Bangladesh’s opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has extended greetings and best wishes to students appearing in the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC), Alim, and equivalent examinations beginning Thursday. In a statement issued on Wednesday, he noted that 1,270,583 students from 11 education boards will take part in the exams and prayed for their health and success. Rahman urged parents, teachers, and school authorities to ensure a supportive and fair environment during the examination period. He called on teachers, law enforcement, and officials to cooperate in maintaining discipline and fairness so that students can perform well and contribute to the nation’s future. He also advised students to carry only approved materials, plan travel time carefully in congested cities, and prepare for adverse weather. Additionally, he requested traffic police to take special measures to facilitate smooth transportation for examinees.

Ripon Kazi, 35, president of the Gulishakhali Union unit of the Labour Party in Amtali upazila of Barguna, was hacked to death late Tuesday night near Faruk Doctor’s house in Gagan Kha area of Patuakhali Sadar upazila. Police said the killing stemmed from a long-standing family and political dispute. Ripon’s father, Mizanur alias Bhutto Kazi, has been accused of leading the attack. Family members claimed that Ripon had long opposed his father’s multiple marriages, which caused ongoing tension between them. He also had a political rivalry with his cousin Rifat Kazi, president of the local Chhatra Dal unit. Ripon’s younger brother Sabbir Kazi alleged that their father, cousin, and associates planned the murder. Eyewitness Rajib Kazi said several attackers stopped their motorcycle and assaulted Ripon with sharp weapons before locals took him to Patuakhali Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Two suspects, Mostafa Kazi and Firoz Kazi, were detained by locals and handed over to police. Authorities recovered a mobile phone believed to belong to Mizanur Kazi. Police said a case is being processed and legal action will follow after investigation.

A Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court has ordered the imprisonment of Sylhet Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner (ASP) Md. Soheluddin Prince in a case involving allegations of fraud and embezzlement. The order was issued on Wednesday by Magistrate Nazmin Akter Eva, following a petition from the complainant’s lawyer, Kamruzzaman Shahin, seeking cancellation of Sohel’s bail. According to the case, filed on November 23, 2022, by Assistant Tax Commissioner Mosammat Tanzina Sathi, Soheluddin allegedly misappropriated Tk 23.2 million from her after promising marriage. Both had passed the 36th BCS examination in 2017 and developed a relationship. The complainant claimed that Sohel took money under various pretexts but neither married her nor returned the funds. The court had earlier framed charges under Penal Code sections 406 and 420. The defense lawyer, Abul Kalam Khan, argued that the allegations were false and intended to harass Sohel. After hearing both sides, the court revoked his bail and ordered his detention. Another dowry case filed by Sohel’s wife is also pending trial.

Iran’s National Security Council has declared that those responsible for the killing of the country’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei will face punishment at an appropriate time. The announcement came as preparations were underway for Khamenei’s funeral and burial. In a statement on Wednesday, Council Secretary Mohammad Baqer Zolkadr said the late leader’s clenched fist would remain a lasting symbol of Iran’s national security policy. Zolkadr, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was appointed as the council’s secretary on March 24 after the previous secretary, Ali Larijani, was killed in a U.S.-Israeli attack. He stated that avenging the blood of Khamenei and other Iranian martyrs remains an open issue and that those who carried out or ordered the assassination would soon face just punishment. In a separate statement, Iran’s Guardian Council condemned the killing as a heinous crime aimed at breaking the nation’s morale. It described Khamenei’s funeral as a historic turning point demonstrating the resilience of the Islamic system and called on citizens to join the funeral procession as a show of unity and loyalty.

A Dhaka court has scheduled July 23 for the charge hearing against Beximco Group’s Salman F Rahman and five others in a money laundering case involving about 2.83 million US dollars allegedly transferred abroad under the guise of export. The date was set on July 1 by Judge Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court No. 5 after the defense requested more time. According to the case, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) found that the funds were moved through Beximco subsidiaries Autumn Loop Apparels Ltd and Peerless Garments Ltd. Goods were exported under three letters of credit from Janata Bank’s Local Office branch, but the export proceeds were not repatriated within the stipulated time. The shipments were sent to RR Global Trading FZE in Sharjah, owned by family members of the accused. CID’s Financial Crimes Sub-Inspector Golam Mostafa filed the case on September 17, 2024, and Inspector Md. Chayedur Rahman submitted the charge sheet on November 11, 2025, naming six accused including Salman F Rahman and ASF Rahman.

