Japan has announced a $15 million emergency humanitarian aid package for people in Iran, Lebanon, and the occupied West Bank. According to a statement from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the assistance will be delivered through international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The funds will support urgent humanitarian activities such as healthcare, food supply, shelter, safe water access, and sanitation. In addition, Tokyo will provide an extra $640,000 through the Japan Platform to strengthen the relief operations of non-governmental organizations in Lebanon.

The Japanese government stated that the humanitarian support will be carried out in coordination with international partners to address the urgent needs of people affected by conflict and instability in these regions.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the accused in the Shaheed Osman Hadi murder case will soon be brought back from India. He made the statement on Friday at a press briefing following a discussion marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2026, held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.

The minister said three of the accused have been arrested by the Indian government, reportedly in Kolkata, and legal proceedings are underway there. Bangladesh has already sent the necessary documents through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the extradition agreement. He expressed hope that the accused would be returned soon and that the incomplete investigation would be concluded with a charge sheet submission.

In response to questions, the minister also mentioned the arrest of Benazir Ahmed in Abu Dhabi, stating that relevant documents were sent to the UAE government within three days. However, no update has yet been received from the UAE authorities.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed that China will remain a steadfast friend, neighbor, and partner of Bangladesh regardless of global changes. During a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi declared China’s support for Bangladesh’s efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while rejecting any form of foreign interference. The two nations announced the formation of a new-era community with a shared future and agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level.

According to China’s Foreign Ministry, both sides committed to strengthening strategic dialogue, political trust, and cooperation across multiple sectors, including green and low-carbon development, digital economy, information technology, and artificial intelligence. Xi also emphasized advancing the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor and enhancing exchanges in health, culture, and education. He expressed China’s readiness to coordinate with Bangladesh in multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman congratulated the Communist Party of China on its 105th anniversary and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s adherence to the One-China policy. He praised China’s modernization as a model and expressed Bangladesh’s intent to deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and other development areas.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has departed for Bangladesh after completing a six-day state visit to Malaysia and China. He and his delegation left Beijing’s Tasing Airport on a China Southern Airlines commercial flight at 5:15 p.m. local time on Friday, with their arrival in Dhaka expected around 8:15 p.m. Bangladesh time. The prime minister and his wife, Zubaida Rahman, walked the red carpet before boarding, while a ceremonial guard of honor was presented by the Chinese military. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special envoy, Yu Xiaoyong, saw them off at the airport.

Earlier in the day, Rahman held a 50-minute bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall in Beijing, followed by a one-on-one discussion between the two leaders. This trip marked Rahman’s first foreign visit since forming a new government following the BNP’s decisive victory in the 13th parliamentary election. He began the journey on June 21 with a four-day visit to Malaysia before proceeding to China.

The completion of this visit signals the beginning of the new administration’s diplomatic engagements following the recent election.

As the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup nears its end, 18 teams have already secured their places in the Round of 32 under the tournament’s new 48-team format. From 12 groups, the top two teams and the eight best third-placed sides advance to the knockout phase. Confirmed teams include Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Netherlands, France, United States, Mexico, Switzerland, Canada, South Africa, Morocco, Japan, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Sweden, Norway, Colombia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Host nation Mexico dominated Group A with three wins, while South Africa advanced as runner-up. Brazil topped Group C with nine points, joined by Morocco. The United States, Germany, and the Netherlands also finished as group champions. Ecuador made history by defeating Germany 2–1 to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, and Ivory Coast reached the knockout stage for the first time.

Several high-voltage knockout fixtures are already confirmed, including Brazil versus Japan and Netherlands versus Morocco. The United States is set to face Bosnia-Herzegovina, while other matchups await final confirmation as remaining group games conclude.

Beijing has proposed establishing an economic corridor connecting Bangladesh, Myanmar, and China to expand regional connectivity and trade. The proposal was presented during a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarek Rahman at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday morning. According to Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Mahdi Amin, the discussion focused on enhancing connectivity and developing a multimodal transportation network to strengthen Bangladesh’s economic reach and transaction capacity.

