Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar signed the condolence book at the Embassy of Qatar in Dhaka on Tuesday morning, expressing deep sorrow over the passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar and father of the current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The signing took place around 11:30 a.m.

During the visit, Qatar’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Seraya Ali Al-Kahtani, welcomed the Jamaat leader and received condolences on behalf of Qatar’s royal family and people. Mia Golam Porwar prayed for the departed soul and conveyed heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved royal family, the current Emir, the Qatari government, and its citizens on behalf of his party.

Both sides expressed hope that the longstanding friendly and brotherly relations between Bangladesh and Qatar would continue to strengthen in the future. Opposition MP and foreign affairs adviser Barrister Mir Ahmed Bin Kashem Arman was also present at the event.

Arifullah Jelin, a 26-year-old assistant security officer at Sylhet Osmani International Airport under the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, has been missing since the evening of July 8, 2026. He was last seen leaving his residential quarters near the airport, and his phone has remained switched off since then. A general diary was filed on July 9 by a colleague at the Sylhet Airport Police Station, with Sub-Inspector Arjun Chowdhury assigned to investigate.

Police confirmed that Jelin did not return to work after his leave and that his last known location was near the airport area. His family, residents of Thakurgaon, reported that he did not return home either. Relatives have appealed for information and said they were defrauded by scammers claiming to know his whereabouts. Airport Director Hafiz Ahmed stated that it remains unclear whether Jelin went missing voluntarily or due to other causes, and investigations are ongoing.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (North) Mohammad Saiful Islam said all possible motives, including abduction or voluntary disappearance, are being examined. Nationwide alerts have been issued, and investigators are maintaining contact with the family.

US-Bangla Airlines has proposed to transport Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims in 2027 at a fare of Tk 98,000 per person, significantly lower than the Tk 154,830 charged in 2026. The airline submitted a formal letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Tuesday, expressing readiness to operate Hajj flights upon government approval.

The ministry confirmed receipt of the proposal, with Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad describing it as a positive factor in ongoing discussions to reduce airfare for pilgrims. US-Bangla stated in its letter that it aims to help Bangladeshi Muslims perform Hajj at a lower cost while complying with all flight conditions. Currently, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudia, and Flynas handle Hajj flights from Bangladesh.

The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh welcomed the proposal and said it would be discussed in an upcoming meeting. Officials from relevant ministries and agencies were scheduled to meet Tuesday to finalize the 2027 Hajj package, with the Religious Affairs Minister expected to announce the package later in the day.

The National Parliament of Bangladesh has passed the Bogura University Bill 2026 to establish a new university in Bogura. The bill repeals the 2001 Bogura Science and Technology University Act, which had been enacted but never implemented. Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan presented the bill, and proposals from opposition members to send it to a select committee and seek public opinion were rejected by voice vote before the bill was passed.

According to the minister’s statement of objectives and reasons, the 2001 law was gazetted on July 15 of that year but remained inactive. The new law aims to create a comprehensive university in Bogura offering education and research opportunities in science, life sciences, engineering, technical studies, arts, social sciences, business administration, law, agriculture, and medical sciences. The initiative follows the Prime Minister’s commitment to establish a full-fledged university in the district.

The administrative and academic activities of the proposed university are currently in the process of being launched, as stated in the bill’s explanatory note.

A special event titled “Youth, Startups and the Prospects of Bangladesh” was held on Tuesday at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of the University of Dhaka. Organized by the ICT Division in collaboration with the university, the event was attended by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as chief guest. The program featured discussions, startup grant distributions, and the inauguration of the National Startup and Entrepreneur Platform, designed to provide entrepreneurs with access to government support, training, mentoring, and investment opportunities through a unified digital system.

In his address, Prime Minister Rahman emphasized that young entrepreneurs are the driving force behind Bangladesh’s future development. He urged them to overcome challenges with perseverance and confidence, assuring that the government will continue to support their innovation and growth. University Vice-Chancellor Professor A.B.M. Obaidul Islam highlighted the importance of technology-driven entrepreneurship and the need for universities to become centers of innovation in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Speakers noted that a dedicated startup fund of Tk 500 crore has been established to promote innovation-based economic growth and youth employment across the country.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu said that most of the 54 people who died in floods across eight districts were killed in landslides. He made the statement on Tuesday after an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat, speaking to reporters at the Press Information Department’s conference center.

