The 86th meeting of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) Board of Directors was held at the agency’s Rajshahi office on Sunday at 11 a.m. The meeting was chaired by BMDA Chairman Agriculturist Hasan Zafir Tuhin and attended by senior officials from the Cabinet Division, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, district administrators, police officials, and BMDA engineers and executives.

Discussions focused on ongoing and proposed development projects, modernization of irrigation systems, increasing agricultural production, and initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of farmers in northern Bangladesh. The board also made several decisions on development-related matters.

Members expressed confidence in the current leadership of BMDA and voiced optimism that under capable and visionary guidance, the authority would continue to play an important role in advancing agriculture, water resource management, and the living standards of farmers in the region.

Several activists of the Chhatra League were reportedly beaten after being caught stealing fish from a farm owned by a Chhatra Dal leader and freedom fighter in Gafargaon, Mymensingh. The incident occurred early Sunday at Sholposhapila village under Pagla Police Station. According to local reports, around 10 to 12 individuals, including Awami League leader Azizul Haque and Chhatra League leaders Nahid Hasan, Amit, and Zahid Hasan, were involved in the alleged theft. Members of the Chhatra Dal and freedom fighters apprehended them and administered a public beating.

During the confrontation, several villagers associated with the fish project were injured in an attack by armed Chhatra League members. In total, seven people from both sides were reported injured. Pagla Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam confirmed that a clash occurred over fish catching in the village but said he was unaware whether Awami League or Chhatra League members were involved.

Police are investigating the incident, though no further details about arrests or legal action were provided in the report.

As Bangladesh’s BNP government prepares to present its first national budget, the country’s aviation and tourism industries are urging the inclusion of a coherent policy framework beyond nominal allocations. Industry representatives argue that such a framework is essential to transform these strategically important sectors into drivers of economic growth.

Aviation leaders are calling for tax exemptions on jet fuel, aircraft leasing, and operations to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness, while tourism entrepreneurs demand implementation of the long-awaited National Tourism Master Plan, stronger institutional backing, and investment incentives. The upcoming 2026–27 budget is viewed as a test of the BNP’s election pledge to make Bangladesh a regional aviation hub and a globally competitive tourism destination by 2034.

Stakeholders emphasize that the budget’s significance lies not in allocation size but in whether it signals long-term policy commitment. Both sectors seek reforms, investment, and coordination to unlock their potential, with the aviation industry focusing on cost reduction and infrastructure readiness, and the tourism sector pressing for incentives, funding, and policy continuity.

An earthquake was felt in Dhaka and several parts of Bangladesh on Sunday, June 7, 2026, around 11:40 p.m. According to initial reports, no casualties or damage were immediately reported following the tremor. The Android Earthquake Alert System indicated that the quake originated near Punakha in Bhutan, approximately five kilometers away, with a magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale.

Preliminary information suggested that the earthquake was also felt in parts of Bhutan, India, and China. Authorities in the affected areas are monitoring the situation closely to assess any potential impact or aftershocks.

No further updates on damage or emergency measures were available at the time of reporting.

A businessman was shot and robbed of 17,000 US dollars in Dhaka’s Motijheel area on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. near Janata Bank adjacent to Shapla Chattar, when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on the victim, Lokman Hossain, and snatched his bag containing the money. He was critically injured and taken to Mugda Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Motijheel Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Kamruzzaman Talukder confirmed the incident, stating that the injured man was involved in the money exchange business. According to initial reports, Lokman sustained one bullet wound below his elbow and two below his knee. Bystanders rescued him and transported him to the hospital immediately after the attack.

Law enforcement authorities have launched an operation to identify and arrest those responsible for the shooting and robbery, according to police statements.

A dramatic incident occurred in Shyampur, Howrah, where angry villagers paraded local Trinamool leader Sannyasi Manna with a garland of shoes. The villagers accused him of taking money from residents in exchange for access to government benefits, including employment and housing schemes. The crowd also cut his hair and tied a rope around his waist before forcing him to walk through the village. The event caused widespread tension, and videos of the incident quickly spread on social media.

