Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon has blamed the previous fascist government for the ongoing salary crisis faced by madrasa teachers. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon while addressing the 20th University Day celebration and the Deans and Vice-Chancellor Awards ceremony at Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU). Milon said madrasa teachers have not received their salaries for May and June, and an electronic fund transfer project initiated in 2017 has failed to complete despite escalating costs.

The minister explained that the interim government had recruited 17,000 madrasa teachers without ensuring their inclusion in the automatic fund transfer program, leading to confusion over salary allocations. He noted that more than Tk 500 crore is required monthly for madrasa teachers’ pay. Milon praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for prioritizing education in the national budget and emphasized the government’s focus on technical education and modernization of madrasa education.

The event, chaired by NSTU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Golam Rabbani, also honored 49 teachers and students with Deans Awards and three with Vice-Chancellor Awards.

Three previously sealed cauldrons at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) in Sylhet were reopened, and the administration began counting donations collected over the past five days. The activities took place on Monday under the supervision of outgoing Deputy Commissioner Sarwar Alam, who visited the shrine after performing prayers.

Earlier, the administration had sealed the cauldrons and installed new donation boxes as part of a transparency initiative in managing shrine funds. The Ministry of Public Administration recently issued an order withdrawing Sarwar Alam from his post as Sylhet Deputy Commissioner and reassigning him as a Deputy Secretary. The decision followed public debate over his efforts to reform donation management at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) and Hazrat Shahporan (R.).

Following his removal, protests erupted in Sylhet demanding the withdrawal of the order. Demonstrators blocked roads, held rallies, and staged sit-ins at the DC office, warning of tougher actions if their demands were not met.

A businessman named Russel Mia, aged 30, was allegedly beaten to death in Ramnagar village of Joyka Union under Karimganj upazila, Kishoreganj, on Monday morning following a dispute over a five-thousand-taka debt. Police and local sources said Russel had borrowed the amount from a villager named Saidur Rahman, and a quarrel had occurred days earlier over delayed repayment. On the day of the incident, Russel was reportedly called out of his home, taken to a secluded spot, and assaulted.

Police recovered Russel in injured condition and took him into custody, noting that he had an existing arrest warrant in a family case. He was first taken to Karimganj Upazila Health Complex and later referred to Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital, where he died on the way. Medical officials confirmed multiple injury marks on his body.

Police said legal procedures are underway, and the body has been sent for autopsy. Russel’s family alleged that he was deliberately lured and attacked, demanding immediate arrests and exemplary punishment for those involved.

State-run broadcaster Bangladesh Television (BTV) has reported expenses 32 times higher than its income, according to Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan. Responding to a parliamentary question from MP Fazle Huda, the minister said BTV earned Tk 8.05 crore including taxes in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, while spending Tk 254.18 crore. The statement was presented during a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The minister also detailed BTV’s income and expenditure from fiscal years 2020–21 to 2024–25, showing consistent deficits each year. He further informed parliament about ongoing initiatives to counter misinformation through the ‘BanglaFact’ program, which has identified over 300 Facebook accounts and 199 X accounts spreading false or misleading content. Additionally, the ministry is working to amend the Press Council Act 1974 to set educational qualifications and registration requirements for journalists.

Swapan added that Bangladesh currently has 55 private television channels, of which 39 are broadcasting, and 1,436 daily newspapers nationwide. There are also 474 registered online news portals across various categories.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that the government aims to gradually allocate more than 4 percent of Bangladesh’s GDP to the education sector. He made the statement on Monday while addressing the 20th founding anniversary and Dean’s and Vice-Chancellor’s Award ceremony at Noakhali Science and Technology University.

The minister said the government is working to improve the education system and develop a skilled workforce. He added that in the future, general and madrasa education will share common examination papers for subjects such as Bangla, English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, accounting, economics, and social science. He also mentioned that technical education is being integrated into madrasa education to modernize it and reduce inequality.

Dr. Milan further noted that the Bogura University Bill has recently been passed, introducing modern academic programs modeled after European and American institutions. He highlighted that Noakhali also has the potential to establish a similar modern university. Addressing administrative issues, he said promotion for about 32,000 of the country’s 65,000 head teachers remains pending but is expected to be resolved by July 2.

