Japan has lodged a strong diplomatic protest after Chinese fighter jets came dangerously close—twice within a week—to its reconnaissance aircraft over the East China Sea.
According to Japan’s Defense Ministry, Chinese JH-7 jets flew as close as 30 meters and 60 meters in two separate incidents lasting about 15 and 10 minutes, respectively.
Tokyo has demanded assurances that such incidents will not be repeated. In response to increasing Chinese aggression, Japan is deploying 17 V-22 Osprey aircraft to a new military base in the southwest region.

Donald Trump has announced that a 30% tariff will be imposed on imports from the European Union and Mexico starting August 1.
Although he gave limited praise to Mexico, he accused the country of not doing enough to stop drug trafficking. He labeled the EU's trade practices as a national security threat and declared that one-sided trade relationships would no longer be tolerated.
This move will bring 24 countries, including all 27 EU member states, under the new tariff regime. Trump had earlier announced a similar 35% tariff on imports from countries including Bangladesh.

Prominent civil society figure Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar said that a draft “National Consensus Charter” has been developed to prevent the resurgence of authoritarian rule.
Speaking at a civic dialogue in Dinajpur, Majumdar said the charter includes proposals for reforms in elections, governance, and the Constitution.
The National Consensus Commission, headed by Dr. Muhammad Yunus and composed of leaders from six of eleven reform committees, is currently holding talks with political parties.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam stated that a final decision regarding the potential pardon of former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun will be made after the tribunal completes its proceedings.
Mamun has expressed willingness to testify and admit wrongdoing. The court will then assess his statement and decide whether to grant full pardon, a reduced sentence, or full punishment.
Tajul dismissed rumors that Mamun has already been pardoned, calling them misleading and inaccurate.

Garment exporters in Bangladesh have expressed serious concern about the potential suspension of up to $2 billion worth of orders if the Trump administration's proposed 35% tariff comes into effect.
Ongoing trade negotiations between the US and Bangladesh have yielded little progress, prompting brands—including retail giant Walmart—to delay or cancel orders.
Exporters blame the slow pace on disagreements over tariff structures and local value addition. Leaders of BGMEA and BKMEA say the talks are stalling due to undisclosed agreements and a lack of consultation with the business community. They are urging the government to take bold and strategic steps immediately.

In court testimony related to the Sohag murder case, accused Tarek Rahman Robin denied political motives and claimed the killing stemmed from a business rivalry in the scrap industry. He asserted he was not present at the crime scene and distanced himself from the perpetrators. Robin claimed the accused, including Mohin, dominated the scrap trade under political protection from Haji Selim during the Awami League era. After the regime change, they joined the Jubo Dal to maintain their control. He noted that the victim, Sohag, was also affiliated with the Jubo Dal before his death.

The Nobel Committee has reported that Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has received direct and indirect death threats from Iranian government agents. The threats warn of “physical elimination” if she continues her international advocacy for democracy and human rights. Mohammadi has long opposed the widespread use of the death penalty and mandatory dress codes for women in Iran. She has faced repeated arrests and imprisonment for her activism.

Fayez Ahmed Tayyeb has accused the ruling Awami League of destabilizing the telecommunications sector by issuing over 3,400 licenses during its tenure. He claims this created unnecessary bureaucratic layers and fostered a "toll collection culture," eroding trust in the ecosystem. "Unless license holders compromise their own interests and reach internal consensus, even the best government policy will fail," he said. Tayyeb further argued that allowing new entrants with just BDT 500 crore in investment, against an existing BDT 50,000 crore ecosystem, cannot be considered fair competition.

RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman stated that law enforcement will not tolerate criminals, no matter their political ties or positions. “We don’t care what party a criminal belongs to or how powerful they are—there will be no exemptions,” he said. So far, five individuals have been arrested in connection with the Mitford murder, with more arrests imminent. He urged the public to refrain from mob violence and confirmed that RAB is assisting the DMP with a shadow investigation. Security patrols and surveillance have been intensified to maintain law and order.

As Hamas and Israel resume talks over a new ceasefire and hostage exchange, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down. Olmert acknowledged that Hamas will likely not release all hostages immediately, calling them their last leverage. He noted growing public opposition in Israel to the prolonged war and warned that the ongoing conflict is no longer worth the human and economic cost. "A new voice is emerging in Israel—one of empathy, compromise, and cooperation with Palestinians. Netanyahu cannot be part of that," Olmert stated.

In the past 24 hours, one person has died from dengue in Bangladesh, and 391 new patients have been hospitalized, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Barisal reported the highest number of new cases (128), followed by Dhaka city (83), Rajshahi (57), Chattogram (41), greater Dhaka Division (39), Khulna (30), Mymensingh (11), and Rangpur (2). So far this year, dengue has claimed 55 lives and led to 14,460 hospitalizations across the country.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei personally directed Iran’s counterattack against Israel from a war command center, according to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Ghalibaf said Khamenei appointed a new commander within an hour of the strike and gave direct orders. He reiterated the missile strikes had over 90% accuracy and neutralized Israeli military infrastructure. He characterized the ceasefire as a result of Israeli and U.S. failure, not diplomacy.

The International Crimes Tribunal has indicated it may consider clemency for former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun if he truthfully testifies about the killings that occurred during the July-August protests. Mamun has formally admitted guilt and applied to become a state witness, which the court has accepted. He will now testify during the trial, and the court has ordered authorities to ensure his safety in custody.

In the murder investigation of scrap dealer Sohag at Mitford Hospital, suspect Tarek Rahman Robin has confessed in court. Another suspect, Titon Gazi, has been placed on a five-day remand by the court for further interrogation. Police stated that Robin's confession aligns with evidence and the weapon recovered. Several other suspects have also been arrested and are under investigation.

The government is considering handing over a Tk 7,340 crore embankment construction project in Feni to the army to control flooding from the Muhuri, Kohua, and Silonia rivers. Advisor to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Faruq-e-Azam, shared the update during a visit to a local shelter on July 12. He stated that long-term flood issues in northern Feni require permanent solutions. Shelter residents, however, expressed concerns about inadequate relief support during the visit.