India’s Ministry of Education has reported that an average of 13 schools closed each day during the 2025–26 academic year. According to the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) report, a total of 4,791 schools were shut across the country, with more than half of them located in Madhya Pradesh, where 2,426 schools closed. The report shows that India’s total number of schools fell from 1,471,473 in 2024–25 to 1,466,682 in 2025–26. After Madhya Pradesh, Telangana recorded 1,392 school closures, followed by West Bengal with 568, Andhra Pradesh with 474, Tamil Nadu with 369, Karnataka with 281, and Himachal Pradesh with 266. Some states, however, saw an increase in school numbers despite declining student enrollment. Bihar added 946 new schools, Chhattisgarh 234, and Delhi 87. Yet all three states recorded fewer student admissions, with Bihar seeing the largest drop of 437,037 students, followed by Chhattisgarh with 49,459 and Delhi with 45,250.

BNP leader and Chattogram-10 Member of Parliament Saeed Al Noman called on politicians to treat politics as an act of devotion and to stand beside people affected by waterlogging. He made the remarks on July 10, 2026, while visiting flood-affected areas in Halishahar, including Barinighat Golichipa Para, Phul Chowdhury Para, Sundabi Para, and Godown Bazar North Gate, which were inundated due to continuous heavy rainfall. During his visit, Noman met with affected families, distributed food, clean water, and other humanitarian aid, and assured residents of prompt assistance. He emphasized that while storms and hardships may pass, the duty to serve people must continue, describing selfless service as a form of worship. He also stated that BNP’s acting leadership had instructed party members to support flood victims. Noman urged BNP activists to remain beside the people and continue humanitarian efforts to ease the suffering of those trapped by water. He reiterated that BNP is a party of the masses and committed to helping citizens during disasters.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has temporarily suspended Md. Mehtab Kayes, an Assistant Maintenance Engineer at the Directorate of Primary Education, for publishing the Primary Scholarship Examination 2025 results without prior authorization. According to a ministry circular issued on Friday, the suspension took effect on July 9, 2026, under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018. The ministry stated that the results were finalized on July 8, and Kayes was instructed to upload them only after formal approval. However, on the morning of July 9, he uploaded results from nine districts of the Dhaka division to the official website, which briefly went live and allowed users to view and share the results on social media. A three-member investigation committee, led by Director of Planning and Development Md. Mirajul Islam Ukil, has been formed to probe the incident and submit a report within three working days. The premature leak has sparked discussion and criticism among parents and stakeholders.

Continuous rainfall and mountain runoff have caused severe flooding in Rajnagar upazila of Moulvibazar, where the collapse of the Manu River embankment at Uzirpur and Vangarhat has left around 20,000 people trapped by water. One elderly woman has died in the disaster. The flooding began Thursday evening when sections of the embankment broke, allowing water to inundate multiple villages including Akuwa, Syednagar, Adinabad, and others. According to the Water Development Board and local sources, the Manu River rose above the danger level, breaching embankments and flooding nearby areas. Residents tried unsuccessfully to block the water with sandbags. Many villagers have taken refuge on embankments or at relatives’ homes, bringing livestock and valuables with them. The body of the deceased woman was recovered Friday morning after being found floating in floodwaters. Upazila Executive Officer Bipul Sikder said dry food has been sent to affected residents, and boats and speedboats have been deployed for rescue operations. Authorities have urged all citizens to assist in helping those stranded by the flood.

Heavy rainfall and upstream water surges have caused five rivers in Bangladesh to flow above danger levels at nine monitoring points, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre’s bulletin released on Friday morning. The Sangu, Matamuhuri, Kushiyara, Manu, and Khowai rivers were reported to be flowing between 10 and 95 centimeters above danger levels at various locations in Bandarban, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj. Several other rivers, including the Teesta, Surma, and Someshwari, were flowing near warning levels. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that a low-pressure system over northwestern Madhya Pradesh has weakened but will continue to bring rainfall across the country until at least July 13. Dhaka has experienced continuous but moderate rain since Thursday night, while Chattogram recorded the highest rainfall of 211 millimeters in 24 hours. The department has maintained local cautionary signal number three for all sea ports and advised fishing boats to remain near the coast. Authorities warned that heavy to very heavy rainfall could cause temporary waterlogging in Dhaka and Chattogram and trigger landslides in hilly areas of Chattogram Division.

