Non-performing loans (NPLs) in Bangladesh’s banking sector have increased by Tk 314.88 billion over the past three months, according to the latest report from Bangladesh Bank. As of the end of December, total NPLs stood at Tk 5.57 trillion, representing 30.60 percent of total loans distributed at that time. By the end of March this year, the figure had risen to Tk 5.88 trillion, or 32.26 percent of total loans. The report also shows that the total outstanding loans in the banking sector currently amount to Tk 18.24 trillion. The data highlights a continuing upward trend in defaulted loans within the country’s financial system, reflecting growing stress in the banking sector. The increase in NPLs underscores ongoing challenges in loan recovery and credit management across banks, as indicated by the central bank’s updated figures.

Police in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj recovered the body of a 14-year-old domestic worker named Noyoni Khatun on Monday night from a house in the Mohanbag area. The incident was confirmed by Shibganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Matiur Rahman. Noyoni, daughter of Rubel Ali from Akhira village in Dhainagar Union, had been working at the home of a woman named Jannatul Ferdousi. According to the residents of the house, Noyoni took her own life by hanging herself. However, local people claimed that she was murdered. Family members told police that she went into a room in the afternoon and allegedly hanged herself, but police did not find the body in a hanging position. The body had been taken down before police arrived. Police have sent the body to the hospital morgue for an autopsy. The cause of death will be determined after receiving the report, and legal action will follow, according to the police.

Police in Sirajganj have arrested Abdul Hamid, 33, for allegedly defrauding more than 100 people of Tk 2.1 million through online investment scams. The arrest was announced at a press conference at Sirajganj Sadar Police Station on Tuesday afternoon. According to police, a case was filed on June 1 by Momtaz Begum, who said Hamid lured investors into two apps named Eco Volt and CEF, promising high profits. When the apps became inactive, he collected more money under new schemes. Investigators said Hamid used multiple fake apps to attract unemployed youth and ordinary citizens, later shutting them down and launching new ones. When victims demanded refunds, he allegedly used a Telegram ID under the name “Hamkail Moakael,” posing as a 400-year-old spiritual figure to intimidate them. Police recovered a Walton tablet, a smartphone, and promotional materials linked to the scams. Authorities are verifying whether others were involved. Hamid has reportedly confessed during preliminary questioning, and preparations are underway to present him before court as the investigation continues.

A violent clash erupted on Tuesday morning at the Boro Kapon point of the Sylhet-Sunamganj road over passenger pickup disputes between bus and CNG-run autorickshaw stand managers. The confrontation began around 11 a.m. when an argument escalated into a physical fight, leaving at least 12 people injured. During the incident, 10 autorickshaws were vandalized. According to local sources, the altercation started as a verbal dispute over passenger collection rights but quickly turned violent as both sides used local weapons. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals and clinics for treatment. Police were dispatched to the scene following reports of the clash. Authorities confirmed that additional police forces have been deployed to maintain order in the area. Law enforcement officials stated that an investigation is underway and necessary legal actions will be taken to prevent further unrest.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported on Tuesday that Russia launched 656 drones and 73 missiles across Ukraine overnight, resulting in at least nine deaths. The attack included ballistic missiles, which are more difficult to intercept, according to the report cited by AFP. The Ukrainian Air Force stated that its defense systems successfully destroyed 602 of the drones and 40 of the missiles. The large-scale overnight assault marks one of the most intense barrages reported recently, underscoring the ongoing escalation in aerial warfare between the two countries. The report did not specify which regions were targeted or provide further details on the extent of the damage beyond the reported casualties.

Customers of Islami Bank Bangladesh held a human chain and protest in Chattogram on Tuesday demanding the removal of the bank’s chairman, Khurshid Alam. The demonstration took place around 11 a.m. in front of the bank’s regional office in Agrabad under the banner of the Islami Bank Conscious Customers Forum. Participants alleged that the current management system of the bank does not adequately protect customer interests and called for the chairman’s removal. They urged authorities to intervene and ensure good governance, transparency, and accountability within the institution. Protesters emphasized the need to restore customer confidence and safeguard depositors’ expectations. Leaders of the Islami Bank Conscious Customers Forum and clients from various professions joined the event. Police from Double Mooring Police Station maintained a watchful presence to ensure order, and the protest concluded peacefully with participants leaving the area afterward.

