State Minister Zunaid Abdur Rahim Saki told Parliament on Sunday that taxes on grocery and kitchen markets will be determined rationally under the proposed 2026–27 national budget. He said the expansion of the tax net will be done carefully, with flat rates based on taxpayers’ capacity. Saki emphasized that the government aims to reassure citizens while ensuring fair revenue collection.

He announced that revenue policy formulation and collection will be separated, with an independent policy body formed outside the bureaucracy. The minister expressed confidence that strict anti-evasion measures and automation will help achieve the revenue target of Tk 6.95 trillion. He noted that Bangladesh’s budget size is about 13 percent of GDP, smaller than neighboring countries, and described the new budget as expansionary yet realistic, balancing development priorities with economic realities.

Saki said the government inherited a fragile economy but designed the budget to rebuild and ensure long-term prosperity. He added that automation programs have already begun in the National Board of Revenue and five other institutions to curb tax evasion and improve efficiency.

Bangladesh’s Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque informed Parliament that 8,486 teaching positions remain vacant in technical education institutions across the country. Out of 15,844 total posts, 7,074 teachers are currently employed. The minister said that requisitions for 2,204 vacant posts have already been sent to the Public Service Commission (PSC) for recruitment recommendations. The PSC has recommended 97 cadre and 349 non-cadre teachers under the 45th BCS, who will be appointed after police verification.

He added that promotions are also used to fill vacancies, but 4,131 promotable positions cannot be filled due to a lack of eligible personnel. The minister further announced that from the 2027 academic year, a new textbook titled “Technical Education” will be introduced for sixth-grade students in the general stream to enhance vocational awareness. Another book, “Learning with Happiness,” will also be launched to make learning more engaging and participatory.

The minister also discussed initiatives to address linguistic barriers among ethnic minority students through multilingual education programs and outlined government measures to resolve financial backlogs in teacher welfare and retirement funds.

Iraq has launched a major diplomatic initiative aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East and restoring regional stability. Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced that Iraq has proposed to mediate between the eight member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Iran to resolve existing disagreements. The move follows recent U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran and the closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which has severely affected Iraq’s economy.

According to reports, Hussein discussed the mediation proposal in detail with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused a sharp economic crisis in Iraq, as nearly 95 percent of its national revenue depends on oil exports transported through the waterway. Araghchi’s visit to Iraq also includes coordination for the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to be held in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.

The visit comes at a time when the U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding remains fragile. Tehran reiterated its demand that Washington fully comply with the agreement, particularly the clause calling for ceasefires and an end to hostilities across all fronts, while condemning repeated U.S. attacks on southern Iranian military bases and ports.

RAB-10 has arrested Faisal Sheikh, the main suspect in an attack on the Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate during an anti-drug operation in Daulatdia Puravita, Goaland upazila of Rajbari. The arrest was announced at a press conference held at the RAB-10 Faridpur office on Sunday morning, June 28, 2026. Faisal Sheikh, aged 30, was detained the previous evening in Noapara area of Fakirhat upazila, Bagerhat district, with assistance from RAB-6.

According to the briefing, the incident occurred on June 20, when a mobile court led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Muntasir Hasan Khan recovered heroin from Faisal Sheikh during a raid. As officials prepared to take legal action, Faisal’s associates attacked the team, obstructed government duties, and forcibly freed him from custody. A case was later filed under the Narcotics Control Act 2018 and several Penal Code sections.

RAB-10 intensified surveillance to locate the fugitive suspect and successfully captured him. He has been handed over to the relevant police station for further legal proceedings.

Md. Reza Hasan has been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Magistrate of Sylhet. He is currently serving as the Deputy Commissioner of Cumilla. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Sunday transferring him to Sylhet. The order was issued in the interest of public service.

According to the notification from the Field Administration-2 branch of the ministry, the appointment was made under the directive of the President. The order was signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Ismail Hossain and instructed to be implemented immediately.

In the same notification, Rojy Akter, a Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, was appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Cumilla.

