Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was greeted with a shower of flowers by tea workers during his visit to Sylhet on Wednesday morning. He landed at Osmani International Airport at 10:15 a.m., where central and local BNP leaders welcomed him. According to his schedule, there were no formal party programs in Sylhet, and he departed for Srimangal by special bus around 10:30 a.m. Along the route, workers from the Malnichhara tea estate braved the rain to greet him with flowers.

Sylhet District BNP President and City Corporation Administrator Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury said that local representatives, along with central and local party leaders, were present at the airport to receive the Prime Minister. He urged party members to stand in an orderly manner along the roadside to welcome him. Organizers stated that people from all walks of life were involved in making the visit successful, and preparations were underway for one of the largest public receptions in the greater Sylhet region.

The European Parliament is scheduled to give final approval on Wednesday to a stricter migration law that will expand authorities’ powers to detain and deport irregular migrants. The legislation also allows the establishment of deportation centers outside the European Union. The vote in Strasbourg marks one of the final steps in a lengthy legislative process aimed at tightening migration control amid rising political pressure across member states.

EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner said the law clarifies that the EU, not smugglers, will decide who can stay or must leave. The law has faced criticism from human rights groups for provisions enabling the creation of ‘return hubs’ outside the EU, where people without legal residence rights could be sent. Several countries, including Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany, and the Netherlands, have shown interest in hosting such centers, while France and Spain have opposed the plan.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that the first agreements for these centers are expected by 2026, with operations starting in 2027. The EU’s focus has shifted toward improving repatriation systems, as only about 30 percent of those ordered to leave have returned home.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his country will not tolerate any insult, emphasizing Iran’s resolve to defend its dignity under external pressure. In a post on social media platform X, he said Tehran has learned from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to uphold national honor despite foreign challenges.

Pezeshkian noted that although diplomatic efforts continue following recent conflicts with the United States and Israel, Iran remains prepared for all possible scenarios. He mentioned that a memorandum of understanding with Washington is expected to be signed in Switzerland on Friday, describing it as an important step toward halting hostilities and initiating dialogue. However, he clarified that no final agreement has yet been reached.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that once the memorandum is formally signed, broader negotiations would begin to reach a comprehensive agreement.

A commentary published on June 17, 2026, examines the long history of media control in Bangladesh, linking it to authoritarian political traditions. It recalls the June 16, 1975 closure of most newspapers under the then Awami League government and argues that similar tendencies resurfaced during Sheikh Hasina’s long tenure through laws, licensing pressure, and censorship. The article claims that such control turned many outlets into echoes of power rather than voices of the people.

The analysis connects this legacy to the July 2024 student-led uprising, describing it as not only a political revolt but also a rejection of decades of information control. It says mainstream media failed to reflect public grievances over inequality, corruption, and disenfranchisement, while citizen journalism on social media broke through censorship. International outlets reportedly exposed state violence when domestic media remained silent.

The writer calls for structural reform to ensure editorial independence, abolish restrictive laws, and end corporate and political ownership influence. He concludes that the future of democracy and journalism in Bangladesh depends on restoring truth and public trust in the media.

A column published on June 17, 2026, in the Bangladeshi daily Amar Desh argues that allegations of large-scale illegal migration from Bangladesh to India are baseless and politically driven. The writer, Abul Asad, cites historical statements, Indian census data, and official records to claim that the narrative of millions of Bangladeshi infiltrators has been exaggerated by Indian right-wing groups, including the Sangh Parivar and its affiliates such as the BJP and Bajrang Dal. He asserts that these groups use the infiltration narrative to disenfranchise Bengali-speaking Indian Muslims and to create tension between the two countries.

The article references past Indian government data showing limited cross-border movement and repatriation of small numbers of people, contrasting this with inflated figures circulated in Indian political discourse. It also cites demographic studies indicating no abnormal population growth in border districts of West Bengal, arguing that economic and educational factors, not religion, explain population trends.

The writer concludes that the infiltration theory is a continuation of long-standing efforts by Indian extremists to destabilize Bangladesh and that such attempts have repeatedly failed due to the unity and resilience of the Bangladeshi people.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing widespread criticism after a three-and-a-half-month war with Iran ended without Israel’s participation in a US-mediated interim agreement between Washington and Tehran. The deal, reached after months of conflict, left Iran’s government intact and strengthened its control over the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel’s influence appeared diminished. Israeli media described the Iran crisis as Netanyahu’s biggest failure since the October 7 attacks.

The agreement has drawn opposition from both centrist and far-right factions in Israel. Centrist leader Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu’s main rival in the upcoming election, called the outcome a reflection of a failed government. Far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich also denounced the deal. Analysts said Netanyahu’s long-standing push for confrontation with Iran has backfired, leaving him politically weakened ahead of elections.