A reception and exchange meeting was held in Goaland, Rajbari, to welcome Nurunnisa Siddika, a reserved seat Member of Parliament in the 13th National Parliament and Secretary of the Women’s Division of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The event took place on Tuesday morning at the Haji Bari Mosque field in Kewtil area of Chhoto Bhakla Union, organized by the Haji Bari Social Welfare Council. The meeting was presided over by Sheikh Mohiuddin, a former professor of Tejgaon College, and attended by several central and local leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami. In her address, MP Nurunnisa Siddika stressed the need to modernize and make the country’s judicial system more time-appropriate. She stated that Bangladesh has become a modern state, and therefore, its judicial and administrative structures should also evolve accordingly. She called for governance based on justice and the ideals of the Quran. She further emphasized establishing justice in society, preventing corruption, and promoting human values. Local residents shared their concerns and expectations during the meeting, which the MP attentively listened to.

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain stated that the prime minister was misinformed about his planned visit to Florida, United States. He made the comment on Tuesday through a Facebook post, following a viral note from the prime minister suggesting that mosquito control methods could be developed locally without traveling abroad. In his post titled “Will misinformation and conspiracy ruin the revolutionary potential of mosquito control?”, the mayor explained that since October last year, CCC had been using mosquito larva-killing chemicals from the U.S.-based company Valent BioSciences. To reduce dependency on costly imports, he proposed establishing a joint-venture factory in Bangladesh. Valent BioSciences responded by inviting a delegation led by the mayor to visit its facilities in Chicago and Florida for feasibility assessment, with no expenses to be borne by the government or CCC. The mayor alleged that a vested group provided false and misleading information to the prime minister, causing uncertainty over the planned visit. A government letter earlier confirmed that the summary for travel approval had been returned without authorization.

The United States Department of Defense has initiated an 18-month competition titled 'Drone Dominance' to accelerate the expansion of its drone fleet. According to a Washington Post report, the Pentagon aims to identify the most promising manufacturers capable of producing low-cost combat drones. The initiative follows growing recognition of drones’ effectiveness in recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, prompting the U.S. military to seek rapid enhancement of its drone capabilities. The competition invites both established defense firms and emerging startups, including companies founded by drone racers and hobbyists. The winning firms could receive contracts worth up to $1.1 billion to produce as many as three million drones. The drones being tested cost around $5,000 each and are designed for single-use missions. Early rounds of the contest, such as one held at Fort Benning, Georgia, saw 26 companies participate, with British firm Skycutter emerging as a top performer. Pentagon officials stated that future warfare will likely depend heavily on affordable swarms of drones, and the program aims to bypass lengthy procurement processes to foster faster innovation.

India and Oman’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) came into effect today amid the ongoing US-Iran war that has severely disrupted maritime traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The pact, signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Muscat in December last year, grants duty-free access for India’s labor-intensive exports to Oman. Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced the implementation, calling it a milestone for expanding markets, boosting exports, attracting investment, and creating jobs. The Hormuz Strait handles about 20 percent of global oil consumption and 25 percent of seaborne oil trade, but conflict has tightened Iranian control, disrupting India’s energy imports from Gulf states. Oman’s ports, including Salalah and Duqm, remain operational due to their location outside the strait, making Oman a reliable trade and energy route during regional instability. Under CEPA, Oman will eliminate tariffs on 98.08 percent of its tariff lines, covering 99.38 percent of India’s exports, while India will reduce or remove tariffs on 78 percent of its lines. The agreement is expected to strengthen bilateral trade, though Oman’s small market size may limit export growth.

