During Sunday’s budget discussion in the Bangladesh Parliament, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee posed a pointed question to Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman, asking whether BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders would again go to jail together. The minister made the remark while criticizing the opposition and recalling past political struggles under Khaleda Zia’s leadership, emphasizing the importance of unity.

Chowdhury humorously responded to the opposition leader’s inaudible comment by saying, “Shall we go to jail again?” before asserting that such a situation would not recur because the people stand with Tarique Rahman and the legacy of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia. He further stated that the BNP-led government would not act out of vengeance, claiming that good governance and development projects would serve as their response.

The minister highlighted ongoing water resource initiatives, including dredging 20,000 kilometers of canals and addressing river erosion across major rivers. He also mentioned plans for the Padma Barrage and the Teesta Master Plan, noting China’s assurance of support for Bangladesh’s river management efforts.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam told the National Parliament on Sunday that many leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have increased their wealth even while being imprisoned during the Awami League government. He added that due to security concerns, he has to rent a car for travel but has not yet been able to pay the rent for the current month.

Earlier in the same session, Jamaat-e-Islami Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahman stated that state activities should be conducted in every mosque across Bangladesh. Participating in the general discussion on the proposed 2026–27 national budget, he said that if the country follows the principles of Medina, interest must be abolished and zakat should be implemented.

Mujibur Rahman criticized the absence of the word “zakat” in the national budget, noting that although the finance minister’s 34-page budget speech covered many topics, it did not include a zakat-based economic framework.

Pakistan’s media regulator PEMRA has suspended the broadcast license of Geo News for 15 days, citing allegations that the channel aired content offensive to religious sentiments. According to Reuters, the decision followed the airing of a special program titled “Safar-e-Ishq” on June 26, which reportedly contained scenes that provoked public complaints. PEMRA stated that the material could incite unrest and threaten law and order, prompting the suspension order issued late on June 27. The directive applies to all distribution platforms, including satellite and cable networks.

In a statement on June 28, Geo News apologized for the incident, describing the broadcast as an unintentional error and confirming that the disputed content had been removed from all its platforms. Local media reported that Ibtisam Zahid, head of Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith, filed the complaint that led to the investigation. PEMRA has also instructed Geo News to review its editorial oversight and internal monitoring systems.

Religious sensitivity remains a highly regulated issue in Pakistan, where similar controversies have previously affected other media outlets. The country ranks 153rd out of 180 in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.

A poor woman from Nizampur Union in Habiganj Sadar upazila was shocked after receiving an electricity bill of about Tk 25.7 million for the current month. The unusually high bill, issued in her name, caused widespread astonishment in the area and quickly spread across social media. Her family, who usually paid between Tk 100 and Tk 150 per month, were left confused and anxious about the massive amount.

Local residents began discussing the matter after seeing the bill, and many shared photos of it online, questioning how such an error could occur for a poor household. The incident drew attention to the local Palli Bidyut office, which later clarified that the bill resulted from a technical mistake during data entry.

Habiganj District Palli Bidyut General Manager Md. Zillur Rahman confirmed that a numerical input error in the computer system caused the issue. The bill was immediately corrected, and the customer will only need to pay the actual amount due.

A police investigation committee has recommended departmental action against a sub-inspector and two constables for allegedly harassing national team cricketer Nayeem Hasan at Khulshi Police Station in Chattogram. The committee submitted its report to Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali on Sunday, who confirmed that the officers were found liable for misconduct. The then officer-in-charge (OC) Arif Hossain received observations in the report but was not found responsible enough for disciplinary measures.

The committee, led by Deputy Commissioner (West) Alamgir Hossain, analyzed the incident and included seven administrative recommendations in its report. The investigation followed an incident on June 12, when police stopped Nayeem Hasan’s autorickshaw at Lalkhan Bazar and took him to Khulshi Police Station, where he was allegedly assaulted. Following the incident, SI Shafiqul Islam and Constable Md. Rasel Chowdhury were suspended, and OC Arif Hossain was withdrawn from duty.

