Two children were killed by lightning in Fulgazi upazila of Feni on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred in the Basantapur Purba Para area. The victims were identified as Nadia Akter, aged 10, daughter of Md. Shahid from Basantapur Purba Para, and Abir Hossain, aged 7, son of Md. Arif from Purba Debpur village in Mahamaya union of Chhagalnaiya upazila. They were cousins.

According to family sources, the children were playing near their home when lightning struck, leaving them critically injured. Relatives quickly took them to Fulgazi Upazila Health Complex, where the attending doctor declared them dead upon arrival. Dr. Anisur Rahman from the emergency department confirmed that both children had died before reaching the hospital.

Fulgazi Police Station Officer-in-Charge S.M. Mizanur Rahman stated that the bodies were handed over to their families after hospital procedures.

Jamaat-e-Islami Central Working Committee member and Supreme Court senior lawyer Shishir Monir publicly praised the Speaker of the National Parliament, Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram, and Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal. The appreciation was expressed in a Facebook post made on Wednesday, where Monir commended both leaders for their roles in conducting the parliament.

In his post, Shishir Monir wrote that the current Speaker and Deputy Speaker’s roles in managing the National Parliament are praiseworthy and extended his congratulations to them. The post drew attention as it came from a senior Jamaat leader and legal professional, highlighting a rare instance of public commendation toward parliamentary leadership from an opposition-linked figure.

The report was published by Amar Desh Online on June 17, 2026, at 21:02 local time, focusing on Monir’s social media remarks and their political significance within the context of parliamentary affairs.

The Bangladesh Jubo Dal has expelled a leader from its Mugda Thana unit following allegations of physically and mentally harassing a journalist. According to a press release issued on Wednesday afternoon, the organization removed Kazi Jewel, former general secretary of the Mugda Thana Jubo Dal, from all party positions, including primary membership. The incident involved multimedia reporter Zahedul Islam Arif of the daily Somoyer Alo, who was reportedly attacked while performing his professional duties.

The report states that the incident occurred during a Jubo Dal protest rally in Dhaka against political propaganda. During the event, Kazi Jewel allegedly assaulted the journalist and behaved inappropriately. The central leadership of Jubo Dal clarified that the organization would not take responsibility for the expelled leader’s misconduct and instructed members to avoid maintaining any organizational ties with him.

The expulsion underscores the party’s attempt to distance itself from acts of violence against media professionals and to reinforce internal discipline within its ranks.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad has accused the BNP of rejecting the February 12 referendum verdict on constitutional reform by using its power. He made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing a meeting with leaders of the Faridpur city and district units of Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Azad stated that 71 percent of voters supported constitutional reform, not mere amendment, and claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami, along with 11 allied parties, continues both parliamentary and street movements to implement the people's verdict. He expressed determination to compel the government to accept this demand through a united public movement.

He further said that Bangladesh remains trapped in corruption and misrule due to a lack of honest and competent leadership, urging Chhatra Shibir members to take responsibility for filling this gap. Azad emphasized character building, ideological development, organizational discipline, and standing by students at all levels.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman expressed displeasure on Wednesday morning after seeing several Sylhet-region MPs waiting at Sylhet MAG Osmani Airport to welcome him instead of attending Parliament. The Prime Minister, who arrived to attend a pre-scheduled program in Moulvibazar, questioned their absence from the ongoing parliamentary session and urged them to return to the House.

Following the Prime Minister’s remarks, Sylhet-6 MP Advocate Emran Ahmad Chowdhury returned to Dhaka in the afternoon and joined the national Parliament session. He later confirmed his attendance through a Facebook post, stating that he followed the Prime Minister’s instruction immediately. Chowdhury also praised Tarek Rahman’s efforts to strengthen Parliament and make it the center of all national activities.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Tarek Rahman traveled from Dhaka to Sylhet and then to Moulvibazar’s Sreemangal, where he distributed ‘Family Cards’ and planted tree saplings at two local school grounds.

Bangladesh began their three-match T20 series against Australia with a defeat in Chattogram on June 17, 2026. The hosts were bowled out for 131 runs in 19 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium. Australia chased down the target with 10 balls to spare, winning by four wickets and taking a 1–0 lead in the series. The second T20 will be played at the same venue on Friday.

