Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain has called on doctors to contribute more actively to social development, emphasizing their close connection with ordinary people. He made the remarks on Friday night while addressing the post-Eid reunion of Chittagong Medical College Alumni Association at the Bhatiari Golf Club auditorium.

The minister recalled with respect the contributions and sacrifices of the people of Chittagong in the Liberation War and the 2024 mass movement. He stated that within four and a half months of forming the government, notable progress had been achieved in poverty alleviation and establishing a corruption-free environment. He also mentioned that the Bangladesh Public Service Commission had initiated recruitment to fill vacant medical positions across the country.

The event was presided over by Professor Dr. Saifuddin Md. Tariq, with Chittagong City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain as special guest. Four former students of Chittagong Medical College were honored for their special contributions in various fields.

A fire was set at the 'July' monument located on the premises of Khagrachhari Government College on Friday night, July 3, causing widespread commotion across the district. Police arrested Nurul Alam Roni, a former senior vice president of the banned district unit of the Chhatra League, early Saturday from the Sabujbag area of the district town. Authorities said the act appeared to be a planned attempt at sabotage, but heavy rain and the monument’s iron structure prevented major damage.

A video of the incident showing a masked man pouring a flammable liquid from a plastic bottle and setting the monument ablaze spread rapidly on social media. Police recovered the bottle as evidence and are investigating whether others were involved. The college night guard reported that two young men entered the campus claiming organizational work before the fire broke out. Law enforcement officials described the act as an attempt to create fear and instability by attacking a symbolic structure.

Student representatives condemned the incident as disrespectful to the institution and national memory, demanding a full investigation, punishment for those responsible, and stronger campus security.

Russia’s military has claimed control over the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka as part of its ongoing offensive in the Donetsk region. The announcement was made by Russian Armed Forces Chief Valery Gerasimov during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to a command post in Ukraine. Gerasimov stated that Russian southern forces were continuing their offensive to take full control of Donetsk and that Kostyantynivka, a key stronghold in the Sloviansk–Kramatorsk–Kostyantynivka defense line, had been ‘liberated.’ Russia’s defense ministry also shared footage on Telegram showing soldiers raising the national flag in the city.

Ukraine’s General Staff, however, denied Russia’s claim on Saturday, saying that Kostyantynivka remained under Ukrainian control. The Ukrainian military did not provide further details about the situation or comment on Russia’s statements. Independent verification of the battlefield situation or either side’s claims was not possible according to the report.

The conflicting statements highlight the ongoing uncertainty surrounding control of key areas in the Donetsk region, where both sides continue to wage intense battles for strategic positions.

In Jamalpur, 100 students from Government Jaheda Safir Mohila College took their HSC Bangla second paper exam using question papers based on the 2025 syllabus instead of 2026. The incident occurred on Saturday morning in room 4202 of the Government Ashek Mahmud College examination center. Students discovered the error only after completing the exam, prompting concerns about their results and fairness.

Center Secretary and Principal Mir Shawkat Alam Mir explained that although the bundles were labeled as 2026 question papers, five bundles for that room mistakenly contained 2025 syllabus papers. Since invigilators could not verify the contents before distribution, the wrong papers were handed out. The issue was immediately reported to the education board.

According to the board’s directive, the answer scripts of the affected 100 students will be evaluated separately and leniently, following the 2025 syllabus. The center had over 900 examinees in total, including 69 irregular and improvement candidates for whom the 2025 papers were originally intended.

Iran is holding an unprecedented six-day mourning program across five cities in Iran and Iraq for former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed four months ago in a joint U.S.-Israel attack. Tehran expects between 10 and 20 million people to participate in the funeral and burial ceremonies. During this period, discussions have intensified about various aspects of Khamenei’s life and teachings.

In his autobiography ‘Cell Number 14,’ Khamenei wrote extensively about his wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, praising her courage and resilience. He described how she remained steadfast during repeated raids by SAVAK agents and his multiple arrests, showing no fear or weakness. Khamenei noted her patience during his imprisonment, her modest lifestyle before and after the revolution, and her refusal to seek luxury or jewelry, instead donating valuables to charity.

The publication of these reflections has drawn renewed attention to Khamenei’s personal values of simplicity, endurance, and devotion, which continue to shape public remembrance during the national mourning period.

