Palestinian-American candidate Abar Kawas won the Democratic primary for the New York State Senate in Queens on Tuesday, campaigning on halting what she called funding for Israel’s actions in Gaza and promoting democratic socialism. Supported by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Kawas became the first Palestinian Muslim woman elected in New York State. Born and raised in New York to Palestinian parents, she emphasized immigration reform and tackling the state’s rising cost of living during her campaign.

Her victory followed Mamdani’s three consecutive primary wins, part of his effort to transform the Democratic Party into a democratic socialist force. Kawas co-founded the “Not On Our Dime!” campaign with Mamdani, which seeks to stop New York-registered organizations from sending funds to Israel. The campaign claims that New York subsidizes Israeli settlement expansion and state violence against Palestinians, calling to end state funding for Israeli war crimes.

A related bill proposes amending nonprofit laws to prevent unauthorized support for Israeli settlements. If enacted, it could halt about $60 million annually flowing from New York charities to Israeli settlements and impose fines of at least $1 million on violators.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, informed parliament that the government is considering including actions against rumor and propaganda spreaders under the Cyber Security Act. Responding to a parliamentary question on June 24, 2026, he said the government has taken legal, technical, and institutional measures to curb fake identities and misleading content on social media platforms.

The minister stated that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) regularly communicates with platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to remove harmful or false content. Efforts are underway to strengthen law enforcement agencies’ technical capacity to identify fake accounts and investigate cybercrimes. He added that the government continues to improve legal frameworks, enhance technical capacity, and promote public awareness to ensure a safe and responsible digital environment.

Anam also mentioned that BTRC issues directives to block or remove objectionable content upon requests from relevant authorities. Additionally, he noted that facial recognition-based SIM registration verification has been launched on a trial basis to enhance mobile security.

Mobile financial service provider Upay, operated by United Commercial Bank PLC, has signed a partnership agreement with Foodpanda Bangladesh, the country’s leading online food and product delivery platform. The signing ceremony took place recently at the Golden Tulip The Grandmark Hotel in Dhaka. The collaboration aims to ensure seamless, secure, and convenient digital cash collection services for Foodpanda’s delivery riders.

Under the agreement, Foodpanda riders will be able to use Upay’s digital payment platform to collect and manage payments more efficiently. The partnership is expected to make riders’ daily financial activities faster and hassle-free. Officials from both organizations stated that the initiative will introduce a rider-focused, user-friendly service structure that connects Foodpanda’s delivery ecosystem with Upay’s extensive agent network.

According to the companies, this collaboration will promote cashless transactions, enhance financial inclusion, and strengthen the foundation of Bangladesh’s digital economy by integrating Upay’s mobile financial infrastructure with Foodpanda’s wide customer and delivery network.

After nearly a month of suspension, the 275-megawatt third unit of the Barapukuria coal-fired power plant in Dinajpur resumed electricity generation on Tuesday night at around 9:30 p.m., supplying power to the national grid. Officials expect the restart to enhance overall electricity supply and stability across the country.

According to plant sources, the unit was restarted after completing necessary technical preparations and coordination. Initially, it is generating about 170 megawatts, with plans to gradually increase output beyond 200 megawatts. The plant’s first unit, with a capacity of 125 megawatts, is also operational, producing an average of 60 to 65 megawatts. With both units running, officials anticipate a significant rise in national grid supply.

The chief engineer of the power plant stated that the third unit’s operation has boosted total generation capacity, making coal-based power production more stable. The Barapukuria Coal Mine authorities have also taken steps to resolve storage issues and manage increased coal demand as nearby power units resume operations.

The distribution of stipends and tuition fees for students from grades six to twelve under the Prime Minister’s Education Support Trust began on Wednesday. The payments are being made as part of the Integrated Stipend Program for the 2025–26 fiscal year. The trust communicated the decision in a letter sent to all upazila and thana secondary education officers on Tuesday.

According to the letter, funds for the July–December 2025 and January–June 2026 installments are being transferred directly to the accounts of eligible students and guardians through the Government-to-Person (G2P) system using the Harmonized Stipend Program Management Information System (HSP-MIS). Beneficiaries have been requested to withdraw the funds once deposited.

