The medical emergency in the war-torn Gaza Strip is worsening, with the region’s health ministry reporting a sharp decline in access to treatment outside Gaza. According to ministry data, under a U.S.-led agreement reached last October, about 21,000 people were supposed to receive permission to leave Gaza for medical care. In reality, fewer than 7,500 have been allowed to travel, representing only 36 percent of the target.

Roughly one-third of those expected to travel were emergency patients, each entitled to two companions. Many of these patients remain trapped in Gaza without the necessary permits, facing life-threatening delays in treatment. Nasser Hospital continues to operate under extreme strain, hampered by severe shortages of medicines, medical equipment, and essential supplies.

The crisis has been compounded by Israeli military actions in Khan Younis, where ambulance vehicles were damaged during operations, and Nasser Hospital was raided twice. Health authorities report that the damaged ambulances, marked by bullet holes and fire damage, have drastically reduced the ability to transport and treat the wounded promptly.

At least 4,257 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon, according to the country’s health ministry. The ministry reported that more than 12,000 others have been injured since the strikes began on March 2. The ongoing violence has severely affected civilians and worsened the humanitarian situation across Lebanon.

After months of direct negotiations, Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement on Friday with mediation from the United States. However, the deal does not include any obligation for Israel to withdraw its forces from occupied Lebanese territories. This omission has raised new concerns about the durability of the agreement and the prospects for peace.

Despite continued diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, the absence of a clear commitment to troop withdrawal has left the situation uncertain, with humanitarian conditions deteriorating further as casualties continue to rise.

A massive dead baleen whale, about 56 feet long and 16 feet wide, washed ashore on Kuakata beach in Patuakhali on Monday, June 29, 2026. The whale was first spotted around noon near Kauar Char Basudha Island by a local tour guide, who alerted volunteers and the Forest Department. Officials later arrived at the site and confirmed the discovery.

Preliminary observations suggest the whale may have died about a week earlier, though the exact cause remains unknown. According to the Kuakata Dolphin Conservation Committee, similar incidents occurred in 2018, 2022, and earlier in June 2026, raising concern over repeated strandings of whales, dolphins, and turtles. Experts from Patuakhali Science and Technology University identified the species as a baleen whale and noted that environmental changes, food scarcity, disease, ship collisions, or ocean currents could be factors.

Forest officials buried the decomposing carcass to prevent odor and public health hazards. Local authorities emphasized the need for scientific research and preservation of the skeleton for future study.

Bangladesh Bank has announced a special exit facility allowing defaulting borrowers to settle their dues in one payment with relaxed conditions for interest waivers. The circular, issued on Monday to all scheduled banks, aims to reduce non-performing loans and enhance banks’ capacity to issue new credit. The central bank stated that borrowers facing financial difficulties but still capable of operating their businesses and willing to repay will be eligible for this one-time exit option.

According to the circular, loans classified as substandard or bad up to June 30 of the current year will qualify for the facility, subject to board approval based on banker–customer relationships. The requirement for banks to recover their cost of funds before waiving interest has been eased, and both state-owned and private banks may now offer interest waivers. The policy also prioritizes short-term agricultural loans and CMSME sector loans.

The directive, issued under the Bank Company Act 1991, will remain effective until December 31. Bangladesh Bank expects the measure to help reduce bad loans and support production, investment, and employment growth.

Ahsan Habib has been appointed as the acting chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and acting secretary of the Internal Resources Division. He replaces the current chairman, Md. Abdur Rahman Khan. The Ministry of Public Administration issued separate notifications regarding the appointment on Monday night.

Before this appointment, Ahsan Habib served as an NBR member and director general of the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC). He took charge of the CIC soon after the interim government led by Dr. Yunus assumed office in August 2024. During his tenure, he brought several major industrial tax evasion cases to light. The interim government had earlier reshuffled the tax administration, transferring 40 tax commissioners in a rare move in NBR’s history.

Ahsan Habib previously served as commissioner of Tax Region-15 in Dhaka and was later promoted to NBR member before this latest appointment. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology from the University of Dhaka, where he graduated first class first in both examinations.

Opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for the inclusion of budget allocations for Qawmi madrasa education in the proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year. Speaking on the 18th day of the budget session of the 13th National Parliament, he also demanded allocations for ibtedayi madrasas and all eligible non-MPO private educational institutions to be brought under the MPO system.

