Former Austrian defence attaché and security policy analyst Wolfgang Pusztai said a “very weak memorandum of understanding” is contributing to the risk of renewed violence in the Iran war situation. Speaking to Al Jazeera on August 5, he said an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz could emerge on Wednesday or Thursday, though he said nothing could yet be confirmed.

Pusztai said mediators were working to clarify elements of the weak memorandum, which he described as a factor behind the renewed spread of violence. He said the United States could accept an Iran-Oman arrangement that recognizes no obligation to collect tolls and permits only fees for maritime services. But he said Washington would reject high tolls or large fees that would clearly conflict with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He said the issue extends beyond the Strait of Hormuz because such an arrangement could become a precedent for other key waterways worldwide. Pusztai also characterized differing messages from US President Donald Trump as part of an American information war against Iran. Reopening the strait would be important, he said, but would not resolve the broader conflict.

BNP leaders welcomed Awami League leader Abdur Rahim Mia with flowers at a union BNP organisational meeting in Jhalokathi on Tuesday afternoon. The event took place at the Kirtipasha Union Parishad meeting room, where Mia later appeared seated on the stage beside BNP leaders. The incident sparked discussion and criticism on social media.

Mia is vice-president of the Kirtipasha Union Awami League and chairman of the Union Parishad. Sadar Upazila BNP president SM Ejaz Hasan and general secretary Md Khokon Mallik were among the BNP leaders who welcomed him. Kirtipasha Union BNP president Anisuzzaman Chapal and general secretary Shariful Haque Mia were also present.

Addressing the matter, Sadar Upazila BNP president Professor Ejaz Hasan said Rahim Mia had not been taken into the party. He also claimed that reports saying Mia was joining the BNP were incorrect. The report did not provide comments from Mia or any further information about actions following the social media reaction.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said Mir Kashem Ali told him he returned to the country because his son would otherwise be taken away. Ahmed made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon at a reception and discussion programme for July martyrs’ families and July fighters at the China Friendship Conference Centre in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. He said Mir Kashem Ali was his friend and that they had served time together in Kashimpur prison.

Ahmed said he listened carefully to people who voiced protests at the event and recalled the contribution of those who coordinated the July movement from the front and behind the scenes. He said the movement might have been organized more effectively if the prime minister had not remained in exile for a long time. According to him, much of the field leadership was jailed, forcibly disappeared or in hiding, yet unified public resistance brought down what he called one of history’s worst autocracies.

Referring to his own detention, Ahmed said he spent 61 days in Aynaghar and that no person could remain there even for 24 hours. He said autocracy had destroyed families as well as individuals. Calling for unity, he warned that if people begin asking who owns July, it will belong to no one. He said the July uprising resulted from long preparation, sacrifice and struggle and must not be partisanized.

Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad demanded the immediate implementation of the July National Charter in line with the referendum verdict. He made the call on August 5, 2026, at a pre-rally gathering outside the National Press Club in Dhaka marking the second anniversary of the July mass uprising. He described the 2024 uprising as an irresistible awakening of students and citizens aimed at safeguarding Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty and building a discrimination-free country.

Azad alleged that the government, despite being the biggest beneficiary of the uprising, was reluctant to implement the charter. He said the majority verdict in favour of reforming the fundamental structure of the constitution was being ignored. He called reluctance to fully implement the charter after signing it a betrayal and demanded trials of fascist forces and swift execution of verdicts against fugitive convicts.

Party Secretary General Dr Ahmad Abdul Kader called for effective action against violence, extortion and partisan dominance on campuses. He urged authorities not to follow past fascist and authoritarian practices against opposition parties and views. The gathering ended with a procession from the National Press Club that went through Paltan intersection and concluded near the Bijoynagar water tank area.

An international scholarly seminar was held in Dhaka to mark the complete 17-volume publication of “Kifayatul Mughtazi fi Sharhi Jame Tirmizi,” written by hadith scholar and researcher Maulana Abdul Matin. Organised by Muassasa Ilmiyyah Bangladesh, the event took place on Wednesday at the Krishibid Institution auditorium under the theme of following the Salaf’s approach to hadith, with reference to Jame Tirmizi and Kifayatul Mughtazi. Scholars, muhaddiths, researchers and educators from Bangladesh and abroad attended.

Chief guest Maulana Mufti Abul Qasem Nomani of Darul Uloom Deoband described the work as the result of years of sustained effort and research. Seminar chair Maulana Abul Bashar said the book, produced through nearly three decades of study, could open a new horizon in hadith teaching and research. Other speakers highlighted its research value, completeness and international significance.

Abdul Matin said he began the research after starting lessons on Jame Tirmizi in 2001, while the main writing was completed between 2017 and 2025. The organisers distributed complete 17-volume sets free to 100 selected talented students. The seminar concluded with prayers led by Maulana Mahmudul Hasan.

