Sweden’s former striker Zlatan Ibrahimović has praised France’s restraint during their World Cup Round of 16 match against Paraguay, which drew widespread criticism for the South American team’s aggressive play. The match saw 23 fouls, and observers noted that the referee could have issued more cards. Ibrahimović told Fox Sports that if he had played in such a match, he would have received four red cards, highlighting the provocations faced by the French players.

Throughout the game, Paraguay’s players repeatedly disrupted France’s rhythm, making it difficult for Didier Deschamps’ team to play their natural game. Despite the physical challenges, France maintained composure and discipline, ultimately securing victory. Ibrahimović commended the French side for staying calm and responding with goals and smiles, calling it the best way to answer provocation.

The incident has sparked debate about sportsmanship and refereeing standards in high-stakes matches, with France’s mental strength earning particular praise from football commentators.

A local BNP leader in Mirzapur, Tangail, was expelled from the party after a video of him dancing in a three-piece suit to celebrate Brazil’s victory over Japan in the ongoing World Cup went viral. The expulsion was announced on Sunday through a notice signed by Harunur Rashid, office secretary of the Mirzapur Upazila BNP. The notice stated that Khondkar Aminur Islam Mintu, president of Ward No. 1 of Gorai Union BNP, was permanently removed from both his position and primary membership.

According to local sources, Mintu’s celebratory dance drew widespread attention and criticism on social media. Following internal discussions, the party cited violations of organizational discipline and involvement in unethical activities as reasons for his dismissal. Attempts to reach Mintu for comment were unsuccessful.

Mirzapur Upazila BNP office secretary Harunur Rashid confirmed the expulsion in a statement released to the media.

A cargo ship was attacked off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The agency reported receiving a distress signal from the vessel located about 30 nautical miles southwest of the port city of Hodeidah. The incident occurred on July 5, 2026, and authorities have begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack.

UKMTO has advised ships operating in the area to navigate with caution and to report any suspicious activity. The organization issued safety guidance to vessels transiting the region as part of precautionary measures following the incident.

No country or group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far, and details about the extent of the damage or casualties remain unknown.

Authorities in Mumbai have issued a red alert after continuous heavy rainfall severely disrupted the city and nearby regions. The India Meteorological Department warned that many areas could experience very heavy to extremely heavy rain. Residents have been advised to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. In the past 24 hours, several parts of Mumbai recorded more than 200 millimeters of rain, with some areas exceeding 300 millimeters.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has urged people to contact its helpline at 1916 for emergency assistance. Officials also cautioned residents in low-lying and coastal zones to remain alert due to a forecast of a 4.19-meter high tide on Sunday afternoon and another 3.51-meter tide early Monday morning. The heavy rain on Saturday caused flooding in several low-lying areas, road collapses, uprooted trees, damaged houses, and disrupted road and rail services.

Heavy rainfall has also affected normal life in Thane, Palghar, Navi Mumbai, and Pune, according to the report sourced from NDTV.

The Government of Bangladesh has initiated a process to modernize the laws, regulations, and policies under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to align with the realities of the digital age. Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced the initiative during a meeting at the ministry on Sunday, emphasizing the need for updated legal frameworks to address challenges arising from rapid technological development and the expansion of the digital ecosystem.

According to the minister, the review of all existing laws and regulations under the ministry has already begun. The committee will identify areas requiring modernization, new legislation, or legal reform. Swapan noted that the ministry’s scope has expanded beyond print and broadcast media to include numerous digital platforms that often fall outside current legal coverage. The committee has been tasked with studying relevant laws from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States to develop a framework suited to Bangladesh’s context.

The minister also stressed the importance of coordination among government and private stakeholders, including technology experts and telecommunications entities, to ensure effective regulation of digital services and cyber activities.

Two workers were electrocuted while repairing a rural electricity line in the Pakarmatha area of Kishoreganj upazila, Nilphamari, on Sunday, July 5, 2026, around 11 a.m. The victims were identified as Jayanta Roy, 26, from Kalitala, and Mumin, 50, from Suthipara, both residents of Nilphamari Sadar upazila. Locals rushed them to Kishoreganj Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared them dead.

According to police and local sources, the workers began repairs on an electric pole without fully disconnecting the power supply. During the work, they were electrocuted and sustained fatal injuries. The incident has cast a pall of grief over the area.

Local residents claimed that the tragedy could have been avoided if the power connection had been properly shut off and adequate safety measures ensured. Kishoreganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Lutfor Rahman confirmed the incident and said legal procedures were underway. Locals have urged authorities to investigate the cause and strengthen safety protocols to prevent similar accidents.

Former cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has dismissed a private television report alleging corruption in the July Memorial Museum project, labeling it as disinformation. In a response to digital media outlet The Descent, he said the report presented misleading information about project costs, documentary production, and implementation. Farooki stated that around Tk 130 crore had been spent so far, not Tk 150 crore as claimed, with Tk 96 crore used by the Public Works Department for infrastructure.

He explained that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs transferred funds to the Public Works Department under a government-to-government system, but the report wrongly blamed the National Museum for the entire expenditure. Farooki also objected to the report’s claim that a documentary production address was an auto-rickshaw garage, saying the films were made by young and known filmmakers. He denied that Tk 2.7 million was spent per short documentary, asserting that detailed expense records exist.

Farooki further said the government approved direct procurement due to time constraints and accused certain groups of running a deliberate negative campaign against the museum and its documentaries.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken has said his team views Brazil as a challenge rather than a threat ahead of their World Cup Round of 16 match in New Jersey on Sunday at 2 a.m. Bangladesh time. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Solbakken acknowledged that Brazil remains the favorite on paper but emphasized that football does not always follow predictions. He stated that defeating Brazil is possible if Norway gives its absolute best performance on the field.

