Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that the country’s regular passports will now feature images of July martyrs Abu Sayeed, Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho, and Mohammad Wasim. The decision was detailed in a circular issued on Sunday, stating that the watermarks inside the passport will be redesigned to include these portraits as part of a broader update reflecting the nation’s heritage and history. The new design will also commemorate the July 2024 mass uprising, with the memory of that event appearing as a watermark on pages 32 and 33 of the e-passport.

According to the approved design, various national monuments and landmarks such as the National Martyrs’ Memorial, Shaheed Minar, National Parliament Building, Supreme Court, Kantaji Temple, Lalbagh Fort, Panam City, and Curzon Hall will be featured. Natural heritage sites including Cox’s Bazar beach, the Sundarbans, Tanguar Haor, and Nilgiri will also appear as watermarks, alongside national symbols like the water lily, magpie robin, hilsa fish, and jackfruit. The artwork “Struggle” by artist Zainul Abedin will also be included.

The circular confirmed that the passport remains valid for travel to all countries except Israel, and the Department of Immigration and Passports has been instructed to implement the changes promptly.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started an inventory of items found in two seized flats belonging to former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, who fled to London following the July uprising. On Sunday, July 19, investigators listed 300 coats, 532 ties, and more than 100 shirts, along with eight watch boxes containing four Rolex watches, three pearl sets, four chandeliers, beds, and sofas. The flats are valued at 18 crore taka, according to ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Akhtarul Islam.

The inventory process is part of the ACC’s ongoing investigation into Javed’s assets. Officials said the listing will continue on Monday to complete a full record of the items found in the apartments. The operation follows the seizure of the properties as part of corruption inquiries linked to the former minister.

The ACC’s next step will be to finalize the inventory report, which may provide further details about the extent of the seized assets and support the broader investigation into alleged corruption.

A delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) met with Bangladesh’s Deputy Speaker Barrister Kawsar Kamal at his office on July 19, 2026. The meeting focused on initiatives to strengthen parliamentary democracy and enhance the effectiveness of parliamentary activities. The Deputy Speaker highlighted the government’s prioritization of education and health sectors and emphasized the need for legal reforms to align with evolving social demands.

During the discussion, the Deputy Speaker supported UNDP’s proposal for graduate fellowship and internship programs in the Parliament Library to help young professionals expand their knowledge. He also stressed avoiding duplication of projects with other organizations such as the European Union. The Deputy Speaker sought UNDP’s technical and financial assistance for implementing an e-parliament system and agreed to UNDP’s proposal for experience-sharing between parliamentarians of Bangladesh and Nepal.

He further underscored the importance of enacting laws to strengthen parliamentary standing committees and expressed a positive stance toward UNDP’s plan to organize orientation programs for members of parliament to advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Opposition Leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared that his party would not compromise on implementing the recent referendum verdict, accusing the government of refusing to honor the people's decision. Speaking on Sunday afternoon after visiting the 'Roktakshare July' exhibition organized by Islami Chhatra Shibir at Dhaka University, he warned that the verdict would be enforced both inside and outside parliament. He said the government seeks to maintain a fascist system and avoid accepting the referendum outcome.

Dr. Rahman criticized the ruling party for allegedly rejecting demands for an independent judiciary, anti-corruption commission, and election commission. He stated that Jamaat had rejected all temptations and would not betray the public trust. He warned that failure to implement the referendum result would erode public confidence in democratic institutions. Rahman also condemned political interference in universities and vowed to continue the struggle for justice and youth aspirations.

The 'Roktakshare July' exhibition, inaugurated on Friday at Dhaka University’s Bot Tola, commemorated the sacrifices of over two thousand martyrs and drew attention from students and visitors.

Opposition parties in India have accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of deliberately targeting Muslim establishments in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. They allege that demolition drives are being carried out to gain political advantage and deepen communal polarization. Central to the controversy is the Rampur Development Authority’s decision to demolish 38 of the 40 buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, founded by Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Azam Khan. Similar operations in Sambhal and other districts have also drawn criticism.

