Shariful Islam, an accused in a murder case under Khilgaon Police Station, escaped from the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court premises on Thursday. According to police sources, he managed to unlock his handcuffs and fled while being transferred from the jail cell to the courtroom.

ADC Main Uddin of the DMP Prosecution Division said legal action is underway, and the Kotwali Police Station has been alerted to recapture the fugitive. Further charges are being prepared.

The QS World University Rankings for 2026, published by UK-based higher education analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), includes over 1,500 top institutions worldwide. Dhaka University ranks 584th, making it the highest-ranked university in Bangladesh.

Other Bangladeshi universities on the list include North South University (951–1000), BUET (just above 750), and Daffodil International University (1001–1200). Institutions such as BRAC University, Islamic University of Technology, Jahangirnagar University, and Rajshahi University share similar positions in the broader rankings.

Adviser to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Jahangir Alam, has urged the public to consume locally grown fruits to conserve foreign exchange. Speaking at the opening of the three-day National Fruit Fair held at the Krishibid Institution in Dhaka, he stated that similar fairs will be organized in all 64 districts to promote native fruits.

“We are already exporting a significant amount of local produce such as mangoes, jackfruit, and guavas,” he said. “We’ve recently begun exporting mangoes to China. Increasing exports will benefit our farmers directly.”

Former President Donald Trump has acknowledged division among his supporters regarding potential U.S. military action against Iran. “Some of my people may be a little unhappy, while others are very happy,” he said.

He claimed that his support has never been stronger: “My supporters love me more now than even during the landslide victory. And even people outside the MAGA base are happy with what's happening—though they can hardly believe it themselves.”

Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim, an officer at the Ministry of Law, has clarified that no official decision has been made regarding the formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

He criticized media outlets for publishing selective quotes from the law advisor. “The advisor mentioned that discussions would be held with political leaders, student representatives, and experts before considering such a step,” Rezaul added. He further stated that a commission might be considered only after the prosecution of the July uprising massacre and public repentance by leaders of the fallen regime.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that, despite internal political complications, the Iranian people are uniting around their leadership. When asked about threats against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Putin declined to comment specifically but noted growing national solidarity in Iran.

He added that Israel’s initial aim was to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, not to cause regime change. “Israel has failed to strike Iran’s underground uranium enrichment sites—they remain intact. It's time for all sides to pursue compromise,” Putin said.

Government employees demanding the repeal of the civil service ordinance have given the administration a 48-hour deadline. If their demands are not met, they plan to launch a blockade at the Ministry of Finance starting Sunday.

On Thursday around 11:30 AM, the protestors gathered in front of Building No. 4 at the Secretariat, chanting slogans and staging a sit-in protest.

In the interest of judicial transparency, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has appointed senior Supreme Court lawyer A.Y. Mashiuzzaman as amicus curiae in a contempt of court case against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The hearing, originally scheduled for June 3, includes co-defendant Md. Shakil Alam, also known as Shakil Akand Bulbul of Gobindaganj, Gaibandha. The tribunal emphasized the importance of maintaining impartiality in the judicial process.

The possibility of a U.S. military strike on Iran has sparked division within former President Donald Trump's support base—particularly among his core "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) followers. Many are voicing strong opposition to involving the United States in another Middle Eastern conflict.

Prominent Trump ally and former White House strategist Steve Bannon warned, “We can't do this again. We don’t want another Iraq.” Influential MAGA voice Tucker Carlson also criticized any move toward military escalation. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene echoed these sentiments, saying, “Those who want to drag the U.S. into a war between Israel and Iran are not true MAGA. We're tired of endless foreign wars.”

A group of demonstrators staged a protest in front of the White House, urging the U.S. government to stay out of any potential war between Israel and Iran. Protesters also decried the billions of dollars in military aid provided to Israel. With three U.S. aircraft carriers currently stationed in the Middle East, activists demanded that military assets on board—including aircraft and munitions—be used strictly for defense.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has strongly opposed any U.S. involvement in a potential Israel-Iran conflict. In a statement, Sanders wrote, "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not the president of the United States and does not determine our foreign or military policy." He emphasized that if Israel chooses to go to war with Iran, it is their decision—and the U.S. should stay out of it entirely.

The Wall Street Journal reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump has granted policy-level approval for a potential military strike on Iran to halt its nuclear program. However, he has not yet issued a final order.

Trump is reportedly waiting to see whether Tehran shows willingness to reach a last-minute agreement. One of the potential U.S. targets is Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility, which could only be destroyed with the most powerful bombs available.

When previously asked about the possibility of a strike, Trump commented ambiguously: “I may or may not do it.”

North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed deep concern over Israel's military actions in Iran, strongly condemning what it describes as the "mass killing of civilians" as a crime against humanity. The ministry warned that these state-sponsored terrorist attacks could escalate into a full-scale war in the Middle East. It also accused Israel—backed by the United States and Western powers—of acting like a "cancerous entity" in the region and posing a serious threat to global peace and security.

Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan stated that in today's world, information has become a strategic weapon for ensuring national security. “National security no longer relies solely on military strength—it is increasingly dependent on public opinion,” she said.

According to her, withholding information and suppressing the truth can jeopardize both sustainable development and national security. “Disinformation acts as a psychological weapon. To counter this, we need truth, trust, and information-based public awareness,” she emphasized, calling for national unity in this regard.

Rizwana Hasan also pointed to historical parallels, noting that misinformation and conspiracies were among the key reasons behind the defeat in the Battle of Plassey. “Similarly, in today’s digital age, rumors spread through social media pose a serious threat to both national development and security,” she added.

She identified the climate crisis as a critical national security issue for Bangladesh and noted that the UK is ready to assist Bangladesh with satellite-based data and training support.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has finalized four recipients for the National Wildlife Conservation Award 2025 in recognition of their exceptional contributions to wildlife conservation and research. The awardees are:

Md. Fazle Rabbi

Sherpur Bird Conservation Society

Professor Dr. Md. Monowar Hossain

Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka

Each recipient will receive a 22-carat gold medal (two tolas in weight), a cheque for BDT 100,000, and an official certificate of honor.