Nationalist teachers at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) boycotted the Independence and National Day discussion meeting on Thursday after the university administration invited the chief engineer as a special guest. The event took place at the university’s mini auditorium, where the vice-chancellor A.M. Sarwar Uddin Chowdhury and pro-vice-chancellor Sajedul Karim had earlier hoisted the national and university flags and laid floral tributes at the Shaheed Minar.

According to the report, the meeting was chaired by the vice-chancellor, with the pro-vice-chancellor, the dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, the director of student counseling, and the chief engineer among the guests. Nationalist teacher leaders left the venue before the session began, protesting what they described as a breach of academic decorum. Forum secretary Professor Shah Atikul Haque said the inclusion of the chief engineer as a guest undermined teachers’ dignity, while the teachers’ association president noted that such a practice had not occurred in the university’s 34-year history.

Event convener Professor Mahbubur Rashid stated that the guest list was determined by the university authority, and the pro-vice-chancellor said the selection was handled by the celebration committee formed by the vice-chancellor.

Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu stated that those who opposed Bangladesh’s independence will remain despised by the nation forever. He made the remark on Thursday morning after placing a floral wreath at the Rajshahi Central Shaheed Memorial to mark Independence and National Day 2026. The minister emphasized the government’s goal of strengthening democracy while safeguarding national sovereignty under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Minu said the government aims to build a hunger- and poverty-free Bangladesh by creating employment for millions of unemployed youth, describing it as a sacred duty. Earlier, he paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the memorial. The day’s celebrations in Rajshahi included a colorful parade and cultural program at the district freedom fighters’ stadium, inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner Bazlur Rashid.

The event was attended by senior government officials, including the deputy commissioner, city corporation administrator, and police commissioner. Separately, the city BNP office also marked the day with a flag-raising ceremony attended by Minister Minu and other local leaders.

Police detained five Awami League activists in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area on Thursday morning while they attempted to hold a procession. The arrests took place around 9:30 a.m. in front of the IDB Bhaban in Agargaon. The detainees were identified as Md. Hasan Ali, Jisan Ahmed, Md. Raisul Islam Manik, Md. Faruk Islam, and Ashik Mohammad. Among them, Hasan Ali is an employee of the Bangladesh Water Development Board. The incident was confirmed by Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam.

According to the police, a group of 15–20 people suddenly began a procession near the BTRC building in Agargaon to mark Independence Day. When the group reached the IDB Bhaban area, police intervened, dispersed the participants, and detained five individuals. Authorities stated that a case has been filed against the detainees under the Anti-Terrorism Act, and they have been sent to court.

The report did not mention any further details about the charges or the current condition of the detainees.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Char Monai Pir, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths caused by a bus plunging into the Padma River after losing control at the Daulatdia ferry ghat. In a statement issued to the media on Thursday, he said the incident left everyone shocked and speechless, describing the tragedy as deeply distressing.

He prayed for the victims, asking that they be granted martyrdom, and extended condolences to the bereaved families. The Char Monai Pir also called for an investigation to determine whether negligence or systemic flaws contributed to the accident. He emphasized that such incidents must not be repeated in the future.

The statement reflects the religious leader’s concern over recurring transport accidents and his call for accountability and preventive measures to ensure passenger safety.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Char Monai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim has described the recent Padma River bus sinking and other accidents across the country as the combined result of failures in Bangladesh’s communication system. Speaking on Thursday at the party’s central office in Purana Paltan, he lamented that even after 56 years of independence, the nation’s transport infrastructure remains fragile and accident-prone. He said those who governed the country over the past 55 years must take responsibility for this situation.

During the meeting, party leaders prayed for the victims of the Daulatdia Ghat accident and other recent incidents during Eid, expressing sympathy for the bereaved families. The Char Monai Pir criticized widespread corruption in the transport sector, saying it has turned public communication into a “death trap.” He urged the new government to prioritize reforms, eliminate syndicates, and ensure international standards in vehicle fitness and driver licensing.

