Iran has decided to suspend its ongoing indirect peace talks with the United States, citing Israel’s recent military operations and the deteriorating situation in Lebanon. The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Monday that Tehran halted communications and negotiations being conducted through mediators aimed at easing Middle East tensions and reaching a possible understanding with Washington. The decision followed continued Israeli attacks in Gaza and Lebanon.

Following Iran’s announcement, global energy markets reacted sharply. Brent crude for August delivery rose nearly 5 percent to over 95 dollars per barrel, while U.S. benchmark WTI crude climbed about 6 percent to above 92 dollars. Tasnim noted that Israel’s military actions in Lebanon and alleged violations of ceasefire terms were key factors behind Tehran’s move. Iran had earlier emphasized that an effective ceasefire in Lebanon was essential for any regional peace initiative.

On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered new airstrikes near Beirut and expanded operations in Hezbollah-controlled areas. Iran reiterated its continued support for Hezbollah and regional resistance movements.

Mahfuz Alam, a key organizer of the July uprising and former adviser to the interim government, has clarified his stance on the ongoing debate over the Awami League’s political future. In a Facebook post on Monday evening, he described the current situation as a reflection of insecurity between two major parties, the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, rooted in past political conflicts. He expressed concern that future political developments could marginalize those who fought against what he termed the League’s fascism, a risk he said has grown due to Jamaat’s alliance politics.

Alam criticized the older generation of political leaders for exploiting youth movements, arguing that young activists must now organize independently, build institutions, and strengthen their influence beyond politics. He urged them to focus on unity, long-term planning, and anti-fascist ideals rather than internal divisions.

Concluding his message, Alam called for courage and organizational strength to ensure that fascism, in any form, cannot return to the country’s political landscape.

The government has suspended two regional executive officers from Dhaka North and South City Corporations for alleged negligence in removing sacrificial waste after Eid. On Monday, the Ministry of Public Administration issued separate orders suspending Md. Sadekur Rahman of Dhaka North and Kazi Saleh Mustanjir of Dhaka South. Both are deputy secretaries. The suspension took effect on June 1, and they will receive subsistence allowances as per regulations.

Earlier, the two officials had been attached to the Ministry of Public Administration following complaints of misconduct. The decision to take departmental action was made under the Government Service Act and the Government Employees (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. The move followed a surprise inspection by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who visited several areas of Dhaka on Friday afternoon to review development projects and waste management after Eid-ul-Azha.

During the visit, the Prime Minister observed uncollected waste in parts of Elephant Road, Green Road, Farmgate, and Karwan Bazar, prompting immediate administrative action against the two officials.

Feni District Council Administrator and BNP Joint Convener M A Khalek publicly apologized on Monday after facing widespread criticism for mistakenly referring to the Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Abdul Awal Mintoo, as 'beloved prophet' during a local BNP discussion meeting in Daganbhuiyan. Speaking at a press conference in the district council conference room, Khalek said he had intended to call the minister a 'beloved person' but misspoke. He described the incident as a slip of the tongue and expressed embarrassment, adding that he had already sought forgiveness from Allah.

The controversy began after his remarks at the May 30 event went viral on social media, drawing strong reactions. Islamic scholar Dr. Enayetullah Abbasi called the statement clear disbelief, urging Khalek to repent and reaffirm his faith. Political and social figures also criticized the comment as offensive to religious sentiments and evidence of incompetence.

Khalek has previously faced similar controversies for his statements, including incidents in April and September of earlier years, which he also described as slips of the tongue.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is set to begin a two-day visit to Sylhet on Monday night. According to his office, he will depart from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:40 p.m. and arrive in Sylhet later that evening. Upon arrival, he will visit former MP Maulana Farid Uddin Chowdhury, who is undergoing treatment at Ibn Sina Hospital, before spending the night at his residence in Shibganj, Subidbazar.

