The government has decided to temporarily relocate the Mohakhali bus terminal depot to Purbachal as part of a broader plan to reduce Dhaka’s chronic traffic congestion. Buses from the Gulistan area will be shifted to Sayedabad and Kanchpur. The decision was made on Monday at the third high-level meeting on traffic management modernization, chaired by Prime Minister Tareque Rahman at the Secretariat. Communication expert Md. Hadiuzzaman and administrators of Dhaka’s two city corporations briefed reporters after the meeting.

Hadiuzzaman said the temporary depot relocation aims to reduce terminal-centered traffic jams, with buses arriving at terminals only at scheduled times. Alternative sites have also been identified for Sayedabad and Fulbaria terminals. A detailed proposal is expected within seven days, after which implementation will begin. Authorities also plan to introduce a modern traffic signal system in Shahbagh next week.

Officials from both city corporations confirmed joint cooperation in the relocation process. The meeting also discussed the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project’s future, emphasizing its potential as an effective transport corridor, and addressed plans to rehabilitate street vendors rather than evict them.

A ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States, brokered by President Donald Trump, has placed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under new political and diplomatic pressure. Caught between Trump’s stance and the hardline position of his own coalition partners, Netanyahu faces a difficult balancing act. On Sunday, he posted a birthday message to Trump on social media but made no public comment on the ceasefire or the ongoing conflict along the Lebanon border.

Several members of Netanyahu’s government criticized the agreement, calling it harmful to Israel and the free world, and arguing that it fails to ensure Israel’s security. Trump has stated that he wants the Iran conflict to be a thing of the past and urged both Israel and Hezbollah to halt hostilities. He described Hezbollah’s recent rocket attack on northern Israel as minor and urged Israeli restraint, despite calls from Netanyahu’s allies for a strong response.

Analysts suggest the Lebanon issue may be part of the broader Iran-US deal, though full details remain undisclosed. Israel is not a direct party to the agreement, leaving uncertainty over what is expected from it.

The European Union (EU) has highly praised Bangladesh for its disaster management initiatives, describing the country as a global role model in disaster preparedness, relief operations, and post-disaster rehabilitation. The commendation came from EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller during a courtesy meeting with Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu at the Secretariat on Monday morning.

During the meeting, Ambassador Miller said the EU would extend further cooperation to Bangladesh in key areas such as earthquake rescue operations, early warning systems, and the construction of rescue centers. He also expressed hope that relations between Bangladesh and EU member states would deepen during the current government’s tenure. Miller noted that Bangladesh’s preparedness and rehabilitation efforts have set an example on the global stage.

Minister Dulu thanked the EU for its continued support in disaster and development sectors and sought stronger diplomatic efforts from the EU to expedite the safe repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. State Minister Engineer M. Iqbal Hossain and Secretary Saidur Rahman Khan were also present at the meeting.

On June 15, 2026, an article by editor Maruf Kamal Khan in the newspaper Amar Desh called for the establishment of an independent media commission to restore and strengthen press freedom in Bangladesh following the end of what he described as a fascist regime. The piece traced the historical suppression of journalism from the 1975 BAKSAL era to recent years, arguing that fear, greed, and political subservience had long undermined the media’s ability to resist authoritarianism.

The author recounted how successive governments, particularly under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina, restricted press freedom through newspaper closures, arrests, and censorship. He contrasted these periods with what he termed the “golden era” of journalistic freedom under President Ziaur Rahman. The article emphasized that a free press is essential for democracy, accountability, and national reconstruction.

Khan urged the current democratic government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to form a media commission headed by a former chief justice, including representatives from ministries, editors, unions, and the National Press Club. He also called for reviewing cases against journalists, reviving the Press Trust, and ensuring editors’ dignity and journalists’ safety.

Widespread allegations of irregularities, favoritism, and nepotism have surfaced in the preparation of government aid and incentive lists for farmers affected by heavy rainfall and flash floods in Nikli upazila of Kishoreganj. Local farmers claim that genuine victims, sharecroppers, and smallholders were excluded, while names of influential individuals, political activists, and their relatives were included. A written complaint has been filed with the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) demanding investigation into the alleged misconduct.

