Residents along the Teesta and Dharla rivers in Lalmonirhat are struggling to survive on limited government and NGO relief as recurring floods and river erosion devastate their livelihoods. Many families, including those in the char areas, depend entirely on aid, yet say it is insufficient to sustain them. Locals repeatedly express a single demand: they want work opportunities rather than relief handouts.

The situation has worsened due to fluctuating water levels caused by heavy rainfall in India’s upstream regions and the opening of the Gajoldoba Barrage gates in West Bengal. This has led to flooding across several northern districts of Bangladesh, submerging roads, croplands, and putting flood control embankments at risk. The Water Development Board reports that Teesta’s water flow at Dalia Point rose above danger level on Tuesday but slightly receded the next day.

Officials say the situation is being closely monitored, with warnings issued to low-lying residents. Locals remain hopeful that the long-promised Teesta Master Plan will be implemented to create employment and resolve chronic water management problems.

Chinese technology giant Alibaba Group has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense after being labeled a 'Chinese military company' and placed on a blacklist. The company argues that the designation was arbitrary and lacked proper legal procedure. The case was filed on Monday in a federal court in San Francisco, according to AFP. Alibaba claims the Pentagon’s decision has no factual or legal basis and violates its constitutional rights.

On June 8, the Pentagon released a new blacklist naming 80 companies and affiliates allegedly supporting Chinese military activities, including Alibaba, Baidu, and electric vehicle maker BYD. Under the decision, the Defense Department will be barred from entering new contracts with these firms or their subsidiaries from June 30. Alibaba’s lawsuit also contends that the restrictions hinder its ability to hire lobbying firms in the US, violating the First Amendment.

In response, China imposed export controls on ten US companies in the defense and rare minerals sectors, escalating trade tensions despite recent efforts by Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to stabilize relations.

Police in Pekua upazila of Cox’s Bazar have detained a woman accused of impersonating a member of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) to commit fraud. The arrest took place around 11 p.m. on Tuesday at the Magnama Union Parishad office. The detainee, identified as Hasina Akter, 37, is a resident of Gachbaria in Chandanaish upazila of Chattogram and had been living in a rented house near the Magnama submarine base area.

According to Magnama Union Parishad Chairman Yunus Chowdhury, the woman had long been introducing herself as a DGFI officer posted in Pekua and had repeatedly tried to mislead him on various matters. When she again attempted to exert influence on Tuesday, he became suspicious and informed the Pekua police. Officers then arrived at the Union Parishad office and detained her.

Pekua Police Station’s investigation officer Imrul Hasan said the woman is being interrogated to determine her motives and whether others were involved. Legal action will follow if the allegations are verified.

Train services on the Dhaka-Chattogram route were suspended after a Meghna Express coach derailed near Hasanpur in Nangalkot upazila of Cumilla on Wednesday evening. The incident occurred around 7:20 p.m. between Hasanpur and Gunabati stations, according to Hasanpur Railway Station Master Mir Mohammad Imam Uddin Pintu.

He said the derailment happened when the Meghna Express, operating on the down line due to a breakdown of the Sonar Bangla train engine on the up line, went off track with four wheels derailed. The Meghna Express later continued toward Chandpur, leaving one coach behind. Meanwhile, an engine from Chattogram was sent to Gunabati station to move the disabled Sonar Bangla train, after which the Subarna and Sonar Bangla trains resumed operations.

The station master added that train movement on the up line has returned to normal, but it will take some time for the down line to be restored.

SM Lablur Rahman, a member (administration) of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), has filed a case alleging that his signature was forged to create a fake contract and consent letter. The case was lodged at the Airport Police Station on Sunday, June 22, and confirmed by Officer-in-Charge Kamrul Hasan Talukder. According to the case statement, the forged contract falsely presented Rahman as the first party and one Fahad Hossain as the second party, promising payment if Hossain were appointed chairman of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation.

The complaint states that Rahman’s signature was falsified on both the contract and a separate consent document. Rahman said he took legal action to protect his reputation and professional integrity, claiming a group deliberately attempted to defame him. He denied any involvement in unethical activities and urged for a fair investigation to identify those responsible.

Police confirmed that an investigation is underway, including document verification and questioning of relevant individuals to uncover the full circumstances behind the alleged forgery.

Several recent earthquakes have been recorded in and around Dhaka, Bangladesh, with epicenters located unusually close to the capital. The latest tremor, on June 22, measured 4.4 on the Richter scale and originated about 16 kilometers east of Dhaka in Rupganj, Narayanganj. Earlier, a 3.2-magnitude quake struck Kaliakair in Gazipur on February 1, while a stronger 5.7-magnitude quake in November 2025 near Narsingdi caused casualties and injuries across multiple districts.

Experts from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and universities note that these quakes may be linked to tectonic activity or reactivation of old faults. Bangladesh lies at the junction of the Eurasian, Indian, and Burmese plates, making it seismically active. Researchers highlight that while Dhaka itself has no major fault line, nearby regions such as Narsingdi and Mymensingh are crossed by active or “blind” faults that are difficult to detect.

Specialists caution that although recent quakes are moderate, the city remains vulnerable due to dense construction and variable soil conditions. They emphasize the need for structural assessments and public awareness to mitigate risks from potential future large earthquakes.

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.