Rail communication between Khulna and the rest of Bangladesh was restored after a five-hour disruption caused by the derailment of a freight train near Uthuli Railway Station in Chuadanga. The incident occurred around 5:45 PM on Friday, halting several passenger trains and causing significant delays. A relief train from Ishwardi arrived at the site around 10 PM and completed recovery within 30 minutes. Trains stranded at nearby stations resumed their journeys shortly afterward, and services returned to normal.

A freight train carrying molasses from Mongla to Sirajganj Bazar derailed at Uthli in Chuadanga’s Jibannagar upazila on Friday evening, causing a complete suspension of train operations between Khulna and the rest of the country. The incident occurred when the train was switching from a loop line to the main line, causing four wheels of the guard brake coach to derail. Authorities have sent a relief train from Ishwardi, and recovery efforts will begin soon. All train movement remains halted until further notice.

A drive-by shooting outside a lounge in downtown Chicago has left four people dead and 14 injured. The attack occurred in the River North area during a private event hosted by rapper Melo Buckzz. Victims, mostly aged 21 to 32, include both men and women. At least three are critically injured. Police recovered two types of shell casings, suggesting multiple shooters. No arrests have been made, and authorities are reviewing CCTV footage. The lounge will remain closed during the investigation.

A wildfire on Greece’s Chios Island, reportedly caused by a discarded cigarette, burned 10,000 acres over three days. A Georgian woman was arrested for suspected accidental arson. Fires have since spread to other Greek islands and parts of Europe, including Germany and Spain, driven by extreme heat and strong winds. Thousands have been evacuated, and homes damaged, with at least two deaths in Spain’s Catalonia region. Experts say climate change is intensifying the frequency and impact of such wildfires across southern Europe.

From January to June 2025, Bangladesh witnessed 17,957 road accidents resulting in 2,778 deaths and 17,826 injuries, according to a report by the research group Save the Road. Additionally, 14 people died in 615 waterway accidents, and another 14 in 526 railway accidents during the same period.

The highest number of fatalities involved three-wheelers, buses, motorcycles, and trucks. The organization blamed police negligence and systemic mismanagement for the crisis and issued a seven-point demand. These include declaring a “Road Safety Day,” providing compensation to victims, banning unfit vehicles, eliminating corruption in the transport sector, and forming a dedicated transport police battalion.

In Muradnagar, Comilla, a violent mob attack resulting in the death of three family members was premeditated during multiple meetings the night before. The conflict originated over a stolen mobile phone involving a local schoolteacher and associates of a drug dealer, Roksana Begum Ruby. Long-standing feuds and accusations of drug trafficking fueled the violence. Police are investigating and searching for the masterminds. Survivors are receiving medical treatment, while locals live in fear amid a heavy police presence and mass fleeing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin postponed his departure from a conference on Thursday to take a scheduled call with U.S. President Donald Trump—their sixth public conversation since Trump’s second term began. Apologizing to the attendees, Putin joked, “Trump might get angry if I keep him waiting.” The call occurred amid growing geopolitical tensions, as U.S. military aid to Ukraine was paused and Russia intensified its military operations. Reports also suggest Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was scheduled to join the conversation.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was asked to leave the Oval Office during a high-level defense meeting led by former President Donald Trump, according to NBC News. Lacking proper security clearance, his presence reportedly raised concern among officials. However, Daily Mail reports that Zuckerberg voluntarily stepped out at the President’s request and later held a separate meeting with Trump. While Zuckerberg’s political stance has shifted over time, he was seen as supportive of Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign and attended the 2025 inauguration.

At least seven people were killed and several others injured following a powerful explosion in Syria’s central Hama province. The blast occurred after a fire broke out in a fuel tanker in a rural area located north of Damascus and southwest of Aleppo. Local media reported the incident citing a source from the provincial police. The number of casualties is considered preliminary and may rise. The cause of the explosion remains unknown, but authorities have launched an investigation to determine what triggered the deadly blast.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Shah Poran, the alleged mastermind behind the brutal public assault of a woman in Muradnagar, Comilla. The incident, which was recorded and circulated on social media, was reportedly orchestrated by Poran as an act of revenge against his brother Fazor Ali over a personal dispute.

According to RAB, Poran used messaging app IMO to gather a group and execute the planned assault, which was filmed as part of the intimidation. He was arrested in Burichang, and law enforcement recovered video evidence and other materials from him. A manhunt is ongoing to capture others involved in the incident.

North Korea has strongly condemned the recent reaffirmation by the Quad alliance—comprising the U.S., Australia, Japan, and India—of its commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang labeled the Quad’s stance a “grave political provocation” and accused the group of attempting to unilaterally alter regional dynamics through coercive measures.

North Korea also criticized the United States for allegedly fabricating "cyber threats" against the regime, warning that such provocations could lead to serious consequences.

In a powerful open letter published by Reuters, eleven imprisoned Russian political activists have appealed to world leaders to stand with those persecuted for their beliefs. They claim over 10,000 Russians and Ukrainian civilians are currently jailed for opposing the government or supporting democracy.

The letter condemns Russia's repressive legal system, citing over 100 oppressive laws passed between 2012 and 2022. It calls for the unconditional release of ill prisoners and demands an immediate exchange of prisoners of war and civilians caught in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Although Saudi Arabia publicly condemned Israeli airstrikes during a recent 12-day conflict with Iran, a report by Israel Hayom alleges that Riyadh covertly assisted Israel. The report claims that the Saudi Air Force, with support from Jordan and Iraq, deployed helicopters to intercept Iranian drones.

While Saudi Arabia has not officially acknowledged this collaboration, the revelation has drawn criticism from Iran, which views such actions as contradictory and damaging, especially given the involvement of fellow Muslim-majority nations.

The Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) has allegedly removed Novartis Bangladesh Limited's information from its website without legal grounds, prompting concerns among legal experts and foreign investors. The company profile has been locked, blocking any share transfers despite no pending litigation or court orders.

Despite two formal requests from the company, the profile remains inaccessible. When contacted, the registrar's office stated that any clarification must be sought in person, adding to the frustration surrounding the lack of transparency.

A remarkable example of interfaith unity in history is the story of Rahab Sidh Datt, a Hindu Saraswat Brahmin from India, who fought alongside Imam Hussain in the Battle of Karbala. He and his seven sons sacrificed their lives in support of the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) grandson.

Their descendants, known as Hussaini Brahmins, still participate in Ashura commemorations, honoring Shia Islamic traditions regardless of religious differences. Historians and scholars cite this as a profound example of cultural and spiritual ties between Islam and the Indian subcontinent.