Reserved-seat Member of Parliament Sultana Jesmin Jui called for using the achievements of July to advance Bangladesh’s overall development in Nazirpur, Pirojpur. Speaking as chief guest at a reception for July fighters and discussion meeting marking July Mass Uprising Day 2026, she urged people to unite and work toward fulfilling the movement’s core objectives. The event, organised by the upazila administration, was held at 11am on 5 August at the Upazila Agricultural Training Hallroom.

Jui said she wanted to develop Nazirpur into a model upazila. Referring to corruption in past LGED projects, she said Pirojpur’s image had been damaged and called for moving beyond that stigma. Describing Nazirpur as her own area, where her father’s grave, family and relatives are located, she said she wanted to live and work there. She also sought cooperation for the rapid repair of damaged local roads.

The meeting was chaired by UNO Sajia Shahnaz Tama and included representatives of Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP, family planning and police. BNP also held a rally and gathering the same day, with Jui as chief guest. Speakers paid tribute to July uprising martyrs and urged united work for democracy, voting rights and people’s rights.

Online activist Sadiqur Rahman Khan criticised the role of people responding to BNP leaders’ calls in a Facebook post on Wednesday evening. The comments were reported by Amar Desh Online in an article published on August 5, 2026. He argued that those who came at BNP leaders’ calls had never compelled Sheikh Hasina to flee.

Khan referred to a call by Tarique Rahman and said 1 million people came to Dhaka on October 28, but alleged that they left within 10 minutes after police blew whistles. He questioned whether leaders or activists fled first and how such a large crowd could leave so quickly. He said BNP had issued one-point calls over 17 years without gaining public response.

He also said Nahid Islam’s one-point demand on August 3 led to the government’s moral collapse, while Asif Mahmud called for the occupation of Dhaka on August 4. Khan claimed that people took control of Dhaka’s streets with sticks on August 5 and that more than 200 people were martyred. He named Nahid, Asif, Hasnat and Akhtar as July leaders and alleged that documentaries were being used to distort that history.

The Teachers’ Council of Government Madrasah-e-Alia, Dhaka, condemned a recent attack on the institution’s principal, vice-principal, teachers, officials, students and employees. In a protest statement signed by council secretary Muhammad Mohsin Kabir and issued on Tuesday, August 5, the council expressed deep concern, anger and strong protest over the incident.

According to the statement, violence on the campus on August 4, 2026 seriously injured Professor Mohammad Waidul Haque, the principal of Government Madrasah-e-Alia, Dhaka, and a member of the 16th BCS General Education cadre. The vice-principal and several other teachers, students and employees were also attacked, the council said.

The council said such attacks harm not only individuals but also education, discipline, the rule of law and a healthy academic environment. It called for a fair, impartial and swift investigation, exemplary punishment for those responsible, and effective measures to ensure security for teachers, students, officials and employees while maintaining a proper educational environment.

In a personal account published by Amar Desh on August 5, 2026, author Sibgatullah describes what he says was a strategy to direct the 2024 July movement in Dhaka toward Ganabhaban. He writes that, after reviewing protest routes and confrontation sites across the capital following July 21, he concluded the movement needed a single destination. In his account, that destination was Ganabhaban.

The author portrays the movement as a collective response to 17 years of alleged injustice and repression. He cites the labeling of protesting students as “Razakar” on the night of July 14, alleged attacks by police and Chhatra League on July 15, and the use of tear gas and sound grenades at a campus gathering on July 17. He says reports of deaths and injuries between July 18 and 21 intensified the need to change tactics.

He says a core team worked on a map and plan centered on Ganabhaban. According to his account, the August 3 “one-point” declaration at Shaheed Minar created the opportunity to implement it. He says programmes announced for August 4 and 5 aimed to surround Ganabhaban, and that millions began marching there after breaking barricades on August 5.

Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP, says it will work as a pressure group rather than enter electoral politics for now amid India’s current situation. Founder Abhijit Deepke made the announcement before a core team meeting in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, on Wednesday. He said the organisation has no immediate plan to form a political party and instead aims to build a grassroots social movement.

The meeting is expected to discuss declining public trust in institutions such as the media and judiciary, as well as rising unemployment and ethanol-blended fuel. Chief spokesperson Saurav Das said activist Sonam Wangchuk would serve as the group’s mentor or adviser. Deepke said accountability was needed in the judiciary, politics, media and Election Commission because people had lost trust in those institutions.

CJP says it is discussing with the government the withdrawal of cases filed against students who joined its recent protests against exam paper leaks and other irregularities. It is also providing legal and medical assistance to injured students. Leaders will review the recent movement, expand the organisation at the grassroots level and finalise future plans. Deepke also said CJP would support students protesting alleged irregularities in government job examinations in Jharkhand.

