Controversial contractor and former Jubo League leader GK Shamim has been acquitted by the High Court in a money laundering case, overturning his previous 10-year sentence. In 2023, he was convicted for laundering hundreds of crores through extortion, illegal businesses, and misuse of power. His seven bodyguards were also sentenced. Shamim was arrested in 2019 with weapons, cash, and foreign currency. The court found insufficient grounds to uphold the conviction, leading to his release after a lengthy legal process.

Rumors have been circulating that only Muslim victims of the July-August events will be granted "martyr" status. Cultural adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki addressed the issue, clarifying: “All who died in the July uprising are martyrs, regardless of faith.”

Farooki said the symbolic graveyard near the July Memorial Museum will include names of all victims, across religions, genders, and professions. Muslim martyrs will be honored with symbolic graves, while others will be commemorated with plaques. A two-line poem will be inscribed outside the memorial:
“The tyrant who fed off patriots’ blood / Now sleeps in the tombs of martyrs.”

Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, completed one year focusing on a balanced foreign policy prioritizing national interest and mutual respect. Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain highlighted the government’s diplomatic successes, including strengthened relations with China, normalized ties with Pakistan, and constructive engagement with India despite challenges. The administration protested border killings firmly, expanded global diplomatic missions, and prioritized migrant worker welfare. Rohingya repatriation remains complex, but Bangladesh continues pursuing pragmatic international cooperation.

Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin stated that Bangladesh’s interim government has successfully dismantled market syndicates and increased foreign reserves within the past year.

Speaking at a program in the Secretariat, he pledged to eliminate corruption before the upcoming election and promised increased employment opportunities and steps to resolve the ongoing energy crisis. However, the Trade Secretary admitted that challenges like corruption and inequality still remain.

BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to return to Bangladesh once the national election schedule is officially announced, according to high-level party sources.

Given that the election is anticipated in early February, the party expects Rahman’s return around December. On Thursday evening, Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Mohammad Sanaullah reaffirmed that the schedule would be declared in the first half of December.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Mohammad Sanaullah has confirmed that the schedule for Bangladesh’s 13th national election will be announced in the first half of December.

Speaking after a commission meeting, Sanaullah said the Chief Adviser had proposed holding the election before Ramadan in early February. The code of conduct for candidates and political parties is expected to be finalized next week.

Sanaullah added that overseas voter education will begin next month and confirmed that drone use will be prohibited on election day. Those registered by October 31 will be eligible to vote.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah has strongly criticized his party for issuing a show-cause notice instead of standing against “dishonest media and intelligence conspiracies.” In a written statement, Hasnat explained his absence from a major political declaration event, stating that several injured and frontline activists of the movement were excluded, which he termed a “moral and political failure.”

He also expressed disagreement with portions of the final draft of the declaration, particularly clauses suggesting that constitutional reform should be left to a future elected government, calling it “inconsistent with the aspirations of the uprising.”

Hasnat further stated that he had informed organizers of his travel plans and condemned the rumor linking him to Peter Haas as “deliberate misinformation.”

BNP leader Zainul Abedin Farroque has stated that if Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus cannot ensure a free and fair election that surpasses even the standards set during President Shahabuddin Ahmed’s tenure, the responsibility for that failure will rest solely on him.

Farroque expressed general satisfaction with the ongoing discussions about the election process, but noted he would be even more pleased once the election date is officially announced. Criticizing the proposal by the Home Affairs Adviser to reassign police superintendents (SPs) and officers-in-charge (OCs) via a lottery system, Farroque cautioned that those involved in manipulating the elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024 should not be included in the lottery pool.

He further stated that police officers who were complicit in undermining democracy and tarnishing the country’s electoral integrity must not be assigned any responsibility in the upcoming February elections. “It must be investigated whether those who gave orders to fire on protesters with intent to kill are still serving in the police force,” he added.

Farroque also shared a personal note, recalling that he was in jail during a critical period and was unable to see his mother’s body before burial. He took the opportunity to criticize both Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during his remarks.

BNP leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu has called on Jamaat-e-Islami to acknowledge and apologize for its controversial role in the 1971 Liberation War, saying, “You still have a chance to correct the mistake. You have not apologized yet. If you do so and participate in the upcoming election, it could help redeem some of the past.”

Dudu warned that taking to the streets to resist the election would only double the historical mistake. He reminded Jamaat that at one point, BNP had stood by them for the sake of democratic struggle—even though it cost the BNP politically. “If you remember that, it would be beneficial both for you and for the country,” he added.

Highlighting BNP’s continued national presence, Dudu claimed, “BNP remains the only political force with a strong presence across the country. If it rises again, there will be no need for police or military to defend the country—the people will do it themselves.”

He voiced optimism that under Dr. Yunus's leadership, a credible election is possible. However, he warned against calls from certain quarters to obstruct the election or take to the streets to press for demands. “If the election doesn’t happen, the country will be pushed into an uncertain future,” he cautioned.

Dudu also criticized the post-independence governance of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, stating, “The nation’s expectations were not met. During his rule, 40,000 opposition leaders were killed, and people died from starvation during a famine.”

The Advisory Council extended congratulations to Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin for his leadership in reducing retaliatory tariffs imposed by the US from 35% to 20%. Culture Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki was also commended for successfully leading a 36-day national cultural program throughout July, especially the August 5th event which drew hundreds of thousands to Manik Mia Avenue.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, has been sent to jail over allegations of embezzling development funds. He appeared in court on Thursday after being named in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on June 18. Four others are co-accused, including former project director AKM Nur-un-Nabi, former executive engineer Md. Jahangir Alam, contractor Md. A. Salam Bachchu, and MM Habibur Rahman. The charges include unauthorized design alterations and embezzlement of over BDT 40 million.

NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwary responded to a show-cause notice regarding his recent trip to Cox’s Bazar, stating that he had no prior political or state obligations on August 5. He said the trip, taken at the invitation of school friend Hasnat Abdullah, was purely personal and involved other couples, including Sarjis Alam and Taznim Zara. He said the trip was intended for introspection, not politics. Patwary criticized rumors involving US Ambassador Peter Haas as false and labeled the show-cause notice unrealistic. He concluded, “Travel is not a crime. History is sometimes written in solitude or by the sea—not just in political meetings.”

The High Court on Thursday declared the ICT Act case filed against renowned photographer Shahidul Alam as illegal, thereby nullifying the case. The case was initially suspended in November 2024, when the court also issued a rule asking why it should not be dismissed. Shahidul Alam was charged under the Information and Communication Technology Act in August 2018. Notably, the Digital Security Act was enacted later that same year, in October.

After more than a year in the morgue, six unidentified bodies from the July uprising have finally been buried by Anjuman Mofidul Islam. On Thursday morning, the bodies were transferred from Dhaka Medical College to Jurain Cemetery following a court order. Shahbagh Police Station OC Khalid Mansur said that while multiple attempts were made to identify the bodies—including DNA tests—none were successful. Most of the victims reportedly died from blunt force trauma. The bodies were discovered in various areas, including Jatrabari, just before August 5 last year.

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus announced that the second phase of the interim government commenced after the formal government notification to the Election Commission (EC) to prepare for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The statement came after a council meeting at the newly constructed Secretariat building. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed the news following the session. Regular meetings are also being held at the Jamuna Secretariat.