At the July National Conference held on Saturday at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Abu Horaira, president of the private university wing of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, questioned whether Meher Afroz Shaon was more powerful than Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Speaking in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he accused Shaon of insulting the 'July warriors' and demanded justice for her remarks.

The event was organized jointly by the July 24 Martyrs’ Family Society and Amra July Joddha to commemorate the martyrs of the July uprising and mark the second anniversary of the '36 July' movement. The memorial meeting was presided over by Chief Whip of the National Parliament Nurul Islam Monir and attended by cabinet members, lawmakers, diplomats, military and civilian officials, and representatives of professional organizations. A minute of silence was observed in memory of the martyrs.

The student leader also highlighted the contributions of private university students to the movement during his speech.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are set to hold a meeting to discuss the Iran deal, according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. The two leaders spoke by phone, during which Netanyahu extended greetings to Trump on the occasion of US Independence Day on July 4.

During the call, Trump described the United States as the 'guardian of global freedom,' the statement said. Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported that both leaders agreed to meet in the United States in the near future, although no specific date has been determined yet.

The announcement highlights ongoing coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv on Iran-related issues, but details of the planned meeting’s agenda or timing remain undisclosed.

Iran’s current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei did not attend his father’s funeral, sparking widespread discussion. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Paul Musgrave, an associate professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, suggested that security concerns likely influenced the decision. He said Iran feared that Israel might target the leadership again during a large public gathering such as a funeral.

Musgrave noted that Israel has previously used funerals or mourning events to strike political figures. He added that while Tehran’s security concerns are understandable, the long-term challenge for Iran is to ensure the Supreme Leader’s visible presence before the public. According to him, Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen publicly for several months, and the government must eventually demonstrate that he is actively leading the country.

Musgrave concluded that balancing security precautions with the need for public visibility remains a key political challenge for Iran’s leadership.

The United Arab Emirates has announced major changes to its entry and residency visa policies, according to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security. The 14-day and 60-day entry visa options have been extended to citizens of six additional countries—Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, and South Africa—beyond the previously eligible Indian nationals. The list of countries whose residents qualify for certain visa benefits has also been expanded to include Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Dubai visitors can now obtain single-entry tourist visas within 48 hours through approved agencies.

Dubai authorities have revised the property-based two-year residency visa rules, removing the previous minimum property value requirement of AED 750,000 for sole ownership. For jointly owned properties, each investor must hold a share worth at least AED 400,000. The UAE has also granted a 30-day grace period to visitors previously exempted from overstay fines due to airspace closures, requiring them to regularize their status or leave by July 9.

Additionally, Dubai is introducing a “smart medical visa” to streamline healthcare travel, while visa issuance for citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan has been temporarily suspended to prevent Ebola spread.

Mohammad Shahin Malu, a July Movement activist who was injured during the 2024 mass uprising, called for giving Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman ten years to lead the country. He made the remarks on Saturday at the 'July National Conference 2026' held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon, Dhaka, marking the anniversary of the July-August uprising, mourning, and victory.

Speaking on behalf of injured families, Malu said that if people love their country, they should allow Tarique Rahman a decade to bring change, arguing that such time would encourage expatriates to return home for work. He alleged that the interim government had treated BNP-aligned victims of the July-August movement differently and claimed to have suffered personally for his loyalty to the party.

The conference was attended by Tarique Rahman as chief guest, along with senior government officials including the home minister, state minister for liberation war affairs, chief whip, and law minister, as well as political leaders and representatives from various sectors.

Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that the modern world is passing through a deep and multidimensional crisis rooted in ethnic, religious, linguistic, cultural, and geographical divisions. He emphasized that lasting solutions cannot come from dominance but through mutual respect, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence. He made these remarks on Saturday at a hotel in Dhaka while inaugurating the Al Ummah Foundation’s website and Al Ummah Journal.

The minister described the foundation’s initiative as timely amid global instability and division, expressing hope that it would serve as an open platform for intellectual exchange among people of diverse philosophies and ideologies. He said diversity in language, ethnicity, religion, and culture is a natural part of human civilization, and no group or ideology can realistically dominate the world. He added that history shows war and power displays have never provided lasting solutions, while free thought and mutual respect have advanced civilization.

Welcoming the initiative on behalf of the government, Swapan said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s administration supports peaceful coexistence, harmony, and an inclusive world order. He expressed hope that the Al Ummah Journal and website would enrich dialogue and understanding among different cultures and nations.

BNP leader and adviser to the party chairperson Aslam Chowdhury has drawn renewed attention in north Chattogram politics after unofficially securing the highest votes in the Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda) constituency during the national election. Despite this, his victory has become entangled in legal complications following an Appellate Division ruling related to loan default allegations. His legal team confirmed preparations are underway to take necessary steps under the law.

Chowdhury, a former joint secretary general of the BNP, was arrested in 2016 on sedition charges and later faced 76 cases under various laws. The BNP claims these were politically motivated, while state agencies have described them as part of legal procedures. After his release from prison in August 2024, he intensified organizational activities across northern Chattogram, which local observers say revitalized the party’s grassroots.

Supporters allege his long imprisonment severely affected his business ventures under the Rising Group, including steel, shipbreaking, and real estate operations. Analysts believe his current challenges include rebuilding organizational unity, balancing old and new leadership, and navigating ongoing legal processes that could shape the region’s political dynamics.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt described Generation Z as lazy and overly influenced by liberal ideals during an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters. She claimed that some young Americans complain about economic conditions and suggested that if they were sent to Cuba or Iran, they would quickly want to return to the United States. Leavitt argued that liberal teachers and professors have shaped Gen Z’s mindset, weakening their work ethic and sense of responsibility.

