State Minister for Planning Zunaid Saki emphasized strengthening the institutional capacity of the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA), modernizing the electronic government procurement (e-GP) system, and updating procurement laws and regulations to make public procurement more transparent, competitive, and technology-driven. He made these remarks on Tuesday at a stakeholder consultation workshop titled “e-GP System Development, Mandatory Implementation of e-GP, and Capacity Building of BPPA,” held at the BPPA conference room in the Planning Commission premises.

The workshop was chaired by BPPA Chief Executive Officer S. M. Moin Uddin Ahmed, with IMED Secretary Sirajun Noor Chowdhury as special guest. Participants included representatives from government agencies, business organizations, academia, and the media. Presentations highlighted BPPA’s progress, challenges, and future plans for procurement reform. Discussions also covered the proposed 110-member staffing structure, which participants deemed insufficient for BPPA’s expanding regulatory and training responsibilities.

Officials underscored the need for effective integration of the e-GP platform with other government digital systems and for expanding training to enhance officials’ skills in procurement laws and procedures.

A seminar was held at Rajshahi University on Tuesday, June 30, to commemorate the 33rd birth anniversary of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi. Organized by Speak With Rebel Production, the event took place at the Dean’s Complex conference room under the theme “Pen, Culture and Throne: Cultural Politics in the Struggle for Power Through the Ages.” The discussion highlighted Hadi’s struggle against imperialism and his role in resisting cultural domination.

Speakers at the seminar stated that the people of Bengal have never been aggressors but have faced threats from imperialist forces seeking to weaken their cultural identity. They said Osman Hadi understood these threats and was targeted for his resistance. RAKSU Vice President Mostakur Rahman Zahid claimed that imperialist India had long-term plans to influence Bangladesh’s education, literature, and culture, and that Hadi was killed for opposing such dominance. Former Vice-Chancellor Dr. Md. Saleh Hasan Nakib emphasized that understanding Hadi’s ideals requires more than symbolic admiration.

The event was attended by former student advisor Dr. Amirul Islam Konok, Professor Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman Akhand, and other discussants.

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has expressed concern that Bangladesh’s newly announced contractionary monetary policy could undermine the positive effects of the national budget’s tax and tariff incentives aimed at boosting investment, industrialization, and private sector growth. The business body issued its reaction shortly after Bangladesh Bank unveiled the monetary policy for the next six months.

According to DCCI, private sector credit growth has already slowed to 5 percent, while the policy interest rate remains unchanged at 10 percent, discouraging new investment. Despite four years of tight monetary policy, inflation rose to 9.42 percent in May, the highest in South Asia. The organization also noted that government borrowing from banks has surged by about 26 percent, squeezing liquidity and making credit access harder for private entrepreneurs.

DCCI welcomed the central bank’s Tk 60,000 crore stimulus fund as a positive step but stressed the need for transparent and efficient implementation. It urged better coordination between fiscal and monetary policies to ensure sustainable, private sector–driven growth and effective delivery of incentives to struggling entrepreneurs.

A student stabbed his teacher following an argument over a transfer certificate at a school in Maharashtra, India. CCTV footage showed the student discussing the matter with the teacher and principal in an office before suddenly becoming aggressive, threatening the teacher, and then stabbing him in the chest. The injured teacher was taken to a hospital for treatment, and panic spread inside the cabin as staff rushed to control the situation.

Police reported that the student had come to collect his transfer certificate when the argument began. The situation escalated quickly, leading to the attack. Investigators said the student had previous disputes with the same teacher and had ordered the knife used in the assault online. Police detained the student immediately after the incident and have begun questioning him.

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances leading to the violent confrontation.

Gazi Maulana Ataur Rahman has been appointed as the new secretary general of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, replacing Principal Yunus Ahmad after 18 years in the position. The announcement was made on Tuesday, and Yunus Ahmad has been made a presidium member of the party. Ataur Rahman previously served as the party’s central joint secretary general and spokesperson.

In an interview, Ataur Rahman said that leadership changes are not unusual but depend on the nature of Islamic organizations. He explained that as long as a leader remains capable and free from fundamental issues, there is no need for change. Addressing why the Amir’s position has not changed after 18 years, he stated that under Islamic principles, leadership should continue as long as the leader retains judgment and physical ability. He also emphasized that the will of the members regarding their Amir is what matters most.

The leadership reshuffle marks a significant organizational transition for Islami Andolan Bangladesh, with continuity maintained in the top leadership position.