Norway, which impressed during the group stage, now faces its toughest test against the five-time world champions. Solbakken identified Brazil’s versatile attacking lineup as the main challenge, noting their ability to adjust formations and create different attacking combinations. He added that handling Brazil’s offensive pressure will be crucial for Norway’s chances.

Solbakken also said that a Norwegian victory over Brazil would be one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. While the duel between Erling Haaland and Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhães is expected to draw attention, the coach stressed that the match is ultimately about team performance rather than individual battles.

A passenger bus lost control and fell into a roadside ditch in Nalchity upazila of Jhalakathi on Sunday morning, killing the bus supervisor. The accident occurred around 10:30 a.m. at Purba Raypur Bottola area when the bus, traveling from Mathbaria in Pirojpur to Barishal, attempted to overtake another bus. Passengers managed to exit quickly, preventing further casualties. Traffic on the Jhalakathi-Barishal regional highway was temporarily halted following the incident.

According to police and local sources, the Nahid Super Paribahan bus lost control while trying to avoid a three-wheeler that came between two buses during the overtaking attempt. The supervisor was trapped under the bus and later declared dead at Jhalakathi Sadar Hospital. Hospital superintendent Masum Iftekhar confirmed that the victim had died before reaching the hospital.

Nalchity Police Station Officer-in-Charge Touhiduzzaman said police, fire service, and local residents jointly conducted rescue operations and worked to restore traffic flow. Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the accident.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Md. Aminul Islam, stated that the Awami League destroyed state institutions during its 15 years in power and committed various crimes as a political party. He said that all incidents would be tried according to law. He made these remarks on Sunday afternoon during a briefing at the International Crimes Tribunal.

Aminul Islam confirmed that an investigation is ongoing against the Awami League for alleged crimes against humanity. If the allegations are proven, the party could be legally banned. He also mentioned that Awami League President Sheikh Hasina could face trial in several specific cases, including the Shapla Chattar incident.

On Saturday, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said at the July National Conference that the now-banned Awami League would never again be able to engage in politics in the country, claiming the party’s political downfall is complete.

Israel’s Transport Minister Miri Regev has confirmed that the country deployed Iron Dome missile defense batteries in the United Arab Emirates during its ongoing war with Iran. Speaking to Army Radio, Regev said the deployment took place at the beginning of the conflict, as the UAE recognized ballistic missiles as one of the major threats.

Regev’s statement marks the first public confirmation by an Israeli official following an April report by U.S. outlet Axios about the deployment. In May, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also confirmed that a battery had been stationed in the Gulf nation. The UAE’s Ministry of Defense reported that Iran launched around 550 missiles and 2,200 drone attacks on the country during the war.

The confirmation underscores growing military coordination between Israel and the UAE amid heightened regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has directed relevant ministries and agencies to work in coordination to reduce carbon emissions and enhance Bangladesh’s potential for earning carbon credits in international markets. He issued the directive during a climate change meeting held on Sunday at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat. The Prime Minister also instructed the formation of an inter-ministerial committee to prepare a comprehensive action plan.

During the meeting, he emphasized expanding renewable energy use, adopting eco-friendly technologies in industries, improving energy efficiency, conserving forests, and increasing tree plantation to enhance carbon absorption. He further stressed ensuring transparency in carbon credit management, developing a reliable data system, and strengthening coordination with international organizations.

Officials attending the meeting stated that effective implementation of emission reduction initiatives could increase Bangladesh’s opportunities to earn carbon credits under international standards.

A young man named Jisan was allegedly beaten to death in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Saturday night after being accused of mugging. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. in the Paschim Masdair area. According to his family, several individuals led by local imam and volunteer organizer Kawser Ahmed took Jisan from his home, tied him to an electric pole, and beat him severely. He was later left unconscious near his house and declared dead at Khanpur 300-bed Hospital.

Following the incident, locals reported that Jisan’s relatives and friends vandalized parts of the neighborhood in protest. Kawser Ahmed claimed that Jisan had a history of drug use, drug dealing, and mugging, and that angry residents attacked him after a new allegation emerged.

Fatullah Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbub Alam confirmed that the body was sent for autopsy and that visible injury marks were found. He stated that no one has the right to take the law into their own hands and assured that legal action will be taken against those involved.

Prime Minister’s Special Assistant and Chairman of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Welfare Front, Babu Bijon Kanti Sarkar, stated that no attacks on minorities occurred in the country after August 5. Speaking on Saturday evening at the annual Kali Puja at Char Koshunda Kali Temple in Ghior upazila of Manikganj, he said that although members of the Hindu community initially felt fear and uncertainty, investigations the following day found no evidence of violence or persecution. He also claimed that some media outlets in a neighboring country had spread misleading reports about the situation.

Bijon Kanti Sarkar added that party leaders, including Tarique Rahman, had instructed that no harm should come to any person, particularly minorities. He said teams were sent across the country to observe the situation, and they found no signs of attacks. Member of Parliament S A Jinnah Kabir, speaking as a special guest, highlighted the contributions of the Hindu community during the Liberation War and urged them to remain confident about their equal role in the nation.

The event was attended by local officials, BNP leaders, and community members, reflecting a message of communal harmony and reassurance.

Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), appeared in public for the first time in a long period. He attended the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at a mosque in Tehran on Sunday morning, according to Iranian officials.

Officials said that during the early stages of the war, former IRGC chief Major General Mohammad Pakpour was killed in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. Following his death, General Vahidi was appointed as the new commander of the Revolutionary Guard. Since assuming this position, he has rarely been seen in public.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA released a video showing General Vahidi wearing a black cap while participating in the funeral ceremony.