Bangladesh is facing a severe disparity in electricity supply between urban and rural areas, with rural residents enduring long hours without power while Dhaka remains largely unaffected. On Sunday, despite a national load shedding record of 3,280 megawatts, the capital experienced no outages. Protests erupted in several districts, where residents blocked roads and attacked power offices over frequent blackouts. In Jamalpur’s Madarganj, hundreds surrounded a local power station, citing disruptions to students’ studies. According to the Power Division, national electricity demand reached 17,278 megawatts, but only 13,998 megawatts were supplied. While Dhaka’s utilities met full demand, rural areas under the Rural Electrification Board faced significant shortfalls. Officials reported that 65 percent of power plants remain idle, with gas and coal shortages limiting production. The government continues to pay high capacity charges for unused plants. Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud stated in parliament that production has improved to 14,500 megawatts against a demand of 14,839 megawatts and assured efforts to stabilize supply. Authorities are considering increasing output from oil-based plants to ease the crisis.

The bodies of five Bangladeshi expatriates who died in a road accident in Qatar’s Shahaniya area arrived at Sylhet Osmani International Airport on Tuesday morning. The accident occurred on June 21, resulting in the deaths of five workers from different villages in Sylhet’s Kanaighat upazila. According to the Labour Welfare Wing, the bodies were sent from Hamad International Airport on Monday night at 10:15 p.m. local time via Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-226. The flight landed in Sylhet at 6:50 a.m. on Tuesday. The deceased were identified as Abdul Kadir of Gachbari village, Mustak Ahmed Afnan and Jubayer Ahmed of Majhtaluk village, Jasim Uddin of Agataluk village, and Jibal Ahmed of Amorpur village. The Bangladesh embassy confirmed that the repatriation process was arranged with financial support from the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump indicated during an extended Oval Office discussion that he wants to end the ongoing conflict with Iran by any means. While focusing on domestic issues, he briefly mentioned his desire to move away from the Iran war, expressing fatigue with the situation. Trump has also been pushing for the passage of the 'Save America Voting Act', which he referenced during the meeting. Reports suggest that Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to meet another negotiating team in Doha on Tuesday. Both sides reportedly hope to end the fighting, which had previously seen repeated ceasefire violations but is currently paused. Mediators have expressed frustration, noting the difficulty of sustaining dialogue between the parties. Trump stated that he is willing to hold talks and claimed that Iranian representatives also want discussions, though Iran has denied this. The situation remains uncertain until direct talks occur, but it is clear that Trump seeks a way out of the conflict, describing other matters as exhausting.

The process of forming a new central committee for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, has reached its final stage, pending approval from BNP chairperson and organizational guardian Tarique Rahman. The move comes amid renewed controversy over the age of top Chhatra Dal leaders, with many reportedly in their mid to late 30s, far older than regular university students. The issue has sparked criticism within student politics and on social media, as the organization faces questions about whether it still represents active students. According to the report, Chhatra Dal’s constitution has not yet been finalized, and the draft version does not specify any age limit for leadership positions. In contrast, other student organizations typically maintain leadership within the 25–30 age range. Some Chhatra Dal leaders argue that experienced figures should retain leadership to preserve organizational stability, while others demand a clear age cap and a structured transition to youth and main BNP politics to ensure generational renewal. Party insiders said the final decision on age criteria and leadership selection will rest with Tarique Rahman, who is expected to determine the composition of both central and university committees soon.

South Korea’s World Cup campaign ended in disappointment as head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned after the team failed to advance beyond the group stage. Just 24 hours after their elimination was confirmed, Hong announced his decision at a press conference, taking full responsibility for the team’s early exit. South Korea had started the tournament strongly with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic but then suffered consecutive defeats to Mexico and South Africa, which sealed their fate. In his post-match remarks, Hong expressed deep regret for not meeting the expectations of fans and apologized to supporters, saying that as coach he bore all responsibility for the results. He added that although stepping down was difficult, his love for Korean football would remain, and he would continue to support the team as a fan. The sudden resignation has dealt a major blow to South Korean football, leaving uncertainty over who will take charge of the team as it seeks to rebuild after the disappointing campaign.

