Heavy rainfall and upstream water flow from India have caused the Teesta River to swell rapidly, inundating low-lying and char areas in Lalmonirhat district. According to the Water Development Board, the river’s level rose by about 80 centimeters in the past 24 hours, hovering near the danger mark. Although the water was six centimeters below the danger level at Dalia Barrage on Friday morning, it had flowed above the mark overnight.

All 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage remain open to maintain normal flow, but continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in northern Bangladesh and adjoining Indian regions may cause further rises. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre warned that the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers could cross danger levels at some points, leading to short-term flooding in Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, and Kurigram.

Residents along the Teesta banks reported sleepless nights as water surged from India without prior notice. Locals demanded that India issue advance warnings before releasing water from the Gajoldoba Barrage and urged quick implementation of the long-promised Teesta Master Plan to prevent recurring floods.

International oil prices dropped by nearly 2 percent on Thursday as renewed US-Iran hostilities delayed the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption has kept global fuel supply tight, but concerns over rising inflation and slowing economic activity have weakened demand expectations. Brent crude fell by $1.72, or 2.2 percent, to $76.30 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined by $1.44, or 2 percent, to $72.08 per barrel.

Before the conflict, about 20 percent of global oil supply passed through the Strait of Hormuz. The latest escalation followed US strikes on Iran’s southern and eastern provinces, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iranian forces on US military infrastructure in Gulf countries. The three-week ceasefire agreement between the two sides is now under renewed strain.

Analysts from Macquarie Group and Goldman Sachs noted that while tensions remain high, both nations face economic and political constraints. Qatar, Turkey, and Oman urged restraint and a return to diplomacy, as tanker traffic through the strait has fallen below 70 percent of normal levels due to renewed attacks.

Scientists have, for the first time, directly observed the creation of new seafloor in the Indian Ocean, marking a rare opportunity to witness Earth’s crust regenerating itself. The event occurred in 2024 when a series of earthquakes caused more than three feet of new seabed to form. The findings were published in the journal Nature, led by marine geophysicist Jean-Yves Royer, whose team had recently installed monitoring instruments in the area as part of the OHA-GEODAMS observatory project.

The observatory, consisting of 15 monitoring stations, was designed to detect seismic and geological changes on the ocean floor. Just two months after installation, the instruments captured detailed data as a section of an undersea ridge collapsed by about 13 feet and its sides moved apart by over three feet. Using underwater microphones and pressure sensors, the researchers traced the process to high-pressure magma pockets deep within the Earth that forced molten rock upward, forming new crust.

The equipment will continue collecting data until 2027, and researchers hope the project will inspire similar studies in other rapidly expanding seafloor regions.

At least 12 people have died and six others were injured in a wildfire that broke out in Los Gallardos, located in Spain’s southeastern Almería province, according to the Andalusian regional government. The BBC reported on Friday that some victims were found inside burned vehicles. Witnesses said the fire may have started after a power line snapped, though authorities have not confirmed the exact cause.

The blaze spread rapidly amid a prolonged heatwave that has pushed temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius across southern Europe. Hundreds of firefighters are battling fires in Spain, France, and Portugal, while thousands of residents have been evacuated for safety. Andalusian regional president Juanma Moreno described the incident as a “tragic tragedy” and expressed condolences to the victims’ families on social media.

Spain’s military emergency unit has joined firefighting efforts in Los Gallardos. The country recorded its highest average June temperature since 1950, and experts warn that climate change is making Europe the fastest-warming continent, increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires.

Heavy monsoon rain has disrupted daily life across Bangladesh, with Dhaka and Chattogram among the worst affected areas. Since early morning, major roads and residential areas such as Kazipara and Shewrapara in the capital have been submerged. In the hilly regions of Chattogram, landslides have occurred, while the port city itself is experiencing widespread waterlogging. According to the Meteorological Department, the highest rainfall in the past 24 hours was 211 millimeters, while Dhaka recorded 28 millimeters.

The department reported that rainfall increased further after 6 a.m. on Friday, causing waterlogging in both main roads and narrow lanes. It attributed the ongoing heavy rain to the influence of the monsoon and forecast that the current spell may continue until Sunday, July 12. Due to rough weather and turbulent seas, maritime ports have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal number 3, and river ports to display signal number 1.

A weather forecast issued Friday morning warned that gusty winds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour may sweep across 14 regions, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, and Sylhet.

