Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad has strongly opposed the government’s initiative to make music, dance, drama, and fine arts compulsory in the primary school curriculum. In a statement issued to the media on Thursday, he called for the cancellation of the plan, arguing that it disregards the religious values, family culture, and social realities of the country’s Muslim-majority population.

Ahmad stated that the main goal of education should be to build morally upright, responsible, and patriotic citizens, not to impose controversial cultural practices. He pointed out that the primary education system still faces teacher shortages, infrastructural weaknesses, and quality challenges, and that introducing new subjects could divert attention from these fundamental issues.

He emphasized that moral and religious education should be prioritized to ensure children’s holistic development. Ahmad urged the government to respect public religious sentiments and cultural identity when formulating education policy and called on parents, scholars, educators, and social organizations to remain vigilant and vocal on the issue.

Bangladesh’s Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha has received the UNESCO Confucius Literacy Prize 2025 for its solar-powered floating school initiative in the Chalan Beel region. The award ceremony, organized by UNESCO Dhaka, took place at the Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre on June 11, 2026. The event was attended by State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj as chief guest, along with senior education officials and representatives from UNESCO.

The floating school project provides education to children in remote wetland areas where regular schooling is difficult, especially during the monsoon. Each boat is equipped with solar power and serves as a classroom, library, computer lab, or training center. Currently, Shidhulai operates 56 boats, including 26 classrooms and 10 libraries. The initiative was recognized for its innovative approach to literacy and inclusion in geographically challenged communities.

UNESCO’s representative in Bangladesh, Dr. Susan Vize, emphasized the transformative role of literacy in enabling informed decision-making and social participation. The recognition highlights the importance of locally driven, sustainable education solutions in climate-vulnerable regions.

The United States launched a missile strike on an Iranian cargo barge in the Gulf of Oman, according to Reza Shahidian, governor of Iran’s Sirik County. The 150-ton barge, owned by local residents of Sirik, was carrying essential goods from Oman’s Khasab port when it was attacked about five nautical miles from the coast. Passing vessels rescued all five crew members and brought them to Oman.

Following the strike, Iran’s central military command announced the complete closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The command warned that any vessel attempting to pass through the waterway would be targeted. The Strait of Hormuz is a key maritime route for global energy shipments, and its closure marks a significant escalation in regional tensions.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not provide details on casualties or the reason behind the US attack, leaving uncertainty about the broader implications of this confrontation.

Jordan has claimed to have destroyed 20 missiles fired from Iran, according to the country's military. The missiles were intercepted and brought down near Azraq in Zarqa province, about 80 kilometers east of Amman. Military officials said debris from the missiles fell to the ground, but there were no casualties or damage to infrastructure. Engineering units were deployed to remove the remnants and ensure no explosives remained.

According to reports citing a Jordanian military official, the missiles were launched from Iran and targeted the Azraq area. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran had earlier stated that it fired 12 ballistic missiles at Jordan’s Al-Azraq airbase for the second consecutive night. The incident marks an escalation in regional tensions involving Iran and neighboring states.

No immediate reports indicated further military response or diplomatic engagement following the interception, and the situation remains under observation.

Leaders of Khelafat Majlis expressed deep concern at a central executive meeting in Dhaka, alleging that India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has been pushing people illegally into Bangladesh over the past month. They said that India is bypassing established legal and diplomatic procedures for repatriation, such as prisoner exchange agreements and citizenship verification, and instead engaging in unlawful border intrusions. The leaders described this as an unfriendly act and contrary to international law.

The meeting emphasized that Bangladesh, as a sovereign state, cannot accept any unilateral push-in arrangement. The leaders urged India to respect existing bilateral agreements and refrain from forcing individuals into Bangladesh based on language or religion. They called on Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take a stronger diplomatic stance, lodge a formal protest with the Indian government, and, if necessary, raise the issue at international forums. The leaders also praised the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) for its vigilance in addressing the situation.

In addition, the meeting voiced concern over rising crimes, inflation, power shortages, and instability in the banking sector, urging collective efforts to restore stability in the country.

Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Kajol announced that the trial of the Ramisa rape and murder case will continue without interruption. He made the statement on Thursday, June 11, 2026, while speaking to journalists at his office. Kajol said that considering the sensitivity of the case, a special panel of state lawyers has been formed. The case is expected to appear on the High Court’s cause list next Sunday.

According to the report, on June 9, the death reference documents for convicts Sohel Rana and Swapna Akter, who were sentenced to death for the rape and murder of child Ramisa in Dhaka’s Pallabi area, reached the High Court. The death reference was sent after Judge Masrur Saleqin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Tribunal for Suppression of Violence Against Children signed the verdict documents.

The Attorney General’s remarks indicate that the judicial process will move forward swiftly, with the High Court preparing to review the death sentences soon.

A fire broke out in the engine room of a tanker near the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The cause of the fire has not been disclosed. Local authorities reported that the incident occurred about 21 nautical miles northeast of Sohar, Oman.

The incident comes shortly after Iran’s central military command declared the strategic Strait of Hormuz completely closed following recent U.S. attacks. Iran warned that any vessel attempting to pass through the waterway would be treated as a target. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route for global energy transport, and its closure has heightened regional tensions.

The timing of the tanker fire near the closed strait adds to concerns over maritime safety and the potential escalation of conflict in the region, though no link between the fire and the broader tensions has been confirmed.

Abdus Sabur Fakir, central executive member of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Naib-e-Ameer of Dhaka South, said that if the upcoming national budget imposes additional tax burdens on the public, people will immediately reject it. Speaking at an Eid reunion and unit leaders’ gathering organized by the party’s Wari West Thana unit on Wednesday night, he alleged that signs of an anti-poor budget were already visible and that ruling party-linked traders had begun stockpiling goods ahead of expected price hikes.

Fakir also criticized the government’s handling of Islami Bank, accusing it of allowing politically connected individuals to loot depositors’ money. He claimed that those who once took control of the bank under the ruling party were now trying to do so under the opposition’s influence. He urged the government to cancel the appointment of the current Islami Bank chairman, Khurshid Alam, and replace him with an honest and competent person to restore public confidence.

Other Jamaat leaders at the event, including Dr. Abdul Mannan, also criticized the home minister for focusing on bank control instead of improving law and order and border security.

Three Indian sailors were killed when US forces struck an oil tanker off the coast of Oman, according to India’s Minister of Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal. The minister described the incident as unfortunate and confirmed that the bodies of the three previously missing sailors had been recovered. The attack occurred on Tuesday evening on a vessel named 'Settebello', which the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said was carrying Iranian oil and had failed to comply with US instructions.

The tanker, flying the flag of Palau, had 28 crew members on board, including 24 Indians, two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian, and one Russian. Earlier reports indicated that 21 Indian sailors had been rescued, while three were missing. Following the incident, the Indian government summoned a senior US diplomat in New Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Jason Meeks, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, was called in for discussions.

The event has drawn attention to tensions in the region’s maritime routes, with India seeking clarification from the United States regarding the strike and the loss of its citizens.

In Nilphamari’s Jaldhaka upazila, unscrupulous fishermen are reportedly using improvised power systems known as ‘IPS’ to catch fish in local rivers, putting native species at risk of extinction. The practice is widespread in the Teesta, Buri Teesta, and Charalkata rivers, where electricity generated from IPS devices is released into the water at night, electrocuting fish and other aquatic life within a radius of several meters.

Residents report that the activity intensifies during the monsoon season when river water levels rise. Locals from Dawabari and Golmunda unions said organized groups operate boats at night, killing mother fish and fry alike, leading to a sharp decline in native fish populations. The demand for local fish remains high in markets, but supply from rivers has drastically fallen.

Jaldhaka Upazila Fisheries Officer Ariful Islam confirmed awareness of the issue and said that public awareness campaigns and legal measures are under consideration to curb the illegal practice.

