Iran has begun the funeral ceremonies for its late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on February 28. Authorities expect around 20 million mourners to attend the farewell events in Tehran and other cities. To feed the massive crowd, Iran’s Basij paramilitary force has prepared 50 million loaves of bread through 16 mobile bakeries. The government has also deployed 2,500 ambulances, 21 helicopters, 100 drones, and arranged 20,000 classrooms for accommodation.

Tehran has implemented its largest-ever traffic plan, banning private vehicles and installing over 6,000 water sprinklers at the Mosalla complex to mitigate the July heat. The Interior Minister said the goal is to stage the largest farewell ceremony in Iran’s history, showcasing the Islamic Republic’s endurance and resistance. However, the large-scale event has caused severe traffic congestion and fuel shortages in the capital.

Foreign dignitaries from Pakistan, China, Turkey, Russia, and other countries attended the ceremony, while no Western officials were invited. Khamenei’s son and current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Ali Khamenei did not attend due to security threats from Israel.

The opening of the Padma Bridge has revolutionized transportation in Bangladesh’s southwest, connecting 21 districts with Dhaka through faster and more efficient travel. The Padma Bridge Expressway has become a vital national route, carrying thousands of vehicles daily and facilitating the quick transport of agricultural and fishery products. However, despite these improvements, the anticipated industrial and commercial development around Shibchar in Madaripur district, located at the bridge’s southern end, has not yet materialized.

Local residents and business owners report that while travel has become easier, large-scale industries and manufacturing plants have not been established. Small businesses continue to operate on a limited scale, and job creation remains stagnant. Community leaders and analysts stress that sustainable development requires long-term planning, industrial zones, and investment-friendly policies. They urge both government and private investors to develop industrial parks, special economic zones, and accessible financing for entrepreneurs.

Officials note that the Padma Bridge should serve not only as a symbol of connectivity but also as a foundation for industrialization and improved livelihoods in the southern region.

US President Donald Trump stated that Iran wants to reach an agreement with the United States. He said Washington had given Iran seven days for the funeral of its supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Trump made the remarks on Friday night during his opening speech at Mount Rushmore, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

In his address, Trump spoke about American greatness, the threat of communism, and the country’s military strength. He claimed that the United States defeated Venezuela in one day and had struck Iran very hard, asserting that Tehran was desperate to negotiate.

Trump added that the United States allowed one week for Khamenei’s funeral because, in his words, “we are good people.” The comments were reported by Al Jazeera and published by Amar Desh Online.

A complaint has been filed at Shahbagh Police Station against Meher Afroz Shaon, actress Mahiya Mahi, and a woman named Shanta Farzana for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the July Movement. The complaint was lodged on Friday morning by three office bearers of an organization called Rastro Sanglap Forum, according to information disclosed on Saturday morning.

The complaint states that the July Movement is an important chapter in Bangladesh’s history, marked by the sacrifices of martyrs and the injured. It alleges that some individuals have recently made disrespectful comments and actions regarding the movement and related events. According to the complaint, Shanta Farzana posted a video on social media showing her throwing or hitting shoes at the July Memorial, which reportedly caused public outrage.

The complaint further accuses Meher Afroz Shaon of presenting the July Movement as a planned or staged event in her social media video messages. No additional details about the investigation or responses from the accused were mentioned in the source.

The government has decided to provide normal retirement benefits, retrospective promotions, and financial incentives to 150 officers from the army, navy, and air force who faced deprivation or discrimination over the past 17 years. A recent notification from the Ministry of Defence stated that the benefits apply to officers retired, removed, or compulsorily retired between 2009 and August 4, 2024.

According to the notification, 115 army officers, 21 navy officers, and 14 air force officers will receive these benefits, which include due salaries, allowances, and related entitlements. In some cases, special financial incentives will also be provided. The list includes former Brigadier General Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, who was compulsorily retired on June 24, 2009. Under the new decision, he is granted retrospective promotions to Major General from December 26, 2011, and to Lieutenant General from December 26, 2014, along with retirement benefits.

