On Saturday, thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv to demand a comprehensive ceasefire agreement and the release of Israelis held captive by Hamas in Gaza. Protesters called for a neutral ceasefire deal that includes freeing all detainees. Family members of the prisoners joined the demonstration, urging the government to expedite negotiations. Israel has announced sending a delegation to Doha, Qatar, for talks with Hamas on prisoner exchanges. Prime Minister Netanyahu is scheduled to meet U.S. President Trump in Washington. Currently, 50 Israelis are held in Gaza (20 confirmed alive), while over 10,400 Palestinians face imprisonment in Israel, enduring mistreatment and neglect.

Two sanitation workers of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) were killed early Sunday morning after being hit by a covered van in front of the Le Méridien hotel in the Khilkhet area of Dhaka. The victims, one man and one woman, have not yet been identified. According to Khilkhet Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sajjad Hossain, the accident occurred at dawn. The bodies have been taken to the police station and will be sent to the morgue after completing legal procedures.

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs, clarified on Sunday that the three Bangladeshis sent back from Malaysia are not militants but were deported due to visa expiry. Speaking after inspecting the cargo terminal at Shahjalal International Airport, he stressed that there has been no militant presence or activity in Bangladesh over the last decade, as media reports have confirmed. He also said the Bangladesh government has not received any official communication regarding the statement made by Malaysia’s Inspector General of Police on this matter.

LNG prices in Asia's spot market fell this week due to increased supply, weaker industrial demand from China and India, and high inventory levels in China and South Korea. Eased geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel also contributed to price stability. LNG for August delivery traded at $12.70 per MMBtu, down from $13.10 last week. Analysts expect prices to remain under pressure, though rising temperatures could spur future demand. European LNG prices also remained stable amid low global demand.

Professor Mahmuda Begum, mother of Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman, passed away at the age of 87 due to age-related complications. She died early Sunday morning at Insaf Barakah Kidney Hospital in Dhaka. Mahmuda Begum was Vice Chairperson of Amar Desh Publications and a respected Bengali teacher at several colleges including Chittagong Government Commerce College and Comilla Victoria College. Her funeral prayer will be held at Gulshan Azad Mosque, followed by burial at Jurain Cemetery. She is survived by her son, daughter-in-law, sister, and many admirers.

Apple is reportedly developing an affordable MacBook powered by the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro series. This marks the first time an iPhone chip will be used in a MacBook. The 13-inch device could enter production by late 2025 or early 2026 and come in multiple colors. Aimed at students and budget users, the laptop may cost less than the MacBook Air. It’s expected to support Apple Intelligence, enhancing AI performance and shaping the future of Apple’s computing strategy.

Trade activities at Dinajpur's Hili land port have been temporarily suspended due to the public holiday for Ashura. All import-export and internal port operations are on hold from Sunday, July 6. However, cross-border travel through the Hili immigration checkpoint continues as usual for passport holders. The Hili C&F Agents Association confirmed that trade will resume on Monday morning. Immigration officials also assured full support for travelers crossing the border, ensuring smooth verification and transit during the suspension of port activities.

During last month’s 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, Iran launched ballistic missile strikes targeting five Israeli military bases, according to a report by The Telegraph.

Based on satellite data from Oregon State University, at least six missiles hit the Tel Nof, Glilot, and Zipporit bases. In total, Iran reportedly launched over 500 missiles and 1,100 drones, some of which penetrated Israeli-American air defense systems. The missile strikes resulted in 28 deaths and displaced nearly 13,000 people.

A mobile court in Kolmakanda, Netrokona fined Md. Rois Mia 50,000 Taka for illegally transporting sand from the Mohadeo River on July 5. The operation, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) Mahmudul Hasan, also detained three workers and seized a sand-loaded boat. The workers were later released after signing a bond. Authorities confiscated 1,400 cubic feet of sand during the raid. The fine was imposed under Section 15(1) of the Sand and Soil Management Act, 2010. Officials confirmed that such enforcement drives will continue.

A traditional Tazia procession began on Sunday morning in Dhaka, following the commemoration of Holy Ashura. The procession started from the historic Hoseni Dalan Imambara after 10 AM, drawing thousands of Shia Muslims dressed in black to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at the Battle of Karbala.

Participants carried symbolic weapons and flags, moving through Azimpur, Nilkhet, New Market, and Science Lab before concluding in Dhanmondi. The century-old Imambara saw large gatherings from early morning. Law enforcement agencies deployed heavy security throughout the procession route, with personnel stationed at the front, middle, and end of the procession to ensure safety.

Ashura is observed annually by Shia Muslims in remembrance of the martyrs of Karbala.

Following 12 days of intense conflict between Iran and Israel, a ceasefire has been declared. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared in public on the eve of Ashura, ending 26 days of absence that had fueled widespread speculation. He attended a religious gathering in Tehran, drawing enthusiastic support from followers. During the conflict, several Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists were reported killed.

The U.S. national debt has now exceeded $33 trillion, sparking global concern among economists and policymakers. Analysts warn that former President Donald Trump's “Big Beautiful Budget Bill,” which includes significant tax cuts, could increase the debt by an additional $3 trillion. Financial expert Ray Dalio cautioned that the U.S. is at a tipping point, with three alarming paths ahead: slashing public spending and increasing taxes, printing more dollars, or facing a catastrophic default. Although the situation is grave, experts believe the crisis might be delayed due to the lack of a viable alternative to the U.S. dollar in global finance.

More than a hundred aggrieved businessmen staged a protest in front of Vatara Police Station in Dhaka on Saturday night, demanding the arrest of Dr. Mujtaba Ali, chairman of the e-commerce platform Dhamaka Shopping.

They accused Dr. Mujtaba of embezzling nearly Tk 4 billion (400 crore taka) from them. The demonstration, which began in the evening, continued until 1 a.m., with protesters alleging that instead of taking action, police were sheltering him inside the station under the pretext of security.

When contacted, the officer-in-charge of Vatara Police Station confirmed that Dr. Mujtaba had not been arrested and that no decision regarding his arrest had yet been made.

The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) has expressed deep concern over the government’s decision to impose a 2% advance income tax without prior discussion. At a press conference in Gulshan, industry leaders warned this measure—coming amid severe crises in gas supply, electricity, and bank loans—could devastate the sector. “Is this policy designed to destroy local industries and benefit our neighbors?” one leader asked. The association demanded the tax’s withdrawal within seven days, threatening factory closures if their call goes unheeded. They stressed that $75 billion in investments and the national economy itself are now at risk.

This year in Iran, Ashura was not just a day of mourning but also a mass demonstration of national unity and resistance against perceived Israeli and American aggression. Inspired by the spirit of Karbala, Iranians transformed their grief into defiance, holding processions with images of martyrs and anti-imperialist slogans. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei called for donating blood instead of self-flagellation—a call that was widely heeded. Clerics described Ashura as the fountainhead of Islamic revolution and steadfastness. Despite sorrow, Iranians stood tall, strengthened by Ashura’s spiritual legacy. (By a journalist and analyst based in Iran)