A Bangladeshi man was found dead inside Indian territory near the Companiganj border in Sylhet on Wednesday evening. The body of 60-year-old Mik Kond Dani, a resident of Turung village in Dumdumia area, was discovered about 100 yards inside the border, lying among rocks in a river. Local sources said he often crossed into India to collect firewood and work in Khasi gardens. He had gone across the border on Wednesday morning and did not return home by evening, prompting his brother to search for him. The body was later found near border pillar 1260.

According to locals, there were marks of injury on his head and body. Family members recovered the body and brought it home. Sylhet Battalion 48 BGB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Md Nazmul Haque stated that there was no incident of firing by the BSF or Indian nationals and that the death appeared accidental. Police from Companiganj station visited the site and sent the body to Sylhet MAG Medical College Hospital for autopsy to determine the cause of death.

US Vice President JD Vance stated that Washington is reviewing the conditions for a possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. He said the process involves verifying whether Turkey has met the necessary legal requirements under US law, and that he is working with the Pentagon to assess compliance before any transfer takes place.

Vance emphasized that the matter ultimately depends on the US Congress. He noted that Turkey must fully adhere to American legal standards before receiving the aircraft. The review aims to ensure that all statutory obligations are satisfied prior to any approval of the sale.

According to Vance, if Turkey meets the legal conditions, it will be eligible to obtain the F-35 jets. The statement reflects ongoing scrutiny of defense sales and the importance of congressional oversight in such transactions.

Police in Ramganj have arrested Abu Darda Md. Zobayer, an 18-year-old twelfth-grade student, in connection with the murder of Mehedi Hasan, a student of Farid Ahmed Bhuiyan Academy in Lakshmipur. The arrest took place on Thursday night during a special operation led by SI Md. Soleman and ASI Md. Mohiuddin under the supervision of the ASP Circle and the Officer-in-Charge of Ramganj Police Station. The operation was conducted in various areas under Mirpur and Pallabi police stations in Dhaka.

Zobayer, son of Md. Shahjahan from Baliyadhar village in Chatkhil upazila of Noakhali, is one of the accused named in the case. Earlier, on June 22, police arrested the acting principal of the academy, Shariful Islam, and another student, Sajidul Islam Mahi. The case stems from the June 15 killing of eighth-grade student Mehedi Hasan, who was allegedly beaten to death by senior students over a false accusation of stealing an iPhone. Police said legal procedures are underway and the arrested suspect will be presented before court.

Ramganj police confirmed that operations to capture the remaining fugitives are continuing.

Elon Musk has lost his trillionaire status within just two weeks, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. As of Wednesday’s U.S. market close, his net worth fell to 957 billion dollars, down from 1.11 trillion dollars less than 14 days earlier. The decline followed a sharp global stock market downturn that heavily impacted technology shares, including those of SpaceX and Tesla.

Despite the loss, Musk remains the world’s richest individual, with wealth still far exceeding that of his closest competitors. He had become the first person to surpass one trillion dollars in net worth after the stock market debut of his rocket, satellite, and artificial intelligence company. The blockbuster initial public offering was priced at 135 dollars per share and opened trading at 150 dollars, giving the company a market value of over 1.77 trillion dollars.

Musk’s 42 percent ownership in SpaceX had initially pushed his paper wealth beyond the trillion-dollar mark, but the recent market slump reversed that milestone.

The United States is facing a critical test in Venezuela following a devastating earthquake that struck the country on Wednesday. According to a CNN report, the disaster comes after the Trump administration’s earlier pledge to rebuild Venezuela following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro. President Donald Trump had previously declared that the US would ‘manage’ the country and outlined a three-step plan involving stability, recovery, and transformation.

In the months since Maduro’s ouster, Trump has promoted the success of US involvement in Venezuela and his partnership with interim President Delcy Rodríguez. Just a day before the earthquake, Trump told a rally in Pennsylvania that Venezuela was ‘doing very well’ and that the US was profiting from the relationship. However, the situation on the ground remains dire, with 28 million Venezuelans struggling with inflation, low wages, censorship, and a deep humanitarian crisis.

Following the earthquake, Trump posted on Truth Social that the US government was ready to assist and had instructed all agencies to prepare for rapid action. It remains uncertain how far this commitment will extend and whether Washington can help Venezuela achieve the promised stability and economic growth.

