Continuous heavy rainfall has submerged large areas of Pekua upazila in Cox’s Bazar, leaving homes, roads, and fields underwater. In response, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rafiqul Islam personally waded through waist-deep water to deliver food relief to stranded residents. From early morning until late night on Thursday, he distributed dry and cooked food, including rice, lentils, oil, and biscuits, to isolated families.

Local residents said it is rare to see an administrative officer working directly in the field during such disasters. Rafiqul Islam stated that daily wage earners and low-income families were the hardest hit, as work stopped and many households could not cook due to soaked fuel. He emphasized that the administration is monitoring every area and delivering aid wherever shortages are reported.

Several low-lying villages remain waterlogged. The upazila administration has opened shelters and a control room to ensure continuous assistance, while local representatives and volunteers are also working to support affected residents.

Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal has expressed his admiration for Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who at 39 is enjoying a remarkable run in the ongoing World Cup. With eight goals so far, Messi remains a leading contender for the Golden Boot, continuing to impress fans and players alike with his form and consistency. Yamal, speaking to Spanish media, described Messi’s performance as “unbelievable” and said he is amazed by how well the Argentine star is playing at this stage of his career.

In the same interview, Yamal revealed his dream of meeting Messi’s Argentina in the World Cup final. While he wishes Argentina success throughout the tournament, he said he would want Spain to win if the two teams meet in the final. Yamal also spoke about his admiration for Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo, noting that he grew up watching them and has now had the chance to play against Ronaldo and see Neymar in action.

The World Cup has become a stage where legends like Messi and Ronaldo continue to shine while young talents such as Yamal signal the arrival of a new football generation.

European countries are considering a proposal to introduce a voluntary navigation service fee for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes. The plan would only proceed with the backing of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy warned that a mandatory toll could be disastrous, while some UK ministers suggested adopting a model similar to the Malacca Strait and English Channel.

The United States urged Iran to publicly affirm that the strait remains open and safe for commercial shipping, citing internal Iranian divisions as a barrier to agreement. Iran denied such divisions, asserting unity in its leadership. Following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his successor Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to avenge his father’s killing. Oman proposed a cooperative management model for the strait and expressed willingness to send legal experts to Tehran for discussions.

Diplomatic sources said the main disputes concern control and long-term administration of the strait once it fully reopens. The IMO council meeting in London reaffirmed that mandatory transit fees are not permitted under international law, though voluntary safety and environmental services may be discussed.

South African footballer Jayden Adams has died just weeks after returning home from the 2026 World Cup. The 25-year-old midfielder’s body was found on July 11 at a house in the Scottschekloof area of Cape Town. Authorities confirmed his identity, but the cause of death remains unknown. Police have opened an investigation into the incident.

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, expressed deep sorrow, calling Adams one of the nation’s brightest young talents. He urged the public to avoid speculation until the cause of death is confirmed and asked for patience from Adams’s family and club. The South African Football Players Union described his passing as an irreparable loss for the country’s football community.

Adams played in all three of South Africa’s group matches at the 2026 World Cup, helping the team reach the knockout stage for the first time before losing to host nation Canada. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also extended condolences, calling the news deeply saddening.

The Argentina Football Association (AFA) has confirmed it suffered a major cyberattack following the team’s dramatic 3–2 victory over Egypt in the World Cup round of 16 in Atlanta. The incident came to light after Argentine media outlet La Calle reported that emails were sent from AFA’s official account to journalists, claiming Argentina’s win was due to corrupt refereeing and praising Egyptian players. AFA issued an official statement clarifying that the emails were unauthorized and the result of a cyber intrusion.

According to internal AFA sources cited in the report, a group of hackers of Egyptian origin is suspected to be behind the attack. The association urged the public to avoid opening any unusual messages, links, or files from its accounts and assured that security measures are being strengthened. The cyber incident has added to the tension surrounding allegations of biased refereeing made by the Egyptian Football Association, which has formally complained to FIFA.

Despite the off-field turmoil, Argentina is set to face Switzerland in the quarterfinals, aiming to refocus on its performance and secure a semifinal berth.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer (southern region) of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and Member of Parliament for Comilla-4, said that citizens have been hurt by the government’s withdrawal from the referendum process. Speaking at a street rally in Chandpur’s Baitul Amin Square on Saturday, he claimed that ongoing crises have made civic life unbearable, citing unemployment, rising prices of essentials, and persistent power outages.

