Lionel Messi turned frustration into triumph as Argentina defeated Austria 2–0 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas. After missing a penalty early in the match, Messi scored twice to surpass Miroslav Klose’s long-standing record of 16 World Cup goals, becoming the tournament’s all-time top scorer with 18. His goals also secured Argentina’s place in the knockout stage with two consecutive wins and six points.

The match highlighted Messi’s enduring brilliance at age 38, as he delivered a performance of precision and artistry. His first goal came in the 38th minute through a fluid team move, while his second, in injury time, sealed both the victory and his new record. Argentina’s midfield, led by Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul, and Alexis Mac Allister, showed strength, though the team occasionally struggled under Austria’s pressing.

Despite some attacking limitations, Argentina’s reliance on Messi’s creativity remains their greatest asset. As he turns 39, Messi continues to redefine longevity and excellence in football, proving that even missed chances can ignite greatness.

A new convening committee of the Rangpur District National Youth Power has been formed. The announcement was made on Tuesday through a statement approved by the organization’s central president Advocate Tarikul Islam and general secretary Engineer Farhad Sohel. The committee includes Rakibul Hasan Toufiq as convener, Rifatujjaman and Syed Shamim Ahmed as senior joint conveners, Morshed Alam as member secretary, Touhidul Islam Suman as senior joint member secretary, Abdullah Al Maruf as chief organizer, and Omar Faruk Akash as senior organizer.

National Citizens Party member secretary and Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain said the central leadership placed trust in tested and energetic individuals to strengthen the youth movement in Rangpur and advance the struggle for people’s rights. Convener Rakibul Hasan Toufiq and member secretary Morshed Alam both emphasized their commitment to uphold the spirit of the July uprising and to build an inclusive, merit-based full committee within seven days.

According to the central directive, the newly formed committee must submit a complete organizational structure to the central office within a week.

Speculation has intensified about a cooling relationship between President Md. Shahabuddin and the BNP-led government following his recent London trip. Although the two sides appeared cordial during earlier events, including the February 17 cabinet oath-taking and the March 21 Eid-ul-Fitr prayers, recent developments suggest growing distance. During the June 11 budget session, the president was reportedly not greeted by government leaders, prompting him to leave the parliament early.

The tension reportedly began after the president’s nine-day medical visit to London in May, which drew questions within the government over expenses and activities during the trip. Ministers, however, publicly maintain that relations remain constitutional and functional. Senior cabinet members, including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, emphasized that the government is maintaining a constitutional relationship with the presidency.

Political analysts cited the situation as part of normal political strategy, noting that the BNP government, elected with a strong mandate, must balance constitutional obligations with political realities. The information minister reiterated that the government continues to uphold a working relationship with Bangabhaban under democratic and constitutional norms.

Flood conditions have deteriorated across Bangladesh’s northeastern and northern regions after India opened all gates of the Gajoldoba Barrage, releasing upstream water amid continuous heavy rainfall. The Teesta River crossed the danger level at Dalia Point in Nilphamari on Tuesday afternoon, prompting the Water Development Board to open all 44 gates of the Teesta Barrage to control water flow. Low-lying areas in Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Kurigram, and Gaibandha have been inundated, leaving thousands of families marooned.

According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, most major rivers are flowing below danger levels, but the Teesta, Surma, Kushiyara, and Someshwari rivers are at or near warning marks at several stations. Officials warned that heavy rainfall and upstream inflow may continue for the next two to three days, potentially worsening the flood situation in northern districts. Local residents expressed frustration over India’s release of water, urging action to prevent further inflow.

Authorities are monitoring embankments and roads in vulnerable areas while urging residents to remain alert as water levels continue to rise.

Bangladesh Bank has resumed lending to commercial banks by printing new money, providing around Tk 9,000 crore in liquidity support to Islami Bank over the past week. The central bank said the assistance was necessary to help the bank manage heavy deposit withdrawals following unrest over the appointment of its chairman. The funds were created through new money issuance, and economists warned that such actions could exert limited inflationary pressure.

According to officials, Islami Bank had failed to maintain its required cash reserve ratio and faced difficulties meeting customer withdrawal demands. The central bank extended the loan under its lender-of-last-resort function to stabilize the banking system. Former officials and economists noted that while money creation increases supply theoretically, the impact on overall inflation is expected to be minimal due to the limited scale of the support.

