Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar, led the Friday prayers and delivered the sermon at a mosque beside the South Dhurung Union Parishad on June 19, 2026. Local worshippers joined the prayer under his leadership, and his sermon reportedly drew their full attention.

According to South Dhurung Union Parishad Chairman Alaudin Al Azad, the newly appointed UNO presented a timely and relevant sermon that impressed the congregation. Worshippers later performed the prayer under his imamate. Mizanur Rahman, originally from Mirzapur in Tangail, took charge in Kutubdia last month.

Earlier, he was praised for organizing a unified Eid congregation at the Eidgah field during the last Eid-ul-Azha, replacing the previous practice of holding separate mosque-based prayers in the upazila.

The Bangladesh Police has introduced major changes to its uniform design through an amendment to the 'Police Dress Rules, 2025'. A new notification was issued on June 18, 2026, by Inspector General of Police Md. Ali Hossain Fakir under Section 12 of the Police Act, 1861. The revision brings clear color distinctions between district and metropolitan police uniforms. District and other unit members will now wear dark blue shirts made of TC fabric, while metropolitan police officers will wear light olive shirts. All units will use khaki-colored trousers instead of the previous coffee shade.

Winter uniforms have also been updated. Dark blue jackets, jerseys, cardigans, and pullovers will replace the earlier iron-colored ones, with metropolitan police jackets matching their light olive shirts. Female officers’ uniforms have been refined as well, featuring dark blue sarees and blouses for district units and dark blue sarees with light olive blouses for metropolitan police. Approved dark blue head covers are now mandatory.

The revised rules maintain seasonal sleeve requirements and allow pregnant officers, with prior approval, to wear civilian dress while on duty.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has condemned recent Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley, describing them as a dangerous and deplorable escalation. According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, Aoun said the attacks are severely undermining ongoing peace efforts and ceasefire initiatives. He noted that the strikes have caused civilian casualties, including women and children, and have intensified destruction across affected areas.

Aoun emphasized that the escalation complicates the situation further, particularly following recent developments involving the United States and Iran. Despite the violence, he affirmed that Lebanon remains committed to pursuing peace and will continue working toward a comprehensive ceasefire. The president also stated that Lebanon’s negotiating team, set to participate in upcoming talks in Washington, has been instructed to strongly advocate for a full ceasefire.

The remarks highlight Lebanon’s concern that continued Israeli military actions could derail fragile diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing the region.

A case has been filed in Narsingdi against Aminur Rahman Sarkar Dolon, member secretary of the Monohardi upazila BNP, and two others for allegedly assaulting a six-month pregnant woman entrepreneur after she refused to pay extortion money. The case was lodged by the victim, Popy Akter, at the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court in Narsingdi. The other accused are Abdul Jabbar and Moktar Uddin Talukdar. According to the complaint, the accused had been demanding Tk 100,000 from Popy Akter and attacked her at her beauty parlor on May 7 when she refused.

The complaint states that Dolon physically assaulted her, tore her clothes, and broke her mobile phone, while the others took Tk 52,000 from a drawer and a gold chain from her neck. Locals rushed to the scene after hearing her screams, and the attackers fled after issuing death threats. She was later admitted to Katiadi Upazila Health Complex in Kishoreganj.

Popy Akter claimed that Monohardi police refused to register her complaint, prompting her to file the case in court on June 18. The accused BNP leader could not be reached for comment, while the local police chief denied knowledge of the incident. Narsingdi district BNP’s general secretary and MP Monjur Elahi suggested the case might be politically motivated and called for a fair investigation.

Two young sisters drowned in a pond during a wedding celebration in Mohanganj upazila of Netrakona on Friday, June 19, 2026. The incident occurred at Pabai village under Barkashia-Birampur union when family members were busy with wedding activities. The victims were Niha Akter, aged 7, and Noha Akter, aged 3, daughters of local hand-trolley driver Nizam Uddin. Both children were the couple’s only offspring.

According to local residents and family sources, the girls went to bathe in the pond near their house while their parents were occupied with the wedding. Locals later noticed one child floating and raised an alarm. Both were rescued and taken to Mohanganj Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared them dead. The incident cast a deep pall of grief over the family and community.

