President Trump announced a trade deal with Vietnam, reducing tariffs from a threatened 46% to 20% on Vietnamese exports, with 40% levies on trans-shipments from third countries. Vietnam gets zero-tariff access for US imports and preferential market access commitments. The agreement, announced days before July 9 tariff deadline, boosts apparel stocks and strengthens US-Vietnam ties against China’s influence.READ FULL
Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty Tuesday pending an ethics investigation over a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. The suspension marks a major setback for the government, which is already fighting for survival on multiple fronts.The case threatens to end her family’s over two-decade dominance of Thai politics.READ FULL
At least 11 people died in separate road accidents in Mymensingh yesterday. Eight died when a bus collided with a human haulier in Phulpur upazila at 8:45pm; angry locals burned the bus afterward. Earlier, three were killed when a CNG auto-rickshaw collided with an ambulance in Tarakanda upazila at 6:00pm. Police filed separate cases for both incidents.READ FULL
Dhaka Metropolitan Police imposed a ban on all gatherings, rallies, and demonstrations around National Board of Revenue and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority offices on Agargaon Road in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The restriction takes effect 6:00am tomorrow and continues until further notice. DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sazzat Ali signed the order under Section 29 of DMP Ordinance for public safety.READ FULL
India’s BSNL soft-launched Quantum 5G FWA in Hyderabad, the country’s first indigenous, SIM-less fixed-wireless-access service delivering fiber-like speeds over 5G radio. The service offers gigabit-class speeds (980 Mbps recorded) with sub-10ms latency. Plans start at ₹999 for 100 Mbps. Pilot expansion to six cities including Bengaluru, Pune, and Chandigarh planned by September 2025.READ FULL
The World Bank approved $500 million financing to strengthen Bangladesh’s public institutions through enhanced accountability, transparency, and financial sector governance. The program supports tax administration reforms, corporate governance improvements, and public sector transparency measures. By 2027, all government project documents must be public. This brings World Bank’s total FY25 commitments to Bangladesh to $3.07 billion.READ FULL
A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck northern Iran’s Semnan area Friday, near military space and missile complexes, triggering speculation about potential nuclear testing amid Iran-Israel conflict. However, seismic experts from USGS and CTBTO dismissed nuclear test theories, confirming it was a natural earthquake. Iran experiences over 2,100 earthquakes annually due to its location on active tectonic plates. No casualties reported.READ FULL
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reversed her previous testimony after President Trump publicly called her “wrong” about Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Gabbard now claims Iran could build a nuclear weapon “within weeks to months,” contradicting her March testimony that Iran wasn’t building nuclear weapons. Trump has twice undermined Gabbard’s assessments this week, aligning more with Israeli PM Netanyahu’s position on Iran’s nuclear threat.READ FULL
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the two-Test series against Zimbabwe starting June 28 due to a hamstring injury from the WTC final victory over Australia. Bavuma scored 66 despite the injury at Lord’s. Keshav Maharaj will lead the team, with both Tests in Bulawayo (June 28-July 2, July 6-10).READ FULL
Qatar held emergency talks with energy companies after Israeli strikes on an Iran-Qatar shared gas field. Energy Minister Saad Al Kaabi urged firms to alert Western governments about escalation risks to Qatar’s LNG exports, which represent 20% of global supply. Major oil companies including ExxonMobil, Shell, and TotalEnergies attended meetings. No current disruptions reported to Qatar’s gas operations.READ FULL
Prime Minister Modi rejected US President Trump’s phone invitation to visit Washington DC, saying he needed to return to Odisha, “the holy land of Lord Jagannath.”The invitation came during the recent G7 Summit in Canada where Modi met various world leaders. Trump left the summit early to monitor escalating Israel-Iran tensions. Modi instead invited Trump to India’s upcoming Quad Summit.READ FULL
Emmy winner Jeremy Allen White portrays Bruce Springsteen in the biographical drama “Deliver Me From Nowhere,” releasing October 24. Directed by Scott Cooper, the film focuses on creating Springsteen’s acclaimed 1982 album “Nebraska.” White performs his own vocals, with Jeremy Strong co-starring as manager Jon Landau. The project has Springsteen’s blessing and features an ensemble cast including Stephen Graham and Marc Maron.READ FULL
