Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said combating disinformation and distorted information has become one of journalism’s biggest challenges. He made the remarks on Sunday as chief guest at a seminar marking the 64th anniversary of the University of Dhaka’s Mass Communication and Journalism Department. The seminar was held at the Professor Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Swapan said journalism once faced a major shortage of information, but now confronts information overload alongside the spread of planned disinformation and distorted content. He said such material affects people’s minds and political processes, and noted that planned disinformation campaigns have been seen influencing national elections in different countries. Addressing the problem requires combined use of modern knowledge, education, strategies, methods and technology, he said.

The minister also raised journalists’ professional insecurity, economic standing and the importance of the wage board structure. He said consensus among media owners, the government and journalists is needed. The government plans to work with journalist leaders and other stakeholders on acceptable standards for press freedom and responsibility, he said, adding that discussions have concluded as part of an initiative to establish a media commission balancing power, freedom and responsibility.

Islamic scholar and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami member Mufti Ali Hasan Usama rejected claims that Jamaat has a flawed creed or that joining it damages Qawmi identity. Speaking to Amar Desh on August 2 in response to a report on Hefazat concerns over Qawmi students joining Jamaat, he described Jamaat as a political party with people from different educational traditions and religious orientations. He said no single creed could be presented as the belief of all its leaders and activists.

Usama said Qawmi is an educational tradition rather than the name of a political party, and argued that people educated in Qawmi institutions may join any political party. He cited examples in the source of Qawmi scholars associated with BNP and Awami League politics. He also said Jamaat's constitution identifies the creed directed by the Quran and authentic Hadith as the party's creed.

He questioned why Qawmi identity would be considered unaffected by joining secular parties but affected by joining Jamaat. The report cited Hefazat deputy chief Maulana Ahmad Ali Qasemi as saying some students were leaning toward Jamaat because of an alliance involving clerics, prompting concern. Qasemi also said some Qawmi youths were joining BNP and that this too warranted discussion.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said people have been asked to remain vigilant after activities of the banned political group Awami League were observed during August. He made the remarks on Sunday while answering journalists’ questions after the first-phase training graduation parade of the 27th BCS Police Batch at the Bangladesh Police Academy in Sardah, Rajshahi.

Asked whether police had issued a nationwide alert for August, Ahmed said the group’s activities had been noticed and that everyone had therefore been urged to stay alert. He said police remain vigilant at all times and the bomb disposal unit is kept ready around the clock to address any possible sabotage planning.

The minister also said incidents involving bomb-like objects found in Dhaka in recent days are being investigated. A suspicious bag found at Mirpur-10 metro station on Saturday afternoon contained no explosive material after examination by the bomb disposal unit. On Saturday, Police Headquarters issued a nationwide warning that vehicles used by police could be targets of attacks and ordered field-level units to strengthen security.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Comilla University unit submitted five demands to end ganaroom and guestroom practices in the university’s residential halls, ensure housing free from political influence, and introduce transparent, policy-based seat allocation. The memorandum was handed to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr M M Shariful Karim on Saturday, August 2. Unit president Mozammel Hossain Abir, secretary Md Saiful Islam and other activists were present.

The demands include a transparent allocation policy based on merit, distance, financial hardship and other reasonable criteria; keeping halls free of political influence; strict action against ganaroom and guestroom practices; a safe, ragging-free environment for new students; and impartial investigations into hall-related complaints under university rules. The memorandum cited allegations of irregular student accommodation at Bijoy-24 Hall and a previous clash over alleged seat trading at Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Hall.

Abir said authority over student accommodation should rest solely with hall administrations, while people whose student status has ended should leave the halls. The vice-chancellor said he would discuss the matter with the provost committee that day before taking necessary decisions. Earlier allegations said 24 students were accommodated in two Bijoy-24 Hall rooms without prior administrative approval.

Bangladesh Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir met Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Kyaw Soe Moe at the Commerce Ministry on Sunday to discuss expanding bilateral trade, reopening border commerce and repatriating Rohingya refugees. The meeting also covered increasing imports and exports, strengthening maritime transport links, LNG imports and expanding opportunities for mutual investment.

Muqtadir said Bangladesh is committed to strengthening ties with neighbouring countries through mutual respect, trust and economic cooperation. He said issues involving trade, transport, investment and border connectivity that concern other ministries would be reviewed through inter-ministerial coordination. The ambassador expressed interest in increasing bilateral trade and said reopening long-suspended border trade could benefit businesses and ordinary people in both countries, initially on a limited scale if necessary.

