The Chhagalnaiya upazila administration in Feni demolished a former Awami League office building that had been constructed illegally on a public sidewalk. The demolition took place on Wednesday afternoon using heavy machinery as part of the second phase of an eviction drive in the municipal area.

Earlier, on Monday, the first phase of the operation removed more than two hundred illegal structures from the market area, but the Awami League office remained untouched, sparking anger among local traders and residents. Social media users also criticized the inaction, questioning the building’s legality and lease process. Local sources claimed the property, originally allocated to a cooperative, had been partitioned into rooms and rented out for deposits of up to six lakh taka, with new shops recently under construction.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Omar Faruk, who led the operation, stated that drives against illegal establishments would continue and warned that stronger actions would follow if the cleared areas were reoccupied.

A protest rally was held in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira demanding the expulsion and removal of Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam from his party and parliament following the circulation of a viral video involving him and a young woman. The demonstration, organized under the banner of the Conscious Citizens’ Society, took place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday and drew participation from political and social activists as well as local residents.

Speakers at the rally, including several BNP leaders, alleged that the incident had deeply angered the public and undermined the moral standing of an elected representative who had campaigned on religious values. They declared Gazi Nazrul Islam unwelcome in Shyamnagar and urged Jamaat-e-Islami to take disciplinary action within 24 hours. The protesters also called on the Speaker of the National Parliament to intervene and cancel his parliamentary membership.

Following the rally, demonstrators burned an effigy of Gazi Nazrul Islam in front of the Shyamnagar Press Club. The viral video has sparked widespread discussion and criticism across local political and social circles.

India’s Supreme Court has rejected a plea for an urgent hearing in a case concerning police baton charges on participants of the Cockroach Janata Party’s protest. The request was made on Wednesday before a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, who declined to take up the matter. When the lawyer attempted to justify the protest as being in the public interest and related to alleged exam paper leaks, the Chief Justice interrupted, saying, “Thank you very much,” and refused to watch videos presented as evidence of police brutality.

The Delhi High Court had also refused to conduct an emergency hearing on Tuesday, stating that the judiciary should not be drawn into such matters. The protests, held at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, are being led by the Cockroach Janata Party and its supporters, demanding education reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The Cockroach Janata Party was formed after Chief Justice Surya Kant once referred to unemployed youth as “cockroaches,” a remark that sparked widespread criticism and inspired the group’s name.

The second death anniversary of Hafiz Monayel Ahmed Imran, one of the youngest martyrs of the anti-discrimination movement, was observed on Tuesday at his home in Lakhai, Habiganj, in deep mourning and respect. Family members expressed anger that even after two years, justice, accountability, and security for the martyr’s family have not been ensured. They also demanded immediate implementation of the July Charter.

Imran, a 16-year-old madrasa student, was shot during the anti-discrimination movement on July 21, 2024, near the Signboard area of the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway. His family alleged that police delayed the ambulance carrying him by about half an hour at Jatrabari’s Rayerbag area, during which some companions were beaten and their phones confiscated. They believe this delay contributed to his death from excessive bleeding.

At the commemoration, local leaders from BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami pledged continued support for martyr families and called for justice, state recognition, and protection. Relatives and residents urged that true respect for the martyrs lies in ensuring justice and security for their families.

Abdullah Al Minhaj, then vice president of the Tamirul Millat Central Students’ Union, has described his experiences during the July 2024 movement in Bangladesh. He detailed how students from the madrasa joined demonstrations near the Uttara BNS Center, where security forces and ruling party groups allegedly carried out violent crackdowns. Minhaj reported that five students from Tamirul Millat were killed and more than three hundred injured during the protests. He himself was wounded by rubber bullets and treated at a local hospital that provided free care.

The account describes the intense confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement, the community’s support for injured protesters, and the emotional toll on participants. Minhaj recalled the trauma of witnessing deaths, the solidarity among students, and the assistance from doctors and local residents. He also recounted the final days of the movement, when large crowds celebrated what they saw as victory after reports of the government’s collapse.

