Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi directly blamed the United States for instability in the Strait of Hormuz and regional security during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Kazakhstan. In the report published on July 25, Araghchi described US treaty violations as the sole cause of the current tension, uncertainty and insecurity.

According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Araghchi strongly condemned what he called “barbaric attacks” by the United States on Iran’s vital infrastructure and alleged “war crimes.” He said the US administration had created obstacles preventing Iran from fulfilling its commitments under Article 5 of the Islamabad agreement.

Araghchi said Iran remained fully committed to defending its national sovereignty and territorial integrity against US military aggression. He also called on all countries not to accept the abuse of power or the use of military force as a normal practice in international relations. The report did not provide details of any agreement, joint statement or further steps from the meeting.

Bangladesh Border Guard Bangladesh, or BGB, said it blocked an alleged attempt by India’s Border Security Force, or BSF, to push seven Indian nationals into Bangladesh through the West Sahebnagar border in Parshuram, Feni. Local sources said the incident began around 2:30am on July 25, and the BSF later took the seven people back inside India at about 10am on Saturday.

The group was reportedly assembled near the ML garden area adjacent to Rajnagar in India, close to border pillar 2145, an area under the responsibility of BGB’s Sripur BOP. After receiving information, members of the BGB Sripur camp went to the scene. The report said personnel from the Rajnagar BSF camp attempted to cross the border line and bring the individuals into Bangladesh.

BGB members lodged a strong protest and obstructed the attempt, after which the BSF suspended it and returned the group to India. BGB said preliminary identification found all seven to be Indian nationals, including six women and one boy. Feni Battalion commander Lt Col MM Zillur Rahman confirmed the incident and said BGB remained alert to prevent any untoward situation along the border.

Akij Aviation Limited, an associate of Akij Group, has launched commercial helicopter services in Bangladesh, according to information published on July 25, 2026. The service is intended for corporate and business travel, tourism and industrial use, private journeys, and medical services. The company said passengers would receive faster travel, modern and comfortable journeys, and reliable service.

The operation is being run under the supervision of experienced pilots and a skilled aviation team to provide rapid travel across different parts of the country while ensuring safety. Akij Aviation has initially deployed three helicopters: one Bell 505 for patient transport and two Robinson 66 helicopters for passenger services.

A free air ambulance service is also operating for emergency healthcare for poor and disadvantaged people in the Khulna division. Akij Aviation runs that helicopter service under the supervision of Ad-din Foundation. The company said demand for helicopters has increased for emergency rescue, transport of critically ill patients, urgent travel, drama or film shoots, political leaders' visits, wedding-party transport, and personal travel.

Indian educator and social activist Sonam Wangchuk has alleged that he was treated like a prisoner after being taken from Jantar Mantar in Delhi to a hospital on July 18. In a video posted late Friday night, the Ladakh-based activist said the hospital felt like a military camp and a prison, rather than merely a medical facility.

Wangchuk said he was kept in a separate room and was not allowed to leave it. He alleged that mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices were not permitted, police guarded him at all times, and visitors were barred from entering. According to him, only three relatives were allowed to stay with him.

He also claimed that relatives who travelled from Ladakh to meet him were sent back after return flight tickets were arranged. Wangchuk said he secretly wrote messages on tissues because he was not given paper or pens, and that such messages were seized and destroyed if noticed. He further alleged that, despite a court order, he was made to wait from 2pm until 7pm before being released from the hospital.

Several sections of an LGED road linking Rajabari and Jilbari in Baldia ইউনিয়ন of Nesarabad upazila, Pirojpur, have collapsed into a canal after several days of heavy rain. The report, published on July 25, said traffic by auto-rickshaws, vans and other light vehicles has completely stopped. At least 30,000 residents of five villages are facing severe disruption as a result.

Major subsidence was observed along roughly two kilometres of road, from in front of Mahiyuddin Chairman’s house in Rajabari through Binna Bazar to Jilbari. A significant portion of the road had already been lost to canal erosion over about 18 years, while recent rain created deep holes in the remaining sections. Residents have placed wooden planks and small temporary footbridges across damaged areas to allow limited motorcycle movement.

The route serves seven villages in Baldia Union and three villages in neighbouring Nazirpur upazila. Students, patients, older people and workers have been particularly affected. Union Parishad Chairman Md Saidur Rahman said an earlier repair tender was not implemented. Housing and Public Works Minister Ahammed Sohel Monjur Suman MP, after visiting the site, said repair work would begin soon.

Brazilian star Neymar Junior has drawn criticism after missing Santos' 4-1 win over Universidad in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana playoff and appearing at a poker tournament in Sao Paulo on the same day. The episode followed the 2026 World Cup and prompted some fans and football analysts to question his commitment and priorities toward the club.

