Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has accused the United States and Israel of conspiring to sow internal division in Iran after failing in military confrontations. In a written message delivered on Thursday to mark the 37th death anniversary of Imam Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic, Khamenei urged national unity to thwart what he described as enemy plots. The commemoration event took place at Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum in southern Tehran, attended by millions of people.

Khamenei said the US-led “oppressive system” cannot tolerate a strong and independent Iran, describing Israel as a “fabricated base” of that system. He claimed that the enemies, humiliated by military failures, are now waging a hybrid war using doubt, despair, fear, and division as their main tools. He warned that any speech or action spreading frustration or confusion among the public indirectly serves enemy objectives.

The message, reported by Al Jazeera, emphasized unity as essential to counter external interference and maintain Iran’s internal stability.

US Senator Chris Van Hollen has called for the release of a 20-year-old American citizen, Sama Safi, who was detained by Israeli forces from Birzeit University in the occupied West Bank. According to Van Hollen, Israeli security personnel entered Safi’s home around 3 a.m. and took her away without explanation, despite her informing them of her US citizenship.

In a video message posted on X, Van Hollen criticized the Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration for their treatment of US citizens while receiving American taxpayer funding. He also alleged that previous incidents involving the deaths of US citizens at the hands of Israeli settlers and soldiers had gone without accountability.

Human rights organizations described the arrests of Palestinian students as part of an intimidation campaign aimed at pressuring Palestinian communities. Israeli authorities have not yet issued any response to the senator’s statement or the reported detentions.

A major controversy has erupted across India following the release of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) exam results on May 13, 2026. Students have alleged widespread irregularities and mismanagement linked to the board’s new digital evaluation system, which was hastily introduced for over 17 million candidates. The resulting errors and technical failures have triggered intense anger toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, with growing calls for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

The CBSE had implemented an on-screen marking system this year, outsourcing the process to Hyderabad-based company Koempt Edu Tech, a rebranded firm with a controversial past. Students and teachers have exposed errors such as mismatched answer scripts, blurred scans, and security flaws that allowed unauthorized access to exam data. Several students used social media to reveal these issues, forcing CBSE to acknowledge mistakes and revise some results.

In response to mounting criticism, the government transferred the CBSE chairman and secretary, but opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal condemned the move as an attempt to shield the education minister. Many students remain unable to apply for re-evaluation due to the board’s website being offline, deepening frustration nationwide.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman will visit Russia from June 7 to 9 for a three-day official trip, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry. The visit follows his election as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, which will begin on September 8. He will serve a one-year term in that position.

The Russian statement welcomed Rahman’s stated priorities of promoting the interests of the global South and East, accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, improving the effectiveness of the General Assembly, and strengthening the UN’s role as a central coordinating body in global affairs. Moscow expressed its commitment to constructive and productive cooperation with the newly elected president.

The visit is expected to reinforce diplomatic engagement between Bangladesh and Russia, particularly in the context of Rahman’s upcoming leadership role at the United Nations.

U.S. President Donald Trump posted a meme on his social media platform Truth Social portraying himself as British secret agent James Bond. In another post on Tuesday, he described himself as “The Greatest Attraction.” The meme used an archival photo of a young Trump standing before a mirror with the caption “Trump 007.” The White House had earlier humorously nominated Trump for the Bond role after Amazon MGM, owned by his friend Jeff Bezos, announced a casting call to replace actor Daniel Craig.

Speculation continues over who will play the next James Bond, with actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Holland, Harris Dickinson, Jacob Elordi, and Callum Turner reportedly under discussion. Daniel Craig last portrayed the character in the 2021 film “No Time to Die.”

Trump also shared a photo of himself with late pop star Whitney Houston and praised Republican candidates who won Tuesday’s state elections, though he remained silent on the Iowa governor race where his preferred candidate Randy Feenstra lost to businessman Jack Lann in the Republican primary.

UNDP Bangladesh’s Resident Representative, Stefan Liller, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The meeting took place in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka. The information was confirmed to journalists by the Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary, Zahidul Islam Rony.

The courtesy meeting reflected ongoing engagement between the Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The report did not include details of the discussion or any specific agenda items addressed during the meeting.

No further information was provided regarding outcomes or future cooperation plans between the Prime Minister’s Office and UNDP Bangladesh.

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at simplifying the process of dismissing senior federal officials. The order, issued on Wednesday as part of a broader civil service reform, could affect around 8,000 of the highest-paid government employees, each earning up to $200,000 annually. The directive, jointly released by the White House and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), removes job protections for officials deemed to have significant influence over policy decisions.

Scott Cooper, director of the OPM, stated that only those willing and able to implement the administration’s policy priorities should remain in their roles. He added that agencies would now have the authority to dismiss employees who refuse to carry out lawful directives due to personal political beliefs.

The order follows a year after billionaire Elon Musk stepped down from overseeing government spending and workforce reduction efforts. It underscores Trump’s continued determination to control and, if necessary, remove career officials he believes obstruct his political agenda. Although earlier estimates suggested up to 50,000 officials might be affected, the current order covers far fewer. Federal labor unions had already filed lawsuits in January to block the policy before its finalization.

At least 20 people were injured in a clash between two local factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Nandail upazila of Mymensingh on Thursday morning. The violence erupted at Kharua Bazar over a long-standing land dispute between BNP leaders Shawkat Ali and Abdur Rouf. Police fired eight rounds of rubber bullets to bring the situation under control, and the upazila administration later imposed Section 144 in the area to prevent further unrest.

