In Bhurungamari upazila of Kurigram, the water level of the Dudhkumar River has risen sharply due to continuous heavy rainfall and upstream hill runoff. As of the latest report, the river was flowing 23 centimeters above the danger level, with a recorded height of 29.83 centimeters at the Pateshwari point on Monday noon, up from 29.58 centimeters on Sunday night. The rising water has already flooded low-lying areas and entered nearby localities, causing concern among residents.

According to the Water Development Board, river levels across Kurigram may continue to rise over the next 72 hours, potentially leading to short-term flooding. The upazila administration has prepared dry food supplies, medical teams, and rescue boats, while flood shelters have been readied. Local authorities have instructed union parishad chairmen to maintain constant communication and have begun public announcements to alert riverside communities.

Officials warned that if water levels continue to increase, riverbank erosion could begin, intensifying the threat to nearby settlements.

Leader of the Opposition in Bangladesh’s National Parliament and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has expressed deep sorrow over the death of eminent artist and cultural organizer Mustafa Monowar, who was a recipient of the Ekushey Padak. The condolence message was released to the media on Monday.

In his statement, Dr. Rahman described Mustafa Monowar as a shining figure in Bangladesh’s art, literature, and cultural arena. He highlighted Monowar’s legendary contributions to painting and children’s creative programs, noting that his work greatly enriched the nation’s cultural heritage. Dr. Rahman said Monowar’s passing leaves an irreplaceable void in the country’s cultural sphere.

He prayed for the departed soul’s peace and extended heartfelt sympathy to Monowar’s bereaved family, followers, and admirers, expressing hope that they would find strength to endure the loss.

A security guard named Ayub Ali, aged 57, has been arrested for stealing Tk 1.7 million from the Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC ATM and collection booth at the International Islamic University Kumira campus in Sitakunda. Police confirmed that he was detained in Rangpur with a portion of the stolen money. The theft occurred on June 24 when bank officials locked the booth during a lunch break and later discovered the missing cash.

According to the case report, CCTV footage showed Ayub Ali using a duplicate key to enter the booth, take the money from a drawer, and leave quickly with it in a bag. Following the incident, Sitakunda Model Police Station formed several teams to recover the stolen funds. After failing to locate him at his home in Cox’s Bazar, police traced him to Rangpur using technology and arrested him late Saturday night.

Police recovered Tk 1.484 million from his possession and stated that Ayub Ali had spent part of the remaining amount on various purchases.

A National Fruit Fair was inaugurated in Narayanganj Sadar upazila on Monday at noon under the theme 'We will cultivate fruits and preserve them all year round'. The event was organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension and inaugurated by District Commissioner Raihan Kabir.

The fair was presided over by A. Ja. Mu. Ahsan Shahid Sarkar, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Narayanganj. Special guests included Professor Mamun Mahmud, Administrator of the District Council, and S. M. Fayez Uddin, Executive Officer of Sadar Upazila. The day-long event showcased various local seasonal fruits and presented information on modern agricultural technologies and fruit cultivation and preservation.

The fair aimed to raise awareness among visitors about the importance of fruit farming and storage, highlighting the Department of Agricultural Extension’s initiatives to promote sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the death of Ekushey Padak-winning artist and cultural figure Mustafa Monowar. In a condolence message on Monday, the Prime Minister said Monowar’s passing created a profound void in the nation’s art and cultural sphere that cannot be easily filled. He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extended sympathy to the bereaved family.

Mustafa Monowar, aged 90, passed away on Monday morning while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka. Widely respected for his contributions to painting, puppetry, children’s programs, and cultural development, he was recognized as one of Bangladesh’s most revered cultural personalities. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to art and culture, he received the Ekushey Padak in 2004.

