A team from Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-9) CPC-3, based at Shayestaganj Camp, conducted a late-night operation on the Dhaka–Sylhet Highway near the Rustumpur Toll Plaza in Nabiganj, Habiganj. Acting on a tip-off, the raid took place early Tuesday, leading to the recovery of 58 kilograms of cannabis packed in five sacks from a blue covered van. Two individuals, Ruhul Amin, aged 34, and Majedur Rahman, aged 41, were arrested during the operation.

According to a press release from RAB-9’s media officer, the team had received intelligence that a group of drug traffickers was transporting cannabis from Madhabpur toward Sylhet. The suspects attempted to flee when signaled to stop but were detained. Following their confession, the narcotics were recovered from the van. Both detainees, along with the seized vehicle and drugs, were handed over to Nabiganj Police Station.

A case has been filed under relevant narcotics laws at Nabiganj Police Station, and further legal proceedings are underway.

Ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit West Bengal and attend the main event on Kolkata’s Red Road. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari and other political figures are also expected to join. Authorities have begun extensive preparations, including a week-long traffic ban on Red Road from June 14 to 21 due to stage construction and security arrangements.

The decision has drawn criticism from sections of the Muslim community, who questioned why Eid prayers were not allowed on Red Road while permission was granted for the Yoga Day event. Several imams and religious leaders publicly voiced objections. Responding to the controversy, BJP leader and state minister Dilip Ghosh defended the restrictions, citing security concerns during the Prime Minister’s visit. He added that the event was planned to minimize public inconvenience.

Ghosh’s remarks turned contentious when he said that those objecting to the decision should go to Bangladesh or Pakistan to offer prayers, asserting that such practices would not continue under the current government.

A colorful rally and fan gathering took place in Dumki, Patuakhali, featuring a 500-foot-long Argentine flag to mark the FIFA World Cup. The event was held on Tuesday afternoon and reportedly drew around a thousand Argentina football supporters. Starting from the Government Janata College field, the procession paraded through key roads in Dumki town before returning to its starting point. The use of colorful fire smoke created a festive atmosphere throughout the area.

The rally was organized by the Dumki Upazila Argentina Football Supporters’ Group, with enthusiastic participation from people of various professions. Participants carried small and large Argentine flags, blew vuvuzelas, and some wore Bangladeshi flags on their heads. Government Janata College teacher Asaduzzaman described the large-scale participation as unprecedented in Dumki’s history, saying sports foster harmony and friendship. Organizer Sajjadul Islam Durjoy expressed confidence in Argentina’s strength this year, while Aminul Islam noted the massive turnout as proof of Argentina’s popularity in Bangladesh.

The event highlighted the strong football culture in Dumki and the deep enthusiasm of local fans for Argentina ahead of the global tournament.

A banned rally by leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations took place in Sylhet on Tuesday morning, despite restrictions on their activities. The event occurred in front of the Power Development Board (PDB) office on Nawab Road in the Sheikhghat area. Around 40 to 50 participants reportedly joined the rally, identified as followers of fugitive district Awami League general secretary and former district council chairman Nasir Khan. Police later detained four individuals in connection with the incident.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) Manjurul Alam confirmed the arrests, naming the detainees as Ibrahim Mostafa Mahi, Saniad Ahmed, Redwan Ahmed Rabbi, and Ashraful Ahmed Shafi. Witnesses said the group briefly gathered in front of the PDB office, chanting slogans before moving forward. A video circulating on Facebook showed the rally passing by a police vehicle while continuing slogans. The detained individuals have been sent to court, according to police.

Authorities have not provided further details on possible charges or future actions regarding the banned political activities in the area.

France will begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Senegal in Group I at East Rutherford, with kickoff scheduled for 1 a.m. Bangladesh time. Didier Deschamps’ team enters the tournament as one of the top favorites, aiming to reclaim the title after the disappointment of 2022. The match rekindles memories of Senegal’s historic 1–0 victory over France in 2002, a result that symbolized the rise of African football.

France, the 2018 world champions, qualified comfortably for their eighth consecutive World Cup, losing only two points in the qualifiers. Deschamps, who will step down after the tournament with Zinedine Zidane expected to succeed him, has already guided France to 14 World Cup wins. Senegal, unbeaten in qualifying, are appearing in their third straight World Cup under coach Pape Thiaw, a member of the 2002 squad. Both teams report mostly fit squads, with France’s William Saliba and Jules Koundé returning from injury and Senegal’s key players largely available.

