For the first time, the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances has been allowed to visit Bangladesh to observe cases of enforced disappearances.

A two-member delegation from the UN group arrived in Dhaka on Sunday to begin their visit. During their stay, the team will hold meetings with legal expert Asif Nazrul, the acting foreign secretary, members of the commission related to disappearances, law enforcement agencies, and families of the victims.

Sources confirm that the delegation has not come to conduct an official investigation. Instead, their primary objective is to observe the situation on the ground and make recommendations based on their findings.

In a horrifying incident, a college student was gang-raped on a moving bus while traveling from Sylhet to Nabiganj. Acting swiftly, a joint operation by the army and police rescued the teenage victim and arrested the bus driver late Sunday night. According to police, the victim, an 11th-grade student from Farmgate, was assaulted by the bus helper Liton Mia and later by the driver Shah Sabbir Mia. The incident has sparked outrage across the region.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has initiated multiple surveys to select candidates for Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election. Party sources indicate that priority will be given to those who have actively participated in the pro-democracy struggle, demonstrated personal integrity, and maintained strong popularity in their constituencies. BNP leader Hafiz Uddin stated that through these surveys, deserving candidates will emerge and receive nominations.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook met with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday to discuss bilateral relations, upcoming elections, and political reforms. The meeting, held at BNP Chairperson’s political office, also included senior BNP leaders Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan and Shama Obaid. Both sides shared their views on Bangladesh’s political situation and the path to democratic reforms.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General, former MP Prof. Mia Golam Porwar, has pledged to protect press freedom and the interests of journalists if his party comes to power. Speaking on Bangladesh’s ‘Black Day of Journalism,’ he accused both Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s and Sheikh Hasina’s governments of suppressing the media through censorship and restrictive laws like the Digital Security Act and Cyber Security Act. Porwar vowed that Jamaat would defend freedom of speech and work for the betterment of journalism in Bangladesh.

The escalating conflict between Iran and Israel could have far-reaching consequences for Bangladesh, especially if global oil prices surge. A potential closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz would severely disrupt global energy supplies and affect Bangladesh’s imports across various sectors. While Bangladesh maintains limited direct trade ties with both Iran and Israel, prolonged instability in the Middle East could impact Bangladesh’s economy in three key areas: energy costs, overseas labor markets, and overall import channels. Notably, Iran has already threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz.

A Bangladeshi cattle trader, Raju Islam (34), has died after being shot near the Ghagra border in Panchagarh. The incident reportedly occurred late Saturday night when Raju and a group of 4–5 men went near the Jhuli Para area of the border to bring in cattle from India.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel from Kanchanjungha BOP allegedly opened fire after chasing them. While the others managed to flee, Raju was struck in both legs. He succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital.

However, conflicting reports suggest he may have died from a heart attack. Family sources confirmed he had previously suffered two heart attacks, raising questions about the exact cause of death.

A court has imposed a travel ban on former Jessore District Council Chairman and Awami League leader Saifuzzaman Pikul, his wife Shefali Zaman, and their two sons—Tanjib Naushad Pallab and Tanvir Naushad Arnab—amid ongoing investigations into corruption and abuse of power.

Pikul is accused of amassing illicit wealth during his tenure by misappropriating funds from various government projects, illegal sale of thousands of roadside trees, and embezzlement related to land leasing and shop allocations. The court order follows extensive evidence suggesting the illegal accumulation of wealth by Pikul and his family beyond known sources of income.

Police have arrested a man named Zakaria Ahmed Tapadar, also known as Rajon (34), for impersonating an Additional Superintendent of Police (Additional SP) in Rupganj, Narayanganj.

OC Liaquat Ali stated that Zakaria had been fraudulently presenting himself as a senior police officer while engaging in criminal activities across multiple districts. His social media profile displayed photos of him in police uniform, falsely identifying himself as an Additional SP. Zakaria is a named accused in several cases filed in Rupganj and other police stations.

A serious allegation has been made against Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mosharraf Hossain of the District Detective Branch (DB) in Manikganj. He is accused of confiscating the passport and air ticket of a Saudi-bound expatriate from Singair and refusing to return them.

The victim, Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, filed a formal complaint with the Superintendent of Police on Sunday. According to sources, on May 24, the OC summoned him to the DB office citing a neighbor’s complaint and seized his passport—containing a valid Saudi visa—and his flight ticket under the pretext of investigation.

Reportedly, the day before, both the expatriate and Khalilur Rahman, Joint Convener of the Union Jubo Dal, were held by authorities.

Bangladesh’s gross foreign exchange reserves have once again exceeded $26 billion, while net reserves have risen to $20.77 billion. The rise is attributed to an increase in remittance inflows, export earnings, and a $250 million disbursement from the World Bank. Despite floating the exchange rate, the value of the U.S. dollar remains stable.

Speaking at an event, former U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena remarked, “I never imagined Hasina's government would fall so easily. What happened in July was historic. August 5 will never be forgotten—helicopters carried her away as the regime fell.” He praised Bangladesh’s peaceful transition, noting that revolutionary leaders chose Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus as the new national figurehead, instead of engaging in power struggles. He urged political parties to support the interim government in building an inclusive political process.

BNP leader Abdul Awal Mintoo has stated that a recent meeting between acting party chairman Tarique Rahman and the BNP’s chief advisor resulted in a decision to push for early elections. If the election is held by February, it will signal that the talks were successful. He also claimed that such a move would help restore political stability and stimulate economic growth. Mintoo said that most of the 62 political parties in the country support a February election timeline.

At least 30 people were injured in a violent clash between supporters of two rival candidates during the biennial conference of the BNP’s Putikhali Union chapter in Bagerhat. The meeting was suspended by district BNP joint coordinator Khadem Niamul Nasir Alap. Despite police presence, the situation escalated, prompting the deployment of the army. The arrival of military personnel eventually dispersed the crowd.

At around 6 AM on Sunday, banned Awami League members conducted a surprise rally in Manikganj. By 4:15 PM, Rajidul Islam, general secretary of the banned Chhatra League, shared videos and images of the rally on Facebook. The march was led by former Daulatpur Upazila Chairman Shafiqul Islam and Rajidul Islam. Additional Superintendent of Police Salauddin confirmed that Rajidul is a wanted suspect and will be arrested when located.