China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee has expelled six senior officers of the People’s Liberation Army as part of President Xi Jinping’s ongoing anti-corruption drive within the military. The announcement, issued late Friday, stated that a total of 13 lawmakers were removed and one resigned. Among those dismissed from the legislature were a former top financial regulator and the former Communist Party chief of Xinjiang province.

The expelled PLA officers include General Xu Xueqiang of the Equipment Development Department, Lieutenant General Wang Kangping of the Eastern Theater Command, Lieutenant General Yin Hongxing of the Tibet Military Command, General Li Fengbiao of the Western Theater Command, General Guo Puxiao of the Air Force, and Lieutenant General Zhang Minghua of the Cyberspace Force. Several of them had previously been under investigation or absent from key political meetings.

Xi’s campaign has already led to the removal of more than ten senior commanders, with some under investigation and others disappearing from public view. Of the seven members announced for the Central Military Commission in 2022, only Xi Jinping and anti-corruption chief Zhang Shengmin remain in office.

A small aircraft crashed into Beijing’s tallest building, the 109-story CITIC Tower, on Friday. The incident occurred in one of the city’s busiest commercial districts, causing debris and aircraft parts to fall onto the streets below. People inside the building and on the streets were seen fleeing in panic as wreckage rained down.

Footage shared on social media showed debris falling from the skyscraper, including what appeared to be part of the plane’s tail. The New York Times verified a video of the event, confirming the fall of debris and the rush of people seeking safety. The building, located in the heart of Beijing, is among the most secure sites in the city.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether there were any casualties or injuries resulting from the crash.

An analyst from the American University of Rome, Andrea Dessì, stated that recent tensions between Iran and the United States demonstrate the fragility of the memorandum of understanding aimed at ending conflict. He warned that the agreement could collapse at any time, even as both sides share an interest in preventing the situation from escalating into a larger confrontation.

According to Dessì, similar incidents may recur over the next 30 to 60 days as negotiations continue, potentially shaping a new reality in the region. He noted that both Iran and the United States are motivated to show their capability to control and manage the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Dessì added that the positions of both countries regarding the Strait will play a crucial role in future talks. The rivalry over control of this vital waterway could also affect regional security, increasing the risk of conflict if tensions spiral out of control.

According to data from the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 73,043 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel launched its military campaign in October 2023. The ministry released its latest report on Saturday, noting that 1,031 people have been killed and 3,309 injured since the ceasefire in October 2025.

The report further stated that the total number of injured individuals from Israeli attacks has risen to 173,417. These figures reflect the ongoing humanitarian toll in Gaza following nearly three years of conflict and intermittent ceasefires.

The data, cited by Al Jazeera, underscores the continuing devastation in the region and highlights the scale of casualties reported by Gaza’s health authorities.

The World Bank has approved an emergency loan of $1.1 billion for two projects in Bangladesh to help the country address global fertilizer and energy market volatility, maintain food security, and ensure rapid response measures. The approval was announced on Friday through a statement from the World Bank’s Dhaka office. Jean Pesme, the Bank’s Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, said the assistance aims to mitigate the economic impact of rising food, fertilizer, and fuel prices caused by conflicts in the Middle East, which have severely affected small farmers and vulnerable communities.

The funding will be used under the “Emergency Support for Food Security Project” to import 600,000 metric tons of essential fertilizer, half of which will be urea, for the 2026 Aman and 2026–27 Boro rice seasons. This is expected to sustain rice production across 1.4 million hectares of farmland. Another portion, under the “Contingent Emergency Response Project,” will provide cash support to affected families and small businesses, and maintain essential services such as food, medicine, electricity, and water. The funds are scheduled for disbursement by June 30.

World Bank officials said the emergency fund was created by reallocating unused resources from existing projects to ensure quick delivery and avoid bureaucratic delays.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) prevented an alleged push-in attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the Telipara tea garden border in Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj early Friday. The incident occurred near border pillar 82 in the 18-number border area, where BSF personnel reportedly tried to push nine individuals into Bangladesh around 3 a.m. Local residents also played an active role in assisting BGB during the operation.

According to the commander of the 55 BGB Battalion, Tanjilur Rahman, BSF members attempted the push-in by turning off border lights late at night. Following the incident, BGB strengthened patrols and surveillance across the border area to prevent further attempts.

The report highlights the coordinated response between BGB and local residents, which successfully thwarted the intrusion effort and reinforced border vigilance in the region.

Opposition lawmaker Shajahan Chowdhury from Chattogram-15 has criticized the proposed 2026–2027 national budget, claiming it was prepared by individuals aligned with what he termed a fascist government and does not reflect the aspirations of July. Speaking in parliament on Saturday, he said the budget failed to embody the hopes that accompanied the formation of the current parliament and accused the finance minister of prioritizing business interests over the needs of ordinary citizens.

Chowdhury argued that the government retained officials who benefited over the past 18 years while neglecting the oppressed and deprived. He said the budget ignored farmers, reduced allocations for agriculture, and failed to increase funding for gas exploration despite rising demand. He also alleged that nine ministries were struggling while fifteen received additional funds. The MP urged the government to raise allocations for the weaker ministries and modernize Chattogram Port.

He further defended Jamaat-e-Islami’s political legitimacy, rejecting claims that it was not an Islamic party, and reiterated his party’s goal of establishing a welfare state based on justice and fairness.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of Bangladesh visited the graves of his parents after returning from his first official foreign trip to Malaysia and China. The visit took place on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. at the mausoleum complex in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, where he paid respects to his father, late President Ziaur Rahman, and his mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

During the visit, the Prime Minister recited Surah Fatiha and offered prayers and munajat at the graves. The event marked his first public appearance following the completion of his overseas engagements.