A local BNP leader, Md. Mamun Sikdar, aged 50, was seriously injured in an attack in Patiya upazila of Chattogram on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. near the Kirinja Bridge area of Chanharra Union when alleged extortionists assaulted him with sharp weapons after he refused to pay a demanded sum of one lakh taka. Locals rescued the injured leader and took him to Patiya Upazila Health Complex, from where he was referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. According to local and victim accounts, Mamun Sikdar, a former joint secretary of Chanharra Union BNP, runs a sand business using boats from Anwara canal. The alleged attacker, identified as Md. Sohel from Ashia area, reportedly demanded money and attacked when refused. Locals said Sohel is accused in about 20 cases and had recently been released on bail. The attack has caused tension in the area. Patiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ziaul Haque confirmed receiving a written complaint and said legal action would follow after investigation.

Several devotees have expressed anger and disappointment following reports of large-scale financial irregularities in the donation funds of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, India. Allegations surfaced that cash, gold, and silver items donated by worshippers were embezzled. The case has reached the Supreme Court, which directed Uttar Pradesh Police to form a three-member special team. Based on its report, Ayodhya Police arrested eight individuals linked to the alleged misappropriation. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has denied all allegations, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath vowed strict action, saying no one would be spared if found guilty. The accused, including temple staff responsible for counting donations, face charges of theft, criminal breach of trust, fraud, and conspiracy. The scandal began after whistleblower Mahipal Singh, a former accounts supervisor, raised internal concerns and was later removed from his post. The controversy has drawn political attention, with opposition leaders demanding a court-monitored investigation and temporary suspension of trust members. The temple, inaugurated in 2024, reportedly received donations worth about 33 billion rupees in 2024–25, making it one of India’s wealthiest religious sites.

The medical emergency in the war-torn Gaza Strip is worsening, with the region’s health ministry reporting a sharp decline in access to treatment outside Gaza. According to ministry data, under a U.S.-led agreement reached last October, about 21,000 people were supposed to receive permission to leave Gaza for medical care. In reality, fewer than 7,500 have been allowed to travel, representing only 36 percent of the target. Roughly one-third of those expected to travel were emergency patients, each entitled to two companions. Many of these patients remain trapped in Gaza without the necessary permits, facing life-threatening delays in treatment. Nasser Hospital continues to operate under extreme strain, hampered by severe shortages of medicines, medical equipment, and essential supplies. The crisis has been compounded by Israeli military actions in Khan Younis, where ambulance vehicles were damaged during operations, and Nasser Hospital was raided twice. Health authorities report that the damaged ambulances, marked by bullet holes and fire damage, have drastically reduced the ability to transport and treat the wounded promptly.

At least 4,257 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon, according to the country’s health ministry. The ministry reported that more than 12,000 others have been injured since the strikes began on March 2. The ongoing violence has severely affected civilians and worsened the humanitarian situation across Lebanon. After months of direct negotiations, Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement on Friday with mediation from the United States. However, the deal does not include any obligation for Israel to withdraw its forces from occupied Lebanese territories. This omission has raised new concerns about the durability of the agreement and the prospects for peace. Despite continued diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, the absence of a clear commitment to troop withdrawal has left the situation uncertain, with humanitarian conditions deteriorating further as casualties continue to rise.

A massive dead baleen whale, about 56 feet long and 16 feet wide, washed ashore on Kuakata beach in Patuakhali on Monday, June 29, 2026. The whale was first spotted around noon near Kauar Char Basudha Island by a local tour guide, who alerted volunteers and the Forest Department. Officials later arrived at the site and confirmed the discovery. Preliminary observations suggest the whale may have died about a week earlier, though the exact cause remains unknown. According to the Kuakata Dolphin Conservation Committee, similar incidents occurred in 2018, 2022, and earlier in June 2026, raising concern over repeated strandings of whales, dolphins, and turtles. Experts from Patuakhali Science and Technology University identified the species as a baleen whale and noted that environmental changes, food scarcity, disease, ship collisions, or ocean currents could be factors. Forest officials buried the decomposing carcass to prevent odor and public health hazards. Local authorities emphasized the need for scientific research and preservation of the skeleton for future study.

