Israel’s international reputation has continued to decline, according to the latest survey by the Pew Research Center. Conducted across 36 countries, including Bangladesh, the study found that an average of 67 percent of adults hold negative views of Israel, while only 25 percent view the country positively. Most interviews were conducted after February 28, when the United States and Israel began a war against Iran, which has intensified global economic challenges. The survey revealed particularly strong hostility toward Israel in Muslim-majority countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Turkey, as well as in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Pew noted that it was unable to conduct polling in Gaza. European respondents also expressed widespread negativity, with about two-thirds or more adults in Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain reporting highly unfavorable opinions of Israel. The findings indicate that Israel’s image, already damaged by the Gaza conflict, has worsened further since the Iran war. In 13 of the 24 countries tracked, negative sentiment toward Israel has increased, including in Argentina, Australia, Italy, Nigeria, Poland, and the United Kingdom.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel reportedly attempted to push 17 people, including women and children, into Bangladesh through the Hapania border in Sapahar upazila of Naogaon on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. near border pillar 238/MP, but the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) patrol team prevented the group from entering Bangladeshi territory. According to the Naogaon Battalion (16 BGB), members of the BSF’s Pannachhara camp were involved in the attempt. Upon receiving information, the Hapania Border Outpost (BOP) patrol team identified the group inside India’s zero line and took preventive measures. Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum, commanding officer of 16 BGB, stated that patrols in the area have been increased to prevent illegal entry. The BGB official added that efforts are underway to ensure the individuals remain within Indian territory and that no unauthorized entry into Bangladesh will be permitted.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance along the Dinajpur and Thakurgaon borders to prevent possible push-in attempts. The move follows reports in Indian media and allegations of illegal citizens being pushed into Bangladesh, which have heightened security concerns in the northwestern frontier. The Dinajpur Battalion (42 BGB) has increased intelligence monitoring, patrols, and established temporary checkpoints at vulnerable points and river routes. Advanced surveillance tools such as night vision goggles, drones, and binoculars are being used to strengthen border vigilance. BGB has also engaged local communities to enhance border security. Awareness meetings, public announcements, and direct communication campaigns are being conducted to discourage illegal crossings. Night patrol teams are alerting residents with whistles and flashlights, while small local vigilance groups have been formed to share information on suspicious activities. BGB officials emphasized that public participation is crucial for effective prevention of push-ins, illegal infiltration, and border-related crimes. The Dinajpur Battalion commander stated that BGB remains uncompromising in preventing illegal push-ins and continues to take all necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty.

Forty-nine people have died of thirst in Niger’s Sahara Desert after their truck broke down, according to a statement from the Agadez Governorate posted on Facebook. The victims were returning home after attending a Muslim festival when their vehicle malfunctioned in a remote area more than 80 kilometers west of Assamaka, a key transit point between Niger and Algeria near the Mali border. The governorate said the truck’s driver, assistant, and passengers tried to repair the vehicle but failed. Stranded in extreme heat without water, they faced severe dehydration that led to their deaths. Two survivors managed to walk over 50 kilometers to reach a water source and alert authorities in Assamaka. Authorities reported that the deceased were buried in a mass grave. The incident highlights the deadly risks faced by travelers crossing the Sahara’s harsh and isolated terrain.

The US Embassy in Dhaka has introduced new social media guidelines for specific categories of non-immigrant visa applicants from Bangladesh. According to an official message posted on the embassy’s Facebook page on Friday, applicants under the affected categories must now keep all their social media profiles set to ‘public’. The rule took effect on March 30 and aims to make the process of verifying applicants’ identities and eligibility for entry into the United States more efficient. The directive does not apply to all non-immigrant visa applicants. It is mandatory for applicants under categories A-3 and C-3 (if the applicant is a domestic worker), G-5, H-3, and H-4 dependents of H-3 visa holders. It also applies to applicants for K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, and R-2 dependent visas, as well as S, T, and U visa categories. The embassy stated that reviewing applicants’ social media information will help simplify the identity verification and eligibility assessment process. Applicants are advised to consult official embassy sources for detailed instructions and to follow the new rule carefully to maintain transparency and avoid complications in the visa process.

