A 24-year-old man named Iqbal Hasan was arrested by the Department of Narcotics Control while transporting 1.5 kilograms of heroin from Chapainawabganj to Rajshahi. The operation took place around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday in the Sarail area of Godagari upazila, Rajshahi. The seized heroin, packed in fifteen 100-gram packets wrapped in scotch tape, was found inside a schoolbag and has an estimated market value of about Tk 15 million.

According to Mehedi Hasan, Deputy Director of the Rajshahi District Office of the Department of Narcotics Control, the arrest followed a tip-off. During initial questioning, Iqbal said an unknown person handed him the heroin consignment in Chapainawabganj, which he was supposed to deliver to another unidentified person in Rajshahi. Communication between the parties took place via WhatsApp.

Officials said the smuggling used a “cut-out” method, where carriers, suppliers, and receivers do not know each other, making it difficult to trace the main network. A case was filed under the Narcotics Control Act, and Iqbal was sent to jail through court. The department will investigate further to identify the masterminds behind the operation.

Bangladesh’s Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmad has said that India is conducting cultural dominance over Bangladesh through its satellite television, Hindi films, and commercial markets. Speaking at a seminar on preventing cultural aggression organized by the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust on Wednesday, he emphasized that resisting such influence requires upholding the spirit of Ekushey, which symbolizes national identity and linguistic pride.

Ahmad explained that cultural identity connects people to their history and traditions, helping them maintain dignity and creativity. He warned that blind imitation of foreign culture weakens national values and leads to loss of self-identity. He recalled that during Pakistan’s rule, cultural aggression was resisted through the 1952 Language Movement, which gave rise to the Ekushey spirit. He also noted that former President Ziaur Rahman promoted Bangladeshi nationalism as a safeguard against cultural domination.

Other speakers, including Bashir Jamal of the Journalists Welfare Trust, stressed that culture forms the foundation of a nation’s identity and that families play a vital role in preserving local traditions amid globalization and technological change.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka on Wednesday to discuss the current state, export potential, and challenges of the country’s textile industry. During the meeting, he directed the formation of a high-level committee to review and resolve the existing problems in the sector. The meeting was confirmed by the Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Hasan Shiplu.

BTMA leaders highlighted the textile industry’s significant contribution to the national economy and sought government support for its sustainable development. They also urged policy assistance to enhance competitiveness in international markets. Prime Minister Rahman praised the industry’s role in industrialization, job creation, and export earnings, assuring government cooperation for its advancement.

The newly formed committee is expected to assess ongoing issues and propose timely solutions to strengthen the textile sector’s performance and global competitiveness.

Australia has expressed concern over China’s recent test of a nuclear-capable missile in the South Pacific. The concern was raised by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during a meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Manila on Tuesday. The missile, launched earlier this month from a Chinese submarine, carried a dummy warhead and traveled a long distance across the Pacific, according to AFP.

During the meeting, Wong emphasized the importance of safe and professional military conduct, transparency, and confidence-building regarding military intentions. Australia had earlier stated that it was not given sufficient prior information about the test. Nearly a dozen Pacific island nations also condemned the launch, saying it contradicted their goal of maintaining the region as a nuclear-free zone.

Observers believe the missile landed in a sea area between the Solomon Islands, Nauru, and Tuvalu, though the exact location was not confirmed.

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.

Seven individuals have been sentenced to varying jail terms and fines for drug use following separate anti-narcotics operations in Kazipur upazila of Sirajganj. The raids were conducted by the Department of Narcotics Control on Tuesday night, leading to their arrests. The operation was led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Md Mostafizur Rahman, along with Sub-Inspector Asadul Haque of the Sirajganj district narcotics department.

According to the report, the detainees were caught red-handed consuming yaba, cannabis, and tapentadol. They were later sentenced through a mobile court to different terms of imprisonment and monetary penalties. The convicted individuals are residents of various villages including Sthalbari, Char Bhanudanga, Sonamukhi Kalibari, Choukibari, Paikpara, Rouhabari, and Sonamukhi.

After the operation, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer stated that such drives will continue to build a drug-free society.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, Sheikh Robiul Alam, served as co-chair of a multilateral panel session on road safety held at the United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday. During the session, he called for stronger institutions, coordinated implementation, and enhanced accountability to reduce global road fatalities and serious injuries.

The minister emphasized that building strong institutions alone is not enough; their effective implementation across all levels of the transport system is essential. He highlighted the need for coordination among transport, health, police, finance, education, environment, and local government agencies, along with clear distribution of responsibilities and alignment between policy and execution. Sheikh Robiul Alam also underscored the importance of active participation from local governments, the private sector, civil society, academics, and youth under strong government leadership.

The minister is leading Bangladesh’s delegation at the UN high-level meeting on road safety improvement, joined by senior officials including Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque and Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury.

