A one-and-a-half-year-old boy drowned in floodwater accumulated in the yard of his home in Pekua upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Saturday night. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. in the Bholirpara area of Sadar Union. The deceased, Mushfiqur Rahim, was the son of expatriate Nasir. Family members were having dinner when the child accidentally fell into the waterlogged yard. After noticing his absence, relatives searched and found him floating in the water. He was taken to Pekua Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead.

Pekua Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rafiqul Islam confirmed the death and said that although the flood situation in the upazila had slightly improved, several areas remained waterlogged. He urged parents to keep constant watch over their children during the ongoing flood conditions.

The incident highlights the continuing risks faced by families in partially flooded areas of Cox’s Bazar, where stagnant water remains a hazard even as conditions begin to improve.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-9 recovered a locally made one-shooter gun during an operation in the Naya Bazar area of Fenchuganj upazila, Sylhet. The operation took place on Saturday night following a tip-off. According to RAB, the firearm was found abandoned inside a shopping bag placed on a wall of an under-construction building.

RAB officials stated that no individuals connected to the weapon were found at the scene. The recovered gun has been handed over to Fenchuganj Police Station for further legal action. Authorities confirmed that an investigation into the incident is currently underway to determine the source and ownership of the weapon.

The recovery highlights ongoing law enforcement efforts to curb illegal firearms in the region, though no arrests or suspects have yet been identified in connection with the case.

Electro Mart Group CEO Md. Nurul Afsar has received the Asia Prestige 50 Under 50 CEO Excellence Award 2026, recognizing his leadership and contributions to the electronics industry. The award ceremony took place at the Shangri-La Hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where over 280 senior corporate leaders from 28 countries gathered. The event was inaugurated by Cambodia’s Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hem Vandi, and celebrated young, dynamic, and visionary business leaders under 50 across Asia.

The award highlights Afsar’s more than 33 years of dedication to innovation, participation, and development within Electro Mart Group and Bangladesh’s electronics sector. Under his leadership, the company achieved significant growth through strategic marketing, product diversification, and sustainable development initiatives. The Electro Mart chairman congratulated Afsar, noting that his visionary leadership has driven the company’s culture of excellence.

In his remarks, Afsar expressed gratitude to the organizers and said the recognition would inspire further responsibility and collaboration to advance Bangladesh’s electronics and home appliance industries.

Continuous heavy rainfall has severely disrupted daily life in Dhaka, where 179 millimeters of rain fell between Saturday morning and Sunday noon, a span of just 30 hours. The downpour, combined with inadequate drainage, has submerged both main roads and residential lanes, leaving office workers, students, and laborers struggling to move through flooded streets.

Low-lying areas such as Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Tejgaon, Green Road, Malibagh, Shantinagar, Mirpur, and parts of Old Dhaka have experienced severe waterlogging, with water levels reaching knee to waist height in some places. Public transport shortages and disputes over fare hikes have added to commuters’ difficulties. According to meteorologist Khondkar Hafizur Rahman, the heavy rain is caused by active monsoon conditions and may continue through tomorrow, delaying any improvement in the flooding situation.

Experts note that Dhaka’s drainage system lacks sufficient capacity, with silt and plastic waste blocking many drains. City authorities are attempting to remove water, but their efforts remain inadequate compared to the scale of the problem.

At least 16 people were killed in Pakistan’s latest anti-terror operation in Balochistan, bringing the total death toll to 102 since the campaign began on July 5. The coordinated air and ground operations are being conducted by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, and police targeting militant hideouts across the province. Security sources confirmed that 64 militants have been killed under the ongoing “Operation Shaban.”

Security officials stated that the operations would continue until all militant groups are eliminated. In a separate raid on the N-25 highway, two armed individuals were killed, and weapons, grenades, motorcycles, and mobile phones were seized. Earlier, Pakistan’s military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry alleged that attackers in Ziarat had Indian support, noting that 15 militants and nine police officers were killed in that clash.

