Croatia confirmed their place in the Round of 32 at the World Cup after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ghana in Philadelphia. The 2018 runners-up took the lead in the 31st minute through Petar Sucic’s low strike from outside the box. Ghana equalized in the 73rd minute when Derrick Lukasen volleyed home after a free-kick from Ernest Nuamah was reviewed and confirmed by VAR. However, Nikola Vlasic’s header from a Luka Modric corner in the 83rd minute sealed Croatia’s win. The match saw Croatia dominate possession early, while Ghana improved significantly after halftime, creating sustained pressure. Despite Ghana’s late efforts, including Abdul Fatawu’s missed chance in stoppage time, Croatia held on for victory. The result made Croatia the Group L runners-up with six points from three matches. In the group’s other match, England beat Panama 2-0 to top the group with seven points. Ghana finished third with four points but advanced as one of the best third-placed teams, while Panama exited the tournament with one point.

Iran has accused the United States of breaching a bilateral memorandum of understanding by attempting to establish a new navigation corridor in the Strait of Hormuz. The allegation was made by Abbas Aslani, a senior research fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, who told Al Jazeera that both Tehran and Washington are pursuing their own plans for managing maritime routes in the strategic waterway. Aslani said Tehran believes the United States is trying to define a route outside the one agreed upon for ships and tankers, thereby violating the terms of the memorandum. He added that Iran has been holding discussions with Oman and plans to engage other regional countries on setting up a new system. According to Aslani, Washington is pressuring regional states and seeking to revert the situation in the Strait to its pre-conflict state, while Iran insists that a new reality and system have already emerged. Aslani emphasized that both sides are displaying their strategic strength, describing the issue as critical for Iran’s national security and existence.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it will impose stricter measures against ships violating existing agreements in the Strait of Hormuz. The warning came in a statement issued after recent reciprocal attacks between Iran and the United States. The IRGC reaffirmed that, under an interim agreement between the two countries, Tehran holds authority over navigation control in the strategic waterway. The statement emphasized that any ship breaching the terms of the agreement would face harsher consequences than before. The IRGC also cautioned that any potential aggression by adversaries, similar to recent U.S. strikes, would be met with a strong response. It further noted that violating the ceasefire would contradict the memorandum of understanding and could lead to a complete halt of ongoing processes. According to the statement, the Strait of Hormuz will remain under Iran’s exclusive control for the next 30 days, underscoring Tehran’s intent to assert its authority in the region.

England defeated Panama 2–0 in their final Group L match at the New Jersey Stadium, ensuring they advanced to the Round of 32 as group leaders. Despite already qualifying for the knockout stage, Thomas Tuchel’s team needed a win to confirm first place. Panama’s strong defense frustrated England in the first half, but Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored in the second half to seal the victory. Bellingham opened the scoring in the 62nd minute with a side volley from Bukayo Saka’s corner. Panama missed a golden chance to equalize shortly after, and England captain Kane doubled the lead five minutes later with a header from Bellingham’s cross. The goal made Kane England’s all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 11 goals, surpassing Gary Lineker’s record. Bellingham, aged 22 years and 363 days, also became the youngest English player since 1966 to score and assist in the same World Cup match. England finished the group stage with seven points, while Panama exited the tournament without scoring a goal, becoming the first team in 16 years to leave a World Cup goalless.

The United States military has claimed responsibility for airstrikes targeting ten Iranian military sites in and around the Strait of Hormuz. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the attacks were carried out by American warplanes. CENTCOM also released a black-and-white video on social media, which it said showed footage from several of the strikes. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the United States bombed five coastal areas in its latest assault. The IRGC warned that any hostile aggression would be met with a strong response. It further asserted that, under an interim US-Iran agreement, Tehran is responsible for controlling maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and that stricter measures will now be taken against vessels violating regulations. The IRGC added that any breach of the ceasefire violates the memorandum of understanding and could completely suspend the ongoing negotiation process, according to the statement cited by Al Jazeera.