She emphasized that the United States was built on merit, hard work, and individual effort, referring to this as the 'American Dream' that must be preserved. When Watters raised questions about economic pressures and the high cost of living, Leavitt said such factors influence young people’s attitudes and behavior. She also noted that some parents are opting for homeschooling or religious schools to keep their children away from what she called liberal or communist influences.

Following the interview, Leavitt’s remarks drew widespread criticism on social media. Many users argued that she ignored real economic challenges such as high housing costs, student loans, and limited job opportunities, calling her comments disconnected from reality.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for national unity and collective progress, emphasizing that the achievements of August 5 belong to all citizens, not any single person or political party. He made the remarks on Saturday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon, Dhaka, during the 'July National Conference 2026' organized to mark the anniversary of the July-August uprising, mourning, and victory.

Rahman stated that all killings will be tried according to the law, cautioning that justice must not turn into injustice. He pledged that the government will honor the sacrifices made during the July movement and avoid dividing the nation. The prime minister reflected on personal losses and hardships over the past 17 years, saying his late mother and brother would have advised him to move the country forward without revenge.

Earlier at the event, Rahman presented the July Memorial Award to families of martyrs and injured fighters of the July movement, recognizing their contributions to the nation.

Iran’s Defense Minister Majid Ibn Reza announced that Tehran is ready to enhance defense cooperation with Pakistan. He made the statement during a meeting in Tehran with Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The Iranian minister thanked Pakistan for its principled stance in supporting Iran and emphasized the need to strengthen security and defense collaboration between the two nations.

During the meeting, Majid Ibn Reza also highlighted the importance of building a regional security framework and working jointly against threats originating from Israel. In response, Asim Munir expressed condolences over casualties caused by attacks from the United States and Israel and reaffirmed the historical, cultural, and fraternal ties between Iran and Pakistan.

Asim Munir further noted that defense cooperation between the two countries is progressing well and will continue to grow stronger in the future, referencing the Iranian defense minister’s earlier visit to Islamabad.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that the Awami League’s political demise occurred following the student and public uprising on August 5, 2024, and that its symbolic burial took place in Delhi. He made the remarks on Saturday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon during the ‘July National Conference 2026,’ organized to mark the anniversary of the July-August uprising, mourning, and victory.

The minister said that the Awami League would soon face trial as a political party for alleged terrorist activities, with necessary legal processes already underway. He urged people not to commercialize the spirit of July and called for unity and patience amid the country’s economic situation, assuring that the government was working according to its plans.

Salahuddin Ahmed also accused exiled autocrats and their associates of conspiring to destabilize the country and undermine the democratic government. He emphasized that the government remained vigilant against such activities and urged citizens to uphold the ideals of the July movement to advance national development.

Iran held a state funeral for its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking not only his death but also the end of an era that shaped the country’s political and institutional foundations for nearly four decades. Khamenei, who assumed leadership in 1989 after the Iran-Iraq war, centralized power across the armed forces, judiciary, state media, and key appointments.

Under his leadership, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) became a dominant force in Iran’s security, politics, and economy. Khamenei’s insistence on Iran’s right to enrich uranium, while denying any intent to build nuclear weapons, led to repeated U.S. and European sanctions. His regional strategy of supporting allied governments and resistance groups expanded Iran’s influence but deepened tensions with Gulf Arab states and the United States.

Khamenei was killed on February 28, 2026, during the first day of conflict with the United States and Israel. Iranian officials described the assassination as an attack on the nation’s heart, while many followers fear his death could weaken the current system of governance.

Iran has opened more than 5,000 schools in Tehran to accommodate participants attending the funeral of the country’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. The announcement was made by Iran’s Minister of Education, who said that around 40,000 to 50,000 classrooms across the country have been prepared to welcome guests.

According to the report, more than 20 million people, including representatives from over 100 countries, are expected to gather in Tehran for the funeral ceremony. The large-scale preparations reflect the government’s effort to manage the massive influx of mourners and foreign delegations.

The event underscores the national and international significance of Khamenei’s leadership and the scale of public participation anticipated in the mourning ceremonies.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman presented the July Memorial Awards to the families of martyrs and injured fighters of the July Movement during the ‘July National Conference 2026’. The event took place on Saturday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon, Dhaka, marking the anniversary of the July-August uprising, mourning, and victory.

At the ceremony, Abdur Rob Mia, father of martyr Miraj of the July-24 uprising, received the award on behalf of the families. The Prime Minister also handed awards to martyr Selim’s brother Ujjal Hossain, injured fighter Al Miraj, and July warrior Mohammad Aminul Islam Emon. The event honored the sacrifices made during the July Movement.

The host announced that although only a few representatives received the awards in person, memorials have been reserved for all families of martyrs and injured participants. These will be delivered to each recipient at a later scheduled time.

US President Donald Trump stated that Iran wants to reach an agreement with the United States. He said Washington had given Iran seven days for the funeral of its supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Trump made the remarks on Friday night during his opening speech at Mount Rushmore, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

In his address, Trump spoke about American greatness, the threat of communism, and the country’s military strength. He claimed that the United States defeated Venezuela in one day and had struck Iran very hard, asserting that Tehran was desperate to negotiate.

Trump added that the United States allowed one week for Khamenei’s funeral because, in his words, “we are good people.” The comments were reported by Al Jazeera and published by Amar Desh Online.