United News of Bangladesh

On the evening of July 15, 2016, the ''Fethullahist Terrorist Organization'' (FETO) launched a bloody coup attempt against the people and the government of the Republic of Türkiye. Fethullah Gülen and his disciples were behind this coup attempt. FETO affiliated army units left their barracks to occupy key locations, fighter jets and attack helicopters bombed strategic targets including the Parliament, Presidential compound, army and police headquarters. Our citizens from all backgrounds and political views took to the streets to stop this unprecedented heinous coup attempt. On that night, the Turkish people defended democracy with their lives. The plotters killed 253 innocent civilians and left thousands injured. FETO, under the guise of promoting education and inter-religious dialogue, managed to cover its malign intentions for many years. The disciples of Gülen believed that he is the ''Messiah'' and their loyalty is to him only, making them violate any legal, religious or ethical codes in order to advance the vicious interests of this group. To conceal its sinister and heinous agenda, Gülen has formed a broad network of schools, NGO's and businesses operating not only in Türkiye, but also in many countries. Terrorist organization FETO poses a threat not only to Türkiye but also other countries in which it is active. In many countries, terrorist organisation FETO-linked entities have been banned and their members expelled. Many schools affiliated with this terrorist organization abroad have been transferred to the Turkish Maarif Foundation after 2016. FETO is recognized as a terrorist organization by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA). The heinous coup attempt of 15 July 2016 is the worst act of terrorism in the history of the Republic of Türkiye. 15 July is observed as the Democracy and National Unity Day in Türkiye. On the 10th anniversary of this day, I pay tribute to our martyrs who defended democracy against terrorist organization FETO and express my gratitude to the veterans of 15 July. Ramis Şen, Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of veteran politician, senior lawyer, former Speaker and acting President Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar. In a condolence message, he described Jamir Uddin Sircar as a distinguished figure in Bangladesh’s political and legal arena and an eminent constitutional and legal expert. The minister said he had played a unique role in organising Supreme Court lawyers in support of Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971. He also noted that Jamir Uddin Sircar was a founding member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and made significant contributions to national politics as a member of the party’s Standing Committee. Khosru prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. Jamir Uddin Sircar breathed his last at a city hospital in the early hours at the age of 95.

China has achieved a milestone in its commercial space programme by using high-purity methane fuel derived from liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the first time in the Long March-10B rocket, marking a major step toward diversifying rocket propellant sources. The breakthrough came during the rocket's successful maiden flight and sea-based recovery test on Friday. The two-stage reusable Long March-10B was developed for China's commercial space market and features a 5-metre-diameter core stage with all critical components produced domestically. Rescue mission launched to save NASA telescope from falling back to Earth According to fuel developer Sinopec, the rocket used liquid oxygen-methane propellant with methane purity reaching 98.7 percent, while the entire fuel supply chain was sourced within China. Cao Lizhao, manager of Sinopec's South China sales centre, said the high-purity methane fuel was refined from more than 1,000 tonnes of LNG and can be produced using civilian LNG supplies. He said the fuel cuts storage and transportation costs by about 40 percent compared with conventional liquid hydrogen, making it a more economical option for frequent commercial launches. As China's commercial space sector expands, traditional fuels such as liquid oxygen-kerosene and liquid oxygen-liquid hydrogen are becoming less suitable for low-cost, high-frequency missions. Sinopec official Ding Dapeng said the successful use of LNG-derived methane fuel establishes a more diversified and secure propellant supply system, while providing a cost-effective, low-carbon solution that will strengthen the competitiveness and self-reliance of China's commercial space industry. China launched the Long March-10B from the Hainan Commercial Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan Province on Friday, successfully placing its payload into the planned orbit.

Every monsoon brings the same ordeal for students, teachers and parents at Sher-e-Bangla Secondary Girls' in Patuakhali, where chronic waterlogging and ageing infrastructure continue to disrupt education and raise serious safety concerns. For the 857 students enrolled at the historic institution, classes are frequently interrupted as rainwater inundates the campus, while deteriorating buildings leave teachers and guardians worried about the safety of children. Five years on, unfinished bridge leaves 10,000 Patuakhali residents stranded Established in 1969, Sher-e-Bangla Secondary Girls' School is one of the oldest educational institutions in southern Bangladesh. It has around 30 teachers and staff and five academic buildings, most of which are several decades old.

The excitement surrounding Argentina's World Cup quarterfinal against Switzerland reached beyond the stadium on Saturday, as the stars of the hit Apple TV series Ted Lasso joined fans in Kansas City to celebrate the tournament. Actor Jason Sudeikis, who plays fictional AFC Richmond coach Ted Lasso, hosted a watch party at CPKC Stadium while Lionel Messi's Argentina played Switzerland at nearby Arrowhead Stadium for a place in the semifinals. Dustin Hoffman, Sachin Tendulkar among celebrities attending Wimbledon semifinals Sudeikis said his appreciation for football had grown since working on the show and noted that many scenes from the upcoming fourth season, which premieres on Aug. 5, were filmed around Kansas City, including CPKC Stadium, home of the National Women's Soccer League's Kansas City Current. Actress Juno Temple, who plays Keeley Jones, said she was excited that the new season would focus on AFC Richmond's newly formed women's team, adding that she hoped viewers would value its emphasis on women's football. Brendan Hunt, who portrays Coach Beard and also writes for the show, said Ted Lasso had helped introduce many viewers to football. Comparing the current World Cup with the 1994 tournament hosted by the United States, he said American fans were now far more engaged with the sport. Hunt jokingly described the timing of the show's return after the World Cup as more than just a coincidence.

A local leader of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal was critically injured after a group of assailants attacked him with sharp weapons in Chuadanga municipality on Saturday night, severing his left wrist and inflicting severe injuries to other parts of the body. The victim is Jahin Sheikh, 39, former assistant sports affairs secretary of Chuadanga district Jubo Dal and son of Rajab Ali of Hat Kaluganj village under the municipality. Man beaten to death in Chuadanga over financial dispute Locals said the miscreants swooped on Jahin near the Homeopathy College around 11:00pm, leaving him seriously injured. He got his left wrist severed apart from deep wounds to various parts of the body. Locals rescued the injured and first took him Chuadanga Sadar Hospital. As his condition deteriorated due to excessive bleeding, he was later referred to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), commonly known as the Pangu Hospital, in Dhaka for advanced treatment. Dr Nazmus Sakib, the duty doctor at the emergency department of Chuadanga Sadar Hospital, said Jahin sustained multiple deep cut injuries from sharp weapons. His left wrist was completely severed, while both feet were extensively slashed from the soles to the heels. He was shifted to Dhaka in a critical condition after receiving primary treatment. Officer-in-Charge of Chuadanga Sadar Police Station Mizanur Rahman said the attack was believed to have stemmed from previous enmity. Police have identified two suspected attackers and launched a drive to arrest them, he said, adding that an investigation is underway to determine the exact motive behind the attack and identify any other people involved.

Continued monsoon showers have brought welcome relief to Dhaka residents, significantly improving the capital's air quality. Dhaka ranked 33rd among the world's most polluted cities, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 64 at 10:32am on Sunday. The city's air quality was classified as "moderate." Kinshasa of DR Congo, Kolkata of India and Jakarta of Indonesia occupied the first, second and third spot, with AQI scores of 170, 168 and 145, respectively. Dhaka's air quality remains moderate amid rain According to AQI standards, a reading between 0 and 50 is considered "good", while 51 to 100 is "moderate." A reading between 101 and 150 is regarded as "unhealthy for sensitive groups", 151 to 200 as "unhealthy", 201 to 300 as "very unhealthy", and above 301 as "hazardous", posing serious health risks. The AQI, updated daily, measures how clean or polluted the air is and indicates the potential health effects associated with current air quality. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, with air quality usually deteriorating during the dry winter months and improving during the monsoon season. Maps According to the World Health Organization, air pollution causes an estimated 7 million premature deaths worldwide each year, mainly from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Julian Alvarez scored a stunning long-range goal in the 112th minute as defending champions Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time to book a place in the World Cup semifinals on Saturday. Lautaro Martinez added another goal in the closing seconds of extra time, giving Argentina a more comfortable-looking victory than the closely contested match suggested. Argentina will now face England in the semifinals on Wednesday in Atlanta after the Three Lions defeated Norway 2-1 earlier in the day. Argentina, Switzerland level 1-1 after 90 minutes in World Cup quarterfinal Messi's run of scoring in nine consecutive World Cup matches came to an end, although his bid for a second World Cup title remains alive. The match turned on a controversial decision after Switzerland's equaliser. Argentina's Leandro Paredes was initially shown a yellow card for a challenge on Breel Embolo, but video review found Embolo had been falling before contact. Since Embolo had already received a yellow card earlier, the booking was transferred to him under the World Cup's "mistaken identity" protocol, resulting in a red card and leaving Switzerland to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Sunday expressed deep sorrow at the death of former Speaker Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar, describing him as a distinguished parliamentarian and eminent legal expert. Sircar died at a hospital in the capital on Sunday at the age of 95. Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar passes away In a condolence message, the Speaker prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. Sircar served as the Speaker of the Eighth Jatiya Sangsad from October 28, 2001 to January 25, 2009. Paying tribute to the former Speaker, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said Sircar’s contributions to the country’s parliamentary democracy, legal profession and public service would be remembered with respect.

Meta has disabled a feature in its newly launched AI image-generation tool, Muse Image, following criticism that it automatically used photos from public Instagram accounts as references for creating AI-generated images. The decision, announced on Friday, came less than a week after Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, introduced Muse Image through its artificial intelligence assistant, Meta AI. AI brings challenges and opportunities for office assistants In a statement, Meta said the feature was intended to provide a creative tool while allowing users to control whether their public content could be referenced. However, the company acknowledged the criticism, saying it had "missed the mark" and confirmed the feature is no longer available. Like other AI-powered image generators, Muse Image creates images based on user prompts. However, it also automatically allowed photos from public Instagram accounts to be used as reference material, sparking privacy concerns. The feature prompted widespread criticism on social media, with users sharing instructions on how to prevent their Instagram content from being accessed by the AI tool. The entertainment industry also voiced concerns. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) urged its members to update their Instagram privacy settings to protect their likenesses. Following Meta's decision, the union welcomed the move, saying that encouraging the creation of non-consensual digital replicas was inappropriate and that discontinuing the feature was the right step.

Argentina and Switzerland remained deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes in their FIFA World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday, sending the match into extra time as the Swiss were reduced to 10 men following the late dismissal of Breel Embolo. Defending champions Argentina took the lead in the 10th minute when Alexis Mac Allister headed home from a Lionel Messi corner. Switzerland drew level in the second half through Dan Ndoye, keeping alive their hopes of reaching a World Cup semifinal for the first time. The winners of the match will face England in the semifinals on Wednesday in Atlanta. England secured their place with a 2-1 victory over Norway earlier on Saturday. Shortly after Switzerland equalised, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was initially shown a yellow card for a challenge on Embolo. However, video replays indicated that Embolo had already been falling before any contact was made. After a review, officials determined that Embolo, who had already been booked earlier in the match, should instead receive the caution, resulting in his second yellow card and a red card. Switzerland were therefore forced to play the remainder of the match with 10 players. It marked the second time at this World Cup that a yellow card decision was corrected under the tournament's "mistaken identity" protocol, which allows the video assistant referee (VAR) to intervene when the wrong player is shown a yellow or red card.

The US military has launched a third round of strikes on Iran after accusing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of carrying out an attack on a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. According to CENTCOM, the vessel caught fire and suffered engine damage during the alleged attack, leaving it unable to continue its voyage. It also said one crew member remains missing. Iran FM visits Oman for Strait of Hormuz transit talks The command said Iran had been given another opportunity to comply with the Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 16 after being held responsible for previous attacks on commercial vessels, but had failed to do so. In response, the United States launched further strikes aimed at weakening Iran's ability to target civilian mariners and commercial ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM said. With inputs from Al Jazeera

Two people were killed and four others injured in a shooting near a street festival in Toronto on Saturday, police said, after initially warning the public about an active shooter before later declaring the scene secure. Toronto police said six people were found with gunshot wounds following the shooting near St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue, where the Salsa on St. Clair festival was taking place. Police initially urged people to stay away from the area as officers responded to the incident. Later, they confirmed the scene had been secured but said the suspect or suspects had not yet been arrested. A heavy police presence remained around the festival site, which hosts the annual Latino-themed cultural celebration. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he was "devastated" by the violence. "I am devastated by the senseless violence at the Salsa on St. Clair Festival that has claimed two lives and injured others," Ford wrote in a social media post. "My thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone affected." Toronto, Canada's largest city, is considered one of North America's safest major cities. Fatal shootings, especially those involving multiple victims in public places, are relatively uncommon.

Former acting President and Speaker of Parliament Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar passed away early Sunday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital. He was 95. He breathed his last at 4:18am at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in Shyamoli, Supreme Court Bar Association President Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon said. "Sir has left us. Arrangements are being made for his janazas and burial," Khokon said. He said Jamir Uddin Sircar had been suffering from various age-related health complications for a long time. He is survived by a daughter, Nilufar Jamir, and two sons, Barrister Nawshad Jamir and Naofel Jamir. His eldest son Nashad Jamir is the current MP elected from Panchagarh-1 with BNP ticket. A veteran politician and distinguished lawyer, Sircar served as Speaker of the Eighth Jatiya Sangsad and as acting President of Bangladesh from June 21 to September 6, 2002, following the resignation of then President Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury. Born on December 1, 1931, in Nayabari village of Tetulia upazila in Panchagarh, Sircar was the son of Maulvi Muhammad Aziz Box. He obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees in History from the University of Dhaka before earning an LLB degree. He later qualified as a Barrister-at-Law from Lincoln's Inn in London. After completing his studies, he joined the legal profession on May 27, 1960, after enrolling with the then East Pakistan High Court. He became one of the country's leading constitutional, civil and criminal law experts. Sircar began his political career in 1945 through the then Student Federation. He was later associated with the Student Union, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani's National Awami Party (NAP) and was also a founding member of the Awami Muslim League. He was one of the founding members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Before the party's formation, he was also associated with the Jatiyatabadi Ganatantrik Dal (Jagadal), established by President Ziaur Rahman. He later became a member of the BNP Standing Committee, a position he held until his death. During the Liberation War in 1971, Sircar was among the High Court lawyers who actively supported Bangladesh's independence. Recognised for his legal expertise, he represented Bangladesh at the United Nations General Assembly on five occasions between 1977 and 1981 during President Ziaur Rahman's tenure. His long public career included several ministerial positions. He served as State Minister for Housing and Public Works under President Ziaur Rahman, during which the construction of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban was completed. He later served as State Minister for Foreign Affairs in the cabinet of President Justice Abdus Sattar. Following the BNP's victory in 1991, he became State Minister for Land before being appointed Minister for Education and later Minister for Science and Technology. In the short-lived Sixth Parliament in 1996, he served as Law Minister and introduced the bill that paved the way for the caretaker government system. Sircar was first elected to Parliament in 1979 from Dinajpur-1 as a BNP candidate. He was later elected from Dhaka-9 in 1991, from Panchagarh-1 in the elections of February 1996, June 1996 and 2001, and subsequently won the Bogura-6 by-election during the Ninth Parliament. Apart from politics and law, he was also an educationist and a prolific writer. His published works include The Origin and Evolution of Democracy, Parliamentary Rules at a Glance, Student Life in London, Law of the Sea, Student Movements in London, Bangladesh: Democratic Transition and Political Ups and Downs, Glimpses of International Law, From Pol Raj to Plassey and From the British Raj to Bangabhaban, Speaker in the Eighth Parliament, Law of International Rivers and Other Watercourses, and Stronger United Nations for a Peaceful Welfare World. His death cast a shadow of grief over the country's political and legal communities, with leaders and well-wishers gathering at his Dhanmondi residence to pay their respects. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep sorrow at his death and prayed for the eternal peace of his departed soul. BNP Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Nazrul Islam Khan also expressed their condolences.

