Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sent a congratulatory letter to US President Donald Trump on the occasion of the United States’ 250th Independence Day. The letter, dispatched from the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday, conveyed warm greetings on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh, expressing admiration for the milestone celebration.

In his message, Rahman emphasized the enduring friendship between Bangladesh and the United States since Bangladesh’s independence. He noted that bilateral relations have evolved into a strong and multifaceted partnership encompassing trade, investment, education, defense, and people-to-people ties. The prime minister highlighted recent progress in trade, energy cooperation, and investment, and expressed gratitude for continued US support in addressing the Rohingya crisis.

Rahman reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the United States in areas of mutual interest and extended best wishes for President Trump’s health and success, as well as peace and prosperity for the American people.

Cape Verde’s national football team ended its first-ever World Cup campaign with pride despite a 3–2 extra-time loss to reigning champions Argentina. The African island nation impressed fans worldwide with its spirited performance, pushing Argentina to the limit before bowing out. Coach Bubista expressed deep pride in his players, describing the dressing room as emotional but emphasizing that the experience would strengthen the team.

Throughout the tournament, Cape Verde demonstrated remarkable resilience. They drew with Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia in the group stage to reach the knockout round as runners-up. Against Argentina, they fought until the final moments, scoring twice and forcing extra time. Bubista praised his players for their courage and discipline, saying they played with dignity and never lost their identity.

The coach added that Cape Verde’s mission extended beyond results—they aimed to showcase their nation to the world. He said the team played positive football with integrity and represented the spirit of their small country with honor.

A major attack occurred in Dhaka’s Gulistan area on Saturday afternoon during preparations for a protest rally organized by the local unit of Jamaat-e-Islami against extortion and illegal occupation. Jamaat blamed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for the assault, reporting that 15 to 20 of its members were injured. Three of the injured, who suffered stab wounds, are in critical condition and were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Islami Bank Central Hospital.

According to Abdus Sattar Suman, publicity secretary of Dhaka South Jamaat, BNP activists and local extortion groups launched a sudden attack when traders and Jamaat supporters gathered for the rally. He alleged that several BNP and Awami League figures participated in the violence, naming specific individuals. Police officer Saikat Hossain from Bangshal Police Station confirmed that law enforcement had been deployed to the scene but said no arrests were made.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions among political groups in the capital, with law enforcement maintaining presence in the area following the violence.

The three-day International B-Beauty Tech Expo 2026 will be held in Dhaka from July 16 to 18 at the Bashundhara International Convention City (ICCB). Organized by WEM Bangladesh Limited, the event aims to boost investment, modern technology adoption, and local production capacity in Bangladesh’s beauty, cosmetics, personal care, wellness, and beauty technology sectors. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity office.

According to the organizers, companies and brands from Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates will participate. The expo will feature over 60 exhibitors and 120 local and international brands, with around 8,000 industry visitors and business representatives expected. The event is positioned as a platform for international business networking, investment, and technology transfer.

Organizers highlighted that Bangladesh’s beauty and personal care market is valued between 10 and 12 billion US dollars, with potential annual growth of 6 to 9 percent. They expect the expo to help reduce import dependency, attract foreign investment, and create up to 800,000 new jobs over the next decade through enhanced local production and technology transfer.

Former state minister for home affairs and son of Bangladesh’s first prime minister, Tanjim Ahmad Sohel Taj, has said that an individual’s ego and arrogance can destroy both a country and a political party. He made the comment in a post on his verified Facebook account on Saturday, referring to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family.

In his post, Sohel Taj cited Sheikh Hasina’s recent statement, “I will return this year,” and argued that her arrogance has harmed the nation and the Awami League. He alleged that genocide, enforced disappearances, killings, corruption, the destruction of democracy, and the misuse of the spirit of the Liberation War have led to the party’s downfall.

He further claimed that even after leaving the country, Sheikh Hasina’s talk of returning has placed innocent party leaders and activists in greater danger.

The chief executive officer of the Bogura Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Md. Masud Rana, has been relieved of his duties following allegations of bias and involvement in irregularities related to the chamber’s election management. The decision was announced in a letter signed by the Election Conduct Committee Chairperson and Additional District Election Officer, Mosha. Asiya Khatun.

Earlier, rival candidates accused the election committee of favoring a particular panel by violating electoral codes. Selim Reza, the presidential candidate from the Selim-Ershad panel, held an emergency press conference demanding the dissolution of the current election committee and the formation of a new one. He alleged that the committee ignored complaints about rule violations, including unauthorized advertisements, voter gatherings, and irregularities in distributing voter ID cards.

Following these allegations, the election committee chairperson issued a show-cause notice to Masud Rana and removed him from his election-related responsibilities.

The results of the primary scholarship examination in Bangladesh will be announced on July 9, according to a decision made at a meeting of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. The Directorate of Primary Education confirmed that 82,500 students across the country will receive scholarships this year, and the scholarship amount may increase up to four times. The examination was held nationwide from April 15 to 18, with special schedules for the three hill districts from April 17 to 20.

According to ministry data, 80 percent of the scholarships are allocated for students of government primary schools, while 20 percent will go to students from private schools and kindergartens. Scholarships will be awarded in two categories—Talent Pool (merit-based) and General Grade. Results will be accessible online through the IPEMIS portal and via mobile SMS.

Scholarship recipients will receive financial support for three years, from grades six to eight. A proposal to increase the current stipend amount two to four times is under active government consideration to further encourage students.

Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran’s Mosalla area to mourn the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressing grief and chanting slogans calling for the destruction of America and revenge, according to a BBC report. Iran’s state television said the six-day state funeral ceremonies began on Saturday. Before Khamenei’s coffin arrived, large crowds had already assembled, many carrying red flags and placards symbolizing calls for vengeance.

