Speakers at a seminar in Barishal on Wednesday called for upgrading the Bhanga–Kuakata highway to six lanes, citing its narrow condition as a major obstacle to industrialization in Bangladesh’s southern coastal region. The discussion took place at a divisional workshop on industrial survey organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), where participants highlighted the need for improved infrastructure to support investment and regional development.

Barishal Divisional Commissioner Khalil Ahmed said the region has not attracted the expected level of investment and lacks major factories. He noted that large tracts of acquired land in Patuakhali and near Payra Port remain unused. Speakers emphasized that developing industries based on local resources such as hilsa fish, coconut, betel nut, and guava could accelerate economic growth. They also underscored Kuakata’s potential as a tourism hub if infrastructure and services are expanded.

Participants agreed that the poor condition of the Bhanga–Kuakata road discourages investors and hampers transport of raw materials, goods, and tourists. They argued that a six-lane upgrade could open a new era for industrial and tourism development in the southern region.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku announced that a comprehensive list of entrepreneurs in the fisheries and livestock sectors will be prepared to ensure sustainable development. He made the statement on Wednesday during a virtual meeting with divisional directors of fisheries and livestock, held at the ministry’s conference room.

Tuku said that a national database will be created through coordination among divisional, district, and upazila-level officials to collect information on farmers and entrepreneurs. He emphasized that educated youth engaging in commercial and science-based farm management can enhance productivity, create employment, and strengthen food security. The minister noted that planned use of inputs reduces production costs and increases profitability, while unplanned use leads to financial losses.

He added that after the list is prepared, divisional meetings will be held with farmers to gather opinions on challenges and opportunities, helping formulate realistic policies and action plans. The government, he said, is committed to strengthening the sector in line with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s emphasis on entrepreneurship, employment, and production growth.

Bangladeshi film actress Pori Moni expressed her deep affection for Argentina’s football team through a social media post on Facebook. In a post made around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, she wrote that she would get married again if Argentina won the cup final. The post quickly drew attention from her fans, many of whom took it as a humorous remark and responded with various reactions in the comments.

This is not the first time Pori Moni has shared her enthusiasm for Argentina. On July 12, she posted the word “Win” with a love reaction, followed by another post saying “Football is a love,” accompanied by a heart reaction and the Argentine flag emoji. In another post the same day, she mentioned her son’s strong support for Argentina, sharing a video of them spending time together at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden Hotel.

Her recent posts highlight her passionate support for Argentina’s football team, sparking lively discussions among her followers on social media.

The Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall of Dhaka University has initiated the installation of 32 CCTV cameras, two monitors, and related equipment to enhance student security. The hall parliament formally handed over the equipment to the hall administration on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The cameras will soon be installed at key points across the hall, with an additional 16 cameras planned for next week.

Hall parliament Vice President Md. Ahsan Habib Imroz said the initiative fulfills a long-standing demand for improved surveillance, made possible through contributions from former students. Hall Provost Professor Dr. Md. Nurul Amin welcomed the effort, noting that the administration will provide maximum support despite financial constraints. He also mentioned plans to increase the hall’s income sources to facilitate further development.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Abu Sadiq Kayem praised the initiative and confirmed that the hall’s library will soon have air conditioning. He added that current dormitory conditions are free from past violence, crediting both the hall parliament and administration for maintaining discipline.

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has responded to social media criticism labeling his marriages as examples of 'love jihad'. The controversy arose after his third marriage to Bengaluru resident Gauri Spratt, who is Christian. In an interview with Rediff, Aamir stated that none of his wives—Reena Dutta, Kiran Rao, and Gauri Spratt—converted to Islam, and all three marriages were conducted under civil law. He emphasized that his family represents interfaith harmony, citing examples of his sisters, daughter, and nephew’s interfaith marriages.

Aamir dismissed the allegations as baseless and absurd, asserting that his personal life has been misrepresented online. He also denied reports claiming he purchased a 100-crore-rupee flat in Mumbai’s Marina Apartments to build a family complex, clarifying that the building’s reconstruction was a collective decision by all residents, not his private project.

