The 13th National Parliament of Bangladesh has drawn widespread criticism as several members from both ruling and opposition parties made irrelevant and controversial remarks during recent sessions, particularly the ongoing budget session. These statements, often unrelated to legislative matters, have led to heated debates, disruptions, and repeated interventions by the Speaker, who ordered multiple comments to be expunged from the official record. Among the incidents were remarks about personal lives of public figures, inappropriate analogies, and disputes over MPs’ privileges, attire, and even furniture in the chamber.

Experts and civic leaders, including Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, criticized the decline in parliamentary decorum, urging MPs to follow procedural rules and prepare their speeches through proper study. They emphasized that such behavior undermines the dignity of both the members and the institution itself. Opposition and government representatives acknowledged the issue, with some attributing it to inexperience among new MPs.

The Speaker has since called for restraint and reminded members to avoid personal attacks or unverifiable claims. Observers noted that adherence to parliamentary procedure could help restore public confidence in the legislature.

The government of Bangladesh has implemented a major reshuffle in the judiciary, transferring and appointing 32 judges across the country. According to multiple notifications issued on Sunday night by the Law and Justice Division under the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the changes include 27 district and sessions judges, three additional district and sessions judges, and two joint district and sessions judges. Notable transfers include Bogura District and Sessions Judge Md. Shahjahan Kabir to Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge, and Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md. Sabbir Foyez to Bogura.

The reshuffle also covers judges from various tribunals and ministries, including those from the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunals, Cyber Tribunals, and Special Judge Courts. Some judges have been attached to the Law and Justice Division or assigned as legal officers to ministries such as Education and Primary and Mass Education. The notifications were issued by the Judicial Branch-3 of the Law and Justice Division.

The large-scale transfer comes shortly after the suspension of an ongoing High Court case concerning the independence of the judiciary, marking a significant administrative move within the judicial service.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of Bangladesh held a one-on-one meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday morning at the Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya. The meeting began at 9:30 a.m. local time on the fifth floor of the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office. Before the private discussion, Rahman signed the visitors’ book. Following their one-on-one meeting, a high-level bilateral meeting between the two countries was scheduled, with both leaders leading their respective delegations.

According to the Foreign Secretary, the discussions were expected to cover expansion of trade and investment, energy cooperation, halal economy, labor migration, semiconductor industry, agriculture, education, and public communication. The meeting was attended by senior Bangladeshi officials including the foreign minister, ministers of expatriate welfare and energy, and advisers on economic and education affairs.

After the bilateral talks, both prime ministers were to attend a joint press conference, followed by a luncheon hosted by Anwar Ibrahim at his official residence. A cultural program featuring Malaysian artists performing in Malay and Bengali languages was also planned.

Bangladesh is signaling a return to an independent and self-respecting foreign policy under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Delhi-centered approach. Rahman’s first overseas visits to Malaysia and China mark efforts to strengthen ties with key Asian partners. The interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus had earlier revived a sense of national dignity in foreign affairs after the political upheaval that ended Hasina’s rule.

Malaysia, a major labor market and influential Muslim nation, was chosen as Rahman’s first destination, reflecting both economic and diplomatic priorities. His subsequent trip to China aims to deepen cooperation in defense, river management, and infrastructure. The foreign secretary confirmed that two agreements, thirteen memoranda of understanding, and one action plan will be discussed, with emphasis on Chinese support for the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project.

Bangladesh seeks to enhance defense modernization and strategic balance through long-term collaboration with China, including potential joint production and technology transfer. The government maintains that these partnerships will prioritize national sovereignty and economic interests without aligning with any geopolitical bloc.

A witness before Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has alleged that dismissed army officer Major General Ziaul Ahsan was directly involved in the disappearance of BNP central leader M Ilias Ali. The testimony came from Imrul Kayes, a former army member who once served as Ziaul’s bodyguard, during a hearing on crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the Awami League government. Ziaul, who was brought to the tribunal under heavy police guard, was accused of leading abduction, torture, and murder operations while serving as head of RAB intelligence and later as director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center.

Imrul’s detailed statement described multiple incidents between 2011 and 2012, including the alleged abduction of Ilias Ali near Mohakhali, disposal of bodies along rail tracks and rivers, and staged operations in the Sundarbans. He claimed Ziaul ordered killings by gunfire and lethal injections, estimating 150 to 200 deaths during his 15 months of service under him. Imrul said he testified out of conscience and appealed for justice so that no soldier faces similar moral conflict.

The tribunal continues to hear evidence in the case involving enforced disappearances, torture, and killings attributed to Ziaul and his associates.

