Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman said President Md Sahabuddin Chuppu’s resignation had, though belatedly, removed the “black shadow” of authoritarianism from the nation. He made the remarks at an emergency news conference organised by Jamaat-e-Islami at the opposition leader’s official residence on Minto Road in the capital on the evening of July 24, 2026.

Rahman said one of the demands of the mass uprising was that Sahabuddin Chuppu should not remain president. He alleged that Chuppu had previously stated Sheikh Hasina submitted a resignation letter to him, then later denied that statement. Rahman described this as lying and a violation of the oath taken as president.

The Jamaat chief congratulated Speaker of the National Parliament Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on assuming duties as acting president. He urged him to perform the role impartially, honestly and in accordance with the constitution, saying Jamaat would offer full cooperation. Rahman said the party wanted the next president to be someone who is not a flatterer. He also accused the former president of acting as a silent collaborator in the 2024 massacre.

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has said he is uncertain whether he is mentally ready to continue playing for the national team after Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final 1-0 to Spain. In an interview with Spanish outlet Marca, published on July 24, the Boca Juniors player said he would need time to consider his future with the national side.

Paredes said the pain of losing the final would take a long time to overcome, despite Argentina's major achievements. He said maintaining the team's current level and carrying its structure forward would be difficult, adding that many players faced a time to make decisions calmly and after careful thought.

Reflecting on the successful period that began with the 2021 Copa America, Paredes said he was proud of the trophies won and of a World Cup team in which people found what they wanted. He dismissed wider discussion around refereeing, VAR and conspiracy theories, saying Argentina had a strong tournament but Spain played better in the final and deserved the title. Debate is also continuing over the futures of coach Lionel Scaloni, Lionel Messi and several senior players.

Khelafat Majlis has called on the government to form a Constitutional Reform Council and take effective steps for the full implementation of the July Charter. The demand was made at the party’s central executive meeting on Friday, chaired by its amir Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and conducted by secretary general Dr Ahmad Abdul Qader.

Party leaders said the BNP wants to amend the constitution through its own process while disregarding what they described as the mandate of the majority. They said people want reforms that would block all routes to the restoration of autocracy and fascism. The leaders argued that the July National Charter contains proposals that would bring broad changes to the constitution’s fundamental structure.

Khelafat Majlis said incorporating those proposals through the current amendment process would not be sustainable. It maintained that a majority vote for “yes” in a referendum had already granted the proposed council structural authority for fundamental constitutional changes. The party also demanded faster judicial processes over the July and Shapla massacres and other alleged fascist acts, while condemning repression and arrests during protests across India, including Delhi.

Pep Guardiola has rejected an offer to become coach of Italy’s national football team, dealing a fresh setback to the Italian Football Federation’s search for a new manager. The Spanish coach chose to prioritize time with his family and does not plan to take charge of a national team or club at present, according to a report published on July 24, 2026.

Italy turned to Guardiola after seeking leading coaches to rebuild following its failure to qualify for the World Cup. Technical director Paolo Maldini had publicly said the federation contacted both Carlo Ancelotti and Guardiola. Ancelotti, who is in charge of Brazil, wanted to remain in that role, shifting Italy’s focus toward Guardiola.

Italian news agency ANSA reported on Friday that Guardiola informed Italian officials of his decision. After 10 consecutive years managing Manchester City, he wants a temporary break from football for personal life and family time. Andrea Pirlo, Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini are being considered as alternatives, Italian media reported. Maldini said the federation wants the best candidate aligned with a long-term plan rather than making a rushed appointment.

The Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP, formed around alleged question leaks in Indian public examinations, has grown into one of the country’s largest recent student movements. Thousands of students are demanding education-system reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. On Monday, protesters marched toward India’s Parliament under a planned “Chalo Parliament” programme, where police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse them. The source says more students have returned to the streets each day since then.

Environmental activist and reformer Sonam Wangchuk supported the movement with a 26-day hunger strike, saying he lost 11 kilograms. He ended the fast on Thursday night, but student leaders said protests would continue until their demands are met. Researchers cited in the report argue that examinations and education can unite people across caste, class and gender divisions, making this a challenge distinct from earlier ideologically based protests.