Abdullah alleged that the government failed to deliver on its promise to create jobs within six months of taking office. He also criticized the increase in fuel prices, saying it was justified by the government on the grounds of the Iran-related war situation, yet electricity supply did not improve. He described the fuel price adjustment committee as a “decorative initiative” that failed to break syndicates in the energy sector.

On the referendum issue, Abdullah claimed that around 70 percent of people supported the “yes” vote but the government did not reflect the true results. He accused the authorities of “stealing the results” rather than the votes themselves.

FIFA has announced an unusual initiative to sell pieces of real grass from the 2026 World Cup final field, scheduled for July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium. The football governing body will offer 2,026 limited-edition grass souvenirs preserved in transparent resin, each engraved with the tournament logo, venue, date, and final score. A UK-based company, Keep Stub, will produce the items, each accompanied by a USB drive certifying authenticity. Prices range from 450 to 3,000 US dollars depending on edition and size.

If all units sell out, FIFA’s revenue from the grass alone could exceed 11.2 million US dollars, or about 13.5 billion Bangladeshi taka. The items will only be shipped to buyers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe after the final match concludes and the grass is processed. The premium “Hero Edition” includes additional collectibles such as a gold-engraved metal ticket, a mini replica of the match ball, and a crystal World Cup trophy.

The stadium’s turf has faced criticism from players of teams like Brazil and France, who described it as dry and difficult for smooth play.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup ended in controversy as social media erupted with claims that the Portuguese star was sabotaged by his teammates. Following Portugal’s elimination, midfielder Bruno Fernandes became the focus of criticism, accused by some fans of deliberately not passing enough to Ronaldo. Fernandes had posted an emotional message expressing disappointment and gratitude, but later disabled comments after facing intense backlash online.

The debate intensified when Ronaldo’s sister, Katia Aveiro, shared a post criticizing Fernandes’ performance, suggesting that Portugal’s midfielders failed to support Ronaldo adequately. Fans accused Fernandes, Vitinha, João Neves, and Pedro Neto of sidelining the 41-year-old forward during matches, particularly after a 1–1 draw against DR Congo. However, others defended the team, arguing that Ronaldo’s age and tight marking limited his effectiveness rather than teammate neglect.

Portugal exited the tournament after a 1–0 loss to Spain in the round of 16, marking Ronaldo’s last World Cup appearance. Following the defeat, coach Roberto Martínez resigned, and Jorge Jesus, Ronaldo’s former Al-Nassr coach, was named as his successor.

At a seminar titled 'Post-July Revolution Education Reform and Future Roadmap' held at the National Press Club, speakers emphasized that reforming the education system is essential for restructuring the state. They called for prioritizing moral and religious education to build a generation capable of competing globally. The event was organized by the Ideal Teachers Federation, with Professor Dr. Zubair Muhammad Ehsanul Haque presenting the keynote paper.

Former interim government adviser Professor A F M Khalid Hossain criticized past changes in education that, he said, weakened national identity and religious studies. He highlighted Japan’s education model and warned against excessive politicization in universities. Chief guest Mahmudur Rahman, editor of *Amar Desh*, stressed that teachers must free themselves from political influence to ensure merit-based recruitment and uphold the ideals of the July Revolution. He also called for strengthening religious and moral education to build ethical and self-reliant citizens.

Speakers including Professor Mujibur Rahman MP urged the government to end partisan appointments and make Quran education mandatory at all levels, arguing that a faith-based, merit-oriented education system is vital for national progress.

Brazil’s hopes of winning a sixth World Cup title ended in disappointment after a dramatic round of 16 defeat to Norway. The South American giants, who entered the tournament with high expectations, were eliminated following two goals from Norwegian striker Erling Haaland. The loss extended Brazil’s wait for another world title to 28 years. The team’s campaign was marred by injuries to key attackers, including Rodrygo, Estevão, Raphinha, and Lucas Paquetá, leaving Vinícius Júnior to shoulder much of the attacking responsibility. Despite scoring four goals and providing one assist in five matches, the Real Madrid forward could not prevent Brazil’s early exit.

Four days after the defeat, Vinícius posted an emotional message on Instagram, apologizing to fans for the team’s failure. He described representing Brazil as his greatest pride and expressed deep disappointment at the elimination. He said he had prepared intensely and wanted to win the World Cup for supporters and his family. Vinícius promised to keep fighting to make Brazil world champions again.

