Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said he is feeling 'immense pressure' in carrying out his duties, citing numerous challenges and high public expectations. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon in Dhaka during an exchange with journalists, according to the state news agency BSS. Rahman noted that despite seeing happiness among citizens after the election, the responsibilities of leadership remain demanding.

Referring to his father, former President Ziaur Rahman, the Prime Minister recalled a remark about wishing for 48-hour days to accomplish more work. He said he now feels the same, as his schedule leaves little time to rest. Rahman also spoke about his past imprisonment and physical suffering, urging people to abandon a mentality of revenge and focus instead on the nation’s welfare.

He emphasized that the government seeks to ensure media freedom and constructive dialogue. Requesting cooperation from journalists, Rahman said the government cannot succeed alone and needs media support to identify and improve its work.

A 40-year-old man named Rashed was found dead on Tuesday morning, June 16, 2026, in the courtyard of a house near the Urkirchar Jonokollan Chhatra Sangha in Raozan upazila of Chattogram. Police recovered the body and identified him as the son of the late Badruddoza from Nanupur union in Fatikchhari upazila. Rashed, a father of two, had reportedly gone to visit his cousin’s father-in-law’s house before his death.

According to Rashed’s uncle Abdul Mabud, the deceased had been mentally unstable since his wife’s death five years ago. He claimed that locals might have beaten Rashed to death, suspecting him to be a thief. A local resident, Morshed Alam, said Rashed had been mentally distressed and worked irregularly as a helper in construction jobs. He alleged that Rashed was beaten and had head injuries.

Raozan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Islam stated that Rashed died of a stroke after falling near the stairs, causing facial injuries. Police have filed an unnatural death case and sent the body for autopsy at Chattogram Medical College Hospital.

On June 16, 2026, Rangpur-6 Member of Parliament and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Md. Nurul Amin stated that no madrasa teachers had received their salaries for the month. He described the situation as deeply unfortunate, noting that some teachers were unable to meet urgent family needs due to the delay. The issue of delayed salary and allowance payments for madrasa teachers and staff has drawn attention in the national parliament.

The government has initiated steps to resolve the problem through the Madrasa Education Management and Information System (MEMIS) Support (2nd Revised, Proposed 3rd Amendment) project, which was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on June 9. The inclusion of electronic fund transfer (EFT) in the project is expected to streamline payments. The project, originally approved in 2017 at a cost of about Tk 10.12 crore, now stands at approximately Tk 38.07 crore.

Previously, only eight madrasa institutions under a pilot program used EFT for salary payments, while others relied on manual methods, causing delays. Authorities expect the new approval to resolve the issue soon.

A team from Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-9) CPC-3, based at Shayestaganj Camp, conducted a late-night operation on the Dhaka–Sylhet Highway near the Rustumpur Toll Plaza in Nabiganj, Habiganj. Acting on a tip-off, the raid took place early Tuesday, leading to the recovery of 58 kilograms of cannabis packed in five sacks from a blue covered van. Two individuals, Ruhul Amin, aged 34, and Majedur Rahman, aged 41, were arrested during the operation.

According to a press release from RAB-9’s media officer, the team had received intelligence that a group of drug traffickers was transporting cannabis from Madhabpur toward Sylhet. The suspects attempted to flee when signaled to stop but were detained. Following their confession, the narcotics were recovered from the van. Both detainees, along with the seized vehicle and drugs, were handed over to Nabiganj Police Station.

A case has been filed under relevant narcotics laws at Nabiganj Police Station, and further legal proceedings are underway.

A colorful rally and fan gathering took place in Dumki, Patuakhali, featuring a 500-foot-long Argentine flag to mark the FIFA World Cup. The event was held on Tuesday afternoon and reportedly drew around a thousand Argentina football supporters. Starting from the Government Janata College field, the procession paraded through key roads in Dumki town before returning to its starting point. The use of colorful fire smoke created a festive atmosphere throughout the area.

The rally was organized by the Dumki Upazila Argentina Football Supporters’ Group, with enthusiastic participation from people of various professions. Participants carried small and large Argentine flags, blew vuvuzelas, and some wore Bangladeshi flags on their heads. Government Janata College teacher Asaduzzaman described the large-scale participation as unprecedented in Dumki’s history, saying sports foster harmony and friendship. Organizer Sajjadul Islam Durjoy expressed confidence in Argentina’s strength this year, while Aminul Islam noted the massive turnout as proof of Argentina’s popularity in Bangladesh.