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia returned to her Gulshan residence Firoza around midnight after health check-up at Evercare Hospital. Her physician Professor AZM Zahid Hossain said tests were completed and the medical board decided to continue treatment at home, expecting further improvement. Khaleda had undergone four-month advanced treatment in London, returning to Dhaka on May 6.READ FULL
Distributor Venkatesh Kamalakar refuses to release Kamal Haasan’s ‘Thug Life’ in Karnataka, citing poor business prospects two weeks post-India release. The film faces boycott over Haasan’s controversial “Kannada born from Tamil” comment. Despite Supreme Court ordering release after CBFC certification, pro-Kannada groups threaten protests. Police issued notices to activists restricting demonstrations to designated areas.READ FULL
The popular Android developer conference ‘droidcon Bangladesh 2025’ will be held June 20-21 at Independent University, Bangladesh. Expecting 500+ participants, the event features 19 international speakers and 20+ technical sessions covering Kotlin, Flutter, AI in mobile testing, and Android security. The last droidcon in Bangladesh was in 2017 with 300 developers attending.READ FULL
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Italian PM Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada. In a warm exchange, Meloni told Modi, “You are the best. I am trying to be as you.” Both leaders emphasized strengthening India-Italy friendship. This marks Modi’s sixth consecutive G7 participation and first Canada visit in a decade.READ FULL
While Israel wages war against Iran over nuclear concerns, reports reveal Israel secretly possesses at least 90 nuclear warheads—the Middle East’s only nuclear arsenal. Despite official ambiguity, Israel’s uranium stockpile could produce hundreds more weapons. The program, housed near Dimona since 1958, makes Israel the world’s eighth-largest nuclear power, though it remains unrecognized under international treaties.READ FULL
Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal published newspaper notices summoning former PM Sheikh Hasina and ex-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan to appear on June 24 over crimes against humanity charges during the July uprising. Both are declared absconding abroad with arrest warrants issued. If they fail to appear, the tribunal will appoint defense counsel and proceed with trial in absentia.READ FULL
Eighteen people, mostly of Indian-origin, were arrested and CAD $4.2 million in assets seized after police dismantled an organized criminal network linked to Ontario’s towing industry. The suspects face 97 charges including extortion, fraud, and firearms offenses. The network staged vehicle collisions for insurance fraud and used violence to control towing operations, targeting South Asian business owners with extortion demands.READ FULL
Taiwan has placed China’s Huawei and SMIC on its export control list alongside entities like Taliban and al Qaeda, requiring government approval for Taiwanese exports to these firms. The move, part of adding 601 entities from China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan and Myanmar, strengthens national security controls. Taiwan cited concerns over Chinese firms poaching semiconductor talent and acquiring proprietary technologies illegally.READ FULL
Sakhina Begum, renowned for killing five Razakars with a sword during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War, died today in Kishoreganj’s Nikli upazila. Known as “Khatki Begum,” she joined the war after her nephew’s martyrdom, initially serving as cook and informant before her famous act of vengeance. A state funeral is being arranged for the childless widow who became a symbol of courage.READ FULL
A parliamentary committee led by JDU MP Sanjay Jha will meet June 23 to review recent air crashes and aviation sector manpower gaps. Following the Ahmedabad Air India crash and Uttarakhand helicopter accident, the committee will summon DGCA, Air India, Boeing, and aviation experts. The panel previously highlighted critical staff shortages: 48% vacancies in DGCA, 37% in BCAS, creating safety concerns amid India’s growing aviation sector.READ FULL
China’s nuclear arsenal has grown to 600 warheads, adding 100 in 2023-2024, according to SIPRI’s annual report. The Stockholm-based think tank warns of a “dangerous new nuclear arms race” as nearly all nine nuclear-armed states continue modernization programs. Global nuclear inventory stands at 12,241 warheads, with Russia (5,459) and the US (5,177) holding 90% of the world’s total nuclear weapons.READ FULL
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Sikkim’s Nathula Pass has resumed after a five-year gap, with 36 pilgrims beginning their journey on Monday. The group will stay at acclimatization centers for four days before crossing into China on June 20. ITBP personnel, doctors, and liaison officers will accompany them. Sikkim’s Chief Minister will flag off the pilgrims for this sacred journey to the holy site.READ FULL
