Several hundred workers of the ‘China Hardware’ factory blocked the Dhaka-Paturia highway at Nobogram bus stand area in Shibaloy, Manikganj, on Wednesday morning. The blockade began around 9 a.m. as the workers demanded payment of wages and allowances according to the government gazette. The protest caused severe traffic congestion on both sides of the highway, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded.

According to the workers, multiple meetings had previously been held with the factory management over the same demand, including one on Tuesday, but no effective resolution was reached. As a result, they refrained from entering the factory on Wednesday and instead took position on the highway. The officer-in-charge of Shibaloy Police Station said police arrived at the scene and were in discussions with both the workers and the company management to restore normal traffic and resolve the issue peacefully.

Efforts were underway to reopen the highway and bring the situation under control, according to local authorities.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs in Bangladesh has identified around 200 fake applications among more than 3,000 new submissions from individuals claiming to have been injured during the July Uprising. According to ministry sources, the Special Branch (SB) and Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) verified 2,388 applications, confirming the authenticity of 1,590. The process to officially recognize these individuals as July fighters is underway. Approximately 600 other applications showed inconsistencies, including duplicate submissions and false claims under the names of deceased persons.

The ministry stated that the verification was conducted through intelligence agencies to prevent controversy similar to earlier disputes over published gazettes. Previously, names of 13 martyrs and 219 injured fighters were removed from the official list due to irregularities. The ministry emphasized that anyone found to have been listed through false information would be removed. The investigation also revealed that most new applications came from Dhaka Division.

Under existing regulations, fraudulent listing as a martyr or July fighter carries a maximum two-year prison sentence and a fine of up to two lakh taka.

Bangladesh is reconsidering its earlier Look East Policy as China has proposed a new transport corridor linking Kunming in Yunnan province to Chattogram through Myanmar. The proposal emerged during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Beijing, where China suggested establishing road and rail connectivity via Lashio, Mandalay, and Sittwe. The corridor would give China direct access to the Bay of Bengal and potentially transform Bangladesh into a key regional trade hub.

The Look East Policy was first adopted in 2002 by Bangladesh’s four-party coalition government to reduce dependence on India and strengthen ties with ASEAN and East Asian economies. However, the initiative stalled after Myanmar withdrew under Indian pressure. The new Chinese proposal revives that vision but faces strong geopolitical resistance from both India and the United States, who view deeper Bangladesh-China cooperation as a strategic threat.

If implemented, the corridor could reshape South and Southeast Asian geopolitics, enhance Bangladesh’s connectivity, and reduce Indian dominance. However, the article cautions that Bangladesh must safeguard its sovereignty, economic independence, and security while engaging with China and managing regional rivalries.

An NCP leader was killed in a road accident on the Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Flyover in Chattogram city on Tuesday night. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. near the GEC area when Faiyaz Tajrian, 25, a member of the Chattogram Metropolitan National Citizen Party (NCP), collided with a stationary covered van while riding his motorcycle. Locals took him to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His body was later kept in the hospital morgue.

Police said the covered van had broken down and was standing on the flyover when the collision occurred. According to NCP city office secretary Riduan Hridoy, the road was slippery due to rain and the streetlights in that section were off, making it difficult for Faiyaz to see the vehicle ahead. He added that Faiyaz was an active party member and had attended a human chain program just hours before the accident.

The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns on the city’s flyovers, particularly during adverse weather and poor lighting conditions.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the era of making demands through threats and coercion has ended. He warned that Iran would not bow to pressure and said that intimidation would no longer yield results. His comments were made in a post on social media platform X, where he also accused the United States of serious violations of a ceasefire agreement.

According to Ghalibaf, the United States breached the truce by reinstating oil sanctions, coordinating attacks against Iran, continuing threats of further assaults, and supporting ongoing Zionist aggression in Lebanon. He also provided a list of instances where he claimed the memorandum of understanding had been violated.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore rising tensions between Iran and the United States over compliance with ceasefire terms and regional military actions.

