Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that journalists have a duty to identify political mistakes and guide leaders toward the right path. He made the remarks on Friday at the Thakurgaon Press Club’s Anisul Haque Auditorium while exchanging greetings with the newly elected executive committee.

Mirza Fakhrul emphasized that politicians are not above criticism and that the media must ensure accountability by presenting the truth to the public. He expressed concern that journalists often face attacks and harassment for publishing factual reports. Referring to government election pledges, he mentioned that two new upazilas have been approved in Thakurgaon and related activities have already begun. He urged responsible leadership and effective management in the new administrative units.

He called on journalists to value work over individuals, highlight good performance, and report fearlessly against irregularities, corruption, and anti-public activities. He expressed hope that the new press club committee would strengthen public trust through objective and responsible journalism.

An anti-drug awareness rally and assembly organized by the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami took place in Banshkhali, Chattogram. The event began on Friday morning at Jaldi Miar Bazar and concluded at Jaldi GS Plaza Market premises. Jamaat MP Maulana Zahirul Islam attended as the chief guest and stated that a network in the past had severely damaged the country through drug trafficking.

During his speech, Zahirul Islam said that a national consensus has now formed against drugs, yaba, and both online and offline gambling. He added that effective legislation on these issues would soon be enacted in the National Parliament. The MP emphasized that around 30 percent of the country’s youth population represents the main force for building the future of Bangladesh and urged them to play an active role in resisting drugs and gambling.

The event concluded with a special prayer for national welfare and the establishment of a drug-free society. Local Jamaat leaders, youth representatives, religious scholars, teachers, lawyers, public representatives, and people from various professions attended the gathering.

Representatives from various countries gathered in Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla to pay their final respects to former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His coffin was placed alongside four others, including a small one containing the body of his 14‑month‑old granddaughter, Zahra Mohammadi Golpayegani, according to CNN.

Iranian state media reported that Khamenei and several family members were killed on February 28 in a joint U.S.–Israel attack. The other coffins beside him contained the remains of his son‑in‑law Mesbah‑ul‑Huda Bagheri, his eldest daughter Sayyeda Bushra Hosseini Khamenei, and his daughter‑in‑law Zahra Haddad Adel, wife of current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. All coffins were draped in Iran’s national flag, and a photograph of the young granddaughter was placed before her small casket.

The ceremony drew international attention as global representatives offered condolences, underscoring the scale of loss within Iran’s most influential political family.

The Bangladesh Army has established a new unit called the Second Bangladesh Battalion, comprising four companies named after the first four caliphs of Islam: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. Two additional companies have been proposed, to be named after Fatima and Ayesha, but these have not yet been approved. The decision has drawn attention from Indian media outlets, which have described the naming as highly sensitive and ideologically significant.

Indian news platforms such as Aajtak Bangla and Navbharat Times have framed the move as a shift from Bangladesh’s earlier practice of naming army units after war heroes of the 1971 Liberation War. Reports suggested that the change could indicate a move away from the country’s secular foundations. Some Indian outlets, including Northeast News, interpreted the naming as a sign of growing Islamisation within the Bangladesh Army.

The reports also noted that several Indian Army units carry names linked to Hindu deities and symbols, such as Bhairav Battalion, Brahmastra Corps, Sudarshan Chakra Corps, and Vajra Corps, reflecting religious and mythological associations within India’s own military structure.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Amir and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman MP, declared that there will be no compromise on the nation’s independence and sovereignty. Speaking as chief guest at a meeting with journalists at the Netrakona Circuit House conference room on Friday morning, he said no aggression would be tolerated on any part of the country’s territory. He added that, if necessary, citizens would stand alongside the Border Guard Bangladesh to defend the borders.

Addressing the issue of drug control, Dr. Rahman said the government had introduced a bill in Parliament to regulate narcotics, but Jamaat demanded complete eradication instead of mere control. He argued that drugs were destroying society and the younger generation. Referring to a parliamentary discussion, he mentioned that a member alleged the largest drug consignment entered through the home minister’s constituency and called for effective action if the claim proved true.

