The Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Central Students’ Union (ShakSU) election, initially suspended for four weeks by the High Court on January 19, 2026, remains on hold more than five months later. The suspension followed a writ petition filed by independent candidate Mominur Rashid Shuvo challenging the legality of the Election Commission’s approval for the vote. Despite the expiry of the suspension period, the university administration has not taken visible steps to resume the election, frustrating candidates and students who had awaited the revival of campus democracy after 28 years.

The High Court’s decision came just 19 hours before the scheduled election, prompting student protests and road blockades on the Sylhet–Sunamganj highway. Various student and teacher groups have since traded accusations over political interference behind the delay. The chief election commissioner stated that the commission is ready but awaits administrative direction, while the new vice-chancellor said he is still reviewing the issue. Shuvo defended his petition as being in the national interest, citing concerns about fairness.

Students and candidates continue to demand immediate election arrangements, warning that prolonged inaction undermines democratic practice on campus.

Students in Dhaka staged demonstrations on Tuesday demanding the resignation of Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon for holding HSC and equivalent exams amid severe weather conditions. Beginning around 11 a.m., protesters blocked roads at Uttara’s BNS Center and Science Lab intersection as part of a pre-announced program.

Participants from 12 to 15 colleges, including Dhaka City College, Ideal College, Government Bangla College, Siddheswari Girls College, Lalmatia School and College, Rajarbagh Police Lines School and College, and BAF Shaheen College, joined the blockade. The protests caused heavy traffic congestion in Science Lab, New Market, Dhanmondi, and nearby areas, disrupting commuters and pedestrians.

The students demanded the minister’s resignation within 24 hours and warned of tougher actions if their demand was not met.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sharply criticized the United States’ plan to impose a 20 percent tariff on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as an act of piracy. Speaking in São Paulo on Monday, Lula said that such actions would once have been called piracy and argued that a major power like the United States, long seen as opposing piracy, should not now become one itself.

Lula’s remarks came after the administration of US President Donald Trump announced the tariff plan targeting vessels using the Hormuz Strait, one of the world’s most vital energy transport routes. Massive volumes of crude oil and fuel products pass through the strait daily, making it a key artery for global energy trade.

The Brazilian leader’s comments suggest that his government views the unilateral trade measure as a troubling signal for international maritime commerce and free trade norms.

Former Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger has analyzed the upcoming World Cup semifinal between France and Spain, describing it as a clash of two former world champions. Writing ahead of the match, he said France has emerged as the most consistent, fast, and destructive team of the tournament, while Spain has advanced through calculated, possession-based football. According to Wenger, Spain is the only team capable of halting France’s momentum.

He explained that France’s power football, led by players like Mbappé and Dembélé, thrives on counterattacks and speed, but Spain’s traditional possession and precise passing style could neutralize that pace. Wenger argued that as long as Spain controls the ball, France’s physical advantage would be less effective. He noted that Spain’s midfield control and technical superiority could challenge France’s rhythm, though France remains stronger physically.

Wenger concluded that the semifinal would be a battle between two football philosophies, where the team that dominates the midfield under pressure will likely prevail.

A student leader was arrested with 25 yaba tablets in Mirzaganj under Patuakhali district during a late-night operation by the Department of Narcotics Control. The arrest took place in Dakshin Gabua village of Kakrabunia Union, where officers detained 30-year-old Md. Abul Bashar, a candidate for the presidency of the local Chhatra Dal unit and son of Md. Abdur Rahim.

According to the Department of Narcotics Control, Bashar had been involved in drug trading for a long time, allegedly evading law enforcement. Acting on a tip-off, officials raided his house and recovered the yaba tablets from his possession. He was later handed over to Mirzaganj police.

The officer-in-charge of Mirzaganj Police Station confirmed that a regular case was filed against Bashar under the Narcotics Control Act, and he was sent to Patuakhali jail through the court on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government will work on developing new startup ideas and provide financial assistance to promising ventures, even if they initially fail. He made the remarks on Tuesday morning at a special event titled “Youth, Startups and the Potential of Bangladesh” held at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of Dhaka University.

Rahman said that due to a lack of job opportunities in the country, skilled individuals are moving abroad, and the government aims to support new entrepreneurs. The ICT Division will provide funds ranging from 500,000 to 50 million taka for innovative projects. He emphasized that developing young and female entrepreneurs is now a national priority to integrate their creativity into the mainstream of economic progress.

As part of this initiative, the government’s 2026 election manifesto has given special priority to startup and entrepreneurship development. A startup fund of 5 billion taka has already been established to finance and promote innovative ventures, contributing to growth, employment generation, and technological transformation.

On Tuesday, students in Chattogram surrounded the local education board office demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan. The protest was held despite continuous rain and flooding, as students opposed the ongoing Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations being conducted under adverse weather conditions. Demonstrators gathered in front of the board from 11 a.m., staging rallies and sit-ins that disrupted traffic and normal board operations.

Participants alleged that flooding and waterlogging across the country had caused severe hardship for examinees, forcing many to risk their safety to reach exam centers. They called the decision to hold exams during such conditions unreasonable. The students presented three demands: suspension of all HSC and equivalent exams until flood conditions normalize, special retests for those unable to attend the July 13 exam due to weather, and the minister’s resignation within 24 hours for making derogatory remarks about examinees.

Protesters warned that if their demands were not met, they would announce tougher nationwide programs.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for an attack targeting a United States airbase located in Jordan, according to Iranian news agency Fars News. The report was published on July 14, 2026, citing a statement from the IRGC following the incident.

In its statement, the IRGC addressed the people of Jordan, urging them to dismantle or remove American military bases from their country. The group emphasized that Iran holds no hostility toward the Jordanian nation, describing Jordanians as a respected people who deeply understand the suffering and oppression of Palestinians. The message sought to frame the attack as part of a broader regional stance rather than a confrontation with Jordan itself.

