The government of Bangladesh has decided to withdraw the tax exemption on income earned from investments in zero coupon bonds issued by banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, or other corporations. The exemption, previously granted under the Sixth Schedule of the Income Tax Act 2023, will no longer apply from the next fiscal year. The Finance Bill 2026 proposes the repeal of the relevant clause, as presented in the National Parliament by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. The change also covers zero coupon Islamic certificates.

Alongside this measure, the 20 percent tax on company dividends has been withdrawn, and the rule requiring inclusion of such income in total taxable income for non-corporate taxpayers has been canceled. The Finance Bill 2026 also introduces a new condition for tax rebates on investments in government securities, mutual funds, and similar instruments: investors must now hold investments for the full term to retain the rebate.

Officials explained that the new condition aims to encourage long-term savings and prevent early withdrawals that undermine the purpose of tax incentives.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana A.T.M. Masum alleged that the current government is engaging in widespread politicization across all sectors, surpassing even previous administrations. Speaking on Saturday night at the Jamaat’s Chawkbazar-Bangshal Zone Unit conference in Dhaka, he claimed the government avoided holding local elections after the national polls and instead appointed party loyalists as administrators in local institutions. He further accused the authorities of attempting to control banks and insurance companies, including appointing former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Khurshid Alam as chairman of Islami Bank.

Masum said the government has failed to restore public confidence after the election, citing rising concerns over corruption, extortion, and violence by ruling party activists. He warned that the government’s disregard for public expectations and silence on border incidents could lead to severe consequences. He urged the authorities to implement the “July Charter” to build a new Bangladesh.

Other Jamaat leaders at the event criticized the government’s economic policies, calling the proposed budget anti-people and urging reforms to support business and employment growth.

Two women were killed in a knife attack at their home in Chattogram’s Anwara upazila late on Saturday night. The victims were identified as Anee Barua, 40, and her daughter Priyonti Barua, 16. Anee’s five-year-old son, Piyas Barua, was injured in the incident. Police recovered the bodies from their residence in Chenamoti Barua Para area near a local Buddhist temple around 11:30 p.m. on June 13.

According to neighbors, they rushed to the scene after hearing screams and found Anee and her son lying injured at the doorway, while Priyonti’s body was discovered inside the house. Anee’s husband, Sujon Barua, who works as a security guard in Chattogram city, alleged that a neighbor named Limon Barua Tejopriyo might be involved due to a financial dispute. He said his wife mentioned the suspect’s name before dying.

Anwara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Junayet Chowdhury confirmed that the bodies were recovered and that an investigation is underway. Police are continuing operations to identify and arrest those responsible, and legal proceedings are in progress.

The Titas River in Brahmanbaria, once known for its abundant water and vibrant waves, is now facing a severe existential crisis due to decades of encroachment and pollution. Field visits revealed that the river is clogged with water hyacinth, surrounded by illegal structures, and filled with waste from nearby markets and households. The lack of waste treatment has led to toxic water conditions, threatening public health and disrupting navigation.

Local residents expressed deep concern over the river’s deterioration, recalling its past economic and cultural significance. They urged authorities to take immediate action to restore the river’s flow and remove illegal occupations. Officials from the Water Development Board acknowledged that while 90 kilometers of the river were dredged in 2023, the urban section was excluded due to earlier navigability. They now plan a coordinated project to save the river and remove encroachments.

The district administration and BIWTA have pledged to demarcate the river’s boundaries based on cadastral surveys and take necessary steps against illegal structures, aiming to restore the Titas to a sustainable state.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is scheduled to record testimony today in a crimes against humanity case involving enforced disappearances and torture, naming former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 others as accused. The hearing will take place before a judicial panel led by Justice Md Golam Murtuza Majumdar. According to the prosecution, an important witness will testify, though their identity has been withheld for security reasons. The witness was originally set to testify on June 3, but the tribunal rescheduled the session following a prosecution request.

The testimony phase in this case began on January 21 this year, and four witnesses, including Barrister Mir Ahmed Bin Kashem Arman, have already given statements. Of the 17 accused, 10 are currently detained at the sub-jail inside Dhaka Cantonment, while seven, including Sheikh Hasina, are absconding. The detained include several former senior officers of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Bangladesh Army.

The tribunal’s proceedings mark the fifth witness testimony in the case, which continues to draw attention due to the high-profile nature of the accused and the gravity of the allegations.

