The Public Service Commission (PSC) has released the results of the 45th BCS written examination, with 6,558 candidates provisionally passing. The exam took place from January 23 to January 31 last year across eight divisional cities, including Dhaka. The full results and related information are available on the PSC website. The commission has also reserved the right to make corrections if needed for justified reasons.

Dhaka, June 18 — Australia has announced a $2 million grant to directly support the Bangladesh Election Commission’s Ballot Project, aimed at strengthening electoral processes in the country. The announcement was made during a formal agreement signing ceremony on Tuesday.

Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Susan Grace Ryley, expressed her country's commitment, stating, “We are pleased to contribute $2 million directly to support the Ballot Project. We are proud to be part of this important initiative during a crucial time for Bangladesh.”

The project, managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will receive a total of $18.53 million in funding from various donors. The initiative includes 16 key components focusing on capacity building, public awareness, training, and strengthening the institutional framework.

Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat, Akhtar Ahmed, highlighted the importance of international support in enhancing the electoral process. UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh, Stefan Liller, also expressed hope that more development partners will join in supporting the project’s implementation.

A Dhaka court has granted a three-day remand for five suspects involved in a daring daylight robbery in Mirpur. On May 27, a money exchange trader, Zahidur Rahman, was shot and robbed of Tk 2.2 million behind the Fire Service Station in Mirpur-10. The accused—Mostafizur Rahman, Saikat Hossain, Md. Sohag Hasan, Jalil Molla, and Palash Ahmed—were presented in court by Detective Branch officials, who sought a 10-day remand. The court approved three days after a hearing.

Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov issued a stark warning to the United States, stating that even considering military assistance to Israel could severely destabilize the already volatile situation in the region.

Ryabkov revealed that Moscow is currently maintaining diplomatic communication with both Iran and Israel in an effort to contain the crisis. Separately, the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergey Naryshkin, described the situation as "critically unstable," noting that even a minor provocation could trigger full-scale war.

Reports also suggest that former U.S. President Donald Trump and his political allies are actively discussing potential strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in support of Israel.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Iran has the right to defend itself against what he described as “Israeli state terrorism and thuggery.”

Calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and the “greatest threat to regional security,” Erdoğan compared his actions in Gaza to those of Adolf Hitler. “Netanyahu’s crimes in Gaza surpass even the horrors of the Nazis,” the Turkish leader declared.

Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai criticized the United States for not using its immense global influence to stop the mass killings in Gaza.

“It’s deeply disappointing that the U.S. hasn’t acted effectively to save lives, restore peace, or stabilize the region,” she said. Malala urged stronger U.S. action to push for a ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian aid.

“I have spoken out about Gaza since 2014—claims of silence are false,” she emphasized.

Nurul Islam, Co-Chairman of the Bangladesh Secretariat Employees Unity Forum, has demanded a 50% dearness allowance. He warned that protests would continue at the Secretariat if the ‘Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance 2025’ is not repealed.

“We’ve prepared for rallies across all eight divisions,” he stated. “The government’s so-called dialogues have betrayed our trust. Bureaucrats complicit in authoritarianism must be held accountable.”

Currently, the government plans to provide a 15% allowance for grades 1–9 and 20% for grades 10–20 employees.

Hilsa prices in Chandpur fell by Tk 700 per kg after news spread of a letter sent by the district commissioner to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, urging regulation. The DC highlighted price manipulation by dishonest traders, making hilsa unaffordable. He stressed the need for national price control since hilsa is caught in multiple districts. Traders reacted defensively, citing high costs and limited supply. With increased fish arrival, prices dipped to Tk 2,200–2,300 per kg from Tk 2,700–2,800.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has described Israel’s strikes on Iran as a “dirty act,” but one that serves global interests by deterring Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. “The Iranian regime has brought death and destruction worldwide through attacks and by supporting groups like Hezbollah and Hamas,” Merz stated. He expressed deep respect for Israel’s bold actions, adding, “The alternative would have been months or years of enduring terror, possibly with Iran becoming a nuclear power.”

A gas pipeline leak caused a powerful explosion at a two-story house in Ashulia on Wednesday morning, leaving six people injured. The incident occurred at the home of Jewel Ahmed in the Badhir Par area. The injured include Jahanara (40), Jewel (24), Shanto (21), Hawa Akter (23), Zahurul Islam (26), and Nasir (38). While Nasir left after receiving initial treatment, the others are hospitalized, with two reported in critical condition.

Pakistan has expressed serious concerns over the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Experts point to the country’s complex relationship with Tehran, rising security concerns in Balochistan, and fears of Israeli air force influence reaching the Pakistani border. Despite a missile exchange with Iran earlier in January 2024, both nations have since moved to mend ties. Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities and assassinations of its generals and scientists, calling for international intervention.

As Israeli airstrikes on Iran continue, China has started evacuating its citizens from the country. The Chinese News Service reported that the first batch of Chinese nationals has departed Iran, traveling by land to Turkmenistan from Tehran on Tuesday. India had previously begun a similar evacuation operation for its citizens.

A Dhaka court has approved remand for former Law Minister Anisul Huq, former Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, and Bangladesh Peoples Party (BPP) Chairman Babul Sardar Chakhari in connection with two separate cases.

The remand orders were issued in cases filed with Shahbagh and Paltan Model Police Stations. Anisul Huq has been placed on a five-day remand, while Engineer Mosharraf and Babul Sardar were each granted three-day remands.

According to sources, the Shahbagh case relates to a murder during a mass uprising in Chankharpul, while the Paltan case involves an attempted murder during BNP’s political movement on October 28, 2023.

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Former International Crimes Tribunal prosecutor Barrister Turin Afroz, 52, has been formally shown arrested in connection with a murder case.
The case involves the death of 12-year-old Shahid Arafat Hussain, a fifth-grade student who participated in a protest in Uttara on August 5 last year, demanding a one-point agenda related to the national uprising.
During the protest, he was allegedly shot by police and ruling party activists. He died at the Combined Military Hospital on December 22 after months of treatment.