The government of Bangladesh is considering exempting two categories of electricity consumers—lifeline (marginal) and first-step users—from the recently announced price increase. The Power Development Board (PDB) has already applied to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to keep electricity rates unchanged for these groups. BERC sources confirmed that a revised decision on this matter could be issued soon.

On Wednesday, BERC had announced a record hike in electricity prices across all consumer categories. The wholesale rate was raised by an average of 19.85 percent, transmission charges by 23.96 percent, and retail consumer rates by 16.68 percent. Under the new rates, lifeline users consuming 0–50 units were to pay Tk 5.32 per unit, while first-step users consuming 0–75 units were to pay Tk 6.18 per unit, effective from June.

If approved, the exemption would maintain previous rates for these two consumer groups, providing relief to lower-income households affected by the recent price adjustments.

BNP Secretary General and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party aims to move forward following the path shown by late President Ziaur Rahman. He made the remarks on Thursday at a discussion and newspaper exhibition titled “Ziaur Rahman’s Independent and Neutral Diplomacy in the Current Context,” organized by the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) at its auditorium to mark the 45th anniversary of Ziaur Rahman’s death. Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan presided over the event.

Mirza Fakhrul stated that Ziaur Rahman rebuilt the nation during a time of crisis by uniting political forces and promoting national unity. He emphasized that Ziaur Rahman wanted Bangladesh to be self-reliant and not dependent on any other country, which made him popular among ordinary citizens. Fakhrul added that current BNP leadership under Tarique Rahman reflects Ziaur Rahman’s ideals.

Speakers including economist Dr. Mushtaq Khan and journalist Abu Rushd discussed Ziaur Rahman’s political philosophy, foreign policy, and contributions to state-building during the event.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has accused the United States and Israel of conspiring to sow internal division in Iran after failing in military confrontations. In a written message delivered on Thursday to mark the 37th death anniversary of Imam Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic, Khamenei urged national unity to thwart what he described as enemy plots. The commemoration event took place at Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum in southern Tehran, attended by millions of people.

Khamenei said the US-led “oppressive system” cannot tolerate a strong and independent Iran, describing Israel as a “fabricated base” of that system. He claimed that the enemies, humiliated by military failures, are now waging a hybrid war using doubt, despair, fear, and division as their main tools. He warned that any speech or action spreading frustration or confusion among the public indirectly serves enemy objectives.

The message, reported by Al Jazeera, emphasized unity as essential to counter external interference and maintain Iran’s internal stability.

An article published on June 4, 2026, highlights the life and scholarship of historian Abdul Karim, who reshaped the understanding of medieval Bengal. Rejecting royal chronicles as the sole focus of history, Karim explored the lived experiences of people, the evolution of language, and the transformation of Bengal’s society during the Muslim rule. His research drew from inscriptions, manuscripts, and travel accounts to reveal a vibrant, complex medieval Bengal rather than a dark or foreign-dominated era.

Karim’s balanced approach challenged two dominant narratives—one portraying the medieval period as an age of conquest and another as pure glory. He emphasized coexistence, cultural fusion, and the local character of Bengal’s development. His works, including studies on national, regional, social, and literary history, as well as numismatics and translations, have become essential references for researchers and students.

The article notes that in today’s polarized debates over history, revisiting Karim’s work is crucial. His method of truth-seeking over partisanship continues to inspire new generations to view Bangladesh’s past through its own soil and people.

Bangladeshi-origin American musician and DJ Sanjoy has been selected to perform at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026. He is also featured on the tournament’s official album, marking a proud moment for Bangladesh. Sanjoy shared the news on his social media, describing it as the realization of a long-cherished dream. Raised in San Jose, United States, he said he spent countless hours practicing music while growing up between two cultures.

Sanjoy expressed pride in being part of the official World Cup album, saying one of his songs will be included in the soundtrack of the world’s biggest sporting event. He described the achievement as incredible and viewed it not only as a personal success but also as an inspiration for young dreamers. The song, titled “Sir Sir,” features Bollywood star Nora Fatehi and French artist Vezedric.

