Train communication between Khulna and the cities of Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Chilahati returned to normal around 3 p.m. on Sunday after being suspended for nine hours. The disruption began at about 6 a.m. when a Parbatipur-bound freight train from Khulna derailed near Sabdarpur station in Kotchandpur upazila of Jhenaidah district. Three wagons of the train went off the tracks, halting all train movement on the route and leaving seven passenger trains stranded at both ends. According to Sabdarpur station master Golam Rasul, two rescue trains from Khulna and Ishwardi reached the site around 10:30 a.m. The derailed wagons were removed after several hours of work, and repairs to the damaged rail line were completed by the afternoon. Once the line was cleared and restored, train operations between Khulna and other major destinations resumed normally. The incident caused significant delays in regional rail services, but normal schedules were restored after the completion of the recovery and repair operations.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim has accused the current government of conspiring to destroy Islami Bank by handing it over to a controversial businessman. Speaking as chief guest at a discussion titled “Conspiracy Against Islami Bank, Financial Security and Customers’ Rights” at the National Press Club on Sunday, he said the party and bank customers would not allow such a plan to succeed. Halim stated that Islami Bank was founded on the principle that business should be halal and interest is haram, and warned that any attempt to destabilize financial institutions would harm the government itself. He emphasized that the bank’s three crore customers could not be ignored and that politicization of the banking sector must stop. Other speakers, including media personality Dr. Faizul Haque and retired military officers, also criticized the government’s handling of Islami Bank and warned of political consequences. The event was organized by Nagorik Moncho and chaired by its chief coordinator Ahsan Ullah Shamim, with participation from several professionals and political figures.

The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for killing a Hamas commander in southern Gaza. According to a statement posted on social media platform X, the army said it carried out an airstrike that killed Sakr Abu Karim, identified as a commander in Hamas’s Nukhba Force. Israel alleged that Abu Karim had led an operation in the Kisufim area during the October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. The same statement added that another Hamas member was also killed in the strike. This second individual was described as a communications officer for the group. The announcement was reported by Middle East Eye and shared by Israeli military sources through official channels. The report did not include any response from Hamas or independent verification of the Israeli claim, leaving the broader impact of the strike and subsequent developments unclear.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sharply criticized European countries’ migration policies during a speech in Normandy, France. Speaking at an event on June 7, 2026, he said migrants were “attacking” Europe’s shores and blamed European nations for failing to take adequate measures to stop the influx. Hegseth’s remarks compared the current situation to the 1944 Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe, suggesting that today’s European beaches face a different kind of threat. He specifically mentioned Spain, Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria as countries where boats carrying migrants continue to arrive. His comments come amid growing political debate across Europe over migration, with opinion polls showing increasing support for parties advocating stricter immigration controls. The speech underscores the rising tension between US and European perspectives on migration management and highlights how the issue remains central to European politics ahead of upcoming elections and policy discussions.

The government of Bangladesh has announced extensive programs to observe July Uprising Day 2026 with due state honor. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has issued directives to various ministries, departments, agencies, and field administrations to prepare for the nationwide celebration. An inter-ministerial meeting was held earlier, and its proceedings have been circulated to all relevant institutions for implementation. The ministry’s letter, signed by a deputy secretary, confirmed that preparations are underway from the highest levels of government to local administrations. According to the ministry, the Cabinet Division, Prime Minister’s Office, Armed Forces Division, law enforcement agencies, and local administrations have been engaged in the planning. Media and communication agencies, including Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, have been instructed to promote the significance of the day. The program will include discussions, commemorations, cultural events, photo exhibitions, and special publications. Field-level officials, including divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and police officers, have also been directed to organize coordinated events at regional levels. The initiative aims to highlight the historical importance of the July Uprising through nationwide participation and awareness activities.

Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated that all senior officials are united on the strategy for negotiations with the United States, according to state broadcaster Press TV. He dismissed any possibility of disagreement over the draft proposals or agreements being discussed. Aref made the remarks during an inspection of Iran’s customs administration. He emphasized that Tehran has followed a clear and coordinated approach in its discussions with Washington. According to Aref, the Islamic Republic has maintained a specific negotiation strategy, and there is full coordination among officials regarding this approach. He reiterated that there are no differences among officials concerning the draft or proposals under consideration. Aref also noted that Iran has gained valuable experience in crisis management from the current war and from the 12-day conflict with Israel last year, suggesting these lessons have informed the country’s negotiation strategy.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reviewing a proposal to release about 64 million bacteria-infected mosquitoes in California and Florida under Google’s life sciences project, Debug. The initiative aims to introduce a natural bacterium called Wolbachia into lab-bred male mosquitoes and release them into the wild to curb the population of the Southern House Mosquito, a species known for spreading the West Nile virus. The process exploits a biological mechanism called cytoplasmic incompatibility, which prevents reproduction when Wolbachia-infected males mate with uninfected females. Since male mosquitoes do not bite humans, the project poses no risk of disease transmission. Scientists from the University of California and the University of Florida have expressed support, describing the method as safer and more environmentally friendly than chemical pesticides. Google is using robotics and artificial intelligence to automate mosquito breeding and sex separation, ensuring only males are released. The system employs AI-driven cameras and sensors to identify and exclude females before drones and automated devices distribute the insects into the environment.

Attorney General Barrister Ruhul Kudddus Kajol said the swift verdict in the Pallabi child rape and murder case would remain a milestone for the judiciary. He made the remark on Sunday afternoon at the Dhaka Metropolitan Court premises after the judgment was announced. Expressing satisfaction, he noted that the investigation officer had submitted the report promptly, preventing any delay in the trial. Kajol added that once the reference and paper book arrive from the trial court, the legal process in the higher court will begin quickly. Earlier in the day, Judge Masrur Salehin of the Child Violence Prevention Tribunal sentenced the main accused, Sohel Rana, and his wife, Swapna Akter, to death for raping and murdering a schoolgirl in Pallabi. The verdict came just 19 days after the killing. Tight security was maintained around the court during the proceedings. The case drew attention for its unprecedented speed, with the charge sheet filed on May 24 and the trial completed within six working days, including testimony from 16 witnesses in a single day.

During the Eid-ul-Azha travel period, Bangladesh witnessed 442 transport accidents that left 438 people dead and 1,340 injured, according to data released by the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association at a press conference in Dhaka Reporters Unity. Between May 21 and June 4, a total of 394 road accidents caused 402 deaths and 1,294 injuries, while 31 rail accidents killed 23 people and 17 waterway accidents claimed 13 lives. The report showed a 3.95 percent rise in road accidents, 3.07 percent increase in fatalities, and 9.47 percent rise in injuries compared to the previous year. Motorcycles accounted for 38.83 percent of all road accidents, with 159 deaths and 180 injuries. The majority of accidents occurred on national highways, and most were caused by head-on collisions or loss of control. The association attributed the rise in accidents to poor road conditions, reckless driving, driver shortages, and unfit vehicles. It urged long-term reforms, including modernizing public transport, implementing technology-based traffic control, and ensuring proper driver training and vehicle fitness enforcement.

A youth-led group called the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) held its first protest in New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar area on Saturday, reviving the historic slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad’. The movement, initiated by 30-year-old political strategist and Boston University student Abhijit Dipke, emerged online after India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant compared unemployed youth to ‘parasites’ and ‘cockroaches’. The protest drew attention for its creative symbolism, with participants wearing cockroach masks and carrying books and flowers. Members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the CJP, calling its actions provocative and alleging foreign influence, claims Dipke denied. BJP workers reportedly tried to disrupt the rally, prompting police intervention. Security was heightened near the residences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior ministers. Dipke accused the government of creating fear around dissent, while the BJP maintained it acts within constitutional limits. Analysts noted that despite the online momentum, the CJP lacks the grassroots presence needed for major political impact. The protest has nonetheless stirred discussion about youth activism and freedom of expression in India.

