Rajshahi University has been ranked as the top university in Bangladesh in the 2026–27 US News Best Global University ranking. The university scored 45.5 out of 100, placing 612th globally and 176th in Asia. The ranking, published on June 16 on the US News website, shows that Dhaka University has fallen behind this year.

Compared to last year, Rajshahi University improved significantly, moving up from a global rank of 638th and an Asian rank of 342nd, with a previous score of 41.3. Dhaka University ranked second in Bangladesh with a score of 44.2, placing 673rd globally and 203rd in Asia, marking a decline from last year’s 604th global position. North South University, Daffodil International University, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh Agricultural University, BUET, and Chittagong University also appeared in the ranking.

The US News Best Global University ranking covers 2,250 universities across 105 countries, based on 13 indicators measuring academic research performance and global reputation. Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Oxford, and Cambridge secured the top five global positions this year.

A video showing Pirzada Said Uddin Ahmad Hanjala, Member of Parliament for Madaripur-1, behaving angrily during a local arbitration meeting in Shibchar upazila has gone viral on social media. The one-minute clip shows him slamming a table and scolding attendees, sparking widespread discussion and criticism in social and political circles.

According to local sources, the incident occurred in Dattapara area during a meeting involving BNP activist Tara Mia. Witnesses said the situation became heated when both sides argued, prompting the MP to lose his temper. Tara Mia claimed the MP tried to deliver a one-sided verdict without allowing others to speak, while Hanjala said he only raised his voice to control the situation and that the dispute was resolved peacefully.

The video’s circulation has triggered broad debate in the area, with differing accounts from participants leading to public questions about the conduct and fairness of the arbitration process.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will undertake his first bilateral visit to China from June 22 to 26, following an official trip to Malaysia. The visit includes participation in the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Dalian on June 23, followed by high-level meetings in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and senior Communist Party officials. Over ten memoranda of understanding and three agreements are expected to be signed, covering education, human resource development, agriculture, trade, investment, artificial intelligence, media, communication, and development cooperation.

Officials from Bangladesh’s foreign ministry describe the visit as politically and strategically significant, marking a new foundation for Dhaka–Beijing relations. The two sides are expected to announce a joint declaration, the first since 2005, and formalize cooperation between the Communist Party of China and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Discussions may include Bangladesh’s support for China’s position on Taiwan, participation in the Global Development Initiative, and potential membership in RCEP, BRICS, and the SCO.

Analysts view the trip as a calculated move amid regional tensions and as an opportunity for Bangladesh to secure economic and strategic support from China while balancing broader geopolitical interests.

The suspension of the Feni District Jubo Dal Committee has been withdrawn. The announcement was made on Friday through a notice signed by Minhazul Islam Bhuiyan, Assistant Office Secretary of the Central Jubo Dal. The decision reverses the earlier suspension order issued on May 4, 2026, and reinstates the committee’s activities. The directive was implemented under the authority of Central President Abdul Monayem Munna and General Secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayon.

According to the notice, the earlier suspension had been imposed as a disciplinary measure. The committee was penalized after one of its ward-level general secretaries was found to be an accused in a case related to an attack on the motorcade of former Prime Minister and late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Allegations of internal disorder also contributed to the earlier action.

The withdrawal of the suspension restores the Feni District Jubo Dal’s organizational functions under central supervision, signaling a return to regular political activities in the district.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that she asked to take a photo with him, calling it a “made-up story.” The dispute began after Trump told Italy’s La7 television channel that Meloni had requested a photo during the recent G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France. In response, Meloni expressed shock on Instagram, questioning why the US president behaves this way toward allied nations and asserting that neither she nor Italy begs for anyone’s favor.

Following the controversy, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled his planned visit to the United States. Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella and leaders across the political spectrum voiced support for Meloni, condemning Trump’s remarks as disrespectful. Opposition senator Filippo Sensi, former prime minister Giuseppe Conte, and coalition leader Matteo Salvini all defended Meloni’s stance.

