A teacher named Alamgir Hossain from Gopalnagar in Chauddagram, Comilla, has allegedly gone missing with a madrasa student for the second time, causing alarm in the area. The student’s mother filed a complaint on Saturday at the local police station, naming the teacher and three associates. According to the complaint, the 15-year-old ninth-grade student of Gopalnagar Mohila Alim Madrasa had been harassed and pressured with romantic proposals by Alamgir Hossain, a teacher from the madrasa’s Nurani section.

After the student’s mother reported the harassment to two other teachers, Alamgir allegedly abducted the girl on Thursday morning, forcing her into a CNG autorickshaw near the madrasa. Both have been missing since. Local sources said Alamgir had previously abducted the same student, but she was rescued by her family. A short video message later surfaced, reportedly sent by Alamgir to one of the girl’s relatives.

The madrasa’s acting principal said he had heard about the incident but was unaware of any previous case. Police stated that an investigation is underway and necessary action will be taken.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Maulana Zahirul Islam, elected from Chattogram-16 (Banshkhali), emphasized the importance of using modern technology in agriculture to make farmers more aware and skilled. He made the remarks on Saturday morning while addressing the 'Partner Field School Congress' as the chief guest at the Upazila Parishad auditorium in Banshkhali.

The congress was organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension under the 'Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship and Resilience in Bangladesh (PARTNER)' project for the fiscal year 2025–26. The event featured presentations on the project's activities, achievements, and future plans by Upazila Agriculture Officer Shyamal Chandra Sarkar. Special guest Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, a member of Chattogram South District BNP and former chairman, also spoke at the event.

Presided over by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Ruhul Amin, the congress was attended by agricultural officials, farmers, field school members, and local dignitaries. Speakers highlighted the need to expand technology use in farming to boost productivity and ensure sustainable agriculture.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Water Development Board has warned of short-term flooding in Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, and Rangpur as river levels continue to rise due to heavy rainfall. The situation may persist for up to five days, according to officials. Additional alerts have been issued for Kamalganj in Netrokona, Kanaighat and Fenchuganj in Sylhet, and Mongla in Bagerhat, where localized flooding could also occur.

The centre reported that water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers have increased over the past 24 hours and may continue to rise for the next three days, potentially crossing danger levels in parts of the four northern districts. Although most major rivers remain below danger levels, ongoing rainfall in Bangladesh and upstream regions of India, including Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, and Meghalaya, is contributing to the rise.

The forecast also indicates that the Surma and Kushiyara rivers may reach warning levels within three days, posing temporary inundation risks in low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj.

Jamaat-e-Islami organized a protest march in Mirpur’s Rupnagar area on Saturday afternoon, denouncing an attack on the workers and supporters of Dhaka-16 MP Colonel (Retd.) Abdul Baten. The demonstration followed an alleged assault by ruling party activists that disrupted a meeting with constituents. The protest began with a rally led by central Majlis-e-Shura member and Dhaka-16 regional director Md. Nasir Uddin, who accused BNP activists of attempting to destabilize the political environment through violence.

Nasir Uddin urged BNP in Dhaka-16 to abandon negative politics and warned that the public would reject them if they continued such actions. He asserted that Jamaat members would not be silenced by attacks or conspiracies and called on the authorities to end political provocation and return to lawful politics. The rally, presided over by Rupnagar Thana Ameer Abu Hanif, was attended by several local leaders and concluded after marching through major roads in Mirpur-11.

According to reports, the previous day’s attack injured 10 to 15 Jamaat activists, including a ward councilor candidate. MP Abdul Baten blamed Rupnagar police for failing to prevent the incident and demanded the arrest of those responsible.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) prevented an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push 20 people into Bangladesh through the Chauka border in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj. The incident occurred late Friday night and became public on Saturday. BGB’s firm stance led to a brief face-off between the two border forces before BSF withdrew and halted the push-in attempt.

