Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that Major (Retd.) Mozzafar Hossain, an accused in the assassination case of former President Ziaur Rahman, will be tried under military law through a general court-martial. The minister made the statement on Monday during a visit to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) headquarters in Pilkhana. He said Mozzafar Hossain had been arrested based on specific intelligence after hiding for a long time in a neighboring country under a false identity and has been handed over to the army for trial.

The Home Minister explained that the trial would proceed under the current military law, as no individual can be tried separately under both civil and military jurisdictions for the same offense. He emphasized that the legal process will be completed through the formation of a general court-martial.

Addressing the Myanmar border situation, the minister noted ongoing conflicts between Myanmar’s government forces and armed groups such as the Arakan Army, as well as activities by groups like RSO and ARSA. He said Bangladesh is maintaining constant surveillance to prevent cross-border firing and drug infiltration, stressing the need for tighter security along the Myanmar frontier.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has called for establishing the July National Charter through national consensus and legal measures. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “July Memory” and “Youth Startups and the Prospects of Bangladesh” at the International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) in Uttara on Monday, he said the government, ruling party, and opposition should discuss and finalize necessary additions before legalizing and constitutionalizing the charter through parliament.

Rizvi emphasized that the July Charter is essential to safeguard democracy against anti-democratic forces that could re-emerge with external and financial support. He noted that recent political changes have allowed greater freedom of speech and criticism, marking a shift from previous repression. He also urged political parties to reach a minimum understanding on key national issues to protect democracy, independence, and sovereignty.

Rizvi accused the former Awami League government of dismantling democratic institutions, controlling the media, and undermining judicial independence, asserting that such actions aimed to perpetuate one-party rule.

A Chattogram court has denied bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, one of the accused named in the charge sheet of the murder case of lawyer Advocate Saiful Islam Alif. The decision was made by Judge Fazle Khoda Mohammad Nazir of the Chattogram Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal on Monday, July 20, 2026. The court also set August 20 as the next hearing date, as the cross-examination of the prosecution’s second witness could not be completed.

During the hearing, the second prosecution witness, Advocate Shahidul Alam Rahat, became emotional while giving his testimony, creating a somber atmosphere in the courtroom. Many lawyers present were visibly moved. The accused Chinmoy Krishna Das appeared virtually, while other defendants were brought to court under tight security. According to case records, 27 of the 39 accused are in custody, while 12 remain absconding.

The case is currently at the stage of recording and cross-examining prosecution witnesses, with the next session scheduled for August 20, 2026.

The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has revoked the licenses of 49 recruiting agencies, including those owned by former ministers and members of parliament from the Awami League. The decision was announced on Sunday through a notification issued by the ministry’s monitoring branch. The agencies face allegations of forming a syndicate in Malaysia’s labor market, embezzling billions of taka, and laundering money abroad.

According to the source, a human trafficking case was filed at Paltan Police Station over the alleged embezzlement through the Malaysia recruitment syndicate. Investigators have submitted a charge sheet against the 49 agencies, prompting the ministry to withdraw their licenses under Section 13 of the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Act, 2013. The notification stated that the order was issued in the public interest and signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Rashida Akter on behalf of the President.

The ministry emphasized that all recruiting agencies must comply with the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Act, 2013, the amended 2023 law, and other relevant regulations.

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has announced Khalil al-Hayya as the new head of its political bureau, according to Al Jazeera. He replaces Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in October 2024. The announcement was made on July 20, 2026.

Following the deaths of senior Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, and military commander Mohammed Deif last year, al-Hayya’s prominence within the organization increased significantly. His appointment marks a continuation of leadership restructuring within Hamas after a series of high-profile losses.

Born in 1960 in the Gaza Strip, Khalil al-Hayya has been associated with Hamas since its founding in 1987 and has long served as a key figure in its political leadership.

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) alleged that internet services were suspended in parts of India’s capital, Delhi, on Monday during its ‘Chalo Sansad’ protest. The party claimed the move was intended to prevent information about the demonstration from reaching the public. Thousands of supporters reportedly gathered near Jantar Mantar, but the party said it could not share live updates due to the disruption. Through posts on its X account, CJP accused authorities of cowardice and urged supporters to remain calm while continuing efforts to communicate updates.

