Journalists and employees of Janakantha have issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding over Tk 60 million in unpaid wages. At a protest outside the office on Sunday, members of the new editorial board—including Sabrina Binte Ahmed—denounced the management for exploiting staff and aligning the paper with the ruling party during the July Uprising.

They demanded justice for laid-off pro-July revolution journalists and announced a two-day suspension of the paper’s print edition. Editorial board member Zainal Abedin Shishir accused the management of unlawfully terminating 20 journalists, calling it a violation of press freedom.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr. Helal Uddin has called for the July Charter to be given legal force, warning that without implementation, it risks becoming as ineffective as the post-1990 national framework. He described August 3 last year as a dark day in Bangladesh’s history, accusing the ruling Awami League and state forces of perpetrating a massacre.

Dr. Helal criticized the delay in recognizing the transitional government and said Jamaat, though never in state power, has consistently stood by the people in education, healthcare, housing, and employment—and will continue to do so.

To prevent possible unrest around August 5, police have launched a special nationwide operation. In the past 24 hours, 21 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations—whose activities are currently banned—have been arrested in various parts of Dhaka. DMP official Muhammad Talebur Rahman said certain groups were plotting to create disorder, prompting these preventative raids. Of the arrested, 16 were detained by the Detective Branch, while the rest were apprehended by local police.

On the anniversary of the July-August Uprising, Chhatra Dal organized a rally at Shahbagh, during which members had their lunch on the streets. Afterward, despite some littering, party activists were seen cleaning the roads by 6:30 PM. They stated that this action was in line with directives issued before the rally, one of which explicitly instructed members to clean the area post-gathering.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh, warned that fascist forces are eyeing a comeback due to the lack of political unity in Bangladesh. Speaking at a seminar in Munshiganj, he emphasized that if the July unity had continued, fascists wouldn’t dare to dream of returning. He criticized past governments for undermining sovereignty and suggested that Prime Minister Hasina’s return depends on confronting India and facing justice. The event highlighted the ongoing struggle against fascist narratives and colonial influence.

Bangladesh has signed a $150 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The program targets five key sectors—mechanical, electronics and electrical, ICT, civil, and food and agriculture—to create dignified jobs and improve global competitiveness. It will provide advanced training to 10,000 TVET teachers, benefiting 250,000 students nationwide. This initiative supports poverty reduction and aims to establish a national professional development system for sustained TVET quality.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has affirmed Islamabad’s support for Iran’s right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s state visit. The declaration comes amid international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear program, linked to recent Iran-Israel conflicts and US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Meanwhile, the US and European allies aim to finalize a nuclear deal with Iran by August’s end. A critical UN deadline on October 18 could lift or reinstate sanctions on Iran depending on the “snapback” mechanism.

The proposed Rakhine Corridor, portrayed as a humanitarian route to northern Myanmar, masks deeper geopolitical motives. Western powers aim to expand influence near China under the guise of aid. Bangladesh faces internal divisions and military concern over sovereignty. China and India quietly oppose the corridor, fearing instability and Western intervention. The Arakan Army’s rising control in Rakhine adds to the complexity. Experts warn the corridor could destabilize the Bay of Bengal region, with long-term consequences for Bangladesh’s diplomacy, politics, and regional balance.

NCP leader Akhtar Hossain has demanded constitutional recognition of the July Declaration, stating that the interim government must take responsibility for implementing the July Charter and its proposed reforms. “Our martyrs gave their lives to free the people of Bangladesh from decades of deprivation,” he said. “Those who were injured in that struggle still bear the physical scars. We must honor their sacrifice.”

He emphasized the need for institutional reforms to protect state institutions from partisan control, especially the judiciary and the policymaking processes at the Secretariat. Akhtar further noted that last year’s call from the Shaheed Minar to dismantle the fascist regime must be upheld through structural changes.

