The construction of the Anandabazar Bridge on the Garaduara–Mekhal Sarang Road in Hathazari, Chattogram, remains incomplete even two years after work began. Despite an extension beyond the original deadline, the contractor has not finished the project, leaving thousands of residents, including students, facing serious travel difficulties. Local authorities have stated that efforts are underway to complete the remaining work as soon as possible.

On-site observations show that the bridge pillars are finished, and iron structures for one span have been installed, but progress is slow. Recent rainfall has raised water levels in the river, further complicating construction. To maintain connectivity, the contractor has built a temporary bamboo footbridge, which residents and students use at personal risk.

According to the Hathazari Upazila LGED office, the project began on October 10, 2023, under contractor Majed Enterprise, with a budget of Tk 31.67 million and a completion target of October 14, 2024. Officials cited heavy rainfall as a key reason for the delay and confirmed that instructions have been issued to expedite completion.

A robbery suspect named Samrat escaped from police custody in Gazipur on Monday afternoon while being prepared for transfer to court. Police said he slipped out of his handcuffs and fled from the detention area. Samrat had been arrested the previous night in the Boardbazar area of Gazipur with the help of information technology. He faces multiple robbery cases in Gazipur and other police stations.

Gazipur Sadar Metro Police Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam confirmed that Samrat’s thin wrists allowed him to free himself from the handcuffs. The police have launched a special operation to capture him. Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Israil Howlader stated that the incident is being treated with utmost seriousness, and multiple teams are working to locate the fugitive.

Authorities have strengthened surveillance using technology and intelligence resources to track Samrat. A departmental review is also underway to determine how the escape occurred.

At the National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital in Dhaka, cancer patients are waiting up to one and a half years for radiotherapy due to severe equipment shortages and overwhelming patient demand. Many, like Aleya Begum from Tangail and Mokbul Khan from Cumilla, have been given treatment dates months away, raising fears that delays could worsen their conditions. The hospital charges around 12,000 to 15,000 taka for a radiotherapy course, while private hospitals cost nearly 200,000 taka, making private care unaffordable for most.

Out of eight radiotherapy machines, only two are currently operational, one of which frequently breaks down. More than half of the hospital’s diagnostic equipment, including CT scan, MRI, and mammography machines, is out of order. Patients also face shortages of basic medical supplies and long waits for chemotherapy and diagnostic tests. Many are forced to sleep in corridors and courtyards due to a lack of beds.

Hospital authorities acknowledge the crisis, citing outdated machines and excessive patient load. They plan to introduce three-shift radiotherapy services and are coordinating with the health ministry to address equipment and staffing shortages.

Spain defeated Argentina 1–0 in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 105th minute of extra time. The victory marked Spain’s first World Cup title in 16 years. While celebrations filled the streets of Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia, an unexpected wave of joy also swept through war-torn Gaza, where residents watched the match on small screens and limited electricity, celebrating Spain’s triumph as their own.

For Gazans, Spain’s win carried deep political and emotional meaning. Spain is among the few major European nations to formally recognize the State of Palestine, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has consistently called for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza. This stance has made Spain a symbol of solidarity for Palestinians. Many in Gaza publicly supported Spain before the final, viewing the match as a symbolic clash between two political positions, given Argentina’s leadership’s strong pro-Israel stance.

The celebrations in Gaza reflected gratitude and hope amid destruction, turning Spain’s football victory into a powerful message of human connection and resilience.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a major relaxation in the renewal process for domestic workers’ residency permits, known as Iqama. From now on, employers can issue or renew Iqamas for as short as three months, instead of paying fees for one or two years at once. The initiative was jointly launched by the Ministry of Interior, the General Directorate of Passports, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and the recruitment platform Musaned.

According to local media Okaz, the new system allows employers to pay only for the selected duration, such as three months or its multiples, easing the financial burden on households. The service is available online through the government’s Absher digital platform.

Authorities said the decision aims to accommodate the diverse needs of domestic work, align with employers’ financial capacities, and modernize residency services as part of expanding digital government operations.