The match also features a duel between star forwards Kylian Mbappé and Sadio Mané. Mbappé is one goal away from equaling Olivier Giroud’s national scoring record, while Mané returns fully fit after missing the 2022 tournament.

Police in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, detained a young man on Tuesday evening for allegedly chanting 'Joy Bangla' near the venue prepared for BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s upcoming event. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. at the mini stadium adjacent to Victoria High School field. The detainee, identified as Sohel Rana, 30, is a resident of Matiganj area and son of the late Fayzur Rahman.

According to local sources, preparations were underway for Tarique Rahman’s visit scheduled for Wednesday. During the preparations, Sohel Rana suddenly began chanting the slogan, which led to tension among those present and resulted in him being beaten by locals. Police arrived promptly, brought the situation under control, and took the injured man to the police station.

Sub-inspector Harun of Sreemangal Police Station said the youth appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Attempts to reach the officer-in-charge for further comment were unsuccessful. Tarique Rahman is expected to visit Sreemangal to attend a family card distribution program, for which extensive preparations are ongoing.

An assistant town sub-inspector named Nurul Islam was killed after being hit by a truck while on duty on the Jamuna Bridge West Link Highway in Sirajganj Sadar upazila. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, near the Saidabad Railway Station area. Police have detained the truck driver, Habibur Rahman, in connection with the accident.

According to police sources, Nurul Islam was performing his duty beside the highway when a Dhaka-bound truck, moving recklessly in the wrong lane while overtaking, ran him over. He died on the spot. Officer-in-Charge Amirul Islam of Jamuna Bridge West Police Station confirmed the death and said legal proceedings are underway. The body of the deceased officer will be handed over to his family after a post-mortem examination.

Authorities have initiated legal action against the detained driver, and the investigation process is ongoing.

Afroza Abbas, president of the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, has been appointed as the new chairperson of the National Women’s Organization. The appointment was announced through a notification issued on Tuesday by the Contract and Foreign Recruitment Branch of the Ministry of Public Administration. The appointment was made under sections 8(1) and 8(2) of the National Women’s Organization Act, 1991, and will take effect from the date she assumes office.

According to the notification, Afroza Abbas will serve a two-year term as chairperson. However, the government retains the authority to terminate her appointment at any time before the end of the term if deemed necessary. She may also resign from the position by submitting a signed letter to the government. The appointment will be honorary, meaning she will not receive any remuneration for her service.

The notice further clarifies that the appointment follows the legal framework governing the organization’s leadership structure.

The Bangladesh Air Force will conduct aerial seedball dispersal using helicopters as part of the Tree Plantation Program 2026. The initiative, announced by the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) on Tuesday, aims to plant seeds across various regions of the country. The program follows the nationwide ‘25 Crore Trees in 5 Years’ campaign inaugurated by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on June 13.

According to ISPR, the Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan, inaugurated the program by planting saplings at the Air Force Headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment. The Air Force will plant fruit-bearing, forest, and medicinal trees under this initiative. The aerial seedball dispersal will target coastal and remote hilly areas, including parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, to promote reforestation and environmental balance.

ISPR noted that similar aerial seedball operations had been carried out previously in remote coastal regions, demonstrating the Air Force’s continued commitment to national afforestation efforts.

Crude oil prices in the international market have fallen to their lowest level in three months. The decline followed a preliminary understanding between the United States and Iran and optimism over the reopening of the vital Hormuz Strait. On Tuesday, Brent crude dropped by 2.02 dollars or 2.4 percent to 81.15 dollars per barrel, briefly touching 80.89 dollars, the lowest since March 4. Meanwhile, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell by 2.22 dollars or 2.8 percent to 78.53 dollars per barrel, reaching as low as 78.27 dollars, the lowest since March 10.

