The Election Commission (EC) has issued the official gazette recognizing BNP candidate Sarowar Alamgir as the elected Member of Parliament for the Chattogram-2 constituency in the 13th National Parliament. The decision followed receipt of the High Court verdict declaring his candidacy valid. The EC stated that after publishing the gazette on Thursday, a letter will be sent to the Parliament Secretariat to arrange his oath-taking.

Earlier, Alamgir had won the February 12 election, but the EC withheld the gazette due to legal complications over his candidacy. Although the returning officer initially accepted his nomination, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Muhammad Nurul Amin appealed to the EC alleging loan default. On January 18, the EC upheld the appeal and canceled Alamgir’s candidacy, prompting him to file a writ petition in the High Court.

The High Court later suspended the EC’s decision and allowed Alamgir to contest under the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol. The Appellate Division permitted his participation but ordered the result and gazette to remain pending until final judgment. With the latest High Court ruling, the legal barrier to publishing the result and taking oath has been removed.

The Ministry of Public Administration of Bangladesh has promoted 172 officers from the rank of deputy secretary to joint secretary. The order was issued on Thursday afternoon, July 9, 2026, following approval from the Prime Minister’s Office earlier in the day. The promoted officials have been appointed as special duty officers (joint secretary) under the ministry and are required to submit their joining letters either directly to the senior secretary or via email.

According to the ministry, the promotions include officers from the 24th and 25th batches of the Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) cadre who had previously been left out. About 190 officers from the 24th batch were recommended for promotion, while 80 from the 25th batch were considered. The remaining officers from the 25th batch will be promoted later. The ministry also retains the authority to amend or cancel any promotion if adverse information about any officer emerges.

The ministry noted that the next phase of promotions for the 24th batch, to the rank of additional secretary, remains under review.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced its commitment to building a political culture where leadership aligns words with actions. Mohammad Selim Uddin, the party’s Dhaka North city chief and mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), made the statement on Wednesday evening at a gathering in Vatara, Dhaka. He said the party aims to create a safe, clean, and citizen-friendly capital modeled after modern global cities.

Selim Uddin highlighted issues such as unemployment, drug abuse, corruption in public healthcare, and the high cost of private medical services. He expressed concern over extortion affecting businesses and consumers, and the gas crisis threatening industries and employment. He pledged to resolve the city’s water shortage and establish a humane, accountable, and citizen-oriented city corporation if given a five-year mandate.

He added that fulfilling pre-election promises is Jamaat’s main goal and mentioned the launch of a mobile application called “Nagarik Seba Dot Net,” which is already providing various civic services before the election.

Hasanat Abdullah MP, the South Regional Chief Coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP), visited the grave of martyr Ishtiaq Ahmed Shraban in Feni’s Anandapur Union on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Shraban was the first martyr of the July uprising in Mohipal, Feni. After offering prayers at the gravesite, Abdullah spoke with Shraban’s parents and family members to express condolences.

Local NCP leaders including Abdul Aziz, Muhaimin Tajim, and Omar Faruk accompanied him during the visit. According to district NCP member-secretary Shah Waliullah Manik, Abdullah came to Feni to attend the party’s South Regional July March inauguration.

The NCP’s “July Awakening to Build the Nation” march was scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. from Sonagazi Upazila square, with Abdullah and central party leaders leading the event.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is preparing for an official visit to the United States at the invitation of President Donald Trump. Aoun met with U.S. Ambassador Michelle Issa to discuss the upcoming trip and review the security situation in southern Lebanon. The meeting focused on strengthening the existing ceasefire in the region and addressing ongoing cross-border hostilities.

According to a statement from the Lebanese presidency, Aoun urged the United States to pressure Israel to halt attacks and fully implement the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement. He also called for an end to Israeli shelling and demolition activities in occupied Lebanese towns. Ambassador Issa said Aoun’s visit reflects Trump’s commitment to Lebanon’s stability and announced a follow-up meeting in Rome on July 14–15 involving representatives from Lebanon, the U.S., and Israel.

