The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sent necessary documents to the Ministry of Home Affairs to facilitate the repatriation of former Bangladesh Police Inspector General Benazir Ahmed, who was arrested by Dubai Police on June 12. The ACC’s Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Akhtarul Islam confirmed the development on Tuesday, stating that the documents were prepared with assistance from two officials of the Police Headquarters’ National Central Bureau. The papers were forwarded to the Home Ministry and were expected to be sent to the United Arab Emirates government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the same day.

Following Benazir Ahmed’s arrest, the ACC initiated the process to bring him back to Bangladesh. He faces six cases involving allegations of illegal wealth accumulation, money laundering, and passport forgery. A charge sheet has already been submitted in one case related to unexplained wealth. The ACC compiled evidence and legal documents into a formal request to support the extradition process.

Government sources indicated that although Bangladesh has 30 days to send an official extradition request, authorities acted swiftly to expedite the process without waiting for the full period.

The International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh will go on a vacation for the first time since its establishment about fifteen years ago. The break will run from July 1 to July 20, following an amendment to the tribunal’s procedural law. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam confirmed that the tribunal will remain closed during this period, with only routine administrative work continuing.

According to the Ministry of Law, the amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal’s procedural rules was made on May 17. A new section, 59(A), was added to introduce the concept of vacation. The section specifies that the tribunal and its registry will observe two annual recesses—from July 1 to July 20 and from December 17 to December 31. During these periods, at least one member or the chairman will continue essential functions.

The amendment also allows tribunal officials and staff to perform duties on a rotational basis during the recess. The chairman or registrar will assign responsibilities, and tribunal members will be entitled to equivalent leave at other times of the year.

Justice and Democracy Party (JDP) convener Naeem Ahmad stated that if Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were alive, Bangladesh would still have only four newspapers, all edited by him. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a discussion held at Madhur Canteen to mark Newspaper Black Day. Ahmad argued that Mujib would not have allowed media outlets such as Jamuna Television, Amar Desh, or Prothom Alo to operate and linked the closure of several media houses to divine justice.

He further said that even after the mass uprising, media freedom had not flourished, alleging that many outlets had become rehabilitation and protection centers for the Awami League. Ahmad warned that some of these “media leagues” were now trying to portray the BNP as fascist and urged vigilance. He lamented that only four newspapers—Dainik Bangla, Bangladesh Observer, Ittefaq, and Bangladesh Times—had been allowed during Mujib’s era, calling them mouthpieces of BAKSAL.

Speakers at the event, including JDP and National Student Forum representatives, called for building a free, truthful, and people-centered media and condemned attacks on outlets such as Prothom Alo and Amar Desh.

A Dhaka court has granted a three-day remand for 13 Awami League activists in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Banani Police Station. Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Jewel Rana issued the order on Tuesday. Another accused, Md. Taibur Saif, was ordered to be produced before the juvenile court as he is underage. The investigation officer, Sub-Inspector Saiful Islam, had sought a seven-day remand for the accused.

According to the remand petition, the accused were arrested on June 13 from a microbus near Banani Navy Headquarters. Police alleged that they are active members of a banned organization and were distributing leaflets and posters aimed at tarnishing the government's image and conspiring to overthrow it. The petition also mentioned that on May 16, some of the accused had participated in an illegal procession near the same location. During the operation, police seized 24 PVC posters bearing Sheikh Hasina’s image, a motorcycle, and mobile phones.

Defense lawyers argued that the accused were not affiliated with any political organization and were merely watching a T20 World Cup match together on the day of the incident.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the full text of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Iran will be formally read out to the media. He said the matter is so important that he will not limit himself to merely releasing the document but may also hold a press conference to discuss it in detail.

According to Trump, he intends to present every part of the MoU before the press to prevent any misinterpretation or confusion about its contents. He described the document as highly significant and emphasized the need to ensure that the public receives accurate information about it.

Trump added that the document will be released in an official setting at an appropriate time, and the media will be briefed on its details. The announcement was reported by Al Jazeera and CNN.

