Md. Matiur Rahman Mati, chairman of Achmita Union Parishad in Katiadi upazila of Kishoreganj, announced his resignation from all positions and primary membership of the Awami League. He made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon during a press conference at the Katiadi Model Press Club, stating that the decision was voluntary and based on personal and political considerations.

Matiur Rahman Mati had long been involved in Awami League politics and served as vice president of the Achmita Union Awami League. His resignation has sparked wide discussion in the local political arena. In his written statement, he said he intends to work for the welfare of all residents of the union beyond party affiliation.

Local political observers noted that such a move by a long-time party member and elected chairman has generated new debate in the area. However, Matiur Rahman did not clarify whether he plans to join any other political party in the future.

The Sadar Upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) organized a protest march and rally in Gopalganj on Wednesday morning, June 24, 2026, to protest against drugs, terrorism, and anarchy. The procession began at 11 a.m. in front of the Sadar Upazila BNP office in the Panchuria area and was led by Sadar Upazila BNP president Sikdar Shahidul Islam Lelin. The march passed through various city streets and concluded in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office, where a brief rally was held.

District BNP convener and Zila Parishad administrator Sharif Rafiquzzaman, district BNP member secretary Advocate Kazi Abul Khayer, BNP leaders Advocate Toufiqul Islam and Ziaul Kabir Biplob, Sadar Upazila BNP general secretary Fazlul Kabir Dara, and district Jubo Dal president Riaz Uddin Lipton addressed the gathering. Leaders and activists from BNP and its affiliated organizations were present at the event.

Speakers urged building social resistance against drugs, terrorism, and anarchy and called for effective measures to improve the law and order situation.

Police in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah, arrested eight leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The arrests took place late Tuesday night during operations across several areas of the upazila. On Wednesday afternoon, the detainees were sent to jail through the court following their formal arrest in the case.

According to police sources, the operation was launched after receiving information that former Kaliganj mayor and district Awami League labor affairs secretary Mostafizur Rahman Biju was hosting the party’s founding anniversary event at his residence. Biju reportedly fled the scene as police arrived, while some attendees allegedly engaged in arguments with officers and obstructed their duties. Sub-inspector Moniruzzaman filed the case, naming 11 individuals including Biju and listing 20 to 30 unidentified others as accused.

Police stated that raids were conducted immediately after the case was filed, resulting in the arrest of eight suspects. The court ordered their imprisonment, and efforts to apprehend the remaining accused continue.

A heated debate erupted in the Bangladesh Parliament over the interpretation of a Quranic verse, leading to a sharp exchange between ruling and opposition lawmakers. The discussion began when Cox’s Bazar-2 MP Alhaj Alamgir Muhammad Mahfuz Ullah Farid cited verse 7 from Surah Ibrahim, interpreting it as a call for gratitude toward the national budget, allocations, and the Prime Minister. He argued that opposition members should show gratitude instead of protesting while seeking budget allocations.

In response, Pabna-1 MP Mohammad Nazibur Rahman of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami criticized the interpretation, saying it distorted the meaning of the verse. He questioned whether failing to praise the government would lead to punishment, calling the explanation a serious misrepresentation of the Quran. Home Minister Asaduddin Ahmed and Jamaat’s senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Professor Mujibur Rahman also spoke on the issue, reflecting the depth of disagreement within the session.

The exchange highlighted rising tensions in parliamentary discourse, with religious references becoming a point of contention between political factions.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he secretly helped smuggle thousands of Starlink receivers into Iran to maintain internet access during anti-government protests. He made the statement on Tuesday at the annual policy conference organized by the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) in Jerusalem. According to Bennett, the plan aimed to assist protesters as Iran’s authorities often cut internet connections during demonstrations.

Bennett explained that the initiative sought to ensure communication among demonstrators even when the government shut down the internet, enabling them to coordinate actions against the regime. He alleged that the program was halted after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government took office, which prevented the establishment of necessary infrastructure for later protests.

Reports indicate that the protests in Iran, which began late last year and intensified in January, resulted in numerous deaths. However, Bennett’s claim about smuggling Starlink receivers into Iran could not be independently verified.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that a certain group is attempting to destabilize the country. Speaking to the media on Wednesday at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, he said the government will counter such efforts with the support of the people. Rizvi also stated that those accusing others of new fascism are themselves exhibiting fascist tendencies through their actions.

