Former state minister, five-time lawmaker from Brahmanbaria-3 constituency, and BNP vice chairman Advocate Harun-or-Rashid passed away on Thursday night at 9 p.m. while undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in Dhaka. He was 87 years old and had been suffering from age-related complications for some time. He is survived by his wife, two sons, one daughter, and numerous relatives and admirers.

Brahmanbaria District Council administrator and BNP general secretary Sirajul Islam confirmed the death, noting that Harun-or-Rashid had been ill for a long period and was on life support in recent days. His passing has created a significant void in the BNP and Brahmanbaria’s political landscape. Harun-or-Rashid was a veteran leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, having served as a member of parliament, state minister in multiple ministries, and a central policymaker within the party.

His funeral prayer will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building in Dhaka.

The only MRI machine at Dhaka’s Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital has remained out of order since March 27, 2021, leaving patients in severe distress. Despite several repair attempts, the hospital failed to obtain government approval, and the Tk 18 crore machine is now nearly defunct. As a result, low-income patients are forced to seek costly MRI tests at private centers, while wealthier patients manage the expense more easily. The hospital also faces shortages of functioning CT scan, X-ray, dialysis, and ICU equipment, with 20–25 machines currently unusable.

The 1,350-bed public hospital is overcrowded daily, with long queues at ticket counters, outpatient and emergency departments, and diagnostic units. Many patients wait hours for doctors and tests, while some allege that paying intermediaries speeds up services. Inside the hospital, temporary vendors block ambulance access, worsening delays for critical patients. Officials admit that the hospital operates far beyond its capacity, with over 3,500 inpatients and only 20 ICU beds.

Hospital authorities have applied for a new MRI machine, hoping for approval soon, but until then, both patients and medical students continue to suffer from the lack of essential diagnostic services.

The nationwide distribution of 'Family Card' has begun under the third-phase pilot project aimed at building self-reliant families. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the program virtually, marking the start of card distribution across multiple districts including Barguna, Panchagarh, Mymensingh, Khagrachhari, and Tangail. Local administrations and social service offices organized events in their respective upazilas to distribute the cards to selected beneficiaries.

In Betagi of Barguna, the event was chaired by the district commissioner and attended virtually by the Chief Whip of the National Parliament. In Tetulia of Panchagarh, 477 women received cards and saplings under the slogan “Family is the core unit of development.” In Trishal of Mymensingh, 659 beneficiaries received cards under the Ministry of Social Welfare. In Ramgarh of Khagrachhari, 456 families were given cards, while in Gopalpur of Tangail, 633 underprivileged women received them.

The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and family-centered development, with simultaneous launches in 19 upazilas across the country.

An embankment in the Palashtola Bakkar Mor area of Dhanua Kamalpur Union, Bakshiganj upazila of Jamalpur, collapsed under pressure from hill torrents, flooding nearby low-lying areas. The incident, reported on June 19, 2026, has raised fears among local farmers of severe damage to their Aus paddy and jute crops.

According to local accounts, a section of the embankment had already broken about a month earlier due to heavy rainfall, causing significant losses to Boro paddy at that time. Despite the earlier damage, no effective repair measures were taken, allowing the recent heavy rains and hill torrents to worsen the situation. Farmers observed water rushing through the broken section, threatening to submerge surrounding farmland.

Local farmers have urged the administration and the Water Development Board to take immediate action to repair the embankment and protect their crops. They warned that without urgent repairs, hundreds of acres of farmland could go underwater, leading to major financial losses this season.

Two double-decker buses were inaugurated last Wednesday at Dhamrai Government College in Dhaka for student transportation, despite allegations that both vehicles lack valid fitness certificates and tax tokens. The inauguration was conducted by Dhaka-20 Member of Parliament Taimiz Uddin. The buses, named “Bangshai” and “Tarunno,” will operate between Kawalipara in Dhamrai and Zirani in Savar.

Students expressed mixed reactions, welcoming the long-awaited transport service but voicing concern over safety risks due to expired documents. They claimed the buses were only repainted and refurbished before being launched and demanded vehicles with updated legal papers and fitness certificates.

Professor Md. Shafiullah, convener of the transport management committee, said he was unaware of the expired documents and would consult the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) to resolve the issue. College Principal Professor Iftikhar Ali stated that the buses were provided under a 34-condition agreement with BRTC and assured that student safety would remain the top priority.

