The Cabinet Division’s selection committee has invited applications from qualified and interested individuals for the position of Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The announcement was made through a circular issued by the District Magistracy Branch of the Cabinet Division on Thursday. The committee, formed under Section 7 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004, will recommend suitable candidates to the President for appointment to the posts of Chairman or Commissioner.

According to the circular, applicants must meet the qualifications and experience requirements outlined in Section 8(1) of the Act, while those mentioned in Section 8(2) are ineligible for appointment. Applicants must submit a signed curriculum vitae containing personal details, educational background, professional experience, and contact information, along with two recent passport-sized color photographs, a copy of the national identity card, and relevant certificates.

Applications must be submitted either to the Central Mail Receiving Center (Gate-5) of the Bangladesh Secretariat or to Room 935 of the District Magistracy Policy Branch by 4 p.m. on July 13, 2026. Those who have already submitted complete applications need not reapply.

Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Abbas Salehi, announced that about 600 foreign journalists and media representatives will cover the funeral of the country’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The funeral and burial ceremonies are scheduled to take place from July 4 to 9, following Khamenei’s death in a joint U.S.-Israel attack, according to the report.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Salehi said his ministry has made extensive preparations for the event, which will also include related films and cultural programs. He emphasized that both domestic and international media will participate in covering the ceremonies.

Salehi described the funeral as not only a national tribute to the late leader but also a demonstration of Iran’s unity, social cohesion, and resilience against its adversaries.

Saiful Alam Khan Milon, Member of Parliament for Dhaka-12 and central executive member of Jamaat-e-Islami, called for unity among all political and social groups to participate in what he described as the politics of change. He made the remarks on Thursday at a check distribution ceremony held in the capital, organized by the Tejgaon Industrial Area, Hatirjheel, and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar South Development Forum under the National Social Welfare Council of the Ministry of Social Welfare.

Milon emphasized that all activities should be conducted based on justice and fairness. He stated that a pre-survey had been conducted to identify genuine beneficiaries of the welfare funds, ensuring that no party leaders or activists would personally benefit. He added that those unable to attend the event would still receive their checks through volunteers. The MP also sought cooperation from all sections of people for the development of his constituency.

He reiterated that his role as a parliamentarian extends beyond legislative duties, focusing on standing by citizens in all circumstances and fulfilling commitments made to the people.

A six-member delegation representing Bangladesh’s 11-party alliance, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has departed for Iran to attend the funeral and state ceremonies of the country’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei. The delegation left Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday morning on a flight bound for Tehran. The visit was made at the invitation of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s government.

The delegation is led by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Professor Mujibur Rahman MP and includes MPs Md. Nurul Amin, Dr. Md. Keramat Ali, Dr. S. M. Khaliduzzaman, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish MP Sayeeduddin Ahmad Hanjala, and National Citizen Party (NCP) chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari. According to the report, Ayatollah Khamenei’s funeral will take place in several phases from July 4 to 9.

During the visit, the delegation is scheduled to meet Iranian top leadership and relevant government officials. Jamaat sources expressed hope that the trip will strengthen the longstanding brotherly ties, mutual understanding, and bilateral cooperation between the peoples of Bangladesh and Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump has made his first trip aboard a new Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar, valued at 400 million dollars. The specially designed Boeing 747-800 features a dark blue lower body with red and gold accents, replacing the traditional light blue scheme. Inside, it includes luxury carpets, reclining seats, wooden paneling, and seat belts bearing the presidential seal. Trump used the aircraft to travel to North Dakota to visit the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, becoming its first official visitor ahead of the U.S. 250th anniversary.

The aircraft serves as an interim replacement between the 36-year-old existing Air Force One and two delayed new models not expected before 2028. Analysts noted that the plane lacks missile defense and advanced communication systems, suggesting it is more suited for domestic flights. The U.S. Air Force confirmed limited interior changes and said the conversion cost less than 400 million dollars.