According to the report, thousands of acres of ripe paddy were submerged during April’s unseasonal floods, causing severe losses to farmers. The government announced humanitarian and incentive programs to support affected farmers. The upazila agriculture office collected data and submitted 3,180 names, of which 2,180 were approved by the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry. However, new allegations emerged during relief distribution in Singpur union, where several farmers claimed they were unfairly excluded.

The UNO stated that there is no scope for favoritism in the list preparation but assured that any written complaint would be investigated seriously to ensure fair distribution of aid.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon stated that the media serves as the mirror of society and the state, emphasizing that it must be flawless. He said this responsibility lies primarily with the media itself and called for unity among all stakeholders to achieve this goal. The minister made these remarks on Monday at a seminar titled “Media’s Failure in Facing Fascism,” organized by the National Editors Council (NEC) at the Department of Films and Publications auditorium in Dhaka, marking the anniversary of the 1975 press shutdown.

Swapon noted that past efforts to strengthen the media were partial and incomplete, preventing the development of a robust media institution in Bangladesh. He stressed the need for consensus and collective action to establish an independent and responsible media commission. The minister also highlighted that democracy cannot be practiced effectively without institutionalizing the culture of diverse opinions.

The seminar, chaired by NEC co-convener and Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman, featured editors and journalists from across the country, who discussed media freedom, political influence, and the need for unity to safeguard press independence.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has declared that efforts to overthrow Iran’s government will continue. In a post on social media platform X, he described the joint campaign to weaken Iran as successful and said those gains must not be wasted. Smotrich called for Israel to pursue the mission creatively and ensure that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.

Despite pressure from the United States to halt attacks, Smotrich pledged to keep targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon. He said the operations were necessary to guarantee the immediate security of Israeli fighters and residents in the country’s north. His remarks came as Israel carried out new strikes in southern Lebanon, even after the United States and Iran reached an agreement that Tehran said included a commitment to stop such attacks.

The statements highlight ongoing tensions between Israel, Iran, and the United States, as well as divisions over the recent US-Iran deal, which Smotrich labeled harmful to Israel and the free world.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated that the agreement between the United States and Iran is not binding on Israel. In a post on social media platform X, he emphasized that Israel is an independent and sovereign nation, not subordinate to the United States. Ben-Gvir asserted that Israel would not be part of any deal that fails to ensure its security.

He further argued that Israel should not agree to anything less than the complete disarmament and dismantling of Hezbollah. He insisted that Israeli forces should not withdraw from areas they have captured and cleared of what he described as terrorist infrastructure. Ben-Gvir warned against returning to a situation where thousands of armed fighters are stationed near northern Israeli settlements and said Israel would not remain silent in the face of any attacks.

His remarks highlight internal political divisions within Israel regarding the US-Iran understanding and a potential ceasefire along the Lebanon border, according to the report.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has ordered the relocation of Dhaka’s Sayedabad, Gulistan, and Mohakhali bus terminals as part of a broader plan to reduce the capital’s long-standing traffic congestion. The directive was issued on Monday during the third high-level meeting on traffic management modernization held at the Secretariat. Communication expert Md. Hadiuzzaman and administrators of Dhaka’s two city corporations briefed reporters after the meeting.

Hadiuzzaman stated that an interim depot for Mohakhali terminal buses has been designated in Purbachal to minimize congestion, with buses operating on fixed schedules. Alternative sites have also been identified for Sayedabad and Fulbaria terminals. A detailed proposal is expected within seven days, after which implementation will begin. Additionally, a modern traffic signal system will be tested in Shahbagh next week.

Dhaka North and South City Corporation administrators confirmed joint cooperation in establishing the new depots and completing the Kanchpur inter-district terminal. The meeting also discussed the Bus Rapid Transit project’s future and plans to rehabilitate street vendors instead of eviction.

Jamaat-e-Islami central working committee member and Supreme Court lawyer Shishir Monir has said that former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed could be brought back to Bangladesh from the United Arab Emirates if strong legal documentation, accurate information, and high-level diplomatic efforts are ensured. He made the observation in a Facebook post titled 'Legal and Diplomatic Process to Bring Benazir Ahmed Back to Bangladesh: A Summary' published on Monday.

According to Monir, although Bangladesh and the UAE do not have a bilateral extradition treaty, two agreements signed in 2014 on security cooperation and transfer of sentenced prisoners provide a legal basis for judicial collaboration. He cited the Extradition Act of 1974, which allows the government to pursue extradition through legal channels even without a formal treaty. He detailed that Bangladesh must submit a formal extradition request within 30 days of arrest, supported by arrest warrants, case documents, and evidence.

