State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam declared that the Awami League, which he termed authoritarian, would not be allowed to return to Bangladesh’s political arena. He warned that the party might attempt to regain political activity by spreading confusion on social media. He urged citizens to remain alert against such efforts. The minister made these remarks on Thursday while addressing the inauguration of outpatient and inpatient services at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Children’s Hospital in Bogura, marking the birthday of Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Mir Shah Alam cautioned that misleading campaigns could emerge around June 23, the Awami League’s founding anniversary, aiming to divert public attention. He alleged that certain groups were conducting propaganda to rehabilitate authoritarianism and called for unity against these attempts. He also stated that Bogura had faced political discrimination and development deprivation for 17 years, but the current government had begun development work despite conspiracies.

The minister added that the government planned to expand the hospital’s six-story building to eight stories and acquire an adjacent multistory building to enhance healthcare services.

Political activity by the banned Awami League has reportedly intensified in Feni, with fugitive leaders accused of financing and directing operations. On the night of June 17, fugitive former MP Alauddin Nasim, wanted in a student and public killing case, posted a Facebook message warning police officials across the country. He claimed that law enforcement had filed false cases and hinted at a political comeback, invoking the name of party leader Sheikh Hasina.

Earlier that day, activists and supporters of the banned party held a sudden procession on Station Road under the banner of Feni Sadar Upazila Awami League and its affiliated organizations. Nasim shared a video of the rally on Facebook, thanking participants. The banned party’s page claimed the march was led by Sadar Upazila AL secretary Shusen Chandra Shil.

Police later detained four participants from the procession. Feni Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge said legal action was underway, while Superintendent of Police Pratyush Kumar Majumder stated that all illegal activities would be dealt with firmly.

Senior Democratic lawmakers in the United States Congress have requested the full text and an immediate briefing on the memorandum of understanding (MoU) recently reached between the US and Iran. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Representatives Gregory Meeks, Jim Himes, and Adam Smith asked the administration to provide details of the MoU, any related secret agreements or implementation plans, and the broader US strategy for future engagements with Iran.

The lawmakers accused the administration of keeping Congress and the American public uninformed for more than 15 weeks about what they described as a “war of choice” that has become a “strategic failure.” They cited the deaths of 14 US soldiers, hundreds of injuries, damage to key military facilities, depleted ammunition reserves, and global increases in food and oil prices due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. While welcoming the administration’s decision to return to diplomacy and end the conflict, they insisted on greater transparency regarding the MoU.

The letter also raised questions about Iran’s nuclear program, the 60-day negotiation timeline, implementation mechanisms, Lebanon’s situation, Iran’s ballistic missile activities, allied groups, sanctions relief, and a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has removed all detainees from Florida’s controversial ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ migrant detention center, effectively shutting it down. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the move was made for safety reasons as the Atlantic hurricane season begins. DHS spokesperson Lauren Bice told the Associated Press that detainees were relocated to other facilities for their protection, but did not specify how many were moved or where they were sent.

The facility, located inside the Big Cypress National Preserve, had faced criticism since its launch on June 19, 2025. Built on a former airbase and surrounded by swamps, it was designed to prevent escapes. Indigenous leaders from the Miccosukee and Seminole tribes opposed the center, saying it damaged their homes and sacred sites. Human rights groups questioned its ability to protect detainees from Florida’s extreme weather.

The center had been accused of multiple human rights violations, including denial of legal access and medical neglect. The American Civil Liberties Union’s Amy Godshall called the evacuation an important step but urged permanent closure of the facility.

US President Donald Trump will attend the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, reportedly to please Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to Middle East Eye citing multiple sources. The summit, scheduled for July in Turkey’s capital, is viewed as a critical moment for relations between the United States and its European allies, which have recently experienced growing tensions.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told reporters that many European countries consider it significant that the meeting is being held in Turkey under President Erdogan’s leadership, as this has made Trump’s participation possible. Fidan added that without Erdogan or Turkey’s involvement, Trump would not have attended, which could have sent a message that he does not value the NATO summit.

