While the interim government’s takeover in August 2024 raised hopes for improvement, journalists’ safety remains unprotected.”Apart from direct assault and vicious physical attacks, journalists, are also facing arbitrary criminal charges. Inevitably, an atmosphere of terror grips journalists and media workers in Bangladesh. AHM Sahadat Hossain Assistant Inspector General (Media) at Police Headquarters, disclosed that a single-barrel gun, three cartridges, and a locally-made weapons were recovered during the operation. Also, Mahfuz Alam, with past HuT linkages, was appointed as Advisor (without portfolio) to the Interim Government in November, 2024. Amidst, political turmoil, increased criminal activities, utter chaos, and social unrest, journalists and media workers are firefighting in Bangladesh.

Hifazat-e Islam has branded the government’s decision to recruit music teachers at the primary level as part of an “anti-Islam agenda” and demanded that the gazette be scrapped in favour of appointing religious studies teachers. In a joint statement, Hifazat chief Allama Muhibbullah Babunagari and Secretary General Allama Sajedur Rahman warned of a mass movement if the government failed to revoke the gazette and introduce one recruiting religion teachers. “The recently published gazette by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, which recruits music teachers instead of religion teachers, promotes an anti-Islam agenda. The Hifazat leaders added, “Islam prohibits the use of musical instruments, and music is not part of basic education. The group expressed hope that the government would swiftly replace the music teacher recruitment rules with provisions for religion teachers.

In Rajbari, the mob attacked the tomb and house of Nurul Pagla located in Goalanda under the district, vandalized them, and set fires. 5, as reported by Goalanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nahidur Rahman. They then vandalised the tomb and set fires. Meanwhile, a shrine in Rajshahi's Paba Upazila named Aziz Bhandari's Khanka Sharif has been attacked and vandalised. Paba Police chief Monirul Islam said a group of people attacked the location after prayers on Friday.

Jatiya Party Secretary General Shameem Haider Patwary has demanded the cancellation of the Gono Odhikar Parishad’s registration and the immediate arrest of those responsible for the arson attack at the Jatiya Party central office in Kakrail. Speaking at a press briefing on Friday night, he blamed Gono Odhikar Parishad for the violence. If those backing them are not arrested within this time, we will launch an intense movement across the country,” Patwary said. He argued that the actions of Gono Odhikar Parishad met the criteria for deregistration under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Commenting on the police’s handling of the situation, Patwary said: “Police presence was adequate, but without arms, police cannot control such mobs by themselves.

One killed as mob digs up, burns body of ‘Nural Pagla’ in Rajbari: policePolice say one person has died after violent clashes broke out during an attack on the shrine and residence of self-styled spiritual leader Nurul Haque, known locally as "Nural Pagla", in Goaland, Rajbari. The matter had led to demonstrations by the “Tawhidi Janata” in the area for the past few days. MOB DESCENDS, SHRINE TORCHEDAccording to police, hundreds of “Tawhidi Janata” members gathered at Shahid Mohiuddin Ansar Club before marching to the shrine. Md Al Amin, a part of the “Tawhidi Janata”, told reporters: “At one time, Nural Pagal claimed he was the Imam Mahdi. That is why the Janata vandalised Nural Pagal’s tomb.

Leaders and activists of Gono Odhikar Parishad have vandalised and set fire to the Jatiya Party’s central offices after wrapping up a rally, leaving much of the five-storey building in flames. The rally was held at the Shahbagh intersection on Friday afternoon. Around 6:45pm, after the programme ended, the demonstrators marched to the Jatiya Party office. Rifat, one of those who took part in the attack, told bdnews24.com: “The Jatiya Party must be banned. We will not allow the Jatiya Party to exist.”Mahmud Alam, office secretary of the Jatiya Party, told bdnews24.com: “Gono Odhikar Parishad activists came directly from Shahbagh, declared their intent, and torched our office.

The mob also attacked his tomb and house, vandalised them, and set fires. After the Jummah prayers on Friday, in accordance with a previously announced programme, the “Tawhidi Janata” gathered at the Shaheed Mohiuddin Ansar Club to protest. The “Tawhidi Janata” retreated to a distance and continued their protest as Fire Service and Civil Defence attempted to put out the fire. Md Al Amin, a part of the “Tawhidi Janata”, said: “At one time, Nural Pagal claimed he was the Imam Mahdi. That is why the Janata vandalised Nural Pagal’s tomb.