The event highlighted the strong football culture in Dumki and the deep enthusiasm of local fans for Argentina ahead of the global tournament.

A banned rally by leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations took place in Sylhet on Tuesday morning, despite restrictions on their activities. The event occurred in front of the Power Development Board (PDB) office on Nawab Road in the Sheikhghat area. Around 40 to 50 participants reportedly joined the rally, identified as followers of fugitive district Awami League general secretary and former district council chairman Nasir Khan. Police later detained four individuals in connection with the incident.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Manjurul Alam confirmed the arrests, naming the detainees as Ibrahim Mostafa Mahi, Saniad Ahmed, Redwan Ahmed Rabbi, and Ashraful Ahmed Shafi. Witnesses said the group briefly gathered in front of the PDB office, chanting slogans before moving forward. A video circulating on Facebook showed the rally passing by a police vehicle while continuing slogans. The detained individuals have been sent to court, according to police.

Authorities have not provided further details on possible charges or future actions regarding the banned political activities in the area.

Police in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, detained a young man on Tuesday evening for allegedly chanting 'Joy Bangla' near the venue prepared for BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s upcoming event. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. at the mini stadium adjacent to Victoria High School field. The detainee, identified as Sohel Rana, 30, is a resident of Matiganj area and son of the late Fayzur Rahman.

According to local sources, preparations were underway for Tarique Rahman’s visit scheduled for Wednesday. During the preparations, Sohel Rana suddenly began chanting the slogan, which led to tension among those present and resulted in him being beaten by locals. Police arrived promptly, brought the situation under control, and took the injured man to the police station.

Sub-inspector Harun of Sreemangal Police Station said the youth appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Attempts to reach the officer-in-charge for further comment were unsuccessful. Tarique Rahman is expected to visit Sreemangal to attend a family card distribution program, for which extensive preparations are ongoing.

An assistant town sub-inspector named Nurul Islam was killed after being hit by a truck while on duty on the Jamuna Bridge West Link Highway in Sirajganj Sadar upazila. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, near the Saidabad Railway Station area. Police have detained the truck driver, Habibur Rahman, in connection with the accident.

According to police sources, Nurul Islam was performing his duty beside the highway when a Dhaka-bound truck, moving recklessly in the wrong lane while overtaking, ran him over. He died on the spot. Officer-in-Charge Amirul Islam of Jamuna Bridge West Police Station confirmed the death and said legal proceedings are underway. The body of the deceased officer will be handed over to his family after a post-mortem examination.

Authorities have initiated legal action against the detained driver, and the investigation process is ongoing.

Afroza Abbas, president of the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, has been appointed as the new chairperson of the National Women’s Organization. The appointment was announced through a notification issued on Tuesday by the Contract and Foreign Recruitment Branch of the Ministry of Public Administration. The appointment was made under sections 8(1) and 8(2) of the National Women’s Organization Act, 1991, and will take effect from the date she assumes office.

According to the notification, Afroza Abbas will serve a two-year term as chairperson. However, the government retains the authority to terminate her appointment at any time before the end of the term if deemed necessary. She may also resign from the position by submitting a signed letter to the government. The appointment will be honorary, meaning she will not receive any remuneration for her service.

The notice further clarifies that the appointment follows the legal framework governing the organization’s leadership structure.

The Bangladesh Air Force will conduct aerial seedball dispersal using helicopters as part of the Tree Plantation Program 2026. The initiative, announced by the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) on Tuesday, aims to plant seeds across various regions of the country. The program follows the nationwide ‘25 Crore Trees in 5 Years’ campaign inaugurated by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on June 13.

According to ISPR, the Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan, inaugurated the program by planting saplings at the Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment. The Air Force will plant fruit-bearing, forest, and medicinal trees under this initiative. The aerial seedball dispersal will target coastal and remote hilly areas, including parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, to promote reforestation and environmental balance.

