Iranian Army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia stated on July 16, 2026, that Tehran has no intention of engaging in conflict with its neighboring countries. His remarks came after a military official warned that Iran could destroy regional infrastructure if the United States attacked Iranian civilian facilities. Akraminia emphasized that Iran prioritizes cooperation and friendly relations with regional and Muslim nations.

In his statement, Akraminia said the Iranian armed forces consider protecting the nation’s security, interests, and dignity as their foremost duty and will make every effort to fulfill it. He also urged countries outside the region to maintain relations with Iran based on mutual respect, asserting that Iran’s military is fully prepared to defend national security and interests.

The comments, reported by Al Jazeera, come amid heightened regional tensions following recent U.S. actions against Iranian targets, underscoring Tehran’s attempt to project both restraint and readiness.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is preparing to begin online income tax return submissions for individual taxpayers by the last week of July 2026. Although the fiscal year has already started, the filing process has not yet opened. NBR sources said preparations are nearly complete, and the system will launch soon to facilitate early submissions under a new incentive scheme. The initiative follows last year’s policy that made online filing mandatory for most individual taxpayers, excluding five specific categories.

According to NBR officials, corporate entities will also be brought under the online filing system for the first time, though that process may take two to three more months. The software provider Synosis IT is upgrading the system to align with recent tax law changes and plans to hand it over to NBR by July 20 for review. NBR is also working with Bangladesh Bank and commercial banks to enable automatic inclusion of banking data in tax returns, though this will remain optional.

Officials believe automated data integration with banks and other agencies could reduce tax evasion and increase government revenue collection.

The Trump administration is considering imposing a $100,000 advance fee or bond on foreign nationals applying for U.S. permanent residency, according to reports on July 16, 2026. The U.S. State Department is reviewing the proposal, which aims to make immigration more difficult for low-income applicants. The policy could initially be tested in several countries, requiring applicants to deposit the amount, refundable upon obtaining U.S. citizenship.

Officials said the bond would serve as financial security to ensure that green card holders can support themselves in the United States. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told The Wall Street Journal that the review aligns with President Trump’s stance that immigrants must be financially self-reliant. Analysts believe the high bond amount is designed to discourage applicants from lower-income nations.

The proposal follows a series of Trump administration measures to restrict immigration, including visa suspensions for 75 countries and a blocked $100,000 fee plan for H-1B visa sponsors. A previous “Trump Gold Card” program requiring $1 million saw minimal participation, with only one approval out of 338 applications by May 2026.

China is quietly broadening its political and institutional connections inside Russia beyond President Vladimir Putin and his close circle, according to a Wall Street Journal report cited by Amar Desh. Beijing is engaging with Russian officials and power brokers who could shape Moscow’s future after Putin leaves office. While expanding its influence, China is avoiding any overt actions that could appear to undermine the Russian leader.

Chinese officials increasingly view Russia as a long-term strategic partner, anticipating possible political changes in Moscow. The report notes that Russia has become more economically dependent on China since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the breakdown of relations with the West. China now accounts for about 40 percent of Russia’s foreign trade, up from roughly 10 percent in 2013, while Russia represents less than 4 percent of China’s global trade.

The report adds that China has gained leverage in Central Asia and in negotiations over the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which remains stalled due to disagreements over pricing. Analysts suggest Beijing sees an opportunity to make Russia increasingly reliant on China’s economic and political model.

Cumilla City Corporation conducted a demolition drive on July 15 to remove illegal shops built along the western bank of Dhoromsagar, a historic pond in Cumilla city. The action followed a June 6 report in the newspaper 'Amar Desh' highlighting the occupation of the area by unauthorized vendors. The operation was led by Executive Magistrate Nazia Hossain, who stated that the eviction aimed to preserve the beauty and accessibility of the site.

According to city officials, more than fifty vendors had been running unauthorized businesses by cutting through the protective railing around the pond. Allegations surfaced that a powerful syndicate had facilitated these setups and collected daily extortion payments from the shopkeepers. Visitors and local residents welcomed the eviction, saying the illegal shops had disrupted the environment and public movement.