The United States carried out airstrikes in Iran for the tenth consecutive night, targeting areas including Sirik, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Chabahar, and Konarak. Explosions were reported across these regions. In response, Iran launched counterattacks on US military bases in the Middle East. The escalation followed US President Donald Trump’s warning that Iran would pay a heavy price for the deaths of three American soldiers, two in Jordan and one in Iraq.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the country is now engaged in a full-scale war with the United States, confirming retaliatory strikes on targets in Bahrain, Jordan, and Syria. The US Central Command said its operations aimed to reduce Iran’s ability to attack commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, focusing on command centers, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim agency reported that several cities, including Tabriz and Bandar Imam Khomeini, were hit. Regional militaries in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain confirmed intercepting Iranian drones and missiles. Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, raising fears of further disruption to global energy supplies.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement announced on Monday a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, citing retaliation for what it called an unjust blockade imposed on Yemen. The declaration came amid intensifying military exchanges between Iran and the United States, marking a new escalation in the regional conflict. The Houthis said the blockade would take effect immediately under a policy of 'an eye for an eye.' Saudi Arabia has not yet issued any response to the announcement.

The move follows ten consecutive nights of U.S. strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks by Tehran on American-linked sites across several Middle Eastern countries. These developments have effectively collapsed a memorandum of understanding signed between Tehran and Washington last month. Despite the hostilities, both sides have signaled possible interest in returning to diplomatic talks.

According to the report, Tehran had pressured the Houthis to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait if U.S. attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure continued. Closure of this key route between the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea could cut global oil supply by about seven percent, while the ongoing Gulf conflict has already reduced supply by roughly ten percent.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has begun rewarding select allies of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government, while dissatisfaction grows among others who feel overlooked. Several leaders from former coalition partners and joint movement allies have been appointed to key government positions, including Rashed Khan as special assistant to the prime minister with secretary rank, and others as state ministers or advisers. However, some long-time partners, such as Jamiat Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh, boycotted a recent dinner hosted by the prime minister, citing neglect and lack of recognition.

The BNP-led coalition, which came to power after the 2024 election following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime, included multiple alliances such as Ganatantra Mancha, the 12-Party Alliance, and the Nationalist Like-Minded Alliance. While a few leaders from these groups secured ministerial or advisory roles, many others remain without positions, fueling frustration among smaller parties and Islamist factions. Political analysts note that these groups played significant roles in the anti-autocracy movement but have not been equally rewarded.

Party insiders warn that perceived favoritism in appointments could create internal tension within the BNP and its allied organizations.

Heavy rainfall and upstream hill torrents have caused erosion at the Karatoa River embankment in Chak Rahimapur village under Sapmara Union of Gobindaganj upazila, Gaibandha. To prevent further damage, a geo bag dumping project worth 2.9 million taka has been launched, involving the placement of 8,000 geo bags. The initiative was inaugurated on Sunday afternoon by Zulfiqar Ali, Sub-Divisional Engineer of the Water Development Board, Gaibandha, under the direction of Member of Parliament Shamim Kaiser Lincoln.

The inauguration event was attended by officials from the Water Development Board, the project contractor Hasanur Rahman Chowdhury Duke, local government representatives, and residents from nearby villages. According to Engineer Zulfiqar Ali, 500 sand-filled geo bags have already been checked, marked, and prepared for placement, while the remaining bags will be dumped urgently at the erosion site to control the river’s strong current.

The project aims to stabilize the embankment and protect nearby communities from potential flooding and further erosion caused by the rising water flow.

Continuous rainfall has severely damaged the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in Sonargaon, turning several sections into dangerous death traps. Thousands of vehicles are forced to travel through pothole-ridden stretches daily, facing high risks of accidents and increased fears of robbery, especially at night. The damaged areas extend roughly 14 kilometers from the eastern side of Kanchpur Bridge through Madanpur, Langalbandh, Mograpara intersection, and Meghna toll plaza.

Drivers report that potholes filled with rainwater make it difficult to judge their depth, leading to frequent accidents and vehicle breakdowns. Many complain that poor-quality repair work has worsened the situation. Taxi and bus drivers say nighttime driving has become particularly hazardous due to hidden holes and mechanical failures.

According to the Roads and Highways Department’s executive engineer Abdur Rahim, continuous rain and poor drainage have caused new potholes. He said repair work has already begun and, weather permitting, the road could be made safe for travel within a week.

