U.S. President Donald Trump claimed at a White House press conference that he is the number one person on TikTok, citing newly released statistics. During his remarks, he jokingly referred to the platform as “Tik Tak.” However, a video he had shared earlier on his own social media did not make such a claim. That video described him as the most followed and most viewed world leader on TikTok, not the most popular user overall.

Reports indicate that the 425 billion views cited in support of Trump include all videos related to him, whether supportive, neutral, or critical, and not just those from his official account. Therefore, these views are not a direct measure of personal popularity. In terms of followers, Trump has about 16.7 million, far behind Taylor Swift’s 33.5 million. TikTok’s top creators include Khaby Lame with over 160 million followers, followed by Charli D’Amelio and MrBeast.

Trump also discussed TikTok’s Chinese ownership and potential security risks. Available data suggest he may be the most popular among world leaders, but not the top user across the platform.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the recent military tensions with Iran would end very soon. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday in Ankara, Turkey, during a NATO summit, Trump said he did not want a prolonged conflict with Iran. Responding to questions about the Strait of Hormuz, he noted that the region would become safer once tensions subsided and that oil tankers would soon move freely through the waterway.

Trump also told reporters aboard Air Force One that if Iran attacked any ship in the Strait of Hormuz, the United States would retaliate with twenty times greater force. At the same time, he dismissed the idea of diplomatic talks with Iran, calling them a “waste of time.” He expressed doubt about whether Iran was capable of making a deal.

The remarks highlight Trump’s dual stance of avoiding long-term conflict while maintaining a threat of overwhelming military response if provoked.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran listed him as the top target on its assassination list. Speaking to reporters at a NATO summit in Turkey, Trump said a new list was released showing his name at number one. He added that due to security concerns, he would not return home on a Boeing aircraft gifted by Qatar but would instead use a former Air Force One plane.

The remarks came as tensions between the United States and Iran escalated again despite a ceasefire agreement signed in June. Reports said Iran attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting US strikes on Iranian air defense systems, radar sites, and naval vessels. Iran later retaliated with attacks on several military installations in the Gulf region, though US officials reported no American casualties.

Trump accused Tehran of repeatedly violating the ceasefire and warned that the US could launch further military strikes if necessary. He also said Iran would never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons and suggested possible attacks on Iran’s infrastructure or renewed sanctions if tensions persist.

Israel, after years of military operations against Palestinians and neighboring states, has now identified Turkey as its next major adversary following setbacks in its joint campaign with the United States against Iran. The article reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right ministers have begun portraying Turkey as a new strategic threat, echoing earlier rhetoric used against Iran. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett publicly labeled Turkey as the 'new Iran' during a February conference, accusing Ankara of forming a hostile Sunni alliance with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

In response, Netanyahu announced plans to form a counter-alliance with India, Greece, and Cyprus to confront what he described as a Turkey-led bloc. Analysts cited in the report note that while Israel perceives growing threats from Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, there is no formal defense pact or coordinated military planning among these states. Experts from King’s College London and Chatham House suggest that Israel’s heightened threat narrative may serve internal political purposes rather than reflect an imminent regional coalition.

The report concludes that whether such a confrontation materializes depends more on Israel’s strategic choices than on the intentions of Ankara, Cairo, Riyadh, or Islamabad.

The Appellate Division of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court is set to deliver its verdict today, Thursday, on appeals challenging a High Court ruling that declared parts of the 15th constitutional amendment illegal. The four-member bench, led by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, concluded hearings on Wednesday after three consecutive days of proceedings. The Attorney General Ruhul Kuddus Kajol had urged the court to leave the matter to Parliament, while earlier hearings included arguments from Sujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other parties.

The 15th amendment, passed by Parliament on June 30, 2011, abolished the caretaker government system and introduced 54 changes to the Constitution, including the formal recognition of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation. Following a change of government, five prominent citizens, including Majumdar, filed a writ petition seeking to nullify the amendment. On December 17, 2024, the High Court declared several provisions unconstitutional, including sections 20 and 21 concerning the abolition of the caretaker system. The petitioners later appealed that decision, leading to the current Supreme Court proceedings.

