A majority of commercial vessels heading to India are switching off their tracking systems while crossing the Strait of Hormuz to avoid potential Iranian attacks, according to maritime data. Intelligence firm Kpler reported that about 62 percent of tankers and cargo ships traveling from the Persian Gulf to India between May 1 and June 25 went dark by disabling their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders. Ships flying flags of Western-allied or Iran-adversarial nations face higher risks and are mainly using the Oman-controlled corridor, which is supported by the United States and Oman but not recognized by Iran.

The data showed that 73 India-bound ships crossed the strait during the period, with 45 concealing their identity. Only four carried the Indian flag, two of which hid their route information. Vessels registered in Panama, Liberia, the UAE, and the Marshall Islands also turned off their transponders. The security situation has worsened since late February, with Iran frequently changing navigation rules and incidents of attacks near Iranian-controlled waters.

Despite temporary U.S.- and IMO-backed escort operations, ships continue to travel with transponders off, reflecting persistent insecurity in the region.

Police in Noakhali’s Chatkhil upazila arrested six individuals accused of gambling during a raid at a tea stall. The operation took place on Monday night at Dashghoria Bazar along the Chatkhil–Ramganj road in Parakot Union. The detainees were identified as residents of Parakot village and nearby Ramganj area.

According to Chatkhil Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Monnaf, the arrested men were sent to court on Tuesday afternoon. He stated that police operations against illegal gambling activities in the area will continue.

The arrests highlight ongoing law enforcement efforts to curb gambling in local marketplaces and public spaces within Noakhali district.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Russia’s air defense forces shot down dozens of Ukrainian drones heading toward the capital overnight. He stated that six enemy drones were destroyed by the Defense Ministry’s air defense units, bringing the total number of downed drones to 46. Emergency services were deployed to areas where drone debris fell.

Sobyanin noted that Ukraine has intensified long-range drone attacks on Russia in recent months, particularly targeting energy infrastructure, which serves as a key revenue source for the Kremlin. The conflict has now entered its fifth year, according to AFP reports from Moscow.

Earlier, Russia claimed to have downed 660 Ukrainian drones between Thursday and Friday, marking one of the largest such incidents since the war began. Last week, a Ukrainian strike caused a fire at an oil refinery in southeastern Moscow.

Five people were killed and around fifteen others went missing after a waste heap collapsed at an abandoned jade mine in Myanmar, according to state media reports on Tuesday. The incident occurred following heavy rainfall that loosened piles of mining waste, burying people who were collecting leftover jade fragments.

The collapse took place in Kachin State, a region known as the world’s largest source of jadeite. Myanmar’s jade industry operates largely without regulation, and many mines are controlled by various armed groups involved in the country’s ongoing civil conflict. Poor local residents often scavenge discarded mining areas to find small jade pieces for survival.

State newspaper The Global New Light of Myanmar reported that search operations were underway to locate the missing individuals. The report added that continuous heavy rain in recent days had triggered the landslide, highlighting the dangerous conditions faced by informal workers in the lucrative but hazardous jade sector.

Students of Sunamganj Medical College staged a road blockade on Tuesday morning demanding the immediate opening of the college hospital. The protest began around 10 a.m. in front of the college on the Sylhet–Sunamganj regional highway and continued for about an hour, causing traffic congestion on both sides of the road and significant suffering for commuters.

According to the students, the hospital was supposed to open in October 2025 but remains non-operational even in mid-2026. They said authorities continue to give excuses instead of fulfilling their commitment. Student representatives stated that without clinical classes, medical education cannot be complete and accused the administration of deceiving both students and local residents by starting the college without ensuring hospital facilities.

The students have been boycotting classes and demonstrating since June 21, demanding the hospital’s opening, proper academic activities, and adequate clinical training. They vowed to continue their movement until the hospital begins operations.

In Texas, a surge of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment has followed a contentious Republican primary runoff election. Local Muslims report growing hostility in daily life, from schools and universities to public spaces. Incidents include a man burning the Quran near praying students at the University of Houston and verbal harassment of women wearing traditional attire. Muslim delegates at the Texas GOP convention were told to convert to Christianity or leave the country, while a viral video showed two Muslim women being abused in a grocery store. The woman involved received significant online fundraising support, endorsed by Republican Congress member Nancy Mace.