HIV infections have been increasing at an alarming rate in Khulna, where 17 people have died from AIDS-related complications in the past eight months. During the same period, 55 new HIV cases were identified, with male homosexuals forming the largest group among the newly infected. Data from the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) corner of Khulna Medical College Hospital revealed that 37 of the new patients were men and 18 were women. According to ART center records, 735 people underwent HIV testing in the last eight months, including 434 men and 301 women. Since 2017, a total of 7,773 people have been tested at the hospital, with 964 confirmed HIV-positive cases. ART focal person Dr. Mohammad Yunus Ali emphasized the need for regular testing among sex workers and those engaged in unsafe sexual practices to better understand the spread of infection. Health officials, including Khulna’s Civil Surgeon Dr. Mahfuza Khatun and Divisional Health Director Dr. Sheikh Mosharraf Hossain, stated that free HIV testing and treatment are available under government programs. They warned that rising infection rates pose a serious public health concern and stressed that awareness is key to prevention.

A new survey has found that public support for Israelis among Americans has declined significantly since the Gaza war. According to the findings, only 52 percent of Americans now hold a favorable view of the Israeli people, down from 67 percent in 2022. In contrast, attitudes toward Palestinians have remained largely unchanged. The survey also indicates that most respondents view the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas negatively, with disapproval of the Israeli government rising sharply in recent years. The generational gap is particularly pronounced among younger Americans. Among those under 30, 59 percent express positive views of Palestinians, while only 32 percent feel positively about Israelis. The divide is even wider among young Democrats, with 72 percent favoring Palestinians compared to just 26 percent for Israelis. Meanwhile, young Republicans now show nearly equal levels of support for both sides, a notable shift from previous years when their backing for Israelis was much stronger. The survey results suggest a continuing shift in US public opinion, especially among younger demographics, regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

At least ten people have died across India following intense monsoon rains that caused widespread flooding and disruption on Thursday. Roads in several regions were submerged, forcing people to wade through knee-deep water, while traffic slowed to a crawl, creating long jams. In Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region, multiple rounds of heavy rain led to both improved air quality and severe waterlogging, uprooted trees, and gridlocked streets. Reports indicated flooding in East Delhi, Sangam Vihar, New Delhi Railway Station, Burari, and other areas. Traffic was heavily disrupted on ITO, Rohtak Road, and Mehrauli-Badarpur Road. In Rohini, a building collapse during the rain killed three people, according to PTI. The Delhi Fire Service also reported several incidents of trees falling in East of Kailash, Kalkaji-Govindpuri, and Ranjit Nagar, one of which damaged a parked car. Meteorologists warned that heavy to very heavy rainfall may continue in several parts of India over the next few days. Local authorities have advised residents in low-lying areas to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel.

Construction of the Khutakhali–Eidgarh road in Cox’s Bazar’s Chakaria upazila has been halted after the Forest Department objected to the project, citing that part of the route passes through a reserved forest. The 11‑kilometer road, funded by JICA under the South Chattogram Regional Development Project, began in February 2025 and was scheduled for completion by February 2027. About six kilometers have been completed, but work on a five‑kilometer stretch through Madhushia forest remains suspended, leaving around 200,000 residents of five nearby upazilas facing prolonged transport hardship. The Forest Department claims the road cuts through the Madhushia garjan forest, an important corridor for endangered Asian elephants, and warns that construction could disrupt wildlife movement and increase human‑elephant conflict. LGED officials and local residents, however, argue that the disputed section includes old roads, open land, and farmland rather than dense forest. They insist the project will transform local connectivity, boost agricultural trade, and reduce security risks on alternative routes. Locals have staged demonstrations demanding immediate resumption of construction and intervention from higher authorities, while the two government agencies remain at odds over environmental and development priorities.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is considering selling advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. He made the remarks during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara. Trump stated that a decision on whether to proceed with the sale would be made soon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed the potential sale, urging Trump not to sell the advanced aircraft to Turkey. Netanyahu argued that such a move could endanger Israel, given the strained relations between Turkey and Israel. His office also reported that Trump briefed him on U.S. actions in the Gulf region amid ongoing tensions with Iran. The discussions highlight the complex regional dynamics involving the United States, Turkey, Israel, and Iran, as Washington weighs its defense commitments and alliances in the Middle East.

