US President Donald Trump withdrew his plan to impose a 20 percent cargo toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, just 24 hours after announcing it. The reversal came following urgent diplomatic outreach from Gulf leaders, including those of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar, who persuaded Trump to abandon the proposal. The initial announcement had caused confusion within the White House and alarm among America’s regional allies.

Trump had earlier declared on his social media platform that the United States would act as the “guardian” of the Hormuz Strait and would charge all cargo vessels using the route. White House officials reportedly lacked clarity on how the toll would be implemented or collected. Following discussions with Gulf rulers, Trump said the countries agreed instead to increase their investments in the United States.

According to CNN, Trump’s advisers had long opposed the toll idea, fearing it could raise oil and gas prices and contradict US maritime policy. Iran, meanwhile, used Trump’s remarks to justify its own claim for compensation for securing the strait’s safety.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), alleged that the home minister and several others are involved in the drug trade. He made the remarks on Wednesday night during the 'Desh Gorte July Padayatra' held at Shaheed Dr. Abul Kashem Maidan in Joypurhat town. Patwari also urged the government not to act as guardians of a Mujibist constitution but to protect the people's constitution.

The event featured speeches from several NCP leaders, including North Region chief organizer Sarjis Alam, central joint member secretary Saif Mostafiz, Rajshahi divisional organizational secretary Imran Imon, and district-level leaders Kabir Hossain, Firoz Alamgir, and Ismail Hossain Hadi. The march began in the evening from in front of the Government R.B. High School and concluded at the rally venue after parading through the main streets.

The gathering was part of the NCP’s broader July campaign aimed at mobilizing public support and addressing national issues through regional marches and assemblies.

A violent clash erupted in Kashiani upazila of Gopalganj on Tuesday afternoon when members of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Jubo League held a protest march. Local BNP leaders and activists were attacked as they tried to resist the rally, and several motorcycles were vandalized and set on fire. The incident occurred on the Dhaka–Khulna highway in the Tilchara area of Orakandi Union.

According to local sources, the rally was led by Kashiani upazila BCL president Azad Hossain and vice president Suman Khondaker, with around 150 participants chanting slogans in support of Sheikh Hasina. The demonstration briefly disrupted traffic on the highway. The march was organized to mark July 16, 2025, as “Genocide Day,” commemorating five people killed in a previous clash in Gopalganj.

Kashiani police confirmed the incident and reported that 20 BCL activists had been detained in connection with the violence. Police operations in the area are continuing.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar has warned that the government is deviating from the public mandate by failing to implement the July Charter and instead pursuing constitutional amendments. Speaking on Wednesday night, July 15, 2026, at a seminar titled “Spirit of the July Uprising: Contemporary Reality” organized by the 11-Party Alliance in Khulna Press Club, he said that if the issue is not resolved in parliament, it will have to be taken to the people, which could lead to conflict.

Parwar stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had initially agreed to the July Charter, the formation of a constitutional reform council, and related processes following the referendum. However, after coming to power, the party allegedly rejected the president’s order, the referendum, and the obligations of the July Charter, which he described as deception toward the nation. The event was chaired by Khulna city Jamaat leader Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman and attended by representatives from several Islamist and political organizations.

The seminar concluded with prayers for the martyrs of the July uprising and for national peace and prosperity.

In Mohanaganj, Netrokona, the head teacher of Mohanaganj Government Pilot High School faced criticism for not lowering the national flag to half-mast on the state mourning day declared for the death of former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Witnesses said the flag remained fully raised from morning until around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, before being lowered at about 1:45 p.m. after the issue became known.

Several teachers confirmed that the flag had been hoisted at full mast despite government instructions to keep it half-mast in observance of the mourning day. They described the incident as unfortunate. According to the official circular, all government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, educational establishments, and Bangladeshi missions abroad were directed to keep the national flag half-mast and hold special prayers for the late emir.

Upazila Executive Officer Amena Khatun stated that she contacted the head teacher after learning of the matter, and he admitted the oversight. The flag was then lowered following her directive.

A delegation from Islami Andolan Bangladesh met with the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, at the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday. The meeting was held at the ambassador’s invitation and focused on bilateral relations, regional and international politics, economic cooperation, and mutual interests. Both sides expressed optimism about strengthening the existing friendly ties between Bangladesh and Iran.