Hundreds of firefighters backed by helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft struggled on Saturday to contain one of Spain's deadliest wildfires that erupted earlier this week and killed a least 12 people. The blazes, which also lashed France this week, came as parts of Western Europe are facing their third heat wave in six weeks. Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. In Spain's Andalusia, a combination of light winds and high humidity are helping crews but the sheer size of the fire still poses challenges, Antonio Sanz, head of the region's emergency services, said. The fire has so far scorched some 66 square kilometers (25 square miles) of forest and farmland — about the size of Manhattan. Sanz said fire crews carried out controlled burns overnight around the perimeter of the fire, which broke out late Thursday in a semi-arid area near the Sierre de Los Filabres mountains in in Almería province, just as Spain was sizzling. Most of the victims, who are believed to be foreign nationals, died after ignoring shelter-in-place instructions, authorities said. Seven people died while on foot after abandoning their cars. Four of the dead were believed to be British because the steering wheel of their burned-out car was on the right side, as with British vehicles, regional authorities said. Sanz said Saturday that authorities had completed autopsies and DNA samples were collected to identify them. Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has spoken with his counterparts from the U.K., Belgium, Canada and the Netherlands about the fire, Spain's official EFE news agency reported. Almería is home to one of the largest communities of foreign nationals in Andalusia. Authorities proactively evacuated 1,448 people from some 11 areas. Many are fleeing the flames Jeffrey Kember and his wife, Christine, were watching a favorite TV show in their Los Pinos farmhouse when the blare of a siren alerted them to the fire. The couple jumped into their respective cars while also trying to help a neighbor with two toddlers. The husband described how they got separated and how he was unable to speak to his wife because she didn't have a phone on her. “I'm driving through the flames. It was actually flames. I though, ‘I can’t stop, I just gotta go,” he told The Associated Press, his wife now next to him outside an evacuation center. "It was eerie because all of a sudden I came out of the flames and it was all bright sunshine. It was like surreal.” Meanwhile, Spanish authorities arrested two people for ignoring evacuation orders and returning to a high-risk area, according to EFE. Authorities are still combing through the Bédar area in search for any victims. Europe withers in intense heat Spain has battled frequent and severe heat waves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Wind, high temperatures and little rainfall help small wildfires grow into unchecked blazes. Justice Minister Félix Bolaños on Saturday attributed the ferocity of the Almeira wildfire to a “climate emergency.” He said the fire, at its most intense, advanced as fast as 100 meters per minute (328 feet per minute.) Spain’s Meteorological Agency warned that the wildfire risk over the weekend will remain very high. In June, Spain experienced several days of record-setting heat, with over 1,000 excess deaths. Globally, 2025 was the third-hottest year on record, bringing several intense heat waves across Europe. Wildfires lash France Several wildfires remained active across France on Saturday as temperatures soared. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said that 32 people have been arrested across the country since the beginning of the summer in connection with wildfires. “Those unacceptable acts, which have disastrous consequences and mobilize our firefighters at the risk of their lives, now fall into the hands of the justice system,” he said. “We will continue our determined action and will not let anything slide.” French President Emmanuel Macron also weighed in, recalling in a post on X that nine out of 10 wildfires start because of human activity. More than 25,000 hectares (62,000 acres) of land have burned in France since the start of 2026, roughly double the area compared to the same period last year. France is experiencing the peak of its third heat wave this summer, with temperatures reaching 40 C across western and central areas and around 37 C (98 F) in Paris. In the French capital, the Eiffel Tower will close in the afternoon over the weekend instead of late at night, as it usually does. The Louvre and Orsay museum have also announced reduced opening hours because of the heat wave. Last month was France’s hottest June on record, with deaths surging by nearly a third during the hottest week. Spain and Portugal have faced deadly fires before Spain is no stranger to wildfires, with last year's fire season burning more than 393,000 hectares (971,000 acres). according to the European Forest Fire Information System, an area twice as large as London. Four people died. Spain's deadliest wildfire was in 1979, when 21 people perished in Lloret de Mar, a coastal town about an hour north of Barcelona. In 2017, a wildfire in neighboring Portugal left 66 people dead in Pedrogao Grande, located 200 kilometers (120 miles) northeast of Lisbon. In that blaze, 47 people died on one road while similarly attempting to flee in their cars.

Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal on Saturday visited ailing former President and former Speaker Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar at Bangladesh Specialised Hospital in the capital's Shyamoli area to enquire about his health. During the visit, the Deputy Speaker wished Sircar a speedy recovery and a long life. He also spoke with the attending physicians to learn about the latest progress of the former President's treatment and urged the authorities concerned to ensure that he continues to receive all necessary medical care. Praying for his early recovery, Kayser Kamal said, "I pray to Almighty Allah that you recover quickly and return to us in good health. I wish you sound health and a long life." The Deputy Speaker said Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar had made significant contributions to the country's politics and parliamentary democracy over the years. He said Sircar's recovery was not only important for his family but was also eagerly awaited by the people of the country. Kayser Kamal also requested the nation to pray for the former President's swift recovery.

 A Bangladesh delegation arrived in Islamabad on Saturday to attend the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, which will be held in Pakistan on July 12-13. Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Dr AZM Zahid Hossain is leading the delegation, according to a media statement. Pakistan's State Minister for Law and Justice Aqeel Malik and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Md Iqbal Hossain Khan received the delegation at Islamabad International Airport.The delegation also includes Women and Children Affairs Secretary Yasmin Parveen and the adviser's Private Secretary Dr Md Mahmudul Haque. Following his arrival, the minister visited Bangladesh's newly constructed chancery complex in the Diplomatic Enclave, where officials and staff of the Bangladesh High Commission welcomed him. He exchanged greetings with the mission personnel and planted a tree on the High Commission premises.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid on Saturday said the government is preparing an accurate list of farmers affected by the recent floods across the country to ensure they receive rehabilitation assistance without delay. He said local administrations are collecting accurate information on affected farmers and cultivators following the Prime Minister's directives. “Once the lists are prepared at the union and ward levels, the government will provide necessary assistance to help farmers recover and resume agricultural activities quickly,” he said. The minister made this remark, while talking to reporters after inaugurating a week-long tree plantation campaign and tree fair at the Cumilla Town Hall ground, said a PID handout here. Addressing the tree plantation campaign, the minister said the government is firmly committed to turning Bangladesh into a clean, green, and pollution-free nation. So, the government is implementing a massive tree plantation programme in the country, he added. To mitigate post-harvest losses and protect farmers from price volatility, the minister announced a massive infrastructure plan. The government has initiated a phased programme to set up mini-cold storage facilities across the country. “Several are already operational, and we have planned to construct over 2,000 additional mini-cold storages in the near future,” he added. Highlighting the vital role of agriculture, the minister stated that around 75 percent of the country’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on farming. So, improving farmers' livelihoods, ensuring fair prices, and transforming agriculture into a highly profitable sector remain core government priorities, he said. Cumilla City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu, Deputy Commissioner Rosy Akter, Cumilla Social Forest Division's Divisional Forest Officer Md. Ruhul Amin, and Superintendent of Police Anisuzzaman, among others were present at the inaugural event. Earlier, the minister participated in a colorful rally held to mark the opening of the tree fair and visited various stalls featuring fruit, forest, and medicinal saplings.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Saturday has formed two medical teams to provide emergency healthcare services to people affected by the ongoing floods in different parts of the country. The information was disclosed in a press release issued by the JCD central committee. According to the statement, continuous rainfall and hill torrents from India have triggered flash floods in Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Rangamati, Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Sunamganj, leaving thousands of people stranded and facing humanitarian hardship. Chatra Dal accused of attacking BRUR press conference seeking VC’s resignation  To ensure emergency medical assistance for flood victims, the JCD central committee has constituted two medical teams comprising central leaders, physicians from various public and private medical colleges, and student leaders. Medical Team-1 will be coordinated by JCD Vice-President Dr. Touhidur Rahman Awal. The team also includes central leaders and representatives from Dhaka Medical College, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Chattogram Medical College Chhatra Dal. Medical Team-2 will be coordinated by JCD Joint General Secretary Dr. A. S. M. Rakibul Islam Akand. It includes central leaders, physicians and representatives from private medical and dental college units of Chhatra Dal. The press release said the two teams will provide medical treatment, conduct health awareness activities and carry out humanitarian assistance in flood-affected areas. The statement, signed by JCD Office Secretary (with the status of Vice-President) Md. Jahangir Alam, said the organisation would continue its efforts to ensure necessary medical services for people affected by the disaster.

Welcoming deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Adviser of the Interim Government Dr Asif Nazrul said the interim government had formally requested India to send Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh. In a Facebook post on Saturday, he said that the current BNP-led government had also taken the same initiative. "The government says it wants to bring her to justice under the law. On the other hand, Sheikh Hasina has expressed her interest in returning to the country. If that is true, then why wait until December? Sheikh Hasina, you should return to the country now," he wrote. Asif said Hasina had many questions to answer before the people of Bangladesh and the courts. He referred to the deaths during the July uprising and raised questions over the BDR carnage, the Shapla Chattar crackdown, alleged extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, "Aynaghar," corruption, money laundering and the denial of voting rights during her rule. He also alleged that Hasina had sent all members of her family abroad before the July uprising, while many ordinary Awami League leaders and activists were now facing legal cases and uncertainty because of the actions of her government. "If you have truly decided to return to the country, do not delay any longer. Come back, face the law and present your position before the court," he said. "But if you do not have a realistic plan to return, then do not confuse or put the ordinary leaders and activists of your party at unnecessary risk by repeatedly announcing your return," he added.

A DESCO assistant lineman was electrocuted while disconnecting an illegal electricity connection at Korail slum in the capital's Banani area on Saturday. The deceased was identified as Haider Hossen, 35, son of Md Mohsin Forazi from Purbo Fulhar village in Rajapur upazila of Jhalakathi district. He lived with his family in Uttar Badda. Missing auto-rickshaw driver found dead in N’ganj Shukkur Gazi, the victim's brother-in-law, said both he and Haider worked for the Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO), Haider served there as an assistant lineman. Haider contacted a live wire around 2:30pm while he and some of his colleagues were conducting a drive to disconnect illegal electricity connections in Korail slum. His colleagues immediately rushed him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), where doctors declared him dead around 4:30pm, Shukkur added. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said the body had been kept at the hospital morgue and the matter had been reported to the concerned police station.

Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the third one-day international on Saturday, chasing down a target of 200 with 14 overs remaining at Harare Sports Club. Zimbabwe won the three-match series 2-1 after taking the opening two games. Tanzid Hasan made 94 from 101 balls and Soumya Sarkar scored 69 from 82 deliveries as the pair added 151 for the first wicket, Bangladesh's highest opening stand against Zimbabwe in ODIs. Soumya was bowled by Tanaka Chivanga in the 28th over with Bangladesh on 151. Tanzid fell six runs short of his first ODI century when he was caught attempting a six with Bangladesh needing three runs to win. Najmul Hossain Shanto finished unbeaten on 18 and completed the chase. Earlier, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 199 in 48.1 overs after Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and chose to field. The hosts slipped to 27 for 3 after Taskin Ahmed dismissed Brian Bennett and Shoriful Islam removed Ben Curran. Wessly Madhevere made 75 from 74 balls and added 51 with Innocent Kaia, who scored 25. Sikandar Raza was dismissed for 11 by Tanvir Islam, and Clive Madande followed soon after. Brad Evans top-scored for Zimbabwe with 50 from 43 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. Shoriful returned 4 for 44, Taskin took 2 for 32, and Tanvir finished with 2 for 37. Bangladesh had lost the first two ODIs before avoiding a series whitewash with the win. The teams will meet again in a three-match Twenty20 series starting on July 15.  

The Bangladesh Navy has extended humanitarian assistance to flood-affected and waterlogged residents in Chattogram, where incessant rainfall, upstream hill runoff and unusually high tides have disrupted normal life. Heavy rain, flash floods from upstream and tidal surges have caused severe flooding and waterlogging in different parts of the country, with thousands of people in low-lying areas of Chattogram remaining stranded. On Saturday, Bangladesh Navy personnel visited several flood-hit areas under Patenga Police Station, including Bijoy Nagar, Akmal Ali Road, New Mooring Madrasa, Narikel Tala and the Navy Hospital Gate area, to assess the overall situation.

Large swathes of the capital, including Moghbazar, Eskaton, and Banglamotor, suffered extensive power outages today after a fire broke out at an electrical substation near the FDC intersection. The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 PM on Saturday behind the Uttara Center building in the Tejgaon area. Upon receiving information about the blaze, three units from the Fire Service and Civil Defence station in Tejgaon rushed to the spot. Firefighters worked swiftly to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjacent structures. Lima Khanam, a duty officer at the Fire Service Central Control Room, confirmed the incident. The exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damages could not be determined immediately. The fire significantly disrupted the power grid distribution system, plunging major residential and commercial zones into darkness. Residents of Moghbazar, New Eskaton, and Banglamotor reported continuous power outages lasting over six hours following the mishap. Utility officials stated that emergency maintenance operations were quickly mobilized to isolate the damaged components and restore electricity to the affected areas sequentially.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to ensure proper treatment for a wild elephant, which was seriously injured after falling from a hill in Teknaf of Cox's Bazar. Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said the elephant fell from a hill about 300 feet high in the Naittongpara area of Teknaf after heavy rainfall triggered a landslide, leaving the animal with serious injuries to its hind legs, chest and abdomen. “The Prime Minister became concerned after learning about the incident. He instructed the authorities to ensure the elephant receives proper treatment and that all necessary measures are taken for its recovery,” he said. The accident occurred on Saturday in the Naittongpara area under Teknaf municipality and the Shiyalghona area of the Sadar Forest Beat. Rumon said he later enquired about the elephant's condition and was informed that officials of the local administration, the Forest Department and veterinarians from the Department of Livestock Services rushed to the scene and begun treatment. He said stitches have been given to the wounds on the elephant's legs and chest, while efforts involving the Forest Department, police and local administration are continuing to ensure its recovery.

Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier71 hosted the 11th session of its artist talk series, Cosmos Art Echo, on Saturday, featuring the artistic transformation of distinguished Bangladeshi artist, art educator, curator and researcher Bishwajit Goswami. The session, titled "Metamorphosis," was held at the Cosmos Atelier71 Studio at Cosmos Centre in Malibagh, bringing together artists, students, art educators and cultural enthusiasts for an in-depth discussion on transformation in artistic practice, cultural identity and contemporary visual language. Through his multidisciplinary and research-based practice, Bishwajit reflected on his lifelong artistic evolution, saying nothing had been able to stand in the way of his journey of transformation. Bishwajit Goswami’s practice centers on six foundational elements—Ma, Mati, Manush, Bhasha, Swadesh and Prokriti—representing mother, soil, people, language, motherland, and nature. Through multidisciplinary approaches, he investigates how these interconnected elements shape collective identity.  His practice emphasizes collaboration, site-responsive methodologies, and sustained dialogue with artisans and communities across local and international contexts. Both his artistic and curatorial works advocate shared authorship, repositioning traditional forms within contemporary frameworks through processes of exchange. Goswami said his creative practice is deeply rooted in nature, drawing inspiration from natural phenomena such as the tides, the roar of the sea and the first light of day entering his studio. Reflecting on his role as an educator at the Faculty of Fine Arts, he described teaching as a continuous learning process, saying the enthusiasm and energy of young students, including watching them paint on large canvases, remain one of his greatest sources of inspiration. He stressed that art should communicate with everyone- from rickshaw pullers to schoolchildren- and said he was proud that his wall-paintings were protected following the July movement because ordinary people felt connected to them. Speaking about his curatorial works, Bishwajit said he focused on presenting the richness and strength of Bangladeshi culture to international audiences, citing his work with the Victoria and Albert Museum as an example.

Prime Minister's Special Assistant for Health Affairs Dr Ziauddin Hyder said today that the government is set to introduce mental health screening into the country's healthcare system for the first time. He said the government aims to transform the country's healthcare system from a treatment-centred model to a preventive one. As part of this initiative, Primary Health Care Units will be established in every union and ward across the country, while the recruitment process for 100,000 health workers is currently underway. IEB seminar stresses importance of healthy lifestyle These health workers will visit every household once every two months to check blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and will also conduct mental health screenings. The government is also planning to train doctors at the upazila level in mental healthcare so they can identify mental health problems at an early stage. Dr Hyder made the remarks while addressing a day-long workshop titled "Mental Health First Aid" as the chief guest on Saturday at the seminar room of the Department of Pharmacy at Dhaka University. The workshop was organised by the GRIT Foundation. Speaking at the event, Dr Hyder said the true extent of mental health problems in Bangladesh remains largely unknown. Although surveys conducted in 2018 and 2019 highlighted the country's alarming mental health situation, social stigma surrounding mental illness continues to persist. "Being depressed or frustrated does not mean someone is mentally unstable. It is a common health condition, and we can overcome this challenge through collective efforts and by changing society's mindset," he said. He also expressed concern over the state of the country's education and healthcare systems, arguing that excessive academic pressure, uncertainty about the future, and increasing social isolation are worsening mental health problems among students. According to him, weakening family and social bonds in modern society have led to greater loneliness, which has become one of the major contributors to mental health issues. Highlighting the importance of sports and cultural activities in children's mental development, Dr Hyder said the government is planning to make sports a compulsory subject from Grade Three to create a more enjoyable learning environment. He added that greater emphasis will also be placed on involving children in music, cultural programmes, and other creative activities. Speaking as the chair of the programme, GRIT Foundation Chairperson and Member of Parliament Mahmuda Habiba said Bangladesh has fewer than 400 trained psychiatrists for a population of nearly 200 million, meaning there is only one psychiatrist for roughly every 700,000 people. She noted that producing a new specialist takes between five and seven years. Therefore, she stressed the need for six-month to one-year short-term training programmes to develop skilled personnel capable of providing primary mental healthcare services.

Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Faqir Mahbub Anam on Saturday said the government is giving the highest priority to developing an AI-skilled workforce, describing artificial intelligence as a key driver of the country's future economy, innovation and competitiveness. He made the remarks while inaugurating the Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory and AI Project Competition 2026 at Daffodil International University (DIU) in Birulia, Savar. Speaking at the event, the minister said AI is no longer just an emerging technology but has become a transformative force shaping education, healthcare, agriculture, industry, business and public administration. "Building a new Bangladesh requires sustained investment in research, innovation and the development of a highly skilled workforce," he said. He said university-based AI research laboratories can serve as centres of excellence by equipping students with advanced knowledge and practical skills, enabling them to conduct research, develop innovative prototypes and create industry-focused solutions. Highlighting the government's digital transformation agenda, the minister said continued investment in the ICT sector has laid a strong foundation for developing future-ready human resources through a range of initiatives. Referring to the government's long-term vision, Anam said Prime Minister Tareq Rahman considers young people the driving force behind tomorrow's Bangladesh. "Our goal is to create one million new jobs in the ICT sector over the next five years," he said, adding that AI will play a central role in achieving that target by driving economic growth, employment and innovation. The minister also announced that the government and the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology would support the most promising AI projects developed by DIU students through the ministry's Startup Fund and other relevant platforms. He said the government is also working to establish AI training centres across the country while expanding satellite-based internet connectivity to the grassroots to ensure wider access to digital services. The newly inaugurated AI Research Laboratory includes 25 NVIDIA DGX Spark workstations, along with five high-performance computers powered by RTX 3060 and RTX 4090 graphics processing units (GPUs). According to the university, the laboratory has appointed five full-time researchers who are working on AI-driven solutions to real-world challenges, including AI agents and product development. The research team has already developed platforms such as AI Professor, AI Proctor and AI Registrar, and is currently developing a Smart Classroom system. The minister later distributed prizes to 12 winning teams across six categories in the AI Project Competition 2026, where 145 student-developed AI projects were showcased. Dr Md Sabur Khan, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Daffodil International University chaired the session. Among those present were Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr S M R Kabir, Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Md Shams Iqbal, Head of the Department of Computing and Information Systems Prof Dr Md Sarwar Hossain Mollah, faculty members, students and invited guests.

