The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has published the full text of its ruling overturning a previous High Court verdict that scrapped the 15% income tax on private universities. The decision clears the way for the government to impose a 15% income tax on private universities.

Earlier, on February 27, 2024, the Appellate Division nullified the High Court’s ruling that had declared two government notifications on the 15% tax illegal.

Despite a longstanding ban on political activities at Gono University in Savar, an affiliate committee of the BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal, has been announced with 12 members. This move directly violates the university’s founding policies, which require students to pledge abstention from political involvement as a condition of admission.

Md. Nirjon, president of the newly declared committee, said, “Gono University is a politics-free campus, and we enrolled here under that understanding. We are not conducting any party-related activities inside the campus premises.”

Former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nur was besieged in Patuakhali's Galachipa upazila following violent clashes between BNP and Gono Odhikar Parishad activists. The conflict began after Nur’s critical remarks about local BNP leaders, triggering retaliatory protests and counter-attacks. Both party offices were vandalized, and around 50 people were injured. BNP activists blocked Nur’s path until midnight, prompting army and police intervention. The situation remains tense, with both sides trading blame and staging rival demonstrations across the region, despite calls from central leaders for restraint.

Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan stated that following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, Indian media began spreading false allegations of minority persecution in Bangladesh. He said that these claims were exposed as false by the Bangladeshi government, independent fact-checkers, and journalists. Mahmud shared a documentary by Deepak Kumar Goswami and Shahriar Sajib that presents real experiences of citizens and reveals the truth behind the propaganda. He emphasized Bangladesh is a nation for all religions.

A former officer-in-charge (OC) was assaulted by a mob while shopping at a local market in Mirpur on Thursday. Around 10–12 individuals, identifying themselves as activists of the BNP's volunteer wing, Swachhasebak Dal, surrounded and physically attacked him. They allegedly stole his cash and mobile phone. Police later rescued the victim, Masudur Rahman, and arrested five Swachhasebak Dal members at the scene.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a weather advisory forecasting partly cloudy skies and light to moderate rainfall in various regions by this evening. Areas including Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, and Cox’s Bazar may experience gusty winds at speeds of 45–60 km/h from the south or southeast. River ports in these areas have been advised to hoist cautionary signal number 1. On Thursday, Rajshahi recorded the highest temperature at 37.3°C.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has expressed deep sorrow over the devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. The crash has so far claimed 204 lives. The aircraft reportedly crashed into a medical college dining hall, killing and injuring students. The organization extended heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and the medical college community.

Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus received the prestigious "King Charles Harmony Award 2025" on Thursday at a ceremony held at St. James’s Palace in London. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed the honor, which was presented on behalf of King Charles III. Introduced in June 2024, the award celebrates sustainable living in harmony with nature. The first recipient of the award was former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

UK MP Tulip Siddiq has expressed disappointment after Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus declined to meet her during her London visit. "I am deeply disappointed that Dr. Yunus refused to meet me during my stay in London," she said. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has alleged that Tulip and her mother misused their authority to acquire a 7,200-square-foot plot of land. Tulip has denied the allegations.

Patuakhali's Patabunia Bazaar witnessed multiple violent clashes on Thursday night between supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Gono Odhikar Parishad. At least 50 activists from both parties were injured in a series of attacks and acts of vandalism. Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur was reportedly trapped at the location until 1:30 AM. Despite the presence of police and army personnel, authorities struggled to bring the situation under control. Additional police forces have since been deployed.

The Eid-ul-Adha holidays for government and private colleges in Bangladesh concluded on Thursday. However, with the weekend falling on Friday and Saturday, educational institutions will reopen on Sunday, when classes and administrative activities will resume. Colleges enjoyed a 10-day holiday this Eid. According to the academic calendar, primary schools will reopen on June 24, secondary schools and technical institutions on June 22, and madrasas on June 26.

Bangladesh is witnessing a rise in COVID-19 cases due to the new XFJ sub-variant. So far this year, 225 cases have been detected from 3,088 samples tested. Despite warnings from the health authorities to avoid gatherings and use masks, compliance has been alarmingly low. Director General of Health Services, Professor Dr. Abu Zafar, warned that ignoring these guidelines could lead to severe consequences, as experts predict greater risks if precautions are not taken.

Police in Narayanganj have arrested three individuals involved in the abduction of two youths for a Tk 2 lakh ransom. The arrested suspects are Mahbubur Rahman Shishir (35), Rubel Mia (29), and Suman (28). Several others, including Roni (40), Babul (48), and around 10-12 more kidnappers managed to flee during the police raid in Dhamgarh Union’s West Keodhala area.

Led by Jamaat-e-Islami leader Humayun Kabir, activists repaired a nearly one-kilometre stretch of severely damaged road in Talatala area of Manikganj’s Ward 9 through voluntary labour. Kabir stated that the road had been unusable for a long time, and party members undertook the repair entirely with their own effort. Local residents are now benefiting from the improved road condition.

Marking World Day Against Child Labour, a joint report by ILO and UNICEF revealed that hazardous child labour in Bangladesh declined from 3.2% in 2013 to 2.7% in 2022, meaning approximately 1.07 million children have been withdrawn from dangerous work. However, the overall child labour rate among children aged 5-17 slightly increased from 8.7% to 8.9%. The report also noted that children involved in 'hazardous work' increased marginally from 4.3% to 4.4%. Currently, 61% of child labour occurs in agriculture, 27% in services, and 13% in industry.