Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has called the United States an “enemy” and described Israel as “America’s chained dog.” He warned that Iran is ready to retaliate against any military aggression. In his latest address, Khamenei referenced Iran’s recent missile strike on a U.S. base in Qatar and threatened larger attacks. Iran’s Parliament also declared that nuclear talks with the U.S. should not resume unless preconditions are met.

Two murders occurred within an hour in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur and Adabor areas in the early hours of Wednesday (July 16). In Adabor’s Nabodoy Housing area, a driver named Ibrahim (29) was shot dead by three masked assailants who arrived on motorcycles. Locals chased and detained two of the attackers and handed them over to police. Meanwhile, in Mohammadpur’s Chand Uddyan Housing area, Al Amin (27), known as a police informant, was killed by a teenage gang. He had recently helped police capture the brother of a gang member, sparking fears across the neighborhood.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vowed to speak more in Bengali in defiance of what she claims is increasing harassment of Bengali speakers in several Indian states. Speaking at a Trinamool Congress rally, she alleged that in BJP-ruled states, Bengalis are being detained as “illegal immigrants” and that voters from the Bengali community are being removed from electoral rolls in Maharashtra and Bihar. She warned that a similar agenda could be pursued in West Bengal. Challenging the central government directly, Banerjee said, “If they have the courage, let them arrest me.” She also condemned claims labeling Bengalis as Rohingyas, calling such accusations baseless and offensive.

Around 500 tons of high-calorie biscuits intended for 27,000 malnourished children in Afghanistan and Pakistan have expired and will now be destroyed. The food aid, provided by USAID, had been stored in a Dubai warehouse and was never distributed due to a suspension ordered by the Trump administration. Assistant Secretary of State Michael Riggs informed Congress that the biscuits, valued at around $800,000, will be incinerated or buried—at an additional disposal cost of $100,000 to U.S. taxpayers. The move has drawn heavy criticism from policy analysts, who questioned the rationale behind the aid freeze and its humanitarian consequences.

A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska, prompting immediate tsunami warnings for parts of southern Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula. The quake struck at 12:37 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located about 54 miles south of Sand Point and at a shallow depth of 20.1 kilometers. The National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed the potential for tsunami activity, with warnings in effect for specific regions along Alaska's Pacific coast. No immediate threat was identified for areas beyond the warning zone.

Dinajpur's Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Md. Mosfequr Rahman, has been withdrawn from duty after allegedly mocking NCP leaders on social media for riding in an armored military vehicle during unrest in Gopalganj.

In response, protesters have surrounded the Dinajpur police superintendent's office, demanding Rahman’s arrest. The police superintendent stated that the officer has been ordered to report to headquarters and a formal report has been requested. Demonstrators say the siege will continue until the officer is arrested.

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has refuted reports of internet service disruptions or shutdowns in Gopalganj, calling them baseless. In a statement issued Wednesday night, the ministry clarified that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) had issued no such directive and that the government strongly opposes internet blackouts.

The ministry also accused “autocratic elements and their allies” of deliberately spreading disinformation. Meanwhile, following clashes between the ruling student wing and NCP activists that resulted in four deaths, a curfew has been imposed in Gopalganj from Wednesday 8 PM to Thursday 6 PM.

Due to the imposition of a curfew in Gopalganj, the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Geography Second Paper exam scheduled for Thursday, July 17, has been postponed. This decision applies exclusively to students in Gopalganj district; exams in other districts will proceed as per the original schedule. The Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee confirmed this announcement in an official statement. The new exam date will be communicated later.

At least 21 people were killed during a stampede at an aid distribution center operated by the U.S.-Israeli Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) near Khan Yunis in Gaza. One victim reportedly died from a stabbing during the chaos.

While GHF blamed Hamas for the disorder, Gaza’s media office rejected the claim, accusing GHF security personnel of firing live bullets and tear gas at the crowd. Nasser Hospital confirmed that several of the deceased were children crushed while seeking food.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s new immigration crackdown is now affecting even legal immigrants. Nearly 1.2 million individuals under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are facing deportation as part of the policy, disproportionately impacting citizens from Haiti, Venezuela, and Afghanistan.

Under the new rules, TPS and “parole” beneficiaries can now be deported by ICE without hearings. Congress has approved a $45 billion budget to enforce the initiative, signaling aggressive actions against both legal and undocumented migrants.

The International Crimes Tribunal has ordered the publication of notices in two national dailies—both in Bengali and English—regarding eight fugitive accused in a 2024 case involving the murder and burning of six students during protests in Ashulia, Savar.

The tribunal warned that if the fugitives fail to appear, they will be tried in absentia. Eight others have already been arrested and produced in court. The next hearing is scheduled for July 28. Reports suggest one of the victims was burned alive after being shot, making it a potential crime against humanity.

Interim Government’s Chief Adviser, Professor Dr. Yunus, has urged citizens to unite in building a ‘New Bangladesh’ free from inequality, corruption, and autocracy, fulfilling the dreams of the July martyrs. In his message marking the first-ever observance of July Martyrs’ Day on July 16, Dr. Yunus emphasized the need for collective action to realize this vision. The government has declared a one-day state mourning in honor of the martyrs and announced welfare initiatives for affected families, including direct financial support and the establishment of two new institutions—the Department of the July Uprising and the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to prolong the war in Ukraine until Western nations agree to peace talks under Russia's conditions, according to Kremlin insiders cited by Reuters. Putin believes Russia’s economy and military remain resilient against Western sanctions. Since the war began in February, Russia has captured significant Ukrainian territories and is undeterred even after Western nations supplied advanced weapons like Patriot missiles. Putin’s demands include halting NATO expansion, recognizing Ukraine's neutrality, protecting Russian-speaking populations, and acknowledging Russian control over occupied areas. Ukrainian President Zelensky has rejected these terms. The White House blames Biden's failure to stop the war, while suggesting Trump’s harsher tariffs and sanctions might pressure Putin. Though phone calls occurred between Putin and Trump, formal peace talks have yet to start.

Iran has seized a foreign oil tanker in the Sea of Oman, allegedly carrying approximately 2 million liters of smuggled fuel. Mojtaba Ghahremani, Chief Justice of Hormozgan Province, confirmed the vessel was intercepted due to suspicious movements in Iranian territorial waters. Lacking valid documentation, the tanker was seized and taken to Jask in southern Iran for investigation. Seventeen crew members, including the captain, have been detained. He added that Iran remains firm in its crackdown on fuel smuggling.

Malaysian immigration authorities arrested 494 undocumented migrants, including Bangladeshis, during a raid on the Putra Permai Selesa Apartments in Serikambangan. Authorities screened a total of 741 foreigners during the operation, detaining citizens from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Cambodia. Immigration, police, civil defense, and other agencies jointly conducted the raid. The deputy director-general of Malaysia’s immigration department stated that regular crackdowns will continue, particularly in Selangor, where illegal migrants are concentrated. Meanwhile, a voluntary repatriation program under "Immigration Recalibration 2.0" will run from May 19, 2025, to April 30, 2026, allowing migrants to return home without penalties.