On Tuesday morning, Dr. Rahman will attend a meeting organized by Islami Chhatra Shibir at Shahjalal Jamia Islamia Kamil Madrasa. Later in the day, he is scheduled to meet the family of a deceased child in Sonatala village, exchange greetings with officials of Sylhet Women’s Medical College, and attend a civic gathering at the Shilpakala Academy auditorium. In the evening, he will hold discussions with Sylhet city and district Jamaat leaders. His return flight to Dhaka is planned for 10 p.m. from Osmani International Airport.

The opposition leader’s assistant private secretary, Mohammad Nazrul Islam, will accompany him during the visit.

The government of Bangladesh has reinstated its directive requiring all shopping malls, markets, and shops across the country to close by 7pm, effective June 1. The same restriction applies to lighting on billboards, as well as to ongoing and upcoming fairs, trade fairs, and cultural events, which must also conclude by 7pm. Officials from the Power Division said the measure aims to conserve electricity.

The Power Division’s Coordination-2 branch issued the order on Monday, sending it to all city corporation mayors, administrators, divisional commissioners, and district commissioners for implementation. The earlier 7pm closing rule had been temporarily relaxed to 10pm during the Eid-ul-Azha period to facilitate business activities.

With the end of the Eid concession, the previous schedule has been reimposed. The Power Division has requested all relevant administrative authorities to take necessary steps to ensure compliance with the directive.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has expressed hope that the Prime Minister’s promise to complete the trial of the Ramisa murder case within 15 days will be fulfilled. He said the Prime Minister personally assured the victim’s family of justice within that timeframe. Speaking to reporters after visiting Ramisa’s grieving and hospitalized father at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Dhaka, Dr. Rahman conveyed condolences and emphasized the need for swift judicial action.

Dr. Rahman stated that if the judiciary works sincerely, the trial could be completed within 15 working days. He added that Jamaat-e-Islami has already organized protests demanding justice for the brutal killing. He also urged that no lawyer should defend the self-confessed perpetrators and that no political group should exploit the case.

He further said that the verdict should be sent to the High Court for quick execution once the trial concludes. Dr. Rahman described the case as a moral test for the nation and called for unity in ensuring justice for Ramisa.

BNP activists staged demonstrations and blocked roads in Rangamati on Monday following the resignation of Dipen Dewan, the Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs. The protests began around noon in various parts of his electoral constituency, where party members demanded the withdrawal of his resignation. Traffic in the town came to a halt as protesters gathered in front of the party office and occupied the Chittagong–Rangamati road.

Earlier in the morning, news of Dewan’s resignation spread, triggering frustration and anger among his supporters. They assembled at the BNP office in Kathaltali before taking to the streets with slogans calling for the cancellation of his resignation. Dewan had submitted his resignation letter to the Prime Minister earlier that morning, which was later accepted.

According to the report, Dewan resigned three months after assuming responsibility for the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs under the BNP government.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain announced that the government has taken comprehensive measures to combat dengue across Bangladesh. Speaking at a meeting on Monday at the Ministry of Health, he said the authorities are not delaying action as sporadic dengue cases are already being detected. Dedicated dengue corners are being set up at upazila health centers, and a field hospital has been prepared at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, with plans for more if needed.

The minister said the Society of Medicine will provide training on treatment plans, supported by UNICEF and other organizations. Starting Tuesday, doctors and nurses in all seven divisions and districts outside Dhaka will receive training. Essential supplies such as reagents, testing kits, and saline are being stocked, with additional procurement planned. The ministry has also been coordinating with city corporations for two months to address mosquito breeding sources and will meet them again soon.

The meeting also discussed launching a dengue-related mobile app and emphasized expanding research on the disease.

Bangladesh Postal Department’s mobile financial service Nagad achieved multiple transaction records in May 2026, marking the highest monthly total in its history. The company processed transactions worth Tk 44,639 crore during the month, surpassing its previous record of Tk 41,469 crore in March. Daily transaction records were also broken several times before Eid-ul-Azha, with the highest single-day total reaching Tk 2,177 crore on May 26.

Officials attributed the surge to increased financial activity around Eid, including cash-in, cash-out, remittance receipts, mobile recharges, bill payments, and shopping transactions. Nagad also played a key role in distributing government allowances and benefits during the month. Administrator Md. Motasim Billah said Nagad’s low transaction costs and free send-money service have made it highly popular among users, helping to build trust and sustain growth.