According to local sources and BGB officials, the 20 individuals included 11 women, four children, and five men. After the standoff, they were kept on the Indian side of the no-man’s land and later taken back by members of the 119 BSF Battalion from Sukdebpur Camp. Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, commander of the 59 BGB Battalion, confirmed the incident and said the attempt was successfully resisted.

He added that BGB remains on high alert along the border and has intensified patrols and surveillance to prevent any future push-in attempts.

Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following Israel’s deadly attack in southern Lebanon. The country’s central military command stated that the move was a response to what it described as a breach of an agreement with the United States. According to a statement broadcast on Iranian state television, all ship movements through the strait will remain suspended until further notice.

The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the closure was the first step in response to what it called enemy violations, warning that further measures could follow if aggression continues. Iran accused Israel’s recent actions of severely undermining regional stability and violating previous understandings. The report noted that neither the United States nor Israel had issued an immediate reaction.

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, serving as a vital route for global oil and gas shipments. Analysts suggest the closure could heighten concerns over international energy supply and global trade stability.

The government has initiated a Tk 1,800 crore mega project under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to modernize rural and municipal infrastructure in Pabna district. The proposed 'Pabna District Rural Infrastructure Development Project' is currently under process at the Ministry of Local Government. It includes construction and repair of rural roads, bridges, culverts, modern markets, ghats, rail crossings, and tree plantation programs for environmental balance.

A separate project is also being prepared to address waterlogging and improve road connectivity in Pabna municipality. Local leaders and officials said the initiative, driven by the efforts of Pabna-5 MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, is nearing final approval. Stakeholders including the district citizen committee and press club leaders expressed optimism that the project will boost local trade, ease transportation of agricultural goods, and improve civic amenities.

According to LGED officials, field-level feasibility studies have been completed, and the development project proposal for drainage and road modernization is progressing rapidly. Implementation will begin once ministerial approval is granted.

The Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA) has called for the withdrawal of additional tax imposed on mid-range fossil fuel-powered reconditioned cars in the proposed 2026–27 national budget. The demand was made at a press conference held at Dhaka Club, where BARVIDA President Abdul Haque warned that the increased tax would raise car prices beyond middle-class affordability and put business investments at risk.

BARVIDA stated that the new budget introduces revised engine capacity slabs, raising the overall tax burden on popular fuel-efficient cars from 132.36% to 159.80%. This could increase the price of a reconditioned Toyota Premio by about Tk 300,000 and a Toyota Axio by Tk 250,000. The association also noted that while the government promotes electric vehicles with duty benefits, the lack of charging infrastructure limits their accessibility. BARVIDA urged equal duty benefits for both new and reconditioned plug-in hybrid cars and policy support for fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles.

The association highlighted that the reconditioned vehicle sector represents around Tk 20,000 crore in local investment, generates Tk 6,000 crore in annual revenue, and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across related industries.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP, called on citizens to be ready for another inevitable revolution to resist neo-fascism. He made the remarks on Saturday, June 20, 2026, while addressing a divisional rally of the 11-party alliance at Khulna Circuit House ground. He said 200 million people are prepared to defend the country’s independence and sovereignty, warning that submission to hegemonic powers would not be tolerated.

The rally was organized to press demands including implementation of referendum results, alleviation of public suffering, and control of commodity prices. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar presided over the event, with LDP President Col. (Retd.) Dr. Oli Ahmed and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque among the special guests. Dr. Rahman criticized the previous Awami League government for breaking promises on democracy and social justice and accused it of using state forces against citizens.

He cautioned that if parliamentary solutions fail, mass movements from fields across major cities could create a new wave of public awakening that would eventually form the next government.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on students to pursue excellence not only in sports but also in education, music, and cultural activities to build a stronger nation. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at the final match and prize-giving ceremony of the Primary School Gold Cup Football Tournament held at the Bangladesh Army Stadium.

Addressing young students, the Prime Minister emphasized that playing alone is not enough and urged them to advance in studies and creative work. He announced plans to organize the Gold Cup tournament at the secondary level this year and to introduce a Prime Minister’s Cup next year. This year, 2.2 million boys and girls participated in the football tournament organized nationwide by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.