The sides discussed trade prospects for agricultural and fish products, rice, medicines and frozen food, along with stronger business-level contacts and business-to-business activities. Bangladesh stressed the need for conditions enabling rapid, safe, voluntary, sustainable and dignified Rohingya repatriation and for visible progress. Myanmar said verification of submitted repatriation lists was under way and action would be taken when conditions become favourable. Both sides agreed to hold regular institutional discussions and joint committee meetings, while emphasizing swift completion of an agreement on direct maritime connectivity.

Former Turkish prime minister and foreign minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has announced his withdrawal from politics, saying the opposition Future Party will cease political activities. In a report published on August 2, 2026, he described the move not as surrender but as a decision to distance himself from the country’s “polluted political environment.” Once a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Davutoğlu later became a critic of the political system he helped build.

Davutoğlu, an academic, sought to introduce a new outlook to Turkish foreign policy through his “Strategic Depth” theory. He became foreign minister in 2009 and prime minister in 2014. During his tenure, Turkey expanded its diplomatic presence in Africa and the Middle East under a policy of “zero problems with neighbors.” However, his foreign policy faced challenges amid the Syrian war and changing regional conditions.

He left the premiership in 2016 after disagreements with Erdoğan over power and policy, then formed the Future Party in 2019. Analysts said the party failed to gain significant support because of limits on opposition politics and its inability to establish an independent organizational base. Running under the main opposition CHP’s symbol in 2023 further weakened its separate political identity.

Political controversy has intensified in India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had “forgiven” students despite objectionable remarks made about him and his mother during protests. In an Instagram video released Friday night, Modi said it was time to guide young people onto the right path. The comments drew criticism from Congress and the Samajwadi Party.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said students harmed by question-paper leaks and cancelled examinations did not need forgiveness and that the prime minister should instead apologize to them. He accused the government of creating a corrupt examination system that had damaged many students’ futures, and said Modi had not met affected students or families. Congress leaders P. Chidambaram and Pawan Khera also questioned and criticized the prime minister’s remarks.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the public would not forgive the BJP. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray called on the prime minister and home minister to apologize for police force against protesting students. The central government said it had taken steps including legal amendments and a task force to reform examinations. BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi criticized opposition conduct.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Amin Ur Rashid Yasin said remnants of authoritarian rule remain in hiding and would “wreck” the country if given an opportunity. He made the remarks as chief guest at a “July Memoir” discussion at Cumilla Shilpakala Academy on Saturday night, August 2, 2026.

Yasin said he did not know whether he could have stood and spoken there without the 2024 mass uprising. He alleged that those in power at the time had not been elected by popular vote and had conducted a sham election with the public. He also said followers of fascists were still concealed around society and would engage in conspiracies to destabilize the country if they had the chance.

Remembering those killed in the July mass uprising, the minister prayed for forgiveness for their souls and said the government was taking necessary measures for treatment of the injured. Cumilla City Corporation administrator and metropolitan BNP leader Yusuf Molla Tipu spoke as the main speaker. Relatives of those killed, injured people, and representatives of the administration, health service and police attended the event.

Professor Shamima Sultana, chair of Jahangirnagar University’s Bangla department, said she removed then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s portrait from her office during the 2024 quota reform movement. In an interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha marking the second anniversary of the July mass uprising, she said the action was a personal expression of moral protest against attacks, arrests, shootings, killings and alleged torture of students.

Sultana said the decision was neither politically motivated nor impulsive, but reflected values she had held since student life. She cited her earlier support for the 2018 quota reform movement, the safe-road movement and anti-corruption protests on campus. She described the July 15, 2024 attack on students at the vice-chancellor’s residence, followed by reports of the killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed and civilian deaths, as pivotal events.

She said she kept her office and the department chair’s room open for students seeking shelter and allowed protesters to use office Wi-Fi for communication. After the photograph spread online, she said she received abusive calls, threatening messages and personal attacks. A proposed show-cause action was later cancelled after a change in university administration following August 5.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman accused the government of acting as an “exact copy” of the previous fascist rulers. Speaking at an event at the Press Club on Sunday, he said the government should not forget the suffering of 17 years and alleged that it was carrying out repression against opposition parties.

Rahman said nothing new was being witnessed, claiming that the current authorities were repeating what the previous fascists had done. He questioned why the verdict of 70 percent of people was being ignored. He also referred to the 1970 election, saying that ignoring that election had led to the events of 1971.