After a 58-day government fishing ban ended, thousands of fishermen from Kuakata, Mahipur, and Alipur in Patuakhali returned to the Bay of Bengal hoping for a good catch. However, rough seas caused by a low-pressure system in the northwest Bay, combined with illegal trawling and repeated trawler sinkings, have left most boats returning empty or with minimal fish. Many fishermen are now facing severe financial distress, unable to recover fuel and labor costs.

Local fishermen accuse large trawlers equipped with GPS, radar, and fish finders of operating illegally near the coast using banned fine-mesh nets, destroying juvenile fish and damaging smaller boats’ nets. In response, fishermen have held protests and submitted a memorandum demanding the removal of the local senior fisheries officer for failing to stop illegal trawling. At least 13 fishermen remain missing after three trawler sinkings near Kuakata.

Authorities have advised caution due to ongoing rough weather, while local residents urge stronger enforcement against illegal trawling, emergency aid for affected fishermen, and coordinated rescue efforts for the missing.

The United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve has fallen to its lowest level since 1983, according to data from the Department of Energy. The decline comes as tensions between the US and Iran intensify, raising global concerns about oil supply stability and price volatility. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump acknowledged that oil prices rise whenever the US strikes Iran. That same day, Brent crude prices climbed 5.2 percent to reach 78.02 dollars per barrel, the highest since June 19.

The Energy Department reported that for the week ending July 3, the reserve dropped by 6.2 million barrels to 319.5 million barrels, far below its total capacity of 713.5 million barrels. The drawdown was part of Washington’s effort to stabilize global oil markets during the ongoing conflict with Iran and to prevent a severe crude shortage.

Analysts warn that maintaining adequate reserves is crucial for signaling market confidence. The current depletion could limit President Trump’s strategic options in managing the conflict and global oil policy.

The water level of the Teesta River has risen above the danger mark due to continuous rainfall and hill runoff in India, causing flooding in low-lying and char areas of Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat. At 9 p.m. on Thursday, the water flow at the Dalia point of the Teesta Barrage was recorded at 52.18 meters, three centimeters above the danger level. Earlier in the evening, the level was one centimeter below the danger mark.

To manage the upstream pressure, all 44 sluice gates of the Teesta Barrage have been opened. Local sources reported that water has entered croplands in several unions, including Goddimari, Dowani, Saniyajan, Singimari, Sindurna, and Dauyabari, affecting peanut fields, paddy seedbeds, and sweet pumpkin cultivation. The water level began rising on Thursday morning and continued to increase through the night.

Officials from the Water Development Board have advised residents along the riverbanks to remain alert as the situation may worsen if rainfall continues.

Severe weather has disrupted Bangladesh’s import-export trade, leaving more than fifty cargo ships stranded off Chattogram Port for four consecutive days. Continuous heavy rainfall and rough seas have prevented lighter vessels from approaching mother vessels anchored offshore, halting unloading operations. Port officials reported that only three of fifty-five vessels are unloading on a limited scale during brief breaks in the rain. Several off-docks have also been flooded, damaging containerized goods, while traders estimate financial losses exceeding hundreds of crores of taka.

According to the port authority, the stormy conditions in the Bay of Bengal have made unloading unsafe, prompting restrictions to prevent accidents. Perishable goods are being prioritized for limited unloading. Although container handling at the main jetty remains normal, delivery volumes have dropped sharply due to flooding across the city. Daily container deliveries have fallen from 3,500–4,000 to about 2,500–2,600 units.

Business leaders said the disruption is affecting factory production and market supply, while importers face daily waiting charges of $15,000–$25,000 per vessel. The port expects congestion to ease once weather conditions improve.

TikTok has released its Community Guidelines Enforcement Report for the first quarter of 2026, detailing actions taken between January and March to maintain platform safety. According to the report, the company removed 13,218,004 videos from Bangladesh for violating community guidelines, representing about 0.8 percent of total uploaded content during that period. The platform’s automated moderation system identified and deleted 99.6 percent of these videos before any user complaints, with 94.4 percent removed within 24 hours. Following review, 320,593 videos were later reinstated.

Globally, TikTok deleted 184,012,576 videos during the same quarter, amounting to 0.5 percent of total uploads. The global rate of automated detection and removal stood at 99.3 percent. The company also deleted 86,288,705 fake accounts and closed 25,764,372 accounts suspected to belong to users under 13 years old.

In addition to video moderation, TikTok removed 237,517,128 comments worldwide, marking an increase from the previous quarter. The report noted that 18.6 percent of deleted videos contained sensitive content, while others violated safety, behavioral, or decency policies.