The ceremony drew religious figures, government officials, and foreign dignitaries who paid their respects. Among them were Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev, and Afghanistan’s Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Representatives from Iraq, Armenia, Turkey, and Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman also attended.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Washington had given Tehran one week to bury the former leader, describing the gesture as an act of goodwill. Khamenei, who ruled Iran for nearly 37 years, was killed on February 28 during the early stages of U.S. and Israeli attacks, with his burial taking place more than four months later.

At the July National Conference held on Saturday at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Abu Horaira, president of the private university wing of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, questioned whether Meher Afroz Shaon was more powerful than Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Speaking in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he accused Shaon of insulting the 'July warriors' and demanded justice for her remarks.

The event was organized jointly by the July 24 Martyrs’ Family Society and Amra July Joddha to commemorate the martyrs of the July uprising and mark the second anniversary of the '36 July' movement. The memorial meeting was presided over by Chief Whip of the National Parliament Nurul Islam Monir and attended by cabinet members, lawmakers, diplomats, military and civilian officials, and representatives of professional organizations. A minute of silence was observed in memory of the martyrs.

The student leader also highlighted the contributions of private university students to the movement during his speech.

Law enforcement officials in Satkhira seized drugs and Indian goods worth Tk 1.8 million and arrested one suspect. The operation was conducted by Bair-6 on Saturday morning in the Mathurapur area under Shyamnagar Police Station. The arrested individual was identified as Md. Abdul Majid, aged 36, son of Amjad Sheikh from Mathurapur village.

Authorities recovered 1,883 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup brands including Winserex, Escuf, and Fairdeal, valued at Tk 1,883,000. They also seized 1,500 strips of Indian Hist Mont medicine, 60 strips of Alpha-Kitozox medicine, and 320 bags of Indian Bappa cigarettes. The seized items were confiscated from a covered van during the operation.

A case has been filed against the suspect under the Narcotics Control Act at Shyamnagar Police Station following the seizure and arrest.

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are set to hold a meeting to discuss the Iran deal, according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. The two leaders spoke by phone, during which Netanyahu extended greetings to Trump on the occasion of US Independence Day on July 4.

During the call, Trump described the United States as the 'guardian of global freedom,' the statement said. Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported that both leaders agreed to meet in the United States in the near future, although no specific date has been determined yet.

The announcement highlights ongoing coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv on Iran-related issues, but details of the planned meeting’s agenda or timing remain undisclosed.

Iran’s current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei did not attend his father’s funeral, sparking widespread discussion. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Paul Musgrave, an associate professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, suggested that security concerns likely influenced the decision. He said Iran feared that Israel might target the leadership again during a large public gathering such as a funeral.

Musgrave noted that Israel has previously used funerals or mourning events to strike political figures. He added that while Tehran’s security concerns are understandable, the long-term challenge for Iran is to ensure the Supreme Leader’s visible presence before the public. According to him, Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen publicly for several months, and the government must eventually demonstrate that he is actively leading the country.

Musgrave concluded that balancing security precautions with the need for public visibility remains a key political challenge for Iran’s leadership.

Russian officials said on Saturday night that Ukraine carried out a drone attack on an oil terminal at the port of St. Petersburg. Governor Alexander Beglov reported that the city faced a large-scale drone assault, with air defenses shooting down 72 drones. One drone reportedly crashed in the Peterhof area. The attack damaged an oil terminal in the Kirovsky district, but authorities later brought the situation under control, and no casualties were reported.

Local Telegram channels had earlier shared reports of a fire at the port’s oil terminal. Russia’s Defense Ministry separately claimed that its forces destroyed or downed a total of 389 Ukrainian drones across several regions, including Crimea, as well as over the Azov and Black Seas. Ukraine has not commented on the incident, and the Russian claims could not be independently verified.

The incident highlights the continuing escalation of drone warfare between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides reporting frequent aerial attacks on infrastructure and military targets.

The United Arab Emirates has announced major changes to its entry and residency visa policies, according to the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security. The 14-day and 60-day entry visa options have been extended to citizens of six additional countries—Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, and South Africa—beyond the previously eligible Indian nationals. The list of countries whose residents qualify for certain visa benefits has also been expanded to include Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Dubai visitors can now obtain single-entry tourist visas within 48 hours through approved agencies.

Dubai authorities have revised the property-based two-year residency visa rules, removing the previous minimum property value requirement of AED 750,000 for sole ownership. For jointly owned properties, each investor must hold a share worth at least AED 400,000. The UAE has also granted a 30-day grace period to visitors previously exempted from overstay fines due to airspace closures, requiring them to regularize their status or leave by July 9.

Additionally, Dubai is introducing a “smart medical visa” to streamline healthcare travel, while visa issuance for citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan has been temporarily suspended to prevent Ebola spread.

Mohammad Shahin Malu, a July Movement activist who was injured during the 2024 mass uprising, called for giving Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman ten years to lead the country. He made the remarks on Saturday at the 'July National Conference 2026' held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon, Dhaka, marking the anniversary of the July-August uprising, mourning, and victory.

Speaking on behalf of injured families, Malu said that if people love their country, they should allow Tarique Rahman a decade to bring change, arguing that such time would encourage expatriates to return home for work. He alleged that the interim government had treated BNP-aligned victims of the July-August movement differently and claimed to have suffered personally for his loyalty to the party.

The conference was attended by Tarique Rahman as chief guest, along with senior government officials including the home minister, state minister for liberation war affairs, chief whip, and law minister, as well as political leaders and representatives from various sectors.