On 15 July 2024, campuses across Bangladesh, including Dhaka University, turned into battlegrounds as members of the banned Chhatra League launched armed attacks on students participating in the quota reform movement. At least 297 students were injured in Dhaka University alone, with over 400 wounded nationwide. Witnesses reported assaults even inside Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where injured students sought treatment. Videos of female students being beaten circulated widely on social media.

The violence followed remarks made on 14 July labeling quota reform activists as descendants of collaborators, sparking mass protests across universities. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain later vowed a strong response, after which coordinated attacks occurred on multiple campuses. Student leaders accused police of inaction and condemned the brutality, while university authorities held emergency meetings and deployed additional police.

In response, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced nationwide demonstrations for 16 July, rejecting the Prime Minister’s comments and calling for public solidarity. The attacks significantly intensified the quota reform movement, spreading protests across the country.

Iran has carried out coordinated attacks on US military bases in three Middle Eastern countries—Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait—in response to recent US military operations. According to reports, a drone strike targeted the Al-Azraq base in Jordan, while a cruise missile hit a US equipment storage center in Mina Abdullah, Kuwait. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that its forces attacked the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, destroying several key facilities including the NSI Management Center, command and control center, and fuel storage areas.

The IRGC further reported that the assault on the US logistics and supply center in Kuwait caused fires, while a site identified as “KJL” was destroyed during the fourth phase of its “Nasr-2” operation. In Jordan, Iran launched a seventh wave of drone strikes on the Al-Azraq airbase, targeting F-18 aircraft positions, troop housing, and a large hangar containing military equipment.

Reports from Iranian state media and regional outlets Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye confirmed the incidents, describing widespread damage across the targeted installations.

Police in Kaliakair upazila of Gazipur arrested five individuals along with a private car on Tuesday night while they were allegedly preparing for a robbery in the Chandra area. Acting on a tip-off, officers from Kaliakair Police Station, led by Officer-in-Charge Shahidul Islam, surrounded the vehicle near the Royal Hotel on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway and detained the suspects on the spot.

The arrested individuals were identified as Elahi Sheikh, Arab Ali, Rashidul, Babul Hossain, and Mamun Hasan. According to police sources, each of them has multiple cases filed against them in different parts of the country. The private car used in the operation was seized by police.

Authorities stated that legal proceedings are underway against the detainees following their arrest during the robbery preparation.

US Senate Democrats have blocked a motion to begin debate on the Trump administration’s annual defense policy bill. The vote, held on Tuesday, ended 50–46, falling short of the 60 votes required to proceed. As a result, approval of the proposed $1.15 trillion military budget has been temporarily halted.

Democratic senators opposed the bill not only because of President Donald Trump’s stance on Iran but also due to provisions that would deepen military and intelligence cooperation between the United States and Israel. They accused the administration of intensifying military actions against Iran without congressional authorization and objected to the overall size of the Pentagon’s proposed budget.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer stated before the vote that passing the bill would effectively grant the Trump administration permission to continue military operations against Iran without congressional oversight.

Professor Dr. Ainul Islam, a controversial teacher and leader of the pro-Awami League 'Blue Panel' at Jagannath University, has been appointed as the new dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The appointment, announced in mid-July 2026, has sparked widespread anger across the campus due to his alleged involvement in advising former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a violent crackdown on student protests in August 2024.

According to reports, Dr. Islam attended a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office during the 2024 student movement, where he allegedly supported the use of force against demonstrators. He has also faced previous allegations of unethical conduct, including a 2010 incident that led to his removal as proctor and a 2022 case involving false accusations against students. In August 2024, he was accused of attempting to remove official documents while serving as acting registrar.

Student leaders from various organizations have condemned the appointment, calling for its immediate cancellation and threatening strong protest actions if their demands are not met.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that military attacks on Iran will continue until he personally orders them to stop. In an interview with Fox News, he warned that if Tehran does not return to the negotiating table, American forces will begin targeting Iran’s power plants and bridges starting next week. Trump stated that if Iran refuses to make a deal, nothing will be left in the country.

During the interview, Trump added that the coming week would be very difficult for Iran, as strikes on key infrastructure are planned. He said energy facilities would be targeted last, but all power plants would be disabled and bridges destroyed until Iran agrees to negotiations.

The remarks, reported by CNN, signal an escalation in U.S. pressure on Iran and suggest that Washington is preparing for broader military action if diplomatic efforts fail.

Bus operations between Rajshahi and the rest of Bangladesh resumed on Tuesday night after a 25-hour suspension. Services had been halted from 8 p.m. Monday following a dispute between two groups over the district motor workers’ union election. The stoppage caused severe travel disruptions, forcing many passengers to pay extra for alternative transport or cancel their trips.

The suspension stemmed from disagreements over forming the election management committee for the Rajshahi District Motor Workers’ Union. The district administration held separate meetings with both sides throughout Tuesday, eventually reaching a compromise. Under the agreement, the election will be held under the supervision of the district administration, with a nine-member convening committee including six worker representatives and three from the administration. It was also decided that Nazrul Islam (Helal) would not be part of the election committee, as demanded by the workers.

Following the resolution, bus services from Rajshahi to Dhaka and other destinations returned to normal on Tuesday night, easing the hardship faced by thousands of passengers.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the Primary Education Medal 2026 award ceremony held on Wednesday morning at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon, Dhaka. The event recognized outstanding students and contributors in the field of primary education across the country.

The program was organized as part of the government’s 17th and 18th election pledges to foster creativity and intellectual growth among children. Students from grades three to five participated in sports, cultural activities, subject-based quizzes, cub scouting, and debate competitions that began at the upazila level and advanced to the national stage. A total of 21,828,693 students took part in these competitions.

