Former US diplomat Gordon Gray described the recent indirect talks between American and Iranian representatives in Qatar as a positive step in the right direction. He said the meeting demonstrated both sides’ genuine interest in maintaining the ongoing ceasefire and reaching a final agreement. Gray made these remarks in an interview with Al Jazeera.

According to Gray, despite the encouraging tone of the discussions, several complex issues remain unresolved between Washington and Tehran. Each side has its own priorities and urgent interests. For the United States, the immediate goal is to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route for global energy and trade security. Iran, on the other hand, is focused on securing relief from economic sanctions that have severely weakened its economy due to prolonged conflict, international restrictions, and domestic mismanagement.

The talks in Qatar are viewed as a cautious but meaningful step toward stabilizing regional tensions, though significant challenges still lie ahead for both nations.

Bangladesh is prioritizing Malaysia’s experience to expand its halal industry and tap into the global halal market. During Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to Malaysia, and earlier by interim government adviser Muhammad Yunus, bilateral cooperation on halal industry development was a key topic. Experts estimate the global halal market at around 3 trillion dollars, but Bangladesh faces major challenges due to the absence of international-standard laboratories and unified certification.

Malaysia is considered a global model in halal certification, having built a transparent and internationally recognized system since the 1970s. Its halal market is projected to reach 113 billion dollars by 2030, with food and beverages accounting for 85 billion. Malaysia’s JAKIM agency oversees certification, while the Halal Development Council works to strengthen the sector.

Bangladesh currently exports about 850 million dollars in halal products, mostly agricultural goods. Officials and business groups believe that improving certification and laboratory capacity, and establishing a dedicated halal economic zone, could enable Bangladesh to expand exports significantly. The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has begun working with Malaysia’s HDC to address these issues.

Global oil prices fell to their lowest level in four months as positive comments from US leaders about relations with Iran eased market concerns. According to Reuters, the international benchmark Brent crude dropped by $1.38, or 1.89 percent, to $71.57 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined by $0.92, or 1.32 percent, to $68.58 per barrel. Both benchmarks closed at their lowest levels since March.

Market analysts attributed the decline to recent remarks by US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who described ongoing discussions between Washington and Tehran as progressing well. Their statements signaled a reduction in geopolitical tensions between the two countries, which directly influenced global oil trading.

The easing of supply concerns among investors following these diplomatic signals led to a rapid downward shift in oil prices, reflecting renewed optimism about stability in the global energy market.

Construction work on the Kalighat-Manu-Dholai circular road in Ashidron Union of Srimangal upazila, Moulvibazar, has resumed after being halted for three days due to allegations of irregularities. The decision to restart came following an on-site inspection on July 1 by Srimangal Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Ziaur Rahman and Upazila Engineer (LGED) Md Abdur Rakib. Local residents had earlier stopped the work and submitted a written complaint alleging the use of substandard materials and negligence in construction.

Before the inspection, residents staged a protest with placards, demanding quality control and stronger oversight. The UNO instructed the contractor to complete the project according to the approved design and schedule while maintaining quality standards. The administration also decided to form a local monitoring committee to ensure proper supervision of the project.

The contractor, Sunny Enterprise, stated that the work had followed LGED guidelines and would now continue with a renewed focus on quality. The project had earlier drawn attention after a national newspaper reported alleged irregularities on June 29, prompting administrative action.

Somaliland’s cabinet has approved a bilateral strategic cooperation agreement with Israel, formalizing commitments announced during President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi’s recent visit to the country. The agreement, passed unanimously in a cabinet meeting following the June trip, marks a new phase in relations between the two sides.

According to the presidential office, the deal will open new avenues of partnership in security, investment, technology exchange, and economic development. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has long struggled for international recognition. Israel became the first country to officially recognize Somaliland last year.

Geopolitical analysts cited in the report suggest that Israel’s recognition and cooperation are driven by strategic interests in the Red Sea region, particularly around the Gulf of Aden, where Israel seeks to strengthen its military and geopolitical presence and counter Iranian and Houthi influence.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami central executive member and Rangpur-Dinajpur regional director Maulana Abdul Halim said the nation now expects full implementation of the referendum verdict. Speaking at a regional meeting in Rangpur on July 1, he called on the government to honor the people’s mandate by implementing the July Charter, forming a constitutional reform council, and fulfilling national commitments.