A high-level delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow (July 12) on a crucial five-day visit.  The visit will focus on the feasibility and size of a new financial assistance package and evaluating vital macroeconomic structural reforms proposed by the government. The mission comes at a critical juncture as the newly formed government has practically moved away from the previous IMF facility and requested a fresh three-year loan program tailored to current macroeconomic realities. The primary goal of the tour is not to finalize a credit arrangement immediately, but rather to evaluate the current macroeconomic conditions, the government's policy priorities, and its capacity to execute necessary reforms. According to Ministry of Finance sources, the IMF delegation will hold a series of meetings with the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Bank, the National Revenue Board (NRB), and other relevant stakeholders. The team will review a broad spectrum of the economy, including the current status of Bangladesh's macroeconomic indicators. the roadmap for rebuilding the banking sector and curbing non-performing loans, progress in revenue collection and tax administration reforms, the position of the country's foreign exchange reserves and public debt management, and the structure and volume of the proposed new loan program. Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, former IMF official and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank, stated that the principal objective of this five-day visit is to physically evaluate the government’s sincerity and commitment toward implementing deep economic overhauls. He noted that several crucial reforms under the previous program stalled as they were left unimplemented. Consequently, if Bangladesh intends to secure a fresh IMF facility, the delegation will place utmost emphasis on the new strategic roadmap designed by the administration. Dr. Mansur highlighted that the overhauling of the NBR, eliminating vulnerabilities in the banking sector, and fully materializing a market-driven foreign exchange rate will dominate the discussions.  Furthermore, following the announcement of the national budget, the delegation will hold detailed talks on the financial viability and funding sources of the proposed 9th National Pay Scale. Ultimately, the IMF mission intends to gauge both the administrative and political readiness of the state to handle structural adjustive measures in the days ahead.

At least five people were killed and several others injured after a bus crashed into a broken-down pick-up van on the Dhaka-Khulna highway in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur on Saturday night. The identities of the deceased could not be confirmed immediately, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bhanga Highway Police Station Helal Uddin. The accident occurred around 8pm in the Swadi area when a Khulna-bound Narail Express bus from Dhaka rammed the stationary pick-up van, leaving five people dead on the spot, the OC said. Following the accident, angry locals seized the bus and set it on fire. On information, members of the Highway Police and Fire Service, along with local residents, rushed to the spot, rescued the injured and took them to Bhanga Upazila Health Complex. "Initially, we have confirmed the deaths of five people. We are investigating the exact cause of the accident," said the OC. The accident disrupted traffic on the highway for some time. Police later worked to restore traffic movement.

BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday evening chaired a meeting of the party's highest policy-making body, the National Standing Committee, to discuss the country’s flood situation. The meeting began around 8:00pm at the BNP Chairman’s Gulshan political office, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku and Selima Rahman were present at the meeting, which was presided over by Tarique Rahman.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday assured doctors and medical students that his government will work to address long-standing challenges in the healthcare sector after they placed a series of proposals before him at the 80th anniversary programme of Dhaka Medical College (DMC). The proposals included raising the retirement age for government doctors, modernising the MBBS curriculum, improving internship training, introducing a national referral system, reducing class sizes, expanding clinical training opportunities, rebuilding the ageing DMC hospital, and strengthening healthcare services across the country. Speaking at a discussion titled "Ideas of Present and Former DMC Students on Modernising Bangladesh's Healthcare System," the Prime Minister said many of the solutions should come from the medical community itself. Responding to a proposal to improve internship training, he asked why interns are not getting enough practical opportunities. When a student said the large number of postgraduate trainees often limited interns' hands-on experience, Tarique Rahman asked, "What is the solution?" After the student suggested that hospital authorities should give interns more opportunities, he replied, "The solution is already with you. You have to sit together and find it." On the issue of strengthening healthcare outside major cities, the Prime Minister said the government is already working to improve upazila hospitals by increasing the number of beds from 50 to 100 over the next five years. When a doctor said patients from villages are coming directly to Dhaka Medical College Hospital as there is no proper referral system, he said, "If we can go to villages seeking votes, why cannot doctors go there to provide treatment?" Tarique Rahman stressed that better healthcare services at the grassroots will reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals. He also reminded doctors of their responsibilities towards patients. "When I come to you as a sick person, you become my closest friend. That carries a great responsibility," he said, adding: "We sometimes see things that cause us pain. We hope those negative experiences will gradually disappear." Earlier, former DMC student and Mymensingh-7 MP Dr Mahbubur Rahman Liton urged the government to increase the retirement age for government doctors. "In countries like the UK, doctors retire at 65 or 67. Here we retire at 59. Fifty-nine is no age now because life expectancy has increased. "I think the retirement age for doctors should be reconsidered so they can continue serving people." Liton also praised the government's health initiatives and expressed confidence that the sector will see major improvements. During the discussion, the Prime Minister made a light-hearted remark that drew laughter and applause from the audience. After Liton said the Prime Minister had a clear vision for the health sector, Tarique smiled and said, "You said I have health in my mind. Health is not what is in my mind. She is," pointing to his wife, cardiologist Dr Zubaida Rahman, who was seated beside him. The audience responded with loud applause, while Liton replied, "We are really proud." Current DMC students also presented a number of proposals. Student Sadia Tasnim called for the construction of a new hospital building, saying the existing structure, built in 1904, was no longer suitable for modern healthcare. She also proposed reducing annual student intake to improve clinical training and suggested reforming the medical admission examination. Another student, Zohayer Islam, proposed replacing the existing subject-based MBBS curriculum with an integrated module-based system followed in many developed countries. He also requested two weekly holidays for medical students to reduce academic pressure and improve mental health. The Prime Minister replied that doctors in the audience should consider the issue, adding with a smile, "I also work seven days a week." Resident Surgeon Dr Mir Rashek Alam Abhi highlighted the severe pressure on doctors at the DMCH, saying five medical officers often had to treat more than 400 outdoor patients in a day, leaving less than five minutes for each patient. He argued that introducing an effective national referral system will ease the burden on tertiary hospitals. Other speakers included former students, doctors and researchers, who discussed ways to modernise Bangladesh's healthcare system. The programme was held at Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon Auditorium as part of the college's 80th founding anniversary celebrations. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the programme as the chief guest, while his wife Zubaida Rahman, a member of DMC's 43rd batch, joined as the special guest.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam on Saturday stressed the need to ensure engineers play an active role in every stage of development projects, from planning and design to implementation, saying technical decisions should remain in the hands of engineering professionals. He said engineering-related institutions should ensure the appointment of qualified engineers, arguing that greater professional involvement would improve the quality of development projects, ensure proper use of public funds and support sustainable national development. The state minister made the remarks while inaugurating a seminar titled "Inauguration of APMCE2026 & Success and Failure of Projects from Project Management Viewpoint: Bangladesh and International Context" at the Council Hall of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) headquarters in Ramna. The seminar was organised by the IEB Civil Engineering Division. Mir Shahe Alam said research findings could play an effective role in government policymaking and development planning, calling for stronger government support to implement research-based recommendations. Expressing concern over the growing tendency of engineering graduates to pursue administrative careers instead of engineering, he said the country was losing skilled engineers despite the significant time and public investment required to produce them. He also emphasised the importance of adopting long-term planning while preparing development project proposals (DPPs), taking into account feasibility, maintenance, environmental impact and future needs. Referring to the DPP approval process, the state minister said project proposals prepared by engineers are often returned by the Planning Commission for revision through individuals who are not engineering professionals, resulting in inadequate assessment of technical realities. He stressed the need for greater participation of engineers in the Planning Commission to ensure technically sound project evaluation. Highlighting the contribution of engineers, he said their achievements in infrastructure development, industrialisation, power, transport, information technology and economic growth often receive less attention than isolated project failures. Addressing architects, Mir Shahe Alam urged them to prioritise natural light and ventilation in building designs to reduce electricity consumption and promote environmentally friendly and healthy buildings. Speaking as special guest, Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Iqbal said development projects should be guided by long-term planning rather than short-term thinking. He said project sustainability, maintenance, economic viability, environmental impact and the needs of future generations must all be considered alongside construction. Iqbal said the joint initiative by IEB and DUET would contribute to research, knowledge sharing and the formulation of effective national development policies, while also strengthening collaboration between academia and industry. In his welcome address, IEB Honorary General Secretary Prof Dr Engr Md Sabbir Mostafa Khan said most buildings in Bangladesh are still not constructed according to modern earthquake-resistant standards. As Bangladesh is located in an earthquake-prone region, he stressed the need to prioritise earthquake-resilient technologies in future infrastructure projects and suggested learning from Japan's experience and expertise. He also recommended developing small-scale, demand-based local water supply systems alongside centralised water supply networks. In addition, he said new roads should be planned with a minimum of four lanes to accommodate future traffic growth and urbanisation, reducing the need for repeated road widening and saving public resources. The keynote paper was presented by Executive Engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and Chairman of the IEB Civil Engineering Division Engr Muhammad Shafiqul Islam (Khoka). Among others, IEB President and RAJUK Chairman Engr Mohammad Riajul Islam (Riju) and DUET Civil Engineering Department Head Prof Dr Engr Md Abu Tayeb attended the seminar as special guests. The session was chaired by Engr Md Ainul Kabir, Vice-Chairman of the IEB Civil Engineering Division, and moderated by the division's Secretary Engr Nesar Uddin. Engineers from government and private organisations, IEB council members and representatives from various engineering chapters also attended the event.

FIFA has begun selling pieces of the pitch that will be used in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, offering fans a chance to own a souvenir from the tournament for $450 per piece. The collectible, available through FIFA's official online store, contains an authentic fragment of the grass from the July 19 final, preserved in premium acrylic and accompanied by a USB keepsake. According to FIFA, each turf segment measures 17.5 by 17.5 by 17.5, although the governing body has not specified whether the measurements are in inches, centimetres or millimetres. Promoting the item, FIFA described it as a unique collectible celebrating one of football's biggest events. The organisation said the acrylic display includes an authenticity film and is packaged in a premium presentation box designed for collectors and football enthusiasts. Orders will be shipped only after the World Cup final, and delivery is currently limited to addresses in the United States and Europe. The sale comes as FIFA has faced criticism over the high cost of tickets for the expanded World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. MetLife Stadium, the venue for the final, has also drawn criticism from players and coaches over the quality of its playing surface. The stadium normally uses artificial turf for NFL games involving the New York Giants and New York Jets. FIFA is also selling standard tickets for the World Cup final for as much as $32,970, while hospitality packages that include food and beverages are priced at $34,500 and $32,500.

United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Representative and Country Director in Bangladesh Coco Ushiyama on Saturday said climate shocks are becoming more frequent and more intense in Bangladesh, making early action more important than ever. "By delivering assistance before families are hit by the worst impacts of flooding, we help them protect their food security, livelihoods and assets. At the same time, by strengthening and leveraging national social protection systems, we can support vulnerable people at scale when crises strike," Ushiyama said. Bangladesh is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, said the WFP. Increasingly frequent and severe floods threaten lives, livelihoods and food security, particularly in disaster-prone areas such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday urged the government to honour its promises to the people, warning that otherwise it would be compelled to implement the referendum verdict. "Do not become a national traitor. Fulfil the promises made to the people and implement the referendum verdict," he said while addressing an 11-party alliance rally at the Rangpur District School Ground. Jamaat Ameer alleges conspiracy involving interim govt to defeat 11 parties in last election The rally was organised to press for the implementation of the Teesta Master Plan, effective steps to implement the referendum verdict, an end to border killings and push-ins, and measures to ease public suffering. Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said attempts were being made to divert public attention from the demand to implement the referendum verdict. "Many things are being said to distract us from the demand for implementing the referendum verdict in different ways. But we cannot betray the nation. We have promised the people that we will continue our struggle and ensure the implementation of the referendum verdict, InshaAllah," he said. "We will not move an inch from this position. I am reaffirming this commitment here in Rangpur, the land soaked in the blood of Abu Sayed," he added. Shafiqur said the country's youth had fought against inequality and corrupt politics to build a new Bangladesh. He claimed the referendum was held to bring about reforms. He alleged that the current Prime Minister had pledged to vote for both his party and the referendum but had fulfilled only the first promise. Referring to the Teesta issue, Shafiqur said the ruling party had earlier launched the "Jago Bahe Teesta Bachao" movement before the election, but no allocation had been made for the Teesta project in the current budget. "We do not want empty words. We want practical action. If this government fails, the 11-party alliance, with the support and votes of the people, will form the government in the future and implement the Teesta project, InshaAllah," he said. Speaking about the border situation, the Jamaat chief alleged that India was creating tension along the border while the government remained silent. "The people are not only protesting, they are also standing beside BGB personnel to resist such actions. We salute these brave people," he said. He criticised the government's silence over the issue and urged it to reflect the aspirations of the people instead of acting to please others. Reiterating his demand, Shafiqur said there should be no further delay in implementing the Teesta project. NCP Convener Nahid Islam said the government would fail to secure international support if it failed to maintain national unity and honour the commitments made after the mass uprising. "If there is no national unity in the country, the government will not receive support from any country in the world. The IMF has already told them it will not provide any more loans. No country will cooperate with them if they betray the spirit of the mass uprising and the reform process," he said. Nahid claimed that the mass uprising, the referendum, the reform agenda and the July Charter had created the political environment that brought the BNP to power. He alleged that the BNP had since gone back on its commitments. "The BNP has betrayed the referendum, the 31-point reform proposal, the July Charter and democracy," he said. Leaders of the alliance components also spoke at the rally with Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam in the chair.

Lamine Yamal thinks France should be afraid of Spain with the European giants headed to a World Cup semifinal showdown on Tuesday. “I believe if France has to fear anyone, it should be us, in my opinion," the teenage sensation told broadcast reporters after Spain beat Belgium 2-1 on Friday to secure its first semifinal berth since 2010. "We were the ones who knocked them out before.” Spain beat France in the 2024 European Championship semifinals and again in Nations League play last year. Yamal became the youngest player to score in the continental competition. The powerhouses meet again at the home stadium of the Dallas Cowboys next week for a spot in the final. “We don’t fear anyone,” said Yamal, who was named the man of the match against Belgium. "It’s clear that we are two great teams, world-class national teams, and for me they are one of the best. We’ll see what happens.” Spain advanced on a winning goal by substitute Mikel Merino in the 88th minute of the quarterfinals at SoFi Stadium. La Roja conceded its only goal of the entire World Cup late in the first half against Belgium, while France has piled up 16 goals in its six World Cup matches. France has made the past two World Cup finals, winning it all in 2018. Spain has made only one World Cup final in its history, but the current team is unbeaten in 37 consecutive competitive matches since March 2023 — a stretch that also includes a loss on penalties to Portugal in the Nations League final last year. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has been asked by the international media about this potential showdown with France throughout the tournament, but particularly since the start of the knockout rounds two weeks ago. He has been uniformly complimentary of Les Bleus while echoing his own players' confidence. “Let me be clear: We are not finished,” de la Fuente said. “We are pleased to be in the semifinals, but we want more. ... We are capable of winning this game, and not just now, but I would have said this a few weeks ago as well." Yamal, who turns 19 on Monday, has only one goal and no assists while putting 10 shots on target in his first World Cup, but his playmaking and activity down the right side of Spain's attack have been noticeable in almost every match. He started the sequence that led to Spain's first goal against Belgium in a two-man game with Pedro Porro, eventually leading to Fabián Ruiz's rebound goal off Dani Olmo's shot. Yamal said his modest statistics don't bother him, noting that he also scored only one goal (with four assists) while Spain won the European Championship two years ago. Although Spain needed a late goal from Merino to win for the second straight match, Yamal believes his team is ready for the challenge of the World Cup's dominant team so far. Yamal cited Spain's acumen in ball possession — a stat they've repeatedly dominated during this World Cup — as a way to take France out of its preferred style of play. “I think we were much better, (than Belgium)," Yamal said. "It seems like we’re playing very beautiful football, but in reality, there isn’t a team that plays against us on equal footing. Everyone drops back, and that makes it more difficult. Nobody has gone toe-to-toe with us. But in the end, we secured the win.”

