Heavy rainfall and upstream water surges have caused five rivers in Bangladesh to flow above danger levels at nine monitoring points, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre’s bulletin released on Friday morning. The Sangu, Matamuhuri, Kushiyara, Manu, and Khowai rivers were reported to be flowing between 10 and 95 centimeters above danger levels at various locations in Bandarban, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj. Several other rivers, including the Teesta, Surma, and Someshwari, were flowing near warning levels.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that a low-pressure system over northwestern Madhya Pradesh has weakened but will continue to bring rainfall across the country until at least July 13. Dhaka has experienced continuous but moderate rain since Thursday night, while Chattogram recorded the highest rainfall of 211 millimeters in 24 hours. The department has maintained local cautionary signal number three for all sea ports and advised fishing boats to remain near the coast.

Authorities warned that heavy to very heavy rainfall could cause temporary waterlogging in Dhaka and Chattogram and trigger landslides in hilly areas of Chattogram Division.

HIV infections have been increasing at an alarming rate in Khulna, where 17 people have died from AIDS-related complications in the past eight months. During the same period, 55 new HIV cases were identified, with male homosexuals forming the largest group among the newly infected. Data from the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) corner of Khulna Medical College Hospital revealed that 37 of the new patients were men and 18 were women.

According to ART center records, 735 people underwent HIV testing in the last eight months, including 434 men and 301 women. Since 2017, a total of 7,773 people have been tested at the hospital, with 964 confirmed HIV-positive cases. ART focal person Dr. Mohammad Yunus Ali emphasized the need for regular testing among sex workers and those engaged in unsafe sexual practices to better understand the spread of infection.

Health officials, including Khulna’s Civil Surgeon Dr. Mahfuza Khatun and Divisional Health Director Dr. Sheikh Mosharraf Hossain, stated that free HIV testing and treatment are available under government programs. They warned that rising infection rates pose a serious public health concern and stressed that awareness is key to prevention.

A new survey has found that public support for Israelis among Americans has declined significantly since the Gaza war. According to the findings, only 52 percent of Americans now hold a favorable view of the Israeli people, down from 67 percent in 2022. In contrast, attitudes toward Palestinians have remained largely unchanged. The survey also indicates that most respondents view the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas negatively, with disapproval of the Israeli government rising sharply in recent years.

The generational gap is particularly pronounced among younger Americans. Among those under 30, 59 percent express positive views of Palestinians, while only 32 percent feel positively about Israelis. The divide is even wider among young Democrats, with 72 percent favoring Palestinians compared to just 26 percent for Israelis. Meanwhile, young Republicans now show nearly equal levels of support for both sides, a notable shift from previous years when their backing for Israelis was much stronger.

The survey results suggest a continuing shift in US public opinion, especially among younger demographics, regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

At least ten people have died across India following intense monsoon rains that caused widespread flooding and disruption on Thursday. Roads in several regions were submerged, forcing people to wade through knee-deep water, while traffic slowed to a crawl, creating long jams. In Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region, multiple rounds of heavy rain led to both improved air quality and severe waterlogging, uprooted trees, and gridlocked streets.

Reports indicated flooding in East Delhi, Sangam Vihar, New Delhi Railway Station, Burari, and other areas. Traffic was heavily disrupted on ITO, Rohtak Road, and Mehrauli-Badarpur Road. In Rohini, a building collapse during the rain killed three people, according to PTI. The Delhi Fire Service also reported several incidents of trees falling in East of Kailash, Kalkaji-Govindpuri, and Ranjit Nagar, one of which damaged a parked car.

Meteorologists warned that heavy to very heavy rainfall may continue in several parts of India over the next few days. Local authorities have advised residents in low-lying areas to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel.

Construction of the Khutakhali–Eidgarh road in Cox’s Bazar’s Chakaria upazila has been halted after the Forest Department objected to the project, citing that part of the route passes through a reserved forest. The 11‑kilometer road, funded by JICA under the South Chattogram Regional Development Project, began in February 2025 and was scheduled for completion by February 2027. About six kilometers have been completed, but work on a five‑kilometer stretch through Madhushia forest remains suspended, leaving around 200,000 residents of five nearby upazilas facing prolonged transport hardship.

The Forest Department claims the road cuts through the Madhushia garjan forest, an important corridor for endangered Asian elephants, and warns that construction could disrupt wildlife movement and increase human‑elephant conflict. LGED officials and local residents, however, argue that the disputed section includes old roads, open land, and farmland rather than dense forest. They insist the project will transform local connectivity, boost agricultural trade, and reduce security risks on alternative routes.