During the meeting, the Islami Andolan delegation conveyed condolences on behalf of party leader Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim to the Iranian government and people affected by recent conflicts. They prayed for the victims of U.S. and Israeli attacks and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. The delegation also called for an immediate end to the war and the restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East.

Discussions further emphasized expanding bilateral trade, establishing direct air links, enhancing business cooperation, and increasing opportunities for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher education and scholarships at Iranian universities.

Begum Rokeya University (BRUR) authorities have taken several initiatives to preserve the memory of Abu Sayeed, the first martyr of the July Movement. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Shawkat Ali expressed his commitment to fulfilling Abu Sayeed’s dreams. The announcement comes as the first anniversary of the July Movement approaches, with the university administration emphasizing remembrance and continuation of his ideals.

Family members, fellow activists, and locals in Rangpur recalled Abu Sayeed’s sacrifice and demanded swift implementation of the court verdict in his murder case. His parents, Monowara Begum and Mokbul Hossain, expressed deep grief and urged the government to execute the death sentences of the convicted. Fellow activists described Abu Sayeed as an inspiration for the movement and called for the arrest of those still absconding.

Rangpur Metropolitan Police’s Tajhat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Rafiqul Islam said the tribunal’s directives would guide further action regarding the fugitives. He added that preserving Abu Sayeed’s legacy would help future generations understand his contribution to the nation.

Assistant Registrar of the High Court Division, Ibrahim Alam Bhuiyan, has been dismissed from his job for allegedly making objectionable comments on Facebook about the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice, and other judges. The decision was announced in an order signed by Supreme Court Registrar General Muhammad Habibur Rahman Siddiqui. Ibrahim, however, denied posting anything that could harm the judges’ reputation.

Ibrahim said he was an elected representative of around 2,200 Supreme Court officials and the last elected general secretary of the Supreme Court Officers and Employees Welfare Trust. He claimed his Facebook post, made on April 12, aimed to draw attention to concerns over the redeployment of staff to judges’ residences, which had previously been stopped following a judicial committee’s report confirming allegations of mistreatment of MLSS staff. He denied inciting any protests and described the investigation report against him as baseless and biased.

Earlier, on May 7, he had been suspended for allegedly using court employees to spread false information against the judiciary. In his final post after dismissal, Ibrahim said he was punished for speaking against irregularities and mistreatment of staff.

The authorities of Kumar Dwijendra Public Library in Durgapur municipality, Netrokona, have removed the local Awami League office building from land they claim belongs to the library. The removal began on Monday using bulldozers, aiming to reclaim property allegedly occupied for years. The library committee stated that the action was not politically motivated but part of an effort to recover its own land.

According to the source, the library was established in 1940 by Maharaja Bhupendra Chandra Singh Sharma on 24 shatak of land. Over time, parts of the property were occupied by various individuals and organizations. In 1997, a local Awami League office was built there under the initiative of then Member of Parliament and freedom fighter Jalal Uddin Talukdar, and the structure was later expanded.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mizanur Rahman confirmed that the administration did not conduct any eviction drive, saying the library authorities themselves were reclaiming their land. The incident has drawn mixed reactions on social media, with some Awami League leaders criticizing the move online.

Dhaka South Jamaat-e-Islami has launched a documentary exhibition caravan marking the second anniversary of the July Revolution. The month-long exhibition began on Wednesday, inaugurated by Dhaka South Jamaat Amir and Member of Parliament Md. Nurul Islam Bulbul. The event is part of a 36-day program commemorating the July Revolution.

During the inauguration, Bulbul stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) must find the way to implement the July Charter. He criticized the government for failing to reflect the aspirations of July despite being in power for five months. Bulbul accused the government of verbally upholding July ideals without genuine commitment. He also said BNP cannot avoid implementing the referendum’s verdict and questioned the party’s stance on the validity of the referendum and parliamentary elections.

Bulbul further condemned the government for forming a constitutional amendment committee instead of a reform council as mandated by the July Charter. He demanded the government honor the referendum’s 70 percent public mandate and criticized police violence against students protesting the education minister’s decision, calling for accountability of those responsible.

Seventeen law officers, including Additional Public Prosecutors, Additional Government Pleaders, and Assistant Public Prosecutors, resigned simultaneously from the Sylhet District and Sessions Judge Court. The resignations were submitted on Wednesday afternoon to the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Abdullah Al Mamun for forwarding to the Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. The officers, reportedly aligned with Jamaat, cited dissatisfaction with the government’s reluctance to implement the referendum, July Charter, and constitutional reforms.

