Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam announced that the direct flight between Dhaka and New York will not begin before 2028. She explained that it will take at least five years for new Boeing aircraft to join the Biman Bangladesh Airlines fleet. In the meantime, the government plans to lease aircraft from Airbus to maintain operations. She made these remarks while speaking to journalists after inaugurating a workshop on the National Civil Aviation Master Plan at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat added that Prime Minister Tareq Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on December 16. He expressed hope that the Japanese contractor will complete the construction before the inauguration date.

The workshop was organized to formulate the country’s first integrated National Civil Aviation Master Plan, with participation from senior officials of the Civil Aviation Ministry, CAAB, the armed forces, and other relevant agencies.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several regions over the next two days due to the active southwest monsoon. According to a bulletin signed by meteorologist A K M Nazmul Haque on Sunday, June 21, rainfall between 44 and 88 millimeters, and in some places exceeding 88 millimeters, is likely in parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions within 48 hours from 9 a.m.

The department also issued a weather warning for inland river ports, stating that until 6 p.m. today, temporary gusty or squally winds at speeds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour may blow over Mymensingh, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Chattogram, and Sylhet districts, accompanied by rain or thundershowers. River ports in these areas have been instructed to hoist cautionary signal number 1.

The forecast indicates continued monsoon activity across northern and northeastern Bangladesh, prompting authorities to alert local ports and residents to possible weather disruptions.

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland to join formal negotiations aimed at turning a fragile interim agreement with Iran into a full accord. The talks, held near Lucerne, seek to limit Iran’s nuclear program and end ongoing conflicts. Vance landed at Emmen Air Base early Sunday with his wife, according to the Vice President’s office. The discussions follow a preliminary deal signed last week between the United States and Iran, considered vital for global economic stability and security.

The negotiations face early challenges due to escalating clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran’s announcement of closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments. The US Central Command denied the closure, saying maritime traffic remains normal. Iran’s delegation, led by Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, joined the talks alongside US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with Pakistan and Qatar acting as mediators.

Vance said he would stay in Switzerland briefly, leaving detailed discussions to Witkoff and Kushner. The agreement, signed by Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, allows Iran to sell oil freely and access frozen assets while reducing enriched uranium stockpiles.

Public confidence in union parishad village courts across Rangpur Division’s six districts has grown notably, with more people seeking justice through these local institutions. From January to May 2026, a total of 13,101 cases were filed, of which 11,506 were resolved. The courts handle both criminal and civil disputes at minimal cost, allowing marginalized citizens to pursue justice close to home.

Union Parishad chairmen reported that despite the rising caseload, limited monitoring, lack of training, and absence of courtroom facilities hinder smooth judicial operations. They urged the government to provide financial support and training to strengthen the system. The Local Government Division, with UNDP assistance, is conducting awareness and training programs to enhance court efficiency and public participation.

Officials and stakeholders, including local chairmen, women representatives, and legal aid officers, emphasized that village courts are particularly beneficial for poor and marginalized groups, especially women. They believe that stronger government support and enforcement mechanisms would further boost public trust and reduce case backlogs in higher courts.

As U.S. President Donald Trump prepared to celebrate his 80th birthday at the White House, a long-anticipated peace deal with Iran aimed at extending the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz was nearly finalized. However, just hours before the signing, Israeli warplanes struck Beirut, killing at least three people. Trump publicly condemned the attack on Truth Social, calling it ill-timed, and later had a heated phone exchange with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reportedly using harsh language.

The incident exposed growing tensions between the two leaders after more than three months of war with Iran. Trump, facing domestic pressure ahead of the November midterm elections, sought to end the conflict and lower oil prices, while Netanyahu insisted on continuing the fight until Iran’s defeat. Analysts noted that Netanyahu’s political future depends on the war’s outcome, with Israeli elections due in October and public opinion demanding Hezbollah’s destruction.

Talks between the U.S. and Iran remain uncertain after the Beirut strike, with the situation now hinging on developments in Lebanon and whether Iran can restrain Hezbollah.

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.