Government party lawmaker Zainul Abedin Faruk, representing Noakhali-2 constituency, called for an increase in the allowances of the 1971 Liberation War veterans during a budget discussion in the National Parliament on Saturday. He emphasized that the contributions of the freedom fighters must not be forgotten and urged collective efforts to build the nation.

Faruk also welcomed the opposition’s support for the motion of thanks on the Prime Minister’s foreign visits, describing it as a positive gesture. He stated that criticism in Parliament should be constructive and democratic rather than arbitrary. Referring to a comment by Jamaat MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, he said there was no need to discuss religion in this context and urged self-reflection on pre-1971 positions.

The discussion took place amid ongoing budget debates, highlighting calls for recognition and welfare of those who fought in the Liberation War.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed heartfelt thanks to all members of the National Parliament, including the Leader of the Opposition, after a unanimous resolution of appreciation was passed regarding his recent visits to Malaysia and China. He conveyed his gratitude during the budget session on Saturday afternoon, where Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed presided over the proceedings and mentioned the adoption of the resolution in the Prime Minister’s absence.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Rahman emphasized that the people of Bangladesh had entrusted him with the responsibility to safeguard national interests. He reiterated his guiding principle of 'Bangladesh First,' stating that his foreign visits were solely focused on advancing the country’s interests, not personal matters. He added that any achievements from these visits belong to the nation and its people.

Rahman also acknowledged the encouragement shown by all members, particularly the opposition leader, in working for the welfare of the people, and extended his appreciation to them for their cooperation and unity in parliament.

A US federal judge has directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to justify its decision to drop criminal charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. The order came a month after the DOJ announced it would no longer pursue the case. On Wednesday, Adani’s lawyers formally requested Brooklyn-based District Judge Nicholas Garaufis to dismiss the case. In a written ruling released Wednesday, Garaufis said the prosecutors’ notice lacked sufficient explanation and gave them until July 13 to provide detailed reasoning.

The judge noted that the government’s brief and one-sided statement did not give the court enough basis to reach a conclusion or properly assess the dismissal request. Adani’s attorney, Robert Giuffra, argued that the case should be dismissed because it falls outside US jurisdiction and prosecutors cannot prove alleged bribery in India.

Adani was charged in 2024 with agreeing to bribe Indian officials to secure a solar power contract and misleading US investors about his company’s anti-corruption policies. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Two ferries began uninterrupted operations on the Mongla River in Bagerhat, marking the start of a long-awaited transport service. The service was officially inaugurated on Saturday by Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam, MP and State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It aims to ensure safe and comfortable river crossings for workers, employees, and residents of Mongla EPZ, Mongla Port, and nearby industrial areas until the planned hanging bridge over the river is completed.

Local leaders and residents welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely and people-friendly step that will significantly reduce the daily travel difficulties faced by thousands of workers and commuters. They noted that the new ferry service will make travel faster, easier, and more reliable for industrial workers, businesspeople, and students.

Residents also urged authorities to expedite the construction of the long-anticipated hanging bridge, viewing the ferry service as a step toward improved connectivity and economic activity in Mongla’s port and industrial zones.

A fire broke out at a lawyer’s chamber in Al-Baraka Tower on Elephant Road under New Market Police Station in Dhaka, killing two clerks named Abdus Salam, 20, and Jony, 24. The incident occurred in the chamber formerly belonging to late adviser Hasan Arif, now used by his son Barrister Moaz and International Crimes Tribunal prosecutor Abdullah Al Noman. Fire Service personnel recovered the two victims from a bathroom after extinguishing the blaze and took them to hospital, where both were later declared dead.

According to police, Abdus Salam was from Kahalu in Bogura and worked for prosecutor Abdullah Al Noman, while Jony, from Kishoreganj Sadar, worked for Barrister Moaz. Sub-Inspector Md Shahin of New Market Police Station confirmed that the bodies were sent to Dhaka Medical College morgue for autopsy. He said the exact cause of death would be determined after investigation and post-mortem reports.

A security guard at the building suggested the victims may have taken shelter in the bathroom to escape the fire and died from suffocation due to smoke. The fire also destroyed valuable books and documents worth several lakh taka.

Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman has called for all significant agreements made with foreign countries to be presented before the parliament to ensure transparency and accountability in parliamentary democracy. He made the remarks on Saturday morning during the budget session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, while supporting the ruling party’s motion of thanks regarding the Prime Minister’s recent visit.

Dr. Rahman emphasized that the parliament should remain the central platform for all national activities and that no decisions should bypass it. He rejected the culture of partisan credit-taking and opposition for its own sake, urging mutual respect between the ruling and opposition parties. He also stressed that Bangladesh’s foreign policy must remain independent and based on mutual respect and equity, ensuring that no party is harmed in international dealings.

He expressed hope that the Prime Minister had exercised due caution in maintaining this balance and wished her good health and continued success in governance.

A family that accidentally left their child at a restaurant in Comilla’s Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad area has been located, according to the restaurant’s management. The incident occurred on Saturday morning around 8:30 a.m. at Zaitun Restaurant, where the family had breakfast before leaving for Cox’s Bazar. Within four hours, the restaurant authorities were able to contact the family, who reached out around 12:30 p.m.

Lutfur Rahman Ripon, owner of Zaitun Restaurant, confirmed that the child’s mother had spoken with them, though her language was not understood. The family reportedly learned about the situation after seeing news coverage online and began returning to Comilla. The restaurant plans to hand over the child to the family through police and social services officials.

CCTV footage showed that the family, described as foreign and traveling in two vehicles with about 15 members, had been chatting and eating before accidentally leaving the child behind. The prompt communication and coordination ensured the child’s safety and the family’s return.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on European goods if any European country enacts digital service taxes targeting American technology companies. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said several European nations are discussing such taxes, and some are close to implementing them. He warned that the punitive tariffs would be applied soon and could render existing bilateral trade agreements ineffective.

Trump’s warning specifically targets countries moving toward new digital taxes on US tech firms. The statement did not clarify how the measure would affect the United Kingdom, which has had a similar tax in place since 2020. Trump emphasized that any country imposing such a tax would face immediate 100 percent tariffs on all goods exported to the United States.

The remarks signal potential escalation in trade tensions between the United States and Europe if digital service tax plans proceed.

Twenty-two Iranian sailors, previously detained by US authorities, have arrived in Karachi, Pakistan, according to Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. He stated that the sailors will soon be repatriated to Iran. Their release followed a preliminary agreement signed between Tehran and Washington in Switzerland, under which both sides agreed to restore diplomatic relations and resume technical-level discussions next week.

Dar said on social media that Pakistan is arranging for the sailors’ safe return to Iran as soon as possible. He added that Pakistan maintained close coordination with both US and Iranian authorities throughout the process, which enabled the sailors’ safe transfer to Karachi. Pakistan has so far assisted in the repatriation of more than 70 Iranian nationals.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that the sailors have been handed over to Iranian diplomats in Karachi and are expected to return to Iran within the next few days.

Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told Parliament that Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman’s visits to Malaysia and China from June 21 to 26 had significantly strengthened Bangladesh’s bilateral relations with both countries. He said the trips were highly successful, resulting in the signing of 17 memorandums of understanding with China and reaffirming mutual respect and cooperation. A motion of thanks for the Prime Minister’s achievements was unanimously adopted in the national parliament session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqul Rahman supported the motion, emphasizing that Bangladesh’s foreign policy is based on mutual respect, non-interference, and strategic autonomy. They said the visits reflected these principles and reinforced the country’s independent foreign policy stance. Lawmakers expressed appreciation by table-thumping after the motion passed.

The opposition leader also urged that Parliament remain the central platform for all national decisions and called for mutual respect between the ruling and opposition parties to ensure balanced governance and national unity.

Bangladesh is experiencing a disrupted monsoon season due to the combined effects of climate change and active El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean. According to the World Meteorological Organization and regional forums, rainfall this season is expected to be below normal while temperatures rise. June recorded 47 percent less rainfall than average, marking the driest June in a decade. Meteorologists report that although the southwest monsoon arrived on time, it has not become fully active across the country.

