Former state minister, five-time lawmaker from Brahmanbaria-3 constituency, and BNP vice chairman Advocate Harun-or-Rashid passed away on Thursday night at 9 p.m. while undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in Dhaka. He was 87 years old and had been suffering from age-related complications for some time. He is survived by his wife, two sons, one daughter, and numerous relatives and admirers.

Brahmanbaria District Council administrator and BNP general secretary Sirajul Islam confirmed the death, noting that Harun-or-Rashid had been ill for a long period and was on life support in recent days. His passing has created a significant void in the BNP and Brahmanbaria’s political landscape. Harun-or-Rashid was a veteran leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, having served as a member of parliament, state minister in multiple ministries, and a central policymaker within the party.

His funeral prayer will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building in Dhaka.

The nationwide distribution of 'Family Card' has begun under the third-phase pilot project aimed at building self-reliant families. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the program virtually, marking the start of card distribution across multiple districts including Barguna, Panchagarh, Mymensingh, Khagrachhari, and Tangail. Local administrations and social service offices organized events in their respective upazilas to distribute the cards to selected beneficiaries.

In Betagi of Barguna, the event was chaired by the district commissioner and attended virtually by the Chief Whip of the National Parliament. In Tetulia of Panchagarh, 477 women received cards and saplings under the slogan “Family is the core unit of development.” In Trishal of Mymensingh, 659 beneficiaries received cards under the Ministry of Social Welfare. In Ramgarh of Khagrachhari, 456 families were given cards, while in Gopalpur of Tangail, 633 underprivileged women received them.

The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and family-centered development, with simultaneous launches in 19 upazilas across the country.

Activities of the banned Awami League have reportedly increased in Feni, with funding and leadership allegedly coming from fugitive leaders accused in the July killing case. On Wednesday morning, activists and supporters of the party and its affiliated organizations held a sudden procession on Station Road in Feni Sadar upazila. A fugitive accused, Alauddin Nasim, shared a video of the rally on Facebook, thanking participants. Another party page claimed the event was led by the banned Jubo League’s Sadar upazila secretary, Shusen Chandra Shil. Local grassroots leaders of the ruling party expressed frustration over the inaction of law enforcement and blamed local BNP-Jamaat leaders.

The report states that several fugitives, including Nasim and others, have become active on social media, issuing threats and organizing gatherings online. They are allegedly receiving financial support from abroad and operating with the help of some local political and business figures. Police have arrested three participants from the procession, and Feni’s new Superintendent of Police, Pratyush Kumar Majumder, said the matter is being taken seriously and illegal activities will be suppressed firmly.

Late on Friday night, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Deputy Commissioner (DC) Amirul Islam learned of his transfer while leading an operation in the Bahaddarhat area. A formal order signed by CMP Commissioner Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali reassigned three deputy commissioners. DC Amirul Islam of the North Division was moved to the Welfare and Force Division, while DC Hasan Mostafa Swapon from that division replaced him. Additionally, Detective Branch (North) DC Md. Habibur Rahman was appointed DC of the South Division.

According to several police officials, the reshuffle is part of a series of ongoing transfers across CMP units. No official reason was given for the changes. DC Amirul Islam stated that he had tried his best to serve the country and people over the past year, prioritizing law and order, crime control, and public service, and pledged to continue his work with dedication in his new post.

Officials noted that the North Division is a key administrative area of Chattogram, and Amirul Islam had been active in maintaining law and order and leading special operations. The timing of his transfer during an active operation drew attention within the police force.

BJP leader and minister Dilip Ghosh has sparked controversy by telling former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to go to Bangladesh. His remarks came on Thursday morning, shortly after authorities replaced Banerjee’s long-time personal security officers following a protest march in Kalighat. Ghosh accused Banerjee of refusing to respect the constitution and government authority, questioning why she remained in India if she did not accept them.

