The US Department of Defense has released the identities of two American soldiers killed in an Iranian attack in Jordan. The victims were Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25, from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Isabella Gonzalez, 19, from Carrollton, Texas. According to a Pentagon statement, both were serving in the US mission against the armed group ISIL (ISIS) in the Middle East. The US Central Command reported that the soldiers died while intercepting Iranian ballistic missile and drone strikes in Jordan.

Military data indicate that since the start of the ongoing US-Israel conflict involving Iran, a total of 17 American soldiers have been killed. The incident highlights the risks faced by US troops stationed across the Middle East, even though they are not deployed inside Iran. Following the breakdown of diplomatic talks and rising tensions between Iran and the United States, American bases and allied nations in the region have become potential targets for further attacks.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar met with the French ambassador in Dhaka on Monday afternoon at the French Embassy. During the meeting, he formally handed over a letter of greetings and congratulations from opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman to the President of France on the occasion of the country’s 237th National Day.

The letter extended sincere congratulations to the French government and people, highlighting the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and France. It expressed hopes for further strengthening of mutual respect, democratic values, economic cooperation, trade, education, culture, and collaboration in various international fields.

The meeting also included discussions on issues of mutual interest, bilateral relations, and future cooperation opportunities. The ambassador received the letter warmly and expressed thanks. The meeting was described as cordial and friendly, with the opposition leader’s foreign affairs adviser Barrister Mir Ahmed Bin Kashem Arman MP and committee member Ali Ahmad Mabrur present.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman held a meeting with top leaders of political parties allied in the joint movement against the so-called fascist government. The meeting, which began at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka, marks the first formal gathering with these allies since the formation of the government, according to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing.

Sources indicated that the discussions were expected to include exchanges of greetings, the current political situation, and progress on the BNP’s earlier pledge to form a national government before the upcoming election. The meeting was also likely to address dissatisfaction among allied parties regarding seat distribution for the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

Leaders were also expected to deliberate on future strategies to achieve the goals and objectives of the joint movement. Senior figures from various coalitions and political parties involved in the movement attended the meeting.

A delegation from the Karoch Janata Party (CJP) met Indian Health Minister and former BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday to present three key demands. The meeting coincided with protests in New Delhi, where demonstrators marched toward Parliament demanding government accountability over the NEET-UG medical entrance exam paper leak. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said Nadda requested time to discuss the demands with senior government leaders.

The CJP’s demands include the unconditional release of social activist Sonam Wangchuk, the resignation or removal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and compensation of 10 million rupees for families of students who died by suicide following the exam leak. Another spokesperson, Saurabh Das, stated that Nadda assured them the issues would be raised at the appropriate level but gave no firm commitments. He also said the peaceful movement would continue until the demands are met.

Nadda described the meeting as cordial and urged protesters to withdraw their sit-in and restore normalcy. Meanwhile, Education Minister Pradhan held a separate three-and-a-half-hour meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, though its contents were not disclosed.

Bangladesh’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said the government is moving forward with the implementation of a plan to establish solar power plants with a total capacity of 10,000 megawatts. He made the remarks on Monday while speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled “Unnayan Konthoshor” organized by the National Development Program at the China Friendship Conference Center.

The minister noted that rising costs in the power and energy sector have become a major challenge for the government. Since taking office, the government has spent around 2 billion dollars on energy imports, with global conflicts driving up import expenses and electricity generation costs, putting pressure on the country’s foreign currency reserves. He also said that although the previous government achieved success in securing maritime boundaries, it failed to ensure effective progress in exploring and extracting marine energy resources, while neighboring countries have advanced in this area.

Tuku emphasized that the development of renewable energy is crucial for building a welfare-oriented state and called for greater investment and technical cooperation from development partners. He added that tax relaxations have been introduced in the current budget to encourage solar power use at individual and commercial levels.

Prominent journalist Md. Saidur Rahman has been appointed as Minister (Press) at the Press Wing of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, India. The appointment was made on a contractual basis for one year, effective from his joining date, according to a notification issued Monday by the Contract and Foreign Recruitment Branch of the Ministry of Public Administration.

