Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has rejected a foreign travel proposal by Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Md. Mahfuzur Rahman, who sought to visit France to gain experience on new energy-efficient street lighting technologies. However, the Prime Minister approved the proposal of Executive Engineer (Electricity) A.B.M. Asaduzzaman Sweet for the same purpose. The decision came after reviewing a summary sent by the Local Government Division on Monday.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the visit was proposed under an invitation from Signify Bangladesh Limited to observe the Outdoor Lighting Application Center in France. The Prime Minister stated that technical knowledge from such visits should come from engineers who can apply it to city projects, noting that the administrator is not an engineer. She also advised involving BUET and other engineering universities in future innovative projects.

Sources said the Prime Minister prioritizes engaging relevant experts in state development activities and opposes unnecessary foreign trips that waste public funds. A similar proposal from Chattogram City Corporation officials for a U.S. trip on mosquito control was previously rejected.

Bangladesh’s Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud has directed the preparation of a working paper to make the existing power system safer, smarter, and more modern as the country prepares to enter the nuclear electricity era. The instruction came during a review meeting held Monday morning at the ministry with chairmen and managing directors of transmission and distribution agencies. The meeting discussed the nation’s current power transmission and distribution capacity, weaknesses, and the challenges of launching a nuclear power system.

The minister emphasized identifying potential challenges early and taking immediate steps to address them. He highlighted the importance of establishing a National Research Center to ensure safety and technical readiness before nuclear power generation begins. The Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) was tasked with conducting studies and preparing a concept paper, which will later be reviewed by foreign consultants experienced in nuclear power. Based on their advice, necessary upgrades to the transmission and distribution systems will be completed before nuclear power integration.

The minister also noted that unnecessary projects in the power sector have been identified and will be investigated, urging all stakeholders to work together for national development.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the water treatment plant project under implementation in Narayanganj is progressing rapidly and will be fully completed within one year. Once operational, the project will enable the supply of 5 billion liters of safe water daily to Dhaka city. He made the remarks after visiting the Dhaka Environmentally Sustainable Water Supply Project (DESWSP) site in Gandharbpur, Rupganj, Narayanganj.

According to the minister, about 97 percent of the main treatment plant and related infrastructure has already been completed. The project, costing around Tk 10,000 crore, aims to significantly reduce Dhaka’s dependence on groundwater. He added that after the first phase, another project is planned to supply an additional 5 billion liters of water daily, bringing the total to 10 billion liters of surface water per day.

Project officials stated that approximately 4.3 million people will directly benefit from the initiative, which will also help mitigate pollution risks from the Shitalakkhya River and ensure long-term, environmentally sustainable water management for Dhaka.

An oil tanker caught fire near the coast of Oman, according to India's maritime authorities. The vessel, named 'Marivex' and registered under the Madagascar flag, had 24 Indian sailors on board, all of whom are reported safe. The incident was confirmed by Opesh Kumar Sharma, Director of India's Central Ministry of Ports and Shipping, during a press briefing.

Sharma stated that the ship was not carrying any cargo or oil at the time of the fire. Indian authorities, including the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, the Indian Navy, and the Ministry of Defence, are coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of the crew. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and relevant agencies are investigating the incident.

The event underscores ongoing maritime safety challenges in the region, though officials emphasized that no casualties or environmental risks have been reported so far.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has withdrawn the floor prices for Beximco and Islami Bank shares, according to an order signed by BSEC Chairman Masud Khan on Monday. The decision will take effect from Tuesday, and both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) have been instructed to implement the directive. Following the withdrawal, the share prices of the two companies will now be determined by market forces.

This move comes on the fifth day of Masud Khan’s tenure as BSEC chairman. After his appointment on June 4, he had announced plans to remove floor prices for listed companies and stated that such measures would not be imposed again in the future. Floor prices had previously been used to artificially maintain share values, with Beximco’s floor set at 100.10 taka and Islami Bank’s at 32.60 taka.

