Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement has threatened to strike Saudi Arabia’s airports and key installations, accusing Riyadh of violating Yemeni airspace. In a statement on Friday, July 3, the group claimed that a Saudi warplane attempted to block the landing of an Iranian civilian aircraft at Sana’a International Airport. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sari warned that any further Saudi aggression would trigger ground and maritime attacks on Saudi targets. According to Al Jazeera, Sari said the attempted intrusion occurred at 5:20 a.m. local time and was repelled by Houthi forces. He asserted that the Iranian aircraft, carrying over two hundred stranded, injured, and ill passengers, later landed safely in Sana’a and returned to Tehran with a delegation. The Houthis stated they remain ready for any confrontation and are working to break the Saudi-U.S. blockade. The warning follows a recent large-scale prisoner exchange between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Houthis. Despite a UN-brokered truce in 2022 that reduced major clashes, tensions remain high as Yemen’s conflict continues to cause severe humanitarian suffering.

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.

Severe flooding across Ghana this week has killed at least 34 people and displaced 89,736 others, according to the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO). Richard Amo Yartey, director of NADMO’s inspection department, confirmed the figures on Friday, noting that 12 of the deaths occurred in the capital, Accra. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams continue to locate missing persons. Yartey told local media that emergency teams are still working to find those unaccounted for while distributing relief supplies to affected communities. NADMO reported that seven regions have been impacted by the floods, with the Greater Accra Region suffering the most severe damage, displacing 54,712 people. The Central Region followed with 21,882 displaced, while Volta, Western, Ashanti, Western North, and Eastern regions also reported significant impacts. Officials indicated that ongoing rescue and relief operations remain a priority as authorities assess the full extent of the disaster and continue verifying missing persons’ data.

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.

Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists in Jhalakathi formed a human chain on Saturday morning demanding the immediate opening of the district’s 250-bed general hospital. The hour-long demonstration took place on the road in front of the hospital, with participation from district Jamaat and its affiliated organizations. District Ameer Advocate Hafizur Rahman, Secretary Faridul Haque, and Assistant Secretary Maulana Abdul Hai addressed the gathering. Speakers said that although construction of the hospital was completed long ago, it has yet to begin operations, depriving residents of essential healthcare. They blamed the delay on negligence by public representatives and authorities, noting that similar 250-bed hospitals in other districts are already functioning. Participants expressed frustration over the prolonged inaction. According to the report, the foundation stone of the hospital was laid in 2018, and the building was inaugurated in 2023 by the then Member of Parliament. Nearly three years after the inauguration, the hospital remains unopened, leaving hundreds of thousands of residents without improved medical services.

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.

Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran’s Enghelab Square and Grand Mosalla Complex to attend the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Many carried red flags, a traditional Shia symbol representing bloodshed and a call for revenge. The crowd chanted slogans including “Death to America” and demanded retribution for Khamenei’s killing. According to Mohammad Eslami, a researcher at the University of Tehran quoted by Al Jazeera, Khamenei’s followers raised the red flags as a sign of their demand for revenge. He explained that they want the Iranian government to punish those responsible for killing their supreme leader. Eslami added that Khamenei was not just an ordinary national leader but a figure of far greater significance. The event underscored the depth of public mourning and the symbolic use of religious imagery in expressing collective anger and loyalty toward Khamenei’s legacy.

Prime Minister’s economic and planning affairs adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has said that the decision to implement Bangladesh’s new pay scale will be made considering the country’s economic reality and the government’s election manifesto commitments. In an interview with the BBC, he stated that the new salary structure will be executed in phases, beginning with an increase in the basic pay of government employees. However, he did not specify when the official gazette would be published or disclose details of salary adjustments across grades. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury had earlier announced in the 2026–27 budget speech that the new pay scale would start taking effect from July 1, 2026, after nearly 11 years under the same structure. The move aims to address rising living costs caused by inflation. According to finance ministry sources, the gazette may be issued by mid or late July. The last national pay scale was introduced in 2015. The 2025 National Pay Commission, led by former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, recommended a 100–140 percent salary increase, raising the minimum scale from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the maximum from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000.