Security was tightened across Delhi as protesters attempted to march toward Parliament despite restrictions. Police and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed in large numbers around Jantar Mantar and Parliament Street, where clashes broke out after demonstrators tried to break barricades. Delhi Police stated earlier that no permission had been granted for the rally and that prohibitory orders remained in effect. However, there was no immediate official response from the police or government regarding the internet shutdown allegations.

Bangladesh reported three new dengue-related deaths and 372 hospitalizations in the past 24 hours, according to a press release from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Monday. The latest figures bring the total number of dengue cases in July to 4,753 and deaths to 19. The DGHS data covered the period from Sunday 8 a.m. to Monday 8 a.m.

The report detailed that 67 patients were admitted in Barishal division, 54 in Chattogram, 103 in Dhaka division outside city corporations, 22 in Dhaka North City Corporation, 52 in Dhaka South City Corporation, 43 in Khulna, 21 in Mymensingh, 4 in Rajshahi, and 6 in Rangpur. During the same period, 346 patients were discharged from hospitals. Since January, dengue has caused 37 deaths and 10,857 infections nationwide. The highest number of deaths, 19, occurred in Dhaka division, while Barishal recorded the most infections with 2,605 cases.

The DGHS also noted that 60.9 percent of the infected are male and 39.1 percent female, reflecting the ongoing spread of the disease across multiple regions.

Muslim Aid UK Bangladesh Field Office has distributed emergency relief to 400 families affected by continuous rainfall, flash floods, and landslides in Lama upazila of Bandarban. The aid was provided in collaboration with Caritas Bangladesh across seven unions and one municipality. The formal distribution took place on Sunday at the Caritas Bangladesh PEP-3 project office in Madhujhiri, Lama municipality, where families received rice, salt, purified water, biscuits, and edible oil.

Local representatives and officials from both organizations attended the event, including the acting chairman of Lama Sadar Union Parishad and several project managers. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude, saying the assistance came as a major relief amid food shortages caused by the prolonged rainfall and landslides that left many people jobless.

Caritas field officer Jevers Tripura stated that supporting disaster-affected people is a humanitarian duty and that such relief efforts will continue. Locals noted that non-governmental organizations are playing a vital role alongside government initiatives in easing the suffering of affected residents.

Registration has begun for the new reality show 'Shaheen Education Family–Channel i Spelling Star 2026', aimed at improving English language and spelling skills among Bangladeshi students. The competition, jointly organized by Shaheen Education Family and Channel i, is open to fourth and fifth grade students from Bangla and madrasa mediums across the country. Registration will continue until August 14, 2026.

The launch event was held at a press conference attended by State Minister for Education and Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, Shaheen Education Family Chairman Masudul Amin Shaheen, and Channel i Executive Director Harun Rashid. Organizers said the initiative is designed to inspire students and enhance their learning interest. The preliminary selection will take place at 35 venues nationwide, followed by divisional rounds featuring 350 to 400 students. From these, 100 finalists will compete in the main televised round on Channel i.

According to the organizers, the primary goal of the competition is to develop English language and spelling proficiency among primary-level students from an early age.

Police in India’s capital, Delhi, detained Abhijit Dipke, the head of the youth-led Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), following clashes between protesters and law enforcement during a march toward Parliament. The confrontation occurred on Monday during the party’s pre-announced ‘Parliament Chalo’ rally, which authorities had not permitted. Thousands of CJP supporters had gathered for the event, demanding justice over alleged irregularities in the national medical college entrance exam and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

According to the organization, police used batons to disperse demonstrators and temporarily suspended mobile internet services in parts of central Delhi to control the situation. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das posted on social media platform X, urging lawmakers to support students and confirming that Dipke had been taken by police.

The protest gained renewed momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly hospitalized during a hunger strike on Saturday. The incident coincided with the opening day of Parliament’s monsoon session, drawing hundreds of supporters to the protest site.

