A political worker named Azhar Mia has been accused of raping a 10-year-old girl in the Bangra Bazar area of Muradnagar upazila, Comilla. The incident allegedly occurred on July 1, when Azhar lured the child into a tin-shed room near his poultry farm and assaulted her. Locals rushed to the scene after hearing the victim’s screams, but the accused fled. The child later described the incident to her family, who filed a written complaint with Bangra Bazar Police Station. A case has been registered, and police confirmed that efforts are underway to arrest the suspect.

Local residents claimed Azhar had prior involvement in various criminal activities and used his influence to evade accountability. They also alleged that a local homeopathy doctor treated the victim and was involved in other antisocial acts. Police investigator Anwar Hossain stated that Azhar would be brought under the law regardless of political affiliation, and an SI has been assigned to the case.

Political groups mentioned in the report denied formal ties with Azhar, with both Jamaat and NCP representatives asserting that he is not their member.

UNESCO has reported that in 2025, 113 developing countries spent more on foreign debt repayments than on education. The agency’s latest report highlights that sub-Saharan African nations, on average, allocated 3.6 times more funds to debt servicing than to education, undermining education systems and threatening long-term economic growth. The report warns that the situation could worsen as low and lower-middle-income countries have already lost 21 percent of international education aid compared to 2023, with projections of a further 30 percent decline by 2027.

Debt Justice, a UK-based campaign group, attributed the growing debt burden to the COVID-19 pandemic, rising energy prices, higher interest rates, and climate-related disasters. In 2024, poor countries’ debt repayments reached a 35-year high, with 56 nations spending about one-fifth of their total government income on debt servicing. UNESCO noted that the funding shortfall has disrupted school operations, delayed teacher salaries, and hindered educational activities.

UNESCO called for reforms in global debt restructuring mechanisms and urged the creation of long-term debt-assistance frameworks to help developing countries maintain investment in education and essential public services while managing debt obligations.

At least seven people were killed in a road accident in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur on Saturday evening. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. at the Shuyodi bus stand area on the Bhanga-Bhatiapara highway when a speeding passenger bus ran over several people. The victims included five local residents and the driver and helper of an egg-laden pickup van that had overturned earlier in the rain. Police confirmed that four people died on the spot and three more succumbed to injuries at Faridpur District Medical College Hospital.

According to local sources, the pickup lost control and overturned on the road, prompting nearby residents to rush to rescue the trapped driver and helper. During the rescue effort, a bus from Narail Express Paribahan hit those at the scene, causing multiple fatalities. The deceased were identified as Zainal, Arif, Setu, Nurun Nabi, and Shahidul, while the identities of the pickup driver and helper were not immediately known.

Following the accident, angry locals blocked the Bhanga-Bhatiapara highway, set fire to five buses, and vandalized several other vehicles, halting long-distance and local traffic until late evening.

A report by The New York Times claims that former U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been exerting significant influence over Venezuela’s state affairs from Washington. Over the past six months, Rubio’s role has reportedly expanded across key areas including the economy, natural resources, government decisions, and sanctions enforcement. The report links this development to a U.S. special forces operation earlier this year that led to the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, after which Rubio began working closely with the country’s interim administration.

According to the report, Rubio maintains regular communication with Delcy Rodríguez, recognized by the U.S. as Venezuela’s interim leader, through Spanish-language WhatsApp exchanges. It also claims that most of Venezuela’s export revenues are first deposited in the U.S. Treasury before being released to Venezuelan banks under conditions determined by Rubio’s team. This arrangement is said to have reduced corruption and eased pressure from international creditors while increasing U.S. influence over the interim government.

The report further states that Rubio plays a key role in implementing sanctions, reforming Venezuela’s oil sector, and advising on major government appointments. However, the claims have not been independently verified, and neither the U.S. nor Venezuelan governments have issued official responses.

Hasnat Abdullah, Member of Parliament for Comilla-4 and chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) in the southern region, said that the BNP does not want to end extortion but rather replace existing extortionists with their own. He made the remarks on Saturday at a rally in Chengarchar College field, Matlab North, Chandpur, during the NCP’s ‘July March’ program demanding implementation of a referendum, job creation, and border security.

