Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed visited Bangabhaban for the first time after assuming the role, entering the presidential official residence at about 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday. The report identifies him as the Speaker who took charge after former president Md Shahabuddin resigned.

Ahmed will perform the duties of acting president until a new president is elected. His visit marked his first appearance at Bangabhaban since taking over the responsibilities following Shahabuddin’s departure from office.

Although he will carry out official work, Ahmed will not move into Bangabhaban, the report said. He will continue living at the Speaker’s residence in Parliament. Shahabuddin resigned on July 24 for health reasons and left Bangabhaban two days later, on Sunday.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission began a meeting with acting Parliament Speaker Barrister Kaysar Kamal on Tuesday at about 11 a.m., ahead of the country’s 23rd presidential election. A commission delegation led by Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin attended the meeting at the national parliament.

The meeting follows the resignation of President Md. Shahabuddin on Friday, July 24. He formally submitted his resignation letter to the speaker of the national parliament. The report said the signed resignation letter was sent to the speaker in accordance with Article 50(3) of the Constitution.

The report did not provide details of the meeting’s agenda, any decisions, or statements issued after it began. It confirmed that the Election Commission delegation, led by the chief election commissioner, was participating in the discussion with the acting speaker in the context of arranging the presidential election.

Bangladesh’s anti-discrimination student movement rejected a video statement circulated by Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch police on the night of July 28, 2024, involving six detained central coordinators. The video showed Nahid Islam reading a written appeal to withdraw the movement and reopen educational institutions. It bore the signatures of Nahid Islam, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Abu Bakar Majumdar and Nusrat Tabassum, who had been taken into DB custody earlier that day.

The coordinators alleged they had been forced to make the statement while being held hostage and subjected to torture. In a message sent to the media, coordinator Abdul Kader announced nationwide student-public protests and rallies for July 29. DB said the coordinators had been brought to its office to ensure their safety, but some family members who visited the office were not allowed to meet them.

Teachers and students at Jahangirnagar University protested and demanded the release of coordinator Arif Sohel. Students at universities and colleges also declared plans to return to the streets. On July 28, students held graffiti, wall-writing and outreach activities nationwide. Mobile internet resumed after 10 days, while Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok and other services remained blocked.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir's Rajshahi District West branch held a sub-branch officials' workshop and an “Adommo July” march in Tanore, Rajshahi, on Monday. The workshop began at 4pm at Abdullah Community Centre in Tanore upazila headquarters, chaired by district west branch president Rezuanul Islam and moderated by general secretary Atowar Rahman.

Central social service secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir and Rajshahi University vice-president Mostakur Rahman Zahid spoke as chief speaker. He emphasized the organisation's ideals, improving organisational skills, leadership qualities and participation in social welfare activities. Leaders from Tanore's east, west and south branches, along with district, upazila and union-level leaders, attended the workshop.

At about 5pm, participants began the march under the theme of united struggle by students and the public to fulfil the dreams of martyrs. It started from the Tanore Upazila Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre, passed through Thana Mor, Gollapara Bazar and other roads, and ended with a brief rally at Thana Mor. Advocate Abdul Kadir and Mahbur Chowdhury addressed the rally. Organisers said the programmes were completed peacefully.

An opinion article by Amardesh associate editor Alfaz Anam calls on governments to respond sensitively to student-led, digitally organized protests, using examples from India and Bangladesh. Published on July 28, 2026, the article discusses the reported “Cockroach Janata Party” movement in India and student reactions in Bangladesh over a “farm chicken” remark linked to HSC examinations during heavy rain and waterlogging.

The article says students gathered near Jantar Mantar in Delhi over exam question leaks and alleged irregularities in education, after which the government accepted their demands. In Bangladesh, it reports that a phone conversation involving the education minister spread on social media, prompting protests in Dhaka and elsewhere, including a gathering outside parliament. The minister later expressed regret, and the situation eased, according to the writer.

The writer argues that social media-based student movements can spread rapidly and are harder to manage than conventional party-led protests. It urges education reform, merit-based appointments, teacher accountability and greater attention to student grievances. The article also warns that unemployment and a failure to ensure merit-based systems could fuel wider public frustration.

Senior leaders of the National Citizen Party, or NCP, are scheduled to take part in a march and rally in Ajmiriganj, Habiganj, on July 28 under the party’s announced programme. Ajmiriganj upazila NCP convener Kamal Ahmed said party convener Nahid Islam, chief organiser Sarjis Alam and chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, along with other central leaders, would participate.