The proposed national budget for fiscal year 2026–27 in Bangladesh includes significant tax and duty increases on several products. The plan raises the price limits for all cigarette categories and proposes a 300 percent supplementary duty on cigarette filter raw materials and 350 percent on nicotine. Locally produced alcohol would face a value-added tax of 500 taka per liter, while domestically produced liquor would also carry a 500 taka supplementary duty per liter. Import duties on cashew nuts are set to rise from 5 percent to 25 percent, which could raise market prices.

The proposal also increases taxes on luxury petrol, octane, and diesel vehicles, particularly those with 1200–1600 cc engines, and doubles the advance income tax on them. In contrast, the budget suggests lowering overall duties and taxes on imported electric vehicles, reducing the current 93 percent rate to 64 percent for EVs priced up to 25,000 dollars and 80 percent for those between 25,000 and 50,000 dollars. Advance tax on EV registration and fitness renewal may also be reduced.

Additional measures include higher VAT on certain steel products, a 20 percent supplementary duty on imported pangas fish fillets, annual advance income tax on helicopters, and an increase in gambling income tax from 20 to 25 percent.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that any ship approaching the Strait of Hormuz will face severe consequences. The warning came shortly after a US attack in Iran early Thursday, prompting Tehran to close the strategic waterway. The country’s top military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, confirmed that the narrow passage has been completely shut down.

The IRGC Navy has instructed all oil tankers and commercial vessels currently operating in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman to remain anchored. It stated that any movement toward the strait would be considered cooperation with the enemy. Citing a violation of ceasefire terms by US forces, the IRGC said the restriction will remain in place until further notice and urged ships to avoid the area for their own safety.

The IRGC described US forces in the region as a “terrorist army” and said the growing insecurity in the area necessitated the move. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategic chokepoints, through which about one-fifth of global petroleum supply passes.

Abeer Kawas, a Palestinian-American activist, is running as a Democratic Socialist candidate in the June 23 primary election for New York State Senate District 12, representing Queens. If successful, she would become the first Palestinian elected to the New York Senate. Her opponent is Filipino-American legislator Steven Raga, with the winner advancing to the November election and assuming office in Albany next January. Kawas has received the endorsement of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who previously ran a progressive campaign emphasizing housing and transit reforms and a strong stance on Palestine.

Kawas’s candidacy reflects her long-standing community activism and her personal history as the daughter of a Palestinian immigrant detained and deported after the September 11 attacks. She has worked with organizations focused on immigrant rights, language access, and police reform. Her campaign emphasizes the need for diverse, progressive voices in the Democratic Party and legislative system.

The race takes place amid heightened anti-Muslim incidents in the United States, with advocacy groups reporting a sharp rise in attacks on Muslim Americans and institutions under the Trump administration.

A Thai court has sentenced two Uyghur men to death for their involvement in the 2015 bombing at a shrine in Bangkok that killed 20 people. The attack occurred on August 17, 2015, at the Erawan Shrine located in the city’s commercial center. Several Chinese tourists were among the victims, and the incident is considered the deadliest bombing in Thailand’s history.

The convicted men, Yusufu Mieraili and Bilal Mohammed, were found guilty of premeditated murder related to the explosion. Both defendants denied the charges brought against them. The court’s decision marks the conclusion of a long-running case tied to one of Thailand’s most shocking acts of violence in recent years.

The ruling underscores Thailand’s continued pursuit of justice for the 2015 attack, though the defendants’ denial of guilt leaves questions about the full circumstances surrounding the bombing.

Somali football referee Omar Artan, who had been selected by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup, was denied entry into the United States despite holding all valid documents and a visa. After a long journey from Istanbul, Artan arrived at Miami International Airport, where US border officials detained and questioned him for about 11 hours before refusing him entry. FIFA later confirmed that Artan would not be able to participate in any training or match duties for the tournament.

Upon returning to Somalia, Artan expressed disappointment, saying he believed the issue was related to his nationality. His arrival at Mogadishu airport turned into an emotional scene as hundreds of supporters greeted him with national flags, celebrating him as a national hero despite his missed opportunity.

Artan encouraged Somali youth not to lose hope in their country, vowing to aim for the next World Cup. His resilience and patriotism have resonated deeply with football fans around the world.