Police said they learned of the deaths through locals, as the health complex did not immediately inform them. Officials acknowledged that medical staff are required to notify police in such cases and promised appropriate action against those who failed to follow protocol.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran, not Washington, was in a desperate position during discussions over an interim agreement between the two countries. In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said that the United States did not sit for talks out of desperation, but Iran did, describing Tehran as being in a state of despair. He added that the United States would monitor the situation for the full 60-day negotiation period mentioned in the memorandum of understanding.

Trump also made it clear that Iran would not receive any financial assistance from the United States. He wrote that Iran would not get any money, not even a cent. The remarks came amid ongoing scrutiny of the interim deal process and the conditions attached to it.

According to the report, the statement was sourced from Al Jazeera and reflects Trump’s firm stance on maintaining pressure on Iran during the negotiation period.

Police in Rupganj, Narayanganj, have arrested four members of the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) on charges of attempting to kidnap a young man. The arrests followed a violent incident on Thursday when local residents attacked the officers after suspecting them of trying to force World Health Organization employee Amit Hasan into a private car. Hasan later filed a case with Rupganj Police Station, naming six people including the four DB officers.

According to police sources, the arrested officers—Sub-Inspector Mamun Matubbar, Assistant Sub-Inspector Aman Ullah, and Constables Kabir and Akash Ahmed—were all attached to the DB South unit. The suspects allegedly operated without authorization across districts and had previously staged fake abductions to extort ransom. The injured officers were rescued by local police and hospitalized after being beaten by an angry crowd in Gausia and later in Shantinagar Bazar.

Authorities confirmed that an investigation is underway and departmental action has been initiated against the accused officers.

A Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) operation in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, led to the seizure of 140,000 yaba tablets and the arrest of one suspected drug trafficker. The detainee, identified as Md. Kader, 38, from Shialipara village in Ukhiya, was apprehended early Friday, June 19, 2026. The operation was confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel Md. Zahirul Islam, commander of the 64 BGB Battalion.

According to BGB, the special patrol team from Balukhali Border Outpost conducted the raid around 3 a.m. based on intelligence. The team intercepted a man entering from the Myanmar side near the Chaudhury’s Gher area and recovered 14 cartons containing 140,000 blue yaba tablets from a bundle he was carrying. During initial questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted to purchasing the drugs from across the Myanmar border for resale inside Bangladesh.

BGB officials stated that surveillance has been intensified to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the smuggling network. The Ukhiya Battalion continues its operations under the Ramu Sector to maintain border security and combat illegal activities.

Hezbollah has announced that it has implemented a ceasefire agreed with Israel, according to two Hezbollah sources cited by Reuters. A senior U.S. official earlier told Reuters that both sides had reached an agreement for the ceasefire to take effect from 4 p.m. local time on Friday. The move marks a significant development following prolonged tension and conflict between the two sides.

Analysts believe the ceasefire could bring temporary relief to the Middle East after extended hostilities. However, uncertainty remains over how effectively the truce will hold in the coming days. The announcement has drawn close international attention, with diplomatic efforts reportedly intensifying to prevent renewed conflict in the region.

Observers note that the ceasefire’s durability will be critical in determining whether the current calm can evolve into a more lasting peace arrangement.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued four fishermen who had been adrift for two days in the deep sea west of Kutubdia, Cox’s Bazar, after their fishing boat’s engine failed. The rescue took place on Friday afternoon, confirmed by Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan. The boat, named “FB Saurav,” had departed from Cox’s Bazar for Sandwip in Chattogram on June 18 when the engine broke down around 2 p.m.

The fishermen contacted the national emergency service number 999 on Friday morning to seek help, prompting a Coast Guard patrol vessel to launch a rescue operation. All four fishermen and their disabled boat were recovered alive and given initial medical care and necessary assistance. The process of handing them and the boat over to the owner is underway.

According to the Coast Guard, the force remains ready to provide humanitarian assistance and conduct rescue operations in emergencies, with similar efforts to continue in the future.

Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anny said the government is working to approve the Teesta Master Plan as soon as possible. He stated that the project is in its final stage of evaluation to ensure maximum benefits for people in the Teesta basin. The minister made the remarks on Friday while visiting the Teesta River in Lalmonirhat and exchanging views with local residents. Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad were also present.

Anny emphasized that the government is committed to public welfare and is proceeding with the project to ensure long-term national and local benefits. He noted that the government has already approved the Padma Barrage Project and revived the canal excavation program initiated by late President Ziaur Rahman. Plans are underway to excavate and re-excavate about 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and reservoirs over the next five years.

State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad said local and foreign experts are reviewing the Teesta project, which will be submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval once evaluations are complete.

A motorcyclist named Zahid Mia, aged 35, was killed after being hit by a passenger bus in the Madhabpur area of Habiganj district. The accident occurred on Friday afternoon near the Badsha Gate area along the Dhaka–Sylhet Highway when a Dhaka-bound Mamun Paribahan bus ran over his motorcycle. Zahid Mia was a resident of Dharmondol village in Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria district.

Police from Shayestaganj Highway Police Station arrived at the scene, recovered the body, and sent it to Habiganj District Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. The officer-in-charge of the station, Shubho Ranjan Chakma, confirmed the incident and stated that necessary legal procedures had been initiated. An investigation into the accident is currently underway.

Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the cause of the collision or whether the bus driver has been detained as part of the ongoing investigation.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the party has lost a guardian-like leader with the death of former state minister and BNP Vice Chairman Advocate Harun-al-Rashid. He made the remarks on Friday while attending the second funeral prayer of Harun-al-Rashid in front of the BNP central office at Naya Paltan in Dhaka. Harun-al-Rashid passed away on Thursday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the capital.

Rizvi described Harun-al-Rashid as a nationally respected and wise politician who served with honesty and dedication as a whip in parliament, chairman of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, and as a state minister. He noted that Harun-al-Rashid had been involved in nationalist politics since his student life and remained steadfast in his principles until his death. BNP leaders and activists, including senior figures and local leaders from Brahmanbaria, attended the funeral.

Harun-al-Rashid was elected five times as a Member of Parliament from Brahmanbaria-3 constituency and held key positions in the BNP, including vice chairman and joint secretary general. He was widely regarded as a guardian figure among party members for his long-standing contributions to democracy and organizational activities.

The planned peace talks between Iran and the United States in Switzerland were abruptly postponed on June 19, 2026, after US Vice President JD Vance canceled his trip just hours before the scheduled meeting. The discussions were intended to follow a recently signed memorandum of understanding aimed at easing tensions, with Pakistan joining as a digital intermediary. The White House confirmed the postponement, citing the complexity and uncertainty of the negotiation process.

The Swiss Foreign Ministry stated that the meeting to discuss the implementation of a proposed 14-point peace agreement would not take place for now. Iranian media reported that Tehran had not yet decided whether its delegation would travel to Switzerland. Meanwhile, the White House expressed interest in resuming technical-level talks soon.

International reports linked the delay to renewed violence in the Middle East, where Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon followed Hezbollah attacks that killed several Israeli soldiers. The escalation has cast doubt on the future of the Iran-US understanding, as Iran had insisted that halting Israeli military operations in Lebanon was a key condition for progress.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that stopping extortion across Bangladesh would restore one-third of the people’s peace. He made the comment on Friday afternoon at the party’s annual member conference in Munshiganj district. Rahman emphasized that any political party unable to restrain its own activists from social misconduct has no right to govern the country, adding that only disciplined parties can ensure good governance.

He further said that Jamaat’s goal is not to amass wealth but to ensure the well-being of citizens. Rahman noted that if the current parliament loses legitimacy, his party would not remain in it, as parliament must serve the people’s needs. He urged the ruling party to demonstrate good governance by ending extortion and said the opposition is willing to give the government time, but not indefinitely.

Referring to the newly announced national budget, Rahman criticized that despite tax reductions, prices of essential goods have not fallen due to syndicates linked to political parties, which survive under political patronage.