The 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations began across Bangladesh on Thursday at 10 a.m. The written exams will continue until August 8, followed by practical tests concluding by August 15. For the first time in the country’s history, the exams are being held under CCTV surveillance. A total of 1,270,583 students from 9,439 institutions are participating at 2,697 centers, an increase of 22,766 candidates from the previous year.

Among the participants, 1,069,714 are from nine general education boards, while 200,869 are from madrasa and technical boards. The exams began with Bangla for general and technical boards and Quran Majid for the madrasa board. Authorities have marked 145 centers as vulnerable, including 40 in Dhaka, and issued 35 directives to ensure fair conduct.

Officials stated that all preparations have been completed to prevent question leaks and cheating. The education minister warned that if malpractice occurs, both students and institutional heads will face action. The government also announced plans to introduce a new curriculum at the primary and secondary levels from 2028, emphasizing culture and sports alongside academic learning.

Iran has rejected a regional security dialogue held in Bahrain under United States leadership. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi criticized the meeting, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran’s control, not the US military. He stated that security in the Middle East cannot be achieved under the American military umbrella. Representatives from 12 countries reportedly discussed the strait under US leadership.

In a post on social media platform X, Gharibabadi wrote that the definition of Hormuz lies under Iran’s authority, not under CENTCOM. He added that the Bahrain military summit cannot establish legal order or security for the Persian Gulf. According to him, ensuring regional security requires ending foreign interference, withdrawing US troops, respecting national sovereignty, and accepting new geopolitical realities.

His remarks came as the United States announced that senior military officials from 12 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Lebanon, and Syria, met in Bahrain and reaffirmed their commitment to the free flow of commerce through the strait.

The Doha meeting between US and Iranian representatives, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, achieved what officials described as positive progress on a 14-point memorandum of understanding. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed the development, noting that the talks were based on outcomes from the Lake Lucerne conference. According to Qatari officials, discussions will resume after the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with both sides agreeing to continue negotiations and set a new schedule soon.

Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported that Tehran raised concerns over Washington’s failure to fulfill earlier commitments made in Lebanon. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the issue was discussed in Doha, along with the partial release of Iran’s previously frozen six billion US dollars for essential imports. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the diplomatic process, claiming Iran’s nuclear disarmament efforts were progressing well.

Trump reiterated that the United States would not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, emphasizing that any such move would undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the country will deliver an immediate and firm response to any threat. In a post on social media platform X on Wednesday, he emphasized that the terms of the ‘Islamabad Understanding’ memorandum are clear and open to all. Araghchi added that the U.S. president has pledged to keep Tel Aviv under control, warning that if this directive is ignored, Iran will respond appropriately.

The Iranian top diplomat reiterated that any threat against the nation’s people or leadership would be met with swift and strong retaliation. His remarks followed comments by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who had referred to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a statement suggesting his death was inevitable. Araghchi dismissed Katz’s remarks as “ridiculous.”

The exchange underscores heightened rhetoric between Iran and Israel following recent tensions, with both sides signaling readiness to defend their positions.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) seized 1,500 kilograms of jelly-injected bagda and golda shrimp during a special operation in Mahishkura area of Ashashuni upazila, Satkhira, on Wednesday afternoon. Acting on a tip-off, the operation was conducted around 5 p.m. to prevent the sale of shrimp treated with harmful substances.

According to RAB sources, some dishonest local traders had been injecting liquid jelly into shrimp to artificially increase their weight. The operation was led by CPC-1 Company Commander Zayed Uddin Mohammad Ziad and Satkhira Executive Magistrate Nafiu Islam. During the raid, a large quantity of jelly and related equipment were also recovered.

The seized shrimp were later destroyed in public in the presence of the Executive Magistrate and fisheries officials, as they were deemed harmful to human health.