Market analysts attributed the price drop to expectations that shipping and oil supply through the Hormuz Strait would remain stable following the US-Iran understanding. This reduced global energy supply concerns and exerted downward pressure on prices. Earlier, oil prices had already fallen sharply after US President Donald Trump announced an interim agreement aimed at easing tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

The easing of geopolitical tensions and improved supply outlook may keep oil prices under pressure in the short term, according to the market trend described in the report.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has described Iran as a symbol of pride and dignity, expressing deep gratitude toward the country. In a message sent to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Tehran, Qassem credited Iran’s diplomatic efforts and negotiations for compelling Israel to halt military operations across several fronts, including Lebanon. He claimed this outcome represented the first and fundamental condition of an understanding between Iran and the United States.

Qassem stated that Iran has consistently supported Hezbollah, the resistance movement, and the Lebanese people without seeking anything in return. He said Iran granted them independence in decision-making, strength to liberate land, and assistance in rebuilding society and helping citizens. He further noted that Iran is currently making sacrifices, responding to bombings in southern Beirut with counterattacks against the Zionist entity, and facing the consequences of war threats.

He concluded his message by reaffirming that Iran stands as a symbol of pride and dignity.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday called for a change in the nation’s culture of revenge, urging citizens to focus on contributing positively to the country. Speaking at a meeting with journalists covering the BNP beat at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, he said success should follow a mindset of working for the nation rather than retaliation. He emphasized that the government seeks to ensure media freedom and welcomes constructive criticism.

The prime minister recalled that June 16 marks Bangladesh’s Press Black Day, commemorating the 1975 closure of all newspapers except four under the then BAKSAL government. He credited former president Ziaur Rahman for restoring multiparty democracy and lifting restrictions on the press. Seeking cooperation from journalists, he said the government alone cannot achieve progress without their support.

Highlighting challenges facing youth, he identified drug abuse as a major concern and urged alternative solutions beyond enforcement. He underscored the importance of sports, culture, and science fairs to channel young people’s energy positively and called for stronger moral and social education to counter moral decline.

Lebanon’s health authorities have reported that 3,826 people have been killed and 11,851 injured in Israeli attacks since March 2. The updated figures were released recently by the Lebanese health department, which confirmed that the ongoing conflict has caused severe civilian casualties across the country.

Among the dead are hundreds of women and children, as well as emergency medical workers, paramedics, and first responders engaged in rescue operations. The health department’s report highlights the heavy toll on both civilians and humanitarian personnel.

The attacks have also triggered a major humanitarian crisis in southern Lebanon, where more than one million people have been forced to flee their homes due to Israeli military operations. The situation continues to deteriorate as displacement and infrastructure damage worsen across the affected regions.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sent necessary documents to the Ministry of Home Affairs to facilitate the repatriation of former Bangladesh Police Inspector General Benazir Ahmed, who was arrested by Dubai Police on June 12. The ACC’s Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Akhtarul Islam confirmed the development on Tuesday, stating that the documents were prepared with assistance from two officials of the Police Headquarters’ National Central Bureau. The papers were forwarded to the Home Ministry and were expected to be sent to the United Arab Emirates government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the same day.

Following Benazir Ahmed’s arrest, the ACC initiated the process to bring him back to Bangladesh. He faces six cases involving allegations of illegal wealth accumulation, money laundering, and passport forgery. A charge sheet has already been submitted in one case related to unexplained wealth. The ACC compiled evidence and legal documents into a formal request to support the extradition process.

Government sources indicated that although Bangladesh has 30 days to send an official extradition request, authorities acted swiftly to expedite the process without waiting for the full period.

A court in Netrokona on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, ordered Jamaat leader Nazrul Islam, aged 36, to be sent to jail in connection with an extortion case. Nazrul, son of Naib Uddin from Kaira village and general secretary of Ward 9 of Bangla Union Jamaat, appeared before the Netrokona Sadar Amli Court, where the judge issued the order. The case was filed by businessman Md. Rubel Rana, 39, who alleged that Nazrul and others had been demanding Tk 20 lakh from him for a long time.

According to the complaint, on July 7, 2025, Rubel Rana was intercepted on Azhar Road by a group led by Nazrul Islam, who allegedly took him to Moktarpara field and demanded the money. When he refused, he was threatened with death, and Tk 20,000 was taken from his pocket. The next day, Nazrul allegedly threatened Rubel’s manager over the phone. CCTV footage reportedly captured parts of the incident. Rubel runs a sand, stone, and coal business named Messrs Sandhi Traders in Netrokona.

The case also names four other accused, including A. Hekim from the same area. The court’s order was confirmed by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Saiful Islam Pradip.