Public anger is reportedly intensifying in Iran following the funeral and memorial events for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Abbas Aslani, a senior research fellow at Tehran’s Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, told Al Jazeera that the ceremonies could spark demands for revenge against the United States and Israel. He noted that the official slogan for the event, 'We must awaken,' signals that Iran’s policies and continuity remain unbroken despite the assassination.

Aslani described the burial as a deeply emotional moment for ordinary Iranians bidding farewell to their leader, while also serving as a potential rallying point for calls for retaliation. He emphasized Khamenei’s steadfastness in resisting external and international pressure and credited him as the architect of Iran’s defense and resistance systems, as well as a key figure in preserving national independence.

The report suggests that the funeral could become a focal point for renewed unity and heightened anti-Western sentiment within Iran.

Eight students from Abdulpur Government College in Lalpur, Natore, were initially unable to sit for their Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations despite paying the required form fees. The issue came to light through media reports on Thursday. Upon learning of the incident, Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon contacted the Rajshahi Education Board chairman and directed immediate action to ensure the students could take their exams.

According to the complaint, the college’s office assistant, Amit Kumar Sarkar, had collected the form fees but failed to deposit them properly, resulting in the students not receiving their admit cards. The minister ordered a swift investigation and legal action against those responsible. Following his instructions, the Rajshahi Education Board completed the students’ form submissions on Friday, allowing them to join the exams from Saturday as regular candidates.

Police later arrested the accused office assistant, and a three-member investigation committee headed by Associate Professor Abdullah Al Mahmud was formed. The ministry also addressed a similar case in Bogura, ensuring the affected student could sit for the exam after corrective measures.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum has accused the BNP of denying the spirit of the July uprising after coming to power. Speaking as the chief guest at a Jamaat-e-Islami members’ training camp in Dhaka’s Jatrabari zone on Friday, he expressed anger that the government did not organize any state program on the second anniversary of the July mass uprising. He alleged that the government was betraying the blood of the July martyrs and called on it to clarify whether it still believes in the July spirit.

Masum warned that no government that betrays the nation can survive and urged the authorities to implement the July Charter in line with the referendum’s verdict. He said the government would be forced to honor the martyrs by implementing the charter. The event was presided over by Jamaat’s Dhaka South Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdus Sabur Fakir and attended by several central leaders.

Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair also criticized the government, saying it was showing fascist tendencies by not tolerating democratic criticism.

Police in Chattogram have uncovered that the killing of 25-year-old Md. Azad in the city’s Forest Gate area stemmed from a dispute over drug use. Investigators said the murder was planned, and Azad’s friend Isha, also known as Babu, has confessed under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code. He was presented before a Chattogram court last Thursday, which ordered his detention following the confession.

According to police, Isha admitted his involvement and stated that he, Azad, and another person were taking drugs together when an argument broke out. The dispute escalated, leading to Azad being shot from behind. Isha also tried to hide his clothes to destroy evidence. Police have identified two other suspects and are conducting raids to arrest them, though their names have not been disclosed for investigative reasons.

The incident occurred last Wednesday afternoon when Azad was shot while walking along a busy road. He was taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police said further arrests could reveal the weapon’s source and the full background of the murder.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute at the coffin of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to footage aired by Iran’s state television. The ceremony took place during Sharif’s visit to Tehran, where he was accompanied by Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir and a high-level delegation. The group collectively laid flowers on the coffin as a mark of respect.

The visit comes as Pakistan continues to act as a mediator between the United States and Iran, aiming to help end their long-standing tensions. Islamabad has been maintaining secret diplomatic communications between the two sides, organizing bilateral meetings, and balancing its relations with Gulf countries while facilitating a transit route for Iran. The trip underscores Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic engagement in regional stability efforts.

The participation of both civilian and military leadership in the tribute highlights Pakistan’s unified approach to its regional diplomacy and its interest in maintaining constructive ties with Tehran.

World leaders and foreign representatives attended the funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday, July 3, 2026, in Tehran. Despite the global presence, no representatives from Saudi Arabia or other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries were reported to have joined the ceremony. The event marked the beginning of a weeklong state mourning program in Iran, with the first day reserved for foreign dignitaries and officials.

