Tensions in the Red Sea have escalated sharply after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia. Ship tracking data shows that at least seven oil tankers and commercial vessels have reversed course near Yemeni waters following the threat. The crude carrier ‘Rodos,’ bound for India with Saudi oil, turned north near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while another tanker, ‘Maika,’ also changed direction after leaving Saudi Arabia’s Jazan port. Several vessels from China to Saudi ports have similarly diverted routes through the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

The Houthis warned shipping companies via email that loading or unloading at Saudi ports is banned and violators could face attacks. They said the move responds to Saudi blockades on Yemeni ports and airports. Saudi Arabia denied the allegations and pledged to protect its shipping under international law. The European Union’s naval mission Aspides advised vessels linked to Israel, the U.S., and Saudi Arabia to avoid the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden until risks subside.

Analysts warned that the disruption could raise global oil prices and force Saudi Arabia to reroute exports via longer, costlier paths around Africa, threatening global energy stability.

A tunnel under construction for a hydropower project in Namchi district of Sikkim, India, collapsed on Monday, leaving 22 workers dead. The incident occurred after an explosion inside the tunnel, reportedly caused by the ignition of flammable gas trapped within rock layers. At the time of the collapse, 25 workers were inside and became trapped deep within the tunnel.

Officials said that rescue operations have been extremely dangerous due to the presence of toxic gas, fallen rocks, and unstable conditions inside the tunnel. Despite these challenges, efforts to locate the remaining missing workers are ongoing. Authorities are also working to support the affected families and ensure all necessary assistance for the rescue mission.

The administration has pledged to continue search and recovery operations while providing aid to those impacted by the disaster.

Between July 14 and 19, 2024, Bangladesh witnessed a wave of student-led protests demanding reform of the government job quota system. The movement began with a memorandum to the president and quickly escalated after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remarks defending the freedom fighters’ quota. Violent clashes erupted at Dhaka University and other campuses as student groups, including the ruling party’s student wing, were accused of attacking demonstrators.

On July 16, Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed was shot dead by police, becoming the first martyr of what became known as the July Movement. The following days saw universities declaring campuses “politics-free” and the prime minister ordering a judicial inquiry while urging patience for a Supreme Court verdict. By July 18–19, nationwide shutdowns and protests turned deadly, leaving at least 116 people killed over two days.

The government imposed a curfew and deployed the army as an internet blackout severed Bangladesh’s digital links with the world, marking one of the most violent episodes in the country’s recent student activism.

A severe gas shortage has gripped Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh since Thursday, July 23, 2026, disrupting household cooking and industrial production. Many CNG filling stations in the capital displayed 'no gas' signs, forcing drivers of CNG-run vehicles to wait for hours in long queues. Even where gas was available, pressure remained too low to meet demand, causing widespread inconvenience.

According to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, a technical fault at one of the country’s floating LNG terminals (FSRU) has reduced national gas supply by about 450 million cubic feet per day. This has lowered gas pressure across industrial zones, power plants, CNG stations, and residential areas. The gas authority noted that Bangladesh already faces a supply deficit, with daily demand exceeding 3,800 million cubic feet while only 2,700 million cubic feet can be supplied.

The disruption has forced many factories to cut production and left households without cooking gas for much of the day. Drivers and CNG station managers reported severe operational difficulties and financial uncertainty due to the ongoing shortage.

Leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) have again declined an invitation from Indian Union Minister J. P. Nadda to hold discussions at his residence regarding the ongoing protest over the NEET question paper leak. The party stated that any dialogue with the government must take place at a neutral location rather than a minister’s home or office. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said the protest site at Jantar Mantar represents the people’s court and that ministers should come there if they wish to talk.

The CJP emphasized that it remains open to discussions and is willing to consider a neutral venue near Jantar Mantar if there are security concerns. The refusal marks the second consecutive day the group has rejected the government’s proposal for talks at Nadda’s residence.

The protest continues at Jantar Mantar as the CJP maintains its demand for transparency and accountability in the NEET paper leak issue, while the government seeks to initiate dialogue under controlled conditions.

Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has achieved record-breaking performance in both revenue collection and water production, according to a report published on July 23, 2026. The agency’s monthly revenue, which had long remained between Tk 18 crore and Tk 20 crore, rose to Tk 26.8 crore from last month’s water bills—an increase of nearly Tk 7 crore. At the same time, daily water production reached an average of 496 million liters, the highest in the organization’s history.

Managing Director Engineer Selim Mohammad Jahan Alam said that after noticing low revenue figures in a news report, he held meetings with revenue officials to identify causes and strengthen collection efforts. The coordinated actions of the revenue department led to the significant rise in monthly revenue. WASA sources stated that the agency typically aims to collect 80–90 percent of billed amounts from residential and commercial customers.

Currently, Chattogram WASA serves 86,309 connections through about 1,200 kilometers of pipelines, with residential users paying Tk 18 and commercial users Tk 37 per 1,000 liters of water.

The 11-party alliance has announced that its Sylhet divisional rally will be held on Saturday at the historic Alia Madrasa field in Sylhet. The event is part of the alliance’s previously declared program demanding implementation of the referendum verdict and trial of those accused in the July killings. Opposition Leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP will address the rally as chief guest.

The rally will be presided over by Liberal Democratic Party Chairman and former minister Dr. Col. (Retd.) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram, with top leaders of the 11-party alliance attending as special guests. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar issued a statement on Thursday calling on all branches of Sylhet Division Jamaat and people from all walks of life to make the rally a success.

The alliance has also reiterated its demand for swift trial of those involved in the July killings and acts of fascism, emphasizing the urgency of justice through proper legal processes.

An eleven-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Md. Aminul Islam, demanding the speedy trial of all crimes against humanity committed during the July Revolution. The memorandum was handed over on Thursday afternoon, with senior leaders including Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad and AB Party’s General Secretary Barrister Fuad present, alongside families of victims.

The seven-point memorandum stated that investigations into most major sites of the killings that occurred in July–August 2024 remain incomplete. It urged authorities to finish the investigations promptly and bring those responsible to justice. The alliance alleged that many accused members of law enforcement, including police officers, have not been arrested and some remain in official positions. It also claimed that crimes occurred in 61 of the country’s 64 districts, yet investigations outside Dhaka, Rangpur, and Kushtia are still pending.

The memorandum further called for swift investigations into enforced disappearances, killings, and destruction of bodies, noting that delays have raised concerns among victims’ families about justice and accountability.

Ozgur Ozel, the ousted leader of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), has announced the formation of a new political party after resigning from the CHP. The announcement was made on Tuesday in the presence of more than 80 CHP lawmakers. Ozel told the assembled legislators that the move marked a painful but inevitable farewell and expressed hope for a new beginning with the public. He is expected to soon submit an application to the Interior Ministry to register the new party, which may be named the ‘Yeni Parti’ (New Party).

Ozel was removed from his position as CHP chairman by a court order in May, which reinstated former leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu as interim head. The leadership dispute between Ozel and Kilicdaroglu had intensified internal divisions within the party. Supporters of Ozel claim the court’s decision was politically motivated and part of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s strategy to weaken the opposition, a charge the government denies, insisting on judicial independence.

Ozel’s move comes amid government investigations into several CHP-run municipalities and the imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Analysts expect the new party to reshape Turkey’s opposition landscape.

Indian police have launched a large-scale crackdown across Kashmir following the killing of a police officer. Nearly 2,000 people have been detained in the operation, which authorities say aims to dismantle networks supporting terrorism, ensure public safety, and maintain law and order. The move comes after officer Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was shot dead by militants on Wednesday afternoon in a busy market area of Anantnag.

According to police, simultaneous raids were carried out in several districts based on intelligence inputs. Around 700 people were detained in Srinagar, 200 in Budgam, 178 in Baramulla, and 100 in Ganderbal. Officials stated that those detained are being interrogated and their identities verified. Legal action will be taken against anyone found involved in the incident or related activities.

The police operation reflects heightened security measures in the region following the attack, with authorities emphasizing the need to prevent further violence and restore stability.

