The South African national football team’s journey to the World Cup has been delayed indefinitely due to visa complications. The team was scheduled to board a chartered flight on Sunday to join their base camp in Pachuca, Mexico, but several players and staff members had not yet received their visas. As a result, the team was forced to postpone their flight, according to a Reuters report citing the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

Head coach Hugo Broos expressed frustration over the administrative failure ahead of such a major tournament. South Africa’s Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie also condemned the situation, calling it extremely embarrassing and unfair to the players. He warned that action would be taken against those responsible for the mishandling.

The World Cup is set to begin on June 11 with the opening match between host nation Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City.

Bangladesh women's cricket team faced their second consecutive defeat in the tri-nation series after losing to the Netherlands by 8 runs on June 1, 2026. Chasing a target of 163 runs, Bangladesh struggled early in their innings. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty fought alone with a resilient 77 off 51 balls, but her effort went in vain as the team fell short of the target.

Batting first, the Netherlands posted a strong total of 162 runs, led by Heather Siegers’ 52 off 43 balls and Phebe Molkenboer’s 29 off 24. For Bangladesh, Fariha Trisna took two wickets for 26 runs. In reply, opener Juaeria Ferdous scored 22 off 24 balls, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to contribute significantly. Heather Siegers also shone with the ball, taking three wickets for 39 runs.

Following their earlier loss to Scotland, this defeat has made Bangladesh’s path to the final of the tri-nation series considerably more difficult.

In Brahmanbaria’s Nabinagar upazila, BNP’s upazila general secretary Nazmul Karim was allegedly assaulted by his own party members on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred in Saharpara village of Shibpur union, reportedly over his refusal to sign approval for the union BNP president post. The accused, Md. Mahbub Rahman, a district Jubo Dal member and candidate for the vacant post, allegedly led the assault. A video of the incident spread on Facebook, drawing widespread criticism and condemnation across Nabinagar.

According to reports, the Shibpur union BNP president’s post became vacant after the death of Hossain Ahmed in February 2025. Mahbub Rahman sought the position and obtained approval from the upazila BNP president but not from the general secretary. Nazmul Karim claimed Mahbub and others attacked him to force his signature and that he is preparing a written complaint to police. Mahbub denied the assault allegation, saying the dispute arose after he refused to pay money allegedly demanded for the approval.

Central Krishak Dal leader K.M. Mamunur Rashid, who witnessed the incident, condemned it as premeditated and damaging to party discipline, urging organizational action against those involved.

A severe road accident occurred on Sunday night at Barabkunda Bazar in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram, involving a passenger bus, a microbus, a drum truck, and a CNG-run autorickshaw. The collision left one woman, identified as Jaria Begum, dead and at least nine others injured. Following the crash, traffic on the Chattogram-bound lane of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway remained suspended for about one and a half hours, causing a long tailback stretching several kilometers.

According to local sources, the accident began when a microbus suddenly braked on the roadside, leading a fast-moving Saudia Paribahan bus to hit it from behind. A drum truck following the bus then lost control and struck the overturned bus, which subsequently hit a stationary autorickshaw. The autorickshaw crashed into a fruit shop, fatally injuring Jaria Begum. Police and fire service teams, along with locals, conducted rescue operations and cleared the vehicles to restore traffic flow.

The injured were taken to Sitakunda Upazila Health Complex and Chattogram Medical College Hospital. Police confirmed that legal procedures are underway regarding the incident.

Bangladesh suffered a 3-0 defeat against India in their final Group B match of the SAFF Women's Championship held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Sunday. Despite the loss, Bangladesh had already secured a semifinal berth after defeating the Maldives earlier. India, also through to the semifinals, topped the group with this win.

The match saw India take the lead in the first half through a goal by Pyari in the 35th minute, marking her 20th international goal. Linda doubled the lead from a penalty, scoring her sixth international goal, before India sealed the victory with another penalty after Surma Jannat fouled Malavika inside the box. Bangladesh struggled to convert their chances and conceded multiple opportunities to their opponents.

As Group B runners-up, Bangladesh will face Nepal in the semifinals on June 3. Nepal, who defeated Sri Lanka 2-0 to top Group A, are considered one of the tournament favorites. India will meet Bhutan in the other semifinal.

