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.

Japan is witnessing a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment as mosque construction projects face growing resistance. In Fujisawa city, a planned mosque project in late 2025 sparked strong opposition, with over 32,000 people signing an online petition and raising about 1 million yen to halt construction. Despite meeting all legal requirements, the project triggered protests against the city government. Right-wing politicians and social media influencers have been accused of spreading anti-immigrant rhetoric and false claims linking mosques to crime or cemetery construction.

Japan’s Muslim population has grown to around 420,000, or 0.3 percent of the total population, with about 167 mosques nationwide as of 2025. Burial practices remain a major challenge, as 99.9 percent of bodies in Japan are cremated, leaving few options for Muslim burials. Attempts to establish private cemeteries since 1967 have faced local opposition, though some Buddhist monks have shared burial spaces, creating about ten Muslim cemeteries.

Experts cited by the East Asian Forum note that the lack of central government guidance and Japan’s refusal to identify as an immigrant nation have left local authorities struggling to manage integration and social harmony.

Major (retired) Mozzafar Hossain, convicted in the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman, was transferred on July 17, 2026, from Dhaka Cantonment to military custody at Chattogram Cantonment. The move followed his dramatic arrest by Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police in Banani DOHS after 45 years in hiding. Authorities said the transfer was made because the 1981 assassination and subsequent trial had taken place in Chattogram.

According to military sources, Mozzafar will first face trial for desertion before the previously declared death sentence for his role in the assassination is carried out under court-martial procedures. Investigations revealed he had fled to India after the killing and lived under aliases with alleged support from Indian intelligence until returning to Bangladesh in 1996. His arrest reportedly followed leads from the call records of retired Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury.

Security sources indicated that Mozzafar’s interrogation could help uncover deeper conspiracies behind the 1981 events. The government is considering forming a national investigation commission involving military and civilian agencies to pursue a comprehensive inquiry into the historical case.

Authorities are preparing a new case against former Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana for allegedly leaving the country without immigration clearance. The case, based on the 2013 Immigration Act, accuses them of illegally departing from Dhaka’s Bir Uttam AK Khandaker Air Base on August 5, 2024, using diplomatic and British passports without completing formal procedures. Investigators have completed their inquiry and may include those who assisted in the escape as co-accused.

According to the investigation, Hasina personally decided to flee to India amid the student and public uprising that forced her resignation. Audio evidence and testimonies from officials who accompanied her have been collected. Legal experts cited in the report said both sisters violated Bangladeshi and Indian immigration laws. Indian officials confirmed Hasina is under legal process in India and cannot leave voluntarily.

The current Bangladeshi government has requested Hasina’s extradition to enforce her death sentence handed down by the International Crimes Tribunal. Ministers have reiterated their commitment to bring her back and execute the court’s verdict.

Nasiruddin Patowary, chief coordinator of the Bangladesh Citizen Party (NCP), alleged that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) broke the dream for which Shaheed Abu Sayeed sacrificed his life. He made the remarks on Saturday evening at a street rally organized by the NCP in the Bottoli area of Phulbari municipality, Dinajpur. The event followed a procession that began at Dhaka Mor and ended at Bottoli after parading through several streets.

Patowary said that in 2024, Bangladesh’s youth united with new hopes for reform and justice, but two years later those expectations were shattered. He criticized BNP leaders for allegedly requesting police not to arrest Awami League members, despite earlier promises of accountability for various killings. Outlining NCP’s political goals, he pledged to work for employment for youth, safety for women, and protection for religious scholars and minorities, while opposing corruption and foreign compromise.

Other NCP leaders, including Akhtar Hossain, Sarjis Alam, MP Dr. Atik Mujahid, Dr. Abdul Ahad, Imran Chowdhury Nishad, and Shihab Hossain, also addressed the rally.