The White House announced that US President Donald Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will travel to Doha on Tuesday for a high-level meeting with Iranian officials. According to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, the talks aim to continue discussions on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran, alongside planned technical-level meetings. The announcement was also shared earlier by Trump on social media.

However, Iran has denied any plan for such a meeting. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that there is no scheduled meeting with US officials in Qatar this week, though consultations with Qatar are ongoing. Initially focused on Iran’s nuclear program, the discussions have now shifted toward reducing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

The two countries remain at odds over control of the strategic waterway. Iran insists that the MoU grants it control over the Strait, while the United States maintains that it should remain open to international navigation and not be under the authority of any single nation.

Five fishermen were reportedly taken away along with their fishing trawler by Myanmar’s armed rebel group Arakan Army from the Naf River estuary near the Teknaf coast in Cox’s Bazar. The incident was confirmed on Monday by Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer S.M. Anik Chowdhury.

The abducted fishermen were identified as Mohammad Ayub, Mohammad Azimullah, Salam Nur, Ayub Ali, and Chhayed Hossain, all residents of the Rohingya camps in Ukhiya-Teknaf. According to the official, the fishermen had entered Myanmar’s territorial waters while fishing in the Bay of Bengal near Teknaf, where the Arakan Army detained them and seized their trawler.

Authorities said necessary procedures will be taken through the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) regarding the detained fishermen.

Comilla University has officially recognized July 11 as 'Resistance Day' and decided to include it in the university’s annual calendar. The decision was made during the institution’s 110th syndicate meeting held on Monday, June 29, 2026.

According to the source, the date marks a significant event during the July 2024 mass uprising when police clashed with protesting students on the Comilla University campus during the 'Bangla Blockade' program. Around 15 to 25 students were injured in the incident, which sparked widespread anger and led to highway blockades by students. The resistance at Comilla University subsequently inspired similar protest actions at other universities across the country.

Previously, on July 11, 2025, a commemorative event at the university had declared the day as the first resistance day of the July movement. The university registrar (acting) stated that the syndicate’s recognition followed student requests, and the administration will later decide on the types of programs to be held on that day.

Ekushey Padak-winning artist, painter, and cultural icon Mustafa Monwar passed away on June 29, 2026, while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka. He was 91. Monwar, a former Director General of the National Institute of Mass Communication, was a leading figure in Bangladesh’s art, culture, and media sectors. He was the son of poet Golam Mostafa and had been active in the arts since childhood, contributing significantly to the development of post-independence cultural media.

He was one of the architects of the red sun at the Central Shaheed Minar and a pioneer of puppetry in Bangladesh. Monwar created the beloved children’s character “Parul” and produced acclaimed television programs such as “Natun Kuri” and “Moner Kotha,” which inspired generations of young viewers. Following his death, social media users shared old clips of his shows, recalling childhood memories and expressing condolences.

Monwar also collaborated with UNICEF’s child-focused “Meena” initiative and organized puppet shows for refugee children during the Liberation War. His creative legacy and humanitarian vision remain deeply respected in Bangladesh’s cultural and media landscape.

Dhaka University has announced a proposed budget of Tk 1,033.21 crore for the 2026–2027 fiscal year, presented at the annual Senate session held on June 29, 2026, at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban. The budget, presented by Treasurer Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and presided over by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam, falls short by about Tk 390 crore compared to the university’s total demand. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has allocated no direct funds for research, creating an anticipated financial deficit of Tk 83.85 crore.

According to the treasurer, 66.73 percent of the university’s total financial requirement has been met, with Tk 949 crore from UGC grants and Tk 85 crore from internal income. The largest allocations are for salaries and allowances, consuming about 53 percent of the total budget. The administration warned that the lack of research funding and limited resources for libraries, laboratories, and student welfare will strain normal academic and research operations.

The UGC plans to change its policy by managing research funds directly instead of transferring them to universities, a move that may affect Dhaka University’s ability to ensure adequate research investment.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on every student in Bangladesh to plant at least one tree each year to help protect the environment and keep the country clean. He made the appeal on Monday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka, during an event jointly organized by the Ministry of Education and the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education. Before attending the event, he participated in a nationwide tree-planting initiative that saw around 90,000 saplings planted across 29,600 locations.