SP leader and MP Afzal Ansari described the actions as a “heinous plan,” predicting that such drives will intensify as elections approach. The Congress Party echoed the allegations, claiming the BJP is using communal tactics to distract from failures in development and employment. Congress national secretary Shahnawaz Alam said these moves contradict India’s pluralistic ideals.

Opposition leaders have sought Supreme Court intervention, arguing that the judiciary must protect citizens’ fundamental rights from executive overreach. The Uttar Pradesh government and BJP have denied all allegations, asserting that the demolitions follow legal procedures against illegal encroachments.

Hefazat-e-Islam’s Joint Secretary General Allama Mamunul Haque has claimed that there was a state-level attempt to hide the bodies of those killed during the group’s mass rally at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka on May 5, 2013. He made the statement on Sunday while speaking to journalists at the office of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal. A Hefazat delegation visited the tribunal to learn about the progress of the investigation report on alleged crimes against humanity related to the Shapla Chattar incident.

Mamunul Haque said that only the information of identified victims was included in the investigation, but many bodies were never found. He alleged that the disappearance of those bodies was part of a state effort to conceal the deaths. According to him, people from all walks of life, including students, workers, and members of various opposition parties, were among the victims because the movement had a universal character.

He added that Hefazat had reviewed a draft of the investigation report and found some issues requiring correction. The group plans to submit its observations to the prosecution within a few days.

Public anger in the United States has intensified as American soldiers continue to die in the ongoing war against Iran. The conflict, once distant from everyday American life, has now become a central political issue after recent troop casualties brought the war’s impact closer to home. Analysts note that the war has never been popular among ordinary Americans, who are already burdened by rising living costs and domestic challenges.

President Donald Trump had pledged during his 2024 election campaign to free the United States from what he called “endless wars.” However, the current situation stands in stark contrast to that promise, as the Iran conflict deepens and public dissatisfaction grows. The loss of American lives has reignited debate over the country’s involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts.

According to the report, Trump and his administration are now facing mounting criticism, including from within his own support base. In the coming weeks, they are expected to confront tough questions from the American public about the direction and justification of the war.

Israel’s High Court of Justice has issued a temporary injunction against the enforcement of the country’s newly passed media reform law. The legislation, which was approved just before the dissolution of the Knesset last week, aimed to introduce sweeping changes to Israel’s media landscape.

According to local media reports cited by The Times of Israel, the court’s order suspends certain provisions that were set to take immediate effect but does not entirely cancel or freeze the law. The new law would significantly expand government control over Israel’s broadcasting and news sectors by removing long-standing independent oversight mechanisms, minimum professional standards for journalists, investment requirements for core programming, and restrictions on media ownership.

The court’s temporary injunction leaves the broader fate of the law uncertain, pending further judicial review and possible political developments following the Knesset’s dissolution.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh and joint convener of the National Editors Council (NEC), said the struggle that began in July is ongoing and will continue as long as Bangladesh exists. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon at the Engineers Institution in Dhaka during a discussion titled “The Role of the Media under Fascist Rule,” organized to honor journalists who sacrificed their lives in the 24th July uprising. The event, titled “July Martyr Journalists Honor,” was organized by the NEC, with Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attending as chief guest.

Rahman expressed gratitude to the families of the martyred journalists, saying their sacrifices made it possible for the nation to regain freedom and for him to return from exile and resume publication of Amar Desh. He explained that the NEC was founded to unite editors across the country, move beyond elitism, and prevent the reemergence of fascism through national vigilance. Rahman also criticized the media’s past role in enabling fascism through flattery and emphasized that the NEC rejects such tendencies.

The event included speeches from several editors and media leaders, and families of five martyred journalists received cash awards and crests in recognition of their sacrifice.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has called on government officials to perform their duties with patriotism, honesty, and professionalism, free from political bias. Speaking at the inauguration of a four-day workshop titled “Efficient, People-Friendly and Accountable Public Administration: Strategy for Implementing Government Commitments” at the BCS Administration Academy in Dhaka’s Shahbagh, he emphasized the need to transform the civil service into a true servant of the people. The event was organized to mark National Public Service Day 2026.

