A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines' Mindanao island earlier this week, raising the death toll to 61, according to a report by GMA News on Saturday. Authorities said rescue operations continue in the worst-hit areas, where landslides and collapsed buildings have trapped people under debris. The Office of Civil Defense confirmed that ongoing aftershocks, unstable structures, and damaged roads are hampering rescue efforts.

The Disaster Response and Monitoring Information Center reported that about 553,000 people have been affected across the Mindanao region. Among them, 9,393 people are staying in evacuation centers, while 54,274 have taken temporary shelter with relatives or friends. Preliminary assessments show that 8,865 houses were completely destroyed and 36,691 partially damaged.

General Santos City and Sarangani province are among the most severely affected areas. Authorities have declared a state of calamity in these regions to expedite relief and rehabilitation operations.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali has announced that strict action will be taken against those involved in the assault and detention of national cricketer Nayeem Hasan. The commissioner visited Nayeem’s residence in Bahaddarhat’s Faridarpara area on Saturday afternoon to express regret over the incident. He stated that he personally heard the details from Nayeem and had already directed action against the responsible police officers.

According to the report, the incident occurred on Friday night when police stopped Nayeem’s CNG-run autorickshaw at Lalkhan Bazar intersection in Chattogram. Despite locals identifying him, police allegedly tried to force him into the vehicle, assaulted him with sticks and pipes, and later took him to Khulshi Police Station. Nayeem’s father, former ward councillor Mahbub Alam, and relatives arrived at the station late at night, where police reportedly mistreated Nayeem until calls from senior Bangladesh Cricket Board officials.

Two police officers—Sub-Inspector (unarmed) Md. Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan and Constable Md. Russell Chowdhury—have been temporarily suspended, and a three-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident.

An Indian Air Force AN-32 aircraft crashed on Saturday morning while attempting to land at the Jorhat airbase in Assam. The aircraft caught fire immediately after the crash within the air force station premises. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether there were any casualties. The cause of the accident remains unknown, and a quick response team was deployed to control the fire and assess the situation.

The Indian Air Force confirmed the incident and stated that further details will be shared after a full assessment. The AN-32 is a twin-engine turboprop military transport aircraft originally built in the former Soviet Union and is considered a key workhorse of the Indian Air Force’s transport fleet. Around 100 such aircraft are currently in service.

An official investigation is expected following the initial assessment to determine the cause of the crash and evaluate the extent of damage.

ATM Azharul Islam, central committee Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Member of Parliament for Rangpur-2, said the national budget presented in parliament is highly ambitious and faces serious implementation risks. Speaking on June 13, 2026, at a foundation-laying and discussion event in Badarganj, Rangpur, he argued that the budget lacks a clear roadmap and fails to address the recovery of large sums allegedly laundered abroad by the previous government.

He criticized the ruling party for widespread extortion by its activists, claiming it drives up commodity prices and disrupts transport operations. Azharul Islam said such practices harm ordinary citizens while benefiting extortionists, warning that national development will remain impossible unless extortion is stopped. He also alleged that law and order in the country has deteriorated, with frequent violent incidents and growing public insecurity.

Azharul Islam contrasted his party’s approach with that of the previous government, asserting that Jamaat-e-Islami MPs reject corruption and take disciplinary action against any wrongdoing within their ranks.

SpaceX reached a new peak last Friday with a record-setting debut on the global stock market, marking a major milestone in its two-decade journey. The AFP highlighted five defining moments in the company’s history, from its early struggles to its latest technological breakthroughs.

In 2008, SpaceX achieved its first successful orbital launch after several failures, saving the company from collapse. By 2012, its Dragon spacecraft became the first privately built vehicle to dock with the International Space Station. The 2018 Falcon Heavy test flight famously carried a Tesla car into space, though some promised missions, such as a lunar trip for a Japanese billionaire, never materialized. Between 2020 and 2023, the company focused on developing the Starship megaproject at its Texas facility, enduring multiple explosive tests that founder Elon Musk described as part of the learning process.

In October 2024, SpaceX successfully caught its Super Heavy booster midair using giant mechanical arms, marking a major step toward fully reusable rockets. The company continues to refine Starship technology for future lunar and Mars missions.

