Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has returned to Dhaka after completing his first foreign visits as head of government, covering Malaysia and China. According to the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, he landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 7:47 p.m. Bangladesh time on June 26, 2026. The Prime Minister departed Beijing Daxing International Airport at 5:15 p.m. local time aboard a China Southern Airlines flight.

During his departure from Beijing, Tarique Rahman and his spouse, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, received a red-carpet farewell. China’s Presidential Special Envoy Yue Xiaoyong was present at the airport to convey good wishes. The couple walked along the red carpet before boarding their flight to Dhaka.

The Prime Minister had left Dhaka on June 21, 2026, for a two-day official visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. After completing that visit, he traveled to Dalian, China, on June 22 before concluding his trip and returning home.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has called for strengthening the inspection system of madrasa educational institutions across Bangladesh. He made the directive on Friday at a meeting with acting officials of examination centers under the Dinajpur Education Board and the Rangpur Division’s Madrasa and Technical Education Boards, held at the Dinajpur District Shilpakala Academy Auditorium ahead of the 2026 HSC and equivalent examinations.

The minister noted that the number of madrasa inspectors remains low, leaving many institutions outside proper oversight. He instructed madrasa boards to coordinate with other education boards to expand inspection activities. Milan also mentioned plans to introduce common question papers for shared subjects in madrasa and technical education, similar to those used in general education boards.

Addressing concerns about exam security, the minister warned that anyone spreading rumors about question leaks would face legal action. He emphasized that no leniency would be shown toward those involved in misinformation or rumor campaigns related to the examinations.

Tahsina Rushdir Luna, wife of missing BNP leader and former Sylhet-2 MP M. Elias Ali, stated that she seeks justice, not revenge, for enforced disappearances. She made the remarks on Friday at a discussion organized by the victims’ relatives’ group ‘Mayer Dak’ at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka, marking the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2026.

Luna emphasized that if those involved in disappearances are not brought to justice, such acts may recur in the future. Earlier at the same event, Dhaka-14 MP Barrister Arman described himself as a proud survivor of enforced disappearance, vowing to continue sharing his story so that future generations do not face similar fates. He also declared that fascist forces would not be allowed to return to Bangladesh.

The event highlighted personal testimonies and calls for accountability regarding enforced disappearances in the country, aligning with the international observance against torture and impunity.

An attempt to push three individuals into Bangladesh through the Meherpur border was thwarted early Friday morning. According to local reports, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) tried to send the group through the 135/7S barbed-wire gate near the 136 main pillar at the Dhala border in Gangni upazila. The Dhala BOP camp commander, Habildar Shishir Kumar, confirmed the incident. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local residents resisted the move, forcing the BSF to take the individuals back across the fence.

Local sources said the three people, two men and one woman, were initially sent toward Bangladesh during the night and were later seen near the zero line. After facing resistance, they remained in no man’s land until the BSF retrieved them between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. Their identities remain unknown, and BGB has not issued an official statement on the matter.

Separately, reports indicated that two more people were pushed near the Kazipur-Sheoratola border early the same morning, but BGB has not commented on that incident either.

Four months after the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran, the involved parties have begun talks in Switzerland aimed at ending the conflict. Observers expect that a lasting agreement could ease the global economic strain caused by the war, which has disrupted trade and driven up energy prices.

Since the conflict began, international energy markets have faced volatility, with oil prices surging and global commerce suffering setbacks. Businesses and consumers worldwide have borne higher costs as a result. Yet, amid the turmoil, certain sectors have profited significantly. Defense equipment manufacturers, oil and gas producers, and investment banks have recorded notable gains due to increased demand for arms, rising energy prices, and a shift toward safer investments.

Analysts suggest that if the Swiss negotiations succeed, both Middle Eastern security and global economic stability could improve, offering relief to businesses and consumers affected by wartime pressures.

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread devastation in Caracas and surrounding areas. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed on Friday that the death toll had risen to 589, with 2,980 people injured. Rescue teams and local residents have recovered bodies and rescued several survivors from the rubble, while hundreds of buildings have collapsed.

