Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has called on district information officers to modernize their communication methods and become more active on digital platforms. Speaking on Tuesday at a virtual meeting on disaster management with district information officers, he emphasized the need for rapid, accurate, and reliable dissemination of government development and welfare information, especially during emergencies.

The minister said that combating misinformation and disinformation is a key responsibility of the ministry to maintain a clean and trustworthy information flow. He noted that information is as essential as oxygen in modern life, and ensuring citizens receive timely and accurate updates is both a state duty and a safeguard against confusion. Swapan urged officials to use social media and other digital tools to enhance outreach and transparency.

He also directed the Department of Mass Communication and the Press Information Department to jointly collect, coordinate, and disseminate disaster-related information daily. State Minister Yasser Khan Chowdhury highlighted the importance of launching an online dashboard or digital portal for real-time disaster updates.

RAB has rescued a 15-year-old girl who was abducted from the Adamdighi Hospital area in Bogura. The rescue took place on Tuesday during a raid at a house in the Volta Khanpara area of Kahaloo upazila. In connection with the abduction case, RAB arrested 24-year-old RahuI Hossain, son of Shahinur Islam from the same village. Both the rescued girl and the suspect were handed over to Adamdighi Police Station for legal action.

Earlier, on Monday, RAB conducted another operation at a student dormitory in the Shilimpur area of suburban Bogura and arrested Fahim Hasan, 23, son of Abdur Razzak of Chak-Kanpara, Shajahanpur. He was wanted in a robbery case filed with Kahaloo Police Station. According to the case, on June 18, four robbers on two motorcycles intercepted a passenger CNG at Porapara Bus Stand and looted Tk 10.8 lakh, account books, and two signed cheques from a businessman at knifepoint.

RAB-12 Bogura Company Commander Firoz Ahmed ATC confirmed the operations in separate press releases, stating that both suspects were handed over to the police for further investigation.

A total of 27 members of the notorious Chhoto Jahangir gang, including its leader Jahangir Sheikh, surrendered to the Bangladesh Coast Guard with arms and ammunition on Monday evening in the Charputia canal area of Mongla, Bagerhat. The surrender was confirmed by Commander Mohammad Mesbaul Islam of the Coast Guard’s Western Zone. The group handed over several foreign and locally made firearms along with hundreds of live and blank cartridges.

According to the Coast Guard, the surrender took place under ongoing government operations titled “Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans” and “Operation Mangrove Shield,” aimed at eliminating piracy and ensuring coastal security. These operations have already led to the recovery of large quantities of weapons, the arrest of 45 forest bandits, and the rescue of 42 abducted fishermen and woodcutters.

Authorities stated that legal proceedings are underway against the surrendered members, who were long involved in robbery, kidnapping, and extortion in the Sundarbans. Under the government’s rehabilitation policy, they will be given opportunities for reintegration, while operations will continue to make the forest completely free of bandit activity.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has postponed its ongoing July march in southern Bangladesh from July 15 to 18, citing severe floods that have caused casualties and widespread disruption in several districts including Chattogram. The decision was announced on Tuesday, with the party stating that the move was made in consideration of the humanitarian situation. As a result, planned marches in Faridpur, Madaripur, Bhola, Barishal, Barguna, and Patuakhali will not take place as scheduled.

According to NCP sources, the postponed programs will be rescheduled later with a revised timetable to be announced in due course. The southern march is expected to resume on July 19, beginning in Rajapur of Jhalokathi at 3 p.m. and continuing in Nesarabad of Pirojpur at 6 p.m. the same day.

Meanwhile, the NCP confirmed that its northern region programs remain unchanged. The marches in Bogura’s Mokamtola and Joypurhat Sadar will proceed as planned on July 15 under the previously announced schedule.

The Sylhet Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education has issued show-cause notices to four teachers after errors were found in the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Physics (theoretical) first paper exam of 2026. The notice, signed by the board’s exam controller Professor Bilkis Yasmin on July 14, stated that serious mistakes were detected in questions 6 and 7 of the creative section of the paper held on July 13. The board said these errors caused mental stress among examinees during the test.

According to the notice, such mistakes constitute professional negligence and have tarnished the image of the Sylhet Education Board. The teachers have been asked to explain within three working days why departmental action should not be taken against them.

The four teachers named in the notice are Professor Md Mujibur Rahman of Sreemangal Government College, Assistant Professor Kazi Junaed Al Amin of Brindaban Government College, Assistant Professor Mosaddeq Hossain Khan of MC College, and Lecturer Mohammad Helal Uddin of Sylhet Government Model School and College.