During the session, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Dr. Rahman noted that Qawmi institutions fear losing their educational independence if they accept government funding. He urged the government to consult with the central Qawmi body, Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh, to ensure that any support respects their autonomy. He further emphasized the need for a neutral committee to assess and approve MPO inclusion based on merit, avoiding political bias.

Dr. Rahman added that while private education may serve the wealthy, ensuring quality public education for ordinary citizens should remain a core state responsibility.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central assistant secretary general Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad said that if the long-term master plan prepared by MIDAS is implemented, Cox’s Bazar could become one of South Asia’s major economic hubs. He made the remarks on Monday at a discussion titled “Law and Order Situation and Development Vision of Cox’s Bazar,” organized by the district Jamaat at its office.

Dr. Azad criticized the government for prioritizing partisanship over promised reforms, good governance, and accountability. He described the current budget as debt-dependent and unrealistic, citing an ambitious revenue target of about 6.9 trillion taka despite past shortfalls. He also highlighted environmental and infrastructural problems in Cox’s Bazar, including the absence of a sewage treatment plant, unclean beaches, and mismanagement in tourism.

He further emphasized the urgent need for a sustainable embankment in Kutubdia to protect 150,000 residents, along with ferry services and jetty repairs. Azad identified traffic congestion, road accidents, salt syndicates, lack of higher education institutions, and the pressure of 1.5 million Rohingya refugees as major challenges to the district’s development and security.

Dhaka North unit of Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a month-long program titled “Second Independence, 36 July” to commemorate the July Revolution. The announcement was made on Monday at a press briefing held at the party’s Baridhara office by Mohammad Selim Uddin, the unit’s amir and DNCC mayoral candidate. The program includes rallies, meetings, graffiti painting, and discussions throughout July and early August.

According to the schedule, graffiti painting will take place from July 1 to 10, meetings with families of martyrs from July 11 to 16, and exhibitions and discussions from July 17 to 30. A special gathering involving teachers and students will be held on July 24, followed by prayer sessions on July 31. From August 1 to 4, separate assemblies for clerics, workers, and women are planned, culminating in a mass rally in Dhaka on August 5 demanding implementation of the July Charter.

Selim Uddin stated that the Dhaka North unit will play an active role in implementing the central programs and criticized the government for failing to fulfill its constitutional reform promises. The party’s central leadership is expected to announce additional programs on Tuesday at the National Press Club.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced a 36-day program titled “Desh Gorte July Jagoron” to commemorate the July mass uprising of students and citizens. The announcement was made on Monday evening at a press conference held at the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, by the party’s chief organizer for the southern region, Hasnat Abdullah. The program will begin on July 1 at the Rayerbazar Martyred Memorial with prayers and conclude on August 5 with a celebration of victory.

According to the announcement, the program aims to honor the sacrifices of martyrs and highlight the democratic aspirations that shaped Bangladesh’s history. Throughout July, the NCP will organize discussions, cultural events, processions, public outreach, and competitions involving professionals and citizens from various sectors. Activities will include graffiti campaigns, football tournaments, women’s gatherings, and diaspora events abroad.

A “July Renaissance Implementation Committee” has been formed to execute the plan, led by Hasnat Abdullah as convener and Ali Ahsan Junayed as member secretary. Party leaders emphasized that July symbolizes sacrifice, democracy, and justice, urging citizens from all walks of life to participate actively.

In Kurigram’s Nageshwari municipality, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and municipal administrator H.M. Khodadad Hossain suspended payment for a road development project worth nearly half a crore taka after confirming the use of substandard materials. The project, awarded to S.T. Enterprise, covered 596 meters from Bismillah Auto Rice Mill to Bhusharkhal Bridge and 110 meters from BC Road to Councillor Mintu’s house. Local residents expressed dissatisfaction over poor construction quality and alleged that a local journalist, Rafiqul Islam, managed the work instead of the contractor.

Following public complaints, the UNO inspected the site and found evidence of irregularities, leading to the suspension of the project bill. Later, Kurigram-1 Member of Parliament Anwarul Islam also visited the site, confirmed the irregularities, and directed that the defective portions be rebuilt and no payment released until quality standards were ensured.

