Police in Ramganj, Lakshmipur, have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of Mehedi, an eighth-grade student of Farid Ahmad Bhuiyan Academy. The arrests were made on Monday night during a police operation. The detainees include Md. Shariful Islam, 48, an assistant professor and residential hall superintendent who was serving as acting principal, and Sajidul Islam Mojumdar, 19, a resident of South Bhatra village in Ramganj.

According to Ramganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Firoz Uddin Chowdhury, both individuals were named as suspects in the case’s First Information Report. After their arrest, they were sent to court under police escort for further legal proceedings.

The case has drawn attention in the local community due to the involvement of a senior academic figure and the nature of the crime, which has been described as sensational in the report.

A longstanding design flaw in Sitakunda, a key industrial area and gateway to Chattogram, is severely hampering emergency response operations. The local Fire Service and Civil Defence station, located beside the Dhaka–Chattogram highway, faces a permanent road divider directly in front of it. The absence of an emergency crossing, pocket gate, or U-turn prevents fire trucks from quickly reaching incidents on the opposite side of the highway, forcing them to take long detours or drive against traffic.

Residents and experts describe the issue as a serious public safety failure rather than a mere design oversight. The opposite side of the highway contains densely populated residential zones, markets, and factories, yet no effective access route exists for emergency vehicles. Fire safety specialists emphasize that the first five to ten minutes after a fire outbreak are critical, but delays caused by this obstruction often allow fires to spread uncontrollably.

Local citizens and business owners are urging authorities to create a controlled emergency pocket gate through coordination among the Roads and Highways Department, Highway Police, Fire Service, and local administration to prevent further risk to lives and property.

Five bodies have been recovered following a violent spear clash between two rival groups in Nilaksha Union of Raipura upazila, Narsingdi. The conflict erupted early Tuesday between groups led by Nazim Uddin alias Mister and Alal Munshi alias Joba Member over local dominance. The fighting, involving spears, homemade weapons, and firearms, continued for several hours, leaving multiple houses vandalized and set on fire.

The deceased were identified as Anik Mia, Kawsar Ahmed, Latif Molla, Mostafa Mia, and Bulbul. Bodies were recovered from different locations along the Meghna River over several days, while Mostafa Mia died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital after five days in intensive care. Police confirmed that Bulbul’s body was the latest to be found floating in the river near Araihazar, Narayanganj.

Two murder cases have been filed at Raipura Police Station in connection with the killings, naming several suspects and many unidentified individuals. However, no arrests have been made so far, according to police.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in China on Monday, June 22, 2026, after completing a two-day official visit to Malaysia. His aircraft landed at Dalian International Airport at 8:55 p.m. Bangladesh time. Earlier that day, he departed Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 5 p.m. local time on a special Bangladesh Biman flight. His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, is accompanying him on the trip.

According to the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman, the Prime Minister will spend two busy days in Dalian before traveling to Beijing, where the main programs of his state visit to China will begin. During his stay in Dalian, he will attend the Annual Meeting of the World International Economic Forum. At Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s Bunga Raya Complex VIP terminal, Malaysian Minister of Religious Affairs Zulkifli Hasan bid farewell to the Bangladeshi leader. Bangladesh’s High Commissioner Manjurul Karim and Deputy High Commissioner Shahanara Malika were also present.

The visit marks the start of a multi-day engagement in China, beginning with international economic discussions in Dalian before moving to official meetings in Beijing.

A mobile court in Araihazar upazila of Narayanganj fined a landowner Tk 50,000 for illegally extracting sand from farmland in the Tatipara Kolagachia area. The operation, conducted on Monday afternoon, was led by Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mostafizur Rahman Imon. The court also removed and destroyed dredger pipes used in the illegal activity.

According to court sources, sand was being extracted by cutting the topsoil of agricultural land using a dredger machine without approval from the district administration. Upon verification of the allegation, the landowner, identified as Mst. Nargis, was penalized under relevant laws.

The executive magistrate stated that the administration will continue operations against illegal soil and sand extraction that damages farmland fertility and will take strict legal action to protect the environment and agricultural land.

During Monday’s general discussion on the proposed 2026–27 national budget in Bangladesh’s parliament, several lawmakers raised concerns over drug trafficking, terrorism, and lingering authoritarian influence. NCP MP Abdullah Al Amin questioned whether the country’s drug crisis was being fueled by external forces, urging the Home Minister to clarify the promised post-Eid joint anti-drug operation. NCP MP Nusrat Tabassum said that despite the fall of dictatorship after the July uprising, its violent influence and threats persist.

