Advisor Rizwana Hasan has confirmed that national elections will take place in February. She emphasized that the recent removal of the President’s photographs from foreign missions is unrelated to the election schedule.

“The government sets the election date after careful consideration and consultation with political parties,” Rizwana said. Responding to claims by the NCP that elections would not occur in February, she added, “Everyone speaks from their own political stance. The government does not act based on anyone else’s statements. We have announced elections for February and remain committed to that timeline.”

Regarding the Jaflong stone extraction issue, Rizwana criticized those expressing concern for workers today, saying, “The same people once used dynamite for sand extraction, which resulted in the deaths of 65 to 80 workers. At that time, we did not see them expressing any sympathy.”

The High Court has scheduled October for hearings on former Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque’s bail plea and case dismissal in the murder trial of Jubo Dal activist Abdul Qayyum Ahad, who was killed in Jatrabari during the July uprising.
On Sunday, Haque’s lawyer sought more time, a request also echoed by the Attorney General. Earlier this month, an attempt to hear the case saw heated arguments and even scuffles between lawyers from both sides.
Apart from this case, Haque also faces three other charges, including alleged verdict forgery.

A delegation from the National Cooperation Party (NCP) held a meeting with Palestinian Ambassador Yusuf S.Y. Ramadan at his residence in Baridhara. The NCP delegation included Convener Nahid Islam, Nahida Sarwar Chowdhury Niva, and Alauddin Mohammad.

During the meeting, Nahid Islam reaffirmed the commitment of Bangladesh’s younger generation to the cause of an independent Palestinian state. He also expressed the party’s determination to create more opportunities for Palestinian students in Bangladesh.

The Press Wing of the interim government has requested a formal explanation from the Officer-in-Charge of Dhanmondi Police regarding the grounds for arresting the rickshaw driver who went to pay tribute on August 15. The DMP has also been asked to review whether any inconsistencies exist in the recent conduct or statements of the involved officer.

Furthermore, the investigation into Azizur Rahman’s alleged involvement in the case will follow the recently amended Section 173(A) of the Criminal Procedure Code, which mandates expedited reporting. Authorities have instructed that the investigative report be submitted promptly.

Rickshaw driver Md. Azizur Rahman, who was beaten by a mob while attempting to lay flowers at Dhaka’s 32 Dhanmondi on August 15, has been granted bail. Azizur had been imprisoned in connection with an attempted murder case linked to the July mass uprising. Sources confirm that, as he faces no other pending cases, nothing stands in the way of his release.

Azizur was attacked by a mob while paying tribute at 32 Dhanmondi, after which police arrested him. However, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) clarified that the arrest was made under a standard criminal case, not for murder.

National Security Adviser Khaleelur Rahman has announced that the United Nations will hold an international conference on the Rohingya crisis on September 30. He described the event as a rare opportunity to chart a roadmap for resolving one of the world’s most protracted humanitarian issues.
Ahead of the global meet, a preparatory dialogue titled “Stakeholder Consultation: Messages for the High-Level Conference on Rohingya Situation” will take place in Cox’s Bazar on August 25.
Rahman noted that the issue had nearly slipped off the international agenda, but a call by the Chief Adviser for a dedicated UN conference gained unanimous support at the General Assembly. A total of 106 countries have endorsed the upcoming summit.

Prosecutor Mizanul Islam has announced that testimonies in the war crimes trial involving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and another accused will be completed by October.
On Sunday, three more witnesses testified against Sheikh Hasina, including Abdul Samad, who was shot during the July uprising, a man named Mizan, and a Khulna-based student, Naeem Shikdar. Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who turned state witness, was also produced in court.
Separately, 15 accused were brought before the tribunal in three other cases filed in Rampura, Mohammadpur, and Ashulia. The tribunal has postponed submission of investigation reports in these cases upon prosecution’s request.

A 26-year-old man, identified as Md. Toufiq-ul-Islam alias “Killer Babu,” died following a mob beating in Lalbagh. The incident occurred just past midnight on Saturday in the Lohar Bridge area of Shahidnagar after locals accused him of drunken disorderly conduct. He was beaten before being handed over to army personnel and later taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 8:15 AM Sunday, where doctors declared him dead. His body has been kept at the morgue for autopsy. Police have been notified of the incident.

