At least 25 people, including police officers and journalists, were injured in clashes between two groups of villagers in Maheshwardi village of Bhanga upazila, Faridpur, on Sunday morning. The violence erupted around 8 a.m. over an anti-drug rally, leading to vandalism of homes and shops. Police intervened to control the situation as the Bhanga-Faridpur-Barishal highway became severely congested, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded.

According to police and local sources, the conflict stemmed from a dispute over local dominance following an anti-drug meeting held at Kalam Kazi’s house on Friday. On Saturday evening, an attack on Delwar Mia’s home allegedly by supporters of Khokon Mia escalated tensions, culminating in armed clashes at Pukhuria bus stand the next morning. The violence spread to nearby villages, involving stone-throwing and property damage.

Three seriously injured individuals were admitted to Bhanga Upazila Health Complex. Police said they are working to restore order as investigations continue into the causes of the confrontation.

Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central president Nurul Islam Saddam said that a nation cannot be built through slogans, rallies, and meetings alone. He made the remarks on Sunday, June 28, at a daylong orientation program organized by the group at a university auditorium. Saddam emphasized that Bangladesh has immense potential but lacks necessary reforms in its education system to ensure employment opportunities for graduates.

He compared Bangladesh’s education system with those of developed countries, noting that their higher education is industry-oriented and departments are opened only after ensuring job opportunities through agreements with industries. He said this approach allows students to gain practical training and employable skills. Saddam also highlighted that Bangladesh’s economy depends heavily on remittances, much of which comes through informal channels, reducing government benefit.

He called for modern, skill-based education in universities, including training in AI, ChatGPT, Gemini, Python, and C++. He urged students to use their education for the welfare of family, society, and the nation, and to choose positive paths amid challenges in university life.

Bangladeshi director Mejbaur Rahman Sumon’s film 'Roid' has been selected for official review by the United States’ National Public Radio (NPR), marking the first time a Bangladeshi movie has achieved this recognition. The film’s North American distributor, Bioscope Films, confirmed that NPR, which operates across 1,000 stations nationwide, chose 'Roid' for its review segment after evaluating its content and background. The movie has already been released in multiple theaters across the United States and Canada as Bioscope Films’ 55th distribution.

According to the report, international broadcast exposure is considered crucial for films seeking nominations at major global events such as the Oscars and BAFTAs. Bioscope Films annually attempts to position one of its distributed films for Oscar consideration, following all required steps. The company’s head, Raj Hamid, described the NPR selection as a major success for Bangladeshi cinema, while director Sumon expressed joy that his work would be discussed on a national American platform.

'Roid' stars Mostafizur Noor Imran and Nazifa Tushi in lead roles, with veteran actor Gazi Rakayet in a key supporting role. The film was produced by Bongo and Facecard.

A schoolgirl was killed after being hit by a pickup truck on the Tangail-Jamalpur regional highway in Dhanbari upazila of Tangail. The accident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Sunday when the Dhaka-bound pickup, reportedly driven by a sleeping driver, ran over the student. The victim was identified as 17-year-old Mosha Sadia Bokul, daughter of Md. Abu Sayeed Bokul from Bakulbari in Dhanbari municipality. Police and fire service personnel recovered the body and handed it over to her family.

According to Dhanbari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Nurus Salam Siddique, the vehicle involved in the accident has been seized and brought to the station, while the driver remains at large. An unnatural death case has been filed in connection with the incident.

Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the driver as the investigation proceeds into the cause of the fatal crash.

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.