Police have arrested eight people, including former Nilphamari-3 MP Saddam Hossain Pavel, on charges of planning and financing a flash procession in Dhaka. The press release said that a team from the DB-Cyber Division arrested Saddam in a raid in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur around 11pm. The same day, a team of DB's Motijheel Division arrested Tanjil and Anisur in a raid in the Manikdia area of Sabujbagh. Around 12 midnight, the DB Cyber Division arrested Kaikobad from Malibagh’s Chowdhury Para area under Rampura police station. Around the same time, Anwar was arrested from the Kakrail area in a raid by the DB’s Motijheel division.

India could build its third aircraft carrier, to be nuclear-powered, as part of a 15-year defence modernisation plan announced on Friday that also includes the use of Indian-made fighter jets by the navy for the first time. India currently operates two aircraft carriers, one of Russian origin and the other home-built. The proposed carrier is expected to be nuclear-powered, a first for India, for longer reach and stealthier operations. India has budgeted spending of about 6.81 trillion rupees ($77 billion) on defence this fiscal year. It is the world's fourth biggest defence spender after the United States, China and Russia, according to World Bank data.

Awami League leaders and activists, whose political activities are currently banned, held flash processions in Dhaka on Friday, five days after their previous gathering. Procession at TejgaonAround 2pm, the flash procession took place in the Nabisco area under the banner of Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League, reports Bdnews24.com. In the afternoon, Awami League members came out from Nabisco again, and we are trying to detain them.”An Awami League leader at the procession told Bdnews24.com, “Even if we stay at home, there is no chance of survival. This illegal government is harassing Awami League leaders and activists, including our party chief Sheikh Hasina, through false cases. That is why we took part in the rally today.”Other flash protests in DhakaIn addition to the Tejgaon procession, several hundred Awami League activists were reportedly holding a flash protest at Dhanmondi.

The demonstration began around 2pm on Friday in Tejgaon‍‍`s Nabisco factory area under the banner of Dhaka North City Awami League, reports bdnews24.com. “And in the afternoon, Awami League supporters came out again in the Nabisco area. Today’s Dhaka North Awami League procession had a huge turnout." The people‍‍`s leader Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leaders across the country are being harassed with false cases. We marched to protest this.”PARALLEL PROCESSION IN DHANMONDIReports also emerged of several hundred Awami League activists marching in Dhanmondi on Friday.

“The Awami League brought out a procession with nearly 2,000 people,” the witness added. The people's leader Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leaders across the country are being harassed with false cases. We marched to protest this.”PARALLEL PROCESSION IN DHANMONDIReports also emerged of several hundred Awami League activists marching in Dhanmondi on Friday. We are checking.”PATTERN OF PROTESTSFriday’s action comes after a series of Awami League demonstrations in recent weeks despite restrictions. Until those trials are concluded, all Awami League political activities have been officially banned.

Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin could be the first high-profile Indian cricketer to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) after being approached by the Australian board, according to a media report on Friday. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg is in talks with the spinner, who ended his Indian Premier League (IPL) career last month, over a possible stint Down Under this season, according to www.cricbuzz.com. "He's a champion cricketer, who will bring a lot to the Big Bash and to our cricket summer." While several members of the Indian women's team play in the BBL, the country's board does not allow its contracted male players to play in overseas leagues. Ashwin, who turns 39 this month, was India's frontline test spinner before he quit international cricket last year.,

Two government engineers have been penalised over irregular spending in the controversial Rooppur Green City Project, part of the residential facilities for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna. Sub-Assistant Engineer Md Shaheen Uddin of the Public Works Department in Pabna has been forced into retirement, while Md Alamgir Hossain, a sub-assistant engineer posted in Rajshahi, has been demoted to a lower pay grade. The Rooppur Green City Project, a housing scheme for employees working at Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant, came under public scrutiny in 2019 after reports emerged of hugely inflated costs for basic items such as pillows, kettles and curtains. Both later confirmed that spending on furniture and related supplies had been significantly overstated. Punishments were handed down after consultation with the Public Service Commission and approval from the president.

Source: CollectedFormer Bangladesh Army chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan has claimed that tensions have emerged between the interim government and the military leadership over how to prosecute army officers accused of crimes such as enforced disappearances, killings and corruption during the Awami League’s 15 years in power. The report, submitted on Jun 4, said most cases of enforced disappearance during the Awami League years were carried out by police and intelligence agencies. Chief Advisor Yunus visited several alleged Ayna Ghar sites in February 2025, following public pressure and amid military concerns over who would accompany him on such visits. After receiving the commission’s second report, Yunus said “gentlemen in society” were involved in enforced disappearances, while Justice Moinul subsequently warned that many officials implicated still sat at the heart of state power. Hence, to free the Armed Forces from this liability, those responsible for such great harm to the nation must face proper trial," he said.