Mainul Islam Manna, the Jhalakathi district convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has resigned from his position. He submitted his resignation letter to the party’s central convener, citing personal and family reasons. Manna confirmed the resignation to the newspaper Amar Desh on Sunday night, stating that he had earlier informed NCP’s reserved seat MP Mahamuda Mitu about his decision on May 23 in Jhalakathi.

He also notified the Barishal divisional convener about his decision. However, despite a week passing since he sent his resignation letter, the central committee had not accepted it, prompting him to make the matter public on Sunday. Manna had been appointed as the first district convener of Jhalakathi after the formation of the NCP.

The report did not mention any official response from the NCP central committee regarding the resignation or any plans for appointing a successor.

On June 1, 2026, the Bangladeshi daily newspaper Amar Desh marked the sixteenth anniversary of its first forced closure in 2010. That night, armed police raided the Tejgaon printing press, halted production, seized printed copies, and sealed the premises after showing an order canceling the paper’s declaration. Simultaneously, hundreds of police surrounded the newspaper’s Karwan Bazar office, where editor Mahmudur Rahman and journalists resisted for hours before he was arrested at dawn. Several journalists were injured during the confrontation.

The 2010 shutdown followed Amar Desh’s investigative reports on alleged corruption involving senior government figures, which led to multiple lawsuits and attacks on its staff. The paper, founded in 2004, had gained popularity for its critical reporting under Rahman’s editorship. After ten days, a court order allowed it to resume publication, but Rahman remained imprisoned for months and faced repeated arrests and torture allegations.

Amar Desh was again closed in 2013 and resumed publication in December 2024 after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. The anniversary article recalls the events as a symbol of press repression and resilience in Bangladesh’s media history.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to convene an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the situation in Lebanon following Israel’s expanded military operations and territorial advances in the country’s southern region. According to diplomatic sources cited by AFP, the meeting was called in response to growing concerns over Israel’s extended presence after the capture of the historically significant Beaufort Castle.

France initiated the move to call the emergency session as international concern mounts over the ongoing military activities in southern Lebanon and their potential impact on civilians. Member states are expected to deliberate on these developments and their broader implications for regional stability.

Diplomatic sources also indicated that before the Lebanon discussion, the UNSC will hold another emergency session on the same day regarding a Russian drone crash into a residential building in Romania. The Lebanon meeting will begin immediately after that session concludes.

Reserved seat Member of Parliament Beethika Binte Hossain stated that leaders and activists of the ruling party have significant responsibilities toward the people. She emphasized that they must refrain from extortion and other unethical activities. Speaking at a roadside meeting in Melgate area of Dalal Bazar Union under Lakshmipur Sadar upazila on Sunday, May 31, she said that party members should conduct business fairly without demanding illegal payments and ensure that government allocations are spent for the welfare of citizens.

Beethika Binte Hossain further highlighted the importance of building a merit-based young generation. She urged political leaders to monitor educational institutions to ensure proper learning environments and to keep youth away from drugs. She also stressed the need to encourage sports and mental development among young people, describing these as essential duties of responsible politicians.

Her remarks underscored a call for ethical governance and community-focused leadership within the ruling party structure.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister and BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintu said that Ziaur Rahman guided the people of Bangladesh toward development and established democracy in the country. He stated that Bangladesh is proud to have had a leader like Ziaur Rahman. Mintu made these remarks on Sunday, May 31, at a discussion and prayer meeting organized by the Sonagazi Upazila BNP in Feni to mark the death anniversary of the late president and party founder.

During his speech, Mintu also mentioned that after Ziaur Rahman, the late Begum Khaleda Zia worked tirelessly for the people of Bangladesh. He alleged that for the past 17 years, a fascist government had deprived citizens of their democratic rights and ruled through misgovernance. He added that current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working to restore those rights.

The event, chaired by Upazila BNP convener Zainal Abedin Babul, included speeches from several local BNP leaders. After the discussion, food and clothing were distributed among about 4,000 poor and needy people, followed by prayers for Ziaur Rahman and Begum Zia.