The gift from a Middle Eastern nation has raised ethical questions, though Trump described it as a practical replacement and praised Qatar’s goodwill. He has indicated the aircraft may eventually be displayed in a presidential library.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen stated that China will not accept any interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon during a press conference, emphasizing Beijing’s firm stance on respecting Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

Reaffirming China’s commitment, the ambassador said that the country’s position on the Teesta project remains unchanged and that China will continue to assist Bangladesh within its capacity. He described Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to China as highly successful, noting that the trip strengthened strategic ties between the two nations and reinforced Chinese support for the Teesta initiative.

Yao Wen added that Bangladesh and China will work on new alternatives to enhance regional connectivity, including direct China-Bangladesh links and the development of the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh economic corridor.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government is working to build a state where all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity, can live safely. He emphasized that the government’s concern extends beyond human security to ensuring that no animal becomes a victim of violence. The statement was made on Thursday afternoon at the Secretariat in Dhaka during the inauguration of the Nazrul Year celebrations.

The event marked the official launch of Nazrul Year, declared in honor of the 127th birth anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The government has designated the period from May 25, 2026, to May 25, 2027, as Nazrul Year. The initiative was first announced on May 25 in Trishal, Mymensingh, during the poet’s birth anniversary program.

The inauguration underscores the government’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and cultural heritage while highlighting Nazrul’s enduring influence as a source of inspiration for future generations.

Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka South unit visited the graves of July uprising martyrs at the Rayerbazar killing ground cemetery on Thursday morning as part of a month-long program marking the second anniversary of the July mass uprising. The delegation was led by the unit’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdus Sabur Fakir and included senior city leaders and July movement participants.

At a press briefing following the visit, Abdus Sabur Fakir expressed disappointment that the government had not arranged any official programs to honor those who died during the July uprising. He said the state had yet to recognize the July movement and accused the government of ignoring its spirit. He also alleged that no state media outlets were producing documentaries or reports on the events of 2024, despite the government possessing all related information.

Fakir further claimed that the absence of state commemoration had created public doubt about whether the government was attempting to erase records of the 36-day uprising. He criticized both the ruling party and the BNP for failing to uphold the July movement’s ideals and vowed that the July Charter would eventually be implemented.

Iran has condemned Israel’s reported threat to assassinate its Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, calling it an act of state terrorism. Amir-Saeed Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, submitted a formal protest letter to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the Security Council, and the General Assembly. He said the threat, allegedly made by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, reflects a systematic policy of state terrorism targeting Iranian officials.

In the letter, Iravani linked the threat to what he described as Israel’s ongoing illegal aggression against Iran, claiming it forms part of a broader pattern involving U.S. participation and support. He criticized the UN Security Council for failing to hold Israel accountable, arguing that this inaction has fostered impunity and emboldened Israel’s behavior.

Iravani warned that Tehran would respond to any hostile actions and said the situation poses a serious threat to international peace and security by normalizing state terrorism. The protest was reported by Al Jazeera, according to the source.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first official visits to Malaysia and China have drawn sharp reactions from Indian media and former officials, who expressed concern over Bangladesh’s growing ties with Beijing. During his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, China reaffirmed its support for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and pledged to oppose any foreign interference. The visits included discussions on the Teesta Barrage project, the Mongla Economic Zone, and potential defense cooperation, signaling a shift in Dhaka’s regional strategy toward security-focused partnerships.

The article notes that India has historically viewed Bangladesh through a security lens, often invoking minority issues for political leverage. It argues that Bangladesh’s new approach emphasizes sovereignty and balanced diplomacy, rejecting external dominance. The commentary also highlights the need for national unity and stronger economic and defense collaboration with friendly nations like China and Pakistan to counter regional threats.

In parliament, both Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman called for ending political vengeance and focusing on rebuilding a modern, inclusive Bangladesh. Their cooperative tone was seen as a positive step toward a more mature democratic culture.