Addressing students, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of environmental responsibility, urging them to take pride in keeping their surroundings clean and to treat trees as lifelong companions. He shared his personal fondness for trees and reflected on how they inspire his thoughts and plans. During the event, he and his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, presented the “Innovative Talent Award” to several educational institutions for their creative projects.

Rahman also inaugurated a national tree-planting program for secondary students and a national startup, science project, and innovation exhibition, encouraging youth to build a knowledge-based and sustainable Bangladesh through science, technology, and research.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman addressed the Bangladesh Parliament on Monday during the general discussion on the proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year. He criticized a recurring tendency among speakers to engage in divisive rhetoric before calling for unity, urging lawmakers to abandon such behavior and work together for the country’s progress.

Dr. Rahman described the current Parliament as one representing the oppressed and expressed hope that it would act responsibly, inspire the nation, and promote unity. He emphasized that the legislature should not engage in flattery or personal praise at the expense of public funds, noting that Parliament is a place for fulfilling responsibilities, not for personal appeasement.

He further stated that most members are new and should learn positive lessons from their seniors rather than negative practices. Dr. Rahman called for a responsible and visionary approach to national leadership through collective effort and ethical conduct.

The Barishal City Corporation (BCC) has decided to maintain the previously set fares for three-wheelers operating within the city. The decision was made on Monday during a coordination meeting held at the city corporation office, chaired by BCC Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin. Officials from the divisional and district administrations were present. The meeting also resolved to take strict legal action against unlicensed or non-renewed three-wheelers through joint drives.

The move follows widespread protests by students and passengers against excessive fare collection by three-wheeler and yellow auto-rickshaw drivers. Reports indicated that fares had nearly doubled on several city routes, prompting students to detain over a hundred vehicles near BM College. Despite earlier complaints and a memorandum submitted to the BCC, no action had been taken until the protests escalated.

During the emergency meeting, participants emphasized restoring order in the city’s transport sector through coordinated efforts. The BCC pledged to ensure compliance with licensing regulations and maintain passenger welfare by keeping fares unchanged.

Grameen Communications and Japan’s Wic Co. Ltd. have jointly initiated the launch of a digital social business platform named Spark, aimed at empowering Bangladeshis worldwide through technology, skill development, employment, and financial inclusion. A memorandum of understanding was signed on the sidelines of the second day of Social Business Day, according to a press release from Yunus Centre issued on Monday.

The agreement was signed by Yoshikane Nakamichi, Representative Director of Wic Co. Ltd., and Firoz Mahmud, Managing Director of Grameen Communications. The signing ceremony was attended by Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chairman of Yunus Centre; Ashraful Hasan, Chairman of Grameen Group; Nazneen Sultana, Executive Vice Chairman of Grameen Communications; Lamiya Morshed, Executive Director of Yunus Centre; and Dr. Asir Ahmed, Associate Professor at Kyushu University, Japan.

According to the release, the Spark platform will connect Bangladeshis across the globe in a unified digital ecosystem, enabling skill-based income, freelancing, and employment opportunities. It will also promote financial inclusion, micro-investment, and asset building to enhance long-term economic resilience.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed credit for the recent decline in global oil prices, attributing it to the effects of an interim agreement with Iran. In a social media post on Monday, Trump stated that oil prices are now lower than before the start of Iran’s nuclear disarmament process. In another post, he added that fuel prices are falling rapidly. He also asserted that his approval rating has reached its highest level ever.

According to the report, Brent crude futures traded at 73 dollars per barrel on Monday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate stood at 69 dollars. These figures represent about a 15 percent decrease compared to prices before the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. The report cited Al Jazeera as the source of this information.

The statements come amid ongoing attention to global energy markets and geopolitical developments involving Iran, though the report did not specify further economic or political reactions.

