A devastating fire broke out around 8:30 PM on Sunday at the Chandgazi Bottoli Market in Feni’s Chhagalnaiya Upazila, reducing 13 shops to ashes. Two units of the Fire Service managed to bring the flames under control within 40 minutes. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. According to affected shopkeepers, the estimated loss is around 4 million BDT (approximately USD 37,000).

Nur Alam Sohag, recently removed from his role as Sonagazi Upazila Chhatra Dal secretary, has declared that leaders of the National Citizens’ Platform (NCP) will not be allowed to enter Feni unless they publicly apologize. He issued a warning to disrupt Monday's rally if no apology is made. While a local Jubo Dal leader expressed dissatisfaction over the use of relief funds, the Feni district BNP clarified they are not involved in such actions and have demanded punishment for those provoking unrest. The NCP stated they are maintaining communication with law enforcement to avoid further controversy.

More than 2,000 Bangladeshi nationals working in Libya have registered to return home, the Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli confirmed. The information was shared during a public hearing in Misrata, led by Ambassador Major General Khandaker Khairul Bashar. The embassy has initiated several support programs, including the rollout of e-passports, security assurances, visa renewals, legal remittance processes, and guidance on illegal migration. In the last 18 months, over 5,500 migrants have been repatriated with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The newly registered individuals will also be repatriated gradually.

NCP Convenor Nahid Islam has vowed to continue the struggle for justice despite facing attacks in various parts of the country. Referring to incidents in Cox's Bazar, he said, “Nasiruddin Patwari exposed the truth, and we are being targeted for it. If we're stopped, we will resist. We must win this fight.” Addressing a massive rally at Biploob Udyan, he declared Chattogram as both the economic lifeline and the epicenter of resistance in Bangladesh. NCP Secretary Akhter Hossain also announced anti-corruption initiatives in public offices, including passport services. Hasnat Abdullah said it is now time to build a successful state after removing autocracy.

Torchlight processions and protest rallies were held in several areas of Chattogram—Banshkhali, Laldighi, and Bahaddarhat—in response to what was termed “offensive” remarks by NCP leader Nasir Uddin Patwari against BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed. Organized under the leadership of local chairman Layekat Ali and led by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of BNP, the rally started from Banshkhali and ended at the Upazila Parishad grounds. Leaders and activists from the youth, farmer, volunteer, and student wings of the BNP participated in the event.

Dr. Tasnim Jara, Joint Secretary of the National Citizens' Platform (NCP), stated that citizens are not protesting merely to change faces in elections or power, but to replace a broken, unjust system altogether. Speaking at a street rally in Cox’s Bazar, she emphasized the ongoing movement is for protecting people's rights. She called for an end to extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances and demanded accountability and justice. “The struggle will continue until justice is served for the martyrs,” she added, advocating for a political culture where the people's voice shapes the party’s agenda.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev inaugurated the restored 150-year-old Jiyahly Mosque in Agdam on July 18. The reconstruction, overseen by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, began in 2022 and preserved the mosque’s original architecture using archival materials. The mosque, built between 1868-70 by architect Karbalayi Safikhan Karabakhi, survived decades of neglect after Agdam fell under Armenian control in 1993. Now reopened as a religious and cultural center, the mosque symbolizes Islamic heritage in the region and Azerbaijan’s commitment to preserving its historical monuments.

Gulshan Lake in Dhaka North City Corporation has become a polluted dumping site filled with foul-smelling stagnant water. Despite repeated complaints, no effective action has been taken, and no specific budget has been allocated for its cleanup. Sewage from nearby buildings is directly polluting the lake, causing health hazards and discomfort for locals and office workers. Authorities stress the need for coordinated efforts and increased public awareness to restore the lake’s condition before its existence is threatened.

Ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary elections, Bangladesh's Election Commission (EC) received 144 applications from new political parties seeking registration. None passed the initial scrutiny. After sending letters to 62 parties in the first phase to address information gaps, the EC has now started issuing letters to 82 parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP), asking for additional documents within 15 days. Registration requires meeting strict criteria including organizational structure and voter support. Without EC registration, parties cannot contest using their symbols.

Mohammad Khaled Rahim, an experienced Bangladesh Civil Service officer from the 15th batch, has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Promoted from Additional Secretary of the Cabinet Division, he officially assumed his role on July 20. Khaled Rahim began his career as an Assistant Commissioner in Netrokona and has served in various administrative and governmental departments, including the Life Insurance Corporation and the Ministry of Education.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed restarting peace talks with Russia, following a pause in negotiations last month. In a video message, he said Ukraine's new security chief, Rustem Umerov, offered the proposal to his Russian counterpart. Zelensky also expressed interest in a direct meeting with President Vladimir Putin, calling it crucial for lasting peace. Umerov, who previously led Ukraine’s delegation in peace talks in Turkey, now oversees efforts to revive diplomacy. Russia has yet to respond officially to the latest initiative.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently resting at home after suffering from food poisoning. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on Sunday, the 75-year-old leader fell ill on Saturday night, and medical tests revealed intestinal inflammation and dehydration. On doctors' advice, Netanyahu will rest for three days while continuing his official duties from home. It is worth noting that he had a pacemaker implanted and underwent prostate surgery last year.

Violence in Syria’s southern city of Sweida has left nearly 1,000 dead amid ongoing sectarian clashes between the Druze community and Bedouin fighters. Despite a declared ceasefire, heavy gunfire and mortar shelling continued. The interim government, led by President Ahmed al-Shara, has struggled to regain control. Israeli airstrikes in southern Syria and Damascus further escalated tensions, while the U.S. backed the current Syrian administration. Humanitarian conditions have worsened, with hospitals overwhelmed and minorities fearing for their safety under al-Shara’s rule.

The Bangladesh government’s total debt surged by Tk 56,000 crore in FY 2023–24 due to a revised accounting method that now includes advance financing from Bangladesh Bank. Previously excluded from internal debt figures, these advances are now officially counted, increasing transparency in fiscal reporting. The IMF has supported this change. Experts stress the need to apply the revision across all fiscal years for accurate comparisons. The total domestic debt now stands at Tk 10.77 lakh crore, up from Tk 10.20 lakh crore under the old method.

Despite public demands and High Court directives, RAJUK has not canceled plot allotments granted under "special consideration" to influential figures during Sheikh Hasina's rule. These beneficiaries included bureaucrats, politicians, media personalities, and academics who allegedly supported authoritarian governance. Investigations reveal massive irregularities in projects like Purbachal and Jhilmil. Anti-Corruption Commission cases and expert criticisms highlight political misuse of public resources. Analysts urge cancellation of these controversial allotments and legal action against those involved to restore transparency and uphold urban planning standards.