At the Texas Republican Party convention, delegates added a “Don’t Shariah Our Texas” clause to their legal priorities, calling for criminalizing Shariah law. Experts note that no one is attempting to implement Shariah in Texas. Muslim leaders and activists, including Dr. Suleman Lalani and Nayla Syed, have voiced concern over the normalization of hate speech and the politicization of religion. They warn that such rhetoric fosters fear and division within communities.

The state’s education board also approved a new social studies draft that reduces lessons on slavery and civil rights, prompting further concern about marginalization of minority perspectives.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has emerged as a key opposition force, shifting from confrontational politics to a more policy-oriented approach. In a recent parliamentary session, the party supported a motion thanking Prime Minister and Parliament Leader Tarique Rahman for his successful foreign visits, signaling a cooperative yet critical stance. The party’s leader, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, emphasized principled opposition, supporting positive government actions while openly criticizing deviations.

At its central Majlis-e-Shura meeting, Jamaat presented a seven-point proposal addressing issues such as rising commodity prices, law and order, judicial reform, administrative neutrality, border security, local government elections, and teachers’ welfare. The party’s most significant demand is implementing referendum results and forming a constitutional reform council. Analysts note that Jamaat’s focus on local elections reflects its strategy to strengthen grassroots organization and test its political strength.

The article highlights Jamaat’s attempt to redefine itself beyond ideological boundaries by presenting alternative governance policies. It argues that both government and opposition must act responsibly, as citizens now expect concrete plans rather than slogans. The seven-point proposal may mark the beginning of a new phase of policy-based political competition in Bangladesh.

The government is investigating reports of flags bearing Arabic script being displayed in various districts, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday. He made the remarks during a regular press briefing at the Department of Information in response to a journalist’s question about who was putting up such flags and whether the government was aware of the matter.

Dr. Rahman stated that the government is examining why the flags are being displayed and acknowledged that such activities could send misleading messages in some cases. He added that necessary steps are being initiated and that he has personally drawn the attention of the Home Affairs Adviser to the issue. He also noted that while many people are discussing the matter on social media, those commenting are not necessarily involved.

The adviser further said that since the incident appears to be widespread, the government is also investigating whether there is any specific plan behind it.

An outsider named Riaz Ahmed was detained at Jahangirnagar University’s Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) early Monday night after being caught secretly recording female students in the washroom. Students handed him over to police after discovering multiple videos on his phone allegedly taken over the past six months. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. while students were watching a World Cup football match between Brazil and Japan at the Selim Al Deen open stage.

According to witnesses, a female student noticed a man entering and quickly leaving the women’s washroom, prompting others to confront him. Upon checking his phone, they found videos recorded through a small hole in the washroom door. Students claimed about 140 such videos were discovered. The accused denied wrongdoing, saying a friend had used his phone, but later admitted to filming on previous visits.

University Proctor Professor A.K.M. Rashidul Alam called the act disgraceful and confirmed that a case would be filed. Ashulia police inspector Md. Azgar Hossain said a written complaint had been received and legal action would follow.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has ordered the start of trial proceedings against former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud and 21 others in a case over the killing of six people, including student leader Wasim Akram, during the July uprising in Chittagong. The tribunal also set July 26 for the opening statement and the deposition of the first witness. The order was issued on Tuesday afternoon by a three-member panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.

The other panel members are Judges Md Manjurul Basid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir. Five arrested accused were produced before the tribunal, including former MP Fazle Karim Chowdhury and several local political leaders. The tribunal rejected their petitions for discharge before reading out the charges in their presence. When asked whether they admitted guilt, the accused declared themselves innocent and sought justice.

The remaining accused, including former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and former Chittagong mayor A J M Nasir Uddin, are absconding. The tribunal’s order marks the formal beginning of the trial process in this long-pending case.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 in Bangladesh has sentenced former Information Minister and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) president Hasanul Haq Inu to ten years of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 100,000 taka. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday afternoon by a three-member panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, found Inu guilty in a case related to the killing of six people in Kushtia during the July uprising. The tribunal had set June 30 for the verdict after completing arguments on May 14.

Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam stated that Inu, as a political ally of the Awami League government, was directly involved in advising then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024 on imposing curfew and labeling parts of the July movement as extremist. The prosecution presented ten witnesses and video evidence to support claims that Inu’s actions contributed to violence and crimes against humanity.

The tribunal began witness hearings on December 1 of the previous year and concluded them on March 10. The case involved eight specific charges of crimes against humanity, with the trial formally ordered on November 2.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a month-long program to mark the second anniversary of the July uprising. The announcement was made by the party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, at a press conference held at the National Press Club on Tuesday. The program will continue until August 5 and includes demands for convening a constitutional reform council, expediting trials of those accused of July killings and crimes against humanity, and ensuring justice for the murder of martyr Osman bin Hadi.

The program began with a discussion meeting and press conference and includes various activities such as meetings with families of July martyrs, the injured, and the disabled, as well as memorial and prayer events at sites linked to the uprising. Key events include a discussion on July Martyrs’ Day on July 16, nationwide meetings from July 18 to 31, and a mass procession across the country on August 1.

Jamaat will also participate in programs organized by the 11-party alliance, labor organizations, women’s and student wings, and forums of July fighters, culminating in rallies and processions on August 5.

An opinion piece published on June 30, 2026, analyzes the recent US-Iran war and highlights how Iran, despite facing severe military and economic pressure, avoided collapse and maintained bargaining power in negotiations. The article notes that Iran’s military infrastructure suffered heavy damage and its economy came under strain, yet the country did not surrender or lose political control. Instead, Iran leveraged geography, low-cost defense tactics, and regional networks to impose strategic and economic costs on stronger adversaries.

The analysis argues that the United States demonstrated overwhelming air and intelligence superiority but at a high financial cost, with billions spent in the early stages of the conflict. It suggests that while the US military-industrial complex benefited, ordinary citizens bore the economic burden through inflation and taxes. The author recalls President Eisenhower’s warning about the influence of this complex on democratic decision-making.

Drawing lessons for Bangladesh, the article concludes that military parity with stronger neighbors is unrealistic, but developing affordable domestic defense technologies, coastal and cyber capabilities, and internal unity can strengthen national sovereignty and deterrence.

A report from Amar Desh Online on June 30, 2026, highlighted multiple factors that can lead to reduced memory and cognitive performance. The article noted that fatigue, stress, heavy workloads, post-COVID effects, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and thyroid disorders may temporarily impair brain function. Experts observed that such issues are increasingly common among young professionals.

Nutritionists identified dehydration as a major cause of declining memory and focus. Insufficient water intake can disrupt brain function, slow neural communication, and increase fatigue, making it harder to think or remember information. Prolonged dehydration may also contribute to premature aging and chronic health risks. Other causes include aging, sleep deprivation, vitamin B12 deficiency, head injuries, side effects of certain medications, neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and brain infections or strokes.

The report advised maintaining brain health through adequate hydration, balanced nutrition, regular sleep, stress management, and physical exercise. Persistent or worsening memory problems should be evaluated by a physician.

Former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed was arrested in Dubai on June 12, 2026, under an Interpol red notice, marking a dramatic downfall for a once-powerful figure who allegedly viewed the state machinery as his puppet. The article by Commodore (Retd.) Jasim Uddin Bhuiyan traces how institutional safeguards were ignored, allowing unchecked power and corruption to grow within Bangladesh’s elite force, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). It argues that early warnings and policy proposals to limit officer deputation to two years were disregarded, paving the way for systemic decay.

The piece recounts the origins of RAB in the early 2000s, its intended balance between military and police leadership, and how that equilibrium eroded over time. It details how long-term deputations, political interference, and the dominance of figures like Benazir Ahmed and Zia undermined professional integrity and command structures. The author highlights how these deviations weakened institutional discipline and fostered abuses of power.

The article concludes by urging policymakers, military leaders, and civil administrators to learn from this episode, restore professional ethics, and enforce strict adherence to institutional rules to prevent future crises.