During Prime Minister Tareq Rahman’s first state visit to Malaysia, both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation across nine major sectors, including trade, investment, technology, labor, education, defense, and regional collaboration. The announcement came at a press conference following the 18-hour visit, where Rahman held bilateral meetings with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and met King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

A 33-point joint statement was issued outlining the areas of cooperation, such as political ties, digital economy, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and worker welfare. Discussions also focused on reopening Malaysia’s labor market for Bangladeshi workers, ensuring transparency, safety, and low recruitment costs. Both sides agreed to advance talks on a free trade agreement and expand collaboration in AI, cybersecurity, and modern technology.

The visit also covered education partnerships, defense training, and counterterrorism cooperation. Malaysia expressed support for Bangladesh’s role in ASEAN and potential inclusion in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. A memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation and two exchanges of notes on investment and counterterrorism were signed, marking a new phase in bilateral relations.

A research team from Khulna University’s Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology (FMRT) Discipline has achieved success in cultivating giant freshwater prawns and carp fish together using the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) method in low-salinity coastal water. The environmentally friendly IMTA system, based on the principle of 'one’s waste, another’s food,' increased both production and nutritional value of the fish.

The five-month experiment was conducted in twelve 120-square-meter earthen ponds, where lotus, guppy grass, and freshwater mussels were added to improve water quality and nutrient recycling. Results showed higher growth, survival, and production rates for prawns and G3 carp compared to conventional methods. Profit margins rose from 41% in traditional farming to 74% in the most successful IMTA treatment. The fish and prawns produced contained higher levels of essential amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Lead researcher Professor Dr. Md. Lifat Rahi stated that the IMTA system offers a sustainable and profitable solution for small-scale farmers in Bangladesh’s increasingly saline coastal regions, while also providing consumers with safer and more nutritious protein sources.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarek Rahman and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held bilateral talks in Putrajaya on Monday, where three important documents were signed. The agreements included a memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation and two bilateral instruments on collaboration in counterterrorism research, capacity building, and investment. The foreign ministers of both countries exchanged the documents in the presence of the two leaders, who later addressed a joint press conference.

The meeting reviewed various aspects of bilateral relations and discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. Key topics included reopening Malaysia’s labor market for Bangladeshi workers, regularizing undocumented Bangladeshis, renewing work permits, expanding market access for Bangladeshi agricultural products, Bangladesh’s application to become an ASEAN sectoral dialogue partner, inclusion in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Rohingya issue, and cooperation in multilateral forums such as the United Nations.

This visit marked Tarek Rahman’s first official foreign trip since assuming office as Bangladesh’s prime minister on February 17, following his party’s victory in the 13th national election.

The market for polao rice in Bangladesh has become highly unstable, with prices rising by up to Tk 30 per kilogram and Tk 900 to Tk 2,000 per sack over the past month. Despite adequate supply, consumers have expressed frustration at the sudden spike in prices ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Traders and wholesalers claim that mill owners and corporate groups have artificially created a supply crisis to increase profits, while rising fuel, gas, and electricity costs have also contributed to higher transport and ancillary expenses.

Retailers allege that large corporate groups are syndicating to control supply and exploit seasonal demand during Eid and wedding events. However, corporate representatives deny these accusations, attributing the price hike to reduced production caused by crop disease and increased export activity. Nabil Group’s managing director stated that export restrictions may be necessary to stabilize the domestic market.

Consumer rights advocates, including the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, have described the price surge as abnormal and criticized weak market monitoring, arguing that government tax reductions have not benefited ordinary consumers.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has set June 30 for delivering the verdict in the war crimes case against Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) president Hasanul Haq Inu. The case involves allegations of killing six people in Kushtia during the July Revolution and other killings across the country. The tribunal fixed the date on Monday after completing all legal procedures.

Earlier, on May 14, both the prosecution and defense concluded their arguments, after which the tribunal kept the case awaiting verdict. Inu is the sole accused in the case. The tribunal’s investigation agency had submitted its report to the prosecution, leading to the formal filing of charges. On September 25 last year, Tribunal-2 officially accepted the charges.

Previously, on November 2, the tribunal framed eight specific charges of crimes against humanity against Inu and ordered the commencement of the trial proceedings.