A tree planting program organized by the Narsingdi District Council was inaugurated on Saturday afternoon along the Putia Itakhola road in Shibpur upazila. The event was held under the initiative of the district council as part of its local environmental activities.

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Abdul Wahab Rashed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Narsingdi District Council. Local Member of Parliament Manjur Elahi and the district council’s administrator, freedom fighter Tofazzal Hossain Master, jointly inaugurated the program. Assistant engineers Nur-e-Ilham and Jannatul Ferdous, along with several others, were present at the event.

The program reflects the district council’s ongoing efforts to promote environmental conservation and community participation in tree planting across Narsingdi.

A set of poems by Imrul Hasan titled 'Amar Desh' has been published, featuring works that explore themes of rural life, memory, and personal reflection. The poems, including 'Tileser Bari,' 'Siratul Mustaqim,' 'Happiness,' 'Onnojibon,' and 'Beily Roader Brishti,' were featured under the literature section on June 13, 2026.

In these poems, Hasan writes about returning to the countryside, the contrast between rural and urban perspectives, and the search for simplicity. His verses evoke imagery of rain, nostalgia for the 1990s, and the longing for a peaceful existence. The poet’s tone blends introspection with subtle social observation, reflecting on modern life and emotional distance.

The publication highlights Hasan’s continued engagement with themes of belonging and time, offering readers a contemplative look at everyday experiences and the emotional landscapes of contemporary Bangladesh.

Turkey and Saudi Arabia are advancing a land trade corridor connecting the Gulf region to Europe through Syria and Jordan, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. The report states that Israel is concerned about this project because it would bypass Israeli territory and compete with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

The proposed route would allow goods to move between Asia and Europe via Syria and Jordan before reaching Turkey, reducing reliance on Israeli infrastructure such as the port of Haifa. Israeli officials reportedly view this initiative as a potential challenge to IMEC, which is supported by Israel and its international partners to link Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

The development highlights growing regional competition over trade connectivity projects that aim to reshape transport and economic routes between Asia and Europe.

A surge in landmine explosions along the Bandarban border has caused rising fatalities and panic among residents. The latest incident occurred on Tuesday in Ghumdhum union near Bangladesh-Myanmar border pillar 40, where a Rohingya laborer named Abdul Khalek was killed after stepping on a buried mine while working in a garden. The area falls under the jurisdiction of the 34th Border Guard Battalion. Locals report living in constant fear as mine-related deaths continue to increase.

The explosions are linked to ongoing clashes between Myanmar’s government forces and Rohingya rebel groups in Rakhine State, where the Arakan Army reportedly controls territory near the border. Residents claim that mines have long been planted along the frontier, possibly by armed groups seeking to secure their positions or prevent infiltration. Despite repeated incidents, Bangladesh’s border authorities have not yet issued a formal statement.

Local elders recall that the once-forested border area has become barren and fenced with barbed wire, cutting off traditional livelihoods. Without a sustainable solution, residents fear further casualties from continued mine explosions.

Football enthusiasm swept through Palash upazila of Narsingdi as local supporters of Argentina organized a colorful procession on Friday afternoon carrying a 3,000-foot-long national flag of Argentina. The march began at 4 p.m. from Palash Bazar, paraded through the main roads, and concluded at the Palash bus stand. Participants wore Argentina jerseys, waved flags, and filled the area with chants and music.

Supporters said their affection for the Argentina football team has been longstanding. They arranged the event to express support for their favorite team and to spread the festive spirit of football ahead of upcoming matches. Organizer Kalam explained that the initiative aimed to create a football festival atmosphere in the area and share the excitement of the World Cup season.

Local residents described the spontaneous youth-led procession as an eye-catching event that generated widespread enthusiasm among people in and around Palash Bazar.

Former Sylhet-5 Member of Parliament and noted Islamic scholar Principal Maulana Farid Uddin Chowdhury passed away early Friday at 1:40 a.m. while undergoing treatment at Ibn Sina Hospital in Sylhet. He was 82 years old and had been suffering from age-related complications. Chowdhury was a former Ameer of Sylhet District Jamaat-e-Islami, as well as a former member of the party’s Central Working Committee and Majlis-e-Shura. He is survived by his wife, one son, four daughters, and numerous relatives, colleagues, and admirers.

