Iran announced on Sunday that it has closed the Strait of Hormuz, claiming a vessel was moving through an unauthorized route and was stopped after being attacked. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy stated that the ship had turned off its identification system, disrupting maritime security. The IRGC warned that the strait would remain closed until further notice and until U.S. interference in the region ends, adding that any aggression against Iran would be met with a strong response.

Senior U.S. officials said on Friday that Washington wants Iran to publicly commit to halting attacks on ships and to keep all maritime routes open without tolls. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that despite rising tensions, both sides agreed to continue talks and that a ceasefire had ended. Reuters reported that Iran, the United States, Qatar, and Pakistan had agreed in principle to hold discussions, with Oman facilitating contacts.

Oman’s foreign minister met Iran’s Abbas Araghchi in Muscat to discuss measures ensuring safe navigation. Oman’s state news agency said technical and political talks on the issue would continue. The conflict, which began after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in February, has driven up global energy prices.

Ferry services on the Daulatdia-Paturia route resumed on Sunday morning after being suspended for two hours because of adverse weather conditions. Operations restarted at 7 a.m. following a temporary halt from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. to prevent possible accidents. The route connects Daulatdia in Rajbari and Paturia in Manikganj.

According to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Daulatdia office, twelve ferries of various sizes are currently operating on the route. The ferries are departing with limited numbers of vehicles and passengers after short waiting periods at the terminal. Passenger and vehicle pressure at the terminals remained relatively low after services resumed.

Officials said ferry movement is being maintained cautiously, with continuous monitoring of weather conditions to ensure safety on the route.

Iran has warned that it will not leave the recent U.S. attack unanswered and declared itself fully prepared for war. The statement came from Ali Safari, adviser to the spokesperson of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, who accused Washington of failing to honor commitments made under a memorandum of understanding signed on June 16. According to that agreement, Iran was to take responsibility for the future management of the Strait of Hormuz through discussions with Oman and other countries.

Safari criticized the creation of a southern maritime route under U.S. pressure, saying it obstructed the earlier agreement and posed serious security risks and potential conflict in the region. He described the continued use of that route as irresponsible and warned that the United States must either respect the agreement it signed 23 days earlier or withdraw from it.

Reaffirming Iran’s position, Safari stated that the country is far stronger than Washington imagines and is ready for war if necessary.

Iran is reportedly attempting an unprecedented move to assert control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, following a recent attack on a ship off the coast of Oman. According to Ian Ralby, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for Maritime Strategy, Tehran is seeking not only to impose a permit system but also to enforce payment and monitoring mechanisms in the waterway, potentially through military means.

Ralby described the development as unprecedented and warned that it poses risks to global free navigation and the world economy. He noted that if Iran succeeds, other nations might follow similar paths, undermining international maritime norms. The recent attack has already led to a sharp decline in commercial shipping activity in the area, with most vessels now navigating only through Iranian waters.

The report suggests that Iran’s strategy is beginning to take effect, signaling a shift in control dynamics in one of the world’s most critical maritime routes.

Former Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad and former Acting President of Bangladesh, Jamir Uddin Sarkar, has passed away. His youngest son, Nowfel Jamir, confirmed the news in a Facebook post, stating that he died at dawn on July 12, Bangladesh time.

Journalist Oliullah Noman shared on Facebook that he had many memories with Jamir Uddin Sarkar, recalling his time as Acting President and Speaker when he often invited journalists for discussions and news advice. Noman described him as a patriotic politician whose political philosophy centered on establishing a sovereign Bangladesh free from foreign dominance. He expressed that the nation has lost a distinguished political figure with his passing.

Prayers were offered for the forgiveness of his sins and for his acceptance in paradise, along with wishes for patience and strength for his bereaved family.

England reached the World Cup semifinals after defeating Norway 2–1 in Miami on July 12, 2026. The match, played in intense heat, saw both teams struggle with pace and sharpness. Jude Bellingham scored twice, including the decisive goal in extra time, to secure England’s victory. Norway had taken the lead through Andreas Schjelderup in the 36th minute, but Bellingham equalized just before halftime. His second goal came after Norway’s goalkeeper failed to hold a long-range shot from Morgan Rogers.