China also expressed interest in modernizing Chattogram Port to transform it into a regional hub serving not only Bangladesh but also other countries. Additionally, Beijing showed willingness to upgrade Mongla Port to make it more progressive and service-oriented. Both sides discussed these infrastructure initiatives as part of broader efforts to deepen economic cooperation and regional integration.

Further details on the implementation timeline or specific investment commitments were not disclosed in the briefing.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has offered humanitarian and medical assistance to Venezuela following a devastating earthquake. In a message sent on Thursday to Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, Pezeshkian expressed condolences and sympathy over the casualties caused by the powerful tremors. He said the Islamic Republic stands by the Venezuelan government and people during this difficult time.

The Iranian president stated that Iran is ready to provide emergency relief, medical support, and humanitarian aid to help reduce the suffering of those affected and to assist in ongoing rescue and recovery operations. He described the earthquake as a tragic incident and expressed hope that the Venezuelan people would soon overcome the disaster.

According to reports, two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday night, leaving at least 235 people dead. The offer of assistance underscores Iran’s willingness to support Venezuela in its post-disaster recovery efforts.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a one-on-one meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, following a bilateral discussion at the Great Hall of the People. The meeting was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, who described it as unprecedented. The bilateral meeting, led by both leaders, lasted about 50 minutes before the private session took place.

According to Humayun Kabir, the exclusive meeting reflected the importance China places on Bangladesh and its leadership. He noted that such a separate, private discussion following a formal bilateral meeting was highly unusual, underscoring the significance of the engagement.

The meeting occurred on the final day of the Prime Minister’s visit to Beijing, highlighting the growing diplomatic engagement between Bangladesh and China. No further details about the topics discussed or outcomes of the meeting were disclosed in the report.

Cumilla-6 Member of Parliament Monirul Haque Chowdhury has warned of a long march if the administration fails to control drug trafficking and terrorism in the Golabari area. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, 2026, he said he would resign from parliament if the government did not take effective action. The event was held at the Cumilla Deputy Commissioner’s conference room.

Haque criticized local authorities for their inability to bring Golabari under control, contrasting it with the administration’s success in managing Jungle Salimpur. He urged the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police to prepare a list of key offenders and take immediate action, warning that he would mobilize 10,000 people for a long march if necessary. He also called on the district public prosecutor to be stricter about bail in murder and drug cases.

The meeting was chaired by Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md. Reza Hasan and attended by officials from law enforcement and local administration.

Authorities in Ayodhya, India, have arrested eight individuals accused of embezzling donations from the Ram Temple. The arrests followed a First Information Report (FIR) filed on June 25, 2026, based on recommendations from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government. Those detained include Lovkush Mishra, Anukalp Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Manish Yadav, Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu, Subhash Chandra Srivastava, and Karunesh Pandey. They face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for theft, criminal breach of trust, fraud, and conspiracy.

The case originated after allegations surfaced on June 7 that temple donation funds were being misappropriated. The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust requested an SIT probe, which submitted its preliminary report on June 23. Opposition parties have accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of shielding senior trust officials, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that action was taken strictly on the SIT’s findings.

The Ram Temple, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2024, has received substantial donations since opening. Officials said discrepancies were found only in the counting of cash from donation boxes, not in direct receipt-based contributions.

Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco has resumed crude oil loading operations at Ras Tanura, the Gulf region’s largest export terminal, after nearly four months of suspension. According to a Reuters report, two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) operated by Bahri, a Saudi shipping company, are currently loading crude at the terminal, while another vessel is waiting nearby. Each VLCC can carry about two million barrels of oil, signaling a restart of exports from one of Saudi Arabia’s key oil hubs.

