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.

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.