Experts warned that Israel’s ongoing military actions in Lebanon could complicate relations with Washington and hinder future ceasefire efforts. Former diplomats and analysts said Netanyahu’s legacy now faces its toughest test, as he enters elections burdened by the Iran war, Lebanon tensions, and the fallout from the October 7 crisis.

Iran’s leadership is presenting its forthcoming memorandum of understanding with the United States as a product of resistance and victory rather than retreat. The country, emerging from a recent war that caused severe damage and economic pressure, faces internal opposition from hardliners who have long warned against trusting Washington. Despite this, senior officials including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have described the deal as transformative and a step toward final victory.

The government argues that the US and Israel failed to achieve their main objectives, such as forcing Iran to surrender or halting its nuclear program. Yet, some Iranian lawmakers have criticized the draft agreement as a potential path to dependency. Economic hardship, sanctions, and inflation have also pushed Tehran toward negotiation. The deal’s details remain undisclosed, with talks set to resume in Switzerland on Friday.

Public reaction is mixed, with some Iranians expressing hope for relief and others doubting the government’s victory narrative. The agreement’s durability may depend on regional stability, particularly Israel’s actions in Lebanon and Washington’s ability to restrain them.

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.

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.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has ordered the High Court to dispose of the rule concerning BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir’s candidacy for the Chattogram-2 constituency within two weeks. Until the rule is resolved, the gazette notification and oath-taking related to his election victory will remain suspended. The order was issued on Tuesday by a five-member bench led by the Chief Justice.

Sarwar Alamgir’s nomination had initially been rejected by the Election Commission over allegations of loan default. He later filed a writ petition with the High Court, which allowed him to contest the 13th parliamentary election and granted him the BNP’s electoral symbol. Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Muhammad Nurul Amin appealed against that decision, citing the same loan default allegation.

Following the appeal, the Appellate Division had earlier ruled that if Alamgir were declared elected, the result and related procedures would remain suspended until the appeal’s final disposal. The latest order maintains that suspension until the High Court completes its hearing on the rule.

Bangladesh has started preparing the necessary documents to bring back former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed, who was arrested in Dubai. A formal letter has been sent to Interpol by the National Central Bureau (NCB) of Bangladesh, marking the first official notification regarding the case. The letter stated that legal procedures are being followed to return him within the stipulated time, and that preparations for extradition are underway.

According to police headquarters, Bangladesh aims to complete the process before the deadline. Although there is no prisoner exchange treaty with the United Arab Emirates, officials said repatriation could still be possible based on bilateral relations, though legal complexities may arise. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), police headquarters, and the Ministry of Home Affairs have begun coordinated efforts to facilitate the process.

The ACC confirmed that it has initiated the required procedures under the extradition framework and handed over case documents, court orders, and related materials to the NCB. These will be sent through diplomatic channels via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the UAE as part of Bangladesh’s effort to bring Benazir Ahmed back.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has postponed until September 1 the hearing of an appeal seeking suspension of the High Court verdict that directed the establishment of an independent and separate secretariat for the Supreme Court within three months. The order was issued on Tuesday by a five-member bench led by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury after the state sought additional time.

Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kajol represented the state, while senior lawyers Mohammad Shishir Monir and Ahsanul Karim appeared for the petitioners and appellants respectively. Lawyer Karishma Jahan represented Badiul Alam Majumdar. The case had earlier been listed for hearing before a full and regular bench of the Appellate Division.

The High Court had delivered its verdict on September 2, 2025, declaring Article 116 of the Constitution contradictory and void, and ordering the formation of an independent Supreme Court Secretariat. Before that, the Supreme Court Secretariat (Repeal) Act was enacted on April 10, and Badiul Alam Majumdar appealed to maintain the previous administrative status until the appeal’s resolution.

A Jamaat-e-Islami leader named Asadul Islam, aged 24, was killed in Kalukhali of Rajbari, where his hands and feet were tied before his body was burned. Member of Parliament Nurunnisa Siddika expressed deep concern over what she described as a severe deterioration in the country's law and order situation, citing this killing as evidence. She stated that the government has failed to ensure the safety of people's lives and property anywhere in the country.

The Jamaat-e-Islami women's division condemned the killing and called for justice for the victim’s impoverished family. The group urged the government to provide assistance to ensure a fair investigation and trial. They also offered prayers and support for the bereaved family, seeking divine help for them.

The statement reflects growing concern within opposition circles about public safety and the government’s ability to maintain order, as highlighted by this violent incident in Rajbari.