Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union Vice President Mostakur Rahman Jahid said action would be taken against journalists accused of publishing reports in support of Chhatra League. He made the remarks at a press conference in the RAKSU vice president’s office at 7:30 pm on 28 July. The briefing was called over allegations of an attack on the RAKSU office the previous day.

Jahid told journalists that some had published news defending Chhatra League and shown what he described as sympathy toward it. He said such journalists were present and that they would be gathered and action taken against them. He did not specify what action would be taken or identify the journalists facing the allegation.

Rejecting allegations that his side carried out an attack, Jahid said the other side had attacked and that they had resisted. He also criticised journalists over an incident at the university’s central library, saying they were giving it more importance than students studying there. He said no student had complained to them about losing 20 to 25 minutes of study time. RAKSU General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar, Assistant General Secretary Salman Sabbir and Information and Research Secretary BM Najmus Sakib were among those present.

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti has announced a partial committee for its Jagannath University branch, appointing Shahin Mia as president and Ferdous Sheikh as general secretary. The organisation’s central president, Zahid Hasan, announced the committee on July 28. Both Shahin and Ferdous are students of the 2020-21 academic session.

Kamrul Hasan Riaz was named senior vice-president, while Jihad Islam Shawon became senior joint general secretary. Shahinur Rahman and Rakibul Islam were assigned as organisational secretaries. The announcement did not name any additional posts or members of the partial committee.

Ferdous said Chhatra Shakti considers students’ rights and welfare the central aim of student politics and that he wants to work as a representative of every Jagannath University student. He cited a permanent solution to the housing crisis, faster implementation of the second campus, improvements in education and research, protection of fair rights, and a safe, discrimination-free, student-friendly campus as priorities. He sought cooperation, constructive advice and prayers from students, teachers, journalists and well-wishers.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said Professor Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq envisioned the establishment of a democratic state for the people. He made the remarks on Tuesday as chief guest at a posthumous tribute and review meeting at the Kabi Shamsur Rahman Seminar Room of Bangla Academy.

Chowdhury described Fazlul Huq as a great teacher who consistently sought liberation for the country’s workers, farmers and labouring people. Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam called him a liberal humanist intellectual, saying concern for the welfare of the country and nation remained central to his thought throughout his life.

Researcher Professor Suchita Sharmin said Fazlul Huq spread his own philosophy through writing and kept patriotism alive through his work. Meeting chair Professor Mansur Musa described him as secular and free-thinking, urging preservation of his memories. The programme began with a one-minute silence in his memory, and several essayists, researchers and a translator also took part in the discussion.

The All India Students’ Association (AISA) has alleged that repression against students participating in protests over alleged examination question leaks is continuing across India. At a Tuesday press conference at the Press Club of India in Delhi, AISA leaders said police operations were under way against protesters in several states, particularly Bihar and Delhi. The organisation said arrests, detentions and police harassment persisted despite assurances that peaceful demonstrators would not face punitive action.

AISA alleged that students faced cases in Delhi, Assam, West Bengal and Bihar, with some being arbitrarily detained. National president Neha called on the government to honour its assurances, release detainees and hold dialogue on students’ concerns. She also claimed that CPI(ML) Liberation legislator Sandeep Saurav and several AISA activists remained in jail over participation in the movement, especially in Bihar. The group released a fact-finding report detailing detentions and injuries in Delhi, along with arrests and police operations in Bihar and other states.

Kakroach Janata Party also alleged that cases and arrests continued after an understanding with the government, saying at least 100 people had been arrested. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant called for an independent investigation into allegations of police abuse in Delhi. Maharashtra, Bihar and Assam announced withdrawal of cases and releases, though notices and summons were still alleged. Maharashtra cyber police said it had identified more than 500 profiles over allegedly misleading online content.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called for anti-drug operations involving political parties and journalists to be turned into a social movement. He made the remarks to reporters on Tuesday morning after an anti-drug awareness meeting at the conference room of the Thakurgaon deputy commissioner’s office. He said everyone should unite to eliminate drugs and do whatever is necessary for that goal.

The minister said journalists should play a positive role in building public awareness against drugs. He stressed that drug traders and people involved with the trade must be brought under the law and given exemplary punishment. He also emphasized the proper enforcement of existing laws. Fakhrul called for teachers, guardians, conscious citizens and the general public to participate together in the anti-drug movement.

After the meeting, Fakhrul visited Thakurgaon municipality and exchanged views with its officers and employees. He inspected the designated site for construction of the municipality’s new building and planted a sapling on the municipal premises. The district commissioner, police superintendent, district and municipal BNP leaders, government officials and an assistant director of the Department of Narcotics Control were among those present.