Sannyasi Manna, known as an influential figure in the Amardah Gram Panchayat area, admitted to taking money from some people but claimed it was for development work. He stated that he was willing to return the funds. Police arrived at the scene soon after the incident, brought the situation under control, and took Manna into custody for questioning.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the corruption allegations, the public outrage, and the breach of law and order surrounding the incident.

Bangladesh’s Industry Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir informed the National Parliament that fertilizer factories cannot operate because of a gas shortage. He made the statement on Sunday while responding to a question from Jamalpur-4 lawmaker Faridul Kabir Talukdar regarding the full-capacity operation of the Jamuna Fertilizer Factory. The minister said the factory is production-ready but cannot run without sufficient gas supply.

Muktadir added that the government is considering creating a separate gas network for fertilizer factories to address the issue. In response to another question from Jamalpur-3 lawmaker Mostafizur Rahman Babul, the minister reported that 12 state-owned industrial units are currently closed, and operations at six state-owned sugar mills have been suspended. He also stated that 43 industrial factories in five BSCIC industrial estates in Chattogram have shut down over the past 17 years.

The minister’s remarks highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring adequate gas supply for industrial production, which continues to affect fertilizer and other state-owned manufacturing sectors.

Police in Noakhali’s Sadar upazila have arrested 47 activists of banned student and youth wings following a sudden rally that led to clashes, vandalism, and tension in the area. The arrests were made over two days under the Anti-Terrorism Act, and the detainees have been sent to jail through court proceedings. District Police Superintendent T M Mosharraf Hossain confirmed the arrests and said legal processes are ongoing.

The incident began on Friday afternoon when members of the banned Noannoi Union units of Chhatra League and Jubo League organized a surprise march at Bandherhat Bazar. Police initially tried to stop the rally but failed to disperse it, according to local accounts. Subsequent clashes broke out between rival groups, resulting in damaged vehicles and heightened unrest.

Following the incident, Sudharam Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Touhidul Islam was reassigned to the police lines, which authorities described as a routine administrative transfer. Kamrul Islam has been appointed as the new officer-in-charge. Law enforcement operations continue in the area to maintain order.

Two young men died and two others were injured after falling from the roofs of moving trains in Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar. On Sunday afternoon, an unidentified man aged around 35 fell from the roof of the Chattogram-bound intercity Paharika Express near Dwarika Pal Mohila Degree College and died on the spot. Another man named Shamsu Mia, 30, was injured in the same incident. Both were initially reported to be from Rangpur district.

A day earlier, on Saturday afternoon, two others—Enamul Mia Fahim, 25, and Md. Siam, 18—were seriously injured after falling from the roof of the Jayantika Express at the same location. Fire service and railway police rescued them and took them to Sreemangal Upazila Health Complex. They were later transferred to Moulvibazar Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment, but Fahim’s condition worsened, and he died on the way to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital.

According to Sreemangal Railway Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jahangir Alam, the body from Sunday’s incident was recovered and brought to the railway station, but the victim’s identity has not yet been confirmed.

A new weekly injection called retatrutide has shown promising results in treating type-2 diabetes and obesity, according to a phase-3 clinical trial published in The Lancet. The study involved 930 adults with type-2 diabetes who had not previously taken diabetes medication. Over 40 weeks, participants receiving 4, 9, or 12 milligrams of retatrutide experienced significant reductions in blood sugar levels and body weight compared to those given a placebo.

Researchers found that retatrutide reduced HbA1c levels by 1.7 to 1.9 percentage points, while placebo recipients saw only a 0.8-point drop. Participants taking retatrutide lost 11.5% to 15.3% of their body weight, over four times greater than the placebo group. The drug mimics the combined effects of three gut hormones—GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon—enhancing both appetite control and energy expenditure. Improvements in cholesterol and blood pressure were also observed, though 14 participants experienced serious side effects, mostly mild to moderate digestive issues.

