Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Barishal on July 13, with extensive preparations underway by the divisional administration and the BNP. Coordination among administrative offices, law enforcement agencies, and related departments has been intensified to ensure a smooth and orderly visit. A preparatory meeting was held on Thursday morning in Barishal, chaired by District Commissioner Md Mamun Khondaker, and attended by senior officials, law enforcement representatives, and BNP leaders.

Divisional Commissioner Md Khalil Ahmed stated that all necessary arrangements are being made for the visit, which will include multiple programs in Gournadi and Barishal Sadar areas. According to the meeting, the Prime Minister will depart from his residence at 6:30 a.m. and participate in tree-planting events in Batagor Union and near the Trish Godown killing ground area before attending a BNP organizational meeting at the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium.

Barishal City Corporation Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin inspected preparation sites and said BNP leaders and activists are working together to ensure the programs are conducted peacefully and successfully.

A female teacher in Mohanganj, Netrakona, has accused Md. Solaiman Hossain, a member of the district Olamaleague’s convening committee, of sexual harassment. The teacher, employed at a Darul Arqam Ibtedayi Madrasa run by the Islamic Foundation, submitted a written complaint to the district Islamic Foundation’s deputy director on June 22. The accused, a former teacher at the same institution, allegedly made indecent proposals and comments, causing mental distress. The deputy director confirmed receiving the complaint and said an investigation would begin after his recovery from an injury.

According to the complaint, Solaiman continued to harass the teacher and her family even after being transferred to another madrasa in Atpara upazila. He allegedly threatened the teacher’s husband and pressured her to withdraw the complaint. The teacher claimed that previous complaints had been dismissed due to political influence. The latest incident reportedly occurred on June 21, when Solaiman verbally abused and attempted to assault her outside the district Islamic Foundation office.

Solaiman denied the allegations, calling them false and motivated, and claimed the teacher had submitted a forged academic certificate against which he had earlier complained.

The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has arrested four additional members of a Jessore-based yaba trafficking group during a continued intelligence operation in Dhaka. The arrests took place on the night of July 6 in the Dholai Par area under Shyampur Police Station. Authorities seized 14,500 yaba tablets, 110,000 taka in cash, four mobile phones, and two motorcycles used for drug transport. The operation followed information obtained from a previous arrest involving 16,000 yaba tablets.

The detainees—Prince Mahmud, Monira Begum Misti, Zahirul Haque Tuhin, and Joli Begum—reportedly admitted to long-term involvement in organized yaba trading. The DNC stated that the group collected yaba shipments in Dhaka and transported them to Jessore by motorcycle to avoid law enforcement surveillance. Investigators found that the suspects maintained close personal and family ties, enabling them to operate as a coordinated network.

A case has been filed under the Narcotics Control Act, 2018, at Shyampur Police Station. The DNC said efforts are ongoing to identify other members, financiers, and associates of the network, and that nationwide intelligence monitoring and special operations will continue.

A Mymensingh court has sentenced three adult defendants to death for the murder of five-year-old Nishamoni in Dobaura upazila. The verdict was delivered on Thursday afternoon by Judge Sudipta Sarkar of the Child Violence Suppression Tribunal at the Mymensingh Chief Judicial Magistrate Court building. The convicts—Arif, Rakib, and Siam—were also fined 200,000 taka each. In the same case, juvenile defendant Maruf was sentenced to 11 years in prison by Judge Mezbah Uddin Ahmed of the Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal. All four accused were present during the verdict.

According to the case details, Nishamoni went missing on June 14 from near her home in Tangahati village. Her body was later found buried in the riverbed of the Kangsha River. Following signs of assault, police launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of four suspects who confessed to the crime. The case was prosecuted by Special Public Prosecutor Bazlul Karim Chowdhury, while Advocate Mokbul Hossain Sarkar represented the defense.

After the verdict, the victim’s family expressed satisfaction and urged for swift execution of the judgment, saying they now see hope for justice.

The Washington-based research organization The Bengal Council has released a new policy paper analyzing the recently signed United States–Bangladesh trade agreement. Titled “The Cotton Corridor: Bangladesh’s Reciprocal Trade Agreement with the United States and the Path Forward,” the six-page paper examines the strategic importance, potential, and implementation aspects of the deal signed earlier this year. It emphasizes that the agreement should be seen not merely as a tariff reduction initiative or political issue but as the institutional basis for a long-term economic partnership between the two nations.

