Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Anisul Huq has expressed deep sorrow and condolence over the death of renowned Bangladeshi artist, cultural personality, and Ekushey Padak recipient Mustafa Monowar. In a condolence message issued on Monday, the minister prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.

In his message, the minister described Mustafa Monowar as a shining star in the country's art and cultural sphere. He noted that Monowar made outstanding contributions to painting, television, and children's program production, which the nation will remember with respect. The minister added that his death has created an irreparable void in the cultural arena of Bangladesh.

Mustafa Monowar’s ancestral home is in Monoharpur village of Shailkupa upazila in Jhenaidah district, which falls within the minister’s constituency. Throughout his long career, Monowar made unique contributions to art, television, and children’s programming, earning the Ekushey Padak in 2004 for his exceptional service to the nation’s cultural development.

Saudi Arabia has issued an urgent directive regarding the renewal of expatriate work permits. The country’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, through its Qiwa platform, announced that only two days remain before the renewal deadline. Employers have until June 30 to renew or transfer work permits for their employees.

According to the Qiwa platform, starting July 1, any worker whose permit has been expired for more than three months will be automatically removed from their employer’s records. Employers who allow employees to work without a valid permit will be responsible for all financial liabilities accrued up to the last day of work. The ministry urged employers to complete all necessary renewal procedures before the deadline to avoid penalties.

The directive aims to ensure compliance with labor regulations and maintain updated employment records across Saudi Arabia’s workforce management system.

North Korea has strongly criticized the ongoing joint military exercise between the United States and Japan, accusing Tokyo of exploiting global instability to transform itself into a 'militarist state.' According to a report by North Korea’s state news agency KCNA, the exercise, named 'Resolute Dragon,' is being used by Japan to test its ability to conduct overseas military operations.

Pyongyang further alleged that Japan’s deepening military cooperation with the United States is worsening security instability in the Asia-Pacific region. It claimed that Japan had earlier participated for the first time in a US-led multinational drill in April and May, where it tested long-range missile capabilities aimed at potential preemptive strikes against neighboring countries.

The North Korean statement warned that continued military activities of this nature could bring 'terrible consequences' for Japan. The 'Resolute Dragon' exercise began on June 20 in Japan’s southwestern Okinawa and Kyushu islands, involving the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the US Marine Corps, and is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman exchanged greetings following the conclusion of the national parliament’s budget session on Monday. The exchange took place after the session ended, where the two leaders shook hands. Other members of the opposition also greeted the prime minister during the occasion.

Earlier in the day, the parliamentary session began under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikrom. Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman delivered the first part of the budget speech, followed by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who spoke as the leader of the house. The session marked the formal conclusion of the budget discussions for the period.

The event reflected a moment of cordiality between the government and opposition benches at the end of the budget proceedings, signaling a cooperative tone within the parliamentary environment.

A Sirajganj court has sentenced six individuals to life imprisonment in a drug trafficking case. The verdict was delivered on Monday by Judge Nazrul Islam of the Sirajganj Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-3. Each convict was also fined 100,000 taka, with an additional one-year imprisonment in default of payment. Among the convicts, three were present during the verdict, while the remaining three are absconding.

According to the case documents, on July 15, 2012, police from Jamuna Bridge West Police Station intercepted a private car based on a tip-off and seized 150 bottles of Indian phensedyl. Three suspects were arrested on the spot, who later revealed the involvement of three others. Following investigation, police submitted a charge sheet against six individuals on December 31, 2012. After a lengthy trial and witness examination, the court delivered its judgment on Monday.

The ruling concludes a case that had been ongoing for nearly 14 years, marking a significant outcome in the region’s anti-drug enforcement efforts.

A case has been filed against 150 unidentified individuals after an incident of vandalism at the Kendua Rural Electrification Office in Netrokona. The event occurred around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday when angry customers, frustrated by continuous load-shedding and a power outage during the Argentina–Jordan World Cup football match, damaged several office windows.

Local sources reported that since Thursday, Kendua has been facing an acute power shortage, severely disrupting daily life amid intense heat. The Rural Electrification Office’s Deputy General Manager, Engineer Md. Omar Faruk, stated that the area has about 94,000 consumers, with a peak-hour demand of 27 megawatts but only 7 megawatts currently supplied. He said the shortage and vandalism have been reported to higher authorities.

Kendua Police confirmed receiving a written complaint from the power office, naming 100 to 150 unknown persons. Police have inspected the site and said the situation is now under control.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that the country will recover six billion dollars in previously frozen assets following a recent ceasefire agreement. He said the funds, held in Qatar, are part of a total of twelve billion dollars belonging to Iran. The release of the remaining portion is under ongoing negotiation. Pezeshkian described the lifting of oil and petrochemical sanctions as a major victory for the Iranian people.

During a visit to Qom, Pezeshkian met with Grand Ayatollah Shobeiri Zanjani and praised the resilience of the Iranian nation during the war. He noted that despite the loss of leaders, ministers, commanders, elites, and students, the people, armed forces, and government stood united to defend the country. According to him, the Iranian people thwarted all attempts by the United States and Israel to destabilize Iran.

Pezeshkian added that the United States ultimately compelled Israel to accept the ceasefire agreement, marking a diplomatic success for Iran.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud is set to visit China for a two-day official trip from Tuesday to Wednesday, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visit comes at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and follows a weekend of reciprocal attacks between the United States and Iran around the Strait of Hormuz.

The trip takes place against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions. Earlier, a memorandum of understanding was signed to halt the conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance, followed by technical-level discussions in Switzerland. Since the war began in February, Iran has launched attacks on several Gulf countries hosting US military bases, including Saudi Arabia. These repeated strikes and the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz have severely disrupted Saudi oil exports.