Bangladesh Bank has announced a special exit facility allowing defaulting borrowers to settle their dues in one payment with relaxed conditions for interest waivers. The circular, issued on Monday to all scheduled banks, aims to reduce non-performing loans and enhance banks’ capacity to issue new credit. The central bank stated that borrowers facing financial difficulties but still capable of operating their businesses and willing to repay will be eligible for this one-time exit option. According to the circular, loans classified as substandard or bad up to June 30 of the current year will qualify for the facility, subject to board approval based on banker–customer relationships. The requirement for banks to recover their cost of funds before waiving interest has been eased, and both state-owned and private banks may now offer interest waivers. The policy also prioritizes short-term agricultural loans and CMSME sector loans. The directive, issued under the Bank Company Act 1991, will remain effective until December 31. Bangladesh Bank expects the measure to help reduce bad loans and support production, investment, and employment growth.

Ahsan Habib has been appointed as the acting chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and acting secretary of the Internal Resources Division. He replaces the current chairman, Md. Abdur Rahman Khan. The Ministry of Public Administration issued separate notifications regarding the appointment on Monday night. Before this appointment, Ahsan Habib served as an NBR member and director general of the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC). He took charge of the CIC soon after the interim government led by Dr. Yunus assumed office in August 2024. During his tenure, he brought several major industrial tax evasion cases to light. The interim government had earlier reshuffled the tax administration, transferring 40 tax commissioners in a rare move in NBR’s history. Ahsan Habib previously served as commissioner of Tax Region-15 in Dhaka and was later promoted to NBR member before this latest appointment. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology from the University of Dhaka, where he graduated first class first in both examinations.

Opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for the inclusion of budget allocations for Qawmi madrasa education in the proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year. Speaking on the 18th day of the budget session of the 13th National Parliament, he also demanded allocations for ibtedayi madrasas and all eligible non-MPO private educational institutions to be brought under the MPO system. During the session, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Dr. Rahman noted that Qawmi institutions fear losing their educational independence if they accept government funding. He urged the government to consult with the central Qawmi body, Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh, to ensure that any support respects their autonomy. He further emphasized the need for a neutral committee to assess and approve MPO inclusion based on merit, avoiding political bias. Dr. Rahman added that while private education may serve the wealthy, ensuring quality public education for ordinary citizens should remain a core state responsibility.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central assistant secretary general Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad said that if the long-term master plan prepared by MIDAS is implemented, Cox’s Bazar could become one of South Asia’s major economic hubs. He made the remarks on Monday at a discussion titled “Law and Order Situation and Development Vision of Cox’s Bazar,” organized by the district Jamaat at its office. Dr. Azad criticized the government for prioritizing partisanship over promised reforms, good governance, and accountability. He described the current budget as debt-dependent and unrealistic, citing an ambitious revenue target of about 6.9 trillion taka despite past shortfalls. He also highlighted environmental and infrastructural problems in Cox’s Bazar, including the absence of a sewage treatment plant, unclean beaches, and mismanagement in tourism. He further emphasized the urgent need for a sustainable embankment in Kutubdia to protect 150,000 residents, along with ferry services and jetty repairs. Azad identified traffic congestion, road accidents, salt syndicates, lack of higher education institutions, and the pressure of 1.5 million Rohingya refugees as major challenges to the district’s development and security.

Dhaka North unit of Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a month-long program titled “Second Independence, 36 July” to commemorate the July Revolution. The announcement was made on Monday at a press briefing held at the party’s Baridhara office by Mohammad Selim Uddin, the unit’s amir and DNCC mayoral candidate. The program includes rallies, meetings, graffiti painting, and discussions throughout July and early August. According to the schedule, graffiti painting will take place from July 1 to 10, meetings with families of martyrs from July 11 to 16, and exhibitions and discussions from July 17 to 30. A special gathering involving teachers and students will be held on July 24, followed by prayer sessions on July 31. From August 1 to 4, separate assemblies for clerics, workers, and women are planned, culminating in a mass rally in Dhaka on August 5 demanding implementation of the July Charter. Selim Uddin stated that the Dhaka North unit will play an active role in implementing the central programs and criticized the government for failing to fulfill its constitutional reform promises. The party’s central leadership is expected to announce additional programs on Tuesday at the National Press Club.