The minister said that his ministry had allocated Tk 17.5 million for emergency relief operations, along with 3,250 metric tons of rice and dry food. Additionally, each affected district received Tk 2 million from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. Cooked and dry food are being supplied to shelters, while the army, Border Guard Bangladesh, and Coast Guard have been deployed for rescue operations. Speedboats and rubber boats have also been sent for immediate use.

Dulu added that the government has taken key decisions for rehabilitation of affected families and repair of damaged roads. The Roads and Highways Department and local government bodies will handle repairs, while earthen roads will be restored under the Kabikha and Kabita programs. The food ministry will continue emergency food assistance in affected areas.

A mobile court in Lakshmipur fined four private hospitals and diagnostic centers a total of 35,000 taka for various irregularities. The joint operation, conducted by the district administration and the health department on Tuesday afternoon, was led by Executive Magistrate Md. Habibur Rahman. Officials from the Civil Surgeon’s Office, including Dr. Mohammad Nahid Raihan, were also present during the inspection.

According to the mobile court, the operation was based on information from the National Security Intelligence (NSI). The inspection found violations related to licenses, hygiene, and regulatory compliance. City Hospital was fined 5,000 taka for unsanitary conditions in its operation theater and keeping extra beds beyond approval. Popular Diagnostic and Diabetes Center was fined 20,000 taka for operating without a license. RS Dental X-ray Center and Dr. Auwal Child Surgery Center and General Hospital were each fined 5,000 taka for lacking proper licenses and renewals. Meanwhile, Royal Medical Services closed its facility and fled upon learning of the court’s presence.

The magistrate stated that such operations will continue in the future to ensure public health safety and compliance among private healthcare institutions.

Twenty-seven forest bandits, led by Jahangir Sheikh of the 'Chhoto Jahangir Bahini', have surrendered to the Bangladesh Coast Guard along with a large cache of weapons and ammunition. The formal surrender took place around 5 p.m. on Monday near Charputia Canal in the Sundarbans under Mongla Police Station, Bagerhat. The information was confirmed in a press release signed by Coast Guard Headquarters media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon.

According to the statement, the surrender followed two special Coast Guard operations—‘Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans’ and ‘Operation Mangrove Shield’—aimed at ensuring overall security and eliminating forest banditry. These operations resulted in the recovery of significant quantities of arms and ammunition, the arrest of 45 bandits, and the rescue of 42 fishermen and forest workers who were later returned to their families after medical care.

The surrendered bandits handed over various firearms, including foreign-made guns, local shotguns, and pipe guns, along with hundreds of live and blank cartridges. They are residents of several areas across Khulna, Bagerhat, and Pirojpur districts.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to strike a suspected Iranian nuclear facility known as Pickaxe Mountain. In remarks reported by journalist Zaid Sabah, Trump said Iran should be prepared, describing the site as a potential target. The facility, locally called Kuh-e Kolong Gaz La, is located near Iran’s heavily damaged Natanz uranium enrichment center and contains two deep underground tunnel complexes.

According to US media reports citing analysts, the tunnels are believed to be built so deep that even America’s most powerful bunker-buster bombs may not reach them. Analysts have suggested that the site could be part of Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump told the Hugh Hewitt Show that the United States is closely monitoring the location and claimed that Iran’s nuclear situation is not in good condition.

Trump added that the US might strike Pickaxe Mountain soon, signaling a possible escalation in tensions over Iran’s nuclear activities.

The Bangladesh Parliament has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Qatar’s former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. On Tuesday, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni tabled a condolence motion in the National Parliament, which was unanimously passed by voice vote under the chair of Deputy Speaker Qaiser Kamal. The session observed one minute of silence followed by a prayer.