The dispute began when Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien stated in the Rajya Sabha that Banerjee’s security team, which had served her for two decades, was replaced by three new officers. Ghosh defended the government’s right to make such changes, arguing that Banerjee herself had frequently transferred officials during her tenure as chief minister. He also criticized her recent protest activities and blamed her party for the state’s hawker problems.

Ghosh further commented on the arrests of former ministers Udayan Guha and Sushanta Ghosh, alleging corruption and misuse of power by Trinamool leaders. His statements have intensified political tensions in West Bengal.

The Bangladesh government, in its tenth cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on June 18, 2026, granted policy approval to the draft 'Gambling Prevention Act, 2026'. The meeting, held at the National Parliament, also approved drafts of the 'Public Examinations (Offenses) (Amendment) Act, 2026', the 'Bogura University Act, 2026', and the 'Narcotics Control (Amendment) Act, 2026'. The gambling law aims to modernize the outdated Public Gambling Act of 1867 to address both online and offline gambling activities through updated legal and technological measures.

The proposed gambling law defines various gambling-related terms, including digital platforms and betting, and introduces penalties such as fines and imprisonment. The amendment to the Public Examinations Act seeks to curb digital manipulation, cheating, and organized exam fraud, introducing up to five years of imprisonment for digital offenses. The Bogura University Act aims to transform the existing science and technology university into a full-fledged general university covering multiple disciplines.

The draft Narcotics Control amendment proposes establishing drug crime tribunals, adding cybercrime control provisions, and enhancing border operations. All drafts will undergo vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division before final approval.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis leaders have strongly condemned remarks made in the National Parliament about their party chief Allama Mamunul Haque by a BNP-aligned Member of Parliament and subsequent comments by the Speaker. In a joint statement issued on Thursday night, Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Yusuf Ashraf and Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad said the discussion about Haque in Parliament, despite his absence, reflected political fear and attempts to revive old propaganda.

The leaders stated that Haque had been acquitted by a court in a politically motivated case filed during the Awami League government and that national newspapers had reported on his innocence. They criticized the Speaker for calling the matter an “extramarital affair” and a “dark chapter,” describing the remarks as uninformed and contradictory to her constitutional neutrality. They urged the Speaker to withdraw her comments, issue a public clarification, and apologize to the nation.

The statement warned that failure to do so would make the Speaker responsible for public outrage. Youth Majlis also planned protest marches in Dhaka and other areas against the remarks made in Parliament.

BNP Member of Parliament Md. Selim Bhuiyan alleged in the national parliament on Thursday that police in his constituency are working to make the government controversial. He said that when asked to take action against yaba traders, local police claimed they lacked vehicles to conduct operations. Bhuiyan urged that police be provided with necessary resources and that action be taken against drug dealers.

He further stated that many police officers are involved with drug users and yaba dealers, accusing them of being aligned with the Awami League. According to him, even after being transferred between stations, police and administrative officials such as UNOs and DCs continue to act in favor of the ruling party. Bhuiyan claimed that these officials ignore instructions from BNP MPs and instead pursue their own agendas.

He concluded that to properly implement the national budget, the police administration must be reorganized to ensure accountability and neutrality.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government will act as a facilitator, not a regulator, in the ongoing media reform process aimed at ensuring press freedom. Speaking at a workshop held on Thursday at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka, he said the initiative seeks to create a widely accepted framework for a National Media Commission through open dialogue and stakeholder input. The ministry has brought together all sectors of the media for the first time to form an independent and strong national commission.

Swapan described the initiative as a milestone in promoting media reform and freedom, noting that the government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is implementing reforms across key sectors to build a democratic and welfare-oriented state. State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury emphasized the importance of clear input from media representatives to make the commission effective, independent, and accountable.

Participants from various media organizations and associations discussed the commission’s framework and reached a consensus to draft a national action plan, offering recommendations and proposals for its formation.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expelled its member (Rukon) S.K. Mohibullah from Paikgacha in Khulna for breaching party discipline. According to a press release issued by the party’s central publicity department on Thursday, the decision was made after Mohibullah announced his candidacy for the Union Parishad election, disregarding the party’s official decision.

