Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that Ukraine launched more than 400 drones toward the Moscow region overnight, most of which were intercepted by Russian air defense systems. In a post on the state-supported social media platform Max, Sobyanin stated that the attacks occurred between 8:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. local time, and 85 drones were destroyed before reaching the city. The report was carried by AFP.

According to the Russian state news agency TASS, six people, including three foreign nationals, were injured in explosions in the Moscow region. The injured were hospitalized in Domodedovo, an area south of Moscow that hosts one of the capital’s main international airports. However, it was not immediately confirmed whether the injuries were directly linked to the drone attacks.

The source noted that Ukraine has intensified drone and missile strikes inside Russia in recent months, describing them as retaliatory actions for more than four years of Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory.

The article by Maskawath Ahsan, published on July 20, 2026, discusses India’s expanding political and cultural influence in South Asia following the post-9/11 geopolitical shifts. It describes how the United States, after toppling the Taliban government in Afghanistan, aligned with India for reconstruction efforts, while Pakistan’s stance on Afghan self-governance strained its ties with Washington. The piece claims that India’s involvement extended to Bangladesh during the so-called ‘war on terror,’ influencing political outcomes and narratives around extremism.

The author argues that India used education and cultural diplomacy in Afghanistan to build long-term goodwill, sending teachers who fostered pro-India sentiment among Afghan students. The article further alleges that India later leveraged militant groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan to destabilize Pakistan, particularly in regions linked to Chinese investments. It portrays India’s actions as part of a broader strategy to assert dominance and counter Pakistan and China simultaneously.

The commentary concludes that the enduring India-Pakistan rivalry benefits both nations’ political and military elites, sustaining defense spending and nationalist rhetoric while masking governance weaknesses.

Iran experienced another earthquake on July 20, 2026, when a magnitude 5.2 tremor struck near the Kuzaran area in the western Kermanshah province. According to the Iranian Seismological Center at Tehran University, the quake occurred at 7:13 a.m. local time (03:43 GMT). Its epicenter was located about 17 kilometers from Kuzaran and 65 kilometers from the provincial capital, Kermanshah, at a depth of 8 kilometers. No casualties or damage have been reported so far.

Earlier, on Sunday, another earthquake measuring magnitude 5 hit the Saland area of Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran. Al Jazeera reported that the quake’s epicenter was in Saland, with a depth of about 12 kilometers below the surface, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society cited by state broadcaster IRIB.

The recent tremors highlight ongoing seismic activity across multiple regions of Iran, though authorities have not yet reported any significant losses or disruptions.

Iran carried out a drone attack on a US military installation at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, according to reports published on July 20, 2026. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the strike, saying it destroyed an American early-warning radar system. Separate attacks reportedly targeted an aircraft equipment warehouse and a hangar housing MQ-9 drones, causing several aircraft to catch fire.

In a related development, Iran also claimed to have shot down an MQ-9 drone in the Eslamabad-e Gharb area of Kermanshah province. According to Mehr News, the IRGC Aerospace Force engaged the drone using an advanced air defense system operating under the country’s integrated defense network.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as its source, did not provide details on casualties or the extent of damage beyond the destroyed radar and burning aircraft.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran will end its ongoing war with the United States only after securing a 'strategic military advantage.' In an interview with the state news agency IRNA, Araghchi emphasized that the key to crisis management lies in determining the right moment to stop fighting and begin negotiations. He explained that wars end either through decisive military victory or through talks, and that negotiations become appropriate only when reliable and strategic success has been achieved on the battlefield.

Araghchi added that no risks should be taken with the lives of citizens or the nation’s future, stressing that all decisions must be based on careful and comprehensive calculations. He noted that Iran’s leadership must constantly weigh whether continuing the war will bring more benefits or increase humanitarian and national losses. Despite some damage, he claimed that Iran has emerged as an influential power internationally and demonstrated the strength of its state system.

The interview was reported by Al Jazeera and published by IRNA on July 20, 2026.

Two years after the death of Sumaiya Akter, who was shot in Narayanganj’s Siddhirganj area on July 20, 2024, during an anti-discrimination movement, her two-year-old daughter remains without anyone taking responsibility for her care. Sumaiya’s mother, Asma Begum, said the family is struggling financially and emotionally, with her grandchild’s future uncertain. She appealed to the current government to ensure permanent support for the orphaned child.