The report did not provide details about the outcomes of his foreign visits or any official statements regarding the purpose or achievements of the trips.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is fully disarmed. His remarks came even after Beirut and Tel Aviv reached a tripartite structural agreement aimed at ending months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Netanyahu described the agreement as a major blow to Iran, saying Tehran had sought to force an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

The agreement followed five rounds of negotiations organized by the Donald Trump administration in Washington, where Lebanon and Israel agreed to the framework with U.S. participation. Before the signing, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the deal marked only the beginning of a longer process. In a written statement, he announced that the United States would provide 100 million dollars in humanitarian aid for affected areas under UN coordination and an additional 30 million dollars to support Lebanon’s armed forces.

The developments reflect ongoing regional tensions involving Israel, Lebanon, and Iran, with Washington playing a mediating and financial support role.

More than ten Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered South Korea’s Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) on Saturday, prompting Seoul to deploy fighter jets as a precaution, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff. The aircraft flew over the East Sea and South Sea before leaving the zone, and no violation of South Korea’s sovereign airspace was reported.

The air defense identification zone is not considered sovereign airspace but a surveillance area where incoming aircraft are identified for security reasons. Normally, foreign military aircraft are expected to notify the relevant country before entering such zones, though this is not legally mandatory. China and Russia did not immediately comment on the incident.

The event underscores ongoing regional military activity involving China and Russia near the Korean Peninsula, though no direct confrontation or breach of airspace occurred.

In Sapahar, Naogaon—one of Bangladesh’s largest mango-producing regions—farmers are struggling with low prices despite a busy trading season. At the midpoint of the harvest, markets across the upazila are filled with ripe mangoes, but growers report that production costs have risen sharply while market prices have dropped by Tk 1,000 to 1,500 per maund compared to last year. Many farmers are also forced to sell mangoes in heavier units of 52–55 kilograms per maund instead of the traditional 40 kilograms, deepening their financial losses.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, mangoes have been cultivated on 30,310 hectares across Naogaon this season, with Sapahar targeting 140,000 metric tons of production worth about Tk 2,000 crore. Farmers blame increased costs for fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, labor, and transport, while traders argue that local pricing follows regional norms. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer said the administration is monitoring markets and will act on any complaints.

Agriculture experts warn that without fair pricing, transparent weighing, better cold storage, and stronger market oversight, farmer interest in mango cultivation could decline, affecting Naogaon’s economy.

Government party lawmaker Zainul Abedin Faruk, representing Noakhali-2 constituency, called for an increase in the allowances of the 1971 Liberation War veterans during a budget discussion in the National Parliament on Saturday. He emphasized that the contributions of the freedom fighters must not be forgotten and urged collective efforts to build the nation.

Faruk also welcomed the opposition’s support for the motion of thanks on the Prime Minister’s foreign visits, describing it as a positive gesture. He stated that criticism in Parliament should be constructive and democratic rather than arbitrary. Referring to a comment by Jamaat MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, he said there was no need to discuss religion in this context and urged self-reflection on pre-1971 positions.

The discussion took place amid ongoing budget debates, highlighting calls for recognition and welfare of those who fought in the Liberation War.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed heartfelt thanks to all members of the National Parliament, including the Leader of the Opposition, after a unanimous resolution of appreciation was passed regarding his recent visits to Malaysia and China. He conveyed his gratitude during the budget session on Saturday afternoon, where Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed presided over the proceedings and mentioned the adoption of the resolution in the Prime Minister’s absence.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Rahman emphasized that the people of Bangladesh had entrusted him with the responsibility to safeguard national interests. He reiterated his guiding principle of 'Bangladesh First,' stating that his foreign visits were solely focused on advancing the country’s interests, not personal matters. He added that any achievements from these visits belong to the nation and its people.

Rahman also acknowledged the encouragement shown by all members, particularly the opposition leader, in working for the welfare of the people, and extended his appreciation to them for their cooperation and unity in parliament.

A US federal judge has directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to justify its decision to drop criminal charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. The order came a month after the DOJ announced it would no longer pursue the case. On Wednesday, Adani’s lawyers formally requested Brooklyn-based District Judge Nicholas Garaufis to dismiss the case. In a written ruling released Wednesday, Garaufis said the prosecutors’ notice lacked sufficient explanation and gave them until July 13 to provide detailed reasoning.

The judge noted that the government’s brief and one-sided statement did not give the court enough basis to reach a conclusion or properly assess the dismissal request. Adani’s attorney, Robert Giuffra, argued that the case should be dismissed because it falls outside US jurisdiction and prosecutors cannot prove alleged bribery in India.

Adani was charged in 2024 with agreeing to bribe Indian officials to secure a solar power contract and misleading US investors about his company’s anti-corruption policies. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Two ferries began uninterrupted operations on the Mongla River in Bagerhat, marking the start of a long-awaited transport service. The service was officially inaugurated on Saturday by Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam, MP and State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It aims to ensure safe and comfortable river crossings for workers, employees, and residents of Mongla EPZ, Mongla Port, and nearby industrial areas until the planned hanging bridge over the river is completed.

Local leaders and residents welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely and people-friendly step that will significantly reduce the daily travel difficulties faced by thousands of workers and commuters. They noted that the new ferry service will make travel faster, easier, and more reliable for industrial workers, businesspeople, and students.

Residents also urged authorities to expedite the construction of the long-anticipated hanging bridge, viewing the ferry service as a step toward improved connectivity and economic activity in Mongla’s port and industrial zones.