Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that late President Ziaur Rahman initiated a new chapter in Bangladesh’s political history by establishing Bangladeshi nationalism and institutionalizing democracy. He made the remarks on Sunday at a discussion titled “Media and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman,” held at the National Press Club in Dhaka to mark Ziaur Rahman’s death anniversary. The event was chaired by National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, with Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan attending as special guest.

Before the discussion, guests visited a photo and information exhibition on Ziaur Rahman’s life, work, and political philosophy. Mirza Fakhrul emphasized the need for more research on Ziaur Rahman’s contributions, describing his leadership as multidimensional and visionary. He said Ziaur Rahman’s two most significant achievements were the establishment of Bangladeshi nationalism and the institutionalization of democracy, which expanded political participation.

Zahir Uddin Swapan noted that Ziaur Rahman supported the development of a free and responsible media and took a positive stance on press freedom.

A police officer named Md. Faruk Hossain, aged 52, died by suicide in the police barracks of Taltoli Police Station in Barguna. The incident occurred on Sunday morning, June 14, 2026, after he reportedly consumed gas tablets. He was taken to the Upazila Health Complex around 9:30 a.m., where doctors declared him dead. Faruk Hossain was the son of Ratan Ali Gazi from Angaria village in Rajapur upazila of Jhalakathi district.

Police and hospital sources said Faruk returned to the barracks after completing his night duty and later fell ill. A handwritten note was recovered from the scene, in which he stated that no one was responsible for his death and requested that his family be informed he had died of a stroke. He also left instructions regarding his burial and communication with family members.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (Amtali Circle) Md. Tarikul Islam Masud said the reason behind the suicide is being investigated. The family will be consulted before taking further steps.

A Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran on Sunday as part of mediation efforts aimed at ending the months-long war between Iran and the United States, according to Iranian media reports. The delegation includes an adviser to Qatar’s foreign minister, as reported by Iran’s ISNA news agency, citing AFP.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency stated that the purpose of the visit is to review recent progress in the diplomatic process. The trip comes at a time when diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran continue in an effort to resolve the broader conflict in the Middle East.

The visit underscores Qatar’s ongoing role in facilitating dialogue between the two nations, though details of the discussions and potential outcomes have not been disclosed.

Multiple illegal structures have reportedly been built on the embankment in Kuakata’s Gangamati area of Dhulasar Union, Patuakhali, allegedly under the protection of local influential figures. A tin-shed house has already been completed near the Dholai Market section, while several other wooden and tin structures are under construction. Locals said the embankment protects the area during natural disasters, and continued encroachment could damage it, threatening public safety and government property.

Residents accused several individuals, including Dhulasar Union Chhatra Dal president Yasin Arafat, Rakib, and Saiful Joardar, of involvement in the illegal occupation and construction. Yasin Arafat denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated. Attempts to contact Rakib and Saiful Joardar were unsuccessful.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) Yasin Sadek stated that the land belongs to the Water Development Board and that necessary legal action and eviction drives will follow once the relevant authority issues a requisition. The Water Development Board’s executive engineer could not be reached for comment.

Four major Iranian banks have been targeted in a cyberattack, according to the country’s Banking Coordination Council. The affected institutions include Bank Melli, Bank Tejarat, Bank Saderat, and the Export Development Bank of Iran. The attack focused on the shared communication infrastructure used by these banks, temporarily disrupting some banking services.

Authorities reported that immediate protective measures were taken following the incident. The council confirmed that hackers did not gain access to customer information and no data was deleted. Efforts are currently underway to fully restore normal operations.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not specify the origin of the attack or the extent of the disruption beyond temporary service impacts.

Chhatra Dal organized a protest rally in Lakshmipur on Sunday afternoon, condemning what it described as a staged abduction drama by Chhatra Shibir, false accusations against the government made online, and incidents of violence against women by alleged secret activists. The demonstration took place at the premises of Lakshmipur Government College as part of a central program.

The rally, arranged by the college unit of Chhatra Dal, began at the college grounds and marched through several streets before concluding with a brief assembly. District Chhatra Dal joint convener Akbar Hossain Munna, college unit president Ismail Hossain Rony, and general secretary Bahadur Hossain Nobel addressed the gathering.

Other local leaders, including municipal Chhatra Dal joint convener Arman Hossain Kiran, Sajjad Hossain Shuvo, and several college unit office bearers, were also present at the event.

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) has issued a recruitment notice for the positions of professor and assistant professor. The application process began on June 8, 2026, and will continue until 4 p.m. on July 1, 2026. Interested candidates must submit their applications within this period and pay a non-refundable application fee of 600 taka through mobile banking.

According to the announcement, applicants must attach a scanned 300x300 size photograph and a 300x80 size signature with their application. Incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted. The notice also specifies that there is no age limit for applicants, allowing a wider range of candidates to apply for the teaching positions.

The recruitment is part of RUET’s ongoing efforts to fill academic vacancies and strengthen its teaching staff in engineering and technology disciplines.

The United Kingdom has seized a Russian oil tanker from what it described as the country's 'shadow fleet' while the vessel was attempting to cross the English Channel. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the operation on Sunday through a post on social media platform X, calling it another blow to Russia. He said the move serves as a warning to those fueling President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, emphasizing that they would not be allowed to hide anywhere.

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed the seizure, with Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis praising the professionalism, skill, and courage required for such missions. He expressed respect for the armed forces and all those involved in the operation.

According to the report, Russia relies on its shadow fleet to finance its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the UK’s action is positioned as part of efforts to disrupt that network.

A Bangladeshi youth named Julfikar, aged 22, was detained by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) near the Darshana-Gede international check post in Chuadanga on Saturday evening. Julfikar, son of Kalu Maulvi from Joynagar village, was reportedly collecting firewood with companions when BSF members chased and captured him, allegedly beating him before taking him into Indian territory.

