Bangladesh has lost one of its brightest sports figures with the passing of Abdus Sadeq, the country’s first national hockey captain and a celebrated football and hockey star. He died on the morning of June 20, 2026, at Continental Hospital in Gulshan, Dhaka, after a long battle with cancer. He was 78 and is survived by his wife, two sons, one daughter, and numerous admirers. His first funeral prayer will be held after Asr prayers in Bashundhara Residential Area, followed by a second one at Banani DOHS field the next morning.

Sadeq was a pioneering figure in Bangladesh’s post-independence sports history. He captained the first national hockey team and also led the Abahani football team in 1972. During the 1970s and 1980s, he excelled in both football and hockey, notably leading the national hockey team in the 1978 Asian Games. In recognition of his achievements, he received the National Sports Award in 1996 and later contributed as a sports organizer.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque expressed deep sorrow, describing Sadeq as a guardian-like figure whose legacy will remain cherished in Bangladesh’s sporting history.

The Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, has fractured into three separate factions just weeks after the announcement of election results in West Bengal. The party, which had ruled the state for 15 consecutive years, disintegrated within 28 days of its defeat. Most state legislators have formed a new bloc under Ritabrata Banerjee, calling themselves the 'Real Trinamool' and acting as the main opposition in the state assembly. Meanwhile, at least 20 Members of Parliament in Delhi have left to join a new party named NCPI, pledging support to the ruling NDA coalition. The original party remains under Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, now referred to as the 'Kalighat Trinamool'.

Analysts attribute the split to three main factors: the party’s lack of ideological foundation and dependence on populist politics, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s strategic involvement in encouraging defections, and internal discontent over Abhishek Banerjee’s corporate-style leadership. The BJP reportedly sought to replace Mamata’s confrontational politics with a more cooperative opposition in the state.

The rapid disintegration marks a major turning point for the 28-year-old party, raising uncertainty about its future political relevance in West Bengal and national politics.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Neymar is ready to return in the team’s final group stage match against Scotland at the World Cup. The 34-year-old forward, who had been sidelined with a calf injury, has not played in Brazil’s first two matches. Ancelotti said Neymar will train separately before rejoining the full squad and is expected to be fit for the upcoming match in Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on June 24.

Neymar’s inclusion in the World Cup squad had drawn criticism due to his long injury layoff and recent poor form. Despite his absence, Brazil’s attack has performed strongly, with Vinícius Júnior scoring and assisting in the 3–0 win over Haiti, while Matheus Cunha netted twice. Vinícius and Cunha currently lead Brazil’s scoring chart in the tournament.

If Neymar returns as planned, Brazil could enter the knockout stage with added strength and depth, boosting their bid for a sixth world title.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stopped an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push 20 people into Bangladesh through the Chouka border area of Shibganj upazila in Chapainawabganj. The incident occurred on Friday night, and the individuals are currently positioned on the zero line within Indian territory.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, commanding officer of BGB Battalion 59, confirmed the development on Saturday morning. He stated that the BGB patrol team’s prompt action successfully prevented the push-in attempt. Further details about the individuals and the incident are expected to be released later.

The report indicates that the situation remains under observation, with the 20 people still at the zero line pending further clarification from authorities.

Seven people were killed and three others injured in two explosions in the mountainous semi-tribal area of Bannu district in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on June 20, 2026. District Police Officer Yasir Afridi confirmed the casualties and said security and law enforcement agencies immediately reached the scene. The blasts occurred in the Fang Musa Khel area, where two vehicles were targeted by remote-controlled explosives.

According to police statements, the first explosion hit a private car, killing five people as it was heading toward Domel. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The second explosion occurred about one kilometer away while the injured were being taken to a hospital, killing two more people and destroying another car. Witnesses corroborated the sequence of the two blasts.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. Authorities have begun an investigation to determine those responsible for the attacks.

An audio clip circulating on social media allegedly contains a conversation about shooting Chattogram-15 (Lohagara-Satkania) MP Shahjahan Chowdhury in the leg. Despite the spread of the recording, the lawmaker said on Saturday evening that he is not taking the threat seriously. He described the remarks as a joke made by individuals angered by his efforts to stop illegal sand extraction in the area.