Bangladesh’s Election Commission is ready to hold parliamentary elections by April 2026, but timing remains unclear. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus met with opposition BNP leader Tarique Rahman, who requested elections before Ramadan 2026 (February-March). The EC says it can hold elections earlier if the government decides. Critics accuse Yunus of delaying polls, while his government insists reforms are needed first before elections.READ FULL
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced Britain will stop using hotels to house asylum seekers by 2029, saving taxpayers £1 billion annually. Currently costing over £8 million daily, around 32,000 asylum seekers are housed in hotels. The government pledged £280 million extra annually by 2028-29 for Border Security Command to accelerate asylum decisions and reduce backlogs.READ FULL
Scientists discovered ancient human remains in Colombia’s Bogota Altiplano dating 6,000-500 years old that don’t match any known indigenous populations. The 21 individuals studied represent a previously unknown genetic lineage unrelated to modern humans or other ancient American populations. Researchers are puzzled about their origins and disappearance, calling the find crucial for understanding early American settlement patterns.READ FULL
Max Verstappen aims for a record fourth consecutive Canadian Grand Prix victory this weekend but faces automatic suspension from the Austrian GP if he receives one more penalty point. The four-time champion sits third in standings behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Mercedes seeks their first win since Las Vegas 2024, while Hamilton struggles without a podium this season.READ FULL
The Kremlin confirmed Wednesday that Russia is ready to assist in removing excess nuclear material from Iran and converting it into fuel, if the US and Tehran find such help useful. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the offer aims to help bridge differences between Washington and Iran over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.READ FULL
French AI startup Mistral released two reasoning-focused AI models: Magistral Small (open-source, 24B parameters) and Magistral Medium (enterprise, proprietary). Both feature multi-step reasoning with transparent chain-of-thought in eight languages. Small scored 70.7% on AIME2024, Medium achieved 73.6%. The models target research, strategic planning, and data-driven decisions, available via Hugging Face and cloud platforms.READ FULL
International passengers at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram have been forced to walk to the terminal for four days due to a malfunctioned boarding bridge. One of two 24-year-old bridges at Gate 4 remains out of service, causing inconvenience especially with Hajj return flights arriving June 17. Airport authorities say work is underway to install a replacement bridge.READ FULL
At least 20 people were injured in a clash between two groups over a football match in Kishoreganj’s Bhairab upazila, Bangladesh. The hour-long altercation at Tulakandi Eidgah ground involved country-made weapons and spears, with several houses vandalized. Ten victims with serious injuries were transferred to hospitals for advanced treatment. Police brought the situation under control and legal proceedings are underway.READ FULL
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut slammed Sonam Raghuvanshi, accused of orchestrating her husband Raja’s murder during their Meghalaya honeymoon.Ranaut called the act “cruel, heinous and dumb,” questioning how Sonam couldn’t refuse marriage but could plan murder. Raja’s body was found in a gorge near Weisawdong waterfalls on June 2 after the couple went missing May 23. Sonam surrendered to UP Police on June 9.READ FULL
Climate activist Greta Thunberg was deported from Israel after Israeli forces seized her Gaza-bound aid boat in international waters Monday. In a pre-recorded video, Thunberg said: “If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped.Israeli naval forces boarded the charity vessel Madleen, enforcing Gaza’s naval blockade. President Trump dismissed her “kidnapped” claim, saying Israel “has enough problems.”READ FULL
A viral video showing President Trump announcing a Tesla production ban and calling Elon Musk a “snake” has been confirmed as AI-generated. Fact-checkers found the clip had a 99.8% likelihood of being artificial, with advanced voice cloning used. The video made baseless claims about Trump-Musk tensions, but reports of Trump selling his White House Tesla were later denied.READ FULL
Tom Cruise earned a Guinness World Record by performing 16 parachute jumps with a burning chute for “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.” The actor trained in South Africa, jumping from over 75,000 feet while releasing flaming parachutes mid-air and deploying backups. Guinness praised his “incredible bravery” and commitment to authentic action sequences.READ FULL