Jagannath University has formed an investigation committee to examine possible corruption, irregularities, misconduct, or abuse of power in the recruitment of teachers, officers, and employees during the Awami League government from 2009 to 2024. The decision was announced in a circular signed by Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Sheikh Gias Uddin on Tuesday.

According to the circular, the university’s 111th Syndicate meeting appointed retired Senior District and Sessions Judge Md. Saifullah Biswas to lead the investigation. He began his work on Tuesday and is expected to submit a report to the university authorities within three months after reviewing all relevant information and documents. The investigation will be conducted from a designated office on the third floor of the administrative building.

Deputy Registrar Mohammad Monirul Islam has been assigned to provide full administrative support for the investigation, and all university offices, departments, and institutes have been instructed to cooperate in supplying necessary records and information.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said he is feeling 'immense pressure' in carrying out his duties, citing numerous challenges and high public expectations. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon in Dhaka during an exchange with journalists, according to the state news agency BSS. Rahman noted that despite seeing happiness among citizens after the election, the responsibilities of leadership remain demanding.

Referring to his father, former President Ziaur Rahman, the Prime Minister recalled a remark about wishing for 48-hour days to accomplish more work. He said he now feels the same, as his schedule leaves little time to rest. Rahman also spoke about his past imprisonment and physical suffering, urging people to abandon a mentality of revenge and focus instead on the nation’s welfare.

He emphasized that the government seeks to ensure media freedom and constructive dialogue. Requesting cooperation from journalists, Rahman said the government cannot succeed alone and needs media support to identify and improve its work.

Ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit West Bengal and attend the main event on Kolkata’s Red Road. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari and other political figures are also expected to join. Authorities have begun extensive preparations, including a week-long traffic ban on Red Road from June 14 to 21 due to stage construction and security arrangements.

The decision has drawn criticism from sections of the Muslim community, who questioned why Eid prayers were not allowed on Red Road while permission was granted for the Yoga Day event. Several imams and religious leaders publicly voiced objections. Responding to the controversy, BJP leader and state minister Dilip Ghosh defended the restrictions, citing security concerns during the Prime Minister’s visit. He added that the event was planned to minimize public inconvenience.

Ghosh’s remarks turned contentious when he said that those objecting to the decision should go to Bangladesh or Pakistan to offer prayers, asserting that such practices would not continue under the current government.

A banned rally by leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations took place in Sylhet on Tuesday morning, despite restrictions on their activities. The event occurred in front of the Power Development Board (PDB) office on Nawab Road in the Sheikhghat area. Around 40 to 50 participants reportedly joined the rally, identified as followers of fugitive district Awami League general secretary and former district council chairman Nasir Khan. Police later detained four individuals in connection with the incident.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Manjurul Alam confirmed the arrests, naming the detainees as Ibrahim Mostafa Mahi, Saniad Ahmed, Redwan Ahmed Rabbi, and Ashraful Ahmed Shafi. Witnesses said the group briefly gathered in front of the PDB office, chanting slogans before moving forward. A video circulating on Facebook showed the rally passing by a police vehicle while continuing slogans. The detained individuals have been sent to court, according to police.

Authorities have not provided further details on possible charges or future actions regarding the banned political activities in the area.

Police in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, detained a young man on Tuesday evening for allegedly chanting 'Joy Bangla' near the venue prepared for BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s upcoming event. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. at the mini stadium adjacent to Victoria High School field. The detainee, identified as Sohel Rana, 30, is a resident of Matiganj area and son of the late Fayzur Rahman.

According to local sources, preparations were underway for Tarique Rahman’s visit scheduled for Wednesday. During the preparations, Sohel Rana suddenly began chanting the slogan, which led to tension among those present and resulted in him being beaten by locals. Police arrived promptly, brought the situation under control, and took the injured man to the police station.

Sub-inspector Harun of Sreemangal Police Station said the youth appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Attempts to reach the officer-in-charge for further comment were unsuccessful. Tarique Rahman is expected to visit Sreemangal to attend a family card distribution program, for which extensive preparations are ongoing.

