Police in Debidwar, Cumilla, have arrested an acting head teacher and his student for allegedly allowing the student to evaluate SSC 2026 exam scripts. The arrests followed the circulation of a video on social media showing the student marking general science papers instead of the assigned examiner. The Education Ministry took notice after the video spread widely and ordered immediate legal action. According to an official statement, the accused teacher, Md. Bachchu Mia, is a senior teacher and acting head of Abdullahpur Haji Amir Ali High School in Debidwar. The student seen grading the papers was identified as Mehedi Hasan, a student of the same school. Following the minister’s directive, the Deputy Controller of Examinations of the Cumilla Board filed a case at Debidwar Police Station. Police confirmed that both suspects were arrested on Saturday night and that legal proceedings are underway. Authorities stated that further action will be taken through the court process.

Argentina advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Switzerland 3-1 in extra time. The quarterfinal match ended level in regular time before Argentina took control in the additional period to secure victory. Following the hard-fought win, captain Lionel Messi shared an emotional message on Instagram, praising his teammates and emphasizing the team’s unwavering belief. The defending champions have now reached the semifinals for the second consecutive World Cup. Argentina will face England in the semifinals on July 15 at Atlanta Stadium. England booked their place in the last four by beating Norway 2-1, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice. Messi, who led Argentina to their third World Cup title in Qatar, now has the chance to make history again if his team wins back-to-back titles, a feat last achieved by Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Messi also remains in contention for the Golden Boot and will aim to add more goals in the semifinal and potential final to further enhance his illustrious career.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) offered 200–300 million rupees, ministerial posts, and promises of restoring statehood to persuade National Conference (NC) legislators to defect. Speaking at a party rally near Hazratbal in Srinagar on Saturday, Abdullah said a Supreme Court lawyer close to the BJP approached one of his party’s legislators with these offers. He claimed that when money and ministerial incentives failed, BJP intermediaries promised to return Jammu and Kashmir’s state status in exchange for support. Abdullah asserted that no NC legislator would sell their ideals for money and warned the central government and BJP not to test their patience. He said he had repeatedly raised the issue of restoring full statehood with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other central ministers, but was always told it would happen at an “appropriate time.” The remarks come amid renewed political pressure on New Delhi to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status. The NC has intensified its campaign and plans a protest in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 20 demanding full statehood and democratic accountability.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Anisul Huq has expressed deep sorrow and condolence over the death of former Speaker of the National Parliament and BNP Standing Committee member Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarkar. In his condolence message, the minister described Sarkar as a veteran politician, distinguished lawyer, and a dedicated figure in parliamentary democracy who served with skill, wisdom, and impartiality, strengthening the country’s democratic institutions. The minister noted that Sarkar’s long career in politics, law, and parliamentary affairs left a lasting contribution that the nation will remember with respect. He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family. According to the report, Jamir Uddin Sarkar served as State Minister for Public Works and Urban Development during President Ziaur Rahman’s tenure, later as State Minister for Foreign Affairs under President Abdus Sattar, and subsequently as State Minister for Land and Education Minister after the BNP came to power in 1991. He was the Speaker of the Eighth National Parliament after BNP’s return to power in 2001.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarkar, a member of the BNP National Standing Committee and former Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad. He conveyed his condolences in a verified Facebook post on Sunday, acknowledging Sarkar’s passing and praying for his forgiveness and peace. In his message, Dr. Rahman described Barrister Sarkar as a distinguished senior lawyer of the Supreme Court and a patriotic politician who served the nation with dedication. He recalled Sarkar’s tenure as Speaker, noting that he was widely respected. Dr. Rahman also mentioned Sarkar’s sympathetic stance toward Jamaat leaders who faced legal persecution during a repressive period, his valuable advice, and his refusal to accept legal fees for defending them, calling it his moral duty. Dr. Rahman prayed for divine mercy upon Sarkar and patience for his bereaved family, colleagues, and loved ones.

