Banks in Bangladesh are increasingly relying on loan rescheduling to reduce non-performing loans, but the strategy has not lowered defaults. According to the Bangladesh Bank’s Financial Stability Report 2025, total rescheduled loans stood at Tk 4.46 trillion, with the largest share in industrial term loans. About 39.87 percent of these rescheduled loans have again turned non-performing, highlighting persistent repayment challenges.

The report shows that industrial term loans accounted for 29.56 percent of all rescheduled loans, followed by the ready-made garments and textile sector at 17.56 percent. Private banks held 74.16 percent of the total rescheduled loans, while state-owned banks accounted for 23.27 percent. Experts cited weak loan assessment, political influence, and reduced down payment requirements as key reasons behind repeated defaults. They also noted that energy shortages and high dollar prices have strained manufacturing borrowers.

Economists and bankers emphasized that while rescheduling offers temporary relief, sustainable recovery depends on stronger loan monitoring, business revival, and export growth. They urged that rescheduling benefits be limited to genuinely distressed enterprises to prevent misuse.

Former BNP joint secretary general and chairperson’s adviser Aslam Chowdhury is preparing to file a review petition in the Supreme Court after the Appellate Division canceled his candidacy for the Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda) constituency over a loan default case. The verdict, delivered under the Chief Justice’s leadership, halted his oath-taking as a Member of Parliament, leading to heightened political tension and uncertainty across Sitakunda.

Following the ruling, BNP activists in the area staged protests, blocking the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and setting tires on fire. Party and legal sources said preparations are underway for a review petition once the full verdict is published, with legal teams examining the Representation of the People Order, Election Commission rules, and past judicial precedents to build a strong case.

Legal experts noted that while the constitution allows review petitions in disqualification cases, the outcome will depend on the loan’s nature, rescheduling details, and legal interpretation. Political analysts believe the decision could reshape Sitakunda’s political balance and influence future electoral strategies if a by-election becomes necessary.

Israeli media outlets have acknowledged that after 1,000 days of fighting on multiple fronts, Israel has failed to achieve any decisive victory. Channel 13 reported that Iran has emerged stronger from the conflict, gaining international legitimacy and economic recovery, while Israel’s human, economic, and psychological losses have deepened. The report also noted that the war has weakened Israel’s regional and international standing.

According to Channel 13, the way Israel managed the war against Iran has strained its strategic relationship with the United States. Channel 12 added that despite early promises of a “complete victory,” Israel now faces setbacks on every front, including Lebanon, where the costs have been high. The outlet said Israel failed to topple Iran’s regime, destroy its nuclear program, or neutralize its missile threat. The outlet ‘Kan’ described the conflict’s expansion from Gaza to Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, the West Bank, and Iran.

Palestinian resistance groups issued a joint statement marking the 1,000th day of Israel’s Gaza operation, declaring Israel’s military failure and rejecting any foreign interference in Palestinian affairs. They called for a national dialogue to rebuild political unity and urged Arab and Muslim nations to press for a full ceasefire.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has warned that the Cuban people will fight to the last drop of blood if the United States launches a military attack on the island. Speaking to Sky News, he said Cuba is prepared for any scenario, though it cannot confirm whether an attack will happen. His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that “Cuba is moving toward us,” which Díaz-Canel dismissed as deliberate misinformation and psychological pressure.

The Cuban leader accused Washington of violating international law and insulting the Cuban people through false propaganda. He rejected U.S. allegations of Chinese or Russian military bases in Cuba and described the long-standing U.S. embargo as the most enduring blockade in human history, responsible for power shortages, medicine scarcity, and economic hardship. Díaz-Canel also condemned new U.S. fuel sanctions imposed in January as a crime and an act of genocide.

He cited Cuba’s historical resistance, quoting independence hero Antonio Maceo, and said millions of Cubans are ready to defend their sovereignty if necessary.

A fire broke out on a cotton-laden truck on Imam Bazar Road in Majdihi area of Bhairabganj Bazar, Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar district. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. on Friday, when the Sreemangal Fire Service team responded promptly and managed to bring the blaze under control before it could spread to nearby areas.

According to Sreemangal Fire Service Warehouse Inspector Solaiman Ahmad, firefighters reached the scene immediately after receiving the report and successfully contained the fire. The quick response prevented further damage and restored normalcy in the area.

The cause of the fire and the extent of the losses were not immediately known. Authorities have begun an investigation to determine the reason behind the incident and to take necessary measures.

