During a morning operation in Dhobagul, the army recovered another 250,000 cubic feet of looted white stone, bringing the total recovered to approximately 400,000 cubic feet. Meanwhile, the Fire Service and local administration have begun restoration work, leveling pits in the affected areas.

Police had earlier arrested five individuals involved in the looting from the eastern bank of the Dhulai River. Environmentalists and local business owners estimate that nearly 15 million cubic feet of stone worth over BDT 20 billion have been illegally extracted from Sylhet over the past year.

A violent confrontation broke out in Bijoynagar, Brahmanbaria, stemming from an online dispute on Facebook, leaving more than 50 people injured. The conflict began between two youths from Hajipur village and escalated into an attack on Arju Mia and Aklima Begum on July 14.

Tensions remained high in the area, culminating in a clash between hundreds from the Pathanbari and Oikkibari communities on Saturday morning. Authorities deployed additional police forces to prevent further escalation. No formal complaints have been filed yet.

Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman emphasized the importance of maintaining harmony and peaceful coexistence among all communities in Bangladesh. Speaking during the inauguration of the Janmashtami procession at Palashi Mor, he extended his greetings to followers of the Sanatan Dharma.

General Waker said, “In Bangladesh, whether Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, or members of hill and Bengali communities, we live together in harmony. On this day, we pledge to continue fostering this spirit of cordiality and ensure that we coexist peacefully in our country.”

He assured that law enforcement agencies are deployed across the nation and pledged the military’s support for public safety. “Together, we will share the joy of this festival,” he added. He also hoped that Lord Krishna’s ideals would inspire everyone on Janmashtami. The ceremony concluded with the three service chiefs lighting ceremonial lamps, officially marking the start of the celebrations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that he will meet Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Monday to hold in-depth talks on ending the war and bloodshed.

Zelensky expressed gratitude for Trump’s invitation, stating, “Ukraine is prepared to make every possible effort to establish peace — and we reaffirmed that commitment.”

Earlier, Zelensky held a “long and important discussion” with Trump, followed by a briefing with European leaders at the Alaska summit. However, he noted that he was not included in Trump’s recent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“President Trump has informed us of the key issues he discussed with President Putin. It is vital that U.S. influence continues to shape progress in this situation,” Zelensky added.

Government adviser Faozul Kabir Khan has stressed the need for faster implementation of development projects to curb waste and corruption, while also reducing reliance on foreign contractors.

Speaking at the inauguration of the fuel pipeline from Patenga to Dhaka, he said, “With our limited resources, we must minimize waste. Road construction costs in Bangladesh are already higher than in many South Asian countries. Delays in implementation drive costs further up due to currency fluctuations and rising material prices.”

He noted that three state-owned oil companies will now use the new pipeline to transport fuel from Chattogram to Godnail in Narayanganj and Fatullah in Dhaka via Cumilla’s Borura. The system is expected to save billions of taka, prevent theft, and reduce spillage.

Two veterinarians and a wildlife worker have been critically injured while treating an elephant wounded in a landmine explosion along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. They were flown to Dhaka by a Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) helicopter for advanced medical care.

The injured have been identified as Dr. Hatem Sajjat Md. Julkarnaine, veterinary surgeon Dr. Md. Mostafizur Rahman, and Md. Atikur Rahman, member-secretary of Save the Nature of Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar branch.

According to BGB, the team had gone to the hill area of Baluchhara Dakshin in Rajarkul Thoaiyngkata, Ramu upazila, on Friday afternoon to treat the elephant injured by a landmine blast. During the treatment, the distressed elephant suddenly turned aggressive and attacked the team, leaving all three severely injured. BGB personnel swiftly rescued them and arranged immediate evacuation to Dhaka.

Political analyst Badiul Alam Majumdar has said a free and fair election cannot take place unless the government allows it.

“By February, an election is essential for the sake of the country,” he stated. “If a level playing field is not ensured, the polls will be biased. Another controversial election would push the country toward an uncertain future.”

Majumdar added that reforms are necessary, since repeating past methods will only reproduce disputed results. He stressed that political parties, field administration, and law enforcement must play their roles properly, as the Election Commission alone cannot guarantee fairness.

Bangladesh, along with 30 other nations, has strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent remarks about his so-called “Greater Israel Vision.”

In a joint statement, Arab and Islamic foreign ministers—along with the heads of the Arab League, OIC, and GCC—branded the comments a “gross violation of international law” and a “direct threat to Arab national security and regional peace.”

