A 20-year-old woman, Ria Begum, died after falling from the eighth floor of the new building at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, according to a report published on July 31, 2026. Ria, the wife of a Singapore-based expatriate, had been receiving treatment in the hospital’s medicine department for several days. She fell from the balcony of Ward 802 at about 4 a.m. on Friday.

Other patients and relatives rushed her to the hospital’s emergency department after she was seriously injured. The attending doctor declared her dead at about 5:15 a.m. Her father, Latif Mallik, said she had been admitted three days earlier because of tongue sores, various physical complications and mental instability.

Mallik said people present tried to stop Ria, but she did not listen and fell onto a private car below. Hospital police camp inspector Md Faruk said her body has been kept at the hospital morgue. Shahbagh police have been informed, and an investigation and legal procedures are under way.

Jahida Begum, a resident of Nonabhanga village in Bagerhat Sadar upazila, has accused her daughter-in-law, the woman’s parents and brothers, and some local people of abuse and a conspiracy to seize her homestead. She made the allegations in a written statement at a news conference at Bagerhat Press Club on Friday at 11am. Jahida said she and her disabled husband, Nur Mohammad Fakir, were living in fear for their safety.

According to Jahida, her only son Shahidul Islam married Asifa Akter Sumi, daughter of Chhattar Mallik from the same area. She alleged that after the marriage, Asifa behaved badly toward her and her husband. Jahida also claimed that, at the instigation of her daughter-in-law and her parents and brothers, mental and physical abuse of elderly and ill family members had intensified.

Jahida said the boundary of her home adjoins that of her daughter-in-law’s father, and alleged that the accused were trying to occupy their land. She also alleged threats to kill them and seize the property. Jahida claimed her son was being held under pressure as part of a plan to take over the family land and house. She sought urgent intervention, a proper investigation and justice from senior administration officials.

Shahidul Islam, father of July uprising martyr Farhan Faiyaz, has demanded justice for the killings of 2024 and implementation of the July Charter. Speaking to Amardesh on July 31, he said the sacrifice made by young people for democracy, the removal of fascism and constitutional reform had not been properly recognised. He said his family remains unable to return to normal life after losing its only son.

Islam filed allegations of murder and genocide against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 54 others with the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal. The complaint also names several ministers, political leaders and law-enforcement officials from the then government. He said the state could face another crisis if the people’s verdict was not implemented. Farhan’s mother, Farhana Diba, and sister, Sayima Islam, also called for swift justice.

Farhanul Islam Bhuiyan, an eleventh-grade student at Dhaka Residential Model College, was shot dead on Dhanmondi’s old Road 27 on July 18, 2024. DSCC renamed the road Shahid Farhan Faiyaz Road, while a playground west of the parliament building was also named after him.

Saudi Arabia is preparing for a major military operation against Yemen’s Houthi rebels to break a blockade on its oil exports in the southern Red Sea, Yemeni sources said. The operation could be conducted by sea in central Yemen and, if possible, by land. Saudi forces have been seen withdrawing from eastern Yemen, a move believed to be linked to preparations for a ground operation.

Riyadh is also stepping up efforts to form a multinational naval coalition to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday that 14 countries, including Bangladesh, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan and Djibouti, backed the proposal in a joint statement. Riyadh has invited the United States, Britain, Germany, France and Italy to join.

The Houthis announced a maritime blockade against Saudi ships on July 20 and said they would lift it only if Saudi Arabia ended its blockade on Yemen. Yemeni sources said Saudi forces are gathering to retake al-Bayda province, seized by the Houthis in 2020-21. A deal mediated by Oman and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could reduce tensions in Yemen, according to the report.

FIFA has denied that it plans to sell ownership of football or the World Cup as controversy grows over a proposed new structure for its commercial operations and events. In a statement issued Friday, FIFA responded after 55 UEFA members and 41 member associations from the CONCACAF region opposed the proposal. The governing body said its aim is to create more development funding and commercial opportunities for member countries.

FIFA said the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise would be a wholly owned FIFA subsidiary, intended to manage the organisation's commercial and event operations more efficiently. It argued that misleading media reports had caused misunderstandings about the plan and disrupted the scheduled consultation process. FIFA said the final decision would be made democratically after hearing the views of all member associations.

The body said none of football is being sold and that such an option would never be considered. It said each of its 211 member countries has the right to review and comment on the proposal, while no single confederation can represent the entire membership. Under the plan, each association would receive $20 million in development support from 2027 to 2030, alongside a proposed optional one-time $20 million fund. Implementation requires majority support.

Chalan Beel, spanning 1,600 villages in 62 unions across 10 upazilas of Natore, Pabna and Sirajganj, is steadily shrinking because of unplanned development, according to the report published on July 31, 2026. Embankments, national highways, bridges, pond excavation and other infrastructure have reduced the wetland’s flow and depth. Its area, once more than 1,000 square kilometres, is reported at about 368 square kilometres during monsoon and 85 square kilometres in the dry season.