India’s Generation Z is rapidly becoming a significant political force ahead of the 2029 general election, analysts say. People aged 18 to 32 are expected to form the country’s largest adult population by then, creating a new electoral equation for political parties. The generation will include the largest student group, first-time voters, young people entering work and those forming new families.

Analysis cited in the report projects India’s Gen Z population at about 380 million in 2029, including roughly 199 million men and 181 million women. That would exceed the estimated 357 million millennials. Student protests over the NEET-UG question paper leak, followed by nationwide demonstrations demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, highlighted young people’s growing political influence.

The UN medium projection says voters aged 18 to 29 may account for 27.8 percent of the electorate in 2029, down from 30.1 percent in 2024. Analysts nevertheless say Gen Z’s digital connectivity, educational aspirations and ability to organize quickly on social media can amplify its influence. Employment, education, living costs, housing, climate change and governance are expected to gain greater political importance.

Conscious Alim Society submitted a 12-point proposal to Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, secretary-general of Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh, seeking to address an ongoing crisis and improve the madrasa education system. Representatives of the group delivered the proposals at 11am on Tuesday.

The proposals call for central teacher registration and an integrated database, mandatory educational, moral and professional standards for teacher recruitment, and a central blacklist for teachers convicted of crimes. They also seek regular renewal procedures for madrasa establishment and registration, routine inspections of academic and administrative activities, and compulsory training for teachers on professional skills and child protection.

Other recommendations include a central research centre for education development and policymaking, adoption and implementation of a child protection policy, and a central monitoring cell for receiving and investigating complaints. The group also proposed legal assistance for institutions and teachers harmed by false allegations, a 24-hour central call centre or helpline, and separate policies for women’s and hifz madrasas. The submission emphasized transparency, accountability and timely complaint resolution, alongside improvements in education, administration, financial management and ethical standards.

Advocate Dr Helal Uddin, deputy amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka South unit, said BNP would be compelled to accept the referendum verdict if students and citizens took to the streets. He made the remarks on Tuesday as chief guest at a discussion on “Bloody 36 July” organised by the party’s Paltan police station unit.

Helal Uddin claimed that about 70 percent of the country’s people voted “yes” in a referendum supporting constitutional reform. He alleged that BNP sought to disregard that public verdict by pursuing constitutional amendments rather than reform through its parliamentary majority, and by forming an amendment committee with preferred individuals. He said rejecting the referendum result meant denying the July revolution and betraying the blood of martyrs.

He also alleged that the current prime minister, home minister and BNP leaders were outside the country during the July movement, preventing them from understanding its aspirations. He called for accountability for every day of Awami League rule and urged the government to try the party as an entity for crimes against humanity. Advocate Maruful Islam chaired the meeting.

Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan said student participation in cleanliness campaigns and public-service activities can help implement the prime minister’s Clean Dhaka, Green Dhaka initiative. He made the remarks on Tuesday while inaugurating a cleanliness campaign at Bangladesh Navy College in Mirpur, where he attended as chief guest.

Khan said the prize-giving event was arranged to encourage school and college students to participate and to motivate other educational institutions through their involvement. He said the programme would be spread to different places through campaigning to raise public awareness and make city corporation responsibilities and civic services easier.

The administrator praised Navy College students for their talent, songs and dance performances. He said their ideas would be shared among residents in every city ward and neighborhood as part of efforts to create a cleaner city. After the prize distribution, students from Navy College, Dental College and Navy School joined a rally, where they were taught how to use modern dustbins and took part in the cleanliness campaign.

Russia has offered to supply Bangladesh with urea fertiliser at $10 less per metric tonne than the sources from which Bangladesh currently imports it. The Russian side also expressed interest in supplying about 280,000 metric tonnes of urea to the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation through a government-to-government arrangement. The proposal was discussed at a meeting at the Secretariat with Commerce, Industry, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and a Russian delegation led by acting Ambassador Vyacheslav Sentyurin.

The meeting focused on food security, agricultural cooperation, fertiliser supplies and expanding government-to-government trade. Muktadir praised Russia’s support in regularly supplying wheat and muriate of potash fertiliser, describing Russia as a trusted friend and expressing hope for broader future trade and economic cooperation.

Russia also indicated interest in supplying sunflower oil, yellow peas, chickpeas, red lentils and green lentils in line with Bangladesh’s market needs. The discussions covered increasing cooperation under an existing memorandum of understanding between the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh and JSC FEC Prodintorg. Both sides agreed to maintain regular contact to expand bilateral trade, investment and economic partnership.