He stated that Jamaat-e-Islami continues to play a constructive opposition role in parliament while maintaining peaceful movements for democratic rights and national interests. Abdul Halim criticized the government for failing to take visible steps toward implementing the July Charter despite earlier promises. He added that the 11-party alliance remains united in demanding realization of the referendum verdict and other national issues.

The alliance announced a divisional rally on July 11 at Rangpur Zilla School ground to present four demands: implementation of the referendum verdict, progress on the Teesta mega project, an end to border killings and push-ins, and control of rising commodity prices to ensure fair returns for farmers.

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti has expressed deep concern and anger over a series of attacks on its activists across different parts of the country. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the organization alleged that two of its leaders were attacked on the first day of July, including incidents in Chittagong University, Bajitpur in Kishoreganj, and Dhaka College. The group accused Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal of carrying out these assaults and strongly condemned the incidents.

According to the statement, Chittagong University organizer Ulfatur Rahman Rakib was attacked while helping a sick student, and Bajitpur unit convener Fahad Bin Mahi was assaulted on his way to a party program. The organization claimed that such politically motivated violence by Chhatra Dal has destabilized the academic environment in educational institutions. It also criticized the lack of visible administrative or organizational action against the alleged perpetrators.

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti demanded that those responsible for the attacks be identified and brought to justice. The group urged the authorities to act impartially and called on Chhatra Dal to abandon aggressive and violent political practices.

A video allegedly showing Md. Intaj Ali, chairman of Nijpat Union Parishad and organizational secretary of Jaintapur Upazila BNP in Sylhet, using drugs has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread discussion and criticism. The 46-second clip, reportedly filmed at the home of Fayzul Islam Fazlu in Sarighat Dhupi village, began circulating widely on Wednesday. Locals claimed the footage was genuine, though no official confirmation has been made. Attempts to contact the chairman were unsuccessful as his phone remained switched off.

Fayzul Islam, said to appear in the video, later posted on Facebook accusing the chairman of introducing him to drug use and developing a relationship with his wife. The post intensified public reaction, with many social media users demanding an impartial investigation. Local BNP leaders stated they were unaware of the incident or had not yet verified the video. Police confirmed that no formal complaint had been filed but said they would take necessary action if required.

The controversy has drawn significant attention in Sylhet, with calls for accountability and transparency surrounding the allegations.

A violent attack in Dhaka’s Adabor area left one BNP leader dead and another injured following a dispute over watching a World Cup football match. According to police and local sources, the conflict began on Monday night during a match between Brazil and Japan, involving two groups led by local BNP leaders Saddam Hossain and Md. Badsha Mia on one side, and residents Ripon and Parvez on the other. On Wednesday evening, a mediation meeting was held to resolve the dispute, but no agreement was reached. As Saddam and Badsha were returning home around 8 p.m., they were attacked with sharp weapons by unidentified assailants.

Both victims were taken to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, and later Badsha was transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Saddam remains under treatment. Police confirmed the incident and said multiple teams are working to identify and arrest the attackers. CCTV footage and witness statements are being collected. Additional police have been deployed in the area, and Badsha’s body has been sent for autopsy. Authorities said the motive—whether personal, territorial, or otherwise—will be clarified after investigation.

The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court’s directive that imposed a complete ban on cow and calf slaughter across the state. The High Court had issued the order in May 2026, citing the need to boost milk production and strengthen the rural economy by enforcing a 1976 government order. The directive followed a public interest litigation filed by a Coimbatore resident seeking to stop public cow slaughter.

The High Court bench of Justices G R Swaminathan and V Lakshminarayanan had instructed the state’s Chief Secretary and Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) to implement the ban immediately. The court also observed that cow slaughter is not a mandatory religious practice and referred to Article 48 of the Indian Constitution, which advocates for cow protection.

In its Supreme Court petition, the Tamil Nadu government argued that the High Court’s order was self-contradictory, as it simultaneously allowed licensed slaughterhouses while imposing a total ban. The state also noted that the petitioner had not sought a statewide prohibition, and that the High Court had exceeded its jurisdiction.

Heavy fighting between Myanmar’s government junta forces and the Arakan Army (AA) has intensified near Maungdaw Township in Rakhine State, sending loud explosions across the border into Bangladesh. The blasts, reportedly from powerful mortar shells, were heard on Monday night across several areas of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, including Shahparirdwip, Sabrang, Nazirpara, Jaliapara, Hnila, Jadimura, Dhumdumia, and Whaikhong. Residents described their homes shaking like an earthquake as the sounds echoed from across the Naf River.

