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.

The killing of Bangladeshi political activist Sharif Osman Hadi on December 12, 2025, in Dhaka has become one of the country’s most politically charged and controversial cases. Hadi, a prominent figure in post-uprising politics, was shot at close range while traveling by rickshaw and later died in Singapore on December 18. The murder triggered nationwide protests and widespread public grief. Investigators from the Detective Branch and CID labeled it a politically motivated and planned assassination, identifying Shahin Ahmed as the alleged financier and Faisal Karim Masud as the shooter.

The case gained international attention after Indian police arrested two suspects near the Bangladesh border in March 2026. Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed India’s Home Minister Amit Shah had asked her not to comment on the arrests, sparking speculation about Indian knowledge of the case. Bangladeshi authorities are seeking extradition of the suspects while emphasizing due legal process.

The investigation has revealed suspicious financial transactions exceeding Tk 1,270 crore, raising questions about broader political or criminal involvement. Analysts view the case as a test of Bangladesh’s judicial transparency and its ability to ensure justice amid regional political sensitivities.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the Strait of Hormuz will become permanently toll-free under a new agreement with Iran. He made the remarks during a 28-minute telephone interview with The New York Times on Sunday afternoon, according to the newspaper.

During the interview, Trump added that if Iran fails to reach a final nuclear deal with the United States, he would either resume military strikes or turn the U.S. into the 'guardian of the Middle East' in exchange for one-fifth of the region’s income. He claimed that his decision to launch attacks on Iran in February and subsequently impose a naval blockade on the country’s ports had reshaped the Middle East in favor of the United States.

The report cited the BBC as the source of additional information on the development, highlighting the ongoing complexity of U.S.-Iran relations and the potential economic and geopolitical implications of the proposed agreement.

Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to limit the country's population to a maximum of 10 million. In the national referendum, about 55 percent voted against the measure while 45 percent supported it, with 60 percent voter turnout. The initiative was introduced by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, known for its anti-immigration stance. The government, business community, and major political parties opposed the proposal, warning it could jeopardize Switzerland’s free movement agreement with the European Union.

Justice Minister Beat Jans welcomed the result as a sign of stability and openness. The Swiss population has grown from 7.3 million in 2002 to 9.1 million today, with 27 percent being non-citizens. Opponents argued that limiting population growth would harm sectors reliant on foreign labor, such as tourism, healthcare, and elder care, and could threaten access to the EU single market. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also praised the outcome, emphasizing strong EU-Swiss ties.

Despite the rejection, concerns remain over rising housing costs, congestion, and healthcare expenses. The Swiss People’s Party vowed to continue pressing for solutions to these issues.

U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview with The New York Times following the announcement of a deal with Iran. Trump said Israel’s attacks in Lebanon nearly derailed the final agreement and described Netanyahu as a very difficult person. He added that Netanyahu should be extremely grateful to the United States, arguing that Israel could not have survived long if Iran had nuclear weapons.

According to The New York Times report cited in the source, Trump claimed that missile and bomb strikes on Iran forced Tehran to agree to the deal. He warned that if both sides failed to reach a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, the United States would resume attacks. Trump emphasized that Iran did not want to face a third strike and valued survival.

Trump concluded that the U.S. attacks had a major influence on completing the agreement, describing their impact as significant.

The International Crimes Tribunals in Bangladesh are set to begin trials in four new cases of crimes against humanity within this month. The cases include the killing of nine people, including Farhan Faiyaz, in Mohammadpur during the July uprising; the killing of 23 people in Badda; the shooting and maiming of two Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders in Jessore; and the crossfire killing of two individuals in Barishal. Three of the cases will be heard in Tribunal-1, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumdar, while one will be heard in Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. A total of 42 accused are named across the four cases.

Among the key accused are former Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, former ministers Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Kamrul Islam, Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon, and former MP Abul Hasanat Abdullah. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam confirmed that investigations were completed on a priority basis and that the prosecution is prepared to present all evidence during the trials.

The first hearings, including opening statements and witness testimonies, are scheduled between June 15 and June 17, marking the formal start of proceedings in these high-profile cases.

Tension erupted in Bangladesh’s Parliament on Sunday after ruling party MP Monirul Haque Chowdhury made remarks about the attire of women MPs from Jamaat-e-Islami’s reserved seats. His comments, perceived as inappropriate, led opposition members to stand in protest, disrupting proceedings for several minutes. Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal later expunged the remarks related to personal freedom, which helped calm the situation.

Opposition Whip Nahid Islam condemned the remarks as an unpardonable offense and a form of discriminatory behavior, arguing that they violated constitutional and parliamentary norms. She said the comments infringed on religious and personal freedom. The Deputy Speaker reiterated his earlier ruling that no member should comment on personal freedom or dignity in Parliament, emphasizing the need to uphold decorum and respect.

Monirul Haque Chowdhury later expressed regret, stating he had not intended to demean anyone and requested that any objectionable parts of his speech be expunged. The Deputy Speaker confirmed that the relevant portions had been removed from the record.

The White House has not yet released the draft text of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) announced as completed between Iran and the United States. According to the report, further discussions are scheduled to take place this week in Qatar to finalize and resolve detailed aspects of the agreement before its formal signing in Switzerland.

The timing of the announcement was described as economically and strategically significant. It was made on Sunday evening, U.S. local time, when Asian markets were about to open. Former President Donald Trump had hinted throughout the week that a virtual agreement would be completed on Sunday, and maintaining that timeline was important for him.

Following Trump’s announcement on social media, global markets reacted immediately. Brent crude oil prices fell by 4 percent to 84 dollars per barrel, while financial markets saw a modest rise of about 0.9 percent.

Iran’s state television and several domestic news outlets have described a reported agreement between Iran and the United States as a victory for Tehran. The state broadcaster announced that the two countries had reached a deal, citing Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif as the source of the information. According to the broadcast, the United States was compelled to sign the agreement to end hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran and the so-called resistance front.

However, no senior Iranian government official or official spokesperson has yet confirmed the agreement or commented directly on its contents. As a result, the specific terms of the deal and Tehran’s formal position remain unclear. Analysts cited in the report noted that the actual structure and implementation process of the agreement will only become clear once both sides issue official statements.

The announcement has sparked speculation within Iranian media circles, but without official confirmation, the nature and implications of the reported deal remain uncertain.

Chittagong University witnessed separate protest programs by the university units of Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir on Sunday night, June 15, 2026. The two student organizations held back-to-back demonstrations at the Zero Point area, leading to a brief period of tension on campus. Witnesses said Chhatra Dal began its rally around 10 p.m., marching through Shah Amanat Hall and Sohrawardy Mor before returning to Zero Point for a short assembly. About fifteen minutes later, Chhatra Shibir held a similar march along the same route.

Chhatra Dal’s protest was part of a central program accusing Chhatra Shibir of staging “abduction dramas.” At their rally, Chhatra Dal leaders condemned Shibir’s alleged past and vowed to resist such actions. Meanwhile, Chhatra Shibir organized its protest in response to BNP lawmaker Monirul Haque Chowdhury’s remarks about the hijab. Shibir leaders criticized the comments as inappropriate for a national representative and also voiced concerns about certain provisions of the rape law and the government’s stance.

Although the demonstrations created temporary tension, no untoward incidents were reported. University authorities and law enforcement remained on alert to maintain order.

Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman was detained on Sunday at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi by Indian immigration authorities. His name appeared on a security watchlist, prompting additional verification before he was allowed entry. Following the incident, Dr. Rahman decided to cancel his visit and return home, citing an unpleasant immigration experience.

According to a News18 report, the incident occurred when Dr. Rahman arrived in India as part of an official delegation to attend a government meeting. Sources indicated that the issue arose from administrative complications and outdated data. Although his name had previously been removed from a social media-related blacklist, the update had not been reflected in the immigration department’s watchlist, triggering an automatic security alert.

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

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Bangladesh, Benazir Ahmed, was arrested in Dubai with the assistance of Interpol, nearly two and a half years after leaving his post. The arrest was confirmed by the UAE’s Directorate General of Federal Criminal Police through an email to Bangladesh’s National Central Bureau on June 12. Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed informed parliament that the arrest was made with Interpol’s cooperation.

Benazir Ahmed had been under an Interpol ‘red notice’ since February 2025, issued during the interim government period. Following confirmation of his arrest, social media saw widespread discussion. Shafiqul Alam, former press secretary to the chief adviser of the interim government, reacted sharply on Facebook, referring to Benazir as the “Butcher of Shapla” and declaring that his chapter had ended.

The arrest marks a significant development in ongoing legal and political processes involving former senior officials of Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman undertook a distinctive visit to Cox’s Bazar, personally driving 197 kilometers while attending various official programs on Saturday. According to his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, the Prime Minister began his journey after landing at Cox’s Bazar Airport in the morning and drove through challenging weather conditions to inaugurate the Patli Canal excavation project in PMkhali Union. He then continued to Dulahazara Safari Park and other scheduled locations, driving himself throughout the day.

Thousands of local residents and party supporters gathered along the roads to greet him, waving and cheering as he passed by. The Prime Minister responded with smiles and gestures of acknowledgment. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed sat in the front passenger seat, while the Prime Minister’s wife Zubaida Rahman and the Home Minister’s wife Hasina Ahmed were seated in the back.

The Prime Minister’s hands-on participation and direct engagement with the public during the trip drew widespread interest, marking a unique example of leadership and public connection amid the scenic surroundings of Cox’s Bazar.