Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that the government is working to build a country free from drugs and gambling. He made the remarks on Friday morning at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka during an event marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The minister said that old laws are no longer sufficient to control drugs, emphasizing the need for new legislation. He noted that prevention, along with enforcement, is the most effective approach to combating drug abuse. Salahuddin Ahmed also announced that an amendment to the drug prevention law will be presented in parliament within the next few days.

He urged the youth to stay away from drugs to help drive national development and called on the administration to take a stronger stance in eradicating drug abuse across the country.

Iran has dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that Washington plans to use Iran’s unfrozen funds to purchase American agricultural products. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker and top negotiator, denied the claim, calling it completely false. In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf said the United States only exports genetically modified soybeans, broken promises, and nonsense.

Iran has emphasized that, under the terms of the ongoing agreement, it alone will decide how to spend its released assets, not the United States. The dispute follows reports from Iranian state media that Washington has agreed to release 12 billion dollars of Iran’s frozen funds and temporarily suspend sanctions on Tehran’s oil exports as part of the negotiations.

The exchange highlights continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington over financial assets and trade conditions, even as both sides discuss limited economic relief measures.

Three politicians critical of Israel won New York City’s Democratic Party primaries on Tuesday, signaling a shift in the party’s stance toward the Jewish state. The winners—Brad Lander, Claire Valdez, and Darieliza Avila Chevalier—were backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose activism began in the Palestinian rights movement. At Avila Chevalier’s victory rally in Harlem, supporters chanted “Free Palestine,” and she declared that the era of old politics was over.

The results reflect a broader transformation within the Democratic Party, where voters are increasingly critical of Israel’s actions. While many senior Democrats remain supportive of Israel, grassroots backing has declined. A recent New York Times/Siena poll found that 60 percent of Democrats sympathize more with Palestinians, compared to only 15 percent with Israel. Senator Chris Van Hollen noted that more Democrats now oppose unconditional U.S. aid to Israel.

Despite heavy spending by pro-Israel groups like AIPAC to influence upcoming elections, the organization appears to be operating defensively as Democratic sentiment continues to shift.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli forces will remain stationed in southern Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. Speaking at an event in southern Israel, he stated that the military would stay in those areas as long as necessary to ensure Israel’s security.

Netanyahu rejected calls for troop withdrawal under a U.S.-Iran agreement, asserting that Israel’s recent operations against Iran had significantly strengthened its strategic position. He emphasized that Israel had no intention of leaving the buffer zone in southern Lebanon and would maintain control over strategically important positions.

According to Netanyahu, the continued presence of Israeli forces in these regions is essential for national security, and the government will not compromise on that stance.

The US Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of migrants from Haiti and Syria. In a 6–3 ruling issued on Thursday, conservative justices upheld the administration’s authority to revoke the humanitarian protection, overturning lower court decisions that had blocked the move. The decision removes the legal right of affected migrants to remain in the United States and opens the door for their deportation.

The ruling affects more than 350,000 Haitians and 6,100 Syrians who received TPS after the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2012 Syrian civil war. Justice Samuel Alito wrote that courts lack authority to review administrative decisions on TPS, rejecting claims that the policy was racially motivated. Liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Elena Kagan dissented, arguing that the court should review whether proper procedures were followed and citing evidence of racial bias in Trump’s earlier remarks.

The decision could impact 1.3 million TPS holders from 17 countries. Haitian and Syrian advocates warned of severe humanitarian consequences, while Trump officials welcomed the ruling as a reaffirmation of immigration control.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has condemned what it called false and unverified reports by foreign media alleging that food supply vehicles were being blocked in Azad Jammu and Kashmir amid ongoing protests. The ministry lodged a formal complaint, stating that the reports were based on unverified claims and ignored official data and records.

According to the ministry’s statement, the spread of unverified news has become a recurring issue that requires corrective measures. The controversy follows violent demonstrations in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) began protests on June 5 demanding the abolition of reserved assembly seats and increased employment opportunities. Following the unrest, the JAAC was declared a banned organization under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Several media outlets, including AFP, had reported that authorities restricted supplies of food, fuel, and medicine to control the protests, a claim Pakistan’s government has strongly denied.

Chinese President Xi Jinping stated on Friday that China supports the smooth functioning of Bangladesh’s new government and is ready to advance high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. According to Xinhua, Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Beijing.

The meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People, where Xi expressed China’s interest in formulating a framework for key cooperation with Bangladesh. He highlighted potential collaboration in green and low-carbon development, digital economy, information technology, artificial intelligence, and other emerging sectors.

The discussions also reflected Beijing’s proposal for a Bangladesh-China economic corridor through Myanmar, signaling a new phase in bilateral relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of Bangladesh laid a wreath at the monument in Beijing’s historic Tiananmen Square on June 26, 2026. The ceremony took place at 9:15 a.m. local time, honoring China’s revolutionary heroes. During the event, the national anthems of both countries were played, and a bugle tune of respect was sounded. The Prime Minister stood in silence for a moment to pay tribute to the memory of China’s fallen heroes.

He was accompanied by his spouse Dr. Zubaida Rahman, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Economic Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, and several other senior advisers and officials. The visit reflects the ongoing diplomatic engagements between Bangladesh and China.

The wreath-laying preceded other high-level meetings in Beijing, including a private discussion between Prime Minister Rahman and Chinese President Xi Jinping, signaling a deepening of bilateral relations.

In Dhaka, 1,691 police officers are currently assigned to protect VIPs, including ministers, advisers, and other high-ranking officials. Despite their crucial role, many officers face difficult working conditions, long hours, and inadequate facilities. The shortage of 896 personnel forces existing officers to take on extra duties, leading to physical and mental strain. Officers stationed at ministerial residences often spend idle hours on mobile phones due to limited interaction, while others face delays in meal delivery and lack of proper sanitation facilities.