Iran continues to face major obstacles in recovering billions of dollars in assets frozen across multiple countries, a long-standing issue in its strained relations with the West. The matter remains central even in the recent memorandum signed between the United States and Iran aimed at ending hostilities. Tehran has sought access to these funds for years, but sanctions and banking restrictions have kept much of the money beyond its reach.

Estimates suggest Iran’s frozen assets range from about 27 billion to over 100 billion US dollars, including oil revenues, export earnings, and foreign reserves held in overseas banks. Large sums are blocked in China, Iraq, India, South Korea, and other countries, while only a smaller portion lies under US jurisdiction. Experts note that even partial access could significantly ease Iran’s inflation, currency depreciation, and economic isolation, but warn that legal and political complexities will delay any real transfer.

The assets remain dispersed and entangled in decades-old disputes, with Washington’s approval seen as crucial for any release, leaving Tehran’s economic relief uncertain.

On June 12, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar called US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to protest the deaths of three Indian sailors killed in a US strike in the Gulf of Oman on June 9. The sailors were aboard the Palau-flagged tanker Setebello, which Washington claimed violated sanctions on Iran-linked vessels. Rubio’s response was firm, offering no apology or assurance against recurrence. The incident has exposed deep cracks in the US-India relationship, even as both nations publicly maintain a façade of stability.

The Iran war and its aftermath have severely affected India’s economy and politics. Rising crude prices, inflation, and supply disruptions have weakened the rupee and reduced remittances, while foreign investors withdraw capital. Politically, Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces criticism for failing to protect Indian citizens and for overreliance on US ties. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s role in facilitating US-Iran talks has further undermined India’s regional standing.

Despite ongoing defense and technology cooperation, mutual trust has eroded. Washington’s protectionist policies and India’s strategic recalibration toward China signal a shifting balance. Analysts warn that unless mutual respect and parity are restored, the partnership’s foundation may not endure beyond current leadership cycles.

The official farewell ceremony for Iran’s late revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has begun at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla. Foreign guests and religious figures are paying their respects to Khamenei and others killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack. The bodies were brought to the Grand Mosalla early Friday, where the public will be allowed to pay tribute over two days.

Among the first foreign visitors were religious and cultural figures from Indonesia and Afghanistan, along with representatives of Iran’s recognized religious minorities. Senior officials and delegates from more than 30 countries, including Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Georgia, and Cuba, have already arrived in Tehran. Around 100 nations are expected to send representatives to the ceremonies.

A family farewell was held Thursday evening, attended by relatives of those killed in the recent 40-day war and staff from the late leader’s office. Iranian officials estimate that between 10 and 20 million people may attend the burial ceremony.

More than 20 million people are expected to gather in Tehran for the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian state television. The massive turnout could temporarily more than double the capital’s population, which currently stands at around 10 million. Khamenei, who led Iran for 36 years, was killed on February 28 during the first day of U.S. and Israeli attacks that triggered a regional war.

Tehran authorities have implemented special traffic and accommodation measures to manage the influx and ensure security. The six-day funeral program will begin Saturday morning at Imam Khomeini Mosalla, where the public can pay respects until Sunday afternoon. The ceremony will then move to Qom, followed by rituals in Najaf and Karbala in Iraq before Khamenei’s burial in his birthplace, Mashhad, on Thursday at the Imam Reza shrine.

Analysts cited in the report say the extensive arrangements highlight Khamenei’s influence across the Shia world. Iran’s foreign minister described the events as symbolically significant. Nationwide mourning will continue for 40 days, with memorials planned through the first anniversary.

A man accused of involvement in the 2012 abduction of Sukhranjan Bali, a defense witness for Allama Delwar Hossain Sayedee, has been arrested, according to International Crimes Tribunal senior prosecutor Mizanul Islam. He said the Detective Branch police detained the suspect last night. The arrested individual has been identified as former Additional Superintendent of Police Md Fazlur Rahman, who was serving as a Detective Branch inspector at the time of the incident. Authorities have not yet disclosed where he was apprehended.

Sukhranjan Bali was abducted from the premises of the International Crimes Tribunal in 2012 while preparing to testify in favor of the late Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayedee. He was later found imprisoned in India, where he reportedly spent five years. In August 2025, Bali filed charges with the tribunal against 32 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina and former Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, in connection with his abduction.

The arrest marks a new development in a long-running case that has drawn attention to alleged irregularities surrounding the tribunal proceedings and the treatment of witnesses.