At a scientific seminar held on Monday at the National Press Club, health experts and lawmakers stated that dengue fever has evolved from a seasonal issue into a major public health challenge in Bangladesh. Organized by the National Doctors Forum (NDF), the event was chaired by Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam and featured medical professionals, public health experts, and members of parliament.

Chief guest Dr. Mosleh Uddin Farid, MP for Jessore-2, emphasized that combating dengue requires coordinated action from government agencies, local authorities, media, and citizens. He urged families to maintain cleanliness and destroy mosquito breeding sites. MP Marzia Begum highlighted that dengue is preventable and called for scientific awareness to counter misinformation. Keynote speaker Dr. Md. Jahangir-ul Alam (Sohel) presented detailed findings on dengue symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, stressing early medical consultation and adequate hydration.

Participants agreed on the need for community-level awareness, environmental cleanliness, and strengthened preventive measures to reduce dengue transmission nationwide.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has issued an instruction for all educational institutions under its authority to submit creative materials including logos, reels, mascots, slogans, and theme songs for the upcoming Prime Minister’s Gold Cup National Football Competition 2026. The directive was announced through a press release from the DSHE’s Physical Education Division on Monday. Participants must send their submissions by July 28, 2026, via email to hpmgoldcup@gmail.com.

According to the notice, logos should be sent in PNG, JPG, or JPEG formats, while reels must be related to football activities of secondary and higher secondary students and shared through a link. Theme songs should be submitted in Word and PDF formats, and mascots and slogans must also be sent via email. Each submission must include a valid mobile number and contact address.

The directive further states that winners of the competition will receive awards from the Prime Minister. Those who have already submitted their entries do not need to resend them.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed visited the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) headquarters in Pilkhana on Monday morning, emphasizing the need to strengthen the force’s operational capacity, discipline, and professionalism. During the visit, he instructed BGB members to maintain maximum vigilance along the borders and perform their duties with integrity and patriotism.

The minister received a guard of honor upon arrival and was briefed on BGB’s operational, training, administrative, and development activities. Later, at a meeting held at Shaheed Shakil Ahmed Hall, he addressed officers and personnel, including those connected via video teleconference from across the country. He called for effective measures to prevent illegal infiltration, smuggling, drug and arms trafficking, and human trafficking.

Salahuddin Ahmed also stressed maintaining discipline, chain of command, mutual respect, and professional conduct. He urged members to rely on verified information, use modern technology and intelligence effectively, and uphold neutrality, accountability, and the rule of law while earning the trust of border communities.

The Cabinet Division has dismissed its administrative officer Mohammad Abdullah for remaining absent from duty without permission since August 6, 2025. The decision was announced through a notification issued on Sunday, stating that the dismissal would be effective from the date he first went absent. Abdullah had been serving in the General Services-1 sub-branch of the division before his unauthorized absence.

According to the notification, Abdullah was issued a show-cause notice after his absence, but his response was deemed unsatisfactory. A departmental case was subsequently filed against him under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018, on charges of desertion. An inquiry officer was appointed in January of the current year, and the investigation report submitted in February confirmed the allegation of desertion.

Following a second unsatisfactory response to a show-cause notice, the Cabinet Division decided to dismiss him under Rule 4(3)(gh) of the same regulations. The Bangladesh Public Service Commission later endorsed the proposed major penalty, leading to the final dismissal order.

The body of BNP leader Md. Masud, aged 53, was recovered from Kaptai Lake in Rangamati on Sunday afternoon, two days after he went missing. Masud was the president of Ward No. 6 under Union No. 4 of Kaptai Upazila BNP. Local residents spotted the body floating in the lake near Gorjontila area around 12:30 p.m. and informed the fire service, which later retrieved the body and handed it over to Kaptai police.

According to the fire service team leader Rezaul Karim, the body was formally transferred to police custody. Police and local BNP leaders suggested that Masud might have suffered a stroke and fallen into the water while on a business trip to Bilaichhari. Kaptai Union BNP general secretary Kamal Hakim stated that there were no complaints regarding the death. Officer-in-Charge Mahadul Hasan Rubel confirmed that the family raised no allegations, and the body was returned to them after examination.

Authorities have treated the incident as an accidental death, with no signs of foul play reported in the investigation.