Bangladesh’s Cabinet Division issued notifications announcing President Md Shahabuddin’s resignation and assigning parliamentary Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, to perform presidential duties. The separate notifications were issued on Friday and published on Saturday, according to the report.

A notification signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani said Shahabuddin relinquished his office on Friday under Article 50(3) of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. It said the resignation would take effect immediately.

A second notification said that, following Shahabuddin’s departure from the presidency, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed would perform the president’s duties under Article 54 of the constitution until a subsequent president is elected. The order placing him in charge also took immediate effect.

Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk called Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation a “victory for democracy” in his first reaction after the announcement. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Wangchuk said democracy comes from the streets and described the outcome as a victory of peace, patience and perseverance. The report was published on July 25, 2026.

Wangchuk shared a photograph from a hospital bed showing a V sign. He congratulated the satirical political organization Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP, which led the movement, as well as the country’s youth. He also thanked citizens from across the country for overcoming fear and joining the protests.

Wangchuk joined the CJP-called movement on June 28, demanding Pradhan’s resignation and reform of the education system. He began a hunger strike and ended it on Thursday night after 26 days, following government assurances of parliamentary discussion on question-paper leaks, no legal action against protesting students, and compensation for families of students who died by suicide over the leaks. He said the movement would now shift from accountability toward education-system reform.

Advocate Sajeda Begum Sonia has alleged that she faced insulting conduct and comments from a judge over her hijab and niqab during a hearing at Chattogram’s 8th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court. Her social media post about the incident, which she said occurred on Thursday, prompted public discussion. The Chattogram District Bar Association’s general secretary described the matter as a misunderstanding.

In her post, Sonia said appearing before the court in modest, professional attire in accordance with religious rules should not be an offence. She said courts are places for justice and dignity, and that lawyers should not face discriminatory treatment because of their clothing. She also argued that attire cannot measure a person’s intellect, professionalism, or respect for the court.

Sonia later removed her initial post after saying Bar leaders, including General Secretary Moin Uddin, had initiated steps toward a respectful resolution. She said they would meet the concerned judge on Sunday and expressed hope that lawyers’ dignity and religious freedom would be ensured. Moin Uddin said all concerned would meet on Monday to discuss the issue and seek a resolution through dialogue. Sonia said she would wait until Monday before speaking further.

Police recovered roughly a sack of abandoned ammunition from a drain in the Bayezid police station area of Chattogram. City Corporation sanitation workers spotted the items while cleaning a drain in Banglabazar, on Lane 5 of the BSRM area, on Saturday afternoon, and informed police. Bayezid police then went to the site and recovered the sack.

Police said the recovered ammunition was not fresh. Mohammad Hasan Mostafa Swapan, deputy commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police’s North Division, said ammunition generally has two parts: a cartridge casing and a bullet or projectile. He said the sack contained one of those two parts, without specifying which part was found.

The deputy commissioner said further details would be known after examining the scene. Police have begun an investigation to determine where the ammunition came from, why it was left in the drain, and who may have been involved. The source did not state the quantity of individual items recovered or identify any suspects.

Police in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act against leaders and activists of Jubo League, Chhatra League and Swechchhasebak League over allegations of preparing an anti-government march and conspiring against the state. The case names 18 people and includes another 30 to 40 unidentified accused, bringing the total to as many as 58 people.

Sub-Inspector Masum Billah of Siddhirganj police station filed the case on Thursday night. According to the case statement, police received secret information on the morning of 22 July that activists of a banned organisation had gathered in the Madaninagar area to hold an anti-government procession and chant slogans. The accused fled when police conducted an operation at the site, the statement said.

The case statement, citing local information and police investigation, alleges that those accused were active members or supporters of the banned organisation and had assembled to conduct anti-government activities and destabilise the country. Named accused include Tati League president Liton, Swechchhasebak League leader Jahir, Jubo League president Nazrul Islam and Chhatra League leader Habibur Rahman Habib. Police arrested Masud Mia and Rahul, while operations to arrest others continue.