Pakistan maintains that terrorist attacks have increased in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti vowed to uphold state authority at any cost and warned that no militant would be allowed to escape.

Continuous monsoon rains have submerged large parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka, yet the expected cooling effect remains absent. Despite temperatures stabilizing between 29 and 34 degrees Celsius, people across the country are enduring intense humidity and discomfort. Authorities have warned of short-term flooding in northeastern lowlands, even as water levels recede in Chattogram and hill regions.

Meteorologist Dr. Omar Faruk explained that Bangladesh’s traditional six-season cycle has been disrupted by climate change, leaving the country effectively trapped between summer and monsoon. He noted that low-lying clouds and longer daylight hours prevent rainfall from bringing relief. Meteorologist Kazi Jebun Nesa added that high humidity from southern monsoon winds intensifies the heat, while Bazlur Rahman described monsoon rain as “warm rain” formed from low clouds, unlike the cooler pre-monsoon showers.

Frequent power outages have worsened public suffering, depriving residents of relief from fans and cooling devices. Experts also linked the persistent heat to global El Niño effects and long-term climate instability.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the death of Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarkar, former Speaker of the National Parliament and member of the BNP National Standing Committee. In a condolence message issued on Sunday, the Prime Minister prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.

In his message, the Prime Minister described Barrister Sarkar as a wise, honest, and dedicated figure in Bangladesh’s politics. He recalled Sarkar’s long and distinguished career, during which he served as Acting President, Speaker of Parliament, and held several ministerial positions including Education, Land, Foreign Affairs, and Public Works. The Prime Minister said Sarkar’s contributions to strengthening democratic institutions, developing parliamentary culture, and promoting public welfare would be remembered with deep respect.

He added that Sarkar’s lifelong commitment to Bangladeshi nationalism, democracy, and people’s rights, along with his courage during anti-autocracy movements, made him a symbol of integrity and patriotism for future generations.

Widespread flooding has submerged large parts of Satkania and Lohagara upazilas in South Chattogram following continuous rainfall that began on July 6, 2026. Environmental experts say the disaster is not only due to heavy rain but also decades of unregulated hill cutting, illegal brick kilns, and unplanned development that have reduced the region’s natural water retention capacity. Around 300,000 people are reportedly trapped by floodwaters, with homes, schools, and roads inundated and communication severely disrupted.

Investigations reveal that soil from hill cutting in Satkania’s Aochia area is being supplied to illegal brick kilns in nearby Banshkhali. Despite legal actions, influential kiln owners have largely avoided prosecution. The Department of Environment acknowledges limited manpower and legal constraints in controlling the destruction, with over 300 unlicensed brick kilns operating across Chattogram. Officials say daily raids continue but public awareness remains low.

Experts warn that ongoing hill cutting and land filling will worsen flash floods and waterlogging. They also caution that the new Dohazari–Cox’s Bazar railway, if not properly designed with adequate culverts, could act as an artificial barrier to water flow.

Rail communication between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar resumed on Sunday after being suspended for five days due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall. The intercity Parjotok Express, which departed from Dhaka, left Chattogram station at 11:40 a.m. for Cox’s Bazar, marking the first train to operate on the route after the disruption. Railway authorities confirmed that other scheduled trains from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and Dhaka will gradually resume passenger services on the same route.

According to railway sources, continuous rain had submerged about 500 meters of track near Shamsherpara, east of Jan Ali Hat station, on the Sholoshahar-Dohazari section. Water levels rose up to 21 inches above the track, exceeding the safe limit for locomotive traction motors, which can operate in up to 4–5 inches of water. As a result, train operations were halted last Tuesday.

Railway officials stated that emergency engineering measures and receding water levels made the track safe again. The line was raised about 10 inches above the water level through lifting work, and after inspections, train operations resumed on Sunday.

Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has died following a sudden illness, his office confirmed in a statement released late Saturday night local time. The announcement expressed gratitude from his family for public prayers and requested privacy during this difficult period.

