Following the decision to expel Gazi Nazrul Islam, the Member of Parliament for Satkhira-4 (Shyamnagar), from Jamaat-e-Islami over a video scandal, residents of Shyamnagar expressed mixed reactions. After the news spread, locals were seen distributing sweets in different parts of the upazila town.

Many grassroots Jamaat supporters demanded not only the expulsion but also a proper investigation and exemplary punishment if the allegations were proven. Local sources reported a tense atmosphere at the Shyamnagar Jamaat office after the central announcement, though no one publicly opposed the decision. Former Shyamnagar BNP convener Solaiman Kabir welcomed the move, calling for further organizational action. District Jamaat secretary Maulana Azizur Rahman said the party acted on moral grounds and believed the decision would help restore its image.

Local residents viewed the expulsion positively but emphasized the need for a full investigation and legal process to ensure accountability.

Mujibur Rahman Manju, chairman of the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), said that people across the country took to the streets on August 5 in protest against brutality, describing it as a powerful resistance that forced fascist forces to flee. He made the remarks on Wednesday at the party’s Bijoynagar office during a discussion marking the second anniversary of the July uprising titled ‘Resistance of Alems, Scholars and Madrasa Students: Victory of the Blood-Soaked July Uprising’.

Manju stated that while the 2013 Hefazat gathering did not receive broad public support, the July uprising saw participation from university, college, private university, and madrasa students, as well as cultural activists and citizens from all walks of life. He praised the Alems for their historical role in national movements and criticized those who sided with fascism. Other speakers, including Ahmad Ali Qasemi of Khelafat Majlis, said the fall of Sheikh Hasina resulted from long-standing public anger and called for structural reforms to prevent future fascism.

Participants from various Islamic and youth organizations linked the July uprising’s roots to earlier protests and vowed to continue movements for implementing the July Charter.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) Bagerhat district branch organized the 'July March and Street Rally 2026' on Tuesday afternoon at Bagerhat Swadhinata Udyan to mark the anniversary of the July Uprising. The event was attended by a large number of party leaders, activists, and supporters. Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah was present as the chief guest, while MP Dr. Mahmud Mitu attended as a special guest.

Other notable attendees included NCP joint member secretary Saroar Tushar, joint convener Ali Ahsan Junaid, Khulna regional organizational secretary Faridul Haque, and several local and central leaders from affiliated organizations. During his speech, Hasnat Abdullah called for unity in working for the country's interests and introduced Syed Morshed Anwar Sohel as the party’s mayoral candidate for Bagerhat Municipality.

Speakers at the rally urged participants to uphold the spirit of the July Uprising by promoting democracy, accountability, and citizens’ rights. They also discussed the party’s initiatives for national development, good governance, and fostering young leadership.

Prime Minister’s Adviser and spokesperson Mahdi Amin said the government aims to build a skilled and competent workforce by harnessing the aspirations of youth. Speaking at the World Youth Skills Day 2026 event organized by UCEP Bangladesh in Mirpur, Dhaka, he emphasized that empowering youth means strengthening the current government. He highlighted the Prime Minister’s vision for an education system that integrates industry and academia to enhance employability and moral development among young people.

Amin noted that employment opportunities should be created across four areas: private and public sectors, overseas employment, and entrepreneurship. He said the government is working to align technical and vocational education under a unified framework involving multiple ministries. The goal is to ensure that training certifications, including those from the NSDA, gain international recognition and consistency across institutions.

He praised UCEP’s success in securing employment for over 80 percent of its students and said the model should be replicated nationwide. Amin stressed the need for equal access to quality education and training for students in both urban and remote areas to reduce inequality and foster inclusive national development.

Indian educator and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk announced on Wednesday that he will not end his hunger strike demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. His statement came after Health Minister J.P. Nadda assured him that the government would consider assistance for affected students’ families and review the resignation issue. Despite expressing gratitude, Wangchuk said he would continue fasting until the government acts in line with the demands of students and youth.

