Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal leader and former information minister Hasanul Haq Inu has been named as an accused in a new case related to the killings at Shapla Chattar. The Chief Prosecutor, Aminul Islam, stated that evidence links Inu to the 2013 incident, and formal charges will be filed by the end of this month. This development follows a June 30 verdict by the International Crimes Tribunal sentencing Inu to ten years in prison for crimes against humanity in a separate case involving six murders in Kushtia during the July movement.

The Shapla Chattar killings case was initiated after Hefazat-e-Islam filed allegations on November 26 of the previous year against 50 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina. The tribunal is now preparing to receive the investigation report and formal charge documents in the coming weeks.

The new charges mark a continuation of legal proceedings against Inu, expanding the scope of accountability for alleged crimes connected to political violence in Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the yearlong 'Nazrul Year 2026–2027' program on Thursday morning through a virtual event organized by the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. He declared that national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam is not only a figure of the past but also a source of inspiration for future generations. The government has designated May 25, 2026, to May 25, 2027, as Nazrul Year and is considering declaring Trishal in Mymensingh, associated with the poet’s memory, as 'Nazrul City'.

During the event, the Prime Minister highlighted Nazrul’s influence on Bangladesh’s social, political, and cultural life, describing him as a guiding light against oppression and inequality. He emphasized the poet’s inclusive vision that transcended religious and social divisions and urged that Nazrul’s moral and humanistic values be used to guide youth amid the challenges of technology and artificial intelligence.

Rahman called for successful organization of literary conferences, research, seminars, cultural festivals, and exhibitions under the national committee formed for the celebration. He also unveiled a commemorative stamp and logo marking the official start of Nazrul Year.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is traveling to Tehran to attend the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Al Jazeera. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andarabi told reporters that Sharif will visit Iran and Turkey from July 3 to 5. The funeral ceremonies for Khamenei will begin in Tehran on July 4 and conclude with his burial in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9.

Ayatollah Khamenei, aged 86, served as Iran’s Supreme Leader for 36 years and was widely known as a strong critic of the United States. He was reported to have been killed on February 28, during the first day of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has called for a large turnout at the funeral to honor Khamenei’s legacy.

The visit by Pakistan’s prime minister underscores the close diplomatic ties between Islamabad and Tehran, as regional leaders prepare to pay their respects during the multi-day funeral events.

Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has called for a massive public turnout at the funeral of the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack. In a statement released on Thursday, Ghalibaf reaffirmed Iran’s pledge to avenge Khamenei’s death and urged citizens to attend the ceremonies starting Saturday to mark what he described as a historic moment for the Islamic Republic.

Ghalibaf said that the nation’s call for revenge should resonate across the world. According to Iranian leadership, the funeral events beginning Saturday are intended to demonstrate national unity and resistance through widespread participation.

The government has indicated that the ceremonies will serve as both a tribute to Khamenei and a show of solidarity amid heightened tensions following his death.

Following indirect talks between the United States and Iran in Doha, Washington has delivered a clear message to Tehran regarding the Hormuz Strait. According to a report by Saudi-based Al Arabiya citing sources, the US stated it would not accept any change to the current status quo in the strategic waterway. Washington reportedly told Tehran that any attempt to alter the existing situation would be considered a violation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries. The US also views Iran’s conduct in the strait as the first test of its commitment to implementing the agreement.

Sources added that the US is closely monitoring Iran’s activities in the area and has linked future progress on releasing Iran’s frozen funds to Tehran’s compliance with the MoU. Earlier, Iran warned that any US interference in the Hormuz Strait would be met with a “swift and severe” response. Iranian state media reported that its military headquarters accused US aircraft deployments of endangering regional security.

Mediators indicated that the next round of indirect US-Iran talks will take place after the funeral of Iran’s supreme leader. Despite progress in reopening the strait and reducing tensions, several key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, remain unresolved.

Iran’s military headquarters has issued a strong warning to the United States, declaring that the Strait of Hormuz is not a playground for Washington and asserting it as an undisputed part of the Islamic Republic’s sovereignty. The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stated that any U.S. interference in the area would be met with a swift and decisive military response.

According to the statement, all commercial vessels must use Iran-designated maritime routes for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, or face consequences. Citing Fars News Agency, the statement described the security and stability of this vital waterway as a “red line” for Iran’s armed forces. The warning follows heightened tensions after the United States and Israel reportedly began military actions against Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to block the strait.

The declaration underscores Iran’s determination to maintain control over the strategic passage, signaling potential risks for international shipping and regional stability if tensions persist.

Major General Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Command, has warned the United States, Israel, and their allies against making any wrong decisions regarding Iran. Speaking on July 2, 2026, he said that any miscalculation about Iran would lead to devastating consequences. His remarks came in a message issued on the occasion of the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Abdollahi credited Khamenei’s leadership for strengthening Iran’s defense capabilities through advancements in missile and drone technology, scientific progress, and national security. He claimed that despite possessing modern weapons, Iran’s enemies had suffered heavy losses and humiliation in past confrontations. He also urged citizens to attend Khamenei’s funeral in large numbers to demonstrate national unity.

The commander affirmed that Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to defend the country’s independence, security, and territorial integrity, and he expressed full allegiance to the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced a new reduction in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices for consumers across the country. The price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder has been lowered by 357 taka to 1,528 taka, effective from Tuesday evening. The commission also reduced the price of autogas from 86.93 taka to 70.40 taka per liter.

This latest adjustment follows an earlier price cut on June 2, when BERC reduced the price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder from 1,940 taka to 1,885 taka and autogas from 89.50 taka to 86.93 taka per liter. The commission periodically revises LPG and autogas prices to reflect changes in market conditions.

