Human Rights Watch reports that Myanmar’s Arakan Army has intensified persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State. Since November 2023, the armed group has imposed strict movement restrictions, looted homes, forced labor, detained and tortured villagers, and enforced forced recruitment. Despite promises of fair governance, Rohingyas face increased violence similar to the Myanmar military. Food shortages and land seizures worsen conditions. Over 120,000 new Rohingya refugees arrived in Bangladesh since May 2024. HRW urges the UN and international community to ensure safe, dignified repatriation.

UP Bangladesh has announced a mass rally at Shahbagh, Dhaka, on August 1 if the government fails to release the promised July Declaration and Charter by July 31. The platform criticized a leaked draft as failing to represent key national struggles, including the 2024 uprising and other historic movements. They demand official recognition of people’s sacrifices and the inclusion of major events omitted from the draft. Citizens of Dhaka and across the country have been urged to join the protest.

Authorities in Jhenaidah have begun verifying BCIC fertilizer dealers amid fears of a distribution conspiracy involving fugitive and inactive dealers. Over 50 of the 67 dealership licenses are tied to Awami League leaders or their families. Several dealers are fugitives or no longer control their businesses, raising concerns over irregularities during the peak farming season. The Agriculture Ministry has ordered updated records, with officials identifying those facing legal cases or violating policies. Authorities fear potential misuse of fertilizer due to political favoritism and regulatory loopholes.

Sultan Ahmed Rahi, president of the newly formed committee of Rabi Chhatra Dal, accused the Vice Chancellor of Rabi University of betraying the blood and trust of ordinary students. Speaking at a brief pre-march rally, Rahi questioned whether the VC has been using certain so-called student leaders within the administration to embezzle hundreds of crores of taka from various banks and government institutions under the guise of extortion. He said students are asking how much commission the VC has taken to recommend extortion fees, and if these allegations are true, he called for tearing the VC’s chair and throwing it into the Padma River as a symbolic act. Rahi further demanded the VC clarify whether he is committed to ensuring a fair academic environment for students or merely increasing the bank balances of these so-called student leaders. He warned the university administration that if they think they can manipulate the RAKSU (Rabi University Students Union) election through staged tactics and seize control like a "Ruar" (local gangster), they are mistaken. He assured that neither the Chhatra Dal nor the general students will allow such farcical elections to take place.

BNP leader Zainul Abedin Faruk stated that as the country advances towards a free and fair election under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, some political parties are attempting to hinder the process by raising various unfounded excuses. Faruk said that friends of Jamaat-e-Islami once stood by them. Now, while the people of Bangladesh await change, opposing the election on baseless grounds is tantamount to betraying the public. Some demand a caretaker government system (PR), while others insist no election will be acceptable without constitutional amendments. These excuses lack any foundation. Faruk also praised the initiative to crack down on extortionists but urged the government to publicly reveal the list of extortionists responsible for siphoning off Tk 200 billion. He added that people are eager to know the election date. Referring to former President Shahabuddin Ahmed, who ended Ershad’s decade-long repression and conducted elections within just three months, Faruk criticized the current delay, saying that even after 11 months, no election date has been announced. He urged the government to reduce gas and essential commodity prices, take strict action against extortionists, maintain law and order, and promptly announce the election schedule.

The government has withdrawn 102 officers of the 37th BCS batch from their duties as Assistant Commissioners (Land) in various regions. The Ministry of Public Administration has issued notifications assigning these officers to the offices of divisional commissioners as Senior Assistant Commissioners or Assistant Commissioners. Officers from the 37th batch currently serving as Executive Officers (Asilands) are also being gradually withdrawn from these responsibilities. This decision is part of a phased process to reassign the officers, according to information from the Ministry of Public Administration.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, his wife, and 25 others for loan fraud and embezzlement. The accused allegedly conspired to secure a 150 million BDT loan from United Commercial Bank’s Chittagong Port branch by submitting forged documents under the name of a fictitious company called Reliable Trading. The loan was subsequently misappropriated. ACC Director General Md. Akhtar Hossain confirmed the filing of the case on Wednesday.

