BNP lawmaker Fazlur Rahman from Kishoreganj-4 said he has no objection to the construction of Hindu temples or statues, emphasizing peaceful coexistence among followers of different religions. Speaking on Thursday during the general discussion of the 13th National Parliament’s budget session, he stated that if the Home Minister deems a temple or statue inappropriate, he may stop it, but personally, Rahman sees no issue. He added that people should be free to worship in their own places, saying he could build a mosque while others build temples without conflict.

Addressing opposition to the construction of an 81-foot Ram temple in Palashbari, Gaibandha, Rahman criticized groups such as Hefazat-e-Islam for organizing processions against the project. He said some people use religion for personal gain and ignore cultural values. Rahman also expressed concern over budget disparities between education and culture, arguing that both sectors are interdependent and essential for building a civilized society.

He urged for a balanced approach in national budgeting to ensure that cultural development complements educational progress.

Opposition lawmaker Salah Uddin from Gazipur-4 alleged in parliament that the withdrawal of Sarwar Alam, a district commissioner with a clean image, from Sylhet was intended to promote corruption. He made the statement on Thursday while participating in the discussion on the proposed national budget.

During his speech, the Jamaat MP claimed that large-scale irregularities were taking place in various government programs, including the school feeding initiative, where he alleged weekly embezzlement of 17 crore taka. He also mentioned corruption in canal excavation projects and said that bribes of 10 to 15 percent were being calculated openly. Turning to the proposed budget, he criticized it as debt-dependent and described it as a “story of Ashar,” arguing that those already burdened with debt would naturally produce such a budget.

Salah Uddin further stated that prices of essential goods and energy had already risen before the budget presentation. He demanded special allocations for his constituency, including a modern cold storage facility, anti-drug and anti-gang operations, and expansion of a highway from Rajendrapur to Tok via Kapasia.

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Serre-Charlet paid a courtesy call on Opposition Leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP on Thursday at the opposition leader’s office in the National Parliament building. The meeting was also attended by the French Embassy’s Political Attaché Emilie Palauan.

According to a press release from Jamaat’s central publicity department, the meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. Discussions covered the post-election political situation in Bangladesh, the strengthening of democratic and constitutional institutions, human rights, and the enhancement of Bangladesh-France relations, including trade and economic cooperation. Both sides emphasized the importance of good governance and accountability, as well as the need for responsible efforts to curb corruption and uphold the rule of law to attract foreign investment.

The opposition leader praised the long-standing diplomatic relationship between Bangladesh and France and urged continued French cooperation in Bangladesh’s overall development, expressing hope for further strengthening of bilateral friendship in the future.

At a meeting in Switzerland’s Alpine resort of Bürgenstock, US Vice President JD Vance, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stood together, with Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir nearby. Vance praised Munir’s leadership, crediting him for progress in recent peace efforts. Pakistan has acted as a key mediator between the US and Iran, facilitating informal contacts and hosting talks in Islamabad. The ongoing 60-day dialogue and a peace framework agreed on June 18 are seen as outcomes of these efforts.

Economically, Pakistan’s fragile recovery remains uncertain despite 3.7% GDP growth and rising remittances. Analysts warn that mediation may bring limited economic benefits, such as reduced energy import costs and potential revival of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline if sanctions ease. Pakistan remains under a $7 billion IMF program, its 25th since the 1950s. Experts note that diplomatic goodwill alone cannot fix structural weaknesses like low tax revenue and weak exports.

Observers say Pakistan’s military has emerged as the main institutional beneficiary of this diplomacy. Analysts caution that real progress will depend on whether economic gains reach marginalized regions like Balochistan, long affected by insurgency and poverty.

Government party lawmaker Dr. Mahabubur Rahman from Mymensingh-7 said in parliament that the Awami League has harmed three generations—school, college, and university students—and that the party’s return to popularity within the next 50 years is highly unlikely. He made the remarks on Thursday during a budget discussion session.

Rahman praised the proposed national budget, calling it exceptional and noting that allocations for education and health have nearly doubled compared to the previous fiscal year. He highlighted reductions in VAT and taxes, lower prices for medical supplies such as heart stents and dialysis, and the introduction of AI in medical education as transformative steps. He also mentioned new initiatives including a nationwide ambulance network and a health card system that would store patient information digitally.

