The US government has approved the launch of a mirror satellite named Earendel-1, designed to reflect sunlight onto specific areas of Earth at night, according to a report by Petapixel. The satellite, roughly the size of a bedside table, will orbit about 400 miles above Earth and deploy a 60-foot-wide square mirror. It will direct sunlight to illuminate a circular patch about three miles wide, effectively turning night into day for limited zones.

Ben Nowak, co-founder of Reflective Orbit, said customers committing to at least 1,000 hours of annual use would pay $5,000 per hour for the service. While the cost—totaling $5 million per year—places it beyond most photographers’ budgets, authorities noted potential use in emergency situations. The US government also plans to launch up to 1,000 larger satellites in the future, each capable of reflecting light equivalent to 100 full moons.

Astronomers and biologists have voiced strong opposition, warning that such artificial illumination could disrupt natural light-dark cycles, harm wildlife, and alter human sleep patterns.

Two US soldiers were killed and several others injured in an Iranian missile and drone attack on American and allied forces stationed in Jordan, according to a statement released by US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Saturday. One US soldier remains missing. The attack occurred Friday as troops attempted to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles and drones. CENTCOM confirmed that the identities of the deceased will not be disclosed until 24 hours after their families are notified.

The Pentagon reported that four injured soldiers were treated at hospitals in Jordan and later discharged, while others with minor injuries returned to duty. The incident brings the total number of US military deaths in the ongoing conflict to 16, with over 430 wounded. Following the announcement, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that the United States would face an “unforgettable lesson” if it continued its attacks on Iran.

US forces said they have carried out strikes for seven consecutive nights targeting Iranian surveillance centers, military supply infrastructure, underground arsenals, and naval assets. Tehran responded with counterattacks on US bases in Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, causing significant damage in Kuwait.

Nasiruddin Patowary, chief coordinator of the Bangladesh Citizen Party (NCP), alleged that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) broke the dream for which Shaheed Abu Sayeed sacrificed his life. He made the remarks on Saturday evening at a street rally organized by the NCP in the Bottoli area of Phulbari municipality, Dinajpur. The event followed a procession that began at Dhaka Mor and ended at Bottoli after parading through several streets.

Patowary said that in 2024, Bangladesh’s youth united with new hopes for reform and justice, but two years later those expectations were shattered. He criticized BNP leaders for allegedly requesting police not to arrest Awami League members, despite earlier promises of accountability for various killings. Outlining NCP’s political goals, he pledged to work for employment for youth, safety for women, and protection for religious scholars and minorities, while opposing corruption and foreign compromise.

Other NCP leaders, including Akhtar Hossain, Sarjis Alam, MP Dr. Atik Mujahid, Dr. Abdul Ahad, Imran Chowdhury Nishad, and Shihab Hossain, also addressed the rally.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei has accused the United States of breaching every clause of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries. According to Al Jazeera, citing Iran’s Fars News Agency, Baghaei said that over the past week the U.S. forced ships to use a 'specific route' in the Strait of Hormuz, deviating from the paths designated by Iranian authorities, which he described as a violation of the MoU’s terms.

Baghaei stated that Iran did not seek to start a war and that its actions in the ongoing 'imposed war' were purely defensive. Earlier, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced that Tehran had temporarily suspended the implementation of all its commitments under the MoU due to continued U.S. attacks.

The developments come amid reports of U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear power facility and maritime incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, further straining relations between the two nations.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reiterated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be arrested on war crimes charges if he visits New York in September to attend the United Nations General Assembly. In an interview published Saturday by The New York Times, Mamdani said he believes Netanyahu belongs in The Hague, describing him as a war criminal indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC). However, he clarified that he will not pursue any changes to existing laws to achieve this.

Mamdani emphasized that as mayor he must uphold the rule of law and will act only within the limits of current city regulations. He confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the city’s legal department to determine what the law permits. During his election campaign, Mamdani had pledged to direct the New York Police Department to enforce ICC arrest warrants, naming both Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The report notes that the United States does not recognize ICC jurisdiction, and federal law restricts local governments from cooperating with the court or detaining foreign heads of state.

