Chattogram, June 18 — Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has issued a stern warning against the ongoing "ambulance business" at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH), vowing tough action to dismantle the illegal syndicate profiting from patients' distress. “We will not tolerate the commercialization of emergency ambulance services at CMCH,” said the mayor. “When a patient passes away, some ward boys call specific ambulances in exchange for commissions. This is a form of exploitation involving fourth-class staff, influential individuals, and even political figures.” Dr. Shahadat emphasized the need for a coordinated multi-agency task force to break up the powerful network operating within and around the hospital. He called for an urgent joint meeting involving hospital authorities, law enforcement, and the city administration. The mayor also addressed irregularities involving local pharmacies near the hospital, alleging that several of them are charging patients inflated prices for medicines, ignoring government price regulations. “The Chattogram City Corporation will take strict action against any pharmacy found violating pricing rules,” he added.

Iran’s border guard commander Ahmad Ali Goudarzi has urged neighboring countries not to allow attacks against Iran to be launched from their soil, emphasizing the importance of maintaining friendly relations. Following Israeli strikes on June 13 targeting military, nuclear, and residential areas in Iran, Tehran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with Iranian media reporting over 500 deaths and more than 1,300 injuries in Iran alone.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party, claimed that political parties opposing the National Constitutional Council (NCC) aim to retain a fascist system. Speaking at a political dialogue in Dhaka, he questioned whether the interim government wants to continue authoritarian practices. Nahid criticized past inaction by institutions like the Human Rights Commission and ACC, and called for reforms to reduce executive power. He supported forming the NCC but opposed including the President, Chief Justice, or authority over armed forces in it.

Dhaka, June 18 — Ishraq Hossain, elected as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, will not be sworn into office as the legal window for administering the oath has expired, according to government officials. Local Government Division Advisor Asif Mahmud explained, “The final date for administering the oath was May 26. Although a file was initiated, we sought legal advice from the Law Ministry regarding the matter, which is still under judicial consideration.” Following consultation with the Attorney General and other legal experts, the ministry was advised that due to the case being sub judice (under judicial review), there is no scope to proceed with the swearing-in. Asif Mahmud added that the official gazette term of the Dhaka South City Corporation expired on June 1, further ruling out the possibility of any oath-taking at this stage.

Iran has called for the immediate evacuation of residents in parts of Israel’s coastal city of Haifa, warning of potential loss of life due to ongoing missile threats. Over the past week, Iran has launched several attacks on Haifa, some of which struck their targets despite Israeli defense efforts. The city remains under heightened security, with emergency shelters on standby. The Israeli military says it is prepared for further aggression and may impose movement restrictions if the situation worsens.

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue military operations against Iran. Speaking outside the White House, Trump confirmed daily conversations with Netanyahu and expressed strong support for his actions. When asked about a potential U.S. attack on Iran, Trump remained vague, saying no one knows what he might do. He added that Iran is in trouble and now wants to negotiate, but criticized them for not coming to the table earlier when they had the chance.

The United States is set to deploy a third aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, near the Middle East amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran. Although the deployment was pre-planned, growing regional instability suggests the carrier may move closer to potential conflict zones. Another carrier may also be repositioned to either replace or join the USS Carl Vinson. These moves underscore a significant escalation in U.S. military presence, raising the risk of direct involvement in any future confrontation.

Germany has announced it will run special commercial flights from Jordan to bring back German citizens wishing to leave Israel. A spokesperson from the German Foreign Ministry said these flights will continue as long as needed and conditions remain favorable. A flight with fewer than 200 seats is arranged for today, with another planned for Thursday. Although commercial flights from Amman to Jordan are operational and the Israel-Jordan border is open, limited travel options via airlines have prompted Germany to organize these special flights.

Iran is preparing retaliatory strikes on US military bases in Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE if the US attacks Iran alongside Israel. Intelligence reports reveal Iran has stockpiled missiles targeting these bases. The US has deployed refueling tankers to Europe and put over 40,000 troops in the region on high alert. Analysts warn that conflict could disrupt global oil supplies via the Strait of Hormuz and escalate across the Middle East, intensifying Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed that the Pentagon is fully prepared to execute any military orders from President Donald Trump regarding Iran. During a Senate hearing, he refrained from disclosing whether specific attack options had been presented but emphasized that the Department of Defense stands ready to implement decisions related to war or peace. This statement highlights the US’s active preparation amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, with the Pentagon awaiting the President’s instructions.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has released the results of the 45th BCS written examination, with 6,558 candidates provisionally passing. The exam took place from January 23 to January 31 last year across eight divisional cities, including Dhaka. The full results and related information are available on the PSC website. The commission has also reserved the right to make corrections if needed for justified reasons.

U.S. President Donald Trump has declined Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to mediate in the Israel-Iran conflict. Speaking at the White House, Trump said he told Putin to first resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war before getting involved elsewhere. Trump emphasized that it would be more appropriate for Putin to address his own country’s conflict rather than interfering in other global crises. The statement underscores the U.S. stance on prioritizing Russia’s accountability in the Ukraine war before accepting its role as a peacemaker.

Dhaka, June 18 — Australia has announced a $2 million grant to directly support the Bangladesh Election Commission’s Ballot Project, aimed at strengthening electoral processes in the country. The announcement was made during a formal agreement signing ceremony on Tuesday. Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Susan Grace Ryley, expressed her country's commitment, stating, “We are pleased to contribute $2 million directly to support the Ballot Project. We are proud to be part of this important initiative during a crucial time for Bangladesh.” The project, managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will receive a total of $18.53 million in funding from various donors. The initiative includes 16 key components focusing on capacity building, public awareness, training, and strengthening the institutional framework. Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat, Akhtar Ahmed, highlighted the importance of international support in enhancing the electoral process. UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh, Stefan Liller, also expressed hope that more development partners will join in supporting the project’s implementation.

A Dhaka court has granted a three-day remand for five suspects involved in a daring daylight robbery in Mirpur. On May 27, a money exchange trader, Zahidur Rahman, was shot and robbed of Tk 2.2 million behind the Fire Service Station in Mirpur-10. The accused—Mostafizur Rahman, Saikat Hossain, Md. Sohag Hasan, Jalil Molla, and Palash Ahmed—were presented in court by Detective Branch officials, who sought a 10-day remand. The court approved three days after a hearing.

Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov issued a stark warning to the United States, stating that even considering military assistance to Israel could severely destabilize the already volatile situation in the region. Ryabkov revealed that Moscow is currently maintaining diplomatic communication with both Iran and Israel in an effort to contain the crisis. Separately, the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergey Naryshkin, described the situation as "critically unstable," noting that even a minor provocation could trigger full-scale war. Reports also suggest that former U.S. President Donald Trump and his political allies are actively discussing potential strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in support of Israel.