The MP criticized the imposition of taxes on nonprofit private universities, urging the government to exempt trustee board–run institutions. He also commended the prime minister’s leadership and recent international visits as evidence of Bangladesh’s growing stature.

Cumilla-4 Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah has called for justice against media outlets that, according to him, created narratives supporting fascism. Speaking during the general discussion on the national budget session of the 13th Parliament on June 25, 2026, he questioned the status of the Anti-Corruption Commission’s case against Bashundhara Group filed during the interim government period. Abdullah noted that certain individuals linked to the group had not entered the country during that time but have since returned after the current government took office.

He demanded transparency regarding whether any under-the-table settlement had occurred and urged that any legal obstacles to action against the group be made public. Abdullah accused Bashundhara Group of money laundering, asset grabbing, and legitimizing enforced disappearances and killings through its media outlets. He also urged the BNP to take a firm stance against those who justified such acts, while welcoming the prime minister’s non-retaliatory approach but emphasizing that avoiding revenge is not the same as ensuring justice.

Gazipur-4 opposition lawmaker Salah Uddin told parliament that mega corruption has begun through the country's mega projects. Speaking during Thursday’s budget discussion, he accused officials of large-scale embezzlement, including Tk 17 crore weekly from the school feeding program and irregularities in canal excavation projects. He also claimed that honest officials were being removed to promote corruption.

Salah Uddin criticized the proposed budget, calling it a debt-dependent and anti-poor plan. He said prices of essential goods, electricity, fuel, and LPG had already risen before the budget presentation. He described the budget as one that burdens small traders through advance taxes and reduces allocations for agriculture, rural development, and anti-corruption efforts. He compared the tax system to colonial exploitation and argued that corruption within the National Board of Revenue was worsening the fiscal situation.

The MP demanded special allocations for his constituency, including a modern cold storage facility, anti-drug and youth gang operations, and expansion of a highway from Rajendrapur to Tok via Kapasia.

A Dhaka court has postponed the charge-framing hearing against former ruler Sheikh Hasina and 33 others in the murder case of truck driver Hossain, setting a new date for July 26. The hearing was delayed as several accused were absent from court. The decision was made by Judge Robiul Alam of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court No. 4, following a request from the prosecution for more time.

The case stems from the killing of truck driver Md. Hossain during the anti-discrimination student movement in Mohammadpur’s Chand Udyan area on July 19, 2024. Hossain was shot dead while returning home from work. His mother, Rina Begum, filed the murder case on August 31, 2024. Police submitted a charge sheet on November 23, 2025, naming Sheikh Hasina and 33 others, including several former ministers and leaders of the banned student organization Chhatra League.

Among the accused, Junaid Ahmed Palak, Sadeq Khan, Furkan Hossain, and Shahjahan Khan have been shown arrested and are currently in jail.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated that Bangladesh’s economic and strategic relations with China will deepen further. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, he said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s ongoing visit to China would play a key role in strengthening these ties. Rizvi noted that China has major investments in Bangladesh’s industrial, infrastructure, and service sectors, with bilateral trade reaching around 18 billion dollars.

He added that world leaders at the World Economic Forum in China praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s initiatives, particularly on climate change and renewable energy. Rizvi highlighted Bangladesh’s goal to generate 20 percent of its electricity from solar power by 2030. He described China as a country that does not interfere in other nations’ internal politics and said Bangladesh’s current foreign policy reflects a shift toward multidimensional diplomacy initiated by late President Ziaur Rahman.

Rizvi also discussed domestic economic issues, opposing VAT on small grocery shops and urging measures to protect low-income groups. He criticized the renaming of a Kolkata road previously dedicated to Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, calling it inappropriate.

Cumilla-6 Member of Parliament Monirul Haque Chowdhury has instructed the withdrawal of a case filed against Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s senior Nayeb-e-Amir Mufti Faizul Karim. The case, lodged at Cumilla Sadar Dakshin Model Police Station, accused the religious leader of spreading provocative, defamatory, and hateful remarks on social media about the MP. Monirul Haque issued the directive through a verified Facebook post at noon on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

In his post, the MP stated that he was unaware of the case and felt embarrassed upon learning about it. He said he had asked his party members to contact the complainant and request the case’s withdrawal. The complainant, Jalal Ahmed Khokon Talukdar, a local youth leader, confirmed that he filed the case on June 20 after offensive comments about the MP circulated online but later applied to withdraw it following party advice.