Fidan further stated that the summit will address differing perspectives between the United States and Europe, emphasizing that resolving key issues would not be possible without the US President’s presence.

A half-day strike is being observed in Baruipara Union of Bagerhat Sadar upazila on Thursday from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., demanding the arrest of those involved in the brutal killing of Badol Morol, president of the local Krishak Dal. The strike, organized by the union BNP and its affiliated bodies, has shut down shops and halted transport on internal routes, causing hardship for daily wage earners and commuters.

All forms of local transport, including CNG-run autorickshaws, battery-powered easy bikes, engine vans, motorcycles, and even bicycles, have stopped operating. Protesters have staged demonstrations at various points, burning tires and blocking roads with bamboo and chairs. The strike follows the June 9 attack that killed Badol Morol and injured Abdullah Morol, a local BNP leader. A murder case was filed on June 11 naming 12 people, but most suspects remain at large.

Police said two suspects have been arrested and efforts are underway to detain others. Local BNP leaders warned of tougher programs if arrests are not made, while a Jamaat-e-Islami leader alleged that BNP-Jamaat is being unfairly blamed and urged a fair investigation.

Salahuddin Ammar, General Secretary of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Ruqsu), has been accused of harassing Nurul Islam Shahid, General Secretary of Nawab Abdul Latif Hall Students’ Union. Shahid made the allegation in a Facebook post on Wednesday night, claiming the incident occurred while watching the Argentina–Algeria World Cup football match at Habibur Rahman Hall field.

According to Shahid, he was invited by Ruqsu Vice President Mustakur Rahman Zahid and Habibur Rahman Hall GS Ashiq Shikdar to sit near them. Shortly after, Ammar and Assistant Sports Secretary Abu Sayeed Sami arrived, and Ammar allegedly pulled Shahid by his shirt collar and forced him out of the restricted area. Shahid said he later expressed unwillingness to participate in future Ruqsu activities.

Ammar denied the allegations, stating that he did not touch Shahid and only asked him to move to maintain order and visibility for female students. Assistant Sports Secretary Abu Sayeed Noon said he was present but could not clearly hear what happened.

A BNP activist died of a heart attack while greeting a party leader in Chapainawabganj on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred in front of the district jail gate as supporters gathered to welcome Gomostapur Union BNP president Abdullah Al Raihan, who had just been released on bail. The deceased, identified as Mithu Ali, suddenly fell ill during the reception and was taken to the 250-bed district hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

According to local BNP members, Abdullah Al Raihan had been arrested on May 9 in connection with an assault case involving a police officer from Nachol Police Station. His release prompted hundreds of party activists to assemble outside the jail with flowers to celebrate his freedom. District hospital physician Dr. Isharul Islam Tushar said preliminary findings suggest the cause of death was a heart attack.

Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ekramul Hossain confirmed that the body was handed over to the family after completing legal formalities.

US President Donald Trump has described critics of the new Iran agreement as jealous, nasty, or foolish. Responding to claims that he was not tough enough on Iran, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that those who think so are either jealous, nasty people, or fools. His comments came as the United States and Iran announced a new memorandum of understanding aimed at ending ongoing conflicts.

According to the source, Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian electronically signed the memorandum of understanding to halt wars and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides confirmed that the agreement has already taken effect. US officials stated that under the deal, Iran will not develop or acquire nuclear weapons, and hostilities on all fronts will cease.

The signing marks a significant diplomatic move between Washington and Tehran, with the agreement expected to ease regional tensions and restore vital maritime routes.

Government employees across Afghanistan have stopped using smartphones following a new directive issued by the country’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada. The order, which took effect on June 17, 2026, strictly prohibits smartphone use by all civil and military officials. The decision was announced through a letter bearing the Supreme Court’s emblem that circulated on social media last week.

According to the letter, provincial department heads were instructed to inform all senior and junior staff about the ban. It also stated that only the supreme leader has the authority to grant exemptions to this restriction. The Supreme Court did not respond to requests for comment regarding the order.

