State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam, MP, emphasized that responsible, objective, and constructive journalism plays a vital role in accelerating Bangladesh’s development. Speaking as the chief guest at the ‘BSRF Dialogue’ organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum at the Secretariat’s media center on Thursday, he called on the media to present government development activities accurately and counter misinformation and rumors.

Mir Shah Alam said that constructive criticism from the media helps identify and correct mistakes, enabling the government to serve citizens more effectively. He noted that responsible journalism ensures accountability and makes development initiatives more dynamic and people-oriented. Discussing Bogura’s development, he stated that the district had long lagged behind but that he was working tirelessly under the Prime Minister’s guidance to address the gap.

Sharing his personal background, the State Minister mentioned his previous role as founder and chairman of Ruposhi BD Group and said he has since handed over management duties to his family to focus fully on public service.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. A.K.M. Shamsul Islam, the Prime Minister’s Defense Adviser, on Thursday at the Armed Forces Division office in Dhaka Cantonment. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR).

During the discussion, both sides recalled the longstanding and historic friendship between Bangladesh and China. They exchanged views on deepening existing technological and military cooperation and agreed to elevate the strategic partnership between the two nations. The talks also covered expanding opportunities for advanced training of Bangladeshi armed forces personnel in China and promoting defense self-reliance through technology transfer. Joint initiatives to ensure cybersecurity were emphasized, along with a shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The defense adviser praised China’s continued support in Bangladesh’s infrastructure and defense sectors, while the Chinese ambassador commended the government’s modernization efforts and expressed determination to sustain future cooperation.

A local Awami Labour League leader in Rajabad village under Nabiganj municipality, Habiganj, allegedly led a group early Thursday morning to forcibly build a tin-roofed house on a public road used by the family of late teacher Abdul Matin Master. The construction reportedly blocked the only access route to their home, leaving several family members confined and preventing school-going children from attending classes. Police visited the scene and restored calm but did not remove the obstruction. Abdul Momen Dilip, a family member, has filed a written complaint with the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

According to local sources, the disputed road had been maintained by Abdul Matin Master for about 25 years. A previous land transaction between the family and Labour League leader Mazharul Islam Opu failed due to ownership record issues. Despite earlier repairs by a relative, the conflict reignited when Opu and his brother allegedly occupied the road. UNO Ruhul Amin, currently in Dhaka, said he would look into the matter upon return.

Tension remains high in the area, with locals fearing possible clashes if the dispute is not resolved soon.

Former BNP lawmaker Harunur Rashid has alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami led the 'mob culture' under the Yunus government. He made the remarks on Wednesday night during a talk show on a private television channel. Rashid said the interim government had planned to prolong the election process under the pretext of reform, during which the rule of law was absent and law enforcement officials were afraid to act.

He further stated that Jamaat-e-Islami was at the forefront of this situation. Referring to the electoral history of Chapainawabganj, Rashid noted that although Jamaat had not won any seats there in the past 50 years, it secured three seats this time. He hinted at an internal understanding between the Awami League and Jamaat in this context.

Rashid added that for a healthy political culture, the ruling party must respond to criticism with patience. He warned that without timely elections, the country's future would have been uncertain.

The Ganosamhati Andolon has welcomed the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division verdict that reinstated the caretaker government system and referendum provisions in the Constitution. In a statement issued on Thursday, acting chief coordinator Dewan Abdur Rashid Nilu and executive coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel said the ruling marks an important step toward ensuring people’s voting rights.

The leaders noted that Ganosamhati had opposed the Fifteenth Amendment since its passage in 2011, arguing that abolishing the caretaker system and referendum provisions without public consent undermined democracy and citizens’ political rights. They described the new verdict as a constitutional recognition of their long-held position and a reaffirmation of people’s sovereignty, democracy, freedom of expression, and the foundation for free and fair elections.

However, the statement added that the ruling alone does not resolve Bangladesh’s constitutional crisis. The leaders called for continued constitutional reforms to ensure balance of power, full judicial independence, equal rights for all ethnic groups, and protection of citizens’ fundamental freedoms, urging immediate implementation of the July Charter through parliamentary discussion.