The actor’s remarks come amid renewed public scrutiny of his personal life following his recent marriage, which sparked widespread online debate and speculation.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sharply criticized the previous fascist and autocratic government, accusing it of deliberately destroying Bangladesh’s education and healthcare systems to benefit a particular foreign country and a vested interest group. He made the remarks on Wednesday during his concluding speech at the second session of the National Parliament, which was presided over by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal.

Rahman said the former regime followed a policy aimed at crippling the nation’s education system to serve another country’s agenda, while also paralyzing the healthcare sector to hand over commercial advantages to foreign interests. He assured Parliament that the current government has adopted a master plan to allocate 5 percent of GDP to education and healthcare in phases, with the goal of rebuilding both sectors to international standards.

The Prime Minister added that the government is prioritizing modern, humane education, removing controversial syllabuses, ensuring quality teaching materials, and providing proper training for teachers. He also noted that the current budget includes the highest-ever allocation for education and a plan to raise healthcare spending to 5 percent of GDP within five years.

Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP), said that those involved in extortion and tender manipulation are enemies of the country. He made the remarks on July 15, 2026, at a roadside rally organized by the NCP in Mokamtala, Bogura. The event, held at the Mokamtala bus stand area, was attended by central and district leaders of the party.

During his speech, Patwari stated that the people of Bangladesh are now eager for change and that a transparent, accountable, and people-oriented political system is more necessary than ever. He emphasized that the NCP continues to work for the rights of ordinary citizens and called for the establishment of a new political trend through youth involvement. He also highlighted the need to create employment opportunities for educated unemployed youth.

The rally was also attended by northern regional organizer Sarjis Alam and several other central and district-level NCP leaders. After the event, participants departed for Joypurhat.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman described the current Parliament as a “gathering of the oppressed” and urged the Speaker to act as a strong commander in leading the House. Speaking during the concluding session of the national budget debate on Wednesday, he said a well-functioning Parliament would restore public confidence and inspire collective nation-building. He also expressed concern over Dhaka’s poor condition and waterlogging, proposing a coordinated master plan and special budget allocation to address the crisis.

Dr. Rahman criticized the unequal distribution of budget funds, alleging that opposition constituencies were deprived of fair allocations. He called for merit-based inclusion of educational institutions in the MPO list and urged the government to end the practice of political favoritism. He welcomed increased allocations for education and health but emphasized focusing on citizens’ real needs. He also condemned the wasteful culture of installing nameplates on public projects and called for ending such practices.

The opposition leader demanded a nationwide anti-corruption initiative, stressing that corruption must be rooted out through collective political will. He thanked the prime minister for prioritizing financial discipline and urged strict action against corrupt individuals regardless of political affiliation.

A three-day art camp titled “Canvas 24: Epic of Liberation” began on July 15, 2026, at the National Art Gallery Plaza in Dhaka. Organized by the Fine Arts Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the event brings together 55 renowned and emerging artists to commemorate the memory, spirit, and aspirations of the July Uprising through artistic expression. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Minister for Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury, who emphasized the importance of preventing past injustices and celebrating the ideals of freedom through art.

Special guest Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, Adviser for Policy and Strategy at the Ministries of Information and Broadcasting and Cultural Affairs, highlighted the role of such initiatives in communicating meaningful messages through art and inspiring young artists. Shilpakala Academy Director General and poet Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed (Rezauddin Stalin) noted that the artworks created during the camp will later be exhibited nationally.

The camp runs from July 15 to 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, featuring paintings that depict the history, sacrifices, and struggles of the July Uprising and the people’s quest for liberation.

An Iranian court has extended the prison term of British citizen Craig Foreman by two years, bringing his total sentence to 12 years. According to his son, Joe Bennett, the additional sentence was imposed because Foreman spoke to the media while in custody. Foreman had originally been sentenced to 10 years in prison on espionage charges.

Craig Foreman and his wife, Lindsay Foreman, were detained in early 2025 during a motorcycle trip through Iran as part of a world tour. In February, both were sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of espionage, which they denied. The couple began an indefinite hunger strike in May to protest their imprisonment.

As of the latest report, Craig Foreman has been on hunger strike for 68 days, while Lindsay Foreman has refused food for 59 days. The information was reported by Al Jazeera and cited by the outlet Amar Desh.

