Mostafa Mohsin Montu, president of Gano Forum, passed away at the age of 79 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka on Sunday at 5:10 PM. He had been suffering from age-related health complications. BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep sorrow at his passing and extended condolences to his bereaved family. Montu was a prominent political figure known for his longstanding involvement in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

Early this morning, Israeli forces launched a direct strike on Iran’s energy infrastructure and the headquarters of the Iranian Ministry of Defense. In retaliation, Iran fired a fresh wave of missiles targeting northern Israel, killing at least four people. According to the BBC, Iran launched missile attacks on Israel in two waves. The first strike hit a residential area near Haifa, killing five people, while a second round of attacks in Tel Aviv resulted in one additional fatality. In total, at least six people were confirmed dead in the latest escalation.

A BNP delegation held a meeting with China’s Acting Ambassador H.E. Liu Yuyin on Sunday at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka. The meeting began at 11:00 AM and was confirmed by party sources. Representing BNP were Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee Member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, and Organizing Secretary Shama Obayed. The discussion is seen as part of BNP's ongoing diplomatic engagements with foreign missions ahead of future political developments in the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Bat Yam, one of the areas heavily damaged by Iran's recent missile strikes. During his visit, he issued a strong warning, stating that “Iran will have to pay a heavy price for the killing of innocent civilians.” Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is now engaged in a battle for its very survival. “We are here because we are fighting an existential war, and I believe every Israeli now understands that,” he said. At least 10 people were killed and many more injured in Iran’s missile strikes targeting central and northern Israel, according to reports.

Bangladesh’s business environment improved in May as political stability strengthened and inflation dropped to a 27-month low of 9.05%. The Bangladesh Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose by 6 points to 58.9, driven by strong growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The agriculture sector expanded for the eighth straight month, while manufacturing continued its ninth month of growth. Though the construction sector remained stable, it showed no further improvement. The positive trend reflects easing cost pressures and improving investor confidence.

Mazharul Islam Mintu, a controversial political figure, has been appointed Joint Coordinator of NCP’s Madarganj Upazila unit after shifting allegiance across three political groups in just ten months. Formerly linked with the Jubo League, Gana Odhikar Parishad, and Zia Cultural Organization (ZISAS), Mintu faces criticism for not resigning from his previous roles. NCP leaders defended his inclusion, citing political freedom. However, ZISAS plans disciplinary action as Mintu remains officially with them despite his new NCP role, raising questions about political ethics and party loyalty.

Amid the ongoing conflict, Iran has launched retaliatory strikes targeting key locations in Israel. Among the affected sites is the prestigious Weizmann Institute of Science, located in the central city of Rehovot. University officials reported structural damage to several buildings within the campus. However, Israeli authorities have confirmed that there were no casualties from the attack. In response to the escalating situation, operations at Ben Gurion International Airport have been temporarily suspended. The Israeli government is also working to repatriate its citizens currently stranded abroad.

As tensions escalate between Iran and Israel following an Israeli strike on an Iranian nuclear facility, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called an emergency meeting. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday morning in Vienna, Austria, where the IAEA headquarters is located. The emergency session was convened at the formal request of Russia and Venezuela, who urged the agency to address the growing crisis.

Police in Cox’s Bazar have detained 48 individuals—including 38 men and 10 women—for allegedly engaging in immoral activities during a raid in the city’s 'Cottage Zone' near the Lighthouse Point area. Officer-in-Charge Elias Khan confirmed the operation, stating it was launched following long-standing complaints of unethical activities in the area. "The raid was conducted based on specific allegations that the Cottage Zone had become a hotspot for indecent behavior," he said. Local residents have voiced concerns over the growing influence of a powerful syndicate comprising members of the transgender community and sex workers, which they claim has compromised the safety of both locals and tourists in the area. “The situation has been deteriorating for some time,” one resident said. “People no longer feel safe walking through the area, especially at night.” Police have said further investigations are underway and legal action will be taken based on the findings.

Bangladesh's garment exports to the EU grew by 25.3% in the first four months of 2025, reaching €7.54 billion—outperforming China, India, and Vietnam. This marks the highest growth among major exporters. Monthly growth peaked at 60.9% in January. Experts attribute the rise to strong global demand, timely shipments, and competitive pricing. The US market also saw a 29.3% increase in Bangladeshi apparel imports. Sustained growth, however, will depend on investments in capacity, sustainability, and technology.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Americans to support Israel’s efforts against Iran and its regional proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas. In an English video message, he praised U.S. President Donald Trump and the American people for standing by Israel. Netanyahu described the Iranian regime as oppressive and warned that their threat endangers not just Israel, but the entire free world. He claimed that without Israeli action, Iran would have equipped its proxies with nuclear weapons, though he offered no evidence for this claim.

In the remote char areas of the Brahmaputra River in Gaibandha’s Fulchhari Upazila, residents face severe deprivation due to lack of healthcare, secondary education, and basic infrastructure. With no hospitals, paved roads, or nearby schools, locals rely on boats and natural resilience to survive. Many children drop out of school due to long, difficult commutes. Medical emergencies often turn fatal, especially during monsoon. Despite repeated proposals, development remains stalled. Local leaders urge urgent government attention to secure basic rights for these vulnerable communities.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has issued another summons to British Member of Parliament Tulip Siddiq, in connection with a case involving the alleged illegal acquisition of a flat from Eastern Housing in Dhaka’s Gulshan area. The ACC initially sent a notice in May, but Siddiq has reportedly claimed she has not received it. In response, the ACC has now sent new notices to five addresses in Dhaka, including two additional locations, in an effort to ensure delivery. The case revolves around allegations that the flat in question was obtained through unlawful means, a claim the ACC is currently investigating.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur has announced that five private Islamic banks are scheduled to undergo a merger in the near future. Addressing concerns, he clarified that this move is unrelated to the upcoming national elections and will proceed within the next few months, well before the polls. “There is no reason for bank officials to worry,” Dr. Mansur said, noting that necessary adjustments, including potential relocation of branches, may take place. Banks with a higher concentration of urban branches might be directed to expand into rural areas to ensure balanced coverage. He also discussed the ongoing efforts to recover assets laundered abroad. “This will be a phased process. No asset can be reclaimed without a final court verdict,” he said. However, he mentioned the existence of a mechanism for out-of-court settlements that could potentially expedite the repatriation of illicit funds.

Brazil’s National Supply Company (Conab) projects a record 336.1 million tonnes of grain production for the 2024–25 marketing year, up 13% from the previous year. Soybean output is expected to reach 169.6 million tonnes, while corn production could rise to 128.3 million tonnes. Favorable weather and advanced farming technologies contributed to improved yields. The cultivated area grew by 2.3%, totaling 81.8 million hectares. These optimistic forecasts highlight Brazil’s growing dominance in global grain and oilseed markets.