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.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel will not withdraw its troops from Lebanon, rejecting earlier remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had expressed belief that Israel would pull back. In a statement, Katz asserted that Israel did not seek anyone’s permission to enter Lebanon and does not need permission to remain there. Katz emphasized that protecting residents of Galilee and Israeli citizens from threats is both a right and a duty. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials have reiterated that Israeli forces will stay in Lebanon until Hezbollah is completely disarmed. Katz added that Israel will continue operating in Lebanon’s security zone as long as necessary to eliminate threats to northern communities. The comments, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore Israel’s firm stance on maintaining its military presence in Lebanon amid ongoing tensions with Hezbollah.

Iran’s military announced that it carried out drone strikes on US military installations located in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. According to the statement, the attacks targeted a Patriot missile system in Kuwait, a satellite-based early warning antenna in Qatar, and a US fuel storage facility in Bahrain. The Iranian military said the strikes were conducted in retaliation for recent US attacks on Iranian territory. The statement added that the operation was part of a continuing series of Iranian assaults on US bases across the Middle East. Earlier, several Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, had reported incidents or issued security alerts following the attacks. In response, the US military confirmed that it launched strikes on 90 targets inside Iran, claiming the action was a countermeasure to Iranian assaults on commercial ships and civilian sailors in the Strait of Hormuz.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres met with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Nakvi, where he praised Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to promote peace. The meeting took place as part of discussions on regional and international issues, according to the report. During the meeting, both sides discussed Pakistan’s mediation efforts in facilitating a potential agreement between the United States and Iran. The talks also highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding role in supporting regional and global peace initiatives. Guterres recognized Pakistan’s continued contributions and mediation efforts in addressing regional challenges, reaffirming the UN’s appreciation for the country’s role in peacebuilding.

Jamaat-e-Islami has announced plans to appeal the High Court decision permitting Sarwar Alamgir, elected from Fatikchhari in Chattogram, to take oath as a Member of Parliament. The announcement came after the court ruled on Thursday that the BNP candidate could be sworn in as an MP. Jamaat’s lawyer, Shishir Monir, confirmed the party’s intention to challenge the ruling. According to Monir, the party argued that under the Representation of the People Order, a person who is a loan defaulter on the date of nomination submission cannot contest an election. He claimed that this condition applied to BNP’s Sarwar Alamgir, making his candidacy invalid. The High Court bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan had earlier delivered the verdict allowing Alamgir to take oath. The appeal, once filed, will determine whether the High Court’s decision stands or is overturned, potentially affecting the final status of the Chattogram-2 parliamentary seat.

Continuous heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours has submerged most parts of Naogaon town and its surrounding areas. Streets are under knee-deep water, and homes in low-lying neighborhoods have been flooded. Many residents have taken shelter in higher areas to escape the rising water levels. Authorities reported that the district recorded 240 millimeters of rainfall in 24 hours. Due to the flooding, several schools have canceled their midterm examinations. Meanwhile, the Atrai and Choto Jamuna rivers flowing through Naogaon are nearing the danger level, according to the Water Development Board. The situation has disrupted daily life across the town, and officials are monitoring the river levels closely to assess further risks of flooding.

Law Minister Md. Anisul Haque announced that the next national parliamentary election in Bangladesh will be held under a caretaker government, following a directive from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. He made the statement during a press conference at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday morning, adding that a bill related to this matter will be introduced in the upcoming session of the National Parliament. The minister stated that the Appellate Division’s verdict reflects the aspirations of the people. Once the full copy of the judgment is received, the government will form a special committee to amend the constitution accordingly. He emphasized that the government will uphold public expectations, including those expressed in the July Charter, as part of its commitment to democratic governance. The announcement marks a significant step toward implementing the Supreme Court’s directive and preparing the legislative framework for the caretaker government system ahead of the next election.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly come to a standstill following US attacks on Iran, according to Bloomberg citing ship tracking data. Only a US-sanctioned supertanker and an Iranian-flagged container ship were seen leaving the Gulf. On Wednesday, about 14 cargo vessels crossed the strait in both directions, the lowest number since the signing of a US-Iran memorandum of understanding on June 16. In the three weeks since the interim deal, an average of 34 ships had been passing daily. Iran’s health ministry reported that at least 14 people were killed and 78 injured in US strikes over the past two days. The US Central Command said it carried out attacks on more than 90 targets across Iran. Iranian media reported explosions and strikes in southern coastal cities and in the northern Golestan province along the Caspian Sea. The disruption in maritime movement through the vital oil transit route underscores the escalating tensions between the two countries and could have immediate implications for regional trade and energy supply routes.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emphasized the importance of caring for all of creation in accordance with the Holy Qur’an. Speaking on Thursday at the China Friendship International Conference Center in Dhaka, he inaugurated World Environment Day and Environment Fair 2026, along with the National Tree Plantation Campaign and Tree Fair 2026. He highlighted that the relationship between human society and the ecosystem is inseparable. Quoting a portion of verse 29 from Surah Al-Baqarah, the Prime Minister said that Allah created everything on earth for humankind. He explained that rivers, trees, insects, wild and domestic animals—all elements of the environment—are divine creations meant for human benefit. However, he stressed that humans have responsibilities to care for and nurture all creations properly. Referring to scientific progress, he noted that it is now proven that the wellbeing of human society is deeply connected to the preservation and development of the ecosystem.

