Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad told the Bangladesh Parliament on Tuesday that no state activity is more important than a parliamentary session. He made the remark while responding to opposition leader Shafiqul Rahman’s concern over ministers’ absence during budget discussions. The Speaker urged the Chief Whip to ensure ministers attend sessions on time, listen to members’ statements about their ministries, and take corrective measures when possible.

The opposition leader noted that ministers or their representatives are often absent when their ministries are discussed, questioning whether such absence aligns with parliamentary norms. The Speaker reiterated that ministers should prioritize attending sessions despite other engagements. The session began a few minutes late, with several ministers absent initially, including the finance, home, and education ministers.

The Speaker also addressed issues of small group discussions during sessions, urging members to maintain discipline. He confirmed that the parliamentary telephone directory is being prepared but delayed due to incomplete member information. The Chief Whip proposed creating similar directories for ministries to improve communication, a suggestion supported by the public administration minister.

Testimonies from eight witnesses have been completed in the case against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, accused of acquiring over Tk 11 crore in illegal assets. On Tuesday, four witnesses testified before Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-5, presided over by Abdullah Al Mamun. They included officials from the tax, land registration, public works, and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) offices. Earlier, four other witnesses had testified on May 20, bringing the total to eight. The court has set July 1 for the next hearing.

According to the ACC prosecutor, the trial began after charges were framed on May 3. The case was filed by ACC Deputy Director Hafizul Islam on December 15, 2024, and the charge sheet was submitted on November 30, 2025. Investigations found that Benazir declared assets worth about Tk 12.2 crore but evidence showed ownership of over Tk 15.6 crore, leaving Tk 11 crore unaccounted for.

The ACC has also filed five other cases against Benazir, including two where he is the main accused and three involving his wife and two daughters as co-accused. These cases remain under investigation.

The United Arab Emirates is set to launch its first passenger train service later this month, according to the state news agency WAM. The announcement followed the inauguration of Abu Dhabi’s new railway station by Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed. The initial route between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah will begin operations on June 30, with standard class tickets priced at 55 dirhams and premium class at 120 dirhams. The service will later expand to connect four of the country’s seven emirates.

Dubai’s railway station is scheduled to open on September 30, while Sharjah’s main station will begin operations on March 30, 2027. Authorities also plan to conduct feasibility studies for extending the network to other emirates. The new fleet will include 13 trains, each capable of carrying up to 400 passengers, and ticket booking opened on Tuesday.

The project reflects the UAE’s long-term vision for an integrated transport network aimed at improving connectivity, efficiency, and opportunities for investment, tourism, and urban development, according to Sheikh Khaled.

A sweeping heatwave has engulfed Europe, with France, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom reporting record or near-record temperatures. Scientists have identified the recurring heatwaves as a clear sign of global warming and warned that such events will become more frequent, prolonged, and intense. In France, nearly 20 people drowned over the weekend as citizens sought relief in rivers and lakes, prompting the sports minister to urge safety compliance. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was scheduled to chair an emergency cabinet meeting to address the crisis.

The heat forced the shutdown of a reactor at the Golfech nuclear power plant in southwestern France after river water used for cooling exceeded safe temperature limits. Over 1,350 schools were closed as the national average temperature reached 29.2°C, surpassing all previous June records. Belgium’s weather agency forecast that the heatwave could last a week, possibly marking the country’s hottest period on record. Germany reported at least five drowning deaths, while the UK issued its highest-level heat alert for parts of England.

Authorities across Europe have advised limiting travel and outdoor activity, particularly for vulnerable groups, as infrastructure and public health systems face mounting pressure.

The United States is set to ease sanctions on Iran worth up to $50 billion under a long-discussed agreement between the two countries, according to reports on June 23, 2026. The deal will allow the gradual release of previously frozen Iranian assets. Initial talks in Doha, Qatar, led to a policy agreement to release $12 billion in two phases of $6 billion each, followed by a final signing ceremony planned in Switzerland. An Iranian spokesperson confirmed that the process has already been completed.

Under the proposed framework, Iran will first gain access to $12 billion, with another $12 billion expected to be released after 60 days of further discussions. If a full and final agreement is reached, the total value of sanctions relief and released funds could reach $50 billion. However, the funds will not be provided as unrestricted cash. U.S. officials have expressed concerns that the money could support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, prompting strict conditions on its use.