The notification states that Saidur Rahman must relinquish any professional ties with other occupations, businesses, or institutions, whether public or private, as a condition of his appointment. He currently serves as the Political and Election Affairs Editor at the daily Ittefaq and holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Dhaka.

Throughout his career, Rahman has worked for several newspapers and held leadership roles in journalist organizations, including serving as president of the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy. He received the RFED Best Reporting Award in 2025 for his contributions to journalism.

The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has revoked the licenses of 49 recruiting agencies previously involved in sending workers to Malaysia. The decision was announced through a government notification issued on Sunday, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Rashida Akter. The ministry cited violations of the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Act, 2013, and the Foreign Employment and Migrants (Amendment) Act, 2023, as well as criminal charges filed under sections of the Penal Code.

According to the ministry, the affected agencies were accused in court of embezzling money by forming syndicates to send workers to Malaysia. Investigators filed charge sheets against these 49 agencies following cases lodged against 100 agencies in total. The ministry stated that the license cancellations were made under Section 13 of the 2013 Act in the public interest.

The decision marks a significant enforcement action aimed at curbing irregularities in overseas employment recruitment and ensuring compliance with migration laws.

Israel has launched a large-scale campaign using artificial intelligence to improve its image and influence public opinion in the United States, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal published on Saturday. The report claims that more than $45 million has been spent on the initiative, which sent millions of AI-generated messages to U.S. citizens under names such as “Emma,” “Sarah,” and “John.” These messages appeared to come from a group called “Friends for Peace,” though no such organization was found to exist.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the campaign is part of a contract led by Brad Parscale, former campaign manager for U.S. President Donald Trump. The AI messaging firm Sparkfire reportedly received $6.5 million by mid-May. Parscale’s team also created pro-Israel websites and online content aimed at generating more favorable responses about Israel on AI platforms like ChatGPT and Claude.

The report added that at least six firms were hired for the operation, and about three dozen individuals registered as foreign agents working for Israel. The Israeli Foreign Ministry did not respond to the newspaper’s request for comment.

A government investigation has concluded that inadequate pilot training and insufficient supervision caused the Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka, in July last year. The nine-member commission, led by former secretary A.K.M. Zafar Ullah Khan, submitted its report to the interim government after more than three months of inquiry. The crash killed 36 people, including 28 schoolchildren, the pilot, teachers, staff, and parents.

The report found that pilot Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam lacked consistent flight training and failed to respond effectively during the emergency. It also cited a lack of proper oversight by his ground supervisor or commanding officer. Technical inspections showed no mechanical faults, but the aircraft stalled after exceeding its critical angle of attack. A possible bird strike or airborne object impact on the windshield may have contributed to the loss of control.

The interim government discussed the report and assigned ministries to implement its recommendations, though the full report was not made public.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) expects to sign an operational agreement with a Japanese consortium for the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by late August or early September. CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md. Mostafa Mahmud Siddiq confirmed that the terminal’s inauguration date remains set for December 16, and once operational, international flights will operate from the new facility without flight disruptions.

He made the remarks at a workshop on Civil Aviation and Air Traffic Operations held at CAAB headquarters in Kurmitola, Dhaka. The event, organized by CAAB’s Public Relations Department, aimed to enhance journalists’ technical understanding of aviation operations. Senior CAAB officials presented on airport management, air traffic control, passenger services, and international safety standards.

The chairman emphasized the importance of accurate and responsible aviation reporting, noting that the workshop would help journalists gain practical knowledge of civil aviation and airport management. He added that CAAB plans to hold similar sessions on operations and safety to strengthen collaboration with the media.

The High Court has issued a contempt of court rule against Touhida Islam, Assistant Commissioner of Chattogram Customs House, for failing to release an imported consignment within the time specified by a previous court order. The bench of Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Asif Hasan issued the rule on Monday after hearing a contempt petition filed by Yasir Arafat, owner of Warda & Zubair Agro Industries Limited. The court asked why contempt proceedings should not be initiated for non-compliance with its earlier directive and ordered Touhida Islam to respond within 14 days.

