A heated exchange broke out between Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon and senior United Nations officials during a high-level meeting in New York marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. The confrontation escalated when Danon demanded the resignation of Pramila Patten, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative, after a recent report listed Israel for the first time among countries accused of conflict-related sexual violence.

Vanessa Frazier, another UN official and author of a separate report on children and armed conflict, objected to Danon’s remarks, urging him to refrain from personal attacks. She defended the report’s findings as evidence-based. Frazier’s report highlighted violence and rights violations against Palestinian children and warned that Israeli settler groups could also face future blacklisting. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the rise in such violations as deeply concerning.

Earlier, Israel had already been included in the UN’s so-called “list of shame” for violations against children, intensifying diplomatic tensions over the reports’ findings.

A violent dispute erupted among siblings over the burial site and inheritance following the death of Abdul Jalil Pandit in Rasulpur Union under Shashibhushan Police Station of Charfassion upazila, Bhola. The conflict involved the children of his five wives, leading to repeated clashes. Police were eventually deployed to ensure the burial took place under security at the family homestead on Wednesday night.

Local sources reported that Jalil Pandit died suddenly around 3 a.m. His children from previous marriages arrived demanding their share of inheritance, while his youngest daughter, Khadija Akter Smriti, claimed no property remained for division. The dispute intensified when Smriti’s former brother-in-law, Khokon, alleged that his earnings and gold were held by Jalil and Smriti, and he refused to allow burial until his assets were returned.

Police intervened after renewed clashes during the burial preparations. The body was buried under police guard in front of the house, as per the claim of the elder siblings. Authorities confirmed no written complaint had been filed yet but said legal action would follow if one is received.

At a divisional rally of an eleven-party alliance held at Khulna Circuit House grounds on Saturday, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque said that the current government is burdened by the influence of Hasina and the Awami League. The event focused on demands to implement the referendum verdict, reduce public suffering, and control commodity prices.

Maulana Mamunul Haque accused the BNP of deceiving the public over the July certificate and referendum issue, claiming the party campaigned for a ‘no’ vote. He emphasized that political parties have a moral duty to implement the reform-oriented mandate given by the people. National Citizen Party chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari stated that Bangladesh faces three major struggles: implementing state reforms, protecting national sovereignty, and ensuring justice for the Awami League. He urged citizens to unite against corruption, extortion, and partisanship.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that the next revolution will aim to make Bangladesh stand tall as an independent and sovereign state.

At least 18 people were injured in a clash between supporters of the Awami League and the BNP in Boalia village of Falsi Union under Harinakundu upazila in Jhenaidah on Saturday morning. The confrontation reportedly stemmed from a dispute over fishing rights in a local pond and long-standing local rivalries. Police and local sources said the conflict first erupted on Friday afternoon when Rakibul Islam, brother of Falsi Union Parishad chairman and upazila Awami League vice-president Advocate Bazlur Rahman, was seriously injured.

Tensions flared again the next morning, leading to violent clashes between supporters of Bazlur Rahman and those of former UP member and BNP leader Mashiur Rahman. Both sides used local weapons, resulting in repeated chases and counter-chases that spread panic in the area. The injured were taken to Harinakundu Upazila Health Complex, Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital, and Kushtia Sadar Hospital, with several reported in critical condition.

Police later brought the situation under control and deployed additional forces to prevent further violence. Authorities said the situation is now stable and an investigation is underway.

Dhaka University professor and PSC member Dr. Chowdhury Saima Ferdous emphasized that the true purpose of education is to become a good human being, not merely to achieve high grades. She made these remarks on Saturday, June 20, at an orientation and career development program for higher secondary students at Cumilla Victoria Government College.

Dr. Ferdous stated that obtaining a GPA-5 does not guarantee success in life, noting that many with perfect scores fail to progress, while others with lower grades achieve meaningful success through intellect and integrity. She urged students to focus on moral development, honesty, and serving the nation with ethical values. She also encouraged them to pursue higher education abroad but to return and contribute their knowledge and creativity to national development.

She further advised students to engage in social work, respect their parents, and practice financial responsibility. According to her, education should spread goodness in society rather than serve only as a means of earning.

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.