Former Narayanganj City Corporation mayor and Awami League leader Dr. Selina Hayat Ivy was released from Kashimpur Women’s Jail at 10:10 p.m. on Wednesday after securing bail. The information was confirmed by the prison department’s AIG (Media), Jannat-ul Farhad. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld her bail in twelve separate cases, including one involving murder charges linked to the anti-discrimination movement, clearing the way for her release.

According to prison authorities and related sources, Ivy was arrested on May 9 of the previous year from her residence in Deovog, Narayanganj, in connection with a case tied to the anti-discrimination student and public movement. She was later shown arrested in a total of twelve cases. Following a series of bail orders from higher courts, the Supreme Court’s chamber judge upheld all previous High Court bail decisions, completing the legal process that led to her release.

Ivy previously served as mayor of Narayanganj Municipality from 2003 to 2011 and later won three consecutive elections as mayor of the newly formed Narayanganj City Corporation.

India has appointed diplomat Vipul, a 1998-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, as its next ambassador to Saudi Arabia, marking the first time a non-Muslim envoy will represent New Delhi in Riyadh. The Ministry of External Affairs formally announced the appointment on Tuesday, replacing outgoing ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan, also from the 1998 batch. Vipul currently serves as India’s ambassador to Qatar.

Since independence in 1948, India had consistently appointed Muslim diplomats as ambassadors to Saudi Arabia and consuls general in Jeddah, largely due to their role in facilitating the annual Hajj pilgrimage for thousands of Indian pilgrims. However, the pool of experienced Muslim diplomats has reportedly declined in recent decades, making it difficult to find suitable successors. In some cases, ambassadors had to extend their tenures or be selected from outside the regular diplomatic cadre.

Vipul assumes his new post at a time of shifting regional dynamics, with Saudi Arabia navigating tensions with Iran and competing with the United Arab Emirates for economic and diplomatic influence. Despite these changes, Riyadh remains a key partner for India in energy, trade, investment, and the welfare of its expatriate community.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said he has donated his parliamentary honorarium to a Qawmi madrasa. Speaking at the party’s Eid reunion event on Wednesday night, he stated that he had pledged not to take any government benefits if elected and has kept that promise. He explained that although he must receive the parliamentary allowance, he has dedicated it as a waqf to the madrasa, expressing confidence that he can live without using that money.

During the same event, Rahman emphasized that Islami Bank belongs to the people, not to any political party. He said depositors are the true owners of the bank and vowed to stand in defense of them if they face violence. He criticized the appointment of what he described as a “fascist’s associate” to the bank’s leadership and questioned whether the spouse of a loan defaulter should hold the position of chairman.

His remarks come amid ongoing discussions about Islami Bank’s management and ownership, reflecting Jamaat’s continued interest in the institution’s integrity and independence.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has stopped an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to construct a barbed-wire fence near the zero line at the Purba Uchna Ghonapara border in Panchbibi upazila of Joypurhat district. The incident occurred late Tuesday night when BSF members began fencing work near sub-pillars 47 and 48 of pillar 281. Local residents alerted BGB, which intervened and halted the construction, leading to heightened tension between the two border forces.

Following the confrontation, a flag meeting was held between BGB and BSF, where both sides agreed to suspend the fencing activity. However, reports indicated that BSF continued efforts to install the fence near the zero line on Wednesday, causing fear among local residents. Joypurhat-20 BGB Commander Lt. Col. Latiful Bari stated that BGB prevented BSF from building the fence within 150 yards of the zero line and remains on high alert while discussions with BSF continue.

The situation underscores ongoing border sensitivity following recent elections in West Bengal, with both sides maintaining communication to prevent escalation.

A widespread heatwave has gripped Bangladesh, with mild to moderate intensity recorded across 48 districts on Wednesday. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that the highest temperature was 38.5°C in Dinajpur, while Dhaka reached 36.8°C. Reduced rainfall and increased humidity have intensified the discomfort, disrupting daily life nationwide. The heatwave, which began earlier this month, has expanded from 41 districts the previous day.

