Member of Parliament Barrister Mahabubul Alam Salehi from Kurigram-3 has accused the government of staging a show over the Teesta Master Plan by bringing in experts and conducting what he called a farce with local residents. Speaking at a human chain event on the banks of the Teesta River in Kaliganj, Lalmonirhat, on Saturday, June 20, he said that while protests occur in Teesta, the budget benefits go to Padma. Salehi urged the government to fulfill the prime minister’s pre-election pledge to implement the Teesta Master Plan and allocate funds from unused ministry budgets.

Kurigram-1 MP Anwarul Islam also criticized the absence of any allocation or outline for the Teesta project in the national budget, questioning the sincerity of those who once led the Teesta movement and now hold ministerial positions. He warned that Rangpur residents might besiege Dhaka if their demands remain unmet. Thousands of locals, including farmers and teachers, participated in the human chain, voicing frustration over water scarcity in the dry season and flooding during monsoon.

Participants called for immediate implementation of the Teesta Master Plan to improve livelihoods and end regional disparities.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party, stated that Bangladesh now faces three major challenges: implementing state reforms, protecting national sovereignty, and ensuring justice for the Awami League. He urged citizens to remain united against corruption, extortion, and partisan politics. Patwari made these remarks on Saturday at a divisional rally of an eleven-party alliance held at the Circuit House grounds in Khulna, which focused on implementing the referendum verdict, easing public suffering, and controlling commodity prices.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman also addressed the gathering, calling for a new revolution to uphold Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty. He warned that if the government bows to hegemonic forces, the opposition will not remain silent. Rahman urged supporters to prepare for another movement. Upon his arrival in Khulna earlier in the day, he was received by Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar and local leaders.

The event reflected growing coordination among opposition parties emphasizing reform, sovereignty, and anti-corruption agendas.

A mobile court led by the Department of Shipping conducted an inspection on sand-carrying vessels operating between Dhaka’s Sadarghat and Fatullah in Narayanganj. During the operation, nine vessels were fined a total of 170,000 taka for various irregularities. The inspection took place on Saturday under the supervision of Commodore Md Shafiul Bari, Director General of the Department of Shipping, and Executive Magistrate Lusikant Hajong. The team examined 11 vessels in total.

Officials found that most vessels’ actual measurements did not match their registration documents. Several vessels also lacked mandatory life-saving equipment and navigational tools, posing safety risks. The Director General stated that monitoring and legal actions against unregistered or modified vessels without safety gear would continue to ensure navigational safety. He urged vessel owners and operators to comply with all maritime regulations.

The Department of Shipping confirmed that similar inspection and mobile court activities will be carried out regularly to protect passengers and waterway users. Senior officials, including the Chief Engineer and Ship Surveyor Mirza Saifur Rahman, were present during the operation.

At a roundtable organized by the Agriculturists Forum of Bangladesh (AFB) at the National Press Club, experts and civil society representatives said the proposed 2026–27 national budget includes some positive steps for agriculture but lacks bold measures to address long-term challenges in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors. They presented 13 recommendations aimed at sustainable agricultural development, food security, and farmers’ income growth.

Speakers noted that while the budget offers tax and duty exemptions on fertilizers, pesticides, veterinary inputs, and poultry equipment, as well as plans to expand grain storage and cold storage facilities, the overall allocation increase for the broader agriculture sector is only 2.25 percent—far below the national budget growth rate. They also highlighted that allocations for fisheries and livestock have declined by 18.45 percent from the previous year. Barrister A.S.M. Shahriar Kabir described the budget as deceptive and fiscally unrealistic.

AFB participants urged the government to allocate at least 10 percent of the total budget to agriculture, expand research funding, establish crop insurance and coastal agriculture authorities, and strengthen policies for processing and export of agricultural products.

A fisherman was killed and another person injured after a lightning strike hit the Malancha River in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira on Saturday, June 20, 2026. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. in the Dakshin Kadamtala area of Munshiganj Union. The deceased was identified as Nur Hossain Gazi, 40, son of the late Ismail Gazi of Dakshin Kadamtala village. He was fishing in the river when the lightning struck, killing him on the spot. Another man, Jahir Hossain, 40, son of Hasan Gazi from the same area, was seriously injured while standing on the riverbank.