BNP MP Reza Ahmed demanded strong action against armed groups operating in the Padma river char areas across Kushtia, Natore, and Rajshahi, citing murders linked to land and sand disputes. He also called for more police vehicles to control rampant drug smuggling along border areas. Other MPs discussed issues including port management policy, the disappearance of historical figures from textbooks, expatriate harassment, and worsening power shortages.

Jamaat-e-Islami MP Mahbubur Rahman Belal criticized the budget as unrealistic and warned that ignoring the results of a recent referendum could destabilize the country if reforms are not implemented soon.

Sylhet city Jamaat-e-Islami leaders have demanded the cancellation of the withdrawal order of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sarwar Alam, calling for his reinstatement. The demand was made by central working committee member and Sylhet city Ameer Muhammad Fakhrul Islam during a city Jamaat meeting on Monday. He alleged that the current BNP-led government, which came to power through the July uprising, is operating in an authoritarian manner and removed the popular DC to clear the way for unethical activities.

According to Fakhrul Islam, DC Sarwar had earned public admiration through initiatives such as anti-drug drives, welfare funds for imams and muezzins, housing plans for expatriates, and restoring order on city footpaths. He also mentioned that Sarwar sealed three donation pots at the Shahjalal shrine and installed official donation boxes to ensure financial transparency, which allegedly led to his removal. The decision has reportedly sparked public anger and street protests in Sylhet.

Jamaat leaders warned that such actions could discourage honest officials and harm public trust. They urged the government to reverse the decision and restore Sarwar Alam to his position.

A two-day cultural program organized by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy concluded on June 22, marking World Music Day. The event featured colorful performances by renowned Bangladeshi artists, including solo and group renditions of Nazrul songs and folk music. The academy arranged processions, discussions, and concerts on June 21 and 22 to celebrate the occasion.

At the closing ceremony, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Adviser to the Prime Minister on political and cultural affairs, said that music has historically played a powerful role in movements for freedom, democracy, and rights. He cited examples from Bangladesh’s past, including the 1952 language movement, the 1969 mass uprising, and the 1971 Liberation War, emphasizing music’s enduring influence in social and political struggles.

The event was attended by Mymensingh Zila Parishad Administrator Emran Saleh Prince as special guest and JASAS Member Secretary Zakir Hossain Rokon as honored guest. Cultural Affairs Secretary Kaniz Mowla presided over the ceremony, which concluded with performances by several bands and invited artists from various embassies.

The United States has announced a conditional plan to release Iran’s frozen assets, requiring that a major portion of the funds be used to buy American soybeans, corn, and wheat. The plan was revealed by US Vice President JD Vance after a high-level meeting between US and Iranian officials at Switzerland’s Bürgenstock Resort. According to Vance, the initiative aims to ensure that the released funds support humanitarian and public welfare purposes rather than terrorism financing.

Vance said the US and Qatar are jointly developing a special monitoring mechanism to oversee how Iran uses the released funds, with both Washington and Doha sharing control over approvals. He added that Jared Kushner is working with Qatar on a joint proposal to implement the plan, which would strengthen Iran’s food security while boosting US agricultural exports. Vance described the initiative as a “classic Trump deal” that could benefit both nations.

The US vice president also stated that Washington has been consulting with regional allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Lebanon. While Gulf countries view the move as a step toward regional stability, Israeli officials remain concerned about any concessions to Iran.

Private University Chhatra Dal organized a protest march in Dhaka on Monday afternoon, denouncing what it described as the Awami League’s and its affiliates’ attempts to destabilize law and order through provocative activities and threats to the administration. The march began at Prime Asia University on Kamal Ataturk Avenue in Banani and concluded at Gulshan-2 Circle, with participation from leaders and activists representing around 45 to 50 private universities in the capital.

The protest was led by the organization’s president, Md. Abu Horaira, accompanied by general secretary M. Rajibul Islam Talukder (Bindu) and senior vice president Risalat Islam Sajib. In a brief rally following the march, Horaira urged students to remain united against any conspiracies or anti-state activities, emphasizing the historical role of private university students in national crises. Talukder stated that the student body would continue to stand for democracy, rule of law, and citizens’ rights, calling on members to cooperate with authorities in maintaining peace and vigilance on campuses.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to stability, democratic values, and a peaceful academic environment across universities.

