as a simple oversight. While Asif is reportedly under the age of 30, the advisor refrained from commenting on the legality of his firearm license. Questions have arisen about airport security after the item passed through two screenings undetected. The advisor acknowledged the issue, citing possible privileges, and stressed the need for equal law enforcement for all. Security measures have been reinforced for upcoming events between July 1 and August 5, with no current threats reported.

The High Court has issued a rule questioning the legality of firing 18 engineers and officials from Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Ltd (NPCBL), asking why they should not be reinstated with full service benefits. The bench also directed the NPCBL Board to promptly address the engineers’ appeal for reinstatement. The engineers claim they were appointed permanently after proper training and evaluation, including international training funded by the government, and that their dismissal was arbitrary and unjust.

Shawkat Aziz Russell, Chairman of Amber Group and President of BTMA (Bangladesh Textile Mills Association), held a courtesy meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. During the discussion, they addressed Bangladesh’s current economic challenges and the prospects for industrial growth. Russell, a candidate for the presidency of FBCCI, underscored the private sector’s role in ensuring economic stability. Fakhrul assured that BNP, if elected, would prioritize the private sector and restore economic confidence. Russell expressed willingness to support BNP in creating a corruption-free state, citing the damage done to business and banking sectors under the current government.

Nahid Islam, a prominent youth leader, has warned that if any group undermines national unity for political gain, the government must take responsibility and act alongside the people. Referring to the "July Declaration," he described it as a national charter born of student uprisings, political sacrifice, and visions for state reform. He criticized the government for failing to meet its promises to student leaders despite multiple deadlines. Nahid emphasized that the charter, which includes proposals for constitutional amendments, must be finalized by August 5 through public referendum or parliamentary means. He reiterated that no party should derail this historic process for partisan interest.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that his party will collaborate with China to implement the long-pending Teesta River Project if it comes to power. He praised China’s constructive role in regional issues, including the Rohingya repatriation, noting that Beijing is sincerely working to persuade Myanmar to take back its nationals. Fakhrul emphasized that China is keen to engage with neighboring countries and prefers close ties with a democratically elected government. He also highlighted China's positive stance on restoring democratic processes in Bangladesh.

Asif Mahmud, a policy advisor, proposed a plan to recruit students for part-time positions in various government offices. In a recent post, he stated that not all departments require full-time permanent staff for every position.

“Hiring part-time student workers will not only reduce government expenses but also help students achieve financial independence,” he said.

Mahmud noted that a similar initiative had already been implemented, with around 1,000 students deployed as part-time assistants to traffic police from August 5 onwards. He expressed interest in expanding this model across other government departments.

The National Democratic Party (JAGPA) has announced a month-long protest campaign demanding the return of Sheikh Hasina, who they claim has taken refuge in India. As part of the campaign, a major demonstration will be held on August 6 in front of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

Key activities during the campaign include:

A special prayer service on August 5

Month-long protests against alleged Indian aggression

Public outreach and leaflet distribution in eight divisional cities and 20 organizational districts

Demands for the prosecution of those accused of genocide and alleged collaborators of Sheikh Hasina

Speaking about upcoming local elections and proportional representation (PR) electoral reforms, JAGPA Senior Vice President Rashed Pradhan said, “If the Awami League can be prevented from participating in the elections, we will have no objection to the PR system or local elections.”

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan warned against using the Proportional Representation (PR) issue to create confusion over the country’s democratic aspirations.

Speaking at an event, Moin Khan said those who truly contributed to the nation, especially the student leaders of the past, mostly supported BNP despite not always publicly identifying as such. He argued that Bangladesh does not belong to any one group and accused those weaponizing the PR debate of undermining national ideals. Fellow BNP leader Zainul Abedin Farroque claimed PR advocates were plotting against Tarique Rahman and trying to entrap Dr. Yunus in political conspiracies.

To combat air pollution in Dhaka, the government aims to complete all repairs of unpaved and damaged roads before winter, said environmental adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan.

During a meeting with Chinese environmental experts, she outlined short, mid, and long-term strategies. These include water spraying on roads to reduce dust, implementing a 'zero-soil exposure' policy, and soil stabilization. The government also plans to remove old smoke-emitting vehicles, introduce 250 eco-friendly vehicles, and set up 10 automated inspection centers via BRTA. Supported by JICA, eight air quality monitoring stations will be built under the BEST project. A joint working group with China will focus on training and awareness programs, aiming to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment.

Controversy erupted just after the announcement of the new 20-member coordination committee of the NCP’s Matlab South unit.

DM Alaudin was appointed as Chief Coordinator, with Helal Uddin among the five Joint Coordinators. However, Helal Uddin soon announced his resignation via Facebook, accusing Alaudin of being an associate of fascists. In response, Alaudin stated he had already resigned from the Jatiya Party and had no connection to such accusations. He termed the resignation a misunderstanding and expressed hope that things would be resolved amicably.

RAB has arrested Mamun Dewan (35) for the brutal murder of his visually impaired father, Hazrat Ali Dewan (75), in Raipur, Laxmipur.

The incident occurred on the night of June 11 in the Meghna Bazar area, where an argument between the two escalated, and Mamun struck his father in the head with a sharp machete, killing him instantly. Mamun, reportedly a long-time drug addict, fled after the murder. RAB captured him on June 29 near Dhakeshwari Temple, 20 days after the incident. Hazrat’s elder brother, Shah Alam, filed a murder case.

A viral Facebook post claiming that the victim of the Muradnagar rape case had committed suicide has been debunked as false by FactWatch.

Fact-checking revealed no credible evidence supporting the claim. Both local journalists and the officer-in-charge of Muradnagar Police Station confirmed no such incident occurred. Additionally, no national or regional media reported any suicide. The viral claim appears to be baseless and lacks any reliable source.

Mahira Binte Maruf, an HSC candidate from Mirpur Government Bangla College, who went missing on her way to the exam center, has been rescued by RAB-4 from Savar.

On Sunday morning, Mahira left home for her exam, which was scheduled to end at 1 PM. When she didn’t return home, her worried family went to the exam center, only to learn from authorities that she never showed up. The family then filed a general diary (GD) with Vatara Police Station. Acting on the complaint, RAB-4 launched an operation and located Mahira in Savar later that night.

The International Crimes Tribunal has issued arrest warrants for 26 individuals, including former Vice-Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Dr. Hasibur Rahman, in connection with the murder of student Shaheed Abu Sayeed during the July uprising. Formal charges in the case were filed earlier this week, naming 30 accused. Four suspects—Sub-Inspector Amir Hossain, Constable Sujan Chandra Roy, former university proctor Shariful Islam, and former student leader Emran Chowdhury Akash—are already in custody. The remaining 26 are currently fugitives.

Formal charges have been submitted in the murder case of Shaheed Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University, during the July uprising in Rangpur. Among the accused are the university’s former proctor and 29 others. The International Crimes Tribunal previously received an investigation report implicating all 30 individuals. The tribunal had also set a deadline for the filing of the official charges.