The Government of Bangladesh has appointed young academic Dr. Md. Nazmul Islam as the country’s new Ambassador to the Maldives on a contractual basis. At just 33 years old, he becomes the youngest person in Bangladesh’s history to hold this position.
Hailing from Noakhali district, Dr. Islam studied Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Dhaka (2009–10 session) and completed his master’s degree in 2014. He later earned his PhD from Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Turkey, under a government scholarship and went on to serve there as an Associate Professor. He also worked with the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute in South Asia. Dr. Islam has represented Bangladesh at key events organized by the United Nations, the OIC, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. His diplomatic and academic contributions have been notable in addressing the Rohingya crisis and minority rights issues in several countries.

Heavy rainfall and upstream flows have caused the Teesta River’s water level to rise above the danger mark, measuring 52.15 meters at 9 p.m. on Friday. Between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., water levels at Dalia increased by 29 cm, though the rise has since slowed. While upstream levels in West Bengal’s Domohoni and Gajoldoba have fallen slightly, forecasters warn of heavy rain in the Teesta basin over the next 72 hours, which could trigger fresh flooding, particularly in low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, and Kurigram. However, severe flooding is not anticipated.

The special final admission process for GST cluster universities for the 2024-25 academic year will take place on August 9 and 10. Candidates must pay the initial admission fee between August 8 (12:00 PM) and August 9 (11:59 PM). Original documents submission and final admission must be completed on August 10, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. All procedures, including university-specific fees, must be followed for admission completion. No further admission opportunities will be available afterward.

Continuous rain and upstream runoff have caused the Teesta River to overflow, flooding low-lying areas of Kaunia in Rangpur. Severe riverbank erosion has destroyed over 100 acres of cropland in several villages, leaving farmers devastated. Recently planted Aman rice has been lost, and locals fear further damage. Despite appeals, authorities have provided far fewer geo-bags than needed to control the erosion. The situation threatens food production and livelihoods, with urgent intervention required. Officials claim necessary steps will be taken soon to mitigate the crisis.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) reportedly pushed 18 Bangladeshi nationals, including women and children, across the border into Naogaon’s Dhamoirhat and Sapahar areas.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Iqbal Hossain, commander of the 14 BGB Battalion, stated that a patrol from Kalupara BOP spotted the group early in the morning wandering in an orchard about 50 yards inside Bangladeshi territory.

The returnees said they had previously traveled to Mumbai illegally, seeking work. Four men worked as construction laborers and seven women worked as domestic help. They were later arrested by Indian police. At dawn, BSF personnel from the Balurghat camp forced them back into Bangladesh.

A similar group was intercepted at the Sapahar border, all of whom had also crossed illegally into India for employment several years ago.

Australia has urged Israel not to assume military control over Gaza, warning that such action would worsen the humanitarian crisis.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated, “Australia has called on Israel to avoid steps that would further exacerbate Gaza’s humanitarian disaster.” She emphasized that forced displacement violates international law and reiterated calls for a ceasefire, unhindered aid access, and the release of hostages taken by Hamas in October 2023.

While Australia has not joined countries like the UK, Canada, and France in recognizing Palestine, it says it will make that decision “at an appropriate time.”

After over three decades of conflict, Azerbaijan and Armenia are set to sign a historic peace agreement at the White House today, with former U.S. President Donald Trump acting as mediator.

Under the proposed deal, Armenia will grant Azerbaijan a special corridor through its territory to connect Nakhchivan with mainland Azerbaijan. Additional energy cooperation agreements may also be signed.

The two nations have been at odds since the collapse of the Soviet Union over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, where ethnic Armenians have long held control. A turning point came in September 2023 when separatist forces in Karabakh surrendered, allowing Azerbaijan to regain full sovereignty. By March 2025, both countries had agreed on a peace framework.

