Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to make his first official foreign visit to Malaysia, as confirmed by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed in the National Parliament on Wednesday. This will be Rahman’s first overseas trip since forming a BNP-led government in February 2026, ending weeks of speculation about his initial diplomatic destination.

Traditionally, newly appointed Bangladeshi prime ministers begin their foreign engagements with a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. However, the recent conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel has created instability in the Middle East, leading to the cancellation of that plan. The government also considered Bhutan, a SAARC member state, as a possible first destination before ultimately selecting Malaysia.

Analysts have described the decision to choose Malaysia for the first state visit as both positive and timely, reflecting a pragmatic approach to regional diplomacy under the new administration.

Iran’s central military command has announced the complete closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz following recent US attacks. Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s correspondent said the Iranian command warned that any vessel attempting to pass through the waterway would be treated as a target. The announcement came shortly after US forces, under orders from former President Donald Trump, carried out multiple strikes on Iranian targets.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes targeted Iran’s military surveillance, communications, and air defense systems, citing Tehran’s continued aggression as justification. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Iran had been given a chance to reach an agreement but failed to do so. In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Iran would stand firm against any pressure or threats, while the Iranian Foreign Ministry criticized Washington’s stance as harmful to diplomatic efforts.

The escalation follows a short-lived ceasefire agreed in April, which was meant to last two weeks but failed to stop sporadic attacks. Renewed diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran have collapsed, intensifying regional tensions.

Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury is set to present a Tk 9.38 trillion national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year in Parliament on Thursday afternoon. The budget, the first under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s BNP government, comes amid severe economic pressure, weak banking performance, low export growth, and a major revenue deficit. The government plans to rely heavily on bank borrowing to finance a projected Tk 2.43 trillion deficit, with Tk 1.12 trillion expected from the banking sector.

The budget emphasizes implementing a new pay scale for public servants, doubling allocations for health, and expanding tax exemptions for women entrepreneurs, startups, and renewable energy ventures. It also proposes raising the tax-free income threshold, reducing duties on electric vehicles and locally produced electronics, and offering tax relief for freelancers and content creators. However, new advance taxes on retail sales and higher duties on tobacco and construction materials may increase consumer costs.

According to the Finance Division, the budget aims to stimulate domestic industries, attract investment, and create jobs while maintaining corporate tax stability. Implementation is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force chief, Majid Mousavi, has warned that the Middle East will turn into 'hell' for the United States. His statement came in response to the latest US attack on Iran, according to a report by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.

Mousavi accused the US of making the Strait of Hormuz unsafe and vowed that Iran would retaliate across the region. He declared that Iran would make the entire area a 'hell' for American forces, adding that this would be the response to what he described as US arrogance in the region. The remarks were reported by Tasnim and cited by Al Jazeera.

The warning follows reports of Iranian attacks on 18 US military sites in the Middle East and incidents involving two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting escalating tensions between the two nations.

Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit has called for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign, citing growing controversies surrounding the upcoming World Cup. Speaking out after remaining silent for a long time, Gullit said that football is no longer the main focus of the tournament’s preparations. He argued that the World Cup, meant to unite people, is instead becoming a symbol of division, political disputes, travel restrictions, and administrative failures.

Gullit pointed to reports of ticket withdrawals for Iranian fans and the case of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was allegedly denied entry to the host country despite being appointed by FIFA. He said these incidents strike at the core values the World Cup represents. Gullit criticized FIFA for failing to ensure fairness and accessibility for fans, officials, and participants, stressing that leadership means taking responsibility in times of crisis.

He also expressed concern over the rising costs of attending the World Cup, warning that the event risks turning into an exclusive affair for corporations and wealthy spectators. Gullit concluded that if accountability and strong leadership cannot be ensured under the current administration, a change in FIFA leadership may be necessary.

Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury will present the 2026–27 national budget in parliament today at 3 p.m., marking the first budget under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s BNP-led government. According to the state news agency BSS, the proposed budget size is expected to reach Tk 9.38 trillion, the largest in the country’s history. The budget aims for 6.5 percent GDP growth and plans to reduce inflation to 7.5 percent amid persistent price pressures.

