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.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly suspended or delayed money transfers to the United Arab Emirates, according to a Financial Times report published on Tuesday. The move, in effect since May, has prevented funds from Saudi banks from reaching Emirati accounts, signaling growing friction between the two Gulf nations. The Saudi central bank denied imposing any formal restrictions when contacted by the newspaper.

The Financial Times report noted that disputes between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have become increasingly visible since early this year. Once close allies, the two countries have diverged over issues such as relations with Israel, policies in Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, and competition for regional economic influence. The UAE’s decision to leave OPEC earlier this year and its support for separatist groups in Yemen have further strained ties.

Analysts cited in the report said economic rivalry between the two major Arab economies is longstanding. The current financial disruption could deepen mistrust and complicate cooperation in trade, energy, and regional security.

Continuous heavy rainfall and mountain runoff caused the Matamuhuri River embankment to collapse in Pekua, Cox’s Bazar, flooding large parts of the upazila. The breach occurred late Thursday night into Friday morning in East Mehernama area of Sadar Union, submerging homes, roads, schools, mosques, and fish enclosures. More than one hundred thousand residents have been trapped in waterlogged conditions, facing acute shortages of clean water, food, and medicine.

Local residents said hundreds of volunteers tried to reinforce the embankment with sandbags, but the effort failed under heavy rain and tidal pressure. Several unions, including Ujantia, Rajakhali, Magnama, Toitong, Shilkhali, Barbakia, and Sadar, remain inundated. Locals blamed illegal fishing traps and blocked drainage channels for worsening the flooding, alleging that a powerful group controls sluice gates and water flow for seasonal farming.

Pekua Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rafiqul Islam said the administration is monitoring the situation and coordinating with authorities to prevent further damage. Relief and emergency support preparations are underway for affected families.

An article published on July 10, 2026, warns that the growing use of adulterated and unregulated pesticides in Bangladesh’s agriculture is endangering both farmers and consumers. The report highlights that excessive chemical fertilizers and pesticides are being used in crop production, with nearly 75 percent of food affected during cultivation. Farmers, often misled by unscrupulous pesticide sellers, are mixing multiple chemicals into so-called “cocktail” pesticides, causing severe damage to crops, soil, and human health.

The article notes that around 27 percent of farmers suffer from pesticide-related illnesses, including skin irritation, respiratory issues, and even cancer. It also describes how fake or substandard pesticides are sold by unlicensed vendors, leaving farmers financially ruined. Despite numerous laws such as the Pure Food Act and the Consumer Rights Act, enforcement remains weak, and no major offender has received maximum punishment.

The author urges farmers to seek guidance from agricultural extension officers instead of dealers and calls for strict enforcement of existing laws to curb adulteration and ensure safe food production.

Authorities in Godagari, Rajshahi have seized the assets of two alleged drug traffickers following court orders, while investigations into 20 others are ongoing. The Department of Narcotics Control and the Anti-Corruption Commission have intensified efforts to identify and confiscate illegal wealth accumulated through drug trafficking. The crackdown has reportedly caused concern among local drug dealers, many of whom have gone into hiding.

According to officials, the court ordered the confiscation of properties belonging to Abdullah and his wife Sayera Begum on April 6, and to top trafficker Tarek Hossain on May 23. Tarek had previously been arrested with 6.5 kilograms of heroin. Investigations are also underway into several others, including Abul Kalam Azad, who allegedly amassed around 200 million taka through drug trade. The Department of Narcotics Control is coordinating with 20–22 government offices to trace illegal assets.

Officials stated that 184 individuals linked to heroin syndicates in Godagari have been listed for investigation, and all will gradually be brought under legal scrutiny.

Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Member of Parliament for Pabna-5, has called for establishing a just, accountable, and democratic state in Bangladesh following the recent July uprising. In an article published on July 10, 2026, he described the movement as part of the nation’s long struggle for rights, justice, and dignity, linking it to earlier milestones such as the Language Movement, the 1969 mass uprising, the 1971 Liberation War, and the 1990 democratic movement. He emphasized that the July uprising was not merely about a change of government but a demand for a transformation in the philosophy of governance.

Biswas highlighted that the movement’s participants, mostly young people, sacrificed their safety for the nation’s future and the dream of a fair state. He argued that true respect for their sacrifice lies in ensuring justice, transparency, and good governance. The article underscored that corruption, nepotism, and abuse of power undermine public trust and that equality of opportunity, merit-based employment, and freedom of expression are essential for a just society.