Azmi will receive a special financial incentive of 10 million taka and may be eligible for reappointment in any government or autonomous institution based on age and qualifications, as stated in the notification.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a strong warning on Friday, saying any attack or attempt to strike Iran in the coming days would be met with a severe response. The warning comes as the country prepares for the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The IRGC stated that any hostile action against Iran would provoke a harsher and more destructive retaliation than before.

The alert follows remarks by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who said Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was a potential assassination target. Iran fears possible attacks during the funeral, which is expected to draw millions of mourners and foreign dignitaries. Reuters footage showed increased security patrols in Tehran, and Iran announced a complete closure of its airspace on Monday.

Former Israeli intelligence officer Danny Citrinowicz told media that Iran is concerned about threats from both air and ground. The country also faces internal risks from Kurdish, Arab, and Baluch separatist groups, as well as the exiled opposition group Mujahideen-e-Khalq, which Tehran accuses of past attacks.

A legal notice has been sent to Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, general secretary of the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), accusing him of making defamatory and objectionable remarks about Dhaka University. The notice, issued by a student of the university’s law department, calls for a public apology within 72 hours. It also demands compensation of 100 crore taka to the university fund for alleged damage to the institution’s reputation.

The notice was sent on Thursday, July 2, by Tanmoy Kumar Saha, a former student of Dhaka University’s 33rd batch law department and a lawyer at the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. Copies were also sent to the secretaries of the education and home ministries, the vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, and Barrister Fuad himself.

Earlier, Nasir Uddin Nasir, general secretary of the central Chhatra Dal, criticized Fuad’s remarks as arrogant and a misrepresentation of history, urging him to withdraw his comments and issue a public apology.

The Chittagong University administration has cancelled the elected syndicate membership of Dr. Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic). The decision, communicated on June 29, 2026, followed legal advice from the Attorney General. The administration cited the university’s diary and calendar, which showed a vacancy in the professor category of the syndicate, as one of the bases for the move. Dr. Shamim had been elected to the syndicate in March 2023 for a two-year term ending in March 2025.

Dr. Shamim was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) in September 2024 and later returned to his Finance Department post in June 2026 after completing his deputation. The administration questioned whether he could resume his elected syndicate role after returning to his department. Following a June 11 syndicate meeting and subsequent legal consultation, the university decided he could not continue as a syndicate member.

Dr. Shamim and his legal counsel argued that his membership remained valid under the 1973 University Act, claiming the administration’s action lacked legal basis. They maintained that his elected position should automatically continue until the end of the original term.

A massive wildfire has erupted in Colorado, United States, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. The blaze, spreading rapidly southwest of Denver, has been intensified by strong winds in southern Colorado. The Aspen Acres Fire alone expanded by 44 square kilometers overnight, burning a total of 272 square kilometers and destroying more than 160 homes and structures. Authorities have ordered about 2,200 residents of Colorado City to leave, along with people in Beulah, Rye, and San Isabel.

Smoke from the fires has reduced visibility on parts of Interstate 25 to half a mile, complicating travel. Around 50 members of the Colorado National Guard have been deployed to assist with road checkpoints and restrict boat traffic on Pueblo Reservoir, where firefighters are collecting water to combat the flames. The Division of Fire Prevention and Control has issued smoke alerts across the state and canceled many fireworks events due to extreme fire risk.

The National Weather Service has maintained red flag warnings across most of Colorado, citing hot, dry, and windy conditions. Meteorologists said weekend rainfall could reduce fire danger but might trigger flash floods in burned areas.

Anisur Rahman Khokon Talukder, Member of Parliament for Madaripur-3, reaffirmed his commitment to assist residents affected by river erosion in the region. Speaking on Friday afternoon at an emergency riverbank protection program along the Arial Khan River in Bashgari Union of Kalkini upazila, he said that both the BNP government and local representatives are working to curb erosion and stand by affected communities. He urged locals to pray for the success of emergency geo-bag placement to prevent further damage.

Talukder added that efforts would continue to build permanent embankments using concrete blocks to protect the union from future erosion. He mentioned that the current government and most MPs are vocal about protecting rivers, canals, and riverside communities, and that BNP leader Tarique Rahman is also active in ensuring public welfare. The event was attended by local BNP leaders, including the upazila president, general secretary, and other affiliated organization representatives.