Amid the criticism, Neymar posted four Instagram photographs showing him at a poker table with cards and chips. He captioned the post, “Life is a joke,” and disabled comments. Many believe the cryptic message was aimed at his critics. Neymar had suffered an injury before the World Cup but made Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad, playing only two matches because he was not fully fit.

He scored Brazil's only goal from a penalty in the 2-1 defeat to Norway in the round of 32. After the World Cup, he returned to Santos for rehabilitation and fitness work. Santos head coach Cuca said Neymar's rest was entirely planned, with the player on an intensive training programme to build physical strength before four matches in 10 days.

BNP and its affiliated organizations held a celebratory procession in Lalmohan, Bhola, after Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram assumed the duties of acting president. The procession began in front of the upazila office after Friday evening, July 25, 2026, and travelled through major roads of the municipal town before ending at Lalmohan Chourasta intersection.

A brief gathering was held at the intersection after the procession. Speakers described Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram's assumption of the acting president's responsibilities as a matter of joy for Bangladesh. They said residents of Lalmohan were especially proud of him.

According to the speakers, he was elected Speaker of the National Parliament after becoming a member of parliament and later took on the acting president's role. They thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Those present included Lalmohan upazila BNP president Md. Jafar Iqbal, general secretary Shafiqul Islam Babul, former joint secretary Shafiullah Hawlader, youth wing president Shahinul Islam Kabir Hawlader and general secretary Kazi Hasan, along with other local BNP and affiliate leaders.

The UN General Assembly renewed Volker Türk’s mandate as high commissioner for human rights for another four years on Friday, despite strong objections from the United States, Russia and Israel. Acting on a proposal by Secretary-General António Guterres, 144 countries voted in favour, 10 opposed and 13 abstained. Türk’s new term will begin on October 12, 2026.

Russia had proposed a shorter extension only until December 31, 2026, but the alternative was rejected by a large margin. A US request to postpone the vote was also not accepted. US ambassador Jeff Bartos, the representative for management and reform, criticized the decision on procedural and policy grounds and alleged that Guterres had rushed the process.

French ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont praised Türk as a “voice of conscience,” saying he had served with firmness and impartiality in his first term. The Austrian lawyer has held the post since October 2022. During his tenure, he has spoken on human rights conditions linked to Ukraine, Gaza, Afghanistan, Sudan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nicaragua.

Facebook is unlikely to open an office in Bangladesh at present, its director of network operations, Dr Hayat Shahid Shipon, told Amar Desh. The report, published on July 25, 2026, says Facebook had previously discussed establishing an office in Purbachal near Dhaka with the former Awami League government, but did not proceed after its conditions were not addressed further.

Facebook reportedly sought security for its office and senior officials, prompt responses when it applied to the government, and protection from intervention when users expressed independent views on the platform. Bangladesh has about 130 million internet users, including 40.5 million Facebook users, nearly 20 million TikTok users and 30.5 million YouTube users, according to the report.

Users said the lack of local offices limits access to quick remedies for fraud, hacked accounts, false identities, harassment, cyberbullying and objectionable content. Telecom-related sources said Facebook believes a local office would have to manage a large volume of customer complaints. The report says the current government is reconsidering the establishment of Google and Facebook offices and has begun work under guidelines while holding discussions with domestic and foreign technology companies.

Bangladesh’s 22nd president, Md Shahabuddin Chuppu, resigned on July 24 after serving for three years and three months. He cited “serious physical illness” for stepping down with one year and nine months remaining in the constitutionally prescribed five-year term. Chuppu had taken office on April 24, 2023, during the Awami League government.

He remained in office after the Awami League government fell in August 2024, and members of the interim government took their oaths before him. Calls for his resignation arose several times over the following year and a half, but the BNP supported his remaining in office amid concerns over constitutional and political crises. In an interview with Reuters last December, he said he felt “humiliated” because of the interim government and wanted to resign after the next election.

After the BNP won the February 12 national election and formed the government, Chuppu administered the oath to its members. His resignation adds him to the list of Bangladeshi presidents who did not complete their terms, including leaders removed amid political upheaval or military intervention, those who resigned, and those killed in military coups.

A proposed US nuclear deal for Saudi Arabia, conditioned on recognizing Israel, could create a unique opportunity for China and Pakistan, according to retired Lieutenant General Tariq Khan, a former commander of Pakistan’s Frontier Corps. Khan made the remarks in an interview with Al Jazeera, as reported on July 25, 2026.

US President Donald Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that Saudi Arabia must join the Abraham Accords for the deal to take effect. The accords, reached during Trump’s first term, saw several Arab countries normalize relations with Israel. Khan said Trump had suddenly linked the proposed Saudi nuclear agreement to the Abraham Accords.

