A commentary published in the newspaper Amar Desh on July 21, 2026, alleges that sections of Bangladesh’s left-wing political groups are aligning with Awami League propagandists to question the outcomes of the July uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government. The article claims these groups are attempting to portray the mass movement, which cost over a thousand lives, as a conspiracy rather than a democratic revolution. It argues that their criticism of the current government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus serves to obscure the previous regime’s record of disappearances, killings, and repression.

The piece recounts the uprising’s human cost, including the deaths of children and women, and asserts that it restored freedom of speech, halted enforced disappearances, and revived electoral democracy. It contrasts the current political environment—where opposition parties operate without violent crackdowns—with the former Awami League era, which it describes as dominated by Indian influence and authoritarian control.

The article concludes that the left’s renewed alignment with Awami narratives aims to undermine the revolution’s democratic gains, warning that attempts to rehabilitate the Awami League will fail in the face of public rejection.

A new United Nations report has revealed that consumers across East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand lost as much as $114.1 billion to international online scams last year. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said the losses, driven by fraudulent investment and romance schemes, have tripled compared to 2023, when the total ranged between $18 billion and $37 billion.

According to the report, the surge in losses highlights the rapid expansion of organized criminal networks in the region. Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia and Myanmar, has become a major hub for such operations, where scams are run from fortified compounds using cryptocurrency and fake romantic lures. Some workers participate voluntarily, while others are victims of human trafficking. China, South Korea, and Taiwan suffered the most financial damage over the past two years.

The report noted that regional authorities have intensified crackdowns under pressure from the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. UNODC warned that these networks now operate globally, integrating money laundering, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and data theft, posing a serious threat to regional security and economic stability.

Iran’s army has claimed responsibility for drone attacks on three major United States military installations in Kuwait. According to a statement published by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, the strikes targeted the administrative building and direction-finding antenna at Camp Arifjan, the helicopter parking area at Camp Al-Adiri, and the military housing at Ahmed Al-Jaber base. The attacks reportedly involved ‘kamikaze’ or suicide drones.

The statement accused US forces of destabilizing regional security and said Iran’s armed forces were acting to restore peace through resistance against what it called ‘American terrorism.’ The announcement came shortly after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed separate strikes on US facilities at Ahmed Al-Jaber and Ali Al-Salem air bases.

The report did not specify the extent of damage or casualties from the attacks, and no immediate response from US authorities was mentioned.

Lionel Messi congratulated Spain after Argentina’s 1–0 loss in the 2026 World Cup final. A day after the defeat, the Argentine captain posted an emotional message on social media, acknowledging the pain of the loss but expressing gratitude for the memories and support. He wrote that the wound would take time to heal but emphasized cherishing the good moments.

Messi finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists, bringing his career World Cup totals to 21 goals and 12 assists. In his message, he highlighted the team’s collective effort and pride in reaching consecutive World Cup finals, noting that the team’s resilience and the nation’s unity were sources of immense pride. He also thanked fans for their unwavering support and messages.

The post, which combined disappointment, gratitude, and sportsmanship, quickly drew widespread attention on social media. Many observers described it as a reflection of Messi’s humility and respect for his opponents even in defeat.

International oil prices fell slightly on Tuesday as reports emerged of mediation efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran. Brent crude dropped by 35 cents, or 0.4 percent, to 88.87 dollars per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for September delivery remained nearly unchanged at 82.47 dollars. The decline followed a recent surge that had pushed prices above 90 dollars per barrel earlier in the month.

The price movement came amid heightened geopolitical developments. Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about disruptions to oil supplies from one of the world’s leading exporters. A senior Iranian official said Tehran had received a 10-day ceasefire proposal from mediators aimed at building on a June 17 interim agreement. However, hostilities continued as the US launched new strikes on Iranian cities, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard on American military sites in the Middle East.

Analysts noted that while the ceasefire discussions have temporarily eased price pressures, uncertainty remains over whether the negotiations will yield lasting results.