Sports State Minister Aminul Haque visited the athletes’ camp of Bangladesh’s Commonwealth Games contingent in Glasgow, United Kingdom, to encourage participating athletes and officials. The report, published on July 25, 2026, said the visit came at an important time as the competition was set to begin.

Haque expressed hope that every Bangladeshi athlete would demonstrate the fullest reflection of their talent and training. He wished success for the entire contingent and voiced strong confidence that the team would enhance the country’s reputation in the international arena through dedication and pride.

According to the report, the minister’s direct presence created renewed enthusiasm among the Bangladesh contingent. His visit and motivational message are expected to strengthen the athletes’ mental resilience and confidence as they prepare for the main contest.

Students of Naogaon Government Polytechnic Institute held a human chain in Naogaon to express solidarity with ongoing student protests in India. The event was held at 11am on Saturday at the institute’s main gate, with students from several departments participating. They voiced support for the protesting students in India and for what they described as their legitimate demands.

The programme was chaired by Rahad Hasan Akash, president of Naogaon Youth Club and a student at the institute. He said the gathering was not directed against any country, but supported students’ rights, a transparent education system and peaceful freedom of expression. He condemned the use of force in the Indian student movement and called for the release of detained students and compensation for those injured.

Akash also urged swift reforms to address corruption and irregularities in Bangladesh’s education system, calling for proper recognition of merit, hard work and honesty. Participants chanted demands for accepting students’ legitimate demands, ensuring their safety and ending violence against them. They displayed placards supporting Indian students. The programme ended peacefully, with participants reaffirming support for democratic and non-violent movements seeking students’ legitimate demands.

Cockerroach Janata Party founder Abhijit Dipke and a large number of protesters celebrated at Jantar Mantar after Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation. The report, published on July 25, 2026, said Pradhan declared his resignation on X on Saturday before the third round of talks between the central government and the CJP.

Dipke described the resignation as a symbol of democracy’s victory and said the strength of cockroaches should not be taken lightly. He said no one’s power is permanent in the face of public demands. He also demanded compensation of one crore taka for each family of students who died by suicide in connection with question-paper leaks.

Dipke further called for strict action against police personnel involved in baton-charging protesters on July 20. In his resignation announcement, Pradhan said he had submitted his resignation to the prime minister so that anti-national groups could not exploit the current situation. He said talented students’ futures would not be ruined because of examination-related mafias, adding that he had taken responsibility for the incident from the beginning.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said journalists must ensure the objectivity of information to maintain professionalism, arguing that neutral work based on facts and data should be the central principle of professional journalism. He made the remarks on July 25 at a Bengal Delta Conference 2026 panel discussion at Hotel InterContinental in the capital.

Swapan said journalism serves as a mirror of society in line with public expectations, and journalists should not become activists. Without proper information and data, a claim is not news but may only be opinion, he said. Speakers at the panel said pressure and challenges facing media differ across South Asian countries, though their effects are often similar, and stressed the need for independent, responsible and professional journalism.

The minister also described protecting people from false, disinformation and misleading information while ensuring freedom of expression as a major challenge. Later, as chief guest at the Global Conference on AI Leadership at the capital's Sonargaon Hotel, he said Bangladesh must keep pace with rapid technological change. He called for effective use of artificial intelligence to improve efficiency in the state, industry and service sectors, and to support innovation, productivity and good governance.

Veteran South Asian singer and composer Runa Laila performed her first solo concert at the main auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, on the evening of July 24. Although she had sung at the academy two or three times during her 62-year professional music career, this was her first appearance there for a solo musical programme.

Culture Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, academy Director General Sheikh Rezauddin Stalin and Secretary Mohammad Zakir Hossain presented her with an honourary memento. Hosted by actor Afzal Hossain, the programme featured about 10 modern, film and patriotic songs over roughly an hour and a half, including a Nazrul song performed in observance of Nazrul anniversary.

Laila opened with a song dedicated to those who gave their lives for the country and ended the evening with “Damadom Mast Kalandar.” She said audiences’ love, respect and prayers were the greatest achievements of her musical life. Organisers said all ticket-sale proceeds would be deposited in the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund to support flood-affected people.

