German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has described Israel’s strikes on Iran as a “dirty act,” but one that serves global interests by deterring Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. “The Iranian regime has brought death and destruction worldwide through attacks and by supporting groups like Hezbollah and Hamas,” Merz stated. He expressed deep respect for Israel’s bold actions, adding, “The alternative would have been months or years of enduring terror, possibly with Iran becoming a nuclear power.”

A gas pipeline leak caused a powerful explosion at a two-story house in Ashulia on Wednesday morning, leaving six people injured. The incident occurred at the home of Jewel Ahmed in the Badhir Par area. The injured include Jahanara (40), Jewel (24), Shanto (21), Hawa Akter (23), Zahurul Islam (26), and Nasir (38). While Nasir left after receiving initial treatment, the others are hospitalized, with two reported in critical condition.

Pakistan has expressed serious concerns over the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Experts point to the country’s complex relationship with Tehran, rising security concerns in Balochistan, and fears of Israeli air force influence reaching the Pakistani border. Despite a missile exchange with Iran earlier in January 2024, both nations have since moved to mend ties. Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities and assassinations of its generals and scientists, calling for international intervention.

As Israeli airstrikes on Iran continue, China has started evacuating its citizens from the country. The Chinese News Service reported that the first batch of Chinese nationals has departed Iran, traveling by land to Turkmenistan from Tehran on Tuesday. India had previously begun a similar evacuation operation for its citizens.

A Dhaka court has approved remand for former Law Minister Anisul Huq, former Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, and Bangladesh Peoples Party (BPP) Chairman Babul Sardar Chakhari in connection with two separate cases.

The remand orders were issued in cases filed with Shahbagh and Paltan Model Police Stations. Anisul Huq has been placed on a five-day remand, while Engineer Mosharraf and Babul Sardar were each granted three-day remands.

According to sources, the Shahbagh case relates to a murder during a mass uprising in Chankharpul, while the Paltan case involves an attempted murder during BNP’s political movement on October 28, 2023.

SSF Modernization Underway: Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus

Former International Crimes Tribunal prosecutor Barrister Turin Afroz, 52, has been formally shown arrested in connection with a murder case.
The case involves the death of 12-year-old Shahid Arafat Hussain, a fifth-grade student who participated in a protest in Uttara on August 5 last year, demanding a one-point agenda related to the national uprising.
During the protest, he was allegedly shot by police and ruling party activists. He died at the Combined Military Hospital on December 22 after months of treatment.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump, said that the U.S. played no role in the recent India-Pakistan skirmish or any trade negotiations.
He stated that on May 9, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance issued a warning that Pakistan might carry out a large-scale attack, prompting India to prepare in advance.
Following a missile and drone assault by Pakistan, India retaliated with significant strikes on Pakistani military facilities.
Modi reiterated that India has never accepted, nor will it ever accept, third-party mediation on Kashmir. He also invited Trump to attend the upcoming Quad Summit.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) have arrested six individuals, including the mastermind, in connection with a broad-daylight robbery in Mirpur where a money exchange businessman was shot and robbed of BDT 22 lakh.
The incident occurred on May 27 near the Mirpur-10 intersection.
As the victim was en route to his money exchange office, the assailants intercepted him and opened fire before fleeing with the cash.
DB police recovered a foreign-made firearm, a vehicle used in the crime, and a portion of the stolen money.
A detailed briefing is scheduled for Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.

A U.S. federal court has blocked a Trump-era policy aimed at denying passports to transgender and non-binary Americans. Judge Julia Kobick of the U.S. District Court in Boston issued a preliminary injunction expanding on her earlier April ruling, which had limited the block to six specific plaintiffs. The court cited constitutional violations as the basis for the injunction. Previously, in his second term, Trump had signed an executive order declaring that the U.S. government would only recognize two genders, and that gender could not be changed.

Five individuals, including former Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. Ruhul Amin and ex-District Judge Sadikul Islam Talukder, appeared in court over allegations of embezzling land acquisition funds intended for a coal-based power plant project.

The court has set July 1 for framing charges in the document forgery case. All the accused are currently out on interim bail. Other accused include a court stenographer, a lawyer, and a Nazir from the DC office.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested Khorshed Alam, an associate of former mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, for his alleged involvement in a shooting during a recent mass uprising.

CID Special Superintendent Jasim Uddin Khan stated that Khorshed led the attack on the protesters and confessed during preliminary interrogation. Earlier, on May 15, another close aide of Taposh, SM Kamal Haider, was also arrested in the same case.

Keeping pace with the digital era, Bangladesh Bank has simplified the process for local companies to pay for advertisements on foreign platforms like Facebook and Google. Under the new policy, businesses can make payments through local advertising agencies without needing separate central bank approvals.

Banks are now authorized to process these payments on behalf of clients, provided that certain formalities are completed. Experts believe this move will make remittance procedures more seamless and business-friendly.

Former MP of Kushtia-1 constituency, AKM Sarwar Jahan Badsha, has been arrested in Dhaka’s Basila area. Police say Sarwar Jahan is accused of orchestrating attacks on student and public protesters during the July mass uprising. Investigators have reportedly found evidence linking him to killings during the clashes. Additionally, corruption charges are pending against him. Authorities stated that he will be produced before the court following legal formalities.

Leaders of the Independent Ebtedayee Madrasa Teachers’ Alliance have warned of stern action, including a sit-in protest in front of the National Press Club starting August 17, if the government fails to nationalize independent Ebtedayee madrasas.

Speaking at a discussion held at the National Press Club on Tuesday, the alliance acknowledged the government’s recent proposal to allocate Tk 728 crore in the upcoming budget for Ebtedayee madrasas, extending their appreciation. However, they stressed that teachers have been facing discrimination and deprivation for the past four decades.

They pointed out that despite providing unpaid education for years, the government has yet to grant them fair treatment. The speakers urged the government to initiate the nationalization process by August 15. Failing that, they vowed to launch large-scale protests involving teachers from across the country.