Afroza Abbas, president of the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, has been appointed as the new chairperson of the National Women’s Organization. The appointment was announced through a notification issued on Tuesday by the Contract and Foreign Recruitment Branch of the Ministry of Public Administration. The appointment was made under sections 8(1) and 8(2) of the National Women’s Organization Act, 1991, and will take effect from the date she assumes office.

According to the notification, Afroza Abbas will serve a two-year term as chairperson. However, the government retains the authority to terminate her appointment at any time before the end of the term if deemed necessary. She may also resign from the position by submitting a signed letter to the government. The appointment will be honorary, meaning she will not receive any remuneration for her service.

The notice further clarifies that the appointment follows the legal framework governing the organization’s leadership structure.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday called for a change in the nation’s culture of revenge, urging citizens to focus on contributing positively to the country. Speaking at a meeting with journalists covering the BNP beat at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, he said success should follow a mindset of working for the nation rather than retaliation. He emphasized that the government seeks to ensure media freedom and welcomes constructive criticism.

The prime minister recalled that June 16 marks Bangladesh’s Press Black Day, commemorating the 1975 closure of all newspapers except four under the then BAKSAL government. He credited former president Ziaur Rahman for restoring multiparty democracy and lifting restrictions on the press. Seeking cooperation from journalists, he said the government alone cannot achieve progress without their support.

Highlighting challenges facing youth, he identified drug abuse as a major concern and urged alternative solutions beyond enforcement. He underscored the importance of sports, culture, and science fairs to channel young people’s energy positively and called for stronger moral and social education to counter moral decline.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sent necessary documents to the Ministry of Home Affairs to facilitate the repatriation of former Bangladesh Police Inspector General Benazir Ahmed, who was arrested by Dubai Police on June 12. The ACC’s Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Akhtarul Islam confirmed the development on Tuesday, stating that the documents were prepared with assistance from two officials of the Police Headquarters’ National Central Bureau. The papers were forwarded to the Home Ministry and were expected to be sent to the United Arab Emirates government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the same day.

Following Benazir Ahmed’s arrest, the ACC initiated the process to bring him back to Bangladesh. He faces six cases involving allegations of illegal wealth accumulation, money laundering, and passport forgery. A charge sheet has already been submitted in one case related to unexplained wealth. The ACC compiled evidence and legal documents into a formal request to support the extradition process.

Government sources indicated that although Bangladesh has 30 days to send an official extradition request, authorities acted swiftly to expedite the process without waiting for the full period.

The International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh will go on a vacation for the first time since its establishment about fifteen years ago. The break will run from July 1 to July 20, following an amendment to the tribunal’s procedural law. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam confirmed that the tribunal will remain closed during this period, with only routine administrative work continuing.

According to the Ministry of Law, the amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal’s procedural rules was made on May 17. A new section, 59(A), was added to introduce the concept of vacation. The section specifies that the tribunal and its registry will observe two annual recesses—from July 1 to July 20 and from December 17 to December 31. During these periods, at least one member or the chairman will continue essential functions.

The amendment also allows tribunal officials and staff to perform duties on a rotational basis during the recess. The chairman or registrar will assign responsibilities, and tribunal members will be entitled to equivalent leave at other times of the year.

Justice and Democracy Party (JDP) convener Naeem Ahmad stated that if Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were alive, Bangladesh would still have only four newspapers, all edited by him. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a discussion held at Madhur Canteen to mark Newspaper Black Day. Ahmad argued that Mujib would not have allowed media outlets such as Jamuna Television, Amar Desh, or Prothom Alo to operate and linked the closure of several media houses to divine justice.

He further said that even after the mass uprising, media freedom had not flourished, alleging that many outlets had become rehabilitation and protection centers for the Awami League. Ahmad warned that some of these “media leagues” were now trying to portray the BNP as fascist and urged vigilance. He lamented that only four newspapers—Dainik Bangla, Bangladesh Observer, Ittefaq, and Bangladesh Times—had been allowed during Mujib’s era, calling them mouthpieces of BAKSAL.