In the audio, a voice is heard questioning why the MP would visit Lohagara and suggesting he should be shot in the leg if he does. Another voice is claimed to belong to Shahjahan’s personal assistant, Arman Uddin. The MP stated that he knows Arman personally and that both have opposed illegal sand mining, which may have provoked resentment among certain groups.

Following the audio’s release, local political circles expressed concern, and some social media users called for a full investigation. Local sources noted that disputes over sand extraction in Lohagara’s canals and streams have long caused tension, and the leaked conversation has reignited public debate.

Barrister Md. Abdus Salam, a senior lawyer of the Supreme Court, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society. The appointment, effective for a three-year term, was announced through a circular signed by Mohammad Alamgir Haque, Assistant Secretary of the Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on Saturday.

According to the circular, President Md. Shahabuddin, who also serves as the President of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, made the appointment under the authority granted by Article 10(1) of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Order, 1973 (President’s Order No. 26 of 1973). In a separate notification, a 14-member ad hoc managing board has been formed to ensure smooth administrative operations of the organization. Professor Md. Rafiqul Kabir has been named vice chairman, and Dr. Toufiq Md. Mosharraf Hossain (Rana) has been appointed treasurer.

The managing board will serve for three months from the date of issuance of the notification, as stated in the circular.

Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque, Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, emphasized that mastering modern media is essential for achieving political and ideological success for Islamists. Speaking on Saturday at the inauguration of the ‘Majlis Media Network (MMN) Orientation Workshop’ at Darul Khilafah Auditorium in Dhaka’s Paltan, he said that media is a powerful tool for shaping public opinion and establishing state and political narratives. The day-long workshop was organized by the party’s central media cell with participation from selected representatives across the country.

Haque called for developing skilled manpower proficient in modern media language, strategy, and technology to effectively promote Islamic ideals. He urged responsible and professional media operations based on facts and objectivity. At the closing session, the party’s Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad said that building a creative and responsible media team is vital to communicate the organization’s ideology and programs to the public.

The workshop included sessions on news gathering, writing, photo and video production, social media management, fact-checking, and organizational communication, with discussions led by media professionals and researchers.

A teacher named Alamgir Hossain from Gopalnagar in Chauddagram, Comilla, has allegedly gone missing with a madrasa student for the second time, causing alarm in the area. The student’s mother filed a complaint on Saturday at the local police station, naming the teacher and three associates. According to the complaint, the 15-year-old ninth-grade student of Gopalnagar Mohila Alim Madrasa had been harassed and pressured with romantic proposals by Alamgir Hossain, a teacher from the madrasa’s Nurani section.

After the student’s mother reported the harassment to two other teachers, Alamgir allegedly abducted the girl on Thursday morning, forcing her into a CNG autorickshaw near the madrasa. Both have been missing since. Local sources said Alamgir had previously abducted the same student, but she was rescued by her family. A short video message later surfaced, reportedly sent by Alamgir to one of the girl’s relatives.

The madrasa’s acting principal said he had heard about the incident but was unaware of any previous case. Police stated that an investigation is underway and necessary action will be taken.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Maulana Zahirul Islam, elected from Chattogram-16 (Banshkhali), emphasized the importance of using modern technology in agriculture to make farmers more aware and skilled. He made the remarks on Saturday morning while addressing the 'Partner Field School Congress' as the chief guest at the Upazila Parishad auditorium in Banshkhali.

The congress was organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension under the 'Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship and Resilience in Bangladesh (PARTNER)' project for the fiscal year 2025–26. The event featured presentations on the project's activities, achievements, and future plans by Upazila Agriculture Officer Shyamal Chandra Sarkar. Special guest Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, a member of Chattogram South District BNP and former chairman, also spoke at the event.

