A section of the Jamuna River protection embankment at Gobindpur in Saghata upazila of Gaibandha has collapsed under water pressure, causing blocks on the 10th section to sink into the river. The embankment, built at a cost of nearly one hundred crore taka to prevent erosion, has left around 250 families living along the riverbank in fear and anxiety after the sudden collapse.

Local residents blamed the contractor for substandard and unscheduled work, alleging that the project was completed hastily and in violation of official guidelines. They said the Water Development Board (WDB) had not yet formally accepted the work when the collapse occurred, raising questions about the project’s durability and transparency. Residents expressed frustration that despite government spending, poor construction has left them at risk of losing their homes.

The Saghata Upazila Nirbahi Officer said the WDB authorities have been informed and that prompt action will be taken. However, no responsible officials from the WDB or the contractor were immediately available for comment.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has announced a major reduction in gold prices across the country. In its latest adjustment, the price of 22-carat gold has been lowered by Tk 4,374 per bhori, setting the new rate at Tk 228,556. The revised prices took effect from 10 a.m. on Monday, following two consecutive rounds of price increases and one round of VAT adjustment.

According to the new pricing, 21-carat gold now costs Tk 218,292 per bhori, 18-carat gold Tk 187,440, and traditional gold Tk 153,148. The previous adjustment, made just a day earlier, had added Tk 2,508 in VAT, setting the 22-carat rate at Tk 232,930 per bhori. That rate also took effect from 10 a.m. on the same day.

So far this year, BAJUS has adjusted gold prices 77 times, including 39 increases, 37 decreases, and one VAT adjustment. In 2025, the association made 93 adjustments, with 64 increases and 29 decreases.

Buyers and sellers in Dhaka have reported a noticeable rise in rice prices, contradicting government statements that supply and prices remain stable. Field visits to major markets such as Karwan Bazar, Badamtoli, and Nayabazar revealed that prices of rice, flour, and pulses have increased compared to pre-Eid levels, while vegetables, chicken, and eggs have become cheaper. Consumers expressed frustration, saying the price hikes are straining low-income households.

Traders said corporate buyers have again driven up paddy prices, leading to higher retail rice costs. The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh’s daily price list also confirmed the increase. Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, however, stated that no major instability exists and that only minor variations are normal. The Food State Minister assured that national grain reserves exceed 2 million tons and that the government is ready to intervene if needed.

The proposed 2026–27 budget includes tax cuts on about 60 essential items, including rice, lentils, and oil, aiming to control inflation and stabilize food prices in the long term.

Bangladesh is witnessing a surge in violent crimes, including murders, rapes, abductions, and robberies, amid growing public unrest and attacks on police. Reports indicate that after the August 2024 mass uprising, law enforcement agencies became weakened, and police officers at the field level are now operating under fear. Despite expectations that a political government would restore order, killings and violent incidents continue to rise, with several recent murders in Dhaka, Khulna, and Chattogram drawing public alarm.

According to police and human rights organizations, hundreds of killings, rapes, and abductions have occurred in recent months. Over 1,300 weapons looted during the 2024 uprising remain missing, raising fears that they are in criminal hands. Police officials say motivational training and logistical improvements, including the purchase of 212 new vehicles, are underway to boost morale and operational capacity. Experts warn that without addressing social disorder and political interference, the situation may worsen.

The police headquarters has pledged immediate legal action against mob justice, while criminologists stress the need for exemplary punishment and stronger institutional capacity to restore public confidence.

Ashok Bikram Chakma, the newly appointed Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Debidwar in Cumilla, has been facing interruptions in his official duties as numerous people from various professions visit his office daily to greet him with flowers. He joined the post on Monday afternoon, and since then, the influx of well-wishers has continued, creating a crowd at his office.

The excessive flower greetings have sparked mixed reactions among locals and on social media. Some Facebook users criticized the practice, suggesting that the government should restrict such gestures to prevent flattery, while others questioned the necessity of non-officials presenting flowers. A local journalist commented that the UNO was becoming exhausted from receiving so many greetings. The issue drew further attention when a parliamentary candidate from Ganadhikar Parishad, Jasim Uddin, also presented flowers to the UNO, triggering online criticism.

When asked about the disruption, UNO Ashok Bikram Chakma said that while the greetings did not halt work, he had to work extra hours. He praised the hospitality of the people of Debidwar and expressed his appreciation for their warm welcome.