Iran’s acting defense minister Majid Ibn al-Reza stated on July 2, 2026, that the country’s military capability is an inviolable limit and will not be subject to compromise. He emphasized that Iran’s defense, missile, and drone programs are essential to national security and will not be discussed in any negotiations with the United States. Al-Reza added that these programs will continue to advance in the future.

The statement followed Iran’s rejection of a US-led regional security dialogue held in Bahrain. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi criticized the initiative, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran’s control and that regional security cannot be achieved under American military influence. He called for an end to foreign intervention, withdrawal of US troops, respect for national sovereignty, and recognition of new geopolitical realities.

The remarks underscore Iran’s firm stance on maintaining and expanding its defense capabilities while rejecting Western-led security frameworks in the Middle East.

Iran has rejected a regional security dialogue held in Bahrain under United States leadership. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi criticized the meeting, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran’s control, not the US military. He stated that security in the Middle East cannot be achieved under the American military umbrella. Representatives from 12 countries reportedly discussed the strait under US leadership.

In a post on social media platform X, Gharibabadi wrote that the definition of Hormuz lies under Iran’s authority, not under CENTCOM. He added that the Bahrain military summit cannot establish legal order or security for the Persian Gulf. According to him, ensuring regional security requires ending foreign interference, withdrawing US troops, respecting national sovereignty, and accepting new geopolitical realities.

His remarks came as the United States announced that senior military officials from 12 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Lebanon, and Syria, met in Bahrain and reaffirmed their commitment to the free flow of commerce through the strait.

The Doha meeting between US and Iranian representatives, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, achieved what officials described as positive progress on a 14-point memorandum of understanding. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed the development, noting that the talks were based on outcomes from the Lake Lucerne conference. According to Qatari officials, discussions will resume after the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with both sides agreeing to continue negotiations and set a new schedule soon.

Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported that Tehran raised concerns over Washington’s failure to fulfill earlier commitments made in Lebanon. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the issue was discussed in Doha, along with the partial release of Iran’s previously frozen six billion US dollars for essential imports. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the diplomatic process, claiming Iran’s nuclear disarmament efforts were progressing well.

Trump reiterated that the United States would not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, emphasizing that any such move would undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The Bangladesh government is struggling to secure the return of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who was detained in Dubai on June 12, 2026. The Dubai Police’s Interpol branch informed Bangladesh Police of his arrest, prompting the government to send a 244-page dossier on June 19 through the Home Ministry seeking his extradition. Despite the detailed documentation, including case files, court orders, and corruption allegations, the government has not received a response from Dubai authorities after twelve days.

Officials said Benazir’s extradition faces major challenges due to Dubai’s reluctance to hand over individuals with significant business interests and the absence of major criminal charges beyond money laundering. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with the government emphasizing that an Interpol red notice was issued against him on April 11, 2025. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Benazir’s associates in Dubai, including former minister Hasan Mahmud and businessman Faizul Islam, are lobbying for his release.

Benazir, accused in multiple corruption and human rights cases, was previously sanctioned by the United States in 2021. He fled Bangladesh in May 2024 amid anti-corruption investigations and has since lived in several countries.

Construction work on the Kalighat-Manu-Dholai circular road in Ashidron Union of Srimangal upazila, Moulvibazar, has resumed after being halted for three days due to allegations of irregularities. The decision to restart came following an on-site inspection on July 1 by Srimangal Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Ziaur Rahman and Upazila Engineer (LGED) Md Abdur Rakib. Local residents had earlier stopped the work and submitted a written complaint alleging the use of substandard materials and negligence in construction.

Before the inspection, residents staged a protest with placards, demanding quality control and stronger oversight. The UNO instructed the contractor to complete the project according to the approved design and schedule while maintaining quality standards. The administration also decided to form a local monitoring committee to ensure proper supervision of the project.

The contractor, Sunny Enterprise, stated that the work had followed LGED guidelines and would now continue with a renewed focus on quality. The project had earlier drawn attention after a national newspaper reported alleged irregularities on June 29, prompting administrative action.