The banned Awami League is reportedly trying to reorganize in Rajshahi ahead of its 77th founding anniversary on June 23, 2026. Local sources said some leaders and supporters have begun restoring old networks and holding small meetings to discuss future programs. Videos of masked processions demanding the release of detained leaders and pledging continued political activity have circulated on social media, prompting renewed debate and concern in the city.

Law enforcement agencies have been placed on alert, with the police headquarters instructing all metropolitan commissioners and range DIGs to monitor possible rallies or flag-raising events. Rajshahi Metropolitan Police officials said they are prepared to act against any law violations. Opposition parties including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizens Party warned they would resist any attempt by the banned group to resume political activities.

Political analysts and local residents expressed concern that the anniversary could heighten tensions in Rajshahi. Authorities and political groups have been urged to act responsibly to prevent unrest and maintain public order.

Khulna Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Rashidul Islam Khan was stand-released on Saturday after a video of his remarks at a public meeting went viral on social media. During the meeting at Mahirbari Khalpar in Khulna’s Labanchara area, he warned of public punishment for any police officer who leaked crime-related information provided by citizens. Following the incident, a police headquarters circular signed by Additional DIG (Personnel Management) Raihan Uddin Khan instructed Rashidul to report to Dhaka by Sunday.

The Bangladesh Police Association issued a statement expressing concern that such comments had caused resentment among police members. It emphasized that all officers should maintain professionalism, restraint, and institutional values in public statements to uphold the force’s dignity and discipline. Rashidul later told reporters he was on his way to Dhaka, expressing regret that his words had hurt colleagues and explaining that his comments were made spontaneously in response to public frustration.

The incident sparked debate on social media, with some citizens supporting Rashidul’s stance against alleged police misconduct in Khulna and others emphasizing the need for professionalism within the force.

A recently renovated road in Kaliganj municipality of Jhenaidah has collapsed again, rendering it unsafe for public use. The one-kilometer block road, built at a cost of nearly one crore taka from the front of the Kaliganj food warehouse to the hospital, was reconstructed under a World Bank-funded project. Residents report that the road, repaired with concrete blocks, began to deteriorate within months of completion.

According to local accounts, irregularities and substandard materials were used during the renovation. The contractor, Hannan-Mithu Enterprise of Jhenaidah, reportedly carried out the work between August 2023 and February 2024. Locals allege that a student leader with business ties to the Kaliganj mayor influenced the project and used low-quality materials. Despite repeated complaints, the contractor’s team ignored public concerns. The road had previously collapsed during heavy rains in February 2025 and is now deteriorating again.

Residents fear that the ongoing monsoon will worsen the damage, posing serious risks for those traveling to the hospital and nearby educational institutions.

A key road in the Damudya bus stand area of Shariatpur became unusable, causing severe hardship for residents. Jamaat-e-Islami leader Atikur Rahman Kabir led an initiative to repair the damaged section after local appeals. The road, connecting Damudya bus stand to Damudya port, had developed numerous potholes and large craters over the past six months, worsened by heavy rainfall.

Local residents said neither public representatives nor the upazila administration took notice of the problem. The collapse of the road made it impassable for vehicles, forcing passengers to cross the damaged section on foot. Responding to community requests, Atikur Rahman Kabir, the Jamaat-e-Islami amir of Damudya municipality, visited the site with a team and decided to repair it.

The repair work was completed last Friday night with funding from Jamaat-e-Islami, restoring the road to a usable condition. According to Kabir, the effort was part of the party’s ongoing welfare activities and was carried out through voluntary labor.

Bangladesh’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Center has warned that four northern districts—Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, and Rangpur—may face flooding within the next 72 hours due to continuous rainfall and water inflow from India. Rising water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers could cross danger marks, temporarily inundating low-lying areas. The center’s Sunday forecast noted that river levels in Rangpur Division have been rising and may continue to do so over the next three days.

The report added that while most major rivers remain below danger levels, several points in the Teesta, Surma, Kushiyara, and Someshwari rivers are flowing near warning levels. Heavy to very heavy rainfall has been recorded in parts of Chattogram, Rangpur, and Sylhet divisions, as well as in India’s Meghalaya, West Bengal, and Arunachal regions. Local Water Development Board officials in Kurigram confirmed gradual river level increases and warned of short-term flooding in lowlands.