France continued their dominant run in the 2026 World Cup knockout stage with a 3-0 victory over Sweden, securing a place in the last sixteen. Led by Kylian Mbappé’s brace and Bradley Barcola’s goal, Didier Deschamps’ team has impressed with speed, creativity, and cohesion. Former England defender Gary Neville, speaking on ITV after the match, said France are currently far ahead of other teams and that only Argentina have the mentality, experience, and unity to challenge them. Neville praised France’s attacking quartet of Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Barcola, calling them a nightmare for defenders. He added that while England, Spain, or Portugal could still improve as the tournament progresses, France’s current form makes them clear favorites. Former England striker Ian Wright echoed this view, saying opponents should fear France more than any other team. France will face Paraguay, who eliminated Germany, in the quarterfinals. A win could set up a semifinal clash with Spain or Portugal, but Neville believes Argentina remain France’s toughest potential test for the title.

France continued their dominant run in the 2026 World Cup knockout stage with a 3-0 victory over Sweden, securing a place in the last sixteen. Led by Kylian Mbappé’s brace and Bradley Barcola’s goal, Didier Deschamps’ team has impressed with speed, creativity, and cohesion. Former England defender Gary Neville, speaking on ITV after the match, said France are currently far ahead of other teams and that only Argentina have the mentality, experience, and unity to challenge them. Neville praised France’s attacking quartet of Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Barcola, calling them a nightmare for defenders. He added that while England, Spain, or Portugal could still improve as the tournament progresses, France’s current form makes them clear favorites. Former England striker Ian Wright echoed this view, saying opponents should fear France more than any other team. France will face Paraguay, who eliminated Germany, in the quarterfinals. A win could set up a semifinal clash with Spain or Portugal, but Neville believes Argentina remain France’s toughest potential test for the title.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has launched a month-long 'July Awakening' campaign to mark the second anniversary of the July Revolution. The program began with a visit to the mass grave of July martyrs at Rayerbazar in Dhaka, led by NCP convener and opposition chief whip Md. Nahid Islam along with senior party leaders. Nahid Islam stated that the aspirations of a reformed, discrimination-free democratic Bangladesh envisioned after the July uprising have not yet been achieved. Expressing dissatisfaction with a recent tribunal verdict involving Hasanul Haq Inu, Nahid Islam said the judgment failed to satisfy the people and the families of those killed or injured during the uprising. He demanded harsher punishment for Inu and called for the repatriation and trial of Sheikh Hasina and others allegedly involved in the July killings. Nahid also urged the government to implement the July Charter and structural reforms promised in the referendum. He warned that if the July National Museum remains closed beyond August 5, citizens would open it themselves. The NCP leader paid tribute to the 1,400 martyrs and numerous injured participants of the July uprising, including students, workers, professionals, and expatriates who supported the movement.

The United States and Iran have reached a preliminary understanding on the release of $3 billion during indirect talks held in Doha, Qatar, according to a report by Saudi-based outlet Al Arabiya citing sources on Wednesday. The discussions were mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, with each side communicating through their respective intermediaries. The Iranian delegation, comprising officials from the foreign ministry, central bank, and agriculture ministry, also attended a tripartite meeting with Qatar’s prime minister. Sources indicated that Iran conditioned the phased release of the funds on progress achieved in the negotiations. The talks also addressed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, based on a new proposal from Oman. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the main goal of the Doha meeting was to review progress in implementing an interim Tehran-Washington agreement. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the discussions, which began Tuesday night, focused primarily on the release of Iran’s frozen assets and regional maritime security. A diplomatic source told AFP that the Doha talks were proceeding under a memorandum of understanding and followed up on progress made at the Lake Lucerne conference in Switzerland.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that in the modern world, security is no longer confined to border defense or traditional systems. Speaking on July 1, 2026, at the launch of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party’s media cell ‘Prantik Konthoswor’, he said that digital leadership, cyber security, and technology-based skills are now the foundation of future security frameworks. The minister described ‘Prantik Konthoswor’ as an integral part of the government’s broader plan for digital transformation and information management. He urged the Ansar and Village Defence Force to engage its large workforce in modern technology and digital communication for national development. Citing the Bangladesh Bank reserve theft, he emphasized that protecting digital infrastructure from cyberattacks is now more critical than physical security. Swapan highlighted that technology evolves continuously and called for a shift from analog to digital thinking. He urged the new platform to maintain ongoing innovation and capacity building. State Minister Habibur Rashid and Ansar Director General Major General A.M. Sajjad Mahmud also spoke at the event, where the importance of combating misinformation was underscored.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the ongoing discussions in Qatar regarding Iran’s nuclear disarmament are progressing well. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump said the meetings in Doha, attended by his special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, had gone very well. He dismissed fears that a full-scale war could resume, saying significant progress had been made. Trump added that the U.S. military had delivered a strong strike against Iran the previous week but emphasized that diplomatic processes were now proving effective. He described the current state of U.S.-Iran relations as moving forward positively. The remarks highlight a shift from military confrontation to diplomatic engagement, with the U.S. leadership expressing optimism about the direction of the talks in Qatar.