Issa further noted that a U.S. military delegation will arrive in Beirut within days to coordinate the handover of several areas to the Lebanese army following the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam, MP, emphasized that responsible, objective, and constructive journalism plays a vital role in accelerating Bangladesh’s development. Speaking as the chief guest at the ‘BSRF Dialogue’ organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum at the Secretariat’s media center on Thursday, he called on the media to present government development activities accurately and counter misinformation and rumors.

Mir Shah Alam said that constructive criticism from the media helps identify and correct mistakes, enabling the government to serve citizens more effectively. He noted that responsible journalism ensures accountability and makes development initiatives more dynamic and people-oriented. Discussing Bogura’s development, he stated that the district had long lagged behind but that he was working tirelessly under the Prime Minister’s guidance to address the gap.

Sharing his personal background, the State Minister mentioned his previous role as founder and chairman of Ruposhi BD Group and said he has since handed over management duties to his family to focus fully on public service.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. A.K.M. Shamsul Islam, the Prime Minister’s Defense Adviser, on Thursday at the Armed Forces Division office in Dhaka Cantonment. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR).

During the discussion, both sides recalled the longstanding and historic friendship between Bangladesh and China. They exchanged views on deepening existing technological and military cooperation and agreed to elevate the strategic partnership between the two nations. The talks also covered expanding opportunities for advanced training of Bangladeshi armed forces personnel in China and promoting defense self-reliance through technology transfer. Joint initiatives to ensure cybersecurity were emphasized, along with a shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The defense adviser praised China’s continued support in Bangladesh’s infrastructure and defense sectors, while the Chinese ambassador commended the government’s modernization efforts and expressed determination to sustain future cooperation.

A local Awami Labour League leader in Rajabad village under Nabiganj municipality, Habiganj, allegedly led a group early Thursday morning to forcibly build a tin-roofed house on a public road used by the family of late teacher Abdul Matin Master. The construction reportedly blocked the only access route to their home, leaving several family members confined and preventing school-going children from attending classes. Police visited the scene and restored calm but did not remove the obstruction. Abdul Momen Dilip, a family member, has filed a written complaint with the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).

According to local sources, the disputed road had been maintained by Abdul Matin Master for about 25 years. A previous land transaction between the family and Labour League leader Mazharul Islam Opu failed due to ownership record issues. Despite earlier repairs by a relative, the conflict reignited when Opu and his brother allegedly occupied the road. UNO Ruhul Amin, currently in Dhaka, said he would look into the matter upon return.

Tension remains high in the area, with locals fearing possible clashes if the dispute is not resolved soon.

Former BNP lawmaker Harunur Rashid has alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami led the 'mob culture' under the Yunus government. He made the remarks on Wednesday night during a talk show on a private television channel. Rashid said the interim government had planned to prolong the election process under the pretext of reform, during which the rule of law was absent and law enforcement officials were afraid to act.

He further stated that Jamaat-e-Islami was at the forefront of this situation. Referring to the electoral history of Chapainawabganj, Rashid noted that although Jamaat had not won any seats there in the past 50 years, it secured three seats this time. He hinted at an internal understanding between the Awami League and Jamaat in this context.

Rashid added that for a healthy political culture, the ruling party must respond to criticism with patience. He warned that without timely elections, the country's future would have been uncertain.

The Ganosamhati Andolon has welcomed the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division verdict that reinstated the caretaker government system and referendum provisions in the Constitution. In a statement issued on Thursday, acting chief coordinator Dewan Abdur Rashid Nilu and executive coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel said the ruling marks an important step toward ensuring people’s voting rights.

The leaders noted that Ganosamhati had opposed the Fifteenth Amendment since its passage in 2011, arguing that abolishing the caretaker system and referendum provisions without public consent undermined democracy and citizens’ political rights. They described the new verdict as a constitutional recognition of their long-held position and a reaffirmation of people’s sovereignty, democracy, freedom of expression, and the foundation for free and fair elections.

However, the statement added that the ruling alone does not resolve Bangladesh’s constitutional crisis. The leaders called for continued constitutional reforms to ensure balance of power, full judicial independence, equal rights for all ethnic groups, and protection of citizens’ fundamental freedoms, urging immediate implementation of the July Charter through parliamentary discussion.