A rare white buffalo known as 'Donald Trump' has been transferred from Bangladesh’s National Zoo to the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) in Savar. The zoo’s director, Dr. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Talukder, confirmed on Monday that the relocation followed an administrative decision. The move aims to enhance the animal’s conservation, research, and breeding programs, and the entire process was carried out under official supervision.

The white buffalo gained public attention for its unusual name and distinctive appearance, which made it a major attraction at the National Zoo. Previously, the animal had been kept at a farm in Narayanganj and became widely discussed on social media after being named 'Donald Trump' due to its hair resembling that of the U.S. president. The government later decided to preserve the animal instead of using it for sacrifice and moved it to the National Zoo on May 27. Following the latest administrative order, it has now been relocated to BLRI for further care and research.

Ruling party lawmaker Reza Ahmed from Kushtia-1 constituency has called for legislation to prohibit political activities in mosques and madrasas. He made the demand on Monday while participating in the general discussion on the proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year.

During his speech, Ahmed stated that mosques are places of worship and should not be used for political purposes. He urged the Home Minister to pass a law ensuring that no political meetings are held in mosques or madrasas. He emphasized that political parties, including the opposition, should hold their meetings in open fields, schools, or halls instead of religious institutions.

Ahmed also noted that while ruling and opposition parties conduct political gatherings in public venues, similar activities should not be allowed in mosques. His remarks reflected a call for maintaining the sanctity of religious spaces and separating them from partisan politics.

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam said that environmental pollution is mainly caused by human self-interest. He made the remarks on Monday while attending the 2026 Environment Debate Competition organized by the Narayanganj Sadar Upazila administration at the Narayanganj District Shilpakala Academy. The minister urged students to make their parents aware of pollution and emphasized that everyone must work to protect life and nature.

He praised the organizers for arranging the event and said that children are the future leaders of the country, stressing that becoming good human beings is more important than any profession. Referring to his experience abroad, he noted that awareness and discipline are key to environmental protection, citing examples from Japan and Singapore. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to keep schools clean and encouraged children to avoid mobile and drug addiction while engaging more in debates, cultural activities, and sports.

The minister reiterated that building the nation is a collective responsibility and that citizens must fulfill their duties responsibly.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s student wing, Chhatra Dal, organized a protest rally at Shahbagh in Dhaka on Monday, June 22, 2026, opposing what it described as anarchic activities by the banned organization Chhatra League. The demonstration, led by Chhatra Dal central vice president Kazi Zia Uddin Basit, began in front of the National Museum and circled the TSC area before returning to the starting point.

During the rally, participants chanted slogans calling for the dismantling of Awami League strongholds. After the march, Basit stated that in Bangladesh’s history, no precedent exists where a fallen regime’s associates fled the country, adding that the people would not accept Sheikh Hasina’s return to politics. He reaffirmed that Chhatra Dal would continue its struggle for citizens’ rights.

Leaders and activists from various universities and colleges affiliated with the nationalist student organization joined the protest, according to the report.

A mild earthquake was felt in Dhaka and several parts of Bangladesh on Monday night at 9:28:54 pm. The Earthquake Observation and Research Center reported a magnitude of 4.0 on the Richter scale, with the epicenter located in Rupganj, Narayanganj, about 16 kilometers east of Agargaon in Dhaka. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured the quake at magnitude 4.4, with a depth of 10 kilometers. No immediate reports of damage were received, though residents in many areas rushed outdoors after feeling the tremor.

Rubaiyat Kabir, director of the Earthquake Observation and Research Center, said the quake felt stronger because its epicenter was close to Dhaka but emphasized that such mild tremors occur frequently worldwide and are not cause for alarm. BUET civil engineering professor Dr. Mehedi Ahmed Ansari noted that similar minor quakes occurred several times last year and warned that Bangladesh remains at risk of a major earthquake due to lack of preparedness. He urged the government to take proactive measures to mitigate potential large-scale damage.

Experts reiterated that while small tremors are common, the absence of major quakes in the region for over a century could signal accumulating seismic pressure, underscoring the need for readiness.

