At the UNDP Rule of Law Conference in New York, Bangladesh’s Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refat Ahmed praised the youth-led protests during the July-August 2024 revolution for their courageous stand against injustice and repression. He revealed that their sacrifice inspires his judicial reform agenda aimed at restoring equality and independence in the justice system, despite challenges like case backlogs and political influence. He thanked UNDP and UN agencies for their ongoing support in judicial and human rights reforms.

During Professor Muhammad Yunus’s UK visit as head of Bangladesh's interim government, three anti-corruption organizations—Transparency International Bangladesh, Transparency International UK, and Spotlight on Corruption—called on the UK government to take urgent steps to freeze and return illicit funds laundered from Bangladesh. They demanded sanctions against corrupt individuals, asset recovery efforts, and stronger enforcement. Investigations revealed at least £400 million in UK assets linked to allies of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The UK was urged to support Bangladesh's push for democratic reform and accountability.

GOP leader Abu Hanif has accused the Awami League of committing mass killings during the July uprising, claiming that many of those responsible are still roaming freely. “Some people are even providing them shelter,” he said, adding that this situation exists in Kishoreganj as well.

Hanif alleged that leaders from both new and old political parties are protecting those who opened fire on students and civilians, often making deals involving large sums of money to shield these individuals from justice. “We demand that these killers be arrested without delay,” he asserted.

He further accused a section of the party’s advisory council of being agents of Western interests, emphasizing that the July uprising was not only against the Awami League but also against India’s influence in Bangladesh.

BNP Vice Chairman Tareq Rahman is scheduled to meet Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government, on the morning of June 13. According to the Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam, the meeting will have no fixed format but aims to discuss key issues such as Bangladesh’s current political climate, election scheduling, proposed reforms, and the July Charter. The announcement was made in response to questions from local media in London on June 10.

In response to questions about whether the BNP would allocate some parliamentary seats to its allies, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "This is very normal in parliamentary politics. It should be a natural process. After the elections, we will form a national government."

When asked about speculations that Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Republic Party might be given seats through negotiations, Fakhrul responded, "I have no idea about that. Such discussions might be happening, but as the Secretary General, I am not aware of any formal talks in this regard. In parliamentary democracy, there’s no such thing as a 'final word.' Even bitter rivals sometimes form alliances. So, seat-sharing with allies is quite normal in this context. After the election, our aim is to form a national government."

However, Fakhrul ruled out any possibility of forming alliances with the Awami League or Jatiya Party, branding them as forces of repression.

Speculation is rising that PTI founder Imran Khan may be released on bail on Wednesday in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said his party will not oppose any court decision to grant Khan bail, stating it is his legal right. PTI senior leader Gohar Ali Khan confirmed that the Islamabad High Court will hear the appeals of Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi on June 11, which could be a decisive day for both.

The much-discussed meeting between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman was finalized during a BNP Standing Committee meeting, with Tarique joining virtually from London. The initiative reportedly came from the interim government after Yunus’s UK visit was announced. Despite days of speculation, both parties remained silent until the decision was confirmed. The meeting is set for June 13 at London’s Dorchester Hotel. BNP leaders believe it could ease political tensions and influence the country’s future political direction.

California has filed a federal lawsuit against Donald Trump for deploying thousands of National Guard and Marine troops to Los Angeles without consulting state authorities. The deployment followed days of protests against Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown. The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco, claims Trump violated the U.S. Constitution. It also demands that deployed forces operate under state, not federal, command. Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta called the troop deployment unlawful, escalating tensions between state and federal authorities.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has confidently stated that Tarique Rahman will surely return to Bangladesh in the near future. “Tarique Rahman will definitely come back to the country, without a doubt. He will return very soon,” he affirmed.

Commenting on the upcoming election timeline, Mirza Fakhrul said, “I have said from the beginning that the timing is not suitable for elections. The polls are scheduled in April, which coincides with the holy month of Ramadan. The fast will end, and Eid will be celebrated. A few days after Eid, the election will take place. Imagine the condition of the candidates during Ramadan… and what about the political workers? Frankly, I am worried that I will have to host iftar parties every day. This is no joke. It is a significant challenge. The campaign expenses for candidates will double, and when we call to reduce election expenses, costs actually increase during that period.”

He further added, “Most elections in Bangladesh have been held during December, November, or January. Only twice were they held at different times, and both elections were problematic.”

The National Citizen Party has officially approved a 21-member coordination committee for Brahmanpara upazila in Cumilla. Zahurul Islam Sarkar has been appointed as the Chief Coordinator, with Masud Alam, Billal Hossain, Tanvir Hossain Sumon, and Junaid Bogdadi serving as Joint Coordinators.

Other committee members include Rashedul Islam Rasel, Majharul Islam, Azizur Rahman Chowdhury, Robiul Islam, Enamul Haque, Abu Bakar, Saidul Islam, Khairul Alam, Rashedul Alam Rocky, Ziaur Rahman, Mariam Bibi, Enamul Haque, Mehedi Hasan, Sohel Rana Sohrab, Borhan Uddin Chowdhury, and Iman Uddin, among others.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to raise defence spending to 2% of GDP this fiscal year—five years ahead of schedule—to reduce Canada’s reliance on the US for defence. Warning of threats from Russia and China, Carney stressed that Canada must prioritize domestic production and diversify military procurement. The move comes ahead of the G7 and Nato summits, with defence a top agenda. Carney also criticized America’s growing protectionism and dominance over key military assets like the F-35 fighter jets.

Mahmud Hasan Khan, the newly elected President of BGMEA, emphasized that politics should not become a platform for personal or business interests. “I have always been here to serve the welfare of the people. Even if I fail to help someone, I will never cause harm to anyone,” he said, promising integrity and public service in his new role.

Most irrigation projects in Lakhai, Habiganj, have reportedly been under the control of Awami League leaders and activists, despite the organization being declared illegal by authorities. Local farmers allege that they were forced to pay charges three to four times higher than the official rates. Shockingly, portions of this extorted money are allegedly being used to fund anti-government plots in the name of ‘organizing the League.’

The farmers claim that the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) conducted a field investigation but failed to take any meaningful action. AM Rakibul Haque, Assistant Engineer of BADC and Member Secretary of the Upazila Irrigation Committee, admitted, "We conducted an initial investigation and found irregularities. A letter has already been issued instructing the return of the excess paddy collected from the farmers. If the allegations are proven, the individual involved will be banned from participating in next year's tender process."

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Professor Mujibur Rahman stated that the people of Bangladesh have been deprived of peace for 54 years.
Referring to the student protests on August 5 as a turning point, he said: “We will no longer tolerate farcical elections like those in 2014, 2018, and the voter-less 2024 polls.”
He emphasized that the upcoming election, expected in April, must be preceded by justice for past crimes and systemic reforms.

At least 10 people were injured in an unexpected attack on an anti-fascist rally organized by the BNP and its affiliates in Matlab Uttar, Chandpur. The rally, led by supporters of BNP central committee member Dr. Jalal Uddin, was held in the presence of police. Despite this, around 30-40 attackers assaulted the participants with sticks and local weapons. Injured activists were taken to the Upazila Health Complex, with one referred to Dhaka. Police said legal action would follow upon receiving a written complaint.