Airport authorities at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram detained a Dubai-bound passenger named Md. Abu Bakkar on Thursday night for carrying a large amount of foreign currency without valid documentation. The seized money, consisting of dirhams and riyals, is valued at approximately Tk 9,491,397 in Bangladeshi currency. Abu Bakkar, a resident of Bhabanipur in Lohagara upazila, was stopped at around 8:15 p.m. in the departure lounge after completing immigration formalities.

According to airport officials, the passenger was traveling on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG147. Acting on a tip-off, security personnel searched his luggage and body, discovering 253,665 UAE dirhams worth about Tk 6.95 million and 4,790 riyals worth about Tk 1.46 million. The currencies were hidden in a concealed manner, and authorities suspect an attempt to smuggle the money abroad without legal clearance.

Airport authorities confirmed that legal action is underway, and a case is being prepared at the relevant police station regarding the attempted currency smuggling.

South Africa avoided defeat in a crucial World Cup Group A match by scoring a late penalty to draw 1-1 with the Czech Republic. The match, played on June 19, 2026, saw Teboho Mokoena convert a penalty in the 83rd minute to secure one point for his team. Earlier, Michal Sadílek had given the Czech Republic an early lead just five minutes and seven seconds into the game, marking the fastest goal of the tournament.

Despite the early setback, South Africa struggled to create clear chances and managed their first shot on target only in the 74th minute. The turning point came when Thapelo Maseko’s shot struck Czech midfielder Pavel Šulc’s hand, leading to the decisive penalty. Mokoena’s precise finish into the left corner ensured a share of the spoils.

The draw leaves both teams behind Mexico and South Korea in Group A standings. However, under the new World Cup format, the top eight third-placed teams can still advance to the round of 32, keeping both sides’ hopes alive ahead of their final group matches on June 25.

BJP leader and minister Dilip Ghosh has sparked controversy by telling former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to go to Bangladesh. His remarks came on Thursday morning, shortly after authorities replaced Banerjee’s long-time personal security officers following a protest march in Kalighat. Ghosh accused Banerjee of refusing to respect the constitution and government authority, questioning why she remained in India if she did not accept them.

The dispute began when Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien stated in the Rajya Sabha that Banerjee’s security team, which had served her for two decades, was replaced by three new officers. Ghosh defended the government’s right to make such changes, arguing that Banerjee herself had frequently transferred officials during her tenure as chief minister. He also criticized her recent protest activities and blamed her party for the state’s hawker problems.

Ghosh further commented on the arrests of former ministers Udayan Guha and Sushanta Ghosh, alleging corruption and misuse of power by Trinamool leaders. His statements have intensified political tensions in West Bengal.

The Bangladesh government, in its tenth cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on June 18, 2026, granted policy approval to the draft 'Gambling Prevention Act, 2026'. The meeting, held at the National Parliament, also approved drafts of the 'Public Examinations (Offenses) (Amendment) Act, 2026', the 'Bogura University Act, 2026', and the 'Narcotics Control (Amendment) Act, 2026'. The gambling law aims to modernize the outdated Public Gambling Act of 1867 to address both online and offline gambling activities through updated legal and technological measures.

The proposed gambling law defines various gambling-related terms, including digital platforms and betting, and introduces penalties such as fines and imprisonment. The amendment to the Public Examinations Act seeks to curb digital manipulation, cheating, and organized exam fraud, introducing up to five years of imprisonment for digital offenses. The Bogura University Act aims to transform the existing science and technology university into a full-fledged general university covering multiple disciplines.

The draft Narcotics Control amendment proposes establishing drug crime tribunals, adding cybercrime control provisions, and enhancing border operations. All drafts will undergo vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division before final approval.

Lionel Messi’s family has confirmed that his father, Jorge Messi, is currently facing a health issue and is under medical supervision. The announcement came just hours after Messi’s emotional hat-trick performance against Algeria in the World Cup, which ended in a 3–0 victory for Argentina. The family stated that Jorge Messi’s condition is improving and expressed concern over recent rumors and misinformation about his health.

In their official statement, the family urged the public to rely only on verified information from them and to disregard unconfirmed reports. The emotional celebration following Messi’s first goal, where he looked skyward and appeared tearful, drew widespread attention on social media. Many fans interpreted the gesture as a prayer for his father’s recovery, though neither Messi nor his family has confirmed this interpretation.

