A Sylhet Speedy Trial Tribunal on June 25, 2026, acquitted eight accused, including Ex-Home Minister Lutfozzaman Babar, Ex-Sylhet City Mayor and current Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, and Whip G.K. Gaus, in the 2004 Dirai bombing case targeting former minister Suranjit Sengupta’s rally. The court sentenced one accused, Hafiz Naeem Ahmed Arif alias Nimu, to death for his involvement in the attack. The verdict came 22 years after the incident, which killed one person and injured 29.

According to the prosecution, the verdict followed extensive hearings and testimony from 67 of 123 witnesses. The defense claimed the accused were victims of political harassment, asserting their names were not in the original case but added later in a supplementary charge sheet. The convicted man’s family expressed dissatisfaction, alleging he was falsely implicated and announcing plans to appeal.

The 2004 grenade attack occurred during a political rally in Dirai, Sunamganj, where Suranjit Sengupta narrowly escaped harm. The case had undergone multiple investigations and charge revisions before reaching this final judgment.

At least five people, including a sixth-grade student, were injured when gunfire broke out during an anti-drug human chain in the Katabil area of Cumilla city on Thursday afternoon, June 25, 2026. The injured were taken to a local hospital, and several were reported to have sustained bullet wounds. The student, identified as Ethan Ahmed Prem, aged 12, was initially treated at Cumilla Medical College Hospital before being transferred to Dhaka for advanced care. Police have not yet detained anyone in connection with the incident.

According to local sources, residents organized the human chain to protest against drug trafficking in the area. During the event, a group of assailants attacked the participants, triggering panic and chaos. Law enforcement arrived shortly afterward and brought the situation under control. Police said operations are ongoing to identify and arrest those involved.

Authorities suspect that a local drug dealer named Apu, recently released on bail in a murder case, may be linked to the attack. Multiple police teams are currently conducting raids to apprehend the suspects.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain sharply criticized the government’s handling of the banking sector during the general discussion of the 13th National Parliament’s budget session on June 25. He alleged that the five banks recently merged, including Islami Bank, had been bankrupted by their former owners through looting and money laundering. He questioned why the new Bank Resolution Act allows those same owners to regain ownership by returning only 7.5 percent of the lost funds.

Hossain claimed that the finance minister failed to secure support from the IMF due to the lack of financial reforms. He described the proposed 2026–27 fiscal budget as a “death trap” for the middle class and ruinous for small businesses. Citing a previous white paper, he said $240 billion had been laundered abroad and that national debt had risen from 23 trillion to 24 trillion taka within months.

He further warned that the government’s plan to borrow 1.12 trillion taka from domestic banks would crowd out private investment and employment opportunities.

A stakeholder meeting was held on June 24 at the Bridge Division conference room to review a high-level committee report on establishing a unified and interoperable electronic toll collection (ETC) network across Bangladesh. The meeting, chaired by Bridge Division Secretary and Bangladesh Bridge Authority Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf, brought together representatives from government agencies, private stakeholders, technology experts, and journalists.

Participants discussed a proposed architecture for a single, self-contained platform that would integrate existing RFID-based ETC systems through APIs, enabling low-cost and rapid implementation. The plan recommends execution under the ICT Division or one of its affiliated agencies. A policy decision was made to use a single RFID tag issued by BRTA instead of multiple agency-specific tags, and to develop a unified mobile app for registration, toll information, digital payments, and traffic alerts. Attendees praised the proposal and emphasized the need for secure transactions and simplified user registration.

The initiative aims to reduce travel time, fuel waste, and public inconvenience while advancing the government’s goal of a cashless society and fully automated toll management nationwide.

Law enforcement agencies arrested three members of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF-Main) during an early morning operation in the remote forests of Matiranga, Khagrachhari, on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The arrests took place in Rekhung Para of Matiranga Sadar Union, where the suspects were reportedly staying overnight after completing organizational activities. Authorities recovered a locally made single-barrel gun, a foreign pistol, ammunition, a knife, a pistol magazine, three bags, a pair of shoes, and 11,000 taka in cash during the search.