Administrative operations in Rajasthali upazila of Rangamati district have nearly collapsed due to a severe shortage of permanent officials. Most key government offices, including the Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s office, are being run under additional charge arrangements. As a result, regular administrative activities are disrupted, leaving residents frustrated and deprived of essential public services. Field visits revealed that offices such as secondary education, statistics, fisheries, livestock, public health engineering, rural development, accounts, LGED, and ICT are all without permanent officers. The secondary education and statistics offices have been run by acting officials for nine to ten years, creating serious administrative complications. Officials reportedly avoid postings in Rajasthali due to perceived lack of benefits, worsening the staffing crisis. Local civic groups have condemned the prolonged vacancies as deliberate neglect of citizens’ rights and demanded immediate recruitment of permanent officers. Acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Raihanul Islam confirmed the shortage and said the matter has been reported to higher authorities for necessary action.

Fresh clashes erupted between Iran and the United States around the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday morning after an unidentified projectile struck a vessel in the area. The United States responded with airstrikes targeting Iranian facilities, including missile and drone depots and coastal radar sites. Iranian media reported explosions near Sirik district’s Tahrui village and on Qeshm Island, which hosts key military and surveillance installations. No official statement has yet been issued by Iranian authorities. The incident marks the second direct military confrontation since the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries, raising concerns about the deal’s viability. U.S. President Donald Trump said the attacks were in response to Iran’s alleged ceasefire violations, while Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand condemned a reported Iranian drone strike in Bahrain as a breach of sovereignty. Iranian academic Hassan Ahmadian warned that continued U.S. attacks could provoke stronger Iranian retaliation. U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna criticized the strikes as violations of the War Powers Resolution, and a retired Navy officer suggested that rising oil prices could pressure Washington to de-escalate and return to negotiations.

A severe heatwave in France has caused 109 deaths within 24 hours in Paris, according to local media reports on Saturday. Emergency medical services recorded the deaths on Friday while responding to calls from homes and public places. Typically, only about seven deaths are reported during the same period in previous years. The figure excludes hospital deaths linked to extreme heat. During the same 24-hour period, emergency services received around 3,400 calls, including 30 cardiac emergencies and one case of hyperthermia with a body temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius. Authorities also reported that a man drowned while swimming unsupervised in the Saint-Martin Canal in Paris. France’s sports minister said that since the start of the heatwave, 55 people have drowned nationwide, 65 percent of them in unauthorized swimming areas. Emergency call volumes in Paris and nearby regions rose by 80 percent over the past week, while hospital admissions increased by 36 percent compared to normal days. Although temperatures have begun to drop slightly, health services remain under pressure. Meteo-France maintained red alerts in 35 regions and orange alerts for thunderstorms in 34 others, with possible easing by Sunday evening.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has welcomed a structural agreement reached with Lebanon under U.S. mediation, describing it as a historic achievement for Israel and a major blow to Iran and Hezbollah. Speaking at a televised press conference on Saturday, Netanyahu said the deal was reached through direct talks with Lebanon and marked a significant step for the Israeli state. The agreement was concluded on Friday with U.S. mediation, but Israeli officials have stated that their forces will continue to maintain positions in parts of southern Lebanon. This has raised new doubts about whether the deal will lead to a genuine Israeli troop withdrawal and an end to military operations within Lebanese territory. The uncertainty surrounding troop presence could influence how the agreement is implemented and whether it brings lasting stability to the border region.

Concerns are rising in Israel over the future of its traditionally close relationship with the United States. Israeli media have expressed alarm that Washington’s unconditional support may be weakening, particularly after President Donald Trump’s efforts to reach a peace deal with Iran, which many Israelis view as a betrayal. Former Israeli consul general in New York and current Tel Aviv deputy mayor Asaf Zamir said anti-Israel sentiment is now entering mainstream U.S. politics, reflected in recent New York City elections where pro-Palestinian candidates defeated moderates in Democratic primaries. Analysts cited in the report warn that Israel may no longer be able to rely on Washington’s firm backing, including military aid and diplomatic protection at the United Nations. Princeton professor and former U.S. ambassador Daniel Kurtzer described the situation as approaching a “cliff.” Researcher Michael Koplow noted that anti-Israel positions within the Democratic Party have become a central foreign policy issue. Polls show U.S. public sympathy shifting toward Palestinians, with 60 percent of Americans now holding negative views of Israel. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the bilateral relationship is at its weakest point in history, calling it a “disaster” for Israel’s global standing.