Many of Chalan Beel’s 47 small and large rivers have lost their natural flow because of siltation and navigability problems. Some 177,000 fishers were directly or indirectly linked to fishing in its rivers, canals and waters. Reduced water inflow and illegal China duari and badai nets have pushed native fish toward disappearance, prompting many fishers to change occupations and reducing dried-fish production.

The report says the Baghabari-Tarash flood-control embankment built in 1980 and the Hatikumrul-Banpara highway completed in 2001 obstructed water flow. Natore BADC Executive Engineer Sajjad Hossain cited climate change, untimely rainfall, siltation, reduced navigability, blocked canal mouths and unplanned infrastructure as contributing factors.

At least nine migrants died after being trampled while trying to cross from Morocco into Ceuta, Spain’s autonomous city in North Africa, Al Jazeera reported. The deaths occurred when a large number of people attempted to force their way across the border at the same time. Several hundred people also tried to cross together on Thursday.

Ceuta’s local administration said about 1,500 to 2,000 migrants had entered the city irregularly over the past 10 days. Regional President Jesús Vivas declared a humanitarian and social emergency and called urgently for additional troops. Spain’s Interior Ministry rejected calls for a national emergency declaration, saying the migration crisis did not fall under such emergency legislation, but promised extra police support and formally announced the deployment of 60 military personnel.

Videos published by local media showed migrants entering Ceuta while chanting “Viva España.” Some crossed by swimming from the Moroccan coast using floating plastic boats or inflatable tubes, while others attempted to scale high barbed-wire fencing. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska was scheduled to visit Ceuta on Friday to assess the situation.

Police have arrested Alamgir Siddiqui in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, over allegations involving the removal of government-seized sand, operation of a sand syndicate and a recent clash in Chhagalnaiya. According to police sources, he was arrested in an operation on Friday with assistance from the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch. Chhagalnaiya police station officer-in-charge Md Abu Taher confirmed the arrest and said further details would be provided later.

The case gained attention after about 223,830 cubic feet of sand was allegedly removed from a government-seized stockpile in the Shubhapur area of Chhagalnaiya. The sand had been seized under a court order. Police began an investigation after a case was filed, seized several trucks carrying allegedly stolen sand and arrested truck drivers. Local residents, however, had alleged that the alleged main perpetrators remained beyond reach.

Separate clashes, attacks and gunfire also occurred between two BNP factions in Chhagalnaiya over control and dominance in the sand business. Upazila BNP leader Riaz Uddin Majumdar Tipu was injured. A case named 14 people, with Siddiqui listed as the principal accused. Counter-allegations say Tipu assaulted Siddiqui’s supporters, though both sides deny the accusations.

Three people were killed in repeated clashes between Hindu and Muslim communities in southern Nepal, prompting newly appointed Prime Minister Balendra Shah to appeal for calm. Officials said the violence began last Sunday in a village in Sunsari district near the Indian border. In his first major address to the nation on Thursday, Shah urged citizens to act responsibly and preserve peace, harmony, brotherhood and national unity.

According to government officials, a heated dispute began after loud music was played and religious flags were displayed during a Hindu religious procession. The argument with local Muslims escalated into deadly violence. Nepal Police spokesperson Abi Narayan Kafle said two people were killed when police opened fire to bring the situation under control.

A third person died on Thursday while protesting after defying a curfew in neighboring Siraha district. Local authorities imposed strict curfews in Sunsari and surrounding districts to prevent further deterioration. Shah promised a full, fair and transparent investigation and said those responsible would face justice. Kafle said all police personnel had been placed on maximum alert, with the aim of protecting lives and property while using minimum force.

Twenty-five plots allotted to Fortune Invention and Technology Limited at the Jhalakathi BSCIC industrial estate have not been cancelled despite Tk 14.4 million in unpaid land installments and the absence of a submitted industrial layout. According to BSCIC sources cited in the report, the company received the plots in 2023, accounting for one-third of the estate’s 79 industrial plots. No industrial facility has been established on the allocated land, which remains vacant.

The report says the 25 plots cover 117,000 square feet, although BSCIC rules allow allocations of up to 15,000 square feet. BSCIC issued repeated notices seeking payment of the arrears, but the owners have not taken steps to pay, according to the report. It also notes that the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission had fined Fortune Shoes Limited’s chairman, directors and officials over allegations of failing to distribute dividends and pay listing fees.

BSCIC official Al Amin said Fortune had received reminder letters and a final notice, and a decision to cancel the allocation could emerge at the next meeting. Deputy Commissioner Momin Uddin said a final notice had been issued over the unpaid installments and necessary action would be decided at an upcoming meeting. The report says 51 of the estate’s 79 plots, including Fortune’s 25, are vacant.