The newly announced Kushakhali Union Jubo Dal committee in Chandraganj, Lakshmipur, has been dissolved after 16 leaders resigned over allegations of financial transactions in forming the panel. The decision was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon through a press release signed by central Jubo Dal joint general secretary Minhazul Bhuiyan, who is responsible for office affairs.

A 31-member Kushakhali Union Jubo Dal committee was published on Facebook on Sunday night. The following day, 16 leaders resigned, citing failure to receive expected posts, lack of priority for seniority, and alleged money transactions. Party sources said the resigning leaders included six joint conveners.

The allegations included claims that expatriates were given positions in exchange for money. The new committee's convener, Abdur Rashid, and member secretary, Masudur Rahman Masud, both received posts after returning from abroad. District office secretary Shamsul Ahsan Mamun said the central president Abdul Monayem Munna and general secretary Nurul Islam Nayan ordered the dissolution, although the press release did not state a reason.

Former Narayanganj City Corporation mayor Dr Selina Hayat Ivy appeared in court in a case over obstructing police and an attack during her arrest. She appeared at 10:30am on Tuesday before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Nurul Huda Chowdhury in Narayanganj.

The court granted an application allowing Ivy’s lawyers to appear on her behalf in the case until a charge sheet is submitted. The application was approved in Ivy’s presence after the court considered her physical condition.

Ivy was arrested at dawn on 9 May 2025 from Chunka Kutir in the city’s Deobhog area. Residents argued with police throughout the night as officers arrived to arrest her. When she was taken away at dawn, her supporters obstructed police and attacked the vehicle convoy, according to the report. A case was later filed at Narayanganj Sadar police station, naming Ivy as an accused.

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said the country is prepared to confront any threat and that its defense capabilities became stronger during the recent war. Speaking at a meeting with deputy ministers at the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade on July 28, he emphasized industrial modernization, artificial intelligence, and development of domestic technology-based industries.

Aref said the opposing side deliberately targeted Iran’s industrial sector during the recent conflict, but that the damage was overcome through rapid, high-quality reconstruction. He described recent wars as technology-driven and said Iran’s young scientists prevented the opponent from achieving its objectives despite the use of advanced capabilities.

He said Iran’s industrial policy since the Islamic Revolution has aimed to move from assembly-based production toward domestic knowledge-based industry, supported by research, development, and university-industry coordination. Aref also stressed expanding economic cooperation with neighboring countries and regional blocs, and called for a two-year strategic plan and practical solutions to challenges facing the automobile industry.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Ameer Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari and Secretary General Allama Sajedur Rahman condemned what they described as a systematic smear campaign against Qawmi madrasas. In a statement published on July 28, 2026, they said some sexual harassment allegations reported in the media were being used to target the institutions.

The leaders said Qawmi madrasas had become targets because of their long-standing role against Brahmanism, domination and fascism, and because they keep Islam at the centre of power in Bangladesh. They also alleged that false sexual harassment claims were being raised in remote areas as part of plots to seize madrasa land, while alleged land grabbers were benefiting from media trials before proper investigations.

They said sexual harassment allegations at any educational institution, including schools, colleges, universities and madrasas, are highly sensitive. Where allegations are proven, they called for exemplary punishment of offenders and strict institutional policies. Hefazat also urged madrasa administrators nationwide to take stronger measures to improve educational standards, the learning environment and student safety.

Police officer Monoranjan Mistri testified as the sixth witness before International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Tuesday in a crimes against humanity case over the alleged crossfire killings of two men in Agailjhara, Barishal. The case is against former MP Abul Hasanat Abdullah and three others. The victims were Tipu Hawlader, then joint general secretary of Agailjhara upazila Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, and Kabir Molla, organisational secretary of a local Jatiyatabadi social and cultural organisation.

Mistri said he served as an SI at Agailjhara police station from December 8, 2014, until the first week of June 2015. In his testimony, he said Barishal police superintendent AKM Ahsan Ullah visited the station on July 20, 2015, and said work had to be done for MP Abul Hasanat Abdullah, including a nighttime operation and a crossfire. Mistri alleged he was threatened over his job, promotion and annual confidential report after expressing inability.

He said he heard gunshots near the eastern slope of Agailjhara Bridge and inferred that the stated crossfire had occurred. At the health complex, he saw two bodies and prepared Tipu Hawlader's inquest report. He said he later learned that two ASIs from neighbouring Uzirpur police station carried out the crossfire.