Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has died following a sudden illness, his office confirmed in a statement released late Saturday night local time. The announcement expressed gratitude from his family for public prayers and requested privacy during this difficult period. Graham served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was regarded as one of the most prominent members of the Senate. He was a key Republican voice on defense and international affairs. The statement did not provide further details about the nature of his illness or the circumstances of his death. According to the report, Graham had recently returned to the United States after completing a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine. No additional information about funeral arrangements or political responses was included in the statement.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarkar, former Speaker of the National Parliament and member of the BNP Standing Committee. Sarkar passed away early Sunday while undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in Shyamoli, Dhaka. He was 94 years old at the time of his death. In his condolence message, the minister said that Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarkar made significant contributions to the development of parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh. Throughout his long political career, he served with honesty, wisdom, and dedication in various important responsibilities. The minister described his death as an irreparable loss to the country’s political sphere and prayed for the salvation of his soul while extending sympathy to the bereaved family. The report reiterated that Sarkar died early Sunday at the Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 94.

Oman has presented a new draft proposal aimed at maintaining uninterrupted shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal was made by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi during a meeting in Muscat with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday, according to the report. The initiative seeks to ensure smooth maritime operations in one of the world’s most strategic waterways. According to details cited by CNN from a source familiar with the discussions, the proposal suggests managing the vital passage through two separate control systems. The arrangement is designed to keep both the northern and southern routes of the strait open for navigation. The draft agreement has not yet been finalized, and discussions are ongoing. If implemented, the plan could help stabilize maritime movement in the region by providing structured oversight of both channels of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy transport.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid, along with State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku, have expressed deep sorrow over the death of Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarkar, former Speaker of the National Parliament and a standing committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Sarkar passed away early Friday morning at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in Shyamoli, Dhaka, at the age of 94. In their condolence message, the ministers described Jamir Uddin Sarkar as a veteran politician, skilled parliamentarian, and a wise leader who believed in democratic values. They noted that as Speaker of the National Parliament, he played a significant role in strengthening parliamentary democracy. His long political career was marked by dedication to the welfare of the nation and its people. The ministers stated that with his passing, the country has lost an experienced and devoted political leader whose contributions will be remembered with respect.

Bangladesh’s television audience first experienced large-scale dubbing a decade ago with the Turkish series “Sultan Suleiman,” aired on Deepto TV. The show’s success, driven by high-quality Bangla dubbing, opened a new chapter for foreign series localization. Following this, several private TV channels and OTT platforms began producing dubbed content, creating a new professional field for voice-over artists. Although dubbing existed earlier through BTV and Kolkata-based studios, Deepto TV’s 2015 initiative marked the first major domestic effort to build local dubbing teams and studios. Voice director Lata Majumdar and actor Deepak Suman described the early challenges of forming a 15-member team without prior infrastructure. Today, around 15 studios operate nationwide, with artists working in categories earning between 2,000 and 5,000 taka per shift, and experienced freelancers earning up to 600 taka per minute. Industry figures note growing challenges, including declining quality and complex government regulations requiring censorship and time restrictions for foreign content. Without improvements, experts fear the sector could again depend on imported dubbing services.