In the motion, the Chief Whip described Sheikh Hamad as one of the most visionary and wise leaders of the contemporary world, under whose leadership Qatar transformed into a modern and prosperous nation. His contributions to education, health, energy, infrastructure, economy, diplomacy, and human resource development were highlighted as instrumental in elevating Qatar’s global standing. The motion also noted that Sheikh Hamad’s leadership strengthened Bangladesh-Qatar relations, particularly in employment and economic cooperation.

The motion further praised Qatar’s current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for his humanitarian support to Bangladeshi workers during recent Middle East crises. Copies of the resolution will be sent to Qatar’s National Assembly, the Qatari Embassy in Dhaka, and the Government of Qatar.

Students in Rajshahi staged a protest on Tuesday noon in front of the Rajshahi Education Board, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan. The demonstration began around 12:30 p.m. and was driven by anger over the continuation of examinations despite severe nationwide flooding.

According to the protesting students, many areas across the country are submerged, yet exams were not postponed. They reported that some students became ill after wading through waist-deep water to attend exams. The demonstrators also alleged widespread errors in exam question papers, which they blamed on the education ministry’s negligence.

As of the time of reporting, the students had blocked nearby roads and declared that the blockade would continue until their demands were met.

US Representative Jamie Raskin has called for the immediate release of Palestinian pediatrician Dr. Husam Abu Safiya, who was reportedly abducted by Israeli forces from a Gaza hospital on December 27, 2024. In a post on X, Raskin said Abu Safiya is being held in an Israeli prison without charge, trial, or due process, and has allegedly been subjected to torture.

Raskin described the situation as shameless, horrific, and life-threatening, urging the Netanyahu government to free the doctor immediately. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention have also demanded Abu Safiya’s release. His lawyer, Nasser Odeh, warned that the doctor’s life is in danger.

According to Physicians for Human Rights Israel, Odeh recently visited Abu Safiya in prison and found him severely injured, to the extent that he could barely recognize his client. The case has drawn international concern over the treatment of detainees in Israeli custody.

The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for airstrikes in the Gaza Strip that killed a Hamas naval commander and three other fighters. According to an official statement, the commander, identified as Osama Naim Hamdi Shamlakh, led a cell within Hamas’s special naval commando branch known as the Naval Array. The military said the strike targeting Shamlakh took place on Monday in Gaza City.

In a separate operation in northern Gaza, Israeli forces carried out another airstrike that reportedly killed three additional Hamas members. The military asserted that these fighters were attempting to attack Israeli troops stationed in the area when the airstrike was launched.

The statement did not provide further details about the timing or aftermath of the attacks, and no independent confirmation of the Israeli claims was mentioned in the report.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitae Roy Chowdhury announced that the July Uprising Memorial Museum will be inaugurated by August 5. He made the statement on Tuesday afternoon during a press conference at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in the Secretariat. The minister said a new management committee has been formed for the museum, and its gazette publication is pending. Recruitment and some construction work are still ongoing, but the inauguration will take place soon after consultation with the Prime Minister.

In response to a question, the minister stated that if any specific corruption information regarding the museum’s construction during the interim government period is found, action will be taken. Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, who was also present, said that events commemorating the July Uprising will be held daily from July 15 to August 5, and the museum will be inaugurated within this period.

The announcement marks a key step toward preserving the memory of the July Uprising through a dedicated national museum.

Argentina will face England on Wednesday night in the World Cup semifinal, with coach Lionel Scaloni reportedly considering tactical adjustments. After completing their final training session in Kansas City, the defending champions have arrived in Atlanta for the decisive match. Argentine outlet TyC Sports reported that two changes could be made to the starting lineup, though Scaloni has not yet confirmed his final selection.

During Monday’s training, players focused on fitness, small-sided drills, and a practice match, but no fixed starting eleven was rehearsed. Despite a less-than-convincing performance in the quarterfinal win over Switzerland, Scaloni is expected to rely on his tested core lineup. However, dissatisfaction with midfield performance has prompted consideration of changes.

According to TyC Sports, Gonzalo Montiel may replace Nahuel Molina on the right flank, while Nicolás González could come in for Alexis Mac Allister in midfield. Leandro Paredes, who suffered cramps earlier, is expected to be fit. Scaloni is known for keeping his final lineup secret until the last team meeting, so the exact formation will likely remain unknown until kickoff.