Meteorologist Shahinul Islam stated that the current heatwave may continue for a few more days, with scattered rainfall likely from June 5 or 6 and increased precipitation expected around June 8 or 9, which could ease the heat. The department also forecast that June and July will see higher-than-normal temperatures and below-average rainfall, with two to three mild to moderate heatwaves likely during the month.

The combination of high humidity and frequent power outages has worsened public suffering, as people across the country struggle with oppressive heat and limited relief from rain.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has strongly protested the government’s recent decision to raise electricity prices, calling for its immediate cancellation. The party’s Assistant Secretary General and Acting President of Dhaka South, Maulana Ahmad Abdul Kaiyum, expressed deep concern over the move during an emergency meeting held on Wednesday at the party’s central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka.

Kaiyum stated that the price hike would severely affect ordinary citizens already facing economic hardship. He warned that higher electricity costs would increase production expenses, raise living costs, and weaken the competitiveness of local industries, ultimately harming the national economy. He argued that addressing system losses, electricity theft, illegal connections, and corruption in the power sector would eliminate the need for any price increase.

He further criticized the government for prioritizing profit over public welfare, saying that subsidies come from citizens’ money. Describing the price hike as an additional blow to struggling people, he urged the government to withdraw the decision and consider the public interest.

A meeting on the Dhaka-Narayanganj-Demra (DND) embankment was held on Wednesday at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. According to Deputy Press Secretary Md. Sujauddoulla, the discussion focused on the long-standing waterlogging problems in the DND area and possible solutions.

After the meeting, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee stated that although a project launched in 2016 and completed in 2024 aimed to address the issue, residents have yet to experience significant benefits. He added that the completed project will be handed over to the city corporation within two weeks.

Anee further mentioned that new plans are being developed to improve the drainage system, including upgrading 30 kilometers of drainage infrastructure. He expressed optimism that under city corporation management and with collective efforts, the desired results will be achieved. Several ministers and officials, including the LGRD State Minister and the RAJUK Chairman, attended the meeting.

An employee of Banoful & Company’s Tajpur branch in Osmaninagar, Sylhet, was fined 50,000 taka and dismissed after addressing Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Munmun Nahar Asha as 'Apa' during her visit on May 29, 2026. The incident occurred when the UNO, accompanied by her daughter, visited the shop in disguise as a customer. Following the exchange, she reportedly became angry and initiated a mobile court action, leading to the fine and subsequent dismissal of the employee, Abdul Mannan.

The case sparked widespread discussion locally, with residents questioning the neutrality of the mobile court and the proper use of administrative authority. Abdul Mannan later sought leniency from the UNO’s office but received no response, prompting him to approach local BNP leaders and Sylhet-2 MP Tahsina Rushdir Luna. Political intervention eventually led to his reinstatement, though he was transferred to the company’s Sylhet factory, and the fine amount will be deducted from his salary.

Local officials and managers provided differing accounts, while the UNO did not respond to calls seeking comment on the matter.

Nine officers holding the ranks of Additional Superintendent of Police and Assistant Superintendent of Police have been transferred and reassigned to new posts across Bangladesh. The order, signed by Additional Deputy Inspector General Rayhan Uddin Khan from the Police Headquarters, was issued on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The officers include those from Khagrachhari, Gopalganj, Gazipur, Khulna, Habiganj, and other units.

According to the order, Muhammad Shahadat Hossain from Khagrachhari has been transferred to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, while Mohammad Ziaul Haque from Gopalganj will serve in Gazipur. Several Gazipur Metropolitan Police officials, including Robiul Islam and Amrit Sutradhar, have been reassigned to the Armed Police Battalion and specialized training centers. Other officers have been posted to the Police Headquarters, Naval Police, Special Branch, and Railway Police.

The directive instructs all transferred officers to hand over their current responsibilities by June 15, 2026. Those failing to do so will be considered released from their duties effective June 16, as stated in the official order.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared his readiness to personally defend Islami Bank if necessary, saying he would take to the streets and stand in front to protect it. He made the remarks on Wednesday night during Jamaat’s Eid reunion event.

Rahman emphasized that Islami Bank does not belong to any political party but to the people who have deposited their money there. He stated that if depositors were attacked, he would stand before them and face any violence first. He described the bank as belonging to everyone in the country.