The BSEC stated that the decision aims to support capital market development and protect investor interests. It also reaffirmed that all listed securities will now follow the circuit breaker limits set by the June 17, 2021 directive, allowing daily price movements of up to 10 percent.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostakur Rahman has emphasized the need to keep the country’s banking sector free from political influence. Speaking on Monday at the central bank’s headquarters during a courtesy meeting with editors of national newspapers, he said that ensuring professionalism, accountability, and good governance in bank management and loan distribution is the main goal of current reform efforts. Deputy governors of Bangladesh Bank were also present at the meeting.

During the discussion, the central bank presented its ongoing initiatives to reduce non-performing loans, strengthen weak banks, advance digital transformation, and maintain financial stability. The governor stated that the restructuring and merger process of weak banks is underway, with administrative and managerial changes already implemented. He added that the process will accelerate once improvements to core banking systems are completed.

Rahman further noted that amendments to the Money Loan Court Act are being pursued to expedite loan default cases, and a new law is being drafted to manage uncollectible loans. He also mentioned that assets worth 25 million dollars have been seized in the United Kingdom and efforts are ongoing to repatriate the funds.

Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) members have been deployed alongside Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in the Sylhet border areas to enhance national sovereignty, strengthen border security, and prevent cross-border crimes. The deployment was confirmed on Monday, June 8, 2026, by Md. Ashikuzzaman, Deputy Director (Public Relations) of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP.

According to the official, the collaboration follows a memorandum of understanding signed between BGB and Ansar-VDP in 2025. The joint initiative aims to make border management more coordinated and effective. Ansar-VDP members are working in alignment with BGB to meet state security needs and respond to emerging situations.

Authorities have also kept Ansar battalion members on alert to provide additional manpower if required. The integration of Ansar-VDP into border operations is expected to reinforce the national security framework, enhance surveillance, and ensure the safety of local residents through a more sustainable and coordinated security system.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has declared that Israel’s current regime is nearing its end, describing it as a fragile Zionist system whose days are numbered. His statement, released on Monday, comes amid heightened military tensions between Iran and Israel across the Middle East.

The remarks followed a series of attacks and counterattacks between the two countries. After Israeli airstrikes targeted southern Beirut in Lebanon, Tehran launched multiple missiles toward northern Israel on Sunday night. In response, Israel’s military carried out air and missile strikes on several military sites in western and central Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran, Isfahan, and Tabriz.

Analysts cited in the report said Khamenei’s comments reflect Iran’s uncompromising stance against Israel and suggest that the ongoing conflict could become more prolonged and complex if the current escalation continues.

Residents of Jamalpur’s Bakshiganj and Dewanganj border areas have joined the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in round-the-clock patrols to prevent illegal cross-border push-ins. The joint effort began on Sunday night as part of heightened surveillance following reports that India’s Border Security Force (BSF) had been attempting to send people across the border into Bangladesh. Local volunteers, including village police and Ansar members, have been participating in the patrols with sticks and other tools.

According to local sources, the initiative has brought some relief to the area but also left residents anxious about potential border tensions. Under the leadership of Par Ramrampur Union Chairman J.K. Selim Mia, public announcements were made through mosque loudspeakers to raise awareness and encourage community participation. BGB’s 35th Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Hasanur Rahman confirmed that locals are cooperating closely with the force to strengthen border security.

The collaboration between BGB and residents aims to ensure national security and prevent any illegal infiltration or disorder along the Jamalpur frontier.

Independent Member of Parliament Rumin Farhana alleged that around 8 billion US dollars are being laundered abroad each year under the guise of import and export transactions. She made the allegation on Monday during a supplementary question to the Commerce Minister in the National Parliament session, asking what steps the ministry could take to prevent such illicit transfers and whether any government initiatives were underway.

In response, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that identifying specific products involved in money laundering within Bangladesh’s approximately 130 billion dollar trade economy is a complex matter. He described the alleged 8 billion dollar figure as a perceived amount and noted that many imports are subject to tariffs and pre-shipment inspection clauses. The minister emphasized that any weaknesses allowing excessive laundering would require detailed study and research.

