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.

Mufti Syed Rezaul Karim, the Amir of Islami Andolon Bangladesh and Charmonai Pir, stated that Jamaat-e-Islami’s involvement in war crimes is well established and widely discussed. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon while addressing the party’s Comilla North District conference at the Debidwar Upazila Parishad auditorium, where he attended as the chief guest.

Rezaul Karim said Jamaat lost its ideological foundation after removing the phrase ‘Akimuddin’ from its logo, arguing that the party’s identity was once rooted in Islam but has since become unclear. He criticized Jamaat for aligning with different political parties at different times and claimed that other Islamic groups associated with Jamaat have also lost their moral authority to represent Islam. He added that Jamaat had declared it would govern under democratic principles rather than Islamic Sharia if it came to power.

The conference was presided over by Qari Md. Saiful Islam Sarkar, with senior party leaders including Maulana Muhammad Nesar Uddin and Maulana Nurul Karim Akram also addressing the event.

British political diplomat Ms. Kate Ward from the UK Embassy in Bangladesh met with Allama Mamunul Haque, the Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the party’s office. The meeting focused on issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom, including governance, education, youth empowerment, technology-based skill development, and the importance of human resource advancement in a changing global context.

During the discussion, Mamunul Haque emphasized the need to build a morally grounded, skilled, and technologically aware generation for Bangladesh’s progress. He highlighted the importance of education, social harmony, and effective initiatives for public welfare. Ms. Ward listened attentively to Haque’s perspectives on Bangladesh’s overall situation and exchanged views on matters of mutual concern.

The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere, with both sides expressing hope for continued mutual understanding and constructive dialogue in the future. Khelafat Majlis Foreign Secretary Farid Khan was also present at the meeting.

A Dhaka court has postponed the charge framing hearing against former law minister Anisul Huq in an arms case filed under Banani Police Station. The hearing, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was deferred to August 23 by Judge Moin Uddin Chowdhury of the Dhaka Fourth Special Tribunal. The defense lawyer, Md. Suman Hossain, requested the delay citing the sudden illness of the main counsel, which prevented his attendance. The court granted the request after hearing both sides, with Huq being produced from prison before the session.

According to the case, a licensed pistol registered under Anisul Huq’s name was not surrendered within the government’s stipulated deadline following the 2024 student and public uprising that led to the government’s fall. The Home Ministry had suspended all firearm licenses issued between January 6, 2009, and August 5, 2024, and ordered their submission by September 3, 2024. Police later found neither the weapon nor any related information at Huq’s address.

The case was filed by Banani Police Sub-Inspector Md. Jane Alam Dulal, and the charge sheet was submitted on August 29, 2025. Huq remains in custody facing multiple other criminal charges.

Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi sharply criticized the country’s education system, calling it completely corrupt and collapsed. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday while wearing a black badge, he claimed that 152 government and competitive exam papers had been leaked over the past ten years, yet not a single offender had been punished. Gandhi wore a black cloth on his arm in protest against police action on Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demonstrators and demanded the immediate resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for failing to prevent repeated leaks.

He alleged that millions of students and their families were paying the price for a broken system, with some students driven to suicide due to repeated leaks and immense pressure. Gandhi said around 75 million students and their families had been affected, as families’ hard-earned money was wasted on education undermined by corruption. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologize to students and emphasized that their demands for a fair education system should remain the focus.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party dismissed Gandhi’s protest as childish and accused him of trying to create chaos during the parliamentary session, organizing counter-protests in response.