A group of young Bangladeshis has created a digital archive called July Memories to preserve the visual and cultural traces of the July uprising. The initiative began as a graffiti archive to document protest writings before they disappeared from public walls. Over time, it expanded into a broader online repository capturing slogans, songs, raps, poems, and personal memories linked to the movement. Co-founders Yasir Arafat and Silmee Sadia, both with backgrounds in journalism, led the effort across 11 districts, photographing around 10,000 graffiti pieces.

The project emerged from a sense of duty to protect the language of protest that was rapidly being erased after the fall of authoritarian rule. Many significant writings, including those demanding justice and political accountability, were removed within months. July Memories now serves as a digital resistance against forgetting, ensuring that the voices of protest remain accessible online.

Beyond archiving, the founders also authored a book on six journalists killed during the July events, published by the Press Institute Bangladesh, extending their mission of preserving collective memory.

A man named Suman Mondal died after being struck by lightning in Rajbari district on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 6:45 a.m. in Marjotkol village under Mijanpur Union of Rajbari Sadar upazila. Suman, aged 35 and son of Siddik Mondal, was carrying his three-and-a-half-year-old daughter Safia to a nearby shop when lightning struck. Safia fell from his arms but survived with minor bleeding from her nose and ears. Suman was taken to Rajbari Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

According to local sources, Suman had recently left his NGO job and was staying at home. Mijanpur Union Parishad administrator and Sadar Upazila agriculture officer Md. Jony Khan said the sudden death cast a shadow of grief over the area. Rajbari Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Uttam Kumar Ghosh confirmed that one person was killed by lightning in the union and that police visited the scene.

The incident has deeply saddened local residents, highlighting the recurring danger of lightning strikes during the season.

At least eight people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Tuesday, despite an ongoing ceasefire, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The attacks struck several towns, including Majdal Zoun, Zebqit, and Jouaiya, killing civilians and rescue workers. Among the dead were three Civil Defense rescuers who were trapped under debris while conducting operations. The ministry also reported multiple injuries, including two Lebanese soldiers.

The Israeli military said it targeted and destroyed a large Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon, claiming it was used by specially trained fighters. Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have continued since early March, with both sides accusing each other of violating the April 17 ceasefire. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes, accusing Israel of breaching international laws protecting civilians.

Israel’s foreign minister stated that the country has no plans to occupy Lebanese territory and would withdraw once Hezbollah and other armed groups are neutralized. The Israeli army also issued evacuation warnings to residents in several southern towns before launching the strikes.

Sri Lankan authorities arrested 22 Buddhist monks at Colombo International Airport for allegedly carrying more than 110 kilograms of cannabis. Officials said the group had returned from Thailand, and each suitcase contained over five kilograms of the illegal substance. The operation was conducted based on intelligence from a confidential source, marking the largest drug seizure ever recorded at the airport.

Police reported that the drugs were hidden inside the monks’ luggage. The seized cannabis is valued at more than 3.45 million US dollars. Sri Lanka enforces strict penalties for drug-related crimes, including indefinite detention without charge and lengthy prison sentences upon conviction.

According to the Daily News, this is the first time Buddhist monks have been arrested at the airport for possessing illegal drugs, highlighting an unprecedented incident in the country’s ongoing efforts to combat narcotics trafficking.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that both city corporations are implementing various measures to transform the capital into a clean and green city. He made the statement on Wednesday morning while responding to a question from a member of parliament. According to him, Dhaka North City Corporation plans to plant 500,000 trees over the next five years, and initiatives are underway to achieve zero waste management across the city.

The Prime Minister added that efforts are being made to gradually develop basic facilities across the country to reduce pressure on the capital. He also mentioned that 37,814 women heads of families have received financial support through the Family Card program. The government will not print new money for the Family Card or Farmer Card schemes.

Rahman further stated that the government plans to expand the existing Mother and Child Support Program by increasing financial benefits and the number of beneficiaries, and by including prenatal, postnatal, vaccination, and institutional delivery services.