Dr. Muhammad Umer Chapra, a pioneering Islamic economist who passed away on June 13, 2026, is remembered for linking economics with ethics, social justice, and human welfare. His theories warned that interest-based financial systems ultimately harm societies by concentrating wealth and undermining collective prosperity. His ideas have gained renewed relevance as Bangladesh faces a severe banking crisis marked by record loan defaults.

According to the report, non-performing loans in Bangladesh’s banking sector reached 35.73 percent of total distributed credit in the first quarter of the fiscal year, exceeding 6.44 trillion taka—the highest in 25 years. Although later reduced to about 30 percent, this decline resulted from lenient rescheduling policies rather than actual recovery. The crisis has exposed deep governance failures, political influence, and misuse of Islamic banking principles, as several Shariah-based banks collapsed and were merged into a state-run entity.

The article concludes that Chapra’s framework—emphasizing profit-and-loss sharing, strong central oversight, and ethical financial governance—offers practical lessons for Bangladesh. True reform, it argues, requires independent supervision, transparent auditing, and risk-sharing finance aligned with Chapra’s moral-economic vision.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated on June 2 that deaths involving cross-border crimes or illegal entry should not be termed as “border killings.” He explained that if a person is killed within either country’s territory during criminal activity or unlawful intrusion, it falls under that nation’s jurisdiction. His remarks echoed earlier comments made in 2020 by former Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen, who had similarly defended India’s actions along the border.

The article criticizes these statements as reflecting a submissive stance toward India, reminiscent of previous Awami League policies. It highlights ongoing allegations that India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has been pushing Bengali-speaking Muslims into Bangladesh without verification, a practice described as illegal under international law. The report also notes that the recent BSF–BGB high-level meeting in New Delhi avoided using the term “push-in” in its joint statement, referring instead to “deaths along the border.”

The piece warns that such actions violate international human rights standards and bilateral border agreements, urging Bangladesh to resist illegal push-ins and strengthen its defense and diplomatic posture against Indian aggression.

Police in Narsingdi recovered the body of Latif Molla, 32, from the Meghna River near Haripur village in Nilaksha Union on Thursday afternoon, raising the death toll from a violent clash in Raipura to three. The confrontation erupted early Tuesday between groups led by Nazim Uddin and Alal Munshi over local dominance. The deceased Latif, a Malaysia expatriate who recently returned home, had been missing since the clash.

According to police and residents, the two rival groups engaged in hours-long fighting using firearms and traditional weapons, leaving at least ten people injured and several houses vandalized or set on fire. The victims include Anik Mia, Kawsar Ahmed, and Latif Molla, whose bodies were recovered on separate days following the violence.

Raipura Police Station’s officer-in-charge said a case has been filed by Anik’s mother, naming 30 individuals and several unidentified suspects. No arrests have been made so far, and police operations to apprehend the perpetrators are ongoing.

Bangladesh will face Australia today in the second T20 match of their three-game series at the Birshreshtha Flight Lieutenant Sipahi Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram. The match begins at 2 p.m., with Australia leading the series 1–0 after winning the first game by four wickets. The hosts, who lost the ODI series earlier, are determined to bounce back and level the contest.

In the opening T20, Bangladesh’s batting lineup struggled against Australia’s spin attack, which claimed nine wickets in an innings for the first time in T20 history. Middle-order batters Towhid Hridoy and Soumya Sarkar failed to anchor the innings, both falling to Adam Zampa’s spin. Bangladesh’s pacers, including Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam, were also expensive in the previous match. The team is expected to retain the same playing eleven for the second game.

Towhid Hridoy continues to lead the side as acting captain in place of injured regular skipper Liton Das, whose participation remains uncertain despite signs of recovery.

Bogura City Corporation, newly established and home to nearly one million residents, is facing severe challenges in waste management. The city generates 250 to 300 tons of waste daily, but limited resources—only 18 trucks, mostly rented, and one loader—make removal difficult. Both official dumping stations in Joypurpara and Erulia are currently closed, forcing waste to be dumped on private land near highways. The city administration has requested government funding of 2 billion taka for new dump trucks, loaders, and two permanent dumping stations.

Environmental experts warn that open dumping is contaminating air, water, and soil, threatening biodiversity and public health. The city’s executive officer admitted that without a large-scale budget project, modern waste management cannot be implemented. A previous proposal for waste recycling and biogas production under the Bogura Urban Infrastructure Development Project was never realized.