A worker injured in a boiler explosion at a tire-burning factory in Goaland upazila of Rajbari district has died while undergoing treatment. The victim, Sohel Rana, aged 24, passed away early Monday, June 29, at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The explosion occurred on Thursday morning, June 25, at a factory in Baliadanga village, leaving Sohel and another worker, Shaon, severely burned.

According to police and eyewitnesses, the boiler exploded suddenly while the two workers were on duty, causing a fire that left them critically injured. Locals rescued them and took them first to Goaland Upazila Health Complex, then to Faridpur Medical College Hospital, and finally to Dhaka Medical College Hospital as their condition worsened. Shaon remains under treatment.

Police confirmed the incident and said an investigation is underway. Local residents alleged that tire-burning operations had long been conducted in the area under unsafe conditions, posing serious risks to both the environment and public safety.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged to restore discipline in Bangladesh’s economic sector and repatriate laundered money, ending what he termed a fascist regime. Speaking during Monday’s national budget session, he proposed several amendments aimed at easing the tax burden on citizens, withdrawing the controversial provision for legalizing undisclosed income, and promoting domestic industries and private higher education.

The Prime Minister proposed raising the tax-free income threshold to 400,000 taka for 2026–27, gradually increasing it to 500,000 taka by 2030–31. He suggested reducing taxes on private universities from 10% to 5% while urging them to strengthen research, establish language labs, and offer free education to poor and meritorious students. He also recommended tax exemptions for small ethnic groups, tariff cuts on key industrial raw materials, and incentives for local manufacturing, including shrimp farming, LED lamps, and prefabricated buildings.

Rahman announced a 5 billion taka startup fund to support freelancers and entrepreneurs, calling it a historic first. He also proposed lowering VAT on online advertising and jewelry, and simplifying VAT compliance to foster a more business-friendly environment.

A human chain was held at Brahmanbaria Railway Station platform on Monday afternoon to protest a stone-throwing incident on a moving train that caused tax lawyer Shyamal Chandra Das to lose his eyesight. The event was organized by the District Income Tax Lawyers’ Association and attended by political leaders, railway police, social organization representatives, and lawyers.

Speakers at the event said that on June 22, Shyamal Chandra Das was seriously injured when miscreants threw stones at a moving train while he was returning from Dhaka to Brahmanbaria. Despite treatment at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital, his eye could not be saved. They noted that similar incidents of stone-throwing on trains have been occurring in Brahmanbaria, injuring many passengers.

Participants urged railway police and the government to bring those responsible to justice and to support the injured lawyer. They also called on social organizations to raise public awareness and take initiatives to stop stone-throwing at trains.

The second season of 'Natun Kurir Sports' will open its online registration on July 1, 2026, aiming to identify grassroots sports talent and encourage youth participation in physical activities. The announcement was made by State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque at a press conference held at the Bangladesh Olympic Building. The registration process will continue until August 31, 2026, for children aged 12 to 14, born between September 1, 2012, and August 31, 2014. Efforts are underway to promote participation through schools, clubs, and district sports offices.

This season expands the competition’s reach to every union and city corporation ward, allowing teams to compete directly at the upazila level. In addition to football, cricket, kabaddi, athletics, swimming, chess, badminton, and martial arts, table tennis and volleyball have been added, bringing the total to ten events.

Meanwhile, the national-level competition for the first season will begin on July 18, 2026, at Mirpur National Stadium and conclude on July 27 at the Army Stadium in Dhaka, with the Prime Minister scheduled to attend the closing ceremony.

Five people were killed in a shooting in the German city of Stade, according to police reports on June 29, 2026. Authorities confirmed that a suspect has been detained, though the motive behind the attack remains unclear. The incident occurred near a youth center in the city center, prompting a large-scale police operation in the area.

Police stated through a WhatsApp message that operations were ongoing in the Dankerstrasse area and urged residents to avoid the scene and follow emergency service instructions. Stade, a city of about 50,000 residents, is located west of Hamburg. Officials have not yet released further details about the victims or the circumstances of the shooting.

Authorities continue to investigate the motive and background of the attack while maintaining a security presence in the affected area.