In the 24-hour period from 8 AM Tuesday to 8 AM Wednesday, two more people have died from dengue fever, raising the death toll to 81 this year. Of these, 39 deaths occurred in July alone. During the same period, 386 patients were admitted to hospitals nationwide with dengue symptoms. So far, 20,702 dengue patients have been hospitalized this year. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) provides data on dengue patients admitted to hospitals, but many dengue sufferers are treated in private clinics or doctor chambers, meaning some cases go unreported in official government figures.

Marking one year since the fall of fascism, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has announced a three-day program titled “We Are July 36: We Will Not Stop.” The events will be held from August 5 to 7 at the TSC premises. SM Farhad, president of the Dhaka University Shibir branch, said the mass awakening and student resistance in July 2024 was an unprecedented milestone in Bangladesh’s political history. The program aims to preserve this memory and chart a future course through a gathering of arts, culture, memories, and political thought. The event will highlight the significance of the July revolution, feature firsthand accounts from families of martyrs and injured, and aim to revive the spirit of resistance. Discussions on the future of student politics and upcoming student union elections will also be part of the agenda.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Coordination Platform (NCP), announced that they will gather at Shaheed Minar on August 3 demanding judicial reform and the drafting of a new constitution. Speaking in Narsingdi, he recalled that the student movement against quotas, launched on July 1, 2024, gradually evolved into a mass uprising. He said the movement faced numerous conspiracies over the past year, hindering reform efforts, constitutional establishment, and the removal of a fascist president. He vowed the NCP will remain organized to achieve these demands. He also stressed that the fight against terrorism and extortion continues, compelling them to stay active on the streets. Nahid expressed confidence that people of Narsingdi will help achieve their goals from Shaheed Minar.

The July Unity alliance has warned that the National Press Club is heading toward establishing one-party autocracy. They stated that if the Press Club falls under single-party control, it would give rise to a new form of media fascism and Bangladesh would lose its way once again. In a statement, the alliance noted that during the Awami League’s rule, most media and some journalist organizations acted as guardians of misgovernance. Some journalists even supported state-sponsored oppression during incidents of mass atrocities under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership. With no visible reforms and old repressive forces still in power, the statement urges the Press Club to refrain from organizing events under party politics banners. It also calls for the inclusion of all participants of the July mass uprising in the upcoming August 1 event and future programs.

For the 13th Parliamentary elections, the National Consensus Commission has proposed retaining the 50 reserved seats for women while introducing direct election nominations for women candidates in 7% of the total parliamentary seats. Under this proposal, each political party must nominate women candidates in 21 constituencies. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Reform Commission has suggested direct elections for women in 100 seats. The NCPC recommends a rotational system for women candidates in these 100 constituencies. Islamic parties, including Jamaat, have proposed proportional representation for women in 100 seats, while BNP and allied groups support the current system of 100 reserved seats. Additionally, on July 27, Salahuddin Ahmed proposed maintaining the existing 50 reserved seats and nominating women candidates in 5% of the general seats.

Workers of Satshira Tea Garden in Chunarughat staged a human chain and rally on July 30 to protest against alleged conspiracies and false propaganda surrounding National Tea Company (NTC) gardens. The workers claimed a vested group is trying to disrupt progress just as the gardens are recovering under new management. They demanded justice for those spreading misinformation. The workers highlighted past corruption and wage delays, but said their situation has improved since August 5, with regular salaries and better operations now in place.

Authorities started a 17,188-meter drainage project in Patuakhali town in June 2023, costing 96 crore taka, to resolve persistent waterlogging. Scheduled for completion by December 2024, the project remains unfinished, causing ongoing flooding during rains and high tides. Poor coordination between new and old drains, blocked channels, and incomplete road repairs have worsened conditions. Residents report submerged streets and homes, while officials acknowledge delays and infrastructural issues, urging pumping solutions to manage rising water levels and improve drainage.

Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus has called on the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to intensify deep-sea fishing efforts and modernize the sector. He stressed the need for accurate surveys in the Bay of Bengal, seeking expertise from countries like Japan and Thailand. Yunus emphasized local production of animal feed and vaccines to reduce costs and enhance self-reliance. He also highlighted involving research institutes and integrating deep-sea fishing into university curricula for sustainable growth.