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.

Bangladesh police have sent four letters to Indian authorities seeking the return of suspects in the murder of Shahid Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a key figure of the Inquilab Moncho and July Revolution. The National Central Bureau and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) sent the letters to the Indian Police Service and West Bengal’s Special Task Force, but no response has been received. The main suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, were arrested in India, and their extradition delay has stalled the charge sheet process, according to CID officials.

The letters included detailed case information, suspect profiles, and evidence links. Despite diplomatic efforts under the Bangladesh-India prisoner exchange agreement, Indian authorities have not replied. CID continues its investigation and awaits India’s response, stating that legal procedures will proceed if no reply comes. The court has set July 15 for submission of the further investigation report after earlier dissatisfaction with the initial charge sheet.

Officials say questioning the detained suspects in India is crucial to uncovering the full motive behind Hadi’s killing, which occurred in Dhaka on December 12, 2025. The investigation remains stalled until their return.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Istanbul on an official visit at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The visit aims to further strengthen relations between Pakistan and Turkey. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, Sharif was received by Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Dr. Yousaf Junaid, and officials from Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

According to an official statement, Prime Minister Sharif and President Erdoğan will hold detailed discussions on all key aspects of Pakistan-Turkey relations. The talks will focus on expanding trade and investment, promoting regional peace and security, and advancing issues of mutual interest. During his stay in Istanbul, Sharif will address a business conference highlighting investment opportunities in Pakistan’s special economic zones, energy, information technology, and privatization sectors.

The conference will be attended by leading Turkish business figures, investors, and government officials, with the goal of enhancing economic cooperation between the two nations.

Shariful Islam, Deputy Director of the Rajshahi District Youth Development Department, has been accused of residing with his family in the department’s guesthouse and using government property for personal purposes. Allegations also include marking absent trainees as present to withdraw allowances and irregular attendance at the office. These actions have reportedly caused dissatisfaction among staff and trainees.

According to the report, Shariful Islam took charge in October last year and has since been living in the guesthouse on the upper floor of the office building. He is alleged to have used office equipment such as a refrigerator, air conditioner, and CCTV monitor for personal use, with electricity bills paid under the office’s name. Some sources claim that trade instructors were involved in processing trainee allowances.

Shariful Islam stated that his official residence was not yet ready, prompting him to stay temporarily in the office guesthouse. He admitted using some office items personally but denied any misuse of trainee allowances. Stakeholders have called for an impartial investigation into the allegations and appropriate administrative action.

Russia’s military has claimed control over the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka, located in the Donetsk region. The announcement came as Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a military command post to receive updates from senior officers. Putin described the capture as a major strategic success for Russia, emphasizing the city’s importance as a transport and industrial hub in the Donbas area.

According to Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, Kostyantynivka was one of Ukraine’s key defensive positions and part of the Sloviansk–Kramatorsk–Kostyantynivka defense line. He stated that Russian forces had fully taken control of the city in the fifth year of the war. Putin also noted that Ukraine had recently intensified long-range drone and missile attacks targeting Russia’s oil industry, prompting Moscow to consider expanding its border security zones.

Ukraine has not yet commented on Russia’s claim, leaving the situation on the ground unverified by Kyiv.

At least 15 Bangladeshi youths have gone missing after being lured to Russia with promises of construction jobs but instead sold to the Russian army for about 3,000 dollars each. According to the report, 30 men traveled to Russia in May 2026 through a licensed agency, expecting to work for a construction company. Upon arrival, they were sent to a drone company and later forced into military training for the war in Ukraine. Families reported the situation to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare, which contacted the embassy in Moscow. The embassy initially assured that the workers would not be sent to war, but later many became unreachable.

Video evidence obtained by the newspaper shows several of the men wearing Russian army uniforms, with some hospitalized after drone attacks. Families held a protest in Dhaka demanding their rescue. The Bangladeshi ambassador in Moscow said the embassy has repeatedly sought consular access and requested that Bangladesh be listed among countries barred from joining the war. The expatriates’ welfare minister confirmed that three agencies were suspended and that possible negligence by embassy officials is under review.

Migration experts have called for a deeper investigation into the incident and urged stricter oversight of labor recruitment to Russia.