According to court documents, the company imported 28 tons of rock salt from Pakistan and submitted the bill of entry on May 5. Despite a High Court order on May 21 directing release within seven days, customs authorities delayed, citing the need for a no-objection certificate from the Ministry of Industries. The Appellate Division later dismissed the customs appeal on June 21, but the consignment remained unreleased.

The importer claims that the consignment’s prolonged detention at Chattogram Port has incurred storage and demurrage costs exceeding 2.2 million taka, more than double the product’s import value.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly criticized Rabbi Dov Lando, leader of the ultra-Orthodox party Degel HaTorah, for his recent comments about the Israeli military. Lando had claimed that members of religious communities serving in the army incite to kill. In a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu described the rabbi’s remarks as “astonishing.”

Netanyahu emphasized that both secular and Haredi soldiers leave their homes, jobs, and families to defend the State of Israel, its citizens, and the entire nation, risking their lives in the process. He added that these soldiers deserve deep appreciation, gratitude, and full support from all sectors of society, including the Torah world.

Rabbi Lando’s comments came amid ongoing debate in Israel over mandatory military service for Haredi Jews. His statements have sparked renewed discussion and criticism within the country, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue.

A Jamalpur court has delivered verdicts in two separate cases, sentencing a man to death for murdering his wife and three others to life imprisonment for abducting a teenage girl. The rulings were announced on Monday by Judge Muhammad Abdur Rahim of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1 under the Jamalpur District and Sessions Judge’s Court. The convicted husband, Hafizul of Merurchar in Bakshiganj, was also fined Tk 500,000, while one of the abductors, Jalal Mia, received a Tk 100,000 fine.

According to the prosecution, Hafizul killed his wife Hanufa Begum on September 4, 2012, over dowry demands. Following a lengthy trial involving seven witnesses and evidence review, the court acquitted four other accused. In the second case, the court found Shamim, Sadek, and Jalal Mia guilty of abducting an SSC examinee from Haripur in Jamalpur Sadar on December 22, 2024. Police later rescued the girl from Gazipur.

Prosecutor Fazlul Haque stated that both verdicts were based on witness testimony and legal procedures, expressing hope that such judgments would strengthen public confidence in justice and help deter crime.

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said that although political change occurred in Bangladesh through a mass uprising, the spread of drugs has become more severe. Speaking at a discussion organized by Ganatantra Forum at the National Press Club on Monday, he stated that merely talking about the issue is not enough and that effective government action is essential to eradicate drugs.

Dudu described the situation in his own neighborhood as alarming, saying that drug proliferation has made movement difficult and that local authorities, despite promises, have failed to act decisively. He noted that if this small-scale experience reflects the national picture, the country faces a grave crisis. He also mentioned that the current Home Minister is from Cox’s Bazar, a region discussed in parliament as a major entry point for drugs.

He emphasized that those involved in the drug trade are powerful and wealthy, and urged support for Tarique Rahman’s 31-point plan to build a new Bangladesh, arguing that only by strengthening his leadership can meaningful change occur.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that Major (Retd.) Mozzafar Hossain, an accused in the assassination case of former President Ziaur Rahman, will be tried under military law through a general court-martial. The minister made the statement on Monday during a visit to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) headquarters in Pilkhana. He said Mozzafar Hossain had been arrested based on specific intelligence after hiding for a long time in a neighboring country under a false identity and has been handed over to the army for trial.

The Home Minister explained that the trial would proceed under the current military law, as no individual can be tried separately under both civil and military jurisdictions for the same offense. He emphasized that the legal process will be completed through the formation of a general court-martial.

Addressing the Myanmar border situation, the minister noted ongoing conflicts between Myanmar’s government forces and armed groups such as the Arakan Army, as well as activities by groups like RSO and ARSA. He said Bangladesh is maintaining constant surveillance to prevent cross-border firing and drug infiltration, stressing the need for tighter security along the Myanmar frontier.