The family’s clarification has added a personal dimension to Messi’s on-field triumph, highlighting the emotional balance between professional glory and private concern.

Police in Khagrachhari’s Guimara upazila have arrested a 38-year-old man named Mrasa Marma for allegedly raping a hill woman. The arrest took place on Thursday in the Kukichhara area of Hafchhari Union with the help of local residents. The victim’s younger brother filed a case at Guimara Police Station following the incident.

According to the complaint, on June 13, Mrasa Marma and two unidentified accomplices took the woman to Chattogram’s Hathazari area, promising her a job at a company under Akij Group. She was allegedly raped there that night. The next day, she received treatment at Matiranga Upazila Health Complex but did not disclose the assault. Her condition later worsened, and after the incident spread on social media, she was admitted to Khagrachhari Modern District Hospital, where she remains under treatment in the gynecology ward.

The victim is a resident of a hilly area in the upazila, while the accused lives in the same region’s Baraitali area.

Two young men were killed when a train struck their motorcycle while they were crossing the railway line in Dudhpatila village of Damurhuda upazila, Chuadanga, on Thursday evening. Witnesses and local sources said the speeding train hit the motorcycle as it attempted to cross the tracks, killing both riders instantly at the scene.

Sub-inspector Jagadish Chandra Basu of Chuadanga Railway Police confirmed the incident, stating that two people died in the collision between the train and the motorcycle. The identities of the deceased were not immediately known. Police arrived at the scene to collect information and initiate necessary legal procedures.

In the same incident, a man named Abdul Kader, son of Rahidul Islam from Dudhpatila village, was injured. Details about his condition were not yet available at the time of reporting.

A Youth Dal activist named Shahidullah Russell, aged 41, died on Wednesday afternoon while receiving treatment under prison custody at Comilla Medical College Hospital. He had been arrested on May 10 from Shasanpara village in Lalmai upazila with 102 yaba pills and was sent to Comilla Central Jail the following day. Prison authorities stated that Russell had been suffering from pneumonia and other illnesses before his incarceration. After his condition worsened, he was transferred to the hospital on June 17, where he died around 3 p.m. The body was handed over to his family after autopsy.

Russell was a resident of Perul Uttar Union in Lalmai upazila and an active member of the local Youth Dal. His wife, Halima Akter, alleged that he had been falsely implicated in the drug case and denied proper care. Lalmai Upazila BNP General Secretary Yusuf Ali Mir Pintu described Russell as a dedicated party worker and called for an investigation into any irregularities or conspiracy surrounding his arrest and death.

Authorities have not yet announced any formal inquiry into the circumstances of his death.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis leaders have strongly condemned remarks made in the National Parliament about their party chief Allama Mamunul Haque by a BNP-aligned Member of Parliament and subsequent comments by the Speaker. In a joint statement issued on Thursday night, Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Yusuf Ashraf and Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad said the discussion about Haque in Parliament, despite his absence, reflected political fear and attempts to revive old propaganda.

The leaders stated that Haque had been acquitted by a court in a politically motivated case filed during the Awami League government and that national newspapers had reported on his innocence. They criticized the Speaker for calling the matter an “extramarital affair” and a “dark chapter,” describing the remarks as uninformed and contradictory to her constitutional neutrality. They urged the Speaker to withdraw her comments, issue a public clarification, and apologize to the nation.

The statement warned that failure to do so would make the Speaker responsible for public outrage. Youth Majlis also planned protest marches in Dhaka and other areas against the remarks made in Parliament.

A leaked audio recording has triggered widespread concern in the Lohagara–Satkania area after it allegedly revealed a plan to shoot Chittagong-15 Member of Parliament Shahjahan Chowdhury in the leg. The conversation, which spread on social media, reportedly features Arman Uddin, the MP’s longtime personal assistant, discussing the plan with another unidentified person. Local discussions suggest the audio indicates a violent intent toward the elected representative.

Reporter investigations confirmed that one of the voices in the audio belongs to Arman Uddin, though the identity of the other speaker remains unverified. When questioned, Arman denied any involvement and stopped responding after being sent the audio clip. The recording includes remarks about preventing the MP from visiting Lohagara and references to armed readiness. Local sources claim the unidentified speaker may be linked to influential groups involved in sand and soil extraction.

