At least eight people were killed and 34 others injured in Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, according to local authorities. The strikes occurred overnight and early Thursday, hitting more than 30 locations across the city. The attacks came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of an impending large-scale assault by Moscow.

Kyiv’s military administration chief, Timur Takachenko, confirmed the casualties, while Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that several residential buildings were damaged. One nine-story apartment building was heavily hit, trapping residents inside, and part of another multi-story building collapsed due to the explosions. Klitschko said the city was targeted by both ballistic missiles and drones.

The attacks mark another escalation in the ongoing conflict, with widespread damage to civilian infrastructure in Kyiv. Emergency services were deployed to rescue trapped residents and assess the extent of destruction.

Iran’s acting defense minister Majid Ibn al-Reza stated on July 2, 2026, that the country’s military capability is an inviolable limit and will not be subject to compromise. He emphasized that Iran’s defense, missile, and drone programs are essential to national security and will not be discussed in any negotiations with the United States. Al-Reza added that these programs will continue to advance in the future.

The statement followed Iran’s rejection of a US-led regional security dialogue held in Bahrain. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi criticized the initiative, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran’s control and that regional security cannot be achieved under American military influence. He called for an end to foreign intervention, withdrawal of US troops, respect for national sovereignty, and recognition of new geopolitical realities.

The remarks underscore Iran’s firm stance on maintaining and expanding its defense capabilities while rejecting Western-led security frameworks in the Middle East.

Bangladesh Bank has directed 37 banks not to classify City Group as a loan defaulter until September 30, 2026, following requests from the company and the Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB). The decision aims to provide temporary relief to one of the country’s largest industrial conglomerates, which owes over Tk 24,000 crore to 47 domestic and foreign banks and financial institutions. City Group cited severe financial pressure caused by global and domestic crises, currency depreciation, and rising interest rates as reasons for seeking policy support.

In its appeal, City Group stated that it has never defaulted in its 50-year history but is now struggling due to increased production costs, foreign exchange losses, and delayed gas connections at its Hosendi Economic Zone factories. The group requested seven forms of policy assistance, including loan reclassification suspension, extended working capital, and relaxed single borrower limits. ABB supported the request, warning that disruption to City Group’s operations could affect national food supply.

Senior bankers and Bangladesh Bank officials noted that the relief is temporary and that sustainable recovery will depend on restoring production and restructuring loans. A committee of lending banks is currently working on a recovery plan.

Russia has started importing petrol from India by sea to ease a worsening fuel shortage triggered by ongoing Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure. Two industry sources confirmed the move on Wednesday, noting that at least 60,000 metric tons of petrol have already been shipped in two tankers carrying 30,000 to 40,000 tons each. Fuel rationing, long queues, and record-high prices have been reported across Russia’s 11 time zones.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia is in talks with several countries to secure fuel imports at acceptable prices, though neither the Russian Energy Ministry nor India’s Oil Ministry commented. A third source indicated Russia plans to import about 400,000 tons of petrol monthly from multiple countries, including Belarus, which has already increased its rail shipments. President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries have caused regional shortages but insisted the situation is under control.

Russia’s parliament recently approved tax amendments to subsidize fuel imports in line with Indian supply costs. Meanwhile, data from LSEG and Kpler showed India’s crude oil imports from Russia hit record highs in June.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the country will use its frozen funds held in Qatar to purchase essential goods. The move follows an agreement between Iran and the United States aimed at halting hostilities, under which Washington has agreed to allow Tehran access to its previously seized or restricted assets. This step is described as part of the broader implementation of that understanding.

In an interview with Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Gharibabadi explained that discussions were held with Qatari officials, including the central bank, on how to spend an initial portion of six billion dollars. He stated that the funds will be used to buy goods according to Iran’s domestic needs, which will then be delivered to the country.

However, the exact mechanism and timeline for releasing and utilizing the funds remain unclear, as no details have been provided on when the process will take effect.

A domestic worker named Ayesha Akter, currently imprisoned in Kashimpur Women’s Jail, has confessed to killing her employer Laila Afroze and the employer’s daughter Nafisa Lawal Binte Aziz in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, on December 8, 2025. The murders occurred after Ayesha was accused of stealing two thousand taka from her employer’s bag. Following an altercation, she attacked both victims with a switch gear she had earlier picked up from a roadside area. Ayesha later fled the scene wearing the victim’s daughter’s school uniform and was arrested in Jhalakathi.

According to the case file, Ayesha was remanded for six days and later gave a confessional statement before the Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate. The victims’ husband, Azizul Islam, a teacher, filed the murder case after discovering his wife and daughter dead at their home. CCTV footage confirmed Ayesha’s entry and exit from the house on the day of the incident.

Ayesha, aged 20, expressed deep remorse for the killings, saying she acted out of desperation to feed her child and now faces a life of regret and isolation in prison.

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez has declared seven days of national mourning after twin earthquakes killed 2,295 people across the country. The disaster, described as the strongest in a century, struck a week ago, leaving hopes of finding more survivors fading. According to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, more than 11,000 people were injured and around 13,000 left homeless. The United Nations estimates that about 50,000 people remain missing.

The northern city of La Guaira, near Caracas, suffered the worst damage, with collapsed buildings marked with a red “D” to indicate no survivors. Despite rescue efforts, the country’s long-standing economic crisis and weakened infrastructure have hampered response operations. Anger has grown among residents over poor state management, while food and water shortages have triggered clashes in shelters and widespread looting. Four police officers were arrested for theft from debris sites.

The International Organization for Migration called the situation “extremely complex.” The World Food Programme appealed for $50 million to feed 500,000 people over three months, and the World Health Organization warned of potential outbreaks of measles and diphtheria due to low vaccination rates.

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.