Analysts and diplomats cited the fallout as part of a broader rift between Europe and the US, intensified by Trump’s Iran war policy. Several European leaders, including Meloni, have refused to allow US bombers to use their bases, signaling a shift toward greater European strategic independence.

The number of HIV-positive patients has increased in Rajshahi, with 139 cases identified so far, of which 92 are homosexual men, accounting for 66.18 percent of total infections. Data from Rajshahi Medical College Hospital show that between 2019 and March 2026, 12,852 people were tested, and 115 were found HIV-positive. Most patients are men aged 25 to 50, and a few are returnees from abroad. The Civil Surgeon’s Office confirmed 34 additional cases, all homosexual, bringing the total to 139.

According to the Rajshahi Divisional Health Directorate, there are about 794 HIV patients across eight districts, with the highest number in Sirajganj. Experts have expressed concern that rising homosexuality and unprotected sexual activity could lead to a wider epidemic. Religious scholars and health professionals have called for moral education, awareness, and stronger government action to prevent further spread.

Patients also face treatment difficulties, as many still travel to Bogura for antiretroviral therapy despite a new center opening in Rajshahi. Health officials stress that personal awareness and safe practices are essential to control the infection rate.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam announced that discussions on free trade will take place during Prime Minister Tarek Rahman's upcoming visit to Malaysia. He said there is also a possibility of signing a cultural cooperation agreement. The announcement came during a press briefing on Saturday morning.

According to the foreign secretary, the delegation will include the foreign minister, information minister, and a total of 27 members. Dhaka expects to sign two agreements and 13 memorandums of understanding during the visit. The trip will also focus on facilitating the entry of more Bangladeshi workers into Malaysia’s labor market, though final decisions depend on Malaysia’s internal review process.

This will be Prime Minister Rahman’s first foreign trip since taking office after winning the February election. The visit is scheduled for June 21–22, followed by travel to Beijing on June 23 and a return to Dhaka on June 26.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared that Israel will soon be expelled from every inch of Lebanese territory. He made the statement on Friday during a Central Ashura Council event in Beirut. Qassem said that Israel’s ruling authorities had failed to shake Hezbollah’s determination and steadfastness, emphasizing that the group remains resilient despite all adversities and sanctions.

He added that Hezbollah does not fear death, describing it as an essential element of victory. Qassem stated that when attacked with weapons, Hezbollah responds in kind. He further asserted that every act rejecting occupation is a victory and reaffirmed Hezbollah’s commitment to liberating Lebanese land from Israeli control.

According to Qassem, all Israeli efforts to eliminate the resistance have failed, and he expressed confidence that the people of Lebanon will ultimately drive out the occupying forces from all parts of the country.

A new Boeing 747-8 jet, gifted by Qatar to the United States last year, has been unveiled as the next Air Force One. The U.S. military completed extensive refurbishments on the aircraft, valued at approximately $400 million. During a speech at Joint Base Andrews on Friday, President Donald Trump described the plane as a luxurious flying White House unlike anything seen before.

According to a U.S. Air Force press release, the aircraft will undergo initial commissioning flights before being used for presidential transport. The upgrades include enhanced security systems, specialized communication technology, logistical support, and advanced technical capabilities. The Air Force stated that all potential security risks from the previously used aircraft have been eliminated.

While the interior design remains largely unchanged, the exterior now features a striking new red, white, blue, and gold color scheme, reflecting a modernized presidential aesthetic.

Four people, including a father and son, died in Tangail’s Madhupur area on Saturday morning while trying to rescue a baby goat that had fallen into an abandoned well. The incident occurred around 8 a.m. in Telki, near the Tangail-Mymensingh regional highway. Fire service personnel later recovered the bodies from the well. The deceased were identified as Bablu Hadima, 40, his son Neymar Mrong, 12, their relative Gabriel, 40, and neighbor Ratan Nokrek, 27.

According to the local fire service and residents, the goat belonging to Bablu Hadima fell into a disused well near a mosque in Telki Bazaar. Neymar first entered the well to retrieve it but did not respond after some time. Bablu, Gabriel, and Ratan followed one after another, but none returned. Locals alerted the fire service and police, who found the well lacked oxygen. Firefighters recovered the bodies after a rescue operation.