The meeting was chaired by Netrakona district Jamaat Amir Maulana Sadeq Ahmad Haris and attended by several central and local Jamaat leaders and activists.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Bangladesh National Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed held a meeting in Tehran on Friday morning. The discussion focused on strengthening parliamentary cooperation, addressing issues of mutual interest, and enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries.

During the visit, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed also paid courtesy calls on Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with other senior officials. The Bangladeshi delegation is in Iran to attend the funeral and state mourning ceremonies of the late Ayatollah Khamenei.

The delegation, led by Speaker Ahmed, includes several members of parliament and political representatives from Bangladesh. They arrived in Tehran on Thursday and were received at the airport by Iranian Deputy Speaker Hamid Reza Haji Babaei.

Public anger is reportedly intensifying in Iran following the funeral and memorial events for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Abbas Aslani, a senior research fellow at Tehran’s Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, told Al Jazeera that the ceremonies could spark demands for revenge against the United States and Israel. He noted that the official slogan for the event, 'We must awaken,' signals that Iran’s policies and continuity remain unbroken despite the assassination.

Aslani described the burial as a deeply emotional moment for ordinary Iranians bidding farewell to their leader, while also serving as a potential rallying point for calls for retaliation. He emphasized Khamenei’s steadfastness in resisting external and international pressure and credited him as the architect of Iran’s defense and resistance systems, as well as a key figure in preserving national independence.

The report suggests that the funeral could become a focal point for renewed unity and heightened anti-Western sentiment within Iran.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum has accused the BNP of denying the spirit of the July uprising after coming to power. Speaking as the chief guest at a Jamaat-e-Islami members’ training camp in Dhaka’s Jatrabari zone on Friday, he expressed anger that the government did not organize any state program on the second anniversary of the July mass uprising. He alleged that the government was betraying the blood of the July martyrs and called on it to clarify whether it still believes in the July spirit.

Masum warned that no government that betrays the nation can survive and urged the authorities to implement the July Charter in line with the referendum’s verdict. He said the government would be forced to honor the martyrs by implementing the charter. The event was presided over by Jamaat’s Dhaka South Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdus Sabur Fakir and attended by several central leaders.

Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair also criticized the government, saying it was showing fascist tendencies by not tolerating democratic criticism.

Bangladesh’s Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmad emphasized the need for truthful journalism to combat misinformation and rumors, describing them as major obstacles to media freedom. He made the remarks on Friday, July 3, at a workshop in Cox’s Bazar organized by the Department of Information and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The event focused on the role of journalists in implementing the government’s election manifesto and development vision.

Ahmad said the government believes in transparency and accountability and is working to rebuild strong relations with media at all levels after what he described as a difficult 17-year period for the press. Highlighting Cox’s Bazar’s strategic importance due to its border with Myanmar, tourism sector, and regional connectivity prospects, he underscored the need for regular training to enhance local journalists’ professional capacity.

Deputy Chief Information Officer Mohammad Fakhrul Islam discussed journalists’ responsibilities in preventing rumors, while Hasina Akter addressed the Department of Information’s role in promoting the government’s development agenda. Local media leaders and reporters also shared their experiences and challenges during the open discussion.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and political adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working relentlessly to fulfill the commitments made during the election. Speaking at a prayer and discussion meeting at Dhakeshwari Temple on Friday, organized by Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and indigenous communities to mark the 45th martyrdom anniversary of President Ziaur Rahman, Rizvi said the prime minister is closely monitoring progress in agriculture and health sectors and ensuring no shortfall in implementation.

Rizvi highlighted that individuals earning up to four lakh taka annually are exempt from income tax under the new budget, and the proposed tax on grocery shops has been withdrawn. He also mentioned a reduction of 357 taka in the price of a 12-kg gas cylinder, describing these as measures reflecting the government’s focus on public welfare. He praised the current environment of free expression and accountability, attributing it to a people’s movement that restored voting rights and democratic governance.

Rizvi further called for unity among all religious and ethnic groups, emphasizing shared struggles and rejecting attempts to create divisions within the nation.