The U.S. Department of Defense has imposed new restrictions on journalists’ direct access to its press office, designating the area as a “sensitive classified information center.” Acting Press Secretary Joel Valdez said the move aims to ensure security, as officials regularly handle confidential materials. Under the new rules, journalists can only enter the offices of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and the Press Secretary by prior appointment, and additional movement controls have been introduced across Pentagon press areas. U.S. media outlets claim that since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, access for journalists to government offices has been gradually reduced. In March, the Pentagon announced that no media outlet would be allowed to maintain a permanent office inside the building. Journalists are now also required to be escorted by security personnel within the complex, a policy already facing legal challenges. The National Press Club and Freedom of the Press Foundation have both criticized the decision, warning that it undermines transparency and accountability. They questioned the justification for labeling the press office as a classified zone and expressed concern about declining public trust in defense communications.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that most witness testimonies have been completed in the murder case of child Ramisa in Dhaka’s Pallabi area. He said the government is assisting the court in ensuring the presence of the remaining witnesses. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday afternoon during an emergency press briefing at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Secretariat. He emphasized that it would not be appropriate to comment on a case that is still under trial, adding that everyone expects a speedy conclusion of the proceedings. The government, he said, is working to create the necessary environment for that. However, the timing and outcome of the verdict are entirely matters for the court. In response to a question about whether new individuals have been implicated in the investigation, the minister said there is no specific information on that. He added that some formalities, including testimonies from doctors and forensic experts, are still pending.

Global crude oil prices fell slightly as traders focused on uncertainty surrounding ongoing discussions between the United States and Iran. According to a Reuters report, Brent crude dropped by 75 cents to 94.23 dollars per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declined by 85 cents to 91.31 dollars. The price drop followed a sharp rise just a day earlier. The report noted that despite a price increase on Monday, oil prices had fallen by more than 16 percent in May amid hopes for a broader agreement between Washington and Tehran and the continuation of a ceasefire. Market participants had expected that such an agreement could boost Iranian oil exports and increase global supply. Senior market analyst Priyanka Sachdeva said that although traders had hoped the potential deal would reduce uncertainty, no significant change in market conditions was observed as of Tuesday morning.

Health Minister Sardar Md. Shakhawat Hossain announced that dengue patients across Bangladesh will receive free medical treatment. He said strict mobile court operations will be conducted nationwide to control the spread of dengue. The announcement came on Tuesday afternoon during a meeting at the Secretariat with owners of private hospitals and diagnostic centers to discuss dengue prevention. The minister stated that private medical colleges must reserve 10 percent of their beds for dengue patients, who will also receive an 80 percent discount on diagnostic tests. Treatment will be free, though patients will bear the cost of food and medicine. Special larvicidal drugs will be used to destroy mosquito larvae, and four dengue cases have been reported so far. He emphasized that dengue is a national problem requiring collective effort beyond government action. A three-month nationwide awareness campaign will begin on Saturday, and doctors will receive training on dengue treatment protocols. City corporations will also work to prevent mosquito breeding in all residential and institutional areas.

Russia launched extensive drone and missile attacks early Tuesday on Kyiv, Dnipro, and several other Ukrainian cities, killing at least 10 people and injuring around 100, according to Ukrainian authorities. The strikes caused major explosions near residential buildings in Kyiv, where Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported four deaths and 58 injuries, including children. A 24‑story apartment building partially collapsed after being hit, and debris ignited fires in multiple locations, including near a kindergarten. The attacks follow Moscow’s warning of continued strikes after a drone attack last week on a student dormitory in Russian‑controlled Luhansk killed 21 people, an incident Ukraine denied involvement in. Both sides have repeatedly denied targeting civilians, though Russia has continued to hit Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and key facilities, while Ukraine has intensified counterattacks on Russian oil and military sites. Thousands of Kyiv residents took shelter overnight in metro stations as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming missiles. Rescue teams continued searching damaged buildings for survivors as explosions were still heard in parts of the capital after dawn.