Police in Nageshwari, Kurigram arrested two alleged top drug dealers for operating a yaba trade while monitoring police movements through CCTV cameras installed at their residence. The arrests took place late Monday night during a special operation led by Officer-in-Charge Abdullah-Hil-Zaman and Inspector (Investigation) Atikur Rahman. Authorities seized 51 yaba tablets, four CCTV cameras, a laptop, a DVR, a 43-inch monitor, two mobile phones, and two motorcycles used for drug transport.

The detainees were identified as Jalal Hossain Joy, 36, of Bidyutpara area, and Al Mamun Shuvo, 30, of Chamtarpara area. Police said both men had previous drug-related cases. The operation was conducted based on secret information, and the seized items included surveillance equipment from brands such as Hivision and Camtech.

A case was filed under the Narcotics Control Act, and the two accused were sent to jail through the court. The Nageshwari police chief stated that the operation was part of the government’s zero-tolerance policy against drugs and online gambling, and similar drives will continue.

The Department of Narcotics Control seized 1,190 yaba pills, 22,500 taka in drug sale proceeds, and a private car during a raid in the Bangla area of Netrokona Sadar on Tuesday afternoon. The operation was conducted by the Mymensingh Divisional Intelligence Office under the leadership of Assistant Director Kawsarul Hasan Roni. Four individuals were detained at the scene and later sent to court.

The arrested persons were identified as Sakhawat Hossain Sajib, Saiful Islam alias Liyon, Al Rifat Chowdhury Joy, and Mahmudul Hasan Rafi, all residents of Netrokona Sadar. According to the Department of Narcotics Control, the raid targeted a suspicious car traveling toward the district town, which was stopped and searched, leading to the recovery of the drugs and cash.

Following the seizure, Inspector Khondaker Iqbal Hossain filed a case under the Narcotics Control Act at Netrokona Model Police Station. The department confirmed that the four detainees were presented before the court after the case was registered.

Popular Bangladeshi actor Mosharraf Karim appeared in a new role as a judge, joined by actor-director Shamim Zaman and film actress Aanchal Akhi at the grand finale of the reality show ‘Miss and Mrs Plus Beauty Season 3’. The event, jointly organized by Star Multimedia and Dance Kingdom, aimed to celebrate the intelligence, confidence, personality, and inner beauty of plus-size women beyond conventional beauty standards. The competition began with 30 participants, from which eight finalists advanced to the final round.

Aanchal expressed her excitement and honor at sharing the judging panel with Mosharraf Karim and Shamim Zaman, describing the experience as a memorable milestone in her acting career. She praised the contestants’ performances and said she was delighted to be part of the event.

In the finale, Wafia Sadiqa was crowned champion after impressing the judges with her ramp walk, personality, quick thinking, and overall performance. Jerin Khan and Dalia Islam Jui were named first and second runners-up respectively. The judges jointly crowned the winner at the closing ceremony.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan expressed regret in the National Parliament on Tuesday evening during the budget session. He said that many had objected to his personal comments, clarifying that he did not intend to offend anyone. The minister added that if anyone was hurt, he was expressing his regret. Lawmakers present in the session welcomed his statement by thumping their desks.

Earlier, during a supplementary question, MP Rumin Farhana asked the minister about the decision not to postpone the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations despite continuous heavy rainfall that caused waterlogging in major cities including Dhaka and Chattogram. She questioned what difficulties prevented the postponement.

The minister explained that the HSC exams were being held simultaneously in about 2,700 centers across 64 districts. Due to heavy rainfall and flooding, examinations under the Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, and later Chattogram education boards had already been postponed in phases.

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has approved the introduction of scrip netting, also known as intraday trading, in the country’s stock market. The decision was made at a commission meeting chaired by BSEC Chairman Masud Khan on Tuesday, according to a statement signed by Executive Director and Spokesperson Abul Kalam. The Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges have been authorized to implement the system once all necessary preparations are complete. The new mechanism will allow investors to buy and sell shares of the same company within a single day and settle only the net position at the end of the trading day.

BSEC earlier indicated that the facility would initially be limited to high-quality companies, possibly around 30, due to concerns about investor maturity and the limited number of strong securities. DSE Brokers Association President Saiful Islam said scrip netting is a globally recognized practice but has not been implemented in Bangladesh due to fears of misuse. He suggested starting with the DS-30 companies as a pilot phase.