Railway operations on the Dhaka-Bhanga route through Shibchar in Madaripur have become risky due to repeated thefts of critical signaling equipment and cables. The incidents, which have increased in recent months, have disrupted the signaling system and forced railway staff to use manual methods to keep trains running. The thefts have caused delays and heightened safety concerns among passengers and railway workers.

According to railway officials, several thefts occurred between March and June 2026, including multiple incidents at Padma and Shibchar stations where track circuit components were stolen. The loss of these parts has rendered block systems inoperative, complicating train control and increasing the risk of accidents. Local residents and railway employees have demanded stronger security measures, including regular police patrols and permanent protection along the route.

Railway police acknowledged the challenges of patrolling the long stretch between Bhanga Junction and Padma Station but said patrols would be intensified to prevent further thefts.

Valuable trees from the social forest of Lohani Para Union in Badarganj, Rangpur, are reportedly being felled and smuggled nightly to sawmills in Badarganj and Mithapukur. Local sources allege that timber traders are purchasing the trees through dishonest forest officials, while seized wood worth millions of taka has been sold illegally.

Forest Beat Officer Mojibur Rahman has been accused of colluding with forest protection committee leaders to sell confiscated timber and of facilitating the disappearance of seized logs. Committee members claimed that despite their requests, officials ignored illegal tree cutting incidents. Senior forest officials redirected inquiries to other offices, while Mojibur Rahman cited manpower shortages as a reason for failing to prevent thefts.

Badarganj Upazila Executive Officer Anjuman Sultana stated that action would be taken if evidence of involvement in such activities is found.

A US Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday, leaving one service member missing and three others injured. The US military confirmed that the injured personnel are in stable condition and that there are no indications the incident was caused by hostile action.

According to the US Navy’s Fifth Squadron, warships and equipment have been deployed in the area to search for the missing pilot. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident. The helicopter had been deployed from the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush operating in the region.

Experts noted that performing an emergency landing at sea is highly dangerous even for experienced pilots, as helicopters risk overturning due to their heavy weight upon water impact. The incident occurred amid intermittent clashes in the region despite an ongoing truce between the United States and Iran, keeping US forces on high alert.

Thousands of residents across ten villages in Phulpur upazila of Mymensingh are facing severe hardship due to the collapse of a bamboo bridge over the Kharia River in Payari Union. The bridge, built with local funds between Garpayari and Guptargaon villages, has long served as the only crossing point. With part of the structure now broken, small vehicles can no longer pass, worsening daily struggles for the community.

According to local sources, villagers had replaced an old ferry service with the bamboo bridge about 15 years ago, using bamboo poles and split trunks of chaul trees. The fragile structure frequently collapses, forcing residents to repair it several times a year at their own expense. Guptargaon, a major producer of vegetables and other crops, suffers most as farmers must travel an extra five kilometers to reach markets.

Upazila engineer Jahangir Alam stated that a proposal has been submitted to build a 95-meter permanent bridge over the Kharia River and improve the connecting road. He dismissed claims that previously allocated funds were diverted elsewhere.

A community-based safe water supply project under the Department of Public Health Engineering in Madhupur, Tangail, remains incomplete after four years, amid allegations of corruption and irregularities. The project, launched in the 2021–22 fiscal year to install submersible pumps, deep tube wells, and pipelines across nine unions and one municipality, received an allocation of about 14.8 million taka. Despite this, contractors were paid 60 percent of the bill before completing the work and have since gone missing.

Field visits revealed that only partial work was done, with many deep tube wells lying unused and several pumps and tanks either broken or never installed. In some areas, water connections were diverted to mosques and shrines instead of households. Locals reported paying money and submitting documents years ago but still lack access to clean water. Officials admitted that political influence and contractor negligence hindered progress, though letters were sent urging completion.

The project’s stagnation has left residents frustrated and raised concerns about the misuse of nearly 15 million taka in public funds.

In Godagari upazila of Rajshahi, a drug-addicted man named Zahurul Islam requested the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) to send him to jail so he could overcome his addiction. After visiting the UNO office for three consecutive days with the same plea, a mobile court sentenced him to five months of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of 100 taka, with an additional seven days in jail if unpaid. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, July 1, and he was later sent to Rajshahi Central Jail.