Leaders of the National Citizens Party (NCP) are set to inaugurate the party’s southern regional July march from Feni on Thursday at 5 p.m. The event, titled “July Awakening to Build the Nation,” will begin at the Sonagazi Upazila square. Central leaders including NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam MP, southern coordinator Hasnat Abdullah MP, central spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, joint convener Abdullah Al Amin MP, organizational secretary Suja Uddin Sajib, and student affairs secretary Ali Ahsan Junaid are expected to attend.

According to NCP’s Feni district member secretary Shah Waliullah Manik, the initiative aims to honor the historic July uprising and convey its democratic spirit to new generations. The party has announced a month-long program titled “July Awakening to Build the Nation,” featuring discussions, cultural events, marches, public outreach, tributes to martyrs, and competitions involving professionals and citizens.

Throughout July, the NCP plans to highlight key moments of the July uprising and mobilize public awareness on issues such as implementing referendums, increasing employment, resolving power shortages, controlling commodity prices, and strengthening border security.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam stated that he is not a friend of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, describing himself instead as an ordinary worker of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Speaking at a dialogue with the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) in Dhaka on Thursday, he explained that his interactions with the Prime Minister stemmed from his responsibilities in the Bogura district BNP and his role as an elected representative.

Addressing recent media reports that described him as a friend of the Prime Minister, Alam said his connection with Tarique Rahman is limited to political and regional familiarity. He emphasized that their relationship is not personal, noting their age difference and distinct backgrounds. Alam added that such portrayals could be misunderstood by the public and his family.

He urged journalists to refrain from presenting him as a friend of the Prime Minister and requested awareness to prevent further misrepresentation of his relationship with Tarique Rahman.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam announced that a joint drone manufacturing factory will be established in Bogura in collaboration with Turkey. He stated that approval has already been granted for an airbase in Bogura, which will host new fighter aircraft joining the Bangladesh Air Force fleet. The minister made these remarks on Thursday at a BSRC dialogue organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum in Dhaka.

Mir Shah Alam highlighted his commitment to the development of his constituency, noting that several educational institutions he founded had not been included under the MPO scheme due to political reasons, but efforts are now underway to include them. He also said that Bogura had seen little development before the BNP government and that the current administration is working to ensure balanced progress across all districts, as directed by the Prime Minister.

The minister further mentioned that local government elections are scheduled for this year, with budget allocations already made and the Election Commission beginning initial preparations. He acknowledged that implementing a large budget and ensuring free and fair elections would be major challenges for the government.

On Thursday, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami posted four verses from Surah Al-Muminun on its official Facebook page. The verses, numbered 2 to 5, describe the qualities of true believers, including humility in prayer, avoidance of idle talk, giving of zakat, and maintaining chastity. The post elaborated on the practical aspects of these teachings, linking them to modern contexts such as social media behavior, economic responsibility, and moral discipline.

The article explains that Jamaat-e-Islami’s use of Quranic verses in its communication is consistent with its ideological stance of promoting Islamic values in society and governance. Political analysts view such posts as part of the party’s effort to project itself as a morally upright and disciplined force, distinct from its rivals.

By sharing religious messages instead of direct political statements, the party aims to connect with the religious sentiments of the public, potentially fostering a favorable perception among devout citizens.

Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of the BNP and political adviser to the Prime Minister, urged party members to remain alert against conspiracies by defeated forces. Speaking to the media at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan on Thursday, he said the current government came to power through sacrifice and struggle and now acts as a guardian of sovereignty and democracy. Rizvi instructed party activists to work closely with Hindu communities during the Rath Yatra festival to prevent any provocation or attempts to tarnish national unity.

He emphasized that all communities in Bangladesh—Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, and ethnic groups—are united and aware of past attempts to create division. Rizvi praised the Prime Minister’s efforts to alleviate poverty through initiatives such as family, farmer, and health cards, and to revitalize waterways for agriculture and fisheries. He also highlighted the school feeding program covering 150 upazilas and 3 million primary students, calling for accountability where students fell ill after receiving meals.

