A reflective essay by writer Azadul Haque Azad, published on July 23, 2026, in Amar Desh, examines the moral and political transformation that follows revolutions. The author argues that revolutions are not singular events but long processes built on sacrifice, ideals, and collective struggle. In their early stages, selfless fighters pursue justice and equality, but over time, many of these idealists withdraw as fatigue, neglect, or disillusionment sets in.

The essay describes how this withdrawal creates a vacuum soon filled by opportunistic groups who exploit revolutionary gains without embodying its spirit. These new power holders, according to the author, reshape history’s narrative, turning moral commitment into personal gain. As a result, the state’s ethical foundation erodes, and governance becomes driven by self-interest rather than justice or accountability.

Azad concludes that the true success of any revolution lies not in its outbreak but in its continuity. When moral integrity fades, revolutions devolve into celebrations of privilege, and nations lose their ethical compass, awaiting the eventual return of truth and justice.

In Bagerhat, HSC examinee Ikon returned to his part-time job at an ATM booth on Tuesday night after burying his father earlier that day. Despite the grief of losing his father, he worked through the night before sitting for his HSC exam the following morning. His father, Israfil Daria, a 45-year-old motorcycle driver from Muniganj Medical School Road, died early Tuesday after falling ill and was buried beside his mother’s grave in Gopalganj.

Family sources said Ikon became the sole earner after his elder brother Imon lost mental stability following a road accident. Ikon studies in the humanities department at Khan Jahan Ali Degree College and works night shifts at an Agrani Bank ATM booth in Bagerhat’s Rail Road area to support his family.

Local residents described Ikon as hardworking and respectful, often seen studying between customer visits. His perseverance and sense of duty despite personal tragedy have deeply moved the community, who have expressed prayers and support for him and his family.

Student protests across multiple Indian states have intensified following the leak of question papers from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The central government is reportedly struggling to manage the growing unrest. On Thursday, July 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the protesting students through a message on social media platform X.

According to NDTV, Modi announced that the government has decided to establish a fast-track court to ensure swift and strict punishment for those involved in the leak. He stated that nothing is more important than the welfare and future of the youth, and directed authorities to take necessary steps to bring the culprits to justice. Modi emphasized that anyone attempting to harm the future of young people would face severe consequences.

Despite the government’s announcement, protesters have continued their demonstrations, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Reports indicate that the protests have spread across several states, increasing pressure on the government to restore order.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has announced a plan to engage Bangladeshi and international teachers and researchers working abroad in the country’s higher education and research through digital transformation. The initiative was revealed by UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed at a discussion titled “BdREN–Cambridge University Press Collaboration: Pathway Towards Global Knowledge” held in Dhaka on July 22, 2026. The program aims to connect 180 universities to an integrated digital ecosystem within two years, expanding access to high-speed internet, smart classrooms, digital libraries, and international research databases.

According to Dr. Ahmed, the goal is not only to improve technological infrastructure but also to ensure equal access to quality education and research for all universities, regardless of geographic location. The initiative will be jointly implemented by UGC, the Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN), and the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project. Once operational, it will allow teachers from established universities to conduct online teaching, research supervision, and inter-university collaboration.

UGC also plans to expand digital library facilities and access to international journals and databases, while building a sustainable institutional framework to continue the program beyond its project phase.

Meta has begun rolling out a redesigned version of WhatsApp for Mac, inspired by Apple’s “Liquid Glass” design language. The update aims to make the desktop experience more consistent with that of iPhone and iPad users. According to WABetaInfo, the update is being released gradually through the Mac App Store, with limited users currently having access. It is expected to reach all Mac users within the next few weeks.

The new version does not introduce major messaging or AI-based features but focuses on improving design and usability. Enhancements include a reorganized sidebar, refined chat bar, updated attachment menu, and smoother navigation aligned with Apple’s latest macOS design principles. Locked chats and Communities now have separate sections, with identity verification required before accessing locked conversations, mirroring iPhone privacy features.

Technology analysts view this update as part of Apple’s broader effort to unify user experiences across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Meta continues to invest in improving WhatsApp’s desktop version as its user base on desktop platforms expands.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has decorated newly appointed Navy Chief Khondker Misbah Ul Azim with the rank badge of Vice Admiral. The ceremony took place on Thursday morning at the Armed Forces Division in Dhaka Cantonment, where outgoing Navy Chief Admiral M. Nazmul Hasan was also present. The event was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony.