He concluded that July marks not an end but a new beginning toward building a just, democratic, and humane Bangladesh, urging all sectors—government, politics, judiciary, media, and civil society—to share this responsibility.

Dr. Mahbubur Razzak, a professor and head of the Mechanical Engineering Department at BUET, has called for revising the current school schedule that mandates classes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. He argues that this timing, especially during the intense summer months, causes discomfort and health risks for students. He observed that afternoon attendance drops significantly due to the heat, and many students suffer from exhaustion and dehydration. He suggests that classes should start at 8 a.m. and end before lunch to avoid the harsh midday sun.

Razzak emphasizes that the current schedule leaves no time for physical exercise or creative activities, leading to growing dependence on digital devices and declining physical and mental health among students. He proposes that schools make sports a compulsory part of education and develop necessary infrastructure such as playgrounds and sports facilities. He also recommends introducing district-level school sports competitions and training teachers to supervise these activities.

According to him, finishing academic sessions before lunch would not only protect students from heat but also promote a healthier, more active generation.

Andy Burnham, a leading contender to become the next UK prime minister, has apologized for the Labour Party’s initial response to Israel’s military operation in Gaza. In a video message posted on social media platform X, Burnham said the party’s early position on the Israeli attacks was wrong and should have been handled better. He acknowledged that many people were hurt by Labour’s reaction and expressed regret for the delay in calling for a ceasefire.

Burnham, expected to assume the premiership later this month, had previously called for a ceasefire in late October 2023, a stance that caused friction with Labour leader Keir Starmer, who at the time supported only short humanitarian pauses. Burnham described the loss of life and humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a “wound on our collective conscience.”

He praised recent Labour government measures such as recognizing the State of Palestine, sanctioning Israeli ministers and settlers, and restricting some arms exports to Israel. Burnham urged stronger action to ensure Israel complies with international law and to preserve the two-state solution, criticizing illegal settlements and calling for a full trade ban with them.

Heavy rainfall and upstream water flow from India have caused the Teesta River to swell rapidly, inundating low-lying and char areas in Lalmonirhat district. According to the Water Development Board, the river’s level rose by about 80 centimeters in the past 24 hours, hovering near the danger mark. Although the water was six centimeters below the danger level at Dalia Barrage on Friday morning, it had flowed above the mark overnight.

All 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage remain open to maintain normal flow, but continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in northern Bangladesh and adjoining Indian regions may cause further rises. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre warned that the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers could cross danger levels at some points, leading to short-term flooding in Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, and Kurigram.

Residents along the Teesta banks reported sleepless nights as water surged from India without prior notice. Locals demanded that India issue advance warnings before releasing water from the Gajoldoba Barrage and urged quick implementation of the long-promised Teesta Master Plan to prevent recurring floods.

More than 43 million people attended the funeral and farewell ceremonies of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, breaking all previous records, according to Iranian authorities. The six-day mourning processions took place across Iran and Iraq, marking what officials described as the largest public gathering and funeral in human history.

Fars News Agency reported that the ceremonies were held in Tehran, Qom, Najaf, Karbala, and Mashhad. The Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that nearly ten million people joined the events in Najaf and Karbala alone. Khamenei was killed along with his family in a U.S. terrorist attack in February, and the formal farewell began last Friday, attended by political leaders from over 45 countries and scholars and representatives from more than 90 nations.

Independent sources verified the attendance figures using travel data and mobile signal analysis, according to Press TV.

International oil prices dropped by nearly 2 percent on Thursday as renewed US-Iran hostilities delayed the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption has kept global fuel supply tight, but concerns over rising inflation and slowing economic activity have weakened demand expectations. Brent crude fell by $1.72, or 2.2 percent, to $76.30 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined by $1.44, or 2 percent, to $72.08 per barrel.

Before the conflict, about 20 percent of global oil supply passed through the Strait of Hormuz. The latest escalation followed US strikes on Iran’s southern and eastern provinces, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iranian forces on US military infrastructure in Gulf countries. The three-week ceasefire agreement between the two sides is now under renewed strain.

Analysts from Macquarie Group and Goldman Sachs noted that while tensions remain high, both nations face economic and political constraints. Qatar, Turkey, and Oman urged restraint and a return to diplomacy, as tanker traffic through the strait has fallen below 70 percent of normal levels due to renewed attacks.