Archaeologists in Thailand’s Phetchaburi province have discovered two gold rings believed to be between 1,900 and 2,100 years old during an excavation at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site. The rings were found alongside ancient human skeletons and other artifacts, according to local media reports. One of the rings bears an inscription in an ancient Indian script, officials from the Fine Arts Department confirmed.

Experts suggest that the inscription is in the ancient Brahmi script and that the ring may have belonged to a member of an Indian merchant community. The Fine Arts Department noted that similar Brahmi-inscribed ornaments and artifacts had previously been unearthed at the Khlong Thom and Khao Sam Kaeo archaeological sites.

The newly recovered rings are now preserved at the Phra Nakhon Khiri Museum. Authorities are accelerating the collection and preservation of bronze relics and human remains at the site due to rising groundwater levels and rainfall posing risks of damage.

Amit Kumar Sarkar, an office assistant at Abdulpur Government College in Natore, has been sent to jail over allegations of fraud and deception involving eight students. On Saturday, the students were allowed to sit for their Bangla second paper exam after missing the first day due to the incident. The college’s acting principal, Md Mamdudur Rahman, distributed admit cards sent by the Rajshahi Board. Police arrested Amit Kumar on Friday night, and he was sent to Natore District Jail the following day.

The issue began when eight students paid Amit Kumar Tk 3,500 each in March to complete their exam registration with a late fee. He falsely assured them that the process was done, but they later discovered their forms were never submitted, leaving them without admit cards. Following media coverage, Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon directed the Rajshahi Education Board to arrange their exams. The board’s controller of examinations, Iffat Jerin, confirmed their participation.

The case was filed at Lalpur Police Station by a guardian named Imamul Haque on behalf of the affected families.

At a tribute ceremony held on Friday for Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, different verses from the Holy Quran were recited before visiting foreign delegations. For the Saudi Arabian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Walid Al-Khereiji, Iran chose to recite verse 13 from Surah Al-Imran, which references the historic Battle of Badr between believers and non-believers.

According to Iran International, the selection of this specific verse may have carried symbolic meaning, though Iranian authorities have not issued any official explanation. The verse describes divine support for believers during the battle, emphasizing lessons for those with insight. Other foreign delegations present at the event were also read different Quranic verses.

The incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many observers speculating about possible diplomatic implications. However, neither Iran nor Saudi Arabia has made any formal comment on the matter.

France is taking steps to rebuild its long-strained relationship with Turkey, driven by changing European security dynamics, the Russia-Ukraine war, and evolving defense and Middle Eastern geopolitical realities. Western diplomatic sources indicate that after years of disagreements over Syria, Armenia, and the Eastern Mediterranean, Paris now views Ankara as a key part of Europe’s future security framework. A recent joint appearance by Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at a Cairo press event symbolized this thaw.

French policymakers see Turkey’s cooling ties with Russia and its cooperation in enforcing Western sanctions as positive signals. Former ambassador Gérard Araud noted that Turkey’s balanced stance since the Ukraine war has effectively aligned it with Kyiv. Shared interests in Syria, Lebanon, and Iran are also drawing the two countries closer, while growing friction between Turkey and Israel has opened new strategic space for coordination.

Defense cooperation is emerging as a major area of progress, including Turkey’s interest in the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defense system and a new partnership between France’s Safran and Turkey’s Bayraktar on drone and sensor technology. However, ideological and political differences, disputes over Armenia and Greece, and uncertainty over Macron’s successor remain key challenges to sustained rapprochement.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast increased rainfall across the country from Sunday due to a low-pressure system over the northwestern Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas. The system has intensified into a well-marked low, prompting expectations of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Sylhet, Chattogram, and coastal regions. The department reported that most parts of the country have been experiencing temperatures between 35°C and 37.6°C, with Rangpur recording the highest at 37.6°C on Saturday.

Meteorologists said the monsoon is moderately active over Bangladesh, and rain is likely to spread to Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet divisions throughout the week. Ports have been advised to hoist cautionary signals, and river ports have been asked to operate carefully due to possible gusty winds and thunderstorms. Farmers expect the rainfall to aid Aman paddy seedbed preparation, which had been hampered by prolonged dry weather.

Authorities warned that excessive rainfall could trigger short-term flooding in low-lying areas of northern, northeastern, and southeastern Bangladesh. While temperatures may drop slightly, humidity is expected to keep the weather uncomfortably humid for several more days.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the late Iranian leader Khamenei’s deep influence will be remembered for generations. Sharif, who has served as a key mediator between the United States and Iran, attended the funeral held in Tehran, according to Al Jazeera.

In a social media post on Saturday, Sharif praised Khamenei’s wisdom, leadership, and lasting impact on Iran and the wider region. The Pakistani delegation also included Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Army Chief Asim Munir, along with other senior government officials.

The participation of Pakistan’s top leadership in the ceremony highlights the country’s diplomatic engagement with Iran and its recognition of Khamenei’s regional significance.

Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced the withdrawal of an 18 percent sales tax on sanitary products and contraceptives in the 2026–27 national budget, a levy widely known as the “period tax.” The move has led to lower prices for sanitary napkins and related goods, bringing relief to consumers across the country, according to Middle East Eye.

