Israeli media reported on Tuesday that the Israeli army is preparing for a prolonged presence in Lebanon, even as the United States and Iran move toward an agreement to halt fighting across all fronts. According to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, citing unnamed security sources, the army is ready to remain in Lebanon for an extended period if instructed by political leadership. The report added that while Washington and Tehran are nearing a deal in Switzerland, Israeli forces continue operations in southern Lebanon alongside exchanges of fire in northern Israel.

The development comes as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that the upcoming US-Iran memorandum of understanding includes commitments to end military tensions across the region, including Lebanon. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that ending the conflict in Lebanon and withdrawing Israeli troops from Lebanese territory are integral parts of the agreement being negotiated with Washington.

The reports suggest that despite diplomatic progress, Israel’s military posture indicates caution and readiness for continued engagement in Lebanon.

The trial of former Member of Parliament Abul Hasanat Abdullah and three others begins today at the International Crimes Tribunal-2 in Dhaka. They are accused of crimes against humanity for the alleged crossfire killings of two men, Tipu Howlader and Kabir Molla, in Agailjhara, Barishal, on February 21, 2015. The proceedings will open with the prosecution’s introductory statement and the testimony of the first witness.

According to the case documents, the victims were political rivals of Abul Hasanat Abdullah. The charges allege that Abdullah, unable to defeat them politically, abused state power to orchestrate their deaths. He allegedly instructed then Barishal Superintendent of Police A.K.M. Ehsanullah to frame the victims in a false case, after which Assistant Sub-Inspectors Mahbul Islam and Jasim Uddin carried out the killings under the guise of a crossfire incident.

The tribunal had framed charges on May 20, 2026, ordering the trial to proceed. The two arrested police officers are to be produced from prison for today’s hearing.

Doug Bandow, senior fellow at the Cato Institute and former special assistant to US President Ronald Reagan, said Washington must exert effective pressure on Israel to stop its ongoing attacks in Lebanon. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he noted that this would not be easy due to Israel’s strong political influence in the United States and the close relationship between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Bandow stated that Trump appears focused on halting strikes on Beirut, while Iran is monitoring the situation in southern Lebanon, where hundreds of thousands have been displaced by the conflict. He emphasized that without real pressure, Netanyahu could easily ignore calls to end the attacks. Bandow added that US financial and military support gives Washington significant leverage over Israel, yet no American president has been willing to suspend such aid for long.

He warned that if Trump fails to apply genuine pressure or find an effective method to do so, the measures could amount to mere political theater, potentially leading to the breakdown of existing agreements and dissatisfaction from Iran.

A newly constructed rural road in Magura Union of Kishoreganj upazila, Nilphamari, built at a cost of about 4.5 million taka, has started to deteriorate only seven days after completion. Locals allege that substandard materials, insufficient bitumen, and disregard for construction guidelines led to the rapid damage. The incident has sparked anger and concern among residents.

According to the report, the 1.5-kilometer road from Checkpost to Darzipara village was built under the 2025–26 fiscal year’s rural infrastructure development project by contractor firm Suman Traders. Locals claim the contractor completed the work hastily during public holidays without supervision, skipping proper soil filling and layering of brick chips, sand, and stones. As a result, the road’s durability is now in question.

Magura Union Parishad Chairman Akhtaruzzaman Mithu confirmed that the work was done without oversight, while contractor owner Mosgul Haque denied any wrongdoing. Kishoreganj Upazila Engineer Mahmudul Hasan said the site would be inspected soon and necessary action taken if irregularities are found.

At the G7 summit held in Evian-les-Bains, France, a brief exchange between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew widespread attention on social media. Before the traditional group photo, the two leaders greeted each other warmly and shared a light conversation. In a video clip, Meloni told Modi it was nice to see him again and jokingly remarked that they were the most popular duo on Instagram. Modi responded by referring to the viral 'Melodi' trend, prompting Meloni to repeat her comment with laughter.