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed criticized the Awami League at a reception and discussion meeting marking July Uprising Day at the China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka on August 5. Speaking as chief guest, he said the party had shown no remorse after what he described as injustice, killings, disappearances, money laundering, torture and incidents such as the Aynaghar. He said the party had spoken of returning to the country in December and that they would meet on the streets if it did.

Referring to his political life, Ahmed said he fought in the Liberation War at age 27 and would fight another war for Bangladesh at age 82 if necessary. He said he would work to make the rule of the people and democracy permanent in Bangladesh. Recalling that he was injured in the 1971 war, he said he had not fought to see such a Bangladesh.

Ahmed called July's history a history of pride and praised the courage of people such as Abu Sayeed. Addressing July fighters, he said they might not receive everything but would receive respect from the government. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Jamaat secretary general Mia Golam Parwar, political leaders, diplomatic representatives and families of July movement martyrs attended.

BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders expressed anger after they were not invited onto the stage during an honorarium distribution for July Revolution martyrs and injured people in Satkhira on Wednesday. The incident occurred at a discussion and award ceremony marking the second anniversary of the July Revolution at the Satkhira District Shilpakala Academy auditorium.

According to eyewitnesses and party sources, honorariums were provided to 95 July fighters: families of eight martyrs and 87 injured people. Satkhira Deputy Commissioner Kaisar Aziz and Superintendent of Police Abu Saleh Md. Ashraful Alam went on stage for the distribution, while top leaders of the political parties present were not called to participate.

Jamaat district amir Shahidul Islam Mukul said political leaders left because they were not called to the stage. BNP district convener Rahmatullah Palash said they left before the programme ended under the leadership of District Council administrator Habibul Islam Habib. However, Deputy Commissioner Kaisar Aziz denied that any political leaders left, saying all remained until the end and that he and the police superintendent handed honorariums to families of eight martyrs.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said Mir Kashem Ali was his friend and that they served time together in Kashimpur prison. Speaking on Wednesday afternoon at a reception and discussion for July martyrs’ families and July fighters at China Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, he said Ali had told him he returned to the country because otherwise his son would be taken away.

Ahmed said he listened attentively to people who voiced protests at the event and acknowledged those who coordinated the July movement from the front and behind the scenes. He said much of the field leadership was in prison, disappeared or in hiding at the time. He also said the movement might have been organized more effectively if the prime minister had not been in exile for a long period.

Recalling his own detention, Ahmed said he spent 61 days in Aynaghar and that a person could not remain there even for 24 hours. He said authoritarian rule had destroyed not only individuals but also families, urging unity based on those experiences. He said the July uprising resulted from long preparation, sacrifice and struggle, and should never be turned into a partisan matter.

Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department said a new low-pressure area may form over the central Bay of Bengal on August 10 and later deepen into a depression. Its effects could bring heavy to very heavy rainfall across the country from August 14. Meteorologist Dr Omar Faruk said rain would continue nationwide on Thursday, then ease from Friday through August 9 before increasing again on August 10 and 11.

Active monsoon conditions brought rain across Bangladesh on Wednesday and may continue on Thursday. The Bangladesh Weather Observation Team said a partial rain belt called “Nirjhar” could make rainfall most intense on Thursday. By 6 pm Wednesday, Netrokona recorded the highest rainfall at 141 millimetres, followed by Hatiya with 140 millimetres and Cox’s Bazar with 136 millimetres.

The department forecast rain or thundershowers with gusty winds in most places across all eight divisions on Thursday, with moderately heavy to heavy falls in some areas. Water levels at Dalia on the Teesta and Fenchuganj on the Kushiyara were above danger levels. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre warned of flood risks in several districts within 24 to 48 hours and possible inundation of low-lying areas in several basins within 48 to 120 hours.

Students at Cumilla University criticized what they described as a limited observance of the second anniversary of the July mass uprising on August 5. The university administration began its programme with a rally at 10:30am on Wednesday, followed by a discussion at the Business Studies Faculty conference room. Abdul Kaiyum, described as the university’s sole martyr of the uprising, received a posthumous honor. Prayers and tabarruk distribution for the martyrs were also arranged at the central mosque after Zuhr.

Students said the campus lacked lighting, feast meals, cultural events, exhibitions and other participatory activities they said were held at many public universities. They also alleged that tabarruk was insufficient, leaving some students without it. Students Jubayer Hasan Rafat and Md Iqbal said the administration should translate its “Student First” policy into more inclusive and dignified arrangements.

Chhatra Shakti organizer Naim Bhuiyan called for larger future observances that honor the uprising’s spirit and cultural dimension. Chhatra Shibir president Mozammel Hossain Abir questioned the programme’s scale and criticized the lack of visible action against those accused of attacks on students during the movement. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr M. M. Shariful Karim said the administration would continue initiatives to preserve martyrs’ memories and present their sacrifices to new generations.