A missile described by Polish authorities as Russian entered Polish airspace and exploded near Tarnawa-Kolonia in eastern Poland on Thursday morning, according to a report published July 31. NATO deployed fighter aircraft and other air-defense assets after the incident, which occurred amid Russia's overnight ballistic missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. The explosion created a large crater, but authorities reported no casualties or significant damage.

Fox News, cited by the report, said the missile was part of Russia's overnight strikes on Ukraine, where at least eight civilians, including children, were killed and more than 50 injured. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in an X post that a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile had violated NATO airspace. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the site and said all available evidence indicated it was a Russian missile.

A NATO spokesperson said F-16s, aerial refueling aircraft and AWACS planes were deployed by Poland and other NATO members after the missile was detected. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Poland and NATO had fully activated air and ground defenses, calling the incident another reckless Russian action and a dangerous consequence of the war against Ukraine.

Women in Ghonirampur village of Taraganj upazila in Rangpur are producing synthetic shoes exported to the United States, Canada, Germany, Poland, Turkey and other countries. Bling Leather Products, an export-oriented shoe manufacturer established in 2017, operates on 9.5 acres beside a highway about four kilometres from the upazila headquarters. Founded with about Tk250 crore in investment by two brothers who returned from abroad, the late Selim and Hasanuzzaman Hasan, the factory now employs about 3,000 people, around 80 percent of them women.

Worker welfare officer Jesmin Ara said the factory has increased employment and changed local social conditions. The company says it provides a safe working environment, maternity leave, medical services and skills-development training. Workers Joyanta Rani, Aduri Rani and Lovely Begum described using their income to support households, education, savings, debt repayment and livestock rearing.

Company officials said at least 510 current workers had previously worked in Dhaka and other parts of the country before returning for local jobs. The factory produces about 10,000 pairs of shoes daily. After expansion, it expects employment to reach about 34,000 people, with women making up 80 percent. Management also plans to raise daily production to 50,000 pairs and expand into Bangladesh's domestic market.

Nahid Islam, opposition chief whip in parliament and convener of the National Citizen Party, said the government would not have repealed the anti-enforced disappearance ordinance if it truly upheld the ideals of missing BNP leader M Ilyas Ali and the wishes of families of disappearance victims. He made the remarks as chief guest at an NCP procession-following rally in Goalabazar, Osmaninagar, Sylhet, late Thursday night, marking the second anniversary of the July mass uprising.

Islam said repealing the ordinance conflicted with public expectations for accountability, truth-finding and justice for affected families. He described Ilyas Ali's disappearance as a dark chapter in Bangladesh's political history. He said Ilyas Ali had spoken against Indian dominance, including through opposition to the Tipaimukh dam, and claimed the NCP and fighters of the 2024 mass uprising uphold his ideals.

Islam also referred to alleged attacks on NCP activists and vehicle convoys in Kurigram, Golapganj and Habiganj. He called for treatment for those injured, a democratic environment and employment creation. At the end of the meeting, leaders urged support for Osmaninagar NCP convener Mosahid Ali as the party candidate in the upcoming upazila parishad election.

A dispute has emerged over the administrative process for selecting the headquarters of Chattogram’s newly formed Fatikchhari North Upazila. The upazila was announced on July 1, and residents from three northern unions and southern Suabil union have since held opposing programmes. Stakeholders allege that hearing recommendations were ignored, the headquarters location was changed, and Harualchhari and Suabil unions were added without public hearings.

The new upazila was long sought with Baganbazar, Dantmara, Narayanhat and Bhujpur unions to ease administrative hardship in the northern area. Public hearings in those four unions ended on December 21, 2022. A Local Government Division letter dated September 28, 2025 proposed Jujkhola mouza for the headquarters, but allegations say a later initiative shifted it to West Bhujpur.

Locals say Baganbazar is about 52 kilometres from the current Fatikchhari headquarters, while West Bhujpur is about 42 kilometres away. Sujan’s Akhtar Kabir Chowdhury stressed consistency among hearing recommendations, field reports and official documents. Professor Manjurul Kibria called for an impartial inquiry into alleged changes. Joint Secretary Anwar Imam said the Local Government Division was reviewing the situation.

Saudi Arabia has announced a new multinational maritime defense alliance that includes Bangladesh and 13 other countries, aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Saudi Defense Ministry announced the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance on July 30, saying it would strengthen joint maritime defense cooperation and protect key routes for international trade and energy supplies.

Other members are Turkey, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan, Djibouti, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan and Comoros. Representatives from 43 of 51 invited countries attended the alliance-forming meeting, alongside a European Union delegation. The EU already operates its Aspides maritime-security mission in the Red Sea, but the source said it remains unclear how the Saudi-led alliance’s activities will differ.

The alliance will exchange intelligence, develop joint plans, conduct coordinated exercises and undertake maritime operations. Saudi Arabia did not immediately disclose how many warships or aircraft members would contribute. It said the alliance is entirely defensive and not directed at any specific state. Its headquarters will be in Saudi Arabia, at an undisclosed location, while countries may join later after completing required national legal or administrative procedures.