Following his message, the Cockroach Janata Party declared that its protest movement would continue until their demands are met. The party’s founder, Abhijit Deep, urged Wangchuk to end his fast, saying the movement would carry on inspired by his efforts. Hundreds of demonstrators remained at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar despite heat, humidity, and intermittent rain, with food and supplies arriving from across India through volunteers and delivery apps.

Authorities have deployed 20 companies of central security forces from West Bengal to Delhi and closed several metro stations. The protests stem from allegations of a leaked NEET medical entrance exam paper and the reported suicides of at least 20 students.

Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, has said that the BNP government must prove it is a worker-friendly administration. Speaking on Wednesday at a discussion titled “2024 Uprising: Workers’ Expectations and Achievements” organized by the Revolutionary Workers Solidarity at the National Press Club, he noted that although workers made the highest sacrifices during the 2024 mass uprising, their demands for survival and dignity remain unmet.

Haque called for the formation of a national minimum wage board alongside the new pay scale for government employees. He emphasized that wages should be adjusted according to the cost of living and argued that ensuring a humane standard of life for workers is essential for productivity. He described fair wages as an investment rather than a concession and asserted that the struggle for workers’ survival is not a conspiracy but a legitimate movement.

The event was chaired by Mir Mofazzal Hossain Moshtaq and attended by several political and labor leaders, including MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas and Bahnisikha Jamali.

Former BJP leader K. Annamalai has sharply criticized the Indian government for its handling of repeated exam paper leaks and the absence of accountability. Speaking on July 22, 2026, he questioned why the government failed to take responsibility despite multiple major leaks and why meaningful dialogue with students began only after protests escalated nationwide.

Annamalai, now leading the 'We the Leaders' movement, said he had long supported the NEET exam for promoting equal opportunity but argued that three leaks in five years exposed deep flaws in the system. He accused the BJP-led central government of remaining silent and slow to act while students grew increasingly frustrated and took to the streets.

He urged the government to engage transparently with students to restore trust in educational institutions and warned student leaders to stay vigilant against groups seeking to exploit the movement for political gain.

BNP Joint Secretary General and Narsingdi-1 MP Khairul Kabir Khokon announced that any party member involved in extortion from contractors will be expelled and face legal action. He made the statement on Wednesday afternoon at the Narsingdi Sadar Upazila Parishad auditorium during a program distributing allowance books to elderly, widowed, and disabled persons, as well as cash and corrugated sheets to families affected by natural disasters.

Khokon emphasized that contractors must complete their work according to schedule and that no irregularities or corruption will be tolerated. He said elected representatives are accountable to the people and must work for public welfare, not personal gain. Those who have looted public funds have already been rejected by the people, he added.

The event, chaired by Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Asma Jahan, was attended by local officials and BNP leaders. A total of 21 beneficiaries received cash and corrugated sheets, while 150 elderly, widowed, and disabled individuals received allowance books.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is scheduled to visit Iran tomorrow with a ministerial delegation, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA). The visit, made at the invitation of the Iranian government, will focus on cooperation in the gas sector and discussions on the regional situation, Al Jazeera reported.

Government spokesperson Haidar al-Aboudi stated that the issue of keeping weapons under state control has been discussed only in Baghdad and will not be raised abroad, emphasizing it as an internal matter. He added that energy and gas cooperation will be key topics in bilateral talks, reflecting Iraq’s national interests. Al-Aboudi also noted that Iraq is pursuing diplomacy-based initiatives to address current regional challenges.

He further mentioned that Iraq has signed several agreements with the United States, including plans to develop alternative oil export routes to ensure secure exports amid tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Al-Aboudi said Iraq seeks broader foreign relations based on economic interests while avoiding involvement in conflicts.

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly condemned police action against students protesting question paper leaks across the country. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, he said the agitating students have made three key demands: the immediate resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, strict punishment for those who ordered and carried out attacks on protesters, and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the students.

