Jamaat-e-Islami organized a protest march in Mirpur’s Rupnagar area on Saturday afternoon, denouncing an attack on the workers and supporters of Dhaka-16 MP Colonel (Retd.) Abdul Baten. The demonstration followed an alleged assault by ruling party activists that disrupted a meeting with constituents. The protest began with a rally led by central Majlis-e-Shura member and Dhaka-16 regional director Md. Nasir Uddin, who accused BNP activists of attempting to destabilize the political environment through violence.

Nasir Uddin urged BNP in Dhaka-16 to abandon negative politics and warned that the public would reject them if they continued such actions. He asserted that Jamaat members would not be silenced by attacks or conspiracies and called on the authorities to end political provocation and return to lawful politics. The rally, presided over by Rupnagar Thana Ameer Abu Hanif, was attended by several local leaders and concluded after marching through major roads in Mirpur-11.

According to reports, the previous day’s attack injured 10 to 15 Jamaat activists, including a ward councilor candidate. MP Abdul Baten blamed Rupnagar police for failing to prevent the incident and demanded the arrest of those responsible.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) prevented an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push 20 people into Bangladesh through the Chauka border in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj. The incident occurred late Friday night and became public on Saturday. BGB’s firm stance led to a brief face-off between the two border forces before BSF withdrew and halted the push-in attempt.

According to local sources and BGB officials, the 20 individuals included 11 women, four children, and five men. After the standoff, they were kept on the Indian side of the no-man’s land and later taken back by members of the 119 BSF Battalion from Sukdebpur Camp. Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, commander of the 59 BGB Battalion, confirmed the incident and said the attempt was successfully resisted.

He added that BGB remains on high alert along the border and has intensified patrols and surveillance to prevent any future push-in attempts.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP, called on citizens to be ready for another inevitable revolution to resist neo-fascism. He made the remarks on Saturday, June 20, 2026, while addressing a divisional rally of the 11-party alliance at Khulna Circuit House ground. He said 200 million people are prepared to defend the country’s independence and sovereignty, warning that submission to hegemonic powers would not be tolerated.

The rally was organized to press demands including implementation of referendum results, alleviation of public suffering, and control of commodity prices. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar presided over the event, with LDP President Col. (Retd.) Dr. Oli Ahmed and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque among the special guests. Dr. Rahman criticized the previous Awami League government for breaking promises on democracy and social justice and accused it of using state forces against citizens.

He cautioned that if parliamentary solutions fail, mass movements from fields across major cities could create a new wave of public awakening that would eventually form the next government.

Former Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Mohammad Tajul Islam stated that all citizens are united on the question of national sovereignty. In a Facebook post on Saturday, he emphasized that while criticism and debate are natural, everyone should stand together when it comes to defending the nation’s borders.

Speaking earlier on Friday at a workshop held at the Abdul Karim Sahityabisharad Auditorium of Bangla Academy in Dhaka, Tajul Islam discussed the July killings, describing them as crimes against humanity under international law rather than genocide. He questioned why investigations and trials related to these crimes have slowed, noting that no new investigation reports or trials had been initiated in the past four months.

Tajul Islam urged that the trials of those responsible for the July killings be completed swiftly, warning that failure to do so could embolden those who previously acted with impunity.

At least 24 people were killed and 97 others injured as police and security forces opened fire during ongoing protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, according to media reports on Saturday. Authorities have detained 515 people, while strikes, road blockades, and internet disruptions have spread across the region. The situation remains tense, with curfews imposed and media access restricted.

The protests, ongoing for nearly two weeks, erupted over the decision to reserve 12 of the 45 legislative assembly seats for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir in the upcoming July 27 election. The movement has been led by the recently banned civil rights group Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). Police chief Liaqat Ali Malik said the main center of the protests is Rawalakot, located about 100 kilometers south of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir.

Authorities have cut off major roads and internet connections in an effort to control the unrest, while the region remains under tight security and limited media presence.

