Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2 magnitude struck Venezuela, causing widespread devastation across several regions. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the death toll could surpass 10,000 due to the poor earthquake resistance of most buildings. The first quake hit near San Felipe, about 284 kilometers west of Caracas, followed 39 seconds later by a stronger tremor near Yumar, roughly 293 kilometers west of the capital. A tsunami warning was initially issued but later withdrawn. Severe damage has been reported in Trujillo, Carabobo, Miranda, and La Guaira states, where numerous buildings collapsed. A resident of La Guaira said the airport sustained major damage, though it was not completely destroyed, and roads cracked, disrupting transportation. Miranda’s Chacao mayor feared heavy casualties but did not specify numbers. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed extensive destruction nationwide and said authorities were still assessing the full extent of the damage. The government has prioritized rescue operations as assessments continue to determine the total human and infrastructural losses.

Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain inaugurated canal and stream re-excavation works in the city’s South Pahartali area on Wednesday as part of an ongoing initiative to reduce waterlogging, improve the environment, and restore natural water flow. The mayor visited Dhulunia Dhala, Khagria, and Khoshal Shah canals during the launch and urged those occupying canal areas illegally to remove their structures voluntarily, warning that legal measures would follow if they failed to comply. He noted that slabs and structures built over canals obstruct cleaning operations and said the city authority is identifying such problems to make the canal system clean and functional. Work is being carried out ward by ward to identify causes of waterlogging and implement planned solutions. The mayor added that development plans for 40 canals are being prepared, including deepening, constructing retaining walls, removing illegal encroachments, and building modern walkways. Dr. Hossain emphasized that protecting the Halda River requires ensuring the natural flow of its connected canals and streams. He called for active participation from residents in monitoring the quality of ongoing excavation and renovation work to build a clean, environmentally friendly, and waterlogging-free Chattogram.

A series of reports and eyewitness accounts describe escalating violence, discrimination, and state-backed repression against Muslims across India in 2026. In Purulia, West Bengal, a Muslim street vendor was killed by extremist mobs, while others faced police harassment and false charges. Human rights organizations documented widespread attacks, including the demolition of at least 23 mosques, madrasas, and shrines in BJP-ruled states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. The demolitions often occurred without legal notice, targeting centuries-old religious sites. Post-election violence in West Bengal reportedly intensified under the new BJP government, with bulldozer operations destroying Muslim homes and businesses. The Association for Protection of Civil Rights recorded dozens of violent incidents and property attacks across multiple districts. Human Rights Watch and international observers accused Indian authorities of using collective punishment, unlawful demolitions, and public beatings of Muslim men. U.S. human rights envoy Stephen J. Rapp warned that the persecution could amount to crimes against humanity, citing forced evictions and extrajudicial killings in Assam and Uttar Pradesh. The reports collectively depict a deteriorating human rights environment for India’s 250 million Muslims, with growing fear, displacement, and erosion of religious freedom.

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale struck northeastern Japan shortly after two strong quakes hit Venezuela, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred 35 kilometers northeast of Kuji at a depth of 51.7 kilometers. No tsunami warning was issued following the tremor. Authorities reported no immediate major damage or casualties. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed the government to urgently assess the extent of the damage. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed there was no risk of a tsunami and said evaluations of possible damage were ongoing. He also noted that no irregularities had been detected at nuclear facilities. Following the quake, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) suspended bullet train services between Shin-Aomori and Tokyo as a precautionary measure. Officials continue to monitor the situation closely.

Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2 magnitude struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread damage and fears of heavy casualties. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the first quake of 7.2 magnitude hit near San Felipe, about 284 kilometers west of Caracas, at 6:04 p.m. local time. Just 39 seconds later, a second 7.5 magnitude quake struck near Yumar, roughly 293 kilometers west of the capital. Several buildings in Caracas collapsed as a result. The USGS reported that the second quake’s epicenter was 23 kilometers southeast of Yumar at a depth of about 10 kilometers. The agency warned that the disaster likely affected a large area and that strong aftershocks could follow. Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged residents to stay outside their homes and said gas connections in several buildings had been cut off as a precaution. Reuters reported that residents in Caracas rushed outdoors, while AFP images showed a collapsed building believed to be a bank. Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage as emergency measures continue across affected regions.

