Brazil has never beaten Norway in men’s football, a record that continues to intrigue fans as the two teams prepare to meet again in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Across four previous encounters, Brazil drew twice and lost twice, making Norway the only team the five-time world champions have never defeated.

The rivalry began in 1988 with a 1–1 draw in Oslo, followed by Norway’s 4–2 victory in another friendly in 1997. Their most famous clash came at the 1998 World Cup in France, where Norway beat Brazil 2–1 after a late penalty, advancing to the knockout stage. The last meeting occurred in 2006, ending 1–1. Over the years, Norway’s disciplined defense and key performances from players like Tore André Flo have defined this unlikely dominance.

As Brazil and Norway prepare for their 2026 World Cup encounter, the South American giants will seek to end a 38-year winless streak against the Scandinavian side, a record that remains one of international football’s most curious anomalies.

On the first day of the 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations under the Dinajpur Education Board, 1,937 students were absent during the Bangla First Paper exam. One student was expelled from a center in Thakurgaon district for adopting unfair means. The information was confirmed by Professor Md. Borhan Uddin, the board’s controller of examinations, after Thursday’s test.

Out of a total of 91,035 registered candidates, 89,098 took part in the exam, marking an absentee rate of 2.13 percent. District-wise, Rangpur recorded 379 absentees, Gaibandha 324, Dinajpur 366, Nilphamari 232, Kurigram 204, Thakurgaon 160, Lalmonirhat 134, and Panchagarh 128. The examination controller stated that the first day’s test was conducted peacefully and without major incidents.

He added that coordinated efforts by the education board, district administration, law enforcement agencies, and examination centers ensured a smooth process. Authorities expect the upcoming exams to continue in the same orderly manner.

The government has promoted 34 personal and administrative officers from various ministries and departments to the non-cadre post of assistant secretary. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Thursday night confirming the promotions. According to the announcement, the promoted officials have been designated as officers on special duty (OSD) in line with customary practice.

The notification states that the officers will receive salaries and allowances under the National Pay Scale 2015, at grade nine. Their postings will be determined later following standard procedures. Non-cadre officers can be promoted up to the rank of deputy secretary within the non-cadre structure.

This promotion round reflects the government’s ongoing administrative process to recognize and advance non-cadre officials within the civil service framework.

Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, General Secretary of the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), has warned that the conflicting stance between the government’s expansionary national budget and Bangladesh Bank’s contractionary monetary policy could push the economy into a deeper crisis. He made the remarks in a statement issued on Thursday in response to the central bank’s newly announced monetary policy.

Fuad said the simultaneous adoption of a debt-dependent budget and a strict monetary policy aimed at controlling inflation reflects serious policy incoherence within the government. He argued that this contradiction would harm ordinary citizens, entrepreneurs, and investors. According to him, the government has failed to address fundamental issues such as reducing production costs, breaking market syndicates, curbing corruption, and strengthening supply chains, which are essential to controlling inflation.

He further stated that inflation in Bangladesh is primarily driven by rising costs and supply shortages, which cannot be solved merely by raising interest rates. Fuad urged the government to acknowledge the real economic situation, ensure easier financing for genuine entrepreneurs, and adopt a coordinated, long-term economic plan to stabilize inflation, boost investment, and reduce living costs.

Bangladesh has reiterated its firm commitment to supporting the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state. The reaffirmation came on Thursday during a courtesy meeting between Palestinian Ambassador Yusuf S. Y. Ramadan and Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir at the Prime Minister’s Office.

According to an official press release, both sides held a sincere and productive discussion on the historic and brotherly relations between Bangladesh and Palestine, as well as on bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual interest. Humayun Kabir reaffirmed Bangladesh’s continued support for the Palestinian cause and restated the country’s position in favor of establishing just and lasting peace in the international arena.

Ambassador Yusuf S. Y. Ramadan expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Bangladesh for their longstanding and unwavering support for Palestine.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed met Palestinian Ambassador Yousef S. Y. Ramadan on Thursday at the Home Ministry office in Dhaka. The meeting, held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, focused on law and order, security cooperation, and simplifying visa procedures for Palestinian students studying in Bangladesh. Both sides discussed matters of mutual interest and agreed to strengthen collaboration.