The draft budget prioritizes 13 key areas, including inflation control, food security, economic recovery, and employment generation. It also proposes Tk 225 crore for an entrepreneurship development fund and Tk 2,000 crore for SMEs, alongside partial implementation of a new pay scale for public servants. Major allocations include Tk 138,339 crore for family and farmer card programs. Revenue collection is targeted at Tk 6.95 trillion, 23 percent higher than the current year, with a projected deficit of Tk 2.43 trillion.

Economists cited challenges such as high inflation, declining private investment, and growing subsidy burdens. The government plans to rely on domestic and foreign borrowing to bridge the deficit while introducing digital reforms like the ‘BanglaBiz’ one-stop service and online tax systems.

Bangladesh stands on the brink of a historic achievement as it faces Australia in the second One Day International (ODI) of a three-match series at Mirpur today. After defeating Australia in the opening match, Bangladesh leads the series 1–0 and needs just one more victory to secure its first-ever ODI series win against the visitors. The team, led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, enters the match with strong confidence, buoyed by three consecutive home series victories.

All-rounder Mosaddek Hossain Saikat expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s chances, saying the team believes in its process and ability to win. The pace attack, featuring Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman, played a key role in dismantling the Australian batting lineup in the first match, raising expectations for another strong performance.

Australia, meanwhile, aims to bounce back after the opening defeat. Wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey said the team still has two matches to recover and intends to correct earlier mistakes. The outcome will determine whether Bangladesh makes history or Australia stages a comeback.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that its forces carried out multiple strikes on targets across Iran under the directive of President Donald Trump. In an update posted on social media platform X, CENTCOM stated that the attacks targeted Iran’s military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense infrastructure.

According to CENTCOM, precision munitions were used against specific Iranian sites that allegedly posed threats to international commercial shipping routes and US forces in the region. The command described the strikes as a response to what it called Iran’s “unwarranted and ongoing aggression.”

CENTCOM concluded its message by emphasizing that US forces remain vigilant, lethal, and prepared, signaling continued readiness amid heightened regional tensions.

Amnesty International has accused Israel of conducting a state-led campaign of ethnic cleansing against Bedouin and herding communities in the occupied West Bank. The rights group’s report, released Wednesday from Ramallah, claims that Israel’s actions are accelerating the annexation of Palestinian territories. It says these rural Palestinian groups are the main victims of settler violence and forced displacement, with at least 27 communities in Area C displaced or at risk between 2023 and 2025.

The report states that Israel’s current right-wing government is supporting settlers’ religious nationalist agenda by expanding settlements, increasing financial and logistical aid, and allowing settlers to carry weapons, leading to state-backed violence. Amnesty argues that these policies, along with public calls by some Israeli officials to reduce Palestinian presence, amount to deliberate state policy. The organization says such forced expulsions and population transfers could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Amnesty’s Secretary General Agnes Callamard, presenting the report in Berlin, urged the European Union to suspend agreements with Israel, saying symbolic sanctions have failed to curb settlement expansion or violence.

Lionel Messi set another historic milestone for Argentina by becoming the nation’s oldest goalscorer. In a World Cup warm-up match against Iceland in Alabama, Argentina won 3–0, with Messi scoring from a penalty in the 72nd minute. At 38 years, 11 months, and 17 days old, he surpassed Ángel Amadeo Labruna’s 68-year-old record, which had stood since 1957 when Labruna scored against Brazil at 38 years, 9 months, and 9 days.

Messi now has 117 goals for Argentina, far ahead of Gabriel Batistuta’s 55. Over a 21-year international career, he has played 199 matches for the national team. His next appearance, in Argentina’s opening World Cup match, will mark his 200th cap. Despite breaking Labruna’s scoring record, Messi has yet to surpass Labruna’s record as Argentina’s oldest player, set at 39 years, 8 months, and 16 days during the 1958 World Cup.

Messi also has the chance to become Argentina’s oldest World Cup goalscorer if he scores in the upcoming tournament, surpassing Martín Palermo’s record from 2010.