His funeral prayer is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. at the field of Kanaighat Talbari Jamia Islamia Yusufia Fazil Madrasa, followed by burial at the family graveyard in Talbari. Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed deep sorrow over Chowdhury’s death, describing him as a devoted preacher and a respected public representative who contributed significantly to the Islamic movement and local development in Sylhet.

Dr. Rahman prayed for divine mercy and forgiveness for the deceased and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has described the proposed national budget of Tk 9.38 trillion for fiscal year 2026–27 as large but achievable. In its immediate post-budget reaction on Saturday, the apex business body emphasized the need for foresight, efficiency, and transparency to ensure effective implementation. It said such a budget is necessary to move Bangladesh toward a one-trillion-dollar economy amid current global geopolitical realities.

FBCCI noted that the revenue target of Tk 6.95 trillion poses a major challenge and called for transparency and reforms in the National Board of Revenue. It warned that excessive domestic borrowing to cover the deficit could restrict private sector financing and slow investment and job creation, urging the government to seek low-interest foreign funding instead. The organization welcomed the Tk 600 billion “Stimulus Package 2026,” tax cuts on essential imports, and incentives for startups and women-led businesses.

FBCCI also praised tax exemptions for ICT equipment and renewable energy but expressed concern over higher VAT on construction materials. It recommended raising the tax-free income limit and lowering the top personal tax rate to ease inflationary pressure on citizens.

In May 2026, Bangladesh recorded 613 road accidents that left 622 people dead and 1,652 injured, according to a report released by the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association. The report, signed by the association’s secretary general Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, stated that motorcycle accidents accounted for the highest number of fatalities. Across road, rail, and waterways, a total of 676 accidents caused 671 deaths and 1,696 injuries.

The report found that 37.13 percent of all road accident deaths involved motorcycles, with 231 killed and 219 injured. It also detailed that 28.69 percent of accidents involved motorcycles, followed by trucks, buses, and battery-run vehicles. Most accidents occurred on national highways, particularly in Dhaka Division, which saw 180 incidents resulting in 185 deaths and 558 injuries. The association attributed the crashes to poor road conditions, unfit vehicles, unskilled drivers, and reckless behavior.

To reduce accidents, the organization recommended halting the import and registration of small vehicles such as motorcycles and e-bikes, improving road infrastructure, enforcing traffic laws, training drivers, strengthening BRTA capacity, conducting road safety audits, and ensuring fair wages and working hours for drivers.

Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, Iran’s deputy army coordinator, stated that the Strait of Hormuz is under the firm control of Iran’s armed forces. He emphasized that no vessel can enter this strategic waterway without Iran’s permission. Sayyari made the remarks on Friday during a televised program, where he also discussed Iran’s drone deployment capabilities.

He noted that Iranian drones can be prepared for operation in a very short time, even under adverse conditions. According to Sayyari, Iran’s drone technology is highly advanced, and its production is being rapidly expanded. He reiterated that both the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf are under the strong control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy.

The statement underscores Iran’s assertion of authority over key maritime routes critical to regional and global trade, as reported by Tasnim news agency.

Three government primary schools in Astamirchar Union of Chilmari upazila, Kurigram, are operating with only one teacher each, leaving students deprived of proper education and parents increasingly worried. Local residents report declining attendance and rising dropout rates as a result of the acute teacher shortage. Field visits revealed that single teachers are handling multiple classes and administrative tasks simultaneously, while some appointed teachers remain absent or on deputation elsewhere.

At Char Mudafat Kalikapur Government Primary School, the head teacher has been absent for months without approved leave, and another teacher is on deputation, forcing one assistant teacher to manage all classes. Similar conditions exist at South Natarkandi and other schools, where classes end early due to the lack of staff. Officials acknowledged that 74 teaching positions remain vacant across 93 schools in Chilmari, mostly in remote char areas.

Education authorities said teachers avoid postings in chars due to travel difficulties but promised action against absentee staff and adjustments in future recruitment to prioritize local candidates.