The Jamaat chief also responded to BNP criticism over the 1996 election. He said BNP had been able to form a government in 1991 because of Jamaat’s selfless support. Rahman further alleged that partisan individuals had been placed in an institution meant to remain neutral, such as the Election Commission.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said police are not the enforcers of any special party or group and that the government follows a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. He made the remarks on Sunday morning, August 2, at the 27th BCS Police Batch training graduation parade at the Police Academy in Sardah, Rajshahi. He also called on police personnel to remain vigilant.

Ahmed said the government has taken various measures, including increasing manpower, to restore police morale and build the force into an efficient, modern law-enforcement institution. He identified the introduction of a policy of rewards and reprimands as a key measure. Police members are being rewarded for bravery and commendable work, he said.

The minister added that action is being taken against police personnel involved in disciplinary violations and crimes. He described controlling the law-and-order situation to establish public comfort and peace as the government’s main priority. Ahmed said police have a leading role in establishing the rule of law and stated that, like other institutions, the force was harmed during the previous fascist government.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he would formally designate Qatar an “enemy state” if he returns to power. In an interview with Israel’s Channel 12, cited in a report published on August 2, 2026, Bennett claimed Qatar is currently more dangerous to Israel’s security than Iran.

Bennett said that not formally declaring Doha an enemy state so far was an “unforgivable mistake.” Comparing the perceived threats, he said Iran openly acknowledges that it wants to destroy Israel, while alleging that Qatar secretly financed “Nukhba” militants involved in the October 7, 2023 attack.

The former prime minister also alleged that Qatar-based Al Jazeera is conducting what he described as poisonous propaganda against Israel around the world. He expressed concern over Qatar’s international influence, claiming it has expanded its influence at leading universities in the United States. Bennett further claimed that this covert influence extends beyond foreign countries and educational institutions to Israel’s most sensitive security areas, including the prime minister’s office, and accused Qatar of seeking to weaken Israel from within.

Rajshahi University became a major centre of resistance during the anti-discrimination student movement, with events from July 16 to 20 reshaping the campus political landscape, according to the report. On July 16, students marched into the campus and clashed in pursuit and counter-pursuit with Bangladesh Chhatra League activists, who later retreated. About 1,500 female students joined the march near women’s halls. Participants said those days helped lay groundwork for the later national uprising.

Students besieged the administration building on July 17. Normal academic activities were effectively halted on July 18, when students announced five demands in protest over attacks on students elsewhere in the country. They held a symbolic funeral prayer for the vice-chancellor and administration, citing unmet demands and objections to the university administration’s role. Students also blocked the Dhaka-Rajshahi highway during a “complete shutdown” protest.

After a nationwide curfew and army deployment on July 19, surveillance increased around campus and public programmes became difficult. Former coordinators cited fears of raids, intelligence monitoring and arrests. Movement participants said students reorganised from mess accommodations, while Rajshahi University and Rajshahi College students coordinated on legal assistance, security and communication with families.

Water Resources Minister Md Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie MP said the “36 July” was the result of united movements and struggles, whose foundation was built through 16 years of anti-autocracy activism. He made the remarks on Sunday at a discussion organised by Jagroto July Forum at the Central Kochi-Kachar Mela in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. The event was titled “The Martyrs’ Sacrifice, Our Responsibility and a New Bangladesh.”

The minister said the united efforts of students, teachers, poets, writers and people from all walks of life reached a successful conclusion when “fascist Hasina” fled on 5 August. He said students who gave their lives to establish people’s rights had left the nation indebted. He called for repaying that debt by ensuring political and economic empowerment and building a democratic Bangladesh based on equality, human dignity and social justice.

Chowdhury said Bangladesh should move forward by respecting differing views rather than pursuing conflict, adding that constructive criticism is democracy’s beauty. He said there could be no compromise on the July issue and recalled the prime minister’s commitment to implement the July Charter. State Minister Nurul Haque Nur MP attended as chief discussant, while State Minister Ishraq Hossain MP was a special discussant.

Bangladesh has hired a law firm in Dubai to pursue cancellation of former police inspector general Benazir Ahmed’s bail, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Sunday, August 2, 2026. He made the comments after an event at the Police Academy in Sardah, Rajshahi, while answering journalists’ questions.

The minister said he learned of the bail while seated on stage and immediately spoke with the home secretary. According to him, the home secretary then contacted Bangladesh’s UAE ambassador. He said the government had hired the law firm several days earlier specifically for this matter and instructed it to pursue cancellation of the bail.

Ahmed confirmed reports that Benazir Ahmed had been released. He said the former senior police official was granted bail on the condition that he would not leave the UAE. The minister said he had asked for a certified copy detailing the conditions and that the law firm had been directed to proceed with the cancellation effort. The government hopes to cancel the bail and bring him back as quickly as possible.