An opposition-run website collecting information on missing persons reported that relatives had listed more than 50,000 people as missing by Friday morning. Rescue operations continue using heavy machinery, but efforts are hampered by severe infrastructure damage, communication breakdowns, and the scale of destruction.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey’s damage assessment models, the number of fatalities could exceed several thousand, with a strong possibility of surpassing 10,000 if conditions worsen.

Member of Parliament Monirul Haque Chowdhury from Comilla-6 has warned of a long march if authorities fail to take strong action against drug trafficking and terrorism in the border area of Golabari. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Friday at the Comilla Deputy Commissioner’s office, he said he would lead people to the streets and even resign from parliament if necessary.

Chowdhury questioned why operations and arrests had not yet been conducted in Golabari, comparing it to the previously controlled Jungle Salimpur area. He urged the deputy commissioner and police superintendent to identify and list the main offenders and take immediate legal action. He also demanded stricter measures from the district public prosecutor regarding bail for accused individuals in murder and drug cases.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Md. Reza Hasan and attended by officials from the Border Guard Bangladesh, police, and local administration. Chowdhury reiterated that there would be no compromise in the fight against drugs and terrorism.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that the government will initiate a special allowance program for families of enforced disappearance victims. He made the statement on Friday at a national dialogue titled “Right to Compensation and Rehabilitation,” held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in Dhaka, marking the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2026. The minister said a proposal will be submitted to include the allowance in the current budget and reaffirmed that legal actions against those responsible for disappearances will continue.

Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament Barrister Kaiser Kamal emphasized that it is time to claim rights and ensure justice, expressing hope for a parliamentary committee on disappearances and a stronger Human Rights Commission. The event was attended by several lawmakers, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, and family members of disappearance victims, who shared their experiences and expectations regarding compensation, rehabilitation, and justice.

The initiative signals a policy move toward institutional support for affected families and accountability for past disappearances.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon MP emphasized the need for quality education and institutions during a meeting with examination center secretaries in Dinajpur on Friday afternoon. The event, held at the Dinajpur District Shilpakala Academy auditorium, was organized ahead of the 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations under the Dinajpur Education Board, Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board, and Bangladesh Technical Education Board.

The minister warned that if any cheating is detected during the upcoming exams, both the institution head and the center secretary would face legal action. He instructed that closed-circuit cameras must be installed in every examination center and monitored by the center secretary. Addressing teachers, he stated that those who do not have their own children studying in their institutions have no right to teach and urged all teachers to treat every student as their own child.

The meeting was chaired by Dinajpur Education Board Chairman Professor Elias Ahmed and attended by senior officials from the education boards, local administration, and center secretaries from eight districts under the Dinajpur board.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held its central Majlis-e-Shura session on Friday morning at Al Falah Auditorium in Dhaka, attended by senior party leaders and members. Party chief and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman delivered the opening speech, declaring that Jamaat’s struggle against injustice and oppressive forces would continue. He stated that the party would remain uncompromising in defending democratic values and people’s rights, emphasizing that resistance must rise wherever fascism appears.

Dr. Rahman criticized the government for disregarding public opinion expressed in the February 12 general election and referendum on reform, claiming that nearly 70 percent of voters’ views were ignored. He said the failure to establish independent institutions such as the judiciary, anti-corruption and human rights commissions, and the election commission had allowed the recurrence of authoritarian tendencies. He also called for national unity to address border challenges and urged citizens to stay united for their legitimate rights.

The Jamaat leader expressed concern over rising crime and political violence, demanding justice for recent killings, including that of a student leader in Gaibandha. He reaffirmed Jamaat’s commitment to building a humane, safe, and just Bangladesh.

A murder case has been filed after a woman and her three daughters were killed inside their home in Raipur municipality of Lakshmipur. The victims’ only son, Junaid Islam Sifat, lodged the case on Friday afternoon against unidentified suspects. According to police and witnesses, the attack occurred Thursday morning at a ground-floor apartment on Dhanhata Nadir Par Road, where Shahinur Begum, 38, and her daughters aged 21, 17, and 10 were hacked to death.

