U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Israel’s ongoing military operations in Lebanon, saying that too many people are being killed. Speaking during a bilateral meeting with the Emir of Qatar on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, Trump said Israel has been fighting Hezbollah for a long time but is unable to suppress the group without harming others. He questioned the logic of destroying entire residential buildings in search of Hezbollah members, noting that many civilians live in those buildings. Trump also proposed a new diplomatic approach to the crisis, suggesting that Syria could be more effective than Israel in dealing with Hezbollah. He said he had advised Israel to let Syria handle the matter, expressing confidence that Syria could do the job more precisely. Analysts cited in the report said Trump’s remarks reflect unease within the U.S. administration over civilian deaths caused by Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. Despite his criticism, Trump emphasized that his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains excellent.

A man named Mirza Robin, aged 32, was seriously injured in a robbery attack in the Palash Nagar area of Pallabi, Dhaka, late Monday night. According to reports, a group of four to five youths intercepted him while he was returning home from work and attempted to snatch his belongings. When Robin resisted, the attackers struck him with sharp weapons and fled with approximately 80,000 taka and a mobile phone. Locals rescued the bloodied victim and first took him to a private hospital before transferring him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 2 a.m. Police confirmed the incident, stating that Robin is under medical observation. His wife, Muslima, demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible. Local residents complained that nighttime robberies and assaults have been increasing in Pallabi, especially in isolated streets and alleys, putting workers and pedestrians at risk. Authorities have begun collecting CCTV footage and verifying information from nearby areas to identify the attackers, amid growing public concern over urban safety in Dhaka.

Chattogram City Corporation has initiated a special project using artificial intelligence technology to reduce traffic congestion and restore order on city roads. Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain announced that a Development Project Proposal worth Tk 217.33 crore has been prepared for the AI-based smart traffic system. Additionally, a separate Tk 445 crore project has been undertaken for a safe city and solar power initiative. The AI cameras will be installed across 56 traffic zones and intersections in the city. According to city officials, the project is part of a broader plan to transform Chattogram into a 'Clean, Green, Healthy, Safe and Smart City.' The system will include automated smart signals and traffic flow monitoring cameras capable of detecting vehicles that violate traffic laws or red signals. It will also feature advanced number plate recognition technology. Senior officials and consultants discussed the technical and administrative aspects of the project in a recent meeting. Once implemented, the AI-based system is expected to enhance traffic discipline and improve overall urban safety in Chattogram.

World leaders gathered in Evian-les-Bains, France, for the G7 summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, where discussions centered on the recent preliminary Iran-US agreement and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The agreement aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, reduce regional tensions, and pave the way for detailed talks on Iran’s nuclear program within 60 days. The formal signing is scheduled for Friday in Geneva, Switzerland. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu avoided direct comment on the deal but clarified that Israel has no plans to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon, Gaza, or Syria. Macron emphasized the need for a strong and lasting agreement and discussed a potential Franco-British maritime initiative to ensure safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought continued G7 support and explored the possibility of meeting US President Donald Trump. European leaders urged Trump to maintain support for Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia. Trump described the Iran-US understanding as a major diplomatic success and expressed hope for broader stability in the Middle East and progress toward ending the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman revealed his football allegiance during a media interaction amid the global World Cup excitement. On Tuesday, June 16, at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka, he attended a meeting with journalists. When senior journalist Suman Mahmud asked which team he supports in the ongoing World Cup, the Prime Minister replied that he had lived in a certain country for a long time, suggesting that this might indicate his preferred team. Following his remark, many assumed that he supports England, as he spent a significant part of his political life in the United Kingdom. His comment quickly sparked discussion among football enthusiasts, adding to the festive World Cup atmosphere across the country. The Prime Minister’s casual revelation has become a talking point among fans, reflecting how deeply the World Cup fever has reached all levels of society in Bangladesh.

