Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has expressed solidarity with students participating in the ongoing protests against exam paper leaks in India. In an Instagram post shared on Wednesday, he urged demonstrators to continue their movement peacefully, describing paper leaks as a serious issue that should not be politically hijacked. Khan praised the courage and awareness of the young generation, saying their commitment to education would make India proud.

He emphasized that the problem of paper leaks concerns students and the education system alone, and credited the movement’s success solely to the students. Khan also expressed hope that the government would fully support the students and strengthen the education system for the benefit of all. He concluded by calling for education to become a positive national trend that could attract international students to study in India.

Several other Bollywood figures, including Omi Vaidya, Zeenat Aman, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Abhay Deol, Sonakshi Sinha, and Riteish Deshmukh, have also voiced support for the peaceful protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in New Delhi.

The Integrated Cultural Parliament (SASAS) organized a discussion and prayer meeting in memory of martyr artist Abdullah Al Tahir on the occasion of his second death anniversary. The event took place on Wednesday afternoon at the World Literature Center auditorium in Banglamotor, Dhaka. Speakers recalled Tahir’s role in the 2024 July mass uprising, noting that he joined the student and public movement against inequality and sacrificed his life while protesting against tyranny and injustice.

Tahir’s mother, Shirin Begum, attended the event and shared emotional memories of her son’s ideals, patriotism, and dedication to cultural practice, moving the audience deeply. The session was conducted by SASAS literary editor Tanbir Ahmad Shibli and chaired by executive director Zakir Hossain, with several cultural figures including H.M. Abu Musa, Dr. Monowarul Islam, and others in attendance.

Speakers emphasized that Tahir’s sacrifice remains a lasting inspiration for ethical and value-based cultural movements in Bangladesh. The event concluded with special prayers for his soul and for the nation’s cultural progress.

Fresh clashes broke out in India’s capital, Delhi, during ongoing demonstrations by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). While the main protest site at Jantar Mantar remained calm, violence erupted near Parliament Marg where protesters clashed with law enforcement. Police used tear gas to control the situation, and some protesters reportedly threw stones in retaliation. According to Delhi Police, five officers were injured, and one was allegedly assaulted by demonstrators.

The situation became most tense near the Park Hotel on Parliament Marg, prompting deployment of additional police and paramilitary forces. CJP volunteers urged protesters to remain peaceful, warning that violence could undermine the movement’s goals. They also removed stones from nearby roads to prevent their use in further clashes.

Authorities temporarily suspended mobile internet services within a 1.5-kilometer radius around Jantar Mantar from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning to prevent escalation. Security was tightened with barricades and riot-control vehicles positioned near Parliament Street police station.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has returned to his hometown Rosario following his team’s 1–0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup final. The 39-year-old star arrived on Tuesday morning with his wife and three children aboard a private jet, greeted by thousands of fans who lined the route from the airport to his home in Funes. Local authorities confirmed that security was tightened as supporters gathered to express gratitude for his contributions to the national team.

Messi’s visit to Rosario is driven by personal reasons as well. His 68-year-old father, Jorge Messi, is reportedly seriously ill and under medical care. Family sources had shared the news during the World Cup, prompting Messi to return home immediately after the tournament. Most of the Argentina squad, including coach Lionel Scaloni, had already reached Buenos Aires to receive a hero’s welcome from fans.

According to ESPN, Messi will miss Inter Miami’s next two Major League Soccer matches, including the season opener against Chicago Fire and the MLS All-Star match on July 29, as he takes additional rest before returning to club football.

Former Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola is in preliminary discussions to become the next head coach of Italy’s national football team, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giovanni Malagò confirmed on July 22, 2026. Guardiola, who stepped down from Manchester City in May after a decade of success, is being considered to fill the vacancy left by Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation in April.

Italy’s coaching position has remained open since the team failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, creating a period of stagnation in Italian football. To overcome this crisis, the federation is reportedly willing to make financial exceptions to secure a high-profile manager like Guardiola. However, it remains uncertain whether the deal will ultimately be finalized.

Other candidates under consideration include Euro 2020-winning coach Roberto Mancini and former midfielder Andrea Pirlo. If appointed, Guardiola would become only the third foreign coach in Italy’s football history. Despite never coaching in Italy, he previously played for Brescia and Roma and speaks fluent Italian.