The Premier Bank PLC held its 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday morning at Golf Garden in Dhaka through a hybrid format. The meeting was chaired by the bank’s founder shareholder and chairman, Dr. Arifur Rahman, and attended by directors, senior executives, shareholders, and officials. Company Secretary Mohammad Akram Hossain presented the meeting notice, while the chairman welcomed shareholders and outlined the bank’s overall performance, achievements, and future plans.

Dr. Arifur Rahman stated that the bank is moving forward with honesty and transparency after overcoming past irregularities, aiming to position Premier Bank among the country’s top five banks through restructuring and good governance. Managing Director Md. Monzur Mofiz emphasized that the institution is advancing toward a strong and sustainable future by maintaining depositor confidence and protecting long-term shareholder interests.

The meeting also presented the audited financial statements, the board of directors’ report, and other agenda items for approval. Shareholders shared their opinions and participated in a question-and-answer session.

The Government of Bangladesh has formed a 15-member ad hoc committee to administer the Bangladesh Bar Council, the regulatory body for lawyers in the country. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Attorney General of Bangladesh will serve as the committee’s chairman. The committee’s tenure will run from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

The notification, issued by the Law and Justice Division on Tuesday, stated that the committee was constituted under the authority granted by Section 4(2) of the Bangladesh Legal Practitioners and Bar Council Order, 1972. Senior lawyer Zainul Abedin has been appointed vice-chairman. Other members include senior and regional lawyers such as Barrister Md. Badruddoza Badol, Masud Ahmed Talukder, Jasim Uddin Sarkar, A.H.M. Mushfiqur Rahman Tuhin, Barrister Ragib Rauf Chowdhury, Nasir Uddin Asim, Sarker Tahmina Begum Sandhya, Mohammad Hossain Lipu, Mohammad Shishir Monir, Md. Nazim Uddin Chowdhury of Chattogram, Ali Asgar of Bogura, Syed Nazrul Islam of Dhaka, and Mahfuzur Rahman Milon.

The formation ensures continuity in the Bar Council’s operations until the next regular council is constituted.

At least ten people, including several children, were injured after being bitten by a dog in Dumki upazila of Patuakhali on Tuesday morning. The attacks began around 9 a.m. in different areas of the upazila, and the injured were treated at the Dumki Upazila Health Complex’s emergency department. Five of the victims were later referred to Patuakhali Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment.

Witnesses said a black-and-white dog roamed through several villages, biting pedestrians and children. The incident has caused widespread fear among residents. Most of the injured victims are children aged between five and eleven.

Dumki Upazila Livestock Officer Ashik Hazra stated that the matter has been reported to the upazila administration and that efforts are underway to identify and capture the dog. Health officials confirmed that all ten victims received medical care following the attacks.

Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the daily Amar Desh, stated that the Battle of Plassey in 1757 was primarily fought to plunder Bengal’s wealth. He made the remark on Tuesday afternoon at a discussion titled “From Plassey to Bangladesh: Lessons of History and the Present Context,” organized by the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union. Rahman described the battle as a staged event where local elites like Mir Jafar and Jagat Seth allied with the British East India Company for personal gain, leading to massive exploitation and famine.

He said the British looting caused the devastating famine of 1770, which killed a third of the population in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, and reduced India’s share of global GDP from 25 percent to 4 percent. Rahman criticized the British for defaming Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah through fabricated stories such as the “Black Hole of Calcutta” and urged the university’s history department to launch a PhD project to uncover historical truths.

Linking past and present, Rahman praised the youth for ending what he called the worst fascism in 2024 without foreign help but warned that internal divisions among revolutionaries could endanger the hard-won freedom.

Violent clashes broke out between activists of the BNP and Jamaat in Palashbari upazila of Gaibandha on Monday night, prompting the local administration to impose Section 144 to restore order. The restriction, announced by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Jaber Ahmed, will remain in effect from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesday. The confrontation, which began around 10 p.m. in the Jundah Bazar area, left at least eight people injured and disrupted traffic on the Dhaka–Rangpur highway for about an hour.

According to local accounts, the violence erupted after BNP activists allegedly assaulted a local Islami Chhatra Shibir leader over a previous dispute. Both groups later gathered at the market, leading to a series of clashes that injured at least ten people, including Palashbari BNP president Abdus Samad, who was later transferred to Bogura’s Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital. Shops and businesses in Jundah Bazar were reportedly vandalized and looted during the unrest.

BNP leaders accused Jamaat-Shibir members of attacking their activists, while Jamaat representatives denied the allegation, claiming the conflict started over a football match. Police intervened to control the situation, and authorities imposed Section 144 to prevent further escalation.