The statement also denounced extremist Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich’s approval of settlement expansion near the West Bank and his racist comments against a Palestinian state. Arab leaders reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and unhindered humanitarian aid, urging the UN Security Council—especially the United States—to force Israel to halt its ongoing aggression.

The army has seized a large stockpile of weapons and explosive-making materials during a raid at a coaching center named Doctor’s English in Rajshahi city.

The operation led to the arrest of the center’s director, Muntasirul Alam Anindya (35), along with two others. Anindya is the son of former Rajshahi BNP vice-president Shofiul Alam Lattu and a cousin of former mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton. He had previously been arrested in connection with the Holey Artisan attack investigation and the murder of Professor Rezaul Karim Siddique.

Recovered items include two foreign air rifles, a revolver, six locally made weapons, explosives, GPS equipment, walkie-talkies, binoculars, passports, NIDs, six monitors, three computers, three scanners, and 35 bottles of alcohol.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has reaffirmed that the national election will take place on the date announced by the Chief Adviser. “We have nothing to add beyond Sir’s words. The election will be held on the declared date,” he told reporters.

Acknowledging rising extortion complaints in Mohammadpur and Mirpur, the adviser warned, “No extortionist, regardless of their identity, will be spared.” When asked about allegations of extortion involving another adviser, he declined to comment.

Chowdhury further stressed, “The power belongs to the people. If citizens are determined to vote, no force can prevent the election.”

Thieves broke into the Rupsha Ghat branch of Bangladesh Krishi Bank in Khulna on Friday night, stealing nearly Tk 16 lakh after breaking open locks and the vault.

Police confirmed that no arrests have been made so far.

Witnesses said a security guard noticed the bank’s collapsible gate lock had been cut around 10 p.m. and raised the alarm. Locals then informed Rupsha police.

Branch manager Kamrul Islam said more than Tk 16 lakh was stored in the vault, but only Tk 1,400 was recovered after the break-in.

Additional Superintendent of Police Saiful Islam said the robbers broke multiple locks to enter the bank and then forced open the vault. “There should have been security at the time, but the guard was absent during the incident,” he added.

All import-export operations at Hili Land Port in Dinajpur have been suspended today in observance of Sri Krishna Janmashtami.

While port activities remain closed, cross-border travel through the immigration checkpoint for passport holders is operating normally.

Ferdous Rahman, president of the Hili C&F Agents Association, said imports from India and all internal port functions were suspended from Saturday morning in honor of the Hindu festival. Normal trade will resume on Sunday morning.

Police have arrested five suspects in connection with the large-scale looting of valuable white stones from the Volagonj quarry in Sylhet.

Earlier, a case had been filed against 2,000 unidentified individuals over the theft, which officials say has cost the state crores of taka. The case was lodged Friday night by Mohammad Anwarul Habib, Director General of the Bureau of Mineral Development.

According to the case statement, miscreants began illegally extracting and stealing stones from the government-registered Volagonj quarry after August 5 last year. Authorities have urged investigators to identify those involved and ensure legal action is taken.

The Kremlin has described the recent meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska as “extremely positive.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the leaders chose not to take questions from reporters afterward because “both had already made comprehensive statements, so there was no need.” He added that the discussions would allow the two leaders to “move forward with confidence” in seeking alternative paths to peace.

Following nearly three hours of talks, Trump told reporters the meeting had been “very productive,” but acknowledged that some issues remain unresolved. He said he would now consult with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO allies, emphasizing that “any deal ultimately depends on their agreement.”

“There has been significant progress, but we have not yet reached the final stage,” Trump said.

Putin echoed Trump’s remarks, stating he too was “genuinely interested” in ending the war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that the war in Ukraine would not have broken out had Donald Trump been in office in 2022.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Putin said he had tried to convince President Joe Biden not to push the situation to a stage where “military action could lead to severe consequences.” He noted that Trump has repeatedly insisted he could have prevented the conflict if he had been in power instead of Biden.

“President Trump and I established a very good, businesslike, and trustworthy communication,” Putin said. “I believe that if we proceed along that path, we can bring an end to the Ukraine conflict — and the sooner, the better.”

Acknowledging Trump’s “friendly tone,” Putin also remarked that U.S.-Russia relations have been difficult in the past but stressed that “the situation needs correction.”