In the finals, Jorgacha United Government Primary School from Sathia, Pabna, won the girls’ division by defeating Achargaon Government Primary School of Nandail, Mymensingh, 4–2, while Dariar Mia Government Primary School from Bakerganj, Barishal, won the boys’ division by beating Darirampur Model Government Primary School of Trishal, 1–0.

Former Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Mohammad Tajul Islam stated that all citizens are united on the question of national sovereignty. In a Facebook post on Saturday, he emphasized that while criticism and debate are natural, everyone should stand together when it comes to defending the nation’s borders.

Speaking earlier on Friday at a workshop held at the Abdul Karim Sahityabisharad Auditorium of Bangla Academy in Dhaka, Tajul Islam discussed the July killings, describing them as crimes against humanity under international law rather than genocide. He questioned why investigations and trials related to these crimes have slowed, noting that no new investigation reports or trials had been initiated in the past four months.

Tajul Islam urged that the trials of those responsible for the July killings be completed swiftly, warning that failure to do so could embolden those who previously acted with impunity.

At least 24 people were killed and 97 others injured as police and security forces opened fire during ongoing protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, according to media reports on Saturday. Authorities have detained 515 people, while strikes, road blockades, and internet disruptions have spread across the region. The situation remains tense, with curfews imposed and media access restricted.

The protests, ongoing for nearly two weeks, erupted over the decision to reserve 12 of the 45 legislative assembly seats for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir in the upcoming July 27 election. The movement has been led by the recently banned civil rights group Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). Police chief Liaqat Ali Malik said the main center of the protests is Rawalakot, located about 100 kilometers south of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir.

Authorities have cut off major roads and internet connections in an effort to control the unrest, while the region remains under tight security and limited media presence.

Switzerland has confirmed that confidential discussions are ongoing at the Bürgenstock resort to advance the implementation of a memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the United States. The Swiss Foreign Ministry announced this on Saturday, noting that a reliable and discreet environment is being maintained for the talks. The ministry did not disclose who is participating or what specific issues are being discussed, citing the need for confidentiality.

According to the statement, Switzerland has long served as a neutral and trusted mediator for sensitive diplomatic negotiations. The country’s role in facilitating such discussions underscores its reputation as a stable venue for international dialogue between states with complex relations.

No further details were provided about the content or timeline of the Iran-US memorandum or the expected outcomes of the current discussions.

Russia’s Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has expressed skepticism about the stability of the recent agreement between the United States and Iran. In a post on the Russian social media platform Max, he warned that the deal could easily collapse due to new provocations or attacks, particularly in Lebanon. Medvedev said it would be premature to expect lasting peace under the current circumstances.

The statement comes as Russia and Iran have deepened their military and economic cooperation since the start of the Ukraine war. However, Moscow’s limited response to the recent US-Israel-Iran conflict—restricted mainly to diplomatic and verbal support—has highlighted the boundaries of their partnership.

Medvedev’s remarks suggest that Moscow views the US-Iran understanding as fragile and vulnerable to regional instability, underscoring Russia’s cautious stance in Middle Eastern affairs.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the final round of the country's largest primary-level sports event, the Primary School Gold Cup Football Tournament (boys and girls), held at the Army Stadium in Dhaka. He arrived at the venue around 4 p.m. on Saturday and joined young students in hoisting the national flag before watching the girls’ final match between Achargaon Government Primary School of Nandail, Mymensingh, and Jorgacha United Government Primary School of Santhia, Pabna.

Earlier, the boys’ final took place where Dariyal Mia Government Primary School of Bakerganj, Barishal, defeated Darirampur Model Government Primary School of Trishal, Mymensingh, by 1–0 to become champions. The tournament began on April 6 and involved 65,342 government primary schools, with over 1.1 million boys and 1.1 million girls participating nationwide.

According to the Prime Minister’s Education and Primary and Mass Education Adviser Mahdi Amin, the competition progressed from village to divisional levels to identify grassroots football talent. Organizers plan to expand the next edition to include at least five million students.