Monir noted that UAE courts would assess dual criminality, political motivation, and fairness of trial before approval. He referenced a past successful extradition from Dubai and concluded that Benazir’s return depends on flawless documentation, verified case details, and sustained diplomatic engagement.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh and joint convener of the National Editors Council (NEC), said that collaborators of fascism in the media could return to the mainstream through self-purification, but those who justified or assisted in killings must face criminal prosecution. He made these remarks on Monday at a seminar titled “Media’s Failure in Confronting Fascism,” organized by the NEC at the DFP conference room in Dhaka’s Information Building, marking the June 16 Black Day of newspaper closures under BAKSAL rule.

The seminar was chaired by Mahmudur Rahman and conducted by Jugantor editor Abdul Hai Shikder, with Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan as chief guest. In his speech, Rahman criticized the Awami League’s history as one of authoritarianism and suppression of press freedom, citing past incidents and his own legal challenges. He emphasized the need for unity among editors to establish true media independence and to reform the state system.

Rahman added that while differing editorial policies are natural, editors should unite on fundamental issues like freedom of expression. He expressed hope that the current government would continue restoring media freedom initiated under Dr. Yunus’s administration.

Israeli opposition figure Yair Golan, leader of the center-left Democrats party, has sharply criticized a new agreement between the United States and Iran, claiming it has nullified all of Israel’s military achievements. In a social media post, Golan said that with a single signature, the bravery of Israeli pilots and the sacrifices of soldiers had been erased. He accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being weak, isolated, and powerless during the process.

Golan described the deal as the culmination of years of failure and argued that Netanyahu’s tenure is ending with Israel’s enemies growing stronger while the country itself becomes weaker. He warned that Israel’s defense systems, built through the blood of its fighters, are now deteriorating before the nation’s eyes. The comments reflect deep political divisions in Israel over the implications of the US-Iran agreement.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, underscores growing domestic criticism of Netanyahu’s leadership amid shifting regional dynamics following the new US-Iran accord.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama said it is unrealistic to expect that a potential agreement between Donald Trump and Tehran would represent significant progress over the 2015 nuclear deal reached during his administration. Speaking on ABC News’ “This Week” on Sunday, Obama noted that negotiation remains preferable to direct conflict if Washington’s conditions cannot be fully met. The remarks were reported by AFP from Washington.

Obama emphasized that any new deal is unlikely to include major positive changes compared to the earlier accord, which he described as effective for a long period before the United States withdrew from it. The 2015 agreement had been considered a landmark in limiting Iran’s nuclear activities.

The discussion comes amid heightened tensions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February that triggered conflict in the Middle East. Trump has repeatedly claimed that his proposed deal would permanently halt Iran’s nuclear weapons capability and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though Tehran has dismissed peace talks with Washington as meaningless.

Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, the Information and Broadcasting Adviser to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, cancelled his official visit to New Delhi and returned home after facing immigration complications at Indira Gandhi International Airport. He arrived back in Bangladesh around 11 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026. Indian immigration authorities had detained him on Sunday for additional verification when his name appeared on a security watchlist.

According to a News18 report cited in the source, Dr. Rahman was traveling as part of an official delegation to attend a government meeting in India. His name was flagged during routine immigration checks, prompting further scrutiny. Sources indicated that the issue stemmed from administrative delays in updating records. Although his name had previously been removed from a social media–related blacklist, the immigration database had not been updated in time.

Neither Indian nor Bangladeshi authorities issued any official statements regarding the incident. The reasons for his earlier inclusion on the watchlist and the delay in updating immigration records remain unclear.

The National Editors Council (NEC) has begun a seminar in Dhaka to mark the Black Day commemorating the closure of newspapers during the Baksali regime. The event started at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at the DFP conference room in the Information Building on Circuit House Road. Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan attended as the chief guest, while NEC joint convener and Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman presided over the session.

Editors from various media outlets, senior journalists, and officials from institutions under the Ministry of Information were present at the seminar. The event was organized to reflect on the historical suppression of press freedom and to bring together key figures from the media and government sectors.

The seminar underscores the continued relevance of discussions on press freedom and media rights in Bangladesh, as participants revisit a significant period in the country's media history.