Several regional countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt, are attempting to mediate between the United States and Iran to reduce escalating tensions and restart discussions on the nuclear agreement. According to Axios, officials from these nations held multiple phone calls with both sides on Wednesday to calm the situation and encourage renewed dialogue. A regional source involved in the mediation said the first goal is to persuade both parties to de-escalate, followed by setting a date for expert-level talks on the nuclear deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Pakistan’s army chief that recent US attacks violated a memorandum of understanding between the two countries. Mediators believe recent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz were carried out by Iranian hardliners opposed to the US-Iran agreement. Axios reported that despite recent clashes, the situation was calmer on Thursday. US officials said no new strikes occurred that day, attributing the pause to ongoing de-escalation efforts. The US administration remains committed to finding a resolution and continuing technical discussions on the nuclear issue.

A deadly suicide bombing struck the home of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and Jhalawan Panel president Shafiqueur Rahman Mengal in Khuzdar, Balochistan, on Wednesday afternoon. At least 17 people were killed and around 30 others injured when an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the main gate of Mengal’s residence in Shahzad Town. The blast destroyed parts of the building and nearby structures, followed by multiple explosions that shook the city. Security forces engaged in over three hours of gunfire with the attackers, using heavy weapons including rocket launchers and grenades. Officials confirmed that among the dead were Mengal’s security personnel and five attackers, some of whom were suicide bombers. Mengal himself remained unharmed. The injured were taken to Khuzdar Teaching Hospital and the Combined Military Hospital, both of which declared emergencies. Authorities launched a search operation and deployed additional security forces across Khuzdar. The banned separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack.

A report alleges that a powerful syndicate involving former Awami League and ruling BNP leaders is controlling the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Dhaka Metro-2 Circle office in Ikuria, South Keraniganj. The group is accused of collecting illegal payments worth over one crore taka each month through bribes for services such as route permits, vehicle registration, and fitness certificates. Victims claim applicants are harassed and denied services without paying intermediaries, while officials allegedly share in the illicit proceeds. Sources cited in the report describe the office as a hub of corruption, with around 50 individuals managing various sections under the leadership of Abu Bakkar Siddique, a former seal contractor linked to political figures. The syndicate reportedly also controls 45 illegal shops and a truck stand outside the BRTA office, collecting rent and extortion fees from service seekers. BRTA Deputy Director Syed Ainul Huda Chowdhury acknowledged that complaints about brokers are longstanding but denied that officials share bribe money. He said mobile courts have recently detained 12 brokers and that visitor registration has been made mandatory.

Continuous rainfall for five days has severely disrupted life in Rangamati, cutting off three major road connections and flooding low-lying areas of Baghaichhari upazila. Around 20,000 people have become waterlogged, while two people died after being swept away in Kaptai Lake. Nearly 4,000 hectares of farmland are submerged, and 411 tourists remain stranded in Sajek. The district administration is making extensive efforts to manage the crisis. Officials reported that mountain runoff from India has caused the Kachalong River’s water level to rise sharply, inundating vast areas. The rising water in Kaptai Lake has submerged croplands in Baghaichhari, Barkal, and Longadu upazilas. District authorities have opened 34 shelters housing about 4,500 people, supported by a 2 million taka grant from the Prime Minister’s relief fund. Local residents are also assisting in rescue and relief operations. Road communication between Rangamati and Khagrachhari, as well as several internal routes, has been cut off due to landslides and flooding. Officials warned that damage to roads and farmlands may increase if rainfall continues.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, visited the flood-affected Gunagari area of Banshkhali upazila in Chattogram on Friday morning. The locality, known as Hindupara, is home to mostly low-income Hindu fishing families whose houses were inundated by continuous rain and hill runoff. Many residents had taken shelter on the second floor of a local shop and nearby safe spots for three days. Dr. Rahman distributed cash and relief materials, waded through waist-deep water to visit homes, and spoke with elderly people, women, and children about their hardships. Local residents said few others had visited their neighborhood, praising his effort to check on each household. They reported that hundreds of families in the area suffered losses, including damaged fishing nets, boats, livestock, and furniture. After distributing aid, Dr. Rahman told reporters that in times of disaster, the only identity that matters is humanity, not religion, ethnicity, or politics. He emphasized that helping affected people is a moral and humanitarian duty. The visit highlighted a message of solidarity and compassion across religious lines amid severe flooding in the region.