The mobile court was conducted by Godagari UNO and Executive Magistrate Israt Jahan under the Narcotics Control Act. Zahurul, a resident of Jahanabad village, had previously served six months in prison for a drug-related case but failed to quit his addiction. According to the local police officer-in-charge, Zahurul repeatedly expressed his desire to be jailed to recover from addiction.

The UNO stated that Zahurul’s family also supported his request, and the decision was made considering his and his family’s appeal within the legal framework.

Host nation United States advanced to the round of 16 in the World Cup after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in San Francisco. Despite being reduced to ten men following a red card to forward Folarin Balogun in the 65th minute, the Americans maintained control and composure to secure the victory. Malik Tillman and Balogun scored the goals that sealed the win before a packed home crowd.

The United States dominated possession and tempo from the start, holding 78 percent of the ball up to the 24th minute. Balogun opened the scoring just before halftime after a deflected attack initiated by Tillman. Bosnia’s efforts to equalize were hindered when veteran striker Edin Džeko left the field injured early in the second half. Despite numerical advantage after Balogun’s dismissal, Bosnia failed to capitalize as the U.S. defense held firm.

The United States will face Belgium in the round of 16 on July 7. The team now aims to surpass its previous best World Cup performance, a quarterfinal appearance in 2002.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has dismissed as false reports that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would be allowed to inspect nuclear facilities damaged by recent US airstrikes. He stated that IAEA inspectors have no right to visit the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear centers, which were affected by the attacks. The remarks were reported by Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB.

Ghalibaf clarified that IAEA inspectors currently have access to only two sites: the Bushehr power plant and the Tehran reactor. He added that Iran’s parliament has already passed a law prohibiting IAEA access to the damaged facilities, and the country’s Supreme National Security Council has endorsed a similar resolution, making the restriction legally binding.

His comments came shortly after IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said that under a US-Iran memorandum of understanding, UN inspectors must be granted access to Iranian nuclear sites. Ghalibaf’s response has renewed tensions between Tehran and the IAEA over inspection rights.

The Bangladesh government is struggling to secure the return of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who was detained in Dubai on June 12, 2026. The Dubai Police’s Interpol branch informed Bangladesh Police of his arrest, prompting the government to send a 244-page dossier on June 19 through the Home Ministry seeking his extradition. Despite the detailed documentation, including case files, court orders, and corruption allegations, the government has not received a response from Dubai authorities after twelve days.

Officials said Benazir’s extradition faces major challenges due to Dubai’s reluctance to hand over individuals with significant business interests and the absence of major criminal charges beyond money laundering. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with the government emphasizing that an Interpol red notice was issued against him on April 11, 2025. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Benazir’s associates in Dubai, including former minister Hasan Mahmud and businessman Faizul Islam, are lobbying for his release.

Benazir, accused in multiple corruption and human rights cases, was previously sanctioned by the United States in 2021. He fled Bangladesh in May 2024 amid anti-corruption investigations and has since lived in several countries.

Former US diplomat Gordon Gray described the recent indirect talks between American and Iranian representatives in Qatar as a positive step in the right direction. He said the meeting demonstrated both sides’ genuine interest in maintaining the ongoing ceasefire and reaching a final agreement. Gray made these remarks in an interview with Al Jazeera.

According to Gray, despite the encouraging tone of the discussions, several complex issues remain unresolved between Washington and Tehran. Each side has its own priorities and urgent interests. For the United States, the immediate goal is to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route for global energy and trade security. Iran, on the other hand, is focused on securing relief from economic sanctions that have severely weakened its economy due to prolonged conflict, international restrictions, and domestic mismanagement.

The talks in Qatar are viewed as a cautious but meaningful step toward stabilizing regional tensions, though significant challenges still lie ahead for both nations.