Mofiz Uddin, an assistant agriculture officer in Kaliganj upazila of Jhenaidah, has become a symbol of trust and resilience among local farmers. Despite losing his right hand in a road accident on January 11, 2009, he continues to serve farmers with dedication. He visits fields personally to identify crop diseases, advise on treatments, and introduce new technologies, ensuring that government agricultural services reach all 4,553 farmers in the Holidhani block.

Born in Chhoto Mandarbaria village of Jhenaidah Sadar upazila, Mofiz grew up in a large family and faced hardship from an early age. He completed vocational and agricultural education before joining public service. His commitment to farmers goes beyond official duty, reflecting a deep sense of humanity and responsibility.

Local farmers and officials describe him as hardworking, compassionate, and an inspiration to others. His perseverance despite physical disability has made him a role model in the agricultural community of Jhenaidah.

In Rangpur’s Badarganj, reckless movement of illegal sand-carrying tractors has severely disrupted the normal environment of primary education. Students are increasingly avoiding school due to fear of accidents and life-threatening risks. The issue centers around two illegal sand depots located near Kutubpur Sotapir Government Primary School, from where 30 to 40 tractors operate daily at high speed and with loud noise. Teachers report that 15 to 20 students have already stopped attending classes despite repeated efforts to bring them back.

Local residents and teachers accuse a powerful syndicate of sand traders and ruling party leaders of running the illegal operations with impunity. They allege that profits from sand sales are shared among influential figures, preventing administrative action. The continuous noise and dust have also caused severe sound pollution, affecting children’s mental development. Road safety has deteriorated as pedestrians and motorcyclists face frequent accidents.

Officials acknowledge the decline in student attendance and promise action against illegal sand extraction. However, weak enforcement of sand control laws and lack of administrative response have allowed the situation to persist.

Activities of the banned Awami League have reportedly increased in Feni, with funding and leadership allegedly coming from fugitive leaders accused in the July killing case. On Wednesday morning, activists and supporters of the party and its affiliated organizations held a sudden procession on Station Road in Feni Sadar upazila. A fugitive accused, Alauddin Nasim, shared a video of the rally on Facebook, thanking participants. Another party page claimed the event was led by the banned Jubo League’s Sadar upazila secretary, Shusen Chandra Shil. Local grassroots leaders of the ruling party expressed frustration over the inaction of law enforcement and blamed local BNP-Jamaat leaders.

The report states that several fugitives, including Nasim and others, have become active on social media, issuing threats and organizing gatherings online. They are allegedly receiving financial support from abroad and operating with the help of some local political and business figures. Police have arrested three participants from the procession, and Feni’s new Superintendent of Police, Pratyush Kumar Majumder, said the matter is being taken seriously and illegal activities will be suppressed firmly.

Late on Friday night, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Deputy Commissioner (DC) Amirul Islam learned of his transfer while leading an operation in the Bahaddarhat area. A formal order signed by CMP Commissioner Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali reassigned three deputy commissioners. DC Amirul Islam of the North Division was moved to the Welfare and Force Division, while DC Hasan Mostafa Swapon from that division replaced him. Additionally, Detective Branch (North) DC Md. Habibur Rahman was appointed DC of the South Division.

According to several police officials, the reshuffle is part of a series of ongoing transfers across CMP units. No official reason was given for the changes. DC Amirul Islam stated that he had tried his best to serve the country and people over the past year, prioritizing law and order, crime control, and public service, and pledged to continue his work with dedication in his new post.

Officials noted that the North Division is a key administrative area of Chattogram, and Amirul Islam had been active in maintaining law and order and leading special operations. The timing of his transfer during an active operation drew attention within the police force.

Airport authorities at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram detained a Dubai-bound passenger named Md. Abu Bakkar on Thursday night for carrying a large amount of foreign currency without valid documentation. The seized money, consisting of dirhams and riyals, is valued at approximately Tk 9,491,397 in Bangladeshi currency. Abu Bakkar, a resident of Bhabanipur in Lohagara upazila, was stopped at around 8:15 p.m. in the departure lounge after completing immigration formalities.

According to airport officials, the passenger was traveling on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG147. Acting on a tip-off, security personnel searched his luggage and body, discovering 253,665 UAE dirhams worth about Tk 6.95 million and 4,790 riyals worth about Tk 1.46 million. The currencies were hidden in a concealed manner, and authorities suspect an attempt to smuggle the money abroad without legal clearance.

Airport authorities confirmed that legal action is underway, and a case is being prepared at the relevant police station regarding the attempted currency smuggling.