A bus that sank at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila was recovered on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. when the bus fell into the Padma River near the terminal’s No. 7 pontoon. Local administration and fire service teams launched a rescue operation immediately, and the BIWTA salvage vessel ‘Hamza’ arrived at the scene by 10:30 a.m. The bus was successfully recovered by 11:30 a.m. According to reports, the SB Paribahan bus had no passengers on board at the time of the accident, only the driver, his assistant, and a supervisor. They were rescued and sent to the Goalanda Upazila Health Complex. Officials said that as all passengers had been disembarked before boarding the ferry, a major tragedy was averted. A similar accident occurred earlier on March 25, when a bus from Kumarkhali, Kushtia, fell into the river at the same terminal’s No. 3 pontoon, resulting in 26 deaths.

The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the intrusion of Israeli settlers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the continued illegal settlement activities and forced evictions of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The condemnation was made during a joint press conference with the Arab Group and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). In a statement posted on social media platform X, the UAE Mission to the United Nations said that such actions violate international law and aim to alter the historical, legal, and demographic character of the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. The statement further noted that these activities provoke instability and undermine efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. The UAE’s remarks reflect growing regional concern over escalating tensions in the occupied territories and reinforce calls for adherence to international law and renewed peace efforts.

US President Donald Trump stated on June 4 in Washington that the United States could seize Iran’s uranium reserves if it wished, though he described such an action as unreasonable. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran would be unable to stop the US if it decided to take control of the uranium stockpile, but he saw no need for such a move. He also indicated openness to meeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei if a peace agreement were reached. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran possesses 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity. The US accuses Tehran of secretly advancing its nuclear weapons program under the guise of peaceful research, while Iran insists its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes. The location of the enriched uranium remains unknown, and Washington has demanded that Tehran hand it over. The report notes that a US military operation launched in Iran on February 28 was partly aimed at securing this uranium, underscoring the ongoing nuclear tensions between the two nations.

The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for killing Abd Harb, a commander of Hezbollah’s engineering unit, in an operation in southern Lebanon. The announcement was made through a post on social media platform X, where the Israeli army stated that Harb had been involved in preparing and activating explosives used in attacks against Israeli forces. Hezbollah has not yet confirmed his death. According to the Israeli military statement, Harb was described as a senior Hezbollah commander who had participated in attacks against Israeli forces since the 2006 Lebanon war. The army also reported that its air force destroyed a launcher overnight, which it alleged Hezbollah fighters had used to fire rockets toward Israeli positions in southern Lebanon. The report, citing Al Jazeera as its source, did not include any confirmation or response from Hezbollah, leaving uncertainty about the claimed killing and the broader situation on the ground.

Germany has failed to secure a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Following the vote, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the outcome reflected growing global outrage over Berlin’s policies on Gaza and Iran. In a post on social media platform X, he described Germany as “irresponsible and hypocritical.” Baghaei accused Germany of consistently supporting what he called the genocide of Palestinians and being one of Israel’s largest suppliers of lethal weapons. He also criticized Berlin for refusing to condemn Israel’s aggression against Iran. According to him, the world is changing, and nations are now judged by their actions rather than rhetoric about international law. Baghaei warned that countries ignoring this shift would inevitably pay a significant diplomatic price. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and reflect Tehran’s sharp criticism of Germany’s stance on Middle East conflicts.

A passenger bus from Kushtia to Dhaka fell into the Padma River at Daulatdia ferry ghat on Friday morning, but no casualties occurred due to strict adherence to passenger safety rules. The incident took place around 9:30 a.m. when the SB Paribahan bus lost control while boarding the ferry Kabari at ghat number 7 and broke through the opposite ramp before plunging into the river. Following the Ministry of Shipping’s directive requiring all passengers to disembark before vehicles board ferries, all passengers had left the bus, preventing any loss of life. Rescue operations began immediately, and both the driver and assistant were rescued alive and are receiving treatment at a hospital. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority’s salvage vessel Hamza recovered the bus with coordinated support from the Ministry of Shipping, BIWTA, BIWTC, naval police, fire service, coast guard, and local administration. The shipping minister and state minister monitored the operation and issued further safety instructions to prevent future ferry terminal accidents.