At the ceremony, the best-performing students received the Primary Education Medal 2026. Additionally, individuals and institutions with special contributions to education were honored. Awards were given in 15 individual categories to 12,384 people and in two institutional categories to 65,546 organizations selected nationwide.

Armed assailants opened fire targeting journalist Rokibul Islam Mati, a representative of SA TV and treasurer of the Metropolitan Journalists Union (MUJ) Khulna, near the United Nations Children’s Park in Khulna city around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday night. Mati narrowly escaped injury as the bullets missed him, but fellow journalist Awal Sheikh sustained minor wounds from shotgun pellets.

Following the attack, the MUJ Khulna announced a protest rally and human chain to be held at noon on Wednesday in front of the Khulna Press Club, demanding the arrest of those responsible. Police recovered bullet fragments from the scene and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the attackers. The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.

Leaders of both the MUJ Khulna and the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) issued statements condemning the attack and calling for a thorough investigation and justice for those involved.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched an attack on a US military base in Mina Abdullah, Kuwait, which serves as a key supply and support hub for American forces in West Asia. The IRGC claimed that the strike, part of its ‘Nasr-2’ operation, set fire to and destroyed the ‘KJL’ facility. The incident occurred following a series of escalating military exchanges between the United States and Iran.

According to the IRGC statement, the assault came after US forces carried out cruise missile and bombing raids on Iran’s southern coastal bases and other locations on Tuesday night. In response, Iran continued counterattacks across the Gulf region. The United States also reinstated blockades on Iranian ports, further intensifying tensions.

Observers cited in the report said the reciprocal strikes have effectively nullified a temporary peace agreement between the two nations, raising concerns about renewed instability in the Gulf region.

The three-match T20 series between hosts Zimbabwe and Bangladesh begins today in Bulawayo, with the first match starting at 4:30 p.m. Bangladesh time. Several key Bangladeshi players, including Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, and Hasan Mahmud, are unavailable due to commitments in the Sri Lanka Premier League, while Mustafizur Rahman is sidelined by injury. Zimbabwe, led by Sikandar Raza, will play their first T20 series since the last World Cup.

Zimbabwe enters the series with confidence after winning both the Test and ODI series against Bangladesh earlier in the tour. They also carry momentum from their historic victories over Australia and co-host Sri Lanka in the previous T20 World Cup. Bangladesh, however, is looking to recover from a 3–0 home series defeat to Australia in June. The team’s morale is lifted by a win in the final ODI against Zimbabwe.

Young pacer Nahid Rana, who took seven wickets in the ODI series, is expected to play a key role in Mustafizur’s absence, supported by Shoriful Islam and newcomer Abdul Gaffar Saklain. Bangladesh has won 17 of the 25 T20 matches played between the two sides so far.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ long-anticipated direct flight between Dhaka and New York now depends on the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) safety evaluation. Bangladesh must pass the Significant Safety Concern (SSC) assessment and achieve Category One status through the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) to operate the route. Preparations are underway, with ICAO’s pre-audit scheduled from October 26 to November 6, 2026, followed by a final audit in 2027. Civil Aviation Minister Afroza Khanam (Rita) said that if progress continues as planned, the flight could begin in early 2028.

Officials report that about 75–80 percent of preparations are complete, including installation of advanced security equipment and internal audits. Three high-level committees are overseeing nine key safety areas to meet international standards. Bangladesh aims to exceed a 75 percent safety score, improving on its 2018 result of 68.55 percent.

Experts warn that inspector shortages, limited regulatory independence, and administrative challenges could hinder progress. However, authorities remain optimistic that ongoing modernization and oversight will strengthen Bangladesh’s global aviation standing and pave the way for the Dhaka–New York route.

The United States military has confirmed launching new strikes against Iran, targeting several dozen military sites near the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s coastal regions on Tuesday night. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the seven-hour operation involved warplanes, drones, and naval vessels striking Iranian missile and drone bases, naval assets, and coastal defense systems.

CENTCOM stated that the objective of the latest assault was to weaken Iran’s ability to attack commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The command further noted that the action coincided with the resumption of a US naval blockade against vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not mention any immediate Iranian response or details on casualties or damage resulting from the strikes.

The United States has imposed new sanctions aimed at dismantling a major Iranian shipping network allegedly used to evade existing restrictions on Tehran’s oil trade and other activities. The U.S. Treasury Department said the network, led by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, was helping Iran bypass previous sanctions. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant stated that Washington is shutting down the financial infrastructure that enables Iran to threaten U.S. national security and the international maritime system.

According to the Treasury, the move is part of a broader effort to increase economic pressure on Tehran, following similar sanctions issued last year and in April this year. Under the new measures, more than 200 individuals, entities, and vessels linked to Shamkhani’s network have been sanctioned. All assets of the listed parties within the United States will be blocked, and U.S. citizens or companies are prohibited from conducting any transactions with them.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations declined to comment immediately on the new sanctions, according to the report sourced from Reuters.

Hasnat Abdullah, Member of Parliament for Comilla-4 and chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) for the southern region, said that Bangladeshis will again take to the streets if the country falls under fascism or fails to uphold the rule of law. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a roadside rally in Nimtala, Sirajdikhan, along the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway, as part of the NCP’s “July March to Build the Nation” program.

During his speech, Abdullah accused the current government of deceiving the people and criticized the Home Minister as a failed leader. He alleged that state institutions, including the police and educational establishments, have been politicized. He also questioned the government’s promise to create employment for ten million people, claiming that instead of jobs, the unemployed are being driven toward drugs. Abdullah further stated that 70 percent of citizens support structural reforms and accused the ruling party of selective adherence to the constitution.

At the event, Abdullah introduced Ali Newaz as the NCP candidate for the upcoming Sirajdikhan upazila election, urging public support for him.