The narrative concludes with a reflection on unity and sacrifice, portraying the July events as a struggle for freedom and a call to preserve national solidarity.

The High Court has issued a rule seeking to ensure that candidates contesting for the position of Union Parishad chairman possess at least a graduate-level educational qualification. The rule was issued on Wednesday afternoon following a preliminary hearing of a writ petition filed by two Supreme Court lawyers before the bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar.

Lawyer Kazi Ferdousul Hasan confirmed the issuance of the rule. The court directed the Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) Secretary, the Law Ministry Secretary, and the Chief Election Commissioner to respond to the rule. The High Court asked why Section 26 of the Union Parishad Act, which does not specify educational qualifications, should not be declared inconsistent with the Constitution.

The court also questioned why an order should not be given to ensure a minimum educational qualification of a graduate degree for candidates contesting the Union Parishad chairman elections under Section 26 of the Union Parishad Act, 2009.

Abdullah Al Noman, general secretary of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Chittagong University, described in detail the events of July 16 during an anti-discrimination student protest at Chattogram’s Muradpur and Sholoshahar areas. He recounted how activists gathered following a directive from BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman to remain on the streets. As rival groups from the Chhatra League and Jubo League reportedly took armed positions, clashes erupted when the protesters began chanting slogans. Noman said the students split into groups to resist attacks and that Wasim Akram, a fellow activist, joined the protest before being shot.

According to Noman’s account, Wasim was taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. The narrative portrays Wasim as a courageous participant whose call to gather at Sholoshahar inspired others to join the movement. Noman expressed deep grief over Wasim’s death, describing him as a younger brother figure and symbol of sacrifice for the student movement.

The article concludes with Noman’s reflection that Wasim’s bravery and sacrifice will be remembered by future generations as part of the broader struggle for equality and justice.

On July 15, 2024, violent clashes erupted at Dhaka University when members of the Chhatra League allegedly attacked students participating in the quota reform movement. The assault left many students injured, including female students, and videos of the incident quickly spread across social media, triggering widespread anger and calls for resistance across the country.

In response, the Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a counter-mobilization. Its then central president, Manjurul Islam, directed members to support the general students, leading to the formation of a coordinated operation named “Operation Hasbunallah.” Under the leadership of Dhaka Metropolitan East branch president Mojabber Hossain, Shibir activists gathered near the campus and joined students in repelling Chhatra League members from key university halls, including Shahidullah Hall and Amar Ekushey Hall.

Following the confrontation, Shibir members reportedly maintained overnight patrols around the campus to ensure student safety. The events marked a turning point as Chhatra League’s dominance in several university halls began to weaken, and the student movement regained momentum nationwide.

US President Donald Trump reportedly wants FIFA President Gianni Infantino to serve as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, according to a report by The New York Post published on July 22, 2026. The report states that the two became close during this year’s World Cup, and their relationship deepened after Infantino presented Trump with the FIFA Peace Award last December.

Citing sources close to Trump, the report describes Infantino as a globally respected figure with a strong ability to unite people around shared goals. The current UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, is set to complete his term in December this year. It remains unclear whether Infantino is interested in the position or how much Trump has discussed the matter with him.

According to the report, the UN Secretary-General is appointed following a recommendation from the Security Council and approval by the General Assembly. Other names reportedly under discussion include former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

Members of India’s opposition alliance staged a protest in black attire at the Parliament complex, condemning the government’s alleged repression of demonstrators. The protest followed an earlier demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s residence, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in solidarity with student protesters. On Wednesday, Congress lawmakers appeared in black clothing and demonstrated outside the Parliament gates.

Lawmakers from several other opposition parties joined the protest, demanding the resignations of Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Members of the Samajwadi Party wore black scarves to show support, while party chief Akhilesh Yadav had earlier joined the Congress-led protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence, where he and several Congress leaders were detained. The opposition demanded a parliamentary discussion on the alleged leak of the NEET exam paper and the police use of force against protesters in the capital.

