An Iranian military spokesperson stated that the country continues to produce missiles and attack drones despite ongoing US strikes. According to state media Press TV, spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi said the United States has not yet identified the locations of Iran’s missile production centers. He added that missiles are being sent directly from factories to operational units while stockpiles are being replenished.

Shekarchi noted that Iran has maintained missile and drone production during every phase of the US-Israel conflict, including periods when a memorandum of understanding was in effect. Al Jazeera reported that Iran has withstood US attacks more effectively than expected by the Trump administration. A CIA assessment in May indicated that Iran retained about 70 percent of its prewar missile stockpile.

The report also highlighted that Iranian-made weapons, particularly drones, are relatively inexpensive to produce but cost the United States millions of dollars to counter.

An expatriate from Malaysia has been accused of making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Islam, and religious teachings on Facebook, sparking outrage in Raipur upazila of Lakshmipur district. The alleged comments, posted from an account named ‘Shahriar Rubel,’ reportedly spread through social media, leading to anger among local religious residents.

Locals from South Charbanshi Union said the remarks hurt religious sentiments and called for a proper investigation to verify the claims. They urged authorities to take legal action if the allegations are proven true. Community members also appealed for calm, emphasizing that no one should take the law into their own hands and that the issue should be resolved through legal means.

Raipur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nizam Uddin Bhuiyan stated that no formal complaint had been received yet but assured that legal steps would follow upon receiving one. Locals have requested law enforcement intervention to ensure a fair investigation.

Eight Armed Police Battalion (APBn) has arrested nine people, including the prime suspect, in connection with the killing of a Rohingya youth in Ukhiya’s refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar. According to an APBn press release issued on July 22, the arrests followed the disappearance of 20-year-old Abdul Hafez from Camp-15’s Jamtoli area on June 22. His decomposed body was later recovered on July 4 from a septic tank beside the house of Mohammad Rofiq in the same camp.

Following a murder case filed by the victim’s brother naming 16 individuals and several unidentified suspects, APBn launched multiple operations using intelligence and technology. Eight suspects were detained on July 6 and 7, and the main accused, Mohammad Rofiq, was captured on July 20 from Camp-14. Four of the arrested individuals, including Rofiq, have given confessional statements before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

APBn officials stated that investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects, emphasizing that their team continues operations to bring all involved to justice.

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.

At least 26 people, including women and children, have died in flash floods triggered by continuous rainfall and cloudbursts across several districts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Doda, Budgam, and Kulgam. Authorities have evacuated hundreds of residents to safer locations and issued renewed warnings to avoid riverbank areas as the situation remains critical.

The disaster began on Saturday night when torrential rain caused rivers and streams in the Pir Panjal mountain region to overflow. In Rajouri, the Darhali River breached protective embankments, flooding residential areas and causing severe damage. Landslides and infrastructure losses were also reported in remote areas such as Thana Mandi, Darhal, and Manjakote. In Budgam’s Beerwah, a shopping complex collapsed, but prior evacuation prevented major casualties.

Heavy rainfall has also forced the closure of the main highway linking Kashmir with mainland India. Local authorities have extended summer vacations in all educational institutions by one week, while the meteorological department has maintained forecasts of heavy rain and flooding for the next three days, keeping the region on high alert.

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.

A first-grade student named Alif Hossain, aged seven, died in a road accident in Titas upazila of Cumilla on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. The incident occurred around noon near Moniruzzaman Bhuiyan’s house in Ulukandi village under Balarampur Union. According to local sources, Alif went to buy snacks after school when a bakery goods van lost control and overturned on him. He was seriously injured and taken to Titas Upazila Health Complex, where doctors referred him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Alif died on the way to Dhaka.

The deceased was the younger son of Delwar Hossain from Purbo Para of Ulukandi village and a student of Ulukandi Government Primary School. News of his death cast a shadow of grief over the entire village, with relatives and neighbors mourning deeply.

Local residents reportedly began discussions with the bakery owner and van driver to reach a settlement with the victim’s family following the incident.

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.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology and Science and Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, presented a three-point proposal to reduce digital inequality at the World Internet Conference held at the International Convention Center in Xi’an, China. His proposals focused on establishing a multilateral cyber governance framework, ensuring access to technology and knowledge, and eliminating digital disparities. The minister highlighted Bangladesh’s progress in mobile connectivity, digital financial services, and e-governance initiatives such as the national portal and e-filing system.

He emphasized that digital transformation involves not only physical infrastructure but also artificial intelligence and intellectual development. Bangladesh is investing in AI research, fintech innovation, and large-scale data center infrastructure. The country is also applying machine learning for flood forecasting and using drones for precision agriculture. Anam described the “Digital Silk Road” as an economic lifeline linking Bangladesh’s digital economy with China’s technological expertise and ASEAN’s production networks through high-speed submarine cable connectivity.

The two-day conference on July 21–22 brought together around 800 participants from 52 countries and regions to discuss AI, digital trade, e-commerce, cultural heritage preservation, smart healthcare, and global digital cooperation.

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.

The Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee announced that the results of this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations are in the final stage of preparation. The committee expects to complete all technical processes, including tabulation and data verification, by July 27 or 28, after which the results will be released following government approval.

Committee president and Dhaka Education Board chairman Professor Syed Akhteruzzaman confirmed the update on Wednesday, noting that the final date will be set once the Ministry of Education grants authorization. Earlier, Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan had indicated July 20 as the tentative release date, but the results were delayed. The boards remain fully prepared to publish the results within July.

This year’s SSC and equivalent exams were held from April 21 to May 20 under nine general boards, the madrasa board, and the technical board, with over 1.857 million students participating. Students will be able to access their results through official websites, their institutions, or by SMS once published.

Two trucks loaded with fabric waste worth about Tk 7.4 million were robbed at gunpoint in Ishwardi upazila of Pabna. The incident occurred on Tuesday night near a weighing scale beside the Lalon Shah Bridge link road in Diar Baghail area of Pakshi union. The robbers, a group of 10 to 12 armed men on motorcycles, held the drivers, helpers, and scale workers hostage and assaulted them before fleeing with two of the six trucks. District Detective Branch (DB) police later recovered the trucks with the goods after an overnight operation, though no arrests have yet been made.

A case has been filed at Ishwardi Police Station by the owner’s representative, naming 10 to 12 unidentified suspects. According to police, the robbers initially parked the stolen trucks near a school in Pakshi before moving them to Pabna’s BSCIC area and later to Gachhpāra. DB police rescued the drivers and took the trucks into custody. Officials described the incident as a planned robbery by an organized armed group and confirmed that the suspects have been identified, with efforts ongoing to arrest them.

At a press conference organized by the Energy Division on Wednesday, government officials attributed Bangladesh’s ongoing gas crisis to corruption, mismanagement, and policy failures of the former Awami League administration. They said that while a technical fault at a floating LNG terminal (FSRU) triggered the immediate disruption, long-term dependence on imported LNG had intensified the impact. The fault has temporarily halted gas supply from one terminal, reducing national grid supply by about 450 million cubic feet per day.

Officials explained that the supply shortfall has affected industries, power plants, and CNG stations across several regions, causing reduced gas pressure and temporary public inconvenience. Technical teams are prioritizing repairs to restore normal supply, while authorities are managing limited gas to maintain supply to critical sectors.

The government announced plans to reduce import reliance by expanding domestic exploration and production. A project worth 7.29 billion taka to drill three wells in Begumganj and Sunamganj has been approved, alongside ongoing efforts to attract local and foreign investment in onshore and offshore gas exploration.