The BNP government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken a firm stance on prosecuting the banned Awami League as a political party for alleged genocide and crimes against humanity during the July Revolution. The move follows statements from senior officials and progress in the International Crimes Tribunal’s investigation, which has found preliminary evidence linking the Awami League to atrocities committed during the uprising. Government advisers confirmed that the party’s activities remain banned by executive order and that the tribunal will determine its political future.

The July Revolution, which led to the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, resulted in at least 1,400 deaths and over 30,000 injuries, according to a UN fact-finding report. The interim government under Dr. Muhammad Yunus had earlier banned the Awami League’s operations, and the current BNP administration has since passed the anti-terrorism bill introduced by that interim authority. Analysts view the government’s actions as both a fulfillment of public demand and a reflection of its electoral promises.

Experts and academics have welcomed the government’s determination but urged faster judicial proceedings, warning that delays could provoke public frustration and unrest.

The coffin of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has arrived in Iraq. According to Iranian state media Press TV, the plane carrying the coffins of Khamenei and his family members landed at Najaf International Airport on Tuesday night, where Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi received it. A formal reception was held at the airport to honor the late leader.

Press TV reported that the coffins will be taken to Najaf and the holy city of Karbala on Wednesday for funeral prayers expected to draw millions of Iraqis. Khamenei was regarded as a religious leader by many in Iraq, and the Iraqi government has declared a public holiday for the occasion. Earlier, the first funeral prayer was held on Sunday at Tehran’s Grand Square, led by senior cleric Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani.

Following the ceremonies in Iraq, Khamenei’s body will be taken to Mashhad, Iran, for burial on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza, in accordance with his wishes.

Intense competition has erupted among potential Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidates across the country as they seek party backing for the upcoming local government elections. Although the polls will not be held under party symbols and formal nominations are not permitted, numerous BNP leaders are campaigning vigorously to secure informal endorsement from senior figures. The government and Election Commission are preparing to announce the election schedule in August, with voting expected in October.

Across Bangladesh’s 4,581 union councils, as well as in municipalities and upazilas, multiple BNP leaders are vying for the same positions, raising fears of internal division. Party policymakers view ensuring single candidates as their biggest organizational challenge. Political analysts note that removing party symbols was intended to promote nonpartisan competition, but major parties continue to back preferred candidates, undermining that goal.

Civil society representatives warn that such party involvement violates the spirit of nonpartisan elections and could reduce public participation. BNP insiders say the party may only centrally endorse mayoral candidates, while local units will decide other nominations. The outcome of this internal contest will test BNP’s unity and organizational discipline ahead of the polls.

The Bangladesh Parliament on Tuesday passed the Public Examinations (Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2026, introducing penalties for digital manipulation, unauthorized database access, and carrying electronic devices into exam centers. The bill, presented by Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan, sets a maximum punishment of five years’ imprisonment and fines for such offenses. It also includes provisions for organized exam crimes and defines digital manipulation as hacking, altering, deleting, or concealing data in public examination databases.

The amendment reduces the punishment for question paper leaks from ten years to five years and adds penalties for assisting examinees through written or verbal agreements. It also introduces up to two years’ imprisonment or fines for unfair evaluation of answer scripts, determined by a third examiner. Special provisions are included for minors, who will be dealt with under the Children Act.

In a separate development, the Bogura University Bill 2026 was introduced to establish a full-fledged university in Bogura, replacing the 2001 Bogura Science and Technology University Act, which was never implemented.

US President Donald Trump has announced the lifting of American sanctions imposed on Turkey and revealed plans to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to the country. The announcement came on Tuesday ahead of his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a NATO summit in Turkey.

Trump said the decision ends restrictions placed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The sanctions were originally imposed in 2020 after Turkey purchased the Russian S-400 missile defense system, which also led to its removal from the US F-35 program. Ankara has consistently argued that the sanctions were unfair and violated international law.

