A Dhaka court has sentenced three people to death and two others to life imprisonment for abducting and murdering eight-year-old Mahfuz in Gopalganj’s Kashiani upazila fifteen years ago. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday afternoon by Judge Farzana Yasmin of Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal-4. Those sentenced to death are Jamal Sheikh, Shamim Sheikh, and Ranjhu Sheikh, while Mahmuda Khanam Usha and Billal Sheikh received life sentences. Each convict was also fined 50,000 taka, confirmed state prosecutor Gias Uddin.

According to the case details, on July 5, 2012, Mahfuz was abducted while walking to a local mosque in Borashur village. The kidnappers demanded ransom, and when it was not paid, they strangled him to death at Mahmuda Khanam Usha’s house on August 20, 2012, and dumped his body in a nearby mahogany grove. Mahfuz’s father was an expatriate in Italy, and the family reportedly had prior enmity with the accused.

Following the incident, Mahfuz’s mother filed a case on July 6, 2012. The case was later transferred to Dhaka’s Speedy Trial Tribunal-4 in December 2013, and the trial began in February 2014, with 23 prosecution witnesses testifying.

Police in Dhaka’s Pallabi area arrested four members of the Ashik gang during a special operation on Monday night. The arrests were made in separate raids led by Sub-Inspectors Sachu Biswas, Jahangir Alam, and Tohakul Islam. Law enforcement recovered locally made sharp weapons from the suspects. The detainees were identified as Dulal Hossain, Kamal Hossain Rubel, Mridul Sarkar, and Shamim Hossain Polu.

According to police information, Dulal Hossain faces eight cases at Pallabi Police Station, including charges of drug dealing, robbery preparation, and attempted murder. Kamal Hossain Rubel is accused in eight cases across several police stations, including Pallabi, Khilkhet, Kotwali, and Mirpur Model, involving drugs, violence, and robbery attempts. Shamim Hossain Polu has six cases against him at Pallabi Police Station for drug-related and theft offenses.

Police said legal proceedings against the arrested individuals are currently underway.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported more than 500 deaths from the ongoing Ebola outbreak, according to the World Health Organization. As of July 4, at least 506 people had died and 1,561 were confirmed infected. The outbreak, officially declared on May 15, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which no vaccine or treatment currently exists. WHO has begun two clinical trials and authorized emergency use of a molecular diagnostic test.

The outbreak’s epicenter is believed to be Mongbwalu in Ituri province, where the fatality rate has reached 50.7 percent. Health authorities have not yet identified the first patient, and thousands of potential contacts remain untraced. The first month of this outbreak has been the deadliest on record. Neighboring Uganda has reported two deaths and 20 confirmed cases.

The situation has been further strained by a strike threat from frontline health workers in Ituri, who cite unpaid allowances, poor working conditions, and lack of supplies. The virus has also spread near North and South Kivu provinces, where conflict and limited access complicate containment efforts.

Six fishermen from Patuakhali have been missing for two days after their fishing trawler sank in the deep Bay of Bengal. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, about 60 kilometers south of the Maudubi area in Rangabali upazila. The trawler had left Panpatti Union in Galachipa upazila on Saturday night with 11 fishermen on board. Following the accident, five fishermen were rescued alive after clinging to broken parts of the trawler and a buoy for nearly six hours before being found by another fishing vessel.

The missing fishermen have been identified as Imadul Khan, Harun, Forkan, Sayed, Al-Amin, and Akkas. Local authorities and the Coast Guard have continued search operations to locate them. According to Galachipa Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abu Zafar Md. Ejazul Haque, the upazila administration is coordinating with relevant agencies to support the rescue efforts.

Search operations remain ongoing as of July 7, with local fishermen assisting the Coast Guard in the rescue mission.

Dr. Sharif Bhuiyan, counsel for the petitioners, stated that the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished the caretaker government system, amounted to a betrayal of the Constitution and should be entirely repealed. He made the remarks on Tuesday while participating in the hearing of an appeal against a High Court verdict that had declared several provisions of the amendment invalid.

The hearing took place before the Appellate Division, with Attorney General Barrister Md. Ruhul Quddus Kajol representing the state. The appeal hearing began on July 6, 2026. Earlier, on December 11, 2025, a six-member appellate bench led by then Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed had postponed the case until after the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

During the earlier proceedings, several lawyers, including Barrister Sara Hossain, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol, Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir, and Barrister S.M. Shahriar Kabir, appeared as intervenors, while then Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman represented the state.

Boat movement between Teknaf and Saint Martin in Cox’s Bazar has been suspended for six consecutive days due to rough weather, severely disrupting daily life on the country’s only coral island. The suspension has particularly affected Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinees who are struggling to reach examination centers.

Local social worker M. Nur Mohammad said that the halt in boat operations has caused extreme hardship for both students and residents. Acting chairman of Saint Martin Union Parishad, Fayezul Islam, stated that the suspension began last Thursday and warned that if it continues, the island could face a serious food shortage. Upazila Nirbahi Officer S. M. Anik Chowdhury confirmed that the suspension is temporary and that authorities have been informed about the students’ situation.

Officials indicated that the resumption of boat services depends on weather improvement, while residents remain concerned about essential supplies and mobility.

A video showing Rajbari Court Sub-Inspector (CSI) Israfil Hossain allegedly accepting a bribe from an individual went viral on social media on July 6, 2026. Following the public outcry and concerns over police image, authorities immediately reassigned him to the police lines. The incident occurred while the officer was seen signing a file and receiving money, which he then pocketed before signaling the person to leave.

When contacted, Israfil Hossain claimed that some advocates with ill intentions might have recorded the video due to strained relations, but he avoided commenting on the alleged money exchange. Several senior lawyers from the Rajbari court accused him of routinely demanding money from bail-released defendants in exchange for processing court documents, delaying their release if payments were not made.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Shamsul Haque confirmed that the video had tarnished the police’s reputation and said Israfil was attached to the police lines pending further investigation.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said the government would soon lose its right to stay in power if it failed to ensure public safety. He made the remarks on Monday night after a bomb explosion occurred at the site of the NCP’s post-march rally in Savar.

Nahid described the incident as a heinous bomb attack intended to kill and criticized the local police for failing to provide security during the political event. He stated that a case was being filed and that police had promised to arrest the suspects quickly. He alleged that the motive behind the attack was political rather than merely a law-and-order issue.

He further claimed that the BNP was directly involved in rehabilitating fascist elements across the country and accused the party of extortion and blackmail through legal cases after August 5. Nahid also suggested that the local MP’s role in the attack should be investigated and held the home minister and prime minister responsible for security failures.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman made an unannounced visit to the Bangladesh Army’s summer training exercise on Tuesday morning in Singair upazila of Manikganj. This marks the first time in the country’s history that a sitting prime minister has personally attended a summer field training session with army personnel. Arriving at 9:20 a.m., he walked across large sections of the 8 Bir unit’s training area under the 9 Infantry Division, observing various operational drills and tactical exercises.

During the inspection, the prime minister toured the “Farm Base,” received briefings from the General Officer Commanding and the Commanding Officer, and watched a live “raid” demonstration. He also visited bunkers, interacted with officers and soldiers about combat strategies, and encouraged troops stationed in camouflage positions. Later, he shared freshly prepared field meals and tea with the soldiers, an interaction that reportedly lifted morale among participants.

In his address, Rahman praised the army’s role in national security and crisis management, urging continued professionalism, discipline, and readiness. Senior military officials and the prime minister’s defense adviser accompanied him during the visit.

A case has been filed at Savar Model Police Station following a cocktail explosion during the National Citizens Party (NCP) July march rally in Savar. The complaint was lodged by Salamat Ullah Rony, member secretary of NCP Dhaka North District. The explosion occurred at the Tarapur field in Savar municipality, injuring four party activists, two of whom were hospitalized. The rally was attended by NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam, along with central leaders including MP Akhtar Hossain and Sarjis Alam.

In response, Dhaka District Police Superintendent Shamima Parvin visited the site the same night and formed a three-member investigation committee led by Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Jahangir Alam. The other members include Additional SP (Savar Circle) Asaduzzaman and Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) Nur Mohammad of Savar Model Police Station. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within three working days.