With this inclusion, Bangladesh’s name will be represented on the global stage of football and music through Sanjoy’s contribution.

Education Minister Dr. Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that the government is implementing multiple initiatives to make children’s education more enjoyable. Speaking on Thursday at the inauguration of the National Primary School Gold Cup Football Tournament 2026 in Mirpur, Dhaka, he said every primary school in the country will provide mid-day meals within this year to prevent malnutrition among students. He also stated that within two months, all schoolchildren will receive uniforms.

The minister emphasized that the Prime Minister envisions a joyful education system where children learn through play and creativity. To support this, sports are being integrated into the curriculum to encourage physical activity and enthusiasm among students. He highlighted that over 65,000 institutions are participating in the tournament, which he described as a record-setting event.

Dr. Milan added that under the fifth primary education plan, no school will remain without a building, mid-day meal, or student uniform. He expressed hope that these measures will help build the future Bangladesh envisioned by the Prime Minister.

US Senator Chris Van Hollen has called for the release of a 20-year-old American citizen, Sama Safi, who was detained by Israeli forces from Birzeit University in the occupied West Bank. According to Van Hollen, Israeli security personnel entered Safi’s home around 3 a.m. and took her away without explanation, despite her informing them of her US citizenship.

In a video message posted on X, Van Hollen criticized the Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration for their treatment of US citizens while receiving American taxpayer funding. He also alleged that previous incidents involving the deaths of US citizens at the hands of Israeli settlers and soldiers had gone without accountability.

Human rights organizations described the arrests of Palestinian students as part of an intimidation campaign aimed at pressuring Palestinian communities. Israeli authorities have not yet issued any response to the senator’s statement or the reported detentions.

Police in Dhaka’s Mirpur area recovered the decomposed body of 75-year-old Nurjahan Begum from a filthy apartment on Sunday. The flat, filled with garbage and fungus, belonged to her daughter, a schoolteacher who lived with her. Officers said the daughter’s speech appeared incoherent, raising questions about her mental health. Nurjahan’s other children include a joint secretary and a university teacher. The body was later handed over to her son after autopsy.

Images and videos of the unhygienic room went viral on social media, prompting widespread anger and calls for punishment of the children for alleged neglect. A High Court petition has been filed seeking an investigation into possible human rights violations. State Minister for Public Administration Md Abdul Bari said the joint secretary son has been removed from his post pending inquiry.

The incident has renewed discussion about Bangladesh’s 2013 Parents Maintenance Act, which mandates that capable children must provide food, shelter, medical care, and companionship to their parents or face fines or imprisonment.

Four migrant workers were burned alive on Monday at a gas station in Calabria, southern Italy. Surveillance footage captured two individuals pouring petrol into a car, locking the doors, and setting it on fire. One person managed to escape and later spoke to Italian media about the attack, which has shocked the country.

The survivor, 35-year-old Mohammad Taj Alamayar from Afghanistan, said he and four others from Afghanistan and Pakistan worked in the region picking strawberries. He claimed the violence erupted after they asked their employers about unpaid wages. Alamayar alleged that the attackers were Pakistani drug traffickers linked to Italian organized crime groups.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the killings in a social media post on Wednesday, stating that the government would not back down in the face of violence and that all responsible must be brought to justice.

At least three people were killed and seven others injured in a Ukrainian attack on Russian-controlled Crimea, according to Moscow-backed local authorities on Thursday. The strike occurred in Simferopol, where several non-residential buildings were hit. Emergency services were deployed to the site, said Sergei Aksyonov, the Moscow-appointed head of Crimea’s administration.

The attack came a day after Ukraine targeted fuel and military facilities in Russia’s St. Petersburg, where the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) was underway. The event was expected to host around 20,000 delegates from 130 countries, with Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled to deliver a keynote speech on Friday.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned of a “systematic” response to Ukraine’s strikes. Black smoke was seen over St. Petersburg following Wednesday’s attack, visible even from the forum venue.