Local environmental groups expressed frustration that despite earlier foreign project proposals, including one from the Netherlands worth 3.5 billion taka, no recycling system has been established. The city administration says discussions with the government continue to find a sustainable and scientific solution.

In Narsingdi’s Shibpur upazila, numerous small and large hills are being cut down, reportedly under the protection of influential local groups. Residents allege that these groups, using the names of ruling party leaders, are removing soil from the hills day and night with heavy machinery. The excavated soil is being sold to nearby ceramic factories and used to fill ponds, causing severe environmental degradation. Locals claim that despite witnessing the destruction, administrative officials remain inactive due to the influence of powerful individuals.

Union Parishad Chairman Benzir Ahmed Khan confirmed that no permission was taken for hill cutting in the affected areas, while the local environmental organization warned that such activities are destroying the natural balance. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer stated she was unaware of any ongoing hill cutting but would act if informed. The Department of Environment reiterated that hill cutting is illegal under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act of 1995 and punishable by law.

Environmental activists fear that if the destruction continues, Shibpur’s natural beauty and ecological stability could vanish within a few years.

Cumilla-10 (Nangalkot and Lalmai) Member of Parliament Mobasher Alam Bhuiyan issued a warning to his party leaders through a Facebook post on Thursday night, stating that they would see a different side of him if they disobeyed his instructions. The post, made from his verified account around 9:30 p.m., quickly went viral on social media.

In the post, Bhuiyan urged leaders of the BNP and its affiliated organizations not to misuse the assistance he secures from various offices for the public. He emphasized maintaining the quality of development projects according to contractual terms and requested that his reputation not be tarnished before the people. The post drew hundreds of comments within an hour, mostly supportive of the MP.

Several commenters praised Bhuiyan’s honesty and pledged to uphold his directives, while others warned that those ignoring his message might face consequences. The post’s rapid spread highlighted strong engagement among local political activists in Cumilla-10.

Police in Tanore, Rajshahi, arrested a 23-year-old man named Anisur Rahman Imon for allegedly demanding extortion money while threatening a resident with a toy pistol. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Westpara area of Tanore municipality. A case was filed at Tanore Police Station on Thursday following the arrest.

According to the case statement and police sources, the accused entered the home of Afzal Chowdhury, 48, and pointed a toy pistol at his head, demanding 20,000 taka. When the victim refused, the suspect allegedly issued threats. Locals rushed to the scene after hearing the victim’s cries and detained the suspect before handing him over to police.

Police recovered a toy pistol, a magazine, eight plastic bullets, and an Android mobile phone from the suspect. Tanore Police Station’s officer-in-charge said the accused was detained with local assistance and later sent to jail through court proceedings.

Public anxiety is mounting across Bangladesh as violent crimes, including murders, rapes, robberies, and abductions, continue to rise. Reports indicate that criminal incidents have increased in Dhaka and other regions, with social media videos showing mob justice and attacks on police. The situation worsened after the August 2024 mass uprising, which left law enforcement weakened. Despite hopes for improvement under a political government, killings and violent crimes have persisted, and over 1,300 looted police weapons remain unrecovered.

Police officials say motivational training and logistical upgrades, including new patrol vehicles, are underway to restore confidence and operational strength. Crime experts warn that delayed justice and political interference are enabling offenders. Data from police and rights groups show hundreds of killings, assaults, and sexual violence cases in recent months, highlighting a deepening crisis in public safety.

Authorities fear that unless the missing weapons are recovered and police capacity strengthened, the law and order situation could deteriorate further, intensifying public insecurity.

A farmer named Md. Sher Ali, aged 52, died after being struck by lightning while planting rice in Chhoto Shalua village under Darshana Police Station in Chuadanga on Thursday afternoon. Another farmer, Alomgir, was injured in the same incident. Both were taken to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared Sher Ali dead after examination. Alomgir is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

Sher Ali was the son of the late Kasem Ali from Chhoto Shalua village, while the injured Alomgir is the son of Jitu Mia from the same village. The sudden death has cast a shadow of grief over the family and the local community, with residents expressing deep sorrow and concern.

Local observers have warned that lightning risks increase during the monsoon season and advised farmers to avoid working in open fields during adverse weather. They urged people to seek shelter in safe places when conditions worsen.