A case filed by Nayeem Hasan’s brother against two police members and a police informant remains under investigation, while the report’s observations on the OC have sparked renewed administrative discussions.

A Dhaka tribunal has sentenced human rights activist Mostakin Sharif and his wife Jannatul Naima to seven years in prison for torturing their domestic worker, Hawa Akter, eight years ago in South Banasree. The verdict was delivered on Sunday, June 28, 2026, by Judge Shahanaj Sultana of Dhaka’s Third Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal. Both convicts were also fined 50,000 taka each, with an additional six months of imprisonment in default of payment. They were present in court when the judgment was announced and were later sent back to prison.

According to the case details, on October 31, 2018, police rescued 14-year-old Hawa Akter from the couple’s residence in a severely injured condition. The investigation revealed that from July 7 to October 31, 2018, the couple had confined and tortured her using heated rods, iron spatulas, and other means, causing serious burns and injuries. The court began the trial on September 19, 2022, after framing charges, and heard testimony from nine witnesses.

The ruling concludes a prolonged legal process that began with the 2018 case filed by Khilgaon police following the rescue of the victim.

Bangladesh and China have signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate the export of Bangladeshi jackfruit to the Chinese market. The agreement, concluded during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to China, is viewed as a significant step for Bangladesh’s agricultural export sector. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the two countries signed a total of 17 MoUs covering areas such as infrastructure, disaster management, digital economy, and agricultural trade.

Experts note that despite being an agriculture-based economy, Bangladesh has yet to achieve its full export potential. Access to China’s vast market could help increase farmers’ income and expand the agricultural economy, while also opening new markets for other produce. However, challenges remain in maintaining international quality standards, improving processing, storage, and packaging systems.

Global demand for jackfruit is rising, with the export market growing from USD 2 billion in 2012 to USD 3.7 billion in 2023. Bangladesh, one of the world’s largest producers, currently holds only 0.3 percent of global exports. Experts emphasize that enhancing processing capacity and ensuring quality compliance are essential for Bangladesh to compete internationally.

National Parliament Whip ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan has called for vigilance to ensure that the spirit of the July Movement is not undermined by any bureaucrat, lawmaker, or minister. Speaking on Monday during the general discussion on the proposed 2026–27 national budget, the Lakshmipur-4 MP emphasized that honoring July fighters should go beyond allowances or declarations and be reflected in administrative decisions as well.

Nizan shared personal experiences from visiting July fighters receiving treatment in Bangkok before Eid-ul-Azha, recounting the story of a wounded fighter and his wife who married after the July events. He criticized bureaucratic insensitivity in handling the fighter’s employment and urged that the ideals of the movement be preserved across all levels of governance.

He also praised the constructive tone of the current budget discussions between the ruling and opposition parties, citing patience and restraint as key democratic values. Nizan further called for initiatives to support activists affected during the 17-year movement and warned government members against actions that could humiliate the BNP or its leadership.

U.S. President Donald Trump has again issued a stern warning against Iran, saying the United States is prepared to increase military pressure if necessary. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, Trump wrote that a time may come when the U.S. will have no choice but to complete the military action it had successfully begun, suggesting that such a move could end the existence of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Defense analyst and former Austrian military attaché Wolfgang Pusztai told Al Jazeera that Trump’s remarks should not be taken literally. He said the comments were aimed not only at Iran or the international community but also at domestic political audiences in the United States. According to Pusztai, such threats are not unusual for Trump, who knows that additional military pressure or new attacks would not significantly harm Iran.

Pusztai added that Washington might consider reimposing a blockade in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, warning that such a situation could again expose Gulf countries to heightened regional tensions.

A Dhaka court has once again postponed the submission of the further investigation report in the murder case of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. On Sunday, June 28, 2026, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Sefatullah set a new date of July 15 after the investigating officer, CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Abdul Kadir Bhuiyan, failed to submit the report. This marks the 17th postponement of the report submission.

