Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, has strongly condemned Israel’s continued attacks on Gaza, accusing it of genocide with the support of the West. He stated that Israel kills with Western weapons, enforces starvation, and evades accountability through U.S. vetoes and Western backing. In a statement on X, he called for an end to double standards, protection of Gaza’s civilians, and prosecution of Israeli war criminals. Recent Israeli airstrikes have pushed the Palestinian death toll beyond 59,500.

Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Border Security Forces have arrested 33 Bangladeshis in Chagai district of Balochistan while attempting to cross into Iran. The group had legally entered Pakistan on valid visas during June and July of this year but later tried to enter Iran without proper documentation. Security forces intercepted and interrogated them, and preliminary investigations suggest that they may be involved in a human trafficking network.

In a bold diplomatic move aimed at establishing a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, France has announced its recognition of Palestine as an independent state. President Emmanuel Macron stated that the official announcement will be made during the UN General Assembly in September. He emphasized France’s strong stance on a ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian aid, disarmament of Hamas, and the creation of a Palestinian state. Experts believe this recognition could significantly increase international diplomatic pressure.

Human Rights Watch has accused the Indian government of forcibly deporting hundreds of Bengali Muslims to Bangladesh, including individuals legally residing in India. The organization claims that even lawful citizens are being mislabeled as “illegal infiltrators” under the Hindutva-driven BJP government—a move it deems a violation of international human rights laws. Between May and June, at least 1,500 people, including some Rohingyas, were pushed across the border. HRW also alleges coercion and threats by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). Bangladesh has stated it will not accept anyone without verified documentation. The UN has labeled this a violation of the principle of non-refoulement.

A regional passenger plane carrying nearly 50 people, including five children, has gone missing in Russia’s Amur region. The aircraft, operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines, vanished from radar on Thursday and lost all contact with air traffic control. The missing plane is an An-24 model, with 43 passengers and six crew members on board. Search operations are hampered by rugged terrain and severe weather, although helicopters and drones are being deployed. The Russian military has been asked to assist in the ongoing rescue efforts.

A new documentary by Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit alleges that then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered lethal force against protesters during the July 2024 uprising. Secretly recorded phone calls purportedly feature Hasina issuing “open orders.” According to the report, the uprising resulted in over 1,500 deaths and 25,000 injuries, with security forces allegedly firing 3 million rounds. The documentary highlights incidents including aerial shootings, five inconsistent post-mortem reports of Shaheed Abu Sayeed, and deliberate internet blackouts. The Awami League has rejected the allegations as fabricated and denied any use of lethal force on Hasina’s orders.

At the request of Bangladesh’s interim government, a Chinese emergency medical team is arriving in Dhaka to assist with treating burn victims from the recent plane crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara. The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka announced that a five-member team—comprising burn and plastic surgery specialists and nurses—will arrive on Thursday evening, July 24. They will assist with treatment and evaluation at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Prior to the visit, Chinese and Bangladeshi doctors held a virtual consultation to discuss critical care plans.

Hindutva activist Kajal Hindustani has stirred controversy in New York after delivering a speech filled with Islamophobic rhetoric. She referred to Muslims as “Abdul,” “zombies,” and “enemies of Hindus,” comparing them to demons from Hindu mythology. She also accused Muslim men of "mass-producing children for war" and claimed actors Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan are part of a conspiracy to convert Hindus. Despite calls from U.S.-based religious groups to cancel her tour, Kajal refused. Her remarks received support from segments of the Indian diaspora, reflecting a worrying rise in anti-Muslim sentiment. Previously, the New York mayor canceled participation in one of her events, and she was arrested in Gujarat in 2023 over similar remarks. Kajal’s social media followers include Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Iran has claimed it forced a U.S. Navy destroyer, the USS Fitzgerald, to retreat after it approached Iranian territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman. According to Tehran, an Iranian military helicopter flew over the warship and issued a direct radio warning. The U.S. military, however, described the encounter as "professional and safe." This marks the first reported military standoff between Iran and the U.S. following the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. U.S. officials stated the incident took place in international waters and accused Iran of spreading misleading information. The backdrop includes heightened tensions after recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Israel’s Knesset has passed a symbolic resolution by a vote of 71–13 supporting the annexation of the occupied West Bank, calling for the establishment of sovereignty over "Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley." While the motion is not legally binding, it signals potential legislative moves in the future. The proposal was introduced by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who resides in an illegal settlement. The West Bank has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, deemed illegal under international law. The region is home to around 3 million Palestinians and 500,000 Israeli settlers.

Spanish football giant FC Barcelona has expressed deep condolences over the recent plane crash tragedy involving students of Milestone School in Dhaka. A letter signed by a club board member and its director of social programs was sent to “Penya Blaugrana Banglabarsa de Dhaka,” the club’s only official fan chapter in Bangladesh. The letter conveyed sympathy and support for the affected families. Amid social media skepticism questioning the authenticity of the letter, the fan club strongly refuted the claims as “baseless and irresponsible” and urged the withdrawal of misleading allegations. The incident also drew condolences from the BCB, the Bangladesh Football Federation, and athletes at home and abroad.

Following the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, two British families have alleged they received the wrong bodies of their deceased relatives. DNA tests confirmed that the remains sent were not those of their loved ones, sparking grief and outrage. Air India has acknowledged the claims and is investigating the matter seriously. Only one passenger out of 242 survived the crash. The Tata Group has announced compensation for the victims' families, who are demanding a transparent probe and accountability.

A team of specialist doctors and nurses from India’s Ram Manohar Lohia and Safdarjung Hospitals have arrived in Dhaka to assist with the treatment of victims from the recent fighter jet crash at Milestone School in Uttara. The team landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Wednesday night. India's Ministry of External Affairs stated that critically injured patients may be transferred to India for further treatment if necessary. A specialist doctor from Singapore had also arrived earlier. So far, 32 people have died in the incident, with over 150 injured—eight of them critically.

After winning the primary in the New York mayoral race on a progressive platform, Muslim candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing coordinated attacks from Hindutva groups. These groups have targeted him over his Muslim identity, criticism of Indian PM Modi, and his progressive stances. Hate speech online includes labels like "jihadi zombie" and slogans such as "New York will become Pakistan." Some Indian-American communities have joined the smear campaign, but Mamdani retains strong support from diverse religious and ethnic coalitions. Experts view the attacks as part of a broader global fascist push and consider Mamdani's candidacy a symbol of political resistance.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed deep condolences over the Uttara plane crash in Dhaka that claimed several lives. He specifically praised Maherin Chowdhury, a brave teacher who saved 20 children during the incident. Expressing solidarity with Bangladesh, Anwar stated, “I will write to Professor Muhammad Yunus to convey my sympathy. We grieve for every life lost and extend our heartfelt condolences to the affected families.”