The Jamaat leader also criticized the appointment of what he called an associate of a “fascist” to a leadership position at Islami Bank, questioning whether the husband of a loan defaulter could serve as the bank’s chairman.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced another increase in electricity prices, prompting strong criticism from Khelafat Majlis. According to a statement issued by the party’s Amir Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Secretary General Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader, BERC raised wholesale electricity rates by 19.85 percent and retail rates by 15 to 19.94 percent. The transmission charge was also increased by 23.96 percent.

Khelafat Majlis said the new price hike would make public life more difficult and lead to another round of commodity price increases. The party accused the government of shifting the burden of corruption, mismanagement, poor planning, and waste within the power sector onto ordinary consumers. It strongly protested the decision and demanded an immediate reduction in electricity and fuel prices, as well as measures to bring essential goods within consumers’ purchasing power.

The statement reflects growing political opposition to recent energy price adjustments and calls for urgent government action to ease public hardship.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned a violent attack on the family and relatives of Kushtia Member of Parliament Mufti Amir Hamza in Hasadah Bazar of Jibannagar, Chuadanga. The party expressed deep concern and demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved. The statement was issued on Wednesday by Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Assistant Secretary General and head of Jamaat’s Central Publicity and Media Department.

According to the statement, the attack occurred on June 1 during Asr prayer time while the MP was traveling with his family to his in-laws’ house. The assailants allegedly included local residents Mostafizur Rahman Mostak, his sons Shahriar and Rimon, who reportedly injured the MP’s brother-in-law Abu Bakkar, a local journalist, and driver Saddam Hossain. The attackers also allegedly behaved indecently with female family members.

Jamaat-e-Islami urged law enforcement agencies to arrest the identified perpetrators immediately and ensure justice. The party also wished a speedy recovery for the injured victims.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) reported that the metro rail transported an average of 151,877 passengers per day between May 25 and May 31, excluding Eid day. The company released this information in a statement on Wednesday, noting that 140 scheduled trips were operated daily during the period.

To manage the increased passenger demand around Eid, DMTCL kept 10 additional trains on standby for possible deployment. The metro rail played a significant role in facilitating travel for people leaving Dhaka for their hometowns before Eid and returning to their workplaces afterward.

According to DMTCL, officials and employees worked during public holidays to maintain operations. Cleaning activities were also carried out at metro stations and surrounding areas. The company expressed gratitude to passengers and stakeholders for their cooperation in ensuring smooth, safe, and uninterrupted metro services during the Eid holidays.

FIFA is set to implement a major technological upgrade at the 2026 World Cup in North America by introducing an enhanced semi-automated offside system. The new technology will send instant audio alerts to assistant referees whenever a player is more than 10 centimeters offside, significantly reducing decision delays. Previously, similar systems could only detect offsides exceeding 50 centimeters. While the technology will assist referees, final decisions will remain under the control of on-field officials.

The system aims to improve both decision speed and player safety, as delayed offside calls have previously led to unnecessary play continuation and injuries. FIFA cited past incidents where late offside recognition contributed to serious player injuries. The new setup also includes AI-based 3D avatars, with digital scans of all 1,248 players from 48 teams, enabling more realistic and accurate offside animations for viewers.

Additionally, the technology will verify whether the ball fully crossed the line using 3D animation and embedded chips, allowing faster and more precise decisions on corners, throw-ins, and goals.

Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, has strongly criticized the government’s decision to raise electricity prices again ahead of the national budget. In a statement to the media on Wednesday, he said ordinary citizens should not be punished for theft, corruption, waste, and mismanagement in the power sector. He warned that the new price hike would worsen the suffering of low-income people already struggling with rising living costs.

Haque described the government’s move as arbitrary and accused the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) of failing to justify the increase at both wholesale and consumer levels. He argued that reducing corruption and inefficiency in the energy and power sectors would eliminate the need for such hikes. He also criticized BERC’s public hearings as a mere formality to legitimize government decisions.

He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the price hike decision and called for amendments to BERC’s existing law so that it can recommend price reductions. Haque further urged the government to include adequate allocations and a comprehensive plan for the energy and power sectors in the upcoming national budget.