A special mobile court of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) conducted an anti-dengue operation in the Maniknagar area on Wednesday, led by Regional Executive Officer and Executive Magistrate Abu Aslam. The drive targeted the destruction of Aedes mosquito larvae and breeding sites as part of the city’s dengue prevention efforts.

Despite repeated warnings from DSCC, Aedes larvae were found in five residential and structural premises during the operation. Under the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009, fines totaling 31,000 taka were imposed in five separate cases. The identified locations were also marked with red signs to indicate the presence of larvae.

DSCC authorities stated that the number of such special mosquito control drives and mobile courts will be increased during the ongoing monsoon season to help contain the spread of dengue in the capital.

Students from various educational institutions in Chattogram continued demonstrations for a second consecutive day on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, demanding the resignation of the education minister. The protests were sparked by the government’s decision to hold Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations in flood-affected areas. Gathered at the city’s 2 No. Gate area around 3 p.m., students marched and chanted slogans calling for the minister’s resignation.

During the rally, students argued that holding exams without considering the realities faced by flood-affected students was unjust. They declared that the education minister must take responsibility and resign. The protesters also announced that their movement would continue until their demands were met, emphasizing unity and peaceful demonstrations.

The previous day, on Tuesday morning, HSC candidates and students had staged a sit-in in front of the Chattogram Education Board gate in Muradpur, demanding postponement of exams in flood-hit regions and a revised schedule.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has declared that there will be no place for extremism or radicalism in Bangladesh. He made the statement on Wednesday afternoon during his concluding speech at the second session of the 13th National Parliament. Rahman emphasized that the government aims to transform Bangladesh from a debt-dependent economy into an investment-driven one, focusing on job creation and wealth generation to move toward a trillion-dollar economy by 2034.

He criticized the previous Awami League government, alleging that the health sector was destroyed to benefit a particular foreign country. Rahman said his administration has begun implementing plans across all sectors and intends to unify various social safety cards into a single universal card. He called for cooperation from opposition parties to combat extremism and promote national development.

The Prime Minister stressed that while political differences may exist, all parties must work together for the welfare of marginalized citizens. He added that preventing authoritarianism and foreign influence requires building a politically and economically self-reliant nation.

The Bangladesh Parliament on Wednesday passed the Investment Bangladesh Bill 2026 without any discussion, despite objections from opposition lawmakers. The bill was introduced and passed on the same day, bypassing the usual process of referral to a parliamentary standing committee. The government stated that the bill aims to merge four existing laws into a single authority to streamline investment-related functions. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, representing the Prime Minister’s Office, presented the bill and proposed its immediate passage.

Opposition members, including Jamaat-e-Islami MP Nazibur Rahman, criticized the government for rushing the process and denying lawmakers the opportunity to review or propose amendments. They argued that the move undermined their legislative rights and questioned the justification for such urgency. The opposition leader, Shafiqul Rahman, also warned that this approach could set a negative precedent for the parliament.

In response, the Home Minister assured that reasonable amendment proposals from opposition members would be considered in future sessions. The bill was ultimately passed by voice vote after the Deputy Speaker urged the minister to uphold his commitment.

Bangladesh Bank has relaxed conditions for fully foreign-owned industrial enterprises to obtain foreign loans. According to a circular issued on Wednesday, these companies can now borrow from their parent companies, affiliates, and shareholders. The policy applies to enterprises operating in export processing zones, economic zones, high-tech parks, and other manufacturing and service sectors outside these zones.

Under the new rules, firms outside special zones may take interest-free short-term loans for working capital without prior approval from Bangladesh Bank. They may also secure interest-bearing loans at a maximum annual all-in cost of 3 percent for business needs such as raw material procurement. Loans must be repaid in a lump sum at maturity and can be rolled over for up to three years. For loans between one and five years, companies can borrow up to USD 50 million interest-free for capital expenditures and up to USD 5 million with interest. Longer-term loans beyond five years are also allowed with a maximum interest rate of 3 percent annually.

Industry stakeholders said the move will help foreign-owned firms access low-cost financing and attract more foreign investment into Bangladesh.