In Mymensingh, intermittent heavy rainfall and high humidity have intensified health risks for outdoor laborers such as farmers, construction workers, brick kiln laborers, and rickshaw pullers. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department recorded 174 millimeters of rainfall on Wednesday, one of the country’s highest, while weak wind flow and persistent humidity have made working conditions increasingly hazardous. Experts warn that these are not normal seasonal variations but signs of a shifting climate pattern marked by hot days, humid nights, and erratic rain. Health officials report a rise in heat-related illnesses including dehydration, heat exhaustion, and kidney complications. They emphasize the need for better medical training, equipment, and preparedness across hospitals. Farmers and laborers describe difficulties working in sweltering conditions without shaded rest areas or access to safe drinking water. Meteorologists note that Mymensingh’s geography makes it prone to thunderstorms, while climate scientists warn of long-term threats to productivity, agriculture, and food security. Authorities have installed lightning protection systems in the region, but maintenance and coordination remain inadequate, limiting their effectiveness in reducing lightning-related hazards.

A one-and-a-half-year-old boy drowned in floodwater accumulated in the yard of his home in Pekua upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Saturday night. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. in the Bholirpara area of Sadar Union. The deceased, Mushfiqur Rahim, was the son of expatriate Nasir. Family members were having dinner when the child accidentally fell into the waterlogged yard. After noticing his absence, relatives searched and found him floating in the water. He was taken to Pekua Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. Pekua Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rafiqul Islam confirmed the death and said that although the flood situation in the upazila had slightly improved, several areas remained waterlogged. He urged parents to keep constant watch over their children during the ongoing flood conditions. The incident highlights the continuing risks faced by families in partially flooded areas of Cox’s Bazar, where stagnant water remains a hazard even as conditions begin to improve.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-9 recovered a locally made one-shooter gun during an operation in the Naya Bazar area of Fenchuganj upazila, Sylhet. The operation took place on Saturday night following a tip-off. According to RAB, the firearm was found abandoned inside a shopping bag placed on a wall of an under-construction building. RAB officials stated that no individuals connected to the weapon were found at the scene. The recovered gun has been handed over to Fenchuganj Police Station for further legal action. Authorities confirmed that an investigation into the incident is currently underway to determine the source and ownership of the weapon. The recovery highlights ongoing law enforcement efforts to curb illegal firearms in the region, though no arrests or suspects have yet been identified in connection with the case.

Electro Mart Group CEO Md. Nurul Afsar has received the Asia Prestige 50 Under 50 CEO Excellence Award 2026, recognizing his leadership and contributions to the electronics industry. The award ceremony took place at the Shangri-La Hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where over 280 senior corporate leaders from 28 countries gathered. The event was inaugurated by Cambodia’s Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hem Vandi, and celebrated young, dynamic, and visionary business leaders under 50 across Asia. The award highlights Afsar’s more than 33 years of dedication to innovation, participation, and development within Electro Mart Group and Bangladesh’s electronics sector. Under his leadership, the company achieved significant growth through strategic marketing, product diversification, and sustainable development initiatives. The Electro Mart chairman congratulated Afsar, noting that his visionary leadership has driven the company’s culture of excellence. In his remarks, Afsar expressed gratitude to the organizers and said the recognition would inspire further responsibility and collaboration to advance Bangladesh’s electronics and home appliance industries.

Continuous heavy rainfall has severely disrupted daily life in Dhaka, where 179 millimeters of rain fell between Saturday morning and Sunday noon, a span of just 30 hours. The downpour, combined with inadequate drainage, has submerged both main roads and residential lanes, leaving office workers, students, and laborers struggling to move through flooded streets. Low-lying areas such as Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Tejgaon, Green Road, Malibagh, Shantinagar, Mirpur, and parts of Old Dhaka have experienced severe waterlogging, with water levels reaching knee to waist height in some places. Public transport shortages and disputes over fare hikes have added to commuters’ difficulties. According to meteorologist Khondkar Hafizur Rahman, the heavy rain is caused by active monsoon conditions and may continue through tomorrow, delaying any improvement in the flooding situation. Experts note that Dhaka’s drainage system lacks sufficient capacity, with silt and plastic waste blocking many drains. City authorities are attempting to remove water, but their efforts remain inadequate compared to the scale of the problem.

