On June 16, a meeting was held at the Chief Advisor’s Office to fast-track the implementation of immediate public administration reform proposals. The meeting, chaired by Principal Secretary M. Siraj Uddin Mia, discussed 121 actionable recommendations from five reform commissions. Of these, 18 proposals focused on administrative reforms were thoroughly reviewed and decisions were taken for prompt execution via the Cabinet Division.

Food and Land Affairs Advisor Ali Imam Majumder stated that Bangladesh’s food situation is highly satisfactory due to a bumper Boro harvest. He emphasized the need for continuous monitoring despite current success. Procurement targets in Patuakhali and Barguna are nearly met. The government is buying rice and paddy at increased prices to support farmers. A proposal to raise food subsidies to Tk 9,500 crore for FY 2025–26 has been made to ensure affordable food for low-income groups.

During a meeting with local administration in Patuakhali, Land Advisor Ali Imam Majumder directed authorities to take legal action against illegal occupiers of government (khas) land, regardless of their identity. He highlighted that such land is owned by the Land Ministry and is to be managed by the local administration. He blamed negligence and apathy of field-level officials for widespread land grabbing and instructed immediate steps for eviction.

A 13-year-old boy named Fazle Rabbi drowned while swimming in a pond during a visit to his grandfather’s house in Madhya Gachhua village, Muladi upazila, Barisal. He reportedly did not know how to swim and was using a banana tree trunk for support, which slipped from his hands. The incident occurred around noon on Friday. Rabbi was rescued and taken to Muladi Hospital, where he was declared dead. Police have confirmed the cause of death as drowning.

Raipur Municipality in Lakshmipur is grappling with severe waterlogging due to five days of continuous rain and a poorly maintained drainage system. Key areas like Notun Bazar, Khajurtola, and the Upazila Parishad remain submerged, disrupting movement and daily activities. Residents report long-standing neglect and demand urgent drainage repairs. Businesses, schools, mosques, and local markets are affected. Authorities have promised road repairs within a week and drainage system restoration soon. Locals seek a permanent solution to prevent recurring monsoon suffering.

Md. Iqbal Bahar, a former Additional Inspector General of Police, was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Friday evening from a residence in the Bailey Road area. He last served as Additional IGP at Rajarbagh Telecom and retired in 2019. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether he has been arrested under any specific case. Previously, he held the position of Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police before being transferred to the Rajarbagh T&I&M division as Additional IGP.

Marking World Hydrography Day 2025, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus emphasized the need for accurate seabed mapping and a sustainable ocean policy to strengthen Bangladesh’s economic foundation. He called on professionals to work diligently in creating a comprehensive hydrographic database. He added that this effort would not only boost maritime security but also aid in port development, resource conservation, oil and gas exploration, and coastal disaster management.

Following Friday prayers, four Islamic organizations held a protest rally at the northern gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka, condemning Israeli strikes on Iran. The groups — National Revolutionary Council, Islami Oikya Andolon, Khilafat Majlis, and the Council for the Revival of Islamic Unity and the Muslim Ummah — described the attacks as inhumane and a grave affront to Islamic brotherhood, demanding an immediate halt.

Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker and influential Shia leader Nabih Berri has dismissed the possibility of Lebanon entering a war, asserting, “I am 200% certain that Lebanon will not get involved in any war.” He emphasized that Iran does not need Lebanon’s support, but rather, it is Israel that seeks external backing. Berri’s remarks counter widespread speculation that Hezbollah-aligned Lebanon might side with Iran in the escalating conflict.

Four imprisoned Iranian women’s rights activists have condemned Israel’s military attacks and warned against foreign-backed regime change in Iran. In an open letter, Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, Varisheh Moradi, Sakineh Parvaneh, and Reyhaneh Ansarinejad denounced what they called “genocide in Gaza.”

The activists stressed that liberation from dictatorship in Iran must come from grassroots struggles and social mobilization, not external intervention. The women are serving sentences for their involvement in labor unions, Kurdish rights activism, and the women’s movement.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, head of the Anti-Corruption Commission’s Reform Committee, said the reforms inspired by the July movement promised equal rights for all, but indigenous rights remain neglected.

He noted that constitutional recognition of indigenous communities—one of their longstanding demands—has yet to be achieved. However, he stated that there is public consensus on the need to recognize these rights. He called on the military to take necessary steps to ensure peace and reconciliation in conflict-prone areas.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that using U.S. tactical nuclear weapons against Iran would lead to catastrophic consequences. The Guardian reported that conventional bombs may not be sufficient to destroy Iran’s underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow. Some U.S. defense officials have reportedly discussed nuclear options to target the site.

However, the report adds that former U.S. President Donald Trump is not currently considering using nuclear weapons against Iran.

Hezbollah will directly engage in the Iran-Israel conflict if the United States intervenes militarily or if Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is assassinated, a source told Middle East Eye. Hezbollah considers such actions as crossing a "red line."

Earlier, on June 14, Hezbollah lawmaker Hasan Fadlallah declared, "Iran knows how to defend itself," signaling that any threat to its sovereignty could draw in regional allies.

Gulshan Ara, a woman entrepreneur from Gazipur, has transformed Rangpur’s traditional handwoven rug, Shataranji, into a thriving online business. Starting with a personal purchase, she now sells through her Facebook page "Crafty Touch." Made by rural artisans using wooden looms, these colorful and eco-friendly rugs reflect rich cultural heritage. Gulshan ensures quality and fair trade while aiming for international exports. Despite challenges like customization limits and artisan availability, she dreams of making “Made in Bangladesh” Shataranjis globally recognized.

The Bangladesh Army has detained two members of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) in Baghaichhari, Rangamati. The detainees—Subel Chakma and Bindumoy Chakma—were found in possession of weapons and ammunition. According to Lt. Col. Masud Rana, the UPDF had long been extorting and intimidating locals along the Marishya-Dighinala road and Shuknachhara area. Based on intelligence, the army launched a targeted operation. Authorities stated that similar operations will continue to ensure public safety.