However, Lieutenant Colonel Nazmul Hasan, commander of the 6th Battalion of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), provided a different version. He stated that initial information suggested several youths from Joynagar had gone to the zero point area and attempted to remove parts of the security fence along the Darshana-Gede railway line. During a BSF operation, Julfikar was detained while others escaped.

According to the BGB commander, the detained youth might be handed over to an Indian police station, though no official confirmation was reported at the time.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned the alleged police assault on national cricketer Nayeem Hasan in Chattogram. In a statement issued to the media on Sunday, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer, president of the party’s central youth and sports division, expressed outrage over the incident. He described the reported beating, harassment, and mistreatment of Nayeem Hasan by police officers at Lalkhan Bazar as a barbaric and deplorable act.

According to the statement, Nayeem Hasan was allegedly attacked by police while returning home to Chattogram after playing a Dhaka Premier League match. Despite identifying himself, he was reportedly beaten with a pipe and choked, which Jamaat said reflects a serious threat to citizens’ safety. Jubayer argued that merely withdrawing or suspending the officers involved would not be sufficient punishment for such a grave offense.

The party demanded an immediate, impartial, and swift investigation into the incident and called for strict legal and departmental action against those responsible. Jamaat also extended sympathy to Nayeem Hasan and his family, urging authorities to ensure the safety of all athletes and youth in the country.

An inscription bearing the name of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab has been discovered in Saudi Arabia. The country’s Heritage Commission announced that the finding was made during an archaeological survey in the Medina province. The discovery was part of a broader exploration that uncovered a total of 1,774 archaeological artifacts.

According to the Heritage Commission, the survey teams documented 173 previously unknown archaeological sites. Among the discoveries were 1,259 inscriptions, including 461 Islamic inscriptions, 34 written in the Thamudic language, 11 stone structures, three palaces and archaeological buildings, two caravan route milestones, and four wells. The newly found inscription featuring Caliph Umar’s name is considered one of the significant findings from the survey.

The commission noted that Umar ibn al-Khattab ruled the Islamic empire from 634 to 644 CE. The discovery adds to the growing record of early Islamic-era artifacts in the region, highlighting Medina’s historical importance in Islamic civilization.

Five police officers were injured during an anti-drug operation in Masdair Gudaraghat area of Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Saturday night. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. when police conducted a raid based on secret information and encountered gunfire from drug dealers. The injured officers include Sub-Inspectors Nandan Sarkar and Monir, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Kamrul Hasan and Monir Hossain, and Constable Ashik.

Police arrested top drug dealer Monir, known as Fighter Monir, along with two associates, Masum and Naim, and seized 15 kilograms of cannabis. Following the arrests, Monir’s associates attacked the police to free them, firing 10 to 12 rounds and throwing bricks. Police responded with two shotgun rounds, injuring Monir in the leg. The attackers fled after police resistance.

According to Fatullah Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbub Alam, legal proceedings regarding the incident are underway.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced in parliament that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who was arrested in Dubai, will be brought back to the country soon. The police headquarters earlier confirmed his arrest, describing it as a historic success for the Bangladesh Police. The minister said the National Central Bureau (NCB) is working closely with Interpol, and the government was officially informed of the arrest on June 12. Under diplomatic procedures, Bangladesh must request his return within 30 days of the arrest.

A Dhaka court had earlier ordered Interpol to issue a red notice against Benazir Ahmed on February 10, 2025, following a request from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Another court had issued an arrest warrant on March 8, 2025, in a case alleging illegal wealth accumulation. The ACC filed the case on December 15, 2024, and later submitted a charge sheet on November 30, 2025, accusing him of acquiring assets beyond known income, concealing wealth information, and money laundering.

According to the charge sheet, Benazir declared assets worth about Tk 12.2 crore, while investigators found properties totaling over Tk 15.6 crore.

Bangladesh has been ranked the fourth most peaceful country in South Asia in the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2026, published on June 9 by the Australia-based Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). The country is placed 117th globally among 163 nations and territories, with an overall score of 2.226 out of 5, categorized under the 'medium' level of peace. Bangladesh outperformed India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan in the regional ranking.

The GPI evaluates peace using 23 indicators across three domains: societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and militarization. Bangladesh scored 2.579 in safety and security, 2.237 in ongoing conflict, and 1.615 in militarization. Bhutan retained its position as South Asia’s most peaceful nation, ranking 16th globally, followed by Sri Lanka and Nepal. The report noted that South Asia experienced the largest regional decline in peace in 2026, with an average deterioration of 2.3 percent due to internal instability and border tensions.

The report also highlighted Bangladesh’s economic vulnerability to the Iran war, citing high LNG prices and reduced global demand as potential risks. It warned that prolonged disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could raise Bangladesh’s energy import costs by up to 2.5 percent of GDP.

Bangladesh Bank has provided a special loan of Tk 25 billion to Islami Bank to address its liquidity crisis. The assistance was extended on Sunday, according to information from the bank. The crisis intensified after the appointment of a new chairman following Eid, which triggered protests by a group of customers under the banner of the 'Conscious Customer Forum'. Many depositors began withdrawing their funds, worsening the bank’s liquidity position.

As a result, Islami Bank failed to meet customer withdrawal demands and could not maintain the required cash reserve ratio (CRR) with the central bank. Last week, the bank sought Tk 100 billion in liquidity support from Bangladesh Bank, which responded by providing an initial Tk 25 billion. During a post-budget press conference on Friday, Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostakur Rahman had hinted at such support, assuring that depositors would face no withdrawal problems.

The central bank’s intervention aims to stabilize Islami Bank’s operations and restore depositor confidence amid ongoing unrest over leadership changes.