To commemorate the July Uprising and preserve its historical context, a memorabilia collection campaign for the July Uprising Memorial Museum has been launched. On Saturday, Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki began the initiative by visiting the home of martyred activist Wasim Akram in Pekua, Cox’s Bazar. He collected personal items belonging to the martyr from his family to be preserved in the museum’s archive. A visual documentation team accompanying Farooki captured the emotional void left in the martyr’s home. On Sunday, Farooki is scheduled to meet the families of other martyrs—Faisal Ahmed Shanto, Omar Farooq, and Shahidul—to collect their personal mementos and share their stories.

UGC Chairman and former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. SMA Faiz stated that if the government announces a roadmap for the upcoming election, it could help ease the political tension. He urged BNP to abandon its rigid stance of announcing a separate roadmap and instead engage in dialogue. “There is little difference between holding elections in June or December. Through discussions, this gap can be bridged,” he said. At the same event, Prof. Dr. Mahbub Ullah emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms and criticized the government for lacking a clear agenda when it assumed office. “Now we hear about reforms, justice, and elections being their priorities,” he remarked.

The 44th death anniversary of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman was observed across Bangladesh on Saturday through various programs. Events included tributes, mourning processions, prayers, food distribution among the underprivileged, and free medical camps. In Mathbaria, Pirojpur district BNP leader Prof. Alomgir Hossain attended a memorial gathering. In Gafargaon, former BNP joint convenor Dr. Mofakhkharul Islam Rana organized a medical camp, while volunteers in Faridpur distributed meals. Khagrachari hosted rallies, flower offerings, discussions, and a book fair. In Joypurhat, the district’s Farmers’ Wing distributed 500 tree saplings, and Zia Parishad held a commemorative meeting.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has returned to Dhaka following a four-day official visit to Japan. He arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:15 AM on Saturday night via a Singapore Airlines flight. According to a statement from the Chief Adviser’s press wing, the flight departed from Narita International Airport in Tokyo at 11:20 AM local time on Saturday and transited through Singapore en route to Dhaka. During his visit, Dr. Yunus attended nearly 20 programs in Tokyo, including a high-level meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba.

Human rights organization Odhikar raised five key demands, including justice for those involved in past enforced disappearances, at a discussion held in memory of victims. President Taskeen Fahmina stated that enforced disappearance is a crime against humanity. She cited the disappearance of freedom fighter Major Jalil and the 1996 case of Kalpana Chakma. According to Odhikar’s documentation, between January 2009 and August 5, 2024, under Sheikh Hasina’s regime, 730 individuals were forcibly disappeared. Among them, 83 were killed extrajudicially, and 162 remain missing. “The actual number is likely higher,” she added.

Bangladesh and China signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Saturday to strengthen bilateral trade and cooperation in commerce. The agreements were signed by Bangladesh’s Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. During the bilateral talks, Bangladesh requested assistance from China in using drone technology for agricultural development. The Chinese minister expressed willingness to support this initiative. Adviser Bashir Uddin also called for increased Chinese investment in Bangladesh.

Adviser M. Shakhawat Hossain assured citizens that, as in the last Eid, there will be no travel disruptions on waterways during the upcoming Eid. He acknowledged the persistent ferry shortages but highlighted that significant improvements have been made in the southern region’s transport infrastructure under the interim government. “We’ve deployed ferries in areas like Maheshkhali and Sandwip, and now Kutubdia is requesting them too. More ferries are expected later this year to further improve connectivity,” he added.

The Office of the Chief Adviser has requested detailed updates from ministries and their departments regarding the implementation of reform and development initiatives undertaken since the interim government assumed office. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam recently sent a formal letter to the Cabinet Secretary, prompting the Cabinet Division to issue directives to all senior secretaries and secretaries. The ministries have been asked to submit their feedback within seven working days.

In a groundbreaking move, Bangladesh will launch its first-ever national skill development program, training 6,000 SSC graduates. Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul stated that this initiative will begin in Tangail and marks a historic milestone for the country. Highlighting the demands of the international labor market, he emphasized that unskilled or semi-skilled workers are no longer in demand globally. “We must increase the number of skilled workers,” he said. Dr. Nazrul explained that students often remain idle for six months after the SSC exams, and this program aims to equip them with employable skills during that time. He added that the Chief Adviser has received an offer from Japan to recruit 100,000 workers, and several other countries have shown similar interest. The government has also established a Welfare Lounge for expatriates and envisions building a dedicated hospital for them in the future.

Tension erupted at Chittagong Government Commerce College after a dispute over setting up a help desk. Islami Chhatra Shibir claimed their leaders were attacked by Chhatra Dal without provocation, resulting in injuries to three members. Eyewitnesses appeared to support this claim. However, Chhatra Dal leaders denied the allegations, saying Shibir activists provoked the incident by chanting “Catch Chhatra Dal,” which led to minor pushing but no physical assault.

The interim government has formed a five-member committee led by Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed to increase foreign direct investment (FDI) through incentive measures. Members include Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan, Finance Division Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, and BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun, who will serve as the committee’s member secretary.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Safar Ali of Nagarkanda Police Station in Faridpur has been withdrawn following an attack on Baishakhi Islam Barsha, a leader of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. The district police transferred him to the police lines after public outcry and administrative review. Safar Ali had joined the station as OC on September 14, 2024.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said the party has no objection to elections being held in December, February, or April—as long as key reforms are completed beforehand. He urged the Chief Adviser to announce a clear roadmap for both the reforms and elections. “Let’s not complicate matters by rushing. We are ready for polls once the groundwork is laid,” he said, stressing that the people should not lose faith in Jamaat’s role in national stability.

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan stated that calls for a free and fair election are not a crime, emphasizing the party’s firm belief in democracy. “We welcome any party’s victory in a credible election, even if it’s not us,” he said. Moin Khan also praised former President Ziaur Rahman for restoring stability between 1972 and 1975, and for transforming Bangladesh from a “bottomless basket” into a country of economic potential. He highlighted Zia’s leadership at the OIC summit as a moment of national pride.

Islami Chhatra Shibir staged a protest in Rangpur after their help desk was attacked during the National University admission test. Witnesses said several traders raided the desk, seizing student materials and phones, which were later recovered with police assistance. Two individuals were detained; one woman was released after questioning. Protesters declared, “Attacking Shibir is like touching fire. There will be a response.”