Earlier, on January 15, 2026, the case’s complainant, Inquilab Moncho member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, expressed dissatisfaction with the charge sheet filed by the Detective Branch and submitted a formal objection. The court accepted his objection and ordered a reinvestigation. The initial charge sheet, filed on January 6, 2026, accused 17 individuals, including former ward councillor Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi and Faisal Karim Masud, the prime suspect.

According to the case details, Hadi was shot on December 12, 2025, in Dhaka’s Paltan area and later died in Singapore on December 18, 2025, while undergoing treatment.

Former Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Mohammad Tazul Islam, has called for the immediate reopening of the July Museum. In a Facebook post on Sunday, he described the museum as a reflection of what he termed Hasina’s fascist brutality and the unforgettable July revolution, urging that it be opened without delay.

According to the report, on January 20, 2026, former interim government chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus visited the museum during its final construction phase. He described it as an unprecedented global example and said the museum was built while the blood of the July martyrs was still fresh, expressing hope that it would guide the nation in times of uncertainty. Cultural adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki also noted that the project had reached this stage through voluntary efforts and rapid progress.

The call by Tazul Islam adds renewed attention to the museum’s status, which has been highlighted by previous remarks from national figures involved in its development.

Police in Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari district arrested eight individuals on Saturday night in separate operations targeting illegal casino gambling and drug use. Four people were detained while playing casino games, and another four were held for drug consumption in Kalikapur village. The arrests took place during late-night raids conducted by local law enforcement.

According to Kishoreganj Police Station sources, the detainees include residents from Bajedumuria, Balapara, and Dolapara villages. The arrested gamblers and drug users were sent to the district jail through the court on Sunday. Officer-in-Charge Lutfor Rahman confirmed that separate cases have been filed against each group.

The police operation reflects ongoing efforts to curb illegal gambling and drug-related activities in the region, as authorities continue to monitor such offenses closely.

At least 11 people were killed when a civilian aircraft crashed in the eastern French city of Tomblaine. Local authorities confirmed the incident on Sunday, stating that the victims included the pilot and ten passengers. Emergency service teams carried out rescue operations at the crash site following the accident.

According to Yves Séguin, the prefect of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, all 11 people on board died in the crash. Officials have not yet provided an official explanation for the cause of the accident. The authorities have launched an investigation to determine what led to the crash.

Investigators will examine whether mechanical failure, human error, or other factors were responsible for the incident, as part of the ongoing inquiry.

A helicopter belonging to Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company of Saudi Arabia, crashed in the eastern Ras Tanura region on Sunday, killing all 14 people on board. The incident was reported by the Saudi Press Agency and Arab News, citing an official from the Ministry of Energy. According to the ministry’s statement, no one aboard the helicopter survived the crash.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the accident, and an investigation has been launched to determine what led to the crash. The Ministry of Energy expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to the families of the victims. Ras Tanura is home to one of Saudi Aramco’s major oil refineries and export terminals.

Preliminary reports suggest the helicopter was operating as part of duties related to the industrial zone, though further details remain under investigation.

More than 302,846 children in Barishal district are being administered Vitamin A Plus capsules as part of the national campaign launched on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The program was officially inaugurated at Uzirpur Upazila Health Complex by District Civil Surgeon Dr. Monjur I Elahi. The campaign is being conducted across 10 upazilas and 87 unions through 2,907 centers, with a monitoring committee formed under the district administration to ensure safety and success.

In Uzirpur upazila alone, 126 temporary and one permanent camp are distributing capsules to over 28,800 children. Children aged 6 to 11 months are receiving blue capsules containing 100,000 IU, while those aged 12 to 59 months are receiving red capsules containing 200,000 IU of Vitamin A. The event was attended by local health officials and representatives from the district administration.

Health officials and public representatives urged parents to bring their children to nearby centers to help prevent blindness and strengthen immunity through Vitamin A supplementation.