Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for collective efforts from all citizens to build a happy, prosperous, and discrimination-free Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon during a meeting with representatives of small ethnic groups at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka, according to his Deputy Press Secretary Md. Sujauddoula (Sujon Mahmud). The representatives presented various issues, including land ownership and constitutional recognition, while the Prime Minister listened attentively.

During the meeting, Rahman described small ethnic groups as an integral part of the nation and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to creating a country free from ethnic discrimination. He criticized the previous government for damaging state institutions and the economy, alleging that $16 billion was laundered annually. He said his administration is working to gradually resolve solvable issues and restore the nation’s education and health systems.

The Prime Minister also announced plans to upgrade upazila health complexes to 101 beds and reduce taxes on essential medical equipment in the 2026–27 fiscal year. The meeting was attended by senior ministers, advisers, and representatives from 18 ethnic groups across 17 districts.

Leaders and activists of the banned Chhatra League staged a brief flash procession in Debidwar upazila of Cumilla on Thursday morning. The event took place around 11 a.m. on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway in the Kursap area of Sultanpur Union. Eyewitnesses said the procession lasted about 46 seconds and was led by Debidwar upazila Chhatra League convener Asadur Rahman Roni. Joint conveners Sarowar Rakib and Imran Arifin Imu, along with Cumilla North district Chhatra League vice president Zahir Uddin, were also present.

Debidwar police officer-in-charge Moniruzzaman stated that he learned about the procession while attending a July Martyrs’ Day program at the upazila hall. He added that discussions with senior officials were underway to determine necessary legal measures regarding the incident.

Authorities have not yet disclosed what specific actions will be taken, but the police confirmed that the matter is under review.

U.S. President Donald Trump is considering expanding military operations in Iran, including a plan to seize Kharg Island, a key oil export hub in the Persian Gulf. The island, located about 25 kilometers off Iran’s coast, handles roughly 90 percent of the country’s crude oil exports and is described by U.S. officials as the center of Iran’s oil supply system. Reports indicate that Trump had contemplated capturing the island as early as 1988, long before his presidency.

Kharg Island’s deep-water jetties make it one of the few regional sites capable of accommodating supertankers, underscoring its strategic importance. A declassified 1984 CIA document identified its facilities as the most critical infrastructure in Iran’s oil network. Within the Trump administration, opinions are divided: some officials believe controlling the island could cripple Iran’s Revolutionary Guard’s finances and hasten the end of the conflict, while others warn that such an operation would require a large ground force deployment and have urged caution.

The debate highlights differing strategic priorities within the White House as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.

Renowned Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila will perform at a special solo concert and felicitation event on July 24 at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka. The program, organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, aims to honor her lifelong contribution to music and raise support for flood victims. Originally scheduled for July 18, the event was postponed to July 24 due to the ongoing flood situation.

The event will feature Runa Laila performing some of her most popular songs. Minister of Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury MP will attend as the chief guest, with State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam MP and Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, Adviser (Minister of State rank) for Policy and Strategy at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, as special guests. The session will be chaired by Kaniz Mowla, Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

The concert is expected to celebrate Runa Laila’s artistic legacy while contributing to humanitarian relief for those affected by the floods.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police announced that charge sheets in 59 cases related to the July movement will be filed only against those proven guilty based on verified evidence. At a press briefing on July 16, 2026, DB Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said the investigations have reached a critical and complex stage due to the large number of accused and extensive digital data. The DB is analyzing around 40 GB of digital information, including video footage, forensic reports, and witness statements, to determine each suspect’s role.

Shafiqul Islam emphasized that the investigation is being conducted with utmost caution to ensure accuracy and fairness. A monitoring cell at DMP and another at police headquarters are regularly reviewing progress to prevent false or motivated cases. He stated that only those against whom credible evidence is found will face charges, while innocent individuals will not be wrongfully accused.

Officials said the investigation prioritizes technology-based evidence to ensure transparency and strengthen the judicial process once completed.

A local BNP leader was stabbed to death in Kabirhat upazila of Noakhali on Wednesday night after protesting drug use and sales. The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. near the Palli Bidyut substation at Tetultala Bazar in Sundalpur Union. The victim, Md. Faruk alias Shahid, 50, was a former publicity secretary of ward no. 6 BNP and a businessman at the same market. Locals detained two young men, Md. Arshad Akash, 26, and Md. Sajjad Hossain Akash, 20, and handed them over to police.

