Bangladesh and China have taken their bilateral relationship to a new level following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official visit to Beijing. At a press conference held at the Diaoyutai Hotel on Thursday evening, Prime Minister’s Adviser and Spokesperson Mahdi Amin announced that 13 memorandums of understanding were signed after a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People. The agreements cover investment cooperation, green development, export capacity enhancement, education, vocational training, and media collaboration.

Discussions also focused on concessional loans, infrastructure development, and expanding Chinese investment in Bangladesh’s economic zones, industrial parks, and technology sectors. China expressed interest in supporting Bangladesh’s Teesta project through technical assistance and a joint feasibility study. Both sides discussed trade diversification, human resource development, and cultural exchange, including introducing Mandarin as a third language in Bangladesh’s education system.

China reaffirmed its willingness to work closely with Bangladesh’s elected government under Prime Minister Rahman, offering cooperation in trade, education, healthcare, and disaster management. The visit marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which both governments described as entering a new phase of strategic partnership.

A wave of pro-Palestinian victories in New York City has marked a dramatic shift in U.S. politics. In the latest elections, candidates supporting Palestinian rights won across all five boroughs, defeating long-standing incumbents known for their strong backing of Israel. Among the most notable losses were Representative Dan Goldman, who was defeated by former city comptroller Brad Lander, and Adriano Espaillat, who lost to activist Daryaliza Avila Chevalier despite heavy financial support from pro-Israel groups.

The results reflect growing voter frustration with continued U.S. funding for Israel’s military and its actions in Gaza. Polls cited in the report show that majorities of Democratic voters in states like Texas, Arizona, and New York believe Israel is committing genocide. The shift has also exposed divisions within the Democratic Party, as leaders face pressure to align with changing public sentiment.

The article suggests that unless Democratic leaders adjust their stance on Israel, they risk losing key voter support in future national elections, while Republicans may seize the opportunity to redefine their position on the issue.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury stated that over the past 18 years, Bangladesh’s civil administration, police, and all constitutional, autonomous, and cultural institutions have been destroyed. Speaking to journalists after a tree-planting event at the Jhenaidah District Council and Deputy Commissioner’s office grounds on Friday, June 26, he said the government is working to rebuild these institutions and restore the nation’s cultural heritage. He noted that Bangladesh has established cultural diplomatic relations with 48 countries to revive its lost cultural traditions.

The minister emphasized that the country’s cultural heritage is thousands of years old and rich, and that the government is taking steps to revive it. Excavations have begun under the Department of Archaeology to recover ancient relics, and initiatives are underway to activate the National Book Centre and public libraries nationwide. Efforts are also being made to collect and preserve nearly extinct folk traditions such as Bhatiali, Bhawaiya, Puthi literature, Khona’s sayings, and songs of Lalon Fakir.

Chowdhury urged people to reject obscene performances, saying such acts have no place in Bangladesh’s culture. He directed local administrations to promote healthy, tradition-based cultural practices.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has warned that Israel must withdraw from Lebanon without any conditions. Speaking in a live broadcast on Friday, he said Israel’s presence in Lebanon was not due to missile threats but to occupy and control the country. Qassem emphasized that Hezbollah’s restraint was a deliberate strategy of patience, describing endurance as the only path to victory.

He declared that Hezbollah would not disarm north of the Litani River and that any discussion on weapons would occur only after Israel’s complete and unconditional withdrawal. Qassem claimed Israel’s aggression aimed to eliminate Hezbollah but said the group had successfully resisted. He urged Lebanese authorities to unite against the enemy and reject external interference, particularly from the United States and Israel.

Qassem also commented on a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, calling it a formal declaration of defeat for both the U.S. and Israel, asserting that Iran’s steadfastness led to the agreement.