Belgium’s federal government has approved a series of measures, including a ban on importing goods from the occupied Palestinian territories. The decision was announced as part of a policy framework agreed upon last year in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The government stated that the move aims to restrict trade involving products originating from those territories.

According to Belgian news agency Belga, the specific procedures and regulations for implementing the ban are still under development. The government has not yet finalized how the restrictions will be enforced. Official sources indicated that the measure is intended to limit commercial exchanges linked to the occupied areas.

The decision reflects Belgium’s continuation of its previously established stance regarding the Gaza conflict, though the timeline for full implementation remains uncertain.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chairman Colonel (retd.) Oli Ahmed declared that the Awami League has met its 'natural death' and will never return to Bangladesh’s political scene. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing a divisional rally of the 11-party alliance at Hemayet Uddin Eidgah ground in Barishal city.

During his speech, Oli Ahmed criticized communal violence in India, urging people not to be provoked by such incidents and to follow the teachings of the Quran. He emphasized that their alliance was formed with a shared goal to end corruption, extortion, and criminal dominance in the country.

The rally was attended by leaders from various parties within the 11-party alliance, including the National Citizen Party, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Amar Bangladesh Party, Bangladesh Labour Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, Nezame Islam Party, and Bangladesh Development Party, along with central and local leaders and activists.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared that if the recent referendum fails, the government will also be considered a failure. Speaking on Saturday evening at the divisional rally of the 11-party alliance at Hemayet Uddin Eidgah ground in Barishal, he said the government cannot claim legitimacy from the same day’s vote while ignoring the referendum in which 70 percent of people reportedly supported change. The rally was organized to demand implementation of the referendum verdict, control of commodity prices, improved communication, and overall development of the neglected southern region.

Dr. Rahman accused the ruling party of betraying the nation by disregarding the referendum results and failing to ensure balanced development. He criticized poor infrastructure in Barishal and called for a six-lane highway from Bhanga to Kuakata, a bridge linking Bhola and Barishal, and a railway line for Barishal. He urged BNP to avoid conflict and instead work toward constitutional reform based on the referendum outcome.

Other alliance leaders, including LDP chairman Oli Ahmed and AB Party secretary general Asaduzzaman Fuad, also spoke, criticizing the government and calling for justice, anti-corruption measures, and regional development.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and opposition chief whip, warned that his party would move from a mass movement to a mass uprising if the government failed to implement the July Charter. Speaking at an eleven-party alliance rally in Barishal Division on Saturday, he criticized the prime minister, accusing her of not fulfilling promises made regarding the charter and urged her to “reduce theatrics.” The rally demanded implementation of the referendum verdict, control of commodity prices, improved communication systems, and development of the neglected southern region.

Islam said the government was pushing the situation toward confrontation by ignoring the referendum’s outcome, in which he claimed seventy percent supported the charter. He also accused the ruling party of hypocrisy and criticized the BNP as anti-democratic, alleging it fought only for power and abandoned its earlier reform agenda. He further called for unity to protect Bangladesh’s sovereignty, create employment, and end corruption and extortion.

The rally was attended by Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman as chief guest, along with senior leaders from the eleven-party alliance.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Allama Mamunul Haque has accused the BNP and some members of the interim government of committing fraud involving the signing of the July Charter. Speaking as the chief guest at a citizens’ rally held on Saturday afternoon at the Kushtia District Shilpakala Academy auditorium, he alleged that BNP secretly inserted a clause into the charter without informing other political parties.

Haque stated that the July Movement began on May 5, 2013, at Shapla Chattar and ended on July 36, with BNP participating as a partner. He criticized BNP for now denying the July referendum and attempting to bypass the July Charter, warning that another revolution could occur to enforce its implementation. He further accused BNP of following the path of the fascist Awami League and said the people want the 69% referendum verdict implemented without delay or negligence.

The rally, organized to protest rising fuel and electricity prices, law and order deterioration, and to demand implementation of the referendum verdict, was chaired by Maulana Abdul Latif Khan, with several central and local leaders addressing the event.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Prime Minister’s political adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has described the denial of promotion or recognition based on political considerations as an assault on humanity. Speaking at an event organized by the Bangladesh Cardiac Society in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon, he said that for the past 17 years, many qualified individuals have been deprived of fair evaluation because of their political affiliations or family backgrounds.

