A major corruption scandal has erupted over alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, India. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government has arrested eight people responsible for counting cash and valuables, recovering nearly 8 million rupees and some foreign currency. The accused have been remanded in judicial custody until June 29. Investigators found serious procedural violations, including lack of security checks, absence of guards, and improper CCTV retention. The key to the donation box was held by a former driver of the temple trust’s general secretary, violating regulations.

The controversy began when Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and former legislator Pawan Pandey alleged large-scale misappropriation of temple funds. Following the uproar, the trust’s general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned. Opposition leaders from Shiv Sena (Uddhav), Congress, and others have accused the ruling BJP and RSS of betraying Hindu sentiments and demanded arrests of senior trust officials. Congress leaders called for an impartial probe, alleging attempts to shield key culprits.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya dismissed the opposition’s claims, asserting that arrests followed the SIT’s findings and promising strict action against those guilty.

Bahrain has strongly condemned Iran’s recent missile and drone attacks, describing them as a violation of its sovereignty and a threat to regional stability. In an official statement issued on June 28, 2026, Bahrain said the attacks undermine efforts to ease tensions and maintain peace in the region.

The statement urged the United Nations Security Council to convene an emergency session to address the ongoing aggression and ensure accountability for those responsible. Bahrain emphasized that it retains the full legal right to defend its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity under international law.

Bahrain also held the Iranian government fully responsible for any escalation resulting from its continued acts of aggression, according to the statement cited by Middle East Eye.

Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain announced that Bangladesh currently has 26 million Vitamin A capsules in stock. He made the statement on Sunday, June 28, during the inauguration of the first round of the nationwide Vitamin A Plus campaign at the Abu Sayeed International Convention Center in Dhaka. The minister said that any child who misses the capsule during the campaign will be able to receive it the following day at designated centers.

According to the minister, a total of 25.5 million children aged between six and 59 months across the country will receive Vitamin A capsules today. Children aged six to 11 months will be given a blue capsule, while those aged 12 to 59 months will receive a red high-dose capsule.

The campaign aims to ensure that all eligible children receive the supplement to prevent Vitamin A deficiency and related health issues, as indicated by the minister’s remarks.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Faridpur-2 MP Shama Obaid told Parliament that the opposition has described the proposed national budget as a daydream and a challenge, but she believes it is realistic and can only be implemented by a BNP government. She made the remarks on Sunday during the general discussion on the proposed budget, in a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

Obaid said the budget is challenging but follows the legacy of former President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia, who took on major national challenges. She emphasized that under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the BNP has taken responsibility for the country amid a fragile economy. She described the budget as women-friendly and focused on youth empowerment.

The minister highlighted key measures such as agricultural loan waivers, health cards, mid-day meals in education, family cards, and large allocations for local government development. She said these prove the budget is pro-people, not favoring business elites, and called for allocations for grassroots poor who have suffered over the past 17 years.

Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) has revoked the lifetime emeritus professor title of medicine specialist Professor Dr. A.B.M. Abdullah and ordered him to return nearly two years of honorarium and allowances. The university stated that the decision was an administrative correction of an irregular appointment, not a personal or retaliatory action. The move has sparked widespread debate among doctors and on social media, with questions raised about the reasons and timing of the decision.

According to BMU, Dr. Abdullah’s appointment as lifetime emeritus professor did not follow required procedures such as departmental recommendations and evaluation committee approval. The university said the appointment was made solely on a syndicate member’s proposal and that Dr. Abdullah did not regularly attend work or engage in teaching or research despite receiving full benefits. BMU estimated he received over 1.4 million taka in payments. Critics, however, view the cancellation as disrespectful and politically motivated, while supporters argue it ensures transparency and accountability.

Dr. Abdullah, who served as personal physician to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, claimed the cancellation was unjust and questioned why it was done now after several years of service.

Iran has warned that it will suspend a memorandum of understanding signed with the United States if American attacks continue. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement emphasizing the fifth clause of the Islamabad memorandum, which grants Iran control over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC said stricter measures will now be taken against violating vessels and warned that continued US aggression would provoke a stronger Iranian response.