During the meeting, the minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s unwavering support for Palestine’s independence and sovereignty, recalling the strong diplomatic role of late President Ziaur Rahman in advocating for the Palestinian cause. The ambassador highlighted the large number of Palestinian students pursuing higher education in Bangladesh and requested special assistance for on-arrival visas. The minister instructed officials to extend full cooperation and asked the ambassador to send a formal letter through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Home Minister also warned against misinformation on social media, stating that any attempts to harm Bangladesh’s image internationally would be strictly dealt with under the law.

Bangladeshi-made cosmetics are now being used in Thailand’s beauty market, marking a shift from the past dominance of Thai products in Bangladesh. Improved production capacity and quality have enabled Bangladeshi brands to enter Thailand’s retail and e-commerce platforms such as Lazada Thailand and local pharmacies. Distributors report growing Thai consumer interest in natural, high-quality, and competitively priced skincare and cosmetic products from Bangladesh.

Industry sources note that Bangladesh’s cosmetics sector has transformed over the past decade through modern production technologies, international-grade raw materials, research and development, and advanced packaging. Companies like Remark HB Limited, which exports brands such as Neor, Ciodil, and Lily, are now reaching multiple international markets including Thailand, the United States, India, and the UAE. Sector leaders view this as recognition of Bangladesh’s global manufacturing capability.

Experts believe that continued adherence to international standards could expand exports further. However, they warn that domestic policy disparities in VAT and taxation are slowing the industry’s growth, urging government reforms to ensure sustainable development.

A group of deprived leaders from the Jubo Dal met with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday morning at his official residence on Hare Road in Dhaka. During the meeting, they requested arrangements for a direct audience with BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to submit a memorandum.

According to the report, around 30 to 35 Jubo Dal leaders attended the meeting. Among them were former central and district-level leaders, including Rafiqul Islam Rafiq, Md Humayun Kabir, Sajjad Hossain Ujjal, Zakir Hossain Khan, and several others who previously held various organizational positions within the Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal.

The meeting reflected ongoing internal discussions within the BNP’s youth wing regarding leadership positions and representation, as the deprived leaders sought higher-level engagement to address their concerns.

Ali Ahmed Dulu, adviser to the Narsingdi District Awami League and former chairman of Alipura Union Parishad, has announced his resignation from the Awami League to join the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He made the declaration on Thursday morning at a press conference held at the Raipura Press Club, stating his intention to remain with the BNP for the rest of his life.

Dulu said he had faced political harassment in the past, alleging that Awami League presidium member and former minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju was responsible for his repeated political setbacks. He claimed his political journey began with the BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal, and that despite his involvement with ruling parties at different times, his ideological alignment had always been with the BNP. He formally joined the BNP on February 2 through Narsingdi district BNP president Khairul Kabir Khokon but had not disclosed it publicly until now.

His announcement has sparked widespread discussion on social media. Some locals said Dulu was previously linked with the Jatiya Party before becoming active in Awami League politics after 2009. Dulu, however, maintained that his latest declaration simply clarified his long-held political ideology.

Iran’s representative in India has said that Mojtaba Khamenei, the current Supreme Leader of Iran and son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will not attend his father’s funeral and burial ceremonies. The envoy, Ayatollah Hakim Elahi, told India Today that the decision was made for security reasons. He cited ongoing threats from Israel against Iran’s top leadership as the main cause for Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence.

The report comes after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made threatening remarks directed at Khamenei. In response, Iran’s foreign minister warned that any future threats would be met with a strong reaction. The funeral and state mourning ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 during the onset of a conflict involving the United States and Israel, are being held over several days in Iran.

The situation underscores heightened regional tensions and security concerns surrounding Iran’s leadership during the national mourning period.

Lakshmipur district Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ruhul Amin Bhuiyan has accused the government of betraying the nation by rejecting a referendum proposal in parliament. He made the remarks on Thursday, July 2, during a meeting at the district Jamaat office marking the second anniversary of the July uprising, where a month-long program and prayer event were announced.

