Lebanese Civil Defense teams have recovered 13 bodies from the rubble in the Nabatieh and Marjayoun regions of southern Lebanon. According to a statement released on Monday, rescue teams are continuing operations in Nabatieh, Dibbine, and Blat to clear main and secondary roads. The effort aims to remove debris and restore normal traffic movement in the affected areas.

The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that since Israeli attacks began on March 2, at least 4,106 people have been killed and 12,153 injured across the country. Emergency assistance operations are still underway in the damaged regions as rescue teams continue their search and recovery efforts.

Authorities have not yet provided further details on the identities of the victims or the extent of structural damage in the affected zones.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as both the country's leader and the head of the ruling Labour Party. He made the announcement on Monday during a statement at Downing Street, marking the end of the sixth prime ministerial tenure in the United Kingdom over the past decade. Starmer said he would continue to serve as prime minister until the Labour Party elects a new leader, and he confirmed that he had spoken with King Charles III earlier in the day.

Starmer stated that every decision he made was guided by his commitment to put his country first. He said he would accept his party’s decision with courtesy and offer full and unconditional support to his successor. He acknowledged that questions had been raised within the party about whether he was the right person to lead Labour into the next general election, and he accepted the party’s response.

He has asked the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee to begin the process of selecting a new leader, with nominations opening on July 9. His resignation comes less than two years after he promised to bring stability to British politics following a decisive election victory.

Professor Dr. Md. Atikul Haque, Associate Professor of Microbiology at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), has developed a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) test method capable of detecting the foodborne bacterium Bacillus cereus within 90 minutes. The research, conducted in collaboration with Noakhali Science and Technology University, was published in the international journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. The study found that about 80 percent of field samples tested positive for at least one toxin gene, with the highest contamination in animal feed, followed by milk and eggs.

Compared to conventional PCR tests, which require 3–5 hours and expensive thermal cyclers, the LAMP method is faster, cheaper (around USD 2.5 per test), and can be performed using basic heating equipment. It is also about 10,000 times more sensitive, showing 96.1% diagnostic sensitivity. Dr. Haque stated that this innovation offers Bangladesh an effective and affordable tool for rapid bacterial detection, even in resource-limited settings.

Researchers plan to expand the study nationwide, develop multiplex and species-specific LAMP systems, and create portable field kits for on-site testing. They also aim to integrate the technology into the national food safety framework to strengthen surveillance.

A Jhenaidah court has sentenced Abu Taher to death for the rape and murder of four-year-old Tabachchum in Kaliganj upazila’s Barobazar area. The verdict was delivered on Monday, June 22, 2026, by Judge Salehuzzaman of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal. The court also fined the convict five lakh taka and ordered that the amount be recovered by selling his property.

According to the case documents, on February 26, Abu Taher lured the child to his house with chips and juice, raped her, and then strangled her to death. He hid the body in a septic tank of a nearby school. Police arrested him the next day from his brother’s rented house in Kushtia town. The investigation officer submitted the charge sheet on May 26, and the trial proceeded swiftly with charges framed on June 16, witness testimonies on June 17, and arguments completed by June 21.

Prosecutor Akidul Islam expressed satisfaction with the verdict, noting that the judgment was delivered within 116 days. The victim’s parents also welcomed the ruling and demanded prompt execution of the sentence.

The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) has ordered the deployment of army personnel in six districts, including Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Faridpur, Gopalganj, and Chattogram. The deployment, effective until June 30, 2026, follows concerns over possible unrest linked to the banned Awami League’s upcoming anniversary on June 23. The move aims to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.

In preparation for the event, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has implemented extensive security measures across the capital. Over 200 special pickets and checkpoints will be set up at key and strategic locations, with intensified searches at all city entry points. Specialized DMP units, including the Detective Branch (DB) and Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC), will remain active, supported by plainclothes officers from the Special Branch (SB) and Internal Affairs Division (IAD).

To respond swiftly to any emergency, 15 Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and reserve forces will be on standby at four main DMP control rooms. More than 18,000 police officers and personnel will be deployed to maintain order and protect residents throughout the heightened security period.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce his departure schedule on Monday, paving the way for a smooth transfer of power to his rival Andy Burnham. This would make Burnham the country’s seventh leader in ten years. Starmer, who came to power promising to end political turmoil, has faced mounting pressure within two years of his tenure, especially after Burnham’s decisive parliamentary victory over a Reform UK candidate.

