During the ongoing G7 summit in France, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for a key discussion on the U.S.-Iran agreement and Middle Eastern geopolitics. Speaking to reporters afterward, Trump asserted that Israel would not exist without his backing, claiming Iran was only two weeks away from developing nuclear weapons before its previous leadership was eliminated. He added that Iran now has a more rational leadership.

Trump criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the Lebanon issue, urging him to act more responsibly. He condemned Israel’s airstrike in Beirut just before the Iran deal announcement, calling it unacceptable. Referring to the Lebanon situation as a “small war,” Trump suggested Israel should let Syria handle Hezbollah, saying Syria could manage it better.

Praising Qatar’s mediation efforts, Trump commended the country’s courage and firm stance. Emir Sheikh Tamim described the U.S.-Iran deal as a highly positive step for the region, expressing optimism about future progress if current momentum continues.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mujibur Rahman raised an objection in the Bangladesh Parliament regarding the practice of bowing the head when entering the chamber. Speaking on a point of order during Tuesday’s session, he argued that the gesture, traditionally used by members to show respect, conflicts with Islamic teachings and could be considered an act of shirk. He reminded the House that a previous amendment to parliamentary procedure had removed the requirement for bowing.

Addressing the Speaker, Rahman noted that despite the amendment, some members, including the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, still maintained the habit of bowing. He urged all members to follow the revised rule to avoid religious impropriety and gain spiritual merit. In response, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said he would review the procedural rules to confirm whether the change had been formally adopted.

The Speaker added that such gestures are personal choices and common in parliaments worldwide but assured that he would verify the matter based on past parliamentary decisions.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that if the implementation of the July Charter, endorsed through a referendum, is not resolved in Parliament, the issue will be taken to the streets. Speaking at a press briefing in the LD Hall of the National Parliament on Tuesday, he emphasized that the opposition will not abandon the people's demand and remains committed to fulfilling it.

Dr. Rahman announced that the opposition will not join the government’s proposed committee on constitutional amendment, arguing that the referendum reflected the people’s desire for constitutional reform, not amendment. He clarified that the opposition would consider participating only if a committee for reform, rather than amendment, is formed. He also stressed that the opposition will act responsibly in Parliament, avoiding personal attacks or praise, and will walk out only if their logical proposals are dismissed.

He further highlighted issues raised by the opposition in Parliament, including the banking crisis, expatriate concerns, and border push-in incidents, noting that the government has yet to respond to their proposals for a parliamentary task force.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that the current democratic government no longer intimidates the media as in past authoritarian eras but aims to act as a genuine partner in addressing journalists’ professional issues. He made the remarks on June 16, 2026, at a discussion marking 'Newspaper Black Day' at the National Press Club in Dhaka, organized by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ).

Swapan recalled the 1975 constitutional amendment that established one-party rule and suppressed press freedom, describing it as a dark chapter in Bangladesh’s history. He urged recognition of new challenges posed by artificial intelligence and digital media, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to counter misinformation and misuse of technology. He also highlighted the global trend of citizen journalism and mentioned that countries like Australia, the UK, and the EU have enacted new laws to regulate it.

The minister announced that the government plans to form a powerful quasi-judicial Media Commission soon and called for a high-level policy forum to guide the Information Ministry in ensuring media freedom and accountability.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the Awami League and democracy have never gone together, not even since the party’s inception. He made the remark on Tuesday at the National Press Club in Dhaka while addressing a discussion organized by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) marking Newspaper Black Day.

Mirza Fakhrul described himself as a liberal democrat who rejects politics based on religion or race and emphasized equal rights for all citizens. He portrayed the BNP as a democratic and liberal political force, calling it the safest option for the people. He praised journalists for their courage in defending democracy and freedom of the press during difficult political times and expressed hope that the current government would continue to support press freedom.

He also urged effective measures to ensure employment for unemployed journalists and preserve the legacy of closed media outlets. Fakhrul warned against misinformation on social media and called for unity to counter destabilizing propaganda.