A college student and a farmer were killed by lightning strikes in Fulbaria upazila of Mymensingh on Wednesday evening, according to family and hospital sources. The victims were identified as Tuli Rani Sen, 16, daughter of Jhutan Chandra Sen of Debgram in Putijana Union, and Abdul Khalek, 58, of Nijpara village in the same upazila. Tuli Rani Sen, a first-year student at Fulbaria Government Women’s College, was near her home when lightning struck during light rain, causing her to lose consciousness. She was taken to the Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared her dead. In a separate incident, Abdul Khalek collapsed after being struck by lightning while walking to Kaladah Bazar after Asr prayers. Locals rushed him to the same health complex, where he was also pronounced dead. Both deaths occurred within the same evening under similar weather conditions, highlighting the recurring risk of lightning strikes during seasonal storms in the area.

The US Department of Homeland Security has partially eased travel restrictions on Iran’s national football team during the ongoing World Cup. Under the new decision, the Iranian squad is allowed to enter the United States two days before their final group-stage match against Egypt. However, the team must leave the country immediately after the match on Saturday morning. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Taskforce, said the move was preplanned and aimed at reducing travel fatigue after observing the team’s earlier travel arrangements. Iran had previously expressed frustration over strict travel limits that allowed entry only one day before matches, hindering player fitness and adaptation. Due to regional conflict, the team faced administrative and logistical challenges, including relocating its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico. Several support staff and federation officials were also denied US visas. Following the new decision, the team departed Tijuana for Seattle. Iran currently sits second in Group G with two points from two draws and will face Egypt in a decisive match for a knockout-stage berth.

An income tax lawyer named Shyamal Chandra Das, aged 45, lost vision in one eye after being struck by a stone thrown at a moving train in Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria. The incident occurred late Monday night near Talshahar Railway Station when miscreants hurled stones at the Chattogram-bound Turna Express. Despite undergoing several hours of surgery at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital on Tuesday, doctors could not save his injured eye. According to family sources, Shyamal had traveled to Dhaka earlier that day for personal work and was returning home when the attack took place. Railway police confirmed they had contacted the victim’s family and launched an investigation to identify those responsible. Legal proceedings are currently underway. Just days earlier, another passenger named Naimul Hasan Rabbi was injured in a similar stone-throwing incident near Brahmanbaria Station’s outer area, highlighting growing concerns over passenger safety on trains in the region.

The government has appointed Professor Lal Mohammad, currently an OSD at the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) and principal of Kushtia Government College, as the new principal of Ideal School and College in Motijheel. The appointment, made from the education cadre, was announced through a DSHE circular issued on Wednesday. Two new experts were also appointed to the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), and several officials were transferred on deputation to new posts. All appointed officials must be released from their current positions by June 28. In a separate circular, the DSHE assigned five education cadre officials as branch heads for five campuses of Monipur School and College in Dhaka. The move aims to improve educational standards and address irregularities and mismanagement. Each branch head will also serve as the income-expenditure officer and oversee academic and administrative activities. The Parents’ Unity Forum congratulated the newly appointed principal of Ideal School and College, expressing hope that his leadership will enhance educational quality and restore a positive academic environment. The forum also called for a similar appointment at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said vannamei shrimp will play a vital role in Bangladesh’s economy in the coming days. He made the remarks on Wednesday night after visiting several hatcheries in Cox’s Bazar, including the Niribili Fish Hatchery, the government-run Crab Hatchery under the Department of Fisheries, and the Niribili Tilapia Hatchery in Ukhiya. The minister stated that the production process of vannamei shrimp has been reviewed on-site and expressed confidence that the sector will significantly contribute to export earnings, employment generation, and overall economic growth. He described the industry as highly promising for national development and noted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government is providing full support for its expansion. The prime minister is fully informed about the matter and has opened vannamei shrimp farming to local entrepreneurs under his guidance. Tuku added that new investors in shrimp farming will receive all necessary policy and technical assistance from the government, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to modernizing and diversifying the fisheries sector.

