A passenger aircraft reportedly crashed at India’s Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, with 242 passengers on board. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the Adani-operated airport premises, causing panic in nearby areas. The type of aircraft and the extent of casualties or damage remain unconfirmed. Social media footage showed smoke engulfing the skyline of Ahmedabad's upscale neighborhoods. Roads surrounding the crash site have been sealed off as a safety measure.

Japan has strongly protested after Chinese fighter jets closely pursued a Japanese P-3C maritime patrol aircraft in international waters near Okinawa. The incidents occurred on June 7 and 8, shortly after China’s two aircraft carriers, Shandong and Liaoning, conducted their first joint operation in the Pacific. Japan warned that such close encounters risk accidental collisions and pledged to increase airspace surveillance while maintaining diplomatic communication with China. Beijing says the carrier exercises were routine training, not targeting any country.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday for a one-day official visit. During the trip, he is scheduled to meet with the President of the UAE, accompanied by his delegation. The prime minister is joined by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has termed the visit as significant, highlighting its importance in strengthening bilateral ties.

As the Eid holidays draw to a close, workers are slowly making their way back to Dhaka. The joy of Eid celebrations still lingers on everyone’s faces. After spending time with their loved ones, people are now heading back to their workplaces in the capital. Since early Thursday morning, crowds of returning passengers have been seen at Dhaka’s major transit hubs, including Joydebpur, Gabtoli, Kamalapur, and the airport. Some are traveling with family members, while others are alone. Travelers expressed their happiness over a hassle-free Eid journey. They reported no significant traffic jams on the buses, and the absence of ticket scalping on the trains helped reduce travel difficulties this year.

A high-ranking BNP delegation led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is scheduled to visit China later this June at the invitation of the Communist Party of China. According to BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan, members from the party’s standing committee, vice-chairpersons, and advisors may join the trip. Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, China has been strengthening ties with Bangladeshi political parties, previously hosting delegations from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other Islamic parties.

After being closed for over two weeks, the outpatient department of the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital reopened partially on Thursday. While emergency and outpatient services are now available, all other hospital operations remain suspended. Law enforcement, including police, RAB, and Ansar personnel, were visibly present at the facility. An Ansar member stated that the situation remains under control as of today. The hospital had been shut down following a violent clash between freedom fighters from July and hospital staff, which left several injured.

The World Bank will resume investments in nuclear energy after a long pause, aiming to help developing countries meet rapidly increasing electricity demand. President Ajay Banga confirmed the move, citing collaboration with the IAEA for safety and regulatory support. The initiative includes upgrading existing plants, expanding small modular reactor (SMR) use, and boosting grid infrastructure. Banga emphasized aligning energy access with national development goals. The World Bank will also support carbon capture and coal plant repurposing to enhance sustainable energy transitions.

Professor Asif Nazrul, Legal Advisor to the Interim Government, expressed frustration over unwarranted criticism following misinformation about a freedom fighters’ law. He clarified that although other ministries draft laws, the Ministry of Law is responsible only for issuing them, a procedural formality. Nazrul called for fair criticism limited to his official duties and urged people to verify facts before condemning. He reminded that accountability lies with the entire government and appealed for empathy, emphasizing eventual divine judgment.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has reportedly pushed 70 individuals, believed to be Bangladeshi nationals, across four border points in the Sylhet and Sunamganj districts. Following the push-in, members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), who were patrolling the area, detained the individuals. The incident occurred early Thursday morning in the border regions of Jaintapur’s Sripur and Minatila, Companiganj’s Kalairag, and Chhatak’s Nowakot Border Outposts (BOPs). Among those detained, 53 are reportedly residents of border areas within the Sylhet district. At the Sripur BOP in Jaintapur, the BGB detained 17 individuals from two families. Additionally, 23 people from four families were detained at Minatila BOP, and 17 individuals from four families were detained at the Nowakot BOP. BGB authorities are currently verifying their identities and investigating the circumstances surrounding their entry into the country.

At the Kalairag border in Companyganj Upazila, Sylhet, 13 Bangladeshis were pushed back by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and subsequently detained by Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) around 3:30 a.m. on Thursday. The group includes men, women, and children from two families in Kurigram district. The detained individuals will be handed over to the police, according to the Kalairag BOP camp commander who confirmed the incident.

Khulna police conducted separate operations in Paikgachha and arrested a total of seven individuals, including six wanted in pending cases and one in a regular case. Idrisur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Paikgachha Police Station, stated that the arrested suspects have been sent to the Khulna court. The accused are Tarikul Islam, Babulur Rahman Babul, Rezaul Hossain, Shahinur Rahman Gazi, Al-Amin Mistri, Billal Sana, and Atiar Rahman.

A total of 8,606 Bangladeshi pilgrims have returned home over the past two days on 22 flights following the completion of the holy Hajj pilgrimage. According to the Hajj portal, this year 23 Bangladeshi pilgrims died while performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Among them, 15 passed away in Mecca, 7 in Medina, and 1 at the Arafat plain. The Hajj rituals took place on June 5 in Saudi Arabia, and the return flights began on Tuesday, June 10.

Thousands of tourists have visited Tanguar Haor in Sunamganj during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, drawn by its natural beauty and monsoon charm. Houseboats were booked weeks in advance, bringing joy to local businesses. However, environmentalists are concerned about pollution caused by plastic waste, liquor bottles, and loud music from boats. Authorities have increased monitoring, warning boat owners against overloading and party activities. Local officials emphasize the need for eco-friendly tourism and assure that safety and environmental protection are being prioritized during the tourist surge.

The World Bank has maintained its forecast of 3.3% GDP growth for Bangladesh in FY2024-25, citing political instability and financial challenges as key factors. Earlier, in January, the projection was 4.1%. The Bank also revised the 2025-26 forecast to 4.9%, down from 5.4%. Meanwhile, the BBS estimates 3.97% growth for FY2024-25. Other global institutions like the IMF and ADB have also lowered their growth outlooks for Bangladesh, reflecting ongoing inflation, unrest, and weakening financial conditions.

Politics in Parbatipur is heating up ahead of the national election. BNP is split into four active factions, each promoting separate candidates. Jamaat-e-Islami has announced its candidate and is campaigning strongly. The ruling Awami League remains inactive, with many of its leaders in hiding and some joining the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP). Barrister AKM Kamruzzaman of London BNP is emerging as a strong contender against veteran leader AZM Rezwanul Haque. The political vacuum has allowed smaller parties to become more active in the region.