Bangladesh’s river-dependent economy and ecology continue to face challenges due to India’s upstream water management decisions. The country has 57 transboundary rivers, 54 shared with India, and disputes over water sharing have persisted since independence. The article highlights how India’s unilateral projects, including dams and barrages such as Farakka, have caused water scarcity and environmental degradation in Bangladesh. The 1996 Ganges Water Treaty between the two countries expires in December 2026, and uncertainty remains over whether it will be renewed or replaced. India’s proposal to base a new framework on water flow at the Farakka point is described as unfair to Bangladesh.

The Teesta River remains another unresolved issue, with India’s upstream control through the Gajoldoba Barrage reducing dry-season flow into Bangladesh. The 2011 Teesta agreement was never implemented due to opposition from West Bengal. Similarly, the 2019 memorandum allowing India to draw water from the Feni River for Tripura residents has sparked controversy, with allegations of excessive withdrawal affecting Bangladeshi farmers.

The article urges Bangladesh to adopt stronger water diplomacy and advocate internationally for equitable transboundary river management under global conventions such as the UN Watercourses Convention and the Helsinki Rules.

Sylhet-born Mohib Chowdhury has been elected unopposed as president of the British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI), the largest organization of Bangladeshi entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom. The election results were announced on Tuesday at the BBCCI Conference Hall in London, where the election commission formally declared the new committee.

Mohib Chowdhury, originally from Kubajpur in Jagannathpur, Sunamganj, is the founding president of the London Bangla Press Club and a former editor of the weekly Naton Din newspaper. The newly elected executive committee includes Professor Dr. Sanawar Chowdhury as senior vice president, Abdul Wache Chowdhury as vice president, Musleh Ahmed as director general, Abdul Mumin as deputy director general, Abul Kalam Azad as finance director, and Mostafa Ahmed Lucky as membership director.

The new committee pledged to strengthen trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh, continuing BBCCI’s longstanding role in promoting entrepreneurship and protecting the interests of Bangladeshi businesspeople.

A case has been filed in Ramganj upazila of Lakshmipur against 179 individuals, including former Awami League lawmaker Anwar Hossain Khan, for allegedly creating unrest and assaulting people while chanting anti-government slogans. The case was lodged by Robiul Hasan Rabbi, assistant organizational secretary of the Bholaikot Union unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, naming 29 individuals and 150 unidentified persons. Police confirmed the case on Tuesday night and said one suspect had been detained, though their identity was not disclosed.

According to the case statement, on June 16 the accused gathered near Farid Ahmed Bhuiyan Academy in Bholaikot Union after connecting through a video group call. They allegedly shouted slogans and attacked Rabbi and witnesses when confronted. The incident followed the discovery of a student’s body at the same institution earlier that day, which had already sparked local unrest.

Police said no named suspects had yet been arrested, while one person was detained for questioning. The case remains under investigation.

The United Nations reported that more than 11,000 residential buildings in southern Lebanon have been completely destroyed in recent clashes, leaving many families without homes to return to. UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York that an assessment found another 2,200 buildings partially damaged. He said the widespread destruction, ongoing uncertainty, and the presence of unexploded ordnance are major obstacles to safe and sustainable returns.

Despite the devastation, many people are returning to southern Lebanon. According to UN data, about 19,000 people left shelters in a single night to go back to their areas, reducing the number of displaced people in shelters to around 90,000. The UN added that restoring normal life in the affected areas remains a major challenge due to destroyed infrastructure, security risks, and the lack of essential services.

The report underscores the scale of humanitarian and reconstruction challenges facing southern Lebanon following the recent conflict.

A report by The Atlantic, cited by Amar Desh on June 24, 2026, describes how Ukrainian women, known locally as 'Vidma' or 'witches', are playing a key role in resistance operations against Russian forces in occupied territories. These women gather intelligence, often through covert online interactions, and pass it to Ukrainian military units for precision drone strikes. One example involved a Russian soldier deceived by a fake online persona operated by a Ukrainian intelligence officer, leading to a successful drone attack on his base.

The report notes that Ukraine’s resistance tactics have evolved over four years of war, focusing on collecting small pieces of information to identify military targets. Former MP Lesia Orobets said Ukrainian society respects the 'Vidma' for their skills, while resistance organizer Petro Andriushchenko emphasized women’s ability to access areas men cannot. The Ukrainian Women’s Guard has trained over 60,000 women in self-defense and resistance since 2014.

According to the report, intelligence gathered from occupied zones enables rapid drone operations, sometimes within minutes of target identification. However, the publication cautions that independent verification of such wartime claims remains difficult.

