India has opened all gates of the Gajoldoba Barrage, causing a rapid rise in the Teesta River’s water level. At the Teesta Barrage point in Hatibandha, Lalmonirhat, the river is flowing just below the danger mark and may cross it at any time. According to the Water Development Board, heavy rainfall in India over recent days has led to increased water flow toward Bangladesh, raising fears of severe flooding in the district. Officials reported that at 6 a.m. on Saturday, the water at Dalia point was five centimeters below the danger level. The flow, which had decreased earlier, began rising again from Saturday morning. Thousands of families living along the riverbanks in five upazilas of Lalmonirhat are at risk of being marooned as low-lying areas may soon be inundated. Authorities have urged residents in riverbank areas to remain alert. The Teesta Barrage’s 44 gates have been kept open to manage the rising water, and the Water Development Board continues to monitor the situation closely.

U.S. President Donald Trump unexpectedly pushed for the immediate signing of a deal with Iran on Wednesday at France’s Versailles Palace, surprising French President Emmanuel Macron and his own advisers. Although a formal ceremony had been scheduled two days later in Lucerne, Switzerland, Trump insisted on finalizing the agreement that night with Macron’s assistance. The deal was signed in the palace’s Lower Gallery, but subsequent violence between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon led Iran to withdraw from the process, canceling the planned Lucerne event. The agreement drew sharp criticism within the United States, including from Trump’s supporters. Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker described the $300 billion reconstruction fund in the deal as excessive compared to the Obama-era Iran accord. Trump defended his decision online, claiming U.S. military strength forced Iran to negotiate and that no funds would be released for 60 days. The rushed signing followed months of conflict, falling global oil reserves, and Republican concerns over economic fallout before midterm elections. Internal divisions persisted, with intelligence and defense officials doubting Iran’s compliance, while economic and energy advisers urged an end to the costly war.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh is facing significant shortfalls in its preparations to organize the upcoming local government elections. Key election management and conduct regulations remain unfinalized, and there is a notable shortage of essential election materials. The EC has yet to decide on procurement due to the government’s pending decision on the election schedule and starting level. According to EC sources, 8.34 million items are required, but only 5.9 million are currently in stock, leaving a deficit of about 2.45 million. The government has indicated plans to begin local government elections gradually from September or October, starting with union council polls subject to budget approval. However, due to preparation gaps, only limited-scale elections, such as for union councils or municipalities, may be held this year. The EC also faces delays in finalizing the revised codes of conduct and election management rules, which are still open for stakeholder feedback until June 30. The shortage of materials such as ballot box locks, marking seals, and indelible ink pens, along with pending regulatory approval, poses a major challenge for the EC to meet the proposed election timeline.

US Vice President JD Vance has departed for Switzerland to participate in discussions between the United States and Iran. According to a report by Pakistan’s Geo News, he left for Switzerland on Sunday, June 21, local time. The talks are expected to focus on nuclear matters and efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon. Before his departure on Saturday, June 20, Vance told reporters that he was hopeful about progress in both the nuclear issue and the Lebanon ceasefire discussions. He noted that despite the headlines, the situation in Lebanon appeared to be improving slightly, with tensions showing signs of easing. Vance emphasized that the situation required ongoing monitoring and management to ensure that both Israel and Lebanon remain safe and stable, underscoring the United States’ continued engagement in regional stability efforts.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir have departed for Bürgenstock, Switzerland, to participate in high-level discussions between Iran and the United States. The information was confirmed by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement posted on social media platform X on Thursday. According to the ministry’s statement, Qatar is also expected to join the talks. Pakistan emphasized that it will continue to support and advance efforts aimed at implementing the understanding reached between Iran and the United States. The discussions are being held in Switzerland, signaling a diplomatic effort involving multiple regional stakeholders. The ministry’s statement highlights Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to facilitating dialogue and cooperation between Iran and the United States, reflecting its broader interest in regional stability and constructive engagement.