Asfia Jahan Roshni, a student of Kashimpur Government Primary School in Kalkini upazila of Madaripur, had the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister during the National Primary Education Medal Award Ceremony 2026 and Education Fair. The event took place on July 15 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Her participation in the national event created a joyful atmosphere among teachers, students, and the local primary education community. Teachers said that every student’s success inspires them and that Roshni’s achievement will encourage other students to perform better. They also wished her a bright future.

According to the report, Roshni’s father, Rasheduzzaman (Rahat), serves as a sergeant in the Bangladesh Army, and their family resides in Badradi village under ward 8 of Kalkini municipality. The acting head teacher, Fatematuz Johra Bokul, along with officials from the upazila primary education department, congratulated Roshni on her achievement.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has called for the immediate resignation of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of destroying the football industry. Tebas, joined by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin in his criticism, strongly opposed FIFA’s proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams. He argued that prioritizing a 40-day tournament undermines domestic leagues that sustain the global football economy and provide millions of jobs.

Tebas described FIFA’s current election and governance system as a “rotten structure from within,” claiming that many club and league officials are dissatisfied but remain silent due to national federations’ support for Infantino. He also cited several recent controversies, including extending the World Cup final break for commercial reasons, enforcing mandatory drink breaks even in air-conditioned stadiums, and a disputed disciplinary decision involving U.S. striker Folarin Balogun.

Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, has announced his intention to seek a fourth term for the 2027–2031 period at the upcoming FIFA Congress in Morocco in 2027.

A case has been filed at Pallabi Police Station in Dhaka against Gazi Nazrul Islam, Member of Parliament for Satkhira-4 (Shyamnagar), and four others over allegations of assault and attempted murder of a driver suspected of leaking a video. The complaint was lodged on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, by driver Obaidur Rahman, who claimed he was attacked due to suspicions surrounding the release of certain objectionable videos. One accused, Aminur Rahman, was arrested and later sent to jail by a Dhaka court on Wednesday following a hearing.

According to the case statement, Obaidur Rahman worked as the personal driver of Gazi Nazrul Islam and lived in the Kalshi area of Pallabi. He alleged that after he informed family members about an alleged immoral relationship involving his niece and the MP, he received death threats. The complaint further stated that on July 14, he was beaten and nearly strangled by the accused inside a room before being rescued by relatives and treated at Kurmitola General Hospital.

Police are investigating the allegations, while no immediate comments from the accused were available at the time of reporting.

A government primary school head teacher in Borhanuddin, Bhola, has been arrested following allegations of raping a nine-year-old fourth-grade student. The incident reportedly occurred on July 16, when the teacher allegedly detained the child after school hours and assaulted her in a storeroom. The victim’s grandfather filed a case after the girl disclosed the incident to her family. Police later detained the accused teacher, the victim, and her guardians following counter-cases filed by both sides.

According to the complaint, a former local union council member attempted to settle the matter informally and discouraged legal action. The accused teacher, however, denied the rape allegation, claiming the dispute began after he reprimanded the student for taking extra food during a school meal. He alleged that the girl’s family and others later attacked him and filed a false case. The Borhanuddin Primary Teachers’ Association condemned the incident and demanded a fair investigation.

Borhanuddin police stated that legal procedures have been initiated and that the investigation is progressing seriously, with further action to follow based on findings.

Rabbi Hasan Munna made history at the ongoing World Cup Shooting in China by setting a new national record in the 10-meter air rifle event. Representing Bangladesh, he achieved a score of 630.3, surpassing the previous record of 629.2 set by female shooter Kamrun Nahar Koli at the 2022 World Championship in Egypt. With this performance, Rabbi became the top Bangladeshi shooter in international competition.

Koli welcomed the achievement, expressing happiness that her record was broken and noting that such competition would help improve Bangladesh’s shooting standard. Rabbi’s success reflects years of dedication and hard work since he began shooting in 2009. He won gold at the 2013 Bangladesh Games, silver at the Asian Championship in Iran and the Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku, and bronze at the South Asian Games in Nepal.

His latest record at the World Cup demonstrates that with proper guidance and support, Bangladeshi shooters can challenge global powers on the international stage.