The new rates are expected to provide some relief to consumers and transport operators as energy costs continue to fluctuate in the domestic market.

The United States is reducing its military presence in Saudi Arabia as tensions between Washington and Riyadh escalate over the ongoing war with Iran. Reports from multiple media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and The Times of Israel, indicate that Saudi Arabia’s refusal to allow the use of its bases and airspace for a planned US operation, codenamed 'Project Freedom', has strained bilateral relations. The operation aimed to weaken Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, but was canceled after Saudi denial.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the White House reacted angrily to Riyadh’s stance, threatening to suspend the supply of missile interceptors that Saudi forces use against Iranian drones and missiles. US officials confirmed that Washington is now considering scaling back its military footprint in the kingdom. The diplomatic chill was further underscored when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio skipped Saudi Arabia during a Gulf tour, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declined to attend the G7 summit in France.

The reports suggest that Saudi Arabia’s frustration stems from its limited influence over US policy despite close ties, and from fears that prolonged conflict with Iran could destabilize the region and global energy markets.

The Turkish mega-series 'Kudus Fatihi Selahaddin Ayyubi', based on the life and struggles of Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi, will now be broadcast in Bangla. The show, depicting the legendary Muslim leader and conqueror of Jerusalem, will air from August 2 through a joint initiative of Nagorik TV and the OTT platform Bongo. Viewers can watch it on Nagorik TV every Sunday to Thursday at 8 p.m. and on Bongo at 9 p.m.

The series centers on the liberation of Jerusalem from Crusader control and portrays the political and military efforts to unite the Muslim world. It highlights Ayyubi’s pursuit of justice and his heroic leadership. The production features large-scale sets, striking cinematography, and dynamic performances that recreate the 12th-century historical setting.

At the launch event, senior officials from Nagorik TV and Bongo, along with journalists from leading media outlets, attended the unveiling of the Bangla trailer and poster. The event concluded with a raffle draw awarding prizes including an air conditioner, television, and smartphone.

At least eight Buddhist monks were killed and 14 others injured when a pickup truck struck a group of pilgrims in northeastern Thailand on Thursday. The accident occurred in Mukdahan province, about 600 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, as 35 monks were walking toward Ubon Ratchathani province on a 260-kilometer pilgrimage. Five monks died at the scene, and three more succumbed to injuries in hospital, according to Mukdahan governor Warayan Bunnarath.

Security footage released by the Ruam Jai Mukdahan Rescue Association showed the monks walking in a line along the roadside when the pickup lost control and veered into them. Police said the vehicle was being driven by an 11-year-old boy, who has been taken into custody. Child protection officials are expected to question him once they arrive.

Authorities said the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Some monks reported seeing the truck swerving before it left the road and hit them.

A group of Israeli settlers forcibly entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem’s Old City under heavy police protection, according to a report published on July 2, 2026. The Palestinian state news agency Wafa said the settlers performed Talmudic religious rituals inside the mosque compound during the incursion.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, located on a hilltop in East Jerusalem, was captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed, a move not recognized by most of the international community. The site holds deep religious significance for Muslims worldwide as Islam’s third holiest site, encompassing both the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the seventh-century Dome of the Rock, from where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.

The report cited Al Jazeera as its source but did not provide details about any immediate response or consequences following the settlers’ entry.

A Dhaka court has once again postponed the submission of the investigation report in the Bangladesh Bank reserve theft case. On Thursday, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Joshita Islam set August 9 as the new date for the report’s submission. This marks the 96th time the deadline has been extended. The prosecution’s Sub-Inspector Rokunuzzaman confirmed the court’s order after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) failed to present the report on the scheduled date.

The case stems from the February 5, 2016 incident when hackers fraudulently transferred 81 million US dollars from Bangladesh Bank’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States using the SWIFT system. The stolen funds were later sent to the Philippines. Investigators suspect that a local group assisted the hackers in laundering the money.

Following the theft, on March 15, 2016, Zobayer Bin Huda, Deputy Director of the Accounts and Budgeting Department of Bangladesh Bank, filed a case under the Money Laundering Prevention Act and the Information and Communication Technology Act. The CID is currently conducting the investigation.

Iran’s parliament speaker, Bagher Ghalibaf, has called for a massive public turnout at the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a statement, Ghalibaf urged Iranians to attend the ceremony to mark what he described as a glorious chapter in the nation’s history. He also declared that the nation’s call for revenge should be heard around the world.

According to the report, Khamenei was killed on February 28 in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. He had led Iran since 1989, following the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who spearheaded the Islamic Revolution a decade earlier. The funeral and burial ceremonies are scheduled to take place from July 4 to 9, with strict security measures in place across the country.

The call for mass participation reflects the government’s effort to project unity and national strength during the mourning period, as Iran prepares for several days of ceremonies honoring its long-serving leader.

Police have arrested Mokhlesur Rahman Mukul, the prime accused in the murder case of Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Saifullah Bari in Gaibandha’s Saghata upazila. The arrest was made on Wednesday night in the Hariken area of Gazipur using information technology, according to Saghata Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mahbub Alam. Mukul, who was recently expelled from his position as convener of the Bonarpara Union unit of Jubo Dal, is the fifth suspect detained in connection with the case.

Saifullah Bari, president of the Bonarpara Union unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir and a third-year student of Al-Quran studies at Satgara Model Kamil Madrasa in Rangpur, was stabbed to death on June 21 in the Bonarpara Choumatha area. Witnesses said Mukul and his associates attacked him with knives in the afternoon. Following the incident, the district Jubo Dal expelled Mukul for violating party discipline.

Saifullah’s father filed a murder case naming six individuals and 10–15 unidentified others. Police have so far arrested five suspects in total.