Bangladesh Bank stated that the liquidity assistance was temporary and would be repaid within the stipulated period, ensuring the excess money returns to the central bank. The move aimed to restore depositor confidence and prevent further instability in the financial sector.

Leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) held a protest march and rally in Dhaka’s New Market area on Tuesday night, June 24, 2026, opposing the activities of the banned Awami League and its student wing, Chhatra League. The procession began around 10 p.m. from Nilkhet intersection and concluded in front of the main gate of Dhaka College after parading through several streets.

The demonstration was led by Mizanur Rahman Doyal, assistant organizing secretary of the JCD central committee. Leaders from Dhaka College, metropolitan, and local units of the organization participated in the event. During the rally, Doyal warned that if the Awami League attempted to reemerge or create unrest in the country, the JCD would strongly resist such moves.

He added that since its inception, the JCD has stood by the people during national crises and vowed to continue this commitment in the future.

RezauL Hasan Koyes Lodi, chairman of the Sylhet Development Authority and acting president of Sylhet Metropolitan BNP, has reported receiving death threats from unidentified individuals or groups through social media. He confirmed the matter on Tuesday evening, June 23, stating that several Facebook accounts had issued threats against him. Lodi said he verbally informed the Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner and submitted the relevant links, while also filing a report with the Airport Police Station seeking legal action.

Lodi described the threats as alarming, particularly given his role as a political figure engaged in public service. He demanded a proper investigation and swift legal action against those responsible. The threats reportedly came amid recent Facebook criticism of him related to issues surrounding the Hazrat Shahjalal shrine donation box and the transfer of Deputy Commissioner Sarwar Alam.

The incident has sparked significant discussion in both political and administrative circles in Sylhet, highlighting concerns over online intimidation of public officials.

Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies have thwarted what officials described as a sabotage plan by the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations. According to the report, extensive security measures were taken across the country on June 23, 2026, surrounding the party’s anniversary. More than 150 Awami League members were arrested nationwide, including at least 26 in Dhaka. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner stated that the group had attempted to disrupt law and order, but their plans were neutralized before execution. No major violence or clashes were reported, and normal life continued across the capital.

The government deployed army and Border Guard Bangladesh units alongside regular police, intelligence agencies, and plainclothes officers to maintain order. Surveillance was intensified through CCTV, checkpoints, and drone patrols in key urban areas such as Dhanmondi, Shahbagh, and Motijheel. Intelligence sources said the authorities had been monitoring social media and encrypted communication channels linked to pro-Awami networks in India for weeks. Preventive actions reportedly stopped any organized gatherings or attacks.

Officials indicated that the Awami League’s weakened organizational structure and leadership crisis contributed to its failure to mobilize supporters, while security agencies continue monitoring online propaganda and funding networks.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested 26 leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations during separate operations across the capital. The arrests were made on Monday, according to a press release issued Tuesday by Additional Deputy Police Commissioner Niaz Mehdi of the DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division.

The statement detailed that arrests took place in several police station areas: two in Ramna, ten in Dhanmondi, one in Bangshal, two in Khilkhet, one in Kadamtali, eight in Mohammadpur, one in Mirpur, and one in Turag. Police said the operations were part of ongoing efforts to maintain public safety and law and order in the city.

Authorities confirmed that legal proceedings against the detainees are underway and that similar operations will continue to ensure stability and prevent unrest in Dhaka.

In a parliamentary discussion on the 2026–27 national budget, Jeshore-2 lawmaker Mosleh Uddin Farid welcomed the increased allocation for the health sector but cautioned that funding alone would not solve its deep-rooted problems. He identified manpower shortages, weak drug regulation, broken medical equipment, and inadequate primary healthcare as major obstacles. Farid said around 80,000 positions remain vacant in the health sector, while last year about Tk 2,000 crore from the operational budget was returned unused.

He noted that Bangladesh currently spends only 1 percent of GDP on health, which should gradually rise to 5 percent to match neighboring countries. Farid also highlighted that citizens bear 79 percent of total health expenses, spending Tk 90,000 crore on medicines and Tk 25,000 crore on diagnostics. He urged stronger drug control and quick repair of medical equipment, over half of which are reportedly out of service.

