The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has instructed pilgrims not to stop in front of the Hajar al-Aswad while performing Tawaf to avoid crowding and ensure safety. The ministry emphasized that pointing toward the Black Stone is sufficient and does not affect the validity of Tawaf. This directive aims to facilitate smooth movement, prevent congestion, and protect pilgrims. Authorities clarified that stopping is not required for a valid Tawaf and urged cooperation for collective safety.

A tragic road accident in Gazipur’s Naojor area on Tuesday morning claimed the lives of three members of the same family.

The victims were identified as Anwar Hossain (33), his wife Ankhi Akter (26), and their two-year-old daughter Anni Khatun.

Relatives said Anwar, who worked at RFL Company in Mymensingh, was traveling with his family to visit his in-laws in Ashulia when their autorickshaw lost control after a rear wheel detached and collided with a covered van near Riaz Filling Station.

Anni was killed instantly, while Anwar and his wife succumbed to injuries en route to hospital. Police confirmed both vehicles are in custody, and legal action is being taken.

Faiz Ahmed Tayyab, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, has warned of possible large-scale cyberattacks targeting Bangladesh’s financial sector and other critical areas ahead of the national election.

He urged stakeholders to reassess cybersecurity preparedness in light of growing threats.

Last month, Bangladesh Bank issued a nationwide alert warning banks, financial institutions, and digital payment providers to urgently strengthen security systems against small- and medium-scale cyberattacks.

At least 60 Palestinians have been killed and 343 injured in fresh Israeli strikes on Gaza in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed 62,064 Palestinians and wounded 156,573 others. The ministry also confirmed that three more people, including children, have died from starvation and malnutrition in the past day, bringing the total to 266, of whom 112 were children.

Additionally, 31 people were killed while attempting to collect humanitarian aid. Authorities warned that many victims remain trapped under rubble or lying in the streets, with rescuers unable to reach them—meaning the actual toll is likely much higher.

Chaos unfolded at Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s residence during her weekly “Jan Sunwai” (public hearing) when an individual suddenly attacked her under the pretense of handing over papers.

According to PTI, stones were hurled at Gupta, and she was physically assaulted—slapped and pulled by the hair. Following the attack, she was hospitalized, though her injuries are not reported to be severe.

Her security personnel immediately detained the attacker and handed him over to police for questioning. BJP leaders claimed that Gupta sustained head injuries, while Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa alleged a political conspiracy behind the attack.

The Congress condemned the incident, simultaneously raising concerns about women’s safety in Delhi.

Jamaat leader Professor Liaqat Ali Bhuiyan has urged party leaders and activists to work tirelessly to secure victories for candidates across the country in the upcoming 13th national election.

“Thinking only about your own seat will not do. To ensure victory, we must consider the overall election landscape across the nation,” he said.

He stressed the need for close voter engagement and warned against attempts to suppress people’s right to vote. “The people will resist any such effort. The new generation has pledged to build a new Bangladesh, and their sacrifice in the July uprising must not be in vain.”

The Supreme Court has resumed the fourth day of hearings on the state’s appeal against the acquittal of all accused, including BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, in the 21 August grenade attack case.

The hearing began this morning before a six-member bench led by the Chief Justice.

On December 1, the High Court acquitted Tarique Rahman and all other accused in the cases filed under the Penal Code and Explosives Act over the 2004 grenade attack on Sheikh Hasina’s rally, which killed 24 Awami League leaders and activists. The state subsequently appealed the ruling.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who recently returned from Thailand after receiving eye treatment, has fallen ill again and has been admitted to United Hospital in Dhaka.

A delegation from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will visit him at 12 noon on Wednesday, led by the party’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, the central publicity wing confirmed.

Fakhrul was admitted to the hospital around 1 a.m. after his condition deteriorated.

At least 71 people have been killed in a tragic bus accident in Afghanistan’s Herat province. Police reported on Tuesday that the crash was caused by “overspeeding and negligence.”

The victims were Afghan returnees deported from Iran. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the deaths but said details on the identities were still pending.

The accident comes just a day after Iran’s Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, announced that 800,000 Afghans must leave Iran by March. Poor road conditions and frequent accidents plague Afghanistan—last December, two bus crashes claimed at least 52 lives.

According to UNHCR, nearly 450,000 Afghans have returned from Iran since June alone. Iran had set a July 6 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave. In total, more than 1.4 million Afghans have been repatriated or forcibly deported this year.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has expressed his gratitude to British doctors for their prompt response in treating severely injured patients of the recent Milestone accident. On Tuesday, the British medical team met with the Chief Adviser in Jamuna.

“We didn’t have the capacity to handle such a crisis quickly. Gathering resources and acting so fast was not easy for us, and we were in real difficulty,” Yunus said. “Even before you began treating patients, your presence itself gave comfort to the nation. We are deeply grateful that you arrived at the right time.”

A member of the British team remarked, “We feel the pain of the Bangladeshi people. Our work is not only with the patients but also in close coordination with the government.”

The Chief Adviser emphasized the importance of mental health care for the injured and urged the British team to take follow-up initiatives. The medical team is expected to conclude its activities in Dhaka and return to the UK on August 24.

The Malaysian state of Terengganu has introduced stricter laws against skipping Friday prayers. Muslim men who miss the weekly congregational prayer without a valid reason could now face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to RM 3,000.

Previously, punishment applied only after three consecutive absences. The state’s Dawah and Shariah Implementation Committee Chair, Dr. Muhammad Khalil, said the penalty will be applied only as a last resort after repeated reminders and warnings.

To raise awareness, mosques across the state are putting up banners highlighting the religious obligation of Friday prayers. Authorities will monitor compliance through public complaints, patrols, and joint operations by religious enforcement and local administration.

U.S. President Donald Trump has categorically ruled out deploying American troops to Ukraine, saying his primary objective is to end the bloodshed.

In a phone interview with Fox News after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, Trump said: “I guarantee there will be no U.S. troops in Ukraine. My goal is simply to stop people from dying.”

He added that he recently spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging restraint. “If Putin doesn’t behave, the situation will turn difficult. I also expect Zelensky to do what is necessary, but he must remain flexible in negotiations.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been hospitalized after falling ill shortly after returning from Thailand, where he underwent eye treatment.

Party sources said he attended a late-night meeting in Gulshan before suddenly feeling unwell at home. Around 1 a.m., he was admitted to United Hospital under the care of Professor Dr. NAM Momenuzzaman.

BNP leader Dr. Zahid Hossain confirmed, “Alhamdulillah, his condition is stable now. He remains under close medical observation. We urge everyone to pray for his recovery.”

Authorities have formally requested army deployment to ensure security during the 2025 Jaksu (Jagannath University Central Students’ Union) and Hall Union elections.

Election Commission Member-Secretary and University Proctor AKM Rashidul Alam said, “We want to ensure absolute security during the election. A request has already been sent to the Army Chief for deployment on the day before, during, and after the polls.”

To maintain a fair electoral environment, the university has banned all events, rallies, programs, and gatherings of more than 25 people until the elections are completed.

The Busan International Film Festival in South Korea has announced a new international award titled the “July Memorial Prize.”

The award, introduced with support from the Ministry of Culture, will honor a film competing in the “Vision Asia” section that best addresses themes such as social justice, freedom of expression, civil rights, or struggles against inequality.

The prize will be presented during the festival’s closing ceremony on September 25.