Australian national football team forward Tate Yangi has formally embraced Islam, drawing wide attention across the sports and Muslim communities. The 25-year-old player converted to Islam at a mosque in his hometown of Adelaide after Friday prayers, just before being named in Australia’s final World Cup squad. Islamic scholar Mufti Menk was present during the ceremony, where Yangi recited the Shahada to declare his faith.

In an interview afterward, Yangi said his decision to accept Islam was not spontaneous but the result of a long period of learning and reflection. During his meeting with Mufti Menk, he was asked whether he had recited the Shahada before. Upon replying no, he was invited to do so and accepted immediately. Yangi expressed pride in his new faith and said he hopes to represent the beauty and true teachings of Islam through honesty and humanity both on and off the field.

Yangi recently scored on his debut against Switzerland in a pre-World Cup friendly, strengthening his position in the national team.

A mother and her young son were killed when a speeding pickup truck hit their motorcycle in Birganj upazila of Dinajpur on Tuesday morning. The accident occurred around 6 a.m. in the Kabirajhat Panchpir area of Bhognagar Union. The victims were identified as Fahima Akter, 28, and her three-year-old son, Md. Abdullah, from Malgram in Kaharol upazila. Fahima’s husband, Nazmul Islam, 34, who was driving the motorcycle, was seriously injured and is receiving treatment at Birganj Upazila Health Complex.

According to police and local sources, Nazmul Islam was taking his wife and son to see a doctor in Thakurgaon’s Gareya area when the pickup struck their motorcycle from behind. The impact threw them onto the road, and the vehicle ran over them, killing the mother and child instantly. Locals rescued the injured father and took him to the hospital, while the pickup driver fled the scene.

Birganj police and highway police recovered the bodies and sent them to the hospital morgue. Police said efforts are underway to identify the pickup and take legal action.

Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman stated that a roadmap has been prepared for the upcoming local government elections, and the election schedule will be announced in the second half of August. He shared this information with journalists on Tuesday around 11:30 a.m.

During the same briefing, Dr. Rahman mentioned that the country currently has 900,000 metric tons of food stock, which exceeds the government’s target. He also said that the July Museum will be inaugurated before August 5, describing the current administration as the 'July government' and emphasizing that derogatory remarks about the July uprising or its participants are unacceptable.

The announcement outlines the government’s timeline for the next phase of local elections and highlights ongoing preparations in governance and cultural initiatives.

The funeral prayer for Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and members of his family was held at the courtyard of Jamkaran Mosque in Qom on Tuesday morning. The prayer was led by Iran’s senior cleric Ayatollah Abdullah Jawadi Amoli. Following the ceremony, the bodies of Khamenei and his deceased family members were taken from the mosque toward the shrine of Hazrat Fatima Masumeh.

Mourners from various provinces of Iran began arriving at Jamkaran Mosque from Monday afternoon to attend the funeral prayer and final procession. By Monday night, the mosque grounds and surrounding streets were filled with people, and the flow of mourners continued into Tuesday. Participants carried red flags inscribed with “Ya Letharat al-Husayn” along with Iranian national flags as they joined the procession.

The farewell ceremony in Qom followed a massive gathering in Tehran the previous day, where large crowds had assembled to pay their last respects to the late leader.

Belgium reached the World Cup quarterfinals after defeating the United States 4-1 in the round of 16. Following the match, Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin expressed frustration over FIFA’s controversial decision to suspend the red-card ban of U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play despite disciplinary rules. Raskin said the result proved that justice ultimately prevails in life.

The controversy began when Balogun received a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which should have led to a one-match suspension. However, FIFA’s disciplinary committee lifted the ban, drawing criticism from multiple sides. The Belgian Football Federation filed an official complaint before the match, which was rejected. FIFA President Gianni Infantino later stated that the judicial body acted independently, though reports of his phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump fueled further debate.

Belgium’s victory, powered by goals from Charles De Ketelaere, Hans Vanaken, and Romelu Lukaku, secured a quarterfinal clash with Spain, who advanced after defeating Portugal.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has strongly condemned the bomb attack that occurred on Monday night at the National Citizen Party (NCP) rally in Tarapur Eidgah field, Savar. He described the incident as cowardly and brutal, noting that several NCP leaders and activists were injured, with four in critical condition. Porwar expressed sympathy for the victims and called for their quick recovery.

