In a recent speech, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed, “I should have won the Nobel Peace Prize four or five times, but I’m not being given the award because I’m not a liberal.” Trump highlighted his role in reducing tensions in regions like Rwanda, Congo, Kosovo, and between India and Pakistan. Pakistan has officially nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his mediation efforts during the India-Pakistan conflict.

Tulsi Gabbard, head of U.S. National Intelligence, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that American intelligence has evidence suggesting Iran has reached a stage in its nuclear program where it could produce a nuclear weapon in a matter of weeks or months if it chose to. “President Trump has made it clear this cannot be allowed to happen, and I fully agree,” she added. This contrasts with her earlier statement in March, where she claimed U.S. intelligence believed Iran was not pursuing nuclear weapons. Former President Trump responded to the contradiction by stating, "Mrs. Gabbard is misrepresenting Iran’s intentions."

Vietnam’s top paint company, Kova Paint, is entering the Bangladeshi market through a joint venture with Versetilo Group. A new factory named Kova Paint Bangladesh will be set up to produce 150 tons of paint daily. The plant will cater to both domestic demand and exports to SAARC countries. The agreement was signed in Kuala Lumpur, with Kova aiming to use the Bangladesh facility for fulfilling export orders to India and Malaysia. Officials from both companies and trade associations attended the signing ceremony.

Adviser Farida Akhtar has said that the interim government is committed to ensuring a peaceful transfer of power to representatives chosen by the people through an acceptable, fair, and participatory election. She emphasized that necessary reforms, including restructuring the Election Commission, are already underway to ensure that elections are held on schedule.

Additionally, the adviser highlighted the importance of research for safe and sustainable fish production, noting that fish remain the primary source of animal protein for the country. Addressing the fish crisis, she suggested that the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) could play a vital role in conserving endangered species of fish identified according to IUCN classifications. She also mentioned that a special committee has been formed to tackle the harmful effects of pesticides on public health and the environment.

The government is taking effective initiatives to promote eco-friendly alternative products alongside rubber wood produced by the Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC), said adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. While inspecting a potential site for a BFIDC showroom in Mirpur, she emphasized that the goal is to make government-produced household wooden products more accessible and appealing to the public. Highlighting the durability, skilled craftsmanship, and responsible use of local resources in BFIDC products, she said these features build strong public trust. Rizwana Hasan also instructed officials to finalize the location based on expert recommendations.

Israel’s economy is under increasing strain as it grapples with simultaneous conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and now direct confrontation with Iran. Defense spending has surged by 65% in 2024, reaching $46.5 billion, with 8.8% of GDP allocated to military expenses. Labor shortages are rising due to mass military deployments and revoked Palestinian work permits. Taxes have also increased to cover growing costs. While key sectors like technology remain stable, signs of stress are emerging. Experts warn that if the conflicts continue, Israel’s economic stability could falter despite current investor confidence.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on all public gatherings, rallies, demonstrations, processions, and protest events in the areas surrounding the NBR and BIDA offices, starting Sunday morning. According to an official notification, the restriction will be effective from 6:00 AM on Sunday and will remain in place until further notice. The restricted zone covers the stretch from Shishu Mela to the Agargaon Road area, under Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station. The DMP stated that this measure has been taken under Section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance to maintain public order and safety.

Bangladesh is preparing to cancel India’s proposed 117-kilometer-long high-capacity power corridor project, citing concerns over grid security, environmental risks, and national interests.

Despite India's eagerness to begin construction this year and complete the project by 2028, Dhaka has decided to reconsider its involvement. Under the proposal, a 765kV transmission line would run from Borang Nagar in India's Meghalaya state through Parbatipur in Bangladesh, eventually reaching Katihar in Bihar. In return, India has offered to supply Bangladesh with an additional 1,000 megawatts of electricity.

While the Hasina administration initially moved forward with the plan, many engineers within Bangladesh’s Power Division raised objections, warning of potential threats to national security and risks of large-scale blackouts. Now, with growing resistance and critical assessments, the government has opted to review the project with the possibility of scrapping it altogether.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has stated that, despite the Election Commission’s independence, holding national elections would be impossible without government cooperation. He confirmed that the Election Commission maintains ongoing communication with the government and that discussions will occur at the appropriate time. The CEC emphasized that the government’s active participation is essential for conducting elections and noted that the commission has an operational roadmap in place, subject to change if necessary.

The Pakistani government has formally nominated former US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his “decisive diplomatic intervention” during recent tensions between Pakistan and India. Islamabad claimed that Trump’s efforts likely prevented a full-scale war that could have endangered millions of lives. The statement praised Trump’s role as a genuine advocate for peace and his commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed grave concern over increasing global conflict risks, warning of the potential for a world war. “All crises must be resolved peacefully,” he emphasized. Putin criticized NATO for repeatedly ignoring Russia’s security concerns, calling it another form of Western colonialism. He also revealed that the US has promised to ensure the safety of Russian personnel at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility. Commenting on Israeli threats to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Putin added, “I hope it’s only rhetoric.”

US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that there is no reason for Israel to halt its strikes on Iran, adding, “Israel is winning decisively. I want to give them a timeframe—two weeks at most. I want to see if Iran regains its senses.” Earlier, on Thursday, Trump said he would assess the situation for two weeks before deciding on further military action against Iran.

During his UK visit, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus responded to BBC’s question about whether barring Awami League contradicts his commitment to inclusive elections. Quoting the UN Resident Coordinator, Yunus said, “Inclusive means the participation of all people, not specific political parties. As long as people can vote, it’s inclusive.” He clarified that the Awami League has not been banned but temporarily suspended from political activities, with their election participation subject to the Election Commission’s decision. He criticized attempts to compare Sheikh Hasina’s situation to the interim government, calling it ‘shameful.’ Yunus also dismissed proposals to integrate the Rohingya population into Bangladesh, deeming it impractical.

This year’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations are scheduled to start on June 26. The education boards have completed all necessary preparations. The Ministry of Education clarified that if any region faces a natural disaster, exams will be suspended only for that particular board, while exams in other regions will continue as scheduled. Salah Uddin, principal of Azimpur Government Girls School and College, urged teachers to remain vigilant against rumors, especially those related to leaked question papers, and called for strict action by the education boards.

Mosquito control activities in Dhaka South have stalled for over a month due to administrative deadlock at Nagar Bhaban, raising concerns of a worsening dengue outbreak. Residents in areas like Jurain report no visible mosquito spraying, while many workers remain inactive or absent. Experts warn that disruption during this pre-monsoon peak period may lead to a record rise in cases by August–September. They urge the government to urgently resume control operations to avoid a major public health crisis.