Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Defense Adviser AKM Shamsul Islam on Monday at the adviser’s office in the Armed Forces Division, Dhaka Cantonment. The ambassador was accompanied by a three-member delegation. During the meeting, both sides discussed various issues of mutual interest, focusing on expanding military and defense cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan.

The discussions emphasized Japan’s potential technological assistance in modernizing the Bangladesh Armed Forces and achieving the country’s ‘Forces Goal’. Both parties agreed on enhancing training opportunities, regular exchange visits of military delegations, and improving professional and technical skills among armed forces personnel. They also explored new possibilities for the exchange of modern defense equipment and technology.

The meeting was viewed as a step toward further strengthening the existing friendly relations and long-term strategic cooperation between the armed forces of Bangladesh and Japan.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first bilateral foreign tour to China and Malaysia from June 21 to 26, 2026, has been hailed as a major success for Bangladesh. Parliament unanimously adopted a motion of thanks for the trip, highlighting China’s commitment to support the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project and Malaysia’s decision to reopen its labor market to Bangladeshi workers. Rahman told Parliament that his government prioritized national interests throughout the visits, emphasizing the “Bangladesh First” foreign policy.

During the China visit, President Xi Jinping assured full cooperation in implementing the Teesta Master Plan, valued at about one billion US dollars, to restore the river’s flow and protect livelihoods in northern Bangladesh. The two sides also signed 17 memorandums of understanding covering infrastructure, trade, and investment. In Malaysia, both governments agreed on a 33-point joint declaration across nine sectors, including labor migration, investment, and cultural exchange.

The Teesta project will involve dredging, embankment construction, and reservoir development over ten years, with PowerChina conducting feasibility studies. China described its involvement as humanitarian and research-based, while Bangladesh reaffirmed its sovereign right to pursue the plan for environmental and economic security.

The Bangladesh Medical University (Second Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the National Parliament on Sunday by Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain. The bill aims to facilitate the operation of the university’s super specialized hospital and to authorize the establishment of companies and investments to expand medical education, research, and healthcare services. It was later referred to the relevant parliamentary committee for further examination, with a directive to submit a report within three working days.

According to the bill’s statement of objectives, the Bangladesh Medical University was established under the 1998 law to promote higher education, medical research, and advanced healthcare. However, despite constructing a super specialized hospital, the lack of adequate staff and a clear management structure prevented its full operation. The university’s syndicate decided to manage the hospital under the Companies Act, 1994, prompting the need for legal amendments.

The proposed changes would allow the university to form profit or non-profit companies, acquire and transfer shares, and reinvest earnings into education, research, and healthcare, thereby enhancing institutional excellence.

The Bangladesh Parliament has introduced the Public Examinations Offenses Amendment Bill, 2026, which proposes up to five years of imprisonment and fines for digital manipulation or unauthorized access to examination databases. The bill, presented by Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon on Sunday, also covers the use of electronic devices in exam centers and other examination-related crimes. The parliamentary committee has been asked to submit its report within three working days.

According to the bill’s explanatory statement, the existing Public Examinations (Offenses) Act of 1980 is outdated due to the rise of technology and digital crimes. The amendment aims to modernize the legal framework to address online and cyber-based examination offenses, ensuring a fair and malpractice-free testing environment. It introduces the definition of “digital manipulation,” encompassing cybercrimes involving unauthorized access or tampering with exam data.

The government stated that the amendment is essential to safeguard the transparency and credibility of public examinations in the digital era, addressing emerging challenges posed by technology-driven misconduct.

A group of 65 students and four teachers from four educational institutions in Monoharganj, Cumilla, visited Bangladesh’s National Parliament Building for the first time on Sunday. The educational tour, organized by the Parliament Secretariat’s Visit Branch, offered participants a memorable and inspiring experience. One of the highlights was a meeting with Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarek Rahman, who spoke warmly with the students, encouraged them to balance studies with sports and cultural activities, and took selfies with them.