Daily Desh Rupantor representative K M Bacchu was allegedly attacked with hammers in Kuakata, Patuakhali, and is receiving treatment at Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital. The incident occurred around 11:30pm on Friday in the beach area in front of Kuakata Hotel Saikat. The journalist was seriously injured, according to the report.

The victim and local sources said the attack was launched suddenly while Bacchu was at the beach, allegedly over a recently published news report. Latichapli Union Ward No. 3 Chhatra Dal president Baijid Rana and Kuakata municipal Jubo Dal religious affairs secretary Harun Musalli were accused of leading five or six others involved in the attack.

The allegations state that attackers struck Bacchu on the head and both legs with hammers, causing him to fall to the ground. Nearby people rescued him and took him to Kuakata's 20-bed hospital before doctors referred him to Barishal as his condition worsened. The accused could not be reached because their phones were switched off. Police visited the scene and said they would investigate and take necessary legal action.

Sohel Rana Bayati’s film Noya Manush will open the first three-day New York Bangla Film Festival in New York, United States, on July 30. The screening is scheduled for 7 pm local time at RTV Theatre on the festival’s opening day. The festival will feature selected Bangladeshi short films, documentaries and feature films.

The film is based on A. M. M. Hasanuzzaman’s novel Bedonar Baluchore, with dialogue and screenplay by Masum Reza. Its cast includes A. M. M. Hasanuzzaman, Ashish Khandakar, Jhuna Chowdhury, Rawnak Hasan, Mousumi Hamid, Shikha Karmakar and Nilufar Wahid, among others. Bayati said Noya Manush has already been screened at film festivals in several countries.

The director said the festival is especially significant because only films by Bangladeshi filmmakers will be screened and awarded, adding that it could support the promotion of domestic cinema. The movie was filmed by Kamal Chandra Das in remote Kanudir Char in Chandpur during Super Cyclone Sitrang. The festival’s closing and award ceremony is scheduled for August 2.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman said extrajudicial killings have fallen to nearly zero under the current government. He made the statement on July 25 as chief guest at a consultation meeting organised by human rights organisation Odhikar at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital. The minister also said the government follows a zero-tolerance policy on enforced disappearances.

He said the government has been working to withdraw cases filed out of political vengeance between 2009 and 2024 and has reached the final stage of a decision. Rape cases will not be considered for withdrawal even if they are claimed to be politically motivated, he said. Drug cases will be reviewed carefully to determine whether they were filed to harass opponents.

The minister said three rounds of consultations with civil society, law-enforcement agencies and development partners were completed before final drafts of the Human Rights Commission Act and the Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Act. Both bills have been sent to a cabinet committee, and he expects them to be placed in parliament quickly after cabinet approval at its next meeting.

Bangladesh’s newly appointed Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Khandaker Misbah Ul Azim, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday. Their meeting covered national maritime security, strengthening the professional capacity of the Bangladesh Navy, modernization of the force, and other related matters.

The prime minister praised the Bangladesh Navy’s professionalism and its important role in protecting the country’s sovereignty and ensuring maritime security. He also expressed hope that the newly appointed navy chief would carry out his responsibilities successfully.

Vice Admiral Khandaker Misbah Ul Azim expressed gratitude for the prime minister’s guidance and confidence as he takes on his duties. The report said the discussion included issues connected to maritime security and efforts to enhance the navy’s capabilities and modernization.

RAB-7 recovered a US-made 7.65mm-caliber pistol abandoned outside the home of slain criminal Sarwar Hossain, known as Babla, in Chittagong city’s Bayezid Bostami area. Members of the RAB-7 Hathazari camp conducted the operation late Friday night, according to the report published on July 25, 2026.

RAB-7 commander Lt Col Hafizur Rahman confirmed the recovery. He said personnel searched Babla’s home, but the pistol was not recovered from inside the house. Instead, it was found abandoned outside. Authorities are investigating the weapon’s ownership and how it came to be left at the location.

Babla was a known figure in Chittagong’s criminal underworld and faced multiple cases involving allegations including murder, weapons and extortion, the report said. He was killed in a public shooting in the Chalitattali area last year. Law enforcement operations connected to him have continued based on various information and evidence.