The police protection division also struggles with a shortage of vehicles, worsened after incidents of arson during the July movement in 2024. Officers often have to shuttle between multiple VIPs without rest. Many report feeling neglected by the officials they protect, receiving little acknowledgment or concern for their welfare. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s protection unit has acknowledged the manpower gap and stated that efforts are underway to address the shortage.

These conditions highlight the growing pressure on law enforcement personnel tasked with VIP protection in the capital, raising concerns about morale and operational efficiency.

Independent Member of Parliament Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal from Kishoreganj-5 raised questions in the Bangladesh National Parliament about the requirement of a license to consume alcohol. Speaking on Thursday during the general discussion on the proposed 2026–27 national budget, he said he was unaware of any country where drinking alcohol required a license.

During his speech, the MP also discussed drug control policies, saying there should be a clear understanding of whether alcohol is considered a narcotic. He alleged that police treat alcohol possession as a business opportunity, filing cases when a bottle is found. He further commented that the country’s law and order situation is not satisfactory and suggested increasing the police budget.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal added that many police stations face shortages of patrol vehicles, making it difficult to maintain law and order. He urged the government to allocate more funds in the budget to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies.

The Conscious Guardians Forum of Motijheel Ideal School and College has strongly protested the appointment of Lal Mohammad as the institution’s new principal. In a statement released to the media on Thursday, forum convener Dr. Helal Uddin alleged that Lal Mohammad, a former associate professor at Kushtia Government College, is linked to the Awami League and accused him of corruption and unethical behavior. The forum demanded the cancellation of his appointment, warning that students and guardians would not accept a politically influenced principal.

The statement further claimed that Lal Mohammad had previously been made an officer on special duty (OSD) due to corruption allegations and that his appointment was secured through political and financial influence. Dr. Helal Uddin urged the government to conduct a fair investigation and cautioned that student protests could escalate if the issue remains unresolved.

Separately, the Guardians Unity Forum, led by freedom fighter Md. Ziaul Kabir Dulu, thanked the education minister and secretary for appointing BCS (Education) cadre officials to principal positions in several reputed institutions and called for similar appointments at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College.

The High Court Division of Bangladesh disposed of a total of 3,409 old cases in a single day under a special initiative. Among these, 3,009 were old criminal miscellaneous cases and 400 were old writ cases. The criminal motion benches handled the criminal cases, while the writ motion benches resolved the writ cases on the same day.

According to court sources, since the start of this special program aimed at clearing long-pending cases, a total of 18,181 old criminal miscellaneous cases and 5,968 old writ cases have been resolved over five working days, one day each week. This brings the total number of disposed cases to 24,149. The initiative, launched on May 7, 2026, was undertaken under the direction of the Chief Justice to ensure faster justice, reduce case backlogs, and enhance the efficiency of the judicial system.

Court sources noted that the ongoing program has generated positive responses among litigants and related circles as the High Court continues to prioritize the disposal of old cases on designated days each week.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has praised outgoing Sylhet Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md. Sarowar Alam for his significant role in addressing long-standing irregularities, corruption, and mismanagement across various sectors in Sylhet. Speaking to journalists at Sylhet Osmani International Airport on Wednesday, the minister said Sarowar Alam had opened people’s eyes by bringing hidden issues to light and creating pathways for transparency and accountability.

The minister noted that the district administration’s initiatives under Sarowar Alam’s leadership had generated positive public response, particularly in identifying and resolving problems in financial and service sectors. He expressed hope that these initiatives would continue and that relevant authorities and the government would maintain active support. Regarding shrine management, he emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in income and expenditure, adding that Sarowar Alam’s transfer was part of routine administrative procedure.

During his tenure, DC Sarowar Alam sealed and later opened donation boxes at Hazrat Shahjalal’s shrine, revealing over 1.7 million taka and some gold, and took multiple anti-corruption steps that drew wide local attention.

Bangladesh and China signed 13 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on Thursday afternoon at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing following a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The signing was attended by Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapon, and senior foreign ministry officials. The agreements aim to enhance cooperation in investment, green development, and other key areas.

At a press briefing, Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Mahdi Amin said the MoUs cover areas under the Global Development Initiative, including health, education, and skills development. Separate cooperation plans were signed for human resource development and technical and vocational education. Additional MoUs were signed to strengthen collaboration in the media sector, focusing on modern technology and information exchange. One agreement also covers the export of Bangladesh’s national fruit, jackfruit.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir stated that China expressed full support for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government and pledged cooperation in trade, education, and culture. He added that China assured Bangladesh of its support on the Rohingya issue, marking a new phase in bilateral relations.

BNP lawmaker Fazlur Rahman from Kishoreganj-4 said he has no objection to the construction of Hindu temples or statues, emphasizing peaceful coexistence among followers of different religions. Speaking on Thursday during the general discussion of the 13th National Parliament’s budget session, he stated that if the Home Minister deems a temple or statue inappropriate, he may stop it, but personally, Rahman sees no issue. He added that people should be free to worship in their own places, saying he could build a mosque while others build temples without conflict.

Addressing opposition to the construction of an 81-foot Ram temple in Palashbari, Gaibandha, Rahman criticized groups such as Hefazat-e-Islam for organizing processions against the project. He said some people use religion for personal gain and ignore cultural values. Rahman also expressed concern over budget disparities between education and culture, arguing that both sectors are interdependent and essential for building a civilized society.

He urged for a balanced approach in national budgeting to ensure that cultural development complements educational progress.