The National Citizens' Party (NCP) has accused Bangladesh's Election Commission of acting in favor of a specific party and failing to ensure fair election practices. NCP Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari warned of a possible boycott of the upcoming national election unless equal opportunities are guaranteed. He also called for the EC’s reformation under the July Charter and urged biweekly updates on expatriate voting rights. The party has submitted revised documents for registration and expects the Shapla symbol.

BNP leader Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain questioned the prolonged delay in holding national elections under the current interim government. “We’ve seen national elections completed in just three months—what justification is there for taking an entire year?”

He called for the immediate announcement of an election date. “Otherwise, the BNP won’t sit idle.”

Zahid accused the government of scapegoating BNP leaders and activists for every crisis over the past nine months. “We were denied fair votes in 2008. In 2014 and 2018, ballots were cast the night before the election. And the 2024 vote was nothing but a sham.”

He also alleged foreign interference, saying, “From India, the so-called ‘Queen of Jackfruits’ is conspiring against Bangladesh. Their efforts to keep the Awami League in power have failed. Now, accomplices of dictatorship are plotting from abroad. We must resist this.”

Zahid concluded by warning of pro-regime elements still embedded in the administration. “These remnants of authoritarianism must be rooted out.”

NCP Central Coordinator Hannan Masud raised a pressing question: “What have we gained in the year since the July uprising? We still don’t have freedom—nor basic human rights.”

Masud criticized efforts to malign the anti-discrimination student movement. “I’m proud to be a coordinator of both the July movement and the anti-discrimination campaign. It’s a badge of honor,” he said.

He stressed that the NCP is not weak. “We have fought for the people before, and we’ll fight again—with our chests out and hearts strong.”

NCP leader Dr. Tasnim Jara unveiled an ambitious plan to digitize the health records of every citizen. “We’ve listened to your concerns during the July marches,” she said from the Shaheed Minar stage. “Everywhere we went, people told us how the healthcare system has failed them.”

“Our vision is to build a healthcare system where no one is denied treatment due to financial constraints—where emergency care begins even before the patient reaches the hospital,” Jara said. She pledged that citizens’ medical records would be stored digitally, ensuring continuity of care and no loss of critical information.

Dr. Jara added, “We will strengthen the primary healthcare system so that quality treatment is available near people’s homes. No more needless deaths due to lack of access.” She also outlined broader plans for an inclusive welfare economy that guarantees employment and tax reforms to reduce income inequality.

NCP leader Sarjis Alam strongly criticized the current constitution, stating, “Let us be clear—the 1972 Constitution served the interests of one political party. It was approved in another country and rooted in Mujibist ideology. We can no longer allow this constitution to dictate our nation’s future.”

Speaking at the same rally, he added, “We lived under Pakistani rule for 23 years without rights. Even after 54 years of independence, we’re still deprived.” Sarjis emphasized that many of those present at last year’s rally are now martyrs. “We’re here to demand justice for their killings. We’re here to call for fundamental reforms, proper rehabilitation for martyrs’ families, and medical care for the injured fighters.”

He also condemned past incidents such as the 2009 BDR massacre and the 2013 Shapla Square crackdown, demanding accountability. “We won’t accept militancy, nor the staging of ‘militancy dramas.’ And we reject the so-called civil society that acts as brokers of the regime.”

Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Coordinator of NCP South, declared that no force can stop the movement or ideals of the Nationalist Citizens' Party (NCP). Speaking at a rally held at the Central Shaheed Minar to announce the Manifesto for a New Bangladesh, he said, “We’ve passed one year since the July Revolution. For a year we’ve spoken enough—now it’s time to act.”

He emphasized that the NCP will move forward under the guidance of its Convener and Member Secretary. “We are ready to lay down our lives if necessary,” he asserted. Addressing attempts to intimidate NCP workers in different regions, Hasnat warned, “From Rupsha to Patharia—if anyone dares to threaten our activists, we’ll respond politically.” He reassured supporters, saying, “Do not be afraid. Our dream is to build a just and humane state—and we will keep fighting to make it a reality.”