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.

Bangladesh National Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad is set to travel to Tehran to attend the state funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His visit comes at the invitation of Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, according to a source from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan confirmed that the state funeral and prayer ceremonies for Ayatollah Khamenei will take place from July 4 to 9 in Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad. Speaker Hafiz Uddin will represent the Bangladesh government and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the ceremonies.

Ayatollah Khamenei was reportedly killed in a joint attack by the United States and Israel in February, the report added.

Bangladeshi singer Asif Altaf has released a new song titled 'Baba', accompanied by an AI-generated music video. The song, written and composed by Altaf himself, was published last week on his official YouTube channel and social media profiles to mark Father’s Day. Following its release, listeners expressed deep emotional reactions, describing the song as touching and heartfelt.

Viewers praised the composition, lyrics, and visuals, sharing personal reflections about their fathers in the comment section. Many noted that the song evoked memories of love and sacrifice associated with fatherhood. Altaf stated that although people come from different walks of life, feelings about fathers are universal. He expressed gratitude that audiences across the country connected with his work.

Asif Altaf is known for earlier songs such as 'Juto', 'Jantro', and collaborations with artists like Nachiketa Chakraborty and Nancy. His previous works, including 'Taka' and 'Dalaler Bonna', have gained millions of views, establishing him as a distinctive voice in contemporary Bangladeshi music.

Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP), is set to travel to Iran to attend the funeral and state mourning ceremony of the country’s supreme religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to NCP sources, Patwari applied for a visa at the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday, and the approval was confirmed on Wednesday. His travel schedule has not yet been finalized, but arrangements for flight tickets are currently underway.

In addition to Patwari, Speaker of the National Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and a delegation from Jamaat-e-Islami led by the party’s Nayeb-e-Ameer, Professor Mujibur Rahman, are also expected to attend the funeral and mourning events in Iran. The report did not specify the exact date of departure or details of the ceremonies.

The participation of multiple political figures from Bangladesh underscores the significance of the event and reflects diplomatic and religious ties between the two nations.

Police in Dinajpur arrested four suspected robbers and seized local weapons, burglary tools, and a pickup truck allegedly used in multiple thefts. The arrests were made during a raid at Hotel Raj in the Bahadur Bazar area of Dinajpur town, based on secret information. The operation was disclosed at a press briefing held at the office of the Superintendent of Police on Wednesday afternoon by Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Suman Ranjan Sarkar.

According to police, the arrested individuals had been stealing batteries and other valuable equipment from mobile tower power houses. They reportedly disguised themselves as engineers, technicians, and drivers of fake companies, using counterfeit ID cards to mislead security guards and the public during the robberies. The detainees were identified as Sohanul Islam, Md. Khalil, Baron Bala, and Dulal Mia.

Police said two accomplices, Md. Roman and Md. Roni, managed to flee the scene in a private car. Legal action against the arrested suspects is currently underway.

Mexico’s long-awaited World Cup triumph turned tragic when two football fans died during celebrations in Mexico City. After defeating Ecuador 2-0 at Mexico City Stadium to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 40 years, thousands gathered near the Angel of Independence monument to celebrate. The crowd swelled across Hamburgo and Lancaster streets, leading to a fatal crush that claimed two lives.

According to a statement from the Mexico City Health Secretariat, emergency medical teams arrived quickly and attempted resuscitation, but a 44-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were pronounced dead from asphyxiation. The incident cast a shadow over what was meant to be a night of national joy, leaving the football community in mourning.

Despite the tragedy, Mexico’s team continues its World Cup campaign, preparing for a round-of-16 match against the winner of the England–DR Congo fixture, also scheduled at Mexico City Stadium.

The Government of Bangladesh has sent 600 kilograms of Haribhanga and Amrapali mangoes as a goodwill gift to Manik Saha, Chief Minister of India’s Tripura state, and other key officials. The consignment, packed in 120 cartons, was delivered on Tuesday afternoon through the Akhaura land port in Brahmanbaria and reached the Agartala land port. Customs clearance was handled by Suayeb Trade International, a clearing and forwarding agent at the Akhaura port.

According to port sources, this mango exchange is part of an annual tradition in which the Prime Minister of Bangladesh sends mangoes to Tripura’s leadership. In return, the Tripura government sends Bangladesh’s Prime Minister the state’s famous ‘Queen’ variety pineapples. The mangoes were handed over to the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala for distribution to the intended recipients.

Suayeb Trade International’s proprietor, Rajib Bhuiyan, confirmed that the mangoes were cleared through customs and delivered to the Assistant High Commission, which will oversee their distribution among Tripura’s officials.

Bangladesh Bank announced that the country received a record USD 35.56 billion in remittances during the 2025–26 fiscal year, marking the highest annual inflow in its history. The total remittance through formal channels from July to June stood at USD 3,556.20 crore, up from USD 3,032.90 crore in the previous year—an increase of USD 523.30 crore or 17.3 percent.

Officials attributed the growth to the government’s strict measures against informal money transfers, cash incentives for legal remittance channels, improved banking accessibility, and faster digital transfer options. These factors encouraged more expatriates to use official systems for sending money home.

Although June saw a slight decline with USD 280.06 crore—the lowest in seven months—Bangladesh Bank noted that data from 11 banks were not yet included, suggesting the final figure may rise. The strong remittance and export earnings have also bolstered the country’s foreign exchange reserves, which now stand at USD 37.56 billion gross and USD 32.90 billion in net usable reserves under IMF’s BPM-6 method.