Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central president Nurul Islam visited the grave of martyr Abu Sayeed in Babonpur village of Pirganj on Thursday, July 16, 2026, marking the second anniversary of his death during the July uprising. The visit took place at the martyr’s family graveyard, where Nurul Islam was joined by Rangpur-6 MP Maulana Nurul Amin, Dr. S.M. Khaliduzzaman, and central student welfare secretary Rezaul Karim Shakil, along with local leaders from the Rangpur region.

After the visit, Nurul Islam met with Abu Sayeed’s family members, offering condolences and pledging continued support. He paid tribute to Sayeed’s sacrifice, describing it as a proud chapter in the nation’s struggle and a source of inspiration for future generations. He also visited the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Foundation.

The Shibir president demanded justice for Abu Sayeed and other victims of the July uprising, calling for the trial of those responsible for attacks on students and civilians. He reiterated the organization’s commitment to building a just and equitable Bangladesh based on the ideals of the July movement.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported detaining 238 migrants in a one-day operation in Texas’s Rio Grande Valley, describing it as the largest targeted enforcement action in the region. The operation, conducted on June 18 by the Harlingen Field Office with law enforcement support, was reported by Fox News on Wednesday.

The action came as President Donald Trump publicly backed traffic-stop-based immigration enforcement, calling it one of ICE’s most effective crime-fighting tools. This stance followed earlier reports that the Department of Homeland Security was considering suspending many such operations. ICE stated that several detainees had prior convictions for crimes including attempted kidnapping, sexual assault, and drug possession.

Harlingen Field Office Director Juan Agudelo said ICE would continue operations to strengthen public safety and uphold the integrity of the nation’s immigration system. Among those detained were Mexican nationals Manuel Morales-Heronimo, alleged to be a member of the “Paisas” gang, and Jose Alfredo Castillo-Mendoza, both previously convicted of multiple offenses and illegal reentry.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said efforts to undermine Bangladesh’s interfaith harmony have not yet ended. Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of the Jagannath Dev Rath Yatra festival in Dhaka’s Swamibagh on Thursday, he emphasized that the government aims to build a developed Bangladesh through participation of all communities, not through divisive politics based on religion.

He stated that the government, following the ideals of late President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia, is ensuring equal rights and development for all faiths under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Fakhrul highlighted initiatives such as family and farmer cards and allowances for religious leaders of mosques, temples, monasteries, and churches as steps toward strengthening harmony. He added that Bangladesh belongs to people of all faiths and that no one should gain special privilege in the name of religion.

During his speech, Fakhrul became unwell due to the heat and was later taken home for rest under medical advice, according to BNP’s media cell.

Prime Minister’s Adviser and Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said journalists have played a leading role in every democratic movement in Bangladesh. Speaking as chief guest at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) seasonal fruit festival and discussion on Thursday, July 16, he praised journalists for their courage, professionalism, and responsibility in defending democracy, freedom of expression, and people’s rights. He also honored the memory of martyrs who sacrificed their lives in democratic uprisings and called for national unity, rule of law, and good governance to build a stronger Bangladesh.

Amin emphasized that the government’s guiding philosophy is “Bangladesh First” and that it is working to create a prosperous, self-reliant, and humane state. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring an environment where journalists can work freely and responsibly. Other speakers, including RAJUK Chairman Md. Riazul Islam and DRU leaders, highlighted the cultural and nutritional importance of local fruits and called for permanent land allocation for DRU’s building.

The event concluded with the serving of 22 varieties of local seasonal fruits in a festive atmosphere attended by a large number of journalists.

On July 16, 2026, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leaders visited the graves of Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdha and Redwan Ahmed Sharif Joy to mark Martyrs’ Day of the July Revolution. Mohammad Selim Uddin, a central executive committee member and Dhaka North city Ameer of Jamaat, led the visit and offered prayers at the graves.

According to the report, Mugdha’s father Mir Mostafizur Rahman, Uttara West Thana Ameer Mazharul Islam, Turag Central Thana Ameer Gazi Monir Hossain, Nayebe Ameer Kamrul Hasan, Ward 53 council candidate Advocate Suruzzaman, and Mugdha’s friend Ashiqur Rahman Nayeem were also present during the prayer session.

The event was part of Jamaat’s observance of the July Revolution Martyrs’ Day, commemorating those described as heroes of that movement.

More than a hundred government primary schools in Sandwip upazila of Chattogram reportedly did not observe July Martyrs’ Day this year. Allegations suggest that negligence, irresponsibility, and information concealment by the upazila education office prevented proper observance of the national day, despite written instructions from the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO). Assistant upazila education officers allegedly took no effective steps to implement the directive, leaving most teachers unaware of the event.

Local residents expressed disappointment, saying children were deprived of learning about the sacrifices of July’s martyrs. The UNO’s signed letter had instructed two assistant education officers, Shariful Islam and Nazim Uddin, to ensure observance across schools, but the directive reportedly never reached them. Only one school, Bauria Government Primary School, held a discussion on its own initiative after seeing the UNO’s Facebook post.

The upazila primary education officer claimed that instructions were shared through messenger groups, though no field evidence supported this. The UNO confirmed that an investigation is underway and warned of strict administrative action against those found negligent.

Leaders of Khelafat Majlis expressed concern at their weekly central executive meeting, stating that the Ministry of Education and related government departments failed to demonstrate responsibility in managing this year’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations. They pointed to errors and disorganization in the exam schedule and question paper preparation processes.

The leaders also criticized the education minister’s remarks toward students, saying that responsible officials should prioritize dedication over harsh words. They argued that postponing an exam day due to rain and waterlogging would not have caused major issues and that the government should have acted more cautiously to ease student frustration. They further warned against opportunistic political exploitation of the issue and urged students to focus on their studies.

Additionally, the meeting noted that despite two years passing since the mass uprising, the government has shown little interest in implementing the July National Charter. The leaders demanded the formation of a separate constitutional reform council to pursue comprehensive reform in line with the referendum mandate.

US Vice President JD Vance has alleged that Israel is secretly financing efforts to sabotage Washington’s ongoing peace talks aimed at ending the conflict with Iran. Speaking on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Vance claimed that a covert and well-funded campaign is underway to disrupt the negotiations and any potential agreement.

Vance further stated that he has been personally attacked by individuals who received money through a former Trump campaign associate. According to him, this associate had also obtained funds from certain elements within the Israeli government. The vice president said these groups were aggressively targeting him because of his involvement in the peace process.

Israeli officials did not immediately respond to Vance’s allegations, according to the report.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) marked July Martyrs’ Day with a Facebook post on Thursday, recalling the events of July 16, 2024. The post described the day as the birth of a spark of protest in Bangladesh’s history, symbolizing resistance against autocracy, corruption, and injustice. It alleged that police and ruling party activists attacked peaceful student demonstrators demanding quota reform, resulting in the deaths of six young people across three districts.

According to the BNP post, one of the victims, Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, was shot dead by police, while three students were killed in Chattogram and two more in Dhaka. The post highlighted the sacrifice of student leader Wasim Akram, who was killed in Chattogram and had expressed his commitment to the movement shortly before his death. The BNP described the day as both a moment of protest and a pledge to continue the struggle until justice for the martyrs is achieved.

Security was reportedly tightened in Dhaka and other parts of the country on the occasion of July Martyrs’ Day.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Engineer Ishraq Hossain announced that the government will work to preserve the memory of those who were martyred, injured, or disabled during the July uprising. He said that, if possible, a memorial will be built in every district to honor the martyrs of the movement. Ishraq made the remarks on Thursday, July 16, in Chattogram after laying the foundation stone of the 'Shaheed Wasim Akram Memorial' in memory of the first martyr of the July uprising in the city.

The minister said the initiative to build the memorial was taken to preserve the memory of Wasim Akram, the first martyr of Chattogram, on the occasion of Shaheed July Day. He recalled the 2024 uprising, describing it as a movement against a fascist and autocratic regime that had ruled for 17 years through oppression and violence. He stated that the movement emerged to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh and that his ministry will continue working toward that goal.

Ishraq emphasized that all martyrs of the movement will be honored, and contributors will be recognized appropriately. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to building a democratic Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for collective efforts from all citizens to build a happy, prosperous, and discrimination-free Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon during a meeting with representatives of small ethnic groups at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka, according to his Deputy Press Secretary Md. Sujauddoula (Sujon Mahmud). The representatives presented various issues, including land ownership and constitutional recognition, while the Prime Minister listened attentively.