A severe heatwave across the United States disrupted the country’s 250th Independence Day celebrations on July 4, forcing cancellations of major events from New Jersey and Pennsylvania to Colorado. One of the largest parades, Philadelphia’s ‘Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade,’ was called off due to dangerous heat conditions. The National Weather Service reported that over 165 million people across the eastern and midwestern regions endured record-breaking temperatures, with several outdoor festivities suspended for public safety. In Washington, D.C., the ‘Great American State Fair’ was temporarily closed after multiple visitors suffered heat-related illnesses, and at least 11 people were hospitalized. Authorities urged residents and tourists to take precautions as the heat index in cities like Philadelphia and Washington was expected to exceed 110°F. Despite the warnings, President Donald Trump confirmed plans to deliver his Independence Day speech outdoors. Meteorologists warned that the heatwave, already among the most intense in decades, would persist through the weekend. Forecasters predicted that the extreme heat would spread further south and west from Sunday, reaching the southeastern United States and parts of Canada. Experts linked the prolonged and widespread heatwave to human-induced climate change, which has intensified global temperature extremes.

A female worker of Uttara EPZ, Sumi Rani Roy, aged 35, was killed in a road accident in Nilphamari’s Jaldhaka upazila on Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. at Chowdhuryhat Bazar area of Shimulbari Union when the motorcycle she was riding on lost control and slipped due to sand scattered on the road. The motorcyclist, Swapan Roy, 30, sustained serious injuries and was admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. According to local sources, Sumi Rani Roy was traveling to her workplace on a motorcycle driven by her nephew-in-law, Swapan Roy. As they reached Chowdhuryhat Bazar, a night coach named ‘Mayer Doa Paribahan’ approached from the opposite direction. In an attempt to avoid collision, the motorcycle skidded, causing Sumi to fall under the rear wheel of the bus and die instantly. Locals expressed concern that sand left on the road has long increased accident risks in the area. They demanded immediate removal of sand, enhanced monitoring of risky spots, and action against those responsible. Police recovered the body and initiated legal procedures.

Bangladesh Bank has dismissed recent social media rumors claiming that customers will face extra charges when using Bangla QR for payments. The misinformation suggested that a Tk 10 fee would be deducted from every Tk 1,000 transaction, causing confusion among users. The central bank clarified that customers will not be charged any fee for making purchases through Bangla QR. According to Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan, the applicable charge will be borne by merchants, not customers. As per policy, a maximum charge of Tk 10 plus 15 percent VAT—totaling Tk 11.50—may apply per Tk 1,000 transaction, which sellers must pay. Experts noted that this structure is similar to how credit card transaction fees are handled by businesses. The bank advised customers not to believe unverified information about digital payments. It also urged users to report any merchant demanding extra charges to their respective banks, mobile financial service providers, or the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.

Police in Banshkhali, Chattogram, arrested a drug dealer with 30,000 yaba pills on Friday morning. The arrest took place in front of the Banshkhali police station gate, where officers had set up a checkpoint based on secret information. A red scooter used to transport the drugs was also seized during the operation. The detainee was identified as Mohammad Zia, 45, son of Abdul Hakim from Putuinnapara village in Kutubdia, Cox’s Bazar. According to Sub-Inspector Mohammad Arif, the suspect attempted to flee when signaled to stop but was chased and caught by police. Upon searching the scooter, officers recovered the yaba pills. Officer-in-Charge Md. Robiul Haque stated that Zia is a major drug dealer who was transporting the consignment to Chattogram city. Legal proceedings are underway to file a case and present him before the court. The operation highlights ongoing police efforts in Banshkhali to curb narcotics trafficking in the region.

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.

Residents of Bardaha Bazar in Kaliganj upazila, Satkhira, held a protest rally and human chain on Saturday morning demanding justice for the death of 17-year-old Rafat Hossain. Despite adverse weather, hundreds of locals, including men, women, and youths, joined the demonstration calling for an impartial investigation, quick legal action, and exemplary punishment for those responsible. The event was presided over by Ruhul Kuddus Gazi. Speakers, including Rafat’s mother Shahanara Khatun, alleged that Rafat, who worked at a local poultry farm, was murdered on June 13 and his death was falsely portrayed as suicide. They accused investigators of negligence and delay, which they said had fueled public anger. Several participants claimed that the farm owner’s son had a history of abuse and that Rafat’s poor family must not be denied justice. Protesters vowed to continue peaceful demonstrations until a fair investigation is completed and the real perpetrators are brought to justice, urging authorities to end the culture of impunity.