The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh (NHFB) on Saturday welcomed the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection's (DNCRP) decision to declare its headquarters and all divisional and district offices across the country as smoke- and tobacco-free, describing the move as a significant step towards protecting public health and preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NHFB President Professor Khondker Abdul Awal Rizvi said ensuring a 100 per cent smoke-free environment in government institutions is essential for safeguarding public health and reducing the burden of NCDs. "The initiative taken by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection sets a positive example for implementing the amended tobacco control law. We hope that other government and private institutions will follow this initiative and take effective measures to establish completely smoke- and tobacco-free workplaces," he said. In a press release, the NHFB said the DNCRP issued an office order on July 2 under the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026, prohibiting smoking and the use of all tobacco products within the premises of its headquarters and all divisional and district offices. The order also instructed all offices to install clearly visible signs declaring their premises as "Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Areas". According to the release, the Tobacco Control Programme of the National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute, in collaboration with the DNCRP, organised a discussion on June 28 titled, "Measures to Ensure a 100 Per Cent Smoke-Free Environment in the Offices of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection in Line with the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026." Participants at the meeting discussed issuing an official order declaring all DNCRP offices completely smoke- and tobacco-free as part of implementing the amended tobacco control law. The NHFB said the subsequent issuance of the office order fulfilled the commitment made during the discussion. The foundation noted that the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026 prohibits smoking and the use of tobacco products in all public places and public transport, whether motorised or non-motorised. The amended law also expands the definition of public places to include government offices, workplace premises, building verandas, entrances and exits, and adjacent open spaces. In addition, Section 6B of the amended law bans the sale of tobacco and tobacco products within 100 metres of educational institutions, hospitals, clinics, sports venues and children's parks, a measure aimed at reducing children's and young people's access to tobacco products, the release added.

Several HSC examinees allegedly vandalised an examination centre and clashed with authorities at a women's college in Char Fasson upazila of Bhola on Saturday after claiming the ICT examination was difficult and accusing invigilators of not providing assistance. Police fired several rounds of tear gas to disperse the agitating students after the incident at Fatema Matin Women's College, leaving at least five to seven people, including the governing body president and teachers, injured, according to college authorities. Mahiuddin Bacchu, acting principal of the college and acting officer of the examination centre management committee, said 884 students sat for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) examination. He said that shortly after the exam ended around 1:15 pm, more than 200 examinees gathered at the college's main gate, chanted slogans and threw eggs inside the campus before breaking open two gates on the northwestern side. The students then entered the premises and vandalised windowpanes of the principal's office from the rear side of the building, creating panic among teachers and staff, he said. Police later brought the situation under control by firing tear gas shells. Local BNP leaders and activists also assisted the administration in restoring order, Bacchu said. He added that the answer scripts were later transported safely to the post office with the assistance of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO). Witnesses said many students became frustrated because the ICT question paper was difficult and they allegedly did not receive any assistance from invigilators during the examination. After the exam, they staged the protest, damaged two college gates and vandalised parts of the academic building. Officer-in-Charge of Char Fasson Police Station Farid Al Bhuiyan said police intervened after receiving information and brought the situation under control. "Legal action will be taken if a formal complaint is filed," he said. Char Fasson UNO Rumana Afroze said the students became agitated after finding the question paper difficult and alleging a lack of cooperation from teachers during the examination. "The students created an untoward situation after the exam.

Road communication between Rangamati and Bandarban has been suspended after a bridge collapsed under the impact of strong currents caused by heavy rainfall and flash floods from upstream, officials and locals said on Saturday. Days of torrential rain and hill runoff first breached the embankment of a rubber dam in the Dudhpukuria area of Sukhbilash under Padua union in Rangunia upazila of Chattogram, inundating vast surrounding areas and causing widespread suffering. Bandarban tourist spots closed until July 15 On Friday night the heavy flow of water severely damaged the important Bridgeghat Bridge on the Rangamati-Bandarban road before it eventually collapsed, bringing all vehicular movement on the route to a halt from Saturday morning. Liton Das, general secretary of the Bangalhalia CNG Association, and local CNG drivers Nunu Badsha and Manik said water levels in nearby streams and rivers had risen abnormally due to continuous rainfall over the past few days. They said the collapse of the rubber dam embankment at Dudhpukuria unleashed a powerful current that washed away the Bridgeghat Bridge, cutting off road communication. Local residents Md Tushar and Md Tipu said similar situations occur almost every monsoon because of hill runoff, but the absence of permanent protective measures continues to cause severe hardship. They urged the authorities to reconstruct the damaged embankment and either repair or rebuild the collapsed bridge as soon as possible. Sakhawat Hossain, executive engineer of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) in Bandarban, confirmed that the bridge collapsed after the rubber dam embankment gave way under the pressure of floodwaters. He said an RHD team with necessary equipment is ready to restore communication, but they have been unable to reach the site as sections of the road in the Balaghata and Swarnamandir areas remain submerged.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to formally inaugurate and attend as chief guest the ‘Youth, Startups and Bangladesh’s potential’ event at Dhaka University on July 14. DU, in collaboration with the government's ICT Division, will host the program aimed at integrating young people's innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial potential into the country's national development agenda, according to a press release from the university. The event will begin at 9:30 am at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of the university. Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam, and the Prime Minister's Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad will attend as special guests. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam will deliver the vote of thanks. Acting Secretary of the ICT Division Md. Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan will present the opening remarks, while Prof. Dr. Md. Morshed Hasan Khan of the university's Marketing Department, a member of the event management committee, will deliver the welcome address. The programme will be open to the public from 1:00 pm following the inaugural session. The inaugural session will feature a presentation on Bangladesh's startup ecosystem, experience-sharing by successful startup founders, an open discussion between the prime minister and students on entrepreneurship, and the distribution of grant cheques to selected startups. One of the programme's key highlights will be the launch of the ‘National Startup and Entrepreneur Platform,’ a digital one-stop portal designed to serve as a national launchpad for entrepreneurs. According to the organisers, the platform will enable entrepreneurs to access information on government support schemes, application procedures, training, mentoring, investment opportunities, partner organizations and other relevant services through a single digital interface. The organizers said the ICT Division has been implementing various programmes to transform young people's innovative ideas into viable businesses, promote technology-driven employment, encourage research and innovation, and build a knowledge-based economy. The government is also working to establish an integrated startup ecosystem by providing support throughout an entrepreneur's journey--from idea development and grants to mentoring, training, financing, investment connections and business expansion. “As part of its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, the government's 2026 election manifesto has identified startup and entrepreneur development as a national priority for boosting economic growth, employment and technological transformation. A Tk 500 crore Startup Fund has already been established to finance and nurture promising startups,” the press release added.

Authorities in the Zhejiang province have evacuated more than 1.7 million people as of Saturday morning, the official Xinhua News Agency said. Shanghai, also on China’s eastern coast, relocated around 34,000 residents from high-risk areas by Saturday noon, according to Xinhua. In southeastern China, cities near the coast are preparing for the impacts of Bavi. In the city of Ningde in Fujian province, more than 3,700 people were relocated from high-risk onshore areas as of Friday evening, Xinhua said. Authorities in Fujian province have placed over 17,000 emergency rescue workers on standby. China’s National Meteorological Center issued an orange typhoon alert, the second-highest on a four-tier level, with many schools and ferry services suspended. Hundreds of flights have been canceled, and some high-speed railway services halted. The center on Saturday also issued the first red alert for rainstorms of the year, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Chinese authorities said Saturday they have allocated 40 million yuan ($5.9 million) in central natural disaster relief funds to support Zhejiang and Fujian provinces’ typhoon prevention and emergency rescue and relief efforts.

Businessmen from Dhaka’s Dhanmondi-Mohammadpur area on Saturday called for reducing the cost of doing business, automating trade licence and other government services, lowering bank interest rates, simplifying the letter of credit (LC) opening process, and improving the overall law-and-order situation to help the economy withstand global trade volatility and domestic challenges. The demands came at an exchange of views meeting titled ‘Improving Overall Local Business and Investment Environment,’ organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at its New Dhanmondi Convention Hall to identify problems faced by businesses in the area and chart a way forward. Leaders of 15 associations and representatives of around 100 business organisations from the locality attended. DCCI flags policy rate-budget mismatch, calls for fiscal-monetary coordination In his welcome address, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said businessmen make a huge contribution to the economy, yet administrative complexities, ambiguity over tax and VAT, and the law-and-order situation remain major obstacles for them. He added that rising transport costs due to the energy and power crisis, along with the decision to keep shopping malls and shops closed after 7pm, are alarmingly reducing traders' sales and turnover, hurting overall business. Taskeen noted that the recently announced national budget carries positive signals for businesses, including treating source tax as advance tax, reducing source tax on industrial raw material imports, allocating Tk 500 crore for the CMSME sector, and announcing a stable tax structure for five years. However, he said the large revenue collection target and the government's reliance on bank borrowing to meet the budget deficit are squeezing credit flow to the private sector, which he described as a concern for the investment climate. Dhaka South City Corporation’s Chief Revenue Officer Jonayed Kabir Sohag said a zero-tolerance policy has been adopted to reduce public harassment in obtaining trade licences and other city corporation services, which will cut waste of both time and money. He said, based on a DCCI proposal, the city corporation plans to soon organise a trade licence renewal week at the chamber to make business operations easier for entrepreneurs, while urging city dwellers to pay holding tax and other corporation fees on time. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Deputy Commissioner Md Tareq Zubair said entrepreneurs are working tirelessly to keep the wheels of the economy turning, and this momentum must not be allowed to break. He said police are continuing to arrest identified extortionists to prevent harassment through extortion. He also said the use of artificial intelligence technology on several city roads to ease traffic congestion has brought relief to residents, and police are actively considering a “Smart Policing-Smart City” project to expand such technology across Dhaka. Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate Dhaka (West) Additional Commissioner Nirjhar Ahmed said global supply chain instability and gaps in local entrepreneurs' capacity have somewhat slowed business and investment in the country, but the initiative to allow VAT returns every three months will help businesses build up capital. He urged entrepreneurs to adopt advanced technology. NBR Second Secretary (Tax Policy) Nusrat Farzana said both tax collection and tax incentives are equally important for the government, and the NBR is working continuously to balance the two while easing business operations. She said the recently passed Finance Act 2026 includes several measures to simplify business processes, the benefits of which entrepreneurs will soon enjoy. She added that a recent NBR circular has granted conditional tax exemption to the renewable energy generation sector until 2035, and urged entrepreneurs to invest in the sector. Bangladesh Bank Director (Foreign Exchange Investment Policy Department) Mahmudun Nabi said the US dollar and reserve crisis is prolonging the LC completion process for local businessmen, while the high rate of defaulted loans is preventing a reduction in bank lending rates, raising businesses' operating costs. He proposed effective negotiations with international shipping companies to help cut import costs. During the open discussion, businessmen called for policies to ease import of equipment used in the eyewear sector, lower tax rates on signing money in the real estate sector, and formulate policies for freelance promoters and digital marketing. They also sought regular transport of container wagons from the port to Dhaka ICD with faster clearance, a simplified and cooperative LC opening process for new entrepreneurs, easier incentives for women entrepreneurs, and a simplified trade licence process with the renewal period extended from one year to five years. At the end of the programme, 39 organisations were granted DCCI membership, with DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed handing over membership certificates to their representatives.

A couple were killed after a covered van hit them while they were crossing the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur on Saturday. The deceased were identified as Rakib Hasan, 35, son of Sekandar Ali Bepari of Uttar Ranipur village under Pirojpur Sadar upazila, and his wife Bithi Akter, 30. Rakib worked in the Human Resources Department of Denimac Garments Ltd in the Gorgoria Masterbari area of Sreepur municipality. The couple is survived by their nine-month-old child. Kamruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Maona Highway Police Station, said the couple was crossing the highway in the Beraiderchala area of Sreepur around noon when an unidentified covered van travelling towards Mymensingh hit them. Bithi died on the spot, while critically injured Rakib was taken to Sreepur Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead, the OC said.

Water levels in several rivers across Sylhet increased at four monitoring points on Saturday following days of continuous rainfall and upstream inflows, although authorities said the overall flood situation remains under close watch. According to the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), the water level of the Surma River at the Sylhet monitoring station rose from 9.78 metres at 6 am to 9.80 metres by 3pm on Saturday. However, the river's water level at the Kanaighat point fell by 0.05 metre during the same period. Embankments in Khulna's Batiaghata face breach risk amid rising water levels The Kushiyara River also recorded a slight rise at the Fenchuganj station, increasing from 9.66 metres at 6am to 9.69 metres at 3pm. Water levels at the river's Amalshid, Sheola and Sherpur points, however, showed a declining trend. Meanwhile, water levels also increased slightly at two other monitoring stations. The Sari-Gowain River at Gowainghat rose from 9.77 metres in the morning to 9.82 metres in the afternoon, while the Dhalai River at Islampur increased from 9.45 metres to 9.55 metres over the same period. Despite a reduction in rainfall, the BWDB said the risk of flooding has not yet subsided. BWDB Sylhet Executive Engineer Dipak Ranjan Das said there had been little rainfall in Sylhet since Saturday morning and upstream inflows had also eased. "As a result, water levels have fallen at some points while rising by three to five centimetres at others. However, river levels may increase again if rainfall and upstream flows intensify," he said. Assistant Meteorologist Rudra Talukdar of the Sylhet Meteorological Office said the district recorded 65.2 millimetres of rainfall in the 24 hours from 6am Friday to 6am Saturday. He added that intermittent rainfall is likely to continue in Sylhet for at least the next two days.

A Bangladeshi youth was shot dead by Indian Khasi men after crossing the border into India's Meghalaya state near the Sylhet frontier early Friday. The deceased was identified as Minhaj Uddin, 25, son of Komor Uddin of Bhadeshwar village in West Jaflong Union under Gowainghat upazila. According to local sources, Minhaj crossed the Sonarhat-Lakhat border at around 3 am and entered an area near Lakhat Station in the Indian state of Meghalaya. He was shot by Indian Khasi men. His companions brought him back to Bangladesh in critical condition, but he died on the way to hospital. Local Union Parishad member Kamal Uddin visited the victim's home after being informed of the incident and notified police and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). However, it could not be immediately confirmed why Minhaj had crossed the border. Lieutenant Colonel Md Nazmul Haque, commanding officer of Sylhet Battalion (48 BGB), told reporters that Minhaj had entered about one kilometre inside Indian territory, where he was shot by Khasi men. "He was brought back to Bangladesh by his companions in a critical condition and died on the way to hospital," he said. The BGB has intensified patrols and surveillance along the border following the incident, while an inquiry is underway, he added. Gowainghat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Omar Faruk said police could not immediately verify whether he had been shot by Khasi men. "The body was recovered from his home. It has been sent to Osmani Medical College Hospital morgue for an autopsy after completion of the inquest," the OC said.

A woman who escaped from police custody by breaking the grill of a temporary holding room at Madaripur Sadar Model Police Station has been rearrested from Keraniganj in Dhaka on Saturday. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Madaripur Sadar Model Police Station Abul Kalam Azad confirmed the arrest at noon. Husband arrested after woman found dead in Khilgaon house The woman, identified as Hasina Begum, 35, is the daughter of Habi Hawlader of Thantali area under Madaripur municipality and the wife of Al-Amin of Kalaimara village in Jhaudi Union of Madaripur Sadar upazila. According to police, Hasina was detained on Thursday night by Sub-Inspector (SI) Moksedur Rahman of Iterpul Police Outpost on allegations of involvement in immoral activities. She was later handed over to Madaripur Sadar Model Police Station. As the main police station building is currently under construction, police operations are being conducted from the ground floor of the OC's official residence. Since there is no designated lock-up at the temporary facility, Hasina was kept under police custody in a room on the veranda. At around 1:30 am, she broke the room's iron grill and escaped. Following the escape, the duty officer, Ramzan Ali Sajal, and a constable on duty were withdrawn on Friday and attached to the police lines. OC Abul Kalam Azad said that, on the instructions of Superintendent of Police Md Habibur Rahman, a three-member inquiry committee headed by Additional Superintendent of Police Fariha Rafik Bhabna was formed on Friday night to investigate the incident. The committee has been asked to submit its report within three working days. Police later launched a drive and rearrested Hasina from a house in the Keraniganj area of Dhaka on Friday night. She was produced before a court on Saturday afternoon and subsequently sent to jail, the OC added.

In a major move to curb irregularities in foreign exchange operations and stamp out illicit financial flows, Bangladesh Bank (BB) has launched a comprehensive special inspection targeting some commercial banks, central bank sources revealed. The central bank has formed six separate inspection teams to intensely scrutinize the treasury and information technology (IT) divisions of the selected commercial institutions. The banks currently under oversight are state-owned Sonali Bank, Janata Bank, and Agrani Bank, alongside private sector lenders BRAC Bank, Prime Bank, and HSBC Bangladesh. The regulatory intervention follows recent allegations of foreign payment discrepancies at a state-owned commercial bank. Central bank investigators discovered instances where foreign currency payments were dispatched to clients through overseas "Nostra accounts," but the corresponding domestic liabilities or loans were suspiciously omitted from the banks' internal ledger records. To ascertain the depth of this systemic vulnerability, Bangladesh Bank is auditing Nostra account balances, transactional deposits, foreign outbound transmissions, and swift settlements. Investigators are cross-checking all suspicious high-value international transactions to see if standard protocols were bypassed to harbor covert loan facilities. Moving forward, Bangladesh Bank has affirmed that it will aggressively continue unexpected, sudden visits to the Nostra accounts and monitor the foreign currency transmission frameworks of commercial banks. The central bank views these unannounced, real-time interventions as critical to tightening corporate governance and detecting trade-based money laundering or capital flight before the funds disappear into foreign jurisdictions. Commenting on the development, a senior executive from a private bank under inspection noted that while the central bank possesses full authority to conduct sudden audits at any given time, the lack of immediate loan creation following a Nostra account payout is highly irregular under standard operating practices, warranting a deeper and strict administrative probe.

