Ukraine struck an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea that was supplying drones and military equipment to Russia, according to the report published on July 28. William Courtney, a former US ambassador and senior fellow at RAND Corporation, told Al Jazeera that Washington would likely view the action positively. He said the move served Ukraine’s own interests while also advancing those of the United States.

Courtney said Ukraine appeared to be aligning itself with the US strategy on Iran. The United States has long been deeply concerned about Iran’s supply of Shahed drones to Russia, he said, adding that more advanced versions are now being produced at a Russian factory. An attack on Iranian supplies could therefore provide relief to the US administration, in his view.

Courtney said Ukraine has no desire to become directly involved in the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States and Israel. He warned that the war against Iran in the Middle East is unpopular among Western countries, meaning Ukraine would not want to become overly associated with it. The report also said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had arrived in Washington, DC, with possible talks with President Trump expected during their visits.

Turkey’s leading textile company Sanko has expressed interest in investing about $300 million in Bangladesh’s textile and jute sectors through an integrated textile production facility in the Mirsarai industrial zone. The company disclosed the plan at a Tuesday meeting at the Secretariat with Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, minister in charge of the commerce, industries, and textiles and jute ministries. State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam also attended.

Sanko said the proposed project would produce fabrics, process fabric, and manufacture value-added textile goods. It cited Bangladesh’s promising market, skilled workforce, export capacity, existing business ties and demand from international buyers as reasons for seeking to expand local production. The company currently supplies textile products from Turkey. Its representatives said a local facility could bring new international buyers to Bangladesh and help existing textile factories through technology, skills and market expansion.

The company said it has selected possible sites and discussed the project with partners. It sought support for energy facilities, gas connections, electricity and faster government approvals, while emphasizing coal-free, environmentally friendly energy and sustainable production. If approvals and infrastructure are secured, Sanko plans to begin subsequent work within months and target operations 12 to 18 months after construction begins. The minister pledged necessary support.

Water Resources Minister and BNP joint secretary general Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anni said BNP’s 17-year struggle created the foundation for the July uprising. He made the remarks on Tuesday as chief guest at a discussion titled “Unity, Not Division, to Build a Just and Discrimination-Free Society” at the National Press Club in the capital. The event was organized by a group called Amra Bangladeshi.

Anni said BNP had formed alliances and carried out simultaneous movements, arguing that an uprising requires a foundation. He questioned the opposition’s role in earlier movements and criticized its claims regarding the uprising. He also cited BNP’s multiple candidates in some constituencies and weaknesses in expatriate voting, alleging that expatriate votes had been influenced and calling for monitoring to ensure fresh elections in relevant seats.

He said the government, only five months old, had not yet been able to resolve many problems, although the prime minister was making efforts and had taken programmes. Anni also referred to alleged theft and looting over the past 17 years, shrinking land and population growth. Lawmaker Shahadat Hossain Selim said he wanted unity rather than division.

Professor Dr A B M Saiful Islam has been appointed vice-chancellor of Patuakhali Science and Technology University. The appointment was announced in a notification issued Monday by the Science and Technology University branch of the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Education Ministry. Islam is a professor in the university’s Soil Science Department and dean of its Faculty of Oceanography.

The appointment was made with approval from the President and Chancellor under Section 10(1) of the Patuakhali Science and Technology University Act, 2001. His term will remain effective for four years from the date he joins or until his retirement date, whichever comes first. He will receive salary and allowances equivalent to his current post, along with other benefits under the rules.

As the university’s executive officer, Islam must reside on campus full time, while the Chancellor may cancel the appointment at any time if necessary. He joined the university as a lecturer in 2007 and said he wanted to work with integrity, transparency and accountability to improve education, research and administration with everyone’s cooperation.

M Abdullah, joint editor of Amar Desh and president of the Bangladesh Association of Journalists, donated Tk100,000 to the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation. The donation was handed over on Tuesday afternoon, July 28, at the Amar Desh office in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka. Samsi Ara Zaman, the foundation’s general secretary and mother of July martyr journalist Tahir Zaman Priyo, received it with senior accounts and finance officer Md Harun-or-Rashid.

Mahmudur Rahman, joint convener of the National Editors Council and Amar Desh editor, managing editor Zahed Chowdhury, sports editor M M Kaiser and staff reporter Mahmud Ashik attended the handover. Abdullah is also a former president of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists and a former managing director of the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust.

The foundation was formed to remember those killed in the July movement and has undertaken initiatives for martyrs’ families and injured July fighters. It has faced financial hardship, and its officers and employees have not received salaries for the past five months. After learning of the crisis at the foundation’s theme song launch, Abdullah announced he would donate one month’s salary. He urged people from all sections of society to support martyrs’ families, while Samsi Ara Zaman expressed gratitude.

