Leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated organizations have distributed dry food and essential relief items among flood-affected families in South Chattogram. The distribution took place on Friday across several unions of Satkania upazila, including Sadar, Kanchana, Chhadaha, and Dhemsha, as well as in different areas of Lohagara upazila such as Sadar and Adhunagar. The relief packages included flattened rice, puffed rice, biscuits, pure drinking water, and other dry food items. These were provided to families facing food shortages due to the ongoing floods. BNP representatives stated that their relief efforts would continue to alleviate the suffering of affected residents and ensure necessary assistance reaches those in need. Local residents welcomed the humanitarian initiative and expressed gratitude for the timely support provided by the BNP and its volunteers.

The United States has asked Iran to make a public commitment to stop attacks on commercial ships and to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. Washington intends to raise this demand in talks scheduled to begin Saturday in Oman. US media, citing unnamed officials, reported that Tehran privately admitted to President Donald Trump’s advisers that the recent ship shooting was a mistake, blaming an uncontrolled internal faction for the incident. According to senior US officials quoted by CBS News and Reuters, Washington wants Iran to publicly acknowledge the attack as an error and to declare the waterway open for safe navigation. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner are expected to lead the US delegation. A Qatari delegation also visited Tehran on Friday to help ease tensions and facilitate dialogue. The Oman talks follow a June ceasefire agreement and a 14-point memorandum aimed at expanding the truce and defining future maritime administration of the strait in coordination with Oman and other Gulf states.

A woman named Lucky Akter jumped into the Sugandha River with her five-year-old daughter on Friday night in Nalchity upazila of Jhalakathi district. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. near the ferry ghat area. Local residents quickly intervened and rescued both the mother and child alive, providing them with initial medical care. According to Lucky Akter, she had been under severe mental stress due to fears that her daughter would be taken away from her. She said she had ongoing marital disputes with her husband, Saidul Islam, and had recently divorced him. Following the separation, attempts were allegedly made to take her daughter from her, which led to her emotional breakdown and the desperate act. Nalchity Police Station Officer-in-Charge Touhiduzzaman confirmed that both mother and child are now safe. Police visited the scene and are investigating the cause of the incident. Legal action will be taken after the investigation is completed.

A widespread outbreak of Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that causes severe watery diarrhea, has been reported in 31 US states, with thousands of infections confirmed in recent weeks. Michigan has been hit hardest, where over 1,000 cases were identified in just two weeks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 843 confirmed cases were recorded between May 1 and July 9, with more than 1,500 additional suspected cases under review. No deaths have been reported, though 86 people have been hospitalized. The CDC stated that the infection, known as cyclosporiasis, spreads through contaminated food or water, not from person to person. The exact source of the current outbreak remains unknown, but past incidents have been linked to raw produce such as salad mixes, cilantro, basil, raspberries, peas, and green onions. Most patients had not traveled abroad before falling ill, suggesting a domestic contamination source. Health authorities in Michigan have advised restaurants and food handlers to wash produce thoroughly, cook leafy vegetables when possible, and discard outer layers of lettuce and green onions to reduce risk. The CDC expects case numbers to rise as new data emerge.

In Shariatpur’s Vedarganj upazila, the family of July movement martyr Md. Jalal Uddin is struggling with severe financial hardship two years after his death. Jalal, a small trader from Maniknagar, Dhaka, was killed by police gunfire on July 20, 2024, during a curfew imposed amid an anti-discrimination student movement. His elder son, Sizan, now 14, has been unable to continue his studies at Maniknagar Ideal School because the family cannot afford the admission fee. Jalal’s widow, Mili Akter, said she received limited financial help after her husband’s death—20,000 taka from the government and occasional assistance from Jamaat-e-Islami. She now works at a private hospital for a small salary while supporting her two sons and mother-in-law. Local political leaders and the Vedarganj upazila administration acknowledged Jalal’s sacrifice and said his family is given priority when government aid becomes available. The family continues to seek justice for Jalal’s killing and hopes for regular state support for families of those who died in the July movement.

