A Cumilla court has ordered the issuance of an Interpol red notice against retired sergeant Zahiduzzaman and former soldier Shahin Alam, the main suspects in the murder of Sohagi Jahan Tonu, a student and theatre activist of Cumilla Victoria Government College. The directive was given on June 8 by Senior Judicial Magistrate Muminul Haque of Cumilla’s 1st Amli Court. Court police inspector Mohammad Mamunur Rashid confirmed the order in the evening. According to court sources, the order followed information obtained from Hafizur Rahman, a former warrant officer of Cumilla Cantonment’s Static Signal unit, who was arrested earlier and is now in Cumilla Central Jail. His interrogation reportedly revealed evidence of the presence and involvement of Zahiduzzaman and Shahin Alam at the crime scene. Shahin Alam has fled to Kuwait, while Zahiduzzaman’s whereabouts remain unknown. The investigating officer, PBI Inspector Tariqul Islam, was instructed to take necessary steps to bring the fugitives under the law through Interpol. The case continues as part of regular judicial proceedings.

The West Bengal–based human rights organization Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) has accused India’s Border Security Force (BSF) of coercing people suspected of being Bangladeshis toward the border and attempting to push them into Bangladesh. In a statement released on Sunday, APDR announced a protest march in Malda on June 11 to oppose these alleged actions. The group linked the situation to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s earlier “Detect, Deport, Delete” policy promise, which it claims has led to the establishment of detention centers and land transfers to BSF. According to APDR, many people, including women and children, are stranded in the no man’s land between India and Bangladesh as BSF denies responsibility for them while Bangladesh’s Border Guard (BGB) refuses entry. The organization said the stranded individuals face severe hardship due to lack of food, water, and shelter, creating a humanitarian crisis. APDR’s vice president Ranjit Sur demanded the immediate repeal of the “Three D” policy, the return of stranded people to safety, and the suspension of pushback operations. He also urged the UN Human Rights Council to intervene, warning that the situation risks crimes against humanity.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected a new factory producing nuclear weapons materials and announced plans to accelerate the country’s nuclear expansion. According to state news agency KCNA, Kim said North Korea’s production capacity for weapons-grade nuclear materials has more than doubled in the past five years. The new facility is expected to further strengthen the country’s nuclear deterrence. Analysts noted that after the failure of denuclearization talks with the United States, North Korea intensified its nuclear development, particularly following three summits during Donald Trump’s first presidential term that ended without agreement. The U.S. Congressional Research Service reported in March that North Korea possesses enough material for about 90 nuclear warheads, with roughly 50 already assembled. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed at least two active uranium enrichment sites in Yongbyon and Kangson, while monitoring construction of another facility similar to Kangson’s. It remains unclear whether the site Kim visited is the new Yongbyon facility or a separate undisclosed location. Experts said the new plant signals North Korea’s transition from limited research to mass production and deployment of nuclear weapons.

The government has appointed new chairmen for the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) and five education boards in Bangladesh. The Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division announced the appointments through separate notifications on Monday. Professor Mohammad Fakhrul Mawla, Vice Principal of Chattogram Commerce College, has been named the new chairman of NCTB. Professor Syed Akhtaruzzaman, current Controller of Examinations at Mymensingh Education Board, will lead the Dhaka Education Board. Shamim Ara Chowdhury, Secretary of Rajshahi Education Board, has been appointed as its chairman, while Professor Md. Ahsan Parvez, Principal of Daudkandi/Devidwar Government S.S. College, will head the Cumilla Education Board. Professor Farukhe Azam Mu. Abdus Salam, Principal of Haji Muhammad Mohsin College in Khulna, will take charge of the Jashore Education Board. Additionally, Professor Khondkar Mohammad Sadekur Rahman, Secretary of Cumilla Education Board, has been appointed chairman of the Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board. According to the Education Ministry, the appointments were made in the public interest and took immediate effect upon issuance of the orders.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) held a public hearing on Monday at the Basabo Buddhist Temple auditorium to strengthen civic services such as cleanliness, mosquito control, and waste management under regions 2 and 5. Citizens, political figures, civil society representatives, businesspeople, and journalists attended the event, raising issues including waterlogging, waste disposal, infrastructure, public health, and taxation. DSCC officials responded to questions from participants. Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam, attending as chief guest, emphasized that ensuring civic amenities is the corporation’s core duty but requires active public participation. He stated that both the administration and citizens share equal responsibility for maintaining the city. He warned that negligence in essential services like national certificates, birth registration, mosquito control, waste management, and street lighting would lead to strict administrative action, including dismissal if necessary. State Minister Habibur Rashid Habib highlighted transparency and citizen awareness as key to good governance. The Basabo event was DSCC’s second public hearing, with similar sessions planned across all ten regions.

