Dhaka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) police have arrested Haridas Chandra Tarani Das, the creator of the widely discussed Ram statue in Palashbari, Gaibandha. The arrest took place last night during a special operation by a CID team from Dhaka. Palashbari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sarowar Alam Khan confirmed the arrest to local media.

Haridas, founder of the Ram Temple at the Sri Sri Radha Govinda and Kali Temple complex, had drawn nationwide attention for constructing what was described as the largest Ram statue in Bangladesh. The project sparked widespread criticism and protests, particularly among the Muslim-majority population, who viewed the large-scale statue construction with suspicion. Demonstrations demanding his arrest and the removal of the statue had been ongoing across the country for several months.

The controversy surrounding the statue also triggered debate in both Bangladesh and India, with many citing concerns over religious sensitivity and political stability.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has carried out a fifth round of attacks on US military installations in Oman and Bahrain. According to an IRGC statement, the strikes targeted an FPS long-range air radar and a ship detection radar in Oman, both of which were destroyed. The attacks involved missiles and drones and also hit US military facilities and infrastructure in Juffair, Bahrain.

The IRGC described the operation as a retaliatory action and warned that the only way to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to navigation is to end what it called aggressive US military interference in the region. The statement emphasized respect for the sovereignty of coastal nations over their territorial waters.

Iran further cautioned that continued US involvement in the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a larger crisis in the global oil and gas sector, underscoring the potential for escalating regional tensions.

Former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, known as the 'Father Emir' of Qatar, has died at the age of 74. During his 18-year rule from 1995 to 2013, Qatar transformed from a small, oil-dependent economy into a major global energy exporter and investment powerhouse. Under his leadership, the country began large-scale gas extraction and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, becoming the world’s largest LNG exporter within 15 years.

Qatar’s GDP grew from about 8 billion dollars in 1995 to nearly 199 billion dollars in 2013, driven by rapid expansion in the gas sector. Sheikh Hamad established the Qatar Investment Authority in 2005 to channel surplus energy revenues into global investments, including stakes in Barclays, Volkswagen, and Harrods. He also prioritized education, healthcare, and infrastructure, founding the Qatar Foundation and initiating projects such as Hamad International Airport and Lusail City.

His long-term vision, embodied in the Qatar National Vision 2030, aimed to reduce reliance on natural resources and build a knowledge-based economy. Analysts credit Sheikh Hamad with laying the foundation for Qatar’s sustained prosperity and global economic influence.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for destroying US military missile launchers in Kuwait. According to a statement issued by the IRGC, the attack took place on Monday morning as part of the fourth phase of a retaliatory operation. The strike reportedly targeted a US ground-to-ground missile base located in Kuwait.

The IRGC stated that two HIMARS missile launchers and a missile storage facility caught fire and were completely destroyed in the attack. The statement also alleged that the launchers were being prepared for missile strikes against Iran. The report was carried by Al Jazeera, citing the IRGC’s official communication.

No independent confirmation of the attack or details of potential casualties were mentioned in the source report.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s visit to Barishal created a festive atmosphere across Madaripur on July 13, 2026. Despite continuous monsoon rain, thousands of BNP leaders, activists, and supporters gathered along the Dhaka-Barishal highway from early morning to greet him. Carrying flowers and national and party flags, they waited to see and welcome their leader as his motorcade entered the district through Kathalbari in Shibchar upazila.

As the motorcade passed through areas including Panchchar, Bandarkhola, Sannyasirchar, Dattapara, and Suryanagar, crowds showered flowers and cheered. The Prime Minister waved from his car, prompting loud applause and slogans. The entire route turned vibrant with music, chants, and mobile recordings by attendees. Similar scenes were reported in Rajair, Sadar, and Kalkini upazilas, where banners and flags lined the roads.

Local MPs Jahandar Ali Mia, Helen Jerin Khan, and Anisur Rahman Khokon Talukder joined supporters in welcoming the Prime Minister. The participation of BNP’s affiliated organizations transformed the district into a colorful celebration.

A debate arose in Bangladesh’s National Parliament on Monday over the territorial responsibilities of BNP’s reserved women members of parliament. NCP MP Akhtar Hossain questioned whether assigning BNP’s reserved women MPs to constituencies held by opposition members signaled an attempt to establish a one-party system. He raised the issue after BNP MP Jiba Amina Khan mentioned visiting Pirganj and Mithapukur as part of her additional duties.