A Faridpur court sentenced three people to death in the murder case of vegetable seller Faisal Sheikh, 22. Judge Mohammad Badiuzzaman of the First Additional Sessions Judge Court delivered the verdict at about 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The convicts are Chan Sardar, Tara Sardar and Babul Akand. Babul was present when the judgment was announced and was later taken to prison under police guard.

Court sources said Faisal was hacked and beaten at the under-construction building of Faridpur Medical College Hospital on September 5, 2012. He died while being taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital after being rescued in critical condition. Faisal was the son of late Aku Sheikh and lived in the Middle Alipur area of Faridpur town.

The victim's mother, Firoza Begum, filed a murder case at Faridpur Kotwali police station the following day, naming four people including Chan and Tara. CID inspector Md Shahjahan Mia submitted the charge sheet on July 31, 2013. Another named accused, Shahin Sardar, died during the proceedings. Public prosecutor Chowdhury Zahid Hasan said the killing was proven beyond doubt through hearings and witness testimony. Arrest warrants were issued for fugitive brothers Chan and Tara.

Veteran singer Runa Laila thanked fans in a video message after recently performing a solo concert at the main auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The report, published on July 28, 2026, said she was moved by the audience’s love, respect and messages following the event. She said she felt truly honoured by their response.

Laila said she was proud to live in Bangladesh and to be a singer of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. She credited the prayers and affection of her many admirers and fans for helping her come this far. Comments and messages sent after the recent concert had touched her heart, she said, adding that she wanted to continue singing for those who love her and her music.

The concert was her first solo singing event at Shilpakala Academy in a 62-year professional music career. Because the auditorium had limited seating, more than 750 audience members could not be accommodated. Laila expressed hope of holding a larger concert in the future so that many more people could attend, and said she hoped to have another opportunity to sing for her fans.

Iran’s domestically developed transport and cargo aircraft, Simorgh, is in the final stage of obtaining an operational certificate. Authorities hope to begin commercial operations in the next Iranian year, 1406, around 2027, after required standards and licensing procedures are completed. The report was published on July 28, 2026.

Shokri, secretary of the aerospace, transport and urban development headquarters at Iran’s Vice Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, told Mehr News that the government continued full support for the project last year. He said coordination is progressing well among the implementing company, Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company, and the Civil Aviation Organization. He also expressed hope that the project would advance through obtaining an STC or TC certificate quickly.

Built on the Iran-140 platform, Simorgh is intended to develop domestic cargo transport capacity and strengthen Iran’s aircraft design, testing, quality-control and production capabilities. The project is viewed as strategic amid international sanctions and restrictions on parts supplies. Shokri said some unexpected disruptions last year could cause a slight delay, while the implementing company and Civil Aviation Organization will set the specific certification and commercial-operation timetable.

West Bengal’s BJP government may move to withdraw cases filed against protesters demonstrating over an examination question-paper leak, according to senior state secretariat sources cited on July 28. The possible move follows separate announcements by the Assam and Bihar governments that they would withdraw all cases against participants in Friday’s protest. West Bengal had not formally announced a decision, though sources said a notification could be issued on Monday.

Violence occurred during a protest at Esplanade in Kolkata last Friday, held with support from the Cockroach Janata Party after a call by a left-wing student organization. Protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged paper leak. At a Delhi press conference, CJP said it would resume protests unless arrested students were released and FIRs withdrawn.

Seven cases were filed at Kolkata’s Hare Street and Entally police stations under the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Act, 2026. Police said 16 people were arrested over alleged vandalism and 70 were identified over alleged attacks on police and media workers.

More than 390 drones attempted to target the Moscow region overnight, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. In a Telegram message on Tuesday, Sobyanin said the drones flew toward the region from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. local time. The reported attacks came hours before a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, the report said.

Sobyanin said most of the drones were neutralized by air defenses before reaching the city. He added that 81 unmanned aerial vehicles described as belonging to the enemy were destroyed while approaching Moscow. AFP reported the information from Moscow.

Moscow region Governor Andrei Vorobyov also reported damage from the drone attack. He said residential buildings in the city of Chekhov and the village of Vaulovo were damaged. The report provided no information on casualties, the extent of the damage, or responsibility for the attacks.

Jubo Dal leader NRB Mamun gave testimony as the second witness against former MP Shamim Osman and 11 other accused in a crimes-against-humanity case over the killing of 10 people in Narayanganj during the July uprising. His statement was recorded on Tuesday at International Crimes Tribunal-1. Mamun said he runs a tours and travel business and is involved in Jubo Dal politics.