During the visit, the delegation toured the LD Hall, the main chamber, the North and South Plazas, Crescent Lake, and the Parliament Library. They also observed the ongoing budget session and attended a briefing session on the history, architecture, and functions of the Parliament. The program included a greeting ceremony attended by MP Abul Kalam and Parliament Secretary Barrister Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan, where speakers emphasized the importance of such visits in promoting democratic awareness among youth.

Students described the experience as unforgettable, saying it deepened their understanding of the state and inspired them to dream bigger for the future.

Iraqi authorities have arrested 47 officials, including a member of parliament, in a sweeping anti-corruption operation in Baghdad and other provinces. The arrests were carried out early Sunday by security forces led by the counterterrorism unit, targeting the capital’s fortified Green Zone and another city area. The operation follows Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s pledge to combat corruption and assert state control over weapons since taking office with US support.

According to Iraq’s state news agency INA, the detainees include government officials and at least one from the oil ministry. The campaign comes ahead of al-Zaidi’s planned visit to Washington, where he is expected to seek US investment and reaffirm efforts to disarm Iran-backed armed groups. A diplomat in Baghdad told AFP the crackdown is part of preparations for that trip and a signal of the prime minister’s commitment.

Officials said the arrests are part of a broader effort to curb financing of armed groups and smuggling of dollars and Iranian oil. The anti-corruption commission confirmed that the warrants were issued by courts, based partly on confessions from a previously detained oil ministry official.

A report by Axios on Sunday highlighted a growing anti-Israel sentiment among young Republicans in the United States, raising questions about the Republican Party’s long-standing support for Israel. Shibley Telhami, director of the University of Maryland’s Critical Issues Poll, noted that something significant is clearly taking shape among younger Republicans.

According to the report, dissatisfaction has grown within parts of the Republican base due to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and disagreements between former President Donald Trump’s administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over ending the Iran war. A Pew Research Center survey in April found that 40 percent of Republicans hold negative views of Israel, with the rate rising to 57 percent among those aged 18 to 49, compared to 25 percent among those 50 and older.

Recent polls from Quinnipiac University and the University of Maryland also indicate declining support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, while criticism from prominent “America First” conservatives has fueled the trend. Ralph Reed of the Faith and Freedom Coalition warned that although party leadership remains pro-Israel, support among Republicans is falling at an alarming rate.

Khagrachhari district in Bangladesh has again become tense as armed clashes between regional political groups intensified across several upazilas. Over the past three days, two people were killed in separate incidents involving internal conflicts and exchanges of gunfire with security forces in Dighinala, Ramgarh, Matiranga, and Guimara. Security operations led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, a pistol, and a large cache of ammunition, while five members of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) were detained. One of them, Sujendra Chakma alias Jhimith Chakma, was arrested injured after a gunfight in Guimara’s remote Pineongpara area.

Police confirmed that Jhimith Chakma faces multiple criminal cases, including murder and extortion, across several police stations. The UPDF identified him as its Guimara unit organizer and demanded his release, alleging state repression against its members. Security sources said the group had long been involved in extortion and abduction in the area.

According to intelligence sources, regional groups have become increasingly aggressive since the current government took office, escalating armed conflicts and modernizing weapons, which has worsened the security situation in the hill region.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has called for the prosecution of Israeli and US leaders for alleged war crimes. In a statement posted on social media platform X, he said that ensuring justice for crimes committed against Iran during 2025–26 is now one of the country’s top legal and judicial priorities. He accused international powers of violating international law and highlighted civilian casualties and attacks on medical centers in Minab and Lamerd as examples of war crimes.

Khamenei also referred to the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as one of thousands of significant legal cases that require justice. He claimed that the “arrogant” and “Zionist-American” leaders’ public statements amount to admissions of guilt. According to him, investigations into crimes committed during two rounds of war have already been assigned to relevant authorities.

He added that these investigations are expected to help prevent similar incidents in the future, underscoring Iran’s intent to pursue both domestic and international legal action.

Turkey on Sunday sharply criticized Israel for describing the mass killings of Armenians during World War I as an act of ethnic cleansing. Ankara called the move a political decision aimed at covering up Israel’s own alleged crimes.