Local residents rescued the injured man and took him to Shyamnagar Upazila Health Complex, where he is receiving treatment. Witnesses said the weather was stormy at the time, and heavy rain with thunder began suddenly, leading to the fatal lightning strike.

The incident has cast a pall of grief over the Dakshin Kadamtala area, according to local sources.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam announced that two committees formed by Dhaka North and South City Corporations will remove illegal occupiers from 27 canals in the north and 29 in the south. The announcement came on Saturday during an inspection of waste removal at the Muslim Bazar canal in Mirpur-12, attended by the minister and DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan.

The minister said that after clearing the canals, boundaries will be demarcated and guide walls built on both sides to ensure permanent preservation. He emphasized that without protecting the canals, Dhaka could become uninhabitable, urging residents to cooperate. He noted that waste removal from all canals is ongoing, with about 450 truckloads already cleared from Muslim Bazar canal. The DNCC administrator added that since June 5, 416 truckloads of sludge and waste have been removed from the same canal.

Officials warned that anyone dumping waste after cleaning operations will face fines. They also pledged coordinated development with WASA and DESCO to avoid repeated road digging and to continue efforts to make Dhaka free from waterlogging and dengue.

State Minister for Railways and Road Transport Habibur Rashid announced that the government will take strict measures against terrorism, extortion, and drug-related activities. He made the statement on Saturday at a check distribution event for the Rural Infrastructure Development Project held at the Abdul Aziz School and College field in Madartek, Sabujbagh, Dhaka.

Rashid emphasized that both he and the government have a clear stance against terrorism, extortion, and drugs, pledging to suppress those involved or supporting such activities. He called for unity to prevent the spread of these crimes and to contribute to building a better Bangladesh. The minister also said the government aims to deliver public services directly to citizens, following the Prime Minister’s directive to stay close to the people.

Earlier, Rashid inaugurated a free health camp organized by Square Pharmaceuticals at Abdul Aziz Bhuiya and Begum Shayesta Nurania Hafizia Madrasa in the same area, attended by local political representatives.

Israeli forces have continued attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip despite a ceasefire declared in October last year. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least five Palestinians were killed and 43 others injured in Israeli strikes over the past 48 hours. The information was reported by Al Jazeera, citing the ministry’s daily statistical report.

The report stated that Israeli aggression has not ceased since the ceasefire took effect. During this period, a total of 1,012 Palestinians have been confirmed dead and 3,208 injured as a result of Israeli attacks. The ongoing violence highlights the continued instability in Gaza despite formal declarations of truce.

The situation underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the persistent humanitarian toll on Gaza’s population, as documented by health authorities.

A consultation meeting was held at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) to develop a national framework for launching international-standard dual degree programs between universities in Bangladesh and the United States. The event took place on Saturday at the university’s International Guest House conference room, jointly organized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and BAU. The session focused on expanding academic partnerships and aligning higher education with global standards.

Fulbright Specialist and higher education policy expert Dr. Grace Mukupa served as the keynote speaker. She is currently working with the UGC to design a practical framework for international dual degrees for both public and private universities in Bangladesh. Dr. Mukupa emphasized that the initiative aims to create a sustainable and globally recognized model based on Bangladesh’s existing policies and institutional realities, rather than adopting any foreign model directly.

BAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. K. Fazlul Hoque Bhuiyan stated that aligning higher education with international standards is essential. He noted that joint partnerships and dual degree programs with U.S. universities would expand opportunities for Bangladeshi students in education, research, and skill development.

Detectives in Rangpur have arrested six individuals accused of involvement in leaking and manipulating question papers for various government recruitment and educational institution exams. The arrests were made following a raid at a house in the Dhap area based on secret intelligence, according to Deputy Police Commissioner Sanatan Chakraborty. Among those detained is a former primary school teacher from Dinajpur.

Police recovered 15 stamps, eight signed blank cheques, three national identity cards, four original educational certificates, and five smartphones from the location. During initial questioning, the suspects reportedly admitted to participating in exam fraud and forgery. Authorities are in the process of filing a case against them.