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Japan on Friday, shaking parts of the eastern region. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the quake occurred at 12:46 p.m. local time with its epicenter in Chiba Prefecture at a depth of about 50 kilometers. Kyodo News reported that the maximum intensity reached level 4 on Japan’s seven-point seismic scale.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the same magnitude, locating the epicenter about four kilometers south-southeast of Yokoshiba at a depth of 56 kilometers. No casualties or significant damage have been reported so far. The tremor followed another earthquake recorded the previous day, which the USGS measured at magnitude 6.9 near Kuji, about 35 kilometers northeast at a depth of 51.7 kilometers.

Authorities have not issued any warnings or reported disruptions, and monitoring continues for possible aftershocks in the affected areas.

Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) has revoked the lifetime appointment of Professor Dr. ABM Abdullah as an emeritus professor and ordered him to return all salaries and allowances received in that capacity. The decision was communicated through an official order signed by the university’s registrar, Professor Dr. Md. Mostafa Kamal, following a syndicate meeting held on June 20, 2024. The university stated that the appointment was made in violation of regulations and therefore could not be approved.

According to the order, the syndicate’s 92nd budget session amended the ‘Emeritus Professor Appointment Ordinance’ based on a member’s proposal outside the agenda, after which Dr. Abdullah was appointed for life. The university later determined that the process was irregular and canceled the appointment accordingly. All payments made since that meeting are to be returned to the university treasury.

Reacting to the decision, Dr. Abdullah said he had received the letter and described the move as unprecedented and unjust, noting his five decades of medical service and expressing disappointment at the university’s action.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced plans for a month-long nationwide march in July to mark the second anniversary of the 2024 student and people's uprising. The program aims to press for implementation of the July Charter on state reform, justice for perpetrators of mass killings, and the establishment of a fascism-free political order. The marches will be led by NCP’s southern region organizer and Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah, with participation from senior party leaders.

According to party sources, the NCP intends to hold rallies in 50 locations across the country as part of the campaign. The initiative is designed to strengthen the party’s reorganization process and mobilize young citizens. The party is also considering a “Border March” to protest killings of Bangladeshis and alleged push-in attempts along the India-Bangladesh border. NCP leaders have accused the current government of betraying democratic reform promises and allowing banned political groups to regain influence.

A final decision on the program is expected within days, after which the NCP will formally announce the schedule and details of the July marches.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain said the government aims to create equal opportunities for all citizens. He made the remarks on Friday, June 26, at the inauguration of a registration camp for the Mother and Child Assistance Program held at Dinajpur Municipal High School field. The minister emphasized that this initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s broader efforts toward social welfare and inclusivity.

During his speech, Dr. Hossain highlighted the importance of maternal health and nutrition, noting that childbirth at around 20 years of age generally ensures better health for both mother and child, while pregnancies after 35 may lead to complications. He also underscored the need for balanced nutrition during and after pregnancy to build a healthy and strong nation.

The minister added that family cards are being delivered directly to households, eliminating the need for citizens to visit offices. The event was presided over by District Commissioner Md. Rafiqul Islam and attended by several local officials.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain told parliament that Bangladesh’s government debt has increased by over one trillion taka within four months of the current administration taking office. He said the total debt rose from about 23 trillion to 24 trillion taka. Hossain made the remarks during Thursday’s budget session chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.

He questioned the government’s commitment to implementing the referendum mandate, including forming a constitutional reform council and ensuring judicial independence. Hossain cited the finance minister’s statement acknowledging economic disruption and the need for political reform. He also claimed that the International Monetary Fund withheld loans due to the absence of economic reforms and criticized the government for not addressing banking sector irregularities.

Hossain further alleged that the economy has become fragile, with high inflation and rising defaulted loans. He criticized the government for increasing electricity and fuel prices twice in three months before announcing the budget, arguing that price hikes began even before the budget was presented.

Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has launched a wide-ranging anticorruption campaign that has led to multiple arrests of senior officials and the seizure of tens of millions of dollars. The Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council reported that about $86 million in cash, 70 properties, 21 vehicles, and three kilograms of gold were confiscated in a probe involving detained Oil Ministry Undersecretary Adnan al-Jumaili. Al-Jumaili, also head of the Iraqi North Refineries Company, was arrested on May 30 in al-Ishaqi, north of Baghdad. The arrests followed al-Zaidi’s order to review government contracts for evidence of corruption, and the cancellation of a $764 million airport project over suspected irregularities.

The prime minister has also created the Supreme Sovereign Council for Integrity, Oversight and Recovery of Public Funds to monitor ministries and recover state assets. Iraq ranks 136th out of 182 countries in Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, reflecting persistent structural issues. Activists and experts say corruption remains deeply embedded in Iraq’s political system, with outdated laws hindering accountability.

Observers have welcomed the initiative but remain cautious, noting that older and politically sensitive corruption cases have yet to be addressed.

A Moroccan court in Casablanca has sentenced 29 individuals, including prominent politicians and sports figures, to prison terms of up to 12 years after a two-year trial over international drug trafficking and corruption. The verdicts, delivered late on Thursday, conclude one of the largest anti-corruption operations in Morocco’s history. Among those convicted were Abdennebi Bioui, a construction tycoon and former regional council president, Said Naciri, former president of Casablanca’s Wydad AC football club, and former MP Belkacem Mir, all senior members of the governing PAM party. Naciri received 10 years, Bioui 12, and Mir 10, while others received between two and nine years depending on their roles.

The case originated from testimony by El Hadj Ahmed Ben Brahim, a Malian trafficker known as the “Pablo Escobar of the Sahara,” who accused Moroccan associates of betrayal after his 2019 arrest. The network was found to have trafficked Moroccan cannabis resin across North Africa to Europe and handled Latin American cocaine shipments. Convictions included drug and gold trafficking, corruption, forgery, and money laundering.

The court ordered asset seizures and imposed hundreds of millions of dollars in fines. The scandal prompted King Mohammed VI to call for a binding code of ethics to reform parliamentary conduct.

The United States is reassessing its military presence in the Middle East following Iranian attacks on bases in Gulf countries. According to a Wall Street Journal report, US officials are considering reducing their presence in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia while planning to rebuild the heavily damaged naval base in Bahrain. The Pentagon has not yet disclosed the extent of the damage.

The report adds that Washington is also weighing the possibility of relocating some bases and operations to Israel. Citing current and former US military personnel, satellite imagery, and social media footage, the report notes that Iran’s strikes caused significant damage to the US command headquarters and at least a dozen other buildings.

These developments have prompted a reassessment of the risks faced by US bases that remain within range of Iranian missiles and drones, as officials evaluate future deployment and security strategies in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was fully prepared to enter a war in support of Iran. Trump made the statement on Thursday during a conversation with journalists at the White House, according to a report by Middle East Monitor. He said Erdogan did not like Israel and was therefore the top candidate to side with Iran in the conflict. However, Trump asserted that Turkey eventually agreed to stay out of the confrontation following his personal intervention and request.

The report also noted that Trump gave a positive signal regarding Turkey’s request for U.S. F-35 fighter jets and engines to support its domestically produced warplane. He said he would likely do something to make Turkey happy. Additionally, Trump reaffirmed his intention to attend the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara as a gesture of respect toward Erdogan.

The statements highlight ongoing U.S.-Turkey diplomatic engagement amid regional tensions involving Iran and Israel, as reported by Middle East Monitor.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed deep sorrow and sympathy over the loss of lives and extensive damage caused by a devastating earthquake in Venezuela. In a condolence message issued on Friday, he said he was deeply saddened by the large number of casualties and widespread destruction resulting from the disaster.

On behalf of the people of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. He also stated that the people of Bangladesh stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela during this difficult time.

Tarique Rahman reaffirmed Bangladesh’s full support for the affected population and wished the Venezuelan government and citizens strength, courage, and a swift recovery from the crisis.

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.