A case has been filed in Feni against local Jubo Dal leader Jahangir Alam and four others for allegedly hijacking a truck loaded with fish. The complaint was lodged on Saturday morning by fish farm owner Nurul Amin at Sonagazi Model Police Station. According to the case statement, the incident occurred at midnight on Friday when the truck, carrying fish from Char Khondkar fish enclosure, was intercepted in the Kechidia area. The driver was reportedly held hostage, and the truck was taken away.

After Nurul Amin reported the incident to the national emergency service 999, police conducted a raid early Saturday and recovered the truck from the health complex area. Police said the suspects fled before officers arrived. Nurul Amin claimed the attack stemmed from an ongoing dispute with Jahangir Alam over the fish farm. Jahangir Alam, a Sonagazi municipal Jubo Dal leader, denied the allegations, saying the case was fabricated due to a land dispute. Police confirmed receiving the written complaint and said efforts were underway to identify and arrest those involved.

The headteacher of Nukali Bahuporshik High School in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj, Md. Ruhul Amin, has been temporarily suspended after an objectionable video of him spread across various media and social platforms. The video reportedly showed him in an intoxicated state engaging in indecent behavior and incoherent speech. The Ministry of Education confirmed the authenticity of the incident and announced his suspension along with the suspension of his MPO benefits. The decision was communicated on Saturday by the ministry’s Public Relations Office.

According to the ministry, the Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister, Ehchanul Haque Milon, instructed officials to take appropriate action as soon as the matter came to his attention. The ministry stated that such behavior is unethical, unlawful, and damaging to the dignity of the teaching profession. The suspension was made under the 1979 employment regulations for recognized private secondary school teachers.

On the same day, Shahjadpur Upazila Executive Officer and school president Sabrina Sharmin appointed Assistant Headteacher Md. Abdur Rashid as acting headteacher to ensure smooth administrative, financial, and academic operations. The order took immediate effect.

Iran is holding a state funeral for its longest-serving Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose death marks the end of a significant chapter in the country’s political history. Khamenei assumed leadership in 1989, following the Iran-Iraq war, and consolidated authority over the armed forces, judiciary, state media, and key strategic appointments.

Under his rule, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) became a dominant force in Iran’s security, politics, and economy. Khamenei oversaw the expansion of Iran’s ballistic missile program, citing the need to strengthen resistance against the United States, Israel, and regional rivals. His tenure was also defined by persistent disputes with Western powers over Iran’s nuclear program. While denying any pursuit of nuclear weapons, he maintained Iran’s right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.

Khamenei’s regional strategy deepened Iran’s influence through alliances with friendly governments and armed groups, heightening tensions with Gulf Arab states, Israel, and the United States. His death has sparked both national mourning and renewed debate over Iran’s future leadership and political direction.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bakul declared that any official involved in corruption or irregularities will face dismissal rather than transfer. Speaking as chief guest at the annual general meeting of Narsingdi Diabetic Hospital on Saturday, he emphasized that no recommendation for wrongdoing will be accepted and such opportunities will no longer exist.

The minister announced plans to upgrade every 50-bed upazila hospital to 101 beds and to build 20 modern hospitals across the country with Chinese assistance, including two of advanced standard. One of these will be established in Narsingdi. He also said each upazila hospital will receive 10 kidney dialysis machines to improve rural healthcare access.

Bakul directed the civil surgeon to report within a week on whether all private hospitals in Narsingdi have 10-bed labor wards, warning that any violation of regulations could lead to license cancellation. He stressed the need to eliminate brokers from hospitals and urged the administration to work sincerely to make Narsingdi free from corruption and drugs.

Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations has accused the United States of fostering a “culture of impunity” by refusing to accept responsibility for the 1988 downing of Iran Air Flight 655. In a post on social media platform X, the mission recalled that on July 3, 1988, a US Navy vessel shot down the civilian airliner over the Persian Gulf, killing 290 passengers, including 66 children. The mission said that instead of accountability, the US president at the time awarded medals to the naval personnel involved.