Police confirmed that legal procedures were underway after receiving the bodies from the fire service.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Israel would have been destroyed without his intervention. He said the United States provided Israel with advanced military capabilities, including the Iron Dome air defense system and B-2 Spirit bombers. Trump emphasized that these measures were crucial to Israel’s survival and security.

Trump also discussed his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing it as positive. He noted that Washington holds significant influence over Israel’s policymaking and that Netanyahu worked well with him. According to Trump, Israel respects him and values his advice, though he added that Netanyahu sometimes needs to be restrained.

The remarks were reported by Middle East Eye and highlight Trump’s continued effort to underscore his role in shaping U.S.-Israel relations during and after his presidency.

Water levels in the Teesta River have risen sharply after India opened all gates of the Gajoldoba Barrage, causing concern in Lalmonirhat’s Hatibandha area. As of 6 a.m. Saturday, June 20, 2026, the river at the Dalia point of the Teesta Barrage was flowing just five centimeters below the danger level. Authorities warned that the river could cross the danger mark at any time, potentially triggering severe flooding in nearby low-lying areas.

According to the Water Development Board and local residents, heavy rainfall in India over recent days has increased upstream flow, pushing more water into Bangladesh. Although water levels had briefly decreased earlier in the week, they began rising again on Saturday morning. The Teesta River runs through five upazilas of Lalmonirhat, meaning even a small rise can inundate riverside areas across the district.

Officials have urged residents in low-lying regions to remain alert as continuous monitoring of the situation is underway. The Water Development Board has kept 44 barrage gates open to manage the flow.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that Israel has been killing an average of one Palestinian child per day in Gaza since a declared ceasefire in October 2025. UNICEF described the ceasefire as a “cruel and deadly illusion,” noting that Israeli attacks have continued in the blockaded enclave. The agency said at least 265 Palestinian children have been killed since the ceasefire began.

UNICEF spokesperson James Elder told journalists in Geneva that the ongoing deaths expose the emptiness of the ceasefire, which has failed to protect children from Israeli shelling. He cited recent incidents where children were killed in their homes, schools, and public spaces, including while playing football or fishing. Elder also warned that hundreds of injured children urgently need medical evacuation, but Israeli restrictions on essential medicines are worsening infections and complications.

Elder urged governments and international organizations to act, saying that as long as children continue to die, no ceasefire can be considered meaningful.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that the country will deliver a strong response to any future actions taken by India. Speaking to reporters outside the parliament building on June 20, 2026, Asif said that if India undertakes any adventurous move, it will face an even stronger reply. He claimed that India’s recent defeat in a conflict would be remembered for centuries.

Asif asserted that Pakistan’s armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any aggression and that measures will also be taken against India-backed groups active in Afghanistan. He further alleged that recent statements heard in Azad Jammu and Kashmir reflect India’s stance rather than that of Pakistanis or Kashmiris. According to him, some individuals based in the United Kingdom are providing financial and logistical support to these activities, and India-supported groups are active there as well.

The defense minister also said the government is ready to counter any potential “water aggression,” emphasizing that not a single drop of Pakistan’s water will be allowed to be taken by others.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup witnessed a new milestone in football officiating as an all-women referee team from the United States took charge of the Group A match between Czechia and South Africa. The team was led by head referee Tori Penso, assisted by Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt. Penso became only the second woman in history to officiate a men’s World Cup match and the first American woman to do so. The match, held at Atlanta Stadium, ended in a 1-1 draw.

Penso’s journey to this achievement began at age 14 in Florida. After a career in marketing, she returned to football, becoming the first woman in over two decades to referee a Major League Soccer match in 2020. She later officiated the 2023 Women’s World Cup final and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Her performance, along with Mayo and Nesbitt, drew widespread praise from fans and FIFA’s refereeing head Pierluigi Collina, who emphasized that merit remains the only selection criterion.

The event marked another step forward for women in football, reinforcing that skill and leadership transcend gender barriers on the world stage.