The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has announced a series of programs to celebrate 'Nazrul Year' from May 25, 2026, to May 25, 2027, following the Prime Minister’s declaration. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitae Roy Chowdhury shared the details at a press conference in Dhaka, stating that the initiative aims to highlight the literary and philosophical contributions of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The ministry will form a national committee, design a logo and posters, issue commemorative stamps, and organize events across all 64 districts and 74 special upazilas from June 18 to 20, 2026. The announcement follows Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s declaration during the poet’s 127th birth anniversary celebration in Trishal, Mymensingh, on May 23, 2026. The ministry has allocated funds from the current fiscal year’s budget to support these events. In addition to cultural programs, the ministry plans to promote research on Nazrul’s works and collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to spread his creations internationally. The year-long celebration seeks to engage the new generation with Nazrul’s life, literature, and ideals, ensuring his legacy reaches both national and global audiences.

The Bangladesh cricket team will receive a Tk 20 million bonus from the government for winning their first-ever One Day International (ODI) series against Australia. The announcement was made on Saturday by State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque following Bangladesh’s historic victory. Bangladesh defeated the touring Australian side by 86 runs in the first ODI and secured the three-match series 2–0 after a five-wicket win in the second match. The third and final ODI is scheduled for Sunday. The government’s bonus recognizes the team’s achievement in securing a landmark series win against one of the world’s top cricket nations. The announcement highlights official encouragement for the national team’s performance and marks a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s cricket history.

Arif Ullah, a political activist from Eidgaon in Cox’s Bazar, described his long struggle against fascism and the persecution he faced for his writings and activism. Known for his nationalist ideals and anti-fascist poetry, Arif said his outspoken stance led to repeated attacks and legal cases. He was imprisoned, and even his young nephew was detained and tortured by police. In 2018, he was severely injured during election-related violence and later charged under the Digital Security Act and Explosives Act, forcing him into exile in Saudi Arabia. Arif’s 2012 book, 'Bangladesh Infected by Digital Virus,' was launched by the then Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. He also organized protests, including a symbolic cricket match demanding justice for a missing political leader. After falling ill abroad, Arif returned to Bangladesh in February 2026 to participate in election activities and later sought medical treatment in Dhaka. Despite his sacrifices, he said he holds no party position and remains unacknowledged by his political peers. Arif expressed his wish to meet the Prime Minister once to present the poem that led to his exile, believing such a meeting would complete his lifelong struggle.

Police in Maharashtra’s Washim district recovered the bodies of four members of a single family in Tivli village under Malegaon taluka. According to a report published on Sunday by Indian media outlet NDTV, the male member of the family was found hanging, while the bodies of his wife, son, and daughter were later discovered in a nearby well. Sub-inspector Imran Pathan of Shirpur police station said officers reached the scene after receiving information around 4:30 p.m. and began a preliminary investigation. The four bodies were sent to the morgue, and post-mortem examinations are scheduled for the following day to determine the exact cause of death. Police confirmed that an investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the cause of the deaths will be known after the autopsy results are released.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to withdraw the tax exemption on income earned from investments in zero coupon bonds issued by banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, or other corporations. The exemption, previously granted under the Sixth Schedule of the Income Tax Act 2023, will no longer apply from the next fiscal year. The Finance Bill 2026 proposes the repeal of the relevant clause, as presented in the National Parliament by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. The change also covers zero coupon Islamic certificates. Alongside this measure, the 20 percent tax on company dividends has been withdrawn, and the rule requiring inclusion of such income in total taxable income for non-corporate taxpayers has been canceled. The Finance Bill 2026 also introduces a new condition for tax rebates on investments in government securities, mutual funds, and similar instruments: investors must now hold investments for the full term to retain the rebate. Officials explained that the new condition aims to encourage long-term savings and prevent early withdrawals that undermine the purpose of tax incentives.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana A.T.M. Masum alleged that the current government is engaging in widespread politicization across all sectors, surpassing even previous administrations. Speaking on Saturday night at the Jamaat’s Chawkbazar-Bangshal Zone Unit conference in Dhaka, he claimed the government avoided holding local elections after the national polls and instead appointed party loyalists as administrators in local institutions. He further accused the authorities of attempting to control banks and insurance companies, including appointing former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Khurshid Alam as chairman of Islami Bank. Masum said the government has failed to restore public confidence after the election, citing rising concerns over corruption, extortion, and violence by ruling party activists. He warned that the government’s disregard for public expectations and silence on border incidents could lead to severe consequences. He urged the authorities to implement the “July Charter” to build a new Bangladesh. Other Jamaat leaders at the event criticized the government’s economic policies, calling the proposed budget anti-people and urging reforms to support business and employment growth.