In Sunamganj, continuous rain and upstream water have already flooded several areas, disrupting transport and damaging homes. Authorities have temporarily closed the Sadapathar tourist site in Sylhet’s Companiganj for safety until weather conditions improve.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members in Thakurgaon are struggling to conduct patrols due to long-neglected unpaved and damaged roads across the district’s 370-kilometer border area. In Ranishankoil’s Dhamorgor border outpost, a six-kilometer stretch has become nearly impassable, especially during rain, disrupting patrols, anti-smuggling operations, and emergency responses.

Local residents report severe difficulties in movement during the monsoon, with vehicles and even motorcycles facing danger on muddy roads. They expressed frustration that the force responsible for national border security must operate under such poor conditions. Residents and BGB officials alike have called for immediate paving of the connecting roads to ensure smoother patrols and better community access.

According to Thakurgaon’s executive engineer, a proposal to upgrade the 370 kilometers of unpaved border roads has been submitted under the Border Road Development Project. The initiative aims to strengthen border security, curb smuggling, and improve local livelihoods and agricultural transport once implemented.

Police in Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar arrested Jamaat-e-Islami leader Khizir Ahmed on Friday night from Alveen Restaurant in Barlekha Bazar. Authorities said he was wanted in a murder case filed during the previous Awami League government. The case dates back to February 28, 2013, when violence erupted after Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee was sentenced to life imprisonment by the International Crimes Tribunal. One Jamaat activist, Lokman Ahmed, was killed in the clashes, and police later filed a murder case naming Khizir Ahmed and others.

Khizir’s brother, Tarek Ahmed, claimed the arrest was based on a politically motivated case, saying his brother had been living in Qatar for years and regularly visited Bangladesh. Former Barlekha upazila Jamaat chief Emadul Islam also criticized the arrest, calling it harassment and expressing disappointment that police acted on a 13-year-old warrant. Several locals echoed similar sentiments, describing the arrest as unjust.

Barlekha police officer-in-charge Moniruzzaman Khan confirmed the arrest, stating that Khizir Ahmed was sent to jail under a court-issued warrant in case number GR 62/2013.

Two murders within two months in South Gobindarkhil area of Patiya, Chattogram, have triggered widespread fear among residents. The killings of businessman Abul Kashem and child Jahan have raised serious concerns about law and order. While police have solved the child murder case, the main suspect in Kashem’s murder remains at large, leaving the victim’s family anxious. Over the past three months, incidents of murder, robbery, theft, drug trade, and abduction have reportedly increased across Patiya.

Local residents have expressed alarm over the deteriorating security situation and urged authorities to take urgent action. Several violent incidents occurred in June, including the discovery of an unidentified body, public assaults, and the killing of Pankaj Shil. A journalist was also attacked in front of police, and a shrine’s donation box was stolen, further heightening public concern.

Patiya Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Ziaul Haque stated that multiple teams are working to maintain order and combat drugs. He said community and beat policing will be strengthened soon, and arrests have been made in the Pankaj Shil and Jahan murder cases.

Water levels in the Teesta River continued to rise on Sunday due to heavy upstream flow from India, causing anxiety among residents along the riverbanks in Lalmonirhat. At noon, the river was flowing 15 centimeters below the danger level at the Teesta Barrage point, and authorities warned that it could cross the threshold at any time. To manage the situation, 44 sluice gates of the barrage have been opened, and officials are monitoring the water flow continuously.

According to the Water Development Board, both the Teesta and Dharla rivers are still below danger levels, but preparations are in place for any emergency. The control room reported that within the next 72 hours, Teesta’s water might flow above the danger mark, potentially causing short-term flooding in low-lying areas. Heavy rainfall in India’s Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts has worsened the situation, even though there has been little rain in Bangladesh’s Teesta basin.

Earlier, the Water Resources Minister had assured that the Teesta Master Plan was progressing toward implementation, but the current water rise has renewed public concern in the region.

In Shariatpur, a new controversy has emerged following several flash processions by Awami League activists. Leaders and members of the party’s affiliated organizations, including Jubo League and Chhatra League, have been accused of putting up posters and festoons across various areas of Sadar upazila ahead of the party’s 77th founding anniversary. A video showing the poster campaign went viral on social media, drawing widespread local attention.

According to local sources, the posters were placed in Angaria Union to mark the anniversary on June 23 and to demand the release of detained party activists. The video reportedly shows local Jubo League leader Saiful Islam Molla leading the campaign, with participation from members of the banned Chhatra League. Posters were allegedly placed on public buildings, including the Angaria police outpost and the union council office, prompting administrative discussions.

Police said they are investigating the matter after seeing the video online. The officer in charge of Palong Model Police Station stated that the person named in the posters is currently abroad, while the individual seen posting them is not a resident of the district. Authorities have pledged legal action if wrongdoing is confirmed.