In a statement to the media on Tuesday, Porwar said the attack reflected a severe deterioration of the country’s law and order situation. He criticized the local administration for failing to ensure security despite the presence of the opposition chief whip and alleged administrative involvement due to a sudden power outage before the explosion. He emphasized that political violence and bomb attacks are unacceptable in a democratic society.

Porwar urged authorities to conduct a fair and impartial investigation, uncover the cause of the power outage, identify those behind the attack, and bring them to justice. He called on the government to act decisively to maintain political stability and public safety.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 406 people in the capital during a 24-hour regular operation, according to Additional Police Commissioner Niyaz Mehdi. The arrests were made across various divisions, including Ramna, Lalbagh, Wari, Motijheel, Tejgaon, Mirpur, Gulshan, and Uttara. The DMP also filed 50 cases during the same period.

Police reported seizing 1.215 kilograms of cannabis, 2,290 yaba tablets, 15 pieces of aluminum frame scraps, a knife, an anti-cutter, five mobile phones, a motorcycle, and 8,350 taka in cash. The operation covered multiple police station areas in Dhaka, targeting illegal drugs and locally made weapons.

Authorities stated that legal proceedings against the detainees are underway following the recovery of narcotics and weapons during the raids.

Pakistan has begun a quiet mediation effort between Libya’s rival eastern and western power centers, according to two Pakistani sources cited by Reuters. The initiative, which started late last year, aims to bridge divisions that have persisted since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. The United States is reportedly aware of and involved in the process, while Saudi Arabia is providing support. Both Libyan sides are said to have requested Pakistan’s involvement.

The mediation follows Pakistan’s earlier roles in separate U.S.-Iran negotiations this year, which drew praise from Washington. Analysts note that any plan to reunify Libya must balance competing foreign interests and resolve disputes over government positions, election rules, and oil revenues. A proposed 36‑month transitional power-sharing arrangement under a “Government of National Consensus and Presidential Council” is under discussion, with Abdulhamid Dbeibah and Saddam Haftar expected to hold key roles.

Pakistan’s army chief recently met Saddam Haftar in Rawalpindi, followed by Haftar’s visit to Washington. Observers describe Pakistan as a secondary actor in Libya, though it maintains ties with both factions and regional players such as Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan and Turkey are advancing toward a major defense agreement to jointly produce various technologies and components for Turkey’s ‘Kaan’ fighter jet. The initiative aims to deepen bilateral military cooperation and strengthen both countries’ defense capabilities. Under the proposed plan, advanced avionics and radar systems for the ‘Kaan-PK’ version of the aircraft will be developed collaboratively. The final agreement is expected to be concluded by 2026.

Defense officials from both nations have shown strong interest in accelerating the joint projects. The ‘Kaan’ fighter jet program is viewed as a strategic milestone for enhancing Pakistan’s defense industry. The collaboration will integrate advanced technologies and leverage Turkey’s long-standing experience and expertise in aviation and aircraft manufacturing.

According to related sources, both countries intend to utilize each other’s strengths and capabilities to advance defense technology development, marking a significant step in their growing defense partnership.

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support Atul Khare has commended the professionalism, courage, and discipline of Bangladeshi peacekeepers during a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh’s Home Minister Asaduzzaman Ahmed at the UN headquarters in New York on Monday. Khare praised Bangladesh’s leadership in environmental protection and assured that proposals, including the deployment of specialized police units in Haiti, would be given serious consideration. He also expressed commitment to strengthening the UN’s partnership with Bangladesh.

The meeting discussed operational cooperation, financial compensation, environmental sustainability, the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and Bangladesh’s readiness to deploy specialized police contingents to Haiti. The Home Minister thanked the UN Department of Operational Support for its assistance in peacekeeping reimbursements and environmental initiatives such as solar panel installations. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of peacekeeping missions and promoting renewable energy.