According to local sources, the conflict stems from a 30-year dispute over two percent of land currently under court trial. Tensions escalated when Shawkat Ali attempted to build a house on the disputed land, which Abdur Rouf’s group demolished. The following day, supporters from both sides engaged in a violent confrontation using sticks and bricks, turning the market area into a battleground. Several shops were vandalized, and both groups accused each other of attacks and looting.

Police and local officials confirmed that the situation is now under control, though no case has been filed yet. The Section 144 order will remain effective until further notice.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami organized a protest in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon opposing the government's decision to raise fuel and electricity prices. The demonstration began at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram, where the party described the move as anti-people and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the increased rates.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) had earlier announced the new electricity prices at a press conference. The wholesale electricity rate was raised by an average of 19.85 percent, the transmission charge by 23.96 percent, and the retail rate by 16.68 percent. The new prices are set to take effect from June.

Protesters criticized the decision as hasty and urged the government to control the rising cost of essential commodities along with reversing the price hike.

A sedition case has been filed against former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her comments regarding the murder of Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Bangladesh’s Inquilab Mancha. The complaint was lodged by lawyer Rinku Chatterjee Singh at the Siliguri Cyber Crime Police Station under multiple non-bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those related to sovereignty, harmony, and public order.

The complaint alleges that Banerjee’s remarks questioned the neutrality of India’s Election Commission and central forces, potentially spreading confusion and hostility among the public. It further claims that by linking India’s central government and Home Minister to a murder in Bangladesh, Banerjee’s statements could harm India’s international image and strain diplomatic relations with Bangladesh. The complainant argued that her comments might also endanger communal harmony and national security.

According to the report, the lawyer plans to seek an arrest warrant against Banerjee when the court reopens on June 8. The controversy arose after Banerjee, speaking at a political event about a month after her electoral defeat, alleged that India’s STF had arrested suspects in the Hadi case and that the Union Home Minister had asked her not to disclose the matter.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the military operation 'Epic Fury' against Iran has ended, and the United States is no longer conducting regular strikes inside Iran. He claimed the US achieved victory in the campaign, which began on February 28 as a joint US-Israel operation and later spread across the Middle East. According to Rubio, the mission destroyed Iran’s defense infrastructure, reduced missile launchers and drone stockpiles, and crippled its remaining air and naval forces.

Democratic lawmakers rejected Rubio’s assertion, arguing that hostilities continue. They cited an Iranian attack on a Kuwaiti airport that killed one person and injured 63, as well as a drone strike in Bahrain, where US forces are stationed. Representative Sara Jacobs said the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and American troops remain at risk.

Rubio also said talks are underway over Iran’s nuclear program, particularly its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. No peace deal has been reached. The US demands Iran hand over near-weapons-grade uranium, limit nuclear activity, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran insists on the release of $12 billion in frozen assets before negotiations.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has decided to remove the requirement for candidates to submit pledges in the upcoming local government elections. The decision, discussed in a recent EC meeting, is part of a broader revision of election regulations. The commission believes the presence or absence of such pledges does not significantly affect candidacy eligibility. Preparations are underway to begin the local government elections, likely starting with Union Parishad polls in October 2026.

According to EC sources, the draft regulations are expected to be finalized by June 10 and sent to the government for approval within the month. The new proposals include raising deposits for various positions: Union Parishad chairmen from 5,000 to 20,000 taka, members from 1,000 to 10,000 taka, and municipal and city corporation posts with proportional increases. The EC also plans to adjust campaign spending limits for certain posts.

Local Government State Minister Mir Shah Alam stated that a detailed election roadmap will be announced after budget allocations are confirmed. Most local government bodies are currently run by administrators, and the EC has developed election calendar software to streamline scheduling and data management.

During a congressional hearing on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to confirm whether Israel possesses nuclear weapons when questioned by Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro. Rubio stated that most countries believe Israel has such weapons but refused to disclose Washington’s official position, suggesting the matter be discussed privately. He acknowledged that avoiding public discussion of Israel’s nuclear capability has long been a feature of US foreign policy.

Castro pressed for a clear answer, arguing that the issue is crucial given US involvement alongside Israel in conflict with Iran. He expressed concern that the US government may lack essential information about Israel’s nuclear limits and decision-making. Rubio responded that the question was fair and said he was willing to address it in a classified setting, noting the need to balance competing interests.

The report also noted that Israel has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has never officially confirmed possessing nuclear weapons, though some Israeli officials have hinted at their existence.

US President Donald Trump has again emphasized Washington’s interest in taking control of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Speaking at the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said he wanted to obtain the material, adding that only the United States and China possess the necessary equipment to recover it. He told reporters that the US would go and bring it back.

On the same day, the US House of Representatives passed a war powers bill aimed at limiting President Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran. The proposal, introduced by Democrats, was approved by a vote of 215 to 208 in Washington.

The developments highlight renewed tensions between the US administration and Iran, as well as growing congressional efforts to restrict unilateral military action by the president.

Bahrain has arrested 15 individuals accused of working for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The announcement came just hours after Iran reportedly launched attacks on Bahrain and neighboring Kuwait. The Bahraini Interior Ministry said investigations are ongoing to identify all persons linked to the suspected Iranian cell.

Security operations in Bahrain have been continuing since late February, when Iran began attacks on the country. Last month, Bahraini courts sentenced nine people to life imprisonment for allegedly conducting terrorist activities with IRGC support. In April, authorities revoked the citizenship of 69 people accused of backing Iranian attacks on Bahrain.

Bahrain, which has a large Shia population, has long faced internal tensions. Many Shia citizens claim political and economic marginalization, while the government denies discrimination and repeatedly accuses Iran of inciting unrest in the kingdom.