The statement said Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar confirmed that Mohibullah, son of Md. Azizur Rahman Sheikh, had violated clauses (a) and (b) of sub-section 2 under section 62 of the party constitution by engaging in election activities independently. The party’s Ameer cancelled his membership and expelled him from the organization on June 18 after the allegations were proven beyond doubt.

The expulsion underscores Jamaat’s strict enforcement of internal discipline and its stance against members acting outside collective party decisions.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Thursday. The meeting was confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Swadhin.

During the meeting, the British High Commissioner expressed hope that relations between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom would strengthen further under the current government. Discussions included proposals for British cooperation in technical education and training sectors, as well as opportunities to expand trade and British investment in Bangladesh, which could create new employment opportunities.

Sarah Cook also conveyed British interest in investing in the aviation sector following the opening of the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir were present at the meeting.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office in the National Parliament building on Thursday. The meeting was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Swadhin.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Chinese ambassador congratulated Bangladesh on the election of Dr. Khalilur Rahman as President of the United Nations General Assembly for the 2026–2027 session. During the discussion, both sides emphasized enhancing bilateral relations between China and Bangladesh, focusing on trade, investment, technical education, and strengthening people-to-people ties.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir were also present at the meeting, which highlighted the ongoing commitment to deepen cooperation between the two nations.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Ali Khamenei confirmed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, stating that the initiative was driven primarily by Washington’s eagerness rather than Tehran’s. He said Iranian officials worked sincerely, but the U.S. side, led by its president, showed the most urgency and pressure to finalize the deal. Khamenei acknowledged having personal reservations but approved the agreement after Iran’s president pledged to protect national and resistance front interests.

The memorandum, titled the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” was signed during a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles following the G7 summit. Macron announced that the deal would pave the way for lasting peace and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The formal signing ceremony is still planned to take place in Geneva, Switzerland.

Under the terms, the U.S. will lift its naval blockade on Iran within 30 days and withdraw forces from surrounding areas within another 30 days, while Iran will ensure safe commercial shipping for 60 days. Both sides now have 60 days to negotiate a final agreement.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan informed the National Parliament that the government has adopted a long-term plan for the treatment, rehabilitation, employment, and monthly honorarium of fighters injured in the July uprising. He made the statement on Thursday in response to a written question from Jamaat-e-Islami MP Rokeya Begum.

According to the minister, injured July fighters are receiving free medical services at government hospitals, and those seriously wounded are being sent abroad for advanced treatment based on medical board recommendations. So far, 152 fighters have been sent to Thailand, Singapore, Turkey, and Russia, with 102 returning after treatment and 50 still under care abroad. A database of 3,241 interested families and fighters has been created for welfare and rehabilitation, and 1,937 names have been forwarded to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for training and rehabilitation.

Out of 14,369 gazetted July fighters, 13,344 are currently receiving monthly honoraria directly in their bank accounts, with payments for the remaining fighters under process.

Independent Member of Parliament Rumin Farhana expressed frustration in the Bangladesh National Parliament, stating that no party—neither the ruling nor the opposition—was willing to take responsibility for her. She made the remarks on Thursday while participating in the general discussion on the proposed 2026–2027 national budget. During the session, which was chaired by Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal, she requested additional time from the Speaker to discuss issues concerning her constituency.

Farhana explained that she needed a few extra minutes to highlight development matters in her area, emphasizing that she belonged to neither the government nor the opposition. Addressing the Speaker directly, she appealed for the use of his special discretion to grant her the extra time. Her comments underscored the challenges faced by independent lawmakers in securing procedural support within parliamentary discussions.

The exchange took place during the ongoing budget debate, reflecting the procedural and representational difficulties encountered by non-affiliated members in Bangladesh’s parliamentary system.