The post further alleged that this pattern of impunity continues, citing the US refusal to take responsibility for a Tomahawk missile strike on a school in Minab that killed 168 children. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also marked July 3 as a day of remembrance for what he called a crime that claimed innocent lives and was compounded by the US failure to apologize or hold anyone accountable.

The United States has not issued any immediate response to these latest accusations.

The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has launched a monthly 'Cleaning Day' program to implement Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s directive for a cleaner city. The initiative, held on the first Saturday of every month, aims to make the weekly cleanliness day more effective by directly involving citizens in urban cleaning activities. The latest event took place on July 4 in the Shantinagar area, covering DSCC regions 1 and 2, with Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md. Abdus Salam attending as chief guest.

Under the program, residents, institutions, and businesses are encouraged to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings, dispose of waste at designated spots, and remain alert against dengue. The day-long activities included cleaning drives, awareness rallies, leaflet distribution, and calls for stronger social partnerships to ensure sustainable waste management.

Abdus Salam emphasized that building a clean and dengue-free city requires joint efforts from both citizens and the city corporation. He noted that behavioral change among residents is vital, and DSCC will intensify awareness campaigns to make cleanliness a daily habit.

BNP National Executive Committee member Abu Naser Muhammad Rahmatullah said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working tirelessly to make women economically self-reliant and turn them into skilled human resources. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a sewing machine distribution event organized by the Udyomi Nari Foundation in front of Government Syed Hatem Ali College in Barishal city. The event aimed to train women entrepreneurs and promote self-employment.

Rahmatullah stated that sustainable national development requires women’s participation in economic activities. He emphasized that women are now contributing as entrepreneurs and job creators, becoming a driving force in the country’s economic progress. To strengthen this trend, he called for expanding skill development and self-employment opportunities. He added that various practical programs, including the Family Card initiative, are being implemented to support women’s empowerment.

Praising the foundation’s initiative, Rahmatullah said that distributing sewing machines will help women become more self-reliant and improve their families’ financial stability. The event was attended by local dignitaries, social and political figures, and women entrepreneurs.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 73,090 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel’s military campaign began in October 2023. Another 173,550 people have been injured during the same period. The ministry’s latest report states that since the ceasefire in October 2025, 1,031 people have been killed and 3,309 injured.

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces and settlers have killed 1,179 Palestinians since October 2023, while at least 12,532 others have been injured. Over 24,000 Palestinians have been detained by Israeli forces during this time, with 9,299 currently held in Israeli prisons. Among them, 3,244 are under administrative detention without formal charges.

Israeli authorities have confirmed the deaths of at least 90 Palestinian prisoners in custody. International human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over ongoing operations, mass arrests, and prisoner deaths in the West Bank.

The Sammilito Khatme Nabuwwat Parishad has announced a conference to be held on July 14 at Gopalpur Union School Field in Rangpur’s Badarganj upazila. The decision came after the organization condemned police obstruction during a faith-based discussion on Khatme Nabuwwat held at a local mosque following Friday prayers. The announcement was made at an emergency consultation meeting chaired by convenor Allama Abdul Hamid Pir Saheb Madhupuri at the group’s temporary office in Jurain.

According to the organization, some Muslims in Gopalpur Union have faced harassment and persecution by members of the Qadiani community, including alleged land grabbing and attempts at religious conversion. The group also claimed that the presence of the Qadiani National Amir in the area has worsened tensions. Leaders accused the police of hurting religious sentiments by preventing the mosque event and demanded a neutral investigation and legal action against those responsible.

The Parishad stated that the upcoming July 14 conference aims to raise awareness among local Muslims and warned that any obstruction or delay in granting permission would be the responsibility of the administration.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia and the United States, as the world’s two largest nuclear powers, bear a special responsibility for ensuring global security and stability. The statement was reported by Turkey-based Anadolu Agency on Saturday. According to information released by the Kremlin, Putin made the remarks in a congratulatory message to U.S. President Donald Trump on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

In his message, Putin said that the signing of the Declaration of Independence marked not only the birth of the United States but also a significant milestone in world history. He recalled that Russia had unconditionally supported the North American colonies in their struggle against British rule and noted that Moscow and Washington had been allies during both World Wars.

Putin expressed hope that constructive, equal, and mutually beneficial relations between Moscow and Washington would serve the interests of both nations and the broader international community.