Sarowar Tushar, joint member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), claimed that Sheikh Hasina has fled Bangladesh and is now in Delhi. Speaking at a rally in Bagerhat’s Swadhinata Udyan on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, he alleged that Hasina and her associates are awaiting death in exile. He further declared that Sheikh Hasina’s funeral would not take place in Bangladesh, asserting that she would die abroad.

Tushar made these remarks during a march and gathering organized to implement the July Charter. He criticized what he called the fascist rule of the Awami League government and accused the BNP of betraying the people’s demand for reform and referendum. According to him, the BNP has undermined public aspirations by calling the referendum unconstitutional.

The event was chaired by district NCP convener Syed Morshed Anwar Sohel and attended by several party leaders, including MPs Hasnat Abdullah and Dr. Mahmuda Mitu, along with other central and regional organizers.

Former Chapainawabganj-3 MP and District Council Administrator Harunur Rashid said that any member of parliament proven to be involved in adultery or fornication should face the death penalty. He made the statement on Wednesday afternoon while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the 'Hospital Automation System' at the 250-bed district hospital in Chapainawabganj.

Rashid referred to a recent viral video allegedly showing misconduct by an MP from Satkhira and criticized those who use religion for political purposes, calling them hypocritical. He argued that such behavior spreads immorality in society and urged the government to enforce existing laws prescribing capital punishment for adultery if proven.

During the event, Rashid also highlighted the district council’s initiative to digitalize hospital services within a week. The system will store patients’ medical histories, integrate the hospital pharmacy, and automate test reports for doctors and patients, aiming to improve service efficiency and transparency.

The Sylhet district administration has taken an initiative to ensure the security of expatriates’ homes by deploying members of the Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP). District Commissioner and Magistrate Abdullah Al Mamun said that discussions with senior Ansar and VDP officials are underway, and a final decision will be made soon. He made the remarks during a visit to Osmaninagar upazila, emphasizing that the government prioritizes expatriates and has already implemented several measures to address their problems.

The district commissioner explained that the plan aims to reduce harassment and security concerns faced by expatriates. Osmaninagar Ansar and VDP officer Shamsun Nahar confirmed that the matter has been reported to higher authorities and further steps will follow their decision. During the visit, Abdullah Al Mamun also reviewed progress on the Sylhet-Dhaka highway development project, noting that most land acquisition has been completed, with ongoing work in specific areas of Osmaninagar upazila.

He further stressed improving public service quality and making administrative activities more dynamic through coordination with local officials.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), criticized the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader Tarique Rahman during a rally in Kurigram on Wednesday. Speaking at the NCP’s “July Awakening” march, he said the BNP had promised reforms before the election but ignored the public afterward. Patwari alleged that after winning 200 seats, Tarique Rahman had become overconfident, warning that without implementing reforms, his political influence would collapse.

The march, held as part of the NCP’s campaign for implementing the referendum verdict, creating employment, and protecting borders, began at the July Memorial in Kurigram College intersection and ended at the central Shaheed Minar. Other NCP leaders, including Akhtar Hossain MP, Sarjis Alam, and Dr. Atik Mujahid MP, also spoke at the event.

Speakers highlighted issues such as drug trafficking in border areas, regional discrimination against northern districts, and the marginalization of opposition lawmakers in development allocations.

Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury visited the Kadamtali Central Bus Terminal area in South Surma, Sylhet, on Wednesday morning. During the visit, he called on the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) to take immediate steps to repair the main terminal road and its damaged sections. Transport owners and workers informed him about long-standing suffering caused by large potholes and broken road surfaces that disrupt traffic and worsen during rain due to waterlogging.

The SCC administrator stated that the corporation is already working to reduce public suffering through road repair and expansion projects, while prioritizing drainage improvements to prevent waterlogging. He noted that although the road from the terminal to Humayun Rashid Chattar and onward to Mendibag-Kumarpara-Airport falls under RHD jurisdiction, SCC has repeatedly requested its transfer without response. Despite this, SCC will soon fill major potholes and begin necessary repairs considering public hardship.

The visit followed a report and photographs published the previous day highlighting the poor condition of the Kadamtali terminal road, prompting the SCC administrator’s inspection and repair announcement.