He further stated that such accidents are not mere mishaps but amount to systematic mass killings due to negligence and corruption.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said that the significance of Bangladesh’s 2024 mass uprising is being undermined. Speaking at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar on Independence Day, he warned that if reforms are not implemented in parliament, they will be carried out on the streets through political means. He emphasized that both reform and justice are essential.

Patwari criticized the government for failing to deliver justice for the July killings and accused it of manipulating elections through an understanding with India. He questioned the government’s use of the slogan “Joy Bangla” under official supervision and alleged that law enforcement is being used to support groups he described as “Joy Bangla terrorists.” He urged the government to ensure justice and reform, including accountability for the Awami League.

He further alleged election engineering and said the government ignored opposition voices in parliament and issues related to Indian agreements. Patwari concluded that returning to the streets remains the only alternative if reforms are not realized.

A banned organization named Awami League reportedly placed wreaths at a Shaheed Minar in Chandipur area of Khanmarich Union, Bhangura upazila of Pabna, on the morning of Independence and National Day. According to local sources, around 10 to 12 leaders and activists, led by Khanmarich Union Awami League General Secretary Joynal Abedin and Union Jubo League Vice President Shaheb Ali, participated in the tribute.

Local BNP leader Ataur Rahman Khokon said that members of the banned group had previously organized similar programs on International Mother Language Day, and the absence of law enforcement action encouraged them to repeat the activity. In contrast, Upazila Jamaat Amir Maulana Mohir Uddin stated that he was unaware of the incident.

Officer-in-Charge of Bhangura Police Station S.M. Mostafizur Rahman also told the newspaper that he had no knowledge of the event.

Former DGFI Director General Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Sheikh Mamun Khaled told a Dhaka court that he had played a direct role in securing Tarique Rahman’s bail during the 1/11 political period. He made the statement while appearing before Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Siddiq Azad in connection with the murder of Delwar Hossain, who was shot during a student-public protest in Mirpur on July 19, 2024. The court granted a five-day remand after police sought seven days for interrogation.

According to the remand petition, Delwar was killed in an attack by Awami League activists during the protest, and evidence suggested that the shooting occurred under Mamun Khaled’s direction. The prosecution described him as a key figure in the 1/11 events and alleged his involvement in various abuses, including the creation of the “Aynaghar” detention site and financial irregularities in the Jolsiri project. Defense lawyers argued that his name was not in the case statement and that he had retired in 2016.

Mamun Khaled denied all allegations, asserting that he was not present at the scene and had lived as a civilian since retirement. He was arrested from his DOHS residence before being produced in court.

Rajshahi district unit of Jamaat-e-Islami has dismissed as completely baseless and misleading a series of media reports claiming that the party’s deputy amir, Professor Mujibur Rahman MP, instructed not to include Gita recitation in Independence Day programs. In a statement sent to the media on Thursday night, the district Jamaat condemned and protested the reports, calling them fabricated and purposefully distorted.

The statement clarified that the parliament member did not make any such remarks at any meeting, gathering, or to any official. District amir Professor Abdul Khalek and secretary Md. Golam Murtuza said publishing such unverified news violates basic journalistic ethics and misleads the public. They emphasized that Independence Day symbolizes national unity, harmony, and dignity, and that provocative or confusing news around this occasion is unacceptable.

The leaders demanded immediate correction, apology, and withdrawal of the reports from the concerned media outlets and urged all journalists to verify information before publication to maintain objectivity and responsibility.

The Bangladesh government has carried out a major administrative reshuffle, appointing new secretaries to twelve ministries, divisions, and departments. According to separate notifications issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Wednesday night, eight officials were promoted, three were transferred, and one was appointed on a contractual basis. The changes include new appointments in key ministries such as Women and Children Affairs, Expatriates’ Welfare, Environment, ICT, Civil Aviation, and Fisheries.

Among the new appointees are Md. Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan as Secretary of the National Parliament Secretariat, Yasmin Parveen at the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, and Md. Mokhter Ahmed at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. Several existing secretaries, including Kaniz Mawla and Nasreen Jahan, were reassigned to new roles within the Planning Commission and other departments. RSM Ebadur Rahman was appointed Secretary of the Economic Relations Division on a one-year contract.