The government is working with the highest level of commitment and responsibility under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's directives to ensure rescue, relief and rehabilitation for flood-affected people across the country, Prime Minister's Adviser and PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Saturday. Briefing reporters at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), he said the Prime Minister has been monitoring the flood situation round the clock and coordinating the government's response through officials at both the national and local levels. Mahdi Amin said heavy rainfall has triggered floods, landslides and waterlogging in different parts of the country, with Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban suffering the worst. He said the Prime Minister on Friday spoke with divisional commissioners, deputy inspectors general of police, deputy commissioners, police supers, civil surgeons and fire service officials in the five worst-hit districts and instructed them to remain beside the affected people and ensure effective rescue and relief operations. The PMO spokesperson said Tarique Rahman is also scheduled to meet all divisional commissioners on Sunday to review the situation and provide further directives. He said a coordinated government response has already been launched, involving officials from the upazila to the national level. Following the Prime Minister's instructions, State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit is now in Chattogram to supervise relief operations, while local MPs and political leaders are working alongside the administration in the affected areas, Mahdi Amin said. He also said as BNP chairman, Tarique Rahman has instructed party leaders and activists, including those from Jatiyatbadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal, to take part in rescue and relief work, and they are already active on the ground. The adviser said the Prime Minister has approved emergency financial assistance of more than Tk 2 crore, while efforts are continuing to distribute rice and relief materials to affected families. Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations in the flood-hit districts of Chattogram division have also been postponed. He said the Bangladesh Coast Guard has been deployed in coastal areas, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in border regions and the Army where required. Medical teams have also been mobilised with medicines and vaccines to deal with water-borne diseases and snake bites. Mahdi Amin said the government has instructed Local Government Engineering Department and the Roads and Highways Department to prepare for repairing damaged roads and railways once floodwaters recede. He said work has also begun to compensate affected households, farmers, fish growers and livestock owners, while a food-friendly programme will be launched soon. More than 1,000 shelters are currently operating with food, drinking water and sanitation facilities, the PMO spokesperson said, adding that efforts are underway to restore communication in areas where mobile networks have been disrupted. "The Prime Minister has directed us to work simultaneously on rescue, relief and rehabilitation. During this disaster, everyone must stand united," he said. Mahdi Amin expressed hope that government's coordinated efforts will help ease the suffering of flood victims and ensure they receive the support they need as quickly as possible.

Four people, including a woman, crossed into Bangladesh through the Dainur border in Dinajpur Sadar early Saturday and are currently stranded in the no-man's land after being intercepted by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). The four individuals, who claim to be Bangladeshi nationals, have been identified as Gani Molla, 35, son of the late Torab Molla of Panch Kamne village in Kalia upazila of Narail district; Babul Molla, 50, son of Masud Molla of Karikar Para in Khulna Sadar; his wife Sukhi Molla, 35; and their 15-year-old son Mohammad Jihad Molla. Local residents said the group originally consisted of around 10 to 15 people. However, the others reportedly returned to India after sensing the situation. Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Arif-Uz-Zaman Arif, commanding officer of BGB-29 Battalion, said the incident was not a push-in. "Four people crossed the border at around 5:45am. They could not enter Bangladesh by evading BGB patrols and are now stranded in the zero line between the two countries," he said. The BGB has not yet been able to verify the nationality of the four individuals, the official added.

Bangladesh is projected to face the highest average inflation rate among South Asian nations in the current fiscal year, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In its latest Asian Development Outlook (ADO) July update, the Manila-based multilateral lender predicted that Bangladesh's average inflation could hit 8.8 percent, outpacing regional peers including India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. ADB projects Bangladesh’s GDP growth at 4.5 percent in FY2027 amid high inflation According to the ADB, the stubborn inflationary pressure in Bangladesh is heavily linked to the domestic tariff revisions of energy resources. The report pointed out that recent price adjustments of petroleum, gas, and electricity continue to exert a ripple effect across transport networks, utility services, and volatile consumer goods prices. Consequently, these structural adjustments are significantly slowing down the pace of cooling inflation in the country. While neighboring South Asian countries like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka successfully managed to rein in the historic inflation spikes triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war, Bangladesh has struggled to replicate that downward trajectory. The ADB's grim forecast aligns with the latest domestic data. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), consumer inflation has remained stubbornly locked above the 9 percent threshold for three consecutive months. June 2026:Consumer inflation ticked down slightly to 9.16 percent. May 2026: Inflation stood at 9.42 percent, registering the highest peak in 16 months since February 2025. Economists note that the persistent high inflation continues to squeeze the purchasing power of low- and fixed-income groups, underscoring the urgent need for robust monetary interventions and market monitoring to stabilize commodity prices.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Saturday said it thwarted an alleged attempt by India's Border Security Force (BSF) to push three women into Bangladesh through the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat district. The incident took place at dawn in the area adjacent to International Border Pillar 833/9-S under the Dhabalsuti Border Outpost (BOP) of the Teesta Battalion (61 BGB). BGB seizes Indian mobile phone displays worth Tk 31.7m in Brahmanbaria According to BGB, members of the Kharkharia Camp of the 98 Battalion BSF allegedly tried to send the three women into Bangladesh through a gate in the barbed-wire fence on the Indian side of the border. Sensing the move, a BGB patrol team immediately took preventive measures, forcing the attempt to fail and preventing the women from entering Bangladeshi territory. BGB said the three women are currently staying around 150 yards inside Indian territory from Border Pillar 833/9-S. Lieutenant Colonel Syed Fazle Munim, commanding officer of the Teesta Battalion, said the matter had been raised with the commander of the concerned BSF battalion, urging Indian authorities to take back the women involved in the alleged push-in attempt without delay. He said BGB has also reinforced security measures and intensified patrols along the border following the incident.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday visited BNP Media Cell Convener Prof Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel at a hospital in the capital and inquired after his health. The Prime Minister went to Continental Hospital PLC (formerly United Hospital) in Gulshan around 4:00pm, BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said. He spoke to the doctors treating Pavel and was briefed on his condition. The Prime Minister wished him a speedy recovery and urged the authorities concerned to ensure he receives the best possible treatment. Pavel fell ill after suffering severe chest pain at his home in Bogura on Thursday. He was first admitted to local TMSS Hospital. On Friday afternoon, he was flown to Dhaka by air ambulance and admitted to Continental Hospital, where he is being treated under the supervision of Prof Dr NAM Momenuzzaman.

The first known international appearance of HOBEKI?’s iconic Subodh graffiti has disappeared from a wall in Rangpo, Sikkim, only five days after it was first reported. The large stencil mural, which appeared near the Majitar Nala Bridge on the Gangtok–Rangpo Road around June 30, 2026, immediately attracted widespread attention across both Bangladesh and India. Its emergence marked the first documented appearance of HOBEKI?’s work outside Bangladesh and generated extensive discussion in newspapers, television, online media, and social media on both sides of the border. HOBEKI? crosses borders: Subodh appears at Gateway to Sikkim Several Indian news outlets interpreted the work from different perspectives. Some viewed it primarily as a remarkable example of contemporary street art, while others questioned its appearance in a sensitive border state and discussed possible security implications. The mural quickly became the subject of public debate, with discussions extending beyond art into questions of borders, identity, diplomacy, and public space. ARTCON, an art agency documenting the artist's practice, has now learned that the mural has been removed. As of publication, no individual or authority has publicly claimed responsibility for its removal, and no official explanation has been issued. The circumstances surrounding its disappearance therefore remain unknown. The removal is, in one sense, consistent with the inherently temporary nature of street art. Graffiti created on outdoor walls is constantly exposed to weather, redevelopment, repainting, political poster campaigns, and advertising. Bangladesh itself has witnessed numerous examples of significant graffiti works disappearing within days or months of their creation. HOBEKI?‘s work, however, occupies a distinctive position within South Asian street art. The artist’s anonymity, highly recognisable visual language, and refusal to explain individual works have made each new Subodh mural an event in itself. Every appearance generates public curiosity, multiple interpretations, and, at times, controversy. That same combination has also meant that several of the artist’s earlier murals in Bangladesh have disappeared shortly after attracting public attention. Social thinker Professor Manosh Chowdhury observed that politically sensitive public art often creates discomfort for certain sections of society and that graffiti carrying strong symbolic meaning has repeatedly disappeared in different contexts. Expressing a complex reaction to its rapid destruction, Prof. Chowdhury noted that it triggers a "complicated emotion because this is a painting most people were not even supposed to see in person given its location, yet it was erased so quickly." He reflected that while multiple works by 'Hobe Ki' or the 'Subodh series' have remained intact on several walls in Dhaka, others did not last long. However, because of its strategic location and the significance it had gained, the feeling is even more intricate, leaving a strange sense of loss. The Sikkim mural itself invited interpretation without providing any explicit explanation. It depicted Subodh lying in a hammock woven from barbed wire, holding a wire cutter, with a bucket resting below and the Teesta River nearby. As with all of HOBEKI?’s works, the artist offered no statement explaining its meaning. ARK Reepon, art analyst and founder of ARTCON, noted that although the wall has now been erased, the conversation it initiated continues. He observed that as with many significant works of street art, the mural’s physical life proved brief, but its cultural afterlife may prove considerably longer.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's wife and renowned cardiologist Dr Zubaida Rahman on Saturday expressed the hope that Dhaka Medical College (DMC) will emerge as one of South Asia's leading centres for medical education, research and innovation within the next 20-25 years. Speaking as a special guest at the inaugural programme of DMC Day-2026, she said, "Twenty or twenty-five years from now, we want to see Dhaka Medical College as one of South Asia's finest centres for medical education, research and innovation." A former student of the DMC's 43rd batch, Zubaida said the institution's next chapter should be marked by innovation, international collaboration, excellence in research and compassionate leadership. "Today, we are spread across different parts of the world. Our workplaces may be different, but the roots of our identity remain at Dhaka Medical College Hospital," she said.

Three children died with symptoms consistent with measles in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Saturday, bringing Bangladesh’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 753. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified the latest deaths as suspected measles fatalities. With the latest update, the number of suspected measles deaths has risen to 660, while the number of laboratory-confirmed measles deaths remained unchanged at 93. Bangladesh reports 3 more suspected measles deaths, toll reaches 745 A total of 702 new suspected measles cases were reported during the period, bringing the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 110,601. Meanwhile, 84 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 13,410. Since March 15, a total of 93,491 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 89,762 have recovered, according to DGHS data.

Fifteen Indian tourists were killed after a tourist speedboat capsized off southern Vietnam on Saturday while returning from an island trip, according to state media. The boat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four crew members when it overturned about 400 metres (1,310 feet) from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island near Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island, authorities said. Witnesses told VN Express that nearby boats rushed to the scene and began rescuing passengers before border guards, the navy, coast guard and other emergency responders arrived. The rescue operation was hampered by rough waves, and many passengers were trapped inside the overturned boat, the report said. Authorities said 21 people were rescued, while all 15 bodies were recovered. Those injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Phu Quoc, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is one of Vietnam's most popular beach destinations. Hon May Rut Ngoai Island, around 10 kilometres (6 miles) south of Phu Quoc, is well known for its white sandy beaches and clear waters, attracting millions of local and foreign tourists each year. The cause of the accident was not immediately known, and an investigation is underway.

Police have arrested a man after his wife was found dead in Khilgaon area of Dhaka on Friday. The arrestee was identified as Saiful Islam, 21. Police said the body of Sanzida Akter Maria was recovered on Friday evening from a house in front of Haji Mosque in South Goran under Khilgaon Police Station. She was found hanging with a jute rope tied around her neck  and was later taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) where the on-duty doctor declared her dead. Following a complaint filed by the victim's brother, a murder case was registered with Khilgaon Police Station early Saturday. After the case was filed, a police team launched an investigation by collecting evidence from the crime scene, analysing witness statements and using technological support. The team arrested Saiful Islam from the Khilgaon area at around 3:45 am on Saturday. During preliminary interrogation, Saiful confessed to killing his wife, police said. Niaz Mehdi, Additional Deputy Commissioner of the Media and Public Relations Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said the murder stemmed from a long-running family dispute involving the suspect's parents which had led to persistent domestic conflict. The accused has been produced before a court for further legal proceedings, he added.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized 3,960 Indian mobile phone displays worth about Tk 31.7 million during an anti-smuggling drive along the borderin  Brahmanbaria's Bijoynagar upazila early Saturday. A patrol team from Alinagar Border Outpost (BOP) under Sarail Battalion (25 BGB) seized the goods at around 12:15 am, according to a BGB press release. BGB also seized the two bicycles used to transport the goods. The seized goods are being handed over to the Akhaura Customs Office following the necessary legal procedures. Lt Col Jabbar Ahmed, Commanding Officer of Sarail Battalion (25 BGB), said the battalion remains committed to ensuring border security while carrying out anti-smuggling operations with the highest level of professionalism.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is visiting Oman as part of ongoing consultations between Tehran and Muscat on arrangements for managing passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The two countries have been holding consultations on the issue for the past two months. Iranian officials have repeatedly maintained that Tehran has the sovereign right to oversee management of the strategic waterway to ensure its safety and security. Iran slams fresh US strikes targeting southern provinces, bridges Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the United States has a history of violating or failing to honor agreements. He said Iran has not sought negotiations at the current stage, but remains open to receiving mediators visiting Tehran. Baghaei also accused Washington of breaching the memorandum of understanding (MoU) by carrying out air strikes and revoking the exemption that had allowed Iranian oil exports. With inputs from Al Jazeera

At least 360 students were killed and 109 others injured in 320 road accidents across Bangladesh between January and June this year, according to Bangladesh Passengers’ Welfare Association (Jatri Kalyan Samity). Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity Secretary General Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury disclosed the figures in a statement issued on Saturday to mark the 15th anniversary of Mirsarai tragedy. He said raising awareness among students could help build safer roads and a more disciplined nation. He said in the absence of regular safety awareness programmes involving students, teachers and guardians to prevent a repeat of the Mirsarai tragedy, the country continues to lose a large number of students to road accidents every year, with many suffering injuries and some left permanently disabled. Referring to the association's month-wise data, Mozammel said January saw 57 road accidents that killed 57 students and injured 22 others, while February recorded 39 accidents claiming 47 student lives and leaving 11 injured. March was the deadliest month with 59 accidents killing 67 students, though only one injury was reported that month. April recorded 51 accidents with 56 students killed and 25 injured, followed by May, which saw the highest monthly accident count at 61, killing 73 students and injuring 23. In June, 53 accidents left 60 students dead and 27 injured. Recalling the 2011 tragedy, Mozammel said a mini-truck carrying students from several schools in Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram lost control and plunged into a ditch on July 11 that year, killing 45 people, including students, in what remains the deadliest single road accident in the country's history. He alleged that no awareness programme on student road safety has been undertaken by the government since then, and that no meaningful awareness has developed among students and guardians either, resulting in continued loss of young lives on the roads every year. To prevent further deaths, the Jatri Kalyan Samity placed a five-point  recommendation. These include incorporating road safety awareness content into school textbooks, and organising at least one hour-long awareness session every month in common rooms with all students, involving experts on road safety. The association also called for zebra crossings to be drawn at every road-crossing point on national and regional highways, particularly near educational institutions, along with proper signboards marking school zones. It further recommended deploying vest-clad “road safety guards” with red flags to stop traffic and help students cross highways safely near schools located along national and regional roads, and urged every educational institution to form a road safety committee comprising both students and teachers.

The death toll from last week's twin earthquakes in Venezuela has climbed to more than 3,500, while nearly 18,000 people remain homeless, raising fears of a worsening public health crisis. Lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez said on Monday that the official death toll had reached 3,535. The earthquakes also injured 16,740 people and left 17,854 without homes. At least 12,800 displaced people are now staying in 80 temporary shelters across Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, the areas worst affected by the disaster. The powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck within seconds of each other on June 24, causing widespread destruction in and around Caracas and La Guaira. Around 60,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed. In La Guaira, Reuters witnesses saw trucks carrying coffins and forensic teams working as heavy machinery dug burial trenches in an area marked with white crosses. Health experts have warned that the disaster could trigger a major public health emergency as thousands of survivors continue to live in overcrowded shelters or outdoors without clean water or proper sanitation. Many people are still suffering from untreated injuries, while infectious diseases are becoming an increasing concern as Venezuela's already strained healthcare system struggles to cope. "The next major challenge will be infections among people who have been exposed to the disaster for a long time," said Eugenio Cova, head of the trauma unit at Hospital Jose Gregorio Hernandez in Caracas. He said hospitals were continuing to treat patients with serious injuries, but infections were making the situation more difficult. Reports of illness are already increasing. Residents in temporary shelters have complained of diarrhoea and other diseases, while calling for portable toilets, better sanitation and government support to reduce overcrowding and prevent the spread of infections. Meanwhile, frustration is growing over the government's rescue and relief efforts. In many affected communities, local residents, volunteers and humanitarian workers have taken the lead in searching for survivors and distributing aid. Carolina Jimenez, president of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), said the government's response had been inadequate. "In most countries, the state is the first responder after a disaster. In Venezuela, the state has been the last responder," she said. In areas such as Catia la Mar, north of Caracas, residents said government assistance had either not arrived or remained insufficient, forcing volunteers and civil society groups to fill the gap. Source: Al Jazeera

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged doctors to earn people's trust through compassionate, quality care and a humane approach, saying stronger confidence in the country's healthcare system could help prevent an annual outflow of around US$5 billion spent on treatment abroad. "Every year, around US$5 billion flows out of the country as thousands of our people travel abroad for medical treatment. As a result, we also lose valuable foreign exchange,” he said while addressing the inaugural programme of DMC Day-2026, organised to mark the 80th anniversary of Dhaka Medical College (DMC). The Prime Minister said the situation could not be changed through laws or institutions alone without the help of the physicians. Tarique said, as a political worker now entrusted with the responsibility of running the government, he expected both practising doctors and those who would join the profession in the future to help change the situation by strengthening people's trust and confidence in the country's doctors and healthcare system.  "Why can't we change this situation? Why can't we strengthen our people's trust and confidence in our doctors?... It is only possible through your humane approach and proper treatment " the Prime Minister told doctors, medical teachers and students. "On the occasion of this anniversary, I have one expectation not only from DMC, but from every hospital and every medical college in Bangladesh—from all doctors and medical students. I hope that, in the future, the people of this country will have complete trust and confidence in our doctors,” he said. Highlighting the government's commitment to the health sector, Tarique said healthcare received the second-largest allocation in the national budget after education. He said the government aims to gradually increase health expenditure to around five percent of the country's GDP over the next five years.  