The announced schedule calls for a march at 11am in Ajmiriganj upazila headquarters. Local leaders and activists, supporters and members of the public are expected to join the central leaders. At 12pm, the leaders are due to address a rally at the Ajmiriganj Central Shaheed Minar premises.

Party activists across the upazila have shown enthusiasm over the leaders’ visit, with groups from different unions preparing to join with processions. Local leaders said preparations to make the programme successful had been completed. Party sources said the rally may address the country’s current political situation, democracy, youth participation and the NCP’s future plans. Relevant authorities have taken necessary security measures, while organisers expect a large turnout.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has issued arrest warrants against 31 defendants, including Sheikh Hasina, in a crimes against humanity case over alleged killings at a Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Square in Motijheel, Dhaka, on May 5, 2013. The order was issued on Monday by a three-member Tribunal-2 panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, according to a report published July 28. The case names 41 accused in total.

Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam presented two allegations at the hearing. The first concerned the killing of 32 people at Shapla Square on May 5, 2013. The second concerned killings on May 6 in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, including 20 people, and in other parts of the country. Prosecutors alleged that the then government directed security forces to remove unarmed Hefazat leaders and activists from Shapla Square and that police, RAB and Border Guard Bangladesh conducted a joint operation.

The report said the prosecution alleged the operation involved grenades, tear gas, shotguns and lethal weapons. It cited evidence of 32 Hefazat activists killed or missing around Shapla Square, 20 killed in Siddhirganj, five in Chattogram and one in Cumilla. The tribunal granted the prosecution’s applications and set August 16 for the next hearing.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in the United States for a planned meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington on the Iran crisis and the broader Middle East situation. The report, published on July 28, says the two leaders are expected to hold an important meeting. Netanyahu’s office said discussions will cover Iran, regional security and initiatives to expand peace across the Middle East.

Before departing for the United States, Netanyahu said all items on the agenda would be discussed, but that Iran was the most important issue. He said ensuring Israel’s overall security and broadening peace in the surrounding region would be central goals. Netanyahu also said complex circumstances require moving forward with both firmness and wisdom, and described his objective as securing Israel’s safety and future.

Netanyahu called the trip highly significant and said it would be his eighth meeting with Trump since Trump was elected president for a second time. He said he had met Trump more often during the second term than any other national leader. Alongside the bilateral meeting, Netanyahu will attend the funeral of US Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on July 12 after a brief illness.

Bangladesh’s government is considering abolishing the Rapid Action Battalion, or RAB, and the Home Ministry has drafted a proposal to repeal the 2003 law linked to its formation. The report, published on July 28, 2026, says the proposal would amend the Armed Police Battalions Ordinance, 1979, to create a separate unit under Bangladesh Police called the Special Response Forces or Special Response Battalion. The bill has been prepared for the next parliamentary session.

A senior Home Ministry official said the proposal considered reports from the United Nations, the Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International and the Commission for the Prevention of Enforced Disappearances, as well as US sanctions and recommendations from political parties. The report cites allegations involving disappearances, killings, torture and human rights violations. A UN fact-finding mission recommended abolishing RAB on February 12, 2025, while Human Rights Watch made a similar recommendation on January 28 that year.

Under the draft, RAB’s assets, funds, records, liabilities and property would transfer to the proposed police unit. Existing personnel would be attached to the new unit until new rules are made. Investigations and trials involving members accused of murder, enforced disappearance or crimes against humanity would continue under applicable laws.

Abu Hossain, the elder brother of Abu Sayeed, described as the first martyr killed by police gunfire during the 2024 movement, has issued an open letter to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. In a Facebook post reported on July 28, 2026, he urged the prime minister to address obstacles affecting ordinary people’s daily lives and to ensure their basic rights.

Hossain called for controls on essential commodity prices, fair prices for crops, and adequate supplies of fertilizer used in agriculture. He also urged reductions in fuel and electricity prices, saying higher energy costs have affected daily life and raised agricultural production expenses. He said government-set crop prices had not been implemented, and farmers were unable to sell raw and dry paddy at the expected prices.

The post also raised concerns that excess vehicles, especially battery-powered rickshaws, have reduced the income of low-income people in Dhaka while contributing to congestion. Hossain proposed reducing imports of luxury goods and cancelling non-urgent projects to provide subsidies for electricity and fuel. He said the government’s success would be evident when ordinary citizens could say they are better off than under Sheikh Hasina’s rule.

Days of heavy rainfall have extensively damaged earthen and paved roads across municipal areas and several unions in Sarishabari upazila of Jamalpur, disrupting public movement. Without waiting for government allocations, several local political and social figures have used personal funds to carry out temporary repairs aimed at easing residents’ hardship.