Asaduzzaman Tuhin (38), a journalist with Dainik Protidiner Kagoj, was hacked and killed in broad daylight Thursday night in the Chandana Chowrasta area of Gazipur.
He had posted a video on Facebook moments before the attack, criticizing pedestrian behavior in the city. Soon after, masked assailants attacked him with sharp weapons at a tea stall and slit his throat before fleeing.
Eyewitnesses say the attack followed Tuhin filming a group allegedly brandishing weapons. His body has been sent to the morgue, and police have opened an investigation.

Police have recovered the body of a youth who drowned in Harirampur Beel, a border area near Meherpur, while fleeing from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

The deceased, Babu Sheikh alias Mithu (40), was a known drug user, according to family members. On Wednesday evening, four youths attempted to cross into India when they were chased by a BGB patrol. While three managed to swim ashore, Babu went missing. His body was discovered floating in the beel the next morning.

Relentless heavy rainfall and upstream flash floods have caused water levels in Kaptai Lake to rise dangerously above the danger mark. The lake, with a maximum holding capacity of 109 feet, has now reached 108.55 feet—surpassing the 108-foot danger threshold. Several low-lying areas in Rangamati town and Baghaichhari upazila are submerged, leaving around 2,000 residents stranded. Baghaichhari UNO Shirin Akhter confirmed that five roads are currently underwater and inaccessible. The local administration has opened 55 shelters, where affected families are beginning to take refuge.

Political analyst Dr. Ali Riaz has criticized the lack of civil society-led review of the last 16 years of political developments in Bangladesh. Speaking at a recent event, he questioned why journalist unions haven’t mobilized broader civil society efforts to examine this period.

Riaz stressed that politicians—not interim governments—should lead the country. “That’s the whole point of calling it an interim government,” he said. He also challenged journalists to reflect on their roles, asking whether they act as reporters or political agents.

He referenced a meeting held by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the July movement with selected journalists, questioning the ethics of such interactions. “When media is used as a shield to protect business interests, independent journalism becomes impossible,” he added.

He criticized the partisan divide among journalists’ unions and noted that a politically motivated alternative to the Editors’ Council has emerged. Riaz also remarked that globally, transitions from authoritarianism to democracy often give rise to new social forces, sometimes leading to violent conflict—but Bangladesh, he noted, has experienced less violence by comparison.

André Karstens, Head of Mission at the Netherlands Embassy in Dhaka, presented a self-composed song about the July Uprising during his farewell meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. The melody of the song is based on George Harrison's iconic track "Bangladesh." Karstens recorded the song along with a video and gifted it to Professor Yunus as a token of appreciation.

During the meeting, the Dutch envoy praised Yunus’s leadership over the past year and called the "July Declaration" a significant milestone. He remarked that it bridges the aspirations of the July uprising with the country’s historical context. Karstens also described the timing of the election announcement as appropriate. Additionally, the two discussed plans for an upcoming Rohingya conference.

After heavy rainfall in India’s Uttarakhand, a devastating flash flood has swept away an entire village.
At least four people have been confirmed dead, while over 150 are missing, including 11 Indian soldiers.
Locals reported a cloudburst near the Kheer Ganga river basin, which led to the disaster.
Military rescue operations began swiftly, but helicopters couldn’t be deployed due to poor weather. Search and rescue missions are still ongoing.

A strong earthquake measuring 5.73 on the Richter scale shook southern Iran on August 5. The quake originated just 10 kilometers below the surface, intensifying its impact. Despite the strength, no immediate casualties or damage have been reported. Over the past year, Iran has experienced several medium to strong tremors, including a 5.6 magnitude quake in June that disrupted power and communication systems in the southwest region.

On the one-year anniversary of the historic July-August 2024 mass movement, France has expressed solidarity with the people of Bangladesh.

In a statement posted on the French Embassy’s official Facebook page in Dhaka, it said:
"Today is dedicated to remembering the tragic events of July and August 2024. August 5 marked the beginning of a new chapter in Bangladesh’s history."

France reiterated its unwavering support for a peaceful, inclusive, and democratic future in Bangladesh.