A special team of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police under the Wari Division arrested six professional muggers during an operation in the capital. The arrests took place on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in the Jatrabari and Sayedabad areas following a tip-off. The detainees were identified as Md. Ismail Hariz (21), Md. Alam (25), Md. Robin (26), Md. Siddiqur Rahman (38), Nashat Khan Nabil (19), and Robiul Islam Mahin (20).

According to DB Wari sources, the arrested individuals had been involved in organized mugging across various parts of Dhaka for a long time. They also face multiple criminal cases, including theft, drug-related offenses, and robbery. The operation was part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to curb street crimes in the capital.

Authorities are expected to continue similar drives in other areas of Dhaka to dismantle organized mugging networks, as indicated by the DB’s recent actions.

In Sreemangal of Moulvibazar, pineapple farmers are facing financial losses despite a bumper harvest this season because of the absence of adequate cold storage and processing facilities. The district has seen record production of the Honey Queen variety, which is in high demand nationwide. However, without proper preservation systems, large quantities of pineapples are wasted each year, leaving growers anxious about market fluctuations and falling prices during peak production.

Local farmers and traders have expressed concern that the lack of storage forces them to sell quickly at lower prices. Daily pineapple trade in local markets is estimated at around half a crore taka. Business owners have long demanded the establishment of a modern cold storage facility in the region to protect their produce and stabilize prices.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, pineapples are cultivated on 1,223 hectares across several upazilas, producing about 22,774 metric tons valued at roughly Tk 68.32 crore. Officials noted that pineapple farming is emerging as a key economic sector for Moulvibazar but stressed that preservation and processing infrastructure are essential for sustainable growth.

Gold prices in Bangladesh have dropped significantly, with the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announcing a reduction of Tk 5,482 per bhori for 22-carat gold. The new rate, including VAT, is set at Tk 225,290 per bhori and took effect from 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The association stated that the adjustment follows a decline in the price of pure gold in the local market.

According to the revised pricing, 21-carat gold now costs Tk 215,142 per bhori, 18-carat gold Tk 184,758, and traditional gold Tk 150,932 per bhori. BAJUS confirmed that these rates will remain in force across all jewelry outlets until further notice. Labor charges will vary depending on design, and customers will not be charged VAT separately, as it is already included in the sale price.

The association had previously raised gold prices on June 22, 2026, by Tk 4,432 per bhori, setting the 22-carat rate at Tk 230,772. BAJUS also mentioned that a decision regarding VAT on silver jewelry will be announced soon.

Bangladesh’s newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has undertaken official visits to Malaysia and China, signaling a revival of the country’s long-standing Look East foreign policy. The visits are described as a modern reflection of the strategy first introduced by late President Ziaur Rahman, aimed at diversifying Bangladesh’s diplomatic and economic engagements beyond single-country dependence. The trips are portrayed as a turning point in national priorities, emphasizing strategic autonomy and balanced international relations.

The article traces the origins of the Look East policy to the late 1970s, when President Ziaur Rahman expanded ties with China, Japan, and Southeast Asian nations to strengthen Bangladesh’s sovereignty, trade, and labor markets. It notes that subsequent governments, particularly under Khaleda Zia, institutionalized this approach. The piece contrasts this legacy with recent years of India-centric diplomacy, which it says generated domestic and international criticism over perceived strategic imbalance.

According to the analysis, the current outreach to Malaysia and China focuses on economic diplomacy, labor cooperation, semiconductor and AI collaboration, and major infrastructure projects. The author concludes that reviving the Look East policy is essential for Bangladesh’s sustainable growth, strategic balance, and global standing.

A new report by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry has accused Israel of deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza, describing the ongoing actions as part of a continuing genocide. Released on Tuesday, the report found that about 30 percent of those killed in Israeli attacks since the start of the Gaza war were children. It said that even after a ceasefire in October 2025, Israeli forces continued to target and kill children, demonstrating what the commission called a genocidal intent to destroy Palestinians in whole or in part.

Commission chair Srinivasan Murlidhar stated that evidence clearly showed Israeli security forces intentionally targeted and killed Palestinian children. The report also documented heavy use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas, widespread displacement, and blockades that created famine-like conditions. Attacks on hospitals and maternity wards reduced newborn survival rates and increased miscarriages, leaving nearly all children in Gaza in need of urgent mental health support.

Israel’s mission in Geneva rejected the UN report as false and fabricated, while human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have echoed concerns about systematic destruction of Palestinian life.