A total of 78 tourists stranded in Sajek due to continuous rainfall in Khagrachhari were brought back under special arrangements. The evacuation took place on Friday with the assistance of the army and police, using boats and rafts to ensure their safe departure from the area.

Authorities stated that other tourists remain in Sajek as water on the roads has not yet receded, preventing normal vehicular movement. They assured that once road conditions improve, the remaining stranded visitors will also be safely returned in phases.

The situation highlights the impact of persistent rain on travel and safety in the hilly region, with officials prioritizing emergency needs in the ongoing rescue efforts.

Continuous heavy rainfall and hill torrents have worsened flooding across Cox’s Bazar, submerging more than 150 villages in 35 unions and leaving around 500,000 people stranded. Water levels in the Bakkhali and Matamuhuri rivers have risen above danger marks, while at least 22 people have died in landslides over the past four days. The worst-affected areas include Rajakhali, Magnama, and Ujantia unions in Chakaria and Pekua.

Local authorities report that homes, schools, and rural roads are underwater, severely disrupting daily life. Officials have warned of increased landslide risks and urged residents near hills to move to safer locations. The district administration has opened a control room and prepared 648 shelters for rescue and relief operations. River embankments remain mostly intact, though minor overflow has been reported in parts of Chakaria.

According to the weather office, Cox’s Bazar recorded 547 millimeters of rainfall in five days, with heavy rain expected to continue until July 11. Boat services on several coastal routes remain suspended for seven days due to rough seas, stranding thousands of passengers.

Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury announced that the government plans to send 10 million skilled workers abroad over the next five years. He made the statement in parliament while responding to questions from lawmakers during the national budget session. The minister said that 110 training institutions, including 104 technical training centers and six institutes of marine technology, are currently providing skill development training in 55 trades and courses to prepare workers for overseas employment.

Chowdhury added that the government is working to ensure safe, regular, and orderly migration while controlling migration costs and curbing fraud by middlemen. A new digital platform, the Overseas Employment Platform (OEP), has been launched to make the migration process more transparent and accountable. The government has also introduced the 2025 regulations for licensing recruiting agents and registering sub-agents to bring them under legal oversight.

He further stated that district and upazila-level migration coordination committees have been formed to implement local migration activities, and that the government continues to assist expatriate workers, including repatriating deceased workers’ bodies at state expense.

China and Taiwan are on high alert as Typhoon Bavi, one of the most powerful tropical storms in recent years, approaches from the southeast of Taiwan. The storm’s center has wind speeds of around 200 kilometers per hour, and it spans nearly 1,000 kilometers—roughly the size of France. Forecasts indicate that Bavi could skirt northern Taiwan before making landfall in China’s Fujian province on Saturday evening. Taiwan’s defense ministry has placed about 29,000 troops on standby, while meteorologists warn of up to one meter of rainfall in northern mountainous areas.

The storm arrives as parts of China are still recovering from Typhoon Maysak, which killed at least 39 people in Guangxi earlier in the week. In Taiwan, fishing boats have sought shelter, residents are lining up for sandbags, and farmers are rushing to harvest crops. Japan’s Okinawa region has also issued high alerts, with airlines canceling dozens of flights.

Scientists cited in the report link the increasing intensity of such storms to climate change and the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, which is raising sea temperatures and fueling stronger typhoons across East Asia.

The Washington-based research organization The Bengal Council has released a new policy paper analyzing the recently signed United States–Bangladesh trade agreement. Titled “The Cotton Corridor: Bangladesh’s Reciprocal Trade Agreement with the United States and the Path Forward,” the six-page paper examines the strategic importance, potential, and implementation aspects of the deal signed earlier this year. It emphasizes that the agreement should be seen not merely as a tariff reduction initiative or political issue but as the institutional basis for a long-term economic partnership between the two nations.

The paper discusses five key areas: Bangladesh’s export economy, the agreement’s core commitments, the global geopolitical and trade context, prospects for bilateral cooperation, and institutional challenges in implementation. It highlights that effective execution of the zero-tariff benefit for garments made with US cotton could significantly enhance Bangladesh’s apparel competitiveness. The report also notes that the deal could influence Bangladesh’s relations with other partners such as the EU, India, and China, while opening opportunities in investment, technology, supply chain stability, cybersecurity, and development finance.

Eight recommendations are proposed, including launching the zero-tariff corridor swiftly, strengthening parliamentary oversight, managing third-country relations strategically, and using the agreement to drive domestic reforms.