In Doail union, BNP leader Morshed Alam placed brick chips and debris on damaged roads in several localities. In Kamrabad, Jahangir Kabir repaired the damaged earthen road from Barabaria Bottola intersection to Kandarpara, while Ujjwal Sarkar continued work on roads, mosques, madrasas and homes. Palash Mia Faruk repaired rain-damaged roads in Pogaldigha. A damaged HBB road beside a community clinic in Gendarpara was repaired again on the initiative of Montu Doctor.

In Bhatara union, Achimul Islam filled a broken section of the Gabtali Bazar–Char Haripur road with soil to restore vehicle movement temporarily. Residents have sought permanent repairs to a repeatedly damaged road in Shimalapalli. Upazila Project Implementation Officer Shawkat Jamil said applications regarding several damaged roads have been received, but no allocation has yet been provided.

Allegations over two illegally built markets on district council land in Chuknagar, Khulna, have divided local traders and spilled into local BNP politics. The report says the markets were constructed during the Awami League administration in violation of law, allegedly generating crores of taka. The dispute has involved public confrontations, an expulsion from the party and hostile exchanges on social media.

In separate memorandums to the Khulna-5 lawmaker and the divisional commissioner, the Chuknagar Bazar Traders Association said a roofed market was built after a dilapidated dak bungalow on 56 decimals of state khas land was demolished in 2020. It alleged that 88 allocation letters were issued, mostly to relatives, family members and shop employees linked to two individuals, while 126 shops were built. The memorandum said shops were being offered for Tk15 lakh to Tk25 lakh.

One group of traders wants all illegal structures removed, while another says it paid large bribes for shop allocations and would be ruined by demolition. District council administrator SM Monirul Hasan Bappi said a court case over the markets is pending and would resolve the matter. He also said he had moved to collect overdue rents and would not tolerate irregularities or breaches of party discipline.

At an NCP July road meeting at Gangni bus stand in Meherpur on Monday night, party Chief Organiser for the South Hasnat Abdullah MP said fugitive Sheikh Hasina would not return despite saying she would. He said calling activists out by promising a return from abroad would leave them vulnerable to mob beatings. Abdullah also made allegations and comments concerning the education ministry, home minister, BNP and the administration.

Abdullah alleged that failures by the ministry and administration had been shifted onto innocent college teachers through transfers. He claimed the home minister’s wealth had increased 25-fold and said BNP did not seek neutrality but wanted to pursue occupation-based politics like the Awami League. Addressing officials, he called for proper discharge of state duties and urged an end to extortion in building the next Bangladesh.

Chief guest Akhtar Hossain said BNP and its allies no longer wanted reforms after the vote, despite earlier public demand for reform. He called for implementing a referendum verdict. National Women’s Power member secretary Dr Mahmudah Mitu also criticised BNP and said the public knew how to resist attempts to attack NCP members. Several other NCP leaders addressed the event.

Mohammad Junaid and members of his family were released after allegations that they were detained and harassed for distributing food and water as volunteers at the Kakaroch Janata Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The report, published on July 28, said their release followed complaints that they had gone missing, public criticism and efforts by lawyers. Junaid’s lawyer announced on social media that the entire family had been freed, and a family member confirmed it.

Junaid alleged that men in plain clothes, identifying themselves as Delhi Police personnel, detained him last Friday night while he was returning from Delhi’s RML Hospital after treatment for a dog bite. He said he was blindfolded, taken to an unknown place, deprived of his phone and held overnight. He was questioned the following morning about the funding for food and water distributed to protesters.

Junaid said the supplies came from public donations and food sent by well-wishers. He also alleged that his father, brother-in-law and sister’s father-in-law were detained and documents were seized. Meerut Police denied detaining any family member. APCR offered legal support and said it would go to court if unlawful action continued.

Umme Marufa has been appointed on a contractual basis as first secretary for press at the press wing of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, India. The Contracts and Foreign Appointments Wing of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Monday regarding the appointment. The notification was signed by Deputy Secretary Golam Rabbani.

According to the notification, Marufa’s appointment is conditional on ending employment ties with any other profession, business, government, semi-government, private institution or organization. She will serve as first secretary for press in the mission’s press wing in Kolkata under the stated contractual arrangement.

Her term will be one year from the date she joins the post, the order said. Other conditions of the appointment will be determined through a contract document. The appointment follows the resignation on July 22 of Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan, also known as Tariq Chayan, who had been serving as press secretary at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.