A historic drop in onion prices has plunged farmers in Puthia upazila of Rajshahi into deep financial distress. Prices have fallen far below production costs, forcing thousands of growers to bear heavy losses. Farmers report that where onions previously sold for Tk 2,500–3,000 per maund at this time of year, prices have now dropped to Tk 800–1,000 depending on the variety. Storage losses, weight reduction, and oversupply have worsened the crisis.

Local farmers complain that prolonged storage has caused onions to dry out and rot, while irregularities in weighing have further reduced their returns. Abdul Momin, a farmer at Baneshwar market, expressed frustration, saying that the current price barely covers basic household needs. Traders attribute the price collapse to excessive supply, noting that high production and limited storage capacity have forced farmers to sell quickly.

Upazila agriculture officer Smriti Rani Sarkar confirmed that oversupply has driven prices down but expressed hope for a rebound soon. Farmers are urging the government to improve market regulation, expand storage facilities, and ensure fair prices to prevent future production and market crises.

District and sub-registrars in Bangladesh, responsible for both land registration and valuation, are facing allegations of long-term revenue fraud. Reports suggest that a network of officials and land grabbers has been manipulating land classifications to register high-value plots as low-value categories such as ‘nal’ land, depriving the government of millions in revenue. The issue has placed the registrars under scrutiny for allegedly aiding fraudulent land reclassification.

According to the Land Ministry, the government is planning to overhaul the traditional valuation process by expanding the valuation committees and including representatives from other ministries. Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu and Senior Secretary Saleh Ahmed confirmed that the ministry is working to bring all land-related services under one administrative framework to curb irregularities. Data from areas like Gulshan and Tejgaon show drastic differences in registration fees between land categories, highlighting the scale of potential revenue loss.

Experts and officials note that outdated land records and unlinked digital systems allow such discrepancies to persist. They suggest integrating land use data with registration systems to minimize tax evasion and improve transparency in land administration.

The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) is preparing a 25-year master plan to transform the port city into a sustainable, disaster-resilient, and environmentally friendly satellite city. The draft final report has been sent to the ministry for gazette publication ahead of a 60-day public hearing, with the plan expected to be released in December. The initiative, known as Master Plan 2025–2050, began in December 2022 with a budget of Tk 35.88 crore. CDA reports 87 percent physical and 59.67 percent financial progress, including digital mapping of 1,135 mouzas.

The plan aims to expand the city from 155 to 955 square kilometers by integrating Anwara and Karnaphuli areas across the river, following a “One City Two Town” model similar to Shanghai. It proposes 276 projects across 19 sectors, emphasizing environmental protection, flood control, and sustainable housing for 800,000 to 1 million people. Construction in 198.4 square kilometers of hilly areas will be prohibited.

Urban experts have welcomed the technical precision but warned that without institutional coordination, legal reform, and adequate funding, implementation may falter as in previous plans. CDA says it has begun inter-agency coordination and will operate under the new plan from December.

The Tengratila gas field in Doarabazar, Sunamganj, has remained inactive for over two decades following two major explosions on January 7 and June 24, 2005. As the 21st anniversary of the second explosion passes, residents express frustration over the lack of government action to restart operations. The field, once a key supplier for local industries, has been left idle, raising questions about legal and geopolitical factors behind its prolonged closure.

Local speculation links the inactivity to possible Indian interests, as the field lies only 7–10 kilometers from the Meghalaya border. Experts warn that underground gas reserves do not follow political boundaries, and extraction on the Indian side could cause a “drainage effect,” drawing gas from Bangladesh’s territory. Despite an international court ruling holding Canadian company Niko liable for damages, the site remains dormant.

Community leaders, environmental activists, and local officials have urged the government to conduct new surveys and resume production, citing national energy shortages and fears that valuable gas reserves may be slipping away across the border.

A culvert on the Nimgachi-Heutnagar road in Dhunat upazila of Bogura district suddenly collapsed on Monday morning following continuous rainfall. The incident caused no casualties but severed road communication for about 30,000 residents across at least 15 villages in Nimgachi and Kalerpara unions. The collapse occurred when soil beside the structure eroded under heavy water pressure during drainage from nearby fields.

According to local sources, the 15-meter-long culvert was built in 2001 under the Annual Development Programme to improve rural communication and water drainage. Residents alleged that substandard construction made the culvert unstable from the beginning, and no repairs were undertaken despite its risky condition. Continuous rain and poor maintenance ultimately led to its failure, forcing locals, students, and workers to take longer alternative routes.

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) engineer Bakhtiar Hossain said a proposal for a new culvert has been prepared and sent to higher authorities. The upazila administration also instructed immediate measures to restore communication and later build a durable bridge at the site.