The released funds are expected to be used mainly for importing food, medicine, and humanitarian goods through approved U.S.-linked financial channels. Analysts suggest that if fully implemented, the deal could bring significant relief to Iran’s economy and open new opportunities for improved relations with Western nations.

A protest march and rally were organized by the Mirzaganj Upazila unit of the BNP and its affiliated organizations on Tuesday morning, opposing what they described as the banned Awami League’s misconduct and violent activities. The procession began from the Subidkhali College Road area and concluded at the court premises, followed by a protest gathering.

Speakers at the event included former vice president of the upazila BNP Professor Mostafizur Rahman, former general secretary Md. Jahangir Alam Farazi, vice president Anwar Sikdar, Aminul Islam Khokon, and local BNP leaders Shahin Chowdhury Pasha and Hasibul Gani Munir Khondaker. Separate protest marches were also held later in the day by the Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal, with their respective leaders in attendance.

On Monday afternoon, another BNP procession took place under the leadership of upazila BNP president Shahabuddin Nannu Munshi, joined by several senior party figures. The events reflect continued local-level political mobilization in Mirzaganj.

Two separate protest programs were held in Dinajpur on Tuesday opposing the alleged violent activities of the banned Awami League. The events were organized by the district unit of the Volunteer Party and the group 'Amra July Joddha'. At noon, the Dinajpur District Volunteer Party, led by convener Russel Ali Chowdhury Limon, organized a motorcycle procession that started from Maharaja Mor, paraded through key city roads, and ended at the same point.

Participants in the motorcycle rally chanted slogans against terrorism, anarchy, and illegal activities attributed to the banned Awami League. They called for unity and public awareness to maintain peace, order, and a democratic environment in the country. Leaders and activists from the Volunteer Party and other affiliated organizations of the BNP joined the rally.

Earlier in the morning, the Dinajpur district branch of 'Amra July Joddha' held a sit-in program in front of the Dinajpur Municipality, also protesting against the banned Awami League’s alleged terrorist activities and urging people to resist them.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said Bangladesh can raise its export earnings from the current level of about $50–55 billion to $150 billion. Speaking at a consultation workshop in Dhaka’s CIRDAP auditorium on Tuesday, he emphasized that achieving this goal requires targeted planning, policy support, research, and skilled workforce development in several promising sectors. The event was organized to present the Development Project Proposal (DPP) based on a study assessing the competitiveness of Bangladesh’s private sectors.

The minister noted that Bangladesh has met all conditions for graduation from the Least Developed Country category, but the main challenge now is to remain competitive globally. He stressed the need for greater efficiency, innovation, and technology adaptation in industries. Plans include developing international-standard training centers in the leather and light engineering sectors and launching joint research with China to boost jute-based product innovation. The commerce secretary added that a Tk 3,000 crore integrated project is being planned to strengthen export capacity and align with national budget priorities.

Officials said the project will emphasize private sector participation, digitalization, and simplified procedures to build a sustainable export model after LDC graduation.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh Secretary General Principal Hafiz Maulana Yunus Ahmad has alleged that a defeated force is engaged in activities aimed at destabilizing the country, posing a threat to national independence and sovereignty. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a discussion titled “The Role of Freedom Fighters in Protecting the Country’s Independence and Sovereignty in the Current Situation,” organized by Islami Muktijoddha Projonmo Parishad Bangladesh at the IAB auditorium in Purana Paltan.

Yunus Ahmad said that even after more than fifty years of independence, the nation is still searching for true freedom. He expressed frustration over the unfriendly behavior of a friendly state and claimed that Bangladesh has recently been subjected to a new conspiracy under the pretext of “push-in.” He urged the government to take appropriate measures in response.

Praising the vigilance of the Border Guard Bangladesh and local residents in border areas, he called on patriotic citizens to remain alert against any future conspiracies. The event was chaired by freedom fighter Alhaj Md. Abul Kashem and attended by several other freedom fighter leaders.

Police in Rangamati conducted overnight special raids on Sunday, detaining 21 individuals linked to the Awami League and its affiliated organizations. The operation was carried out across multiple police stations, including Kotwali, Kaukhali, Longadu, Baghaichhari, and Kaptai. Authorities reported that among those detained were political activists, accused persons in various cases, and a suspected drug dealer from Kaptai, from whom seven yaba tablets were seized.

According to police sources, 16 people were detained from Rangamati municipality areas under Kotwali Police Station, including members of the Jubo League, Krishak League, and Sramik League. Additional arrests were made in Kaukhali, Longadu, Baghaichhari, and Kaptai. The police stated that the operation was part of efforts to maintain law and order and prevent potential acts of sabotage during the period when Awami League’s anniversary activities were banned.