A virtual policy dialogue titled “Budget Review for Sylhet’s Development: Prospects, Challenges and Way Forward” was held on Saturday, organized by the Sylhet Sustainable Development Research Firm (SSDRAF). The discussion focused on the national budget’s role in promoting sustainable development, infrastructure improvement, human resource growth, and economic progress in Sylhet. Key speakers included Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University, Dr. A. K. Enamul Haque, Director General of BIDS, and Dr. Shah Md. Atiqul Haque, Professor of Sociology at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST).

Organizers stated that the event aimed to generate evidence-based discussions and policy recommendations to ensure inclusive and sustainable development in Sylhet through effective resource allocation and long-term planning. Speakers emphasized prioritizing local realities, climate risks, regional disparities, and long-term strategies in development planning. They also highlighted the importance of education, innovation, agriculture, environmental conservation, tourism, and the commercial use of local resources.

During the question session, participants raised issues about innovation capacity, trade policy, and the potential of Sylhet’s natural products in international markets. The event was moderated by SUST professors Dr. Munshi Naser Ibn Afzal and Dr. Tasmina Chowdhury Tania.

In Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah, unidentified vandals cut down gourd and pumpkin plants on four bighas of farmland belonging to farmer Asadul Islam. The incident occurred late Saturday night in Boalia village, causing an estimated loss of five to six lakh taka. Asadul, who had borrowed money to cultivate the crops, discovered the destruction Sunday morning when he went to harvest vegetables.

According to local sources, the plants had recently begun producing gourds and pumpkins, and the farmer had been selling them daily to support his family. Witnesses said the vandals used sharp weapons to sever the plants at their bases, leaving the field devastated by morning.

Maheshpur Upazila Agriculture Officer Yasmin Sultana expressed anger and sorrow over the incident, confirming that an assistant agriculture officer was sent to the site. She assured that the affected farmer would receive legal assistance and priority for future government support. Local police described the act as punishable and said they would take legal action once a written complaint is filed.

Police in Melandah upazila of Jamalpur arrested a woman named Srabonti Akter on Sunday morning for allegedly killing her eight-month-old son by throwing him into a pond. The incident occurred in the Bhawki area, and police confirmed the arrest after locals reported the discovery of the child’s body floating in the water.

According to local sources, Srabonti married Humayun Ahmed of Jamalpur’s Kompupur area about two years ago. Their marriage had been troubled by allegations of Srabonti’s extramarital affair, leading to frequent disputes. On the morning of the incident, while her husband was asleep, she reportedly left home with the baby and later attempted to flee after abandoning the child in the pond. Locals became suspicious when she tried to hire an autorickshaw and detained her before informing police.

Melandah Police Station Officer-in-Charge Obaidur Rahman said Srabonti was taken into custody and the child’s body sent for autopsy. Legal proceedings are underway, and authorities are investigating to determine the full circumstances of the incident.

Switzerland has expressed strong interest in working with Bangladesh to develop a skilled and internationally competitive workforce. The announcement came after a courtesy meeting between Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury and Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli at the ministry on Sunday. The ambassador also assured continued cooperation in Bangladesh’s overall development and safe migration management.

During the meeting, Minister Chowdhury voiced concern over the ongoing instability in the Middle East, which has forced many Bangladeshi workers to return home. He emphasized the urgent need to ensure rehabilitation, employment, and social protection for these returnees. The minister highlighted that the Overseas Employment Platform has made migration management more modern and transparent, and he sought Swiss technical assistance to further enhance it through manpower demand management, medical center integration, job portal development, and a dedicated mobile app.

Chowdhury added that the government prioritizes safe workplaces, labor welfare, and skill development. He noted that Bangladeshi workers could contribute significantly to Swiss sectors such as healthcare, caregiving, IT, engineering, hospitality, and construction, and requested more scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students and researchers.

Pakistan is considering purchasing oil and gas from Iran at lower prices following the end of the Iran–United States conflict and the lifting of sanctions on Tehran. Energy Minister Ali Parvez Malik announced the plan on Sunday, noting that the government aims to take advantage of the new trade opportunities with Iran.