The move comes as Middle Eastern oil and gas producers have recently increased production and exports amid hopes of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia’s decision to resume exports from within the Gulf aligns with this broader regional trend.

The resumption of operations at Ras Tanura indicates a potential stabilization in regional oil trade routes following months of disruption.

Bangladesh and China have taken their bilateral relationship to a new level following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official visit to Beijing. At a press conference held at the Diaoyutai Hotel on Thursday evening, Prime Minister’s Adviser and Spokesperson Mahdi Amin announced that 13 memorandums of understanding were signed after a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People. The agreements cover investment cooperation, green development, export capacity enhancement, education, vocational training, and media collaboration.

Discussions also focused on concessional loans, infrastructure development, and expanding Chinese investment in Bangladesh’s economic zones, industrial parks, and technology sectors. China expressed interest in supporting Bangladesh’s Teesta project through technical assistance and a joint feasibility study. Both sides discussed trade diversification, human resource development, and cultural exchange, including introducing Mandarin as a third language in Bangladesh’s education system.

China reaffirmed its willingness to work closely with Bangladesh’s elected government under Prime Minister Rahman, offering cooperation in trade, education, healthcare, and disaster management. The visit marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which both governments described as entering a new phase of strategic partnership.

A wave of pro-Palestinian victories in New York City has marked a dramatic shift in U.S. politics. In the latest elections, candidates supporting Palestinian rights won across all five boroughs, defeating long-standing incumbents known for their strong backing of Israel. Among the most notable losses were Representative Dan Goldman, who was defeated by former city comptroller Brad Lander, and Adriano Espaillat, who lost to activist Daryaliza Avila Chevalier despite heavy financial support from pro-Israel groups.

The results reflect growing voter frustration with continued U.S. funding for Israel’s military and its actions in Gaza. Polls cited in the report show that majorities of Democratic voters in states like Texas, Arizona, and New York believe Israel is committing genocide. The shift has also exposed divisions within the Democratic Party, as leaders face pressure to align with changing public sentiment.

The article suggests that unless Democratic leaders adjust their stance on Israel, they risk losing key voter support in future national elections, while Republicans may seize the opportunity to redefine their position on the issue.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury stated that over the past 18 years, Bangladesh’s civil administration, police, and all constitutional, autonomous, and cultural institutions have been destroyed. Speaking to journalists after a tree-planting event at the Jhenaidah District Council and Deputy Commissioner’s office grounds on Friday, June 26, he said the government is working to rebuild these institutions and restore the nation’s cultural heritage. He noted that Bangladesh has established cultural diplomatic relations with 48 countries to revive its lost cultural traditions.

The minister emphasized that the country’s cultural heritage is thousands of years old and rich, and that the government is taking steps to revive it. Excavations have begun under the Department of Archaeology to recover ancient relics, and initiatives are underway to activate the National Book Centre and public libraries nationwide. Efforts are also being made to collect and preserve nearly extinct folk traditions such as Bhatiali, Bhawaiya, Puthi literature, Khona’s sayings, and songs of Lalon Fakir.

Chowdhury urged people to reject obscene performances, saying such acts have no place in Bangladesh’s culture. He directed local administrations to promote healthy, tradition-based cultural practices.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has warned that Israel must withdraw from Lebanon without any conditions. Speaking in a live broadcast on Friday, he said Israel’s presence in Lebanon was not due to missile threats but to occupy and control the country. Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah’s restraint was a deliberate strategy of patience, describing endurance as the only path to victory.

He declared that Hezbollah would not disarm north of the Litani River and that any discussion on weapons would occur only after Israel’s complete and unconditional withdrawal. Qassem claimed Israel’s aggression aimed to eliminate Hezbollah but said the group had successfully resisted. He urged Lebanese authorities to unite against the enemy and reject external interference, particularly from the United States and Israel.

Qassem also commented on a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, calling it a formal declaration of defeat for both the U.S. and Israel, asserting that Iran’s steadfastness led to the agreement.