Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed advised Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud to thoroughly study related matters before making any commitments in the National Parliament. The advice came on Sunday during a parliamentary session after the minister responded to a supplementary question from MP Rumin Farhana regarding gas supply to the Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory.

Rumin Farhana reminded the minister that he had earlier promised gas supply to the factory by May 1, but more than a month had passed without fulfillment. She also highlighted severe power shortages in rural areas, describing them as lasting 10 to 12 hours daily. In reply, the minister disagreed with her assessment, citing a gas shortage and the need to prioritize power plants. He said gas supply would resume once the situation improved and mentioned that drilling activities had recently begun after a long gap.

Following the exchange, the Speaker urged ministers to be more responsible when making parliamentary commitments, emphasizing the need for prior study of technical and logistical factors before giving assurances.

Local residents detained 45 people after members of the banned Chhatra League staged a 24-second flash procession on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Comilla’s Sadar Dakshin upazila on Sunday afternoon. Police later seized three microbuses and two buses used in the procession and confirmed that legal action was underway against those detained. The sudden rally took place near the Matiyara area on the Dhaka-bound lane of the highway.

Eyewitnesses said several vehicles carrying a large number of Chhatra League activists suddenly stopped, and participants briefly marched on the road before being chased by locals. Sources claimed the event was preplanned, initially intended for Nimsar in Burichong upazila but shifted to Matiyara at the last moment. Local residents and political activists intervened, capturing several participants before police arrived.

Comilla Sadar Dakshin Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Rakibul Islam said additional police forces were deployed in the area to maintain order and strengthen surveillance following the incident.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has expressed concern over the construction of a large Hindu religious complex in Palashbari, Gaibandha, and the participation of foreign diplomatic representatives in related religious events. In a joint statement issued on Sunday, the group’s Amir Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari and Secretary General Sajidur Rahman called for a transparent and impartial investigation to address public questions surrounding the matter.

The statement emphasized that Bangladesh is a sovereign state where citizens have constitutional rights to practice their religion freely. The leaders urged respect for all faiths and citizens’ rights, noting that the government must examine the funding sources, roles of involved individuals and institutions, and the frequent involvement of foreign diplomats in such activities.

Hefazat leaders further stated that any foreign-linked activities that could affect internal affairs or social balance should be carefully assessed. They urged relevant ministries, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement to review the issue professionally and transparently, ensuring that communal harmony and legitimate rights of any religious community are not undermined.

Member of Parliament for Noakhali-2, Zainul Abdin Faruk, has raised concerns over the uncontrolled spread of unverified content through YouTube and other online platforms. Speaking during the question-and-answer session of the national budget session on Sunday, he said that journalism cards are being distributed across almost all upazilas and even union levels, often to individuals without formal training or qualifications. He urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to investigate who is issuing these cards and to consider bringing such activities under a regulatory framework.

In response, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasir Khan Chowdhury told Parliament that the ministry is already working on issues of misinformation and disinformation. He said that a special team has been formed to monitor such activities and to take legal action against those involved. The minister assured that the team’s scope and detailed operations will soon be officially announced.

Both lawmakers emphasized that unregulated media practices could harm public trust in journalism and hinder democratic and developmental progress.

The third meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament was held at the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The meeting, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, MP, was attended by Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tareq Rahman, MP, along with other committee members including the Leader of the Opposition Md. Shafiqul Rahman, several ministers, and senior parliamentary officials. Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, MP, joined the meeting as a special invitee.

The committee discussed the allocation of time and duration for the upcoming budget session. It was decided that the session would be held daily at 3 p.m., except on public holidays, and would conclude on 9 July 2026. The meeting also proposed holding two sittings per day from 27 to 30 June. The Speaker was authorized to make any necessary changes to the session’s schedule or working days.

A total of 3,228 questions were received for the session, including 191 for the Prime Minister and 3,037 for other ministers. Additionally, 98 notices under Rule 71 and 293 decision proposals under Rule 131 were submitted.