Speaking in Lahore, Malik recalled that during the peak of the Iran–US conflict in April, petroleum prices had reached 460 rupees per liter, but global prices have since declined significantly. On June 17, Washington and Tehran signed the ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ in Switzerland, mediated by Pakistan, under which the United States committed to lifting restrictions on Iran’s crude oil and petroleum exports, including related banking, insurance, and transport services.

Malik added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already passed on the benefits of lower energy costs to the public by reducing fuel prices.

Field workers of the private development organization Page Development Center in Habiganj have alleged that their jobs are not being regularized even after ten months unless they pay bribes to Area Manager Jahangir. The organization operates in 17 districts with more than 180 branches implementing various socio-economic programs. According to company policy, field workers should be regularized after six months of probation, but several former employees said they were forced to pay Tk 10,000 to secure permanent positions.

Former field workers Yasmin Akter, Mohammad Roman, and Rezuana Akter accused Jahangir and branch manager Abul Hasan of demanding bribes, verbal abuse, and harassment. Some alleged that Jahangir made inappropriate late-night video calls to female staff and threatened them if they did not respond. A loan recipient, Zahur Ali, also claimed Jahangir sought bribes for job placements through intermediaries.

Jahangir denied taking bribes, saying his strict behavior was due to the difficulty of loan recovery. Page’s director Mujibur Rahman confirmed receiving written complaints and announced a three-member committee to investigate the allegations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain under Iran’s exclusive control for the next 30 days. Speaking at a press conference in Baghdad, he said the waterway is currently under Iran’s full supervision and management, and its full use will begin once all obstacles are removed.

Araghchi stated that he had informed Iraq’s foreign minister about the outcomes of the war imposed on Iran and the progress of the memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the United States. He emphasized that the responsibility for the strait lies solely with the Islamic Republic of Iran, with no role for any other state or party.

He warned that any interference or unilateral action would worsen the situation and delay the reopening process of the strait. The statement was reported by Al Jazeera, highlighting Iran’s assertion of authority over a key maritime route.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku announced that one of the government’s key goals is to export livestock products after meeting domestic demand. He said this during a ceremony at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s Cargo Village on Sunday, marking Bangladesh’s first-ever export of hatching eggs to Nigeria. The minister emphasized that such exports will strengthen the national economy and accelerate overall development.

He noted that under the Prime Minister’s vision, every sector is being developed with an export-oriented approach, and the fisheries and livestock sector is gradually becoming a strong contributor to export diversification. The minister described the export as a milestone reflecting Bangladesh’s growing capacity and international recognition in livestock production.

According to the Department of Livestock Services, private company Kazi Farms Limited exported 10,440 Ross 308 Broiler parent hatching eggs worth 18,729 US dollars to Nigeria. Officials from the ministry, the department, and Kazi Farms attended the event, where it was stated that the department continues working to build an internationally competitive livestock sector.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called on the United States to ensure full compliance with the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries, including clauses related to Lebanon. Speaking on June 28, 2026, Araghchi urged Washington to compel Israel to stop its ongoing airstrikes in Lebanon, describing the attacks as continuing despite the agreement.

He stated that Israel had also accepted the memorandum and emphasized that the United States should fulfill its responsibilities to end the conflict. Araghchi further urged Washington to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied areas in Lebanon, noting that this was the first clause of the memorandum.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, reflect Iran’s position that the United States bears responsibility for enforcing the terms of the agreement to restore stability in Lebanon.

Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr. Md. Ziauddin visited the Karnaphuli Paper Mills Limited (KPM) in Kaptai, Rangamati on Sunday, June 28, 2026. During the visit, he inspected the aging and deteriorated facilities of the mill and sought suggestions from the mill authorities on how the large industrial complex could be reactivated and restored to operation. The commissioner toured various production units and offered key recommendations for improvement.

At the KPM guest house, the mill’s Managing Director, Shahid Ullah, presented an overview of the mill’s past and current conditions through a projector presentation. The visit was attended by Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Md. Alomgir Hossain, Kaptai Upazila Nirbahi Officer Raihanul Islam, and several senior KPM officials and local representatives.

Earlier in the day, Dr. Ziauddin was welcomed with flowers by local department heads upon his arrival in Kaptai and later visited the Raikhali Headman Office.