U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed allies to prepare for a long-term sanctions strategy against Iran, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The plan aims to maintain economic pressure on Iran by restricting ship movements at its ports instead of resuming military attacks.

The report states that Trump is demanding Iran suspend uranium enrichment for at least 20 years and remains firm on this position. He reportedly believes that maintaining sanctions is less risky than pursuing alternative measures. Iranian officials have informed mediators that they need more time for consultations before submitting a revised proposal.

The report, citing Middle East Eye, indicates that the sanctions approach is intended to sustain pressure on Iran’s economy and oil exports while avoiding direct military confrontation.

International oil prices continued to climb following reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump instructed his aides to extend sanctions on Iranian ports. According to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. officials said the move aims to increase pressure on Iran’s economy and restrict its oil exports by limiting ship movements at the country’s ports.

In global trading, Brent crude for June delivery rose by 52 cents, or 0.47 percent, reaching $111.78 per barrel as of 01:54 GMT. The July contract, which saw higher trading volumes, increased to $104.84 per barrel, up 0.4 percent. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for June delivery gained 57 cents, or 0.57 percent, to $100.50 per barrel after a 3.7 percent rise in the previous session. Prices have now risen in seven of the past eight trading days.

Analysts cited continued Middle East tensions and supply uncertainties as factors likely to sustain the upward trend in global energy markets.

Israeli forces have continued their attacks in southern Lebanon, according to the country’s National News Agency (NNA). The report said that early morning airstrikes targeted the town of Hanine, destroying several houses. Overnight explosions were also heard in Naqoura, while air and ground assaults were reported in Khiam.

NNA stated that the ongoing strikes across several southern areas have spread fear among residents. The situation remains tense, and there are concerns that conditions could deteriorate further if the attacks persist.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as a source, did not provide details on casualties or official responses from either side.

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC carried out a series of raids on April 27, 2026, targeting illegal gas connections across several areas including Tongi, Gazipur, Keraniganj, Narayanganj, and Munshiganj. The operations were led by officials from the company along with executive magistrates and local administrations. In Tongi, 37 illegal connections were disconnected and about 200 feet of unauthorized pipeline were removed. In Keraniganj, an illegal factory connection was cut off, resulting in a fine of 100,000 taka and prevention of gas theft worth over 1.2 million taka per month.

Further operations in Gazipur, Narayanganj, and Munshiganj led to the removal of hundreds of illegal domestic and industrial connections, confiscation of pipes, burners, and regulators, and additional fines. In Narayanganj, illegal connections at lime and casting factories were dismantled, preventing daily gas theft worth approximately 277,000 taka. In Munshiganj, illegal gas use at a madrasa and nearby residences was stopped, with multiple appliances and fittings seized.

According to the press release, these coordinated drives are part of Titas Gas’s ongoing campaign to curb unauthorized gas use and recover government revenue losses.

The Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) has been accused of erasing July-themed graffiti from the walls of the Government Alia Madrasa area in Chowhatta as part of a city beautification drive ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit on May 2. The removal has triggered political and social debate in the city, with student activists expressing anger over what they call an attempt to erase history.

According to local sources, SCC has been repainting and cleaning key city areas, including Chowhatta and Alia Madrasa, where the graffiti was replaced with white paint. In response, members of the National Chhatra Shakti gathered at the site on Tuesday night, protesting and writing new slogans reading “We will give our lives, not July.”

In a joint statement, the organization’s Sylhet leaders accused SCC of deliberately removing murals commemorating historic July events and demanded their restoration within 24 hours, warning of a mass movement if ignored. The city corporation has not issued any official comment on the matter.

Severe riverbank erosion along the Brahmaputra River in Roumari upazila of Kurigram has destroyed about one hundred hectares of farmland over the past 18 days, leaving more than 700 families homeless. The river has also devoured two government primary schools and several other structures, forcing residents to spend sleepless nights in fear. Many displaced families are now living in makeshift shelters along roadsides or on others’ land after losing their homes multiple times.