Rizvi urged field-level officials to provide accurate progress reports and ensure proper implementation of government programs to sustain national development.

Jamaat-e-Islami has announced plans to appeal the High Court decision permitting Sarwar Alamgir, elected from Fatikchhari in Chattogram, to take oath as a Member of Parliament. The announcement came after the court ruled on Thursday that the BNP candidate could be sworn in as an MP. Jamaat’s lawyer, Shishir Monir, confirmed the party’s intention to challenge the ruling.

According to Monir, the party argued that under the Representation of the People Order, a person who is a loan defaulter on the date of nomination submission cannot contest an election. He claimed that this condition applied to BNP’s Sarwar Alamgir, making his candidacy invalid. The High Court bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan had earlier delivered the verdict allowing Alamgir to take oath.

The appeal, once filed, will determine whether the High Court’s decision stands or is overturned, potentially affecting the final status of the Chattogram-2 parliamentary seat.

Law Minister Md. Anisul Haque announced that the next national parliamentary election in Bangladesh will be held under a caretaker government, following a directive from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. He made the statement during a press conference at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday morning, adding that a bill related to this matter will be introduced in the upcoming session of the National Parliament.

The minister stated that the Appellate Division’s verdict reflects the aspirations of the people. Once the full copy of the judgment is received, the government will form a special committee to amend the constitution accordingly. He emphasized that the government will uphold public expectations, including those expressed in the July Charter, as part of its commitment to democratic governance.

The announcement marks a significant step toward implementing the Supreme Court’s directive and preparing the legislative framework for the caretaker government system ahead of the next election.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he will not use a Boeing aircraft gifted by Qatar to return home, citing security concerns linked to Iran. Speaking to reporters at the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump stated he would instead travel on a former Air Force One plane. He claimed Iran had published a list naming him as its top assassination target and warned that Tehran would attempt to kill him if given the chance.

The statement came amid renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran, despite a ceasefire memorandum signed in June. Reports said Iran attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting U.S. strikes on Iranian air defense systems, radar sites, and naval vessels. Iran later retaliated with attacks on several military installations in the Gulf region, though U.S. officials confirmed no American casualties.

Trump accused Tehran of repeatedly violating the ceasefire and described Iran as a regional aggressor. He warned that the U.S. could launch further military strikes and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, even targeting its energy infrastructure if necessary.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has directed the re-publication of the merit-based oral examination results for 46,531 candidates from Dhaka and Chattogram divisions in the third phase of the primary school assistant teacher recruitment test. The court also upheld the appointments of 6,531 candidates who had already passed the final results and instructed that 151 petitioners be appointed.

The verdict came after a hearing on an appeal related to the recruitment process, led by the Chief Justice. Senior lawyer Advocate Tajul Islam represented the petitioners. He stated that the 2023 recruitment circular had followed an 84 percent quota-based system, which the petitioners challenged, arguing that following a Supreme Court judgment after the July Revolution, recruitment should be 93 percent merit-based. The High Court had earlier declared the previous recruitment invalid and ordered the appointment of the 151 petitioners.

The government appealed that decision, and the Appellate Division has now delivered its final ruling, settling the matter with three observations.

The Appeals Division has upheld the candidacy of BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir, who won the Chattogram-2 seat in the 13th National Parliament election. Lawyers confirmed that the decision removes any obstacle to his taking the oath as a Member of Parliament. The verdict was announced by the court at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Earlier, on January 18 of this year, the Election Commission had canceled Alamgir’s candidacy after a hearing. He then filed a writ petition with the High Court, which on January 27 suspended the Election Commission’s order and allowed him to contest the election. Subsequently, Nurul Amin filed a leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court’s decision.

On February 3, the Appeals Division granted leave to appeal, allowing Alamgir to participate in the election but ordered that the results remain suspended until the appeal was resolved. With the latest ruling, his candidacy stands valid, and there is no legal barrier to his oath-taking.