During the meeting, Rahman described small ethnic groups as an integral part of the nation and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to creating a country free from ethnic discrimination. He criticized the previous government for damaging state institutions and the economy, alleging that $16 billion was laundered annually. He said his administration is working to gradually resolve solvable issues and restore the nation’s education and health systems.

The Prime Minister also announced plans to upgrade upazila health complexes to 101 beds and reduce taxes on essential medical equipment in the 2026–27 fiscal year. The meeting was attended by senior ministers, advisers, and representatives from 18 ethnic groups across 17 districts.

Leaders and activists of the banned Chhatra League staged a brief flash procession in Debidwar upazila of Cumilla on Thursday morning. The event took place around 11 a.m. on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway in the Kursap area of Sultanpur Union. Eyewitnesses said the procession lasted about 46 seconds and was led by Debidwar upazila Chhatra League convener Asadur Rahman Roni. Joint conveners Sarowar Rakib and Imran Arifin Imu, along with Cumilla North district Chhatra League vice president Zahir Uddin, were also present.

Debidwar police officer-in-charge Moniruzzaman stated that he learned about the procession while attending a July Martyrs’ Day program at the upazila hall. He added that discussions with senior officials were underway to determine necessary legal measures regarding the incident.

Authorities have not yet disclosed what specific actions will be taken, but the police confirmed that the matter is under review.

U.S. President Donald Trump is considering expanding military operations in Iran, including a plan to seize Kharg Island, a key oil export hub in the Persian Gulf. The island, located about 25 kilometers off Iran’s coast, handles roughly 90 percent of the country’s crude oil exports and is described by U.S. officials as the center of Iran’s oil supply system. Reports indicate that Trump had contemplated capturing the island as early as 1988, long before his presidency.

Kharg Island’s deep-water jetties make it one of the few regional sites capable of accommodating supertankers, underscoring its strategic importance. A declassified 1984 CIA document identified its facilities as the most critical infrastructure in Iran’s oil network. Within the Trump administration, opinions are divided: some officials believe controlling the island could cripple Iran’s Revolutionary Guard’s finances and hasten the end of the conflict, while others warn that such an operation would require a large ground force deployment and have urged caution.

The debate highlights differing strategic priorities within the White House as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.

A meeting of seven Qawmi-oriented Islamic parties, led by Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, was held on Thursday at Jameya Azizul Ulum Babunagar Madrasa in Fatikchhari, Chattogram. The session was convened by Hefazat’s Amir Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari and attended by senior leaders from Hefazat and other Islamic organizations, including Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Nezame Islam Party, Islami Oikya Jote, Khelafat Andolon, and Islami Andolon.

During the meeting, participating leaders received a message emphasizing the need for unity among the seven parties and agreed to move forward together. The discussion also addressed the severe flooding that has affected families in several districts, including Satkania, Banshkhali, Chakaria, and Habiganj. Many people have lost homes and essential supplies, prompting calls for urgent rehabilitation and humanitarian support.

Allama Babunagari urged Hefazat’s district and upazila branches to distribute relief materials and assist flood victims. The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to stand by affected communities and strengthen cooperation among Islamic groups.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain visited the grave of slain activist Mohammad Wasim Akram in Mehernama Murapara, Pekua, Cox’s Bazar, on Thursday morning. After paying respects around 9:30 a.m., he spoke to the media, criticizing the lack of justice in the two years since Wasim’s killing and describing it as a weakness of the judicial system. He also accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of using political manipulation to sustain her rule, asserting that the people of Bangladesh would resist such tactics.

Central Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin and Wasim’s father Shafiul Alam were present during the visit. Nasir Uddin said that justice for the July–August martyrs would only be achieved if the “killer Hasina” was brought back to face trial. Shafiul Alam expressed frustration that there had been no progress in the case and demanded punishment for those who ordered the killing.

Wasim Akram, then a student at Chittagong College, was killed on 16 July 2024 in Muradpur, Chittagong, during a protest when police, Chhatra League, and Jubo League members attacked demonstrators.