BNP leader Dr. Rafiqul Islam has strongly criticized political analyst Dr. Asif Nazrul for labeling doctors as “agents of pharmaceutical companies” and questioning their professional integrity. “Such sweeping accusations are not only baseless but also a direct attack on the dignity and professionalism of the medical community,” Rafiqul said.
While acknowledging that Nazrul’s past statements have sometimes contributed to positive debate, Rafiqul warned that exaggerations like this breed confusion and mistrust. He urged resolving weaknesses in the healthcare sector through reforms and dialogue rather than branding the entire profession with derogatory terms.
He further noted that promoting overseas treatment by discrediting local doctors is deeply harmful. Rafiqul demanded that Nazrul withdraw his offensive remarks and show respect to a medical community that feels deeply hurt.

Despite police and linemen tasked with traffic management, buses in Dhaka are frequently seen blocking roads or moving slowly, creating disorder. Bus drivers and helpers blame the chaos on extortion disguised as “gate pass” fees, excess vehicles, and inflated daily rental payments.
For example, on one registered route alone, transport workers are forced to deposit Tk 550 daily per bus as a so-called “GP fee” at Victoria Park or Paltan, channeled to owners’ associations. With around 250 Victor Paribahan buses operating despite only 129 having registration, extortion totals roughly Tk 1.37 lakh per day on a single route—amounting to Tk 5 crore annually. Across Dhaka’s 7,000 buses, the figure soars to nearly Tk 150 crore a year.
Drivers claim that paying the fee ensures protection—from lenient handling by sergeants to settlements in accident cases. Meanwhile, owners argue the collected money goes towards workers’ welfare.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has dismissed rumors that a rickshaw-puller arrested on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s death anniversary at Dhanmondi 32 was implicated in a murder case. DMP spokesperson Muhammad Talebur Rahman clarified that 27-year-old Md. Azizur Rahman was detained on Friday and later sent to court in connection with a regular criminal case filed in April.
“Contrary to misleading reports in media and social platforms, this was not a murder case. Such claims are false and politically motivated,” Talebur said, urging the public not to spread disinformation.

Amid rising tensions over tariffs, the U.S. has canceled a scheduled trade mission to India, originally set for August 25–29, according to NDTV.

The visit was expected to pave the way for discussions on a bilateral trade agreement. India is currently grappling with tariff burdens of up to 50 percent, with new duties set to take effect on August 27.

Negotiations were underway to finalize a trade deal by September–October. Officials suggest the talks may be rescheduled, but no new dates have been announced.

Serbia’s anti-government protests have intensified despite severe police resistance, with demonstrators targeting the ruling Serbian Progressive Party’s offices in Valjevo.

On Saturday, police in Belgrade fired tear gas to disperse crowds, while protesters in Valjevo attacked party offices. The demonstrations, ongoing for months, have surged following allegations of police brutality against activists.

Clashes earlier in the week left 27 police officers and nearly 80 civilians injured, with 47 people arrested.

What began as a largely peaceful movement has now transformed into a volatile wave of unrest, with tensions continuing to mount across the country.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has raised concerns over the final draft of the “July National Charter 2025,” stating that several sections contain inconsistencies and have not been presented accurately. He confirmed that BNP will formally provide its opinion by August 20 after reviewing the draft.
The draft, prepared by the National Consensus Commission, has already been circulated among political parties. It notes areas of agreement through collective dialogue, but acknowledges that not all parties have consented to every recommendation.

Writer and intellectual Forhad Mazhar has issued a stark warning, claiming that if elections are held under Sheikh Hasina’s “fascist constitution” and a military-backed caretaker government, those involved would face charges of treason and “hang from the gallows.”

Speaking on the aftermath of the August 5 uprising, Mazhar criticized the lack of constitutional reform, noting that while the movement toppled an authoritarian regime, it failed to establish a new democratic framework.

He argued that past uprisings — in 1969 and 1990 — played pivotal roles in Bangladesh’s political trajectory, yet current student leaders lack the vision to seize power.

“Why did we not see young leaders stand before the Raju Memorial or Shaheed Minar and declare, ‘From today, we take charge of the country’?” he asked, lamenting what he described as a lack of self-criticism among today’s youth.

Mazhar also criticized the University of Dhaka, accusing it of declining in both independence and academic research.