Asma Begum’s family lives in hardship, with two sons working in factories and another still studying. One son suffers from seizures, adding to their difficulties. After Sumaiya’s death, local political activists from BNP and Jamaat visited and provided limited assistance, but no one has committed to long-term support for the child. Asma said she often falls ill from grief and worries about what will happen to her granddaughter after her death.

A murder case was filed following the incident, and Sumaiya’s body was exhumed in November 2024 for further investigation as ordered by the court.

Delhi Police has denied permission for supporters of the youth-led Cockroach Janata Party to march toward Parliament, though protesters have refused to withdraw their plan. The ban comes amid rising tension and fears of a standoff, as demands grow for the resignation of India’s education minister over a major exam paper leak. The protest gained new momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly hospitalized on Saturday.

Hundreds of supporters have already gathered near the protest site on the first day of Parliament’s monsoon session. The Cockroach movement began in May after a massive exam paper leak affected millions of students, quickly spreading from social media to nationwide demonstrations. Wangchuk described the planned march as India’s “second freedom movement,” calling it a fight against injustice and fear.

Police cited security concerns and restrictions on gatherings of more than five people in New Delhi during the parliamentary session. Despite this, the Cockroach Janata Party said the march would proceed as planned, with final details still being arranged.

Lionel Messi acknowledged Spain’s superiority after Argentina’s 1-0 defeat in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. Spain secured victory through Ferran Torres’s goal in the first minute of extra time’s second half. The Argentine captain, emotional after the match, said he was sorry for the loss but proud of his team’s effort, thanking his country and teammates for their support.

Throughout the match, Spain dominated possession, passing, and shot attempts, leaving Argentina struggling to create chances. Spain recorded 20 shots compared to Argentina’s 2, with the South Americans failing to register a single on-target attempt in the first 90 minutes. Messi, 39, was largely neutralized by Spain’s pressing and midfield control, managing only two touches in the opening 21 minutes and no shots on goal.

Despite the final loss, Messi’s overall tournament performance was outstanding, scoring seven goals and assisting four in six matches. His leadership and creativity carried Argentina to the final, and his gracious acceptance of defeat underscored his enduring sportsmanship.

A ferry carrying 116 passengers and crew sank off the coast of Guyana, leaving many missing and feared dead. Authorities confirmed that 67 people, including 15 children, were rescued alive. The vessel, named MV Barima, departed from the capital Georgetown around 3:15 p.m. local time on Saturday, heading toward Port Kaituma in the oil-rich Essequibo region near the Venezuelan border. The distress signal was received shortly after 11 p.m., prompting a large-scale rescue operation involving the Guyana Defense Force, private aircraft, fishing boats, and volunteers.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill stated that initial investigations found the ferry was operating within its approved capacity and that no mechanical faults or overloading were detected. He said the accident was primarily caused by tidal conditions. The MV Barima was authorized to carry 397 passengers and 284 tons of cargo but had only 268 tons at the time. It was equipped with 250 life jackets, two lifeboats, and six inflatable life rafts.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips announced that the search area had been expanded from 400 to 1,070 square kilometers, with additional aircraft, vessels, and local fishermen joining the search efforts.

Two years after the Narsingdi jail break, the district has seen a severe deterioration in law and order. Local reports indicate that more than 100 people have been killed in various clashes over the past year, driven by political rivalries, territorial disputes, and violence against women. Residents allege that weapons looted during the 2024 prison attack are being used in ongoing conflicts across nine river islands.

The 2024 incident occurred during an anti-discrimination student movement when 826 inmates, including seven militants, escaped after setting fire to the jail and looting 85 weapons and over 8,000 rounds of ammunition. Authorities have since recovered 59 weapons and 1,663 rounds, while 26 weapons and more than 6,000 rounds remain missing. Police have re-arrested 659 escapees, but 167 are still at large. Multiple investigation committees were formed, and two senior prison officials were suspended.

Police operations to recover the remaining weapons and fugitives are ongoing. Local residents and community leaders have expressed concern that the unrecovered arms continue to fuel violence and insecurity across the district.