Bangladesh has prepared three advanced specialized police units for Haiti, trained in SWAT, rapid response, explosives disposal, forensics, and cybercrime. A three-member delegation will visit the UN headquarters from July 15–17 for MOU discussions to finalize deployment details.

Portugal’s national football team coach Roberto Martinez announced his resignation after the team’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16 against Spain. The Spanish coach said he saw no reason to continue after failing to achieve the goal of winning the World Cup. Portugal lost 1–0 to Spain, and Martinez confirmed in the post-match press conference that it was his final game in charge, coinciding with the end of his contract.

Martinez, who took charge of Portugal in 2023, led the team for about three and a half years. Under his leadership, Portugal won the UEFA Nations League but fell short in both the European Championship and the World Cup. Expressing gratitude to supporters, Martinez said it was an honor to serve as national coach and hinted that the team now needed a “new voice.”

According to international media reports cited in the source, the Portuguese Football Federation will begin the process of appointing a new coach, with European outlets already speculating about possible successors.

Cristiano Ronaldo said Portugal’s Euro 2016 victory holds the same value to him as winning the World Cup, after his team was eliminated from the 2026 tournament. Portugal lost 1–0 to Spain in the round of 16 at Dallas Stadium, ending Ronaldo’s World Cup journey. The 41-year-old forward had limited impact in the match, managing only one notable shot before Spain’s Mikel Merino sealed the result in stoppage time.

Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, Ronaldo reflected on his international career, highlighting Portugal’s three major titles under his leadership: the 2016 Euro, the 2019 UEFA Nations League, and the 2025 UEFA Nations League. He said these achievements transformed the country’s football history and expressed satisfaction for giving his all to the national team.

Ronaldo did not confirm whether this was his final match for Portugal, saying he would not make emotional decisions and that his future in the national team was not the most important issue at the moment.

Authorities in Chattogram city have announced a one-day closure of all secondary schools on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, due to continuous heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions. The decision covers government, city corporation-run, and private institutions, with all scheduled examinations postponed for the day. The move aims to ensure student safety and reduce travel difficulties caused by flooding and poor weather.

Kissinger Chakma, Education Officer of Chattogram City Corporation, confirmed that the closure was declared prioritizing student safety amid the natural disaster. He added that if weather conditions improve, school activities and postponed exams will resume according to a revised schedule. A notice circulated in the Chattogram Teachers’ Association WhatsApp group also prompted private school principals to declare the closure.

Ariful Ul Hasan Chowdhury, Principal of Bawa School, said heavy rain and waterlogging made student travel risky, leading to the closure. Schools have advised parents to follow official notices for further updates.

A video showing Mofizul Islam, the land assistant officer (tahsildar) of Jambaria Union in Bholahat upazila, Chapainawabganj, allegedly taking bribes for land-related services has gone viral on social media. The footage shows him receiving money from a service recipient inside the union land office and putting it in his pocket. The video’s circulation has sparked widespread discussion and criticism in the area.

Several service seekers accused the union land office of openly engaging in bribery, claiming that no work is done without payment. One complainant said he was forced to pay Tk 9,000 for two deeds, while another person identifying himself as a broker described varying rates for different services. When contacted, Mofizul Islam declined to comment and referred inquiries to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

Bholahat UNO Nahid Hossain confirmed that a preliminary investigation is underway. He said the administration will verify the authenticity of the viral video and take legal action if the allegations are proven true.

The Bangladesh government has announced a plan to perform one million cataract surgeries free of cost to restore eyesight for people suffering from blindness or visual impairment due to untreated cataracts. The initiative was revealed by State Minister for Health Dr. M A Muhith after a meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Peter Holland, Chief Executive of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), at the Cabinet Division in Dhaka on Monday.

According to the minister, around one million people in the country are visually impaired or blind solely because they have not received cataract surgery. The government aims to provide free surgeries for poor and underprivileged citizens, while others will receive treatment at a minimal cost. Patients will also receive necessary lenses free of charge after surgery. The initiative is part of the government’s priority to restore vision and improve eye health nationwide.

A global conference on eye health improvement is scheduled for November, co-hosted by Bangladesh, where Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will participate. Peter Holland praised the government’s efforts and pledged continued international cooperation in the sector.