The initiative highlights ongoing political and community engagement in addressing river erosion challenges in Madaripur district.

Bangladesh National Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikrom attended the state funeral of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. The ceremony, held at the Grand Musalla, was marked by solemn prayers for the late leader. On behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh, the Speaker conveyed condolences to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior leaders, signing the condolence book afterward.

Prior to the funeral, Speaker Ahmad met with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf for a bilateral meeting. He condemned the killing of the Iranian leader and reaffirmed the historic friendship and cultural ties between Bangladesh and Iran. Ahmad also praised Ghalibaf’s constructive role in implementing the recently signed peace memorandum between Iran and the United States, expressing hope that it would bring lasting peace and stability to the region.

During his visit, Ahmad met Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, who sought Bangladesh’s assistance in developing cricket in Iran. The Speaker also invited Ghalibaf to visit Bangladesh and later gave an interview to Iran Radio’s Bangla section, discussing bilateral and regional issues.

France and the United Kingdom have declared their readiness to send a joint military force to the Strait of Hormuz to ensure safe maritime navigation. In a joint statement issued on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they are prepared to form a multinational military mission to protect vessels of all nations using the vital waterway.

The statement emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is a crucial maritime route for the global economy, and ensuring the safety of all ships passing through it is of worldwide importance. It also noted that Oman has agreed to work with France and the United Kingdom to maintain secure navigation in the area.

However, the report added that the Omani government has not yet made any official comment on the matter.

The government of Bangladesh approved the Padma Barrage Project at an ECNEC meeting on May 13, 2026. The project, to be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board under the Ministry of Water Resources, will begin in July 2026 and is targeted for completion by June 2033. The barrage will be built at Pangsha in Rajbari district, spanning 2.1 kilometers with 78 spillway gates and 18 under-sluice gates. Covering 26 districts across four divisions, it is expected to directly benefit about 70 million people and indirectly the entire country.

The project aims to mitigate the long-standing water scarcity caused by India’s Farakka Barrage, which restricts dry-season water flow into Bangladesh. By storing 2.9 billion cubic meters of water, the Padma Barrage will revive several rivers, expand irrigation to 2.9 million hectares, and increase annual rice and fish production. It will also include a 113-megawatt hydropower plant and improve navigation, agriculture, and environmental conditions.

The estimated total cost is Tk 504.43 billion, with Tk 344.97 billion allocated for the first phase, fully funded by the government.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended a memorial event in Dhaka honoring those killed in the July 24 uprising. The ceremony took place on Saturday morning, July 4, at the China Friendship Conference Center in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, where Rahman was present as the chief guest. The event was jointly organized by the July 24 Martyrs’ Family Society and the group Amra July Joddha to mark the second anniversary of the 2024 uprising.

According to the organizers, the commemoration is part of a broader nine-day program marking the second anniversary of the July uprising. The program, announced by the BNP’s student wing Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, will begin on July 15 with a discussion at Dhaka University’s TSC auditorium and conclude on August 3 with a student rally at the Central Shaheed Minar. Tarique Rahman is also expected to attend the closing event as chief guest.

The memorial and related events aim to honor those who lost their lives during the uprising and to reaffirm the political movement’s commitment to their memory.

Nesarabad upazila in Pirojpur has become a growing hub for shipbuilding, with 21 dockyards established along the banks of the Sandhya River and its tributaries. These facilities produce world-class vessels including cargo ships, oil carriers, and steel-bodied launches. Around 25,000 workers are directly or indirectly employed in this sector, contributing to both local livelihoods and national industrial growth.

Shipbuilders and local stakeholders say that with government support, training, and access to affordable loans, the industry could expand significantly. Skilled craftsmen are already producing ships that meet domestic and international standards, and some vessels built here are operating on international routes. The area’s low production costs and efficient construction processes attract business owners from across the country.

Officials note that some dockyards lack complete documentation required for government assistance, but efforts are underway to address this. Observers believe that with proper policy support and modern training, Nesarabad’s shipbuilding industry could become a major source of foreign exchange and national revenue.