Researcher Rahul Verma said Monday’s gathering may indicate the movement has crossed an important tipping point, with its future dependent on how the government responds. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accused opposition parties of using students as political tools and said the government was committed to resolving their problems through Parliament. Analysts differ over whether the movement will have lasting political effects or fade after offering an outlet for public anger.

Following the resignation of Md. Shahabuddin, the presidency has become vacant. Citing Bangabhaban sources, Amar Desh reported that former president Chuppu will hold a farewell meeting with Bangabhaban staff on Saturday, July 25, before leaving the official residence on Sunday, July 26, to move to his home in Gulshan.

Under Article 50(3) of the Constitution, a president may resign through a signed letter addressed to the speaker. Article 54 states that when the presidential office is vacant, or when the president cannot perform duties because of absence, illness or another reason, the speaker will perform presidential duties until a new president assumes office.

Article 123(2) requires a new presidential election within 90 days when the office falls vacant due to death, resignation or removal. Under Article 48(1), members of parliament elect the president. Parliamentary Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed returned to the country on Friday, two days earlier than planned from a medical trip to Thailand because of the possibility of Chuppu's resignation.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has called for the arrest of Md Sahabuddin, who resigned as president on Friday, July 24, 2026. Bhuiyan made the demand in a Facebook post published at 5:40 pm, according to the report.

In his post, Bhuiyan described Md Sahabuddin Chuppu as an accomplice of fascism and said he must be arrested immediately. Earlier on Friday afternoon, Sahabuddin resigned from the presidency, citing physical illness as the reason.

With the presidency vacant, Speaker of the National Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmad assumed responsibility as acting president under the constitution. At an emergency press conference in the parliament’s oath room, he said Sahabuddin had submitted his resignation letter and that it had been accepted. Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Talukdar and parliament secretariat officials attended the briefing.

US President Donald Trump’s public support has fallen sharply following his decision to conduct a military operation in Iran, according to a new opinion poll cited in a report published on July 24, 2026. The survey indicates that his popularity over handling the Iran conflict has dropped close to its lowest level in history.

A Washington Post poll put Trump’s net approval rating for handling the Iran conflict at minus 40. CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten described the result as “historically very unpopular,” according to the report.

The poll also found that support for the military operation has declined steadily since the conflict began. Current backing for the operation is among the lowest levels recorded for modern US military interventions. Analysts said the findings indicate growing opposition among the US public to the Trump administration’s military actions on the Iran issue.

Islami Andolon Bangladesh Ameer and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim said the government has failed to understand public sentiment, citing what he described as reluctance to implement the July Charter. He said those entrusted with state power after July were not prioritising national interests. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon as chief guest at Islami Jubo Andolon Bangladesh’s 10th anniversary rally at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital.

Karim said a nation could not achieve liberation without good leaders and sound policies. Without their combination, he said, aspirations for development, security and good governance would not be realised. He also argued that the highest ideals of Islam had no alternative for eliminating corruption, extortion and drugs in the country.

He criticised what he called immorality, disorder and deception carried out in Islam’s name, saying such actions do not become Islam and instead tarnish it. The rally was chaired by Maulana Oliullah Talukdar, president of Islami Jubo Andolon Bangladesh’s Dhaka South unit. Islami Andolon Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman and other party leaders also addressed the gathering.

Water Resources Minister and BNP joint secretary general Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee expressed anger over civic services and the lack of visible development work by Lakshmipur Municipality. He made the remarks at a discussion meeting held on Friday afternoon at the district bar association auditorium in Lakshmipur.

Anee said municipal officials were carrying out their responsibilities with indifference. Despite having opportunities, he said, they were not implementing necessary measures including development projects, renovation of water bodies, construction of drainage facilities for water disposal, and road repairs. He said he had not seen evidence of such work.

The minister praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, saying Chandraganj Upazila had been obtained within a month and that its temporary office was scheduled for formal inauguration later that afternoon. He also said Lakshmipur residents hoped their long-standing dream of a railway line would soon be realised. According to him, approval had been granted for a nursing institute and medical college, while the district was also set to receive a university. জেলা পরিষদের administrator, educators, lawyers and college representatives attended the meeting.

National Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed began performing the duties of head of state after President Md Sahabuddin resigned, according to an announcement made on Friday afternoon at the National Parliament Secretariat. Hafiz Uddin, now acting president, said the deputy speaker will perform the speaker’s duties in parliament while he carries out the presidential role.