Ahmed said the civil service must move away from the politicization of the past 17 years and ensure transparency and accountability at all administrative levels to meet public expectations from the current interim government. He stressed that policy formulation should be based on accurate data and urged a complete reform of the national statistics system, claiming that previous regimes had distorted key national figures.

The minister also highlighted the importance of strengthening agriculture and remittance sectors, promoting agro-based industries, expanding vocational training, and reactivating the Family Planning Department to manage population growth.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman left for Turkey on Sunday for a five-day official visit at the invitation of the Turkish government, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) release issued the same day. The visit marks a continuation of defense-level engagement between the two nations.

During his stay, the army chief is scheduled to visit several Turkish defense industrial establishments. He will also hold courtesy meetings and discussions with senior officials of the Turkish Armed Forces and other defense-related authorities. The agenda focuses on strengthening and expanding bilateral defense cooperation between Bangladesh and Turkey.

The ISPR statement emphasized that the visit aims to further develop defense ties and explore opportunities for collaboration in defense industries and military exchanges.

In Peterborough, United Kingdom, the local City Council sold a piece of land to the United Kingdom Islamic Mission, which plans to build a mosque and Islamic center on the site. The sale has angered members of the Hindu community, who claim that a temple previously stood on the land. The council stated that it followed standard property disposal procedures and acted within its legal authority, assessing bids based on planning, valuation, and administrative criteria rather than religious preference.

According to the council, the property was sold on the open market as part of efforts to reduce its £500 million debt, with the mosque group emerging as the highest bidder. The Hindu community has taken legal action over the sale, but the council’s lawyer, Catherine Rowlands, told the court that the process was transparent, fair, and lawful. After hearing both sides, the judge issued an interim injunction on the sale.

The mosque authorities said their current premises are inadequate and that the new site would include prayer space, classrooms, and sports facilities.

Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said confusion is being created over the implementation of the July Charter. He explained that the charter clearly states that issues unresolved among the signatory political parties will be addressed by the party that assumes state responsibility through elections, following its manifesto. He made these remarks on Sunday noon at the Engineers Institution in Dhaka during a discussion on the role of the media under fascist rule and in tribute to journalists who died in the 2024 uprising.

Mirza Fakhrul emphasized that the controversy surrounding the July Charter should end through dialogue. He noted that a parliamentary committee has already been formed on the matter and called on opposition parties to join it for a negotiated resolution. He added that the July Movement created an opportunity to build a new state, which must now be realized.

He further stated that the government is working to fulfill the promises made by the BNP and expressed confidence in establishing a state based on justice and fairness.

Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has alleged that large-scale corruption occurred in 2022 during the broadcasting of the FIFA World Cup under the Hasina government. He claimed that Tk 140 crore of state funds were misappropriated in the name of showing the tournament. The minister made the remarks on Sunday at a press conference held at the Department of Information in the Secretariat.

Swapan stated that at that time, Tk 140 crore was transacted under the name of Toma Construction. In contrast, the current arrangement has been reduced to between Tk 4 and 5 crore, and efforts are underway to further minimize the cost. He expressed hope that the government would eventually bear no expenses for the broadcast. The event was attended by Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmad and senior officials from BTV and the Ministry of Information.

The minister’s comments indicate that an investigation is ongoing into the alleged corruption surrounding the previous administration’s handling of World Cup broadcasting funds.

An investigation report has been submitted to the tribunal’s prosecution naming 41 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as accused in the 2013 Shapla Chattar killings case. The report was filed on Sunday morning and relates to the violence that occurred on May 5, 2013, during a Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel.

According to the report, Sheikh Hasina, who is currently absconding, has been listed as the prime accused. Other accused include former army chief General Aziz, former state minister for home Shamsul Haque Tuku, former inspectors general of police Benazir Ahmed and A.K.M. Shahidul Haque, and retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan. Media figures such as former Ekattor TV editor-in-chief Mozammel Haque Babu, former chief reporter Farzana Rupa, and journalist Shahriar Kabir are also among the accused.

The submission of the report marks a significant procedural step in the long-pending case concerning the 2013 incident, which drew national attention at the time.