Burnham’s win has revived optimism among Labour lawmakers who believe his communication skills could help reverse the party’s decline under Starmer. However, the anticipated leadership change carries risks. Burnham has yet to clarify his positions on foreign, economic, and defense policies, and may face pressure from bond market investors wary of increased borrowing, as well as from voters frustrated over living costs and public services.

Analysts and investors remain divided over Burnham’s economic stance, while party insiders suggest possible compromises among leadership contenders. If Starmer confirms his resignation, it will mark the most frequent leadership turnover in nearly two centuries, reflecting voter discontent over economic and governance failures.

The Islami Bank Conscious Customers Forum has demanded that a full board of directors be formed for Islami Bank within the next 24 hours, comprising honest, skilled, and professional individuals. The demand was made on Monday during a sit-in in front of Bangladesh Bank’s headquarters in Motijheel, Dhaka. Hundreds of customers gathered earlier in front of Islami Bank Tower and later marched to the central bank gate, where law enforcement maintained a strict stance.

Forum president Nur-un-Nabi Manik stated that restoring customer confidence in Islami Bank requires a competent and credible board. He emphasized that the new board should include individuals with integrity, professional expertise, and sound knowledge of Islamic finance. Speakers at the rally also insisted that those previously involved in irregularities, corruption, or unlawful appointments must not be reinstated, urging Bangladesh Bank to take firm measures to protect depositors’ interests.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said a strong board comprising experienced and professional members will soon be formed to ensure good governance and stability at Islami Bank.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that the government is working to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and simplify licensing procedures to create a more business-friendly environment. Speaking at a debriefing session in Dhaka’s InterContinental Hotel, he said the goal is to shorten the business startup process from nearly one year to just 14 days, allowing companies to open letters of credit for machinery imports by the 15th day. The session was jointly organized by the International Labour Organization and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority.

Muktadir emphasized that the United Nations’ recommendation on Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country category should be treated as an opportunity for planned institutional and economic strengthening. He said the government’s recent budget reflects priorities such as simplifying business processes, reducing licensing complexities, and diversifying markets. The Commerce Ministry has also established a Responsible Business Conduct Cell to coordinate among government bodies, regulators, business groups, and development partners.

He added that a committee has already identified areas to reduce time and procedural overlaps, and a zone announcement on implementation is expected in July.

During Prime Minister Tareq Rahman’s first state visit to Malaysia, both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation across nine major sectors, including trade, investment, technology, labor, education, defense, and regional collaboration. The announcement came at a press conference following the 18-hour visit, where Rahman held bilateral meetings with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and met King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

A 33-point joint statement was issued outlining the areas of cooperation, such as political ties, digital economy, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and worker welfare. Discussions also focused on reopening Malaysia’s labor market for Bangladeshi workers, ensuring transparency, safety, and low recruitment costs. Both sides agreed to advance talks on a free trade agreement and expand collaboration in AI, cybersecurity, and modern technology.

The visit also covered education partnerships, defense training, and counterterrorism cooperation. Malaysia expressed support for Bangladesh’s role in ASEAN and potential inclusion in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. A memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation and two exchanges of notes on investment and counterterrorism were signed, marking a new phase in bilateral relations.

A research team from Khulna University’s Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology (FMRT) Discipline has achieved success in cultivating giant freshwater prawns and carp fish together using the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) method in low-salinity coastal water. The environmentally friendly IMTA system, based on the principle of 'one’s waste, another’s food,' increased both production and nutritional value of the fish.

