Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has criticized the U.S. for using tariff threats as an economic weapon against weaker countries. Speaking at a regional forum, he urged ASEAN nations to strengthen internal trade and cooperation to counter external pressures.

Anwar emphasized the need for a robust economic foundation to preserve the region’s sovereignty, calling for ASEAN nations to work together in the face of growing global tensions.

The Cyber Tribunal in Dhaka has dismissed actress Pori Moni’s defamation case, filed under Sections 28 and 31 of the now-defunct ICT Act. The case was thrown out because those provisions were excluded from the new Cyber Security Ordinance enacted on May 21.

The accused in the case included Pori Moni’s former housemaid Pinky Akter and four journalists. In a counter move, Pinky filed a case against Pori Moni, accusing her of physical abuse. Investigations into both cases are ongoing.

Ali Hossain Antor, who was injured during a public uprising in Madan, Netrokona, was denied treatment at a government hospital and had to seek care from a rural healer. As a result, he was not officially recognized as a “July Warrior.” Antor's family demands that he be officially gazetted and honored for his role. Mahir Akand Faisal, joint district secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, confirmed Antor was seriously injured during a violent clash involving Awami League affiliates and local protesters on August 4. Faisal assured that if a new call for July Warrior nominations is issued, the district committee will recommend Antor for recognition.

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. A. F. M. Khalid Hossain has said that Bangladesh’s traditional madrasa education system must not be allowed to collapse under the pressure of excessive modernization. Speaking at a seminar in Dhaka, he highlighted the historic contributions of Alia madrasas and called for restoring their unique identity and past glory.

He noted that after being suppressed for 16 years, Islamic studies are now gaining renewed attention in national universities, which could positively impact the broader education system. He urged unity to protect madrasa education from fascist influences.

In a special operation launched Monday night, police in Jharsuguda district of Odisha, India, detained 444 individuals suspected to be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and among them, possibly Rohingyas. Authorities have confirmed that those detained are being held in custody while their identities are verified. Many of them worked as day laborers, masons, or street vendors. Police stated that anyone lacking proper documentation will face legal action and potential deportation. The operation was carried out following directives from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

In a leaked audio recording from a 2024 campaign fundraiser, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he threatened Russian President Vladimir Putin with bombing Moscow if he invaded Ukraine. Similarly, he allegedly warned Chinese President Xi Jinping of bombing Beijing over tensions involving Taiwan.

Trump asserted that had he remained president, he could have prevented both the Ukraine and Gaza wars. He also spoke of plans to deport foreign protester students from U.S. universities.

Legal analyst Professor Asif Nazrul stated on Facebook that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina personally authorized the use of lethal force during the student-led protests in July 2024, citing a leaked and verified audio recording. According to the BBC Eye investigation, Hasina instructed security forces to “shoot protesters wherever they are found.” Nazrul called the recording the clearest evidence yet of her direct role in the July crackdown and affirmed that “justice for Hasina must be served in Bangladesh.”

Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, the interim government’s economic advisor, stated that reforms in Bangladesh’s financial sector are being driven not solely by IMF and World Bank recommendations but also by domestic initiatives. Speaking at a press briefing, he emphasized the importance of transparency, auditing, and accountability. Dr. Ahmed highlighted the need for auditing the National Board of Revenue (NBR), pointing out the implausibly high number of zero-tax filings. He stressed that to attract foreign investment, Bangladesh must enhance its auditing and accounting standards.

Prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim of the International Crimes Tribunal stated that internationally verified phone recordings involving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordering lethal force will enhance the transparency of ongoing trials. These recordings, previously examined and confirmed by Bangladesh’s Crime Investigation Team, are being submitted as documentary evidence. Tamim said international forensic analysis further strengthens the case. A ruling on the formation of formal charges is expected on July 10.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the military to prepare for relocating the entire population of Gaza to a "humanitarian city" built atop the ruins of Rafah in southern Gaza. The plan begins with the relocation of 600,000 Palestinians, eventually encompassing the region’s entire 2.1 million population. All individuals will be screened to ensure they are not affiliated with Hamas, and once inside the camps, they will not be allowed to leave. Katz also expressed willingness to implement a previous resettlement proposal by Donald Trump to move Gazans to third countries. The United Nations has condemned the move, calling forced population transfer a violation of international law.

The United States has rejected India's assertion that the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire was a purely bilateral decision. At a press briefing in Washington, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that the U.S. played a direct role in de-escalating tensions. She credited President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President J.D. Vance for their active involvement. This contradicts Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishra’s claim that no foreign parties were involved. Bruce also referenced American efforts in resolving conflicts in Gaza and between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The United States has invited Bangladesh for the second round of discussions on the 2025 tariff agreement. Talks are set to begin Wednesday in Washington, D.C. The Bangladeshi delegation is being led in person by Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin, with National Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman participating virtually. Senior trade ministry officials have already arrived in the U.S. Bangladesh is among the first nations to respond following President Trump’s July 7 letters to 14 countries about tariff revisions. Following initial talks on June 27, Dhaka is hopeful for a swift finalization of the agreement.

Youssef Missibih, imam of the Bilal Mosque in Alkmaar, Netherlands, has been dismissed after attending a cordial meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The meeting took place on July 7 and included 15 European imams, led by French imam Hassen Chalghoumi. During the meeting, Missibih was seen singing Israel’s national anthem in Arabic. The Bilal Mosque authorities announced his dismissal, citing his recent political actions as grounds for severing all ties with him.

A 60-day ceasefire in Gaza may be reached by the end of this week, according to U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. Under the proposed agreement, Hamas is expected to release 10 living hostages and return the bodies of nine more. Former President Trump, who was present during recent negotiations, said he would consult with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, emphasizing that all parties want to move past the war. Meanwhile, Netanyahu told Congress that Israel's mission in Gaza is not yet complete, as they continue efforts to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure and rescue hostages.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the ongoing war in Ukraine, condemning the loss of lives caused by the conflict. Trump said he is considering imposing new sanctions on Moscow. On the same day, French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed Europe’s unwavering support for Ukraine, stating that both France and the UK will continue to stand by Kyiv. Trump also announced plans to resume the supply of defensive weapons to Ukraine, which had been temporarily paused. Meanwhile, the Kremlin said it is awaiting a proposed date for the next round of peace talks.