The U.S. Department of Defense requires an additional $800 billion to fund the ongoing Iran war and other non-war expenditures, according to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg. He disclosed this during a phone call with U.S. lawmakers earlier this week, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. A supplementary budget proposal is expected to be sent to Congress within days, including allocations for defense as well as non-defense sectors such as agriculture and disaster relief. Neither the Pentagon nor the White House has commented on the report, and Reuters could not independently verify it.

In April, a Pentagon official told Reuters that approximately $250 billion had already been spent on the Iran war, marking the first official cost estimate. The total cost of the conflict, launched jointly by President Donald Trump and Israel on February 28, remains unclear. A previous $200 billion funding proposal faced strong opposition in Congress.

Budget debates continue as the White House defends Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion annual military budget, which reflects Republican priorities ahead of the November midterm elections.

A human chain was held in Purbadhala, Netrokona, on Saturday, June 20, 2026, protesting against Hindutva-inspired provocative statements and the initiative to build a large Ram statue in Gaibandha’s Palashbari as part of a Ram temple project. The event took place in front of the Purbadhala Press Club under the banner of “Tawhidi Janata, Purbadhala,” with participation from religious scholars, students, professionals, and local citizens.

Speakers at the demonstration said that any activity contrary to Bangladesh’s religious values, social harmony, and national sovereignty would not be tolerated. They condemned the statue initiative and recent inflammatory remarks, calling them threats to peace and communal harmony. Emphasizing Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty, they warned against foreign influence and divisive agendas.

Speakers also highlighted that Islam promotes justice, tolerance, and human dignity, rejecting oppression or discrimination. They stressed the joint responsibility of the state and society to protect minority rights and religious freedom, urging authorities to act against incitement and preserve communal harmony. The event concluded with a special prayer for national peace and prosperity.

Bangladesh and China are expected to sign between 15 and 17 bilateral agreements during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to China, according to Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam. The accords may include 13 memorandums of understanding, two agreements, one action plan, and one protocol. Discussions on the Teesta project are also scheduled during the visit. The announcement came at a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ahead of the Prime Minister’s visits to Malaysia and China.

The Prime Minister will depart for Kuala Lumpur on Sunday at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and will travel to China on Monday at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. This will be his first foreign trip since the government took office in February. The delegation will be limited to 27–28 members. The visit is viewed as a key diplomatic initiative to strengthen economic partnerships, attract foreign investment, and enhance regional connectivity.

During the China leg, the Prime Minister will attend the 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (Summer Davos Forum) in Dalian and meet Chinese leaders, including Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has expressed concern over possible provocations linked to the Prime Minister’s upcoming foreign trip. Speaking on Saturday at a discussion titled “Bangladesh ICT Industry 2030: Challenges, Opportunities and Strategic Reforms,” organized by the Nationalist ICT Forum at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, he said he sensed vague indications of attempts to create unrest in the country during the visit.

Rizvi stated that the current government, elected after a long struggle, carries the term “nationalist” in its name, symbolizing independence, sovereignty, and democracy. He emphasized that the government would not take actions that could weaken national sovereignty and must move forward while facing conspiracies. He added that the Prime Minister’s foreign visits aim to strengthen Bangladesh’s international relations and economic growth based on a strong foreign policy.

He also mentioned that the government has announced a new policy focusing on the software and IT sector, including initiatives such as “One Citizen, One ID” and “One Digital, One Wallet,” designed to integrate the state system within an ICT framework.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced that Bangladesh has sent an extradition request to the United Arab Emirates to bring back former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed, who was detained in Dubai. The request, accompanied by case documents, was sent through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the UAE’s Ministry of Interior under the ‘NCB Abu Dhabi’. The minister expressed hope that the UAE government would complete the necessary procedures soon and return Benazir to Bangladesh.

Speaking at the Secretariat after presenting awards to police officers for their contributions to law and order, Salahuddin Ahmed said that Interpol had informed Bangladesh via email on June 12 about Benazir’s arrest. He added that all required documents were prepared and sent within three days of receiving the notice.

The minister also commented on the improved performance of the police under the current elected government and mentioned that law and order had strengthened, citing a recent quick response to a robbery case in Mohammadpur.

