Prime Minister’s Adviser and Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin stated that a democratically elected and accountable government has taken charge in Bangladesh after a long interval. He said the empowerment of this government represents the empowerment of ordinary citizens, ensuring rights and freedoms for all in an independent and sovereign nation. His remarks were made at a public rally in Chandpur attended by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, according to a press release issued on Sunday.

Amin described the overwhelming public enthusiasm surrounding the Prime Minister’s visit to Chandpur, calling it a historic awakening of love and hope among residents. He highlighted that people from all walks of life came out to greet the Prime Minister, reflecting their trust in the elected government. Presenting the government’s three-month performance, he said election pledges are being implemented, including the rollout of programs such as farmer cards and family cards.

He added that the family card initiative aims to bring lasting social change through women’s empowerment, expressing optimism that it will help build a self-reliant Bangladesh.

Barrister Ahmed Bin Kashem Arman, son of executed Jamaat leader Mir Quasem Ali, alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used patriotic members of the Bangladesh Army in enforced disappearances, thereby damaging the army’s professionalism and endangering the country’s sovereignty. He made the remarks on Sunday during a press briefing after giving testimony at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in a case related to abductions at the RAB Taskforce Interrogation Cell (TFI).

Arman, himself a victim of enforced disappearance, said that the rights of the Bangladeshi people should be considered sacred and that the army should remain the nation’s most respected and trusted institution. He urged that no one, regardless of power or influence, should misuse the armed forces or violate citizens’ rights. He added that depriving citizens of constitutional rights amounts to treason.

According to the report, Arman testified as the first witness in the case filed over abductions and torture at the TFI Cell during the Awami League’s fifteen-year rule. Ten army officers have been arrested in connection with the case, which also names Hasina and twelve former and current military officials.

Bangladeshi expatriates in South Korea organized a civic reception for National Citizens Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan during his visit to the country. The event took place on Sunday at noon local time at the Khimpu Foreign Support Center in Khimpu city, arranged by the NCP Diaspora Alliance, South Korea. NCP leaders and activists from various levels, along with expatriates from different professions, attended the ceremony.

In his speech, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan expressed gratitude to the diaspora members for their hospitality and recalled their support during the July uprising when the country was under blockade. He urged expatriates to remain united in realizing the goals of the July Charter and referendum and to play an active role in informing the international community about the uprising. He also assured that the NCP would continue working to ensure expatriate voting rights in future elections.

Expatriates present at the event raised issues including repatriation of deceased students’ bodies, simplification of migration processes, prevention of broker exploitation, ending airport harassment, and greater inclusion of expatriates in national matters.

Hefazat-e-Islam Amir Allama Muhibullah Babunagari stated that the organization is united and free from internal division. He made the remark during a meeting with Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque at Jamia Islamia Azizul Ulum Babunagar Madrasa on Sunday morning. During the meeting, a commemorative book titled 'Shahidnama', published by Shapla Smriti Sangsad, was presented as a gift.

Following the meeting, Maulana Mamunul Haque told reporters that an eleven-party electoral alliance has been formed to address the current national situation and pursue the goals of the July Revolution. He explained that the alliance includes parties with differing views on establishing Islam in state power, emphasizing that it is a strategic political unity rather than an ideological one. He reaffirmed that differences in belief and thought with groups like Jamaat-e-Islami remain.

Mamunul Haque added that Hefazat-e-Islam remains a united force guided by Quran and Sunnah and will continue to defend Islam and national interests against any domestic or international threats.

Residents of Goaland in Rajbari district formed a human chain on Sunday morning demanding the construction of a second Padma Bridge on the Daulatdia-Paturia river route. The demonstration, organized by the group 'Goaland Protirodh Moncho', took place around 10:30 a.m. at the Goaland bus stand area along the Dhaka-Khulna highway. Participants from various professions joined the event to voice their demand for improved connectivity.

Speakers at the human chain, including local political leaders from BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal, said that the Daulatdia-Paturia route is a vital communication link for the country’s southwestern region. They highlighted that travelers have long suffered from severe traffic congestion, long waiting hours, and mismanagement, especially during major festivals such as Eid.

The speakers emphasized that while they support the government’s Padma Barrage project, they believe the construction of the second Padma Bridge should take priority. They urged the authorities to take immediate and effective steps to implement this demand.