The Ministry of Social Welfare in Bangladesh has initiated a cleanup drive following reports of irregularities in the Family Card pilot program. The move came after media reports revealed that 62 affluent individuals in Jashore had received cards meant for low-income families. According to ministry sources, 325 cards were canceled due to recipients’ financial solvency or government affiliation, while a total of about 1,800 cards were revoked nationwide. The ministry is now conducting verification and corrective actions under the pilot guidelines. Investigations found that some data collectors failed to conduct proper field surveys, leading to inclusion of ineligible individuals and exclusion of vulnerable groups such as river erosion victims in Sunamganj and ethnic minorities in Bandarban. The ministry has ordered reinvestigations in affected areas and begun administrative action against officials responsible for data manipulation. Issues with SIM and mobile financial service accounts also delayed payments to thousands of beneficiaries. Social Welfare Minister Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain stated that the pilot’s purpose is to identify flaws before nationwide rollout. The government plans to train university students for improved data collection and expand the program under the 2026–27 budget, which allocates Tk 14,500 crore for Family Card benefits to 4.1 million women.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is leaving for Malaysia on Sunday afternoon for his first state visit at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The two-day visit will be followed by a four-day trip to China starting June 22, where Rahman will hold bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The visit is expected to include the signing of 13 memorandums of understanding, two agreements, an action plan, and a protocol note between Bangladesh and China. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam announced the details at a press briefing, noting that discussions during the China visit will cover the Teesta mega project, river management, and potential participation in China’s global initiatives. Rahman will also attend the World Economic Forum’s Summer Davos in Dalian and address the Bangladesh Investment Forum in Beijing to promote investment opportunities. During the Malaysia visit, Bangladesh will request Kuala Lumpur to recruit more Bangladeshi workers. The foreign secretary emphasized Malaysia’s historical support for Bangladesh and its role in ASEAN, noting that Dhaka seeks to strengthen ties and cooperation on labor and regional issues.

Bangladesh Bank’s Financial Stability Report 2025 reveals that due to High Court stay orders, banks cannot classify Tk 182,419 crore in loans as defaults. These stays stem from 845 writ petitions filed by 1,379 borrowers, allowing them to appear as regular clients and access new loans and rescheduling facilities. The report shows that the volume of loans under court protection rose by nearly 80 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year. The central bank notes that this legal tactic hides the true scale of non-performing loans and strains liquidity across the banking sector. Some borrowers have used these stays to qualify for national elections despite outstanding debts. Former Bangladesh Bank governor Ahsan H. Mansur criticized the widespread issuance of such stays, calling them harmful to financial stability. The central bank has directed banks to strengthen their legal teams to expedite loan recovery cases. According to Bangladesh Bank data, total non-performing loans, including those under litigation, now amount to Tk 771,123 crore, with the sector posting a combined net loss of Tk 136,666 crore last year.

At least 29 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon on Saturday, just one day after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah was announced. The attacks struck Nabatieh, Tyre, Sidon, and the Bekaa Valley, with Lebanon’s Civil Defense reporting 16 deaths in Nabatieh and the state news agency NNA describing the strike on Barish village as a ‘massacre.’ A Lebanese army officer was also killed in an airstrike on the Kafr Rumman–Nabatieh road. The Lebanese army accused Israel of trying to obstruct any solution aimed at restoring stability in Lebanon. The Israeli military said the strikes were in response to overnight Hezbollah attacks on Israeli positions, while Hezbollah claimed it repelled Israeli infiltration attempts during the ceasefire. Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said Israel’s occupation made any truce meaningless. The violence unfolded amid U.S.–Iran efforts to implement a memorandum of understanding to ease hostilities. Israeli ministers criticized the deal, while U.S. President Donald Trump condemned Israel’s operation. Iran warned that peace in Lebanon depended on Israel’s compliance with international law and an end to occupation.

The Bangladesh government is facing complications over whether to cancel or uphold a border fence agreement signed during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. The interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus had earlier decided to revoke the deal, calling it anti-national, but the process stalled after the new administration took office following the 13th national election. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the matter would be reviewed before any action is taken. Security and geopolitical analysts have labeled the Hasina-era memorandum on border fencing as a violation of international law and a threat to Bangladesh’s sovereignty. They argue that India’s construction of barbed-wire fences along the 4,156-kilometer border, including sections built within the zero line, breaches the 1975 Bangladesh-India Joint Border Guidelines. Indian authorities, however, maintain that the fencing complies with bilateral protocols and is aimed at curbing cross-border crimes. Experts and former officials have urged the government to disclose and annul any agreements deemed contrary to national interest. The Home Ministry is currently examining the issue, but no visible progress has been reported since the change of government.