Bangladesh expressed its intention to elevate bilateral relations with Malaysia during a meeting between Tareq Rahman and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on June 22, 2026, at the Perdana Putra office in Putrajaya. Rahman urged Malaysia to reopen its labor market for Bangladeshi workers and to regularize undocumented migrants. The two leaders discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, followed by a delegation-level meeting reviewing bilateral, regional, and international matters.

Discussions covered labor recruitment, renewal of work permits, market access for Bangladeshi agricultural products, Bangladesh’s application to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner, inclusion in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Rohingya issue, and cooperation in multilateral forums. After the talks, both prime ministers witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cultural affairs, as well as the exchange of documents on counterterrorism research cooperation and investment promotion.

The meeting concluded with a joint press conference and a luncheon hosted by the Malaysian prime minister, featuring a cultural program performed by Malaysian artists in Malay and Bengali languages.

The eleven-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a protest rally in Dhaka on Tuesday, demanding justice for enforced disappearances, killings, and mass murders allegedly committed during what it called the period of fallen Awami fascism. The rally will take place at Bijoynagar, where opposition leader and Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, along with top leaders of the alliance, will address the gathering.

The program was announced at a press conference held Monday morning at Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar by alliance coordinator and Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad. He said the alliance will also hold rallies across districts on July 4 to protest the deteriorating law and order situation and alleged anti-national conspiracies. Additional programs will continue even after the national budget is passed.

The alliance plans a 36-day campaign from July 1 to August 5, to be finalized after a June 25 meeting. Upcoming divisional rallies are scheduled for Mymensingh on June 27, Rangpur on July 11, Barishal on July 18, and Sylhet on July 25.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tareq Rahman and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held a private and bilateral meeting on Monday morning at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya. The two leaders discussed transparency in labor recruitment, worker welfare, and cooperation in trade, energy, and employment. Both sides expressed commitment to building prosperity through partnership, promoting regional peace, and fostering a more inclusive international order. No immediate major announcement on the labor market was made, as earlier indicated by Bangladesh’s foreign ministry.

During a joint press conference, Tareq Rahman urged Malaysia to recruit more Bangladeshi workers, reopen the labor market quickly, and consider regularizing undocumented workers. Anwar Ibrahim praised Rahman’s sincerity and emphasized that worker exploitation and abuse must end, calling for transparent processes that protect laborers and their families. The meeting also covered cooperation in halal economy, semiconductors, agriculture, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

Both leaders voiced optimism that the discussions would mark a new chapter in Bangladesh–Malaysia relations, with expectations of positive future impacts on labor and economic collaboration.

A witness has testified before Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal that former army officer Major General Ziaul Ahsan was directly involved in the disappearance of BNP leader M Ilias Ali. The witness, Imrul Kayes, a former soldier who once served as Ahsan’s bodyguard, gave his statement on Sunday in Tribunal-1 during a case concerning crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the Awami League government. Ahsan, who was brought to court under heavy police guard, previously served as head of RAB intelligence and later as director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre.

Kayes stated that during his service as Ahsan’s bodyguard for over a year, he witnessed numerous enforced disappearances and killings. He claimed that detainees from RAB-1’s TFI Cell were executed by shooting or lethal injections, estimating that 150 to 200 people were killed through various methods. Overcome with emotion, Kayes said he testified out of moral duty and a desire for justice, expressing hope that no soldier would face such circumstances again.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman of Bangladesh and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held a bilateral meeting on Monday at the Perdana Putra complex in Malaysia. The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing issues of mutual interest between the two nations. Following the meeting, both leaders led a delegation-level discussion reviewing overall relations and exchanging views on regional and international matters of shared concern.

Key topics included reopening Malaysia’s labor market for Bangladeshi workers, regularizing undocumented Bangladeshi citizens, renewing work permits, and expanding market access for Bangladeshi agricultural products such as mangoes, fruits, and vegetables. The talks also covered Bangladesh’s application to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner, its inclusion in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Rohingya issue, and cooperation in the United Nations and other multilateral forums.

After the discussions, both prime ministers witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation, along with the exchange of documents on counterterrorism research and capacity building, and a bilateral investment agreement between the two countries.