An illegal chemical factory in Keshabpur, Jashore, has been accused of severely polluting the local environment with acid and chemical waste, endangering crops, livestock, birds, plants, and public health. Residents report that the soil and water have turned reddish, and many people are suffering from skin and respiratory diseases. Sixty families from two villages have submitted a petition to the Keshabpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer demanding the closure of the factory and legal action against its owner, Ruhul Amin.

According to the complaint, Ruhul Amin established the factory three years ago in Khatiakhali village without environmental clearance, using acids and imported chemicals to color iron products. The factory lacks a waste treatment system, releasing thousands of liters of chemical-laden water into nearby fields and homes. Teachers and residents say the contamination is destroying crops and trees, while monsoon rains worsen the pollution, flooding about 20 acres of farmland.

The Upazila Nirbahi Officer confirmed receiving the complaint and stated that an investigation is underway to take legal measures against the illegal operation.

BNP Joint Secretary General and Narsingdi-1 MP Khairul Kabir Khokon said that the current government has failed to work on national reform and cultural development. Speaking as chief guest at a Nazrul Year event and grant distribution ceremony at the Narsingdi Shilpakala Academy on Monday afternoon, he emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting local literature and culture over foreign influences. The event was organized by the district administration and the district Shilpakala Academy.

Khokon criticized the poor condition of the Shilpakala Academy, saying that during the past 17 years of what he termed a fascist government, authorities were busy with corruption instead of public welfare or cultural reform. He urged collective efforts from administrators, social workers, and politicians to uphold the nation’s cultural heritage.

At the ceremony, 59 cultural personalities received grants totaling 988,250 taka, and eight cultural organizations were given checks worth 380,000 taka. The event was presided over by Additional Deputy Commissioner Abu Taher Samsuzzaman, with other local officials in attendance.

US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning that Iran will pay a 'heavy price' for killing American soldiers. He made the statement on Monday following the deaths of several US troops in Jordan and other locations amid ongoing conflict. Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that every time Iran kills American soldiers, it will face severe consequences. He said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Daniel Kane have been instructed to take necessary actions.

According to Washington, 17 US soldiers have been killed since the conflict began in February, including two in Jordan and six in a drone attack in Kuwait’s Port Shuaiba in March. Around 430 others have been injured. The White House said Trump will attend a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to receive the bodies of the fallen soldiers. Reuters reported that the US had already deployed additional warplanes and refueling tankers in the Middle East before the Jordan attack.

Analysts believe the US actions aim to weaken Iran’s military capacity and secure the Strait of Hormuz. Former intelligence officer Joe Kent expressed concern and urged troop withdrawal to reduce tensions.

The construction of the Anandabazar Bridge on the Garaduara–Mekhal Sarang Road in Hathazari, Chattogram, remains incomplete even two years after work began. Despite an extension beyond the original deadline, the contractor has not finished the project, leaving thousands of residents, including students, facing serious travel difficulties. Local authorities have stated that efforts are underway to complete the remaining work as soon as possible.

On-site observations show that the bridge pillars are finished, and iron structures for one span have been installed, but progress is slow. Recent rainfall has raised water levels in the river, further complicating construction. To maintain connectivity, the contractor has built a temporary bamboo footbridge, which residents and students use at personal risk.

According to the Hathazari Upazila LGED office, the project began on October 10, 2023, under contractor Majed Enterprise, with a budget of Tk 31.67 million and a completion target of October 14, 2024. Officials cited heavy rainfall as a key reason for the delay and confirmed that instructions have been issued to expedite completion.

A robbery suspect named Samrat escaped from police custody in Gazipur on Monday afternoon while being prepared for transfer to court. Police said he slipped out of his handcuffs and fled from the detention area. Samrat had been arrested the previous night in the Boardbazar area of Gazipur with the help of information technology. He faces multiple robbery cases in Gazipur and other police stations.

Gazipur Sadar Metro Police Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam confirmed that Samrat’s thin wrists allowed him to free himself from the handcuffs. The police have launched a special operation to capture him. Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Israil Howlader stated that the incident is being treated with utmost seriousness, and multiple teams are working to locate the fugitive.

Authorities have strengthened surveillance using technology and intelligence resources to track Samrat. A departmental review is also underway to determine how the escape occurred.