The Bangladesh government, in its tenth cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on June 18, 2026, granted policy approval to the draft 'Gambling Prevention Act, 2026'. The meeting, held at the National Parliament, also approved drafts of the 'Public Examinations (Offenses) (Amendment) Act, 2026', the 'Bogura University Act, 2026', and the 'Narcotics Control (Amendment) Act, 2026'. The gambling law aims to modernize the outdated Public Gambling Act of 1867 to address both online and offline gambling activities through updated legal and technological measures.

The proposed gambling law defines various gambling-related terms, including digital platforms and betting, and introduces penalties such as fines and imprisonment. The amendment to the Public Examinations Act seeks to curb digital manipulation, cheating, and organized exam fraud, introducing up to five years of imprisonment for digital offenses. The Bogura University Act aims to transform the existing science and technology university into a full-fledged general university covering multiple disciplines.

The draft Narcotics Control amendment proposes establishing drug crime tribunals, adding cybercrime control provisions, and enhancing border operations. All drafts will undergo vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division before final approval.

Police in Khagrachhari’s Guimara upazila have arrested a 38-year-old man named Mrasa Marma for allegedly raping a hill woman. The arrest took place on Thursday in the Kukichhara area of Hafchhari Union with the help of local residents. The victim’s younger brother filed a case at Guimara Police Station following the incident.

According to the complaint, on June 13, Mrasa Marma and two unidentified accomplices took the woman to Chattogram’s Hathazari area, promising her a job at a company under Akij Group. She was allegedly raped there that night. The next day, she received treatment at Matiranga Upazila Health Complex but did not disclose the assault. Her condition later worsened, and after the incident spread on social media, she was admitted to Khagrachhari Modern District Hospital, where she remains under treatment in the gynecology ward.

The victim is a resident of a hilly area in the upazila, while the accused lives in the same region’s Baraitali area.

Two young men were killed when a train struck their motorcycle while they were crossing the railway line in Dudhpatila village of Damurhuda upazila, Chuadanga, on Thursday evening. Witnesses and local sources said the speeding train hit the motorcycle as it attempted to cross the tracks, killing both riders instantly at the scene.

Sub-inspector Jagadish Chandra Basu of Chuadanga Railway Police confirmed the incident, stating that two people died in the collision between the train and the motorcycle. The identities of the deceased were not immediately known. Police arrived at the scene to collect information and initiate necessary legal procedures.

In the same incident, a man named Abdul Kader, son of Rahidul Islam from Dudhpatila village, was injured. Details about his condition were not yet available at the time of reporting.

A Youth Dal activist named Shahidullah Russell, aged 41, died on Wednesday afternoon while receiving treatment under prison custody at Comilla Medical College Hospital. He had been arrested on May 10 from Shasanpara village in Lalmai upazila with 102 yaba pills and was sent to Comilla Central Jail the following day. Prison authorities stated that Russell had been suffering from pneumonia and other illnesses before his incarceration. After his condition worsened, he was transferred to the hospital on June 17, where he died around 3 p.m. The body was handed over to his family after autopsy.

Russell was a resident of Perul Uttar Union in Lalmai upazila and an active member of the local Youth Dal. His wife, Halima Akter, alleged that he had been falsely implicated in the drug case and denied proper care. Lalmai Upazila BNP General Secretary Yusuf Ali Mir Pintu described Russell as a dedicated party worker and called for an investigation into any irregularities or conspiracy surrounding his arrest and death.

Authorities have not yet announced any formal inquiry into the circumstances of his death.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis leaders have strongly condemned remarks made in the National Parliament about their party chief Allama Mamunul Haque by a BNP-aligned Member of Parliament and subsequent comments by the Speaker. In a joint statement issued on Thursday night, Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Yusuf Ashraf and Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad said the discussion about Haque in Parliament, despite his absence, reflected political fear and attempts to revive old propaganda.

The leaders stated that Haque had been acquitted by a court in a politically motivated case filed during the Awami League government and that national newspapers had reported on his innocence. They criticized the Speaker for calling the matter an “extramarital affair” and a “dark chapter,” describing the remarks as uninformed and contradictory to her constitutional neutrality. They urged the Speaker to withdraw her comments, issue a public clarification, and apologize to the nation.

The statement warned that failure to do so would make the Speaker responsible for public outrage. Youth Majlis also planned protest marches in Dhaka and other areas against the remarks made in Parliament.