Around 3,000 LPG cylinders were swept away by floodwaters from a Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) bottling plant in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. The incident occurred after heavy rainfall caused the plant’s protective wall to collapse, allowing floodwater to enter the facility. Videos circulating on social media showed the cylinders floating down the Patalganga River. Authorities fear that some of the cylinders may still contain gas, posing a potential safety hazard. Raigad District Collector Kishan Jawale urged residents to hand over any recovered cylinders to local authorities or HPCL offices instead of attempting to use or store them. He warned that it is unclear whether the cylinders are safe or contain gas, and handling them could be dangerous. Continuous heavy rainfall over the past week has triggered flooding across several parts of Maharashtra, with Raigad among the worst affected districts. Local rivers are flowing above danger levels, and the administration is monitoring the situation while advising residents to remain cautious.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s body is being transported from Najaf, Iraq, to Mashhad, Iran, for burial near the shrine of Imam Reza. This marks the final stage of six days of farewell ceremonies that began in Iraq. Prior to the transfer, mourners in Najaf and Karbala paid their last respects to the late Iranian leader. According to Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, head of Khamenei’s office, Khamenei had requested to be buried near the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. Reports from Press TV indicate that more than four million people joined the mourning procession in Karbala, while approximately 3.8 million attended the farewell in Najaf. The burial in Mashhad concludes a week of large-scale mourning events across Iraq and Iran, reflecting the deep public reverence surrounding Khamenei’s passing.

A local government engineer in Shariatpur’s Naria upazila has accused a BNP leader of assault and death threats inside the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) office. The incident allegedly occurred on June 2, when Motiur Rahman Sagar, the organizational secretary of Naria upazila BNP, entered the office and became angry after learning that the upazila engineer was away inspecting road work. He allegedly made offensive remarks, grabbed assistant engineer Toufiqul Islam by the collar, slapped him, and threatened further violence. Other staff members intervened to control the situation. According to the general diary filed more than a month later, Sagar also warned that if any legal action was taken, he would return to assault the officer again. The complaint states that the incident has caused fear and insecurity among office staff. Toufiqul Islam said he filed the report later to ensure personal and workplace safety. Police confirmed receiving the online complaint and said an investigation is underway to determine necessary legal steps.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has officially extended the contract of national team coach Hossam Hassan following Egypt’s historic run in the World Cup. The decision, approved by the EFA board and announced by president Hany Abu Rida, secures Hassan’s position until 2030. Hassan, 59, took charge of the national team in February 2024 and led Egypt to the semifinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He revealed earlier that he had been managing the team without a formal contract since February. Under Hassan’s leadership, Egypt achieved its first-ever World Cup victory, defeating New Zealand 3–1 in the group stage, and advanced to the knockout rounds for the first time since its debut in 1934. The team beat Australia in a penalty shootout to reach the round of 16, where they narrowly lost 3–2 to Argentina after leading 2–0 until the 78th minute. Despite the elimination, Egypt’s spirited performance earned widespread praise, prompting the EFA to show long-term confidence in Hassan. Before coaching, he was one of Egypt’s football legends, holding the national record with 69 goals in 177 appearances.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that the government will facilitate the private sector to encourage new investments. Speaking at a contract signing ceremony at the Secretariat on Thursday, he said the government is working with full effort to create employment across various sectors as quickly as possible. He noted that private sector management tends to be more efficient than government operations, and facilitating private investment would help expand job opportunities. State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam stated that the government aims to ensure the maximum and effective use of state resources. To achieve this, initiatives have been taken to attract private investment in closed Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) mills to revive production, employment, and economic activities. Out of 25 closed mills, 20 have been selected for leasing, with 14 lease agreements completed and production already resumed in nine mills. According to the State Minister, these mills have created about 9,500 jobs and are producing around 160 metric tons of jute goods daily. Additional land leases and new investments are expected to further expand production and employment opportunities.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he will not use a Boeing aircraft gifted by Qatar to return home, citing security concerns linked to Iran. Speaking to reporters at the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump stated he would instead travel on a former Air Force One plane. He claimed Iran had published a list naming him as its top assassination target and warned that Tehran would attempt to kill him if given the chance. The statement came amid renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran, despite a ceasefire memorandum signed in June. Reports said Iran attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting U.S. strikes on Iranian air defense systems, radar sites, and naval vessels. Iran later retaliated with attacks on several military installations in the Gulf region, though U.S. officials confirmed no American casualties. Trump accused Tehran of repeatedly violating the ceasefire and described Iran as a regional aggressor. He warned that the U.S. could launch further military strikes and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, even targeting its energy infrastructure if necessary.