Locals have staged demonstrations demanding immediate resumption of construction and intervention from higher authorities, while the two government agencies remain at odds over environmental and development priorities.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is considering selling advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. He made the remarks during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara. Trump stated that a decision on whether to proceed with the sale would be made soon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed the potential sale, urging Trump not to sell the advanced aircraft to Turkey. Netanyahu argued that such a move could endanger Israel, given the strained relations between Turkey and Israel. His office also reported that Trump briefed him on U.S. actions in the Gulf region amid ongoing tensions with Iran.

The discussions highlight the complex regional dynamics involving the United States, Turkey, Israel, and Iran, as Washington weighs its defense commitments and alliances in the Middle East.

Several regional countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt, are attempting to mediate between the United States and Iran to reduce escalating tensions and restart discussions on the nuclear agreement. According to Axios, officials from these nations held multiple phone calls with both sides on Wednesday to calm the situation and encourage renewed dialogue.

A regional source involved in the mediation said the first goal is to persuade both parties to de-escalate, followed by setting a date for expert-level talks on the nuclear deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Pakistan’s army chief that recent US attacks violated a memorandum of understanding between the two countries. Mediators believe recent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz were carried out by Iranian hardliners opposed to the US-Iran agreement.

Axios reported that despite recent clashes, the situation was calmer on Thursday. US officials said no new strikes occurred that day, attributing the pause to ongoing de-escalation efforts. The US administration remains committed to finding a resolution and continuing technical discussions on the nuclear issue.

A deadly suicide bombing struck the home of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and Jhalawan Panel president Shafiqueur Rahman Mengal in Khuzdar, Balochistan, on Wednesday afternoon. At least 17 people were killed and around 30 others injured when an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the main gate of Mengal’s residence in Shahzad Town. The blast destroyed parts of the building and nearby structures, followed by multiple explosions that shook the city.

Security forces engaged in over three hours of gunfire with the attackers, using heavy weapons including rocket launchers and grenades. Officials confirmed that among the dead were Mengal’s security personnel and five attackers, some of whom were suicide bombers. Mengal himself remained unharmed. The injured were taken to Khuzdar Teaching Hospital and the Combined Military Hospital, both of which declared emergencies.

Authorities launched a search operation and deployed additional security forces across Khuzdar. The banned separatist group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack.

A report alleges that a powerful syndicate involving former Awami League and ruling BNP leaders is controlling the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) Dhaka Metro-2 Circle office in Ikuria, South Keraniganj. The group is accused of collecting illegal payments worth over one crore taka each month through bribes for services such as route permits, vehicle registration, and fitness certificates. Victims claim applicants are harassed and denied services without paying intermediaries, while officials allegedly share in the illicit proceeds.

Sources cited in the report describe the office as a hub of corruption, with around 50 individuals managing various sections under the leadership of Abu Bakkar Siddique, a former seal contractor linked to political figures. The syndicate reportedly also controls 45 illegal shops and a truck stand outside the BRTA office, collecting rent and extortion fees from service seekers.

BRTA Deputy Director Syed Ainul Huda Chowdhury acknowledged that complaints about brokers are longstanding but denied that officials share bribe money. He said mobile courts have recently detained 12 brokers and that visitor registration has been made mandatory.

Continuous rainfall for five days has severely disrupted life in Rangamati, cutting off three major road connections and flooding low-lying areas of Baghaichhari upazila. Around 20,000 people have become waterlogged, while two people died after being swept away in Kaptai Lake. Nearly 4,000 hectares of farmland are submerged, and 411 tourists remain stranded in Sajek. The district administration is making extensive efforts to manage the crisis.

Officials reported that mountain runoff from India has caused the Kachalong River’s water level to rise sharply, inundating vast areas. The rising water in Kaptai Lake has submerged croplands in Baghaichhari, Barkal, and Longadu upazilas. District authorities have opened 34 shelters housing about 4,500 people, supported by a 2 million taka grant from the Prime Minister’s relief fund. Local residents are also assisting in rescue and relief operations.

Road communication between Rangamati and Khagrachhari, as well as several internal routes, has been cut off due to landslides and flooding. Officials warned that damage to roads and farmlands may increase if rainfall continues.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, visited the flood-affected Gunagari area of Banshkhali upazila in Chattogram on Friday morning. The locality, known as Hindupara, is home to mostly low-income Hindu fishing families whose houses were inundated by continuous rain and hill runoff. Many residents had taken shelter on the second floor of a local shop and nearby safe spots for three days. Dr. Rahman distributed cash and relief materials, waded through waist-deep water to visit homes, and spoke with elderly people, women, and children about their hardships.