Witnesses said a local resident locked the gate after seeing a man inside the house, trapping the alleged assailant, Antor Majumder, who was later beaten to death by locals while trying to flee across rooftops. Police said Antor had previously rented a flat in the same building but left about eight months earlier. Relatives and witnesses suspect robbery as the motive, citing missing gold ornaments and rent money.

Raipur police confirmed that the bodies were handed over to the family after autopsy and that an investigation is underway to determine the motive and whether others were involved.

A national taskforce formed to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases carried out a special operation in Banani, Dhaka, on Friday to identify and destroy Aedes mosquito larvae. The drive, led by State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam, covered Banani’s 18, 21, and 24 number roads. During the operation, a construction site on Road 24 was fined Tk 50,000 under Section 269 of the Penal Code after larvae were found despite prior warnings.

Mir Shah Alam said the government’s goal was not to punish but to protect lives and build a dengue-free city, urging citizens to keep their surroundings clean and remove stagnant water every three days. He also announced that residents could collect larvicide tablets free of cost from Dhaka North City Corporation offices and called on media and real estate developers to strengthen awareness and cleanliness efforts.

Dhaka North City Corporation’s Chief Health Officer Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury reported that about 50 percent of inspected houses in Banani’s government quarters and nearby areas contained Aedes larvae, underscoring the need for greater public awareness during the ongoing three-month anti-dengue campaign.

Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) announced that two military transport aircraft are being sent to Venezuela to support rescue and humanitarian operations following recent earthquakes. Coordinating with the Turkish Armed Forces, one A-400M aircraft has been prepared to carry a 38-member search, rescue, and humanitarian team from Istanbul, Izmir, and Denizli. The flight will also include a five-member national medical rescue team, two Turkish Red Crescent personnel, two search dogs, and three fully equipped rescue vehicles.

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense has decided to send another A-400M aircraft carrying a 22-member Humanitarian Aid Brigade team and necessary equipment. AFAD stated that both aircraft will depart from Istanbul Atatürk Airport at 11:15 a.m. local time on Friday for Venezuela.

The aid mission follows two powerful earthquakes that struck Caracas and surrounding areas on Thursday, causing extensive damage and killing at least 235 people, with hundreds more trapped or missing.

Member of Parliament Monirul Haque Chowdhury from Cumilla-6 (Sadar) has declared that he will resign if the government does not take effective measures against drugs and terrorism. He made the statement on Friday while addressing a discussion meeting at the Cumilla Deputy Commissioner’s office marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

During his speech, Monirul Haque criticized the lack of control in certain areas, questioning why authorities could manage Jangal Salimpur but not Golabari, where no arrests had been made. He urged the district commissioner and police superintendent to prepare a list of main offenders and take action, warning that he would lead a long march with ten thousand people if necessary. He also called on the district public prosecutor to be stricter about granting bail in murder and drug-related cases.

The meeting was presided over by Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md. Reza Hasan and attended by officials from the Border Guard Bangladesh, police, and local administration.

A case has been filed against six individuals following a shooting incident in Comilla city that left 12-year-old schoolboy Ethan Ahmed Prem injured. His father, Yunus Mia, lodged the case late Thursday night at Kotwali Model Police Station, naming Sabbir and Apu among the accused. Police confirmed on Friday that one suspect named Shraban has been detained in connection with the attack, which occurred after an anti-drug human chain event. Prem remains hospitalized at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors have yet to remove the bullet.

According to Prem’s parents, he was shot on his way home during a school break. Medical officials said the bullet injured his lungs, prompting his transfer from Comilla Medical College Hospital to Dhaka for specialized treatment. Local Member of Parliament Monirul Haque Chowdhury visited the family and stated that both he and law enforcement share responsibility for the incident.

Police reported that the shooting followed clashes between two local drug groups, Apu and Sabbir, in the Katabil area. Operations are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects.