Feni District Council Administrator and BNP Joint Convener M A Khalek publicly apologized on Monday after facing widespread criticism for mistakenly referring to the Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Abdul Awal Mintoo, as 'beloved prophet' during a local BNP discussion meeting in Daganbhuiyan. Speaking at a press conference in the district council conference room, Khalek said he had intended to call the minister a 'beloved person' but misspoke. He described the incident as a slip of the tongue and expressed embarrassment, adding that he had already sought forgiveness from Allah.

The controversy began after his remarks at the May 30 event went viral on social media, drawing strong reactions. Islamic scholar Dr. Enayetullah Abbasi called the statement clear disbelief, urging Khalek to repent and reaffirm his faith. Political and social figures also criticized the comment as offensive to religious sentiments and evidence of incompetence.

Khalek has previously faced similar controversies for his statements, including incidents in April and September of earlier years, which he also described as slips of the tongue.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is set to begin a two-day visit to Sylhet on Monday night. According to his office, he will depart from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:40 p.m. and arrive in Sylhet later that evening. Upon arrival, he will visit former MP Maulana Farid Uddin Chowdhury, who is undergoing treatment at Ibn Sina Hospital, before spending the night at his residence in Shibganj, Subidbazar.

On Tuesday morning, Dr. Rahman will attend a meeting organized by Islami Chhatra Shibir at Shahjalal Jamia Islamia Kamil Madrasa. Later in the day, he is scheduled to meet the family of a deceased child in Sonatala village, exchange greetings with officials of Sylhet Women’s Medical College, and attend a civic gathering at the Shilpakala Academy auditorium. In the evening, he will hold discussions with Sylhet city and district Jamaat leaders. His return flight to Dhaka is planned for 10 p.m. from Osmani International Airport.

The opposition leader’s assistant private secretary, Mohammad Nazrul Islam, will accompany him during the visit.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has expressed hope that the Prime Minister’s promise to complete the trial of the Ramisa murder case within 15 days will be fulfilled. He said the Prime Minister personally assured the victim’s family of justice within that timeframe. Speaking to reporters after visiting Ramisa’s grieving and hospitalized father at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Dhaka, Dr. Rahman conveyed condolences and emphasized the need for swift judicial action.

Dr. Rahman stated that if the judiciary works sincerely, the trial could be completed within 15 working days. He added that Jamaat-e-Islami has already organized protests demanding justice for the brutal killing. He also urged that no lawyer should defend the self-confessed perpetrators and that no political group should exploit the case.

He further said that the verdict should be sent to the High Court for quick execution once the trial concludes. Dr. Rahman described the case as a moral test for the nation and called for unity in ensuring justice for Ramisa.

BNP activists staged demonstrations and blocked roads in Rangamati on Monday following the resignation of Dipen Dewan, the Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs. The protests began around noon in various parts of his electoral constituency, where party members demanded the withdrawal of his resignation. Traffic in the town came to a halt as protesters gathered in front of the party office and occupied the Chittagong–Rangamati road.

Earlier in the morning, news of Dewan’s resignation spread, triggering frustration and anger among his supporters. They assembled at the BNP office in Kathaltali before taking to the streets with slogans calling for the cancellation of his resignation. Dewan had submitted his resignation letter to the Prime Minister earlier that morning, which was later accepted.

According to the report, Dewan resigned three months after assuming responsibility for the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs under the BNP government.

Abhijit Deepke, founder of the online-based youth organization 'Cockroach Janata Party' (CJP), has announced plans to return to India and lead street protests demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He urged young people to join peaceful demonstrations in Delhi, calling for government accountability. The announcement was reported by US News on Monday.

The CJP, which gained millions of followers within days, has drawn attention among Indian youth frustrated by unemployment, inflation, exam paper leaks, and result errors. Deepke claimed that about 800,000 students have signed a petition demanding the minister’s resignation. The Indian government has reportedly blocked CJP’s X account, and Deepke alleged attempts by hackers to seize their Instagram page. Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the group of receiving support from anti-India elements, though Prime Minister Modi has not commented.

The movement’s rise comes amid growing public discontent over fuel price hikes, gas shortages, and the Iran war’s impact. The government is also planning to transport exam papers via the Air Force after a recent medical entrance test was canceled due to leaks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly facing severe psychological and political pressure due to the ongoing situation in Lebanon. According to Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, the United States and Iran are moving toward a memorandum of understanding that could include Lebanon, which has significantly increased pressure on Netanyahu.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Krieg stated that despite Israel’s public celebrations of certain tactical gains, the country has not achieved any substantial operational or strategic success in Lebanon. He explained that Netanyahu must demonstrate a major achievement to the public before being forced to halt military operations under U.S. pressure. This has led Netanyahu to emphasize symbolic victories in the media to justify a dignified troop withdrawal.

Krieg further added that Israel’s long-term or “permanent war” policy across Gaza and Lebanon has yielded very limited results for the country.

Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman has urged journalists and media outlets to refrain from publishing unverified photocards, edited statements, and misleading online content. Speaking at a press conference organized by the Prime Minister’s Press Wing on Monday, he said some mainstream and online media were engaging in unprofessional practices for higher viewership, which risked spreading misinformation and social disorder.

Rumman emphasized that the current government is media-friendly and believes in press freedom, allowing constructive criticism as well as coverage of the government’s development efforts. He called on journalists to uphold professionalism and highlight the government’s sincerity in rebuilding the country under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership.

He also noted that the Prime Minister and his team continued working during the Eid holidays, personally inspecting city cleanliness and taking immediate action where negligence was found. The press secretary said the government remains committed to good governance and public welfare through tireless effort.

Former National Citizen Party (NCP) leader and independent candidate in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Dr. Tasnim Jara, has dismissed allegations of negotiation with the ruling party BNP as entirely baseless and imaginary. In a Facebook post on Monday, she stated that false information was being spread claiming she had negotiated with BNP and received a green signal from the party.

Dr. Jara asserted that she never held any such discussion with BNP or any other political party. She challenged those spreading the rumors to provide specific details such as names, dates, or evidence, emphasizing that no such event ever took place. According to her, the purpose of spreading these false claims is to construct a convenient narrative for certain individuals.

Her statement comes amid ongoing political speculation, but she reaffirmed her stance against what she described as “politics of lies.”

Former minister and senior Awami League leader Tofail Ahmed passed away on Monday, June 1, 2026, at around 3:30 p.m. while undergoing treatment at Square Hospital in Dhaka. Hospital authorities and his family confirmed his death. He was 82 years old and had been suffering from various age-related complications.

Tofail Ahmed had been admitted to the hospital on September 24 of the previous year due to pneumonia-related breathing problems, heart disease, and physical weakness. Born on October 22, 1943, in Koralia village of Dighaldi Union under Bhola Sadar upazila, he was a prominent student leader who served as vice president of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) from 1967 to 1969. He gained national recognition for his leadership role in the 1969 mass uprising.

He is survived by a daughter and numerous well-wishers, according to the report.

Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned the police for allegedly opening fire, using batons, tear gas, and water cannons on Islami Bank customers demonstrating in front of the bank’s head office in Motijheel, Dhaka. The party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, issued a statement on Monday expressing outrage over the incident, saying several depositors were seriously injured and are now receiving treatment.

According to the statement, the customers were peacefully protesting under the banner of Islami Bank Customer Forum, demanding protection of the bank’s interests and the resignation of its newly appointed chairman, whom they consider controversial. Porwar described the police action as an unjustified use of force and a severe violation of human rights, asserting that citizens have a constitutional right to demand the safety of their deposits.

Jamaat-e-Islami called for identifying and holding accountable the police officers involved in the attack and urged authorities to cancel the appointment of the chairman to restore normalcy and public confidence in the bank.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) member Sarba Mitra Chakma posted on Facebook about the resignation of Dipen Dewan, the Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs. The post, made on Monday afternoon, noted that Dewan resigned from his ministerial post citing physical illness. Chakma described the resignation as a rare event in Bangladesh’s political history, where most politicians tend to hold on to power.

In his post, Chakma praised Dewan as a polite, modest, and soft-spoken politician who avoided verbal attacks against opponents and maintained a clean image in politics. He expressed uncertainty about the reasons behind the decision, suggesting there might be internal matters, but emphasized that Dewan’s continued service would benefit the country and the hill people. He also mentioned that if the Prime Minister wished, Dewan would likely not refuse to continue.

According to the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, Dewan resigned due to health issues. Dewan had been elected to parliament on February 12 with the largest vote margin in the 13th national election.

A political storm has erupted in the United States over President Donald Trump’s Iran policy, drawing sharp criticism from both the Republican and Democratic parties. According to Negar Mortazavi, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Center for International Policy, divisions have emerged within both major parties as Trump’s approach toward Iran intensifies. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mortazavi noted that centrist and right-leaning Democrats argue Iran is growing stronger while the U.S. appears weaker, and a faction within the Republican Party’s 'America First' wing also opposes the policy.

Mortazavi explained that Trump had once made opposition to Middle East military interventions a key part of his political identity, but his current stance contradicts that position. She recalled that Trump twice promised to end what he called “foolish” and “meaningless” wars, presenting himself as a “peace president.” However, she warned that adopting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed Iran attack plan would be unprecedented and risky, as previous U.S. presidents avoided it due to potential consequences.

Mortazavi cautioned that underestimating Iran could provoke retaliation, leaving Trump trapped in a complex situation facing criticism from both allies and opponents.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that extensive conspiracies are still being woven against the government. Speaking on Monday at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan during a food distribution event for the poor organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Rickshaw-Van-Auto Drivers’ Association, Rizvi claimed that not only propaganda but also a dangerous mob culture is being created against the government.

Rizvi emphasized that since the time of late President Ziaur Rahman, the BNP has been a government of employment creation, not unemployment. He credited Ziaur Rahman for initiating overseas employment opportunities and said that under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, no one in the country would remain jobless. He also promised rehabilitation for evicted street vendors. Rizvi criticized the Awami League’s 1972–1975 rule, alleging widespread poverty and misrule, and accused the current government of laundering vast sums of public money.

He warned that if old fascism resurfaces through any loophole, democracy and sovereignty would be at risk. The event was also addressed by several BNP leaders and concluded with food distribution among the poor.

Iran has rejected the amendment to a draft agreement proposed by US President Donald Trump, according to semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The report stated that Tehran has submitted its own new amendment proposal to the draft memorandum of understanding. The decision comes as discussions between the parties remain ongoing.

Citing unnamed sources, Tasnim emphasized that Iran’s move to propose changes does not mean it has accepted Trump’s suggested amendments. Earlier, The New York Times reported that President Trump had sent Iran a revised version of a proposed peace framework aimed at ending the conflict, which included stricter conditions than before.

The developments indicate that negotiations over the proposed ceasefire agreement are still in flux, with both sides maintaining differing positions on the terms of the deal.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman returned to work at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday, marking the first working day after the Eid-ul-Azha holidays. He entered the Secretariat around 10 a.m., according to Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Roni. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that he resumed official duties following the holiday celebrations.

During the day, the Prime Minister met with the Administrator of Khulna City Corporation at 10:30 a.m. He was also scheduled to hold discussions with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs at 1:30 p.m. Later, at 2 p.m., he was expected to attend a meeting focused on strategies for the development of the pharmaceutical industry.

His presence at the Secretariat and participation in official meetings signaled the full resumption of regular government activities after the Eid break.