Abdullah emphasized the need for youth participation in national leadership, noting that while senior citizens have responsibilities, social and environmental limitations often restrict their actions. He praised the sacrifices of young people during the 2024 movement and encouraged them to contest in upcoming local government elections for chairman, member, and mayor positions.

Criticizing the current political environment, Abdullah called for freeing politics from criminal influence and urged action against those involved in drug trade and price hikes. He stressed the necessity of political reform to ensure citizens’ rights, employment, and security, highlighting the role of the younger generation in shaping the country’s future.

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam stated that the people of Bangladesh want Awami League President Sheikh Hasina to return to the country immediately to face trial. He made the remark on Saturday afternoon at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy during the inauguration of an audio-visual publication series on the 2024 mass uprising, organized by the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation.

Aminul Islam said he had seen on social media that Sheikh Hasina planned to return to Bangladesh in December, but argued that the public wanted her brought back sooner for justice. He further commented that, from a legal standpoint, Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League have no standing among the people of Bangladesh. The Chief Prosecutor added that investigations into the crimes of the Awami League as an organization are ongoing alongside the trials of the July accused, and that the party would soon face trial.

The remarks were made in the context of ongoing legal and political discussions surrounding accountability for alleged crimes linked to recent national events.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has pledged to avenge the killing of his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and all martyrs who died in recent wars. In a written message released on social media on Saturday, Mojtaba declared that Iran would take revenge on the perpetrators and that the act of retribution was inevitable, regardless of who leads the country.

He emphasized that the pursuit of revenge was not dependent on any individual or official, asserting that it would be carried out whether or not the current leadership remains in place. Mojtaba also expressed gratitude to the millions who attended mourning ceremonies across Iran and Iraq, praising the “historic and defiant” turnout in cities including Tehran, Qom, Najaf, Karbala, and Mashhad.

The message was issued following the burial of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family members at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad late Thursday night, after a state funeral held several months after his death.

The Islamic Foundation has issued a public warning after discovering that a fraudulent group is using its name and identity to contact imams, khatibs, muezzins, and mosque management committee members across Bangladesh. According to a statement released on Saturday, the group has been reaching out through phone calls, mobile messages, social media, and other online platforms to collect personal and financial information from religious officials.

The Foundation clarified that neither its headquarters nor any district or upazila office collects such information through unauthorized persons or numbers. It emphasized that any request for bank account details, OTPs, PINs, or mobile banking information in exchange for financial benefits, honorariums, or grants is likely part of a scam. The statement urged all mosque officials to refrain from sharing confidential information with unknown callers.

The Foundation advised verifying any claims made in its name through local offices and reporting suspicious communications or fraud attempts to law enforcement and relevant authorities immediately.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has emphasized the need to uphold the spirit of the July uprising and to fully and swiftly implement the July Charter. Speaking on Saturday at the inauguration of an audio-visual publication series on the 2024 mass uprising, he said that fulfilling the aspirations of July and establishing a just, discrimination-free Bangladesh would be the best way to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs.

The event, organized by the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation, took place at the National Music and Dance Auditorium of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka. Rokeya Begum, mother of child martyr Jaber Ibrahim and an opposition member of parliament, attended as chief guest, while State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Md. Ishraq Hossain was present as special guest. Participants included leaders from various political parties, families of martyrs, and individuals injured or disabled during the July–August 2024 uprising.

The program began with recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by prayers, and concluded with the formal launch of the audio-visual series on the 2024 uprising.

Opposition leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman accused the government of remaining silent while India allegedly engages in provocative activities along the border. Speaking at an eleven-party alliance rally at Rangpur Zilla School field on Saturday afternoon, he said citizens and Border Guard Bangladesh personnel are jointly resisting such actions and deserve praise for their courage.

Dr. Rahman demanded justice for the killing of Hadi, urging the government to resign if it fails to deliver accountability. He criticized the administration for excluding allocations for the Teesta project despite earlier promises and declared that an eleven-party government would implement the Teesta mega plan. He also pledged to transform Rangpur Division into the “agricultural capital,” reduce cold storage costs for potato farmers, and ensure fair prices for agricultural products.

He further vowed that under an eleven-party government, corruption and extortion would be eliminated, asserting that even a prime minister involved in corruption would face justice.