A young student named Nuzhat from Rangpur Cantonment Public School and College died after jumping from the rooftop of Hotel North View in Rangpur city’s Payra Chattar area on Monday afternoon. Police said she arrived at the hotel around 4:50 p.m. and spent nearly an hour on the rooftop before jumping at 5:42 p.m. Her body was later sent to Rangpur Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

Deputy Police Commissioner (DB) Sanatan Chakraborty confirmed that CCTV footage of the incident had been collected and that police contacted her family after analyzing her mobile phone. Nuzhat, daughter of Nazrul Islam from Khalifa Para, was scheduled to sit for her Higher Secondary Certificate examination this year.

A video of the incident circulated on social media, showing the girl sitting on the rooftop before leaning backward over the railing. Locals questioned how access to the rooftop of such a prominent hotel was left open, raising concerns about hotel safety measures.

A four-year-old girl named Jannat drowned in a pit filled with rainwater near her home in Bausi Union of Barhatta upazila, Netrokona. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Monday in Purba Moati village. According to local and family sources, Jannat had been playing in the yard when she accidentally fell into the water-filled pit beside the house. Family members later found her unconscious and took her to a local doctor, who declared her dead upon arrival.

Barhatta Police Station Officer-in-Charge Champak Dam confirmed the death and said the body was handed over to the family after legal procedures. Upazila Executive Officer Selina Akter expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family, describing the incident as heartbreaking. The death has cast a shadow of grief over the entire Purba Moati village.

Local authorities have acknowledged the tragedy and extended sympathy to the affected family, though no further official measures were mentioned in the report.

Said Uddin Ahmad Hanzala, Member of Parliament for Madaripur-1 (Shibchar), expressed strong dissatisfaction in the National Parliament over the acute electricity shortage in his constituency. Speaking during the general discussion on the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2026–27, he said that frequent load-shedding has led to public anger, with residents blaming local representatives. Hanzala warned that if the crisis is not resolved quickly, it will become difficult for elected officials to maintain their credibility.

He criticized the absence of the power minister in parliament, saying it prevented lawmakers from conveying the real situation on the ground. Hanzala urged the government, through the Speaker, to take immediate and permanent measures to end the electricity crisis. He also condemned the removal of historical figures such as Haji Shariatullah, Shahjalal, Shah Paran, and Titumir from textbooks, arguing that their stories once inspired patriotism among youth.

Additionally, Hanzala highlighted the harassment faced by expatriate workers at airports and issues with passports and national ID cards. He called on relevant ministries to act swiftly to address these problems.

Renowned Bangladeshi artist and pioneer of puppet art Mustafa Monowar has been undergoing treatment in the ICU for several days due to pneumonia-related complications. Following reports of his illness, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs extended financial assistance to support his medical care. On Monday morning, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury and State Minister Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khayyam visited Monowar at Square Hospital in Dhaka, spending time with his family and handing over a financial aid cheque.

According to the ministry, the government remains committed to standing beside those who have made significant contributions to the nation’s art and culture during times of crisis. The ministry also expressed wishes for the artist’s speedy recovery.

Monowar’s wife, Mary Monowar, earlier told the media that his condition had worsened, leading to his hospital admission. The artist had previously been critically ill in 2024 but recovered before this recent relapse caused by pneumonia.

A voluntary organization has planted 1,500 saplings along rural roads in Munshiganj to provide shade and relief for residents suffering from the summer heat. The tree-planting program, held on Monday morning under the theme 'Green Afforestation, Shaded Pathway Creation,' was organized by Bikrampur Manab Seba Foundation. The initiative, funded by the organization itself, covered two unpaved roads in Charbeherpara of Shiloi Union in Munshiganj Sadar and Kaikkati area of Dighirpar Union in Tongibari.

According to the report, the roads pass through croplands with little vegetation, forcing villagers to travel under intense sunlight. Member Salauddin Molla said the goal was to make these routes more comfortable by creating shaded pathways. General Secretary Biplob Hasan added that since 2018, the foundation has planted about 10,000 saplings along nine roads under its 'Chhayapath' program and monitors the plants for three to four months after planting.

Several members of the organization, including Jasim Molla, Jubayer Shikder, Rakib Hasan, Manik Sheikh, and Selim Ahmed Fahim, participated in the event.