As of now, the Chattogram Food Division has collected 28,280 metric tons of Boro rice during this year’s procurement drive—reaching 60% of its target with two months still remaining.
The government’s procurement program, which began on April 24, will continue until August 31. The initiative, offering farmers a fair price of Tk 36 per kg, has been well received. Farmers are reportedly pleased with the just compensation.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman faces no barriers to returning to Bangladesh and may come back whenever he wishes, according to Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Home Affairs Adviser of the interim government. He made the remarks after visiting a police station in Gazipur. The adviser also addressed concerns about alleged inhumane pushbacks of Bangladeshis from India. Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirmed Tarique’s imminent return. A meeting between Tarique and Dr. Muhammad Yunus in London is scheduled for Friday.

The United States is on high alert due to rising fears that Israel might launch an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities if nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran fail. President Trump announced plans to withdraw US personnel from the Middle East, citing safety concerns. The US State Department has authorized some staff to leave Iraq, while the Pentagon allows voluntary military withdrawals. Israel is reportedly preparing for a possible strike, and Iran has warned of retaliation against US bases if attacked.

Former press secretary to Khaleda Zia, Maruf Kamal Khan, commented on recent developments in a social media post:
“Following the asset seizure of Salman F Rahman’s son and nephew, the UK has now seized assets belonging to Hasina’s minister Saifuzzaman. This marks an unprecedented moment in Bangladesh’s history—foreign governments seizing wealth of corrupt and fallen rulers.”
He added, “Congratulations to Dr. Muhammad Yunus for this success. Yet the shamelessly corrupt officials of the fascist Awami League still speak, show their faces, and try to remain in politics. Shame on them.”

The caretaker government of Bangladesh is intensifying its efforts to recover funds smuggled abroad during the past 16 years of Sheikh Hasina’s administration. Several assets have already been seized in different countries. Joint collaboration with the UK’s National Crime Agency is underway to trace, identify, and seize illicit funds. Key officials, including the Anti-Corruption Commission chairman and Bangladesh Bank governor, are actively engaging in international discussions. The government is also learning from other countries’ experiences to speed up the recovery process.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has deployed more military personnel to Los Angeles to suppress ongoing protests against his harsh immigration policies than the number of American troops currently stationed in Iraq and Syria combined.
Approximately 4,000 National Guard members and over 700 active-duty Marines have been deployed in the city, bringing the total to about 4,800 troops. In comparison, the U.S. has 2,500 troops in Iraq and 1,500 in Syria.

The United States has started pulling out diplomatic staff and military personnel from parts of the Middle East, warning the region could become increasingly dangerous. President Donald Trump stated that Iran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. Reports indicate a partial evacuation of the U.S. embassy in Iraq and voluntary departures from Bahrain and Kuwait. Tensions are rising amid stalled nuclear talks with Iran and intelligence suggesting possible Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, pushing global oil prices up by over 4%.

Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, will receive the prestigious King Charles Harmony Award today at a ceremony in St. James's Palace, London. King Charles III will personally hand over the award. During his four-day official visit to the UK, Dr. Yunus will also meet King Charles III at Buckingham Palace and hold a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, at Westminster. The Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary confirmed the engagements to BSS.

Alima Khan, sister of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, stated, “We stand in solidarity with the judges, but it seems that is no longer enough. It appears there is a plan to keep the PTI founder behind bars for several more months.”
She added, “The hearing on the appeal to suspend Imran's sentence is now scheduled for June 26. Authorities kept telling us we would receive a new date next week, but we made it clear that we won’t appear until a date is officially announced.”
Alima further noted that Imran is fully prepared for a nationwide movement. “This movement cannot be stopped,” she said. “Imran will not call the people to Islamabad. The PTI founder has made it clear that the movement will spread across all of Pakistan.”

Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has warned that the risk of full-scale war with India is now greater than ever. In an interview, he blamed India's recent unilateral actions for escalating regional tensions, especially after the deadly Pahalgam attack. Bilawal claimed a U.S.-brokered ceasefire prevented further conflict but stressed the need for lasting peace. He also warned against India’s threats to cut water supplies and called for international investigation into the attack, asserting Pakistan’s non-involvement.

Despite India blaming Pakistan for inciting the deadly April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir has been formally invited to the United States. The invitation was extended for him to attend U.S. Army Day celebrations on June 14. Meanwhile, a top U.S. military official praised Pakistan as an “exceptional partner” in operations against ISIS-Khorasan. The U.S. has also signaled a possible mediation role between India and Pakistan regarding Kashmir during the upcoming G7 summit.

At least 49 people, including several schoolchildren, have died in devastating floods caused by heavy rain and snowstorms in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province. Premier Oscar Mabuyane described the situation as “catastrophic,” warning that the death toll is expected to rise. Earlier this week, a bus attempting to cross a bridge in Mthatha was swept away by floodwaters, killing six, including four children. Rescue operations are ongoing for four missing children.

Two patients undergoing treatment for dengue fever in Barguna have died within a single day, raising the district's death toll to 12. The deceased have been identified as Chan Mia (75) and Gosai Das (70). According to official sources, a total of 1,565 people have been infected with dengue in Barguna over the past six months. Currently, 172 patients are being treated at the Barguna District Hospital. The recent spike in deaths—two within five days—has sparked growing concern among local residents.

British Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has reaffirmed the UK’s support for Bangladesh’s initiatives to recover illicit funds siphoned abroad. During his meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Reynolds expressed backing for the interim government’s ongoing economic reforms, particularly efforts to stabilize foreign reserves and restore the banking sector. Special envoy Lutfey Siddiqi also proposed launching bilateral free trade agreement talks between Bangladesh and the UK.

Once again, syndicates have deliberately engineered a collapse in Bangladesh’s leather market during Eid-ul-Adha, depriving sacrificial animal donors, seasonal traders, and orphans of their rightful earnings. Despite government efforts to stabilize prices—including free salt distribution, temporary export permissions, and fixed minimum pricing—the syndicate sabotaged the market, causing prices to plummet. In some areas, leather was discarded on the streets. The Commerce Ministry has dismissed reports of 100,000 discarded hides in Chattogram, stating the actual number is likely below 10,000.