The government has officially designated July 16 as Shaheed Abu Saeed Day. This date will now be observed annually as a national and international commemorative day under the ‘Category B’ classification. Relevant ministries, departments, and organizations have been instructed to ensure proper observance of the day. The announcement was made through a circular issued by the Cabinet Division on June 25. This move aims to honor the legacy and sacrifice of Shaheed Abu Saeed through nationwide recognition.

Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic socialist, has energized New York’s mayoral primary with his grassroots campaign and candid political style. Walking Manhattan streets for hours, Mamdani connected with voters seeking a mayor who is approachable and outspoken. His strong stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza, and promises to expand affordable housing, free childcare, and public transit, have gained him wide support, especially among young voters. Facing the general election, Mamdani’s challenge lies in fulfilling his ambitious vision amid high expectations.

The government has approved the purchase of refined fuel oil worth 10,000 crore taka (about $1.2 billion) from seven state enterprises across six countries including China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the UAE. Alongside fuel oil, proposals for importing octane, LNG, fertilizers (MOP, TSP, DAP), and 50,000 tons of wheat were also approved. These procurements are part of government-to-government agreements aimed at ensuring energy and food security, with a total expenditure exceeding 12,000 crore taka.

BNP leader Aminul Haque emphasized that the party is committed to creating a drug-free society and ensuring a drug-free Bangladesh. He expressed concern over the devastating impact of drug abuse on the youth, highlighting that many young people are falling victim to premature deaths due to narcotics.

Aminul Haque called for collective action to raise awareness and control drug use by involving every family, neighbor, and citizen in anti-drug campaigns. He revealed that nearly 8.3 million youths in the country are currently affected by drug abuse. The BNP leader stressed that their approach is first to warn and educate drug users, and if they fail to reform, legal action will be taken. He also clarified that BNP does not support extortionists, land grabbers, or groups that incite violence.

Interim leader Dr. Muhammad Yunus appears to be echoing the strategic foreign policy of former President Ziaur Rahman amid South Asia’s changing geopolitics. From strengthening U.S. ties and balancing China-India relations to using the Rohingya crisis as a diplomatic tool, Yunus is positioning Bangladesh as a sovereign player. His policies aim to reduce economic dependence on India, diversify trade, and assert strategic independence. This modernized approach revives Zia’s multi-vector diplomacy with a visible, confident presence on the global stage—marking a turning point in Bangladesh’s foreign affairs.

NCP leader Sarjis Alam has criticized some BNP members for what he described as excessive flattery, saying they have gone so far as to label Tarique Rahman the "mastermind" behind the July uprising.

In a post on his verified Facebook profile on Thursday evening, Sarjis Alam wrote, “In an effort to curry favor, some BNP leaders are now calling Tarique Rahman the architect of the July uprising. How could they deliberately make such a move that puts their own leader under scrutiny?”

Notably, several BNP leaders have, over time, attempted to highlight Tarique Rahman’s role in the July mass movement, often using such controversial terminology.

Rakibul Islam Rakib, President of the Bangladesh Chhatra Dal, stated that leaders and activists of the banned organization Chhatra League were involved in extortion and had directly opened fire on ordinary students during the July mass uprising. He alleged that it is the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir and the Bangladesh Democratic Student Union (BSDU) who are now working to rehabilitate these banned Chhatra League members.

Rakib further revealed that Saifur Rahman Sakib, General Secretary of Chhatra Shibir at Bangla College, went to the police to secure the release of a Chhatra League activist. "What does this signify? It means they have taken responsibility for the rehabilitation of the banned Chhatra League," he said.

The Chhatra Dal president also claimed to have evidence proving that the current President and Secretary of the Jahangirnagar University branch of Chhatra Shibir are Chhatra League members. Additionally, the President of Dhaka University’s Chhatra Shibir was reportedly directly involved with the Chhatra League committee. Rakib also raised concerns about the central president of Chhatra Shibir allegedly lacking student status.

Former CAG and current Sonali Bank chairman Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury highlights structural weaknesses, inefficiency, and bureaucratic complexity within the National Board of Revenue (NBR) as key reasons behind Bangladesh’s persistent revenue shortfalls. He stresses the need for tax system reform, local government empowerment, and better project evaluation to improve budget implementation and attract foreign investment. Chowdhury supports recent financial sector reforms but warns that political stability and long-term policy consistency are essential to drive sustainable economic progress.

BNP leader Shahid Uddin Annie reaffirmed the party’s commitment to judicial and institutional reform. “Reform is a continuous process. Tarique Rahman introduced a 31-point reform plan. If BNP returns to power, we will continue with visible reforms.” He criticized the Awami League’s legacy as one of fascism and plunder. Reflecting on the July movement, Annie described it not as a student-led protest but a full-fledged people’s uprising, drawing parallels with the movement that brought down Ershad's regime.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for his strong support for Israel and its people. This comes after Trump labeled the corruption cases against Netanyahu a “witch hunt” and called for their dismissal or a pardon. In a post on X, Netanyahu expressed gratitude and vowed to continue working with Trump to defeat shared enemies, rescue hostages, and expand peace. Trump, in a Truth Social post, called Netanyahu a “great hero” for his contributions to Israel.

BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused former Chief Election Commissioners Nurul Huda, Rakibuddin Ahmed, and Habibul Awal of destroying Bangladesh’s democratic institutions and acting to entrench Sheikh Hasina’s regime. Rizvi stressed that any legal action must follow due process. He also announced a 36-day program marking the anniversary of the July uprising, featuring rallies, silent marches, student assemblies, seminars, blood drives, street plays, football tournaments, and public health campaigns.

New intelligence reports have emerged backing President Donald Trump’s claim that the U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities was entirely successful. According to national intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard and CIA chief John Ratcliffe, key Iranian nuclear sites—Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan—were destroyed and would take years to rebuild. Despite earlier Pentagon leaks suggesting only delays, recent assessments emphasize severe damage. The conflicting information has intensified political tensions between the administration, Congress, and the media, fueling debates over transparency and national security.

US President Donald Trump has condemned the ongoing corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “witch hunt.” Trump urged that the trial be immediately canceled or that Netanyahu be granted a full pardon, praising him as a hero for Israel. The trial, which began in 2020 over bribery and fraud charges, could last up to a year. Israeli President Isaac Herzog has not received any pardon requests and says the issue is not under discussion.

Iran has formally protested to the United Nations against the recent U.S. attack on its nuclear site, directly rejecting America’s justification of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. Iran’s UN representative, Amir Saeed Iravani, called the U.S. action a violation of Iran’s sovereignty and inconsistent with global norms for peaceful nuclear energy use. He described the attack as a clear misinterpretation of international law and contradictory to the fundamental principles of the United Nations.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has issued a strong warning following recent attacks by the US and Israel on Iran’s nuclear facilities. He stated that Iran is more prepared than ever, with its “finger on the trigger” ready to respond destructively to any aggression. Criticizing the IAEA for not condemning the attacks, Iran has suspended cooperation with the agency and vowed to accelerate its peaceful nuclear program. Lawmakers condemned foreign interference and celebrated the halt of conflict after strong Iranian resistance.