Hafiz Uddin said Md Sahabuddin submitted his resignation letter to him. He assumed the presidential responsibilities under Article 54 of the Constitution, he said. After accepting the resignation, instructions were issued to preserve it in the National Parliament Secretariat’s records and take the necessary administrative steps.

Addressing the transfer of parliamentary duties, Hafiz Uddin said he had also taken an oath to serve as acting president if necessary on the day he was sworn in as speaker. He said the deputy speaker’s oath similarly provides that the deputy speaker will perform the speaker’s duties if the speaker’s post becomes vacant or the speaker is absent from duty.

Former law adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir would be a qualified choice for Bangladesh’s next president. In a Facebook post on Friday, reported on July 24, 2026, Nazrul said Fakhrul would probably be the best candidate if a politician is chosen for the presidency.

Nazrul wrote that Fakhrul had held the party together as BNP secretary general during what he described as Sheikh Hasina’s misrule. He said Fakhrul had faced various forms of persecution and made many sacrifices. Nazrul also described him as among the leading politicians in being moderate, well-mannered and an effective speaker.

The former adviser said Fakhrul has had a long-standing relationship of mutual understanding with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He also wrote that Fakhrul was like a son to Begum Khaleda Zia. Nazrul acknowledged that BNP has several other suitable people, but said Fakhrul would remain ahead after considering all aspects.

After Narendra Modi announced tougher action over exam paper leaks in India, cabinet discussions on the issue were reported on July 24. However, the information and broadcasting minister made no direct announcement after the meeting about a new law or punitive measures. When repeatedly questioned by journalists, he avoided the issue and said, “There is no paper leak today.”

Sources said the cabinet meeting discussed a proposed law that could impose up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 100 million rupees on people involved in paper leaks. During a news conference lasting about half an hour, the minister outlined decisions related to railway development and industrial infrastructure, but did not announce measures concerning recent examination and recruitment-test leaks.

The opposition Cockroach Janata Party said it would not withdraw its demand for the resignation of the minister concerned. Following a meeting between the government and the party on Friday, party leaders said the government had asked for one day to decide on their demands. Allegations involving recent public and recruitment examinations have drawn criticism and anger among students, parents and job seekers.

Bangladesh opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman expressed deep concern and strongly condemned what he described as illegal entry, religious provocation and disorder at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. In a press release sent to media on Friday, he said thousands of extremist Israeli settlers entered the compound under the leadership of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Rahman said Al-Aqsa is the third holiest site and a symbol of faith for more than two billion Muslims worldwide. He described the settlers’ entry and the conduct of religiously provocative rituals, allegedly in breach of international law and the historical status quo, as an act of extreme incivility and open disregard for international rules.

He said obstructing Palestinian Muslims from prayers, mistreating elderly people and youths, and violating the sanctity of the compound were pushing the Middle East toward a wider conflict. Rahman called on the United Nations, the OIC, the peace-loving international community and Muslim heads of state to take effective legal and diplomatic measures. He also reaffirmed the Bangladeshi people’s support for Palestinians’ struggle for what he called their just rights.

Rubaiyat Hossain’s psychological horror film ‘The Difficult Bride’ has been selected for the Orizzonti competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. The selection marks the first time a Bangladeshi film has secured a place at the Venice festival, according to the report. The film will have its world premiere during the festival in Venice, Italy, scheduled from September 2 to 12.

The film will compete in the festival’s Horizons section, with the selected titles announced on Thursday. In 2010, Ishtiaq Zico’s short film ‘720 Degrees’ was selected for the Orizzonti section, becoming Bangladesh’s first short film to participate at the festival. Khona Talkies, which produced that short film, is the Bangladeshi co-producer of ‘The Difficult Bride.’

Set around Dhaka’s historic Mayfair beauty parlour, the story follows a young woman named Zaineen as she arrives to prepare for her wedding and becomes drawn into an unsettling world involving beauty, body, belief, memory and fear. Zaineen Chowdhury Karim plays the lead role, with Rikita Nandini Shimu and Sunerah Kamal in supporting roles. Hossain and several cast members will join the festival delegation.