The five-month experiment was conducted in twelve 120-square-meter earthen ponds, where lotus, guppy grass, and freshwater mussels were added to improve water quality and nutrient recycling. Results showed higher growth, survival, and production rates for prawns and G3 carp compared to conventional methods. Profit margins rose from 41% in traditional farming to 74% in the most successful IMTA treatment. The fish and prawns produced contained higher levels of essential amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Lead researcher Professor Dr. Md. Lifat Rahi stated that the IMTA system offers a sustainable and profitable solution for small-scale farmers in Bangladesh’s increasingly saline coastal regions, while also providing consumers with safer and more nutritious protein sources.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarek Rahman and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held bilateral talks in Putrajaya on Monday, where three important documents were signed. The agreements included a memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation and two bilateral instruments on collaboration in counterterrorism research, capacity building, and investment. The foreign ministers of both countries exchanged the documents in the presence of the two leaders, who later addressed a joint press conference.

The meeting reviewed various aspects of bilateral relations and discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. Key topics included reopening Malaysia’s labor market for Bangladeshi workers, regularizing undocumented Bangladeshis, renewing work permits, expanding market access for Bangladeshi agricultural products, Bangladesh’s application to become an ASEAN sectoral dialogue partner, inclusion in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Rohingya issue, and cooperation in multilateral forums such as the United Nations.

This visit marked Tarek Rahman’s first official foreign trip since assuming office as Bangladesh’s prime minister on February 17, following his party’s victory in the 13th national election.

On June 14, the United States and Iran reached an agreement outlining steps to end their ongoing war. The framework includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, halting bombings in Lebanon, and stopping targeted killings. The conflict, lasting over 100 days, has caused thousands of deaths, including senior Iranian leaders, and severely impacted the global economy. However, analysts argue that lasting peace in West Asia requires abandoning the 'Greater Israel' ideology.

The 'Greater Israel' concept, supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, envisions Israeli control from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. It has fueled wars in Iraq, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. Extremist factions, both secular and religious, advocate territorial expansion regardless of Palestinian rights. Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir have rejected any withdrawal from occupied territories.

The report concludes that ending the 'Greater Israel' policy, ceasing hostilities in Gaza and Iran, and establishing an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders are essential for regional peace. It also calls for Israeli troop withdrawal from Lebanon and Syria.

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Monday that it has imposed export controls on ten United States companies involved in the defense industry and rare mineral extraction. Among the affected firms is Oshkosh Defense, a manufacturer of military vehicles for the US armed forces, according to a report by AFP.

In its statement, the Chinese ministry said that the listed companies are now prohibited from receiving dual-use goods from China. It also specified that no individual or organization from any country or region may transfer or supply Chinese-made dual-use products to these companies.

The move is viewed as a significant development within the ongoing trade and technological competition between China and the United States.

The market for polao rice in Bangladesh has become highly unstable, with prices rising by up to Tk 30 per kilogram and Tk 900 to Tk 2,000 per sack over the past month. Despite adequate supply, consumers have expressed frustration at the sudden spike in prices ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Traders and wholesalers claim that mill owners and corporate groups have artificially created a supply crisis to increase profits, while rising fuel, gas, and electricity costs have also contributed to higher transport and ancillary expenses.

Retailers allege that large corporate groups are syndicating to control supply and exploit seasonal demand during Eid and wedding events. However, corporate representatives deny these accusations, attributing the price hike to reduced production caused by crop disease and increased export activity. Nabil Group’s managing director stated that export restrictions may be necessary to stabilize the domestic market.

Consumer rights advocates, including the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, have described the price surge as abnormal and criticized weak market monitoring, arguing that government tax reductions have not benefited ordinary consumers.

The official ball of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, named TRIONDA, has transformed traditional football design by integrating advanced digital technology. Developed to symbolize the unity of host nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—the ball features a four-panel structure and embedded sensors, microprocessors, and data transmission systems. At its core lies an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensor that records position, speed, direction, and touch data 500 times per second, enabling precise tracking of every movement on the field.

The TRIONDA ball works in coordination with high-powered stadium cameras and AI systems to determine offside moments, handballs, and other disputed plays within seconds. This integration allows faster and more accurate decisions, reducing delays in Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviews. Additionally, the Connected Ball Technology transmits real-time data directly to VAR, cutting decision times to as little as 20–25 seconds.

Beyond officiating, the technology enhances broadcast experiences with AI-driven replays, 3D visualizations, and real-time performance analytics. While some fans fear technology may diminish football’s human drama, others welcome its precision and fairness, marking TRIONDA as a milestone in football’s technological evolution.