Iran has issued a strong warning to the United States and Israel ahead of the state funeral of its late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia headquarters, Ali Abdullah, said any attack during the funeral would trigger ‘severe retaliation’. He stated that Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any aggression, urging enemies, particularly the US and Israel, to avoid missteps.

Khamenei was killed on February 28 when the US Department of Defense launched ‘Operation Epic Fury’ against Iran. After more than four months of preservation, his funeral began in Tehran on Sunday morning, with leaders from several countries, including India, invited to attend. The burial is scheduled for July 9 in his hometown of Mashhad, with ceremonies in five cities expected to draw over 15 million people. Tehran has not ruled out possible attacks during the massive gatherings.

Diplomatic observers believe Iran is using the funeral to reinforce its anti-US stance internationally, coinciding with America’s 250th Independence Day celebrations led by President Donald Trump.

Iran’s armed forces chief Amir Hatami has pledged to avenge the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli assault. Hatami made the vow during Khamenei’s funeral ceremony in Tehran, according to Al Jazeera. Speaking to reporters at the event, he declared that Iran would take revenge for the blood of the slain leader and warned the United States and Israel of the nation’s determination.

The report notes that Khamenei and several other Iranian leaders were killed on February 28 in an airstrike that marked the beginning of a US-Israeli offensive in Iran. The funeral in Tehran drew significant attention, with regional and international figures paying respects, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Sharif.

The developments come amid heightened tensions in the region, with Iran expressing anger and signaling possible calls for severe retaliation against those it holds responsible.

Motorcycle toll collection at the Hatuvanga Bridge over the Bangshai River in Mirzapur upazila of Tangail has been suspended following the intervention of local Member of Parliament Abul Kalam Azad Siddiqui. The decision was confirmed on Friday morning by Mirzapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khan Salman Habib. The toll collection had begun on July 1 under a government-approved rate of five taka per motorcycle, sparking widespread dissatisfaction among residents and regular bridge users.

The leaseholder, Masudur Rahman of Masud Enterprise, decided to withdraw the toll after discussions with the MP and local administration. He stated that although the move would cause financial losses—estimated at about 5,000 taka daily and 5.4 million taka over three years—the decision was made in the public interest. The Roads and Highways Department’s executive engineer, Dr. Cynthia Azmeri Khan, said a recommendation has been sent to higher authorities to prevent future toll leases on the bridge.

MP Siddiqui added that a legal amendment would be required to permanently abolish the toll and that he plans to raise the issue in the next parliamentary session.

Mohammad Selim Uddin, chairman of the Urban Development Forum and Jamaat mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City, met with members of Hatirjheel Probati Sangha on Friday after Fajr prayers. The meeting took place at the public yard of the Hatirjheel Metropolitan Project, following the group’s morning walk and exercise session.

In his speech, Selim Uddin highlighted his plans and initiatives for urban development and civic services. He praised the group’s regular physical exercise activities as a significant contribution to building a healthy and morally strong society. He also pledged that his team would remain active in supporting all social and humanitarian needs of the area and announced plans to organize a large-scale medical camp for underprivileged residents soon.

Members and leaders of Hatirjheel Probati Sangha expressed support for Selim Uddin’s initiatives and commitment to civic improvement. The meeting was chaired by the organization’s president, Harunur Rashid Dulal, and attended by local council candidates and community representatives.

Bangladesh Khelafat Student Majlis, Dhaka Metropolitan unit, organized a rally and ‘July March’ at Shahbagh on Friday demanding justice for alleged enforced disappearances, killings, and massacres, and calling for the full implementation of the July Charter. After the student gathering, participants marched to the Central Shaheed Minar. The event was presided over by Adnan Rafi, president of the Dhaka Metropolitan West unit, with central president Muhammad Abdul Aziz as the chief guest.

Abdul Aziz stated that implementing the July Charter is now a pressing demand and called for impartial investigations into incidents such as the Pilkhana killings, the Shapla Chattar operation, and the July uprising. He urged state recognition for those killed at Shapla Chattar, publication of a complete list of victims, and rehabilitation of affected families. Aziz emphasized that the July uprising aimed not only at regime change but also at ending inequality, authoritarianism, and fascism.