Jahangirnagar University has granted full exemption from punishment to 16 Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leaders involved in the July attack case. Out of 189 punished leaders, 43 had appealed for reconsideration. The decision was made at a syndicate meeting held early Tuesday, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan, and announced by Registrar A.B.M. Azizur Rahman.

According to the registrar, among 21 leaders who were expelled for life, five were fully exempted, eight had their punishment reduced to two years, and five to one year. Of eight leaders previously punished for two years, six were released from penalty. Additionally, among 12 whose certificates had been canceled, five were cleared, while four received one-year and three received two-year punishments.

The syndicate meeting reviewed all appeals and finalized the decisions accordingly, marking a significant revision of disciplinary actions related to the July incident.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized the need to strengthen the practice of social and religious values from the school level. Speaking at a views exchange meeting with journalists at the China Friendship Conference Center on Tuesday, he said that sports, cultural activities, and innovation competitions are being prioritized nationwide to protect the youth from the threat of drugs.

The Prime Minister noted that drug abuse has become a serious problem among the youth and that the country’s capacity for treatment and rehabilitation is limited. He stressed the importance of channeling the physical and mental energy of young people aged 15 to 25 into positive activities such as sports and culture. He mentioned the launch of the 'Notun Kurir' sports and cultural competition, which recently saw participation from around 2.2 million students across the country.

Tarique Rahman also called for year-round cultural and debate programs in educational institutions and directed the Information Ministry to conduct awareness campaigns promoting social and religious values. He further discussed economic reforms, rural development, and the objectives of the proposed 'Family Card' and 'Farmers Card' initiatives.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced in parliament that Bangladesh will begin holding local government elections across the country after the monsoon season, likely from September or October 2026. The first phase will include Union Parishad elections, followed by polls for municipalities, upazilas, district councils, and city corporations within the next year.

The minister stated that the elections will be conducted in phases depending on budget availability. He added that elections for all 13 city corporations, including the newly formed Bogura City Corporation, are planned within the same timeframe. The announcement came during a parliamentary question-and-answer session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The minister also discussed several administrative initiatives, including allocations for inspection rooms in upazila complexes, water supply capacity in Dhaka, waste collection management, and the development of a new blockchain-enabled birth and death registration software aimed at improving transparency and service delivery.

During the ongoing G7 summit in France, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for a key discussion on the U.S.-Iran agreement and Middle Eastern geopolitics. Speaking to reporters afterward, Trump asserted that Israel would not exist without his backing, claiming Iran was only two weeks away from developing nuclear weapons before its previous leadership was eliminated. He added that Iran now has a more rational leadership.

Trump criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the Lebanon issue, urging him to act more responsibly. He condemned Israel’s airstrike in Beirut just before the Iran deal announcement, calling it unacceptable. Referring to the Lebanon situation as a “small war,” Trump suggested Israel should let Syria handle Hezbollah, saying Syria could manage it better.

Praising Qatar’s mediation efforts, Trump commended the country’s courage and firm stance. Emir Sheikh Tamim described the U.S.-Iran deal as a highly positive step for the region, expressing optimism about future progress if current momentum continues.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mujibur Rahman raised an objection in the Bangladesh Parliament regarding the practice of bowing the head when entering the chamber. Speaking on a point of order during Tuesday’s session, he argued that the gesture, traditionally used by members to show respect, conflicts with Islamic teachings and could be considered an act of shirk. He reminded the House that a previous amendment to parliamentary procedure had removed the requirement for bowing.

Addressing the Speaker, Rahman noted that despite the amendment, some members, including the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, still maintained the habit of bowing. He urged all members to follow the revised rule to avoid religious impropriety and gain spiritual merit. In response, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said he would review the procedural rules to confirm whether the change had been formally adopted.

The Speaker added that such gestures are personal choices and common in parliaments worldwide but assured that he would verify the matter based on past parliamentary decisions.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that if the implementation of the July Charter, endorsed through a referendum, is not resolved in Parliament, the issue will be taken to the streets. Speaking at a press briefing in the LD Hall of the National Parliament on Tuesday, he emphasized that the opposition will not abandon the people's demand and remains committed to fulfilling it.