Khan said Beijing could offer nuclear energy cooperation to both Saudi Arabia and Iran without political conditions, creating an opportunity for Pakistan to play a diplomatic role. He cautioned that Islamabad may ultimately have to align either with Iran and China or with Saudi Arabia and the United States. Whichever side Pakistan chooses, he said, possible rejection or growing distance from the other side could be difficult and damaging for Islamabad.

Southern University Bangladesh in Chattogram has been accused of disregarding government directives, University Grants Commission rules and court decisions. The report says its Board of Trustees filed at least eight writ petitions against various government orders over the past three and a half years. Brigadier General Md Faruk was appointed administrator by presidential order on May 25, 2025; although a court later upheld the appointment, the university is accused of not facilitating his duties.

The university website currently presents Treasurer Dr Sharif Ashrafuzzaman as acting vice-chancellor. Following allegations raised by former vice-chancellor Professor Mozammel Haque, a five-member UGC committee found evidence of financial irregularities and certificate forgery against Sarwar Jahan and Israt Jahan, according to the report. An Anti-Corruption Commission case against the two is pending trial.

The education ministry had said Mozammel Haque could not legally be removed before his term ended by anyone other than the president. Sources cited in the report fear that about 2,000 certificates issued during Sharif Ashrafuzzaman’s tenure could be cancelled. Administrator Md Faruk said he received no cooperation and could not begin work on his plans. Sarwar Jahan and Sharif Ashrafuzzaman did not respond to calls or messages.

Jagannath University’s medical center is currently relying on one doctor to provide healthcare services for about 18,000 students, according to a report published on July 25, 2026. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mita Shabnam is the sole physician after another doctor left and no replacement was appointed. The center also faces limited medicine supplies, staff shortages and only one ambulance, leaving students facing difficulties in obtaining treatment.

The medical center serves an average of 400 to 500 students daily. Dr. Shabnam works with two technical officers, one medical assistant and two MLSS staff members. Students said they often wait for hours, cannot always obtain needed medicines and lack access to necessary tests or treatment. One student also said the center is closed after 4 p.m., even when emergency care may be needed.

Dr. Shabnam said about 40 types of medicines and medical supplies are used for primary treatment, while seriously ill patients are sent to outside hospitals. University authorities said they have written to the University Grants Commission seeking approval for new positions, as hiring without approval would make salary funding impossible. Student representatives also cited plans for a modern medical laboratory and another ambulance.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh, said judges in Bangladesh bore greater responsibility than Sheikh Hasina for the establishment of fascism. He made the remarks on July 25 at a seminar on human rights violations and victims’ right to justice, organised by Odhikar at the CIRDAP auditorium on Topkhana Road in the capital. He said the judiciary created the environment on which fascism was established.

Rahman identified personality cults, sycophancy and changing positions with power as major causes of Bangladesh’s state crisis. Recounting his own experiences, he cited 125 cases filed against him, an attack in a Kushtia court compound, and travel to courts in different districts. He alleged that judges did not accept his request to transfer the cases to Dhaka and said a judge made an insulting remark when he sought anticipatory bail.

He said future recurrence could be prevented through justice for offenders regardless of political affiliation, genuine democracy and an environment for reasoned, objective criticism of the government. Rahman said he had testified before the International Crimes Tribunal and urged others to provide truthful testimony. He also said the current government should remember its past experience as victims and avoid becoming new oppressors.

A tourist, Md. Jawad Ul Islam Mahian, 24, went missing after a boat overturned in the Sangu River in the Boropathor area of Tindu union, Thanchi upazila, Bandarban. At about 5:30 pm on July 25, 13 tourists from the Hill Top Trekker group left Tindu Bazar for Saodang Para in two engine-powered boats. Mahian is the son of Md. Helal Uddin and lives in Maskanda, Mymensingh.

Six people were aboard the first boat and seven on the second. The first boat reached Bagh-er Mukh safely and continued toward Saodang Para. The second boat overturned near Rajapathor after being struck by rocks in the Sangu River current. Six people in that boat had life jackets and survived, while Mahian, who was reportedly without a life jacket, remained missing.

A Thanchi Fire Service and Civil Defence team did not go to the site because it had no divers. An eight-member patrol from the Tendumukh BGB camp under 38 BGB went to the scene and brought four tourists to the Tendumukh BGB boat ghat, where they were kept in BGB custody. Eight other tourists were staying at a resort near Bagh-er Mukh. At 7 pm, 12 members of the Thanchi Guide Office left for the Boropathor area in two boats to conduct a rescue operation.