A woman from Bogura was arrested by India's Border Security Force (BSF) after she illegally crossed the Tripura border to meet her Indian lover without a visa or passport. The woman and her partner, identified as Dutta Yadav, were detained in Sepahijala district. Indian authorities have filed cases against them under the Passport Act, the Foreigners Act, and the Indian Penal Code. They were remanded to judicial custody for 14 days by a local court on Friday. Police are investigating whether the incident is linked to a human trafficking network.

The Inter-Education Board has sent a proposal to the Ministry of Education to include a ‘July Uprising’ quota in the admission policy for Class XI in 2025. This quota would benefit students from families of martyrs and injured from the 2024 protests. If approved, it will be implemented from the upcoming admission cycle. Currently, 7% of seats are reserved—5% for freedom fighters and 2% for Ministry-related offices—but reforms are underway due to a decline in freedom fighters’ descendants. The proposal also includes setting admission deadlines, merit-based priority, migration policies, and promoting technical education. With approximately 2.5 million seats expected to remain vacant in 2025, these reforms aim to improve the education system's efficiency.

Close sources from the Syrian presidency confirm that interim President Ahmad al-Shara attended at least one secret meeting with Israeli officials in Baku, Azerbaijan. However, Damascus has officially denied the allegations. The discussions, jointly organized by Israel and the United States, covered sensitive issues including Iran’s influence, Hezbollah, the resettlement of Gaza refugees, and a potential security agreement. Talks also touched on opening an Israeli coordination office, signaling a possible shift in Syria-Israel relations. Both parties have yet to make public comments on the matter.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirmed his country’s full support for Russia’s war in Ukraine during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. British intelligence estimates that over 6,000 North Korean troops have died in Ukraine, with thousands more deployed alongside military equipment. The U.S. and South Korea have expressed concern that North Korea may receive advanced technology in return for this support.

A 20-year-old Bangladeshi youth named Russell was shot and killed by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) near the Minapur border in Thakurgaon’s Haripur upazila. According to his family, he was returning from India when he was shot. His body remains on the Indian side of the border. The local administration and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have said they are in communication with BSF to recover the body.

A significant portion of Bangladeshi students are struggling in math and English due to poor foundational education in primary schools. Experts and research reports point to unskilled teachers, lack of subject-specific training, and inadequate pre-service preparation as key issues. Despite training programs, many teachers fail to apply their knowledge effectively in classrooms. Nearly a quarter of teachers remain untrained, and teacher shortages and insufficient benefits worsen the situation. Education experts stress the urgent need for quality teacher recruitment, training, and monitoring.

A portion of the embankment on the Majutkhali River in Abhaynagar, Jashore, has collapsed due to continuous rainfall, raising flood fears among residents of Digholiyarabad, Nalamara, and Joyarabad villages. Locals have placed soil bags and bamboo fencing as a temporary fix, but a permanent solution is urgently needed. Hundreds of homes, fish farms, and farmlands remain at risk. A memorandum has been submitted to local authorities demanding long-term embankment repairs using geo-bags or CC blocks.

Road accidents are claiming thousands of lives in Bangladesh, but inconsistent data from government and non-government sources is hindering effective policy-making. While BRTA reports fewer fatalities, NGOs show higher numbers, raising concerns about data reliability. Experts emphasize that accurate statistics are essential for planning preventive measures. In developing countries like Bangladesh, road safety is often underprioritized despite its public health impact. A centralized accident database, led by police and supported by verified NGO input, is urgently needed to ensure evidence-based decisions.

Floodwaters from upstream have newly inundated parts of Chhagalnaiya, Feni Sadar, and Daganbhuiyan upazilas in Feni district, affecting 114 villages. One man died in Phulgazi while fishing during the floods. Though rain has stopped, water continues to flow in through breached embankments. Thousands remain stranded, with over 9,200 people sheltering in relief centers. Army, BGB, police, and volunteers are engaged in rescue and relief efforts. Locals say this is a repeat of 2024’s devastation, and they fear more hardship amid ongoing damage and waterlogging.

Following a social media post where Israeli journalist Israel Frey expressed jubilation over the deaths of Israeli soldiers in Gaza, Tel Aviv court extended his detention. Frey criticized the military’s actions, stating the world is better off with the death of “five war criminals.” He also urged Israeli mothers to bring their children back from the war. Previously, he had been interrogated multiple times for “inciting terrorism” and described Palestinian resistance as “heroic.” In an interview with Haaretz, Frey declared, “I will not bow to oppression. Free Gaza.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held their first direct meeting in Malaysia, describing it as “constructive and positive.” The talks came amid escalating US-China tensions due to Trump’s new tariff policies. Rubio said the meeting laid the groundwork for future dialogue and raised hopes for a Trump-Xi Jinping summit. Although China criticized the tariffs as “bullying,” it kept channels open for discussion. Rubio aims to position the US as a better strategic partner for Asia than China, despite Southeast Asian concerns that Trump’s unilateral tariffs are deepening global economic divisions.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that the ongoing military ceasefire between India and Pakistan is still in effect, though India’s political leadership is unwilling to acknowledge it. Dar claimed that India initiated the conflict but later requested a ceasefire over a phone call from the U.S. Secretary of State. Following intense four-day clashes in April this year between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, the ceasefire was brokered through U.S. mediation.

Dar also asserted that Pakistan conducted a major military operation named “Operation Bunyan-e-Marsus,” destroying six Indian warplanes. He criticized India’s decision to annul the “Indus Waters Treaty,” calling it provocative, and highlighted Pakistan’s economic progress and its ambition to join the G20. Speaking at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Malaysia, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

A Bangladeshi man involved in cattle smuggling was killed by gunfire from the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Baghanbari border in Doara Bazar Upazila, Sunamganj. On Friday night, Shafiqul Islam, 45, was shot by patrolling BSF personnel while attempting to bring cattle from India. Local residents rushed the injured Shafiqul to the nearby health complex, where doctors declared him dead. Police confirmed that Shafiqul was shot in the chest and preliminary investigations suggest his involvement in cattle smuggling activities.

Bangladesh will collaborate with Malaysia to assist investigations into Bangladeshi nationals arrested on terrorism allegations, Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain stated. Speaking at the ARF ministerial meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Hossain reaffirmed Bangladesh’s stance against terrorism during a bilateral meeting with Malaysia’s Foreign Minister and requested cooperation in information sharing and investigations. He also discussed the Rohingya crisis, reform agendas, and post-LDC (Least Developed Country) support with various foreign ministers.

Heavy monsoon rains and river erosion have triggered fresh flooding in Feni, submerging villages and damaging embankments at 15 points. Over 27 villages are affected, and water levels in rivers like the Muhuri have crossed danger marks. Roads, schools, and fish farms are inundated, while relief efforts are underway. Experts blame poor embankment maintenance. There is an urgent call for coordinated action, emergency shelters, food, and medical aid. The government is urged to take proactive steps before the situation worsens.