Thirteen years after the murder of Narayanganj student Tanvir Muhammad Taqi, the charge sheet in the case has still not been submitted to court. The investigation report has been deferred 105 times, most recently on July 1, when the Rapid Action Battalion’s investigating officer sought more time. The court granted an extension until August 12. Despite the prolonged delay, Taqi’s father, Rafiur Rabbi, expressed continued hope for justice under the current political leadership. The case dates back to March 2013, when Taqi went missing and was later found dead in the Shitalakkhya River. Several suspects were arrested, and confessional statements implicated Azmeri Osman and others. In 2014, RAB publicly stated that Osman family members were involved and promised a swift charge sheet, but no progress followed. Taqi’s family and human rights activists allege that political protection and administrative negligence have stalled the investigation. The repeated delays have deepened frustration among justice seekers, as the absence of a charge sheet has prevented the trial from beginning even after more than a decade.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader and potential Gazipur City Corporation mayoral candidate Dr. Hafizur Rahman wrote on Facebook that Jamaat Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is making politicians’ lives difficult by transforming the nature of politics in Bangladesh. In his post, Dr. Hafizur said that Shafiqur Rahman’s immediate response to humanitarian crises, including his recent actions in Chattogram, has set a new standard for political leadership. He noted that while the Jamaat chief personally engages with affected communities, other elected representatives often remain detached. According to Dr. Hafizur, this contrast has increased public expectations and pressure on politicians, including ministers and the prime minister. He added that after Shafiqur Rahman’s visit to Chattogram, government assistance and coordination in disaster-affected areas improved noticeably. Dr. Hafizur concluded that Shafiqur Rahman’s approach represents a turning point in Bangladeshi politics, demonstrating that opposition leaders can influence governance and remain close to the people through active public service.

Iran has carried out drone and missile attacks on US military bases in six Middle Eastern countries in retaliation for earlier US strikes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that it targeted facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, and Oman, while the United Arab Emirates claimed to have intercepted Iranian projectiles. According to the IRGC, the strikes destroyed a maintenance and repair center and a command-and-control facility at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base. Iranian state media reported that the IRGC also attacked a supply center and refueling platform used by a US aircraft carrier at Oman’s Duqm port. The Iranian army said it hit a Patriot air defense system, an ammunition depot, and a radar site in Kuwait, as well as communication and radar installations in Bahrain. The IRGC further announced the seizure of another vessel in the Strait of Hormuz and warned that continued US-Israeli aggression would provoke stronger responses. The report cited Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye as sources, and noted that Kuwait and Saudi Arabia condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks, while Pakistan urged both the US and Iran to resolve the crisis diplomatically.

The Association of Bankers, Bangladesh (ABB) has submitted a proposal to Bangladesh Bank seeking approval to impose new fees on 14 banking services that are currently free of charge. The proposal also includes increases in existing charges for various services such as account maintenance, loan processing, letters of credit, bank guarantees, demand drafts, pay orders, and solvency certificates. If approved, the changes would significantly raise banking costs for depositors, businesses, importers, exporters, and borrowers. According to the proposal, dormant account reactivation would cost 500 taka, and cash withdrawals beyond certain limits would incur new fees. Loan management, restructuring, and early settlement charges would rise, while fees for letters of credit and bank guarantees would also increase. ABB has argued that rising operational and technology costs, along with inflation, justify a revision of the current fee structure. It has requested that the proposed schedule of charges be approved as the maximum limit for all banks. ABB also suggested allowing banks to adjust charges annually by up to 10 percent in line with operational and inflationary changes, subject to Bangladesh Bank’s approval.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has identified the upcoming local government elections as a significant organizational challenge for the party. During a meeting of its Standing Committee held on Saturday night at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka, members also supported holding the party’s national council by the end of this year. The meeting, chaired by BNP Chairperson and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, discussed local elections, organizational activities, economic issues, and the government’s election pledges, though no final decisions were made. According to party sources, most members emphasized strengthening grassroots structures and preparing for the elections. The meeting also discussed reorganizing expired district and metropolitan committees, creating new leadership, and improving the party’s organizational capacity. Economic conditions, employment, and the implementation of government promises such as family and farmer cards were reviewed. Members also addressed the financial struggles of long-time activists and stressed rehabilitation and self-reliance. The committee further discussed ongoing flood relief efforts, urging stronger support for affected communities. This was the BNP Standing Committee’s third meeting since the 2026 national election.

