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.

NCP Member of Parliament Nahid Islam stated during a budget discussion on Sunday that the newly appointed Indian High Commissioner should have apologized upon arriving in Bangladesh. He alleged that India had directly and indirectly supported the Awami League’s hold on power and should seek forgiveness for its role over the past 16 years. Nahid also accused India of sheltering individuals involved in past violence and criticized recent border killings by Indian forces.

He urged the government to curb corruption, implement the July Charter, and bring to justice those involved in money laundering and economic exploitation. Nahid criticized the concentration of political and economic power under the Awami League, claiming that a few companies now dominate Bangladesh’s business sector. He also called for reforms in the banking sector and accountability for major business groups accused of corruption.

Nahid emphasized the need for structural reforms, fair governance, and the implementation of referendum-based reforms to combat corruption and protect Bangladesh’s sovereignty and democracy.

Jamaat-e-Islami Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahman stated that state activities should be conducted in every mosque across Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Sunday while participating in the general discussion on the proposed national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year in the Jatiya Sangsad.

During his speech, Mujibur Rahman criticized the absence of the term 'zakat' in the finance minister’s 34-page budget speech, arguing that an Islamic economy should include zakat as a central element. He said that if the model followed is that of Medina, interest must be abolished and zakat implemented. He also commented on the cultural background of the finance and home ministers, referring to their familiarity with Quranic teachings.

The MP further objected to the government’s reliance on debt, saying the country should not be run through borrowing. He emphasized that Bangladesh should operate using its own resources rather than depending on loans.

During Sunday’s budget discussion in the Bangladesh Parliament, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee posed a pointed question to Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman, asking whether BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders would again go to jail together. The minister made the remark while criticizing the opposition and recalling past political struggles under Khaleda Zia’s leadership, emphasizing the importance of unity.

Chowdhury humorously responded to the opposition leader’s inaudible comment by saying, “Shall we go to jail again?” before asserting that such a situation would not recur because the people stand with Tarique Rahman and the legacy of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia. He further stated that the BNP-led government would not act out of vengeance, claiming that good governance and development projects would serve as their response.

The minister highlighted ongoing water resource initiatives, including dredging 20,000 kilometers of canals and addressing river erosion across major rivers. He also mentioned plans for the Padma Barrage and the Teesta Master Plan, noting China’s assurance of support for Bangladesh’s river management efforts.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam told the National Parliament on Sunday that many leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have increased their wealth even while being imprisoned during the Awami League government. He added that due to security concerns, he has to rent a car for travel but has not yet been able to pay the rent for the current month.

Earlier in the same session, Jamaat-e-Islami Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahman stated that state activities should be conducted in every mosque across Bangladesh. Participating in the general discussion on the proposed 2026–27 national budget, he said that if the country follows the principles of Medina, interest must be abolished and zakat should be implemented.

Mujibur Rahman criticized the absence of the word “zakat” in the national budget, noting that although the finance minister’s 34-page budget speech covered many topics, it did not include a zakat-based economic framework.

Pakistan’s media regulator PEMRA has suspended the broadcast license of Geo News for 15 days, citing allegations that the channel aired content offensive to religious sentiments. According to Reuters, the decision followed the airing of a special program titled “Safar-e-Ishq” on June 26, which reportedly contained scenes that provoked public complaints. PEMRA stated that the material could incite unrest and threaten law and order, prompting the suspension order issued late on June 27. The directive applies to all distribution platforms, including satellite and cable networks.

In a statement on June 28, Geo News apologized for the incident, describing the broadcast as an unintentional error and confirming that the disputed content had been removed from all its platforms. Local media reported that Ibtisam Zahid, head of Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith, filed the complaint that led to the investigation. PEMRA has also instructed Geo News to review its editorial oversight and internal monitoring systems.

Religious sensitivity remains a highly regulated issue in Pakistan, where similar controversies have previously affected other media outlets. The country ranks 153rd out of 180 in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.

National Parliament Whip ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan has called for vigilance to ensure that the spirit of the July Movement is not undermined by any bureaucrat, lawmaker, or minister. Speaking on Monday during the general discussion on the proposed 2026–27 national budget, the Lakshmipur-4 MP emphasized that honoring July fighters should go beyond allowances or declarations and be reflected in administrative decisions as well.

Nizan shared personal experiences from visiting July fighters receiving treatment in Bangkok before Eid-ul-Azha, recounting the story of a wounded fighter and his wife who married after the July events. He criticized bureaucratic insensitivity in handling the fighter’s employment and urged that the ideals of the movement be preserved across all levels of governance.

He also praised the constructive tone of the current budget discussions between the ruling and opposition parties, citing patience and restraint as key democratic values. Nizan further called for initiatives to support activists affected during the 17-year movement and warned government members against actions that could humiliate the BNP or its leadership.

U.S. President Donald Trump has again issued a stern warning against Iran, saying the United States is prepared to increase military pressure if necessary. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, Trump wrote that a time may come when the U.S. will have no choice but to complete the military action it had successfully begun, suggesting that such a move could end the existence of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Defense analyst and former Austrian military attaché Wolfgang Pusztai told Al Jazeera that Trump’s remarks should not be taken literally. He said the comments were aimed not only at Iran or the international community but also at domestic political audiences in the United States. According to Pusztai, such threats are not unusual for Trump, who knows that additional military pressure or new attacks would not significantly harm Iran.

Pusztai added that Washington might consider reimposing a blockade in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, warning that such a situation could again expose Gulf countries to heightened regional tensions.

During Sunday’s budget session of the National Parliament, ruling BNP lawmaker and state minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat cited Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman as saying that the July 2024 mass uprising took place under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. Millat added that the opposition leader had earlier expressed gratitude to Tarique Rahman for his intellectual and successful leadership during the movement, which he said brought the nation to its current position.

In response, opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman rejected the idea of a single mastermind behind the movement. He stated that after August 5, he had clarified that the success of the uprising was due to collective leadership, and all those involved deserved respect and love. The debate followed earlier remarks by interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, who in a U.S. event had named Mahfuz Alam as the mastermind of the 2024 uprising.

Tarique Rahman also dismissed Yunus’s claim, asserting that there was no single mastermind and that credit should go to Bangladesh’s youth and its 180 million people.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker ATM Azharul Islam from Rangpur-2 urged the government to bring those involved in what he termed the 'judicial killings' of Jamaat leaders to justice. Speaking during the national budget session chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal, he alleged that five senior Jamaat leaders, including Motiur Rahman Nizami and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, were executed through false cases. He also claimed that six other central leaders, including Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, died in prison without medical care.

Azharul Islam criticized what he described as continued political discrimination against opposition MPs and said Jamaat had faced the worst repression in the country’s history. He called for moral and religious education reforms, an interest-free economy through Islamic bonds, and measures to curb corruption. He also questioned the government’s commitment to political stability and reform, urging implementation of the “July Charter” and a national referendum.

The MP further demanded immediate construction of the Teesta Barrage, road development, and fulfillment of madrasa teachers’ demands, emphasizing that political stability and integrity are essential for successful budget implementation.