Local residents said few others had visited their neighborhood, praising his effort to check on each household. They reported that hundreds of families in the area suffered losses, including damaged fishing nets, boats, livestock, and furniture. After distributing aid, Dr. Rahman told reporters that in times of disaster, the only identity that matters is humanity, not religion, ethnicity, or politics. He emphasized that helping affected people is a moral and humanitarian duty.

The visit highlighted a message of solidarity and compassion across religious lines amid severe flooding in the region.

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City’s Sabra area killed Mohammed al-Wahidi, a senior official of the Egyptian Relief Committee, along with three others earlier this week. The attack targeted a taxi on Tuesday, a day before the Egypt vs Argentina World Cup match. Among the dead were two child siblings aged 10 and 8, and another man identified as Ahmed Jihad Rajab Dagmoush. Hundreds of Palestinians attended al-Wahidi’s funeral on Wednesday, where his body was wrapped in Palestinian and Egyptian flags.

Al-Wahidi served as the public relations director of the Egyptian Relief Committee in Gaza, leading efforts to clear debris, reopen roads, and set up shelters for displaced families. He was known for organizing public screenings of World Cup matches to bring joy to war-weary Gazans. Egyptian security sources confirmed that he was responsible for logistics within the committee and said a senior Egyptian official raised his death with Israel, condemning continued killings and obstruction of relief work.

Despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in October 2025, Israeli airstrikes have persisted, killing at least 1,092 Palestinians and injuring over 3,507 since then, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Continuous rainfall over five days has submerged vast low-lying areas of Hatiya upazila in Noakhali, leaving around 50,000 people waterlogged. The combination of tidal water and heavy rain has caused severe waterlogging, disrupting daily life as homes, roads, markets, and schools remain underwater. Many families cannot cook because their stoves are submerged, while aman seedbeds and fish enclosures have been severely damaged.

Residents from Nijhumdwip, Sonadia, Budirchar, Harni, Chanandi, Sukhchar, Nalchira, and Jahajmara unions reported knee- to waist-deep water inside homes. Teachers and students are struggling to reach schools, and transportation on rural roads has nearly stopped. Locals blamed poor drainage, blocked sluice gates, and illegal fishing nets for worsening the situation. Social groups and residents urged immediate government action to clear waterways and restore drainage.

The local administration stated that 242 shelters are ready, medical teams have been formed, and relief is being distributed. The weather office warned that more heavy rain may continue due to a low-pressure system, raising fears of prolonged flooding in the coastal region.

After the NATO summit in Ankara, several world leaders were surprised to find revolvers and live ammunition among their belongings. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had presented each leader with a vintage-style Gümüşay .357 Magnum revolver and bullets as farewell gifts. The gesture was intended to showcase Turkey’s defense industry, which has become a major export sector and a key element of its foreign policy.

Photos released by Lithuania’s president’s office showed the revolver in a wooden box bearing Turkish and NATO emblems. Leaders from Spain, Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Italy, Greece, Canada, and the European Commission handled the gifts differently, with some storing them in embassies, museums, or official buildings, and others leaving them in Ankara for deactivation. The Belgian prime minister even turned his revolver over to airport police for safekeeping.

The incident drew wide attention on social media, with some viewing it as symbolic while officials treated it as a matter of customs and diplomatic protocol. Turkey’s growing small arms industry has become a strong competitor in Europe, ranking third globally in small arms exports between 2019 and 2024.

Germany has reported 5,120 deaths linked to extreme heat, most of which occurred in June 2026, according to the Robert Koch Institute. The country experienced weekly average temperatures well above 20 degrees Celsius. The Copernicus Climate Change Service stated that June 2026 was the hottest month in Western Europe’s recorded history, with global temperatures reaching the second-highest level ever observed.

The European Union’s climate monitoring service attributed the abnormal heatwave to continuous warming across land and oceans, pushing the global average surface air temperature to 16.54 degrees Celsius. Western Europe’s average temperature of 20.74 degrees was three degrees higher than the 1991–2020 June average. The heatwave also caused power disruptions and school closures in several countries.

Authorities across France, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands reported over 4,700 additional deaths between June 20 and 28, while wildfires and drought intensified in Iberia and France. The World Meteorological Organization warned that greenhouse gas emissions from coal, oil, and gas combustion have raised global temperatures by about 1.4 degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial era, with further increases expected.