An Israeli soldier was killed and 13 others injured during an operation to seize a major underground Hezbollah base in Lebanon early Saturday, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. in the village of Kafr Tibnit, Nabatieh, when rockets and drones targeted Israeli positions. The deceased soldier, Nir Ben Ari, 21, was a member of the Maglan unit of the Commando Brigade. Two of the injured soldiers are reported to be in critical condition. The IDF stated that the underground base beneath the al-Taher mountain range serves as the main center for Hezbollah’s Badr regional division, where heavy fighting continues both underground and above ground. A day earlier, four Israeli soldiers, including Lieutenant Colonel Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, were killed in a similar attempt to capture the same base. Following the latest attack, Israel launched extensive airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon. Lebanese media and rescue workers reported at least 27 deaths and 26 injuries from the Israeli strikes. The IDF said it has paused attacks outside the declared “security zone” but will continue operations within it.

At least 15 bodies of migrants, including women, were recovered over the past week along Libya’s eastern Mediterranean coast. Security, naval, and medical sources confirmed the information to Reuters on Saturday, saying the victims likely drowned after a boat sank. A naval source reported that about 10 people were rescued alive, and survivors said around 61 people had been on board. The bodies were found near the coastal areas of Tobruk, close to the Egyptian border, with some already decomposed. Officials warned that more bodies might still be in the area. Photos posted on the Tobruk Red Crescent’s Facebook page showed volunteers in white protective suits collecting bodies from rocky shores and placing them in white bags. Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s government in 2011, Libya’s coast has become a major route for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. Many people fleeing conflict and poverty risk the dangerous sea journey, while others come to Libya seeking limited job opportunities in its oil-based economy. In a separate incident, Libya’s Emergency Medicine and Support Center in Tripoli reported rescuing 13 migrants alive after another boat accident, providing them with necessary medical care.

An Iranian high-level delegation has arrived in Switzerland to hold technical-level discussions with the United States on June 21 in Burgenstock. The talks follow the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Islamabad between the two countries. According to Iran’s official news agency IRNA, the delegation’s arrival in Switzerland has been confirmed, and the Swiss Foreign Ministry also acknowledged their presence on Saturday night. In a post on social media platform X, the Swiss Foreign Ministry welcomed the Iranian delegation and stated that the discussions are part of implementing the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States. Ahead of the meeting, a preparatory discussion took place at the Burgenstock resort, attended by diplomats from several countries. Switzerland’s state media RTS reported that, in addition to the U.S. and Iranian technical teams, representatives from Qatar and Pakistan participated in the preparatory talks as mediating countries.

Beximco Pharmaceuticals, the only Bangladeshi company listed on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) since 2005, is facing a major risk of delisting. The company failed to publish its audited financial statements for the 2024–25 fiscal year within the required six months, leading to suspension of its Global Depository Receipt (GDR) trading since January 2, 2026. Under AIM rules, if GDR trading remains suspended for six months, the company may be delisted by early July. Six institutional investors in London have written to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) seeking a resolution to avoid delisting. BSEC confirmed it is treating the matter seriously to protect investor interests and Bangladesh’s image. The company’s shares continue normal trading on the Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges, but only GDRs are traded in London. The delay stems from a legal dispute over BSEC’s appointment of independent directors to Beximco Group companies, which halted board meetings needed to approve the financial report. BSEC officials said trading can resume only after court resolution and board approval of the pending audit.

A court in India has granted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) an additional 45 days to complete its investigation into three Bangladeshi nationals arrested for illegally entering India through the Meghalaya border. The accused are reportedly linked to the murder of Bangladeshi activist Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. On June 19, a vacation judge ordered that the three—Rahul alias Faisal Karim Masud, Alamgir Hossain, and Philip Sangma—be placed in judicial custody for three days following their earlier detention by the NIA. The NIA told the court that it had recently received new records from the West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force and additional documents from the Supreme Court on June 8, which required further analysis and cross-verification with the accused. The defense lawyer opposed the extension, but the court accepted the NIA’s reasoning. The agency had previously interrogated the suspects for several days under its custody. The case stems from the December 12, 2025 killing of Hadi in Dhaka, which sparked unrest across Bangladesh. Investigators say the suspects fled to India after the murder and were later arrested in March while attempting to return to Bangladesh.