Continuous heavy rainfall for six days has submerged large parts of Hatiya in Noakhali, leaving around fifty thousand people waterlogged. The flooding has been aggravated by illegal structures built over canals, obstructing water drainage. Many residents in Hatiya municipality and surrounding unions are trapped in their homes, with cooking stoves submerged and roads, schools, and markets under water.

Local residents and farmers reported severe hardship, with crop seedbeds and fish ponds destroyed. Business owners blamed the construction of shops and markets over the Martin Canal for blocking water flow, causing extensive waterlogging in six municipal wards. Farmers fear that if the water does not recede soon, the Aman cultivation season will be severely disrupted.

According to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Rasel Iqbal, discussions are underway with higher authorities to remove illegal structures from government canals. Medical teams have been formed in every union and municipality, and dry food and government relief have been distributed in affected areas.

At least 15 Indian tourists were killed when a tourist boat capsized near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island on Saturday. Local authorities confirmed that the victims included 13 men and two women, and rescue operations were still ongoing. The boat had 36 people on board, including 32 Indian tourists, three crew members, and one assistant. The vessel overturned shortly after departing from Hon May Rut Ngoai Island for An Thoi port due to rough seas and strong winds.

State media reported that 21 people had been rescued and hospitalized, with two in critical condition. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam said it was coordinating with local authorities to gather information and assist in rescue efforts. The Indian ambassador and embassy officials were traveling to Phu Quoc to provide consular support to affected citizens.

Indian mobile phone manufacturer Lava Mobiles confirmed that some of its employees and channel partners were among the passengers. The company stated it was in constant contact with the Indian Embassy and local administration to support victims’ families. The Indian mission also opened two control rooms in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi for assistance.

Former Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Mohammad Tajul Islam, announced that he would personally finance a film about the July Revolution if the state fails to provide funding. Speaking at a special audio-visual release event organized by the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation on Saturday, he said he would even sell his car or his blood to raise money for the project. He urged capable filmmakers to come forward to make a quality film on the historic event.

Tajul Islam emphasized that producing a film based on accurate history is essential to counter false propaganda labeling the July Revolution as extremist activity. He described the movement as an epic struggle where one side used weapons and the other used their bodies as shields. He recalled the suffering of the injured during that period, stating that under the then autocratic regime’s “no release, no treatment” policy, patients were denied surgery and anesthesia.

He stressed that a well-made film would immortalize the heroism of the revolution and honor the sacrifices of the martyrs.

A canal re-excavation project in Saltha upazila of Faridpur has drawn public praise after the local administration returned unspent government funds. The project, part of a national initiative to re-excavate canals, was completed under the supervision of Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Dabir Uddin. After finishing the work, the administration returned 7.33 million taka to the government treasury.

According to the Upazila Project Implementation Office, the government allocated 16.74 million taka for re-excavating three canals totaling 4.535 kilometers in Atghar, Ramkantpur, and Sonapur unions. The project was inaugurated by Faridpur-2 Member of Parliament and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam, and later inspected by the district commissioner, who expressed satisfaction. The work took about three months, during which all wages and expenses were paid properly.

Project committee members credited the UNO’s regular monitoring and guidance for ensuring quality and transparency. Dabir Uddin stated that transparency, accountability, and integrity are central to his work and that proper use of public funds is a key principle of good governance.

An examination center in Charfassion, Bhola, was vandalized on Saturday after students were denied the opportunity to cheat during the ICT exam. Following the test, over a hundred students from Charfassion Government College reportedly broke the main gate of Fatema Matin Mohila College and smashed the windows of the principal’s office. Around 10 to 15 people, including the college’s managing committee president and staff, were injured. Police later fired tear shells to bring the situation under control.

According to sources, a total of 884 students sat for the exam at the center. The principal of Fatema Matin Mohila College, Mohiuddin Bacchu, said some students demanded permission to cheat during the multiple-choice section, which was refused under examination rules. Angered by this, they launched the attack after the exam. The college’s managing committee president, Sikdar Humayun Kabir, was injured by a brick. He also claimed that outsiders joined the assault.

Upazila Executive Officer Rumana Afroze confirmed that the situation is now under control and normal, noting that the incident stemmed from frustration over difficult questions and the prohibition of cheating.