Dr. Rahman announced that the opposition will not join the government’s proposed committee on constitutional amendment, arguing that the referendum reflected the people’s desire for constitutional reform, not amendment. He clarified that the opposition would consider participating only if a committee for reform, rather than amendment, is formed. He also stressed that the opposition will act responsibly in Parliament, avoiding personal attacks or praise, and will walk out only if their logical proposals are dismissed.

He further highlighted issues raised by the opposition in Parliament, including the banking crisis, expatriate concerns, and border push-in incidents, noting that the government has yet to respond to their proposals for a parliamentary task force.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that the current democratic government no longer intimidates the media as in past authoritarian eras but aims to act as a genuine partner in addressing journalists’ professional issues. He made the remarks on June 16, 2026, at a discussion marking 'Newspaper Black Day' at the National Press Club in Dhaka, organized by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ).

Swapan recalled the 1975 constitutional amendment that established one-party rule and suppressed press freedom, describing it as a dark chapter in Bangladesh’s history. He urged recognition of new challenges posed by artificial intelligence and digital media, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to counter misinformation and misuse of technology. He also highlighted the global trend of citizen journalism and mentioned that countries like Australia, the UK, and the EU have enacted new laws to regulate it.

The minister announced that the government plans to form a powerful quasi-judicial Media Commission soon and called for a high-level policy forum to guide the Information Ministry in ensuring media freedom and accountability.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the Awami League and democracy have never gone together, not even since the party’s inception. He made the remark on Tuesday at the National Press Club in Dhaka while addressing a discussion organized by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) marking Newspaper Black Day.

Mirza Fakhrul described himself as a liberal democrat who rejects politics based on religion or race and emphasized equal rights for all citizens. He portrayed the BNP as a democratic and liberal political force, calling it the safest option for the people. He praised journalists for their courage in defending democracy and freedom of the press during difficult political times and expressed hope that the current government would continue to support press freedom.

He also urged effective measures to ensure employment for unemployed journalists and preserve the legacy of closed media outlets. Fakhrul warned against misinformation on social media and called for unity to counter destabilizing propaganda.

US President Donald Trump announced that a preliminary agreement to end the war with Iran has been signed, with full details to be released soon. Speaking during the G7 summit in France alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen on Friday, the day of the formal signing in Geneva. The deal and ceasefire have created a political crisis for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, undermining key pillars of his long political career and exposing him to new security challenges.

The agreement has sparked intense debate in Israel, where opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that Netanyahu faces a choice between direct confrontation with Washington or compromising Israeli interests. Trump’s criticism of Netanyahu’s recent military decisions has been seized upon by his rivals ahead of upcoming elections. Hardline ministers in Netanyahu’s coalition have rejected the deal’s terms, while security experts argue it strengthens Iran and Hezbollah’s regional influence.

Analysts say Netanyahu’s strategy has trapped Israel in prolonged conflicts across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria without clear diplomatic outcomes, draining military resources and eroding his image as “Mr. Security.”

Information, Broadcasting and Cultural Affairs Adviser Dr. Zahidur Rahman stated that the current government will never compromise Bangladesh’s sovereignty in its relationship with India. He made the remarks on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Press Information Department in Dhaka, responding to questions from journalists about the government’s engagement with India.

Rahman emphasized that engaging with India does not mean selling out the country, and said he would visit India if formally invited. He stressed that Bangladesh seeks to engage with India on the basis of equality, aiming to improve trade and other areas of cooperation. He also mentioned that relations had deteriorated during the interim government period but that the current administration wants to rebuild them.

The adviser highlighted upcoming discussions on renewing the Ganges water treaty, the Teesta agreement, and the management of 53 shared rivers. Referring to a recent incident at Delhi airport, he described being kept waiting for over two hours as harassment but said he did not take it personally, viewing it as an issue of state respect.