Contractor Shahidul Islam, owner of S.T. Enterprise, stated that journalist Rafiqul used his license to obtain the tender and that he received no commission for the project.

Dr. M. A. Halim Patwari has been elected president and Professor Dr. Mahmuda Akter general secretary of the new executive committee of the Dhaka University Accounting Alumni Association. The election took place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the auditorium of the Faculty of Business Studies at the University of Dhaka during the association’s general meeting and election for 2026.

A 27-member executive committee was chosen for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 terms. Alongside the president and general secretary, Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Md. Kayser Hamid were elected as vice presidents, while Saiful Islam was elected treasurer.

The election marks the beginning of a new leadership term for the alumni association, which represents graduates of the university’s accounting department.

Australia has strengthened its law prohibiting social media use by children under 16, doubling the maximum fine for violating platforms to 99 million Australian dollars. The revised legislation empowers the independent eSafety Commissioner to demand proof from social media companies on compliance measures and to conduct more effective investigations and enforcement actions. The government acknowledged that many minors continue to access restricted platforms despite the ban, which took effect on December 10 of the previous year.

Investigations have begun against major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube for alleged non-compliance. A report by the eSafety Commission found that seven out of ten under-16 users with pre-ban accounts still manage to access these platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells criticized major technology companies for failing to take sufficient steps to enforce the law.

Australia’s initiative has influenced other countries, with the United Kingdom announcing plans for a similar ban by spring 2027. The UK proposal also considers nighttime restrictions for users under 18 and measures to limit infinite scrolling.

Five ancient stone idols, valued at approximately Tk 107 crore, have been formally handed over to the Department of Archaeology for preservation in Naogaon’s Dhamoirhat upazila. The handover took place on Monday, June 29, following a court directive, transferring the artifacts to the custody of the Paharpur Buddhist Monastery authorities.

The idols, recovered from different times in Dhamoirhat, will now be preserved in the museum of the Paharpur Buddhist Monastery, a site under the Department of Archaeology. The official handover was attended by Dhamoirhat Police Officer-in-Charge Md. Mintu Rahman, Paharpur Buddhist Monastery custodian Md. Fazlul Karim, and Dhamoirhat Police Inspector (SI) Md. Abul Kalam Azad, among others.

The transfer marks an official step to ensure proper conservation of the valuable archaeological artifacts under state supervision.

A former president of the Natore District Lawyers’ Association and former government pleader, Md. Asadul Islam, 66, was seriously injured after being attacked with an iron rod inside his chamber at the Natore Judge Court premises on Monday afternoon. Locals apprehended the assailant, identified as 33-year-old Kabil Hossain from Singra upazila, and handed him over to police. The injured lawyer was taken to Natore General Hospital for treatment.

According to police and the district lawyers’ association, the attack occurred while Asadul Islam was in his chamber. The assailant repeatedly struck him on the head, and when the lawyer tried to defend himself, both his arms were broken. The attacker reportedly admitted that he was angry because Asadul Islam had recently filed a civil case against him.

The general secretary of the Natore District Lawyers’ Association condemned the incident, calling for exemplary punishment of the attacker. The officer-in-charge of Natore Police Station confirmed the incident and said legal action would follow upon receiving a formal complaint.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Obaidul Islam announced a long-term plan to transform the institution into a research-driven, innovation-oriented, and internationally recognized university. Speaking at the annual Senate session held at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on Monday, he said the goal is to position Dhaka University among the world’s top 200 academic institutions. The plan, titled “Dhaka University Academic Plan (2026–2046),” outlines strategies for inclusive innovation, ethical leadership, research excellence, educational modernization, entrepreneurship, internationalization, and administrative efficiency.

The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the university’s recent achievements, including advancing 600 places to the 401–600 band in the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking 2026 and maintaining its position among the world’s top 600 universities in the QS World University Ranking 2027. Dhaka University also ranked 132nd in the QS Asia University Ranking 2026 and had 35 faculty members listed among the world’s top 2% scientists in 2025. He emphasized ongoing initiatives such as establishing a modern medical bioscience campus, international-standard hospital, and advanced research facilities in Purbachal.

The administration is also expanding digital transformation, online services, and alumni engagement, with plans to create two separate funds totaling Tk 2,000 crore for research and student welfare.