Dr. Mohammad Azizul Haque, an associate professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, has successfully produced pesticide-free tomatoes by reducing the use of urea and phosphorus fertilizers by 50 to 100 percent. His field research in Dinajpur district showed that tomato plants treated with endophytic bacteria grew larger, greener, and yielded nearly three times more fruit than those cultivated with conventional chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Over the past one and a half years, Dr. Haque conducted bacterial consortium trials across ten fields in Dinajpur Sadar, Chirirbandar, and Setabganj upazilas, achieving consistent results in both winter and summer tomato crops. The treated fields required no pesticide sprays, maintained soil quality, and showed higher nutrient levels. The tomatoes were also richer in lycopene, flavonoids, amino acids, and minerals. The research also demonstrated success in companion sugarcane cultivation, where bacterial treatment increased plant height and weight by about 2.5 times. Dr. Haque hopes for government approval to expand the technology nationwide for safer food and improved sugar production.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that the current democratic government no longer intimidates the media as in past authoritarian eras but aims to act as a genuine partner in addressing journalists’ professional issues. He made the remarks on June 16, 2026, at a discussion marking 'Newspaper Black Day' at the National Press Club in Dhaka, organized by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ). Swapan recalled the 1975 constitutional amendment that established one-party rule and suppressed press freedom, describing it as a dark chapter in Bangladesh’s history. He urged recognition of new challenges posed by artificial intelligence and digital media, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to counter misinformation and misuse of technology. He also highlighted the global trend of citizen journalism and mentioned that countries like Australia, the UK, and the EU have enacted new laws to regulate it. The minister announced that the government plans to form a powerful quasi-judicial Media Commission soon and called for a high-level policy forum to guide the Information Ministry in ensuring media freedom and accountability.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the Awami League and democracy have never gone together, not even since the party’s inception. He made the remark on Tuesday at the National Press Club in Dhaka while addressing a discussion organized by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) marking Newspaper Black Day. Mirza Fakhrul described himself as a liberal democrat who rejects politics based on religion or race and emphasized equal rights for all citizens. He portrayed the BNP as a democratic and liberal political force, calling it the safest option for the people. He praised journalists for their courage in defending democracy and freedom of the press during difficult political times and expressed hope that the current government would continue to support press freedom. He also urged effective measures to ensure employment for unemployed journalists and preserve the legacy of closed media outlets. Fakhrul warned against misinformation on social media and called for unity to counter destabilizing propaganda.

A man in Narail has been accused of killing his wife after she ignored his prohibition on making TikTok videos. The incident led to a case being filed at Lohagara Police Station on Tuesday. According to Officer-in-Charge (Investigation) Ajit Kumar Roy, the accused, Limon Mallik, allegedly strangled his wife, Sumona Ferdousi, on Monday morning at their home and then hung her body from a bamboo beam to make it appear as suicide. Limon reportedly left the house after locking the door and later returned in the afternoon, claiming that his wife had taken her own life. Police detained him that night after finding evidence of murder during preliminary investigation. Ajit Kumar Roy stated that during initial questioning, Limon confessed to killing his wife. The case was filed by Sumona’s mother against Limon. The dispute reportedly stemmed from Sumona’s continued posting of TikTok videos and sharing of photos on social media, which had caused ongoing marital conflict. Police are continuing their investigation into the incident following the confession and case registration.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed readiness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in the United States under mediation. On Monday, he suggested that such a meeting in the U.S. would be much harder for Putin to reject. Zelensky said he discussed the idea with U.S. President Donald Trump over the phone and is waiting to see the outcome. The proposal aims to advance efforts to end the war that has continued for more than four years. According to Zelensky, Putin has repeatedly rejected direct meeting proposals, including one during the G7 summit in France. A source from the Ukrainian president’s office told AFP that the proposal had been conveyed earlier through intermediaries, diplomats, and intelligence channels but received no clear response. Zelensky stated that if Russia rejects this opportunity as well, additional pressure will be necessary. The conflict began in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, described as Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