An old episode of Channel i’s live talk show ‘To the Point’ has gone viral, featuring former army officer and politician Shahjahan Omar Bir Uttam as a guest and Soma Islam as the host. In the video, Soma Islam asks whether Tarique Rahman truly loves Bangladesh or democracy. The video was shared on Thursday by Daily Amar Desh joint editor M Abdullah and Al Jazeera investigative journalist Zulkarnain Saer, drawing renewed attention online.

The talk show, recorded before the political shift of 2024, shows Soma Islam questioning Tarique Rahman’s leadership and describing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as facing a “leadership crisis.” She noted that grassroots activists appeared frustrated and lacked proper guidance. Soma Islam also remarked that the party chief was leading from abroad through virtual meetings and repeatedly apologizing to the public, which she said made the party’s future uncertain.

The video shared by M Abdullah and Zulkarnain Saer has reportedly received around 350,000 views, reflecting significant public interest in the resurfaced discussion.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain paid tribute at the first burial site of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam, located in Jianagar of Rangunia upazila, Chattogram. The tribute took place on Friday, followed by prayers seeking forgiveness for the late president’s soul.

Local BNP leaders, party workers, and supporters were present during the minister’s visit and prayer session. The event marked a gesture of respect toward the late leader, who was initially buried in Rangunia after his death.

According to the source, Ziaur Rahman was killed on May 30, 1981, at the Chittagong Circuit House. His body was first buried in Rangunia before being reinterred at Chandrima Udyan (now Zia Udyan) in Dhaka.

Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has arrested former navy commander Fleet Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda on charges of corruption. Authorities allege that he unlawfully assisted former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, in securing a naval appointment and overseas training without proper qualifications. The 73-year-old was taken into custody on Friday in connection with a 2006 recruitment case, according to AFP reports from Colombo.

Karannagoda, who led the navy during the final phase of the Tamil separatist war in 2009, is now retired. Yoshitha Rajapaksa was arrested last month over allegations of receiving training at Britain’s Dartmouth Naval College using public funds but was later released on bail. Karannagoda also faces accusations of war crimes and human rights violations, and Britain imposed sanctions on him in 2025. A murder conspiracy case related to the killing of 11 youths between 2008 and 2009 has also been revived against him.

Since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office in 2024, investigations into corruption and high-profile crimes involving the Rajapaksa family and their associates have gained renewed momentum.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny has warned that law enforcement agencies will take strict action against those involved in drug trading, regardless of political or personal influence. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon at a brief meeting in Dakshin Chiladi area of Kushakhali Union under Chandraganj upazila in Lakshmipur, where he served as the chief guest.

The minister said that anyone continuing drug trade despite 17 years of Awami League’s governance will face legal consequences. He emphasized that there will be no room for lobbying or interference, adding that some influential individuals are still involved in the trade. He urged them to quit, warning that no one will be able to rescue them if they fall into trouble. He also discussed government initiatives on women’s empowerment and social safety programs, noting that family cards are being used to provide financial support to women heads of households.

According to the minister, the goal of this support is to help mothers become financially self-reliant and capable of educating their children, viewing the assistance as an investment in the nation’s future.

On July 3, 2024, Bangladesh witnessed widespread student protests and strikes following a court verdict reinstating a 56 percent quota in government jobs. Students across the country blocked roads, highways, and railways, demanding the abolition of the quota system. The movement spread to nearly all public universities, including Dhaka University, where halls were locked and thousands of students marched under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. In Barishal University, protesters were attacked by members of the banned student organization Chhatra League.

Students presented four key demands, including reinstating the 2018 circular as law, abolishing quotas across all job grades, and ensuring unfilled quota posts are filled from merit lists. Movement coordinators announced further programs, including sit-ins, online campaigns, and a nationwide student strike through July 7. Chhatra League activists reportedly attempted to intimidate protesters in multiple university halls, locking gates and preventing participation.

The protests disrupted major highways and urban traffic, with heavy police deployment in Dhaka. Student leaders emphasized that their movement was not against the court but sought a prompt resolution from the public administration ministry.