Renowned nuclear physicist and former Dhaka University professor Dr. M. Shamsher Ali died at age 87 in a Dhaka hospital on August 2. A pioneer in Bangladesh’s atomic energy sector, he served as director of the Atomic Energy Commission and held prominent academic roles including founding vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Open University and Southeast University. He was also president of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences. His funeral will be held at Dhanmondi, with burial at Azimpur Graveyard.

A mild earthquake struck the New York Metropolitan Area on Saturday night, with a magnitude of 3.0, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. No damage or injuries have been reported.

The quake was centered near Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, approximately 8 miles west of Central Park, at a depth of 6.2 miles. This tremor was significantly weaker than the 4.8 magnitude quake that struck near Tewksbury, New Jersey, earlier in 2024.

Four Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives have called on President Donald Trump to help bring all sides back to the negotiating table to end the war in Gaza.

In a letter, Representatives Gregory Meeks, Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes, and Jamie Raskin warned that the conflict has become a humanitarian disaster and poses a serious geopolitical threat. “We urge you to use the full force of American diplomacy to achieve a swift, fair, and lasting resolution,” they wrote. “Now is the time to bring all parties—Israel, Palestinian leaders, regional partners, and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff—back to the table without delay.”

The German government has called on Israel to fulfill its responsibility in ensuring large-scale humanitarian aid reaches Gaza, in coordination with the UN and other relief organizations.

Government spokesperson Stephan Kornelius acknowledged limited progress but said it was “clearly insufficient to address the acute emergency.” He also expressed concern over reports that Hamas and other groups have seized aid supplies. Recently, German Foreign Minister Wadewulf met with Israeli PM Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

In a statement, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam praised Jamaat-e-Islami's leader Shafiqur Rahman for maintaining internal discipline and integrity within the party.

He wrote, “Following his heart surgery, I keep Shafiqur Rahman in my prayers. His calm leadership and willingness to engage in reform during such an uncertain time is admirable. Jamaat's internal discipline under his leadership is commendable and should be a model for other political parties. May God grant him strength and a full recovery.”

Stakeholders from the Health Sector Reform Commission have sent an open letter to the Chief Adviser urging reforms to be included in the upcoming “July Charter 2025.” The letter proposes three key measures: establishment of a permanent health commission, universal primary healthcare, and a high-level steering committee.

The letter praises the Chief Adviser’s leadership and emphasizes that the health sector is a cornerstone of national development—crucial for human capital, social security, and economic stability. Without an equitable and sustainable health system, they argue, national progress is unthinkable.

Former MP and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Latifur Rahman has reportedly recommended a candidate for a faculty position at Rajshahi University. A copy of the admit card bearing his reference has gone viral on social media. The image was posted as a Facebook story by Professor Farid Uddin Khan, the university’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

The interview for the candidate, Azmira Arefin, is scheduled for Monday, July 4, at the Vice Chancellor’s office. Professor Khan has apologized for the leak, saying his son may have accidentally posted it while playing games on his phone. He clarified that while many recommendations are received, they do not influence hiring decisions.

Canada has reaffirmed its ban on arms exports to Israel to prevent potential misuse in Gaza. Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Saturday that no new export licenses have been approved since January 2024 for items that could be used in Gaza.

Addressing recent reports alleging continued arms transfers, Anand said many claims were “misleading and distorted.” She clarified that some items described as "ammunition" were actually paintball-like materials or components designed to disable firearms—unsuitable for battlefield use.

“No Canadian company has exported mortars to Israel since the license freeze,” she added. Anand warned that any firm exporting military goods without a valid license will face legal action. “We will not allow Canadian-made weapons to be used in this conflict under any circumstances.”

Opening statements and the first witness testimony have begun in the war crimes trial against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in connection with the July Uprising. The proceedings started on Sunday (August 3) at 11:30 AM and are being broadcast with permission from International Crimes Tribunal-1. The tribunal is being chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, with two other judges.

Also named in the case are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun—who has confessed and turned state witness. Earlier that morning, the former IGP was brought to court to testify.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep honor in welcoming Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during his official visit to Islamabad.

In a statement, Sharif said the visit marks a vital step toward strengthening bilateral relations. “It is an honor to welcome my brother, the President of Iran, to Pakistan,” he wrote. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif echoed the sentiment on her official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, “Pakistan and Iran are two bodies, one soul.”

Marriage breakdowns in Chuadanga district are soaring due to growing social and personal instability. According to the Chuadanga District Registrar’s Office, the district recorded 8,106 marriages in 2024—while 5,521 ended in divorce.

Local marriage registrar Kazi Shamsul Haque attributes the trend primarily to extramarital affairs, with other factors including emotional incompatibility, long-distance relationships due to foreign employment, and lack of mutual trust. Issues like child marriage and frequent conflicts are also contributing to the collapse of marriages in the district.

Chattogram police have submitted the first charge sheet in the murder case of a shop employee during the July uprising, naming 231 individuals, including three former ministers. Most of the accused remain at large.

According to the police, Shahidul Islam Shahid, who worked at a local shoe store, was shot dead on August 3, 2024, in the Bahaddarhat area. His brother filed a murder case at Chandgaon Police Station on August 15 of the same year.

Sub-Inspector Nurul Haque, the investigating officer, submitted the charge sheet to the prosecution division on July 30, 2025. It was then formally filed with the Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on July 31. The list of accused includes former ministers Hasan Mahmud, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, and former Chattogram Mayor A J M Nasir Uddin, among others.

Protesters claim Shahid was killed by gunfire from police as well as activists from the ruling party's youth and student wings. However, police deny using live ammunition, stating only tear gas and rubber bullets were used to protect the mayor’s residence.

A flight departing from Cox’s Bazar to Dhaka was delayed by an hour after the aircraft collided with a stray dog on the runway Saturday evening. The incident occurred at 7 PM as an Air Astra plane carrying 72 passengers was preparing for takeoff. The dog died on impact, but all passengers remained safe. Airport director Golam Mortuza noted that dog intrusions increase after dusk due to reduced lighting, despite the presence of 189 Ansar personnel on duty. He acknowledged that full prevention remains a challenge.

Hefazat-e-Islam has called on the government to ensure justice for both the individual accused of making derogatory comments about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Facebook and for the minority homes attacked in Rangpur’s Gangachara. In a statement, the group urged an investigation into possible Indian involvement in inciting such incidents. They also alleged that similar past events were fueled by the ruling party and misrepresented in the media as communal violence. The group claimed that Hindu individuals were arrested in previous temple vandalism cases and accused foreign and domestic actors of fueling sectarian unrest.

In a 24-hour nationwide crackdown, police arrested 1,382 individuals linked to various crimes, according to a statement from the Police Headquarters. Among them, 801 were apprehended based on existing warrants, while the rest were arrested in connection with ongoing investigations. Authorities also seized firearms, including two one-shooter guns, pistols, revolvers, foreign-made weapons, magazines, and four rounds of ammunition. Police emphasized that such operations will continue to maintain law and order across the country.