Analysts describe Iran’s recent missile attacks on Israel as its most daring move in decades, signaling a break from the long-standing pattern of proxy warfare and limited retaliation in the Middle East. The strikes, launched in response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, indicate Tehran’s willingness to extend its ‘red line’ beyond its borders and take greater risks under its new leadership.

Despite a ceasefire agreement signed between the United States and Iran on April 8, Tehran accuses both Washington and Tel Aviv of violating it through continued military actions. Lebanon’s prime minister reported thousands of Israeli strikes, while Iran responded with limited counterattacks and warned of broader escalation if diplomacy fails. The downing of a U.S. helicopter has further heightened regional instability.

Experts attribute this assertive stance to Iran’s new generation of leaders who have abandoned the strategy of “strategic patience.” They are now using direct military and economic power to shape regional geopolitics. Observers note that Iran is exploiting divisions between Washington and Tel Aviv, as U.S. President Donald Trump urges restraint while Tehran seeks to strengthen its diplomatic leverage.

A coalition of 22 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, has called on Iran to immediately stop what they describe as killings, abductions, and harassment of dissidents and journalists living in Europe, North America, and Australia. The appeal was reported by Al Jazeera on June 10, 2026, citing a joint statement released by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

According to the statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence branch, Quds Force, and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security have been carrying out hostile and threatening activities abroad targeting Iranian political dissidents, journalists, Jewish communities, and individuals or organizations linked to Israeli interests. The signatories warned Tehran that they remain united and determined to protect their sovereignty and citizens from such transnational threats.

The statement was endorsed by countries including Albania, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden.

Police in Shariatpur detained two Awami League activists following a raid on a gathering allegedly organized under the pretext of a khichuri event. The operation took place on Wednesday night, June 10, in the Bildeonia area of Rajnagar Union under Naria upazila. Acting on a tip-off, Naria police arrived at the scene, prompting many participants to flee, leaving behind cooked food and other items. Two individuals, identified as residents Saiful Islam, 22, and Zobayer Islam Onik, 21, were arrested.

According to police sources, both detainees are believed to be involved in Awami League politics. Authorities stated that the raid was part of ongoing surveillance on political gatherings in the area. The local police chief confirmed that legal action against the detainees is in process.

The incident has sparked widespread discussion in the locality, and police said further investigation is underway to determine the nature of the gathering and take necessary legal measures.

An elderly Indian Muslim man has been stranded for several days in the no-man’s land between India and Bangladesh near the Dewanganj border in Jamalpur. Local sources and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) reported that members of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) from Assam’s Nandirchar camp attempted to push the man, a resident of Chennai, into Bangladesh through the Jhaudanga border. The BGB and local residents intervened to prevent the push-in, but the man remained trapped between the two countries, suffering from hunger and exposure.

BGB commander Lieutenant Colonel Hasanur Rahman stated that BSF has repeatedly tried to push people across the border illegally and that BGB remains on high alert. Despite attempts to resolve the issue through a flag meeting, no solution was reached. Local residents and rights activists described the incident as part of a growing pattern of Indian Muslim citizens being forced toward Bangladesh. Human rights worker Jahangir Selim said such actions violate international law and human rights principles.

Observers at the scene questioned the humanitarian implications, noting that the stranded man’s plight highlights broader concerns about citizenship, identity, and state responsibility along the border.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested two suspects in connection with the killing of BNP leader Billal Hossain Talukder in Dhaka’s Mouchak area. The detainees are identified as Siraj, the fourth accused in the case and alleged mastermind, and Rakibul Islam Shihab, known as Golden Rakib, the tenth accused. RAB-3 confirmed the arrests in a text message on Wednesday night, stating that the operation was conducted in separate raids in Lakshmipur district. With these arrests, a total of four suspects have now been detained in the case.

According to RAB-3, the arrests followed the fatal stabbing of Billal Hossain Talukder during a mediation meeting at the Anarkali Market area of Mouchak on Monday night. Billal, a former convener of the Swechchhasebak Dal’s Ramna unit, was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition, where doctors declared him dead around 9:15 p.m. Authorities said further details about the investigation would be shared later.

The arrests mark a key development in the ongoing investigation into the high-profile killing, which has drawn attention within political circles.