Police in Mumbai have intensified surveillance and preventive measures to contain protests supported by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). Officers have reportedly visited the homes of students involved in the demonstrations, sending messages and calls to warn them. Allegations have also surfaced that protesters were asked to share their live locations via WhatsApp. Police have been deployed at major metro stations and railway entrances to identify and turn back suspected protesters. Records of previously detained individuals have been circulated among police stations to facilitate quick identification during street checks.

Authorities claim these actions are intended to prevent criminal cases against young people and protect their educational and employment prospects. However, lawyers and rights activists argue that such surveillance and home visits violate privacy and constitutional rights. Meanwhile, protests in Mumbai continue for the third consecutive day in solidarity with the CJP-led student movement in Delhi.

In Delhi, demonstrators at Jantar Mantar are demanding investigations into exam irregularities, education reforms, and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the formation of a fast-track court to ensure swift and strict punishment for those involved in the recent leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) question paper. Modi stated on social media platform X that protecting students’ futures is the government’s top priority and that no one responsible for harming young people’s prospects will be spared.

In response, Congress leader and Lok Sabha opposition head Rahul Gandhi criticized the government, alleging that over 150 question paper leaks have occurred in the past decade without any punishment. He reiterated his demands for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, an apology to students, and action against those responsible for attacks on protesting students.

The exchange highlights growing political tension over recurring exam scandals in India, with both government and opposition emphasizing accountability and student welfare.

A young woman named Riya Yadav drew national attention in Mumbai on Wednesday during ongoing protests demanding the resignation of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Near Shivaji Park in Dadar, she stood in front of a police van carrying detained demonstrators, blocking its path despite heavy rain. A viral video showed her refusing police requests to move, and local media reported that some detainees were released afterward.

Riya told reporters that if police fail to act responsibly, citizens must take responsibility themselves. Although not a student, she expressed full support for the student-led movement, calling police actions in Delhi unacceptable. Her stance earned widespread praise on social media, where many hailed her as a hero. According to her Instagram profile, Riya is an actress, model, and entrepreneur with about 100,000 followers.

The Mumbai protests, held for a third consecutive day, expressed solidarity with the student movement led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Delhi. Demonstrators condemned exam irregularities and police crackdowns, gathering across several city areas despite restrictions.

The Law Ministry has requested the Supreme Court’s opinion regarding Judge Md. Sujan Mia, who allegedly injured a trainee female lawyer by throwing a glass paperweight during a court session in Gopalganj. The ministry sought recommendations on what actions could be taken against the judge following the incident, which occurred on Wednesday, July 22, at the Judicial Magistrate Court-2. The injured lawyer, Sabiha Sultana, was admitted to Gopalganj Medical College Hospital after sustaining a head injury.

According to multiple court sources, the judge became upset when several lawyers were talking during proceedings. After initially signaling them to remain quiet, he reportedly threw a paperweight that struck Sabiha Sultana. The Gopalganj District Lawyers’ Association lodged a complaint with the Chief Judicial Magistrate following the incident. Association General Secretary M A Alam Selim described the event as unexpected and said only the higher court has the authority to relieve the judge of his duties.

The Supreme Court’s forthcoming opinion will determine possible disciplinary measures against the judge, as requested by the Law Ministry.

Argentine defender Facundo Medina has rejected rumors and conspiracy theories circulating on social media following Argentina’s loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Returning to his hometown Villa Carasa after the tournament, the Olympique Marseille player urged supporters not to believe claims or videos suggesting internal discord in the team’s dressing room. Medina emphasized that the squad remained united throughout the competition and asked fans to avoid spreading baseless stories.

He acknowledged the pain of losing the final but reminded supporters that football is not everything in life, stressing the importance of being a good person above all. Medina also explained that some players stayed in the United States after the final because they were dealing with disappointment, not because of any internal conflict. River Plate forward Flaco López, a longtime friend of Medina, agreed with his remarks, saying that spending time with familiar faces was helping them recover from the emotional setback.

Their comments come amid ongoing online speculation about the team’s unity and the circumstances following the World Cup final.