Farid emphasized that achieving SDG-3 by 2030 requires higher investment in primary healthcare, research, and structural reform, stressing that identifying and addressing core issues is essential for real improvement.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated organizations held a protest march in Sitakunda, Chattogram, on Tuesday afternoon to denounce what they described as anarchic actions by the ruling Awami League. The procession began at the northern market of the municipality, moved through major roads, and concluded with a rally in front of the municipal office.

Speakers at the rally said their movement would continue with public support against any attempts to spread misinformation, rumors, or political confusion through social media that could undermine national stability. They also highlighted the political struggle, imprisonment, and organizational contributions of Aslam Chowdhury, former joint secretary general of the BNP and current MP for Sitakunda, emphasizing unity among local BNP and allied groups under his leadership.

Local BNP leaders including Dr. Kamal Kader, Mohammad Morsalin, Zakir Hossain, and several youth wing representatives addressed the gathering, reaffirming their commitment to ongoing political activism in the area.

Lionel Messi delivered another historic performance as Argentina defeated Austria 2–0, with both goals scored by the captain. The victory not only ensured Argentina’s place in the last 32 of the World Cup but also made Messi the all-time top scorer in the tournament’s history. His teammates and coach celebrated the achievement with high praise and emotion.

Forward Julián Álvarez called Messi the greatest in football history, noting his sustained excellence over two decades. Midfielder Leandro Paredes described Messi’s form as unbelievable, saying he amazes the team in every training session and match. Defender Lisandro Martínez said Messi stands alone at the top and expressed pride in sharing the field with him. Coach Lionel Scaloni lauded Messi’s leadership, saying the team finds rhythm when he is in form and praised his work ethic even in difficult moments.

Messi’s extraordinary form has reignited Argentina’s dream of becoming the third nation, after Italy and Brazil, to win consecutive World Cups.

Former leaders of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, who were denied organizational posts, held a protest march in Dhaka’s Paltan area on Tuesday afternoon. The demonstration began in front of the Paltan First Hotel, passed through Nightingale intersection, and concluded at Paltan Mor. The participants said their goal was to prevent the banned Awami League from creating disorder on the streets.

The protesting leaders declared that they would not allow any attempt by the banned Awami League to cause unrest and would deploy Jubo Dal members in neighborhoods if necessary. Several former leaders of Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal, including Dulal Hossain, Rafiqul Islam Rafiq, Humayun Kabir, and others, were present at the event.

The rally reflected internal mobilization among BNP-affiliated youth activists amid political restrictions on rival groups, with participants emphasizing vigilance against any street-level disruptions.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has claimed that 10,000 people have been pushed into Bangladesh from temporary shelters in various border districts. He also stated that the process of sending another 1,800 people back to Bangladesh is underway. Adhikari made the remarks on Tuesday, June 23, during the state assembly’s budget session while responding to opposition leader Ritabrata Banerjee.

Adhikari said that the state government is enforcing Indian laws and clarified that those being sent back are illegal entrants, not Indian citizens. He emphasized that government funds should not be used to provide food, clothing, or medicine for illegal immigrants. The Chief Minister further indicated that the state’s policy is to hand over such individuals directly to central agencies like the Border Security Force (BSF) instead of detaining them in state jails.

Highlighting border security measures, Adhikari mentioned that 142.79 acres of land have been handed over to the BSF for border fencing, and the construction of barbed wire fences along 600 kilometers of the border is expected to be completed within the next few months.

Former Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has claimed that Lionel Messi’s record-breaking goal in Argentina’s 2–0 victory over Austria was illegal. The match, held on June 23, 2026, saw Messi surpass Miroslav Klose’s 16-goal record to become the top scorer in World Cup history. The Argentine captain, aged 39, scored in the 38th minute after missing a penalty earlier in the match. He later added another goal in injury time, bringing his total to 18 World Cup goals.

Schmeichel, serving as an analyst for Fox Sports, argued that the first goal should have been disallowed because Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister fouled Austria’s midfielder Xaver Schlager just before the goal. He said the incident was a clear free-kick and that VAR should have intervened to cancel the goal, calling it a clear referee mistake. Despite the controversy, Messi’s second goal secured Argentina’s win and cemented his place as the all-time leading World Cup scorer.

The match also marked Messi’s third missed penalty in World Cup history, the most by any player in the tournament.