Graham served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was regarded as one of the most prominent members of the Senate. He was a key Republican voice on defense and international affairs. The statement did not provide further details about the nature of his illness or the circumstances of his death.

According to the report, Graham had recently returned to the United States after completing a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine. No additional information about funeral arrangements or political responses was included in the statement.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarkar, former Speaker of the National Parliament and member of the BNP Standing Committee. Sarkar passed away early Sunday while undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in Shyamoli, Dhaka. He was 94 years old at the time of his death.

In his condolence message, the minister said that Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarkar made significant contributions to the development of parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh. Throughout his long political career, he served with honesty, wisdom, and dedication in various important responsibilities. The minister described his death as an irreparable loss to the country’s political sphere and prayed for the salvation of his soul while extending sympathy to the bereaved family.

The report reiterated that Sarkar died early Sunday at the Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in Dhaka at the age of 94.

Oman has presented a new draft proposal aimed at maintaining uninterrupted shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal was made by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi during a meeting in Muscat with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday, according to the report. The initiative seeks to ensure smooth maritime operations in one of the world’s most strategic waterways.

According to details cited by CNN from a source familiar with the discussions, the proposal suggests managing the vital passage through two separate control systems. The arrangement is designed to keep both the northern and southern routes of the strait open for navigation. The draft agreement has not yet been finalized, and discussions are ongoing.

If implemented, the plan could help stabilize maritime movement in the region by providing structured oversight of both channels of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy transport.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid, along with State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku, have expressed deep sorrow over the death of Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarkar, former Speaker of the National Parliament and a standing committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Sarkar passed away early Friday morning at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in Shyamoli, Dhaka, at the age of 94.

In their condolence message, the ministers described Jamir Uddin Sarkar as a veteran politician, skilled parliamentarian, and a wise leader who believed in democratic values. They noted that as Speaker of the National Parliament, he played a significant role in strengthening parliamentary democracy. His long political career was marked by dedication to the welfare of the nation and its people.

The ministers stated that with his passing, the country has lost an experienced and devoted political leader whose contributions will be remembered with respect.

Bangladesh’s television audience first experienced large-scale dubbing a decade ago with the Turkish series “Sultan Suleiman,” aired on Deepto TV. The show’s success, driven by high-quality Bangla dubbing, opened a new chapter for foreign series localization. Following this, several private TV channels and OTT platforms began producing dubbed content, creating a new professional field for voice-over artists.

Although dubbing existed earlier through BTV and Kolkata-based studios, Deepto TV’s 2015 initiative marked the first major domestic effort to build local dubbing teams and studios. Voice director Lata Majumdar and actor Deepak Suman described the early challenges of forming a 15-member team without prior infrastructure. Today, around 15 studios operate nationwide, with artists working in categories earning between 2,000 and 5,000 taka per shift, and experienced freelancers earning up to 600 taka per minute.

Industry figures note growing challenges, including declining quality and complex government regulations requiring censorship and time restrictions for foreign content. Without improvements, experts fear the sector could again depend on imported dubbing services.

Thirteen years after the murder of Narayanganj student Tanvir Muhammad Taqi, the charge sheet in the case has still not been submitted to court. The investigation report has been deferred 105 times, most recently on July 1, when the Rapid Action Battalion’s investigating officer sought more time. The court granted an extension until August 12. Despite the prolonged delay, Taqi’s father, Rafiur Rabbi, expressed continued hope for justice under the current political leadership.

The case dates back to March 2013, when Taqi went missing and was later found dead in the Shitalakkhya River. Several suspects were arrested, and confessional statements implicated Azmeri Osman and others. In 2014, RAB publicly stated that Osman family members were involved and promised a swift charge sheet, but no progress followed. Taqi’s family and human rights activists allege that political protection and administrative negligence have stalled the investigation.

The repeated delays have deepened frustration among justice seekers, as the absence of a charge sheet has prevented the trial from beginning even after more than a decade.