US President Donald Trump on Saturday issued a fresh warning to Iran following funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, where mourners openly called for Trump's killing, heightening tensions in the Middle East despite an interim agreement aimed at preventing renewed conflict. Trump made the remarks on his Truth Social platform after senior US officials urged Tehran to publicly guarantee safe passage for international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route. Iran has so far refused to make such a commitment, maintaining that the strategic waterway should remain under its control and insisting that vessels transiting the strait should pay fees to Tehran, challenging the long-standing international position that the passage is an international waterway. The latest exchange comes after days of military escalation that included US airstrikes on Iranian targets and retaliatory Iranian attacks across the region. The violence was triggered after Iran allegedly attacked three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week. In his social media post, Trump warned that the United States was prepared to respond forcefully if Iran acted on what he described as threats against him. He said hundreds of missiles were ready to strike Iran should the Iranian government attempt to carry out any threat to assassinate him. During Khamenei's funeral, mourners carried banners and posters calling for the deaths of both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Khamenei, 86, was killed in an airstrike at the start of the Iran war on Feb. 28. His funeral took place this week after several days of ceremonies held in cities across Iran and Iraq. Trump also declared that the US military would completely destroy targets across Iran if necessary, again invoking religious language in his statement. Throughout the conflict and the subsequent ceasefire, Trump has repeatedly combined warnings against Iran with references to God in Arabic, drawing criticism from advocacy groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), over his rhetoric.

The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to lower signal. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to proceed with caution till evening on Saturday, said a Met office bulletin.    

Several storage sheds of Benapole Land Port, the country's largest land port, experienced waterlogging following two days of continuous rainfall, leaving imported goods partially submerged and raising concerns among importers. Heavy rain has continued in the area since Thursday afternoon, inundating five storage sheds near Gate No. 3 of the port. In some places, water has accumulated up to knee level. Port authorities have been using power pumps to drain the water, while officials and port users inspected the affected areas on Saturday. Port users alleged that despite the construction of sheds, yards and other infrastructure, poor drainage facilities have resulted in frequent waterlogging during rainfall, putting imported goods worth hundreds of crores of taka at risk. They also claimed that although local stakeholders have repeatedly highlighted various management shortcomings, little effective action has been taken by the authorities. They said  around 100 importers have suffered financial losses over the years due to damaged goods, while the absence of insurance coverage means they receive no compensation. They further alleged that a committee formed to address the drainage problem has remained largely inactive. Businessman Abdul Alim said inadequate drainage has disrupted movement inside the port, while rainwater entering several warehouses has damaged goods belonging to importers. "Port charges continue to increase every year, but there is no corresponding improvement in infrastructure. Most facilities were built without long-term planning, leading to recurring waterlogging during the monsoon," he said. Vice-President of the Benapole Import-Export Association Aminul Haque Anu blamed unplanned development and the lack of an effective drainage system for the situation. He said the government collects around Tk 10,000 crore in direct and indirect revenue annually through customs at Benapole, making it unfortunate that such a major commercial hub continues to face the same problem year after year. He also alleged that repeated complaints by traders over rainwater damaging imported goods have failed to produce any meaningful response from the authorities. Benapole Land Port Director Shamim Hossain acknowledged that continuous rainfall has caused water to enter several sheds, damaging some imported goods. He said power pumps are being used to remove the accumulated water, although uninterrupted rainfall has slowed the process. He expressed hope that the situation would improve once the rain stops and said the port authority is working on a permanent solution to the recurring waterlogging problem.  

Three people suffered burn injuries in an apparent gas pipeline explosion in Boroitala area of Keraniganj district on Friday. The victims were identified as Rakib, 14, Rajon, 25 and Sumon, 27. Witnesses said the explosion occurred on Friday night at the house of one Arif Mia in the area when they were working to repair the gas pipeline, leaving them injured. Later, they were taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery around 5:30 am, said Shaon Bin Rahman, Resident Medical Officer of the institute. Among the victim, Rakib received 17 percent burn injuries.

Taiwan and eastern China remained on high alert as Typhoon Bavi moved closer on Saturday after bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Japan's southern islands. The typhoon, with maximum sustained winds of 144 kilometres per hour (89 mph), is expected to pass north of Taiwan before heading toward China's eastern coast. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration said the storm is forecast to move toward Zhejiang province and make landfall in the early hours of Sunday, according to China's National Meteorological Center. In Japan's Okinawa prefecture, authorities warned residents about high waves, powerful winds and storm surges. More than 200 flights were cancelled across the region, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported. Islands including Ishigaki were hit by heavy rain and strong winds. In Taiwan, the Central Emergency Operation Center said at least 36 people had been injured by Saturday morning. Many were hurt while riding motorcycles on wet and slippery roads during the storm. Authorities also evacuated 14,210 people from different parts of the island, including Hualien County and the central city of Taichung. Schools and government offices remained closed in most areas on Saturday. In southeastern China, coastal cities stepped up preparations as the storm approached. In Ningde city of Fujian province, more than 3,700 residents had been moved from high-risk coastal areas by Friday evening, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency. Provincial authorities have also placed more than 17,000 emergency rescue workers on standby. China's National Meteorological Center issued an orange alert for the typhoon, the second-highest level in its four-tier warning system. Many schools and ferry services were suspended, hundreds of flights were cancelled and some high-speed train services were halted. The weather agency also issued its first red alert of the year for heavy rain, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the ChatGPT maker of stealing confidential trade secrets while developing its own artificial intelligence hardware, marking a major escalation in tensions between the two companies. The lawsuit, filed Friday in a federal court in California, alleges that OpenAI encouraged Apple employees it was recruiting to share confidential company information and even advised them on how to avoid attracting attention when leaving Apple. "This case is about Apple's former employees stealing Apple's trade secrets for the benefit of OpenAI," Apple said in the court filing, adding that it filed the lawsuit to stop the alleged misuse of its proprietary information. The lawsuit also names two former Apple employees who now work at OpenAI. One of them is Tang Tan, who played a key role in designing the iPhone, Apple Watch and iPod before becoming OpenAI's chief hardware officer. The other is Chang Liu, who worked on Apple's product development before joining OpenAI earlier this year. OpenAI said it is reviewing the lawsuit. Company spokesperson Drew Pusateri said OpenAI has "no interest in other companies' trade secrets" and remains focused on developing technology that benefits users. Apple claims OpenAI's hardware project relies partly on confidential information taken from the company. Although OpenAI has not revealed details of the device it is developing, it has said the goal is to create a new way for people to interact with artificial intelligence beyond traditional computers and smartphones. According to the lawsuit, Apple launched an internal investigation after suspecting that confidential information had been compromised and found what it described as a pattern of trade secret theft involving former employees who later joined OpenAI. The complaint alleges that Liu accessed and downloaded confidential hardware-related files on an Apple-issued device after leaving the company. It also claims Tan encouraged Apple employees interviewing for jobs at OpenAI to bring actual Apple hardware components to interviews. Apple said it raised its concerns with OpenAI in February but did not receive a response. An Apple spokesperson said the company would continue to protect its employees' work and innovations through appropriate legal action. The lawsuit comes as relations between the two companies have shifted from partnership to growing competition. Apple partnered with OpenAI in 2024 to integrate ChatGPT into the iPhone, allowing users to access AI-powered responses when Siri could not answer their questions. Since then, OpenAI has expanded its hardware ambitions by hiring former Apple designer Jony Ive to lead the development of an AI-powered device that industry analysts believe could eventually compete with Apple's products. Last year, OpenAI announced a confidential hardware collaboration with Ive and acquired io Products, a company co-founded by Ive, Tang Tan and others, in a deal valued at nearly $6.5 billion. Apple's lawsuit also names io Products as a defendant. The legal battle comes as OpenAI considers a future public stock market listing while facing growing competition in the AI sector from companies including Anthropic and Google. Despite scaling back some business projects earlier this year to focus on ChatGPT, OpenAI has continued developing its consumer hardware. Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar told The Associated Press in April that the company expects to introduce its first consumer hardware product later this year.

Hollywood actor Tom Holland has arrived in Mumbai ahead of the Indian premiere of Christopher Nolan's much-awaited film The Odyssey and is staying at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Videos shared on social media showed the Spider-Man star leaving Mumbai's Kalina Airport in a black car before heading to the luxury hotel. Although his face was not clearly visible, fans quickly identified him. This is Holland's second visit to India after his trip in 2023. Christopher Nolan, producer Emma Thomas and actor Matt Damon have also arrived in Mumbai for the film's promotional events. The Odyssey will be the first Christopher Nolan film to have its premiere in India. Universal Pictures International has included Mumbai as an official stop on the movie's global promotional tour, alongside London, Paris and New York. The Taj Mahal Palace's most luxurious accommodation, the Tata Suite, offers two bedrooms, a spacious living room, a formal dining area, a meeting room for up to 15 people, a private office, lounge, spa with sauna, private gym, butler's pantry and the option of connecting to an additional bedroom. The suite combines historic architecture with luxury interiors, featuring heritage furniture, artwork and cultural collectibles. A social media video by Indian-Australian content creator Priya recently showcased the suite, highlighting its apartment-style layout, multiple living spaces, walk-in wardrobe, conference room and wellness facilities. She claimed the suite costs Rs 50 lakh per night, but published reports suggest the actual rate ranges between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 12 lakh per night, depending on the booking. Based on the ancient Greek epic by Homer, The Odyssey follows the legendary journey of Odysseus as he tries to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. The story traces his 10-year voyage, filled with mythical creatures, gods and dangerous challenges after the Greeks' victory over Troy. The film features an ensemble cast including Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Samantha Morton, Lupita Nyong'o, Elliot Page, Mia Goth, Charlize Theron, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo and Robert Pattinson. Filmed at locations around the world using IMAX technology, The Odyssey is being promoted as the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX cameras. It is scheduled for worldwide theatrical release on July 17. Source: NDTV

The district administration has announced the closure of all tourist spots in Bandarban until July 15 amid heavy rainfall, weather-related risks and concerns over public safety. The decision was announced on Friday night in a public notice signed by Deputy Commissioner Md Saniul Ferdous. According to the notice, the closure covers all tourist spots, waterfalls, hill trails, river routes, remote areas and other high-risk locations across the hill district. Tourists, tour operators and the general public have been requested to refrain from travelling to these areas during the period. The district administration urged all concerned to remain cautious and comply with its directives to ensure the safety of lives and property amid the prevailing weather condition. Meanwhile, four consecutive days of heavy rainfall have disrupted normal life across Bandarban. The water levels of the Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers continue to flow above the danger level while road communication between Bandarban and Chattogram, Rangamati and Cox's Bazar has been severed due to flooding and landslides. Vehicular movement on several internal roads and water transport services have also remained suspended. A total of 2,100 people affected by the floods have taken shelter in 220 shelters across the district. The district administration, Bandarban Municipality, the Bangladesh Army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are distributing relief materials, dry food and cooked meals among the affected people.

A powerful typhoon was moving toward China's eastern coast on Friday, adding to the country's severe weather crisis after other storms killed at least 50 people earlier this week. Typhoon Bavi, packing maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometres per hour (96 mph), was expected to pass north of Taiwan, bringing heavy rain to the island of 23 million people from Friday night through Saturday. Authorities closed schools in Taipei on Friday as a precaution. Fishing boats were secured in northern ports, while many flights to Japan, Hong Kong and other destinations were cancelled through Saturday, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency. Some flights, however, were still operating. Forecasters said the typhoon was following a northwesterly path that would take it over remote Japanese islands before passing north of Taiwan on Saturday. It is expected to make landfall in China on Saturday night, south of Shanghai near the border of Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. Chinese authorities have evacuated more than 17,000 people in Zhejiang province and deployed about 170,000 rescue workers on standby, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. In neighbouring Fujian, some ferry services have been suspended due to strong winds and rough seas, while fishing boats have been ordered back to port. Bavi has weakened since earlier this week, when it was a super typhoon and brought destructive winds to Saipan and other US territories in the Pacific. Meanwhile, southern China is still recovering from the impact of Tropical Storm Maysak. Authorities said on Thursday that flooding caused by the storm killed 39 people in the Guangxi region after days of record-breaking rainfall. The heavy rains caused reservoirs to overflow, including the partial collapse of a dam in Hengzhou, sending muddy floodwaters across nearby areas. Many residents were trapped for days on the upper floors of buildings, often without electricity, until rescue teams reached them. Earlier this week, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes killed 11 people in Hubei province in central China. In a separate incident unrelated to the storms, a landslide in Gansu province in western China killed 21 forestry workers on Tuesday.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast rain in many places of the country during the 24 hours commencing at 9:00am on Saturday. “Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country,” said a Met office bulletin. Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country. The low-pressure area over Central Uttar Pradesh and adjoining area weakened and merge with monsoon axis. The axis of monsoon troughs runs through Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across central part of Bangladesh. One of its associated troughs extends up to North Bay. Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over North Bay.  

Several embankments in Batiaghata upazila of Khulna including the city protection embankment near Kachubunia in Jalma Union are under threat of collapse due to rising water levels of Shibsha River triggered by heavy rainfall and upstream water flow. The vulnerable condition of the embankments has raised fears of flooding in vast low-lying areas of the upazila and parts of Khulna city if immediate protective measures are not taken, local people said. A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal coupled with continuous rainfall and increased upstream water has pushed river water levels above the danger mark. Strong currents have also intensified erosion along vulnerable sections of embankments over the past several days. Among the embankments considered most at risk are the city protection embankment near Kachubunia in Jalma Union, Tetultala, Batiaghata Bazar, Baruitala in Sadar Union, Bhadailbunia, Bujhbunia and Sheyalidanga in Baliadanga Union, Baronpara and Maitbhanga in Gangarampur Union, and the Baroaria-Sundarmahal and Raypur areas of Surkhali Union. Residents fear that a breach at any of these locations could inundate large parts of Jalma Union, other areas of the upazila and key installations in Khulna city. People living in erosion-prone riverside areas said they have been passing anxious days. Locals said that the city protection embankment was constructed by closing both ends of the Kazibacha River to shield Khulna city from tidal water. They alleged that the altered river course significantly changed the geographical and environmental balance of Jalma Union. They said the diversion contributed to silting up of  Nalua-Pashur River and extensive river erosion that swallowed thousands of acres of land in Jalma Mouza along with homes in Jalma and Kachubunia villages. Many displaced families said they are now living in makeshift shelters along the government embankment road after losing their homes and agricultural land to river erosion. Batiaghata Upazila Nirbahi Officer Thandar Kamruzzaman said he visited the vulnerable section of the city protection embankment after receiving reports of erosion. "I immediately contacted officials of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB). They visited the site, conducted measurements and informed us that necessary steps would be taken to protect the embankment," he said.

Masud Jamil Khan, Honorary Consul of Ireland in Bangladesh, has been elected Treasurer of the Consular Corps in Bangladesh (CCB) for the 2026–2027 term at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Dhaka. The AGM took place recently at the Lamda Hall of Gulshan Club where members elected a new Executive Committee to lead the organisation over the next year, according to a media release. The government of Ireland appointed Masud, Cosmos Group deputy managing director, as its honorary consul with jurisdiction for the People's Republic of Bangladesh in December, 2023. Masud is also a director of United News of Bangladesh (UNB), the country's largest private news agency, and Dhaka Courier, an independent news magazine.

Hollywood actor Dustin Hoffman and Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar were among the high-profile guests at Wimbledon on Friday as defending champion Jannik Sinner faced Novak Djokovic in the men's singles semifinal on Centre Court. Several well-known British actors, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Hugh Laurie and Damian Lewis, watched the match from the Royal Box. Fashion designer Tom Ford and Vogue editor Anna Wintour were also among the invited guests. Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of cricket's greatest players, retired in 2013 after playing his 200th Test match. Wimbledon described him as "cricket royalty." Former West Indies captain Brian Lara also attended the match from the Royal Box, which is reserved for special guests invited by the All England Club. Liverpool captain and Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk was another notable spectator. The Dutch team was eliminated in the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup. Oscar-winning actor Dustin Hoffman, 88, attended the match but was not seated in the Royal Box. He had been a guest there during last year's tournament. Earlier on Centre Court, Germany's Alexander Zverev secured a place in Sunday's Wimbledon final after defeating British wild card Arthur Fery.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday inaugurated DMC Day-2026, marking the 80th founding anniversary of Dhaka Medical College (DMC). The Prime Minister formally opened the celebration at 10:00am by releasing balloons and pigeons on the college campus. He was accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, a former student of Dhaka Medical College. As part of the programme, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Dr Zubaida Rahman, Vice-President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, planted two saplings—an Arjun tree and a Neem tree—on the college premises. After the tree plantation, a munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the souls of those martyred during the July Movement. Later, Chief Engineer of the Health Engineering Department Brigadier General Mir Sarwar Hossain Chowdhury briefed the Prime Minister on the construction of two female dormitories at Dhaka Medical College under a project to build 19 modern hostel buildings for students. The Prime Minister took a keen interest in the project and sought detailed information about the facilities that students will receive in the new hostel buildings.  