Bangladesh struggled with the bat in the absence of regular captain Liton Das, who missed the match due to injury. Saif Hassan scored 20 runs, Soumya Sarkar added 17, and Mehidy Hasan remained unbeaten on 29 to lift the total. Adam Zampa and debutant Joel Davies took three wickets each, while Matt Renshaw claimed two. For Bangladesh, debutant Abdul Gaffar Saklain impressed with two wickets, dismissing Cooper Connolly and Renshaw. Connolly top-scored for Australia with 47 runs.

The result gave Australia an early advantage in the series, leaving Bangladesh needing a win in the next match to stay alive.

The SME Foundation has announced a plan to distribute more than Tk 450 million in loans to micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs across Bangladesh. The loans will be provided under the foundation’s revolving fund through its Credit Wholesaling Program at an 8 percent interest rate. A separate facility, supported by the International Labour Organization, will offer returning migrants loans via the Employment Bank at a 7 percent rate. Agreements were signed in Dhaka with Mutual Trust Bank, Dhaka Bank, and Employment Bank to implement the initiative.

According to the foundation, loans up to Tk 1 million will require no collateral, with repayment periods of up to four years and a six-month grace period. Priority will be given to women, SME clusters, manufacturing, export-oriented and import-substitute industries, IT-based entrepreneurs, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, third-gender entrepreneurs, climate-vulnerable businesses, and returning migrants. At least 25 percent of funds will go to women entrepreneurs and 20 percent to SME clusters.

The SME Foundation stated that loan distribution and recovery will be closely monitored to ensure funds reach genuine entrepreneurs. Since its inception, the foundation has disbursed over Tk 12.5 billion to around 13,000 entrepreneurs under this program.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told Parliament that Bangladesh has initiated steps to build barbed wire fences along the Myanmar border to prevent killings, infiltration, drug and arms trafficking, and other cross-border crimes. He added that plans for constructing similar fences at sensitive points along the Indian border are under consideration. The minister made these remarks during a parliamentary question session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

Responding to lawmakers, the minister said that since August 5, 2024, a total of 2,369 people were pushed in by India’s Border Security Force (BSF), of whom 11 were handed back to the BSF, 183 were pushed back, and the rest were transferred to police stations. He noted that after the West Bengal assembly election, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) thwarted 36 BSF push-in attempts.

Ahmed described the killing of unarmed Bangladeshi citizens by the BSF as tragic and a clear violation of human rights. He said Bangladesh has strongly raised the issue at BGB-BSF director general–level meetings and continues to oppose the use of lethal weapons under the pretext of self-defense.

Saiful Haque, General Secretary of Bangladesh’s Revolutionary Workers Party, has described the Indian Border Security Force’s (BSF) push-in activities as evidence of India’s anti-Bangladesh and aggressive attitude. In a statement to the media on June 17, 2026, he said that India’s hostility toward Bangladesh has intensified since the formation of a BJP government in West Bengal. He expressed strong dissatisfaction and condemnation over the BSF’s alleged actions of forcing people, including women and children, into Bangladeshi territory.

According to Haque, BSF personnel have pushed hundreds of people across the western border into Bangladesh, leaving some stranded in the no-man’s land without food, water, or medical care, creating a severe humanitarian situation. He stated that both countries have legal mechanisms for repatriating citizens, and any forced push-in violates international law.

Haque urged India to immediately stop push-in activities and border killings if it truly seeks friendship with Bangladesh, accusing India of maintaining a double standard by continuing anti-Bangladesh actions while speaking of friendship.

A human chain was organized on Wednesday afternoon in front of the Bahadurabad river terminal in Dewanganj upazila of Jamalpur, demanding the construction of a second Jamuna Bridge on the Bahadurabad-Balashi route. The hour-long demonstration was held under the banner of local residents and was joined by people from various professions, including businesspersons, transport workers, students, and leaders of political and social organizations.

Speakers at the event said the Bahadurabad-Balashi river route has historically been one of the country’s most important communication links, playing a vital role in trade and connectivity between northern and other regions since the British era. They argued that building a bridge on this route would ease travel for millions in the northern region, reduce transport costs, expand trade, and boost agricultural and industrial growth, thereby benefiting the regional economy.

Participants urged the government to take immediate steps to construct the bridge and warned that larger movements could follow if the demand is not met. Locals expressed hope that the government would prioritize the project considering public interest.