According to the victim’s son, a dispute had erupted the previous night between Faruk and Arshad Akash over drug use at a local shop, leading to the fatal attack the following evening. Police said the killing likely stemmed from that earlier conflict. The body was sent to Noakhali General Hospital for autopsy, and an investigation is underway.

Kabirhat BNP president Mostafizur Rahman Manju demanded exemplary punishment for those involved to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A meeting of seven Qawmi-oriented Islamic parties, led by Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, was held on Thursday at Jameya Azizul Ulum Babunagar Madrasa in Fatikchhari, Chattogram. The session was convened by Hefazat’s Amir Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari and attended by senior leaders from Hefazat and other Islamic organizations, including Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Nezame Islam Party, Islami Oikya Jote, Khelafat Andolon, and Islami Andolon.

During the meeting, participating leaders received a message emphasizing the need for unity among the seven parties and agreed to move forward together. The discussion also addressed the severe flooding that has affected families in several districts, including Satkania, Banshkhali, Chakaria, and Habiganj. Many people have lost homes and essential supplies, prompting calls for urgent rehabilitation and humanitarian support.

Allama Babunagari urged Hefazat’s district and upazila branches to distribute relief materials and assist flood victims. The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to stand by affected communities and strengthen cooperation among Islamic groups.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain visited the grave of slain activist Mohammad Wasim Akram in Mehernama Murapara, Pekua, Cox’s Bazar, on Thursday morning. After paying respects around 9:30 a.m., he spoke to the media, criticizing the lack of justice in the two years since Wasim’s killing and describing it as a weakness of the judicial system. He also accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of using political manipulation to sustain her rule, asserting that the people of Bangladesh would resist such tactics.

Central Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin and Wasim’s father Shafiul Alam were present during the visit. Nasir Uddin said that justice for the July–August martyrs would only be achieved if the “killer Hasina” was brought back to face trial. Shafiul Alam expressed frustration that there had been no progress in the case and demanded punishment for those who ordered the killing.

Wasim Akram, then a student at Chittagong College, was killed on 16 July 2024 in Muradpur, Chittagong, during a protest when police, Chhatra League, and Jubo League members attacked demonstrators.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir president Nurul Islam has demanded the immediate execution of the verdict in the July massacre case, which he said occurred under the rule of the Awami League government. Speaking on Thursday morning at the Rayerbazar Martyred Intellectuals’ Graveyard in Dhaka, he stated that the organization wants not only a symbolic verdict but its full implementation. The visit was part of a month-long program marking the second anniversary of the July uprising.

Nurul Islam alleged that the massacre began on 16 July 2024 with the killing of Abu Sayeed and that more than 1,400 people were killed, with over 800 bodies identified so far. He criticized the current judicial process, claiming that only ornamental verdicts had been issued against fugitives while no substantial rulings were seen for those arrested. He demanded swift justice for those responsible, including those who allegedly ordered and assisted in the killings.

The event concluded with prayers for the martyrs, attended by Shibir’s secretary general Sibgatullah and other central and branch leaders.

Acclaimed Hollywood filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s new film 'The Odyssey' is set for a global release on July 17, 2026. Bangladeshi audiences will be able to watch it the same day at Star Cineplex, marking a simultaneous premiere with the rest of the world. The film has already generated significant discussion worldwide for its scale and subject matter.

' The Odyssey' is based on the ancient Greek epic by poet Homer, depicting the perilous homeward journey of the hero Odysseus after the Trojan War. The story follows his decade-long struggle to return home after being separated from his companions by fate. The film features Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as his son Telemachus, and Anne Hathaway as his wife Penelope, alongside Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, and Jon Bernthal.

The simultaneous release in Bangladesh highlights the country’s growing inclusion in global film distribution networks, offering local audiences early access to major Hollywood releases.

A Dhaka court has granted bail to Salman F Rahman, vice chairman of Beximco Group and former adviser on industry and investment to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a cheque dishonor case. The bail was approved on a bond of 1,000 taka by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Joshita Islam’s court on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Defense lawyer Mohammad Shamsuddoha Suman confirmed the order, noting that an arrest warrant had been issued against Rahman on May 7 after the case was filed.