The win marked England’s second consecutive World Cup semifinal appearance, following their 2022 run in Qatar. Under coach Thomas Tuchel, the team showed resilience despite Norway’s organized play and multiple missed chances. Erling Haaland remained largely ineffective against England’s defense, while VAR overturned a potential penalty for England in extra time.

England will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semifinals, with Bellingham now having scored six goals in the tournament and emerging as the central figure in Tuchel’s side.

Two Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) candidates in Noakhali were unable to attend their scheduled exam after being targeted by a criminal group known as an 'unconsciousness gang'. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, near Mehran Dine Restaurant in Maijdee town. The victims, Jannatul Naima and Fahima Akter Shoshi, both 19 and science students from Noakhali Government College, lost their exam admit cards, gold ornaments, and other documents.

According to relatives, the two friends were traveling by a CNG-run autorickshaw to their exam center at Sonapur Degree College when the gang rendered them unconscious and fled with their belongings. Locals later rescued the students and informed their families. They are now receiving treatment at a local hospital.

Sudharam Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge Nazrul Islam confirmed that the victims’ guardians filed a complaint. Police have sent a team to the scene, seized the autorickshaw, and launched an operation to arrest the suspects and take legal action.

Mohammad Sarjis Alam, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for northern Bangladesh, made strong remarks against Sheikh Hasina and the current BNP government during a rally in Rahanpur, Chapainawabganj, on Saturday night. Speaking after a July march demanding a referendum, employment, and border security, he accused Sheikh Hasina of disgraceful defeat and alleged she had fled the country. He also claimed that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s family members were not true Bangladeshis and criticized their legacy.

Sarjis Alam further accused the BNP government of distributing state benefits only among its supporters, questioning whether the government served the entire nation or just its party members. He also expressed concern over media freedom, alleging that the Awami League previously controlled the press and that similar interference was re-emerging under the current administration.

Calling for public support, Alam urged citizens to trust the NCP, emphasizing that the party was newly formed and committed to protecting voters’ trust and rights.

A video showing an attack on a businessman inside his home in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, has gone viral on Facebook. The incident occurred on Friday evening at the residence of Abu Bakar near the Mohammadpur three-road junction. Police said Abu Bakar and two others were sitting in the garage when a group of eight to ten people entered and began talking to them. At one point, a teenager struck Abu Bakar with the blunt side of a machete.

According to Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mezbah Uddin, Abu Bakar is involved in land trading, and the attack stemmed from a dispute over property. Abu Bakar filed a case on Friday night, naming four known individuals as accused. The case statement alleges that the assault was carried out due to ongoing land-related conflicts.

Police are investigating the incident, and the viral video has drawn public attention to the violent dispute in the residential area.

Jahangirnagar University (JU) has announced a special initiative to support flood victims during the screening of the Argentina vs Switzerland quarter-final match. The event will take place at the university’s open stage, where students and campus residents can watch the game on a large screen while contributing to a crowdfunding campaign for those affected by ongoing floods in parts of Bangladesh.

According to a Facebook post by JUCSU Sports Secretary Md. Mahamudul Hasan Kiron, the match screening will begin at 7 a.m. on July 12. He urged students to bring voluntary donations such as cash, dry food, essential medicines, or other necessary items to deposit in a designated relief collection box at the venue. The initiative aims to combine the joy of sports with a humanitarian cause, reflecting the university’s tradition of standing by people during national crises.

Organizers hope the event will inspire compassion and collective responsibility among students while providing tangible support to flood-affected communities.

Students of the 105th batch of Dhaka University have announced an emergency public relief fund campaign to assist flood-affected residents in Chattogram, which is experiencing one of the most severe floods in recent memory. The initiative will begin on Sunday, July 12, with two collection booths set up at the TSC and Arts Building on campus. Relief items and cash donations will also be collected from residential halls, classrooms, and nearby areas.

According to organizers, a representative team from the 105th batch is maintaining constant communication with local volunteers and officials in the affected low-lying areas. Once the collection phase ends, the gathered funds will be used to purchase dry food, clean water, saline, polythene sheets, and essential medical supplies, which will be distributed directly to stranded residents through coordination with local volunteers.