Local residents expressed deep frustration over the lack of effective government measures despite the erosion continuing for months. Victims described repeated losses of homes and land, with many widows, elderly people, and persons with disabilities struggling to survive. A union council member confirmed that a list of 720 affected families has been submitted to the chairman, but no action has yet been taken.

An official from the Kurigram Water Development Board said the matter has been reported to higher authorities and that work will begin once funds are allocated, though no emergency budget is currently available.

Investigators in Florida have uncovered alarming details in the murder of two Bangladeshi PhD students, Jamil Ahmed Limon and Nahida Sultana Brishti, who were last seen in Tampa about two weeks before Limon’s body was found. Police have arrested Limon’s roommate, Hisham Abughurbeh, charging him with premeditated murder using a weapon. A judge has ordered that he remain in custody without bail during trial proceedings.

Court filings show a detailed timeline of Abughurbeh’s actions before and after the killings, including purchases of duct tape, garbage bags, and lighter fuel, as well as disturbing ChatGPT queries about disposing of a body. Surveillance footage and phone data placed him near the victims’ last known locations. Evidence recovered from a landfill and a bridge linked him to the crime, including blood-stained items and a bag containing Limon’s remains.

Florida’s attorney general has added the case to an ongoing criminal investigation involving OpenAI, after prosecutors cited the suspect’s use of ChatGPT. OpenAI stated it is cooperating fully with law enforcement.

Continuous heavy rainfall in Sunamganj has caused embankments to break, allowing water to enter the haor areas and triggering fears of flooding. Farmers are struggling to harvest ripe boro paddy as waterlogging and labor shortages worsen the situation. In several places, harvesters cannot enter the fields due to standing water, and harvested paddy cannot be dried because of the lack of sunlight.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, boro paddy was cultivated on 223,511 hectares across 137 haors this season, with a production target of about 1.4 million metric tons worth around Tk 5,000 crore. So far, 53,640 hectares have been harvested, but waterlogging and labor shortages persist. The Water Development Board reported that 702 embankment projects covering 602 kilometers were built or repaired this year at a cost of Tk 145 crore, yet the structures have weakened under continuous rain.

Local reports from Madhyanagar indicate that a rural embankment in Banshikunda South Union collapsed early Tuesday, flooding nearby fields. Farmers fear losing half of their standing crops as repair efforts remain stalled, and officials are working with farmers to harvest vulnerable fields quickly.

The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as the focal point of negotiations to end the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel. Following attacks on Iran, Tehran closed the vital waterway, allowing only limited passage under its supervision. This move disrupted global energy supplies and threatened the world economy, particularly affecting Gulf nations. Despite repeated warnings, U.S. President Donald Trump failed to compel Iran to reopen the strait, while Tehran insists on maintaining control and collecting tolls even after the war.

Washington responded by imposing counter-sanctions on Iranian vessels, stating these would be lifted only if Iran signed a ceasefire deal. Tehran rejected talks under such conditions but sent a new peace proposal via Pakistan, excluding nuclear issues. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the offer. Meanwhile, a liquefied natural gas tanker crossed the strait for the first time in two months, signaling limited maritime activity. The UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+ added further instability to the energy market.

Russia defended Iran’s right to control navigation in the strait, accusing Western nations of hypocrisy and piracy, while Iran’s defense ministry declared that the U.S. can no longer impose its policies on independent states.

FIFA has removed a referee from its 2026 World Cup panel following his arrest in the United Kingdom over allegations of sexually assaulting a minor. According to British media outlet The Sun, the 30-year-old match official was detained by London’s Metropolitan Police while staying at a hotel during a European competition. He was later released on bail, but the investigation remains ongoing.

FIFA responded swiftly, stating that the allegation is being treated with utmost seriousness and that the official will not be assigned to any FIFA competitions until the investigation concludes. UEFA has taken the same stance, suspending him from officiating in its matches as well. The referee’s name has not been disclosed due to the ongoing investigation.

The decision comes shortly after FIFA announced the list of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting June 11.