The government of Bangladesh has announced another increase in fuel prices at the consumer level, marking the second adjustment in about six weeks. According to a statement from the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on Sunday, the prices of petrol, octane, and kerosene have each been raised by 5 taka per liter for June. The new rates—diesel at 115 taka, octane at 145 taka, petrol at 140 taka, and kerosene at 135 taka per liter—will take effect from June 1.

The ministry explained that the revision aligns domestic prices with fluctuations in the global oil market. The previous adjustment was made on April 18, when the Energy and Mineral Resources Division raised the prices of diesel, octane, petrol, and kerosene. The latest decision continues the government’s policy of adjusting local fuel prices in response to international market trends.

The announcement signals continued monitoring of global energy prices and suggests that further adjustments may occur if international rates change significantly.

Chattogram-1 MP Nurul Amin and Chattogram-4 MP Professor Aslam Chowdhury held a courtesy meeting in Sitakunda to discuss joint efforts for development, public welfare, and the implementation of their electoral pledges. The meeting took place at Aslam Chowdhury’s residence, where both lawmakers emphasized coordinated initiatives to meet public expectations and strengthen local development.

Discussions covered the overall development of northern Chattogram, expansion of industrialization, modernization of transport infrastructure, and improvements in education and healthcare. The MPs also stressed the importance of ensuring that local communities directly benefit from the growing industrial zones in Sitakunda and Mirsarai. They highlighted transparency, accountability, and effective leadership as essential for fulfilling public trust and advancing development programs.

Both representatives expressed optimism about resolving long-standing infrastructure issues and promoting youth skill development, employment generation, and citizen-friendly services. They concluded by urging unity beyond political lines to achieve sustained progress and uphold the values of sacrifice and compassion ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has strongly condemned recent remarks made by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Speaking at a discussion at the National Press Club on Sunday, Rizvi made comments about Jamaat’s organizational activities that Zubair described as false, fabricated, and politically motivated. In a statement sent to the media, Zubair said Rizvi’s claims were irresponsible and intended to mislead the public.

Zubair explained that Jamaat’s internal financial contributions, known as ‘Yanat,’ are voluntary donations made by members for religious and social purposes, not forced collections. He accused Rizvi of insulting the religious sentiments of devout citizens by labeling these contributions as extortion. Zubair further stated that Jamaat does not engage in coercive fundraising or violence and that any misconduct by individual members is dealt with through strict organizational measures.

He alleged that Rizvi’s comments stemmed from political jealousy over Jamaat’s growing public support and urged citizens not to be misled by what he called BNP’s false and provocative propaganda.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the names of Ziaur Rahman and Bangladesh are inseparable. He made the remark on Sunday while presiding over a discussion meeting at the Krishibid Institute in Farmgate, Dhaka, marking the 45th martyrdom anniversary of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman.

In his speech, Mirza Fakhrul stated that Bangladesh’s Liberation War began with Ziaur Rahman’s declaration, which led to the country’s emergence as a new state on the world map. He recalled that public confidence in Ziaur Rahman was reflected in 1975 when people entrusted him with rebuilding the nation through a soldier-people revolution. Fakhrul highlighted Zia’s role in reconstruction, establishing “Bangladeshi nationalism,” forming a capable cabinet, introducing multiparty democracy, and initiating economic reforms.

Referring to current politics, Fakhrul criticized those who claim BNP opposes reform, asserting that Ziaur Rahman introduced major reforms by replacing one-party rule with multiparty democracy and ensuring media and judicial independence.

Advocate M Ruhul Kudduz Talukder Dulu, Whip of the National Parliament and MP for Natore-2, stated that Bangladesh’s Liberation War was initiated through the declaration of independence made by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. He made the remark on Sunday afternoon at the Natore district BNP office during a program marking the 45th martyrdom anniversary of Ziaur Rahman, where cash donations were distributed to 16 institutions, including mosques and temples, from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

Dulu said that if Ziaur Rahman had not declared independence from the Kalurghat radio station in Chattogram, Bangladesh would not have appeared on the world map. He added that Zia’s call inspired the youth of Bangladesh to join the Liberation War. According to him, throughout the past 50 years, whenever the country’s sovereignty faced threats, the Zia family stood by the people of Bangladesh.

Several local BNP leaders, including Saiful Islam Aftab, Mostafizur Rahman Shahin, and others, also spoke at the event.