A U.S. military fighter jet crashed in Washington state on Saturday afternoon, according to local officials. The incident occurred in Yakima County, where the aircraft went down in a mountainous area and caught fire after impact. The crash site was near Rimrock Lake, and the aircraft involved was identified as an F/A-18 Hornet. A statement from Marine Aircraft Group 11 and the Third Marine Aircraft Wing confirmed that the jet, belonging to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, was conducting a routine training mission when it crashed around 12 p.m. The pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft and was later rescued by local sheriff’s deputies. Authorities have not released further details about the cause of the crash or the extent of any damage in the surrounding area, and an investigation is expected to follow.

Democratic lawmakers in the United States have voiced strong skepticism over a possible agreement between Washington and Tehran, describing it as a form of surrender. California Senator Adam Schiff wrote on social media that while the president claims the war is over, similar promises have been broken before. He added that the new conflict has not reduced costs and has deeply harmed the American people. Congressman Seth Moulton called the potential deal essentially a surrender document from Donald Trump to Iran’s Supreme Leader. He told MS Now that the agreement is disastrous, noting that $100 billion has already been spent and 14 Americans have died in the war. Moulton argued that the deal reopens the same system that existed before the conflict, questioning how it could be seen as a victory. Trump, in response, criticized former Democratic President Barack Obama’s JCPOA deal, claiming it would have enabled Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. He asserted that his own agreement would instead form a strong barrier against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

A mayor in southern Mexico was shot dead in an armed attack, local authorities confirmed. The incident occurred in San Miguel Amatitlán, a town of about 7,000 residents in Oaxaca state, where drug cartels are engaged in violent clashes over control of trafficking routes. Prosecutors said Mayor Joel Bravo was killed but did not immediately release further details. Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara condemned the killing on social media, stating that the state would not tolerate lawlessness or violence. Prosecutors reported that police presence in the area has been reinforced, and a tactical unit has been deployed with federal support to locate the attackers. The region is known for the presence of the Jalisco Nueva Generación and Sinaloa cartels, both active in Oaxaca, which lies along the Pacific coast and serves as a key area for their operations. Since 2006, when drug-related violence escalated in Mexico, nearly 100 mayors have been killed nationwide.

In May 2026, Russian security forces detained at least eight Muslim clerics and community representatives across several regions, including Karelia, Mordovia, and St. Petersburg. Among those arrested were former mufti Wisam Bardwil and deputy mufti Al-Kheikh Nidal Awadullah Ahmed. The arrests were made on charges ranging from bribery to disobedience, while some media outlets alleged links to the banned Muslim Brotherhood. State-aligned commentators and far-right groups welcomed the crackdown, portraying it as a move against extremism. The arrests coincided with growing controversy over a proposed law restricting group prayers in residential buildings, which Muslim leaders said violated constitutional rights. Ravil Gainutdin, head of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of Russia (DUM), publicly rejected claims that his organization was linked to extremism but avoided direct mention of the detentions. Independent and exiled media suggested the crackdown reflected rising Islamophobia and tightening state control over religious institutions. Analysts noted that the developments highlight the Kremlin’s complex relationship with Russia’s large Muslim population, where loyalty to state policy has long been a condition for religious tolerance.