Experts warn that reduced rainfall and heatwaves are already affecting agriculture, particularly Aman rice cultivation, and could impact the national economy and public health. The South Asian Climate Forum forecasts declining groundwater levels and water shortages, threatening irrigation, power generation, and daily water supply. Health professionals caution about increased risks of heatstroke and waterborne diseases.

Climate scientists urge immediate adaptation measures, including drought-resistant crops, water conservation, and heat safety practices. Environmentalists call for coordinated national planning, while experts highlight declining climate-related health funding despite growing risks. They recommend integrating health adaptation priorities into the national budget and expanding access to domestic climate funds.

U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a new commemorative passport design featuring his own portrait, marking the country’s 250th anniversary. The limited-edition passport sample was shared on Friday via Trump’s Truth Social account, where he described it as the “new U.S. passport” and included the phrase “Welcome, but behave!” The design shows Trump’s image at the Resolute Desk with the Declaration of Independence text in the background and his signature below. The opposite page displays John Trumbull’s famous painting “The Declaration of Independence.”

The portrait used in the new passport appears to be based on Trump’s official painting displayed at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. This design differs from an earlier version released by the State Department earlier this year, which featured a different presidential image. The White House later posted the same design on its official X account, captioned “New U.S. passport commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.”

It remains unclear whether this latest image represents the final official design. The White House referred inquiries to the State Department, which has not yet commented, according to CNN.

Bangladesh’s National Parliament on Saturday unanimously adopted a motion of thanks for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s successful visit to Malaysia and China from June 21 to 26. The motion was introduced by Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir during the opening of the budget session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman supported the motion, which was passed by voice vote amid applause from lawmakers.

Mirza Fakhrul stated that the visit strengthened Bangladesh’s bilateral ties with both Malaysia and China and resulted in the signing of 17 memorandums of understanding with China. He emphasized that the trip reflected the government’s commitment to people’s welfare and a new political culture. Finance Minister Amir Khosru said the visit reaffirmed Bangladesh’s foreign policy principles of mutual respect, non-interference, and strategic autonomy. Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed hope that future foreign relations would maintain balance and uphold national interests.

The session concluded with calls for ensuring that all national decisions remain centered in Parliament and for cooperation between government and opposition in nation-building.

Switzerland’s glaciers are facing a severe crisis due to the ongoing European heatwave, with rapid ice loss expected this year, according to Matthias Huss, head of the Swiss glacier monitoring network GLAMOS. He told AFP that the snow and ice accumulated over the winter could melt completely by next Monday, marking the second earliest “Glacier Loss Day” on record. The melt is projected to continue through October, shrinking the glaciers of the Swiss Alps. The last time this date came earlier was in 2022, on June 26.

Experts cited the combination of the current heatwave, unusually warm weather in May, and below-average snowfall last winter as key factors worsening the situation. Huss reported that during a recent visit to the Rhône Glacier, about one meter of ice melted within ten days. He warned that prolonged high temperatures, not just a single heatwave, pose the greatest threat to glaciers.

Data show that between 2000 and 2024, Switzerland’s glacier volume has decreased by 38 percent. If global warming continues at the current rate, only remnants of ice may remain by 2100.

Five additional teams have confirmed their places in the last 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup before the group stage concludes. Following the completion of Group H matches, Portugal, England, Ghana, Egypt, and Paraguay have all secured progression to the knockout stage. Spain topped Group H with seven points, while debutant Cape Verde made history by qualifying as runners-up with three points after three draws. Uruguay, a two-time world champion, was eliminated following a 1–0 defeat to Spain, and Saudi Arabia also exited after a goalless draw with Cape Verde.

The eliminations of Uruguay and Saudi Arabia clarified the standings across other groups, ensuring qualification for teams with four points, including Portugal, England, Ghana, and Egypt. Each still has one group match remaining but is guaranteed at least a best third-place finish. Paraguay, having completed all three group matches, advanced from Group D with four points after a goalless draw against Australia.

Cape Verde’s qualification with only three points stands out as one of the biggest surprises of the new 48-team World Cup format, while teams like South Korea, Scotland, and Senegal remain in contention depending on other results.