Responding to the query, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that reserved women MPs do not have specific regional constituencies and can perform parliamentary duties across the entire country. He cited Article 65 of the Constitution, explaining that while general MPs are elected from defined territorial constituencies, the reserved women MPs’ jurisdiction covers the whole of Bangladesh. The minister emphasized that they are full members of parliament with authority to allocate resources anywhere in the country.

Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal presided over the session, allowing both Akhtar Hossain and the Home Minister to address the matter formally in parliament.

Police in Shahrasti, Chandpur recovered the hanging body of Jubo League leader Nazmun Nahar Swapna, aged 33, from a rented apartment in the Doabhanga area on Monday morning. The body was found on the fifth floor of the New Life Hospital building, where she had rented a two-room flat four days earlier. Local residents said her children were at home at the time of the incident. Police have begun an investigation to determine the cause of death.

Swapna, originally from Banglaish village in Monoharganj upazila of Cumilla, had contested the last upazila parishad election for the post of female vice-chairman with the “Kolosh” symbol. Family sources said she had been married three times, with her most recent marriage to expatriate Russell Chowdhury Raju from Krishnapur village. She had previously run a ladies’ tailoring shop and later a beauty parlor in Khila Bazar.

The Shahrasti Model Police Station officer-in-charge said the incident is being treated as a case of recovering a hanging body, and the actual cause will be confirmed after autopsy and investigation.

A Seoul district court has sentenced former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol to two years in prison for violating the country’s political funding law. According to the court ruling, Yoon accepted public opinion polling services worth about 270 million won (approximately 179,800 US dollars) from a political broker without payment. The court found that he benefited from 14 such polls and later used his political influence to secure a party nomination for a former lawmaker in return. Yoon has consistently denied the allegations, claiming he neither requested the surveys nor made any promises in exchange.

The verdict contrasts with earlier court decisions involving former First Lady Kim Keon-hee, where no evidence of mutual benefit or exchange was found. The court noted that Yoon retains the right to appeal the latest ruling to a higher court.

Yoon, aged 65, is currently facing multiple legal cases. He was previously sentenced to life imprisonment in February for involvement in a 2024 coup-related case and received a separate seven-year sentence for obstructing an arrest attempt, which the Supreme Court recently upheld.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam indicated in Parliament that bridge tolls under the Road Transport and Highways Division and the Bridges Division will not be waived. He stated that toll collection follows an established policy and that the Communication Ministry has limited authority to halt toll collection. The minister made this remark on Monday while responding to a question from reserved seat MP Shawkat Ara Akter under Rule 71 concerning urgent public importance.

Sheikh Robiul Alam explained that although many lawmakers had promised toll exemptions before elections, such decisions fall under the jurisdiction of the Finance Division, as toll revenues are part of national revenue. He emphasized that without revenue collection, the government’s financial operations would be hampered. The minister added that any relaxation of toll policies would require policy-level discussions with the Finance Division.

He also addressed demands for intercity train stoppages and four-lane road construction, noting that both are guided by existing policies and traffic considerations, and that not all requests can be accommodated.

An armed group of masked men attacked the office of an internet service provider named DDN on the Chawkbazar–Baklia access road in Chattogram city on Monday around 12:30 p.m. The attackers vandalized equipment and furniture and allegedly looted about Tk 3.5 million in cash. The company later filed a written complaint with Chawkbazar Police Station regarding the incident.

According to DDN’s head of sales, Md. Robiul Hossain Rakib, 30 to 35 masked individuals, some carrying firearms, entered the office, threatened employees, and caused extensive damage to computers, laptops, and other equipment. He claimed that the attackers took away the cash and that the company suffered major financial losses. The company also alleged that a group had earlier demanded Tk 20 million in extortion money, which they suspect may be linked to the attack.

Chawkbazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Nur Hossain Mamun confirmed receiving the complaint and said an investigation is underway to identify those involved and determine the motive behind the attack.

