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.

For the first time, Israel has officially acknowledged that Iranian missiles struck its military installations and caused damage. However, the Israeli government has not disclosed the exact locations or extent of the impact. Officials claim that the missiles hit “very few” sites and that the affected facilities remain operational. Previously, British media published satellite imagery suggesting Iranian missiles struck at least five Israeli military bases during a 12-day conflict. Israel has yet to release information on military casualties and maintains that Iran primarily targeted civilian areas and infrastructure.

The Inter-Cadre Discrimination Elimination Council has called for merit-based deputy secretary appointments, cadre-specific leadership in ministries, and the abolition of quotas in public administration. Speaking at a seminar in Ramna, they argued that the current system fosters inequality and inefficiency, opposing the spirit of the July revolution. Speakers demanded actionable reforms over paper-based changes to build a more efficient, accountable, and welfare-oriented public administration.

Professor Haluk Görgün, head of Turkey’s Defense Industry Agency, met with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman during his visit to Dhaka on July 8. Discussions focused on strengthening defense cooperation between the two nations. Görgün assured support in technical and strategic areas for Bangladesh’s defense sector. The Turkish agency specializes in international cooperation for military training, research, and arms development.

Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves have fallen below the $30 billion mark following a $2.01 billion payment to the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) for import bills. The payment, made on July 8, brought the gross reserves down to $29.53 billion. Net reserves also saw a significant decline, dropping to $24.46 billion from over $26 billion before the transaction.

The decline is attributed to payments covering import liabilities for the months of May and June. Officials say this is a routine payment under ACU obligations but highlights ongoing pressure on the country’s reserve position.

Economists caution that sustained drops in reserves could impact the country's import capacity and exchange rate stability, particularly amid global economic uncertainties.

Bangladesh Bank is set to establish a special fund of Tk 250 crore in honor of the martyrs and injured of the July Movement. Of this amount, Tk 140 crore will come from the central bank's own resources, while 11 private banks will contribute a total of Tk 110 crore. The decision was finalized on July 8 in a meeting chaired by Governor Ahsan H. Mansur. The fund will be channeled through the “July Martyrs Memorial Foundation” to provide support to the families of those killed and injured during the movement. Stakeholders are describing the initiative as a testament to the state’s humanitarian responsibility.

An indefinite transport strike has begun in Sylhet, called by the District Road Transport Owners-Workers Unity Council over a six-point demand. Starting Tuesday morning, the strike has disrupted citywide public transport, leaving buses off the roads and forcing commuters to rely on rickshaws, private cars, and expensive CNG auto-rickshaws. Many have turned to train travel but faced ticket shortages. The strike has remained peaceful with no picketing or violence. A meeting between government officials and transport leaders is expected to resolve the crisis.

Several individuals injured in the July Uprising vandalized the office of the July Martyrs Memorial Foundation in Shahbagh, Dhaka, after not receiving promised compensation. Despite waiting from noon till evening on July 8 with the assurance of payment, they were told by the CEO that funds would not be disbursed that day. Enraged, around 20–25 injured protesters damaged furniture and fixtures in the office. The foundation stated that many injured individuals are still suffering from psychological trauma and uncertainty about their future, which may have contributed to their frustration. It also noted that initial compensation has already been provided to the severely injured, with 806 recipients paid in the second phase, and the rest to be paid in due course.

Following a $2.01 billion payment to the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) for import bills, Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves have dropped to $29.53 billion. The net reserve now stands at $24.46 billion, down from over $26 billion before the payment. The transaction, made on July 8, covers import liabilities for May and June, reflecting the pressure on the country's reserve position.

A recent ICDDR,B study reveals that more than 90% of families in Dhaka’s slums are burdened by debt caused by food insecurity. Over half of these families struggle to secure daily meals due to irregular income, leading to nutritional deficiencies, especially among pregnant women, adolescents, and young children. The study highlights increased anemia, stunting, and underweight issues. The Nutri-Cap project introduced integrated nutrition and health services, improving pregnancy outcomes and child growth in these vulnerable communities.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed an indefinite ban on all forms of public gatherings in and around the Bangladesh Secretariat, the official residence of the Prime Adviser in Jamuna, and adjacent areas, starting from July 9, 2025.

According to the DMP, the ban includes rallies, processions, demonstrations, human chains, sit-ins, and any other type of public assembly. The restriction will remain in place until further notice.

Authorities have cited the need to maintain public order and ensure the security of the Prime Adviser as the primary reasons behind the ban. The restricted zone includes key intersections and surrounding areas such as Hotel InterContinental Crossing, Kakrail Mosque Crossing, Officers' Club Crossing, and Minto Road Crossing.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has alerted the public about fraudulent activities involving the misuse of the Defense Secretary Md. Ashraf Uddin’s photo and official credentials. Fraudsters are using his mobile numbers and WhatsApp IDs to demand unethical benefits from individuals and organizations. ISPR urges everyone to stay vigilant and reports that legal actions are underway against the perpetrators. Victims are encouraged to contact law enforcement immediately if approached by anyone impersonating the Defense Secretary.

From August 15, individuals in Bangladesh can register up to 10 mobile SIMs under their name, as per a new directive by BTRC. Users with more than 10 SIMs will need to choose which ones to keep, with priority given to frequently used and mobile financial service-linked numbers. The decision aims to curb SIM-related fraud and misuse. Currently, over 80% of users have five or fewer SIMs, so most won’t be affected. Operators will notify users and run awareness campaigns before enforcement.