Local residents and community leaders confirmed hearing multiple explosions around 9:15 p.m., causing panic among border communities. Acting chairman of Hnila Union Parishad Mohammad Ali said the repeated blasts from Myanmar had sparked renewed fear among locals. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials confirmed awareness of the situation, stating that troops remain deployed and alert along the border, assuring there is no reason for panic.

Authorities have not reported any casualties or cross-border damage, but the situation has heightened tension among residents living near the frontier.

Workers in Chapainawabganj staged a road blockade and human chain on Wednesday afternoon demanding the suspension and complete withdrawal of toll collection from battery-powered rickshaws and vans. The demonstration took place for about two hours at the northern end of the Birshreshtha Shaheed Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir Bridge over the Mahananda River, disrupting traffic and causing temporary congestion.

Jamaat-backed Member of Parliament Dr. Md. Keramat Ali from Chapainawabganj-01 (Shibganj) constituency joined the protesters, expressing solidarity and addressing the gathering. Other speakers included Advocate Nure Alam Siddiqui Asad and Md. Rocky, general secretary of the Chapai Municipal Ekata Auto Workers Development Organization. They argued that collecting tolls from battery-powered vehicles was unjustified and demanded immediate exemption. The speakers warned of tougher programs if their demands were not met.

Police from the Sadar Police Station later arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control, after which traffic movement returned to normal.

Bangladesh Bank has given three months to four non-bank financial institutions to recover from their financial distress. The institutions—Prime Finance and Investment Limited, GSP Finance Company (Bangladesh) Limited, Bangladesh Industrial Finance Company Limited, and Premier Leasing and Finance Limited—must raise new capital, ensure liquidity, and make visible progress in repaying depositors within this period. Failure to meet these conditions will trigger resolution or liquidation proceedings under the Bank Resolution Act, 2026.

According to a central bank press release, the decision was made under Section 15 of the Bank Resolution Act, 2026, based on the board’s commitment to take corrective measures. The institutions are required to sell assets, recover overdue loans, and restructure classified loans to reduce default rates. Bangladesh Bank emphasized that depositors’ interests must be prioritized throughout the restructuring process.

The central bank has also approved a coordinated action plan for nine distressed financial institutions, dividing them into two groups. The most troubled five will enter the resolution process, and a special fund will be created to repay depositors after mandatory forensic audits identify irregularities and responsible individuals.

Leaders and senior representatives from more than 30 countries are traveling to Tehran to attend the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a U.S.-Israel attack on February 28. Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Georgia, and Cuba are among the nations sending high-level delegations. Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev will attend as President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, while Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead his country’s delegation. Georgia’s president, Cuba’s higher education minister, and India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Pavitra Margariti are also expected to attend.

Iran’s Deputy Interior Minister Ali Akbar Porjamshidian, head of the funeral organizing committee, said representatives from over 30 countries and religious leaders from more than 90 nations have confirmed participation. Officials expect between 15 and 20 million people to join the multi-day ceremonies, which they describe as the largest funeral in Iran’s history.

Public viewing will take place at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla Prayer Complex, followed by a 10-kilometer procession on Monday. Burial ceremonies will continue in Qom, Iraq, and Mashhad through July 9.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned that Tehran is prepared for war if the United States fails to honor the memorandum of understanding signed between the two nations. He stated that Washington’s repeated violations of the agreement could halt progress toward a final deal. The warning came as the date for the second round of peace talks remains undecided, despite earlier announcements from U.S. President Donald Trump that the meeting would take place in Qatar.

Ghalibaf accused the United States of breaching the terms of the 14-point memorandum, citing incidents in the Persian Gulf. He emphasized that Iran continues discussions to implement the 13th clause of the memorandum, which calls for a joint U.S.-Iran team to monitor compliance. Following the signing of the memorandum on June 17, the U.S. lifted sanctions on Iranian oil exports, allowing Iran to export over 40 million barrels of crude oil. Ghalibaf also reaffirmed Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz and its right to regulate passage.

Despite a temporary ceasefire, both nations have exchanged accusations and limited attacks. Analysts cited in the report suggest that neither side is likely to engage in full-scale war soon.