The 'Melodi' trend, combining their names, first gained popularity in 2023 when Meloni posted a selfie with Modi during the COP28 summit in Dubai, captioned “good friends” with the hashtag #Melodi. Since then, the tag has inspired numerous memes and humorous content online, resurfacing with each of their public meetings.

During Modi’s recent visit to Rome, he gifted Meloni a toffee brand named “Melody,” which many interpreted as a playful nod to the viral trend. A video of the exchange showing both leaders smiling quickly went viral online.

Israel requested that the United States allow it to review a memorandum of understanding signed with Iran, but Washington declined the request, according to Israeli media reports. Channel 12 reported that Israeli officials sought access to the document but were denied, leaving them uncertain about its contents. The reports emerged amid growing criticism of the agreement from Israeli officials.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference on Monday that he was not sure about the details of the deal. Israeli media also reported deep frustration among officials, particularly over clauses related to troop withdrawal from Lebanon and halting attacks on the country. The news site i24 described the agreement as embarrassing, while Netanyahu noted that the deal had been made by former U.S. President Donald Trump and that Israel would act based on its own interests.

Earlier reports indicated that Israeli officials had informed Washington that Israel was not obligated to comply with the memorandum.

US Vice President JD Vance stated that Iran could benefit from the US-Iran agreement if it adheres to the set conditions. In an interview with Fox News, Vance said Iran must fundamentally transform itself to gain real advantages from the deal. He emphasized that the agreement is straightforward: Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons, the Strait of Hormuz must remain open, and Iran must demonstrate proper conduct to receive various benefits.

Vance further explained that if Iran stops funding terrorism and ceases support for rebuilding its nuclear weapons program, it could gain genuine advantages. However, if it fails to meet these conditions, it will receive nothing. He also noted that regardless of the outcome, the United States stands to benefit from the arrangement.

The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and highlight Washington’s conditional approach toward Tehran’s compliance under the new agreement framework.

Iran’s parliamentarian Ebrahim Azizi, head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, has warned that Tehran will deliver a 'strong response' if the memorandum of understanding recently reached between Iran and the United States is violated. The two sides are scheduled to formally sign the agreement on Friday, according to the report.

In a social media post, Azizi stated that Iran’s firmness had forced a strategic shift, claiming that the United States had entered talks on Iran’s terms. He added that Washington must now demonstrate its commitment by halting the war in Lebanon and upholding every clause of the memorandum. Azizi emphasized that the era of imposing unilateral wars on Iranians is over.

The statement underscores Tehran’s insistence on reciprocal compliance and signals potential tension if the agreement’s provisions are not respected.

At least four people were killed in multiple Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. The attacks targeted vehicles in the Maifadoun area and the village of Shoukin, escalating tensions despite ongoing discussions over a potential ceasefire. Iran issued a strong warning, saying Israel would face a harsh response if the assaults in southern Lebanon continued.

The report noted that Iranian officials have repeatedly insisted that any ceasefire agreement must include an end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a mediator in the talks, said the proposed deal calls for an immediate halt to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Israel’s continued occupation in southern Lebanon would violate the agreement.

Iran’s top military command also cautioned that further Israeli strikes would trigger a strong reaction from Iranian forces. Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf urged the United States to pressure Israel to stop the attacks, end destruction of homes, and withdraw troops from occupied Lebanese territories.

Norway made a triumphant return to the FIFA World Cup after 26 years, defeating Iraq 4-1 in a Group I match held in Boston on Tuesday. Star striker Erling Haaland scored twice, marking his first World Cup goals and playing a decisive role in the victory. Haaland opened the scoring in the 29th minute, but Iraq equalized through Aymen Hussein. Before halftime, a goalkeeping error by Jalal Hassan allowed Haaland to restore Norway’s lead.

In the second half, Iraq fought back with several close chances, but Norway extended their advantage when substitute defender Leo Østigård headed in from a Martin Ødegaard corner in the 76th minute. Haaland nearly completed a hat-trick, but his effort was saved. The final goal came when Haaland’s header deflected off Hussein for an own goal, sealing Norway’s 4-1 win.