The BNP government has announced a national budget of Tk 9.38 trillion for the 2026–27 fiscal year, with Tk 43,335 crore allocated jointly to the agriculture, food, and fisheries and livestock ministries. This represents 0.63 percent of GDP and 3.2 percent of the total budget, a modest rise from the previous year’s Tk 37,126 crore. However, the budget does not specify how much each ministry will receive separately, leaving unclear the exact allocation for agriculture. The author argues that the increase is insufficient given the sector’s challenges and its importance to national food security.

The article highlights that the government’s focus remains on food storage and procurement rather than direct support for farmers. It criticizes the continued emphasis on fertilizer and pesticide subsidies, which benefit chemical companies more than farmers. The piece also notes that recent diesel shortages and untimely rains devastated Boro rice crops, affecting about 200,000 farmers, yet the budget offers no relief measures. The author warns that neglecting agriculture and fisheries endangers food and nutrition security and undermines the livelihoods of millions dependent on these sectors.

An arson attack was carried out at the July Memorial in Noakhali, built to honor those killed in the July uprising. The incident occurred early Saturday, June 13, near the central Shaheed Minar on the north side of the Maijdee Judge Court Road. Police confirmed they have started efforts to identify those responsible for the fire.

The attack came to light only after a 25-second video showing the incident spread on social media later that evening. The footage showed a group of young men pouring flammable substances around the memorial and setting it ablaze, damaging its lower portion. One person in the video was heard making political statements before the group left the scene.

Sudharam Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge, Md Kamrul Islam, said the perpetrators themselves uploaded the video online. He added that police have inspected the site and are reviewing video footage and CCTV recordings to identify those involved.

Nearly two years after the July uprising and four months into the BNP-led government, the official judiciary website of Bangladesh still displays the names of 131 Awami League–aligned lawyers under the Chattogram section. Many of these lawyers, including party leaders and individuals accused in the July student-public killing case, were removed from their posts on 16 October 2024 when new appointments were made. However, the website continues to list them as public prosecutors and government pleaders.

Current prosecutors and officials have expressed frustration that the site has not been updated, saying it damages their image and causes confusion. They noted that even judges’ names are not regularly revised, despite a government order appointing 346 new officials in Chattogram courts in 2024. Several prosecutors, including Advocate Sarwar Hossain Lavlu and Advocate Rezaul Karim Rony, criticized the delay and called for accountability among responsible officials.

Officials working in Chattogram courts said the website is managed directly by the judiciary, and local staff lack access credentials to make updates, which may explain the persistent outdated information.

Former Awami League MP AKM Bahauddin Bahar’s recent virtual speech has reignited political tension in Cumilla following the fall of the Awami League government. Despite being in exile, Bahar’s influence allegedly continues through local networks, including some BNP leaders reportedly managing his business interests. His remarks criticizing BNP and Jamaat leaders have coincided with renewed street activity by the banned Chhatra League, which attempted a rally near Cumilla Sadar South on Sunday. Locals dispersed the gathering and handed 48 participants over to police.

Local sources claim that Bahar’s associates and several former Awami League figures still control parts of Cumilla’s contracting and development sectors. Police confirmed arrests and ongoing operations against those involved in the banned organization’s activities. Meanwhile, BNP leaders have questioned law enforcement’s effectiveness in preventing such rallies.

Separately, the Cumilla District Qawmi Madrasa Organization condemned Bahar’s alleged anti-madrasa comments and demanded his trial for sedition. At a press conference, religious leaders said his remarks insulted the country’s madrasa education system and violated constitutional rights to religious freedom.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman stated that no product prices have increased following the newly announced national budget, despite higher taxes on alcohol and cigarettes. Speaking at a public rally in Cox’s Bazar’s Chakaria and during the inauguration of the Patli Canal re-excavation, he said taxes were reduced on 60 essential goods. He emphasized that the government’s policies aim to improve the lives of farmers, women, students, and low-income citizens.

Rahman announced plans to expand the Cox’s Bazar–Chattogram highway from four to six lanes and highlighted the government’s commitment to agricultural development. The re-excavation of Patli Canal is expected to benefit around 8,500 farmers and increase annual agricultural output by about 12,000 tons. He also said that 8,000–10,000 farmers in each district would receive agricultural cards with cash incentives.

The Prime Minister further announced initiatives for free higher education for women, expansion of stipends, and introduction of family cards to support rural households. He said special budget allocations were made for affordable healthcare and medicine supply in rural areas.

Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) prevented an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push 11 people into Bangladesh through the Darshana-Jaynagar border in Chuadanga early Sunday. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. near border pillar number 75, confirmed Lieutenant Colonel Nazmul Hasan, director of Chuadanga-6 BGB. According to BGB sources, BSF had gathered the group on the Indian side with the intention of sending them across the border.

Upon receiving information, BGB personnel took immediate defensive positions, joined by local villagers. Observing the situation, BSF eventually retreated, and the 11 individuals were later removed from the zero line area. The BGB official said repeated push-in attempts had been made by BSF but were successfully resisted each time.

The report did not specify the identities or nationalities of the 11 people involved, nor did it mention any diplomatic communication following the incident.

Armed groups have established dominance across the Padma River’s island regions spanning Rajshahi, Natore, Pabna, and Kushtia, creating a climate of fear and lawlessness. On Tuesday, Azizul Hakim, a sand depot manager, was shot dead in the Charjajira area after armed men arrived by speedboat and used a drone to locate him. Police later recovered his body with a gunshot wound to the head. Authorities report at least eleven active armed factions, with the ‘Kankon Bahini’ currently the most feared.

Police sources confirm multiple cases against these groups, including six involving Kankon Bahini, whose leader remains at large despite several arrests. Law enforcement officials cite the region’s vast, river-based terrain and overlapping administrative boundaries as major obstacles to operations. Recent clashes reportedly involved heavy weapons, possibly AK-47 rifles. Following Hakim’s killing, senior police officers are planning coordinated operations across the four districts.

Residents describe living amid constant gunfire, extortion, and fear, with movement restricted after dark. Locals demand long-term security measures and inter-district coordination to restore peace in the Padma’s char areas.

Authorities in Palashbari, Gaibandha, have suspended the construction of a massive Ram statue on June 11, 2026, following growing concerns over the motives and funding behind a series of large religious monuments. The project, led by Haridas Chandra Tarani, follows earlier installations of 28-foot Shiva and 53-foot Krishna statues. Local officials and residents have questioned the necessity and source of financing for the 170 million taka initiative, fearing potential threats to communal harmony and national security.

Investigations reveal that Haridas, previously arrested for fraud, had unusual access to high-level government premises and connections with influential figures. Intelligence sources suspect possible foreign links and covert activities under the guise of religious construction. Local administrators have described the project as a potential “Trojan Horse,” suggesting hidden agendas behind its religious appearance.

Senior officials from Rangpur and Gaibandha have briefed the Cabinet and recommended financial and security investigations, including scrutiny of Indian diplomatic activities in the region. Law enforcement agencies are now closely monitoring the situation to prevent communal unrest and assess any risks to state security.

A joint statement issued after the 57th director general-level meeting between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi has sparked controversy and confusion. The meeting, held from June 8 to 11 amid heightened border tensions over alleged push-ins, omitted the term “push-in” entirely and replaced “border killings” with “deaths along the border.” While the BSF released the joint statement, BGB issued a separate press release highlighting issues such as push-ins, border killings, and illegal structures—topics absent from the joint document.

Security and diplomatic analysts questioned BGB’s stance, suggesting its delegation adopted a conciliatory tone toward BSF and failed to assert Bangladesh’s concerns. Reports indicated that BGB’s position paper had reached BSF before the meeting, while BSF shared its version only an hour before talks began. The BGB chief also reportedly held a private meeting with India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, which was not mentioned in any official statement.

BGB later denied claims of compromise, insisting it had raised all key issues firmly. However, the omission of sensitive topics from the joint statement continues to raise questions about transparency and Bangladesh’s diplomatic posture.

A mobile court in Bhangura, Pabna, sentenced a 32-year-old man named Dablue to one year of imprisonment and a fine of 500 taka for drug use. The verdict was delivered by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Mizanur Rahman on Saturday night around 8 p.m. in the Kalibari area of the municipal town. During the operation, a small packet of cannabis was recovered from the convicted youth, who is the son of the late Akkas Ali.

According to Executive Magistrate Mizanur Rahman, the punishment was given under Section 36(5) of the Narcotics Control Act 2018 after the allegation was proven. Sub-Inspector Ershad Ali of the local police station was present during the operation. The magistrate stated that such anti-drug drives will continue in the area.

The case reflects ongoing local enforcement efforts against drug abuse in Pabna district, with authorities emphasizing continued vigilance through mobile court operations.