At the National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital in Dhaka, cancer patients are waiting up to one and a half years for radiotherapy due to severe equipment shortages and overwhelming patient demand. Many, like Aleya Begum from Tangail and Mokbul Khan from Cumilla, have been given treatment dates months away, raising fears that delays could worsen their conditions. The hospital charges around 12,000 to 15,000 taka for a radiotherapy course, while private hospitals cost nearly 200,000 taka, making private care unaffordable for most.

Out of eight radiotherapy machines, only two are currently operational, one of which frequently breaks down. More than half of the hospital’s diagnostic equipment, including CT scan, MRI, and mammography machines, is out of order. Patients also face shortages of basic medical supplies and long waits for chemotherapy and diagnostic tests. Many are forced to sleep in corridors and courtyards due to a lack of beds.

Hospital authorities acknowledge the crisis, citing outdated machines and excessive patient load. They plan to introduce three-shift radiotherapy services and are coordinating with the health ministry to address equipment and staffing shortages.

Spain defeated Argentina 1–0 in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 105th minute of extra time. The victory marked Spain’s first World Cup title in 16 years. While celebrations filled the streets of Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia, an unexpected wave of joy also swept through war-torn Gaza, where residents watched the match on small screens and limited electricity, celebrating Spain’s triumph as their own.

For Gazans, Spain’s win carried deep political and emotional meaning. Spain is among the few major European nations to formally recognize the State of Palestine, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has consistently called for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza. This stance has made Spain a symbol of solidarity for Palestinians. Many in Gaza publicly supported Spain before the final, viewing the match as a symbolic clash between two political positions, given Argentina’s leadership’s strong pro-Israel stance.

The celebrations in Gaza reflected gratitude and hope amid destruction, turning Spain’s football victory into a powerful message of human connection and resilience.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a major relaxation in the renewal process for domestic workers’ residency permits, known as Iqama. From now on, employers can issue or renew Iqamas for as short as three months, instead of paying fees for one or two years at once. The initiative was jointly launched by the Ministry of Interior, the General Directorate of Passports, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and the recruitment platform Musaned.

According to local media Okaz, the new system allows employers to pay only for the selected duration, such as three months or its multiples, easing the financial burden on households. The service is available online through the government’s Absher digital platform.

Authorities said the decision aims to accommodate the diverse needs of domestic work, align with employers’ financial capacities, and modernize residency services as part of expanding digital government operations.

The United States carried out airstrikes in Iran for the tenth consecutive night, targeting areas including Sirik, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Chabahar, and Konarak. Explosions were reported across these regions. In response, Iran launched counterattacks on US military bases in the Middle East. The escalation followed US President Donald Trump’s warning that Iran would pay a heavy price for the deaths of three American soldiers, two in Jordan and one in Iraq.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the country is now engaged in a full-scale war with the United States, confirming retaliatory strikes on targets in Bahrain, Jordan, and Syria. The US Central Command said its operations aimed to reduce Iran’s ability to attack commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, focusing on command centers, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim agency reported that several cities, including Tabriz and Bandar Imam Khomeini, were hit. Regional militaries in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain confirmed intercepting Iranian drones and missiles. Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, raising fears of further disruption to global energy supplies.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement announced on Monday a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, citing retaliation for what it called an unjust blockade imposed on Yemen. The declaration came amid intensifying military exchanges between Iran and the United States, marking a new escalation in the regional conflict. The Houthis said the blockade would take effect immediately under a policy of 'an eye for an eye.' Saudi Arabia has not yet issued any response to the announcement.

The move follows ten consecutive nights of U.S. strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks by Tehran on American-linked sites across several Middle Eastern countries. These developments have effectively collapsed a memorandum of understanding signed between Tehran and Washington last month. Despite the hostilities, both sides have signaled possible interest in returning to diplomatic talks.

According to the report, Tehran had pressured the Houthis to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait if U.S. attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure continued. Closure of this key route between the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea could cut global oil supply by about seven percent, while the ongoing Gulf conflict has already reduced supply by roughly ten percent.