The statement further noted that any breach of the ceasefire would violate the memorandum and could lead to its complete suspension. The firm stance from Tehran has placed diplomatic efforts between the two countries in serious jeopardy. Although the memorandum was signed on June 17, the ongoing conflict has pushed the ceasefire agreement to the brink of collapse.

According to the source, the situation has created a deep crisis in bilateral relations, with the risk of renewed confrontation if hostilities persist.

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction in the coastal La Guaira region. According to a report by Al Jazeera citing the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the estimated damage ranges between $4.7 billion and $8.7 billion. So far, 1,430 bodies have been recovered, while about 69,000 people remain missing. Authorities have declared La Guaira a disaster zone and imposed travel restrictions from Friday night to facilitate rescue operations.

Rescue efforts have been hampered by logistical challenges, prompting local residents to clear debris by hand in search of relatives. Aid agencies warned that the critical 72-hour window for finding survivors is closing. Government officials stated that special permission is required to enter the affected area, though details remain unclear.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez described each life saved as a miracle, while interim President Delcy Rodríguez said the government has deployed all available resources and welcomed international rescue and humanitarian assistance.

Bangladesh Bank has discontinued the CAMELS rating system used to assess banks’ financial health and introduced a new Composite Risk Rating (CRR) framework effective from January 2026. The CRR system is part of the central bank’s Risk-Based Supervision structure and aims to evaluate banks’ overall risk and management capacity. The decision was confirmed by internal sources of Bangladesh Bank.

Previously, CAMELS ratings were based on six indicators—capital adequacy, asset quality, management, earnings, liquidity, and market sensitivity—and were kept confidential. Officials noted that the CAMELS system was backward-looking, relying on past financial data, and failed to detect emerging risks. The new CRR approach is forward-looking, assessing both current conditions and potential future vulnerabilities.

According to internal documents, the change was made to eliminate duplication and improve supervisory efficiency. Bangladesh Bank has reorganized its internal structure, forming 17 new supervision departments. The shift aligns with international practices in countries such as India, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Singapore. Analysts believe the success of the CRR will depend on the central bank’s commitment to impartial enforcement.

A joint operation by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) recovered one one-shooter gun, eleven detonators, and eleven explosives from the border area of Sonasar in Barothakuri Union under Zakiganj upazila of Sylhet. The operation took place on Saturday night, June 27, 2026, following intelligence reports that illegal arms and explosives had been smuggled into Bangladesh and stored near the border. The information was confirmed through a press release issued by the BGB headquarters on Sunday.

According to the BGB, the Zakiganj Battalion (19 BGB) and RAB-9 formed a joint team that conducted a special search operation about 1.5 kilometers inside Bangladesh from the zero line in the Biabail BOP area. The recovered items were found during an extensive search at the Sonasar Bricks Field area. Preliminary assessment suggests the seized weapons and explosives were smuggled into the country.

Authorities stated that enhanced intelligence, operational vigilance, and strict border security measures have enabled the interception of such illegal consignments. Legal proceedings related to the recovery are currently underway.

Lionel Messi reached another milestone at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by scoring in Argentina’s final Group J match against Jordan in Dallas. Coming on as a substitute in the second half, Messi netted a free-kick in the 83rd minute, marking his seventh consecutive World Cup match with a goal. According to international statistical sources, no player in World Cup history had previously achieved such a scoring streak.

Messi’s run began in the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup, where he scored against Australia, the Netherlands, Croatia, and France. He continued the streak in the 2026 tournament with goals against Austria, Algeria, and Jordan. The Argentine captain’s consistency has become a hallmark of his two-decade international career, with each World Cup adding new records to his name.

Argentina completed the group stage with a perfect record, advancing to the knockout rounds. Messi now enters the next phase of the tournament as the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches, raising anticipation about how far he can extend this record.

Direct flights between Iran and the United Arab Emirates are set to resume on July 1 after several months of suspension caused by regional military tensions. Authorities from both countries have issued the necessary permits to restart operations, according to Majid Akhavan, spokesperson for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization.