The Bangladesh Parliament on Tuesday passed the Cyber Security (Amendment) Bill 2026, introduced by the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam. The bill was approved by voice vote after resolving proposals for public opinion review and committee scrutiny. It removes Section 20 of the existing law, which dealt with gambling-related offenses, as a new law on online gambling has been enacted with detailed definitions and penalties.

During discussions, opposition members urged that the law not be used to suppress dissent or harass political opponents. They emphasized the need to protect women from cyber harassment and ensure freedom of expression. Independent MP Rumin Farhana highlighted the growing challenges of cyberbullying and misinformation in the age of artificial intelligence, while other lawmakers called for cautious enforcement to prevent misuse against students, politicians, and ordinary citizens.

Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed said the government is taking separate initiatives to address misinformation, defamation, and social harmony issues on social media. Opposition leader Shafiqul Rahman acknowledged the law’s importance but stressed that proper implementation is crucial to avoid public fear and ensure justice.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) carried out an eviction drive and mobile court operation at Dhanmondi Lake on Tuesday, led by Executive Magistrate Mohammad Aminul Islam. The operation aimed to preserve the city’s beauty, ensure public access, and free government open spaces from illegal occupation. During the drive, unauthorized temporary structures, makeshift shops, and hawkers operating beyond lease conditions were removed to make the area open and clean for the public. Four cases were filed, and a total fine of 3,000 taka was collected for illegal business activities on sidewalks and open spaces.

According to DSCC, such mobile court operations and eviction drives will continue regularly to keep city sidewalks, roads, and open spaces free from encroachment. The corporation urged residents to cooperate by refraining from illegal occupation to help build a clean, safe, and livable Dhaka.

The DSCC also emphasized that ongoing monitoring will be maintained to preserve the aesthetic environment of Dhanmondi Lake and ensure convenience for the public.

Across Europe, rising temperatures have intensified demand for air conditioning, yet most German households still lack such systems. Data show that while nearly 90 percent of U.S. homes have air conditioning, the European average is only 20 percent, and in Germany just 6 percent of homes have central cooling. The shift is driven by climate change, with June 2026 temperatures in Europe recorded as 2 to 4 degrees Celsius higher than late 20th-century averages, sharply increasing electricity demand for cooling.

Experts attribute Germany’s slow adoption to housing design optimized for heat retention, high installation costs, and strict architectural preservation rules in historic cities. Many residents live in rented apartments where installing air conditioners requires landlord approval. High electricity prices also discourage use, with 38 percent of Europeans reporting they cannot afford adequate cooling during heatwaves.

Environmental concerns are prompting interest in sustainable alternatives such as natural ventilation, heat-resistant materials, green roofs, district cooling, and AI-powered air conditioning systems that operate up to 40 percent more efficiently. Analysts note that as summers grow hotter, northern European countries are gradually adapting to this new climate reality.

In the 2026–27 fiscal year budget discussions, the opposition in Bangladesh’s Parliament submitted cut motions for 58 out of 59 ministries and divisions, excluding only the Parliament Secretariat. The allocation for the Secretariat included Tk 7 million subject to parliamentary vote, which passed without any opposition motion. The opposition filed a total of 1,343 notices seeking expenditure reductions across various ministries.

According to the budget schedule, the total allocation for the Parliament Secretariat was Tk 2.906 billion, of which Tk 2.899 billion was charged expenditure not subject to vote. Only Tk 7 million required parliamentary approval. Under constitutional and procedural rules, charged expenditures cannot be voted on, leaving only a small portion open to debate. No member proposed any cut motion against this portion.

The report also outlined that Members of Parliament receive monthly salaries and allowances totaling at least Tk 173,500, along with additional travel, insurance, and discretionary benefits, all managed through the Parliament Secretariat.

Three people, including two students, went missing after drowning incidents in Chapainawabganj on Tuesday afternoon. The two students, Rifat (16) and Russell (17), both tenth-grade students of Sobhan High School, disappeared while bathing in the Padma River at Alim Nagar Ghat in the Sadar upazila. In a separate incident, a 30-year-old man named Mok. Sakirul Islam went missing while fishing in the Mahananda River near the rubber dam.

Local residents began rescue efforts immediately after the students went missing, and later fire service personnel joined the operation. According to the officer-in-charge of Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station, rescue operations by the fire service and police are ongoing to locate the missing individuals.

Authorities have not yet confirmed any recoveries, and search efforts continue in both rivers as of the latest report.