The 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations will begin across Bangladesh on Thursday under nine education boards using a unified question paper. Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that a total of 1,270,583 students will take part in the exams at 2,697 centers from 9,439 institutions. The exams will cover 77 subjects and be completed within 21 days. Regular classes will continue on non-exam days. The minister said all centers are equipped with CCTV cameras, and a monitoring cell has been set up at the Education Ministry to oversee exams in real time from any part of the country. Police officers at exam centers will wear body cameras to reduce the risk of irregularities. Centers previously known for malpractice have been canceled, though some venues remain in remote and hilly areas to assist student access. Compared to 2025, the number of examinees has increased, with 1,122 more male and 13,194 more female students participating this year.

Inspector General of Police Ali Hossain Fakir announced that Purbachal New Town will be brought under the jurisdiction of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Dhaka North City Corporation to strengthen law and order and ensure overall security. He made the statement while inaugurating the Barkau Police Camp at Plot 44, Road 102, Sector 1 of the Purbachal New Town Project. Ongoing work includes establishing four police stations, six investigation centers, two police lines, three deputy commissioner offices, and forty-one police boxes. The IGP said that 18.63 acres of land have already been registered out of 29.21 acres allocated for DMP facilities in Purbachal. Plans include forming a separate division under an additional police commissioner and creating about 6,524 new positions. Once the planned infrastructure is complete, the area’s law enforcement capacity, crime prevention, and citizen safety are expected to improve significantly. The new city’s inclusion under DMP and Dhaka North City Corporation is expected to support sustainable urbanization and economic activities. The under-construction police camp is scheduled to begin operations within two months.

The Chhatak Upazila Ulama Unity Council organized a human chain in Jaua Bazar, Sunamganj, on Wednesday afternoon demanding an end to the persecution of Muslims in India, protection of religious institutions, and a ban on ISKCON. The event, held at noon, was presided over by Maulana Mufti Abdus Sobhan, president of the council, and attended by teachers, clerics, worshippers, and local residents from various professions. Speakers at the gathering called for immediate action to stop killings and oppression of Muslims in India, attacks on mosques and madrasas, and the killing of Bangladeshi citizens along the border. They also demanded an end to anti-Bangladesh conspiracies and provocative activities. The participants described ISKCON as a Hindutva organization and urged its prohibition. Additionally, the speakers demanded the cancellation of the death sentence of Maulana Hafiz Naeem and the withdrawal of what they termed politically motivated cases against Islamic scholars.

A BNP leader in Lakshmipur’s Raipur upazila has accused a former Jubo Dal leader and his associates of demanding Tk 5 lakh in extortion. The allegation was made by Shahjahan Kabiraj, president of the BNP’s Ward No. 4 unit in Uttar Charbanshi Union, during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. Several local BNP members were present at the event. According to Shahjahan Kabiraj, former Jubo Dal leader Zakir Hossain, along with his brother Tofazzal and others, demanded money from him and others involved in land transactions. He claimed the group regularly extorts money from land buyers and sellers and obstructs land possession if payments are not made. Zakir Hossain denied the allegation, saying both parties had purchased land in the same area and that the dispute was over property, not extortion. Local BNP general secretary Imam Hossain Gazi also stated that the issue stemmed from a land dispute, not extortion. Police confirmed that Zakir had filed a case against Shahjahan over the land issue, but no formal complaint regarding extortion had been submitted.