Water levels in the Teesta River are rapidly increasing due to upstream hill runoff from India, raising flood concerns in northern Bangladesh. As of Friday morning, the water is flowing 23 cm below the danger level at Dalia Point. Authorities have opened 44 sluice gates at Teesta Barrage to manage the flow. Residents in char areas and riverbanks remain on high alert, especially in Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Nilphamari, and Kurigram. Officials have initiated precautionary measures in anticipation of potential flooding.

Quantum Cosmo School, located in a remote area of Lama, Bandarban, has topped the district in the 2025 SSC exams. All 97 students from its general section passed, with 16 scoring GPA 5. From its vocational branch, 50 out of 51 students passed, and 14 achieved GPA 5. The school credits its success to meditation, residential support, and dedicated teaching. Alikadam and Bandarban Cantonment schools secured second and third places respectively. Lama’s overall pass rate was low, with Sarai High School performing the worst.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent comment that leaders should retire at 75 has stirred a political storm in India, as both he and Prime Minister Modi are turning 75 this year. The statement, made during a book launch in Nagpur, was interpreted as a subtle hint at Modi. Opposition leaders quickly responded, reminding Modi of his past enforcement of the same age rule on senior BJP leaders. The remark has fueled fresh debate over political succession and retirement norms.

Following a violent clash and exchange of gunfire between two rival groups of BNP in Sujanagar, Pabna, the party has expelled 10 leaders, including the upazila unit’s member secretary. The central BNP also filed a case against the expelled individuals on Friday night under the directive of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. The complaint was lodged by Joint Organizing Secretary Amirul Islam Alim.
During a visit to Sujanagar, central leaders reaffirmed the party's zero-tolerance policy toward political violence and internal disorder, warning of strict organizational actions against any future misconduct.

The water levels of the Selaonia and Muhuri rivers in Feni district are falling and currently remain below the danger mark. Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in the region over the next three days. Other river basins like Teesta, Dharla, Surma, Kushiyara, Ganges-Padma, and Brahmaputra-Jamuna also show varying water level changes but remain mostly below danger levels. The overall flood situation in Feni and surrounding areas is likely to improve within 72 hours as rainfall patterns continue.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar has urged all supporters to play an active role in ensuring the success of the national rally scheduled for July 19, calling it a potential “turning point” in the country’s political future.

Speaking at a special members’ conference in Dhaka, Parwar called for unity under the Islamic flag. In a separate meeting commemorating the “July Revolution,” party leader Mahmudur Rahman accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of mass atrocities and demanded swift justice, also calling for the preservation of the memories of the revolution's martyrs.

Despite heavy U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, approximately 60% of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile remains undamaged and securely stored in special containers controlled by Iranian scientists. While many centrifuges were destroyed, the enriched uranium supply is believed to be sufficient for nuclear bomb development. The operation reportedly delayed Iran’s nuclear program by up to two years. U.S. and Israeli officials emphasize the strikes’ success, but warn of potential future attacks if Iran attempts to recover lost capabilities.

Gano Adhikar Parishad President and former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nur has stated that without justice for those killed during popular uprisings and comprehensive reform of the state system, national elections cannot be legitimate. Speaking at a roadside rally in Cox’s Bazar’s Chakaria on Friday, he reiterated his call for adopting a proportional representation (PR) system in national elections, which he believes would prevent any single party from dominating power.

Nur condemned the current government for its alleged repression, extortion, and political killings, vowing that such actions will not be tolerated in a “New Bangladesh.” He also criticized the BNP, referencing extortion and the killing of a businessman allegedly by Chhatra Dal members. “People no longer want to see such criminal acts,” he said, warning that students and the public will be forced to return to the streets if necessary.

Starting in 2026, the United States will introduce a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee on most non-immigrant visas, significantly raising costs for applicants from Bangladesh and other countries. This fee applies to tourist, student, and work visas, increasing total expenses to nearly $472 for a B-1/B-2 visa. Refunds are possible under strict conditions, such as timely departure or legal status changes. The fee aims to encourage lawful behavior and is part of broader immigration reforms, including a new tax on remittances.

Khelafat Majlis has announced candidates for 19 parliamentary seats in the Sylhet division for the upcoming general elections, contesting under the electoral symbol ‘Wall Clock.’ The list was unveiled by the party’s advisor, Principal Muhammad Masud Khan, at a press conference in Sylhet city on Friday. Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami had released candidates for the same seats. The Khelafat nominees include branch leaders from home and abroad, religious scholars, and lawyers. The party stated its aim to promote a politics based on morality and ideals.

More than 2,000 senior officials at NASA are resigning amid proposed budget cuts, risking a major loss of expertise crucial for upcoming space missions. The departures, including scientists, engineers, and mission planners, may disrupt plans for sending humans to the Moon and Mars. Layoffs are ongoing across NASA’s centers, with Goddard, Johnson, and Kennedy centers most affected. Experts warn this could weaken U.S. leadership in space exploration, especially as complex missions approach. The workforce may shrink to its smallest since the 1960s.

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has officially begun surrendering weapons in northern Iraq, signaling the end of its nearly 40-year armed struggle against Turkey. A ceremony in Sulaymaniyah marked the symbolic start, with members burning their weapons. Turkish President Erdoğan welcomed the move as a turning point. The process follows a peace appeal by jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. Over 40,000 people died in the conflict, which affected Turkey and neighboring countries including Iraq, Syria, and Iran.

BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has said that the party’s goal is not merely to return to power but to restore democracy in the country. Speaking at an event organized by JASAS in the capital, he stated that even though BNP is not currently in power, various parties have united against it — a sign, he claimed, that BNP’s return to power is imminent. He called for free and fair elections and challenged rival parties to contest all 300 constituencies. He also urged leaders of the anti-discrimination movement to ensure no new inequalities emerge after achieving victory.

The Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Dal staged a protest march Friday night condemning the brutal murder of businessman Lal Chand, also known as Sohag, in the capital's Mitford area. The demonstration began at TSC and ended with a brief rally where student leaders demanded the swift prosecution of those involved in the killing. They warned that failure to deliver justice promptly would lead to more intense programs in the coming days.
At the same time, the Dhaka University unit of Islami Andolan held a separate protest at Raju Sculpture, denouncing extortion and acts of violence on campus.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman condemned the public stoning death of Mohammad Sohag, a young businessman, near Mitford Hospital. In a Facebook post, he expressed shock and sorrow, criticizing the lack of societal resistance to such crimes. He urged citizens to rise against injustice and criminal activities, warning that silence today may lead to greater tragedies tomorrow. He called on the public to overcome fear and build collective resistance to protect innocent lives from violence and extortion.