Police in Tahirpur upazila of Sunamganj district have arrested former Jubo Dal leader Roti Mia on charges of assaulting a teacher. The arrest took place early Monday morning in Dakshinkul village, where Roti Mia, son of the late Abdul Gani, resides. The case stems from an incident in which the accused allegedly demanded 200,000 taka in extortion money and later attacked the teacher on his way to school.

According to the complaint filed at Tahirpur Police Station, the victim, teacher Moktar Hossain, lodged a written allegation against Roti Mia following the assault. Police subsequently detained the accused and presented him before the court. Officer-in-Charge Aminur Islam confirmed that the suspect has been handed over to judicial authorities.

The report did not include further details about the teacher’s condition or any court proceedings following the arrest.

Sylhet Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md. Sarwar Alam left the district on Monday night, a day after the Ministry of Public Administration issued an order withdrawing him from his post. Until a new DC is appointed, Additional District Magistrate Pinky Saha will serve as acting deputy commissioner, confirmed Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Saeeda Parveen.

The withdrawal order came amid controversy over the sealing of donation boxes and cauldrons at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R). The ministry’s directive reassigned Sarwar Alam as a deputy secretary at the ministry but did not specify the reason for his removal. Following the order, the district administration on Monday conducted a public counting of donations from three cauldrons and one box, collecting Tk 17,65,559 in cash and seven annas of gold, which will be deposited in a newly opened Sonali Bank account under the shrine’s name.

The administration’s earlier decision to seal the cauldrons and install its own donation box had sparked discontent among shrine-related individuals, who criticized the move as interference in internal affairs. The withdrawal of the DC has since become a widely discussed issue in Sylhet.

During Monday’s budget session of the Bangladesh Parliament, opposition lawmaker Saiful Alam Khan Milon raised concerns over the frequent absence of ministers during the ongoing budget discussions. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed acknowledged the issue and called for greater ministerial attendance, noting that the finance minister was present. Chief Whip Nurul Islam later explained that many ministers were occupied with state duties but agreed that they should attend parliamentary sessions more regularly.

The debate also saw a response from State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku, who pointed out that the opposition leader and deputy leader were also absent. The Speaker, however, emphasized that ministers’ presence was more crucial for addressing issues raised in the House. The session began slightly late, with limited attendance from both government and opposition benches, though opposition members initially outnumbered those from the ruling party.

Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tareq Rahman, along with several ministers, were reported to be on an official visit to Malaysia, contributing to the reduced ministerial presence during the session.

Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC organized a half-day financial literacy workshop titled “Let Financial Literacy Begin Safe Cashless Transactions” at its Uttara branch on Saturday. The event was jointly arranged by the bank’s Risk Management Division and Uttara branch. Managing Director Mosleh Uddin Ahmed attended as the chief guest, while customers and representatives from six branches participated. The program was conducted by Mohammad Abu Chayem, head of the Risk Management Division and Financial Inclusion Unit.

During the workshop, Khandaker Bedoura Mahbub, Head of IT and CTO, and Md. Riad Hossain, Head of Card Division, discussed the use and benefits of cashless transactions. Uttara branch manager Abu Hanif and several other branch managers were also present. The speakers presented detailed visuals explaining how cashless transactions can enhance convenience and reduce risks for customers.

The workshop emphasized that adopting cashless methods can save time and make financial transactions safer, reflecting the bank’s commitment to promoting financial literacy and digital banking practices.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan informed the National Parliament that 16 websites, more than 300 Facebook accounts, and 100 X accounts have been identified for spreading propaganda and misinformation under the guise of news outlets. He disclosed this on Monday during the budget session in response to a written question from MP Md. Mostafizur Rahman Babul of Jamalpur-3.

The minister said that to combat rumors and misinformation, training has been provided on fact-checking, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism, and information verification. The Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) has also published a research book titled “Shikari Sangbadikata.” Under the PIB’s “BanglaFact” initiative, 783 fact-checks, analyses, and investigative reports have been published, including 229 since the current government took office.

Between October 2024 and June, PIB conducted 123 training sessions across 64 districts, training 5,977 journalists. A “Fact-Check Manual” will soon be published to assist media professionals, while BanglaFact continues to verify three to five claims daily.