After six months of uncertainty, the second revision proposal for the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project is set to be presented at the upcoming Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman, will be held on Wednesday at the Bangladesh Secretariat. The Planning Division has completed preparations to present this proposal along with eight other development projects.

According to the Planning Commission, the revised plan includes three new connections: the Baipail Interchange, access to and from the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, and integration with the under-construction MRT Line-1. These additions are expected to enhance connectivity between the expressway and Dhaka’s broader road network. The proposed revision also seeks to increase the project cost from the previously approved Tk 17,553 crore to Tk 26,581 crore, citing currency depreciation, tax changes, customs duties, utility relocation, and additional land acquisition.

The 24-kilometer expressway, financed under a government-to-government arrangement with China, is now proposed to extend its completion deadline to June 2030 due to delays. As of June 2025, financial progress stood at 66.86 percent, with physical progress exceeding 58 percent.

Global crude oil prices rose sharply on Monday as military tensions between the United States and Iran intensified. According to Al Jazeera, crude prices climbed more than 3 percent after disruptions in energy transport through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The escalation followed US airstrikes on Iranian targets for the ninth consecutive night after two American soldiers were killed in an Iranian attack. In response, Tehran suspended its interim peace agreement commitments and effectively halted shipping through the strait.

Brent crude rose by $2.75, or 3.12 percent, to $90.85 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by $2.56, or 3.10 percent, to $85.50 per barrel. Around 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and the disruption has raised fears of a major supply shortage.

Analysts cited uncertainty in energy supply and rising maritime insurance costs as factors that could sustain volatility in the oil market in the coming days.

According to a Wall Street Journal report cited by Amar Desh Online, Iran exported crude oil worth about $6 billion to China within 20 days after the United States temporarily lifted its export sanctions. The sanctions were lifted on June 17, 2026, following an agreement signed in Islamabad, but were reimposed on July 7 amid renewed tensions. During this brief window, Iran shipped nearly 70 million barrels of crude oil to China using around 20 tankers routed through Malaysia’s eastern coast.

The report stated that Iran took full advantage of the short sanction-free period to boost its oil exports. China remains Iran’s largest oil buyer, purchasing about 90 percent of its total exports. Even during previous sanction periods, Iranian tankers reportedly transferred oil to Chinese vessels in the Eastern Outer Port Limits area of the South China Sea.

After sanctions were reinstated on July 7, the United States also imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, preventing Iranian ships from leaving and foreign vessels from entering.

After India resumed visa services for Bangladeshi citizens following a long suspension, Kolkata’s major commercial areas such as New Market and Marquis Street have remained unusually quiet. Local traders and hotel owners had expected a revival of business once visas reopened, but the anticipated influx of Bangladeshi tourists has not materialized. Many attribute this reluctance to political tensions, safety concerns, and the growing appeal of alternative destinations.

Social media discussions among Bangladeshis reveal widespread apprehension about traveling to India, citing reports of hostility toward Muslims and fears of harassment. Some travelers emphasize that personal safety and hospitality are now their top priorities. The political climate and negative rhetoric from Indian political groups have further discouraged potential visitors.

As a result, many Bangladeshis are exploring other destinations such as China, the Maldives, Thailand, Nepal, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. Kolkata’s tourism-dependent economy is suffering, with hotel occupancy and retail sales plummeting. Local business owners warn that unless safety and respect are restored in travelers’ perceptions, the city’s tourism and trade sectors may face a deeper crisis.

A US soldier was killed and another injured on July 18 in northern Iraq when a downed Iranian drone exploded during an attempt to defuse it, according to a statement from US Central Command (CENTCOM) cited by Al Jazeera. The soldier’s identity has not been released. The incident occurred amid escalating military tensions between Iran and the United States following months of cross-border strikes and drone attacks.

Since the conflict between Iran and the US-Israel joint forces began on February 28, a total of 17 American soldiers have been killed. Just days earlier, two US soldiers died and one went missing in an Iranian attack in Jordan. CENTCOM reported that unidentified remains were recovered from the Jordan site and are being examined for identification.

The renewed hostilities follow the collapse of a temporary ceasefire and disputes over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route. The ongoing conflict has caused thousands of deaths and disrupted global energy supplies, heightening inflation risks worldwide.