According to the Sylhet unit of the Bangladesh Lawyers Council, the officials resigned voluntarily in protest against the government’s cancellation of the independent secretariat for the judiciary and its perceived unwillingness to carry out promised reforms. Among those who resigned are Advocate Md. Alim Uddin, Additional Public Prosecutor, and Advocate Mohammad Nazmul Huda, Additional Government Pleader, along with fifteen Assistant Public Prosecutors.

In their resignation letters, the officers stated that despite serving with dedication, they were stepping down in protest against recent government decisions while pledging to continue contributing responsibly to the country’s legal and judicial system as lawyers.

At a discussion organized by the Bangladesh Civil Forum at the National Press Club’s Moulana Akram Khan Hall on Wednesday, speakers emphasized that implementing the July Charter is the true way to honor the martyrs of the July uprising, including Shaheed Abu Sayeed. They called for granting proper state recognition to the martyrs and incorporating their lives and sacrifices into education, history, and culture. The speakers also urged the government to produce films and documentaries about the July movement martyrs.

Professor Nur Nabi Manik, a central Majlis-e-Shura member of Jamaat-e-Islami, said the July uprising was a turning point in Bangladesh’s history, led by youth aspiring for a just and democratic state. He described the July Charter as a document with broad public support and warned that delaying its implementation would contradict the spirit of the martyrs’ sacrifices. Other participants included political leaders, family members of the martyrs, and representatives from various professions.

Speakers concluded that realizing the martyrs’ dreams through the July Charter would help establish a just, democratic, and humane Bangladesh.

Opposition leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for deciding to reopen the July Memorial Museum on August 5. Speaking in the National Parliament on Wednesday, he said the decision fulfills a long-standing public expectation and also thanked the Prime Minister for assurances regarding the July Memorial Foundation.

During his address, the opposition leader voiced deep concern over Dhaka’s deteriorating condition, particularly the severe waterlogging and public health risks caused by even light rainfall. He described Dhaka as the “face of the country” and urged the government to adopt a coordinated master plan with special budget allocations to resolve the crisis. He also called for financial assistance for flood-affected areas, especially in the Chattogram division, where lives have been lost.

Dr. Rahman further noted that Dhaka’s current problems stem from accumulated mismanagement over time, emphasizing that development should now focus on improving citizens’ welfare rather than benefiting select groups.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman announced in parliament that a road in Dhaka will be named after the late former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. He said the Local Government Ministry has been instructed to select an appropriate road for the naming. The announcement came on Wednesday during a parliamentary session following a proposal submitted by Opposition Leader Shafiqul Rahman under Rule 147 of the parliamentary procedures.

The Prime Minister highlighted Qatar’s contributions to Bangladesh’s development and economic progress, noting that the Gulf nation has provided employment opportunities for millions of Bangladeshis. He also recalled Qatar’s support in ensuring the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates during regional tensions in the Middle East. The late Emir passed away on July 12, and Bangladesh observed a state mourning on July 15.

In his proposal, the Opposition Leader emphasized Sheikh Hamad’s visionary leadership, which transformed Qatar into a prosperous and influential nation and strengthened bilateral ties with Bangladesh, particularly in energy cooperation and employment. He suggested naming the road near the Qatari Embassy in Dhaka in honor of the late Emir.

The 13th National Assembly’s second session, known as the budget session, concluded on Wednesday evening with the reading of the presidential announcement by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal. The session began on June 7, the national budget for the current fiscal year was presented on June 11, and it was passed on June 30. The session lasted 26 working days and ended on July 15.

During the session, 48 hours and 51 minutes were spent discussing the budget across 14 working days, with participation from 316 members of parliament. Ten government bills were passed. Under Rule 71 of the parliamentary procedure, 715 notices were received, of which 24 were accepted and 22 discussed. Additionally, 125 two-minute notices were discussed under Rule 71(a).

A total of 278 questions were submitted for the Prime Minister, with 35 tabled answers. Ministers from various ministries received 5,031 questions and responded to 3,474. Eleven committees, including a special committee on constitutional amendment, were formed, and the business advisory committee was reconstituted.