Additionally, several senior officials, including secretaries from the Economic Relations, Financial Institutions, and Environment ministries, were attached to the Ministry of Public Administration following the reshuffle.

Pakistan’s former prime minister and cricket legend Imran Khan remains steadfast in his beliefs despite being imprisoned. In a recent column for The Times, former England captain Michael Atherton shared insights from a conversation with Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Qasim, who spoke about their father’s condition and unyielding spirit. They said Imran would not compromise and was prepared to die in jail if necessary.

The two sons spoke with their father by phone last Saturday, their first conversation since January. They revealed that the 73-year-old’s right eye has severely deteriorated, yet he remains calm and resilient, using meditation to maintain his composure. Qasim said that even restrictions such as cutting electricity or denying books have made his father spiritually stronger. Sulaiman added that Imran openly declared he would rather die in prison than abandon his principles.

According to his sons, Imran is more concerned about his wife Bushra Bibi’s imprisonment than his own suffering, telling them that while he can endure hardship, attacks on his family are far more difficult.

Four leaders of the National Citizens Party (NCP) in Chapainawabganj, including district convener Alaul Haque, have resigned from their posts. On Thursday, they sent their resignation letters to the party’s central convener Nahid Islam, with copies also forwarded to the Chapainawabganj Press Club and local media representatives. The other leaders who stepped down are senior joint member secretary Nazmul Huda Khan Rubel, joint convener Sheikh Oliul Islam Kafi, and joint member secretary Syed Kibria.

In separate letters, the four leaders stated that they were resigning from all party positions for personal reasons. Alaul Haque told reporters that family and personal issues had prevented him from fulfilling his responsibilities properly. Nazmul Huda Khan Rubel said they had joined the NCP hoping for change, but their expectations were not met, prompting their decision to resign.

Alaul Haque had been appointed chief coordinator of the NCP’s Chapainawabganj district coordination committee on June 5, 2025, before later becoming the district convener.

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Iranian leaders informally offered him the position of Iran’s next Supreme Leader. He made the statement on Wednesday at a Republican Congressional Committee fundraising event in Washington, asserting that Iran is desperate to reach a deal but afraid to admit it publicly.

According to Trump, Iranian officials expressed strong interest in negotiating with the United States but feared backlash from their own citizens and possible consequences from the U.S. itself. He said he declined the alleged offer, telling them he was not interested in the role.

The remarks come amid broader tensions involving Iran, including reports of intelligence sharing with Russia and regional warnings from the Gulf Cooperation Council about Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), has alleged that the current BNP government is following the same path once taken by the Awami League. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Pledge of Independence Day: Building a Prosperous and Dominance-Free Bangladesh” held at the Shafiul Alam Pradhan Auditorium in Paltan, Dhaka, he said that national leaders must be free from corruption and reject dominance to achieve a prosperous Bangladesh.

Pradhan accused the Awami League, under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, of surrendering to corruption and Indian dominance, and claimed that the BNP government has now adopted similar practices. He said the BNP came to power through a managed election and has delayed implementing the July Charter while rehabilitating the Awami League. He also alleged unprecedented politicization within the administration and warned that the country’s sovereignty is again under threat.

The meeting was presided over by JAGPA presidium member Haji Md. Hasmat Ullah, with other party leaders including SM Ziaul Anwar and Nazrul Islam Bablu also speaking.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met President Md. Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Thursday evening. The meeting took place at 6:10 p.m., marking the first official encounter between the two leaders since Rahman assumed office. The Prime Minister was accompanied by his daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, while the President was joined by his spouse, Professor Rebecca Sultana. According to the Prime Minister’s additional press secretary, the meeting included an exchange of greetings between the two leaders.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Rahman inaugurated and watched the Independence Day friendly football match at the National Stadium before arriving at Bangabhaban. He took the oath of office as Prime Minister on February 17 at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building, with President Shahabuddin administering the oath.

This meeting is noted as the first between the President and Prime Minister Rahman at Bangabhaban since his assumption of office, underscoring the continuation of formal state interactions between the executive and the head of state.