Gandhi was detained by police on Tuesday while marching toward Modi’s residence during the protest. He later recounted that a police officer privately expressed frustration with the government. Highlighting what he called a collapse of the education system, Gandhi alleged that at least 152 incidents of question paper leaks have occurred over the past decade without a single perpetrator being brought to justice.

The ongoing protests reflect growing anger among students and opposition groups over repeated exam irregularities and the government’s handling of accountability in the education sector.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that attempts are being made to create new divisions in the country’s politics. Speaking on Wednesday at a discussion organized by the Bangladesh Union Parishad Chairman Member Association in Dhaka, he said that although Islam is the majority religion, all faiths must be treated equally and no religion should be demeaned. He emphasized that upcoming local government elections will be neutral and that candidates must earn public trust through service.

Fakhrul highlighted several government initiatives under the prime minister’s leadership, including the introduction of family cards for 4.1 million families, farmer cards, loan waivers up to 10,000 taka, and allowances for imams and muezzins. He said these programs aim to benefit ordinary citizens and that grassroots representatives should be involved in all development activities to strengthen the state structure.

He also criticized the Awami League, claiming it has harmed democratic institutions since 1971, and said efforts are underway to ensure that elected representatives are not unfairly dismissed and receive fair allowances.

The Cumilla Department of Narcotics Control has come under discussion after allocating a budget for establishing a 'Bangabandhu Book Corner'. According to reports, the allocation was made under an expenditure head signed in July 2025 by Deputy Director Bazlur Rahman. The budget, part of the 2025–2026 fiscal year, included instructions to purchase books for the corner by June 30, along with a separate allocation of 1 million taka for narcotics control and awareness activities.

Following the political change in July 2024, several groups have questioned the continuation of government programs named after Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Critics, including those linked to the July Movement, argue that such initiatives reflect misuse of public funds and political bias. Abu Raihan, convenor of the anti-discrimination student movement in Cumilla, said similar practices persist in government offices and called for accountability.

Deputy Director Bazlur Rahman stated that the inclusion of the book corner was unintentional and would be removed, suggesting that internal office politics may have caused the issue.

U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly wants FIFA President Gianni Infantino to be the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, according to a New York Post report published on July 22, 2026. Trump believes Infantino’s leadership of world football’s governing body demonstrates his ability to lead a global institution. He particularly praised Infantino’s role in successfully organizing the 2026 World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

A source close to Trump told the New York Post that the president views Infantino as a respected global figure capable of uniting people across nations and cultures. Neither the White House nor FIFA has made any official comment on the matter. The next UN Secretary-General is expected to be chosen later this year, with the new term beginning on January 1, 2027, after Antonio Guterres’s tenure ends in December.

However, Infantino’s path may be difficult, as UN rules require Security Council and General Assembly approval, and any veto from the five permanent members could block his candidacy. It also remains unclear whether Infantino himself is interested in the position.

Former Chapainawabganj-3 MP and District Council Administrator Harunur Rashid said that any member of parliament proven to be involved in adultery or fornication should face the death penalty. He made the statement on Wednesday afternoon while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the 'Hospital Automation System' at the 250-bed district hospital in Chapainawabganj.

Rashid referred to a recent viral video allegedly showing misconduct by an MP from Satkhira and criticized those who use religion for political purposes, calling them hypocritical. He argued that such behavior spreads immorality in society and urged the government to enforce existing laws prescribing capital punishment for adultery if proven.

During the event, Rashid also highlighted the district council’s initiative to digitalize hospital services within a week. The system will store patients’ medical histories, integrate the hospital pharmacy, and automate test reports for doctors and patients, aiming to improve service efficiency and transparency.

U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed his threat to bomb key Iranian infrastructure if Tehran attacks any ships in the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump warned that every time Iran fires missiles, rockets, drones, or other weapons at ships in the strait, the United States will destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant, even if located near or inside Tehran.

This marks Trump’s latest warning against Iran, following several previous statements concerning maritime security and rising military tensions in the region. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy transport routes, carrying vast quantities of oil and gas.

According to the report, Trump’s remarks have raised fears of escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, with potential implications for global energy stability and regional security.