Eight members of the Sherpur District Detective Branch (DB) police were injured in a road accident on Wednesday night, June 24, 2026, in the Goshaipur Union area of Sreebardi upazila. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. when a microbus carrying the DB team collided head-on with a CNG-run autorickshaw at the Varera Bazar area while they were traveling from Sherpur to Sreebardi for a special operation. The microbus lost control and fell into a roadside ditch, injuring all eight officers. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Sherpur District Hospital. According to local residents, ongoing drain construction work along the road has narrowed the passage, with one side dug up and construction materials piled on the other. This has led to frequent accidents in the area. The officer-in-charge of the Sherpur DB branch confirmed the incident and said efforts were underway to recover the microbus from the ditch. Authorities have not yet released the names or conditions of the injured officers, but all are confirmed members of the Sherpur DB unit.

The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has canceled both the memorandum of understanding (MoU) and memorandum of agreement (MoA) related to the proposed monorail project in the city after confirming that the signatory, Kausar Alam Chowdhury, was not an authorized representative of the Egyptian firm he claimed to represent. The decision was announced by CCC Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain on Wednesday, following confirmation of the fraud. According to the report, the MoU was signed on June 1 of the previous year, and the MoA followed on June 24, with Chowdhury presenting himself as a representative of the Arab Contractors Orascom Peninsula Consortium. CCC had also sent letters to several government agencies, including BIDA and relevant ministries, seeking project approval and cooperation. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs later confirmed, based on information from the Egyptian Embassy in Dhaka, that Chowdhury had no official authorization. Following the revelation, the mayor immediately nullified all agreements with Chowdhury and circulated the cancellation order to relevant government offices for necessary action.

Faruk Ahmed Kajol, widely known as 'Hundi Kajol' from Kotchandpur in Jhenaidah, died on June 24 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in India, according to family and local sources. Kajol was accused of embezzling around Tk 2,500 crore through illegal hundi operations and fraudulent multi-level marketing schemes between the early 1990s and 2000. He allegedly lured thousands of people, including expatriates and local businessmen, with promises of high returns before disappearing with the money. The scam left hundreds of middle- and lower-income families destitute, and some victims reportedly took their own lives. Multiple cases were filed against Kajol, and the situation in Kotchandpur became tense, prompting a ministerial visit in 1996 to reassure investors. Kajol later fled to India after securing bail and remained in hiding until his death. Following news of his death, local victims expressed mixed reactions, with many lamenting that his passing ended their hopes of recovering lost funds. Police confirmed awareness of his death but said no official information had yet been received regarding burial or subsequent procedures.

Three Democratic candidates known for their strong criticism of Israel won by large margins in New York’s House primaries, marking what analysts describe as a significant shift in the party’s internal stance on Israel and growing support for Palestinians. The winners—Brad Lander, Claire Valdez, and Darializa Avila Chevalier—made criticism of Israeli government policies a central campaign theme, with backing from New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights. Analysts note that support for Israel among younger Democratic voters has declined sharply, especially after Israel’s military actions in Gaza following October 7, 2023. Recent surveys show 60 percent of Democratic supporters sympathize more with Palestinians, compared to 15 percent with Israel. Senator Chris Van Hollen said more Democrats now oppose unconditional U.S. aid to Israel and expect this stance to influence the next Congress. The results also highlight the weakening influence of pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC, whose supported candidates lost several key races. Upcoming Democratic primaries in states like Michigan and Minnesota are expected to further test the party’s evolving position on the Israel-Palestine issue.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that he will jointly present the World Cup trophy with U.S. President Donald Trump at the final on July 19. The decision marks a break from FIFA’s long-standing protocol, under which the FIFA President alone hands the trophy to the winning team’s captain. Infantino disclosed the plan during an interview with Fox & Friends, saying, “We are always together.” The move has sparked renewed debate in the football world about Infantino’s close relationship with Trump. The FIFA chief had previously drawn criticism for awarding Trump the “FIFA Peace Prize” during a World Cup draw event. Trump also broke protocol last season by handing the Club World Cup trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James, which caused confusion among players and widespread criticism. Historically, only FIFA presidents such as Sepp Blatter or Infantino have presented the trophy, though exceptions occurred when Queen Elizabeth II and King Juan Carlos did so in 1966 and 1982 respectively. Infantino’s latest decision has reignited controversy over the blending of politics and football ceremonies.