At least 24 people have died in Cox’s Bazar district due to continuous heavy rainfall, landslides, and flooding over the past five days. The affected areas include Chakaria, Pekua, and Matamuhuri upazilas, where more than 500,000 residents remain trapped by floodwaters. Two sisters drowned when their boat capsized while seeking shelter in Chakaria’s Baraitali union. The district’s two main rivers, Bakkhali and Matamuhuri, have been flowing above danger levels for two consecutive days.

Local authorities reported that over 100 villages across 35 unions are inundated, damaging homes, schools, and rural roads. Fifteen of the deaths occurred in Rohingya refugee camps following multiple landslides, while others were reported in Cox’s Bazar town, Chakaria, Pekua, Ukhiya, Maheshkhali, and Kutubdia. The district recorded 547 millimeters of rainfall in five days, with 71 millimeters in the last 24 hours.

The district administration has issued a public alert, maintaining local warning signal No. 3 at the seaport and preparing 648 shelters. Residents in vulnerable areas have been urged to move to safe locations as heavy rain may continue through July 11.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that the country’s armed forces are maintaining constant vigilance over enemy movements. In a post on social media platform X, he said the Islamic Republic’s forces are closely monitoring activities along Iran’s coasts, islands, borders, and other sensitive areas to ensure national security.

Baghaei added that those defending the homeland continue to safeguard Iran’s peace and security. In a separate interview with IRIB on Friday, he clarified that Iran has not made any request to hold talks with the United States. He also emphasized that breaking promises has become a habit for the United States, underscoring Tehran’s distrust of Washington’s commitments.

The comments reflect Iran’s continued focus on national defense and its critical stance toward U.S. reliability in diplomatic engagements, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The United Arab Emirates is reportedly constructing a military base in Somaliland, an internationally unrecognized region in the Horn of Africa. According to a report by the French newspaper Le Monde, the UAE is converting the Berbera airport, located near one of the world’s most strategic maritime routes, into a military installation. The report claims the project is intended to serve the interests of Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, and Washington.

Somaliland, with its capital in Hargeisa, lies along the Gulf of Aden and has an 800-kilometer coastline near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key global trade and energy supply route between Asia and Europe. Since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, the region has drawn attention from regional and international powers. Despite opposition from Arab and Muslim countries, Israel has recognized Somaliland as an independent entity.

Le Monde further reported that military cooperation between Israel and Somaliland is expanding, with regular visits by military and intelligence officials, training of Somaliland officers in Tel Aviv, and frequent inspections by Israeli teams at the Berbera base.

Flood conditions have worsened in parts of Bangladesh as water levels in four major rivers rose above danger marks at six monitoring points on Saturday morning, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Water Development Board. The Sangu River crossed danger levels by 107 centimeters at Bandarban and 19 centimeters at Dohazari, while the Kushiyara River exceeded limits by 17 centimeters at Markuli and 21 centimeters at Fenchuganj. The Manu River rose 38 centimeters above danger level at Moulvibazar, and the Khowai River was 1 centimeter above at Balla in Habiganj.

The Board reported that out of 127 observation stations, water levels increased at 57 points, decreased at 64, and remained unchanged at six. Heavy rainfall was recorded both inside Bangladesh and upstream, with Sylhet’s Jaflong receiving 156 millimeters and India’s Cherrapunji 130 millimeters in the past 24 hours. Nine additional stations were near danger levels, including points on the Teesta, Surma, Someshwari, Muhuri, and Matamuhuri rivers.

Officials warned that flood conditions could worsen over the next 48 hours before gradually improving, while heavy to very heavy rainfall may continue in northern, southern, and eastern regions until July 13.

The Ghorashal-Palash Urea Fertilizer Factory in Narsingdi failed to meet its production target for the 2025–26 fiscal year due to a 40-day suspension of operations caused by a gas shortage. The plant produced 764,535 tons of urea, about 85,000 tons short of its target. The facility, one of Southeast Asia’s largest, had achieved its production goal in 2024–25, the first year after its inauguration.

Built under the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation at a cost of about Tk 15,500 crore, the plant began commercial production in March 2024 with an annual capacity of 924,000 tons. In its first year, it earned Tk 2,632 crore in revenue and Tk 232.69 crore in net profit, making it the only profitable state-owned urea factory that year. Officials attributed the shortfall in 2025–26 to the gas supply disruption linked to conflict in the Middle East.