A United States federal court in California has unsealed an indictment against Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and six associates, accusing them of murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and human trafficking between 2022 and 2026. Bishnoi, 33, has been imprisoned in India since 2015 but allegedly directed international criminal operations from jail using smuggled mobile phones and internet-based communication tools. The US Department of Justice identified the group as the 'Bishnoi Organized Crime Group' (Bishnoi OCG). According to the indictment, the network targeted prominent cultural, political, and business figures within Indian and diaspora communities. The document links the group to several high-profile crimes, including the 2023 killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, the 2022 murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala in Punjab, threats against actor Gippy Grewal, and a 2024 shooting at Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence. The gang was also accused of killing drug trafficker Sunil Yadav in California in December 2024. The indictment describes Bishnoi’s syndicate as an international crime network with operations across India, North America, Europe, and Australia, coordinated through key lieutenants in each region.

Meta has removed Instagram’s new artificial intelligence-based image generation feature called “Muse Image” following widespread criticism. The feature, launched earlier in the week, allowed users to create new images based on publicly available Instagram photos simply by mentioning the account name. However, concerns quickly arose over privacy violations and potential misuse, as the system did not notify or seek consent from the original photo owners. Users, artists, and talent management agencies criticized the feature, warning that it could be exploited to create fake or misleading images, particularly targeting women. In a blog post, Meta stated that the feature was intended to make creative work easier while giving users control over how their images were used. The company acknowledged that user reactions did not meet expectations and that the feature failed to achieve its intended goals. Experts cited in reports noted that incidents of fake image generation using AI are increasing rapidly, emphasizing the need for stronger safeguards around privacy, consent, and misuse prevention before deploying such technologies.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi arrived in Muscat on Saturday to meet with Oman's foreign minister as part of ongoing discussions on managing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The two countries have been holding talks for the past two months on arrangements for vessel movement through the strategic waterway. Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that Tehran holds sovereign rights over the management of the Strait of Hormuz to ensure its safety and security. According to Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, the ministers are expected to discuss strategies to guarantee the safe passage of ships through the strait. Araghchi’s visit comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts following recent reciprocal attacks between the United States and Iran, signaling attempts to stabilize regional tensions through dialogue.

Dhaka district administration has launched a cleanup and beautification drive along the Aminbazar-Hemayetpur road after nearly 20 years. The initiative, directed by the Prime Minister, aims to remove garbage dumps, eliminate foul odors, and enhance the area’s appearance. The program was inaugurated on Saturday at Hemayetpur by State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam, with senior district and upazila officials present. The Prime Minister issued the directive after observing the long-standing waste piles and stench along the road during a recent visit to Singair, Manikganj. Following her instruction, the State Minister ordered the Dhaka district administration to act swiftly. The ongoing project includes transferring waste to designated landfills, filling and stabilizing roadside areas, planting trees such as neem, betel nut, and coconut, and constructing fences to prevent future dumping. Continuous monitoring and legal enforcement will also be strengthened. Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam stated that the administration, local government division, and related agencies are working jointly to complete the project within the set timeframe and ensure the area remains clean and visually appealing.

The United Nations has reported that the rate of Palestinian displacement in the occupied West Bank has doubled due to a sharp rise in demolitions of homes and structures by Israeli authorities. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at least 67 Palestinians were newly displaced this month after 24 structures were demolished by Israeli forces. OCHA stated that the demolitions were carried out on the grounds of lacking building permits, which are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain from Israeli authorities. The UN agency also reported that more than 3,200 Palestinians have been displaced this year due to settler violence and demolitions linked to permit issues. On average, 17 Palestinians are being displaced daily, double the rate recorded over the past three years. The data, cited from Al Jazeera, underscores a worsening humanitarian situation in the occupied West Bank, with displacement trends showing no sign of slowing.