UNICEF Pakistan welcomed the decision, calling it a meaningful step toward addressing period poverty and recognizing sanitary products as essential health and hygiene items rather than luxury goods. The policy shift followed a constitutional petition filed in January 2025 by women’s rights activist and lawyer Mahnoor Omar and tax lawyer Ahsan Jahangir Khan, who argued that the tax violated principles of equality and dignity. The Federal Board of Revenue initially defended the tax but later reversed its stance.

Activists noted that while the tax removal is a major milestone, social taboos, lack of awareness, and limited access to affordable sanitary products continue to hinder millions of women. They urged long-term efforts in education, awareness, and healthcare accessibility to ensure menstrual equity in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed officials to expedite the process of reopening unprofitable and closed state-owned factories through domestic and foreign investments. The directive was issued on Saturday during a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office. The meeting discussed the progress of attracting investors and the steps needed to restart operations at the affected industrial units.

According to information presented at the meeting, several private companies have expressed interest in investing in these factories. The feasibility of the proposed industrial ventures will now be assessed. The Prime Minister emphasized that the entire process must be conducted transparently and instructed authorities to avoid unnecessary delays while completing the procedures.

The meeting was attended by the ministers of commerce, industry, and textiles, along with senior officials from relevant ministries, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Police in Daudkandi, Cumilla, arrested ten individuals in separate operations related to robbery preparation and drug cases. The arrests took place late Friday night, including seven suspects detained near Amirabad Bridge while allegedly preparing for a robbery. Officers recovered local weapons such as machetes, a small ramda, a knife, and Swiss gears from their possession.

In another operation, police arrested one individual named Rasel Bhuiya, while a separate special drive led to the capture of Mohammad Ruhul Amin, an accused in rape and human trafficking cases, from the Dhaka International Airport area. Additionally, at Satpara Mor, police detained Md. Ramzan Sikdar with 61 yaba tablets and 200 grams of cannabis.

Daudkandi Model Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Shamsul Alam stated that legal action has been taken against all detainees, and they have been sent to court.

State Minister for Social Welfare Farhana Sharmin Putul declared that administrative officials will remain on 24-hour alert against corruption and irregularities. She emphasized that no complaint will be ignored and no negligence will be tolerated. The minister made these remarks on Saturday, July 4, during a general farmers’ gathering held at the Lalpur Upazila Auditorium in Natore.

She highlighted that agriculture is one of the main driving forces of the national economy. The government is implementing continuous programs to reduce farmers’ production costs and ensure food security through the supply of seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural incentives. She added that initiatives to expand modern agricultural technology aim to make farming more profitable and sustainable. The government is also prioritizing education, health, communication, and infrastructure development, with special focus on employment and skill development for women and youth.

Regarding Ishwardi Airport, the minister said necessary activities are underway to expedite its reopening, which is expected to boost communication, trade, agricultural transport, investment, and industrialization in the northern region.

Begum Rokeya University (BRU) in Rangpur has once again become immersed in memories of the July Movement as friends, classmates, and teachers recall the courage and sacrifice of Abu Sayeed, the first martyr of the 2024 uprising. Two years after his death, his companions say his presence still lingers across the campus—from the English Department corridors to the Freedom Memorial and Media Square—symbolizing resistance and selflessness.

Friends described Abu Sayeed as humble, compassionate, and always ready to help others. Fellow activist Md. Shamsur Rahman Suman recalled his leadership during the July 2024 protests, while English Department head Dr. Mohsina Ahsan remembered him as a bright and modest student who joined the movement against merit-based discrimination. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Shawkat Ali said initiatives are underway to build a dormitory, memorial, museum, and gate in his name.

Students have urged the university to expedite permanent measures to preserve Abu Sayeed’s legacy, emphasizing that his ideals remain alive in their collective consciousness.

Iran has begun unprecedented funeral and burial arrangements for its former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed four months ago in a joint U.S.-Israel attack. The six-day program spans five cities in Iran and Iraq, with Tehran expecting between 10 and 20 million participants. During this period, extensive discussions are taking place about Khamenei’s life and teachings.

Khamenei’s autobiography, “Cell Number 14,” provides insight into his early years as an imam. He began leading prayers at the small Imam Hasan Mosque in Mashhad before moving to the larger Keramat Mosque, which became a hub for students and merchants. Authorities later barred him from leading prayers there due to his growing popularity. He then returned to Imam Hasan Mosque, delivering sermons after evening prayers.

The book also recounts his time in Tehran in 1966, his exile in Iranshahr where he led prayers at Al-Rasul Mosque, and his imprisonment in Mashhad’s military prison, where his religious influence led guards to restrict his activities.

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan is set to marry his partner Gauri Spratt on July 5 in a private ceremony at his residence in Bandra, Mumbai. The event will be a modest family gathering rather than a lavish celebration, with attendance limited to close relatives, friends, and a few well-wishers. The announcement has drawn significant attention from fans following the couple’s recent public acknowledgment of their relationship.

A notable aspect of the wedding is the expected presence of Aamir Khan’s two former wives and their children, reflecting the actor’s continued cordial relationship with his previous families. In a recent video message, Aamir emphasized that spending time with family is more meaningful to him than grand festivities, and he sought blessings and good wishes from his fans for this new chapter.

This will be Aamir Khan’s third marriage, while it is Gauri Spratt’s second. Both bring children from their previous marriages, and all four children are expected to be part of the ceremony, symbolizing a blended family beginning.

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.