The management has set a new production target of 940,000 tons for the current fiscal year, expressing optimism that stable gas supply and proper maintenance will enable the plant to exceed its goal.

US President Donald Trump stated that 1,000 missiles are aimed at Iran and ready for deployment. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump warned that thousands more missiles would be launched if Iran attempted to assassinate him. He declared that the US military had already received orders and was prepared, willing, and capable of completely destroying Iran if such an attack occurred.

Trump’s comments followed an interview with the New York Post, where he claimed that Iran had long sought to kill him. His latest warning, sourced from Al Jazeera, underscores escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, with Trump framing the threat as a direct response to alleged Iranian plots.

The remarks signal a sharp rhetorical escalation in US-Iran relations, though no immediate military action was reported in the source. The situation remains tense as both sides exchange warnings over potential acts of aggression.

New satellite images analyzed by CNN and the Institute for Science and International Security indicate that Iran is rebuilding parts of its suspected nuclear facilities. The images show reconstruction efforts at the Parchin site, which was damaged earlier this year by joint US-Israeli airstrikes. The activity appears to have taken place in June and July, shortly after Iran signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding with the United States pledging not to develop nuclear weapons.

Analysts cited in the report say the reconstruction could violate the terms of the June agreement, which aimed to end hostilities and ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The memorandum also included commitments by Tehran to refrain from nuclear weapons development and to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency on uranium down-blending. Despite the new findings, the report notes that Iran’s main nuclear sites at Isfahan, Fordow, and Natanz remain untouched.

The satellite data also show Iran repairing some of its missile storage bases, raising renewed concerns in Washington and among its allies about Tehran’s broader military capabilities.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) prevented an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push three Indian nationals into Bangladesh through the Sholghoria border in Burimari Union of Patgram upazila, Lalmonirhat, early Saturday. The incident occurred near main pillar 833 of the Dhobalsuti Border Outpost area. According to BGB and local sources, BSF members from the Kharkharia camp under India’s 98 Battalion tried to push nine people, including women and children, into Bangladesh under cover of darkness.

Six of them reportedly entered Bangladesh and fled, while three women were stopped by BGB and locals and kept inside Indian territory about 150 yards from the zero line. The Teesta Battalion of BGB stated in a press note that its commanding officer had spoken with the BSF battalion commander, requesting the return of those who had crossed. BGB has since intensified patrols, continued pushback operations, and maintained constant surveillance along the border.

The situation remains under close observation as both border forces communicate to resolve the matter.

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, killing 4,118 people and injuring 16,740, according to official figures. Thousands remain homeless as 856 buildings were damaged, including 190 that completely collapsed. Rescue teams have so far pulled 6,462 people from the rubble, and 89 temporary shelters have been opened for displaced residents.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said that 86,794 families have received assistance. The United Nations has appealed for about 300 million US dollars in emergency funds to support relief efforts for those affected by the disaster.

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has urged the release of Venezuelan assets frozen abroad so that the funds can be used for reconstruction and recovery work.

Bangladesh observed World Population Day on Saturday with the theme “Fulfilling youth aspirations for a better tomorrow,” highlighting the need to transform its large working-age population into skilled human resources. The main event was held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, attended by President Md. Shahabuddin and Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain. Both the President and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages, while national broadcasters aired special programs.

Experts noted that despite population growth, the country has not seen a proportional rise in skilled manpower. They warned that without adequate investment in education, technical training, and employment, the demographic dividend could turn into a burden. Rapid urbanization, internal migration due to climate change, and pressure on housing, transport, and healthcare were cited as growing challenges.

Speakers emphasized that planned population management, women’s empowerment, and youth skill development in technology, artificial intelligence, and modern agriculture are essential for sustainable growth. Officials from the Directorate of Family Planning added that long-term investment in maternal and child health can transform the population into productive human capital.

Excessive rainfall during the cultivation season has caused severe damage to jute farming in Char Rajibpur of Kurigram. Farmers in the area are suffering heavy losses as their fields have been submerged, destroying large portions of their crops. Many cultivators have become disoriented and financially strained due to the widespread damage.