French authorities have arrested a senior associate of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, marking a new phase in the global crackdown on the India-based criminal network. The arrest in France is linked to a shooting incident outside comedian Kapil Sharma’s café in Canada. Canadian police have also detained another suspect and ordered the deportation of a different Bishnoi gang member to India. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed that gangster Garinder Dev, also known by several aliases, was arrested in France and will be extradited to Canada. According to a U.S. Justice Department complaint, Dev allegedly financed the Bishnoi gang and conspired to traffic large quantities of cocaine and heroin across the United States. His name surfaced in connection with a 2025 drug shipment that was intercepted by U.S. agencies. In a separate case, Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Tribunal ordered the deportation of Jashandeep Singh, accused of hiding a weapon used in the same shooting, though no criminal charges have been filed against him. Authorities in the United States, France, and Canada describe these actions as part of a coordinated international effort to dismantle the Bishnoi gang’s global operations.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain stated that a doctor’s smiling conversation can make a patient half cured. He emphasized that along with medicine, ensuring kind and respectful behavior toward patients is essential. The minister made these remarks on Saturday, July 11, during the 81st founding anniversary celebration of Dhaka Medical College. Addressing doctors and medical students, the minister urged them to work with humanity, ethics, and a spirit of service. He reminded that the medical profession is not just a job but a noble service dedicated to saving lives. He added that when people face their most difficult times due to illness, they place their greatest trust, after God, in doctors. The minister’s remarks highlighted the importance of compassionate communication in healthcare and the moral responsibility of medical professionals to uphold patient trust and dignity.

China is constructing one of the world’s largest hydroelectric dams on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, sparking environmental concerns in Bangladesh and India, as the river flows downstream into both countries. A group of Chinese geologists recently warned that the project site lies directly above an active fault line, posing potential structural risks to the dam. According to a study supervised by the state-owned China Geological Survey, the Paizhen fault runs through the reservoir area of the project, which began construction last year. Researchers from Chengdu University of Technology and other institutions found that the fault has been active since the Pleistocene era and continues to threaten the stability of dams, bridges, and tunnels in the region. The study also noted that the dam’s foundation and surrounding slopes could weaken, increasing the risk of landslides or collapses during earthquakes or prolonged submersion. The researchers recommended reinforcing mountain slopes, building retaining walls, and implementing additional safety measures during construction to mitigate seismic and landslide risks.

The counting of donations from the boxes at the historic shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) in Sylhet resumed on Saturday morning at 10 a.m., following a 19-day break. The process is being conducted in the shrine premises in the presence of committee members, shrine authorities, madrasa students, and media representatives. Earlier, on June 12, the first public counting of the donation boxes took place under an initiative by then Deputy Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam to ensure financial transparency. On June 18, four new donation boxes were installed, while three traditional donation cauldrons and one box were sealed. The initiative drew nationwide attention, and Sarwar Alam was later reassigned on June 21. The next day, the sealed boxes were opened and counted, revealing a total of Tk 1,765,559, which was deposited in a new Sonali Bank account. To modernize and ensure accountability in the shrine’s financial management, a 13-member high-level committee was formed on June 26 under Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir. The committee decided on Thursday to resume counting, with officials pledging full transparency and proper deposit of the funds.

At least 15 people have been killed in landslides caused by Typhoon Bavi in the southern Philippines, one of the strongest storms in decades. The typhoon, spanning nearly 1,000 kilometers across the Pacific, is moving toward Taiwan and expected to bring heavy rainfall to northern and eastern Taiwan and parts of Japan before striking southeastern China on Saturday. Hundreds of flights have been canceled, schools closed, and residents have stocked up on supplies as the storm approaches. In Mindanao, several families were buried overnight as landslides swept through villages, and rescue teams continue searching for the missing. Philippine officials warned that moderate to heavy rain will persist through the weekend. Taiwan’s authorities forecast up to one meter of rainfall and have mobilized 29,000 soldiers for relief operations. The island’s weather bureau described Bavi as the largest storm since 1987. China has issued warnings of severe impact in Fujian province and beyond, while Japan’s remote islands remain on high alert. Airlines across the region have suspended hundreds of flights, affecting tens of thousands of passengers.