The paper discusses five key areas: Bangladesh’s export economy, the agreement’s core commitments, the global geopolitical and trade context, prospects for bilateral cooperation, and institutional challenges in implementation. It highlights that effective execution of the zero-tariff benefit for garments made with US cotton could significantly enhance Bangladesh’s apparel competitiveness. The report also notes that the deal could influence Bangladesh’s relations with other partners such as the EU, India, and China, while opening opportunities in investment, technology, supply chain stability, cybersecurity, and development finance.

Eight recommendations are proposed, including launching the zero-tariff corridor swiftly, strengthening parliamentary oversight, managing third-country relations strategically, and using the agreement to drive domestic reforms.

At least 6,000 sailors have been stranded in the strategically vital Hormuz Strait amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. The information was confirmed by Arsenio Dominguez, head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), in an interview with NBC News. He warned that reckless attacks in the area have once again placed innocent sailors’ lives at extreme risk, emphasizing that no seafarer should have to risk their life merely to fulfill professional duties.

Dominguez added that behind these numbers are ordinary sailors and their families, who are paying a heavy humanitarian price for the ongoing conflict. The situation has raised serious concerns about the safety of commercial vessels operating in the region.

According to the report, the conflict’s impact is directly affecting thousands of workers involved in global maritime trade, as the security of shipping routes through the Hormuz Strait remains uncertain.

A recent survey by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Research found that overall American support for Israel has dropped significantly. One in three adult Americans believe Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The poll also revealed that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, known for his strong criticism of Israel, is more popular among Jewish Americans than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Among Jewish-American respondents, about 30 percent said Israel has committed genocide, while 49 percent disagreed. Netanyahu remains deeply unpopular among Jewish Americans, with nearly six in ten expressing dislike and only one-third viewing him favorably. In contrast, 44 percent of Jewish respondents said they like Mamdani, while 39 percent view him negatively and 17 percent had no opinion.

The survey further showed that Netanyahu’s popularity is low among the general US population, with only 20 percent expressing a favorable view and 38 percent unfavorable, while 41 percent offered no opinion.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stopped an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push seven individuals into Bangladesh through the Companyganj border in Sylhet. The incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Kalairag Kauar Tuk border area. The seven people are currently positioned in the no-man’s land between the two countries.

According to BGB and local sources, the attempt took place near sub-pillar 33 of the 1251 main border pillar. BGB personnel intervened and prevented the push-in, forcing the individuals to return to the Indian side, where they are now located about 50 yards inside Indian territory. The commander of the Kalasadek Border Outpost confirmed that the situation was under control and that a letter had been sent to BSF requesting a flag meeting on the matter.

The border area remains calm following the incident, and both sides are expected to address the issue through official communication channels.

The Ministry of Home Affairs in Bangladesh has decided to dismiss 57 police officers who went into hiding following the July mass uprising. An official notification issued on Thursday confirmed the dismissal of three officers—Mishu Biswas, Jewel Chakma, and Mahmudul Hasan—while the remaining names are being finalized. The ministry has already begun issuing formal orders for the terminations.

According to ministry sources, at least 82 cadre officers have been absent without leave since August 5, 2024. After completing the necessary legal procedures, the government reached a final decision to dismiss 57 of them. The list includes several assistant and additional superintendents of police, as well as deputy commissioners from various units.

The dismissals mark one of the largest disciplinary actions within the police force in recent years, signaling the government’s intent to address absconding officers linked to the unrest.

South Korea’s Supreme Court has upheld a seven-year prison sentence for former president Yoon Suk Yeol, confirming lower court rulings related to his failed attempt to impose martial law in 2024. The verdict, delivered on Thursday, rejected appeals from both prosecutors and Yoon’s defense team, stating that no legal errors were found in earlier judgments. Yoon remains imprisoned and is also serving a separate life sentence for leading a rebellion through the declaration of martial law.

The case centered on allegations that Yoon obstructed full cabinet discussions before declaring martial law, used a forged signature of the prime minister, and ordered the destruction of related documents. He was also accused of directing misleading press releases and instructing a military commander to delete secure communications data. Prosecutors had sought a ten-year sentence, while lower courts initially imposed five years, later increased to seven by the appellate court.

