Dense fog unexpectedly covered Panchagarh early Tuesday morning, surprising residents amid ongoing summer heat. Locals reported light to moderate fog from pre-dawn hours until around 8 AM, despite recent temperatures reaching 37°C. Many said they had never seen such weather during summer. Weather officials explained that increased dust in the air contributed to the fog formation. The minimum temperature recorded at 9 AM was 27.8°C. Authorities also forecast rainfall starting from June 14, which may bring relief from the current heatwave.

An independent UN commission has accused Israel of committing the crime against humanity of “extermination” through its attacks on civilians sheltering in schools and religious sites in Gaza. The report says over 90% of Gaza’s educational facilities and more than half its cultural and religious sites have been destroyed. The attacks, deemed war crimes, have devastated Palestinian life and education. The findings will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council on June 17, despite Israel’s withdrawal from the council.

Pakistan has increased its defence budget by 20 percent, allocating 2.55 trillion rupees ($9bn) for the 2025-26 fiscal year, despite cutting overall government spending by 7 percent. The move follows recent clashes with India, marking the most serious conflict between the two nuclear powers in decades. The fighting, triggered by an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, saw both sides exchange heavy fire before agreeing to a ceasefire. Analysts say Pakistan’s defence hike will likely come at the cost of development spending.

Madleen Kulab, Gaza’s first fisherwoman and the inspiration for the aid ship Madleen, followed the vessel’s journey hoping it would break Israel’s blockade. Despite her fears, Israeli forces intercepted the ship in international waters, detaining all 12 onboard, including Greta Thunberg. For Kulab, the mission represented Gaza’s ongoing suffering. While heartbroken by the outcome, she believes the activists delivered a powerful global message of humanity. Still, she laments Gaza’s isolation, starvation, and the unending weight of war.

Austria has announced three days of national mourning following a horrific mass shooting at a high school in Graz, where a 21-year-old former student killed 10 people, including eight students and a teacher, before taking his own life. The attack, described by Chancellor Christian Stocker as a “dark day” in Austria’s history, has left the nation in shock. Authorities have yet to determine the motive, while tributes pour in from across Europe. Schools, officials, and citizens mourn this devastating tragedy.

The UK, along with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway, has imposed sanctions on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes, targeting them personally. The joint move emphasizes support for a two-state solution and condemns extremist settler violence. Israel’s government has rejected the sanctions, with Netanyahu vowing retaliation. This coordinated action highlights Israel’s growing international isolation over its policies toward Palestinians.

Major Chinese tech companies have disabled AI tools to curb cheating during the four-day gaokao, China’s critical university entrance exams with over 13 million students participating. Platforms like ByteDance’s Doubao, DeepSeek, Tencent’s Yuanbao, Alibaba’s Qwen, and Kimi have limited functions such as question answering and image recognition. The move aligns with broader measures like biometric checks, AI surveillance, and signal jammers to ensure exam integrity. Cities have also taken supportive steps, including traffic priority for students and delaying public events.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to raise defence spending to 2% of GDP this fiscal year—five years ahead of schedule—to reduce Canada’s reliance on the US for defence. Warning of threats from Russia and China, Carney stressed that Canada must prioritize domestic production and diversify military procurement. The move comes ahead of the G7 and Nato summits, with defence a top agenda. Carney also criticized America’s growing protectionism and dominance over key military assets like the F-35 fighter jets.

Hundreds of local residents staged a human chain protest on Monday in Tahirpur, demanding the rapid completion of the under-construction Jadukata Bridge. Speakers at the demonstration highlighted the importance of the bridge for improving communication between Sylhet, Sunamganj, Netrokona, and Mymensingh districts, as well as for boosting tourism, trade, socioeconomic development, and border security. Despite receiving payments exceeding the billed amounts, the construction company has reportedly suspended work, citing various excuses. Protesters blamed the delay on the contractor’s negligence and the irresponsibility of LGED officials, pointing out that although the contract specified completion within two and a half years, the project has now dragged on for seven years without completion.

Three new COVID-19 cases, including two women and one man, have been identified in Chattogram. Following directives from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), authorities at Shah Amanat International Airport have intensified screening procedures at immigration and health checkpoints. Thermal scanners have been installed at international arrival points to check passengers' temperatures through contactless methods. Additionally, the airport has stockpiled emergency supplies of masks and gloves for health workers. Public announcements and awareness campaigns are being conducted to educate incoming travelers on preventing virus transmission.

Shakil Ahmed, a final-year student of the Fine Arts Faculty at Dhaka University, tragically took his own life after posting a Facebook status stating, "I am not an atheist." Police recovered his body on Tuesday morning from his home in Dakshin Jamsha village of Sirajdikhan upazila. Sources revealed that about seven to eight months ago, Shakil made a controversial comment involving the Prophet (PBUH) and his wife on Facebook. Although he later apologized and deleted the post, it resurfaced recently, triggering fresh backlash. Facing repeated threats and harassment, Shakil posted his final Facebook status before taking his own life.

Mahmud Hasan Khan, the newly elected President of BGMEA, emphasized that politics should not become a platform for personal or business interests. “I have always been here to serve the welfare of the people. Even if I fail to help someone, I will never cause harm to anyone,” he said, promising integrity and public service in his new role.

Most irrigation projects in Lakhai, Habiganj, have reportedly been under the control of Awami League leaders and activists, despite the organization being declared illegal by authorities. Local farmers allege that they were forced to pay charges three to four times higher than the official rates. Shockingly, portions of this extorted money are allegedly being used to fund anti-government plots in the name of ‘organizing the League.’ The farmers claim that the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) conducted a field investigation but failed to take any meaningful action. AM Rakibul Haque, Assistant Engineer of BADC and Member Secretary of the Upazila Irrigation Committee, admitted, "We conducted an initial investigation and found irregularities. A letter has already been issued instructing the return of the excess paddy collected from the farmers. If the allegations are proven, the individual involved will be banned from participating in next year's tender process."

Wouter van Wersch, Executive Vice President of Airbus, has met with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus for a courtesy meeting. Meanwhile, preparations are underway for a significant meeting between Dr. Yunus and Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), scheduled to be held in London on June 13. BNP’s National Standing Committee has officially welcomed the planned meeting, viewing it as a positive step in the party’s ongoing diplomatic efforts.

An Indian student has reportedly faced police brutality at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey before being deported back to India. A video circulating online shows the young student with his hands and feet tied, as multiple police officers pin him to the ground. Sharing the video on X (formerly Twitter), eyewitness Kunal Jain wrote, “Last night, I saw a young Indian student being deported through Newark Airport. His hands were handcuffed, and the officers treated him like a criminal. This is nothing short of a humanitarian disaster.” The incident has sparked outrage on social media, raising questions about the treatment of deportees in the United States.