Speakers at the event, including JDP and National Student Forum representatives, called for building a free, truthful, and people-centered media and condemned attacks on outlets such as Prothom Alo and Amar Desh.

A Dhaka court has granted a three-day remand for 13 Awami League activists in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Banani Police Station. Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Jewel Rana issued the order on Tuesday. Another accused, Md. Taibur Saif, was ordered to be produced before the juvenile court as he is underage. The investigation officer, Sub-Inspector Saiful Islam, had sought a seven-day remand for the accused.

According to the remand petition, the accused were arrested on June 13 from a microbus near Banani Navy Headquarters. Police alleged that they are active members of a banned organization and were distributing leaflets and posters aimed at tarnishing the government's image and conspiring to overthrow it. The petition also mentioned that on May 16, some of the accused had participated in an illegal procession near the same location. During the operation, police seized 24 PVC posters bearing Sheikh Hasina’s image, a motorcycle, and mobile phones.

Defense lawyers argued that the accused were not affiliated with any political organization and were merely watching a T20 World Cup match together on the day of the incident.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the full text of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Iran will be formally read out to the media. He said the matter is so important that he will not limit himself to merely releasing the document but may also hold a press conference to discuss it in detail.

According to Trump, he intends to present every part of the MoU before the press to prevent any misinterpretation or confusion about its contents. He described the document as highly significant and emphasized the need to ensure that the public receives accurate information about it.

Trump added that the document will be released in an official setting at an appropriate time, and the media will be briefed on its details. The announcement was reported by Al Jazeera and CNN.

Jahangirnagar University has granted full exemption from punishment to 16 Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leaders involved in the July attack case. Out of 189 punished leaders, 43 had appealed for reconsideration. The decision was made at a syndicate meeting held early Tuesday, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, and announced by Registrar A.B.M. Azizur Rahman.

According to the registrar, among 21 leaders who were expelled for life, five were fully exempted, eight had their punishment reduced to two years, and five to one year. Of eight leaders previously punished for two years, six were released from penalty. Additionally, among 12 whose certificates had been canceled, five were cleared, while four received one-year and three received two-year punishments.

The syndicate meeting reviewed all appeals and finalized the decisions accordingly, marking a significant revision of disciplinary actions related to the July incident.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized the need to strengthen the practice of social and religious values from the school level. Speaking at a views exchange meeting with journalists at the China Friendship Conference Center on Tuesday, he said that sports, cultural activities, and innovation competitions are being prioritized nationwide to protect the youth from the threat of drugs.

The Prime Minister noted that drug abuse has become a serious problem among the youth and that the country’s capacity for treatment and rehabilitation is limited. He stressed the importance of channeling the physical and mental energy of young people aged 15 to 25 into positive activities such as sports and culture. He mentioned the launch of the 'Notun Kurir' sports and cultural competition, which recently saw participation from around 2.2 million students across the country.

Tarique Rahman also called for year-round cultural and debate programs in educational institutions and directed the Information Ministry to conduct awareness campaigns promoting social and religious values. He further discussed economic reforms, rural development, and the objectives of the proposed 'Family Card' and 'Farmers Card' initiatives.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced in parliament that Bangladesh will begin holding local government elections across the country after the monsoon season, likely from September or October 2026. The first phase will include Union Parishad elections, followed by polls for municipalities, upazilas, district councils, and city corporations within the next year.

The minister stated that the elections will be conducted in phases depending on budget availability. He added that elections for all 13 city corporations, including the newly formed Bogura City Corporation, are planned within the same timeframe. The announcement came during a parliamentary question-and-answer session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The minister also discussed several administrative initiatives, including allocations for inspection rooms in upazila complexes, water supply capacity in Dhaka, waste collection management, and the development of a new blockchain-enabled birth and death registration software aimed at improving transparency and service delivery.