A man named Zahid, aged 38, died in police custody after being beaten by locals in Dhaka’s Adabor area on Saturday. Residents of the Shyamoli Housing Second Project area allegedly caught him while he was attempting a mugging at gunpoint and subjected him to a mob beating. Police later rescued him and took him to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital for initial treatment before presenting him in court. Zahid fell ill in court and was transferred to the nearby National Medical College Hospital, where he died around 4:30 p.m. His body was later sent to Dhaka Medical College morgue for autopsy. According to Sub-Inspector Md. Yamin Sarkar of Adabor Police Station, Zahid was reportedly addicted to drugs and had no contact with his family. He was known to demand money from people and resort to mugging when refused. The police stated that Zahid had allegedly taken 30,000 taka from a man named Khorshed at gunpoint before being caught by locals. A case related to the incident is currently under process. The police have confirmed the death and initiated legal proceedings regarding the incident.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) arrested former Awami League lawmaker Nur Mohammad from a residence in the capital’s Gulshan area on Saturday night. According to DB officials, the arrest took place around 8 p.m. Nur Mohammad is a former Member of Parliament from Jamalpur-1 constituency and also served as the president of Bakshiganj Upazila Awami League. DB sources stated that Nur Mohammad is a named accused in a case filed under the Explosives Act in Jamalpur. He is also a suspect in another case related to a procession and cocktail explosion that occurred on June 18 in the Mohakhali bus stand area of Dhaka. Authorities confirmed that necessary legal procedures against him are currently underway. Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (Public Relations and Media) Niyaz Mehdi confirmed the arrest and ongoing legal process.

Three people, including a mother and her daughter, were killed and six others injured in a head-on collision between a passenger CNG-run auto-rickshaw and a chicken-laden pickup truck in Phulgazi upazila of Feni on Saturday evening, June 27. The accident occurred in front of the Palli Bidyut office near the Phulgazi Upazila Parishad along the Feni-Belonia regional road. According to eyewitnesses, the collision left the auto-rickshaw severely damaged, injuring several passengers including the driver. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Phulgazi Upazila Health Complex, where a man and a woman were declared dead. Some of the critically injured were later transferred to Feni General Hospital, where another woman died while undergoing treatment. Police confirmed that the bodies were kept at the hospital morgue. Among the deceased were Kawsar, 32, of North Daulatpur village in Phulgazi Sadar Union, and Wahida Akter Juha of South Pathangor village in Chhagalnaiya upazila. Juha’s daughter, Jakia Akter, later died at the hospital, according to hospital sources.

A police team came under attack during an operation in Srinagar upazila of Munshiganj on Saturday night. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. in Kathalbari village under Bir Tara Union, where police attempted to detain Sabbir Sheikh, 35, the general secretary of the banned Awami League unit in the area. During the raid, police handcuffed Sheikh, but his followers reportedly pushed officers aside and freed him. Around a hundred people armed with sticks then attacked the police, leaving Sub-Inspector Razzak seriously injured. Sheikh escaped the scene still wearing handcuffs. Following the attack, additional police personnel, including the Additional Superintendent of Police (Srinagar Circle) Anisur Rahman and Officer-in-Charge Jewel Mia, arrived at the location. Attempts to contact both officers for comment were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to phone calls. Police sources said preparations were underway to take legal action regarding the incident. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any arrests were made after the attack or provided details on Sheikh’s current whereabouts.

Uruguay’s national football team has been eliminated from the World Cup after losing 1–0 to Spain in a decisive group-stage match. Reports from ESPN and local outlet El Espectador indicate that senior players, including Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, were furious with coach Marcelo Bielsa and demanded his resignation before the match. Following the defeat, Bielsa accepted full responsibility, saying he had failed to deliver results and that his contribution to Uruguayan football was meaningless without success. According to the reports, Bielsa’s strict training methods and tactical rigidity caused deep divisions within the squad. Senior players blamed his intense physical drills for multiple injuries and opposed his insistence on high-intensity man-to-man pressing, preferring a defensive low-block strategy against Spain. In a 48-minute emergency meeting before the match, Bielsa accused some players of trying to oust him and admitted selecting injured players out of loyalty. The internal conflict and subsequent defeat have left Uruguayan fans deeply concerned as the team exits the tournament at the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup.