NCP Convenor Nahid Islam warned that despite giving leeway over the past year, no concessions will be granted in the July manifesto or charter this year.

He claimed the revolutionary energy remains strong on the streets and stressed the need for unity within the opposition to prevent a repeat of 1/11-style setbacks. Nahid emphasized the demand for elections but insisted these must be accompanied by genuine reforms. Without fulfilling promises, no political party can assume power.

He urged reform to begin within parties and expressed a desire to see youth leadership in the future National Parliament. Calling for military training for youth to strengthen national defense, Nahid highlighted the rise of citizens’ and youth parties from grassroots movements, envisioning youth as the country’s vanguard.

He assured that the July march is not over and pledged to return to mobilize supporters soon.

Hasnat Abdullah accused hostile elements based in India of plotting against the state and claimed attempts are underway to rehabilitate the Awami League through the National Party.

He urged transparency from the government regarding its performance over the past year and called for public disclosure of plans involving media, administration, and the military. Abdullah appealed to media houses to maintain objective reporting, highlighting increased interference by state institutions post-August 5.

He alleged that a faction called ‘Banchito’ has seized administrative control and demanded reforms before the upcoming elections. Abdullah called for strict action against the DGFI, accused the agency of political manipulation, and suggested either reforming or banning it.

He ended by condemning defamatory remarks against Tarique Rahman’s leaders and warned of top-level complicity if no action is taken.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has sentenced Sheikh Hasina to six months of continuous imprisonment over a leaked audio in which she threatened officers. In a conversation with Awami League leader Shakil Akand Bulbul, Sheikh Hasina said, “I have 227 murder cases across the country. Make a list. Assume I have received a license to kill at least 227 people. The punishment for one case, and the same punishment for more than 200 cases, right? So, fine, I will take that punishment, but before that, I will settle more than 200. Keep that in mind.”
The verdict states that Sheikh Hasina expressed a firm resolve to kill 227 people to Bulbul and instructed him to prepare a list of those 227 individuals.
The CID forensic lab has confirmed the authenticity of the audio. The investigation also revealed secret Awami League meetings and inciting speeches, which led prosecutors to conduct further inquiries and take legal action.

The water level of the Padma River in Rajshahi is rising and approaching the danger mark of 18.05 meters. As of August 11, it reached 17.39 meters, flooding several chars and low-lying areas. Thousands of families in multiple unions are waterlogged, forcing residents to move their livestock and belongings to safer mainland areas. Inspections of embankments have been halted for safety, and the Water Development Board has urged traders to evacuate. The situation remains critical with ongoing water level increases.

During a three-day state visit to Malaysia, Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya, resulting in the signing of five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and three Notes of Exchange. The visit prioritizes immigration and investment issues and includes participation in a business conference and a discussion with the Bangladeshi expatriate community. Dr. Yunus is also set to receive an honorary degree from the University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin confirmed that a letter has been sent to India’s Commerce Minister to initiate talks on various trade matters but noted no response has been received yet from Delhi.

He revealed government plans to import onions to stabilize the market and open up imports further. The interim government is preparing to sign free trade agreements with Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. Discussions are ongoing with the U.S. to further reduce tariffs. Bashiruddin assured that deteriorating law and order has not affected trade and commerce activities.

Air pollution continues to rise worldwide, with Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, recording the worst air quality on Tuesday morning with an AQI score of 229. Jerusalem, Jakarta, Kampala, and Kinshasa followed in the top five. Dhaka, long plagued by pollution, showed improvement, ranking 71st with a “moderate” AQI score of 53, according to IQAir data. AQI scores between 0–50 are considered good, while 201–300 is very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous, posing serious health risks to residents.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi accused the Awami League of empowering fascist forces by manufacturing excuses to strengthen their grip, targeting nationalist forces with anti-democratic agendas.

He alleged that defeated fascists’ allies, backed by illicit funds and arms from neighboring countries, are actively undermining law and order, citing a recent violent attack on police in Chattogram. Rizvi warned of conspiracies to delegitimize the forthcoming election but expressed the nation’s hope for a free and fair vote.

Highlighting BNP’s commitment to an ideal, Rizvi claimed the death of Arafat Rahman Koko was unnatural, blaming the government’s oppression for the demise of many pro-democracy activists.

Nasiruddin Patwari, Chief Coordinator of the National Coordination Party (NCP), declared at the ‘National Youth Conference 2025’ organized by Jatiyo Jubo Shakti that the upcoming elections scheduled for February will not take place.