Canada will face Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 at Houston’s NRG Stadium on Saturday at 11 p.m. Bangladesh time. The North American side, eliminated by Morocco in the 2022 group stage after a 2–1 defeat, now aims for redemption on a bigger stage. Morocco, meanwhile, looks to extend its historic run after reaching the semifinals in 2022.

Canada enters the match buoyed by its first-ever World Cup knockout win, a 1–0 victory over South Africa secured by Stephen Eustáquio’s 92nd-minute goal. The team impressed with high pressing intensity and has scored in six consecutive matches. However, Morocco holds the upper hand historically, winning three of their four previous encounters.

Morocco advanced after defeating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout, completing 801 successful passes in that match—second only to Spain in World Cup records. The Atlas Lions remain unbeaten in nine matches across competitions. Both teams are expected to field nearly full-strength squads, with Canada’s Alphonso Davies returning from injury and Morocco’s Shadi Riad likely fit to play.

Egypt made history by winning its first-ever World Cup knockout match, defeating Australia in a penalty shootout in Dallas, United States. The match ended 1-1 after regular and extra time, with Imam Ashour scoring early for Egypt and an own goal by Mohamed Hany leveling the score for Australia. Egypt secured a 4-2 win in the shootout, with decisive kicks from Hossam Abdelmaguid and missed attempts by Australia’s Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington.

After the match, Egypt’s head coach Hossam Hassan dedicated the victory to the people of war-torn Palestine, expressing prayers for their peace and honoring their resilience. His emotional message quickly spread across social media, sparking rare scenes of celebration in Gaza, where residents gathered amid ruins to watch the game on makeshift screens.

Videos shared online showed children with Egyptian flags painted on their faces and crowds cheering in the devastated streets. For many in Gaza, Egypt’s triumph brought a brief moment of joy and unity amid ongoing hardship.

In Jamalpur town, a small mobile clothing shop run by 21-year-old Akijul Islam Saurav has drawn attention for its colorful display of T-shirts, shirts, and jerseys. Saurav, a second-year HSC student at Government Ashek Mahmud College, manages the business alongside his studies. With an initial investment of 70,000 taka from his father, he built a mobile sales cart and stocked it with clothes. Each day, after classes, he travels around the city selling garments and stores his cart at a relative’s home at night.

Saurav, from Sharifpur Union’s Byapari Para village, was inspired by his businessman father and motivated by the struggles of educated youths seeking jobs. He aims to become an entrepreneur who can create employment for others. His mobile shop allows him to reach customers directly in busy areas, and the earnings cover his educational expenses while enabling him to save money.

Development worker Jahangir Selim noted that such self-employment initiatives could positively influence the local economy and inspire other young people to pursue entrepreneurship.

In Shibchar upazila of Madaripur, the modern and eco-friendly mulching method is rapidly gaining popularity among vegetable farmers. The technique, which uses plastic sheets to cover soil beds with holes for planting, allows for higher yields at lower cost and in less time. Farmers are increasingly shifting from traditional methods to this technology-based cultivation, opening new opportunities for safe and pesticide-free vegetable production.

Field visits show that crops such as cucumber, bitter gourd, chili, bottle gourd, tomato, okra, and sponge gourd are being grown using mulching. The method helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and reduce pest attacks, cutting down on irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticide use. Although initial setup costs are slightly higher, the same beds can be reused for multiple harvests, and crops reach markets 10 to 15 days earlier, increasing profits.

According to the Shibchar Agriculture Office, around 200 bighas of land are now under mulching cultivation, mainly for chili, bitter gourd, and cucumber. Officials and experts say the expansion of this technology could lower production costs, boost farmers’ income, and positively impact the agricultural economy.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Walid Al-Khuraiji made an unannounced visit to Tehran to attend the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Leading a high-level delegation, Al-Khuraiji paid respects on behalf of Saudi Arabia, marking a rare gesture amid strained relations between the two regional powers.

The participation of the Saudi delegation drew significant international attention, as relations between Riyadh and Tehran had recently become tense. In March, Iran had carried out multiple attacks on U.S. bases located in Saudi Arabia, prompting strong condemnation from Riyadh. At that time, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud urged Iran to reconsider its strategy and warned that Gulf states had limited tolerance for such actions.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that the Saudi delegation’s unexpected presence at Khamenei’s funeral could signal a new message in the evolving geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East.