BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has criticized the interim government for not meeting with party chairperson Khaleda Zia over the past ten months. “Although there was some interaction during Armed Forces Day, we expected a political meeting to discuss future governance, trials for Sheikh Hasina, necessary reforms, and the national election,” he said. Annie expressed hope that such a meeting would still take place. He praised Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus as a “good man” and noted his recent visit to London, where he met with BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman to discuss elections and reforms. He added that the London meeting was well-received by the public, though “a few individuals are struggling to accept it,” and also condemned what he called the Awami League’s authoritarian governance.

The Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party has rejected the existing appointment system in constitutional institutions, calling it a continuation of fascist policies. Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju criticized past political appointments under Sheikh Hasina, urging reforms to ensure neutrality and transparency. During a National Consensus Commission meeting, he emphasized inclusive principles like equality and justice. Joint Secretary General Barrister Sani Abdul Haque added that forming independent appointment committees would enhance executive accountability rather than weaken it, promoting fairness in state governance.

At the NATO summit in The Hague, U.S. President Donald Trump compared the Iran-Israel conflict to a fight between schoolchildren. He drew parallels between the U.S. strike on Iran and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, stating both were decisive actions that ended wars. Trump emphasized that the U.S. investment in confronting Iran yielded little progress without strong measures. Before his speech, he discussed the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

A drone was launched from Yemen towards Israel on Wednesday, as confirmed by Israeli media and sources cited by Al Jazeera. The drone was reportedly intercepted, and no warning sirens were sounded. Yemen has not issued any official statement regarding the incident. The attack occurred just after a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel was announced by Donald Trump. According to Trump, the ceasefire began with Iran and was to be followed by Israel after 12 hours, marking the end of the 12-day conflict within 24 hours of its initiation.

Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin stressed the urgent need for policy diversion to overcome 16 years of economic inconsistencies and criminalization in Bangladesh. Highlighting the country’s high logistics costs and the vital role of logistics in agriculture, industry, and services, he urged regulators to adopt clear policies. With a large demographic dividend and growing logistics demand, he emphasized coordinated efforts to boost labor productivity and sustainable growth. The remarks were made at a seminar on automobile policy for green growth.

To achieve its renewable energy goals by 2030, Bangladesh must invest approximately $980 million annually, according to a report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). The report emphasizes that meeting these targets requires substantial private sector investment alongside government funding. Challenges such as policy uncertainty, land acquisition issues, and currency risks hinder progress. The government’s new renewable energy policy aims for 20% renewable electricity by 2030 and 30% by 2040, necessitating stable policies and green financing incentives to attract investors.

The NBR Reform Unity Council is organizing a nationwide protest on June 28, calling for the removal of NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan and the repeal of the ordinance separating NBR. The protest includes a “March to NBR” from all tax, customs, and VAT departments across the country. On June 25, officers will stage sit-ins and pen strikes at Revenue Building in Dhaka and their respective offices elsewhere, expressing strong opposition to the current leadership.

Ganosamhati Andolon leader Zonayed Saki stated that no consensus has been reached yet on the core principles of the state. However, discussions have taken place about which values must be enshrined in the Constitution. He noted support for five key values: equality, human dignity, justice, democracy, and religious freedom, harmony, and neutrality. “I’m hopeful that a consensus will emerge ensuring these values are constitutionally protected in the future,” Saki said. He also mentioned a proposal to limit the tenure of a Prime Minister to a maximum of 10 years, adding that some agreement has started to form on this matter.

The fragile Israel-Iran ceasefire and ongoing Ukraine war have reignited global focus on nuclear weapons. Recent U.S. threats against Iran’s nuclear sites, along with SIPRI’s warning of a new nuclear arms race, highlight expanding arsenals worldwide. With over 12,000 warheads globally—mostly held by the U.S. and Russia—and declining transparency, experts warn current deterrence strategies may fail. Rising tensions risk reversing disarmament gains, potentially pushing the world into a more dangerous era where mistakes could have catastrophic consequences.

Payra Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Masud Iqbal announced the port will be fully operational by July 2026 through 19 development components. Speaking at a discussion on June 25, he said the port’s channel depth supports large vessels and may soon reach 10.5 meters with new dredgers. Its proximity to Dhaka, 24-hour river transport, and future six-lane highway will reduce logistics costs. The port has already handled over 500 foreign ships, earning over BDT 2,000 crore in revenue for the government.

Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has revealed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) inquired about Bangladesh's national election timeline before approving the fourth and fifth tranches of its loan package. “Once a probable election timeframe was made public, international financial institutions began releasing budget support. Recently, the World Bank, ADB, AFD, and AIIB have approved loans as well,” he said, noting satisfaction with Bangladesh's reform progress. On Monday, the IMF Executive Board approved the disbursement of $1.337 billion as part of the fourth and fifth installments of its loan to Bangladesh.

Labour and Employment Ministry Adviser Sakhawat Hossain has clarified that the garment factories currently appearing closed had already ceased operations before August 5. He said, “These factories were not shut down recently. Their owners took loans from banks but neither paid their workers nor kept the factories running. Due to defaults, banks have now stopped financing them.” He further alleged that many owners have left the country with significant amounts of money. “Not all major factories are closed. If they were, our export volume wouldn’t still be at 17%, and Chattogram Port wouldn’t be struggling to manage the surge in orders,” he added. He concluded by saying the government might consider offering bank loan facilities if these closed factories are reopened or bought by new investors—but cautioned that such processes would take time.

Advisor Asif Mahmud has broken his silence amid growing controversy, defending himself against allegations from Ishraq Hossain and others. “No one apologized for calling my father a thief, for locking down city hall and causing suffering to over a million people, or for the injuries from violent clashes,” he said. Asif emphasized that while he was accused for expressing concerns over “certain leaders instigating the movement,” those calling for his beheading and continued defamation have never apologized. He warned that history does not forget, and justice—if not immediate—eventually arrives.

In a significant shift, state-appointed lawyer Aminul Gani has withdrawn from representing Sheikh Hasina in her contempt of court case. He has been replaced by pro-Awami League lawyer Amir Hossain. Gani reportedly requested withdrawal himself, which the court granted. The move follows backlash over Gani’s prior Facebook post from August 5 demanding Hasina's execution after her resignation, raising questions about his suitability to defend her in court.

The National Consensus Commission (NCC) has abandoned its original model in favor of a new proposal to create a seven-member Constitutional and Statutory Institutions Appointment Committee. Political analyst Ali Riaz stated that the new committee would exclude the President and Chief Justice, previously proposed members. Instead, it will include the Speakers of both parliamentary chambers and will oversee appointments to key bodies such as the Election Commission, Human Rights Commission, PSC, and Auditor General’s office. The Attorney General and military chiefs’ appointments will remain outside the committee's scope. The Speaker of the lower house will serve as chair.