The notice also stated that no cash-out charges will be deducted from the stipend amounts when withdrawn through mobile financial services. Instead, the service providers will credit the equivalent cash-out charge amount to the beneficiaries’ accounts. Students and guardians have been advised not to share account details, PINs, or one-time passwords with others.

An expatriate named Merajul Islam, aged 44, from Asadpur Union in Homna upazila of Cumilla, died by suicide after reportedly losing about Tk 2.2 million in online gambling. According to local sources, he had been suffering from severe depression following the financial loss and consumed a toxic pesticide tablet on Tuesday. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition but could not be saved. His funeral and burial took place the same night in his village after an autopsy at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Local residents have urged strict legal action against online gambling apps to protect young people from addiction. Asadpur Union Parishad Chairman Md Jalal Pathan said he heard that Merajul took his own life after losing everything in online gambling but could not confirm the claim. Homna Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tomas Barua stated that the autopsy was completed in Dhaka and that Merajul and his son had recently returned from abroad and were facing financial hardship, which may have contributed to the incident.

Police noted that discussions about Merajul’s involvement in online gambling had surfaced on Facebook.

Questions have intensified following the death of Nurul Alam in Chattogram Central Jail a day after his arrest, as conflicting claims have emerged about his political affiliation. Police described him as the joint convener of the banned Dhemsha Union Jubo League when presenting him to court, while his family has firmly rejected that description. The police forwarding report also identified him as a suspect in a 2024 case under the Explosives Act linked to the July–August student and public protests.

Nurul Alam’s elder brother, Nur Mohammad, stated that his brother had never been involved with the Jubo League and was known instead as a supporter of the BNP. He alleged that a local land dispute led to Nurul’s arrest and described his death in custody as suspicious. Local political circles have also expressed mixed views, with some claiming he was connected to the Awami League’s affiliate organization and others saying he had recently associated with BNP supporters.

The conflicting claims about Nurul Alam’s political identity and the circumstances of his death have made the case more complex, with answers now depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has revised the schedule for secondary-level half-yearly and pre-selection examinations. According to an order signed by Professor Md. Sakhawat Hossain Khan, Director (Secondary) of DSHE, the new schedule was announced on Tuesday. The exams, originally planned from June 28 to July 13, will now be held from July 1 to July 16 due to unavoidable reasons.

The directive has been sent to principals or head teachers of all government and non-government lower secondary, secondary, and school-and-college institutions, as well as to district and upazila secondary education officers. The revised schedule applies to half-yearly exams for grades six to ten and pre-selection exams for grade ten students.

The change aims to ensure uniform implementation across educational institutions under the DSHE’s supervision, aligning all schools with the updated examination timeline.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh and joint convener of the National Editors Council, emphasized that newspapers must not become party mouthpieces or engage in anti-state or anti-public activities while shaping narratives. He made these remarks on Wednesday morning at a workshop on digital journalism, AI, and fact-checking organized by the National Editors Council in collaboration with the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB).

Rahman said the press, as the fourth pillar of the state, has suffered decline over the past 16 years and must be restored to credibility. He urged journalists to remain honest, skilled, and dedicated to their profession. PIB Director General Faruk Wasif noted that journalists now need fact-checking skills and said PIB has trained 7,000–8,000 journalists in the past two years. Other speakers highlighted the growing importance of AI and fact-checking in combating misinformation.

The two-day workshop included hands-on sessions on AI tools, Google Trends, and Notebook LM, with 29 senior sub-editors and staff reporters participating. The second day will focus on fact-checking principles, data security, and journalistic ethics.

Meta Platforms and eyewear manufacturer EssilorLuxottica have jointly announced the launch of a new line of AI-powered smart glasses priced at 299 US dollars. The product, named 'Meta Glasses', will be significantly more affordable than last year’s 800-dollar 'Ray-Ban Display' model, aiming to make AI-integrated wearables accessible to a wider consumer base.

Although developed in partnership with Luxottica, this marks the first eyewear series released under Meta’s own branding rather than Luxottica’s well-known labels such as Ray-Ban or Oakley. The glasses will be available in multiple colors and shapes, including a rectangular design and a slim oval frame created in collaboration with media personality Kylie Jenner. The devices will feature Meta’s first in-house AI model, 'Muse Spark', developed by its Superintelligence Labs to deliver advanced Meta AI services.