A major controversy has erupted across India following the release of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) exam results on May 13, 2026. Students have alleged widespread irregularities and mismanagement linked to the board’s new digital evaluation system, which was hastily introduced for over 17 million candidates. The resulting errors and technical failures have triggered intense anger toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, with growing calls for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

The CBSE had implemented an on-screen marking system this year, outsourcing the process to Hyderabad-based company Koempt Edu Tech, a rebranded firm with a controversial past. Students and teachers have exposed errors such as mismatched answer scripts, blurred scans, and security flaws that allowed unauthorized access to exam data. Several students used social media to reveal these issues, forcing CBSE to acknowledge mistakes and revise some results.

In response to mounting criticism, the government transferred the CBSE chairman and secretary, but opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal condemned the move as an attempt to shield the education minister. Many students remain unable to apply for re-evaluation due to the board’s website being offline, deepening frustration nationwide.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman will visit Russia from June 7 to 9 for a three-day official trip, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry. The visit follows his election as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, which will begin on September 8. He will serve a one-year term in that position.

The Russian statement welcomed Rahman’s stated priorities of promoting the interests of the global South and East, accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, improving the effectiveness of the General Assembly, and strengthening the UN’s role as a central coordinating body in global affairs. Moscow expressed its commitment to constructive and productive cooperation with the newly elected president.

The visit is expected to reinforce diplomatic engagement between Bangladesh and Russia, particularly in the context of Rahman’s upcoming leadership role at the United Nations.

A Gaza-based human rights organization, Ad-Dameer, has reported that more than 9,500 Palestinians have gone missing in the Gaza Strip since Israel’s attacks began in October 2023. The group’s report, released on June 4, 2026, states that around 4,700 of the missing are women and children. It estimates that about 8,100 people may be trapped under rubble, while 250 others disappeared near aid distribution centers. Additionally, over 800 people were detained at Israeli military checkpoints during evacuations from northern to southern Gaza, with no information on their current whereabouts.

The report also notes that the fate of 350 individuals who entered Israel on October 7, 2023, remains unknown. Ad-Dameer described the situation as one of the most complex and painful humanitarian crises caused by the ongoing war. The organization called for urgent international intervention to release Palestinian detainees, return the bodies of the dead, and establish a genetic database to identify the missing.

The report emphasized that these figures are based solely on Ad-Dameer’s findings, and no official response from Israeli authorities was mentioned.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Sultan Salauddin Tuku, announced that a total of 9,367,418 animals were sacrificed across the country during Eid-ul-Azha. The data, presented at a press briefing at the ministry’s conference room on Thursday, showed that Dhaka division recorded the highest number of sacrifices, followed by Rajshahi and Chattogram. Compared to last year, the number of sacrificial animals increased by 231,418.

According to the ministry’s preliminary statistics, the total included 4,864,158 cattle and buffalo, 4,502,233 goats and sheep, and 1,027 other animals. The national demand for sacrificial animals this year was 10,106,334, while availability stood at 12,333,840, leaving a surplus of 2,966,422 animals. The minister stated that Bangladesh is now self-sufficient in livestock production and that the government aims to export surplus animals and meat after meeting domestic demand.

He credited timely government policies, farmers’ dedication, and private investment for achieving self-sufficiency in the livestock sector, which he said contributes to strengthening the rural economy and sustainable development.

FIFA has decided to prohibit spectators from bringing their own water bottles into stadiums during the 2026 World Cup, sparking debate as concerns rise over North America’s extreme heat and humidity. The new directive reverses an earlier rule that allowed fans to carry one-liter transparent, reusable plastic bottles. According to an email obtained by The Athletic, FIFA cited safety reasons, saying bottles could be used as projectiles that might injure players or spectators.

The decision has raised questions about water accessibility and affordability, as fans will no longer be able to refill bottles at stadium dispensers. During last year’s Club World Cup in the United States, bottled water prices ranged from four to six dollars. FIFA’s long-time partner Coca-Cola will sell its Dasani brand water at World Cup venues, though pricing has not yet been announced.

FIFA said it will coordinate with host cities to install misting stations, cooling tents, extra fans, and water supply points to ensure spectator safety. Exceptions will be made for baby food, sterile water, and medically required liquids with proper certification.