A Dhaka court has postponed the unfinished hearing on charge framing in the sedition case against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others, setting July 14 as the new date. The decision came on Wednesday afternoon from Judge Moin Uddin Chowdhury of the Dhaka Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court. Thirty-two detained defendants were presented before the court, where the prosecution began its arguments and the defense sought discharge. As the defense hearing remained incomplete, the court rescheduled the session.

Earlier, the case had been transferred several times between different Dhaka courts. It originated from a complaint filed on March 27 of the previous year by CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Enamul Haque, accusing Sheikh Hasina and 72 others of sedition. Following investigation, a charge sheet was submitted on July 30 naming 286 accused, and arrest warrants were issued on August 14. The case alleges that during a Zoom meeting on December 19, 2024, Sheikh Hasina made anti-state remarks and called for the ouster of interim government head Dr Muhammad Yunus.

The court proceedings will resume on July 14 to complete the defense hearing before deciding on charge framing.

About 340 tons of government rice allocated for sea-going fishermen and beneficiaries under the Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) program remain undistributed in Tazumuddin upazila of Bhola. Although delivery orders were issued, the rice could not be transported due to a shortage of funds for transport costs. The rice, which includes expired and newly allocated stocks, has been lying in the local food warehouse beyond the scheduled distribution period, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the government’s food aid program.

Officials said that several unions failed to collect their allocations within the designated time, leaving large quantities of rice stored in the warehouse. Beneficiaries complained that despite having official documents, they have not received their food aid. Local representatives cited insufficient government transport allowances as the main reason for the delay, while officials from the Women Affairs Office and the Food Department gave differing statements about the status of distribution.

Local observers warned that if the issue is not resolved quickly, it could disrupt upcoming grain storage and procurement operations and undermine the objectives of the government’s food assistance initiatives.

A police officer has testified as the first witness in a case against former Awami League MP Abul Hasanat Abdullah and three others over the alleged crossfire killings of two men in Agailjhara, Barishal, on February 21, 2015. The testimony was given on Wednesday before International Crimes Tribunal-2, marking the formal start of the trial.

In his statement, witness Asim Kumar Sarkar, now Officer-in-Charge of Barishal Sadar Naval Police Station, described events leading up to the killings. He said that at the time he was a sub-inspector at Agailjhara Police Station and was instructed by his superiors to file a case after a pickup van was set on fire. He testified that the Superintendent of Police later ordered him to carry out a crossfire killing of two arrested suspects, which he refused.

According to the testimony, the two detainees, Tipu Hawlader and Kabir Hossain, were later killed in what was reported as a crossfire incident. The witness claimed officers from another police station were brought in to execute the operation after local officers declined to participate.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman told Parliament that Bangladesh has recently signed an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States. The deal ensures zero-duty benefits for garments made from US cotton and is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s position in global supply chains while attracting foreign investment and enhancing energy security.

He said expanding export markets, diversifying exports, attracting international investment, and achieving employment-oriented growth are key government priorities. The government is emphasizing economic diplomacy to engage local entrepreneurs in global trade and boost economic dynamism through foreign investment. Relevant agencies, including BIDA, BEZA, and the Ministry of Commerce, are working together toward these goals.

The minister added that Bangladesh is pursuing trade agreements such as PTAs, FTAs, and CEPAs with several countries, including the UAE, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, while also seeking stronger ties with regional blocs like GCC and Mercosur. He also noted new export opportunities for agricultural products, such as potatoes to Vietnam and ongoing efforts to export mangoes to Malaysia.

A Bangladeshi youth named Dipjal Ahmed, aged 26, has gone missing near the Uttarkul border in Zakiganj upazila of Sylhet, sparking tension among residents of both Bangladesh and India. Locals allege that Indian Border Security Force (BSF) members shot and killed Dipjal and kept his body on the Indian side. However, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has not yet confirmed the authenticity of the claim and stated that Dipjal remains missing.

According to local accounts, Dipjal and several others reportedly crossed into India on Sunday night. When returning, BSF personnel allegedly chased and fired at them. The others managed to flee back to Bangladesh, but Dipjal did not return. The incident led to unrest in the area, and on Tuesday, agitated locals detained an Indian farmer named Ranjit Das, who was later handed back to BSF unharmed through BGB intervention.

Local authorities, including the union council chairman and police, confirmed that the missing person’s status remains unresolved, and it is still unknown whether he is alive or dead.