Local farmers described how the season began with drought, delaying seed sowing due to lack of soil moisture. When rain finally arrived, they planted jute, but heavy downpours just days later flooded the fields. In Mohanganj Union, a farmer reported that only one bigha of his five-bigha jute field survived. Another farmer in Kodalkati Union said half of his two-acre crop was destroyed after standing water caused weeds and plant death.

In Rajibpur Sadar Union, a farmer lost most of his ten-bigha jute field, with only three bighas partially surviving. The situation is reported to be similar across the entire upazila, leaving the region’s jute cultivation in crisis.

Israeli authorities have imposed a one-week ban on Jerusalem’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, preventing him from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. According to the Jerusalem Governorate, he was detained by Israeli forces on Friday after leading the weekly sermon and prayers at the mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. He was later released under the condition that he not enter the mosque area for seven days.

The governorate’s statement noted that Israeli forces detained the Grand Mufti immediately after the Friday prayers. Israeli police did not issue any immediate comment on the matter. The report added that such restrictions on Al-Aqsa preachers have been frequent in recent years.

The move comes amid heightened Israeli activity around the holy site. The Palestinian Ministry of Waqf and Religious Affairs reported that Israeli forces entered the Al-Aqsa compound 26 times in June, with 4,212 Israeli settlers entering under military protection through the Mughrabi Gate.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United States of breaching a key clause of a memorandum of understanding related to Iran’s nuclear program. In a post on social media platform X early Saturday local time, Araghchi said Iran has upheld its commitments, but the U.S. Treasury Secretary violated Article 9 of the memorandum.

According to the memorandum’s ninth article, Iran must maintain its current nuclear program status until a final agreement is reached, while the United States must refrain from imposing new sanctions or deploying additional forces in the region. Earlier in the week, following Iran’s attack on a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, the Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Tehran.

Araghchi described the sanctions and military actions as further examples of U.S. noncompliance, urging both sides to adhere equally to the agreement. The United States also carried out airstrikes on Iranian targets and revoked a waiver allowing Iran to sell oil without sanctions. President Donald Trump declared the memorandum void but said talks with Tehran would continue.

Continuous rainfall and hill torrents have caused severe flooding and river erosion in several districts of Bangladesh, including Sunamganj, Habiganj, Cox’s Bazar, Bogura, and Noakhali. In Habiganj, the collapse of embankments along the Khowai River flooded at least 20 villages, leaving thousands stranded. Local authorities have allocated emergency funds, rice, and dry food, while government officials visited affected areas promising assistance. In Sunamganj, rising river levels have led to waterlogging in low-lying areas, prompting the administration to prepare over 1,300 shelters and deploy rescue boats and medical teams.

In Cox’s Bazar’s Ramu upazila, the situation has worsened as several unions were inundated, but residents reported no visible relief efforts, sparking frustration. Landslides have also disrupted road transport. In Bogura’s Sherpur upazila, erosion has threatened farmland and power poles, while in Noakhali’s Hatiya, prolonged rainfall and tidal surges have flooded vast areas, affecting crops and fisheries. Local administrations in several districts have pledged continued monitoring and relief distribution.

Authorities remain on high alert as floodwaters continue to rise, with further deterioration possible if heavy rainfall persists.

Heavy overnight rainfall and mountain runoff have severely worsened flooding in Rajasthali upazila of Rangamati. Water levels rose rapidly on Friday night, inundating low-lying areas of Gaindya and Ghilaichhari unions before residents could react. Hundreds of families are now trapped in their homes, facing acute hardship and fear as floodwaters continue to rise.

The flash floods have submerged houses and farmlands, causing extensive damage to seasonal vegetables and other crops near local canals. Farmers fear a major economic setback due to the destruction of their fields. Strong currents in the Kaptai canal have also created serious erosion risks for riverside homes, yet many residents remain in their houses despite the danger.

According to Upazila Nirbahi Officer Yusuf Hasan, authorities have been broadcasting warnings and urging people in vulnerable areas to move to shelters. However, many residents remain reluctant. The administration, in coordination with local union leaders, continues efforts to relocate families and has taken full preparedness measures to manage the situation.