Investigators stated that one detainee had previously been arrested for fraud, while another joined the group after failing to secure employment despite holding a postgraduate degree. Police are examining the seized mobile phones to identify additional individuals linked to the network, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Residents of Dhalchar in Hatiya upazila, Noakhali, organized a human chain protest on Saturday morning at Sukhchar Union to demand action against local land grabbers and armed groups. The event drew participation from over a thousand men and women, including local figures such as Ismail Hossain, Miraj Uddin, Altaf Sardar, and others.

Speakers at the protest accused individuals named Sohel, Jahir, Parvez, and Yusuf of leading a gang responsible for extortion, illegal land occupation, and destruction of forest resources. They urged authorities to arrest the accused and ensure exemplary punishment. According to participants, the group’s activities have created widespread fear and disrupted daily life in the area.

Residents expressed their desire to live freely and safely, emphasizing their right to a peaceful environment free from extortion and land grabbing. They called for immediate government intervention to restore security and protect their livelihoods.

Education Minister Ehchanul Haque Milon emphasized the need to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to develop Bangladesh’s textile sector. Speaking on Saturday at the Fourth International Conference on Textile Science and Engineering at the Bangladesh University of Textiles campus in Tejgaon, Dhaka, he described the textile industry as one of the country’s most vital sectors and noted that Bangladesh ranks second globally in garment exports.

The minister said Bangladesh aims to lead the global textile industry through increased research and innovative ideas beyond traditional practices. He highlighted the inclusion of textile studies in private universities and stressed the importance of modern laboratories to help students compete internationally. Milon also underscored the need to strengthen green textile and recycling initiatives.

The event was chaired by Bangladesh University of Textiles Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Julhas Uddin, with University Grants Commission Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed attending as special guest. Earlier, the minister inaugurated the 2026 tree plantation program at the university as part of a nationwide initiative to plant 250 million trees over five years.

A mobile court in Feni fined a fish trader Tk 40,000 for selling prawns injected with jelly to increase their weight. The operation, led by Feni Sadar Upazila Executive Officer and Executive Magistrate Sultana Nasrin Kanta, took place on Saturday at the municipal fish market. Authorities seized around 80 kilograms of adulterated giant freshwater prawns from the trader operating under the name 'Bangladesh Fishing'. The seized prawns were immediately destroyed by burial.

According to officials, dishonest traders had been injecting harmful jelly into prawns to fraudulently increase their weight and alter grading. The fine was imposed under Section 31 of the Fish and Fish Products (Inspection and Quality Control) Act, 2020. After the operation, magistrates and fisheries officers addressed traders and buyers, warning them about the health risks and fraudulent practices associated with jelly-injected prawns.

Officials confirmed that similar drives against food adulteration and consumer deception will continue in the public interest.

Former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon has warned that Israel is facing growing risks as the ongoing war continues. In an interview with Channel 12, he blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government’s unrealistic policies for the situation, saying the country is paying the price for their decisions.

Ya'alon argued that the government should have begun negotiations with Lebanon as early as October 2024. Instead, by extending the conflict, Israeli soldiers have continued to lose their lives. He claimed that personal and political interests are driving the government’s actions.

The former minister further alleged that Netanyahu is prolonging the war to maintain his far-right coalition. He cautioned that as Israel moves toward elections, if the current situation remains unchanged, the state itself could face existential danger.

A junior student at Islamic University has alleged that Badhan Biswas Sparsh, joint member secretary of the university’s Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, threatened him with expulsion from the dormitory following a Facebook comment. The incident reportedly began after Sparsh criticized an Argentina Fan Unity committee on social media, calling it a rehabilitation group for student leaders. In response, student Sajib Hasan commented critically, prompting Sparsh to call him and allegedly use abusive language and issue threats.

According to Sajib, Sparsh demanded proof of the comment and warned of consequences if it was not provided by the evening. Sajib claimed that Sparsh threatened to have him removed from the hall and questioned his departmental connections. Attempts to reach Sparsh for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone was later found switched off. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s convener also could not be reached for remarks.

Proctor Professor Dr. Shahinuzzaman confirmed that Sajib had submitted both verbal and written complaints. The proctorial body will discuss the matter before deciding on further action.