Two Afghan government spokespersons were contacted by Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper for clarification but did not provide any response. The order marks a significant step in tightening communication controls within Afghanistan’s public sector.

More than 100 days after Tareq Rahman assumed office as Bangladesh’s prime minister, expectations of a reset in India-Bangladesh relations remain unmet. Despite early diplomatic gestures from New Delhi, including visits by India’s foreign minister and other officials, Dhaka sees little substantive progress. Key measures such as restoring transit facilities, normalizing visa services, and lifting trade restrictions have not been implemented, leaving bilateral ties largely unchanged since the interim government period.

Senior BNP leaders have tried to ease tensions, emphasizing that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India should not hinder relations. However, Dhaka feels its goodwill has not been reciprocated, citing India’s continued use of the term “illegal immigration” in official statements after BJP’s state election victories. A recent visit by Bangladesh’s foreign minister to Delhi failed to dispel mistrust, and Rahman is reportedly preparing visits to Malaysia and China as diplomatic alternatives.

Analysts warn that without renewal of the 1996 Ganges water treaty, Bangladesh’s irrigation projects and agriculture could face severe challenges. Combined with domestic health and law-and-order crises, the government faces mounting pressure to stabilize both internal and external fronts.

Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has stated that Tehran is showing no flexibility in its ongoing talks with the United States. In an interview with Iran’s Press TV, he said the country is negotiating from a position of strength, asserting that recent battlefield victories have shaped the current dialogue.

Ghalibaf explained that the difference between the current and previous rounds of discussions lies in the foundation of military success, which now serves as the basis for negotiations. He emphasized the importance of turning Iran’s military achievements into a lasting settlement that benefits the nation’s interests.

He further noted that every war ending in victory must ultimately be formalized through legal and political agreements to ensure that those gains are properly recorded and yield tangible results.

A recent comment in Bangladesh’s Parliament by BNP lawmaker Monirul Islam about Jamaat-e-Islami’s female members wearing hijab and niqab has triggered a nationwide debate that quickly expanded beyond politics into religious and cultural dimensions. Following the controversy, expatriate intellectual Faham Abdus Salam joined the discussion, arguing that niqab hinders normal social interaction and that public representatives should maintain visible identities.

Columnist Minar Rashid, writing in response, criticized Faham for presenting his personal preferences as universal standards and for misinterpreting niqab as social seclusion. He emphasized that modern biometric technologies can verify identity without requiring facial visibility and argued that niqab-wearing women deserve respect for their personal and religious choices. Rashid noted that earlier parliaments under Khaleda Zia included niqab-wearing members without ridicule.

The article concludes that political criticism of Jamaat-e-Islami should not blur into opposition to Islam itself. It calls for restraint and respect for religious diversity, warning that conflating political rivalry with religious antagonism could alienate devout citizens and harm democratic culture.

Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Galibaf described the newly signed memorandum of understanding with the United States to end hostilities as a document of Washington’s failure. He made the remarks in a televised interview following the signing of the agreement, emphasizing that the Iranian people would judge the outcome themselves.

Galibaf stated that Iran entered the talks from a position of strength, asserting that victories on the battlefield had shaped the context of the negotiations. He contrasted the current discussions with previous ones, saying that the flag of victory now serves as the foundation for dialogue.

He further noted that every war ending in victory must be recorded in legal and political documents to ensure that its achievements are preserved and meaningful.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin for maintaining neutrality during the Iran conflict. Speaking after the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Iran, Trump said their stance helped improve the situation and did not obstruct his efforts to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

At a press conference following the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, Trump reiterated his appreciation for both leaders, emphasizing that their neutrality prevented further complications. He noted that Xi and Putin could have made the situation more difficult but chose not to intervene.

The remarks came amid ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran, with Switzerland confirming upcoming U.S.-Iran talks. The acknowledgment of Chinese and Russian restraint highlighted Trump’s focus on maintaining international stability during the sensitive negotiations.