Coordinator Ifthekhar Islam Tanvir said the campaign aims to ensure broad participation through faculty-based teams, hall-level promotion, and crowdfunding. He described the effort as a collective act of humanity, urging everyone to contribute within their means.

Prominent political figures, lawyers, journalists, and injured fighters have demanded the immediate implementation of the 'July Charter', justice for those convicted of crimes against humanity including Sheikh Hasina, and proper rehabilitation for injured and martyred families. The demands were made on Saturday, July 11, at a program organized by the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka, where an audio-visual series on the July Revolution and its first song were launched.

Speakers including Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, ICT Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam, former adviser Sharmin S Murshid, and lawyer Tajul Islam emphasized fulfilling the aspirations of the July Revolution and ensuring equality and justice. They criticized the current parliament and government for neglecting the revolution’s ideals and failing to rehabilitate injured fighters. Several speakers also called for the establishment of a July Museum and media boycott of those opposing the revolution.

Former BFUJ president M Abdullah expressed frustration over the foundation’s financial crisis and urged MPs and officials to contribute one month’s salary. Injured fighters described their dire living conditions, alleging government inaction in their rehabilitation.

Leaders of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh have called for a full evaluation of the July martyrs and urged that those still injured receive proper medical treatment. The demand was made at the council and member conference of the party’s Dhaka North unit, held on Saturday at the Kabi Nazrul Islam Hall of the National Press Club. The event was chaired by Mufti Mokbul Hossain Kasemi and conducted by Maulana Nur Mohammad Kasemi, with party president Shaikhul Hadis Maulana Ubaidullah Faruq as the chief guest.

Speakers emphasized that millions of Qawmi madrasa students are citizens of the country but remain neglected in areas such as the national budget. They urged the government to ensure their rights and take effective steps for the full implementation of the Qawmi certificate. The conference also presented a 10-point demand, including improving law and order, stopping anti-Qawmi propaganda, and making religious education compulsory at all levels.

A 61-member committee was formed for the Dhaka North unit, with Mufti Mokbul Hossain Kasemi as president, Maulana Nur Mohammad Kasemi as general secretary, and Maulana Taher Saeed as organizational secretary.

France advanced to the semifinals of the World Cup after defeating Morocco in the first quarterfinal, a match that carried deep emotional significance beyond the scoreline. The game featured Paris Saint-Germain teammates Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi facing each other as rivals, setting aside their friendship for 90 minutes as Mbappé led France to victory while Hakimi’s defensive efforts fell short for Morocco.

A striking aspect of the match was that six Moroccan players—Redouane Halhal, Guesim Yassine, Samir El Mourabet, Neil El Aynaoui, Issa Diop, and Ayoub Bouaddi—were all born in France. Among them, 18-year-old midfielder Bouaddi drew particular attention for switching allegiance from France’s under-21 team to Morocco just before the tournament. Morocco’s strategy of recruiting dual-nationality players has long been part of its football identity, with several French-born stars representing the country in past tournaments.

The encounter symbolized more than a tactical contest; it was a poignant display of identity and belonging, where friends turned opponents and players faced their birth nation in defense of ancestral roots.

A legal notice has been issued against Eastern Bank Limited (EBL) Chairman Md. Shawkat Ali Chowdhury, accusing him of laundering 25 million US dollars. The notice, sent by Supreme Court lawyer A.H.M. Rezwanul Saeed, was addressed to eight senior government officials, including the Bangladesh Bank governor, the National Board of Revenue chairman, and the head of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). It questions why no legal action was taken despite the suspicious transaction being flagged and demands action within seven days.

According to the notice, UK authorities discovered the funds in Shawkat Ali Chowdhury’s name during an investigation into former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury’s assets. The money was later transferred to Dubai after BFIU allegedly failed to act within the required time. The notice also claims that Shawkat Ali Chowdhury attempted to legitimize the funds by declaring large tax payments, though such legalization is not permitted under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012.

The notice further urges that all intelligence reports and documents related to the 25 million dollars be provided to the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Criminal Investigation Department, and calls for a review of Chowdhury’s eligibility to remain as EBL chairman.