A video showing Pirzada Said Uddin Ahmad Hanjala, Member of Parliament for Madaripur-1, behaving angrily during a local arbitration meeting in Shibchar upazila has gone viral on social media. The one-minute clip shows him slamming a table and scolding attendees, sparking widespread discussion and criticism in social and political circles.

According to local sources, the incident occurred in Dattapara area during a meeting involving BNP activist Tara Mia. Witnesses said the situation became heated when both sides argued, prompting the MP to lose his temper. Tara Mia claimed the MP tried to deliver a one-sided verdict without allowing others to speak, while Hanjala said he only raised his voice to control the situation and that the dispute was resolved peacefully.

The video’s circulation has triggered broad debate in the area, with differing accounts from participants leading to public questions about the conduct and fairness of the arbitration process.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will undertake his first bilateral visit to China from June 22 to 26, following an official trip to Malaysia. The visit includes participation in the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Dalian on June 23, followed by high-level meetings in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and senior Communist Party officials. Over ten memoranda of understanding and three agreements are expected to be signed, covering education, human resource development, agriculture, trade, investment, artificial intelligence, media, communication, and development cooperation.

Officials from Bangladesh’s foreign ministry describe the visit as politically and strategically significant, marking a new foundation for Dhaka–Beijing relations. The two sides are expected to announce a joint declaration, the first since 2005, and formalize cooperation between the Communist Party of China and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Discussions may include Bangladesh’s support for China’s position on Taiwan, participation in the Global Development Initiative, and potential membership in RCEP, BRICS, and the SCO.

Analysts view the trip as a calculated move amid regional tensions and as an opportunity for Bangladesh to secure economic and strategic support from China while balancing broader geopolitical interests.

The suspension of the Feni District Jubo Dal Committee has been withdrawn. The announcement was made on Friday through a notice signed by Minhazul Islam Bhuiyan, Assistant Office Secretary of the Central Jubo Dal. The decision reverses the earlier suspension order issued on May 4, 2026, and reinstates the committee’s activities. The directive was implemented under the authority of Central President Abdul Monayem Munna and General Secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayon.

According to the notice, the earlier suspension had been imposed as a disciplinary measure. The committee was penalized after one of its ward-level general secretaries was found to be an accused in a case related to an attack on the motorcade of former Prime Minister and late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Allegations of internal disorder also contributed to the earlier action.

The withdrawal of the suspension restores the Feni District Jubo Dal’s organizational functions under central supervision, signaling a return to regular political activities in the district.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that she asked to take a photo with him, calling it a “made-up story.” The dispute began after Trump told Italy’s La7 television channel that Meloni had requested a photo during the recent G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France. In response, Meloni expressed shock on Instagram, questioning why the US president behaves this way toward allied nations and asserting that neither she nor Italy begs for anyone’s favor.

Following the controversy, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani canceled his planned visit to the United States. Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella and leaders across the political spectrum voiced support for Meloni, condemning Trump’s remarks as disrespectful. Opposition senator Filippo Sensi, former prime minister Giuseppe Conte, and coalition leader Matteo Salvini all defended Meloni’s stance.

Analysts and diplomats cited the fallout as part of a broader rift between Europe and the US, intensified by Trump’s Iran war policy. Several European leaders, including Meloni, have refused to allow US bombers to use their bases, signaling a shift toward greater European strategic independence.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam announced that discussions on free trade will take place during Prime Minister Tarek Rahman's upcoming visit to Malaysia. He said there is also a possibility of signing a cultural cooperation agreement. The announcement came during a press briefing on Saturday morning.

According to the foreign secretary, the delegation will include the foreign minister, information minister, and a total of 27 members. Dhaka expects to sign two agreements and 13 memorandums of understanding during the visit. The trip will also focus on facilitating the entry of more Bangladeshi workers into Malaysia’s labor market, though final decisions depend on Malaysia’s internal review process.

This will be Prime Minister Rahman’s first foreign trip since taking office after winning the February election. The visit is scheduled for June 21–22, followed by travel to Beijing on June 23 and a return to Dhaka on June 26.