After receiving the rank badge, Vice Admiral Khondker Misbah Ul Azim expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Bangladesh Navy. The ceremony was attended by senior military and government officials, including the Prime Minister’s Defense Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. A.K.M. Shamsul Islam, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan, and other top defense personnel.

Khondker Misbah Ul Azim joined the Bangladesh Navy in 1987 and was commissioned in 1989. Over nearly four decades, he has held key command and staff positions, served in UN peacekeeping missions, and most recently acted as Bangladesh’s ambassador to Oman. He has received multiple national honors for his distinguished service.

India is witnessing widespread unrest following police action against student protests demanding the education minister’s resignation over an exam paper leak. While people from various walks of life have expressed solidarity with the students, Bollywood has remained largely silent except for a few exceptions.

In a podcast hosted by journalist Mehedi Hasan, Indian journalist Srinivasan Jain discussed why Bollywood celebrities avoid criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Jain argued that their compliance stems from fear for their careers and families rather than belief in Hindu nationalism. He cited examples such as the arrest of Shah Rukh Khan’s son in a drug case, which he viewed as government pressure. Jain added that similar intimidation affects cricketers, athletes, and industrialists, with investigative agencies allegedly used against dissenters.

According to Jain, even immense popularity cannot shield stars from retaliation. He recalled that actor Aamir Khan faced online attacks and lost commercial deals after expressing concern over violence against Muslims during Modi’s first term.

A group of bakery workers in Paikgacha, Khulna, reported a strange incident after beef they bought for a picnic turned green while cooking. The event occurred on Wednesday afternoon when employees of Modern Bakery began preparing the meat purchased from a local butcher named Ismail. After noticing the color change, they took the cooked meat and cooking pot to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s office and later to the local police station.

According to the report, the workers had bought four kilograms of beef from Ismail’s shop that morning after being told that fresh meat was already sold out but that good quality meat was available from his freezer. The color change during cooking caused alarm among locals, prompting questions about possible chemical contamination. Some residents suspected the use of chemicals or other substances in the meat.

The butcher, Ismail, denied any wrongdoing, claiming he sold good meat and suggesting that the workers might have used some chemical during cooking. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the discoloration.

A court in Chandpur’s Matlab North has sentenced Md. Arun Bhuiyan, aged 50, to life imprisonment and fined him Tk 50,000 for raping a seven-year-old girl. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday afternoon by Judge Md. Rezaul Karim of the Child Violence Suppression Tribunal (District and Sessions Judge). The convict is the son of the late Abdul Kadir Bhuiyan of Gojra Bhuiyan Bari in the same upazila.

According to the case details, on July 9, 2021, the child went to guard seeds in a field near her home with her brother. When her brother left briefly to eat, the accused forcibly raped her. The injured child informed her grandmother, and her father filed a case with Matlab North Police Station on July 14. The then Sub-Inspector Md. Mobarak Ali arrested the accused the next day and submitted the charge sheet on October 20 of the same year.

Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Shirin Sultana Mukta said the court examined six witnesses before delivering the verdict in the presence of the accused.

Spain secured the 2026 FIFA World Cup title by defeating Argentina 1–0 in New Jersey, marking a historic repeat of their 2010 triumph. The victory came two years after their European Championship win in Berlin, confirming Spain’s dominance in global football. With this achievement, Spain became the first country ever to hold both men’s and women’s World Cup titles at the same time, following the women’s team’s 2023 win in Sydney.

Over the past five years, Spanish football has collected 16 international trophies across all levels, including the Nations League, European Championship, Olympic gold, and multiple youth titles. The team’s success is credited to long-term player chemistry, a solid defensive structure, and tactical innovation under coach Luis de la Fuente. Appointed after the 2022 World Cup, de la Fuente leveraged his experience with youth teams to build a cohesive senior squad.

Spain’s unbeaten streak of 38 matches underscores their consistency and discipline. The national team’s achievements have also influenced club football, with Spanish coaches now leading a significant share of Premier League teams.

Major (Retd.) Mozzafar Hossain, one of the accused in the assassination of former President Ziaur Rahman, was presented before the International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday morning in connection with alleged crimes against humanity. The hearing is being conducted by Tribunal-2, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with judges Md. Manjurul Basid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir as members. The tribunal had earlier ordered his appearance following a prosecution request on July 21.