Bhuiyan claimed that national leader Begum Khaleda Zia was freed from prison and Tarique Rahman gained the opportunity to return to Bangladesh and become prime minister due to liberation from Indian dominance. However, he alleged that the government’s actions have denied the sacrifices of martyrs, including Abu Sayeed, and amounted to betrayal of more than 1,500 martyrs.

The event was attended by district Jamaat leaders including Naib-e-Ameer Advocate Nazir Ahmed, Secretary A.R. Hafiz Ullah, Assistant Secretary Maulana Nasir Uddin Mahmud, Advocate Mohsin Kabir Murad, and other Shura and executive council members. Prayers were offered for the recovery of the injured and for the forgiveness of the martyrs.

Two teachers in Narsingdi have been temporarily withdrawn after an old 2025 question paper was mistakenly distributed during the first day of the 2026 HSC examination. The incident occurred on Thursday in room 201 of Narsingdi Pilot High School center, where students realized about 15 minutes into the exam that they had received the wrong paper. The correct 2026 question paper was later distributed, but no extra time was given, prompting concern among students about their results.

The center secretary, Professor Nasima Akter of Narsingdi Government Women’s College, confirmed the incident and described it as regrettable. Assistant Professor Alok Kumar Pal and Associate Professor Subrata Kumar Saha, responsible for receiving and distributing the papers, were withdrawn for negligence. An investigation team led by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Md. Raseduzzaman has been assigned to probe the matter.

Officials from the district administration and education department stated that CCTV footage and other evidence are being reviewed. Further action will be taken after the investigation report is submitted.

The organization 'July Jote', which works with the goal of establishing an equitable, just, humane, and welfare-oriented state inspired by the spirit of the July uprising, has announced a partial 21-member central executive committee. The committee was approved on Thursday at a meeting held at the organization’s central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, through a unanimous decision of its responsible members.

According to the organization, the new committee aims to make its activities more dynamic, organized, and expanded across the country. Md. Mabrurul Haque has been appointed president, Jamil Siddiqui general secretary, and Saifullah Tamim senior vice-president, among others. Leaders stated that since its inception, July Jote has been working to uphold Islamic values, national interests, democratic ideals, social justice, and people’s rights.

They added that the newly formed council will work to extend organizational activities to the grassroots level in line with current realities and public expectations. The group called on patriotic youth, students, scholars, intellectuals, and conscious citizens to join the movement for a prosperous, just, and welfare-oriented Bangladesh.

An HSC examinee named Minhajul Islam Siam, who was abducted from the Laksam railway junction area in Cumilla, was returned 13 hours later. The abductors left him by the roadside in Laksam municipality early Thursday morning, July 2. Police rescued him and admitted him to a local hospital, where he remains under treatment and police custody.

According to family sources, Siam, a student of Lalmayi Government College and son of Khorshed Alam from Sameshpur village, went to the railway junction for evening prayers on July 1. A group of youths allegedly made him unconscious with sedatives and took him away in a vehicle. Following a complaint by his father, police launched a special operation led by Officer-in-Charge Kamrun Nahar Laily, conducting raids in Dhaka and nearby areas using technology. The abductors released Siam after sensing police pressure.

Police said they are investigating whether the incident was an abduction or another type of crime. Preliminary suspicion suggests the motive might have been to prevent Siam from taking his HSC examination.

Two police officers from Daudkandi in Cumilla have been withdrawn following a drug scandal. On Thursday, July 2, Sub-Inspector Md. Imam Uddin and Assistant Sub-Inspector Hafizur Rahman left their posts after being ordered to stand down by higher authorities the previous night. Earlier, the station’s Officer-in-Charge, M.A. Bariq, had also been withdrawn in connection with the same incident, confirmed Inspector Shamsul Alam.

According to the report, on June 27, police recovered 160 kilograms of cannabis from a covered van near the Daudkandi toll plaza on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway. The two officers on night duty allegedly sold the seized drugs to three traders and released the van after taking 30,000 taka. Both officers have denied the allegations. The investigation is being handled under the direction of senior police officials.

The withdrawal of the officers follows growing scrutiny over the handling of the drug seizure, and further departmental actions may depend on the outcome of the ongoing inquiry.