Akhavan stated that Iranian airlines will initially operate the route, with other carriers expected to join following regulatory reviews. He added that the reopening of other international routes remains under consideration and will depend on further approvals. The decision marks a cautious step toward restoring normal air connectivity between the two nations.

Earlier, an Iranian trade official noted that goods previously held at the UAE’s Jebel Ali port due to wartime conditions are now being shipped to Iran, signaling a gradual return of trade to pre-conflict levels. Tehran also reported that cargo unloading has resumed despite recent U.S. strikes on Iranian facilities following an attack on a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has found that over a hundred modern CCTV cameras installed at its headquarters in Dhaka are largely ineffective because trees planted by the city corporation obstruct their range. The cameras, installed at a cost of 25 million taka to strengthen security around the Election Building, cannot properly capture footage of surrounding areas. EC officials now consider the project an expensive misstep and are planning to request tree removal to restore visibility.

Environmental experts have criticized the EC’s plan, calling it a sign of administrative incompetence and alleging that the project was driven by misuse of funds. They warned that any official who authorizes tree cutting will be labeled environmentally destructive. The EC’s senior secretary stated that security remains a top priority and that obstacles will be addressed internally or through formal requests to relevant authorities.

The issue follows multiple protests and explosions near the Election Building during the 2025–2026 election period, which had already raised concerns about the EC’s security capacity. Officials fear that without proper maintenance, the new cameras could soon become as ineffective as older units.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that United States military bases in the Middle East will turn into ‘hell’ following recent US attacks on Iranian territory. The warning came in a statement issued by the IRGC’s naval command after a US strike on the Iranian city of Sirik. The statement said the attack would not solve what it called the ‘mystery’ of Iran’s dominance over the Strait of Hormuz and warned that ships violating agreements would not be spared.

According to the IRGC, the US bases in the region are now a separate matter and will face severe consequences. The group confirmed that Iran has already launched missile and drone attacks on eight US military installations in the Middle East, describing these strikes as the ‘final response’ to renewed US aggression against Iran.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, highlights escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, with the IRGC signaling readiness for further confrontation if US actions continue.

A BNP leader from the United States has lodged a written complaint with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Home Ministry, and central Jubo Dal authorities, alleging extortion, assault, and harassment by a local Jubo Dal leader in Sylhet’s Beanibazar. The complainant, Moin Uddin, former vice president of the BNP’s Queens branch in New York, accused Kamal Ahmed alias Chakku Kamal, a member of the Beanibazar municipal Jubo Dal convening committee, of demanding money and attacking him after refusal.

Moin Uddin claimed Kamal and his associates vandalized his business and home boundary wall and later attempted further attacks despite a police case filed in April. He said he was forced to leave his area due to ongoing threats. Local sources reported Kamal began asserting influence under the BNP banner after the fall of the Awami League government in August last year, facing multiple allegations of extortion and organizational misconduct.

Local and district Jubo Dal officials confirmed receiving complaints and recommendations for Kamal’s expulsion, though no decisive action has yet been taken. Kamal denied all allegations, calling them baseless and demanding proof.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced his resignation on Saturday after 18 months of anti-government protests led by students. He also declared that Serbia will hold early presidential and parliamentary elections. The demonstrations began after a railway station roof collapse in Novi Sad in November 2024 killed 16 people, sparking public outrage over alleged corruption and mismanagement in government construction projects.

Vucic, who has been in power for 12 years as president or prime minister, said he would step down within weeks but did not specify a date or when parliament would be dissolved. His term was originally due to end in mid-2027. Analysts believe Vucic’s move could allow him to return as prime minister if his Serbian Progressive Party wins the upcoming elections. Opposition groups and student activists have vowed to challenge him and his party at the polls.

Vucic promised reforms, including anti-corruption measures and social spending increases, while denying accusations of corruption and media suppression. Serbia remains a candidate for European Union membership but continues to balance ties with Russia and China.