According to two sources familiar with the matter, Trump may take a positive stance on the F-35 sale during his visit, though legal procedures and congressional approval remain obstacles. Trump also noted that his meeting with Erdoğan would include discussions on expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

The Comilla University unit of the Chhatra Dal has demanded the construction of a 'July Memorial' at the Ansar Camp area, where police first clashed with students during the July uprising. The demand was made on Tuesday, July 7, during a courtesy meeting with Comilla City Corporation administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu. The student leaders also called for installing lamp posts around the campus to ensure safe movement for students.

According to the Chhatra Dal leaders, the clash occurred on July 11, 2024, when students participating in the 'Bangla Blockade' program were stopped by police near the university’s Ansar Camp. The confrontation led to injuries among students and journalists. The following day, students held protests and renamed the site 'Chhatra Andolon Chattar' in memory of the incident.

Chhatra Dal member secretary Md. Abul Bashar said the city administrator assured them that the demands would be considered seriously and that the foundation of the memorial could be laid before August 5. A city corporation team has already inspected possible locations for the project.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said the main political crisis in the country stems from the failure to implement the referendum verdict. Speaking on Tuesday in front of the National Parliament’s NAM Building in Dhaka during a human chain organized by the 11-party alliance, he warned that politics could move toward conflict if the verdict is not enforced. The event was part of a 36-day program demanding the implementation of the referendum’s outcome and justice for all mass killings.

Earlier, a six-point memorandum was submitted to the Speaker of the National Parliament, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, on behalf of the 11-party alliance, martyr families, and the injured. Porwar said the Speaker assured them he would discuss the matter with the Prime Minister. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad urged the government to heed the memorandum and warned that ignoring public opinion would not be tolerated.

Speakers from martyr families expressed dissatisfaction over delays in genocide trials, alleging that accused individuals remain free and witnesses face threats. They called on the government to ensure fair and speedy trials.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has condemned a bomb attack that occurred during a rally of the National Citizen Party (NCP) at the Tarapur Eidgah ground in Savar. The rally was attended by NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam. According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Islami Andolan’s joint secretary general, Engineer Ashraful Alam, at least four people were injured in the explosion that took place on Monday night.

In the statement, Ashraful Alam expressed sympathy for the injured and said that the attack reflected the country’s growing insecurity. He noted that political gatherings and leaders require special protection, emphasizing that ensuring their safety is the government’s responsibility. The statement described the incident as a sign of overall state insecurity.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh demanded a thorough investigation into the attack and called for accountability from intelligence and security agencies. The party urged the government to take swift and exemplary action against those responsible.

Opposition Leader Md. Shafiqul Rahman has expressed concern that the cost of medical treatment for ordinary citizens may increase following the introduction of the Bangladesh Medical University (Second Amendment) Bill 2026. He made the remarks in parliament after Special Committee Chairman Zainul Abedin presented the committee’s report on the bill. Rahman noted that the bill mentions profit and non-profit concerns, warning that any attempt to generate income from such institutions would naturally raise healthcare expenses. He also argued that while the national budget aims to reduce public spending, the bill’s intent appears contradictory.

Rahman further cautioned that allowing such entities to share profits could lead to unhealthy competition, benefiting a particular group more than the general public. In response, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said the bill had only been presented and assured Rahman that he would have ample time for detailed discussion during its consideration.

In the same session, MP Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan protested receiving late notice for a special committee meeting. The Speaker instructed the committee chair to ensure timely notification for all members in the future.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem has alleged that around two dozen projects approved during the interim government period have been stalled due to what he described as extreme non-cooperation from the university administration and obstruction from various quarters of the current government. He made the allegation in a Facebook post on Tuesday, sharing documents related to the projects.

According to Kayem, the stalled initiatives include ICT-based projects such as computer labs, innovation hubs, and internship programs; infrastructure works like hall entrances, cafeteria renovation, and lighting; as well as welfare projects such as subsidized food supply, public washrooms, and facilities for students with disabilities. He also mentioned that projects funded by the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Ministry of Religious Affairs have been halted without explanation.

Kayem stated that no rational reason has been provided for the cancellation of these student-friendly projects and warned that blocking them for partisan reasons would foster what he termed a new fascist culture within the university environment.