Leaders of the National Citizens Party (NCP) are set to inaugurate the party’s southern regional July march from Feni on Thursday at 5 p.m. The event, titled “July Awakening to Build the Nation,” will begin at the Sonagazi Upazila square. Central leaders including NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam MP, southern coordinator Hasnat Abdullah MP, central spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, joint convener Abdullah Al Amin MP, organizational secretary Suja Uddin Sajib, and student affairs secretary Ali Ahsan Junaid are expected to attend.

According to NCP’s Feni district member secretary Shah Waliullah Manik, the initiative aims to honor the historic July uprising and convey its democratic spirit to new generations. The party has announced a month-long program titled “July Awakening to Build the Nation,” featuring discussions, cultural events, marches, public outreach, tributes to martyrs, and competitions involving professionals and citizens.

Throughout July, the NCP plans to highlight key moments of the July uprising and mobilize public awareness on issues such as implementing referendums, increasing employment, resolving power shortages, controlling commodity prices, and strengthening border security.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam stated that he is not a friend of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, describing himself instead as an ordinary worker of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Speaking at a dialogue with the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) in Dhaka on Thursday, he explained that his interactions with the Prime Minister stemmed from his responsibilities in the Bogura district BNP and his role as an elected representative.

Addressing recent media reports that described him as a friend of the Prime Minister, Alam said his connection with Tarique Rahman is limited to political and regional familiarity. He emphasized that their relationship is not personal, noting their age difference and distinct backgrounds. Alam added that such portrayals could be misunderstood by the public and his family.

He urged journalists to refrain from presenting him as a friend of the Prime Minister and requested awareness to prevent further misrepresentation of his relationship with Tarique Rahman.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam announced that a joint drone manufacturing factory will be established in Bogura in collaboration with Turkey. He stated that approval has already been granted for an airbase in Bogura, which will host new fighter aircraft joining the Bangladesh Air Force fleet. The minister made these remarks on Thursday at a BSRC dialogue organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum in Dhaka.

Mir Shah Alam highlighted his commitment to the development of his constituency, noting that several educational institutions he founded had not been included under the MPO scheme due to political reasons, but efforts are now underway to include them. He also said that Bogura had seen little development before the BNP government and that the current administration is working to ensure balanced progress across all districts, as directed by the Prime Minister.

The minister further mentioned that local government elections are scheduled for this year, with budget allocations already made and the Election Commission beginning initial preparations. He acknowledged that implementing a large budget and ensuring free and fair elections would be major challenges for the government.

On Thursday, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami posted four verses from Surah Al-Muminun on its official Facebook page. The verses, numbered 2 to 5, describe the qualities of true believers, including humility in prayer, avoidance of idle talk, giving of zakat, and maintaining chastity. The post elaborated on the practical aspects of these teachings, linking them to modern contexts such as social media behavior, economic responsibility, and moral discipline.

The article explains that Jamaat-e-Islami’s use of Quranic verses in its communication is consistent with its ideological stance of promoting Islamic values in society and governance. Political analysts view such posts as part of the party’s effort to project itself as a morally upright and disciplined force, distinct from its rivals.

By sharing religious messages instead of direct political statements, the party aims to connect with the religious sentiments of the public, potentially fostering a favorable perception among devout citizens.

Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of the BNP and political adviser to the Prime Minister, urged party members to remain alert against conspiracies by defeated forces. Speaking to the media at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan on Thursday, he said the current government came to power through sacrifice and struggle and now acts as a guardian of sovereignty and democracy. Rizvi instructed party activists to work closely with Hindu communities during the Rath Yatra festival to prevent any provocation or attempts to tarnish national unity.

He emphasized that all communities in Bangladesh—Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, and ethnic groups—are united and aware of past attempts to create division. Rizvi praised the Prime Minister’s efforts to alleviate poverty through initiatives such as family, farmer, and health cards, and to revitalize waterways for agriculture and fisheries. He also highlighted the school feeding program covering 150 upazilas and 3 million primary students, calling for accountability where students fell ill after receiving meals.

Rizvi urged field-level officials to provide accurate progress reports and ensure proper implementation of government programs to sustain national development.