Saudi-based media noted that Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister had attended the funeral of former Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi about 14 months earlier, but Riyadh has not sent any delegation this time. Similarly, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain have remained absent. Analysts view this as a reflection of Gulf states’ cautious stance regarding Iran’s leadership transition, particularly over the possible succession of Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei.

The absence of GCC representatives contrasts sharply with their participation in Raisi’s 2024 funeral, suggesting a coordinated diplomatic posture. However, no official GCC statement or joint discussion on the matter has been made public so far.

Bangladesh’s Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmad emphasized the need for truthful journalism to combat misinformation and rumors, describing them as major obstacles to media freedom. He made the remarks on Friday, July 3, at a workshop in Cox’s Bazar organized by the Department of Information and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The event focused on the role of journalists in implementing the government’s election manifesto and development vision.

Ahmad said the government believes in transparency and accountability and is working to rebuild strong relations with media at all levels after what he described as a difficult 17-year period for the press. Highlighting Cox’s Bazar’s strategic importance due to its border with Myanmar, tourism sector, and regional connectivity prospects, he underscored the need for regular training to enhance local journalists’ professional capacity.

Deputy Chief Information Officer Mohammad Fakhrul Islam discussed journalists’ responsibilities in preventing rumors, while Hasina Akter addressed the Department of Information’s role in promoting the government’s development agenda. Local media leaders and reporters also shared their experiences and challenges during the open discussion.

The CNBL Pool and Snooker Ranking Tournament 2026, organized by Club NotreDamians Bangladesh Limited (CNBL), concluded on July 2 with a festive closing and award ceremony at the club’s Father Peixoto Banquet Hall. Club president Syed Abu Naser Bakhtiar Ahmed attended as chief guest and presented trophies and prizes to the winners.

A total of 57 club members competed in two categories: 9-ball pool and 10-red ball snooker. In the 9-ball pool division, Fahim Firoz (Batch 2002) became champion, Tanim Md Mashrur Alam (Batch 2002) was runner-up, and Farhad Hossain (Batch 2005) placed third. Mahfuzur Rahman (Batch 1995) was named Best Emerging 9-Ball Pool Player 2026. In the 10-red ball snooker division, Tanim Md Mashrur Alam (Batch 2002) won the championship, followed by Farhad Hossain (Batch 2005) and Ashwar Hossain (Batch 1998). Md Mahbubul Haque (Batch 1994) was recognized as Best Emerging Snooker Player 2026.

In his closing remarks, the club president said such events strengthen friendship and harmony among members and expressed hope for regular future tournaments.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and political adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working relentlessly to fulfill the commitments made during the election. Speaking at a prayer and discussion meeting at Dhakeshwari Temple on Friday, organized by Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and indigenous communities to mark the 45th martyrdom anniversary of President Ziaur Rahman, Rizvi said the prime minister is closely monitoring progress in agriculture and health sectors and ensuring no shortfall in implementation.

Rizvi highlighted that individuals earning up to four lakh taka annually are exempt from income tax under the new budget, and the proposed tax on grocery shops has been withdrawn. He also mentioned a reduction of 357 taka in the price of a 12-kg gas cylinder, describing these as measures reflecting the government’s focus on public welfare. He praised the current environment of free expression and accountability, attributing it to a people’s movement that restored voting rights and democratic governance.

Rizvi further called for unity among all religious and ethnic groups, emphasizing shared struggles and rejecting attempts to create divisions within the nation.

Palestinian goalkeeper Salim al-Ashkar was killed on Wednesday in Israeli tank shelling in the al-Qarara area, northeast of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. According to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), he was struck in the abdomen while cycling to refill cooking gas for his home. Despite being rushed to hospital, doctors were unable to stop internal bleeding caused by severe injuries to his stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas. Gaza’s health system, already crippled by prolonged war and shortages of equipment, electricity, and medical staff, could not save him.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper had played for Khadamat Khan Younis, Al-Aqsa, and Al-Masdar clubs. He had married five months earlier, and his wife is expecting their first child. His death brought mourning across Palestinian and international sports communities. Chilean club Deportivo Palestino, founded by Palestinian immigrants, expressed deep sorrow and called for justice. The PFA reported that since October 7, 2023, Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed 1,009 Palestinian athletes, including 567 footballers.