Continuous heavy rainfall from Saturday night to Sunday morning has once again submerged large parts of Chattogram under water. Major roads, alleys, and low-lying neighborhoods were flooded, causing severe disruption to daily life. Residents in areas such as Chawk Bazar, Kapasgola, Katalganj CDA residential area, Tekbazar, Bahaddarhat Signal, and Hamzarbag faced knee- to waist-deep water. Many homes were inundated, leaving families trapped indoors and commuters struggling to reach workplaces. Flooding also affected parts of the Kalurghat to Arakan Road area, where water remains stagnant in low-lying houses. Locals reported extreme difficulty in carrying out daily activities. Despite repeated promises of drainage improvement projects, residents said most of the city still goes underwater during heavy rain. They demanded effective water drainage and a permanent solution to the recurring problem. According to the Meteorological Department, the active monsoon is likely to bring more rainfall to the Chattogram region in the coming days, raising concerns of prolonged waterlogging.

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh announced that judicial proceedings in both its divisions would remain suspended for the second half of Sunday following the death of former Speaker, former minister, and senior Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarkar. The chamber court’s activities were also halted as a mark of respect. Sarkar passed away early in the morning at a private hospital in Dhaka while undergoing treatment. Chief Justice, on behalf of himself, the judges of the Appellate and High Court Divisions, and the officers and employees of the Supreme Court Registry, expressed deep sorrow over his death. The condolence message prayed for the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family. According to a notice signed by Supreme Court Public Relations Officer Md. Shafiqul Islam, the decision to suspend court activities for half a day on July 12 was taken to honor the memory of Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarkar, who had held several important positions in Bangladesh’s state and constitutional history.

Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has passed away at the age of 74. The Amiri Diwan, Qatar’s royal office, confirmed his death in a statement on Sunday, expressing deep sorrow and describing the event as an irreparable loss for the nation. The statement added prayers for his soul and gratitude for his service and contributions to the country. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013. During his leadership, the country utilized its energy resources to achieve rapid economic growth, develop infrastructure, and emerge as an influential state on the international stage. In 2013, he voluntarily transferred power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and since then had been known as the “Father Emir.” The royal office’s announcement marks the end of an era for Qatar, as Sheikh Hamad’s tenure is widely associated with the nation’s transformation into a modern and prosperous state.

Wikipedia has come under renewed scrutiny in India after a defamation lawsuit filed by Asian News International (ANI) in 2024. The Delhi High Court warned that the platform could be banned in India if it fails to comply with national laws. This has reignited global debate over how Wikipedia operates and how reliable its information truly is. Wikipedia, launched in 2001, is a free, open-source online encyclopedia managed by the nonprofit Wikimedia Foundation. It hosts over 60 million articles and receives more than 10 trillion monthly page views. Around 300,000 volunteers worldwide write and verify its content without pay, following strict editorial guidelines that require information to be based on reliable published sources. Disputed entries are reviewed by senior editors and marked accordingly. While Wikipedia acknowledges that it should not be treated as a primary source, experts note that widely known topics tend to be more accurate due to frequent review. Critics have raised concerns about gender imbalance among contributors and ideological bias. The platform operates without ads, relying on user donations, and faces restrictions or bans in at least 13 countries, including China, Myanmar, and North Korea.

Flooding across 11 upazilas of Chattogram has persisted for a week despite reduced rainfall, as heavy upstream flow from India’s Tripura and Mizoram continues to inundate low-lying areas. According to district authorities, 759,000 people remain waterlogged, though the actual number is believed to be higher. Eleven people have died from landslides and floodwaters, and large parts of Banshkhali, Satkania, Fatikchhari, Raozan, Boalkhali, Chandanaish, Lohagara, Hathazari, Anwara, Karnaphuli, and Patiya remain submerged. Rescue and relief operations are underway with army, BGB, police, and fire service teams deployed in seven upazilas. Many areas remain without electricity and mobile networks, leaving residents isolated. Shortages of food and drinking water persist in overcrowded shelters. Agricultural losses include 9,043 hectares of Aus crops, 960 hectares of Aman seedbeds, and 5,907 hectares of vegetables, while fish and livestock losses are estimated at Tk 40 crore and Tk 28 crore respectively. State ministers said the prime minister is closely monitoring the situation, and that water levels are expected to recede as sluice gates have been opened and rainfall decreases.