US President Donald Trump announced that a preliminary agreement to end the war with Iran has been signed, with full details to be released soon. Speaking during the G7 summit in France alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen on Friday, the day of the formal signing in Geneva. The deal and ceasefire have created a political crisis for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, undermining key pillars of his long political career and exposing him to new security challenges.

The agreement has sparked intense debate in Israel, where opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that Netanyahu faces a choice between direct confrontation with Washington or compromising Israeli interests. Trump’s criticism of Netanyahu’s recent military decisions has been seized upon by his rivals ahead of upcoming elections. Hardline ministers in Netanyahu’s coalition have rejected the deal’s terms, while security experts argue it strengthens Iran and Hezbollah’s regional influence.

Analysts say Netanyahu’s strategy has trapped Israel in prolonged conflicts across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria without clear diplomatic outcomes, draining military resources and eroding his image as “Mr. Security.”

Information, Broadcasting and Cultural Affairs Adviser Dr. Zahidur Rahman stated that the current government will never compromise Bangladesh’s sovereignty in its relationship with India. He made the remarks on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Press Information Department in Dhaka, responding to questions from journalists about the government’s engagement with India.

Rahman emphasized that engaging with India does not mean selling out the country, and said he would visit India if formally invited. He stressed that Bangladesh seeks to engage with India on the basis of equality, aiming to improve trade and other areas of cooperation. He also mentioned that relations had deteriorated during the interim government period but that the current administration wants to rebuild them.

The adviser highlighted upcoming discussions on renewing the Ganges water treaty, the Teesta agreement, and the management of 53 shared rivers. Referring to a recent incident at Delhi airport, he described being kept waiting for over two hours as harassment but said he did not take it personally, viewing it as an issue of state respect.

Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, joint convener of the National Editors Council and editor of Amar Desh, described Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the icon of fascism in independent Bangladesh. He made the remark on June 16, 2026, at a discussion titled “Media under Awami Rule and the Spirit of the July Uprising,” organized by the Bangladesh Association of Journalists at the Dhaka Reporters Unity. He argued that the Awami League’s political history represents a shift from autocracy to fascism and claimed there was no difference between Sheikh Mujib and Sheikh Hasina in their approach to governance and media control.

Mahmudur Rahman criticized both leaders for fostering a culture of flattery in the media and urged journalists to reject sycophancy and political interference. He compared the Rakkhi Bahini to the Rapid Action Battalion, calling the former its predecessor, and said that the suppression of press freedom began under Sheikh Mujib. He called for self-criticism and professional integrity among journalists to restore media independence.

The event was chaired by journalist M. Abdullah and attended by State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasir Khan Chowdhury. Professor Abdul Latif Masum presented a paper analyzing the July 2024 uprising and its implications for media and democracy in Bangladesh.

Two local leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Babuganj upazila of Barishal have been suspended from their organizational posts following allegations of extortion and a subsequent mob beating. The suspension was announced on Tuesday morning through an official notice issued by the Chandpasha Union BNP.

According to the notice, Mehedi Hasan Zakir Molla, president of the 2nd ward BNP and organizational secretary of the union BNP, and Abdur Razzak, organizational secretary of the same ward, were temporarily relieved of all party responsibilities for engaging in activities deemed contrary to party discipline. The notice, signed by Union BNP president Alomgir Hossain Swapon and general secretary Md. Shahin Hossain, instructed all party members to refrain from maintaining organizational contact with the two until further directives.

The disciplinary action followed an incident on Monday night in the Raintritala area, where the two were reportedly beaten by locals after allegedly demanding Tk 20,000 in extortion from a sand trader. They were later released after giving a written undertaking.

Bangladesh Prime Minister’s adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman stated that Dhaka aims to maintain a rational relationship with India, despite a recent incident involving him at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. He made the remarks on Tuesday morning during a press conference at the Secretariat’s Press Information Department, explaining that his return from India was an immediate protest and would not affect bilateral relations.

Dr. Rahman clarified that he had traveled to India as a government representative, not in a personal capacity. He said that when he faced discourteous behavior at the airport, he decided to return as a symbolic act of protest, emphasizing that it was necessary for the government to register a formal stance. According to him, Indian authorities made efforts to facilitate his entry, but he chose not to proceed.

The incident has drawn attention to diplomatic sensitivities between the two neighboring countries, though the adviser reiterated that Bangladesh remains committed to maintaining constructive and logical engagement with India.

On June 16, 2026, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar issued a statement marking the country’s ‘Press Black Day’. He said that if Jamaat were given the opportunity to form a government, it would work tirelessly to uphold freedom of speech, enhance the quality of newspapers, and protect the interests of journalists.

Porwar recalled that on February 24, 1975, the then government established a one-party system through BAKSAL, leading to the closure of all newspapers except four under state control on June 16 that year. He described this as a dark day in Bangladesh’s history, when thousands of journalists lost their jobs. He also criticized the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina for continuing media repression since 2009, including the closure of several media outlets and the enactment of restrictive laws.

He welcomed the interim government’s recent decision to repeal controversial sections of the Cyber Security Act 2023 and to allow the reopening of previously closed media houses, calling it a positive step for press freedom.

Prime Minister’s adviser Dr. Zahidur Rahman said he returned from India as an immediate act of protest. He made the statement on Tuesday at a press conference held at the Department of Information in Dhaka’s Secretariat, responding to a journalist’s question about his sudden return.

Rahman explained that he had traveled to India as a government representative, not in a personal capacity. He stated that an instant protest was necessary following the incident he faced there, prompting his decision to return. He added that Indian authorities made efforts to facilitate his entry, but he declined, considering it important to register a formal protest on behalf of the state. The adviser emphasized that the incident would not affect bilateral relations, noting that Dhaka seeks a rational relationship with New Delhi.

According to the report, the incident occurred at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, where Rahman experienced discourteous behavior.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that the media should not serve as a mouthpiece for any ruler, political party, or power center, but remain loyal only to truth and the people. He made the remarks on Tuesday, June 16, through a Facebook post marking Bangladesh’s Press Black Day.

In his statement, Bhuiyan recalled that on this day in 1975, the BAKSAL government under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman shut down all newspapers except four, leaving thousands of journalists and press workers jobless and silencing the nation’s independent voice. He said that even after the fall of BAKSAL, press freedom in Bangladesh has repeatedly come under attack, particularly during the past 17 years under the Awami League government, which he accused of suppressing dissent and controlling the media.

Bhuiyan warned that if the current government continues similar practices, it would repeat past mistakes. He called on all governments to respect press freedom, emphasizing that any attack on media independence is an attack on democracy itself.

The appeal hearing against the High Court verdict establishing a separate secretariat for the judiciary is scheduled to begin on September 1. The information was confirmed on June 16. The case stems from a writ petition filed by lawyer Shishir Monir on August 25 of the previous year, challenging Article 116 of the Constitution, which concerns the control and discipline of subordinate courts.

In the writ, the petitioner sought to place the authority over discipline, postings, promotions, and leave of magistrates under the Supreme Court. On September 1, the High Court declared Article 116 unconstitutional and directed the formation of a separate Supreme Court Secretariat within three months. Following the verdict, the secretariat began operating formally.

However, after the current government took office, the ordinance establishing the Supreme Court Secretariat was not enacted into law, resulting in its cancellation. The upcoming appeal hearing will determine the future of the judiciary’s administrative independence.

Abhijit Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), was attacked by alleged BJP workers in Jaipur just before addressing a protest rally on Monday. Witnesses said the incident occurred around 3 p.m. when Dipke was being carried by supporters toward the venue. Attackers reportedly pulled his scarf and slapped him several times before trying to drag him down. CJP’s national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka shared photos of the attackers on social media, calling them BJP goons, while the party’s state spokesperson Abhishek Jain Bittu criticized the police and government for failing to prevent the assault.

Dipke later condemned the violence, saying he would not retaliate and that the attack was an attempt to divert attention from their main demand — the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam irregularities and student suicides. He vowed to continue the movement peacefully and warned that protests would intensify if the minister did not step down.

The CJP, formed as a satirical front amid public anger over exam controversies, has gained significant online support and backing from activists and artists.