Prime Minister’s Education and Primary & Mass Education Affairs Adviser Mahdi Amin announced that the government has a sustainable and transformative plan for Bangladesh’s National University, aiming to turn it into a center for knowledge, training, and civic development rather than just a degree-granting body. He made the remarks on Sunday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center during the inauguration of a teacher training program on skill-based education, which was opened by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Amin said the initiative is rooted in the Prime Minister’s long-term vision and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s election manifesto. The plan includes expanding vocational and technical education, establishing career centers, strengthening industry-academia collaboration, promoting apprenticeships and internships, and introducing language centers and environmental programs. He emphasized that transforming the National University means transforming the nation’s education, employment, and human resource landscape. He added that digitization of exams and results, removal of session backlogs, and quality education expansion are underway. The government expects these reforms to produce skilled, creative, and responsible citizens capable of meeting the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has reported that extortion and land grabbing have continued across the country since the current government took office. The organization stated that such practices have persisted since August 5, 2024, posing a major obstacle to good governance. The remarks were made by TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman at a press conference held at the organization’s headquarters in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said the government’s decision to repeal three ordinances related to judicial independence signals a retreat from its commitment to ensuring an independent judiciary. He also noted that irregularities in recruitment at Islami Bank have created disorder and that the Bank Resolution Act remains flawed. Additionally, he pointed out that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) remains without commissioners, sending a wrong message to the public that corruption may go unpunished. Other TIB officials, including directors Mohammad Touhidul Islam and Muhammad Badiuzzaman, and research fellow Razia Sultana, were present at the event.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapon announced that reforms in Bangladesh’s banking sector will be brought under a commission framework. He made the statement on Sunday at a seminar titled “Good Governance in the Banking Sector and the Role of the Media,” held at the Economic Reporters Forum office in Dhaka. Swapon emphasized that banking sector governance is linked to the broader political and administrative governance of the state, and without systemic reform, discipline cannot be ensured. During the event, speakers highlighted that the banking sector remains central to the country’s financing system, as the capital market and bond market have failed to meet demand. United Commercial Bank Managing Director Mamdudur Rashid noted that the sector has faced continuous pressure since 2020 due to the pandemic, foreign exchange volatility, and political changes. He identified lack of governance, transparency, and ethics as key causes of the current crisis, with non-performing loans rising from 11 percent in 2023 to 35 percent in 2025. The seminar underscored that at least 14 banks and 20 financial institutions are struggling to return deposits on time, warning that further deterioration could trigger economic instability.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized that Bangladesh must move away from certificate-based education and adopt a skills-oriented, technology-driven, and practical learning system to cope with the ongoing technological revolution. He made the remarks on Sunday at noon while inaugurating a teacher training program on skills-based education under the National University curriculum at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center. Rahman noted that automation and AI-driven technologies have put many traditional jobs at risk or made them obsolete, while simultaneously creating new employment opportunities in emerging sectors. He highlighted the National University’s crucial role in expanding modern, technology-based higher education, as it has over 2,000 affiliated colleges with more than 4 million students currently enrolled. He added that over 10 million students have already received higher education in Bangladesh. The National University, established in 1992 by former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, was designed to ensure access to higher education for both urban and rural students as the world enters the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Bangladeshi-origin Australian billionaire Robin Khuda’s company AirTrunk will invest more than $30 billion in India’s data center projects by 2030. The announcement followed Khuda’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other government officials. According to a statement released on Friday, AirTrunk plans to build around five gigawatts of data center capacity across India. Prime Minister Modi said on social media that such investments would strengthen India’s position as a global hub for cloud computing and artificial intelligence, while creating jobs, supporting local supply chains, and accelerating innovation-driven growth. The largest project under this plan will be developed in the western state of Maharashtra. Earlier this week, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that AirTrunk would invest about two trillion rupees to build a three-gigawatt data center hub in the state. AirTrunk is expanding its operations across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore.