Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was buried on Thursday, July 9, 2026, in his birthplace Mashhad. The funeral took place at the Imam Reza shrine, where thousands gathered from early morning to attend the final prayers and mourning procession, according to Reuters.

Before the burial, Khamenei’s body was taken through several cities for ceremonies. After a large mourning procession in Qom, his coffin was transported to Iraq’s Najaf, where Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Khamenei’s eldest son Mostafa Hosseini Khamenei, and senior Iraqi officials received it. Another procession was held in Karbala at the shrines of Imam Hussein and Al-Abbas before the body returned to Iran.

The funeral occurred amid escalating tensions following mutual attacks between the United States and Iran. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed drone and missile strikes on 85 US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait in retaliation for earlier American attacks. Khamenei was killed on February 28 in a joint US-Israeli airstrike in Iran, according to Reuters and Press TV.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP) for the southern region, accused the BNP of failing to provide electricity and instead leaving citizens dependent on lanterns and candles. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at the opening rally of NCP’s ‘July March’ in Sonagazi municipality square, Feni, organized to demand a referendum, job creation, and price control.

During his speech, Abdullah acknowledged that the July movement’s goals had not been fully achieved, citing persistent issues such as drug abuse, corruption, extortion, unemployment, and high commodity prices. He claimed that despite a change of government through a mass uprising, divisive politics still exists in society and the state.

Abdullah further alleged that while people demanded an end to corruption and extortion, only the beneficiaries had changed. He criticized the government for failing to deliver on its promise of one crore jobs, saying employment generation in the past six months had not met expectations.

Harichur Rahman Harich, general secretary of the Gournadi Upazila Awami League and former mayor of Gournadi municipality, was released from Barishal Central Jail on Wednesday evening after securing bail in all ten cases filed against him. He had been imprisoned for about 21 months since his arrest in October 2024 from Dhaka’s Rampura area. Prison officials confirmed that he received bail in eight cases from local courts and in the remaining two from the High Court before his release.

Rahman, known locally for his controversial role during the previous government, had faced multiple charges related to alleged abuses against political opponents. His release has stirred political reactions in Gournadi, with several BNP leaders expressing dissatisfaction over the decision. They criticized the manner and timing of his bail, describing it as undeserved given his alleged past actions.

The development has reignited political debate in Barishal, highlighting ongoing tensions between Awami League and BNP supporters in the region.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam stated that there is no shortfall in diplomatic efforts to bring back former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday afternoon, she said the process is continuing through established diplomatic channels and that such procedures take time. She emphasized that the repatriation process began during the interim government and resumed after the current government took office following the national election.

Shama Obaid explained that the process of returning a convicted person under an extradition treaty or other legal framework must follow established procedures and international regulations. She noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs is also actively involved, and the legal aspects are being reviewed by the Law and Home ministries. From the foreign ministry’s perspective, she said, all required diplomatic steps are being followed.

She further remarked that comments made by a fugitive and convicted individual are irrelevant to the ongoing legal and diplomatic process. Communication with the Indian government on this matter has been ongoing since the interim government period.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that his country will not respond to U.S. President Donald Trump’s provocative and offensive comments. He rejected calls from within Iran for a strong verbal reaction, stating that Iran would not learn policies from someone whose hands are stained with children’s blood. His remarks appeared to reference a U.S. attack on an Iranian school that reportedly killed more than a hundred children.

Pezeshkian added that anyone unable to express thoughts without using insulting language reveals the offensive nature of their own ideas. He emphasized Iran’s determination to defend its rights firmly. His comments came after Trump, speaking at a NATO summit in Ankara, declared that the ceasefire with Iran was “over” and described Iranian leaders as “liars,” “filthy,” and “violent and sick people.”

The exchange highlights renewed verbal tensions between Washington and Tehran following Trump’s statements at the NATO meeting.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s son, Yair Netanyahu, has officially changed his name to Yonatan Hun. According to a report published by Israeli newspaper Haaretz on July 8, 2026, Yair, the second of three siblings, had previously used the surname ‘Hun’ on social media as ‘Yair Hun’. Tax documents issued in December 2024 listed his name as Yair Netanyahu, but the latest records now show the new name ‘Yonatan Hun’, with the same address listed as ‘Balfour 0’, a location described as fictional.

Haaretz reported that the name change comes at a time when the Netanyahu family is facing multiple political and legal controversies both domestically and internationally. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the Gaza conflict. Yair has also faced past criticism in the United States over his links with wealthy individuals and conservative groups.

Yair has been living in the United States since 2018, following public backlash over a leaked audio recording that drew widespread criticism in Israel.

Rokeya Begum, mother of the youngest martyr of the July uprising and a reserved-seat member of parliament, has criticized the slow pace of trials related to the 2024 July uprising. Speaking at a discussion organized by the Amar Bangladesh Party at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium, she said that only seven cases have been resolved in two years. She questioned why the remaining cases were still pending and called on the government to ensure justice for the victims and their families.

During her remarks, Rokeya Begum recalled her son Jabir Ibrahim, who was six years old during the uprising and dreamed of becoming an army officer. She emphasized that the martyrs sacrificed their lives for a free and equitable Bangladesh and that attempts to undermine the spirit of the uprising would not succeed.

She urged unity to prevent the rise of new authoritarian forces and appealed for the completion of all pending trials to provide solace to the families of the martyrs and the injured.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Barishal on July 13, with extensive preparations underway by the divisional administration and the BNP. Coordination among administrative offices, law enforcement agencies, and related departments has been intensified to ensure a smooth and orderly visit. A preparatory meeting was held on Thursday morning in Barishal, chaired by District Commissioner Md Mamun Khondaker, and attended by senior officials, law enforcement representatives, and BNP leaders.

Divisional Commissioner Md Khalil Ahmed stated that all necessary arrangements are being made for the visit, which will include multiple programs in Gournadi and Barishal Sadar areas. According to the meeting, the Prime Minister will depart from his residence at 6:30 a.m. and participate in tree-planting events in Batagor Union and near the Trish Godown killing ground area before attending a BNP organizational meeting at the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium.

Barishal City Corporation Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin inspected preparation sites and said BNP leaders and activists are working together to ensure the programs are conducted peacefully and successfully.

A recent survey by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Research found that overall American support for Israel has dropped significantly. One in three adult Americans believe Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The poll also revealed that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, known for his strong criticism of Israel, is more popular among Jewish Americans than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Among Jewish-American respondents, about 30 percent said Israel has committed genocide, while 49 percent disagreed. Netanyahu remains deeply unpopular among Jewish Americans, with nearly six in ten expressing dislike and only one-third viewing him favorably. In contrast, 44 percent of Jewish respondents said they like Mamdani, while 39 percent view him negatively and 17 percent had no opinion.

The survey further showed that Netanyahu’s popularity is low among the general US population, with only 20 percent expressing a favorable view and 38 percent unfavorable, while 41 percent offered no opinion.

The Ministry of Home Affairs in Bangladesh has decided to dismiss 57 police officers who went into hiding following the July mass uprising. An official notification issued on Thursday confirmed the dismissal of three officers—Mishu Biswas, Jewel Chakma, and Mahmudul Hasan—while the remaining names are being finalized. The ministry has already begun issuing formal orders for the terminations.

According to ministry sources, at least 82 cadre officers have been absent without leave since August 5, 2024. After completing the necessary legal procedures, the government reached a final decision to dismiss 57 of them. The list includes several assistant and additional superintendents of police, as well as deputy commissioners from various units.

The dismissals mark one of the largest disciplinary actions within the police force in recent years, signaling the government’s intent to address absconding officers linked to the unrest.

South Korea’s Supreme Court has upheld a seven-year prison sentence for former president Yoon Suk Yeol, confirming lower court rulings related to his failed attempt to impose martial law in 2024. The verdict, delivered on Thursday, rejected appeals from both prosecutors and Yoon’s defense team, stating that no legal errors were found in earlier judgments. Yoon remains imprisoned and is also serving a separate life sentence for leading a rebellion through the declaration of martial law.

The case centered on allegations that Yoon obstructed full cabinet discussions before declaring martial law, used a forged signature of the prime minister, and ordered the destruction of related documents. He was also accused of directing misleading press releases and instructing a military commander to delete secure communications data. Prosecutors had sought a ten-year sentence, while lower courts initially imposed five years, later increased to seven by the appellate court.

Yoon’s lawyers expressed deep regret over the Supreme Court’s decision, claiming the case was resolved without sufficient review. They announced plans to challenge the ruling on constitutional grounds.

At a discussion in Dhaka marking the second anniversary of the July Revolution, speakers stated that preventing the recurrence of fascism in Bangladesh requires not just constitutional amendments but a complete transformation of the state structure. Organized by the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, the event featured leaders from various political parties, families of July martyrs, and organizers of the uprising. Participants also pledged to continue united efforts against those who exploited and fled the country.

Speakers including BNP Vice Chairman Asaduzzaman Ripon, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, and Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna emphasized that the July uprising symbolized public resistance to injustice and authoritarianism. They argued that the reforms mandated by the people must be implemented to prevent the return of fascist governance. AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju described the July Revolution as a historic commitment to justice and dignity, while others called for accountability for past human rights violations and the preservation of July’s legacy.

Several participants urged the government to reinstate canceled reform ordinances, establish a July museum, and ensure that the revolution’s achievements are constitutionally protected.

Police in Kishoreganj’s Katiadi upazila arrested Abdul Khalek Sarkar Raju, 55, president of the Jalalpur Union unit of the Awami League, in connection with a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The arrest took place around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday near a petrol pump at Katiadi bus stand area. Raju, a resident of Uttar Charpukhiya village in Jalalpur Union, is the son of the late Abdur Rashid.

Officer-in-Charge Md Rafiqul Islam of Katiadi Model Police Station confirmed that the arrest was made under an anti-terrorism case and that the accused was produced before court on Thursday. Police stated that investigation and subsequent legal proceedings are ongoing.

No further details about the nature of the case or the specific allegations were disclosed in the report.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s reserved seat Member of Parliament Advocate Sabikun Nahar Munni expressed concern in parliament over widespread food adulteration in Bangladesh. Speaking during the 22nd day of the 13th National Parliament’s first budget session, she questioned the food minister about government measures to ensure safe and unadulterated food. Munni remarked that while drugs appear free from adulteration, food items, especially fruits during the current season, are often contaminated, leaving consumers uncertain about what is safe to eat.

In response, the food minister acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, noting that adulterated food contributes to serious health problems such as cancer and kidney disease. He added that the Prime Minister is highly concerned about the matter. The exchange highlighted growing parliamentary attention to food safety and public health risks linked to adulteration.

The discussion underscored the need for stronger government initiatives to monitor food quality and protect consumers from harmful substances in the market.

The Election Commission (EC) has issued the official gazette recognizing BNP candidate Sarowar Alamgir as the elected Member of Parliament for the Chattogram-2 constituency in the 13th National Parliament. The decision followed receipt of the High Court verdict declaring his candidacy valid. The EC stated that after publishing the gazette on Thursday, a letter will be sent to the Parliament Secretariat to arrange his oath-taking.

Earlier, Alamgir had won the February 12 election, but the EC withheld the gazette due to legal complications over his candidacy. Although the returning officer initially accepted his nomination, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Muhammad Nurul Amin appealed to the EC alleging loan default. On January 18, the EC upheld the appeal and canceled Alamgir’s candidacy, prompting him to file a writ petition in the High Court.

The High Court later suspended the EC’s decision and allowed Alamgir to contest under the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol. The Appellate Division permitted his participation but ordered the result and gazette to remain pending until final judgment. With the latest High Court ruling, the legal barrier to publishing the result and taking oath has been removed.