The detainees were identified as Hlaprusai Marma (30) from Lakshyapara in Guimara, Tejendra Chakma (27) from Kalapara in Guimara Sadar Union, and Bishwo Tripura (28) from Mansipara in Matiranga Sadar. According to police sources, the arrests were made based on secret information. Matiranga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahed Uddin confirmed the incident and said preparations were underway to file a case under the Arms Act.

The officer also mentioned that additional operations were ongoing in several other locations in the area.

At least 164 people have been confirmed dead and 971 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced the updated figures on the country’s state television on Thursday. The quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, were among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century and were felt across the region.

Footage broadcast on state television showed rescuers pulling three dust-covered children alive from the rubble in La Guaira state, which suffered the most severe damage. Rodríguez declared La Guaira a disaster zone, noting that numerous buildings had collapsed and that rescue and relief operations were being intensified in the area.

Authorities have focused emergency efforts on search, rescue, and relief operations in the worst-affected zones as the country assesses the full extent of the destruction.

Israeli forces shot and killed an unarmed Palestinian man inside his bedroom during a raid in the occupied West Bank. The incident occurred on Tuesday in the village of Sarta, west of Salfit, according to local media reports. The victim, identified as Mustafa Taha Mustafa al-Khatib, was hit multiple times in the chest, head, and arm. His uncle, Yasin al-Khatib, said the soldiers broke into the house after Mustafa delayed opening the door because he had been asleep.

According to Yasin al-Khatib, Israeli troops entered the bedroom and opened fire as Mustafa was trying to get dressed. Local residents were prevented from providing first aid, and he died from his injuries before medical workers could reach him. After the soldiers withdrew, his body was taken to a hospital.

The report noted that such late-night raids by Israeli forces are frequent in the occupied West Bank, often resulting in deaths and arrests. Palestinian prisoner rights groups say around 9,300 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, nearly half without charge or trial.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States will provide assistance to Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes that struck the country. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said the U.S. is ready to offer all necessary support and has directed federal agencies to take swift action. According to Anadolu, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also expressed condolences to the families of the victims and confirmed that search and rescue teams, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid are being sent immediately to Venezuela.

Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez expressed gratitude to the United States for its support during this difficult time, thanking the Trump administration for its solidarity with the Venezuelan people. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the first quake, measuring 7.2 magnitude, was followed about 40 seconds later by a 7.5 magnitude quake, the strongest recorded in Venezuela in 125 years.

No official figures on casualties or damage have yet been released. The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency nationwide, and a tsunami warning has been issued across the Caribbean region.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad), told Parliament that the government does not have precise statistics on how many imams and muezzins are currently employed across the country. Citing a 2020 estimate, he said there were 331,125 mosques, suggesting the number of imams and muezzins could be around 662,250. He made the statement on June 25, 2026, in response to a parliamentary question from Narsingdi-1 MP Khairul Kabir Khokon.

The minister added that under the government’s election pledge to provide monthly honoraria to imams, muezzins, and khadems, 12,810 individuals have so far been included. He also discussed several ongoing projects, including mosque-based education programs, Hindu temple-based education initiatives, and the construction of 564 model mosques and Islamic cultural centers, of which 342 have been completed and 186 are under construction.

He further noted that efforts continue to promote moral education, religious tolerance, and anti-extremism awareness among youth and religious leaders. The minister also reported that 151.1795 acres of illegally occupied Waqf property had been recovered in the past year.

India’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, presented his credentials to President Md. Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on June 25, 2026. Upon arrival, he received a guard of honor from the President Guard Regiment. Following the formal ceremony, the High Commissioner held a courtesy meeting with the President.

During the meeting, President Shahabuddin welcomed the new envoy and expressed hope that his tenure would further strengthen and deepen Bangladesh-India relations. He recalled India’s participation in the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s new democratic government earlier in the year and emphasized the importance Bangladesh places on its partnership with India based on mutual respect, sovereignty, and people’s welfare. The High Commissioner conveyed greetings from India’s President and leadership and reaffirmed India’s commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation.

Both sides discussed the need for greater people-to-people contact and the resolution of outstanding border issues. The High Commissioner noted recent productive talks between senior officials of the BSF and BGB and expressed optimism that regular meetings would help resolve border matters swiftly.