Rizvi alleged that brilliant students and dedicated professionals, including doctors, were denied promotions or job opportunities for not supporting the ruling party. He argued that such discrimination has led to a loss of talent and hindered national progress, particularly in the medical sector. He cited examples of doctors who met all professional criteria but remained medical officers instead of being promoted to higher academic positions.

Expressing optimism, Rizvi noted that the current government has increased allocations for the medical and education sectors compared to the previous year and reduced treatment costs for serious diseases such as cancer, kidney ailments, thalassemia, and heart disease, which he said reflects accountability to the people.

The publication of this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examination results, initially scheduled for July 20, will not take place as planned. Education board officials confirmed that preparations remain incomplete due to disruptions surrounding the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations. The Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee expects to complete preparations between July 27 and 28, but no new date for result publication has been finalized.

Professor Syed Akhteruzzaman, chairman of the Dhaka Education Board and head of the coordination committee, stated that boards were instructed to prepare for a July 20 release but could not meet the deadline because of recent instability. The Ministry of Education has been informed of the situation. Earlier, Education Minister Ehchanul Haque Milan had announced that results would be published by July 20, and the ministry had directed boards to prepare accordingly.

According to the report, heavy rainfall and waterlogging disrupted HSC exam arrangements, diverting administrative focus. This year, 1,857,344 students registered for SSC and equivalent exams under 11 education boards, including general, madrasa, and technical streams.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan inaugurated the academic activities of Naogaon University on Saturday at the Naogaon Sadar Upazila auditorium. He stated that no amount of trolling or false accusations could divert him or his ministry from their responsibilities. The minister also unveiled the nameplate of the university’s temporary campus at Barunkandi and emphasized that those spreading disorderly remarks to incite society would fail to influence the youth.

Dr. Milan explained that recent decisions, such as delaying an HSC exam in Cumilla due to waterlogging, were made with students’ welfare in mind. He urged responsible behavior on social media regarding rumors of question leaks and exam procedures. Highlighting the government’s increased education budget from Tk 870 billion to Tk 1.36 trillion, he said the goal is to allocate 5% of GDP to education. He also announced plans to hold SSC exams in January and HSC exams in March from 2027 to reduce session delays.

The minister added that Naogaon University began with 80 students and will soon move to its permanent campus, with plans to establish an international-standard School of Agriculture.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon announced that Bangladesh is being developed to become a global 'education hub'. He made the statement on Saturday while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Naogaon University’s academic activities as the chief guest. The minister said that while Bangladeshi students now go abroad for higher studies, the government wants to transform local universities into centers of excellence that will attract foreign students.

Milon emphasized that Bangladeshi students are highly talented and have earned recognition abroad. He noted that the country’s large human resource base presents immense potential for national development, which can be realized by building a skilled workforce. He also mentioned that universities should consider regional needs when introducing new programs. Given Naogaon’s agricultural output, he suggested that subjects like food technology could be added in the future.

The event was chaired by Naogaon University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Moha: Hasanat Ali and attended by several senior officials, including the UGC chairman, vice-chancellors of other universities, and local government representatives.

The Government of Bangladesh has announced a plan to modernize the country’s public transport system by introducing around 1,400 electric buses. Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque said the initiative aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and make transport cleaner, safer, and more efficient. The plan includes establishing a universal EV charging network and exploring new systems such as monorail.

According to the secretary, several projects are underway: 500 buses are under financing process, 300 buses are being implemented with South Korean support, and another 400-bus project awaits World Bank approval. Two separate procurement packages worth Tk 400 crore each have been added to accelerate purchases, including a special fleet for women passengers. The government expects visible progress on selected routes by December this year or early next year, initially targeting 200 buses.

A technical committee comprising BUET and MIST experts is developing unified standards for batteries, charging, and mechanical systems. The government is also considering incentives for private operators and discussing fare structures with the finance ministry to balance costs and affordability.