At least 16 people were killed in Pakistan’s latest anti-terror operation in Balochistan, bringing the total death toll to 102 since the campaign began on July 5. The coordinated air and ground operations are being conducted by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, and police targeting militant hideouts across the province. Security sources confirmed that 64 militants have been killed under the ongoing “Operation Shaban.” Security officials stated that the operations would continue until all militant groups are eliminated. In a separate raid on the N-25 highway, two armed individuals were killed, and weapons, grenades, motorcycles, and mobile phones were seized. Earlier, Pakistan’s military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry alleged that attackers in Ziarat had Indian support, noting that 15 militants and nine police officers were killed in that clash. Pakistan maintains that terrorist attacks have increased in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti vowed to uphold state authority at any cost and warned that no militant would be allowed to escape.

Continuous monsoon rains have submerged large parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka, yet the expected cooling effect remains absent. Despite temperatures stabilizing between 29 and 34 degrees Celsius, people across the country are enduring intense humidity and discomfort. Authorities have warned of short-term flooding in northeastern lowlands, even as water levels recede in Chattogram and hill regions. Meteorologist Dr. Omar Faruk explained that Bangladesh’s traditional six-season cycle has been disrupted by climate change, leaving the country effectively trapped between summer and monsoon. He noted that low-lying clouds and longer daylight hours prevent rainfall from bringing relief. Meteorologist Kazi Jebun Nesa added that high humidity from southern monsoon winds intensifies the heat, while Bazlur Rahman described monsoon rain as “warm rain” formed from low clouds, unlike the cooler pre-monsoon showers. Frequent power outages have worsened public suffering, depriving residents of relief from fans and cooling devices. Experts also linked the persistent heat to global El Niño effects and long-term climate instability.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the death of Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarkar, former Speaker of the National Parliament and member of the BNP National Standing Committee. In a condolence message issued on Sunday, the Prime Minister prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family. In his message, the Prime Minister described Barrister Sarkar as a wise, honest, and dedicated figure in Bangladesh’s politics. He recalled Sarkar’s long and distinguished career, during which he served as Acting President, Speaker of Parliament, and held several ministerial positions including Education, Land, Foreign Affairs, and Public Works. The Prime Minister said Sarkar’s contributions to strengthening democratic institutions, developing parliamentary culture, and promoting public welfare would be remembered with deep respect. He added that Sarkar’s lifelong commitment to Bangladeshi nationalism, democracy, and people’s rights, along with his courage during anti-autocracy movements, made him a symbol of integrity and patriotism for future generations.

Widespread flooding has submerged large parts of Satkania and Lohagara upazilas in South Chattogram following continuous rainfall that began on July 6, 2026. Environmental experts say the disaster is not only due to heavy rain but also decades of unregulated hill cutting, illegal brick kilns, and unplanned development that have reduced the region’s natural water retention capacity. Around 300,000 people are reportedly trapped by floodwaters, with homes, schools, and roads inundated and communication severely disrupted. Investigations reveal that soil from hill cutting in Satkania’s Aochia area is being supplied to illegal brick kilns in nearby Banshkhali. Despite legal actions, influential kiln owners have largely avoided prosecution. The Department of Environment acknowledges limited manpower and legal constraints in controlling the destruction, with over 300 unlicensed brick kilns operating across Chattogram. Officials say daily raids continue but public awareness remains low. Experts warn that ongoing hill cutting and land filling will worsen flash floods and waterlogging. They also caution that the new Dohazari–Cox’s Bazar railway, if not properly designed with adequate culverts, could act as an artificial barrier to water flow.

Rail communication between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar resumed on Sunday after being suspended for five days due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall. The intercity Parjotok Express, which departed from Dhaka, left Chattogram station at 11:40 a.m. for Cox’s Bazar, marking the first train to operate on the route after the disruption. Railway authorities confirmed that other scheduled trains from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and Dhaka will gradually resume passenger services on the same route. According to railway sources, continuous rain had submerged about 500 meters of track near Shamsherpara, east of Jan Ali Hat station, on the Sholoshahar-Dohazari section. Water levels rose up to 21 inches above the track, exceeding the safe limit for locomotive traction motors, which can operate in up to 4–5 inches of water. As a result, train operations were halted last Tuesday. Railway officials stated that emergency engineering measures and receding water levels made the track safe again. The line was raised about 10 inches above the water level through lifting work, and after inspections, train operations resumed on Sunday.