Experts described the findings as highly encouraging but cautioned that further trials are needed to compare retatrutide directly with existing treatments and to assess its long-term safety and nutritional impacts.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has strengthened surveillance along the Habiganj border to prevent illegal entry from India. According to the 55 BGB Battalion, the move follows concerns about possible forced crossings from India into Bangladesh. Enhanced patrols, intelligence operations, and coordination with local residents have been implemented across the 103-kilometer border area, including special night operations.

BGB officials stated that members are on high alert to stop any illegal infiltration or human trafficking attempts. Surveillance has been increased at key points, and intelligence monitoring of suspicious movements has been intensified. Local residents reported a visible rise in BGB patrols, both day and night, which they believe has improved overall border security.

Lieutenant Colonel Tanzilur Rahman, commanding officer of the 55 BGB Battalion, said there have been no push-ins through the Habiganj border in the past six months. He added that BGB continues to use night vision, thermal drones, and advanced technology to ensure border safety and protect national sovereignty.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed advised Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud to thoroughly study related matters before making any commitments in the National Parliament. The advice came on Sunday during a parliamentary session after the minister responded to a supplementary question from MP Rumin Farhana regarding gas supply to the Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory.

Rumin Farhana reminded the minister that he had earlier promised gas supply to the factory by May 1, but more than a month had passed without fulfillment. She also highlighted severe power shortages in rural areas, describing them as lasting 10 to 12 hours daily. In reply, the minister disagreed with her assessment, citing a gas shortage and the need to prioritize power plants. He said gas supply would resume once the situation improved and mentioned that drilling activities had recently begun after a long gap.

Following the exchange, the Speaker urged ministers to be more responsible when making parliamentary commitments, emphasizing the need for prior study of technical and logistical factors before giving assurances.

Local residents detained 45 people after members of the banned Chhatra League staged a 24-second flash procession on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Comilla’s Sadar Dakshin upazila on Sunday afternoon. Police later seized three microbuses and two buses used in the procession and confirmed that legal action was underway against those detained. The sudden rally took place near the Matiyara area on the Dhaka-bound lane of the highway.

Eyewitnesses said several vehicles carrying a large number of Chhatra League activists suddenly stopped, and participants briefly marched on the road before being chased by locals. Sources claimed the event was preplanned, initially intended for Nimsar in Burichong upazila but shifted to Matiyara at the last moment. Local residents and political activists intervened, capturing several participants before police arrived.

Comilla Sadar Dakshin Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Rakibul Islam said additional police forces were deployed in the area to maintain order and strengthen surveillance following the incident.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has expressed concern over the construction of a large Hindu religious complex in Palashbari, Gaibandha, and the participation of foreign diplomatic representatives in related religious events. In a joint statement issued on Sunday, the group’s Amir Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari and Secretary General Sajidur Rahman called for a transparent and impartial investigation to address public questions surrounding the matter.

The statement emphasized that Bangladesh is a sovereign state where citizens have constitutional rights to practice their religion freely. The leaders urged respect for all faiths and citizens’ rights, noting that the government must examine the funding sources, roles of involved individuals and institutions, and the frequent involvement of foreign diplomats in such activities.

Hefazat leaders further stated that any foreign-linked activities that could affect internal affairs or social balance should be carefully assessed. They urged relevant ministries, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement to review the issue professionally and transparently, ensuring that communal harmony and legitimate rights of any religious community are not undermined.

Member of Parliament for Noakhali-2, Zainul Abdin Faruk, has raised concerns over the uncontrolled spread of unverified content through YouTube and other online platforms. Speaking during the question-and-answer session of the national budget session on Sunday, he said that journalism cards are being distributed across almost all upazilas and even union levels, often to individuals without formal training or qualifications. He urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to investigate who is issuing these cards and to consider bringing such activities under a regulatory framework.

In response, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasir Khan Chowdhury told Parliament that the ministry is already working on issues of misinformation and disinformation. He said that a special team has been formed to monitor such activities and to take legal action against those involved. The minister assured that the team’s scope and detailed operations will soon be officially announced.

Both lawmakers emphasized that unregulated media practices could harm public trust in journalism and hinder democratic and developmental progress.