Protesters gathered outside Iran’s Foreign Ministry office in Mashhad on Saturday to oppose an upcoming agreement between the United States and Iran, which US President Donald Trump said would be signed on Sunday. Videos shared by the Fars news agency showed women in black chadors waving red and black flags and chanting slogans against Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The demonstrations come as the proposed peace deal, mediated by Pakistan, faces resistance from Iran’s hardline leaders. They argue that the agreement does not serve Iran’s national interests and could weaken Tehran’s influence in the Strait of Hormuz. Critics also claim that Iranian negotiators have made excessive concessions to secure the deal. Additional footage circulating on social media showed protesters in front of the Foreign Ministry in Tehran demanding the resignation of Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Two women were killed in a knife attack at their home in Chattogram’s Anwara upazila late on Saturday night. The victims were identified as Anee Barua, 40, and her daughter Priyonti Barua, 16. Anee’s five-year-old son, Piyas Barua, was injured in the incident. Police recovered the bodies from their residence in Chenamoti Barua Para area near a local Buddhist temple around 11:30 p.m. on June 13. According to neighbors, they rushed to the scene after hearing screams and found Anee and her son lying injured at the doorway, while Priyonti’s body was discovered inside the house. Anee’s husband, Sujon Barua, who works as a security guard in Chattogram city, alleged that a neighbor named Limon Barua Tejopriyo might be involved due to a financial dispute. He said his wife mentioned the suspect’s name before dying. Anwara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Junayet Chowdhury confirmed that the bodies were recovered and that an investigation is underway. Police are continuing operations to identify and arrest those responsible, and legal proceedings are in progress.

U.S. President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated military-themed image on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday. The artwork depicted him standing on the deck of a naval vessel as 'Commander in Chief,' observing a dramatic maritime scene through binoculars. The background featured a fleet of American warships moving through rough seas and fighter jets streaking across the sky, with U.S. flags and a golden sunset enhancing the dramatic tone. The image was captioned, 'You are losing direction.' Trump posted the image amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. He has announced that a peace agreement with Iran will be signed on Sunday. The timing of the post, alongside the symbolic military imagery, drew attention to the administration’s messaging during a sensitive diplomatic moment. The source report, citing Gulf News, did not include further details on public or official reactions to the post or the upcoming peace deal.

The Titas River in Brahmanbaria, once known for its abundant water and vibrant waves, is now facing a severe existential crisis due to decades of encroachment and pollution. Field visits revealed that the river is clogged with water hyacinth, surrounded by illegal structures, and filled with waste from nearby markets and households. The lack of waste treatment has led to toxic water conditions, threatening public health and disrupting navigation. Local residents expressed deep concern over the river’s deterioration, recalling its past economic and cultural significance. They urged authorities to take immediate action to restore the river’s flow and remove illegal occupations. Officials from the Water Development Board acknowledged that while 90 kilometers of the river were dredged in 2023, the urban section was excluded due to earlier navigability. They now plan a coordinated project to save the river and remove encroachments. The district administration and BIWTA have pledged to demarcate the river’s boundaries based on cadastral surveys and take necessary steps against illegal structures, aiming to restore the Titas to a sustainable state.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is scheduled to record testimony today in a crimes against humanity case involving enforced disappearances and torture, naming former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 others as accused. The hearing will take place before a judicial panel led by Justice Md Golam Murtuza Majumdar. According to the prosecution, an important witness will testify, though their identity has been withheld for security reasons. The witness was originally set to testify on June 3, but the tribunal rescheduled the session following a prosecution request. The testimony phase in this case began on January 21 this year, and four witnesses, including Barrister Mir Ahmed Bin Kashem Arman, have already given statements. Of the 17 accused, 10 are currently detained at the sub-jail inside Dhaka Cantonment, while seven, including Sheikh Hasina, are absconding. The detained include several former senior officers of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Bangladesh Army. The tribunal’s proceedings mark the fifth witness testimony in the case, which continues to draw attention due to the high-profile nature of the accused and the gravity of the allegations.