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.

Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated that all senior officials are united on the strategy for negotiations with the United States, according to state broadcaster Press TV. He dismissed any possibility of disagreement over the draft proposals or agreements being discussed. Aref made the remarks during an inspection of Iran’s customs administration.

He emphasized that Tehran has followed a clear and coordinated approach in its discussions with Washington. According to Aref, the Islamic Republic has maintained a specific negotiation strategy, and there is full coordination among officials regarding this approach. He reiterated that there are no differences among officials concerning the draft or proposals under consideration.

Aref also noted that Iran has gained valuable experience in crisis management from the current war and from the 12-day conflict with Israel last year, suggesting these lessons have informed the country’s negotiation strategy.

A youth-led group called the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) held its first protest in New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar area on Saturday, reviving the historic slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad’. The movement, initiated by 30-year-old political strategist and Boston University student Abhijit Dipke, emerged online after India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant compared unemployed youth to ‘parasites’ and ‘cockroaches’. The protest drew attention for its creative symbolism, with participants wearing cockroach masks and carrying books and flowers.

Members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the CJP, calling its actions provocative and alleging foreign influence, claims Dipke denied. BJP workers reportedly tried to disrupt the rally, prompting police intervention. Security was heightened near the residences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior ministers. Dipke accused the government of creating fear around dissent, while the BJP maintained it acts within constitutional limits.

Analysts noted that despite the online momentum, the CJP lacks the grassroots presence needed for major political impact. The protest has nonetheless stirred discussion about youth activism and freedom of expression in India.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has reported that extortion and land grabbing have continued across the country since the current government took office. The organization stated that such practices have persisted since August 5, 2024, posing a major obstacle to good governance. The remarks were made by TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman at a press conference held at the organization’s headquarters in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said the government’s decision to repeal three ordinances related to judicial independence signals a retreat from its commitment to ensuring an independent judiciary. He also noted that irregularities in recruitment at Islami Bank have created disorder and that the Bank Resolution Act remains flawed. Additionally, he pointed out that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) remains without commissioners, sending a wrong message to the public that corruption may go unpunished.

Other TIB officials, including directors Mohammad Touhidul Islam and Muhammad Badiuzzaman, and research fellow Razia Sultana, were present at the event.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth traveled to France on an official visit accompanied by his wife Jennifer Hegseth and their six children. The trip began on Friday to mark the 82nd anniversary of D-Day and to honor the thousands of American soldiers who landed on Normandy beaches on June 6, 1944.

According to one current and two former members of his security detail, bringing the entire family on an official trip has placed additional pressure on his personal protection team. A former official from the Army’s Criminal Investigative Division said he had never seen such a family-inclusive official trip before. A spokesperson for Hegseth stated that the defense secretary is covering his family’s travel expenses but did not clarify whether the cost of extra security personnel required for the family is included.

The report, sourced from The Washington Post, highlights questions about the balance between personal and official expenses during high-level government travel.

At a United Nations General Assembly discussion, Pakistan declared that India has illegally occupied Kashmir. Gul Kaisar Sarwani, Counselor at Pakistan’s Mission to the UN, stated that Jammu and Kashmir was never, is not, and will never be an integral part of India. Her remarks came in response to India’s Permanent Representative Parvathaneni Harish, who had earlier asserted that Kashmir is an integral part of India.

Sarwani emphasized that India’s occupation of Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognized unresolved issue. She added that no ambiguity can alter the historical, legal, and international nature of this dispute. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, also noted that the UN Security Council’s annual report highlights the continued relevance of both the Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine disputes, which must be resolved in line with relevant UN resolutions.

The statements underscore Pakistan’s continued stance on the Kashmir issue at the UN, reiterating its call for resolution through international mechanisms.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local villagers have jointly prevented an illegal push-in attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the Aditmari, Hatibandha, and Patgram borders in Lalmonirhat. A total of 33 people, including women and children, were stopped from entering Bangladesh. Villagers have joined BGB patrols to help secure the frontier and prevent further unauthorized crossings.

Residents of Durgapur in Aditmari expressed their determination to resist any illegal infiltration from India, stating that they would continue to support BGB in protecting the border. According to the 15 BGB media cell, all individuals brought for the push-in were taken back by Indian authorities, and the situation at all three border points is now normal. BGB has maintained strict surveillance and patrol operations to prevent future incidents.

A press release from the Rangpur Sector Headquarters stated that attempts to enter Bangladesh through unfenced areas or gates without following legal repatriation procedures violate international border management norms and existing bilateral agreements.

A group of Awami League leaders and activists, whose political activities are currently banned, organized a sudden procession in the Premtola area of Shariatpur town on Saturday afternoon. The march took place along the Dhaka–Shariatpur road, where participants carried party banners and the national flag while chanting slogans. Selim Sheikh, a member of the Palong Union Parishad’s Ward No. 1, was seen leading the procession and broadcasting it live on his personal Facebook account.

According to local sources and video footage, the demonstrators demanded the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the withdrawal of restrictions imposed on the Awami League. They also chanted slogans in the names of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina, and former MP Iqbal Hossain. Attempts to reach Selim Sheikh for comment were unsuccessful. An unnamed Jubo League leader said the protest was against what they viewed as harassment of party members and part of ongoing political programs.

Palong Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shah Alam stated that the police had not received any official report of a banned organization’s procession but were investigating the matter and would take action if any illegal activity was confirmed.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has strengthened patrols and surveillance along the Sunamganj border to prevent illegal push-ins from India. On Sunday midnight, BGB personnel conducted patrols in the Bishwambharpur upazila border area and used loudspeakers to alert and raise awareness among local residents.

According to BGB sources, the Sunamganj border spans 120 kilometers, with 90 kilometers under the jurisdiction of the 28 BGB Battalion and the remaining 30 kilometers under the 48 BGB Battalion in Sylhet. The 28 BGB Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel A K M Zakaria Kadir, stated that six points within the 90-kilometer stretch lack barbed wire fencing, making them relatively vulnerable. Additional security measures have been implemented in these unprotected areas, alongside awareness campaigns urging border residents to remain vigilant.

The initiative reflects BGB’s ongoing efforts to enhance border security and community cooperation in preventing unauthorized cross-border movements.