Japan's space agency successfully carried out the first test flight of its experimental reusable rocket on Saturday, marking an important step toward developing cheaper space launches and strengthening its position in the global space industry. The reusable vehicle, known as RV-X, lifted off from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Noshiro Testing Center in northeastern Japan. During the test, the rocket rose vertically, hovered, moved sideways and then landed safely after a flight lasting less than one minute. The launch was livestreamed by NVS, a Japanese space enthusiasts' group. According to Takashi Ito, JAXA's reusable rocket project manager, the test went as planned. The rocket climbed to a height of 11 metres (36 feet), moved 16 metres (52 feet) horizontally while maintaining an upright position, and then landed successfully. The test is part of Japan's efforts to develop reusable rocket technology that can significantly reduce launch costs, similar to the system used by Elon Musk's SpaceX for several years. JAXA hopes the technology will eventually support the development of a reusable successor to Japan's current H3 rocket, which is designed for a single launch. The successful test came a day after Chinese state media reported that China had recovered the first stage of a rocket for the first time following a launch. Japan's H3 rocket was introduced as a more affordable replacement for the highly reliable H-2A rocket. However, officials say further cost reductions will be necessary for Japan to compete effectively in the growing global launch market. The Japanese government considers a reliable and commercially competitive launch system essential for both the country's space programme and national security. JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are jointly developing the RV-X. The rocket measures 7.3 metres (23.9 feet) in length and 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) in diameter. It is equipped with a more durable engine and four shock-absorbing landing legs designed for repeated use. Ito said the rocket's engine has already completed 165 combustion tests, demonstrating its durability. JAXA is also working with partners in France and Germany on reusable rocket technology. Future test flights of the RV-X are expected to reach altitudes of around 100 metres (328 feet) as development continues.

Erling Haaland has been one of the biggest stars of the FIFA World Cup — not only for his goal-scoring ability but also for the online personality that has turned him into a social media sensation. The Norwegian striker, who stands 6 feet 5 inches tall, has scored seven goals in four World Cup matches heading into Norway's quarterfinal against England on Saturday. While his performances on the pitch have earned praise, his playful social media presence has attracted a new generation of fans, including many who had little interest in football before. Known for his powerful style of play, Haaland has also gained attention online for his light-hearted posts, humorous selfies and interactions with fans. His flowing blond hair, colourful hair ties and quirky sense of humour have inspired countless memes across social media platforms. Fans often describe him as both a fearsome striker and an unexpectedly soft-hearted personality. Many affectionately refer to him as a "babygirl" — an internet term used for male celebrities who appear kind, funny or emotionally expressive despite their tough public image. The contrast between Haaland's commanding presence on the field and his relaxed personality off it has helped make him one of football's most talked-about figures. Sarah Wilson, a baseball content creator from New York who only recently began following football, said Haaland quickly became her favourite player. In a viral video, the 31-year-old joked that she "cannot fathom being such a pretty Norwegian princess and also being one of the best strikers in all of football." Wilson believes Haaland's popularity comes from combining world-class talent with a personality that feels relatable to younger audiences. "He is incredibly talented, but then you see him using Snapchat filters and joking online like many people his age," she told The Associated Press. "You end up thinking, 'He's hilarious. Now he's my favourite player.'" Haaland has embraced his growing online fame by sharing humorous Instagram selfies, posting YouTube videos and interacting with fans through Snapchat. After scoring twice to eliminate Brazil from the World Cup, he posted a smiling locker-room selfie with the caption, "Well well well." He has also jokingly responded to memes comparing his hairstyle to a green onion and encouraged fans to search his name on Google after a special Viking-themed animation appeared in search results. Speaking at Norway's team news conference on Thursday, Haaland said he has enjoyed the warm support from fans in the United States. "I like the Americans. I think they are funny," he said. "The World Cup here has been amazing." Experts say Haaland's popularity reflects how modern athletes are increasingly becoming global entertainment figures through social media. Jeffrey Kassing, a professor at Arizona State University who studies athletes' use of social media, said players now have much greater control over how they present themselves to the public than in previous generations. In the past, fans mainly saw athletes through interviews or press conferences. Today, players can communicate directly with millions of followers, allowing supporters to feel a closer personal connection. That one-sided emotional connection, known as a parasocial relationship, is common among sports fans, according to Gayle Stever, a professor at Empire State University who has studied celebrity-fan relationships for decades. She said most of these relationships are healthy, although a small number of fans can become overly attached. Australian sports management student Skyla Clarke said social media has also exposed footballers to harsh criticism and online abuse after poor performances. Haaland has previously described AI-generated images and videos of players as "a bit scary." Still, he said the attention surrounding Norway and its traditions is a positive sign. "Usually if it's like that, it means that you're doing something right," Haaland said. Haaland is not the only footballer to inspire devoted online communities. Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić has also attracted widespread affection from fans, particularly after Croatia's exit from what was expected to be his final international tournament. Ahead of Norway's quarterfinal against England, many fans have also focused on Haaland's close friendship with England midfielder Jude Bellingham, his former club teammate. Social media users have created videos and edits celebrating their friendship, further adding to Haaland's growing online popularity. Among Haaland's newest supporters is Nulara Ratwatté, a 19-year-old art student at the University of Melbourne, whose videos about the striker have gone viral. Although she admits she knew little about football before the World Cup, she now follows Norway closely. Describing Haaland as "a big, friendly giant," Ratwatté said: "Truly, from the bottom of my heart, I love him."

NATO leaders who gathered in Turkey this week to discuss global security returned home with an unusual souvenir from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — an engraved revolver and six rounds of ammunition. The gift was intended to highlight Turkey's expanding defence industry, but it left several leaders facing legal and practical challenges over what to do with the firearms. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the revolver had been handed over to police because of Canada's gun laws. "It struck me that my gift of maple syrup kind of undermatched," Carney told reporters. "I would like to reassure Canadians, they keep guns away from me." Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar shared a photo on X showing a Magnum revolver engraved with his name alongside six cartridges. It was not immediately known what he planned to do with the gift. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen thanked Erdogan for the present, but her spokesperson said the firearm would be decommissioned and donated to a military museum. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the gift package included a document waiving export controls. However, he left the revolver behind because importing it into the United Kingdom would be illegal. It will also be decommissioned. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever handed his revolver over to airport police after returning home. Officials said the firearms presented to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten were left at their countries' embassies in Ankara and would also be taken out of service. Jetten said the gift was unlike anything he had seen before. "My first reaction was, this is something a bit different to the box of syrup waffles that we gave out at the NATO summit in The Hague," he said. He added that Erdogan appeared to be showcasing Turkey's defence industry, which has become one of the strongest in the region. Croatian President Zoran Milanović said he only learned after returning home that Erdogan had given him a revolver. His office said it would most likely be donated to a police museum. "I didn't take it. I shoot from different weapons," Milanović joked, referring to his political style. The White House did not immediately comment on the gifts. Erdogan's office has also not officially commented. Turkish media identified the gift as the Gumusay .357 Magnum, a vintage six-shot revolver produced by state-owned arms manufacturer MKE. According to local reports, the revolvers were meant to demonstrate the progress of Turkey's defence industry, which has evolved from relying heavily on foreign suppliers to producing advanced military equipment, including drones, warships and a next-generation fighter jet currently under development. Gun ownership has long been part of Turkish culture, and the gifts drew little reaction within the country. However, the gun control advocacy group Umut Vakfi says armed violence remains a serious concern, reporting more than 2,700 gun-related incidents across Turkey last year. In addition to the revolver, summit participants also received a copy of Erdogan's biography, "The Politics of Courage: Erdogan and the Rise of Türkiye," according to Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency.

Large parts of Khulna city remained submerged after 184 millimetres of rainfall over the past 51 hours, causing severe waterlogging and widespread disruption to daily life, while residents questioned the effectiveness of a Tk 823-crore drainage improvement project. According to the Khulna Meteorological Office, the city received 184 millimetres of rainfall over the past 51 hours. The persistent rain inundated roads, lanes and low-lying areas, leaving many areas under knee-deep water and causing widespread suffering for commuters, students, transport workers and residents. The worst-affected areas include Mujgunni, Royal Mor, Tutpara, Jinnah Nagar, Daulatpur, Atra, Giltala, Dilkhola, Banargati and Sheikhpara. Water also entered many homes in these localities. Residents and environmental activists said waterlogging has become a recurring problem during the monsoon due to inadequate drainage planning, despite years of infrastructure development under the city's drainage improvement project. They alleged that although seven canals have been excavated and more than 200 drains constructed or renovated over the past five and a half years, the measures have failed to provide a lasting solution. Mustafa, a businessman in Mujgunni, said even light rainfall leaves the intersection under knee-deep water. "We urge the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) to take effective measures to resolve this problem permanently," he said. Hamim, a resident of Karigorpara in Pabla, said rainwater regularly floods the ground floor of his house because newly constructed roads and drains were raised without ensuring proper connections for water to flow from nearby homes. Anup Kumar, resident of Pabla Sahapara, blamed the crisis on poor urban planning rather than only inadequate drains. He said many natural canals have been narrowed and converted into concrete drains in recent years, reducing their water-carrying capacity and disrupting the city's natural drainage system. "Simply building new drains will not solve the problem unless natural canals are restored, drains are cleaned regularly and proper links with rivers and canals are established," he added. Easy-bike driver Hafiz said he had no choice but to continue working despite flooded roads. "Even after spending hundreds of crores of taka on roads and drains, our suffering has not decreased," he said. According to KCC, the city has around 1,165 kilometres of drainage channels. Under the "Khulna City Waterlogging Mitigation through Drainage System Improvement (Phase-1)" project worth Tk 823 crore, canal excavation, drain construction and other infrastructure works have been carried out over the past several years. Sheikh Mohammad Masud Karim, Project Director and KCC Executive Engineer said 169 covered drains with a combined length of 147 kilometres have been constructed under the project. Md Anisur Rahman, KCC Chief Conservancy Officer said drain-cleaning activities are carried out regularly but have been temporarily suspended due to the ongoing rainfall, as mud removed from drains is being washed back by rainwater. He also noted that the city corporation lacks modern equipment to clean newly built covered drains efficiently, forcing workers to remove heavy concrete slabs manually. Equipment for mechanised drain cleaning has been included in the ongoing project and is expected to improve maintenance once procured. Nazrul Islam Manju, KCC Administrator attributed the persistent waterlogging to multiple factors, including poor drainage planning in previous years, incomplete drainage works, an inoperative pump house on the Rupsha River and dysfunctional sluice gates. He said the city's drainage system has also been affected by raised drain beds, leaving many residential areas at lower elevations than surrounding roads. "We assumed responsibility only three months ago and are working day and night to remove obstacles to water drainage and clean the city's drains," he said. He also urged residents not to dispose of waste into drains, asking them to use designated dustbins to help keep the drainage system functional.  

Dhaka's air quality was marked ‘moderate’ this morning due to rain in the capital city. With an air quality index (AQI) score of 86 at 9:29am, Dhaka ranked 16th on the list of world cities with the worst air quality. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered to be "good" while between 50 and 100 it is considered "moderate". An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered "unhealthy", particularly for sensitive groups. Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be "poor'", while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered "hazardous", posing serious health risks to residents. The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kinshasa, Uganda’s Kampala and Indonesia's Jakarta occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 174, 162 and 159, respectively. AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform people how safe or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.  

Bangladesh has highlighted the importance of climate resilience, water security, skills development and innovation-driven industrialisation in accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the UN Headquarters in New York. Speaking at the forum, Principal Coordinator (SDG Affairs) at the Prime Minister’s Office Professor Dr S M Abdul Awal said Bangladesh has long prioritised climate adaptation and sustainable water management. He referred to the government’s plan to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals over the next five years to strengthen irrigation networks, improve rainwater retention, raise groundwater levels and enhance drinking water security for both rural and urban communities. Dr Awal also stressed the importance of international cooperation on transboundary water sharing including support for the Teesta Barrage Project in northern Bangladesh, said a press release of Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations, New York on Saturday. In a separate intervention on SDG 9, he said resilient infrastructure, sustainable industrialisation and innovation remain central to Bangladesh’s development strategy as the country works towards graduating from the least developed country (LDC) category. He emphasised investments in skilled and knowledge-based education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), digital infrastructure and entrepreneurship to equip young people for future jobs and build a knowledge-based economy. Dr Awal also called on the international community to invest in Bangladesh’s agriculture, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, leather, digital and creative industries, saying the country now offers a favourable environment for foreign investment following the democratic election. He said these efforts would help safeguard development gains, generate employment and support a resilient, inclusive and sustainable future.  

Mikel Merino delivered another late match-winning goal as Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 on Friday to secure a place in the FIFA World Cup semifinals, where they will face France. Just days after scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Portugal, Merino once again made an immediate impact from the bench. Introduced in the 86th minute, he scored two minutes later after Belgium substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to hold Pau Cubarsí's shot, allowing Merino to tap in the decisive goal. The Arsenal midfielder said he was delighted to help Spain once again, crediting both preparation and persistence for being in the right place at the right time. Spain had taken the lead in the 30th minute when Fabián Ruiz converted a rebound, but Belgium equalized before halftime through Charles De Ketelaere, ending Spain's remarkable run of not conceding a goal throughout the tournament. Merino's late strike sent Spain into its first World Cup semifinal since lifting the trophy in 2010. The victory also set up a highly anticipated clash with France in Arlington, Texas, with both unbeaten teams seeking a place in the final. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente expressed confidence ahead of the semifinal, describing it as a meeting between two football giants while insisting his side has what it takes to overcome the tournament favorites. Belgium suffered a major setback in the second half when first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off with an injury. Lammens replaced him in his first World Cup appearance but was unable to prevent Merino's late winner after spilling a powerful effort inside the penalty area. Belgium coach Rudi Garcia praised his players' performance, saying they matched Spain for much of the contest but lacked the fortune needed to defeat a team of Spain's quality. Defender Brandon Mechele also said the squad could take pride in its tournament despite the heartbreaking exit. Spain extended its unbeaten run in competitive matches to 37 games, while Belgium's 18-match unbeaten streak came to an end. The match also ended Spain's impressive defensive record after goalkeeper Unai Simón had gone 650 World Cup minutes without conceding. That streak was broken when De Ketelaere headed in Timothy Castagne's cross before halftime. Belgium was further weakened before kickoff after captain Youri Tielemans suffered an injury during the warm-up, joining defender Amadou Onana on the sidelines.  

A devastating wildfire swept through a remote expatriate community in southern Spain overnight, killing at least 12 people, injuring eight others and leaving 23 missing, regional authorities said Friday. The fire erupted late Thursday near the Sierra de Los Filabres in Almeria province amid extreme heat and dry conditions, making it one of the deadliest wildfires in Spain in recent years. According to Andalusia’s emergency services chief Antonio Sanz, many of the victims died after ignoring official advice to remain indoors. Several people attempted to escape by car or on foot, while others entered a dry riverbed that became trapped by the advancing flames. Authorities believe four of the victims may have been British nationals after discovering a burned vehicle with a right-hand steering wheel. Most of those who died are thought to be foreign residents, and officials warned the death toll could rise as search operations continue. One local resident, Dean Taylor, who splits his time between Spain and the United Kingdom, said he narrowly escaped using back roads, describing the experience as frightening and heartbreaking. More than 150 firefighters, supported by 220 military emergency personnel, are battling the blaze, which has already destroyed over 3,200 hectares of forest and farmland. Officials said steep terrain, strong winds, dry vegetation and prolonged heat have made the fire extremely difficult to contain. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, calling the disaster deeply tragic. The wildfire comes as Spain and much of Europe endure another period of extreme heat. Spain has experienced repeated heat waves in recent years, with temperatures frequently exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Experts say hot, dry and windy conditions have increased the risk of fast-moving wildfires. Elsewhere, France is also facing severe wildfire threats as another heat wave grips the country. Large fires have already burned thousands of hectares, forced evacuations and disrupted the Tour de France. Authorities say one major blaze near the Spanish border has eased but has already scorched around 5,000 hectares and temporarily displaced more than 10,000 residents. Scientists continue to warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves and droughts, creating conditions that make wildfires more destructive across southern Europe. Spain and neighboring Portugal have experienced several deadly wildfire disasters in the past. Spain's worst wildfire claimed 21 lives in 1979, while Portugal suffered one of Europe's deadliest fires in 2017 when 66 people were killed, many while trying to escape in their vehicles.  