With this result, Norway topped Group I on goal difference, ahead of France, who beat Senegal 3-1. Norway and France will meet in a key group match on June 22 in New Jersey.

The government has dissolved the board of Islami Bank, Bangladesh’s largest private bank, following escalating political tensions surrounding its ownership and management. The move comes after prolonged disputes between the ruling party and the main opposition over control of the institution. The Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB) met with the central bank governor to express concern, and the governor acknowledged the issue had become politicized. The author argues that such politicization undermines governance and could unsettle international confidence.

The article traces the bank’s troubled history, including alleged misuse of state agencies under the previous administration to transfer ownership to businessman S. Alam, accused of large-scale financial misappropriation. The interim government led by Dr. Yunus had restructured the bank, restoring stability, but renewed turmoil has emerged under the current elected government. The author warns that political interference in banking could jeopardize economic recovery and foreign loan negotiations.

The commentary concludes that the government must restore depositor confidence by recovering misappropriated funds, appointing competent management, and ensuring liquidity support. Failure to depoliticize the financial sector could threaten remittance inflows and overall economic stability.

High-speed competitions among long-distance buses, motorcycles, and other vehicles on Bangladesh’s highways are increasingly being filmed and shared on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, according to a June 17, 2026 report. These videos, often recorded by drivers or their assistants seeking online popularity, show reckless overtaking and dangerous driving that have led to a surge in road accidents and casualties. Despite the clear violation of traffic laws, highway police have been criticized for failing to take effective action.

Data from the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association and the Road Safety Foundation show a rising trend in accidents and fatalities, with over 600 deaths reported in May alone. Experts, including Road Safety Foundation chief executive Saidur Rahman, cited lack of speed cameras, weak enforcement, and poor coordination among agencies as key factors. Legal experts argue that existing laws already allow police to act on viral videos as digital evidence under the Road Transport Act 2018 and the Cyber Security Act 2026.

They urged authorities to use AI cameras, GPS tracking, and stricter enforcement to curb reckless driving and social media glorification of dangerous behavior.

Police have arrested Arafat Sheikh, the head of former Faridpur-4 MP Nixon Chowdhury’s cyber team and the organizational secretary of Bhanga Upazila Jubo League. The arrest took place in the capital on Tuesday, according to Bhanga Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Md. Mizanur Rahman.

Authorities stated that Arafat Sheikh was a fugitive accused in several cases, including vandalism at Bhanga Police Station and sabotage during an anti-discrimination movement. He was allegedly spreading misleading and objectionable information against the current MP, Shahidul Islam Khan Babul, under the patronage of Nixon Chowdhury. Police described him as one of the most wanted suspects in the area who had been in hiding for a long time.

After an extended period on the run, Arafat Sheikh was captured in Dhaka by the Detective Branch (DB) police, ending his fugitive status.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 begins the trial today of Awami League Presidium member Kamrul Islam and Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon for alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Revolution. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, issued the order on Wednesday. The trial was originally scheduled to start on June 9 but was rescheduled following a prosecution request. Charges were formally framed on April 30.

According to the prosecution, Kamrul and Menon face three charges, including allegations that they conspired to use lethal weapons and impose curfews against unarmed students and civilians while holding senior positions in the Awami League government and the 14-party alliance. The prosecution claims these actions led to the killing of unarmed protesters in areas such as Badda in Dhaka.

The tribunal’s proceedings mark a significant step in addressing alleged crimes linked to the July Revolution, with hearings expected to continue under the current judicial panel.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Sylhet on Wednesday morning as part of his first visit to Moulvibazar since assuming office. He traveled from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a US-Bangla Airlines flight and landed at Sylhet Osmani International Airport around 10:15 a.m.

Special security measures were implemented in and around the airport to ensure safety during the Prime Minister’s arrival. Members of law enforcement agencies and various administrative bodies were seen on high alert to manage the situation and maintain order.

The visit marks the beginning of Tarique Rahman’s official engagements in Moulvibazar, though details of his schedule or meetings were not disclosed in the report.