Unlike Snap’s smart glasses that overlay digital content on real-world views, Meta’s new glasses focus on text display and direct AI interaction, highlighting the company’s continued investment in personal artificial intelligence technologies.

A two-year-old girl named Tanisha died from electrocution on Wednesday morning in Nabinagar village under Kutubpur Union of Chuadanga Sadar upazila. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. when she accompanied her mother to a nearby house where an electric three-wheeler was being charged. While playing, she came into contact with a leaking electric line connected to the vehicle and was electrocuted. Family members rushed her to a local doctor, who declared her dead upon examination.

The tragic death has cast a pall of grief over the area, with relatives and neighbors expressing deep sorrow. Local residents said similar accidents often occur due to unsafe electrical connections used for charging vehicles. They urged greater caution and safety measures to prevent such incidents.

Chuadanga Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman confirmed the death and said necessary legal steps had been taken, though no complaint was filed by the family.

Md. Matiur Rahman Mati, chairman of Achmita Union Parishad in Katiadi upazila of Kishoreganj, announced his resignation from all positions and primary membership of the Awami League. He made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon during a press conference at the Katiadi Model Press Club, stating that the decision was voluntary and based on personal and political considerations.

Matiur Rahman Mati had long been involved in Awami League politics and served as vice president of the Achmita Union Awami League. His resignation has sparked wide discussion in the local political arena. In his written statement, he said he intends to work for the welfare of all residents of the union beyond party affiliation.

Local political observers noted that such a move by a long-time party member and elected chairman has generated new debate in the area. However, Matiur Rahman did not clarify whether he plans to join any other political party in the future.

Bangladeshi model, actress, and lawyer Peya Jannatul shared an emotional post on June 23 marking the first death anniversary of her father. In her social media message, she reflected on the brevity of life and expressed sorrow over two additional deaths that deeply affected her on the same day.

Peya mourned the sudden passing of Priya, a young entrepreneur and founder of the fashion brand Pakhi, who died at the age of 32. She recalled their recent conversation about Priya’s dreams and vision for Bangladesh. Peya also expressed grief over the death of choreographer Zakir Hossain, who had worked with her on a film and passed away at 50.

In her post, Peya emphasized that death is everyone’s final destination and urged people to live with kindness and humanity. She concluded by asking for prayers for her late father’s peace and eternal reward.

Police in Mymensingh’s Fulbaria upazila have arrested Mosharraf Hossain, 40, the main suspect accused of severely beating a prominent Islamic scholar. The arrest took place on Tuesday night at Laxmipur Bazar. The incident occurred on Sunday morning in Kalibajail village of Deokhola Union, reportedly over a boundary dispute near the Akand Bari area. The victim was rescued by locals and family members and first taken to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, from where doctors referred him to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

According to police and local sources, Mosharraf Hossain allegedly attacked the scholar with an iron rod, causing serious injuries. Following the assault, the victim’s son, Kawsar Jamil, filed a case with Fulbaria Police Station naming three suspects under case number 26 dated June 23, 2026. Officer-in-Charge Rashedul Hasan confirmed the arrest and said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accused.

Police have continued operations to identify and detain others involved in the attack as the investigation progresses.

The Sadar Upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) organized a protest march and rally in Gopalganj on Wednesday morning, June 24, 2026, to protest against drugs, terrorism, and anarchy. The procession began at 11 a.m. in front of the Sadar Upazila BNP office in the Panchuria area and was led by Sadar Upazila BNP president Sikdar Shahidul Islam Lelin. The march passed through various city streets and concluded in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office, where a brief rally was held.

District BNP convener and Zila Parishad administrator Sharif Rafiquzzaman, district BNP member secretary Advocate Kazi Abul Khayer, BNP leaders Advocate Toufiqul Islam and Ziaul Kabir Biplob, Sadar Upazila BNP general secretary Fazlul Kabir Dara, and district Jubo Dal president Riaz Uddin Lipton addressed the gathering. Leaders and activists from BNP and its affiliated organizations were present at the event.

Speakers urged building social resistance against drugs, terrorism, and anarchy and called for effective measures to improve the law and order situation.