Yoon’s lawyers expressed deep regret over the Supreme Court’s decision, claiming the case was resolved without sufficient review. They announced plans to challenge the ruling on constitutional grounds.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has initiated short-term training programs aimed at enhancing university students’ employability and soft skills. The announcement came during a meeting at the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project office, where officials discussed the design of the new training modules. The programs will cover soft skills, ethics, values, and life-oriented competencies. Before finalizing the content, UGC will conduct an assessment to identify skill gaps and training needs among students.

UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed stated that the framework for the initiative is expected to be finalized within three months, with plans to gradually include students from all universities. A separate two-day ‘Professional Knowledge Sharing Program’ for vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors, and treasurers is also being planned to strengthen university governance and leadership. Additionally, a seven-day capacity-building course for associate professors and professors will be introduced.

The UGC is updating its strategic plan for long-term higher education reform, aligning it with government priorities and current realities, with completion targeted within the current month.

Three active members of the notorious Boro Jahangir gang surrendered to the Bangladesh Coast Guard in the Sundarbans, handing over weapons, ammunition, and a walkie-talkie. The surrender took place on Wednesday afternoon near the Tambulbunia Forest Office area under Sharankhola Police Station in Bagerhat. During the same operation, a fisherman held hostage by the gang was rescued alive. The information was confirmed in a press release by Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon on Thursday morning.

According to the Coast Guard, the surrender occurred as part of ongoing operations titled “Operation Restore Peace in Sundarbans” and “Operation Mangrove Shield,” aimed at eliminating forest banditry and ensuring the safety of fishermen and forest workers. The three who surrendered were identified as residents of Bagerhat, Satkhira, and Khulna districts.

Since February 12 of this year, Coast Guard operations have recovered 49 firearms, various ammunition, and rescued 41 hostages while arresting 42 bandits. Legal processes and rehabilitation efforts for the surrendered members and rescued individuals are currently underway.

At a discussion in Dhaka marking the second anniversary of the July Revolution, speakers stated that preventing the recurrence of fascism in Bangladesh requires not just constitutional amendments but a complete transformation of the state structure. Organized by the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, the event featured leaders from various political parties, families of July martyrs, and organizers of the uprising. Participants also pledged to continue united efforts against those who exploited and fled the country.

Speakers including BNP Vice Chairman Asaduzzaman Ripon, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, and Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna emphasized that the July uprising symbolized public resistance to injustice and authoritarianism. They argued that the reforms mandated by the people must be implemented to prevent the return of fascist governance. AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju described the July Revolution as a historic commitment to justice and dignity, while others called for accountability for past human rights violations and the preservation of July’s legacy.

Several participants urged the government to reinstate canceled reform ordinances, establish a July museum, and ensure that the revolution’s achievements are constitutionally protected.

Police in Kishoreganj’s Katiadi upazila arrested Abdul Khalek Sarkar Raju, 55, president of the Jalalpur Union unit of the Awami League, in connection with a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The arrest took place around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday near a petrol pump at Katiadi bus stand area. Raju, a resident of Uttar Charpukhiya village in Jalalpur Union, is the son of the late Abdur Rashid.

Officer-in-Charge Md Rafiqul Islam of Katiadi Model Police Station confirmed that the arrest was made under an anti-terrorism case and that the accused was produced before court on Thursday. Police stated that investigation and subsequent legal proceedings are ongoing.

No further details about the nature of the case or the specific allegations were disclosed in the report.

A journalist in Naria upazila of Shariatpur has alleged that he was threatened by Motiur Rahman Sagor, the upazila BNP’s organizing secretary, after publishing a report about an assault complaint against the politician. The report, published in the online edition of daily Kalbela, covered a general diary filed by an office assistant of the local LGED office who accused Sagor of assault and issuing death threats. Following the publication, Sagor reportedly sent several messages to journalist Khan Mohammad Shihan’s WhatsApp, questioning his professionalism and implying influence over his employment.

When contacted, Sagor did not deny the allegations but expressed anger, saying he would take legal action against those who reported on him. Journalist Shihan described the threats as alarming and said he was consulting senior journalists and the local press club about possible legal steps. Abul Hossain Sardar, president of the district press club, condemned the intimidation, calling it a threat to media freedom and journalists’ safety.

The incident has sparked concern among local journalists about the safety of media workers and the environment for free reporting in the region.