According to Billah, technological improvements have strengthened transaction security, further boosting customer confidence. Since its inception, Nagad has aimed to digitize financial services, accelerate rural economic activity, and expand financial inclusion across Bangladesh.

Islami Bank had called a board meeting to facilitate the joining of its new chairman, but the meeting could not take place due to protests by customers. The bank’s acting managing director (MD) obtained permission from the central bank to hold the meeting online, yet that plan also failed under pressure from protesting customers. Allegations emerged that law enforcement officials pressured the MD to proceed with the online meeting.

On Monday afternoon, police officers were reportedly seen in the MD’s office urging him to conduct the meeting online, while customers gathered outside in protest. Leaders of the customer forum told journalists that police and Detective Branch officials were applying pressure similar to what they claimed happened during a 2017 takeover of the bank. They vowed to resist any such attempt.

Acting MD Altaf Hossain stated that despite receiving central bank approval, he refrained from holding the online board meeting out of respect for customer demands.

Abhijit Deepke, founder of the online-based youth organization 'Cockroach Janata Party' (CJP), has announced plans to return to India and lead street protests demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He urged young people to join peaceful demonstrations in Delhi, calling for government accountability. The announcement was reported by US News on Monday.

The CJP, which gained millions of followers within days, has drawn attention among Indian youth frustrated by unemployment, inflation, exam paper leaks, and result errors. Deepke claimed that about 800,000 students have signed a petition demanding the minister’s resignation. The Indian government has reportedly blocked CJP’s X account, and Deepke alleged attempts by hackers to seize their Instagram page. Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the group of receiving support from anti-India elements, though Prime Minister Modi has not commented.

The movement’s rise comes amid growing public discontent over fuel price hikes, gas shortages, and the Iran war’s impact. The government is also planning to transport exam papers via the Air Force after a recent medical entrance test was canceled due to leaks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly facing severe psychological and political pressure due to the ongoing situation in Lebanon. According to Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, the United States and Iran are moving toward a memorandum of understanding that could include Lebanon, which has significantly increased pressure on Netanyahu.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Krieg stated that despite Israel’s public celebrations of certain tactical gains, the country has not achieved any substantial operational or strategic success in Lebanon. He explained that Netanyahu must demonstrate a major achievement to the public before being forced to halt military operations under U.S. pressure. This has led Netanyahu to emphasize symbolic victories in the media to justify a dignified troop withdrawal.

Krieg further added that Israel’s long-term or “permanent war” policy across Gaza and Lebanon has yielded very limited results for the country.

Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman has urged journalists and media outlets to refrain from publishing unverified photocards, edited statements, and misleading online content. Speaking at a press conference organized by the Prime Minister’s Press Wing on Monday, he said some mainstream and online media were engaging in unprofessional practices for higher viewership, which risked spreading misinformation and social disorder.

Rumman emphasized that the current government is media-friendly and believes in press freedom, allowing constructive criticism as well as coverage of the government’s development efforts. He called on journalists to uphold professionalism and highlight the government’s sincerity in rebuilding the country under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership.

He also noted that the Prime Minister and his team continued working during the Eid holidays, personally inspecting city cleanliness and taking immediate action where negligence was found. The press secretary said the government remains committed to good governance and public welfare through tireless effort.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi has strongly condemned Iran’s attack on Kuwait, describing it as a dangerous and irresponsible escalation. In a statement, he said such actions undermine efforts to maintain regional security and stability. Al-Budaiwi urged the international community and the United Nations Security Council to take firm and preventive measures against these serious violations that threaten regional and global peace.

He emphasized that Kuwait is an integral part of the GCC and that member states remain united and firm on this issue. The Secretary-General reaffirmed the GCC’s full support for all measures taken by Kuwait to ensure its security, protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and safeguard the safety of its citizens and residents.

The statement reflects the GCC’s collective stance on defending member states’ sovereignty and maintaining stability in the Gulf region amid rising tensions.