He added that the judicial process concerning the July massacre is progressing at its own pace and that the government is committed to completing the trial. Referring to the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to China, Rizvi highlighted the BNP’s historical ties with China and expressed optimism that the visit would help reduce the investment gap. He said the Prime Minister would make timely decisions prioritizing national interests in investment matters.

The remarks came amid ongoing political discussions on governance, justice, and foreign investment priorities, as reported from the BNP headquarters.

New York City council member Zohran Mamdani achieved notable success in the Democratic Party’s primary elections held on Tuesday, as all three candidates he endorsed secured victories. Among them, Daryaliza Avila Chevalier won in the 13th congressional district, Claire Valdez triumphed in the 7th, and Brad Lander defeated incumbent Dan Goldman in the 10th district. Analysts said the results signal possible shifts within the Democratic Party and the rise of a new political current ahead of the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race.

Mamdani joined the winners in celebration, emphasizing the need for new ideas and alternative leadership in the current political climate. The Israel–Palestine issue also influenced the primaries, with several candidates criticizing U.S. policy toward Israel. Brad Lander called for a clearer Democratic stance on the matter. However, not all progressive contenders succeeded, as mainstream-backed Micah Lasher won in New York’s 12th district, and a centrist candidate led in Utah.

The primaries also stirred debate within the Republican Party, where questions arose about Donald Trump’s influence after several of his endorsed candidates failed to secure nominations.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tareq Rahman met with Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Summer Davos in China on Wednesday morning. The meeting took place at 10:15 a.m. local time, where both leaders discussed ways to deepen bilateral relations and agreed to establish permanent diplomatic missions in Dhaka and Astana.

During the discussion, the two prime ministers emphasized the importance of regular meetings to enhance political, business, and people-to-people connections. Prime Minister Bektenov expressed optimism about expanding trade and investment engagement between the two countries. The meeting also covered potential cooperation in skilled labor exchange, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, technology, agribusiness, and food processing.

Bektenov sought Bangladesh’s support for Kazakhstan’s proposal to establish a specialized United Nations agency on water diplomacy, which Rahman confirmed Bangladesh supports. Bangladesh’s foreign minister, foreign affairs adviser, and additional press secretary were present at the meeting.

A new survey by think tank More in Common, shared with The Guardian, shows that three out of every five Britons aged 18 to 28 would vote to rejoin the European Union if given the chance. The poll of 440 young people found that 60 percent support returning to the EU, while only 9 percent prefer staying outside. Among those likely to vote in a potential second referendum, support for rejoining rises to 81 percent. The survey also reveals that half of Generation Z respondents believe Brexit has failed, with only 16 percent calling it a success.

More in Common’s executive director Luke Tryl said Brexit was a formative political event for many young Britons who were too young to vote in 2016 but remember the campaigns and debates vividly. He noted that while most young people see Brexit as a failure, many blame political mismanagement rather than the idea itself. The survey indicates that young Britons’ main concerns now include living costs, affordable housing, jobs, and climate change.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that demographic changes since 2016, including the replacement of older pro-Brexit voters with younger pro-EU ones, may have reduced the Brexit majority.

A case has been filed in Ramganj upazila of Lakshmipur against 179 individuals, including former Awami League lawmaker Anwar Hossain Khan, for allegedly creating unrest and assaulting people while chanting anti-government slogans. The case was lodged by Robiul Hasan Rabbi, assistant organizational secretary of the Bholaikot Union unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, naming 29 individuals and 150 unidentified persons. Police confirmed the case on Tuesday night and said one suspect had been detained, though their identity was not disclosed.

According to the case statement, on June 16 the accused gathered near Farid Ahmed Bhuiyan Academy in Bholaikot Union after connecting through a video group call. They allegedly shouted slogans and attacked Rabbi and witnesses when confronted. The incident followed the discovery of a student’s body at the same institution earlier that day, which had already sparked local unrest.

Police said no named suspects had yet been arrested, while one person was detained for questioning. The case remains under investigation.