A student of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) in Dinajpur has accused a senior of abduction, extortion, and physical assault following a mobile phone theft allegation. The incident reportedly occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, according to the victim, Darus Salam, a student of the Agricultural Engineering Department’s 25th batch. He claimed that his immediate senior, Arif Hasnat, from the ECE 24th batch, took him on a motorcycle under the pretext of retrieving a recovered phone from the police station but instead brought him to a secluded area in New Town, where he was beaten and threatened for three hours.

Darus Salam said Arif and another student, Mezbaha, a member of the student wing of a political group, demanded Tk 10,000 as ransom and warned him not to disclose the incident. After being released, he was taken to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital due to illness, and the university’s proctorial body was informed.

HSTU Proctor Professor Dr. Nowsher Wan confirmed receiving a written complaint and said an investigation had begun, promising disciplinary action against those found guilty.

U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized several European allies for what he described as inadequate support during the war against Iran. Speaking from the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said the United States did not need any assistance but had expected stronger backing from European governments. He specifically mentioned disappointment with Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, and France.

According to the report, Trump reiterated his earlier complaints that European allies had failed to provide sufficient support in the conflict with Iran. His remarks underscored ongoing tensions between Washington and key European partners over military cooperation and burden-sharing within the NATO alliance.

The comments, reported by Middle East Eye, reflect continued friction in transatlantic relations as the U.S. administration seeks greater alignment from European nations on its Middle East policies.

Banks in Bangladesh continue to depend primarily on immovable assets such as land and buildings when issuing loans, according to data from Bangladesh Bank for the first quarter of 2026. About 63.74 percent of total loans, amounting to Tk 11.37 trillion, were backed by real estate collateral. This reliance has increased slightly from the previous quarter, when 63.54 percent of loans were secured by similar assets. Despite this, many of these mortgaged properties are now difficult to sell, particularly those linked to influential defaulters.

Industry insiders attribute the trend to rising irregularities and corruption in the banking sector, which have made asset-based lending appear safer. Reports indicate that some borrowers diverted loan funds to purchase more land, later using those properties for additional loans, often with inflated valuations. As a result, banks are struggling to recover defaulted loans through asset sales.

Experts and young entrepreneurs argue that this property-dependent lending culture is hindering economic diversification and limiting access to finance for startups and innovative ventures lacking tangible assets.

The White House has formally asked the U.S. Congress to approve $87.6 billion in emergency funding, primarily to address needs related to the ongoing war with Iran. The request, sent by the Office of Management and Budget to House Speaker Mike Johnson, allocates $67 billion to the Department of Defense, including funds for ammunition, operations, and classified programs. Additional allocations include $11 billion for U.S. farmers and $1.4 billion to combat the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.

The funding appeal comes just one day after Congress passed a resolution condemning President Donald Trump’s military actions. Lawmakers expect the proposal to face significant resistance, as the Iran conflict remains unpopular among voters ahead of the November midterm elections. The White House letter cited “Operation Epic Fury” as the main driver of the emergency request, also including $300 million to strengthen security at U.S. diplomatic facilities in the Middle East and South Asia.

Despite a current ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, the Pentagon reportedly needs to rebuild its stockpiles after recent strikes. The request follows rising tensions between Trump and Republican senators who supported limiting his war powers.

The United States has pledged emergency assistance to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country’s northern coast on Wednesday evening. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. government is ready, willing, and able to help, directing all agencies to prepare for rapid response. Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a state of emergency following the disaster.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the first quake, measuring 7.2 magnitude, hit near San Felipe, about 284 kilometers west of Caracas, followed 39 seconds later by a 7.5 magnitude quake near Yumar. The tremors caused widespread destruction across several states, including Trujillo, Carabobo, Miranda, and La Guaira. USGS estimated a 44 percent probability of fatalities reaching 10,000 and a 30 percent chance of exceeding 100,000 deaths due to the region’s vulnerable building structures.

U.S. Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance Jeremy Lewin said a disaster response team and task force have been mobilized to deliver search and rescue units, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau reaffirmed U.S. solidarity with the Venezuelan people and ongoing coordination with local authorities.