Intern and postgraduate doctors across Bangladesh have suspended their ongoing strike and protests after receiving government assurances that their six-point demands will be implemented within seven working days. The decision was announced Monday evening following a meeting at the Directorate General of Health Services attended by the Health Secretary Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, the directors general of health and medical education, and representatives of the protesting doctors. During a press briefing, the Health Secretary said that all private trainees who passed FCPS Part-1 and MD/MS (Phase-1) exams would receive monthly stipends. He also announced proportional increases in existing stipends in line with the new government pay scale, discussions on a Health Protection Act, and recommendations to extend the age limit for BCS Health Cadre recruitment. Authorities further pledged to rationalize exam fees and develop a fair salary structure for entry-level doctors in private institutions. The protests had entered their second day before the suspension, with doctors and students staging demonstrations and class boycotts to protest long-standing disparities, neglect, and insecurity in the health sector.

Naser Ezaz Bijoy has resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Standard Chartered Bangladesh. The bank officially informed Bangladesh Bank about his resignation, according to a press release issued on Monday by its Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing Department. Bijoy is stepping down after nearly nine years in the role, subject to regulatory approval, but will continue his over 33-year career with Standard Chartered globally. The statement added that Enamul Haque, currently the Country Chief Risk Officer and Senior Credit Officer, will assume the role of interim CEO until a new appointment is made. Bijoy had been serving as CEO since November 2017, having previously led the bank’s Global Banking division. Over his long career, he has held key positions in corporate banking, risk, and audit across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Under Bijoy’s leadership, Standard Chartered Bangladesh achieved a record net profit of Tk 3,300 crore in 2024, marking the highest annual profit by any bank in the country’s history.

Prime Minister’s Defense Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) A.K.M. Shamsul Islam visited the Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Monday. During the visit, he toured various departments and was briefed on their research and innovations. He instructed SPARRSO to take necessary steps to launch a domestically developed satellite into space to strengthen the country’s defense and national security capabilities. The adviser emphasized the close link between modern defense and space technologies, urging SPARRSO to enhance its role in border monitoring, strategic mapping, and geospatial intelligence. He also called for faster integration of SPARRSO’s satellite data into the operational and research activities of the army, navy, and air force. He highlighted the importance of incorporating advanced technologies such as satellite image processing, artificial intelligence, and remote sensing to improve technical capacity and human resources. Given Bangladesh’s vulnerability to natural disasters, the adviser directed SPARRSO to use remote sensing more effectively for early warnings and damage assessments, and to provide accurate data on crops, soil moisture, forests, and water resources to support national food security.

The Secretary General of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), Oh Seong, met with BNP Chairman’s Advisory Council member and Prime Minister’s Public Administration Affairs Adviser Md. Ismail Zabihullah in Dhaka. The courtesy meeting took place on Monday at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan. Discussions covered mutual interests, regional political cooperation, democratic development, and strengthening ties between ICAPP and the BNP. BNP Vice Chairman Dr. Asaduzzaman Ripon, BNP Chairman’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, and Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince were also present. During the meeting, the ICAPP Secretary General invited the BNP to join the organization’s Standing Committee and to attend its next meeting in Mongolia in late June, as well as the 13th General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, in November. BNP leaders welcomed the invitation, expressing hope that ICAPP would enhance communication, experience sharing, and cooperation among Asian political parties, contributing to peace, democracy, stability, and public welfare in the region. Both sides pledged to expand cooperation and promote democratic values and good governance.

Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) members have been deployed to assist the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in strengthening security along several border areas. According to an official press release issued on Monday, the deployment covers 11 districts including Chapainawabganj, Naogaon, Joypurhat, Jashore, Jhenaidah, Satkhira, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Sylhet, Jamalpur, and Khagrachhari. The move comes amid BGB’s heightened vigilance to prevent cross-border infiltration. The statement noted that Ansar and VDP have long played a supportive role in protecting national sovereignty, border security, and preventing cross-border crimes. Under a memorandum of understanding signed with BGB in 2025, Ansar-VDP members have been integrated into border management and security operations, making them more coordinated and effective. The release added that Ansar battalion members remain on alert to provide rapid response and additional manpower if required. This collaboration aims to enhance surveillance, curb cross-border crimes, and ensure the safety of local residents through a more sustainable and integrated security framework.

Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury told parliament that the government is working to reopen Malaysia’s labor market for Bangladeshi workers. Responding to a question on Monday, he said the process is expected to be completed soon. From July 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, about 933,815 workers have been employed abroad, and the government aims to send 1.4 million workers in the next fiscal year. The minister said diplomatic discussions are ongoing with Malaysia, Oman, the UAE, and Bahrain to reopen or expand labor markets. Bangladesh currently sends workers to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Romania, Seychelles, and Portugal, and has signed memorandums of understanding with 18 countries. The state minister also reported rising fraud through fake demand letters and said stricter embassy monitoring is needed. He added that licenses of three recruiting agencies were suspended for sending workers to Russia who were later forced into war involvement. The ministry is also focusing on migrant welfare, including hotline services, safe homes for female workers, and plans to expand collateral-free loans for migrants.

Israel has temporarily suspended a planned military strike on Iran following a request from US President Donald Trump, according to a senior Israeli official cited by Israel’s Channel 12. The report stated that the decision came after Trump’s appeal, though the official warned that Israel would target southern suburbs of Beirut if Hezbollah continued attacks on Israeli cities and civilian areas. Channel 12 also reported that Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon would continue at full strength in the coming days, with no current plans to reduce the intensity of strikes against Hezbollah positions. The report did not specify when the suspension of the Iran strike took effect or how long it might last. The claims made by the Israeli official could not be independently verified, and there has been no official confirmation regarding the suspension of the planned attack on Iran.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has rejected a foreign travel proposal by Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Md. Mahfuzur Rahman, who sought to visit France to gain experience on new energy-efficient street lighting technologies. However, the Prime Minister approved the proposal of Executive Engineer (Electricity) A.B.M. Asaduzzaman Sweet for the same purpose. The decision came after reviewing a summary sent by the Local Government Division on Monday. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the visit was proposed under an invitation from Signify Bangladesh Limited to observe the Outdoor Lighting Application Center in France. The Prime Minister stated that technical knowledge from such visits should come from engineers who can apply it to city projects, noting that the administrator is not an engineer. She also advised involving BUET and other engineering universities in future innovative projects. Sources said the Prime Minister prioritizes engaging relevant experts in state development activities and opposes unnecessary foreign trips that waste public funds. A similar proposal from Chattogram City Corporation officials for a U.S. trip on mosquito control was previously rejected.

Bangladesh’s Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud has directed the preparation of a working paper to make the existing power system safer, smarter, and more modern as the country prepares to enter the nuclear electricity era. The instruction came during a review meeting held Monday morning at the ministry with chairmen and managing directors of transmission and distribution agencies. The meeting discussed the nation’s current power transmission and distribution capacity, weaknesses, and the challenges of launching a nuclear power system. The minister emphasized identifying potential challenges early and taking immediate steps to address them. He highlighted the importance of establishing a National Research Center to ensure safety and technical readiness before nuclear power generation begins. The Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) was tasked with conducting studies and preparing a concept paper, which will later be reviewed by foreign consultants experienced in nuclear power. Based on their advice, necessary upgrades to the transmission and distribution systems will be completed before nuclear power integration. The minister also noted that unnecessary projects in the power sector have been identified and will be investigated, urging all stakeholders to work together for national development.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the water treatment plant project under implementation in Narayanganj is progressing rapidly and will be fully completed within one year. Once operational, the project will enable the supply of 5 billion liters of safe water daily to Dhaka city. He made the remarks after visiting the Dhaka Environmentally Sustainable Water Supply Project (DESWSP) site in Gandharbpur, Rupganj, Narayanganj. According to the minister, about 97 percent of the main treatment plant and related infrastructure has already been completed. The project, costing around Tk 10,000 crore, aims to significantly reduce Dhaka’s dependence on groundwater. He added that after the first phase, another project is planned to supply an additional 5 billion liters of water daily, bringing the total to 10 billion liters of surface water per day. Project officials stated that approximately 4.3 million people will directly benefit from the initiative, which will also help mitigate pollution risks from the Shitalakkhya River and ensure long-term, environmentally sustainable water management for Dhaka.