A mortar shell was found at a scrap shop in Ekrampur, Kishoreganj, on Tuesday night. The shop owner, Tutul Mia, noticed the explosive among other discarded items and immediately called emergency services. Police secured the area, and army personnel later placed the shell in a sand-filled container. Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed that the shop has been sealed for safety, and an investigation is underway.

Former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar has been acquitted of a 17-year prison sentence in an arms possession case. The case, filed on June 3, 2007, at Gulshan police station, led to his conviction on October 30 of the same year by a special tribunal. Babar appealed against the verdict, and the case was stayed by the High Court. He was released from Dhaka Central Jail on January 16 this year.

The Attorney General’s office announced on Wednesday that the state has appealed against the acquittal of Tarique Rahman and all other accused in the August 21 grenade attack case. The hearing is expected today. On December 1, a court had acquitted them, despite a 2018 verdict sentencing former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar and BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu to death, while Tarique Rahman and 18 others received life imprisonment.

Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan warned that if Israel believes it can manipulate the ceasefire agreement by escalating military operations, it is mistaken. He stated that Hamas has abided by the agreed-upon truce, but Israel has breached it following consultations with US officials. Hamdan further accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of suffering from ‘megalomania’ and using the war to escape corruption charges. The latest attacks in Gaza have resulted in 404 casualties.

Houthi rebels launched another assault on a US warship in the Red Sea, marking the fourth such attack within 72 hours. Military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that multiple cruise missiles and drones targeted the vessel, aiming to counter US aggression against Yemen. He emphasized that Yemen’s unwavering support for Palestine would not be deterred by US military actions. Meanwhile, under Donald Trump’s directive, the US has intensified airstrikes against Houthi positions, killing at least 53 people.

Isam Da’alas, the ‘de-facto Prime Minister’ of Gaza, was killed in an Israeli airstrike, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday. Hamas also confirmed his death. Additionally, the attack claimed the lives of Justice Ministry Director General Ahmed Al-Khatta, Gaza’s Interior Ministry head Mahmoud Abu Watfa, and Hamas’ Internal Security Chief Bahjat Abu Sultan.

A tragic accident on the Jessore-Benapole highway claimed the lives of three people, including a woman and a child, when an ambulance collided head-on with a motorized van. The deceased have been identified as Nazma Khatun (50), Hasan Iqbal (30), and Ratna Khatun (12), all passengers of the van. Two others were injured. According to Officer-in-Charge Babul Rahman Khan, the accident occurred when the ambulance, traveling towards Benapole, crashed into the van coming from the opposite direction. Authorities have sent the bodies to the morgue, while the injured are receiving treatment at a local hospital.

A group of anti-discrimination activists surrounded a Christian missionary office in Keshabpur, Jessore, on Tuesday following the death of an indigenous student. The protestors allege that 15-year-old Rajerang Tripura was subjected to abuse and murdered. Last Friday night, her body was found hanging from a window grille inside a residential room of the mission. The Christian Outreach Central Foundation of Bangladesh houses 44 indigenous girls for education, including Rajerang. While mission officials claim she died by suicide due to pressure from her family to continue her studies, her family asserts they were not informed about her death until four days later.

A 16-year-old boy was severely beaten by an enraged mob in Khilkhet’s Madhyapara after being accused of raping a five-year-old child in a nearby open field. When police intervened to detain the suspect, tensions escalated, leading to an attack on law enforcement officers. The officer in charge of the investigation, along with four others, sustained injuries, while another group of 7-8 police officers was briefly held hostage by locals. The mob also vandalized police vehicles. The accused is currently receiving medical treatment.

In an attempt to end the Russia-Ukraine war, former U.S. President Donald Trump held a nearly two-hour phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to CNN, the discussion aimed to persuade Putin to agree to a 30-day temporary ceasefire and make concessions, including withdrawing Russian troops from occupied Ukrainian territories. However, Putin was reportedly reluctant to accept the proposal. Trump also hinted at allowing Russia to retain control over Ukrainian land, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Jahangirnagar University’s syndicate has declared July 15 as the university’s ‘Black Night,’ Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan announced after a syndicate meeting. Responding to student demands, the university has also withdrawn the names of four dormitories previously named after members of the Sheikh family. The halls—Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, Sheikh Russel Hall, Sheikh Hasina Hall, and Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall—will be renamed, with a structural committee formed to oversee the process.

The High Court has ordered an investigation into the ‘unbelievable fraud’ involving K-Telecom, a company linked to Shamim Osman’s family. The CID and BTRC have been directed to submit a report within 90 days. According to sources, Sakhawat Hossain, who owns a small travel agency in Fakirapool, was shocked to find his name listed as a partner and managing director of K-Telecom, an international IGW company, without his knowledge. Originally licensed to Shamim Osman’s family, the company was later transferred to Sakhawat and two others without their consent. K-Telecom reportedly owes BTRC over Tk 126 crore.

On Tuesday, Qatar’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Seraya Ali Al-Qahtani, met Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and expressed full support for Bangladesh’s reform agenda. He assured that Qatar is keen to assist Bangladesh in every possible way. The ambassador reiterated Qatar’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and contributing to Bangladesh’s economic development.

Ali Ahsan Junaid has called for unity in building a new Bangladesh free from fascism, economic disparity, and corruption. He accused the pre-July Hasina regime of suppressing the people under Delhi’s hegemony and persecuting Islamic scholars. Junaid emphasized the need for ethical leadership, an inclusive economic model, and a fair political landscape. He called for an end to Islamophobia and sectarianism, advocating for an equitable system that ensures justice and sustainable progress.

Eighteen Bangladeshis who fell victim to human trafficking are set to return home today. They had been trapped in Myanmar’s notorious scam centers, where they were forced into cybercrime activities. Traffickers initially lured them to Thailand with false promises of jobs before selling them to Myanmar’s criminal networks. Their release was secured through relentless diplomatic efforts by the Bangladesh government, BRAC, and the foreign ministry. They are expected to arrive in Bangladesh on a flight scheduled for 12:45 AM tonight.