According to the prosecution, investigators discovered Mozzafar’s identity while probing another suspect, Masud Uddin Chowdhury, after finding suspicious communications with a person using the alias “Jandu.” The investigation revealed Mozzafar’s alleged involvement in crimes against humanity, leading to the tribunal’s approval of his production order. He was arrested by Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police on July 15 from Banani DOHS and later handed over to military custody.

Mozzafar, a former officer of the disbanded Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini later integrated into the army, had fled to India after the 1981 assassination of Ziaur Rahman and reportedly lived there under assumed names until returning to Bangladesh in 1996.

The World Cup final in New Jersey ended with Spain lifting the trophy, but questions continue to swirl about Argentina’s unusual demeanor before and during the match. Viral videos from the dressing room showed Lionel Messi telling teammates to stay calm and focus, sparking speculation about what he meant. A longer video later revealed tactical discussions among players, suggesting Messi’s words referred to handling match pressure rather than external issues.

Despite this clarification, fans and media noted several oddities: coach Lionel Scaloni appeared emotional, Messi missed multiple warm-up shots, and players seemed unusually somber. Argentina’s gameplay also lacked its usual rhythm, failing to register a single shot on target in 90 minutes, while key striker Lautaro Martínez remained on the bench. Injuries to defenders Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez, and Messi’s avoidance of a handshake with U.S. President Donald Trump, added to the intrigue.

FIFA and the Argentine Football Association have not commented, and no evidence supports claims of external interference. The report concludes that while speculation persists, the truth behind Argentina’s subdued final remains uncertain.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has expressed solidarity with students participating in the ongoing protests against exam paper leaks in India. In an Instagram post shared on Wednesday, he urged demonstrators to continue their movement peacefully, describing paper leaks as a serious issue that should not be politically hijacked. Khan praised the courage and awareness of the young generation, saying their commitment to education would make India proud.

He emphasized that the problem of paper leaks concerns students and the education system alone, and credited the movement’s success solely to the students. Khan also expressed hope that the government would fully support the students and strengthen the education system for the benefit of all. He concluded by calling for education to become a positive national trend that could attract international students to study in India.

Several other Bollywood figures, including Omi Vaidya, Zeenat Aman, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Abhay Deol, Sonakshi Sinha, and Riteish Deshmukh, have also voiced support for the peaceful protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in New Delhi.

The Integrated Cultural Parliament (SASAS) organized a discussion and prayer meeting in memory of martyr artist Abdullah Al Tahir on the occasion of his second death anniversary. The event took place on Wednesday afternoon at the World Literature Center auditorium in Banglamotor, Dhaka. Speakers recalled Tahir’s role in the 2024 July mass uprising, noting that he joined the student and public movement against inequality and sacrificed his life while protesting against tyranny and injustice.

Tahir’s mother, Shirin Begum, attended the event and shared emotional memories of her son’s ideals, patriotism, and dedication to cultural practice, moving the audience deeply. The session was conducted by SASAS literary editor Tanbir Ahmad Shibli and chaired by executive director Zakir Hossain, with several cultural figures including H.M. Abu Musa, Dr. Monowarul Islam, and others in attendance.

Speakers emphasized that Tahir’s sacrifice remains a lasting inspiration for ethical and value-based cultural movements in Bangladesh. The event concluded with special prayers for his soul and for the nation’s cultural progress.

Fresh clashes broke out in India’s capital, Delhi, during ongoing demonstrations by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). While the main protest site at Jantar Mantar remained calm, violence erupted near Parliament Marg where protesters clashed with law enforcement. Police used tear gas to control the situation, and some protesters reportedly threw stones in retaliation. According to Delhi Police, five officers were injured, and one was allegedly assaulted by demonstrators.

The situation became most tense near the Park Hotel on Parliament Marg, prompting deployment of additional police and paramilitary forces. CJP volunteers urged protesters to remain peaceful, warning that violence could undermine the movement’s goals. They also removed stones from nearby roads to prevent their use in further clashes.

Authorities temporarily suspended mobile internet services within a 1.5-kilometer radius around Jantar Mantar from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning to prevent escalation. Security was tightened with barricades and riot-control vehicles positioned near Parliament Street police station.