The BNP government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken a firm stance on prosecuting the banned Awami League as a political party for alleged genocide and crimes against humanity during the July Revolution. The move follows statements from senior officials and progress in the International Crimes Tribunal’s investigation, which has found preliminary evidence linking the Awami League to atrocities committed during the uprising. Government advisers confirmed that the party’s activities remain banned by executive order and that the tribunal will determine its political future.

The July Revolution, which led to the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, resulted in at least 1,400 deaths and over 30,000 injuries, according to a UN fact-finding report. The interim government under Dr. Muhammad Yunus had earlier banned the Awami League’s operations, and the current BNP administration has since passed the anti-terrorism bill introduced by that interim authority. Analysts view the government’s actions as both a fulfillment of public demand and a reflection of its electoral promises.

Experts and academics have welcomed the government’s determination but urged faster judicial proceedings, warning that delays could provoke public frustration and unrest.

The coffin of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has arrived in Iraq. According to Iranian state media Press TV, the plane carrying the coffins of Khamenei and his family members landed at Najaf International Airport on Tuesday night, where Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi received it. A formal reception was held at the airport to honor the late leader.

Press TV reported that the coffins will be taken to Najaf and the holy city of Karbala on Wednesday for funeral prayers expected to draw millions of Iraqis. Khamenei was regarded as a religious leader by many in Iraq, and the Iraqi government has declared a public holiday for the occasion. Earlier, the first funeral prayer was held on Sunday at Tehran’s Grand Square, led by senior cleric Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani.

Following the ceremonies in Iraq, Khamenei’s body will be taken to Mashhad, Iran, for burial on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza, in accordance with his wishes.

Intense competition has erupted among potential Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidates across the country as they seek party backing for the upcoming local government elections. Although the polls will not be held under party symbols and formal nominations are not permitted, numerous BNP leaders are campaigning vigorously to secure informal endorsement from senior figures. The government and Election Commission are preparing to announce the election schedule in August, with voting expected in October.

Across Bangladesh’s 4,581 union councils, as well as in municipalities and upazilas, multiple BNP leaders are vying for the same positions, raising fears of internal division. Party policymakers view ensuring single candidates as their biggest organizational challenge. Political analysts note that removing party symbols was intended to promote nonpartisan competition, but major parties continue to back preferred candidates, undermining that goal.

Civil society representatives warn that such party involvement violates the spirit of nonpartisan elections and could reduce public participation. BNP insiders say the party may only centrally endorse mayoral candidates, while local units will decide other nominations. The outcome of this internal contest will test BNP’s unity and organizational discipline ahead of the polls.

The Bangladesh Parliament on Tuesday passed the Public Examinations (Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2026, introducing penalties for digital manipulation, unauthorized database access, and carrying electronic devices into exam centers. The bill, presented by Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan, sets a maximum punishment of five years’ imprisonment and fines for such offenses. It also includes provisions for organized exam crimes and defines digital manipulation as hacking, altering, deleting, or concealing data in public examination databases.

The amendment reduces the punishment for question paper leaks from ten years to five years and adds penalties for assisting examinees through written or verbal agreements. It also introduces up to two years’ imprisonment or fines for unfair evaluation of answer scripts, determined by a third examiner. Special provisions are included for minors, who will be dealt with under the Children Act.

In a separate development, the Bogura University Bill 2026 was introduced to establish a full-fledged university in Bogura, replacing the 2001 Bogura Science and Technology University Act, which was never implemented.

US President Donald Trump has announced the lifting of American sanctions imposed on Turkey and revealed plans to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to the country. The announcement came on Tuesday ahead of his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a NATO summit in Turkey.

Trump said the decision ends restrictions placed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The sanctions were originally imposed in 2020 after Turkey purchased the Russian S-400 missile defense system, which also led to its removal from the US F-35 program. Ankara has consistently argued that the sanctions were unfair and violated international law.