US President Donald Trump announced that a preliminary agreement to end the war with Iran has been signed, with full details to be released soon. Speaking during the G7 summit in France alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen on Friday, the day of the formal signing in Geneva. The deal and ceasefire have created a political crisis for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, undermining key pillars of his long political career and exposing him to new security challenges. The agreement has sparked intense debate in Israel, where opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that Netanyahu faces a choice between direct confrontation with Washington or compromising Israeli interests. Trump’s criticism of Netanyahu’s recent military decisions has been seized upon by his rivals ahead of upcoming elections. Hardline ministers in Netanyahu’s coalition have rejected the deal’s terms, while security experts argue it strengthens Iran and Hezbollah’s regional influence. Analysts say Netanyahu’s strategy has trapped Israel in prolonged conflicts across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria without clear diplomatic outcomes, draining military resources and eroding his image as “Mr. Security.”

Seven individuals have been detained in Gomastapur upazila of Chapainawabganj for allegedly assisting Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in a push-in attempt along the Roknupur border. According to police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) sources, around 10:45 p.m. on Monday, members of India’s 88 BSF unit tried to push a woman into Bangladesh through border pillar 225/3-R under Roknupur Border Outpost. The attempt was foiled with the help of local residents and BGB intervention. Following the incident, BGB detained four men from Roknupur area early Tuesday and handed them over to Gomastapur police. Later, police conducted a special operation and arrested three more individuals from the same locality. Officer-in-Charge Nure Alam of Gomastapur Police Station confirmed that a total of seven suspects are now in custody. Legal proceedings, including case filing, are underway. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the woman involved or the specific charges against the detainees, and investigations are continuing.

Information, Broadcasting and Cultural Affairs Adviser Dr. Zahidur Rahman stated that the current government will never compromise Bangladesh’s sovereignty in its relationship with India. He made the remarks on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Press Information Department in Dhaka, responding to questions from journalists about the government’s engagement with India. Rahman emphasized that engaging with India does not mean selling out the country, and said he would visit India if formally invited. He stressed that Bangladesh seeks to engage with India on the basis of equality, aiming to improve trade and other areas of cooperation. He also mentioned that relations had deteriorated during the interim government period but that the current administration wants to rebuild them. The adviser highlighted upcoming discussions on renewing the Ganges water treaty, the Teesta agreement, and the management of 53 shared rivers. Referring to a recent incident at Delhi airport, he described being kept waiting for over two hours as harassment but said he did not take it personally, viewing it as an issue of state respect.

A case has been filed two days after the public shooting death of Jubo Dal leader Masudul Haque Chowdhury Masud in Raozan, Chattogram. The case was lodged around midnight on Monday by his elder brother, Peyarul Haque Chowdhury, at Raozan Police Station. It names 11 identified suspects and eight unidentified ones. Police said several suspects had already been recognized from CCTV footage captured at the scene. Masud was shot dead around 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, in front of Ashrafia Pharmacy at Choumuhani intersection in Pahartali Union. CCTV footage showed five to six armed assailants firing at his head to ensure his death. Witnesses and intelligence sources reported that the attackers arrived in a CNG-run autorickshaw and fired 8–10 rounds at close range before fleeing. Masud, a senior joint convener of Rangunia Upazila Jubo Dal and follower of MP Humam Quader Chowdhury, died on the spot. Initial reports suggest the killing may be linked to disputes over sand extraction business or rivalry ahead of the upcoming union council election.

A Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber crashed near the village of Kamenka in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, according to local and defense officials. Preliminary reports suggest the crash was caused by an engine malfunction. The aircraft went down in a forested area near the Angara River, and videos circulating on social media showed smoke rising from the crash site, though their authenticity could not be independently verified. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the crew ejected before the crash and that there were no threats to their lives or health. The ministry also confirmed that the bomber was not carrying any weapons and that no damage occurred on the ground. Irkutsk Governor Igor Kobzev said all four crew members were hospitalized but did not suffer life-threatening injuries. The Tu-22M3 is a modernized version of the earlier Tu-22 bomber and is capable of carrying KH-22 cruise missiles and hypersonic Kinzhal missiles. The aircraft type has previously been used by Russia in operations in Syria and Ukraine.