In a statement, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said the Israeli government, which faces accusations of systematic persecution of Palestinians and is under trial at the International Court of Justice over alleged genocide in Gaza, is attempting to hide its actions by politicizing the 1915 events. The ministry argued that recognizing the Armenian killings as genocide while being accused of ongoing oppression of Palestinians is a politically motivated step.

According to Turkey, Israel’s stance on the Armenian genocide issue reflects an effort to deflect international criticism of its treatment of Palestinians and the situation in Gaza.

The opposition parties walked out of the Bangladesh Parliament on Sunday, protesting what they described as insufficient time for budget discussions and the failure to provide copies of newly introduced bills in advance. The walkout occurred during the final session of the day after two amendment bills—the Bangladesh Medical University (Amendment) Act and the Public Examinations (Offences) (Amendment) Bill—were tabled without prior notice.

Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal allowed the bills to be introduced and referred them to parliamentary committees for review. When Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Shahjahan Chowdhury sought to raise a point of order, the Deputy Speaker declined, citing procedural constraints. Following this, opposition members, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, left the chamber, declaring their walkout.

Jamaat MP Nazibur Rahman later told reporters that the opposition left in protest against being given less time than the ruling party, not receiving bill copies beforehand, and being denied the opportunity to raise points of order.

The Trump administration has issued a strict directive regarding immigrants living in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated in a CNN interview that those under TPS must either secure permanent residency through legal means or prepare to return to their home countries. His comments followed a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed the administration to move forward with ending TPS protections for hundreds of thousands of Haitians and Syrians.

Mullin emphasized that TPS was never intended as a permanent immigration program and said the government would assist those choosing voluntary return with airfare and about $2,100 in financial support. The TPS program had previously allowed foreign nationals affected by war, natural disasters, or major crises to stay temporarily in the U.S., but the current administration has begun steps to terminate it.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department continues to warn citizens against traveling to Haiti and Syria due to ongoing violence, terrorism, and high crime risks, even as the administration moves to end TPS protections for nationals from those countries.

Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called on Jamaat-e-Islami to apologize to Bangladesh for its role during the 1971 Liberation War. Speaking in the national parliament on Sunday, June 28, 2026, during the general discussion on the proposed budget, he said Jamaat leaders never sought forgiveness for their actions in 1971 and should do so before the nation. He added that acknowledging past mistakes would make political participation easier for the party.

Addressing Jamaat leaders, Fakhrul said they often try to ignore or provoke others instead of reflecting on their own position regarding 1971. He emphasized that Jamaat should clarify its stance on Bangladesh’s independence and history. Responding to remarks from the opposition, he reiterated that no one has heard Jamaat admit its past mistakes.

Fakhrul also commented on the National Citizen Party (NCP), noting that it has allied with a group that did not believe in Bangladesh’s independence. He expressed hope that NCP leaders would clarify their political direction and avoid association with any group that denies the country’s existence.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has alleged that the highest level of corruption occurred during the interim government period. Speaking on Sunday at the second and budget session of the National Parliament, he requested the Prime Minister to instruct the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate all activities of the 18-month interim administration.

The minister described the interim period as a time of instability and said that those now calling for accountability over corruption and foreign loans should also face scrutiny for that period. He cited a recent report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), which, according to him, indicated that the highest corruption took place during the interim government.

Salahuddin Ahmed also mentioned that he signed the July Charter in the interest of elections and national priorities, linking his statement to broader discussions on governance and accountability raised in the parliamentary session.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam told Parliament on Sunday that he rents a car for security reasons but has not yet been able to pay the rent for the current month. His remarks came in response to comments about his use of a luxury vehicle, as he explained the necessity behind it.

During the same parliamentary session, Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mujibur Rahman said that state activities should be conducted in every mosque in Bangladesh. Participating in the general discussion on the proposed 2026–27 national budget, he argued that if the country follows the principles of Medina, interest-based transactions must be stopped and zakat should be implemented.

Mujibur Rahman also criticized the absence of the term “zakat” in the finance minister’s 34-page budget speech, noting that while many issues were addressed, the concept of a zakat-based economy was not included.