Chittagong District Police Superintendent Md. Masud Alam stated that authorities are taking the matter seriously and are verifying the authenticity, source, and roles of those involved before taking legal action.

French footballer Maxence Lacroix has chosen to celebrate his selection for France’s World Cup squad by sharing the joy with his childhood community. The 25-year-old defender, who grew up in the small southwestern village of Azat, decided to provide pizza for all residents on every match day of France’s World Cup campaign. He informed the local mayor in advance about his plan to ensure the entire village could join in the celebration.

Lacroix spent much of his childhood in Azat with his grandparents before leaving at a young age to pursue football training. Despite his professional success and busy schedule, he has maintained a strong connection to his roots. The villagers, deeply moved by his gesture, have prepared to watch France’s matches together on a large screen at the town hall while enjoying the pizza provided by their hometown star.

After playing for several French clubs, Lacroix joined Germany’s Wolfsburg in 2020 and later moved to England’s Crystal Palace. His consistent club performances earned him his first call-up to the national team, and his village now eagerly awaits his debut on the World Cup stage.

Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), Gazipur, held its ‘Annual Paper Meet’ on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Academic Building. The event showcased the outcomes, innovations, and future prospects of research projects approved for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. DUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Engineer Mohammad Iqbal attended as chief guest, with Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Arefin Kawsar as special guest, and Professor Dr. Md. Anwarul Abedin presiding.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor emphasized that research-driven knowledge creation and technology-based solutions can significantly contribute to national industry, economy, and society. He called for more publications, patents, and collaboration with industry to raise research to international standards and urged the University Grants Commission to increase financial allocations for research. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor praised researchers’ creativity and stressed the need for practical application of research outcomes.

During the event, project directors presented their research goals, methods, findings, and potential applications. Participants engaged in discussions on interdisciplinary collaboration and implementation of research results, and certificates were awarded to project directors at the closing session.

Two children who went missing while bathing in the Jamuna River at Sarishabari upazila of Jamalpur were found dead seven hours later. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when the children entered the river at Radhanagar Sunset Point area and were swept away by a strong current. A diving team from the Fire Service recovered their bodies after an extensive search lasting about seven hours.

The victims were identified as Israfil, aged seven, son of Firoz Mia, and Osman Gani, aged eight, son of Shamim Mia, both residents of Radhanagar village in Pingna Union. Following the recovery, police confirmed that the bodies would be handed over to their families after completing necessary legal procedures.

Authorities said the rescue operation began immediately after receiving the report of the disappearance, with both the Fire Service and local residents participating in the search effort.

Three people have been killed in a violent clash between two rival groups in Raipura upazila of Narsingdi, police confirmed after recovering the body of Latif Molla, 32, from the Meghna River on Thursday afternoon. The conflict, which began early Tuesday in Nilaksha Union’s Haripur area, stemmed from a long-running dispute over local dominance between groups led by Nazim Uddin and Alal Munshi. A case has been filed naming 30 individuals and listing 50–60 others as unidentified suspects.

According to local sources, the clash involved the use of spears, firearms, and other weapons, lasting several hours and resulting in property damage and arson. Osman Member’s son Anik Mia, 20, was killed on the first day, while Kawsar Ahmed, 37, was found dead the following day. Police and locals said the long-standing rivalry between the two groups had periodically caused tension in the area.

Police stated that no arrests had yet been made but that operations were underway to detain the accused individuals.

Qatar has launched an unprecedented initiative to boost its national football team’s morale at the ongoing World Cup. Under the special arrangement of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, around one thousand Qatari supporters have been flown by chartered planes to Vancouver, Canada, ahead of a crucial match against the host nation. The move has drawn global attention for its scale and royal-style organization.

According to an Associated Press report, the program—called the ‘Qatari Fans Delegation Program’—is jointly managed by Qatar’s Social and Sport Contribution Fund and the country’s football federation. The government is covering all expenses, including airfare, luxury accommodation, local transport, and match tickets. Upon arrival, the fans created a festive atmosphere in Vancouver by playing traditional darbuka drums and celebrating in public spaces.

Qatar’s captain Abdulaziz Hatem expressed gratitude to the traveling supporters, saying their presence motivates the team to perform their best. The federation stated that the initiative aims to ensure players feel supported in the stadium. The upcoming match against Canada is seen as crucial for both teams’ survival in the tournament.