The visit is expected to focus on regional stability and energy security, though specific agenda details were not disclosed in the source.

The Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) has issued a recruitment notice for the 28th batch of its Ansar Battalion, inviting applications for the position of male sepoy. The online application process began on June 27 and will continue until July 19, 2026. Interested candidates can apply through the designated online portal within this period.

According to the announcement, applicants must have passed the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) or an equivalent examination and must be unmarried. Physical requirements include a minimum height of 5 feet 6 inches for general candidates and 5 feet 4 inches for ethnic minority candidates, with corresponding weight and chest measurements specified. Candidates must also have 6/6 vision. The age limit for applicants is between 18 and 22 years as of July 19, 2026, and affidavits for age proof will not be accepted.

The recruitment aims to strengthen the Ansar Battalion with qualified young men meeting the prescribed educational and physical standards.

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam has described former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s announcement to return to Bangladesh from New Delhi as a political stunt. He made the remark on Monday, June 29, 2026, while speaking to journalists at the International Crimes Tribunal. Aminul Islam said that if Hasina truly had courage, she should return to face the July massacre trials.

According to the report, Sheikh Hasina had earlier told Indian media outlet NDTV in an email interview on Sunday, June 28, that she planned to return to Bangladesh later this year. The Chief Prosecutor also informed that a total of 24 cases are currently under trial at the tribunal. Among them, investigation reports of 10 cases related to the July killings, involving former minister Shahjahan Khan, Amir Hossain Amu, and former justice A.H.M. Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, have been submitted to the prosecution.

He added that these reports are being reviewed and will soon be filed as formal charges in court after verification.

Saiful Alam, Deputy General Manager of Faridganj Rural Electrification Office in Chandpur, was confined by employees in his office on Sunday afternoon following allegations of misconduct and mismanagement. The employees lifted the blockade after the General Manager announced Alam’s removal. Workers had earlier protested, demanding his dismissal for alleged incompetence and failure to protect staff from public assaults.

The unrest followed recent incidents of violence linked to severe load-shedding and high electricity bills in Faridganj. Two employees were beaten by angry residents earlier in the week, prompting a police case. On Sunday, workers attempting to disconnect power lines of accused customers in Dhanua village faced resistance, leading to clashes that injured about eight people. Police intervened to restore order.

Local residents and union leaders blamed the DGM for poor service and aggressive disconnection drives. The General Manager of Chandpur Palli Bidyut Samity-2 formed a three-member investigation committee and confirmed that disciplinary action would follow the inquiry.

In Magura’s Sreepur upazila, a couple named Sorojit Roy and Shimu Roy from Ghasiara village have been accused of embezzling nearly half a crore taka and several gold ornaments from at least 20 impoverished families. The victims allege that the couple took money and gold under various pretexts and have been missing from the area for about three months. Despite filing written complaints with the local Nakol police outpost, the victims claim no resolution has been reached.

According to local accounts, the couple also took loans from several NGOs, including Asha, Ad-Din, Grameen Unnayan Karm, and Bondhu Samajik O Rinodan Samabay Samiti, without repayment. This has left both the NGOs and the families who guaranteed the loans in financial distress. Some victims, burdened by debt, reportedly attempted suicide. NGO officials confirmed that the couple defaulted on multiple installments and disappeared, leaving others responsible for the unpaid debts.

Police confirmed receiving complaints but stated that no action could be taken as the accused couple had fled the area.

Dr. Samir Hossain Mishu, a leader of the Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad (Swachip), was released from the Bogura district jail at noon on Monday after being granted bail. The bail was approved on Sunday afternoon by Acting District and Sessions Judge Kaushik Ahmed. The release was confirmed by defense lawyer Tanzim Al-Misbah, who stated that the court hearing took place on Sunday, and Dr. Samir was freed the following day.

Dr. Samir, a resident of the Jaleshwaritala area in Bogura town, is currently employed at the Bagerhat Institute of Health Technology (IHT). He also serves as the president of both the Swachip and Bangabandhu Parishad Bogura branches. Previously, he held the position of Health and Family Planning Officer at Bogura Sadar Upazila.

The report did not specify the case details or reasons for his detention, focusing solely on his bail and release process.

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus stated that lasting peace in the Middle East can only be achieved if Israel’s current far-right government halts its expansionist policies and aggression. Speaking at the opening session of a NATO summit in Istanbul, he said that ending decades of injustice against Palestinians and ensuring justice are essential for regional stability.

Kurtulmus emphasized that stopping Israel’s aggressive actions would not only secure peace and safety for Palestinians but also strengthen global peace. He reaffirmed Turkey’s support for establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, reiterating that a two-state solution remains the only viable path to resolving the crisis.

He also welcomed the recent interim agreement between Iran and the United States, expressing hope that such initiatives would lead beyond temporary ceasefires toward a lasting and just peace.

Police in Chatkhil, Noakhali, arrested expatriate Sohel Rana, 36, from Kartakhil village on Sunday night following a warrant issued by the Comilla Judicial Court. Rana, son of the late Shafiullah, allegedly deceived several women by posing as an unmarried man while living abroad and marrying them under false pretenses. His latest wife, Shahanaz Begum, 30, from Kutuali in Comilla, filed a case on June 2, leading to his arrest. He was presented before the court on Monday afternoon.

According to police and Shahanaz’s complaint, Rana developed a relationship with her over four years, married her on May 5, and later took her to his family home in Chatkhil, where she discovered his previous wife and children. Despite agreeing to continue the marriage, Shahanaz was allegedly assaulted and forced out by Rana’s relatives and a local member named Masud. She later filed complaints in both Chatkhil and Comilla.

Police stated that Masud’s name was excluded from the charge sheet due to lack of evidence. Local sources claimed Rana had similarly deceived and abused other women in the past.