Authorities in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh have sealed 15 mosques in the capital, Itanagar, citing construction without proper authorization. The action was taken on Thursday following a campaign by the Arunachal Pradesh Indigenous Youth Organization (APIYO), which alleged that the unauthorized mosques were part of an attempt to alter local demographics. According to state spokesperson and Education Minister P. D. Sona, the issue was first raised in January 2026 during a meeting between APIYO representatives and Chief Minister Pema Khandu. Following that meeting, the government instructed district authorities to identify structures built without required permits. A subsequent survey found 15 such mosques in Itanagar. Twelve had already undergone legal sealing or evacuation procedures, while the remaining three were reviewed in a June 1 meeting before being sealed. Sona stated that the administrative action addressed the concerns that had prompted APIYO’s strike call and expressed hope that the group would reconsider future protest decisions on public interest issues.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is prepared to make concessions in a peace agreement with Ukraine if Ukraine does the same. He made the remarks on Thursday in St. Petersburg, noting that U.S. President Donald Trump had urged him to consider such concessions. Putin emphasized that Russia possesses all necessary resources to achieve its military objectives and that its forces continue to advance toward Ukraine. He reiterated that Russia remains willing to reach a peaceful settlement with Ukraine and expressed readiness to negotiate. Putin also highlighted the need to strengthen Russia’s air defense systems and mentioned that the country is considering expanding the use of its hypersonic Orsionic missiles against Ukraine. According to him, these missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads and travel ten times faster than the speed of sound. The statements underscore Moscow’s dual approach of maintaining military pressure while signaling openness to diplomatic engagement, as reported by TRT World.

All varieties of lychees, including the traditional Bedana type, have flooded markets across Dinajpur district, with daily transactions exceeding three crore taka. The district’s agriculture department expects total sales to reach around one thousand crore taka this season. Wholesale and retail markets in Kalitla and Masimpur are witnessing heavy trading of Madrazi, Bedana, Bombay, and China-Three varieties. Farmers are harvesting early due to weather concerns, and hundreds of vehicles are transporting lychees daily to Dhaka and other districts. Dinajpur’s Bedana lychee has received Geographical Indication (GI) recognition and has been exported to countries such as France, Canada, and Australia. The agriculture department reported that more lychees will be exported this year than last year, with several foreign buyers already contacting the department. Local traders noted higher prices compared to last year, with Bedana lychees selling between 500 and 700 taka per hundred pieces in local markets. Officials said lychee cultivation covers 4,484 hectares this year, targeting production of about 32,000 tons. Stakeholders believe that with government support, this promising fruit market could play a significant role in strengthening the national agricultural economy.

Mango farmers in Kansat market of Shibganj upazila, Chapainawabganj, have voiced dissatisfaction with the current season’s mango prices. Although the market has become busy with varieties such as Khirshapat, Lakhkhanbhog, Guti, and Langra arriving from local orchards, growers say prices are lower than last year. Khirshapat mangoes are selling for Tk 1,300–2,400 per maund compared to Tk 2,500–2,800 last year. Farmers attribute the decline to increased production costs, smaller fruit size due to low rainfall, and fewer wholesale buyers from other regions. Several farmers said they are facing losses as expenses for pesticides, labor, and orchard maintenance have risen sharply. They hope prices will improve once more traders arrive next week. Market authorities confirmed that production is good but prices remain below expectations. The Department of Agricultural Extension reported that mangoes are selling at around Tk 50 per kilogram, which may prevent major losses, and that 37,000 hectares of land in the district are under mango cultivation this season with a production target of 458,000 tons. Traders expect demand and prices to rise slightly in the coming days as supply stabilizes across the country.