The post reflected the ongoing frustration of Brazil’s long wait since their last World Cup triumph in 2002, leaving fans hopeful for a future resurgence.

Bangladeshi actress Pori Moni has alleged that her 2021 arrest by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was carried out unlawfully and to serve the interests of certain influential groups. In a Facebook post published late on July 10, 2026, she recalled being detained from her Banani residence and later charged under the Narcotics Control Act. She stated that the incident severely damaged her personal, social, and professional life, and questioned whether the state could ever restore her lost dignity and peace of mind.

In her post, Pori Moni thanked former RAB intelligence chief Lt. Col. (Retd.) Khairul Islam for recently acknowledging certain truths about the operation during an online talk show. She reiterated that she was unjustly arrested under the direction of then RAB chief and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun. The actress emphasized her desire for justice, accountability, and the protection of innocent citizens from similar experiences.

Pori Moni expressed hope that the court would soon grant her relief from the case but lamented that the time and respect she lost could never be recovered.

American journalist and political commentator Anna Kasparian has sharply criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, describing them as ‘evil behavior.’ In a statement shared on social media, she said Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza have drawn growing international condemnation and outrage.

Kasparian claimed that many people around the world are expressing anger and disgust at Israel’s conduct. Her remarks come at a time when Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and its humanitarian consequences are being widely debated internationally. Supporters of Israel emphasize the country’s security and self-defense arguments, while critics continue to voice concern over civilian casualties and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The controversy underscores the deepening global divide over Israel’s military strategy and the humanitarian toll of the conflict, as public discourse intensifies across political and media platforms.

Speakers at a seminar in Dhaka on Friday said that the city’s intellectuals failed to play the expected role during the July Revolution, comparing their inaction to that seen in 1971. The event, titled “July Through Perspectives: Opinions and Differences,” was organized by the Center for Bengal Studies at Sirajul Islam Lecture Hall of Dhaka University. Among the speakers were Faisal Mahmud, Hasan Robayet, Faisal Ahmed, and Mowlobi Ashraf, with Abdullah Al Mahmud delivering the welcome address.

Participants described the July Revolution as an expression of collective anger and revolutionary aspiration against a former fascist regime. They emphasized the need to uphold the core spirit of July to continue the struggle against fascism and for state reform. The speakers urged sustained intellectual and political efforts to build an inclusive, just, and discrimination-free society reflecting the revolution’s ideals.

Additional remarks were made by researchers and representatives from various organizations, including the National Revolutionary Council and Inquilab Moncho, reinforcing the call for continued engagement with the revolution’s foundational goals.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare, Professor Dr. Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain, arrived in Islamabad to attend the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women Affairs, scheduled for July 12–13, 2026. The delegation was received at Islamabad International Airport by Pakistan’s Minister of State for Law and Justice, Barrister Aqil Malik, and Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Md. Iqbal Hossain Khan.

The minister was accompanied by his spouse, Dr. Sharifa Karim Swarna, along with Women and Children Affairs Secretary Yasmin Parveen and Private Secretary Dr. Md. Mahmudul Haque. During the visit, the minister inspected Bangladesh’s newly constructed chancery complex in Islamabad’s Diplomatic Enclave, where embassy officials and staff welcomed him. He exchanged greetings with them and planted a tree in the chancery compound.

The visit highlights Bangladesh’s participation in the OIC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation among member states on women’s development and social welfare issues.

Spain reached the 2026 World Cup semifinals after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium in Los Angeles, thanks to a late goal from substitute Mikel Merino. The Arsenal midfielder, brought on in the 86th minute, scored just two minutes later after reacting quickest to a rebound from Pau Cubarsí’s shot that slipped through Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens’ hands. The win marked Merino’s second consecutive match-winning goal as a substitute in the knockout stage, following his decisive strike against Portugal in the round of 16.

Speaking after the match, Merino described the moment as unbelievable and emotional, especially with his family watching from the stands. He emphasized his readiness to contribute whenever called upon and downplayed personal records, saying the team’s success mattered most. Spain will now face France in the semifinals, a team they have beaten in both Euro 2024 and the Nations League.

Merino said Spain are focused on continuing their strong form and are determined to chase their World Cup dream, standing just two wins away from the trophy.