The water level of the Jamuneswari River flowing through Taraganj and Badarganj upazilas of Rangpur suddenly rose above the danger mark on Wednesday morning. Continuous rainfall over several days caused the river to swell unusually, creating erosion fears among residents on both banks. At 9 a.m. at the Barati point in Taraganj, the river was flowing 15 centimeters above the danger level, measuring 34.68 meters where the danger mark is 34.53 meters.

According to the Water Development Board, the Jamuneswari originates in Dimla upazila of Nilphamari and flows through several areas before joining the Karatoa River in Pirganj. Officials said heavy rainfall in upstream areas such as Domar and Dimla caused the rapid rise in water level. Local residents expressed concern, noting that the river rarely crosses the danger level. The Rangpur weather office reported rainfall of 22 millimeters in Dalia, 18 millimeters in Kaunia, and 10 millimeters in Rangpur between Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Water Development Board officials assured that there is no reason for panic and that the water level is expected to recede once the rainfall decreases.

An autorickshaw driver was killed and three others were injured in a head-on collision between an autorickshaw and a cattle-carrying tempo in Khansama upazila of Dinajpur. The accident occurred around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Tongua Barabari area along the Khansama–Darwani regional highway.

According to local sources, the autorickshaw and the tempo collided head-on, leaving the autorickshaw severely damaged. The driver died on the spot, while locals rescued the three injured passengers and sent them to a nearby hospital for treatment.

A team from Khansama Fire Service and Civil Defence arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, assisted in the rescue operation, and supported necessary legal procedures. The identities of the deceased and injured were not immediately known.

Archaeologists in El Salvador have discovered human remains believed to be around 3,000 years old, according to the country’s Ministry of Culture. The remains were first unearthed on July 2 from a burial site in Antiguo Cuscatlán, a suburb of San Salvador. Officials estimate the remains date back to approximately 850 BCE. A small clay vessel in the Usulután style, shaped like a sea turtle, was also found at the site, along with remnants of cassava branches preserved under layers of volcanic ash.

Researchers reported that the body was found lying face down. To confirm its age, radiocarbon testing will be conducted, and DNA analysis will determine the individual’s gender. The Ministry of Culture noted that the site may contain additional burials similar to those found in the Chalchuapa archaeological area of western El Salvador.

In the 1970s, archaeologists uncovered 33 human remains at Chalchuapa, considered the earliest evidence of human sacrifice in Mesoamerica. Many of those skeletons were found face down, some with bound limbs or signs of decapitation.

Global oil prices continued their upward trend as Brent crude futures rose by one dollar, or 1.1 percent, reaching 92.01 dollars per barrel. The price of US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by 82 cents, or 1 percent, to 85.16 dollars per barrel. According to Reuters, the rise followed recent military actions involving the United States and Iran in the Middle East.

The report stated that US forces carried out attacks in southern and western Iran, while Iran targeted US installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. These developments pushed oil prices to their highest level in five weeks by Tuesday, when Brent futures settled at 91.01 dollars per barrel and WTI at 84.91 dollars.

The continued escalation of regional tensions has reinforced market concerns about potential disruptions to oil supply, sustaining the upward momentum in global crude prices.

The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has announced three private Hajj packages for 2027, offering pilgrims a range of options under private management. The announcement was made on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. The highest-priced special package is set at Tk 791,060, the general package at Tk 595,000, and the lowest package at Tk 513,445. Separately, the government has introduced two official packages—Hajj Package-1 and Hajj Package-2—with costs of Tk 615,263 and Tk 505,648 respectively. The Prime Minister’s initiative has reduced airfare by Tk 24,830 compared to 2026.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad stated that Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry will integrate accommodation, transport, catering, and service packages in 2027, reducing the number of service categories from four to three. Half-board catering will be mandatory, aiming to improve service quality. The minister also noted that expatriate Bangladeshi pilgrims will be able to complete medical and vaccination requirements in their host countries before applying for visas.

According to the ministry, Hajj flights will begin on April 8, 2027, subject to moon sighting, and the pilgrimage will take place on May 15, 2027.

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.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has authorized the United States to use British military bases for operations targeting Iran. The decision, reported by Bloomberg, permits the use of the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean and RAF Fairford in England. The operations aim to counter Iran’s missile attacks and threats in the Strait of Hormuz. Burnham’s move continues the policy of former Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

According to the report, Burnham chaired a meeting of senior ministers and officials on July 17 to review Britain’s position following the resumption of US military operations. The decision to grant access was made during that meeting. The authorization comes amid ongoing US military activity in the region.

Left-wing parties and opposition groups in the UK have criticized the decision, warning that it could increase the risk of Britain becoming involved in war. Burnham also discussed maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz with Donald Trump in a phone call, which Trump described as positive.