ISPR noted that similar aerial seedball operations had been carried out previously in remote coastal regions, demonstrating the Air Force’s continued commitment to national afforestation efforts.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday called for a change in the nation’s culture of revenge, urging citizens to focus on contributing positively to the country. Speaking at a meeting with journalists covering the BNP beat at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, he said success should follow a mindset of working for the nation rather than retaliation. He emphasized that the government seeks to ensure media freedom and welcomes constructive criticism.

The prime minister recalled that June 16 marks Bangladesh’s Press Black Day, commemorating the 1975 closure of all newspapers except four under the then BAKSAL government. He credited former president Ziaur Rahman for restoring multiparty democracy and lifting restrictions on the press. Seeking cooperation from journalists, he said the government alone cannot achieve progress without their support.

Highlighting challenges facing youth, he identified drug abuse as a major concern and urged alternative solutions beyond enforcement. He underscored the importance of sports, culture, and science fairs to channel young people’s energy positively and called for stronger moral and social education to counter moral decline.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sent necessary documents to the Ministry of Home Affairs to facilitate the repatriation of former Bangladesh Police Inspector General Benazir Ahmed, who was arrested by Dubai Police on June 12. The ACC’s Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Akhtarul Islam confirmed the development on Tuesday, stating that the documents were prepared with assistance from two officials of the Police Headquarters’ National Central Bureau. The papers were forwarded to the Home Ministry and were expected to be sent to the United Arab Emirates government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the same day.

Following Benazir Ahmed’s arrest, the ACC initiated the process to bring him back to Bangladesh. He faces six cases involving allegations of illegal wealth accumulation, money laundering, and passport forgery. A charge sheet has already been submitted in one case related to unexplained wealth. The ACC compiled evidence and legal documents into a formal request to support the extradition process.

Government sources indicated that although Bangladesh has 30 days to send an official extradition request, authorities acted swiftly to expedite the process without waiting for the full period.

A court in Netrokona on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, ordered Jamaat leader Nazrul Islam, aged 36, to be sent to jail in connection with an extortion case. Nazrul, son of Naib Uddin from Kaira village and general secretary of Ward 9 of Bangla Union Jamaat, appeared before the Netrokona Sadar Amli Court, where the judge issued the order. The case was filed by businessman Md. Rubel Rana, 39, who alleged that Nazrul and others had been demanding Tk 20 lakh from him for a long time.

According to the complaint, on July 7, 2025, Rubel Rana was intercepted on Azhar Road by a group led by Nazrul Islam, who allegedly took him to Moktarpara field and demanded the money. When he refused, he was threatened with death, and Tk 20,000 was taken from his pocket. The next day, Nazrul allegedly threatened Rubel’s manager over the phone. CCTV footage reportedly captured parts of the incident. Rubel runs a sand, stone, and coal business named Messrs Sandhi Traders in Netrokona.

The case also names four other accused, including A. Hekim from the same area. The court’s order was confirmed by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Saiful Islam Pradip.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen praised Rajshahi’s traditional Kalai Roti during a visit to the well-known “Ruman Kalai House” in the city’s New Market area on Tuesday afternoon. After tasting the dish, he expressed his delight, calling it “wonderful.” The ambassador observed the preparation process with interest, took photos and selfies, and watched the making of other local dishes including eggplant mash and goose meat.

Following the cooking demonstrations, Christensen and his wife sat down to enjoy Kalai Roti with goose meat. Speaking to journalists afterward, he said the taste of the roti, goose meat, and eggplant mash was excellent. His visit drew a large crowd of curious locals eager to catch a glimpse of the ambassador enjoying the traditional food.

The visit took place under tight police security, with members of the ambassador’s entourage accompanying him throughout the event.

The International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh will go on a vacation for the first time since its establishment about fifteen years ago. The break will run from July 1 to July 20, following an amendment to the tribunal’s procedural law. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam confirmed that the tribunal will remain closed during this period, with only routine administrative work continuing.

According to the Ministry of Law, the amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal’s procedural rules was made on May 17. A new section, 59(A), was added to introduce the concept of vacation. The section specifies that the tribunal and its registry will observe two annual recesses—from July 1 to July 20 and from December 17 to December 31. During these periods, at least one member or the chairman will continue essential functions.

The amendment also allows tribunal officials and staff to perform duties on a rotational basis during the recess. The chairman or registrar will assign responsibilities, and tribunal members will be entitled to equivalent leave at other times of the year.