Mamun said he joined the anti-quota movement from July 12, 2024. He alleged that on July 19 in Jalkuri, armed people including Shamim Osman, Ayon Osman and Azmeri Osman attacked protesters. He said he was hit by rubber bullets, while Adil and Yasin, who were beside him, were shot dead.

He also described alleged attacks near Ma Hospital on July 21 and at Chashara intersection on August 5. Mamun claimed that Swajan, a young man beside him, was injured by gunfire from Ayon Osman on August 5 and that he learned of Swajan's death the following day. He alleged that Narayanganj Victoria Hospital did not provide treatment to Swajan and demanded justice for those involved.

Construction of a road along the western side of the only playground at Burichong Ananda Pilot Government High School in Burichong municipality, Cumilla, has triggered controversy. In a report published on July 28, local residents alleged that the roughly 8-to-9-foot-wide road was built to ease access to Cumilla-5 lawmaker Haji Jasim Uddin’s home. They said part of the century-old field had been occupied in the name of field development and walkway construction, reducing its usable area.

School sources said the head teacher applied to the education secretary on June 11 seeking permission for a walkway and boundary wall, but no approval or written response had been received by the time of reporting. Head teacher Aminul Islam said the school was unaware of where the municipality was building boundary structures or walkways. Locals also alleged that the walkway reduced space by 15 feet around the field.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tanvir Hossain said a decision was made after a meeting with conscious citizens. Haji Jasim Uddin said the walkway was built for people to walk around the field and that no harm had been done to it. Locals called for an investigation into the road’s legality, the field’s actual boundaries and compliance with government rules.

Six Bangladeshis were reported dead after a fire broke out at a shop in South Africa, casting a pall of mourning over Fatulla in Narayanganj. According to the report published on July 28, the blaze began at about 3 a.m. the previous night. Several Bangladeshis inside the shop were unable to escape and suffered burns, with six deaths later reported at the scene.

Ali Mia, father of victim Apon Ahmed from Alirtek Union, said his son and several others had died in the fire, adding that he did not yet know his son's condition clearly. Alirtek Union Parishad member Rowshan Ali said the victims were all relatives of one another and that the news had created an atmosphere of grief across the area.

Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Md Rayhan Kabir said reports and informal sources indicated that several Narayanganj residents had been killed, but authorities had not received an official list or confirmed information. Sadar Upazila Executive Officer SM Foyez Uddin said the foreign ministry had not sent an official message and no affected family had contacted the administration. Officials said necessary measures would follow once official information is received.

The administration in Indian-controlled Kashmir has ordered simultaneous inspections and a comprehensive audit of books and digital archives in all government libraries and educational institutions. The July 28, 2026 report said the measure aims to identify and confiscate material deemed anti-state or as inciting terrorism. Authorities instructed institutions to review complete inventories of books, journals, reference works and digital materials.

The directive says material opposing India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity, or encouraging separatism, violence or extremism, cannot be collected, distributed or kept. The audit followed objections from BJP leaders to two books distributed recently to about 250 schools under the government-funded Samagra Shiksha project. BJP opposition leader Sunil Sharma alleged the books used the phrase “Indian-occupied Kashmir.”

Administrative chief Manoj Sinha suspended eight School Education Department officials and ordered an investigation into the matter and the authors. The publishers of the two disputed books were blacklisted, with instructions to withdraw their other books from the market. Local teachers, researchers and residents criticized the action as a threat to academic freedom and Kashmir’s history. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said banning books would not erase memories of Kashmiris’ history and struggle.

Police in Ishwardi, Pabna, have arrested Akbar Khan, 30, described as the alleged ringleader in a robbery in which assailants posed as Detective Branch police and took money from a fish trader. Officers raided a residential hotel in Shahzadpur Bazar, Sirajganj, at about 4am on Tuesday, July 28. Acting on Khan's information, police recovered Tk90,000 from the stolen Tk426,180.

According to the case statement, fish trader Md Shahin Ali of Gurudaspur, Natore, was returning home after selling fish in Bhanga, Faridpur, on July 25. At Mir Kamari Chand Ali intersection in Ishwardi, two men on a black motorcycle allegedly identified themselves as DB officers and claimed the truck carried drugs. They took Shahin's assistant, Anichur Rahman, away on the motorcycle with the bag containing the sales proceeds.

Anichur later told Shahin that the men threatened him with a sharp weapon near a silk garden beside Harukhali field and seized the bag before fleeing toward Dashuria. Police recovered the money during a raid at the home of Khan's father-in-law in Singa village, Pabna Sadar. Operations continue to arrest other suspects and recover the remaining money.