U.S. President Donald Trump formally inaugurated a 16-day national celebration marking the country’s 250th Independence anniversary at the National Mall in Washington on Wednesday. His opening speech sparked political controversy, with critics alleging that Trump used the national platform as an election-style campaign event. In his remarks, Trump claimed the United States was entering a new era of strength and confidence, citing economic progress and military achievements, including actions against Iran and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The celebration, titled the “Great American State Fair,” will run until July 10, featuring cultural exhibitions, regional foods, military bands, air shows, and a 110-foot Ferris wheel. Organizers said all 50 states and six territories are showcasing their heritage and traditions. However, several artists withdrew, saying the event had become overly political. Trump later described himself as the main attraction and boasted of drawing larger crowds than Elvis Presley.

The event comes ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, as Trump faces criticism over alleged personal influence in federal renovation projects. He concluded his speech by calling the upcoming Independence Day the “greatest celebration ever” and promised a new “golden age” for the nation.

The Secretary Committee, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, has finalized five major decisions to implement Bangladesh’s ninth government pay scale. The meeting, held at the Secretariat, reviewed the Public Administration Commission’s recommendations and set July 1 as the target date for implementation. The committee prioritized improving living standards for lower-income employees and reducing pay disparities amid rising inflation. Officials on post-retirement leave will also be included under the new pay scale.

According to meeting sources, while consensus was reached on public administration-related recommendations, proposals concerning the judiciary and armed forces remain unresolved. The new structure will be implemented in two phases instead of three, with employees in grades 10–20 receiving 60 percent of the raise in the first phase and those in grades 1–9 receiving 40 percent. The plan also includes significant increases in house rent and medical allowances to align with current market conditions.

Legal vetting and regulatory amendments are being expedited to avoid technical or legal complications before the official notification is issued. Another meeting may be held soon to finalize pending decisions for the judiciary and armed forces.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on Chinese businesses to increase investment in Bangladesh. He made the appeal on Thursday morning at the 'Bangladesh Investment Forum' held at the Diaoyutai Hotel in Beijing. The event, organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), featured a presentation by BIDA Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury on investment opportunities in Bangladesh. A total of 125 Chinese business representatives attended the forum.

In his address, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh is open for business, ready for the future, and eager to build deeper industrial partnerships with China. He urged Chinese companies to expand their value chains in Bangladesh. Rahman also announced that the government is implementing a 180-day plan to reform international capital procedures, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, digitize public services, ensure policy continuity, and foster an investment-friendly environment.

He further stated that a Chinese economic and industrial zone is being developed in Anwara, with a second zone planned in Mongla. Bangladesh will soon open its first investment office in China to provide more effective services to Chinese investors.

A series of violent incidents in Chattogram’s government offices has raised alarm among officials and employees. Over the past months, multiple offices have faced armed threats, vandalism, and mob pressure linked to disputes over bill payments and tenders. On June 21, around 30–35 contractors allegedly stormed the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) office, prompting police deployment. Earlier, on June 18, armed men entered the Education Engineering Department office, placing weapons on an executive engineer’s desk and issuing threats. Similar attacks targeted customs and agricultural offices, with officials assaulted or threatened at gunpoint.

Police confirmed they respond to complaints and provide security when incidents occur, though only half of the reported attacks have led to formal cases. Civil society representatives warned that continued intimidation could undermine administrative integrity and foster a culture of coercion. LGED officials said fear now hampers their ability to perform duties, while police assured that legal action follows any formal complaint.

Observers cautioned that unchecked violence could disrupt normal governance and weaken public trust in administrative institutions.

The intercity Bijoy Express train departed from the accident site near the inner signal of Gauripur rail junction in Mymensingh early Wednesday night, leaving behind three derailed coaches. The train resumed its journey toward Chattogram around 12:30 a.m. after the incident, which occurred at about 10:45 p.m. when the last three coaches went off the tracks. Several passengers were injured in the derailment.

According to Gauripur station master Shafiqul Islam, the train continued its journey with 11 coaches following instructions from higher authorities to minimize passenger inconvenience. Announcements were made at the station informing passengers from the damaged coaches to shift to other compartments. Passengers who wished to cancel their trips were offered ticket refunds, though none accepted. Rail officials stated that the derailment occurred because the line automatically changed after the signal time expired, diverting the last three coaches to another track.

Train movement between Gauripur and Chattogram remained suspended for about two hours following the accident before normal operations resumed.