A court in Sirajganj has ordered the publication of a newspaper notice against Kushtia-3 Member of Parliament Mufti Amir Hamza. The order was issued on Sunday at 11 a.m. by Judge Suman Karmakar of the Chauhali Amli Court after Hamza failed to appear in court as scheduled. The case was filed by Advocate Humayun Kabir Colonel, general secretary of the Sirajganj District Lawyers Association, who confirmed that the notice will initiate the trial process.

According to case details, on March 27, Hamza allegedly made defamatory remarks against the Minister of Power and Energy and BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku during a discussion at the Hatsh Haripur Boro Jame Mosque in Kushtia. Advocate Humayun Kabir filed a defamation case on April 2, leading the court to summon Hamza to appear on April 21. When he failed to attend, an arrest warrant was issued.

As Hamza again did not appear on Sunday, the court directed that a public notice be published in newspapers to proceed with the case.

Two activists of the banned Chhatra League were handed over to police by BNP members in the Kashipur Hatkhola area of Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Saturday night. The detainees, identified as Sani (20) and Siam (21) from Bandar area, were caught around 11 p.m. after a sudden procession. They were later turned over to police by local BNP leaders.

According to local sources, the two detainees had long been active in Chhatra League politics and were known associates of former Bandar Thana Jubo League president and identified criminal Khan Masud. Witnesses said the banned group began chanting slogans such as “Joy Bangla” and “Joy Bangabandhu” before BNP leaders and activists chased and detained them. Kashipur Union BNP general secretary Arif Mondal confirmed the handover to police.

Fatullah Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbub Alam stated that BNP activists detained the two during the procession and informed the police, who then took them into custody. Authorities are checking with Bandar police to determine if the detainees have prior cases against them.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has emphasized the need to build an accountable and institutional framework for managing the media sector, moving beyond a control-oriented approach. He made the remarks on Sunday during a meeting at the Secretariat with leaders of the Television Editors Council, which includes editors and news heads of private television channels. The minister highlighted the importance of forming an independent, efficient, and credible media commission.

Swapan noted that Bangladesh’s media management has long suffered from a conceptual gap, with a lack of coordinated thinking among owners, entrepreneurs, journalists, and the government. This has led to the sector being influenced by personal power and investment interests. He said the government is both a stakeholder and a regulator, and must ensure equal opportunity for all parties.

The minister further stated that past governments viewed media mainly through a lens of control, resulting in irregularities and misuse. He proposed establishing a quasi-judicial commission to ensure media freedom and accountability, cautioning that it must not become a political instrument of any government.

Mutual trust between the United States and Iran has fallen to zero, according to Alan Eyre, a former US negotiator and analyst at the Middle East Institute. Speaking about the state of relations, Eyre said there is no secret formula for negotiating with Iranians, who are well-informed and skilled in their fields. He emphasized that meaningful agreements require time and sustained dialogue, expressing doubt that the Trump administration was prepared to invest the necessary effort for a comprehensive nuclear deal.

Eyre stressed the importance of confidence-building measures to manage tensions, noting that full trust is never a prerequisite for talks but some level of confidence is essential. He described Iran’s current leadership as more hardline and militaristic than previous governments, believing that Washington and Israel ultimately seek to overthrow the Islamic Republic. According to Eyre, Tehran fears that any ceasefire could be used by its adversaries to regroup and prepare for future attacks.

He concluded that rebuilding even minimal trust is vital to restoring momentum in negotiations between the two nations.

A three-way clash at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) in Gazipur left ten people injured, including five police officers, on Sunday. The violence erupted at the university’s Shaheed Minar area during a confrontation among students supporting the newly appointed vice-chancellor, protesting students, and police. The government recently appointed Professor Dr. Mohammad Iqbal from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology as DUET’s new vice-chancellor, which triggered protests from a section of students.

According to the report, the protesting students rejected the appointment immediately after the government’s announcement and began demonstrations on Thursday night. On Sunday morning, they called for a “red card” protest against the new vice-chancellor, leading to the clash. The protesters argued that the vice-chancellor should be selected from DUET’s own faculty, citing their deeper understanding of the institution’s academic and administrative challenges.

Police confirmed that five officers, including the local station’s officer-in-charge, were among the injured and said efforts were underway to restore order on campus.

Dr. Afsan Anis, son of Awami League leader Dr. Abul Baki Anis, has been appointed president of the Cumilla Metropolitan Nationalist Social and Cultural Organization (JASAS). The 101-member committee was approved on May 16 through a circular signed by central convenor Helal Khan and member secretary Zakir Hossain Rokon, naming Shahidul Haque Sohel as general secretary.