Student Jamiat Bangladesh distributed cold water and saline to teachers and instructors participating in a sit-in program demanding MPO inclusion for non-MPO recognized educational institutions. The initiative took place on Sunday afternoon in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, where the group also distributed water and saline to the general public in the Paltan area.

According to Student Jamiat representatives, the effort was a humanitarian response to the ongoing severe heat and adverse weather conditions affecting the protesting teachers. Central and local leaders of the organization, including Jubaer Hossain, Kamrul Islam, and Ahmad Naziri, were present during the distribution.

Teachers from various non-MPO schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions have been demonstrating for a long time to be included under the MPO scheme. Their current sit-in in front of the National Press Club is part of this continuing movement.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called for allocating at least 8 percent of the national budget to the health sector, citing severe mismanagement and inequality in current allocations. The demand was made during a human chain program held on Sunday in front of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka, organized by the party’s medical wing to protest what it termed health sector mismanagement and attempts to rehabilitate fascist elements.

Speaking as chief guest, Mohammad Selim Uddin, Jamaat’s Dhaka North city mayoral candidate, criticized widespread corruption, political interference, and irregularities in hospitals. He alleged that despite sufficient budget allocations, substandard equipment is often supplied, and medicines meant for public hospitals are diverted to private pharmacies. He also accused the government of politically motivated transfers and promotions of doctors.

Other speakers, including Dr. S.M. Khaliduzzaman, highlighted that developed countries allocate 10–15 percent of their budgets to health, while Bangladesh spends only 2–3 percent. Participants demanded transparency, accountability, and a corruption-free health administration to ensure equitable healthcare for all citizens.

In the Bangladesh Parliament on Sunday, NCP lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah from Cumilla-4 alleged that journalists who had legitimized enforced disappearances, killings, vote rigging, and mass violence over the past 17 years were being rehabilitated in various media outlets. He questioned whether any legal action would be taken against such individuals or media houses. Responding on behalf of the information and broadcasting minister, State Minister Yasir Khan Chowdhury said that while media freedom exists, anyone—journalist, politician, or businessman—who acts against democracy or engages in terrorism will face legal consequences under existing laws.

Hasnat Abdullah further claimed that certain media organizations, including those under Bashundhara Group’s East West Media, had produced content supporting the ruling party and legitimizing violence. He demanded an explanation of the legal basis for their rehabilitation. Supporting part of his concern, ruling party MP Zainul Abedin Faruk from Noakhali-2 raised issues about unqualified individuals claiming to be journalists and spreading misinformation online. In reply, Yasir Khan Chowdhury said a monitoring team was being formed to address misinformation and bring offenders under legal scrutiny.

The state minister added that the team’s scope and activities would be announced soon.

Abdul Hannan Masud, Member of Parliament for Noakhali-6 (Hatiya), raised concerns in parliament about the dismissal of four journalists from Ekattor TV. Speaking during the question-and-answer session on Sunday, he said that although the government has spoken about press freedom, four journalists from a private television channel were terminated after the current administration took office.

Masud asked why the issue of these four journalists has not yet been resolved and whether the government has conducted any investigation into the matter. He also questioned if their dismissal constitutes interference with the freedom of the press. Earlier in the same session, the names of 16 deceased former ministers, state ministers, whips, and members of parliament, including Tofail Ahmed, were included in a condolence motion.

The discussion took place during the first day of the second session of the national parliament, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, who read out the names of the deceased MPs.

Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapon left Dhaka on Sunday afternoon for an official visit to China. Before his departure from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s VIP lounge, he met with Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen for a brief discussion on matters related to the trip. Swapon is scheduled to attend the 5th CMG Forum organized by China Media Group from June 8 to 11.

During the visit, the minister is expected to hold an important bilateral meeting with China’s Information Minister. The discussions will cover information management, cooperation in the media sector, development of digital communication systems, and information exchange. The possibility of signing a memorandum of understanding on information management between Bangladesh and China is also on the agenda.