Abul Hashem, accused of occupying land allocated to a landless individual and constructing a multistoried building there, has been appointed convener of the newly formed Cumilla North District BNP committee. The announcement was made on Monday through a notice signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The new eight-member convening committee replaces the previous 41-member body approved in May 2022 under Akteruzzaman Sarkar and A.F.M. Tarek Munshi.

The new committee includes seven joint conveners: Syed Toufiq Ahmed Mir, Abbas Uddin Ahmed, Md. Mohiuddin, Advocate Touhidul Islam Babu, Barrister Rizvi Ul Ahsan Munshi, Osman Gani Bhuiyan, and Sufia Khatun. Former member secretary Tarek Munshi criticized the appointment, alleging Hashem’s involvement in land grabbing and questioning the inclusion of a newcomer in leadership. In contrast, new joint convener Advocate Touhidul Islam Babu expressed gratitude to BNP leadership for the appointment.

According to party directives, the new committee must form a full district committee within three months through a conference. Local administration confirmed an investigation report verifying the land dispute involving Hashem and landless beneficiary Masud Alam.

The Dhaka-bound intercity Ekota Express train derailed at Ishwardi Bypass Station in Pabna on Monday afternoon, temporarily suspending rail communication between Dhaka and the northern region. The incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. when one of the train’s coaches went off the tracks. As a result, several trains on this route could not operate according to their schedules.

Paksi Divisional Commercial Officer Mosammat Hasina Khatun confirmed the derailment and said railway officials had reached the site. However, rescue operations could not begin immediately. A relief train was expected to arrive shortly to recover the derailed coach and restore normal train movement. Until the recovery work is completed, train services between Dhaka and the northern districts will remain disrupted.

The cause of the derailment and the extent of damage were not immediately known. Railway authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

US-Bangla Airlines has announced a major investment plan worth about Tk 14,000 crore (US$1.1 billion) to add 21 new Boeing 737-8 aircraft to its fleet. The company informed the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority that the aircraft will be leased from five leading global aircraft leasing firms and delivered gradually by 2027. Once implemented, the airline’s fleet will expand from 25 to 46 aircraft.

According to the company, the expansion aims to develop Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet as regional aviation hubs, connecting South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. The formal announcement of the investment will take place on July 29 at Hotel Sheraton in Dhaka, with representatives from Boeing, the US Embassy, and international leasing companies expected to attend. The event will also outline delivery schedules and future expansion strategies.

US-Bangla stated that the new aircraft will feature upgraded cabins, premium seating, wireless in-flight entertainment, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The airline expects the expansion to increase international routes, flight frequency, and passenger capacity while creating hundreds of new jobs and boosting tourism, trade, and foreign exchange earnings.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Shakhawat Hossain announced that the government has canceled the leave of health workers in 11 flood-affected districts to maintain uninterrupted medical services. Speaking at a press conference at the ministry on Monday, he said adequate medicines, saline, antivenom, doctors, and health workers have been deployed, with additional medical teams ready if needed. The affected districts include Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Cumilla, and Brahmanbaria.

The minister said the government has taken swift measures to address disruptions in communication, economy, and healthcare caused by heavy rainfall and hill torrents. Senior doctors have been assigned to monitor each district, while the ministry’s control room is coordinating information and response efforts. Special attention is being given to pregnant women, children, and residents of remote areas.

Health Secretary Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury reported that 95 snakebite patients have been treated and all recovered. Over 1,000 vials of antivenom are in stock, with 21,000 stored at district level and 25,000 more expected within 15 days. Water purification tablets and medical supplies are being distributed to prevent waterborne diseases.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that Iran is determined to avenge the killings of all its leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Speaking at his weekly press conference on Monday, Baghaei said that Iran will use all possible legal and diplomatic channels to seek justice and retribution for the killings allegedly carried out by the United States and Israel.

He emphasized that bringing those responsible for incidents during the recent 40-day war to justice is Iran’s political, moral, and legal duty. Baghaei added that there is no time limit for prosecuting the atrocities committed during the attacks, describing the punishment of war criminals as a key principle under international law.

Baghaei also noted that the families of those killed and injured inside Iran will file lawsuits, which he described as part of Iran’s broader legal efforts. The Foreign Ministry plans to pursue the matter through international courts and diplomatic channels.