The United States is urging Iran to publicly declare that the Strait of Hormuz is open to international shipping and that it will no longer target vessels passing through the strategic waterway. According to senior U.S. officials, internal political divisions within Iran have complicated efforts to maintain a ceasefire and advance negotiations. U.S. officials said recent attacks on ships were allegedly carried out by a hard-line faction within Iran seeking to undermine the truce. Although President Donald Trump described the interim ceasefire as effectively over, he stated that diplomatic efforts toward a long-term agreement would continue. The administration has reportedly given negotiators only a limited period to reach an agreement while keeping other options available if diplomacy fails. Washington is also seeking assurances that Iran will respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil and gas shipments. U.S. officials claimed Iranian representatives privately acknowledged the recent maritime attacks were a mistake and expressed interest in continuing negotiations. However, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations insisted that all activities in the strait, including navigation and security operations, fall solely under Iran's authority and warned against outside involvement. Iran has argued that it should have exclusive control over the waterway and has suggested that commercial vessels pay transit fees. The conflict previously disrupted energy markets, although oil prices have eased from wartime highs. The United States also maintains that any future nuclear agreement must require Iran to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Officials warned that if negotiations fail, the U.S. has military options to ensure Iran cannot use its nuclear material. They emphasized that progress on nuclear talks depends on Iran fully honoring the ceasefire and ending attacks on shipping. The conflict has created political and economic challenges for the Trump administration, which faces pressure to avoid a prolonged war while pursuing its security objectives. Meanwhile, unexplained airstrikes continued inside Iran after Washington announced it had ended its military campaign. No group claimed responsibility. Iranian officials accused the United Arab Emirates of secretly assisting the United States, while Gulf nations and Israel declined to comment on the latest strikes. Iran responded by launching missiles toward several Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Qatar, with reports indicating limited casualties. Regional leaders and diplomats have intensified efforts to prevent further escalation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to meet his Omani counterpart to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, while Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, and other regional partners continue diplomatic outreach. Israel has also reaffirmed that it is prepared to respond forcefully if tensions with Iran increase again.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo on Friday said Bangladesh must pursue development in harmony with nature, ensuring that economic growth, environmental protection and human well-being advance together. Speaking as the chief guest at the Dwijen Sharma Environment Award-2025 ceremony at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium of Bangla Academy, the minister said protecting nature was no longer an option but a national responsibility. The award ceremony was jointly organised by BRAC Bank and Tarupallab. "The award recipients have demonstrated that the dedication and initiative of even a single individual can bring about long-term positive environmental change and inspire others," he said, urging society to expand such efforts to safeguard nature. The minister said Bangladesh should be built on a model where development coexists with nature, making environmental conservation an integral part of the country's progress. Referring to the government's environmental agenda, Mintoo said the National Green Mission had been launched as part of the implementation of the government's election pledges under the guidance of the Prime Minister. Under the initiative, the government has set a target of planting 250 million saplings across the country over the next five years, aiming to turn environmental conservation into a nationwide social movement, he said. Describing the award recipients as "builders of a greener future" and "silent environmental warriors", the minister said their commitment and initiatives would play a vital role in inspiring others and promoting long-term environmental protection. This year's award recipients are Prof Dr Md Ashrafulzzaman for biodiversity research (Nisarga Award), Pran Baichitrya Khamar for sustainable agriculture (Biodiversity Award), Md Badsha Mia for grassroots tree plantation (Brikkhoshokha Award), Umme Kulsum Popy for promoting environmental awareness through digital platforms (Green Sarathi Award), Sumaiya Mariam for technology-based plant census (Nabin Nisargi Award), and Prof Dr Kazi Ahsan Habib for marine biodiversity conservation (Environment Achievement Award). Financial Institutions Division Secretary Najma Mobarek, senior officials of BRAC Bank and Tarupallab, environmentalists, researchers and journalists attended the event.

Hasnat Abdullah, Member of Parliament for the Comilla-4 constituency and chief organizer of the southern region for the National Citizen Party (NCP), stated on Friday night that politics must be freed from the clutches of rogue individuals. "Politicians do not take any action against drug dealers. When commodity prices increase in the market, politicians remain silent," he remarked while addressing a road march and rally at Raipur  upazila in Lakshmipur as the chief guest around 10:30 pm. Hasnat Abdullah claimed that prior to elections, politicians collect extortion money from business syndicates to fund their campaign activities. "Consequently, when those same business syndicates increase the prices of essential goods against the public interest after the election, politicians wear wooden spectacles and remain busy solely singing the praises of the Prime Minister in parliament," he said. The NCP leader also criticized the constraints faced within the legislature. "When we want to speak in parliament, the Speaker tells us that it is not Shahbagh Square, it is parliament. There is no need to think that we will only speak inside parliament. If you do not allow us to speak there, we will speak outside. We will speak near the people. You cannot keep us away from speaking."

A shopkeeper and his elderly father were critically injured after being hacked by miscreants over a dispute regarding parking a motorcycle near their shop at Amtoli Bazar in Sreepur upazila on Friday. The victims were identified as Habib Sheikh, 26, a grocery shop owner, and his father, Kabir Sheikh, 70. Both residents of Amtoil village. According to locals, the trouble began on Friday afternoon when Hasib Biswas and Raju Biswas, from the same village, parked their two motorcycles near Habib Sheikh’s grocery shop at Amtoil Bazar. Around 5pm, when Habib arrived to open his shop, he asked them to move the motorcycles from the shopfront, which led to a heated altercation between the parties. Later in the evening, around 8pm, a group of 20 to 25 people, armed with local weapons and led by Hasib and Raju, launched a sudden attack on Habib’s shop. The attackers severely hacked Habib and his elderly father, Kabir Sheikh. The assailants also vandalised the shop and looted cash and valuables. Family members and locals rescued the critically injured father and son and rushed them to the Sreepur Upazila Health Complex. As Habib’s condition deteriorated, the attending physician referred him to Faridpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Mazharul Islam, the younger brother of Habib Sheikh, said the attackers looted and vandalized the shop, causing damages worth approximately Tk 4 lakh. Md. Oli Mia, Sreepur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said that the situation is currently under control and a case has been filed with Sreepur Police Station in connection with the incident.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has urged all media outlets and social media platforms to strictly follow the court directives regarding broadcast and publication of statements or speeches by the ousted, now fugitive, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The ministry issued a statement on Friday drawing the attention of all print, electronic, and online news media, as well as social media platforms. The ministry said, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on December 5, 2024, imposed a ban on broadcasting the speeches of the deposed and fugitive Sheikh Hasina. It noted that under the existing laws of Bangladesh, there is a legal bar on media outlets broadcasting or publishing any statement, interview, or audio-video speech of a court-convicted fugitive offender. In the interest of maintaining law and order and showing due respect to the court's directives, the ministry specially requested all media outlets- including television, radio, newspapers, news portals, and social platforms- not to broadcast or publish any speech, statement, or remarks by the fugitive Sheikh Hasina, whether live or recorded. The government expects that all media houses, relevant stakeholders, and citizens will show proper respect to the existing laws and court directives, the statement added.

The Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) on Friday launched a humanitarian relief initiative to support flood-affected and waterlogged people in Chattogram following days of heavy rainfall that triggered floods and the deadliest landslides in years.  The programme was formally inaugurated in the afternoon through the distribution of food among stranded people near Sholoshahar Railway Station in Chattogram city. ZRF forms 23-member Board of Directors The relief operation was carried out under the direction of ZRF Vice President and eminent cardiologist Dr. Zubaida Rahman,a and under the overall supervision of the Foundation's Executive Director Dr. Farhad Halim Dona. According to the foundation, food and medicines have been distributed among flood-affected people in different parts of Chattogram over the past five days as continuous rainfall left many areas inundated. As part of the programme, emergency food and medical assistance were distributed at two locations in Chattogram on Friday.

All necessary preparations have been completed and a new management committee has been formed to open the July Memorial Museum very soon, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said on Friday. The minister made the remarks while responding to reporters after inspecting the Mainamati Museum and the ancient archaeological site Shalban Vihara in Cumilla this morning. Nitai Roy Chowdhury explained that the museum's original museum committee had become somewhat disorganized during the tenure of the interim government.  "A new committee has now been constituted, and a decision regarding this has been approved in parliament," he said. He added that the official inauguration date and other details regarding the July Museum will be disclosed shortly. Launching a sharp critique against the previous regime, the minister alleged that the erstwhile Awami League government had systematically destroyed the country's cultural heritage. Chowdhury emphasized that the current government is working tirelessly to recover the country's lost heritage and preserve its cultural resources. During his visit to the archaeological sites, the minister was accompanied by Cumilla-6 constituency Member of Parliament Monirul Haque Chowdhury, Director General of the Department of Archaeology Sabina Alam, and Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Rosey Akter, among other senior officials from various government departments.

China has urged for a de-escalation of the Ukraine conflict, expressing deep concern over its intensifying military trajectory. Speaking at the UN Security Council on Thursday, Sun Lei, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, condemned attacks on civilians and infrastructure, noting that escalating military confrontations have caused immense suffering and hindered peace negotiations. Ukrainian drones hit Russian oil facilities, ignite tankers in Sea of Azov Sun called on all conflicting parties to exercise restraint, adhere to international humanitarian law, and resume dialogue at the earliest opportunity to reach a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement. He emphasized that the parties must find a common denominator that addresses mutual security concerns, eliminates the root causes of conflict in line with the UN Charter, and helps establish a sustainable regional security architecture. Reaffirming China’s commitment to a political settlement, the envoy stated that Beijing maintains an objective, impartial stance and continues to communicate with all sides to promote peace talks. Sun reiterated China's willingness to work with the international community to play a constructive role in achieving an early political solution to the crisis.

A 17-year-old girl was tragically hacked to death allegedly by her father at her maternal grandfather's house in Beanibazar upazila of Sylhet on Friday. The deceased was identified as Rayka Akter Riya, daughter of Abu Bakkar,  from Raygarh village of Golapganj upazila. According to locals, the incident occurred around 12:30 pm on Friday when Riya was heading to a nearby pond to take a bath. Her father reportedly attacked her with a sharp weapon (machete), leaving her dead on the spot. Teen stabbed to death by younger brother in Lakshmipur Locals revealed that Riya was involved in a romantic relationship with a boy and had eloped with him 10 to 12 days ago. She returned home two days ago, following which her parents scolded her and sent her to her grandfather’s house in Beanibazar. This afternoon, her father attacked her indiscriminately at the pond ghat. The circumstances suggest it may have been an honour killing.  Mahfuzul Karim, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Beanibazar Police Station, said a police team rushed to the spot after receiving information from locals and prepared the inquest report of the body. "Necessary legal action will be taken following a post-mortem examination," the OC added.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday directed the administration and party leaders and activists to stand by people affected by floods caused by heavy rainfall across the country and ensure coordinated relief and rescue efforts. Throughout the day, the Prime Minister spoke with deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendents of police (SPs) and civil surgeons of several flood-hit districts to review the latest situation, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon. He also spoke with ministers, secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and other relevant ministries and instructed them to strengthen rescue, relief, medical and rehabilitation activities in a coordinated and effective manner. Rumon said the Prime Minister assigned State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit to coordinate overall rescue, rehabilitation and medical operations in the flood-affected districts. The state minister will visit Chattogram on Saturday along with State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M Iqbal Hossain and other officials to oversee the situation on the ground. According to the officials, floodwaters have started receding in several areas, although the overall situation is still being closely monitored. The Prime Minister instructed the authorities to pay special attention to women and children in the affected areas, particularly pregnant women. He also directed law enforcement agencies to remain on maximum alert to prevent theft, robbery and other crimes that could occur by taking advantage of the disaster. Besides, he instructed the authorities to ensure adequate food, safe drinking water, healthcare and other emergency assistance for the affected people. Meanwhile, ministers and lawmakers from the greater Chattogram region have been monitoring the flood situation from the outset and remain engaged in relief and assistance efforts.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nahid Islam on Friday said that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina would return to Bangladesh only for the execution of a death sentence verdict against her. He made the remarks while addressing an event organised by the National SME Foundation marking International Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day 2026 at the Diploma Engineers Institute in the capital's Kakrail. The programme featured an award ceremony and discussion session honouring successful small entrepreneurs. Govt must implement referendum verdict to prove its commitment to July uprising: Nahid Islam Speaking as the chief guest, Nahid Islam said, "Today we watched an interview where someone said that they are planning to return to the country in December. Our demand is that the country has already suffered from 16 years of destruction. Now we also want her to return, to face the execution of the death sentence verdict." He said a verdict has already been delivered in Bangladesh and the government should bring back the "perpetrator of genocide" through proper diplomatic and legal processes and execute the verdict. Replying to journalists after the event, Nahid said it is the responsibility of the Bangladesh government to decide how Sheikh Hasina will return, who she will come with, and whether she will surrender. "The Bangladesh government will discuss the matter with Delhi. There is no other party involved here. The government will decide when and how to bring her back and how the verdict will be executed. She must be brought back with all necessary preparations," he said. Nahid further said Sheikh Hasina's decisions are not solely personal decisions, claiming that she speaks according to what is permitted from Delhi. "Whether Sheikh Hasina will return or not, how she will return, and whether she will face trial, all these issues depend on the diplomatic and political understanding between Dhaka and Delhi. Sheikh Hasina or the Awami League is no longer a political party," he said. Saying that participants of the July uprising are prepared to face any situation, Nahid said, "Those who took part in the July mass uprising are politically prepared to deal with any situation. We are ready for any circumstances to protect the country's independence, sovereignty and economy." He warned that if there is any attempt to create political tension centring on Sheikh Hasina or the Awami League, and if the government supports such efforts, the government itself will suffer the most. "The people of Bangladesh, all forces involved in the July uprising, around 30,000 injured people and families of 1,400 martyrs — we are all prepared," he said. Regarding the trial of the Awami League, Nahid said the government is considering bringing the party as an organisation under judicial proceedings. "We believe this is the right path. The verdict against Sheikh Hasina has already been delivered. Now it has to be executed. If Sheikh Hasina returns to the country, she will return only for the execution of the death sentence verdict. Therefore, we also want the verdict to be implemented," he said. Entrepreneurs from across the country attended the event, where officials of different organisations and entrepreneurs also delivered speeches.

Israel is ready to participate in potential future US military actions against Iran if requested by Washington, but is currently awaiting approval from US President Donald Trump, media says on Friday. The report, without citing any sources, noted that Israeli officials expect the military exchanges between the United States and Iran to persist over the coming days. Unclaimed airstrikes hit Iran after US ends operations, fueling speculation over new attacker In a separate report by USA media, quoting an unnamed source in Jerusalem, stated that Israel remains interested in taking part in any renewed military campaign against Iran should the ongoing conflict escalate. The developments follow recent US strikes on multiple targets inside Iran, which caused casualties and infrastructure damage. Washington launched the operations in response to alleged Iranian attacks on commercial vessels moving through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation to the American operations, Iran launched missile and drone strikes targeting US military bases and facilities located across Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan.

Portugal has appointed veteran coach Jorge Jesus as the new head coach of its national football team following the country's disappointing Round of 16 exit at the FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese Football Federation announced the appointment on Friday, confirming that the 71-year-old will succeed Roberto Martinez, whose tenure ended after Portugal's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the last 16. Jesus brings decades of coaching experience, having managed several top Portuguese clubs, including Benfica and Sporting Lisbon. Most recently, he was in charge of Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Announcing the appointment on social media platform X, the Portuguese national team said: "A new journey begins today. Welcome to the National Team, Mister Jorge Jesus." Portugal's early World Cup elimination prompted a change in leadership as the federation looks to rebuild ahead of future international competitions.

Police detained a 55-year-old grocery shop owner on Friday afternoon for allegedly sexually harassing an 8-year-old girl in the Bhutiyarghati area of Jhenaidah district town. The detainee was identified as Liton Biswas, a resident of Bhutiyarghati Biswaspara area. According to a local resident, Jahid Hossain, Liton lured the girl into his grocery shop by offering her chocolates  at noon and subsequently harassed her sexually. Lone accused in child rape case sentenced to death in Chattogram When the victim returned home and disclosed the ordeal to her family, furious relatives and locals gave Liton a good thrashing before alerting the authorities. Locals also alleged that Liton had been involved in similar unethical activities in the past. Asaduzzaman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station, said Liton was brought to the police station following the allegation. "Legal action will be taken once a written complaint is filed by the victim’s family," the OC said.    The victim has been admitted to the hospital for a medical examination, he also added.

Water levels in the Teesta River in Lalmonirhat receded slightly on Friday morning after crossing the danger mark overnight due to upstream hill runoff and heavy rainfall. However, residents of low-lying riverbank areas remain on edge amid fears of a fresh spell of short-term flooding. The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has opened all 44 sluice gates of the Teesta Barrage to regulate the rising flow as concerns grow over renewed flooding in the river's char (sandbar) areas. At 6pm on Friday, the Teesta's water level at Dalia Point of the country's largest irrigation project, the Teesta Barrage, was flowing 16 centimetres below the danger level. Just a day earlier, at 9pm on Thursday, the river had been flowing 3 centimetres above the danger mark. According to the BWDB and local sources, the river experienced a rapid rise over the previous 12 hours. At 6am on Thursday, the water level was 21 centimetres below the danger level, but it rose sharply throughout the day, reaching just 1 centimetre below the danger mark by 6pm before crossing it later that night. The sudden fluctuation in water levels has raised concerns among farmers over possible damage to standing crops in low-lying areas. Ripon Mia, a farmer from Gobardhan area of Aditmari upazila, said the Teesta was now flowing almost bank-full. "We are still staying in our homes, but if the water rises further, we may have to move to safer places. Although there has been little rainfall during the day, it has been raining almost every night, and upstream hill runoff continues to flow into the river," he said. Sunil Kumar Roy, executive engineer of the Lalmonirhat Water Development Board, said heavy rainfall both upstream and within the country had caused the river to rise rapidly. "All 44 sluice gates of the Teesta Barrage have been opened to help manage the flow," he said, adding that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have advised residents of riverbank and char areas to remain alert. According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, the Teesta's water level may rise further over the next 24 to 48 hours, potentially triggering short-term flooding in low-lying and char areas of Lalmonirhat, Rangpur and Kurigram districts. Local authorities have also been placed on alert and are closely monitoring the evolving flood situation.