The appeal seeking to increase former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s sentence from life imprisonment to death for crimes against humanity during the July Revolution remains pending before Bangladesh’s Supreme Court. Although the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) delivered its verdict on November 17 last year, the prosecution has not yet begun the appeal hearing despite multiple listings in the Appellate Division’s schedule. The prosecution filed the appeal on December 15, but seven months have passed without progress.

The ICT had sentenced Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in one charge and life imprisonment in another. Later, the prosecution sought to upgrade all sentences to death, citing the gravity of the crimes. The tribunal also added former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun as an accused, who later testified as an approver. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam admitted that his office was still unprepared for the hearing, though the law allows flexibility beyond the 60-day disposal period.

Legal observers have attributed the delay to the prosecution’s negligence and lack of initiative, leaving the appeal unresolved in the Supreme Court’s docket.

Iran is set to begin a six-day funeral ceremony for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Saturday, more than four months after his assassination. Officials have described it as the “greatest funeral of the century,” expecting between 12 and 20 million attendees. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Tehran-based Mohammad Rasulullah unit is overseeing the event, which includes extensive preparations such as thousands of service centers and accommodations for over a million visitors. Around 800 foreign journalists will cover the ceremony, and dignitaries from numerous countries, including Bangladesh’s parliament speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, are attending.

The program will start at Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran, move to Qom and later to Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala before Khamenei’s burial in his birthplace, Mashhad, at the Imam Reza shrine. Forty days of national mourning and memorial events are planned afterward. Analysts view the funeral as a demonstration of national unity and a symbolic step toward consolidating post-Khamenei leadership, particularly around his son Mojtaba. However, uncertainty remains over whether Khamenei’s sons will appear publicly and who will lead the funeral prayer.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the massive public participation expected at the funeral and burial of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will serve as a powerful message against terrorism, violence, and politics of intimidation. In a national address on Thursday, he said the gathering would demonstrate that the Iranian people are not afraid of pressure or threats and remain united in defending the country’s independence and dignity.

Pezeshkian emphasized that no event could break the nation’s spirit and that Iranians would continue building a prosperous, independent, and proud country. He described Khamenei’s death as a moment of deep sorrow not only for Iran but also for the Muslim world and freedom-seeking people globally. According to him, the Islamic Republic’s system stands firmly on the people’s faith, ideals, and determination.

He called on all Iranians, regardless of political or religious differences, to attend the funeral to showcase national unity and reaffirm commitment to Khamenei’s ideals of resistance, independence, and religious democracy.

Following the recent war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, Middle Eastern countries are reassessing their security strategies. Analysts say Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members are exploring new defense partnerships beyond the United States, as the conflict exposed vulnerabilities across the region. Iran’s attacks on Gulf territories and U.S. bases during the war have intensified concerns about overreliance on Washington.

Saudi Arabia had already signed a defense pact with Pakistan before the conflict, and experts suggest similar cooperation could expand to other nations. Gulf states have been diversifying defense ties with Europe, Russia, and China, while maintaining relations with the U.S. Researchers note that the goal is not to replace Washington but to strengthen regional balance and resilience against both Iran and Israel. Some countries are also pursuing economic engagement with Tehran to reduce future hostilities.

The U.S. administration has indicated a shift in priorities away from the Middle East, though it continues to support Israel militarily. Analysts believe that if Iran and the U.S. reach a lasting agreement, regional states may increasingly take responsibility for their own security.

A field report from multiple northern border districts of Bangladesh reveals that Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) faces severe logistical and infrastructural shortages compared to India’s technologically advanced Border Security Force (BSF). Between June 20 and 24, observations in Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Thakurgaon, and Panchagarh showed BGB personnel relying on broken bicycles and muddy tracks, while BSF operates from multiple camps equipped with laser walls, thermal cameras, and wide patrol roads. BGB’s Rangpur regional office acknowledged these limitations and said improved roads and transport would ease border patrols.

Local residents and former officials described poor road conditions, river barriers, and distant camps as major obstacles to BGB’s mobility. Many border guards reportedly depend on villagers for assistance due to manpower shortages. In contrast, BSF has built dense networks of camps, smart surveillance systems, and floodlit patrol zones, covering nearly 79 percent of the frontier with barbed wire fencing.

The imbalance in manpower, infrastructure, and technology has made border protection increasingly difficult for BGB, forcing it to rely on community cooperation and tactical vigilance to counter BSF’s aggressive and high-tech presence.