British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a stern warning, stating that the UK will formally recognize Palestine as an independent state by September if the ongoing war in Gaza does not cease and meaningful steps toward a sustainable peace process are not taken.

The UK has also urged Israel to halt its settlement expansion plans and called on Hamas to release all hostages. Israel criticized the move, claiming it would “reward Hamas” and undermine diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Gaza. Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities have welcomed the UK's potential decision to grant statehood recognition.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Online Editors Alliance and the Bangladesh-China Apan Media Club to enhance coordination, knowledge exchange, and professional development between Chinese and Bangladeshi media. At the event, Yu Kuang Yue, Director of the CMG Bangla Department, said the agreement would strengthen bilateral ties and enable technological and journalistic knowledge-sharing. Hasan Sharif noted potential collaboration in tourism, healthcare, and education sectors as key areas for future growth.

Adviser Sharmin Murshid stated that the government seeks to collaborate with NGOs working on physical, mental, and educational development for children with special needs. She emphasized using existing research instead of duplicating efforts, suggesting that such cooperation would improve service delivery and inform future policymaking effectively.

Salahuddin Ammar, former coordinator of the Rajshahi University chapter of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, has been accused of extortion under the guise of donations. He allegedly sent letters requesting a total of Tk 7.6 million from 70 organizations for a concert titled "July 36: Festival of Freedom" scheduled for August 5. RU Vice-Chancellor Saleh Hassan Naqib confirmed he endorsed the appeal, stating he has supported similar cultural events in the past. Despite criticism, organizers argue that seeking donations for such programs is standard practice.

Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has stated that the decision to use deadly force, including helicopter gunfire and block raids, during the July uprising was made at the political level under Sheikh Hasina's directive. In a five-page deposition, Mamun outlined nightly meetings held at the then-Home Minister’s residence, attended by top officials from intelligence and law enforcement agencies. He noted that law enforcement leaders were eager to deploy lethal measures during the unrest.

Hours after making a controversial statement comparing the alleged actions of Sheikh Hasina and her associates to the atrocities committed by the Pakistani military in 1971, adviser Asif Nazrul issued an apology. He initially accused the Prime Minister of overseeing mass killings, burnings, and extrajudicial orders, but later admitted that comparing her actions to 1971’s genocide was “inappropriate.”

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has announced that the High Court will remain closed on August 5 in observance of “July Uprising Day.”

According to a notification signed by Registrar General Dr. Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan, this holiday aligns with the Cabinet Division’s July 2 announcement, which officially designated August 5 as “July Uprising Day” to be observed annually. Both the Appellate and High Court divisions of the Supreme Court will be closed on that day.

The Ministry of Information has announced a new committee for the Bangladesh Press Council, naming Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age, as a member—reportedly without his consent. In a Facebook post, Kabir expressed surprise and disapproval, stating, "The Ministry included my name (with a misspelling) in the gazette without prior permission. I had previously declined multiple requests from the government to join this council." He urged authorities to withdraw his name from the list, calling the move “truly bizarre.”

Pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh are aggressively offering doctors cash, electronics, and foreign trips in exchange for prescribing their drugs, including substandard or unnecessary ones. This unethical practice is inflating healthcare costs and endangering public health. Experts and regulators warn that many doctors are prioritizing incentives over patients’ wellbeing. Oversight is weak, allowing companies to exploit the system. Reforms are being planned, but enforcement remains limited. Foreign drug companies are exiting the market, unable to compete with these unethical tactics.

China has introduced a historic nationwide cash subsidy of up to 10,800 yuan per child under three years old to address its declining birth rate and demographic crisis. Starting in 2024, families will receive up to 3,600 yuan annually per child, benefiting nearly 20 million households. This follows local subsidy trials in various provinces. Despite abolishing the one-child policy a decade ago, China’s population continues to shrink, with rapid aging raising serious economic and social concerns for the future.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against former MP and cultural icon Asaduzzaman Noor for amassing illegal wealth worth over BDT 5.37 crore and engaging in suspicious financial transactions amounting to BDT 159 crore.

According to the case documents, Noor acquired assets that significantly exceed his known sources of income. He allegedly maintained 19 bank accounts through which BDT 85.72 crore was deposited and BDT 73.05 crore withdrawn, resulting in transactions totaling over BDT 158.78 crore deemed suspicious.

Following the fall of the Awami League government, Noor — a five-time elected MP — was arrested on September 15.

Residents of Gaza have condemned the international community’s practice of airdropping aid, calling it humiliating and dehumanizing.

Ahmed Fayez Fayad, a local resident, said, “We are not dogs waiting for food from the sky. We deserve to live with dignity.” A mother struggling to feed her children added, “My child cries from hunger, and I have to endure this humiliation? We don’t want aid—we want our rights.”

A local teacher summed up the sentiment: “We are not beggars. We just want the right to live safely and with dignity.” Meanwhile, the UN continues to pressure for an end to the blockade on Gaza.

Legal adviser Asif Nazrul has made strong allegations against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her associates, stating that the crimes committed under her regime surpass those committed by the Pakistani military during the Liberation War in 1971.

Speaking at a recent event, Nazrul said, “Burning corpses, executing wounded civilians, and shooting unarmed, injured individuals — these are acts of war crimes. You may say similar things happened during the ‘Black Night’ of March 25, and yes, it was horrific. But that was a foreign army attacking before our formal declaration of independence. Even then, I have never seen any footage of bodies being burned or wounded men being executed in that way. No freedom fighter ever described such cruelty.”

Nazrul also highlighted the relentless efforts of their movement, asserting that such brutalities must be acknowledged and condemned regardless of who commits them.

A Dhaka court has ordered an investigation to determine whether any anti-state content exists on model Meghna Alam’s seized MacBook, laptop, and mobile phone in connection with a fraud and extortion case filed at Dhanmondi Police Station.

During the hearing, Meghna claimed, “I have professional ties with several foreign diplomats and can prove whether I was framed or the one being manipulated.” When she demanded her belongings and passport be returned, the judge responded, “That is not a matter for discussion at this time.”

Meghna further stated, “Bangladesh’s global image rests on my shoulders. I work with ten international organizations across six continents.”

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has announced a fast-track initiative to fill the 34,106 vacant head teacher positions across 65,569 government primary schools. Currently, only 31,396 head teachers are in service against an approved quota of 65,502 posts.

Of the vacant positions, 2,647 are eligible for direct recruitment. Excluding the 10% quota reservation, 2,382 posts will be filled through fresh appointments. The Public Service Commission (PSC) is expected to issue a recruitment notice soon. Once civil appeal cases regarding nationalized teachers are resolved, 31,459 assistant teachers will also be promoted to head teachers.