Islam added that the Dhaka Stock Exchange is technically ready but may need software upgrades. He also noted that full implementation across all listed companies would require the operational readiness of Central Counter Party Bangladesh Limited (CCBL), which has yet to begin activities since its launch in 2019.

At a rally in Dupchanchia, Bogura, on July 14, 2026, National Citizen Party (NCP) central organizer for the northern region, Sarjis Alam, warned that if the government fails to implement the July Charter despite the referendum’s verdict, it will face the same fate as fallen fascist regimes. He declared that Bangladesh would not operate under Delhi’s influence and vowed not to let the blood of martyr Hadi go in vain. Sarjis also stated that Tarique Rahman is now the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, a matter of pride for both Bogura residents and the nation.

Addressing Rahman directly, Sarjis said he did not become Prime Minister for personal reasons or solely by merit, but because people voted for the BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, after bidding farewell to Begum Khaleda Zia and recalling Major Ziaur Rahman. He urged Rahman to protect this public trust by implementing the July Charter, warning that failure to do so would cost the BNP future electoral support.

The event was part of NCP’s nationwide march and street meetings, attended by several senior party leaders and local coordinators in Bogura.

Stakeholders and experts have called for Bangladesh’s blue economy to be treated as a national priority, emphasizing coordinated initiatives to harness its potential. The call came on Tuesday at a policy discussion titled “Consultation of National Stakeholders on Blue Economy Management in Bangladesh,” organized by the Blue Economy Think Tank at the Doyel Seminar Hall of the CEMEC Institute of Technology in Uttara, Dhaka.

Speakers, including academics, government officials, and private sector representatives, highlighted the sea as a major source of opportunity for Bangladesh. They stressed the need for a national framework, legal structure, and effective policies for sustainable management of marine resources. The discussion underscored stronger inter-ministerial coordination, enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, and inclusion of trained officials and researchers in planning and management.

Participants also noted that public-private partnerships could transform the blue economy into a key source of national income. The consultation was supported by the Australian government under the “Australia Awards–Driving Change: Alumni Grants for Innovation” program, aiming to promote knowledge exchange and capacity building in the sector.

Police in Naogaon have arrested four members of a fraud ring accused of mixing sleeping drugs inside coconuts to incapacitate victims and steal their belongings. The arrests were announced in a press release on Tuesday afternoon after an 18-hour operation across Bogura and Gaibandha districts. Authorities seized a stolen autorickshaw, a motorcycle, eight mobile phones, cash, and sleeping drugs from the suspects.

According to the police statement, the group lured an autorickshaw driver on July 10 by pretending to visit a hospital and offering him a coconut drink laced with sedatives. After the driver lost consciousness, they fled with his vehicle. Using CCTV footage, criminal databases, artificial intelligence, and digital tools, investigators identified and captured the suspects. The arrested individuals are from Cumilla, Barguna, Bogura, and Gaibandha districts.

Police said two of the suspects have prior criminal cases, including murder, while the other two were involved in reselling stolen goods. Legal action is being taken against all four detainees.

A new study by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) has found that one in thirteen Bangladeshi women experience menopause before the age of forty-five, a rate higher than the average in low- and middle-income countries. The findings, based on data from 716,648 women aged 30 to 49 across 44 countries, were published in BMJ Global Health. The study identified that 7.5 percent of Bangladeshi women face early menopause, compared to 7.1 percent across similar economies.

Researchers observed that rural women in Bangladesh are 17 percent more likely to experience early menopause than urban women, even after accounting for education, income, and reproductive history. Education emerged as a key protective factor, with higher education levels linked to significantly lower risk. Women marrying or giving birth after age 18 also showed reduced risk.

The study highlights early menopause as a major health indicator, increasing risks of heart disease, osteoporosis, depression, and memory loss. Researchers urged regular screening of menopausal age in women’s health services and called for stronger investment in girls’ education, prevention of child marriage, and equitable access to reproductive healthcare.

Madaripur district police have stated that no brick was thrown at Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's motorcade during his trip to Barishal. Following an investigation, police concluded that confusion arose after a piece of brick was seen flying from the wheel of a vehicle in front of the convoy. The clarification was given by Superintendent of Police Habibur Rahman at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

According to the police, after the incident drew attention, members of the police, Rapid Action Battalion, and intelligence agencies began an inquiry. Reviewing video footage and related evidence, investigators found no proof of any attack. The police also said that information circulating on social media claiming a brick attack was inaccurate.

A general diary has been filed at Rajoir Police Station regarding the matter. Authorities said any new findings from the ongoing investigation will be disclosed later.