City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu said the drive was part of a broader effort to beautify Cumilla and warned that all illegal roadside structures across the city would be removed. Local civic leaders urged continuous monitoring to prevent future encroachments.

On 16 July 2024, widespread protests broke out across Bangladesh following the death of Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, who was shot by police during demonstrations demanding quota reform. The incident, described as an act of defiance, quickly spread across the country, with students from public and private universities, colleges, and schools joining the movement. Violent clashes occurred in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other major cities, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.

The protests were triggered by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remarks on 14 July 2024, labeling quota reform activists as descendants of collaborators, which sparked outrage among university students. Demonstrations intensified after police and ruling party supporters attacked protesters at Dhaka University on 15 July. By 16 July, the movement had evolved into a nationwide anti-government uprising.

The government responded by closing educational institutions, imposing curfews, and shutting down internet and social media services. Despite these measures, the protests continued until Hasina reportedly fled the country on 5 August 2024, marking a turning point in Bangladesh’s political unrest.

On July 15, 2016, Turkey witnessed a failed military coup attempt marked by tanks on the streets, air raids, and a bombing of the parliament building. Citizens responded to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s call and thwarted the coup within hours, leaving 253 people dead. The event triggered sweeping political, institutional, and foreign policy changes that continue to shape the country a decade later.

Following the coup, the government declared a state of emergency lasting until 2018 and launched the largest purge in Turkish history. Thousands of soldiers, judges, police officers, academics, and civil servants were detained or dismissed for alleged links to cleric Fethullah Gulen’s network, which authorities blamed for the coup. Critics argued the purge was used to silence dissent. In 2017, a referendum replaced the parliamentary system with a powerful presidential model, consolidating authority under Erdogan. International organizations reported declining judicial independence and press freedom, with Turkey ranking 163rd in the 2026 press freedom index.

The coup attempt also ended the military’s traditional political role, placing the armed forces firmly under civilian control. Turkey’s foreign policy became more security-focused, marked by operations in northern Syria and closer ties with Russia despite tensions with the United States and stalled EU accession talks.

Police have arrested three hired killers in connection with the murder of Zahidul Alam Jahangir, the former president of the Mitamain Upazila unit of the BNP in Kishoreganj. The arrests were made in Dhaka on Wednesday night. The detainees were identified as Helal, son of the late Sultan from Barguna’s Bamna area, and two others named Mohiuddin and Zakir.

According to police and local sources, the attack occurred around 10 p.m. on Wednesday in Kamalpur Beribandh area of Mitamain. Jahangir was attacked in front of his home by three assailants armed with sharp weapons, leaving him critically injured. Another local BNP leader, Hadis Mia, was also wounded while trying to intervene. Both victims were taken to Mitamain Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital, where Jahangir was declared dead at 11 p.m.

Kishoreganj Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said initial findings suggest the attackers came from Dhaka and were involved in the killing. Police have intensified surveillance and are investigating the motive, which may be linked to political rivalry.

Leaders of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir visited the Rayerbazar Martyred Intellectuals’ Cemetery in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area to pay tribute to the unidentified and unclaimed martyrs of the July uprising. The visit took place at 8 a.m. on Thursday as part of a month-long program marking the second anniversary of the uprising. The delegation included Shibir’s central president Nurul Islam, secretary general Sibgatullah, and other central leaders.

During the visit, the leaders offered prayers and held a special doa and munajat seeking forgiveness for the souls of the martyrs. The event was organized as part of the organization’s broader commemorative activities throughout July.

The observance reflects Shibir’s continued engagement in memorial events related to the July uprising, emphasizing remembrance and spiritual reflection on the sacrifices made during that period.

A nationwide student-led protest in Bangladesh has culminated in the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after five weeks of unrest. The movement began as a campaign against the 30 percent quota in government jobs reserved for descendants of freedom fighters. Abu Saeed, a 25-year-old student from a farming family, emerged as one of the key coordinators of the movement. His death from police gunfire during a demonstration sparked widespread outrage and mobilized citizens across the country.