He stated, “If elections are held under the same constitution and the same fascist system, then what was the need for so many people to be martyred for reform and a new constitution?” Addressing the youth, he urged them to be the force behind bringing down the existing ‘factory of fascism’ — the Bangabhaban presidential palace — assuring that its fall will be achieved through their efforts, God willing.

Rajshahi University is set to hold its Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) elections on September 15, the first in 35 years. Political, cultural, and social groups are forming panels, with 6–7 expected to contest. Former anti-discrimination leaders, Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Shibir, leftists, journalists, and independents are in the mix. Chhatra Dal demands a delay, citing fairness concerns. The Election Commission insists the date is fixed and preparations are underway. Key deadlines for voter lists, nominations, and campaigning are set ahead of the polls.

Advisor Asif Mahmud, in his testimony to the tribunal’s investigative agency, revealed ongoing communications with Muhammad Yunus’ coordinators since Prime Minister Hasina’s departure from the country, including meetings with Tarique Rahman. He detailed how, amid the turbulent times, they courageously stood as shields before armed Awami League and Chhatra League members, eventually taking on coordination roles in the movement.

Mahmud accused the Awami League of militarizing the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) for their own interests and holding them responsible for extrajudicial killings. He recounted attempting to change his position on July 19 out of fear of enforced disappearance but was apprehended by DGFI after phone tracking. Following the Awami League’s downfall, he discovered he had been held in a similarly confined room during a prison visit. He condemned the brutal repression and killings of ordinary students by the Awami League, Hasina’s government, and law enforcement agencies, demanding exemplary punishment for those responsible.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued a public notice prohibiting all forms of meetings, assemblies, sit-ins, strikes, and processions in and around the official residence of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

According to the notice, effective from Wednesday until further instructions, all gatherings including meetings, rallies, human chains, and demonstrations are banned near the Chief Justice’s government residence, judges’ quarters, the Judges Complex, the Supreme Court main gate, Mazar gate, Jame Masjid gate, entrances to International Crime Tribunals 1 and 2, and the front of the Judicial Administration Training Institute. The move, citing public order maintenance under Section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance, also appeals to the public to avoid obstructing road traffic through unlawful road blockades under the guise of protests or demands.

A survey by Sujan reveals that 71% of respondents support allocating upper house seats through a proportional representation (PR) system.
Conducted between May and July 2025, the survey gathered opinions from 1,373 people and included 15 civic dialogues.
Key findings:

69% favor a bicameral legislature.

87% support separating the roles of Prime Minister, party chief, and Leader of the House.

63% favor a rotating quota for women in the lower house; 69% support reserving 30 seats for women in the upper house.

86% want a Deputy Speaker from the opposition in the lower house; 82% want the same in the upper house.

87% agree that the Election Commission’s approval should be mandatory for any executive action that could influence voting during elections.

86% favor the EC issuing a certificate on election fairness within 48 hours of polls.

88% support revoking candidacy or results if candidates submit false financial statements.

92% believe convicted criminals, identified extortionists, and corrupt individuals should be barred from party membership.

After seven days of water release, all 16 sluice gates of the Kaptai Dam have been closed to regulate water levels in Kaptai Lake.
Authorities shut the gates at 8 a.m. Tuesday. The gates had been partially opened on August 5 due to rising water, initially by 6 inches and later up to 3.5 feet.
At peak release on August 7 evening, a record 68,000 cusecs of water flowed into the Karnaphuli River.
Officials say water pressure has now eased, though electricity production continues, with five units generating 215–220 megawatts daily, consuming about 32,000 cusecs of water per second.

Bangladesh has imported and deployed over 160 types of surveillance and spyware technologies between 2015 and 2025, costing nearly USD 190 million, according to a report by the Technoglobal Institute.
Many of these purchases were made secretly, often through third countries, under the justification of counter-terrorism.
The National Telecommunications Monitoring Centre accounted for 58% of the spending—about USD 100 million—while RAB, police, DGFI, and BGD e-Gov CIRT acquired systems capable of social media monitoring, mobile and Wi-Fi interception, signal jamming, and data theft.
Suppliers included companies from France, Germany, the US, the UK, Canada, and Israel, despite Bangladesh having no formal ties with Israel.
The report notes that although the official rationale was counter-terrorism, the technologies were also used to surveil political opponents, journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens, especially during elections and mass protests.