Speakers including former central president Principal Rakibul Islam and others echoed calls for justice, reforms, and a fair environment in educational institutions, urging unity to uphold the spirit of the July movement.

Representatives of Bangladesh’s 11-party alliance offered prayers for the soul of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in front of his coffin in Tehran. The delegation arrived in the Iranian capital on Friday to attend the funeral and state mourning ceremonies. The group was led by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Professor Mujibur Rahman MP and included several parliament members and political leaders.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed (Bir Bikrom) and other alliance leaders reached Tehran early Friday morning to join the funeral events. According to NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwari, leaders from various countries gathered at Tehran’s Grand Musalla to pay their respects as Khamenei’s body was brought there. Ten members of the Bangladeshi delegation, including the Speaker, were present at the ceremony.

Ayatollah Khamenei’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday, followed by burial on July 9 in his birthplace, Mashhad. The Bangladeshi delegation is expected to return home after attending the funeral.

U.S. President Donald Trump described the current relationship between the United States and NATO as 'one-sided' and 'ridiculous' in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. His remarks came less than a week before the NATO summit scheduled to take place in Ankara, Turkey. Trump wrote that 'they were not on our side' and claimed that Washington’s relationship with NATO was not reciprocal.

The comments follow Trump’s previous criticisms of European allies regarding their roles in the Iran war situation. His latest statement underscores continuing tensions between Washington and its NATO partners over burden-sharing and mutual support within the alliance.

The timing of Trump’s remarks, just days before the Ankara summit, may influence discussions among member states about alliance commitments and U.S. expectations of its European partners.

Shafiqul Islam, headteacher of Kishamat Ronchondi Government Primary School in Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari, has been temporarily suspended for allegedly making objectionable comments about Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The suspension order, signed by Azizul Islam, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Primary Education in Rangpur Division, was issued on Thursday, July 3, 2026.

According to the official order, a recent media report titled ‘Headteacher calls Prime Minister’s office hours a showpiece’ alleged that Shafiqul Islam arrived at school after official hours and made inappropriate remarks about the Prime Minister. The order stated that such behavior constitutes misconduct under Rule 3(b) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018, and harms the image of public primary education.

Officials from the Primary Education Department said a departmental investigation and subsequent legal administrative procedures will follow as per regulations. The incident has sparked widespread discussion in the district, with education professionals emphasizing the importance of discipline, professional conduct, and responsible speech among government employees.

Former BNP joint secretary general and chairperson’s adviser Aslam Chowdhury is preparing to file a review petition in the Supreme Court after the Appellate Division canceled his candidacy for the Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda) constituency over a loan default case. The verdict, delivered under the Chief Justice’s leadership, halted his oath-taking as a Member of Parliament, leading to heightened political tension and uncertainty across Sitakunda.

Following the ruling, BNP activists in the area staged protests, blocking the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and setting tires on fire. Party and legal sources said preparations are underway for a review petition once the full verdict is published, with legal teams examining the Representation of the People Order, Election Commission rules, and past judicial precedents to build a strong case.

Legal experts noted that while the constitution allows review petitions in disqualification cases, the outcome will depend on the loan’s nature, rescheduling details, and legal interpretation. Political analysts believe the decision could reshape Sitakunda’s political balance and influence future electoral strategies if a by-election becomes necessary.

More than 20 million people are expected to gather in Tehran for the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian state television. The massive turnout could temporarily more than double the capital’s population, which currently stands at around 10 million. Khamenei, who led Iran for 36 years, was killed on February 28 during the first day of U.S. and Israeli attacks that triggered a regional war.

Tehran authorities have implemented special traffic and accommodation measures to manage the influx and ensure security. The six-day funeral program will begin Saturday morning at Imam Khomeini Mosalla, where the public can pay respects until Sunday afternoon. The ceremony will then move to Qom, followed by rituals in Najaf and Karbala in Iraq before Khamenei’s burial in his birthplace, Mashhad, on Thursday at the Imam Reza shrine.

Analysts cited in the report say the extensive arrangements highlight Khamenei’s influence across the Shia world. Iran’s foreign minister described the events as symbolically significant. Nationwide mourning will continue for 40 days, with memorials planned through the first anniversary.

The appeal seeking to increase former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s sentence from life imprisonment to death for crimes against humanity during the July Revolution remains pending before Bangladesh’s Supreme Court. Although the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) delivered its verdict on November 17 last year, the prosecution has not yet begun the appeal hearing despite multiple listings in the Appellate Division’s schedule. The prosecution filed the appeal on December 15, but seven months have passed without progress.

The ICT had sentenced Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in one charge and life imprisonment in another. Later, the prosecution sought to upgrade all sentences to death, citing the gravity of the crimes. The tribunal also added former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun as an accused, who later testified as an approver. Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam admitted that his office was still unprepared for the hearing, though the law allows flexibility beyond the 60-day disposal period.

Legal observers have attributed the delay to the prosecution’s negligence and lack of initiative, leaving the appeal unresolved in the Supreme Court’s docket.

Iran is set to begin a six-day funeral ceremony for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Saturday, more than four months after his assassination. Officials have described it as the “greatest funeral of the century,” expecting between 12 and 20 million attendees. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Tehran-based Mohammad Rasulullah unit is overseeing the event, which includes extensive preparations such as thousands of service centers and accommodations for over a million visitors. Around 800 foreign journalists will cover the ceremony, and dignitaries from numerous countries, including Bangladesh’s parliament speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, are attending.

The program will start at Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran, move to Qom and later to Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala before Khamenei’s burial in his birthplace, Mashhad, at the Imam Reza shrine. Forty days of national mourning and memorial events are planned afterward. Analysts view the funeral as a demonstration of national unity and a symbolic step toward consolidating post-Khamenei leadership, particularly around his son Mojtaba. However, uncertainty remains over whether Khamenei’s sons will appear publicly and who will lead the funeral prayer.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the massive public participation expected at the funeral and burial of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will serve as a powerful message against terrorism, violence, and politics of intimidation. In a national address on Thursday, he said the gathering would demonstrate that the Iranian people are not afraid of pressure or threats and remain united in defending the country’s independence and dignity.

Pezeshkian emphasized that no event could break the nation’s spirit and that Iranians would continue building a prosperous, independent, and proud country. He described Khamenei’s death as a moment of deep sorrow not only for Iran but also for the Muslim world and freedom-seeking people globally. According to him, the Islamic Republic’s system stands firmly on the people’s faith, ideals, and determination.

He called on all Iranians, regardless of political or religious differences, to attend the funeral to showcase national unity and reaffirm commitment to Khamenei’s ideals of resistance, independence, and religious democracy.

A field report from multiple northern border districts of Bangladesh reveals that Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) faces severe logistical and infrastructural shortages compared to India’s technologically advanced Border Security Force (BSF). Between June 20 and 24, observations in Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Thakurgaon, and Panchagarh showed BGB personnel relying on broken bicycles and muddy tracks, while BSF operates from multiple camps equipped with laser walls, thermal cameras, and wide patrol roads. BGB’s Rangpur regional office acknowledged these limitations and said improved roads and transport would ease border patrols.

Local residents and former officials described poor road conditions, river barriers, and distant camps as major obstacles to BGB’s mobility. Many border guards reportedly depend on villagers for assistance due to manpower shortages. In contrast, BSF has built dense networks of camps, smart surveillance systems, and floodlit patrol zones, covering nearly 79 percent of the frontier with barbed wire fencing.

The imbalance in manpower, infrastructure, and technology has made border protection increasingly difficult for BGB, forcing it to rely on community cooperation and tactical vigilance to counter BSF’s aggressive and high-tech presence.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has arrived in Iran to attend the funeral of the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an attack by the United States and Israel. Upon arrival, Naqvi described Iran as his “second home.” According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, representatives from more than 100 countries are expected to attend the funeral ceremonies that began on Saturday. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also scheduled to participate in the event.

Pakistan is home to millions of Shia Muslims, making up about 20 percent of its total population. Many of them regard Khamenei as their spiritual leader. Following his killing, protests erupted across Pakistan, resulting in at least 23 deaths.

The large international attendance at the funeral underscores Khamenei’s influence across the Muslim world and the deep regional tensions following his death.