The verdict is expected to clarify the constitutional status of the caretaker government system and related provisions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced in parliament that the government is considering establishing a separate Defense Industrial Zone (DIZ) to develop the local defense industry. Responding to questions from lawmakers during a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, he said the initiative aims to strengthen national defense capacity, reduce foreign dependence, and achieve long-term self-sufficiency. The government is also working on a national defense industry policy to guide domestic production under the 'Made in Bangladesh' initiative.

The Prime Minister detailed ongoing efforts to enhance capabilities in advanced military technology, drone systems, sensors, electronics, and defense equipment through technology transfer with friendly nations. He said three-year and seven-year plans are underway to modernize the army, with an estimated requirement of 860 billion taka over ten years. The plans include adding tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, rocket systems, and air defense systems to improve combat readiness.

He further noted that the navy will receive new frigates, corvettes, offshore patrol vessels, and submarines, while the air force will establish a drone factory in Bogura and strengthen air defense and surveillance systems under a fast-track process.

A major political controversy has erupted in West Bengal after Prabhas Mondal, a key accused in the rape and murder of a minor Muslim girl in Baruipur, was killed in a police encounter. Opposition parties have denounced the incident as an extrajudicial killing, calling it an example of the 'Uttar Pradesh model'. Police stated that Mondal tried to snatch a revolver during a crime scene reconstruction late Tuesday night and fired at officers, prompting retaliatory fire that fatally injured him. A judicial inquiry has been ordered, and two police officers have been summoned by the superintendent of police.

Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury, Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, and CPM leader Bikash Bhattacharya sharply criticized the encounter, questioning the police version and demanding adherence to judicial process. Human rights groups have also long warned that such killings undermine the rule of law. In contrast, BJP leaders defended the police, saying officers acted in self-defense and that the action reflected the government’s zero-tolerance stance on crime.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has sought a detailed report within 72 hours, while the incident continues to fuel debate over law enforcement methods and human rights in the state.

A development meeting was held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at the office of the opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, following the Prime Minister’s directive. The discussion focused on development and civic issues in the Dhaka-15 constituency, including road, drain, and footpath repair, gas, electricity, and safe water supply, as well as law and order conditions. Decisions were made to instruct relevant departments to take prompt measures to ease public suffering.

The meeting was attended by State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, along with senior officials from the Local Government Division, Dhaka North City Corporation, WASA, DESCO, the Department of Public Health Engineering, and law enforcement representatives. The participants reviewed the current state of civic infrastructure and coordinated plans for improvement.

The initiative reflects a government effort to address local development challenges through inter-agency coordination under direct instruction from the Prime Minister.

Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, a Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker from Cumilla-11 and deputy leader of the opposition, has been appointed as the chair of the parliamentary standing committee on government accounts in Bangladesh’s 13th Jatiya Sangsad. The appointment was approved unanimously during a parliamentary session on Wednesday after Chief Whip Mohammad Nurul Islam presented the proposal on behalf of the leader of the house.

The committee includes members from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, such as Amanullah Aman, ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan, AKM Fazlul Haque Milon, Mohammad Hafiz Ibrahim, AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Mohammad Jalal Uddin, Md. Mahbubur Rahman, SK Azizul Bari Helal, Mohammad Monjurul Islam, Fazle Huda, Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Syed Zainul Abedin, Md. Ruhul Amin, and Mohammad Anwarul Islam.

The standing committee on government accounts plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability in state financial management. It reviews public expenditure, audit objections, and ministry responses to audit findings, serving as a key mechanism for parliamentary oversight of government spending.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is considering removing Syria from the United States’ list of state sponsors of terrorism. He made the remark while responding to a journalist’s question during a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharar. Washington had earlier indicated that Syria’s inclusion on the list was under review.