According to two sources familiar with the matter, Trump may take a positive stance on the F-35 sale during his visit, though legal procedures and congressional approval remain obstacles. Trump also noted that his meeting with Erdoğan would include discussions on expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

The Comilla University unit of the Chhatra Dal has demanded the construction of a 'July Memorial' at the Ansar Camp area, where police first clashed with students during the July uprising. The demand was made on Tuesday, July 7, during a courtesy meeting with Comilla City Corporation administrator Yusuf Molla Tipu. The student leaders also called for installing lamp posts around the campus to ensure safe movement for students.

According to the Chhatra Dal leaders, the clash occurred on July 11, 2024, when students participating in the 'Bangla Blockade' program were stopped by police near the university’s Ansar Camp. The confrontation led to injuries among students and journalists. The following day, students held protests and renamed the site 'Chhatra Andolon Chattar' in memory of the incident.

Chhatra Dal member secretary Md. Abul Bashar said the city administrator assured them that the demands would be considered seriously and that the foundation of the memorial could be laid before August 5. A city corporation team has already inspected possible locations for the project.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said the main political crisis in the country stems from the failure to implement the referendum verdict. Speaking on Tuesday in front of the National Parliament’s NAM Building in Dhaka during a human chain organized by the 11-party alliance, he warned that politics could move toward conflict if the verdict is not enforced. The event was part of a 36-day program demanding the implementation of the referendum’s outcome and justice for all mass killings.

Earlier, a six-point memorandum was submitted to the Speaker of the National Parliament, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, on behalf of the 11-party alliance, martyr families, and the injured. Porwar said the Speaker assured them he would discuss the matter with the Prime Minister. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad urged the government to heed the memorandum and warned that ignoring public opinion would not be tolerated.

Speakers from martyr families expressed dissatisfaction over delays in genocide trials, alleging that accused individuals remain free and witnesses face threats. They called on the government to ensure fair and speedy trials.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has condemned a bomb attack that occurred during a rally of the National Citizen Party (NCP) at the Tarapur Eidgah ground in Savar. The rally was attended by NCP convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam. According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Islami Andolan’s joint secretary general, Engineer Ashraful Alam, at least four people were injured in the explosion that took place on Monday night.

In the statement, Ashraful Alam expressed sympathy for the injured and said that the attack reflected the country’s growing insecurity. He noted that political gatherings and leaders require special protection, emphasizing that ensuring their safety is the government’s responsibility. The statement described the incident as a sign of overall state insecurity.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh demanded a thorough investigation into the attack and called for accountability from intelligence and security agencies. The party urged the government to take swift and exemplary action against those responsible.

Opposition Leader Md. Shafiqul Rahman has expressed concern that the cost of medical treatment for ordinary citizens may increase following the introduction of the Bangladesh Medical University (Second Amendment) Bill 2026. He made the remarks in parliament after Special Committee Chairman Zainul Abedin presented the committee’s report on the bill. Rahman noted that the bill mentions profit and non-profit concerns, warning that any attempt to generate income from such institutions would naturally raise healthcare expenses. He also argued that while the national budget aims to reduce public spending, the bill’s intent appears contradictory.

Rahman further cautioned that allowing such entities to share profits could lead to unhealthy competition, benefiting a particular group more than the general public. In response, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said the bill had only been presented and assured Rahman that he would have ample time for detailed discussion during its consideration.

In the same session, MP Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan protested receiving late notice for a special committee meeting. The Speaker instructed the committee chair to ensure timely notification for all members in the future.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem has alleged that around two dozen projects approved during the interim government period have been stalled due to what he described as extreme non-cooperation from the university administration and obstruction from various quarters of the current government. He made the allegation in a Facebook post on Tuesday, sharing documents related to the projects.

According to Kayem, the stalled initiatives include ICT-based projects such as computer labs, innovation hubs, and internship programs; infrastructure works like hall entrances, cafeteria renovation, and lighting; as well as welfare projects such as subsidized food supply, public washrooms, and facilities for students with disabilities. He also mentioned that projects funded by the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Ministry of Religious Affairs have been halted without explanation.