The case was lodged on January 9 by Ujjal Mondal on behalf of the Export Import Bank of Bangladesh. Other accused include Ahmed Sayeon Fazlur Rahman, Mahfuzur Rahman, Imran Mondal, Md Lutfor Rahman, Mashkura Khanam, Md Saifur Rahman, Abu Nayeem Mohammad Selehin, Md Mostafizur Rahman Tanvir, and A S F Rahman. According to the complaint, a cheque worth 1.12 billion taka was issued on behalf of Beximco LPG Unit-1 Limited but was returned by the bank on November 19, 2025, due to insufficient funds.

After a legal notice was sent on November 26 demanding payment within 30 days, the accused failed to settle the amount, leading to the filing of the case.

Pakistan has called on Iran and the United States to immediately stop retaliatory military strikes and return to dialogue. At a regular briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the ongoing conflict over the past week has raised serious concerns, urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could further harm peace and stability. He emphasized that all disputes are ultimately resolved through negotiations and confirmed that Pakistan continues to engage with key stakeholders to reduce tensions.

The appeal comes amid escalating hostilities around the Strait of Hormuz, where both nations have exchanged missile attacks. Andrabi noted that the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed by the presidents of Iran and the United States in June, remains a viable framework for peace, mutual respect, and shared prosperity, though its implementation faces challenges. Pakistan and Qatar previously facilitated talks between U.S. and Iranian negotiators in Switzerland.

Pakistan expressed hope for a swift normalization of the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and stressed the importance of ensuring safe and unrestricted maritime navigation.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiquur Rahman has alleged that efforts are underway to erase the legacy of the 'Chobbish' movement, comparing it to past attempts to undermine national struggles. Speaking on Thursday at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in Dhaka during a discussion and prayer meeting marking July Martyrs’ Day, he swore that he would give his life but would not allow 'Chobbish' to be lost.

Rahman said the nation has repeatedly fought and sacrificed for victory, citing historical milestones such as 1947, 1952, 1971, 1990, and 'Chobbish' as proud chapters. He criticized attempts to diminish the significance of the 'Chobbish' movement, asserting that it gave rise to the current parliament and opposition leadership. He also condemned the formation of a constitutional amendment committee, calling it an effort to obscure the July referendum and the people’s verdict.

Rahman reaffirmed Jamaat-e-Islami’s commitment to justice, equality, and independence in foreign policy, emphasizing that the party seeks honest relations with neighboring India but rejects external dictates. He demanded state recognition for July martyrs and injured fighters through naming roads and installations after them.

Analysts have warned that U.S. President Donald Trump may be heading toward another prolonged conflict with Iran, despite his earlier pledge to avoid new wars. The report describes how U.S. and Israeli strikes have failed to achieve Trump’s stated goals of regime change or halting Iran’s nuclear program. Instead, the fighting has disrupted the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and a ceasefire and diplomatic memorandum have both collapsed within a month.

Experts cited in the report, including Ali Vaez, Lawrence D. Freedman, Vali Nasr, Aaron David Miller, and Suzanne Maloney, argue that both sides view temporary agreements as tactical pauses rather than steps toward peace. They warn that without a clear political or diplomatic plan, the conflict could become another “forever war” similar to those in Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. reliance on air and naval power, without ground deployment, is seen as a strategic limitation.

The analysis concludes that the Strait of Hormuz may no longer return to prewar conditions, and the U.S. might need to maintain a larger military presence in the Middle East to secure maritime routes, while Iran remains determined to sustain pressure.

The Rajshahi University Press Club formally welcomed new students of the 2025–26 academic session at its office on Thursday at 11 a.m. The event was presided over by club president Ashikul Islam and attended by senior university officials and former club leaders. Speakers included the club’s chief adviser Professor Dr. Fazluk Haque, Public Relations Office Administrator Professor S. M. Kamruzzaman, Acting Registrar Iftikharul Alam Masud, and Mass Communication and Journalism Department Chair Professor Dr. Mozammel Hossain Bokul.

During the ceremony, Professor Kamruzzaman emphasized the responsibility of journalists toward the state and the importance of developing practical skills from the beginning of their careers. Professor Haque encouraged students interested in journalism to join the Press Club to enhance their co-curricular engagement. Professor Bokul highlighted the need for journalists to understand society and history, urging students to study pioneering figures in Bangladeshi journalism.

In his closing remarks, President Ashikul Islam described campus journalism as a voluntary pursuit that builds unique skills and unity among students, expressing hope that newcomers with genuine interest would contribute meaningfully to the field.