Officials expect that this visit will further strengthen mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and China in the fields of information and media.

The Bangladesh Parliament expressed deep condolences over the murder of Mirpur child Ramisa and several other victims, including Fahima Mim, Amina of Narsingdi, and Tabassum Akter, during its second session on Sunday. The condolence motion was raised by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and later adopted by the House. Members observed a minute of silence and offered prayers in memory of the deceased.

The session also mourned the deaths of 16 former ministers and MPs, including Tofail Ahmed, AKM Rahmat Ullah, Dabirul Islam, and others from various political parties such as the Awami League, BNP, and Jatiya Party. Condolences were also extended for the deaths of prominent cultural and academic figures, including National Professor Sufia Ahmed, poet Helal Hafiz, and musician Mustafa Zaman Abbasi.

Following parliamentary tradition, the House began its first sitting by paying tribute to deceased national figures and victims of recent tragedies, reflecting a gesture of unity and respect across political and social spheres.

Opposition members of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament held a key meeting on Sunday afternoon ahead of the first budget session. The meeting took place at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban under the chairmanship of Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. It was attended by Deputy Opposition Leader Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam, and other opposition MPs including Jamaat’s women affairs secretary Nurunnisa Siddika.

During the meeting, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that the opposition would play a strong and constructive role in protecting the economic rights of ordinary citizens and in building a welfare-oriented state during the upcoming budget session. The participants discussed the opposition’s stance and strategies for the session.

The meeting was held as part of preparations for the national budget discussions, signaling the opposition’s intent to engage actively in parliamentary proceedings.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim has accused the current government of conspiring to destroy Islami Bank by handing it over to a controversial businessman. Speaking as chief guest at a discussion titled “Conspiracy Against Islami Bank, Financial Security and Customers’ Rights” at the National Press Club on Sunday, he said the party and bank customers would not allow such a plan to succeed.

Halim stated that Islami Bank was founded on the principle that business should be halal and interest is haram, and warned that any attempt to destabilize financial institutions would harm the government itself. He emphasized that the bank’s three crore customers could not be ignored and that politicization of the banking sector must stop. Other speakers, including media personality Dr. Faizul Haque and retired military officers, also criticized the government’s handling of Islami Bank and warned of political consequences.

The event was organized by Nagorik Moncho and chaired by its chief coordinator Ahsan Ullah Shamim, with participation from several professionals and political figures.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sharply criticized European countries’ migration policies during a speech in Normandy, France. Speaking at an event on June 7, 2026, he said migrants were “attacking” Europe’s shores and blamed European nations for failing to take adequate measures to stop the influx. Hegseth’s remarks compared the current situation to the 1944 Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe, suggesting that today’s European beaches face a different kind of threat.

He specifically mentioned Spain, Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria as countries where boats carrying migrants continue to arrive. His comments come amid growing political debate across Europe over migration, with opinion polls showing increasing support for parties advocating stricter immigration controls.

The speech underscores the rising tension between US and European perspectives on migration management and highlights how the issue remains central to European politics ahead of upcoming elections and policy discussions.

The government of Bangladesh has announced extensive programs to observe July Uprising Day 2026 with due state honor. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has issued directives to various ministries, departments, agencies, and field administrations to prepare for the nationwide celebration. An inter-ministerial meeting was held earlier, and its proceedings have been circulated to all relevant institutions for implementation. The ministry’s letter, signed by a deputy secretary, confirmed that preparations are underway from the highest levels of government to local administrations.

According to the ministry, the Cabinet Division, Prime Minister’s Office, Armed Forces Division, law enforcement agencies, and local administrations have been engaged in the planning. Media and communication agencies, including Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, have been instructed to promote the significance of the day. The program will include discussions, commemorations, cultural events, photo exhibitions, and special publications.

Field-level officials, including divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and police officers, have also been directed to organize coordinated events at regional levels. The initiative aims to highlight the historical importance of the July Uprising through nationwide participation and awareness activities.