Kayem stated that no rational reason has been provided for the cancellation of these student-friendly projects and warned that blocking them for partisan reasons would foster what he termed a new fascist culture within the university environment.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and opposition chief whip in parliament, accused the government of betraying the people and failing to implement promised reforms. Speaking at a July Awakening rally and march in Talatala Square, Sakhipur, Tangail, on Tuesday afternoon, he alleged that authorities were restricting opposition activities and curbing freedom of expression. He vowed that his party would continue to fight for sovereignty, border security, and an end to terrorism, drugs, and extortion.

Islam claimed that attempts were made to disrupt their peaceful program in Savar with explosions, but the public thwarted those efforts. He said the sacrifices made by students and citizens in 2024 for change would be meaningless if corruption and extortion persisted. He warned against any move toward one-party rule and criticized the ruling Awami League for allegedly silencing dissent and engaging in corruption and case trading.

He urged reforms in administration and law enforcement to ensure justice and public service without bribery, emphasizing that without reform, inequality and corruption would continue.

The Bangladesh Parliament has passed the Public Examinations (Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2026, introducing stricter penalties to prevent digital manipulation and ensure confidentiality in public examinations. The bill, approved by voice vote on Tuesday, stipulates up to five years of imprisonment and fines for unauthorized access to examination databases or the use of prohibited electronic devices in exam centers.

The amendment also includes penalties for violating lawful instructions related to exam administration. The bill was passed during the second session of the 13th National Parliament and the 2026–27 budget session, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikrom.

In the same session, Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan introduced the Bogura University Bill 2026, aiming to establish a comprehensive university in Bogura. The proposed law would replace the 2001 Bogura Science and Technology University Act, which was never implemented, and expand academic programs across multiple disciplines.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met with teachers and students from various educational institutions who visited the National Parliament session on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. During a break in the session, he exchanged greetings with them, inquired about their studies, and urged them to develop their skills to contribute to nation-building. Local Government State Minister Mir Shah Alam and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumman were also present during the meeting.

The visit was part of an initiative by the BNP government allowing teachers and students from different institutions to observe parliamentary sessions. On this occasion, participants included 69 teachers and students from Rupganj, Narayanganj, 53 from Notre Dame College, 8 participants including 4 foreign students from the University of Oxford through Bangladesh Legal Aid, and an 18-member delegation from the Centre for Governance Studies. They toured the parliament building, visited the library, took photographs, and later observed the session before meeting the Prime Minister.

The program aims to familiarize students with parliamentary activities and inspire them to engage in national development through education and civic awareness.

Law Minister Asaduzzaman announced that the government will take strict legal action over the attack on the National Citizens Party (NCP) rally in Savar. Speaking in parliament, he said that anyone found involved in the incident will face the toughest possible measures under the law, carried out transparently. The attack occurred during an NCP street rally on Monday night, organized as part of the party’s July march program, where several people were injured in a cocktail explosion.

In parliament, NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain raised the issue, alleging that electricity was cut off before the explosion and questioning why power was unavailable during the opposition rally. He emphasized that both ruling and opposition parties have equal constitutional rights to hold assemblies. Akhtar also claimed that NCP events related to July have repeatedly faced obstruction and that previous attacks had occurred near their office.

The Speaker advised Akhtar to submit a formal notice, while the law minister, speaking on behalf of the absent home minister, assured that the government is treating the matter seriously and will act accordingly.

The Bangladesh State Reform Movement has strongly condemned the bomb explosion at a political rally of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Savar. In a statement released to the media on Tuesday, the organization described the incident as extremely dangerous and alarming for the country’s political culture, especially in the aftermath of the recent mass uprising. It demanded a fair and impartial investigation to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly.

The statement emphasized that such violence has no place in a democratic state and warned that failure to ensure justice could lead to a resurgence of retaliatory and sabotage politics. The group stressed that uncovering the truth behind the attack is essential for sustainable state reform and public safety in Bangladesh.

The State Reform Movement also called on the administration and all political parties to take effective and strict measures to prevent similar acts of violence in future political programs.