The MP reiterated his commitment to maintaining law, order, and mutual harmony, noting that any parliamentary issues had been addressed through proper procedures.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told a closed-door hearing of the US House Oversight Committee that financier Jeffrey Epstein may have tried to use information about his private life to pressure him. Gates admitted to having romantic relationships with three women, including Russian bridge player Mila Antonova, nuclear scientist Karima Nigmatulina, and medical entrepreneur Alice Jacobs Nesselrodt. He said Epstein knew about two of these relationships and may have sought to exploit that knowledge.

Gates stated that Epstein never directly blackmailed or threatened him but believed Epstein considered doing so, citing a 2013 draft email referencing Gates’s personal life and former aide Boris Nikolic. Gates described the message as an attempt to mix truth and falsehood for leverage. He denied any involvement in Epstein’s crimes and called his past meetings with Epstein a mistake, saying they were focused on philanthropy and donor outreach.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced an independent review of its past contacts with Epstein after new documents revealed communications between some staff and Epstein.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Iran is now recognized worldwide as a strong and dignified nation. Speaking at a meeting on Wednesday, he said Iran’s armed forces delivered a response to recent US-Israeli attacks that neither country could have imagined. Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran’s strength and self-respect have earned it global recognition.

Criticizing what he described as aggressive plans by Iran’s enemies, Pezeshkian said they believed they could end the Islamic Republic within three days and install a puppet government. He praised Iran’s armed forces for mounting what he called an epic resistance that defied those expectations.

The report also noted that at the start of the conflict, US President Donald Trump had demanded Iran’s full surrender. However, relations between the two countries have since begun to thaw, with both sides now engaged in diplomatic discussions.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with European nations for not participating in the joint U.S.-Israel military operation against Iran during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House on Thursday. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said he was disappointed that NATO member states did not join the war effort and claimed that the United States and Israel had already achieved complete success in the first week of the campaign.

Trump added that while American forces did not need assistance, he would have appreciated a show of support from European allies. His remarks reflected his longstanding criticism that NATO’s European members contribute less to defense responsibilities and rely too heavily on Washington during crises. According to Al Jazeera, Trump also emphasized the success of the Iran operation while calling for more visible political and military backing from NATO partners.

Rutte did not issue any immediate public response. Analysts noted that Trump’s comments have again highlighted existing differences between the United States and its European allies over Middle East policy and military cooperation.

The White House has formally asked the U.S. Congress to approve $87.6 billion in emergency funding, primarily to address needs related to the ongoing war with Iran. The request, sent by the Office of Management and Budget to House Speaker Mike Johnson, allocates $67 billion to the Department of Defense, including funds for ammunition, operations, and classified programs. Additional allocations include $11 billion for U.S. farmers and $1.4 billion to combat the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.

The funding appeal comes just one day after Congress passed a resolution condemning President Donald Trump’s military actions. Lawmakers expect the proposal to face significant resistance, as the Iran conflict remains unpopular among voters ahead of the November midterm elections. The White House letter cited “Operation Epic Fury” as the main driver of the emergency request, also including $300 million to strengthen security at U.S. diplomatic facilities in the Middle East and South Asia.

Despite a current ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, the Pentagon reportedly needs to rebuild its stockpiles after recent strikes. The request follows rising tensions between Trump and Republican senators who supported limiting his war powers.

U.S. President Donald Trump formally inaugurated a 16-day national celebration marking the country’s 250th Independence anniversary at the National Mall in Washington on Wednesday. His opening speech sparked political controversy, with critics alleging that Trump used the national platform as an election-style campaign event. In his remarks, Trump claimed the United States was entering a new era of strength and confidence, citing economic progress and military achievements, including actions against Iran and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The celebration, titled the “Great American State Fair,” will run until July 10, featuring cultural exhibitions, regional foods, military bands, air shows, and a 110-foot Ferris wheel. Organizers said all 50 states and six territories are showcasing their heritage and traditions. However, several artists withdrew, saying the event had become overly political. Trump later described himself as the main attraction and boasted of drawing larger crowds than Elvis Presley.

The event comes ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, as Trump faces criticism over alleged personal influence in federal renovation projects. He concluded his speech by calling the upcoming Independence Day the “greatest celebration ever” and promised a new “golden age” for the nation.