The announcement triggered widespread discussion on social media and within political circles over Dr. Anis’s political background. Former city JASAS convenor Manjurul Alam alleged that individuals with no prior involvement in BNP politics had secured committee positions through financial transactions. Cumilla city BNP general secretary and city corporation administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu stated he did not know the new president and questioned how a member of an Awami family could lead a key BNP-affiliated organization.

Central JASAS president Helal Khan defended the appointment, saying the committee was formed following organizational procedures and in coordination with BNP leaders at various levels, citing past examples of similar appointments.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the funeral prayer of former state minister for health and Munshiganj BNP convener Mizanur Rahman Sinha on Sunday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building. The prayer took place at 11:30 a.m., after which the prime minister paid his respects by placing a floral tribute on Sinha’s coffin. The Speaker, Deputy Speaker, cabinet members, and several lawmakers were also present at the ceremony.

Earlier, the prime minister expressed deep sorrow over Sinha’s death, recalling his contributions to national politics and the health sector. In a condolence message, he prayed for the departed soul and extended sympathy to the bereaved family and well-wishers.

Mizanur Rahman Sinha passed away early Saturday at the age of 82 while undergoing treatment at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore. His daughter Tasnim Sinha confirmed his death on social media, stating that he breathed his last at 2:47 a.m. Bangladesh time. Sinha had previously served as BNP’s central treasurer and was elected as a member of parliament from Munshiganj-2 in the 1996 and 2001 general elections.

At Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), efforts are underway to relax existing rules for promoting employees to officer positions, reportedly in violation of university regulations. Multiple sources confirmed that the issue may be discussed at the upcoming syndicate meeting scheduled for Sunday afternoon. The agenda could include a proposal to remove conditions for employees who were previously promoted to officer roles and now seek further advancement to deputy registrar or equivalent positions.

According to syndicate records, a prior decision allowed upgraded officers to be promoted further through additional upgradations, increasing the limit from two to three. However, a condition required those with a third division in public exams to have one extra year of work experience. Some of the upgraded officers are now pressing to abolish that condition, allegedly with support from senior administrators. Teachers and long-serving officers have criticized the move, warning it could undermine administrative standards and fairness in promotions.

Syndicate member Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury stated that no decision outside university and government law is acceptable, while Vice-Chancellor Dr. A. M. Sarwar Uddin Chowdhury said he is reviewing the matter.

British political biographer Anthony Seldon, who has chronicled at least eight prime ministers over the past decade, says the rapid turnover of leaders has made his work increasingly difficult. Once able to study long-serving premiers in depth, Seldon now finds himself racing to keep up with constant political upheaval. The latest turbulence surrounds Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose leadership is under threat after severe local election losses in England, Scotland, and Wales. Seldon fears the UK could see its sixth prime minister in seven years by August, when his biography of Rishi Sunak is due for release.

The instability reflects deeper national challenges. The UK has struggled to recover from the 2008 financial crisis, with stagnant wages, post-pandemic inflation, and Brexit-related economic decline. Political fragmentation has also eroded the traditional two-party dominance, as smaller parties gain ground across the nations. Analysts and academics cited in the report describe Starmer as principled but lacking charisma and a clear narrative, while some Labour MPs are rallying around Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as a potential successor.

A by-election in Makerfield will test Labour’s strength and could determine whether the party stabilizes or faces deeper crisis.

US President Donald Trump is under growing political pressure over the ongoing war against Iran, as public support for the conflict has dropped below half. Multiple opinion polls show only 30 to 40 percent of Americans back the war, a level analysts compare to the final phase of the Vietnam War. Rising fuel prices across the country have further fueled public dissatisfaction, with gasoline now exceeding $4.50 per gallon in many areas.

In California, where most oil is imported, prices have surpassed $6 per gallon, intensifying economic strain on households. Analysts say the surge in energy costs is directly affecting daily expenses and creating significant political pressure on the Trump administration. Responding to reporters, Trump said his focus was on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons rather than on Americans’ financial concerns.

The comment, widely broadcast on US television, has drawn negative reactions from citizens facing financial hardship. Political analysts warn that the situation could pose serious challenges for Trump’s Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections, with the risk of losing control of both chambers of Congress.