Prominent economist Anu Muhammad criticized the proposed budget, saying it follows the same old trajectory and fails to reflect meaningful change. "Development is visible only in headlines. In reality, the budget is putting people's lives at risk," he remarked.

He urged the government to revise the budget before June 22, addressing its existing flaws. Anu Muhammad noted that many reform committee recommendations have been ignored and warned against the lack of reassessment of ongoing mega projects like Rooppur, Matarbari, and Rampal. "The government says it wants to move away from mega projects, but we see no real effort to exit those that are already underway."

BNP leader Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu has called for immediate national elections, stressing that meaningful reforms will come from the elected government. "The reforms being discussed are unnecessary if the country follows the 31-point program proposed by Tarique Rahman in 2022. That blueprint already lays out a comprehensive reform agenda," Dulu said.

He argued that any delay in elections under the pretense of reform is unjustified. "If BNP returns to power, it will govern based on those 31 points—which represent a charter for the liberation of the Bangladeshi people," he added, saying the reforms would cover all sectors, including agriculture, labor, judiciary, and democracy.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi accused India of provoking unrest along the border through forceful pushbacks. "By tripping and shoving people at the border, India is attempting to stir up trouble. If they continue to disregard Bangladesh’s sovereignty, they must be prepared to take responsibility for the consequences," Rizvi said.

He also criticized the ruling Awami League, alleging rampant corruption: "The Awami League’s leaders and ministers have embezzled public funds and laundered money abroad. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina must be held accountable."

Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, has urged the government to complete ongoing political reforms within a month. He stressed that the work of the National Consensus Commission should be finalized by June or July. Calling for the signing of a ‘July Charter’ by all political parties, he also demanded justice for those responsible for last year’s deadly crackdown, comparing their crimes to the war criminals of 1971. Haque also highlighted his party’s resistance against past fascist regimes.

Rashed Khan, General Secretary of Gano Adhikar Parishad, has declared that the upcoming national election will be the best in Bangladesh’s history. Urging voters to reject extortionists, occupiers, and those involved in mafia networks or fascist activities, he called on citizens to support candidates with clean images. He also announced the party’s preparation to contest all 300 parliamentary seats. Rashed Khan made these remarks while exchanging Eid greetings in Jhenaidah, where he also participated in a motorbike rally.

Responding to Jamaat-e-Islami’s criticism, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has denied claims that the party received any special favor from Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. He clarified that Jamaat’s own earlier suggestion of holding elections before Ramadan 2026 aligns with the newly announced election timeline. Salahuddin urged Jamaat and others to view the London meeting from a national perspective, beyond narrow partisan interests.

Venezuela has strongly denounced the recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran, aligning itself with nations like Saudi Arabia and Turkey. President Nicolás Maduro condemned the attack as a breach of international law and labeled Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu the “Hitler of the 21st century.” He described the strikes as “neo-Nazi Zionism” and urged the world to stand against such aggression. The Israeli operation, codenamed “Rising Lion,” killed at least 78 people, including senior Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has criticized the joint statement issued by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman after their recent meeting, calling it a serious departure from the country's political norms. In a statement, Jamaat said while meetings with political leaders are understandable, issuing a joint statement following the meeting was inappropriate and has compromised Dr. Yunus’s image of neutrality. Jamaat warned that this could fuel public doubts over the fairness of the upcoming national election. The party emphasized that open consultations with all political parties inside Bangladesh would have been the proper approach. Jamaat also urged the government to ensure a level playing field and implement necessary reforms for a free and fair election.

Following Israel's surprise attack on Iran under “Operation Rising Lion,” which killed 78 including top Iranian officials and scientists, Iran responded with missile strikes in “Operation True Promise-3.” As tensions soared, Israeli PM Netanyahu retreated to a bunker. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both nations to stop the violence and pursue peace. EU leaders echoed similar concerns, stressing the importance of regional stability and restraint. Iranian missiles later struck Tel Aviv, killing one woman and injuring 48, according to Al Jazeera.

To make Sylhet more tourist-friendly, the government will stop issuing stone quarry leases, announced Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan after visiting Jaflong on June 14. Declaring the region an Ecologically Critical Area, she warned that uncontrolled stone extraction is damaging the environment. A master plan will be created to convert the area into a tourist destination, with alternative jobs provided for laborers. Mineral Resources Advisor Fayzul Kabir Khan ordered cutting power to illegal stone crushers and promised to develop tourism infrastructure in the region.

Iran has denounced ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States as pointless after Israeli airstrikes killed top Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists. Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of enabling the attacks by Israel, saying that such actions contradict the spirit of diplomacy. The scheduled sixth round of nuclear talks in Muscat now faces uncertainty. The deadly strikes led to the confirmed deaths of General Hossein Salami and General Mohammad Bagheri. Tehran has since retaliated by launching missile attacks on Tel Aviv.

NCP leader Tasnim Zara has expressed concern over the apparent slowdown of the ongoing reform movement in Bangladesh. “Over the past few weeks, it has often felt like the reform initiatives are losing momentum. Many are now wondering whether the dream of a ‘New Bangladesh’ that emerged after August 5 will actually materialize,” she wrote on social media.

Despite this uncertainty, Zara shared an inspiring moment from this morning in Chattogram’s Pahartali area, where she spotted a slogan written on a wall: “We brought independence; we will bring reform too.” She concluded by emphasizing, “Bangladesh 2.0 is still possible—if we don’t forget that crucial moment in July.”

BNP has expressed its intention to engage Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus in national development efforts if the party comes to power through the people’s mandate. BNP leader Tarique Rahman believes Dr. Yunus’s expertise will be crucial in shaping the country’s future. Although Dr. Yunus clarified that he has no interest in holding any government position, BNP wants to seek his advice on national progress. Tarique also emphasized his commitment to working with other eminent personalities for the nation’s advancement.

The ruling Awami League has expelled two local leaders from Narail’s Kalia Upazila for joining rival political parties. Mallick Monirul Islam, Organizing Secretary of the Kalia Upazila Awami League and Chairman of Iliyasabad Union Parishad, has formally joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Additionally, SM Saifuzzaman, a member of the Upazila Awami League and Chairman of Panchgram Union Parishad, has joined the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP).

According to the official expulsion letter, both leaders were ousted for violating party discipline, betraying party loyalty, and acting out of personal greed despite having benefited from the Awami League government. The party described their defection as "opportunistic and treacherous."

A 14-year-old girl was reportedly gang-raped by three youths while she was herding goats in a field in Ramgati, Lakshmipur. The accused—Jewel, Azad, and Raju—have gone into hiding since the incident. The victim’s elder sister alleged that Abdur Rahman, President of the local Krishak Dal (BNP’s farmers' wing) in Ward 3 of Char Gazi Union, along with his associate Shahab Uddin, has been issuing threats to prevent them from reporting the crime. She further claimed that Abdur Rahman demanded Tk 10,000 in exchange for resolving the matter. In response, Abdur Rahman denied involvement, stating, “I am not responsible for settling such matters. That’s why the police were not informed.”