A medical team from Singapore General Hospital visited Dhaka’s National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery to aid treatment for those injured in the recent plane crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara. The team will monitor patients for several more days, reviewing their conditions every 12 hours. So far, 44 injured have been admitted, with 8 critical cases. The death toll has risen to 29, including a 9-year-old child who recently passed away in the ICU. Discussions continue on how long the team will stay and if any patients will be sent abroad.

Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara area will reopen classes on a limited basis starting July 27, beginning with grades nine to twelve. The decision follows a tragic plane crash on July 21 that severely affected the campus, causing casualties and suspension of all educational activities. The institution plans to gradually resume classes to support students’ psychological and academic recovery. A control room has been established on campus to manage information and avoid confusion regarding the incident.

In a significant shift aimed at curbing arbitrary arrests under Section 54, Bangladesh’s interim government has introduced new legal requirements for law enforcement. Legal Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul announced Thursday that police officers must now provide a written explanation when making arrests based on suspicion.

The new guidelines mandate identification disclosure during arrests, notifying family within 12 hours, ensuring medical treatment if injuries are present, and completing a detailed ‘Memorandum of Arrest’. Additionally, all agencies must report arrest details to the relevant police stations, which must also publicly display arrest lists. These reforms are being implemented in line with Supreme Court directives as part of broader judicial reforms.

Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin has assured that Bangladesh will not take any actions that compromise its national interests in response to the recent imposition of U.S. tariffs. Speaking at the Secretariat on Thursday, he confirmed that a formal letter has been sent to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and a request has been made for an online meeting.

Regarding the appointment of lobbyists, Sheikh Bashir noted that while businesses may engage lobbyists independently, the government has not taken any such initiative. He stressed that the government remains actively engaged in discussions and is not passive on the issue.

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has ordered a full investigation into deaths caused by alleged Awami League-led violence prior to the July uprising. On Thursday, Yunus met the family of Abrar Fahad, a student killed in a high-profile campus incident. Abrar’s father, Barkat Ullah, and brother Faiyaz demanded justice and steps to end campus violence and ragging. The Chief Advisor assured them of swift justice and confirmed that investigations into past political violence are ongoing.

Following violent clashes and attacks on public property during a National Citizens Party (NCP) rally in Gopalganj, the interim government has formed a six-member investigative commission. Headed by former Justice Dr. Md. Abu Tariq, the commission has been tasked with delivering a report within three weeks. It will identify those responsible and recommend legal action and preventive measures. A government press release attributed the escalation to organized assaults by banned groups, necessitating curfews and military assistance to restore order.

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.

Mahtab Ahmed (14), a student at Milestone School who was severely burned in the Uttara fighter jet crash, passed away at 2:13 PM on Thursday in the ICU of the National Burn Institute. He had sustained burns over 85% of his body. Despite efforts by doctors, he could not be saved. A video of Mahtab running while engulfed in flames had gone viral, drawing national attention and prompting widespread prayers for his recovery. His death has left the nation mourning.

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.

An elderly woman in Israel has been arrested on charges of conspiring to assassinate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Authorities allege she was involved in anti-government activism, attempted to make explosives, and sought weapons with the help of associates. She also tried to gather intelligence on Netanyahu’s security arrangements. The case was investigated by the Shin Bet and the Lahav 433 unit. Although arrested two weeks ago, she was released under certain conditions. She is expected to be formally charged with terrorism-related conspiracy on Thursday.

The Bangladesh Bank has withdrawn a directive regarding employee dress code following an order from the Governor. In a press statement issued Thursday, the central bank clarified that discussions around professional attire were raised during a departmental meeting, but no formal policy or circular had been issued. When the matter came to the attention of the Governor, who is currently abroad, he expressed disapproval and immediately ordered the directive's withdrawal. Earlier, on July 21, the Human Resources Division had issued an internal order emphasizing formal attire and warned of disciplinary action for non-compliance.