Continuous heavy rainfall and mountain runoff have caused severe flooding in Lohagara upazila of Chattogram, damaging homes, roads, and public infrastructure. According to the upazila administration’s preliminary report, losses across 13 sectors—including housing, agriculture, fisheries, education, health, and power—amount to Tk 43.35 crore. The floods affected 23,750 families in nine unions, leaving many people stranded and homeless as water from the Tonkaboti, Dolu, and Hangor rivers inundated large areas.

The administration reported partial damage to 83 kilometers of roads, four bridges, 20 culverts, 184 hectares of cropland, and 15 kilometers of electrical lines. Relief efforts have included distribution of 1,005 packets of dry food and 50 tons of rice, while additional requests for 15 tons of rice and 1,200 bundles of tin have been made to higher authorities. Local social groups and donors have also joined the relief work.

Officials said floodwaters have started receding as rainfall subsides, and a detailed damage report has been sent to higher authorities for further action.

A government investigation has concluded that inadequate pilot training and insufficient supervision contributed to the military jet crash at Milestone School and College’s Diabari campus in Uttara, Dhaka, on July 21 last year. The F-7 BGI training aircraft struck the Haidar Ali academic building, killing 36 people, including 28 children, three parents, three teachers, and one staff member. The anniversary of the tragedy is being marked with two days of mourning and remembrance programs organized by the school.

The nine-member commission, led by former secretary A.K.M. Zafar Ullah Khan, submitted its report after more than three months of investigation. It reviewed findings from the Air Force, Fire Service, and Rajuk. The report cited the pilot’s first solo flight, loss of communication with air traffic control, and a possible windshield mark from a bird strike. It also noted that the building had only one exit, worsening casualties.

The commission recommended compensation packages for victims’ families, but these have not been implemented after one year, causing frustration among affected families.

Continuous rainfall and upstream hill floods have caused a steady rise in the Jamuna River’s water level in Sirajganj, leading to severe erosion along riverbanks. Hundreds of residents in Shahjadpur, Kazipur, and Chowhali upazilas have lost homes and farmland as the river devours new areas daily. Low-lying and char regions are now inundated, and several educational institutions and flood centers face imminent risk.

According to the Sirajganj Water Development Board, the river has been rising since July 13, with water levels increasing by three centimeters in the last 24 hours at both the Sirajganj town protection embankment and Kazipur’s Meghaighat point. The Civil Surgeon’s Office has identified 32 of the district’s 83 unions as vulnerable and has taken health preparedness measures to address potential post-flood risks.

Local residents blame illegal sand extraction during the dry season for worsening erosion during the monsoon. Authorities are currently using sandbags to slow down the damage, but many families remain displaced and without shelter.

An illegal chemical factory in Keshabpur, Jashore, has caused severe environmental pollution, endangering crops, livestock, trees, and local biodiversity. Residents report that acid and chemical waste from the factory have turned soil and water reddish, spreading foul odors and causing skin and respiratory diseases among men, women, and children. Sixty families from two villages have petitioned the Keshabpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer to shut down the factory and take legal action against its owner, Ruhul Amin.

According to the complaint, Ruhul Amin, from Shyamkur village in Monirampur, established the factory three years ago without official approval or environmental clearance. The facility uses acids and imported chemicals to color metal products and discharges untreated waste into nearby land and water. During the monsoon, about 20 acres of farmland become flooded with chemical water, damaging crops and trees. Locals allege that Ruhul Amin has expanded his operations and amassed wealth through this illegal business.

The Upazila Nirbahi Officer confirmed receiving the complaint and stated that an investigation and legal action will follow.

Road expansion work is continuing on the Dhaka Bypass from Madanpur to Bhulta–Gausia in Narayanganj with electric poles still standing in the middle of the road. The project, part of a 48-kilometer four-lane upgrade under a 2019 public-private partnership, has left hundreds of poles in place, raising fears among drivers, passengers, and local residents about potential accidents. Despite the ongoing construction, no effective steps have been taken to remove the poles, and the situation has become a safety concern.

Local residents expressed frustration that safety issues are being ignored even as the road is being paved around the poles. Officials involved in the project said the Rural Electrification Board has been repeatedly requested to remove the poles but has not acted effectively. In response, the local electricity authority stated that delays in soil preparation by the road construction team have prevented timely removal. The project authority expects completion by December this year despite the slow progress.

The unresolved coordination between the road and electricity departments continues to delay the project and heighten safety risks for road users.