He added that the government remains aware of the issue and is conducting studies. If any concrete evidence of laundering emerges, the ministry will take appropriate action.

The European Union has imposed sanctions on a unit of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and two Iranian citizens, accusing them of obstructing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The EU stated that the decision was taken because commercial shipping in this vital waterway, through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, has been threatened.

According to the EU, this is the first time it has used new powers to sanction Iran over restrictions on maritime freedom. The sanctions list includes the IRGC Navy’s Hormozgan provincial command, as well as two individuals—Mohammad Akbarzadeh, identified as the IRGC Navy’s deputy commander for political affairs, and Hamid Hosseini, a representative of Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union.

The EU’s move underscores growing concern over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global trade route, though further details on the sanctions’ scope or enforcement were not disclosed.

Bangladesh and Mauritius have agreed to reopen the Mauritian labor market for Bangladeshi workers, which had been closed for some time. The two countries reached this understanding to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on manpower export soon. According to a press release issued on Monday by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, a draft of the MoU will be sent to the Bangladesh government shortly.

The decision came after a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh’s Minister of Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, and Mauritius’s Minister of Labour, Muhammad Reza Kassam Utim. The meeting took place at the United Nations office in Geneva on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference 2026. Discussions covered the current status of Bangladeshi workers in Mauritius, reopening of the market, and future cooperation.

During the meeting, Bangladesh highlighted its capacity to supply skilled professionals across various sectors, while Mauritius expressed strong interest in hiring Bangladeshi workers, particularly for its one-stop textile industry.

At least 11 migrants drowned during a rescue operation in international waters off Malta’s coast, according to Maltese authorities. The Armed Forces of Malta reported that the incident occurred on Sunday evening after a fishing vessel alerted them to a migrant boat in distress about 50 nautical miles east of Malta. The location was outside Malta’s territorial waters. A total of 53 people were rescued alive.

The Malta Rescue Coordination Centre directed the fishing vessel and nearby ships to assist in the rescue. Several migrants fell into the sea while attempting to board the fishing vessel. Italy’s coast guard later recovered the bodies of the 11 victims. Italian authorities said the migrant boat had departed from Libya.

Malta’s Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, Glenn Bedingfield, described the loss of life as tragic and called for stronger European action against human traffickers and a coordinated Mediterranean migration policy to prevent future tragedies.

The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has formally requested permission from the Prime Minister to keep all shops, markets, and shopping malls open until 10 p.m. nationwide. The association submitted its appeal on Sunday, citing that the current operating hours are negatively affecting retail trade, employment, and overall economic activity. Association president Nazmul Hasan Mahmud confirmed the submission of the appeal.

According to the association, the retail sector is a vital part of the national economy, supporting around seven million shop owners, employees, and their families. Rising costs for rent, electricity, bank loan repayments, and wages have increased financial pressure on entrepreneurs. Many customers prefer shopping in the evening due to work schedules, but early closing hours are reducing potential sales.

The association argued that extending business hours until 10 p.m. would boost sales, protect jobs, and enhance economic momentum, potentially increasing government revenue. The government had earlier reinstated a 7 p.m. closing time from June 1 to conserve electricity, with a temporary extension during Eid-ul-Azha. No final government decision on the new request has yet been announced.

Hafizur Rahman, a suspect in the murder case of Cumilla Victoria College student Sohagi Jahan Tonu, was produced before the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court in Cumilla on Monday afternoon. After the court appearance, he was sent back to prison, confirmed Cumilla Court Police Inspector Mohammad Mamunur Rashid.

Earlier, on April 22, police from the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) arrested Hafizur Rahman from his residence in Keraniganj, Dhaka, as a suspect in the case. He was then presented before the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Mominul Haque in Cumilla, where the investigating officer sought a seven-day remand. The court granted a three-day remand instead.

Following the remand hearing on April 25, the court ordered Hafizur Rahman to be sent to jail. According to PBI Inspector Tarikul Islam, he was brought to court on Monday as part of his routine appearance related to the ongoing case proceedings.