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.

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.

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)

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has expressed hope that he will live more than 130 years. During a prayer gathering in Dharamshala, India, he told followers he plans to reincarnate as Tibet’s spiritual leader after death. He emphasized that the right to recognize his successor lies with the Gaden Phodrang Trust—not the Chinese government. China has long branded him a separatist. The Dalai Lama, who is already the longest-living Tibetan Buddhist leader, reiterated that his next birth will take place outside Chinese control.

The Chinese government has launched a new initiative to combat the country’s severe birth-rate crisis. Beginning January 2025, Beijing will provide couples with an annual cash payment of 3,600 yuan for each newborn child, continuing until the child turns three. Once the most populous country in the world, China has now fallen to second place amid sustained declines in birth rates despite previous policy relaxations. Authorities hope that direct financial support will help reverse this trend and stabilize population growth.

A new report by Bangladesh’s Disappearance Investigation Commission reveals harrowing accounts of torture inside secret government detention centers. The findings document the experiences of 253 victims, many held in ‘torture cells’ for periods ranging from 39 to 391 days. Detainees described being hung by their arms, subjected to electric shocks, waterboarding, having their nails pulled out, denied blankets in the cold, and sexually assaulted. “They tied my arms outstretched, like crucifixion, and took my scarf,” said one female victim. “I used to have late periods, but they tortured me so severely my period started immediately.” While perpetrators often tried to erase evidence of abuse, in many cases the judiciary ignored clear signs of torture.

The Anti-Discrimination Employees’ Unity Forum has strongly protested the promotion of two officers from the 15th batch of the BCS (Administration) cadre, Sirajul Noor Chowdhury and Dr. AKM Shahabuddin, to the position of Secretary. The forum accused both officers of being beneficiaries of the Awami League’s authoritarian regime and former student league activists. They allege that these officials have aided the government in money laundering activities and have connections with the fugitive former Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdour Rouf. The forum condemned such promotions as a grave betrayal of the blood shed during the people's uprisings.

Afghanistan’s capital Kabul is at risk of becoming the world’s first modern city to run completely out of water by 2030. Excessive groundwater extraction, climate change, and population growth have drastically lowered water levels, threatening nearly 3 million residents with scarcity and displacement. UNICEF reports half the deep wells are already dry, and 80% of underground water is contaminated. Experts warn urgent infrastructure improvements and international cooperation are needed, but sanctions and instability hinder effective solutions.

Railway Ministry Adviser Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan cautioned government officials against showing bias toward any political party during elections. “Their job is not to help someone win but to support whoever is elected,” he said. Speaking on electoral transparency under the interim government, he announced that for the first time, overseas Bangladeshis would be allowed to vote via postal ballots. He also addressed rising energy production costs and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to boosting solar energy as a renewable alternative to gas and coal.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Ameer, Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari, has strongly opposed the establishment of a United Nations Human Rights office in the country. Speaking at a prayer gathering organized by Hefazat in Baridhara, Dhaka, on Saturday, he accused international organizations of using the banner of "human rights" to interfere in Islamic Shariah, family laws, and religious values — actions he described as threats to national sovereignty and the sentiments of the Muslim majority.

"Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority country, and it is everyone's duty to protect its religious and social fabric," he emphasized.

Testimonies in the war crimes case against ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may begin by late July or early August, according to prosecution sources. The case, linked to crimes against humanity during the July uprising, also names Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun as co-accused. Chief Prosecutor told the tribunal that the crimes followed a systematic chain of command across all 56,000 square miles of the country. Public notices have been issued as Hasina and Kamal remain fugitives. This case is one of several against Hasina, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the 2013 Shapla Chattar crackdown.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus said Ashura serves as a timeless reminder of the struggle for truth and justice. He urged people to honor the day with good deeds and devotion. Paying tribute to Imam Hussain (RA) and the martyrs of Karbala, he said their sacrifice is a lasting example of preserving Islamic ideals. “Ashura is not only a day of mourning but also a day filled with historical significance,” he said, calling for unity, peace, and justice within the Muslim Ummah.

Two hostels for visually impaired students in Babuganj, Barisal, completed over five years ago at a cost of nearly 25 million taka, have yet to be inaugurated. The buildings remain unused due to staff shortages and student-related issues, causing valuable furniture and equipment to deteriorate. Local residents urge authorities to open the hostels soon to provide essential education and training to visually impaired children. Officials have acknowledged the problem and promised prompt action.

Japan’s Mount Shinmoedake, part of the Kirishima mountain range, erupted on Wednesday afternoon, spewing ash clouds into the sky. Authorities have warned of falling rocks and pyroclastic flows within a two-mile radius, advising residents to remain indoors. The eruption has heightened concerns over a potential "mega-disaster" — a term popularized by manga artist Ryo Tatsuki, who reportedly predicted a major catastrophe in June 2025. While the region had been on alert prior to the eruption, the risk level has now intensified. With nearly 900,000 people potentially affected, the Japanese authorities are on high alert.