Presided over by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Ruhul Amin, the congress was attended by agricultural officials, farmers, field school members, and local dignitaries. Speakers highlighted the need to expand technology use in farming to boost productivity and ensure sustainable agriculture.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Water Development Board has warned of short-term flooding in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, and Rangpur as river levels continue to rise due to heavy rainfall. The situation may persist for up to five days, according to officials. Additional alerts have been issued for Kamalganj in Netrokona, Kanaighat and Fenchuganj in Sylhet, and Mongla in Bagerhat, where localized flooding could also occur.

The centre reported that water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers have increased over the past 24 hours and may continue to rise for the next three days, potentially crossing danger levels in parts of the four northern districts. Although most major rivers remain below danger levels, ongoing rainfall in Bangladesh and upstream regions of India, including Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, and Meghalaya, is contributing to the rise.

The forecast also indicates that the Surma and Kushiyara rivers may reach warning levels within three days, posing temporary inundation risks in low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj.

Jamaat-e-Islami organized a protest march in Mirpur’s Rupnagar area on Saturday afternoon, denouncing an attack on the workers and supporters of Dhaka-16 MP Colonel (Retd.) Abdul Baten. The demonstration followed an alleged assault by ruling party activists that disrupted a meeting with constituents. The protest began with a rally led by central Majlis-e-Shura member and Dhaka-16 regional director Md. Nasir Uddin, who accused BNP activists of attempting to destabilize the political environment through violence.

Nasir Uddin urged BNP in Dhaka-16 to abandon negative politics and warned that the public would reject them if they continued such actions. He asserted that Jamaat members would not be silenced by attacks or conspiracies and called on the authorities to end political provocation and return to lawful politics. The rally, presided over by Rupnagar Thana Ameer Abu Hanif, was attended by several local leaders and concluded after marching through major roads in Mirpur-11.

According to reports, the previous day’s attack injured 10 to 15 Jamaat activists, including a ward councilor candidate. MP Abdul Baten blamed Rupnagar police for failing to prevent the incident and demanded the arrest of those responsible.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) prevented an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push 20 people into Bangladesh through the Chauka border in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj. The incident occurred late Friday night and became public on Saturday. BGB’s firm stance led to a brief face-off between the two border forces before BSF withdrew and halted the push-in attempt.

According to local sources and BGB officials, the 20 individuals included 11 women, four children, and five men. After the standoff, they were kept on the Indian side of the no-man’s land and later taken back by members of the 119 BSF Battalion from Sukdebpur Camp. Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, commander of the 59 BGB Battalion, confirmed the incident and said the attempt was successfully resisted.

He added that BGB remains on high alert along the border and has intensified patrols and surveillance to prevent any future push-in attempts.

Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following Israel’s deadly attack in southern Lebanon. The country’s central military command stated that the move was a response to what it described as a breach of an agreement with the United States. According to a statement broadcast on Iranian state television, all ship movements through the strait will remain suspended until further notice.

The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the closure was the first step in response to what it called enemy violations, warning that further measures could follow if aggression continues. Iran accused Israel’s recent actions of severely undermining regional stability and violating previous understandings. The report noted that neither the United States nor Israel had issued an immediate reaction.

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, serving as a vital route for global oil and gas shipments. Analysts suggest the closure could heighten concerns over international energy supply and global trade stability.

The government has initiated a Tk 1,800 crore mega project under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to modernize rural and municipal infrastructure in Pabna district. The proposed 'Pabna District Rural Infrastructure Development Project' is currently under process at the Ministry of Local Government. It includes construction and repair of rural roads, bridges, culverts, modern markets, ghats, rail crossings, and tree plantation programs for environmental balance.

A separate project is also being prepared to address waterlogging and improve road connectivity in Pabna municipality. Local leaders and officials said the initiative, driven by the efforts of Pabna-5 MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, is nearing final approval. Stakeholders including the district citizen committee and press club leaders expressed optimism that the project will boost local trade, ease transportation of agricultural goods, and improve civic amenities.

According to LGED officials, field-level feasibility studies have been completed, and the development project proposal for drainage and road modernization is progressing rapidly. Implementation will begin once ministerial approval is granted.