Bangladesh’s newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has undertaken official visits to Malaysia and China, signaling a revival of the country’s long-standing Look East foreign policy. The visits are described as a modern reflection of the strategy first introduced by late President Ziaur Rahman, aimed at diversifying Bangladesh’s diplomatic and economic engagements beyond single-country dependence. The trips are portrayed as a turning point in national priorities, emphasizing strategic autonomy and balanced international relations.

The article traces the origins of the Look East policy to the late 1970s, when President Ziaur Rahman expanded ties with China, Japan, and Southeast Asian nations to strengthen Bangladesh’s sovereignty, trade, and labor markets. It notes that subsequent governments, particularly under Khaleda Zia, institutionalized this approach. The piece contrasts this legacy with recent years of India-centric diplomacy, which it says generated domestic and international criticism over perceived strategic imbalance.

According to the analysis, the current outreach to Malaysia and China focuses on economic diplomacy, labor cooperation, semiconductor and AI collaboration, and major infrastructure projects. The author concludes that reviving the Look East policy is essential for Bangladesh’s sustainable growth, strategic balance, and global standing.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Beijing from Dalian on June 24, 2026, at 5:35 p.m. local time. He was received at the Chaoming Railway Station with a red carpet welcome and a guard of honor. His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, accompanied him on the visit. From the station, the Prime Minister was escorted by a special motorcade to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where he and his delegation will stay during their time in Beijing.

Earlier in the day, Rahman departed from Dalian North Railway Station at 1:58 p.m. aboard a high-speed train. His delegation includes the foreign minister, the state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, and several advisers and press officials. Before traveling to Beijing, he attended the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, held at the Dalian International Conference Center.

This marks Rahman’s first overseas visit to Malaysia and China since assuming office as head of government on February 17, following his party’s landslide victory in the 13th national parliamentary election.

A complaint has been raised against Nasim Ahmed, assistant secretary for science and technology affairs of the Rajshahi University (RU) unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, for allegedly staying in a university dormitory one and a half years after completing his regular academic program. Nasim, a student of the 2018–19 session in the Statistics Department and a resident of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, reportedly continued living in room 321 even after his master’s results were published in December 2024.

Hall General Secretary Arif stated that university regulations require students to vacate dormitories after completing their studies, but Nasim remains in residence. He also claimed that the hall provost was aware of the situation but allowed Nasim to stay on humanitarian grounds. Nasim, however, said he vacated his official seat after his results and is now staying in a junior student’s room.

Hall Provost Professor Mahbubur Rahman confirmed that Nasim’s seat was canceled about seven months ago but acknowledged that he is still residing in the hall. The RU Chhatra Dal president said he was not yet aware of the full details.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has urged an immediate end to ongoing oppression and torture against humanity across the world, including in the Middle East. In a statement issued to the media on Wednesday ahead of the United Nations’ International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26, he condemned widespread human rights abuses and state-sponsored violence.

Porwar alleged that during the previous government’s 15-and-a-half-year rule, Bangladesh saw a sharp rise in enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and violence against women and children. He claimed that thousands of opposition activists, scholars, journalists, and lawyers were imprisoned under false charges, while corruption and suppression of free speech crippled the nation’s economy and democracy. He also referred to the 2024 student and public uprising, alleging mass killings and injuries.

He expressed solidarity with victims of oppression worldwide, citing ongoing violence in Gaza, other parts of the Middle East, and Iran. Porwar appealed to the United Nations, human rights organizations, and the OIC to stand by the persecuted and urged the current government to release all political prisoners.

BNP’s legal affairs secretary Barrister Badruddoza Badol has described the statements made by recently resigned assistant attorney generals with Jamaat affiliations as undesirable and politically motivated. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon in front of the Supreme Court’s annex court while reacting to their resignations.

Badol said that it is customary for government law officers such as the attorney general, deputy attorney general, and additional attorney general to resign voluntarily when a new government takes office. He criticized the officials who worked for four months under the current administration, receiving salaries and benefits, before resigning and making political comments. He termed their statements as politically influenced and unexpected.

He further urged the attorney general to review the files handled by those officers during their tenure to determine whether they worked in the government’s interest or against it. According to him, their recent allegations were baseless, politically motivated, and contrary to the responsibilities of their office.