The protests, initially focused on reforming the quota system, expanded into a broader demand for systemic change and Hasina’s resignation. Following the killing of more than two hundred demonstrators, including Saeed, the High Court revised the quota policy, reducing the allocation to 7 percent for the grandchildren of 1971 war veterans. However, the decision failed to quell public anger, leading to intensified demonstrations.

Hasina eventually left the country aboard a military aircraft, acknowledging the unstoppable momentum of the student and public uprising. The movement’s success underscored a national desire for democracy and human rights over economic progress under authoritarian rule.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham became embroiled in controversy after his team’s 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semifinal. Following the final whistle, as Argentine players celebrated on the field, Bellingham was seen slapping young defender Valentin Barco on the back of the head. The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has sparked intense discussion.

Eyewitness accounts and video footage show Bellingham approaching the celebrating Argentine players before striking Barco, who reacted angrily. Several players from both teams rushed to the scene, but Argentina’s veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi intervened to separate them before the situation escalated. The reason behind Bellingham’s behavior remains unclear, and it is uncertain whether Barco provoked him in any way. Neither side has issued an official explanation.

During the match, Bellingham had verbal exchanges with several Argentine players but was later seen sharing a friendly hug with Lionel Messi. Argentina advanced to the final for the second consecutive time after goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez overturned England’s early lead.

The High Court has ruled that an unproven or ineffective divorce cannot be used as a reason to avoid paying maintenance or enforcing a dower decree for a wife and minor child. The judgment, delivered by Justice Abdur Rahman’s single bench, was made public on July 16, 2026. The court clarified that a child’s right to maintenance is an independent legal entitlement, not dependent on disputes between parents over divorce.

According to case records, a couple married in 2011, and the wife later filed a case seeking dower and maintenance for herself and their minor daughter. The husband claimed he had already divorced his wife but failed to prove it legally in Family Court, which then issued a decree in favor of the wife and child. When the husband filed a new declaratory suit claiming the divorce was effective and sought to halt execution of the decree, lower courts rejected his plea, leading to the High Court appeal.

The court emphasized that unless a competent court stays a decree, it remains enforceable. It reaffirmed that Family Courts hold exclusive jurisdiction over disputes involving marriage, divorce, dower, and maintenance.

Former Iranian foreign minister and senior adviser to the Supreme Leader, Ali Akbar Velayati, declared that no global power can strip Tehran of its ownership over the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to state television, he stated that the strait is part of Iran and credited Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s leadership for securing control during a 40-day war, calling it a valuable achievement.

The statement came as the United States launched new attacks on Iran, claiming the operations aim to prevent Tehran from posing threats to ships navigating through the strait. Earlier, Iran had targeted several oil tankers using alternative routes to the vital waterway.

In retaliation, Iran has attacked multiple U.S. military bases across the Gulf region, including installations in Bahrain and Kuwait, escalating tensions between the two nations.

The United States has approved an arms sale worth approximately $1.96 billion to Saudi Arabia, according to a statement from the US Department of State released on Wednesday. The announcement comes as conflicts in the Middle East continue to intensify, highlighting Washington’s ongoing defense cooperation with Riyadh.

In its statement, the State Department said the proposed sale would strengthen the security of a key non-NATO ally that plays an important role in achieving political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region. The department added that the move supports US foreign policy and national security objectives by reinforcing the defense capabilities of Saudi Arabia.

The report was carried by AFP from Washington, underscoring the strategic importance of the deal within the broader context of regional tensions.

The United Kingdom government has announced a nighttime social media curfew for 16- to 17-year-olds, restricting access to platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube from midnight to 6 a.m. Users will still be able to disable the restriction through account settings. The government also plans to deactivate features like auto-play and infinite scroll, which it says contribute to addiction. The proposal is expected to be introduced in Parliament by the end of 2026 and take effect next spring.

Officials argue that the curfew and related measures will help improve teenagers’ attention, sleep quality, and family life. The move follows a June decision to ban social media use entirely for those under 16. However, child protection advocates and experts have criticized the plan as insufficient, noting that teens can easily bypass the settings. Some politicians and academics have also questioned its practicality and potential unintended consequences.

Government ministers maintain that the policy will strengthen the UK’s global leadership in regulating technology companies and promote healthier digital habits among young people.