The ongoing conflict has devastated Gaza’s sports sector, destroying clubs, stadiums, and training facilities, leaving much of its athletic infrastructure in ruins.

An old episode of Channel i’s live talk show ‘To the Point’ has gone viral, featuring former army officer and politician Shahjahan Omar Bir Uttam as a guest and Soma Islam as the host. In the video, Soma Islam asks whether Tarique Rahman truly loves Bangladesh or democracy. The video was shared on Thursday by Daily Amar Desh joint editor M Abdullah and Al Jazeera investigative journalist Zulkarnain Saer, drawing renewed attention online.

The talk show, recorded before the political shift of 2024, shows Soma Islam questioning Tarique Rahman’s leadership and describing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as facing a “leadership crisis.” She noted that grassroots activists appeared frustrated and lacked proper guidance. Soma Islam also remarked that the party chief was leading from abroad through virtual meetings and repeatedly apologizing to the public, which she said made the party’s future uncertain.

The video shared by M Abdullah and Zulkarnain Saer has reportedly received around 350,000 views, reflecting significant public interest in the resurfaced discussion.

At RoboCup 2026 in Incheon, South Korea, humanoid robots played football autonomously without human control. The event showcased major advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics, as the robots made their own decisions during matches. Human involvement was limited to relaying referee instructions to the robots.

RoboCup, established in 1997, aims to develop a fully autonomous robot football team capable of defeating a FIFA World Cup champion team by 2050. Researchers believe that rapid progress in AI is bringing this goal closer to reality. Spectators also expressed confidence that robot football could become a popular sport with its own fan base in the future.

The competition highlighted the growing intersection of robotics and sports, suggesting that autonomous systems may soon achieve complex teamwork and decision-making comparable to human athletes.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain paid tribute at the first burial site of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam, located in Jianagar of Rangunia upazila, Chattogram. The tribute took place on Friday, followed by prayers seeking forgiveness for the late president’s soul.

Local BNP leaders, party workers, and supporters were present during the minister’s visit and prayer session. The event marked a gesture of respect toward the late leader, who was initially buried in Rangunia after his death.

According to the source, Ziaur Rahman was killed on May 30, 1981, at the Chittagong Circuit House. His body was first buried in Rangunia before being reinterred at Chandrima Udyan (now Zia Udyan) in Dhaka.

Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has arrested former navy commander Fleet Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda on charges of corruption. Authorities allege that he unlawfully assisted former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, in securing a naval appointment and overseas training without proper qualifications. The 73-year-old was taken into custody on Friday in connection with a 2006 recruitment case, according to AFP reports from Colombo.

Karannagoda, who led the navy during the final phase of the Tamil separatist war in 2009, is now retired. Yoshitha Rajapaksa was arrested last month over allegations of receiving training at Britain’s Dartmouth Naval College using public funds but was later released on bail. Karannagoda also faces accusations of war crimes and human rights violations, and Britain imposed sanctions on him in 2025. A murder conspiracy case related to the killing of 11 youths between 2008 and 2009 has also been revived against him.

Since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office in 2024, investigations into corruption and high-profile crimes involving the Rajapaksa family and their associates have gained renewed momentum.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny has warned that law enforcement agencies will take strict action against those involved in drug trading, regardless of political or personal influence. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon at a brief meeting in Dakshin Chiladi area of Kushakhali Union under Chandraganj upazila in Lakshmipur, where he served as the chief guest.

The minister said that anyone continuing drug trade despite 17 years of Awami League’s governance will face legal consequences. He emphasized that there will be no room for lobbying or interference, adding that some influential individuals are still involved in the trade. He urged them to quit, warning that no one will be able to rescue them if they fall into trouble. He also discussed government initiatives on women’s empowerment and social safety programs, noting that family cards are being used to provide financial support to women heads of households.

According to the minister, the goal of this support is to help mothers become financially self-reliant and capable of educating their children, viewing the assistance as an investment in the nation’s future.