Born on September 1, 1935, in Nakol village of Magura district, Monowar hailed from Manoharpur village in Shailkupa upazila of Jhenaidah. He was the son of noted poet Golam Mostafa.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced a proposal to raise the personal income tax-free limit to 400,000 taka as part of the 2026–27 national budget. Speaking in parliament on Monday, he said the government aims to make the tax system more transparent and modern. The proposal includes gradual increases in the exemption threshold over several fiscal years, reaching 450,000 taka in 2028–29 and 2029–30, and 500,000 taka in 2030–31.

The prime minister noted that the government intends to ease the tax burden on individual taxpayers and provide some relief. He also mentioned that while such demands usually come from the opposition, he expressed a willingness to engage with them in spirit. The proposal was presented as part of broader budgetary measures, including a reduction in value-added tax (VAT) on certain items.

The announcement reflects the government’s stated goal of reforming the tax system to enhance fairness and efficiency, with the finance minister expected to consider the proposed adjustments in the upcoming fiscal framework.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, met with Oman’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abdul Aziz Al-Hinai in Muscat to discuss the management of the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting focused on cooperation within the framework of Article 5 of the ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ and the sovereign rights of coastal states.

According to Gharibabadi’s post on social media platform X, the discussions addressed the removal of technical and military obstacles and the deactivation of mines within 30 days, as outlined in the memorandum. The memorandum also calls for Iran to engage with other Persian Gulf coastal states, in coordination with Oman, to determine future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz.

The talks are intended to align with applicable international law and respect the sovereign rights of the coastal states bordering the strategic waterway.

China has added 20 Japanese companies to its export control blacklist, aiming to halt the export of dual-use goods that can serve both military and civilian purposes. The announcement came from China’s Ministry of Commerce on Monday, according to AFP. Among the listed entities is Japan’s National Institute for Defense Studies.

In its statement, the ministry said the decision was made to protect national security and interests, prevent weapons proliferation, and fulfill international obligations. China believes these Japanese firms have contributed to strengthening Japan’s military capabilities, prompting their inclusion on the list.

The move underscores China’s growing emphasis on export controls related to defense-linked technologies and reflects ongoing sensitivities in regional security and trade relations between China and Japan.

An 18-year-old HSC examinee named Akhtaruzzaman died after falling from the rooftop of a building in Rajshahi city. The incident occurred late Sunday night in the Rajpara police station area when he went to the roof due to a power outage. According to local and police sources, he was likely talking on his mobile phone when he accidentally fell into the gap between two buildings. He was seriously injured and taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Akhtaruzzaman was a student of Masjid Mission School and College in Rajshahi. His family rented the ground floor of a three-story house owned by Aminul Islam in the Rajpara area. His mother had been away from home for the past few days. Police said the body is currently kept at the hospital morgue, and legal procedures are underway. The body will be handed over to the family after an autopsy.

Authorities have not yet provided further details about the investigation or possible safety measures following the incident.

Lionel Messi continues to rewrite football history in his sixth World Cup appearance. By the end of the 2026 tournament’s group stage, the Argentine captain had scored six goals, surpassing or equaling the total goals of 30 participating nations. His tally includes a hat-trick against Algeria, two goals versus Austria, and a free-kick strike after coming on as a substitute against Jordan.

Messi’s performance has set a new record for scoring in seven consecutive World Cup matches, breaking the previous joint record held by France’s Just Fontaine and Brazil’s Jairzinho. Out of Argentina’s eight goals in the group stage, six came from Messi. Statistical data show that only 17 teams, excluding Argentina, have scored more than him so far, while Panama remains goalless.

With Messi leading the Golden Boot race, Argentina now looks ahead to the knockout stage. Maintaining his current form could strengthen both his personal record and Argentina’s hopes of defending their World Cup title.

A rare celestial lightning event known as 'Red Sprites' has recently drawn global attention after being captured over the skies of Omarama Clay Cliffs in New Zealand. Photographers Tom Rae from New Zealand and Dan Zafra and Jose Cantabrana from Spain recorded the phenomenon while photographing the Milky Way. The red lightning appeared to shoot upward from storm clouds toward space, lasting only a millisecond, making it nearly invisible to the naked eye. The event produced one of the most striking images combining the Milky Way and Red Sprites in a single frame.