The report did not include details about the scale of the attack, possible casualties, or the response from Jordanian or US authorities.

A new Reuters-Ipsos poll has found that a majority of Americans believe the ongoing U.S. military operations in Iran could continue for a long time. According to the survey, about 79 percent of respondents—roughly eight out of every ten Americans—expect the conflict to be prolonged. This marks a significant increase from a similar poll conducted at the end of March, when 65 percent expressed the same concern, showing a 14 percent rise in just a few months.

The poll also revealed that public sentiment remains largely against the war. About 58 percent of respondents said they oppose the military campaign, while only 37 percent expressed support for U.S. air and ground strikes. When asked whether the military action has benefited the United States, 51 percent said it has not been worthwhile, compared to 24 percent who viewed it as successful. The remaining 23 percent were uncertain.

Overall, the findings indicate widespread dissatisfaction and uncertainty among Americans regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Floodwaters in Pekua upazila of Cox’s Bazar have started to recede, exposing the full extent of the disaster. Many homes remain buried in mud, roads have collapsed, and thousands of families face uncertainty after losing crops, fish enclosures, and household goods. Heavy rainfall and hill runoff had submerged large parts of the upazila, including several unions and the municipality, for several days.

Although water levels have dropped in most areas, low-lying regions remain waterlogged, delaying a return to normal life. Locals allege that obstructions and nets placed at sluice gates slowed water drainage, worsening the flooding. Residents report that once the gates were opened, water levels fell more quickly. The agricultural and fisheries sectors have suffered major losses, with farmers and fishers facing financial hardship.

Authorities are now collecting data on damaged homes and properties to prepare a list for government assistance. Local residents are demanding quick road repairs, proper rehabilitation, and stricter monitoring of water management systems to prevent future flooding.

HSC examinees staged a protest near Prime Minister Tareq Rahman’s motorcade at Dhaka University on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The students demonstrated against holding exams amid severe weather and waterlogging, demanding the resignation of Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon. Police stopped the protesters at the university’s Mall Chattar as they attempted to march toward the Education Ministry, leading to a tense situation and heavy deployment of law enforcement.

The protest began around 12:45 p.m. when students started from Science Lab toward the ministry. At the same time, the Prime Minister was attending a state event titled “Youth, Startups, and the Promise of Bangladesh” at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building nearby. Members of the Chhatra Dal, including its general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, also appeared at the scene to speak with the students.

Earlier in the day, similar demonstrations took place in several parts of Dhaka, including Uttara and Science Lab intersections, causing severe traffic congestion. Students from 12 to 15 colleges participated, warning of tougher programs if their demands were not met within 24 hours.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a missile and drone attack targeting the United States Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain. The group described the operation as a retaliatory mission. According to an IRGC statement, the strike caused a fire at a fuel storage facility within the base.

The statement further alleged that the attack destroyed a US Patriot missile defense radar, the fleet’s air control radar, a C-RAM early warning system, and a control and monitoring center for unmanned surface vessels. The IRGC declared that its retaliatory military operations would continue in the future.

The authenticity of Iran’s claims has not yet been independently verified. Neither the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) nor the Bahraini government has issued any official comment on the incident so far.

A group of former Chhatra League activists at Dhaka University are reportedly maintaining the banned organization’s activities through a covert network called “NextGen Bangladesh.” Following the July killings that led to the ban, the network has been operating secretly, with Abid Abdullah identified as a key organizer. In an interview with Amar Desh, Abid admitted to connecting students to the platform, describing it as a service-oriented initiative. Investigations revealed involvement of Arafat Chowdhury and Hasan Jubair, while video evidence suggested continued underground coordination among former members.

Abid, a student of Urdu at Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, said the platform collects data and plans to expand nationwide. He acknowledged seeking funding from political figures and forming an advisory committee. Arafat, however, denied leading the project, though he confirmed working with Abid and others on earlier initiatives. University officials, including the proctor and vice-chancellors, confirmed awareness of the banned group’s renewed activity and pledged administrative action.

The administration stated it is monitoring the situation closely and will take measures against those attempting to destabilize the campus environment.

The United States military has carried out airstrikes on Iran’s coastal defense systems and missile and drone bases, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The operation lasted nearly five hours and targeted military sites in Bushehr, Chabahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas. CENTCOM stated that precision-guided weapons were used to strike Iran’s coastal defense, missile, drone, and naval capabilities.

The US military said the strikes aimed to weaken Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels. CENTCOM also reported that more than 50,000 American troops are currently deployed across the Middle East. The statement did not mention any casualties or immediate Iranian response.

The attacks mark the latest escalation in US-Iran tensions, with Washington emphasizing the protection of maritime routes and regional stability. Further developments or retaliatory actions were not detailed in the report.

An article published on July 14, 2026, in *Amar Desh* revisits Chattogram’s deep historical connection with Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. It recounts how Zia’s first act of resistance against the Pakistani military took place on March 26, 1971, near the city’s 2 No. Gate area, marking the beginning of his wartime leadership. The piece describes how this site later became known as Biplob Udyan, symbolizing the first spark of defiance, though it has faced neglect and alleged political attempts to diminish its significance.

The report also highlights the Kalurghat Radio Centre, where Zia’s voice once declared independence, and the later establishment of the Shaheed Zia Smriti Complex in 2006, featuring replicas of national monuments. It further recalls the Chattogram Circuit House, where Zia was killed in 1981, now turned into a memorial museum, and the Rangunia burial site, his first resting place, where a neglected complex still bears his name faintly.

The article concludes that despite political changes and efforts to erase his legacy, Ziaur Rahman’s memory remains deeply rooted in Chattogram’s geography and collective consciousness.