According to Nur Mohammad, the investigation has already begun, though no further details on its progress were disclosed.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj announced that the government aims to bring all educational institutions under registration by 2027. From 2028, no unregistered institution will be allowed to operate. He made the announcement while addressing a meeting with heads of private kindergarten institutions under Dhaka-13 constituency at Kisholoy Girls’ School and College in Dhaka.

The minister outlined a future education framework that will set a minimum standard for all schools, including Bengali and English medium institutions. English-medium schools will be required to include a certain amount of Bengali instruction, while Bengali-medium schools will emphasize English education. Institutions failing to maintain the set standards will face action. He also criticized the commercial coaching culture, encouraging schools to provide necessary academic support internally.

Hajjaj emphasized the use of technology to create smart classrooms, reducing the need for separate IT labs. He urged schools to establish libraries, promising government support. The minister also mentioned initiatives such as mid-day meals, free notebooks, and sports-based learning to boost student engagement, alongside new micro-training programs and a complaint cell for teachers.

Continuous heavy rainfall has severely disrupted life in the port city of Chattogram. Since Tuesday morning, water has inundated major areas including Agrabad, Chawkbazar, Bakalia, Chandgaon, Patenga, and Kuwaish. Roads have gone underwater, homes and shops have been flooded, and traffic has come to a standstill. Many residents, especially workers, struggled to reach their workplaces due to waterlogging and a shortage of public transport.

The worst-affected areas include Agrabad, Chawkbazar, Bakalia, Kazirhat, Halishahar, Chandgaon, Sunnia Madrasa Road, Akmal Ali Road, Patenga, and Kuwaish. Furniture and goods in homes and businesses have been damaged. According to the Patenga weather office, 330.8 millimeters of rainfall were recorded in the 24 hours up to 9 a.m., while the Ambagan office reported 259 millimeters during the same period. Officials expect the rain to continue for another two to three days.

Chattogram City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain said that 30 percent of work on the Mirza Canal remains incomplete, which has contributed to waterlogging in parts of the city. He added that city authorities are working continuously to reduce flooding impacts.

The father of Adil, a student killed during the July 2024 uprising, has made three appeals to the government, emphasizing that martyrs should not be used for political purposes. He called for a fully independent judiciary to ensure justice for all citizens and the creation of an independent election commission to guarantee fair elections. His statements were shared on Facebook by former NCP leader Dr. Tasnim Jara on Tuesday.

Dr. Jara’s post also recounted Adil’s final moments before his death. A tenth-grade student preparing for his 2025 Dakhil exams, Adil had asked his mother for his ID card so his body could be identified if he died in the protests. His mother hid the card out of fear. Adil later joined the street demonstrations, where he was shot and died before reaching the hospital. His mother still keeps the 500-taka note he gave her that morning.

Adil’s father said his son’s sacrifice symbolizes the struggle for a new Bangladesh, urging that the nation honor such sacrifices by ensuring justice and fair governance.

Police in Tongi, Gazipur, arrested Monowar Hossain Khokon, general secretary of the Tongi West Thana Weavers’ League, on Tuesday morning in connection with an attack and vandalism at a minority family’s house in the Darail area. The incident occurred on Monday night when a group of 30 to 40 people, allegedly led by Khokon, used local weapons and tools to break into the home of Nirmohan Mondal, injuring ten family members.

According to Nirmohan Mondal, his family had long occupied about 40 percent of a disputed land, part of which was allegedly sold using forged documents. The family filed a court case over the matter, which remains under trial. Following the case, Khokon’s associates reportedly pressured the family to vacate the land, culminating in the violent attack.

Tongi West Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Arifur Rahman confirmed Khokon’s arrest and said efforts were underway to apprehend others involved. Legal proceedings are in progress.

Petrobangla announced on Tuesday that the supply of regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) from the Maheshkhali LNG terminals has dropped by about 300 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD). The company stated in a press release that this reduction has caused low gas pressure across the country, affecting all categories of consumers.

According to the statement, adverse weather conditions have significantly disrupted RLNG supply from the Maheshkhali terminals, leading to the current situation. Petrobangla warned that until the situation improves, residential, commercial, and industrial users nationwide may continue to experience low gas pressure.

Petrobangla expressed sincere regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to consumers and assured that normal supply would resume once conditions improve.