Scientists describe Red Sprites as intense electrical discharges occurring in the upper atmosphere, triggered by positive charges during thunderstorms. The phenomenon, first photographed in 1989, has since been observed from the International Space Station, where astronaut Nicole Ayers captured a massive Red Sprite over North America. NASA has recognized similar images from Italy as its Astronomy Picture of the Day.

NASA’s ongoing 'Spritacular' project is collecting global images and data on Red Sprites to study their effects on the ozone layer and disruptions in aviation and submarine radio communications.

Germany is facing a growing demographic and political divide as population decline accelerates in its eastern states. In towns like Oschersleben in Saxony-Anhalt, the population has fallen by up to 26 percent, driven by youth migration and low birth rates. Official data show that while Germany’s overall population has grown slightly due to immigration, eastern regions continue to lose residents, leaving aging communities and empty schools. Researchers warn that by 2070, the national population could shrink significantly, with the east most affected.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is gaining support in these depopulated areas, where many feel neglected by the political system. The party, labeled extremist by intelligence agencies, could form its first state government in Saxony-Anhalt after upcoming elections. Sociologists link AfD’s rise to economic stagnation and resentment toward immigration, even though migration could help offset labor shortages.

Experts caution that declining birth rates and youth outmigration threaten Germany’s workforce and social balance. Some see limited benefits, such as cheaper housing, but most agree the demographic crisis poses long-term economic and political risks.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has introduced artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled cameras at key city intersections to improve traffic management. The system, operational since mid-2026, automatically detects traffic violations such as signal breaches, wrong-way driving, and illegal parking. A total of 110 pan-tilt-zoom cameras are currently in use, capable of 360-degree rotation and license plate recognition. Within the first month of operation, hundreds of violations were identified, leading to 689 cases, mostly against buses for obstruction and lane violations.

Officials note that the technology is fostering behavioral change among drivers, who now tend to stop before zebra crossings and avoid signal violations. The automated detection process, followed by official verification, has reduced human error and bias, increasing transparency in enforcement. The system also provides a data-driven basis for decision-making in traffic management.

Challenges remain in identifying unregistered or partially obscured vehicles, particularly battery-powered rickshaws and easy bikes. Sustaining the system’s effectiveness will require regular maintenance, skilled personnel, and data security. DMP plans to expand the network to 500 cameras citywide, aiming to enhance traffic flow analysis and support Dhaka’s transition toward a smart city.

Veon Chairman Augie Fabela paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the National Parliament Building on Monday morning, June 29, 2026. The meeting was attended by Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam, the Prime Minister’s adviser on related affairs Rehan Asif Asad, Veon board member Michelle Sweeting, and Banglalink CEO Joahan Hendrik Martinas Busse.

Discussions focused on making digital services more accessible across Bangladesh. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged Banglalink to take initiatives to deliver smartphones to consumers at more affordable prices so that people from all walks of life can access smart devices. He also called for consideration of further reducing internet costs to enhance connectivity and inclusion.

The meeting underscored the government’s emphasis on expanding digital access and affordability, aligning with broader national goals for digital transformation and inclusive technology growth.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir informed the National Parliament that nearly Tk 20 crore has been allocated for constituencies represented by opposition lawmakers. The announcement was made on Monday during a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The minister stated that the allocation, excluding city corporation areas, was granted from the Prime Minister’s discretionary fund for mosques, graveyards, and Eidgah grounds.

When opposition members raised remarks, Mirza Fakhrul clarified that the allocation was made through district councils and that city corporations would be included later. Following his statement, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed noted that during his long parliamentary career, including his time as an opposition member, he had never received such allocations. He reflected on his past experiences and expressed appreciation to the opposition leader for highlighting national issues during the budget discussion.

The Speaker also mentioned that the opposition leader had raised problems in Bhola district and expressed hope that the Prime Minister and Finance Minister would consider the issues fairly.