Congress MP Pawan Khera told NDTV that the education minister should resign before any discussion takes place, citing the police action against students as unacceptable.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has decided to take strict disciplinary action against Gazi Nazrul Islam, the Member of Parliament for Satkhira-4, following his alleged involvement in a scandal. The party formed an investigation committee immediately after a video related to the incident surfaced on social media. The committee has already submitted its report, and the party’s executive council convened a meeting today to decide on further steps.

According to Jamaat sources, multiple teams were deployed to verify the authenticity of the allegations, and evidence of moral misconduct was reportedly found. Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim stated that the party would take firm action against any unethical or criminal behavior, regardless of a person’s political position. Discussions among party leaders confirmed that Gazi Nazrul Islam was involved in actions deemed morally unacceptable.

Party insiders also indicated that pressure had mounted from within the organization, including from leaders of Islami Chhatra Shibir and Islami Chhatri Sangstha, demanding immediate action. The role of the Satkhira district Jamaat unit is also under review. A final decision regarding the MP is expected soon, according to the party’s central media secretary.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken publicly for the first time about the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) question paper leak, calling it a grave wrongdoing and pledging the harshest punishment for those involved. Speaking at the NDA parliamentary meeting in Delhi’s Parliament Library building, Modi urged lawmakers to guide the youth responsibly and avoid incitement. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Prime Minister called for a flawless and transparent examination system through collective effort.

The remarks came a day after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) led a massive “Parliament March” in Delhi demanding the cancellation of the NEET-UG exam and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Around 20,000 protesters, mostly students and youth, clashed with police near Parliament, prompting tear gas and baton charges. Activist Sonam Wangchuk continued his hunger strike from hospital, condemning police action and demanding dialogue with lawmakers.

In response, the government held talks with CJP leaders, with Health Minister J.P. Nadda receiving written demands. However, both the CJP and Wangchuk remain firm on their call for ministerial accountability.

Crowds continued to swell at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Wednesday morning as members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) declared they would not leave the protest site. The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The movement, which began after the leak of the NEET examination paper, has now expanded beyond India, with solidarity protests reported in New York, San Jose, London, and Dublin.

According to reports, members of an advocacy group in the United States organized demonstrations in support of fasting activist Wangchuk. Meanwhile, opposition alliances in India have also joined the streets. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi protested outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on Tuesday, condemning police action against students in Delhi and presenting a five-point demand while in detention.

Both the CJP and opposition leaders have accused the police of using repressive measures against peaceful protesters. The ongoing unrest poses a growing challenge to the government as the movement gains international visibility.

On July 22, 2026, reports surfaced that top Bangladeshi business leaders had expressed lifelong support for Sheikh Hasina during the 2024 student-led quota reform protests, which were violently suppressed. The report describes how, amid nationwide unrest and government crackdowns, business associations publicly urged Hasina to act more harshly against demonstrators, labeling them as terrorists and anti-state elements. A meeting organized by Hasina’s advisers gathered leading industrialists who pledged allegiance to her leadership.

Following this support, the government’s repression reportedly intensified, leading to mass casualties and Hasina’s eventual ouster on August 5, 2024. Many of the business figures who had backed her remained active or sought alignment with subsequent administrations. On January 13, 2026, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement filed a complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office against 24 business leaders, accusing them of aiding in mass killings during the protests. The investigation is ongoing, with the tribunal expected to file formal charges once the inquiry concludes.

BIMSTEC Secretary General Indra Mani Pandey stated in Dhaka that comparing the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) with SAARC is misleading and unjustified, as it undermines BIMSTEC’s interests. He emphasized that regional cooperation is essential for ensuring development and security in the Bay of Bengal region and described BIMSTEC as a dynamic and effective platform for realizing the shared aspirations of its member states.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB), Pandey highlighted BIMSTEC’s growing importance and urged that it be evaluated based on its own mandate, achievements, and potential rather than through the lens of other regional organizations. He noted that Bangladesh, as the current chair since April 2025, is focusing on making BIMSTEC more effective, results-oriented, and people-centered.

Pandey also mentioned that member states are considering a visa facilitation scheme to boost trade, travel, and tourism, and expressed optimism about progress in finalizing several trade agreements, including discussions under a Free Trade Agreement framework.