Bangladesh’s industrial sector has plunged into a deep crisis due to acute energy shortages, soaring bank interest rates, and a sluggish domestic market. Production costs have surged while technological stagnation has eroded global competitiveness. Many factories are operating below half capacity, and new investments have stalled. Experts warn that shrinking employment and industrial stagnation could push the overall economy toward a prolonged downturn.

Sectoral data show steep declines in textile, jute, cement, and food processing output, while high borrowing costs have discouraged new investment despite rising bank liquidity. The steel and cement industries are struggling with higher electricity prices and reduced demand, while the ready-made garment sector—responsible for over 80% of export earnings—has seen production drop by up to 30% due to power and gas shortages. Leather exports remain weak amid environmental compliance failures and financing constraints.

Export earnings fell 7.07% year-on-year in May 2026, with major markets shifting orders to competitors such as Vietnam and India. Industry leaders urge urgent policy action to stabilize energy supply, reduce interest rates, and restore investor confidence to avert long-term economic damage.

Two farmers were killed by lightning in Kanchannagar area of Jamirta Union under Singair upazila in Manikganj district on Sunday evening, June 21, 2026. The victims were identified as Kabir Hossain, 30, son of Newaz Uddin, and Shahidul Islam, 25, son of Rafi Mistri, both residents of Kanchannagar village. The incident occurred while they were working in the field during sudden bad weather.

According to police and local sources, the two men were engaged in agricultural work when a thunderstorm began. They were struck by lightning and sustained severe injuries. Locals rescued them and took them to Jamal Clinic in Hemayetpur, Savar, where doctors declared them dead upon arrival.

Singair Police Station Officer-in-Charge Majharul Islam confirmed the incident and said police had been sent to the scene. He urged people to remain cautious during storms, warning that staying in open fields during rain is highly dangerous.

The National Citizens Party (NCP), a new youth-oriented political organization, is undergoing a major restructuring of its central leadership. The current convening committee will be transformed into an executive committee, with the existing convener and member secretary retaining their positions. Posts such as joint convener, joint member secretary, chief organizer, and coordinator will be replaced by editorial positions. The party’s top policy forum and general assembly have already approved the changes, which are expected to be announced by late June or early July. The new committee will implement a month-long program in July marking the anniversary of a mass uprising.

NCP leaders said the restructuring aims to strengthen the party’s organizational foundation and streamline responsibilities. A new advisory council will be formed while the political council remains intact. The reorganization follows earlier overhauls of affiliated and fraternal bodies. Several leaders from other political groups have recently joined NCP, and many have been assigned roles at various levels. The party expects the new structure to energize both central and grassroots committees.

According to party officials, the reorganization is intended to build a stronger opposition presence ahead of upcoming local government elections.

In a column published on June 22, 2026, writer and journalist Kakon Reza criticized the use of politically charged language in Bangladeshi media coverage. He argued that headlines often reflect partisan bias rather than journalistic integrity, citing examples where similar events were described differently depending on which political group was involved. Reza described such selective word choices as a form of political journalism that undermines ethics and accountability.

The article highlighted how terms like “mob” and “attack” are used inconsistently to shape public perception, turning journalism into a tool of propaganda. Reza contended that this practice supports oppressors and erodes the moral foundation of the press. He also compared the situation to neighboring countries, where state-aligned media have faced public anger for similar reasons.

Reza warned that if Bangladeshi media continue to act as propaganda outlets, they may soon face strong public resistance, especially from younger generations who reject establishment-aligned reporting.

Bangladesh is facing a renewed surge of dengue infections even as a severe measles outbreak continues. According to the Directorate General of Health Services, 1,703 people were infected with dengue in the first 21 days of June 2026, with two deaths in the last 24 hours. So far this year, 4,900 cases and nine deaths have been reported across 58 districts, with Barishal division recording the highest number of patients. Experts and the health minister have expressed concern that dengue has become a national challenge rather than a seasonal disease.

The government has restructured the national dengue committee and launched a three-month nationwide program to destroy Aedes mosquito breeding sites. Hospitals have been instructed to strengthen treatment facilities, with field hospitals and dedicated dengue corners being prepared. Testing has been made 80 percent free, and legal action is being warned against negligence in mosquito control.

Experts warn that fogging alone is insufficient and call for continuous surveillance, elimination of breeding grounds, and public awareness. They emphasize that both government and citizens must act proactively to prevent the situation from worsening.