Despite progress in political reform under the Yunus administration, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has expressed ongoing concerns about religious freedom in Bangladesh.

In its report, USCIRF noted that although the Constitution guarantees religious freedom, laws such as Section 295A of the Penal Code—relating to blasphemy—are still in effect. Moreover, certain provisions of the 2023 Cyber Security Act criminalize content that may hurt religious sentiments.

The report also labeled BNP as a conservative party due to its past affiliations with Jamaat-e-Islami and its constitutional push to include “absolute trust and faith in Almighty Allah.” Some women have reported increased visibility of conservative Islamist ideologies on university campuses. Barriers faced by the Women's Commission were also mentioned.

Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus held discussions with Hefazat-e-Islam leaders. According to the press wing, the meeting focused on compensation for victims of the Shapla Square crackdown and collecting and preserving all related documentation.

The possibility of initiating an investigation into the Shapla incident through the United Nations was also discussed. Additionally, the progress of withdrawing what Hefazat claims to be false cases against their leaders was reviewed. Key participants included Maulana Khulil Ahmad Quraishi, Maulana Sajedur Rahman, Maulana Mamunul Haque, Religious Affairs Advisor Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, Energy Advisor Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan, and Industry Advisor Adilur Rahman Khan, among others.

Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka has extended its closure by two more days following a tragic plane crash on July 21 that killed 35 people, most of them children, and injured over 150. The school was initially set to reopen on Sunday, July 27, but authorities have now announced closures for Sunday and Monday. A final decision about reopening will be made on Monday. The crash involved a Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft that hit one of the school’s buildings.

During a meeting with political parties at Jamuna, Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus stated that “regressive forces are attempting to derail the electoral process through unrest.” He called for unity among all anti-fascist democratic forces to resist such attempts.

He emphasized, “If all pro-democratic movements fail to organize a credible election, we risk losing a historic opportunity.” Seeking cooperation from all political parties, he added, “Every time we move forward with election preparations, conspiracies surface. However, no conspiracy can stop the march of democracy, as there is a clear unity among democratic forces against fascism.” A minute of silence was also observed in memory of the victims of the Milestone Tragedy during the meeting.

At least five people were killed in a grenade attack on a judicial building in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, including a one-year-old child and their mother. Security forces later engaged the assailants in a shootout, killing three of them.

Deputy police commander Alireza Daliri stated that the attackers entered the building disguised as visitors and launched the assault shortly afterward. A Pakistan-based group, Jaish al-Adl, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The region has long been home to Iran’s Sunni Baluch minority, who frequently allege political marginalization and systemic discrimination.

Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, Advisor to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, emphasized the need for modern, competency-based curricula, innovative teaching methods, and robust assessment systems to build a skilled workforce for the future.

Speaking at the 11th convocation of the University of Asia Pacific held at Sena Prangan in Dhaka, he stressed the importance of technological and vocational education. During the ceremony, the Chancellor's and Vice Chancellor’s Gold Medals were awarded to outstanding graduates.

At the World AI Conference in Shanghai, Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the urgent need for global consensus on balancing the rapid development of artificial intelligence with its security risks. He called for responsible governance, open-source collaboration, and announced a new China-led international body to enhance AI cooperation. Li highlighted challenges such as misinformation, job displacement, and loss of human control. Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump vowed aggressive policies to ensure American dominance in AI, aiming to reduce regulatory hurdles for private innovation.

In an interview with Turkish media, Sadiq Kayem, leader of Bangladesh's July uprising, accused India of treating Bangladesh like a colony for 16 years and backing the Hasina regime, including the August 5 massacre. He likened India's treatment of Muslims to that of Israel’s policies, rejecting Indian dominance. Kayem also called the Awami League a terrorist group and emphasized the movement's independence from foreign influence. He expressed hopes for a balanced foreign policy, especially with China.

BNP Joint Secretary General Habib-Un-Nabi Khan Sohel visited the family of Rojoni Islam, a parent who died in a tragic Air Force jet crash near the Milestone School & College campus in Dhaka’s Uttara Diabari area.

Offering condolences, Sohel met with the victim’s husband, daughter, and son, encouraging them to remain strong during this difficult time. He also emphasized the urgent need for more effective disaster management systems to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the establishment of a Palestinian state is essential for resolving the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including tensions with Israel. He reiterated Russia’s long-standing support for a two-state solution, noting that the country officially recognized Palestine's independence back in 1988.

Peskov urged all parties to adhere to UN Security Council resolutions to achieve lasting peace. Meanwhile, in the UK, 220 MPs—mostly from the ruling Labour Party—have called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to formally recognize Palestine. France has also announced its intention to recognize the Palestinian state soon.

Following a meeting with the Chief Adviser and 14 political parties on Saturday afternoon, Mostafa Jamal Haider, Chairman of the Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar faction), announced that the date for the upcoming national parliamentary election will be declared within four to five days.

“There could be no greater news than this,” he said, adding that elections are the key to resolving current unrest. He emphasized that many of the country’s ongoing problems can only be addressed through a credible electoral process.

Previously, the Chief Adviser held two rounds of meetings with leaders of various political parties and alliances, including the NCP, BNP, and Jamaat-e-Islami.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that while structural reform of the state and economy cannot happen overnight, democratic practices are essential for achieving such transformation. Speaking at an event in Dhaka, he remarked that democracy has been systematically destroyed over the past 15 years, leading to rampant corruption due to lack of accountability. "BNP believes in democracy, which is why we are demanding elections," he said.

Criticizing the proportional representation (PR) system, Fakhrul noted that the people of this country prefer to directly elect their leaders. He also referred to the potential impact of Trump's proposed tariffs as a major threat, stressing the need for dialogue among political parties to address pressing national issues.

Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), stated that while the current constitution is based on Mujibist ideology, it still requires reform to facilitate national development. At a roadside rally in Moulvibazar, he criticized the government for allegedly blaming the recent police killing in Baniachong on uprising participants. He reaffirmed NCP’s commitment to improving the living standards of tea workers and ensuring ethnic and cultural rights. The party's leaders are currently traveling from Moulvibazar to Kishoreganj as part of their campaign.

Professor Md. Nasir Uddin, acting director of the National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, stated that two more injured students—Ayan Khan and Rafsi (both 12)—have been discharged. A total of 36 patients remain hospitalized, with four in critical condition receiving treatment in the ICU. An additional nine patients are in the "CBR" category—serious but not immediately life-threatening. Nasir Uddin expressed hope that at least 10 more patients would be released next week. He also confirmed the deaths of two more patients and said that a specialized medical team including foreign doctors has been formed, with all necessary equipment available.

Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, announced that the Chief Advisor has begun a third round of political consultations in Jamuna. Among the political leaders attending the dialogue are Tipu Biswas (Coordinator, National People's Front), Mustafa Jamal Haider (Leader, 12-Party Alliance), Maulana Abdul Majed Athari (Vice President, Nizam-e-Islam Party), Maulana Yusuf Ashraf (Senior Deputy Emir, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish), Fariduzzaman Farhad (Chairman, NPP), Syed Ehsanul Huda (Chairman, Jatiya Dal), Dr. Mushtaq Hossain (Bangladesh JASAD), and Bobby Hajjaj (Chairman, Nationalist Democratic Movement).