Countries on the U.S. terrorism sponsor list face strict restrictions on foreign aid, defense exports, and certain financial transactions. Last month, Trump signed an executive order ending the U.S. sanctions program against Syria, a move that eased the country’s long-standing isolation from the international financial system and reinforced Washington’s commitment to assist in Syria’s post-war reconstruction.

The potential delisting could mark a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Syria, signaling a broader effort to normalize relations following years of conflict and sanctions.

The investigation into the Shapla Chattar massacre case in Dhaka’s Motijheel area has been completed, according to Chief Prosecutor Md. Aminul Islam of the International Crimes Tribunal. He stated that after verification, formal charges will be submitted to the tribunal on July 21. The announcement was made to journalists on Wednesday.

Aminul Islam said that the accused in the case include former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power, as well as several former heads of security forces, some journalists, and former ministers. The case concerns the killings that occurred during a Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar. No further details about the investigation findings or the number of accused were disclosed.

The completion of the investigation marks a significant step toward formal legal proceedings, with the tribunal expected to receive the charges later in July.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan told Parliament that the government does not support unauthorized, unprofessional, or unethical activities under the name of mobile journalism. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring media freedom, professionalism, accountability, and responsible journalism. The minister made these remarks while responding to a parliamentary question on Wednesday.

He said a proposal has been made to amend the 1974 Press Council Act to make the council stronger, more effective, and media-friendly. The proposed amendments include setting minimum educational qualifications for journalists, introducing a registration system similar to the Bar Council, imposing financial penalties for false or unethical reporting, and empowering the council to investigate and act on fake news, hate speech, or content against national interest. The minister also noted that the government is reviewing policies on electronic media advertising and digital content to align with technological changes and international standards.

Swapan added that the government is considering a balanced policy framework for podcasts, blogging, and influencer-based digital content, ensuring harmony between freedom of expression and public interest.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Iran of being responsible for the recent escalation of attacks between the two sides. He claimed that during the week-long funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iranian leaders requested a 'timeout' from the United States, asking that no attacks be carried out during the ceremonies.

Trump stated that the Iranian side wanted to attend Khamenei’s funeral, and he agreed to allow them that opportunity. However, he alleged that soon after, Iran launched missile strikes. He described the situation as 'madness' but added that the killing of Khamenei should also be considered in understanding the events.

According to Trump, Iranian leaders also asked the United States not to target or kill them during the funeral period, and he said the U.S. had assured them that no such action would be taken.

The youth wing of the National Citizens Party (NCP), known as National Youth Power, has strongly condemned the arrest of its central joint organizational secretary Arif Moon along with five other activists. According to a statement released to the media on Wednesday, the arrests were made in connection with a case filed on Monday at Dinajpur Kotwali Police Station. The organization described the case as baseless and intended for harassment.

In its statement, National Youth Power said such actions go against citizens’ legitimate rights, democratic practices, and the freedom of political activities. The group called for an impartial review of the case and demanded that the legal rights of the detained activists be ensured in the interest of justice and the rule of law.

The organization further expressed hope that all concerned parties would handle the situation with respect for the constitution, law, and democratic values, and take effective measures to ensure justice.

Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Defense Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. A K M Shamsul Islam on Wednesday afternoon at the adviser’s office in Dhaka Cantonment. The meeting focused on enhancing defense cooperation, modernizing military training, and expanding mutual experience sharing between Bangladesh and Italy.

Both sides recalled the longstanding friendly and sincere bilateral relations between the two countries. They discussed expanding opportunities for Bangladeshi armed forces personnel to receive training at Italian military institutions and explored potential Italian support for the modernization of Bangladesh’s armed forces. The discussion also highlighted the significant contributions of both nations to United Nations peacekeeping missions and their shared commitment to global peace and security.

According to an ISPR press release, the defense adviser emphasized Bangladesh’s high regard for its military and diplomatic ties with Italy and expressed optimism about further cooperation. The Italian ambassador praised the professionalism of Bangladesh’s armed forces and voiced confidence that defense collaboration would become more effective in the future.