Police confirmed that similar special drives will continue across the district to ensure stability and prevent unrest.

A university student named Al Mahin Hasan, aged 22, died after being electrocuted while changing an IPS electrical connection at his home in Nayangar village under Singhasree Union of Kapasia upazila in Gazipur. The tragic incident occurred early Tuesday morning. Family members rushed him to the nearby Sripur Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

According to family and local sources, Al Mahin was the son of the late Mukhtar Hossain, a retired member of the Bangladesh Police, and the nephew of local Union Parishad member Mizanur Rahman. He was a student at Uttara University. Mizanur Rahman described him as a polite and talented young man whose sudden death caused deep sorrow among relatives and residents of the area.

Following funeral prayers, Al Mahin was buried in the family graveyard. His untimely death has cast a shadow of grief over his family, friends, and the local community.

Seventeen officials from Bangladesh’s Attorney General’s Office resigned simultaneously on Monday, June 22, 2026. The group includes seven deputy attorneys general and ten assistant attorneys general who submitted their resignation letters together at the Attorney General’s Office. The following day, on June 23, assistant attorney general Tarikul Islam confirmed the resignations to a national media outlet.

The resigning assistant attorneys general are Yusuf Ali, Shafiqul Rahman, Abdul Karim, Farid Uddin Khan, Golam Rahman Bhuiya, Asad Uddin, and Tarikul Islam. The deputy attorneys general who stepped down are Imrul Kayes Rana, Humayun Kabir Tanim, Abdul Kaiyum Bhuiya, Abdullahil Maruf Fahim, Jowadur Rahman, Shamsil Arefin, Mahabuba Akter Roli, Nur Nabi Uzzal, Al Reza Amir, and Rezaul Islam.

The report did not specify the reasons behind the collective resignation or any official response from the Attorney General’s Office.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel must stop depending on US military assistance and develop its own weapons systems. According to a video shared by the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu made the remarks last week while addressing soldiers, expressing appreciation for US support but emphasizing the need for independence in defense capabilities.

His comments come at a time when the United States is increasing pressure on Israel to reduce its attacks in southern Lebanon, a region largely occupied by Israeli forces. Despite this pressure, Netanyahu reaffirmed that Israeli troops would continue to hold their positions in southern Lebanon and destroy the infrastructure of the armed group Hezbollah.

The remarks highlight ongoing tensions between Israel’s security policies and US diplomatic efforts in the region, suggesting potential friction over military strategy and regional stability.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has formed a three-member committee to investigate an unexpected attack on a journalist during an anti-fascism protest organized by the party’s Dhanmondi zone under its Dhaka South unit. The announcement came through a statement issued on Tuesday by Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud, a central executive council member and secretary of Dhaka South Jamaat. He expressed regret over the incident and reaffirmed the party’s respect for independent journalism and commitment to journalists’ safety.

According to the statement, the committee is headed by Professor Nurunnabi Manik, director of the Dhanmondi zone and member of the metropolitan working council. The committee has been instructed to submit its investigation report by the next day. Dr. Masud said that if any Jamaat member is found involved, organizational action will be taken based on specific allegations. Video footage is being reviewed to identify the attackers.

Meanwhile, Dhaka South Jamaat’s assistant publicity secretary, Abdus Sattar Suman, was sent to check on the injured journalist, Mahfuzur Rahman Shishir, and conveyed the organization’s regret while urging journalists to remain patient.

The Namar Bazar underpass on the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway in Sitakunda upazila has become a serious safety hazard for thousands of residents. Built in 2010 under the four-lane highway development project by Chinese contractor Sinohydro Corporation, the structure was intended to ensure safe local movement. However, poor planning and lack of oversight have made it dangerously narrow and low, preventing fire service and emergency vehicles from passing through. Residents say the underpass now symbolizes daily fear and prolonged suffering.

Investigations revealed that after the project’s handover, key documents including the original design, as-built drawings, and cost records are missing from relevant offices. This disappearance has raised local suspicions about possible administrative failure or attempts to conceal irregularities. Sitakunda’s municipal administrator and the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) officials acknowledged design flaws and missing files. They said technical measures and renovation efforts will be taken to ease public suffering and ensure emergency access.

Authorities plan to identify structural problems, remove illegal structures, and carry out necessary repairs to make the underpass safe for emergency vehicles.