Opposition lawmaker Salah Uddin from Gazipur-4 alleged in parliament that the withdrawal of Sarwar Alam, a district commissioner with a clean image, from Sylhet was intended to promote corruption. He made the statement on Thursday while participating in the discussion on the proposed national budget.

During his speech, the Jamaat MP claimed that large-scale irregularities were taking place in various government programs, including the school feeding initiative, where he alleged weekly embezzlement of 17 crore taka. He also mentioned corruption in canal excavation projects and said that bribes of 10 to 15 percent were being calculated openly. Turning to the proposed budget, he criticized it as debt-dependent and described it as a “story of Ashar,” arguing that those already burdened with debt would naturally produce such a budget.

Salah Uddin further stated that prices of essential goods and energy had already risen before the budget presentation. He demanded special allocations for his constituency, including a modern cold storage facility, anti-drug and anti-gang operations, and expansion of a highway from Rajendrapur to Tok via Kapasia.

Mumtahina Parveen, a Bangladeshi student pursuing a master’s degree in econometrics at Xiamen University, describes China as a land of dreams, education, and inspiration. In her account, she highlights the peaceful and safe environment for study, the scenic beauty of Xiamen city, and the disciplined lifestyle of its residents. She notes that the city’s infrastructure, including separate lanes for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles, reflects careful urban planning.

Parveen emphasizes China’s advanced educational environment, where libraries are quiet and well-equipped, and students must register for seats in advance. She also details the country’s technological integration into daily life, from mobile-based financial transactions through WeChat and Alipay to widespread use of facial recognition for security. Online shopping platforms like Taobao and Pinduoduo, along with efficient transport systems, make life highly convenient.

She concludes that China’s disciplined citizens, technological progress, and sustainable urban management offer valuable lessons for Bangladesh. Parveen believes that by adopting similar planning and work ethics, Bangladesh can move toward a more prosperous and modern future.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued a warning urging the public to remain cautious about unauthorized agencies, groups, or caravans promoting Hajj activities. According to a letter released on Thursday by the ministry’s Hajj-3 branch, some unapproved entities are advertising attractive Hajj packages on social media platforms to lure prospective pilgrims. The ministry clarified that only government-approved and licensed Hajj agencies are permitted to organize Hajj activities, and travel through unapproved operators is not possible.

The letter further requested that no financial transactions be made with any unlisted or unlicensed travel agents, groups, or caravans for Hajj-related purposes. It emphasized that only agencies officially listed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs are authorized to handle such arrangements.

The ministry also mentioned that the official Hajj package and guidelines for 2027 will be announced soon and urged all concerned to follow the forthcoming official instructions once published.

Bangladesh Bank has extended the maximum tenure for personal loans and loans for durable consumer goods from five years to eight years. The central bank issued a circular on Thursday to all scheduled banks, allowing them to set loan terms up to eight years under revised prudential regulations for consumer financing.

The circular also introduced relaxed conditions for auto loans to promote the domestic motor vehicle industry. Under the new rules, customers can now borrow up to 6 million taka for general auto loans, while loans for electric, hybrid, and locally manufactured vehicles can go up to 8 million taka. Additionally, banks may finance up to 80 percent of the vehicle’s value for these environmentally friendly and locally produced cars, compared to the previous 60 percent limit for regular auto loans.

Bangladesh Bank has also withdrawn the earlier restriction that limited consumer financing growth to be lower than overall loan growth, giving banks greater flexibility in expanding their retail lending portfolios.

Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodríguez said that saving human lives is the government’s top priority following a powerful earthquake that struck the country. She confirmed that authorities are working to rescue people trapped under collapsed buildings and that international rescue teams from the United States, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and El Salvador are expected to arrive within hours.

Rodríguez described La Guaira state, north of Caracas, as the most affected area, calling it a disaster zone and a true tragedy after dozens of buildings collapsed. She noted that at least 32 people have been killed and more than 700 injured, though the death toll does not yet include figures from La Guaira. The government has prepared hotels and shelters for those who lost their homes and suspended all nonessential public and educational activities.

The Venezuelan government also announced the closure of Simón Bolívar International Airport due to severe terminal damage, halting all operations until further notice.