A powerful eruption from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Indonesia’s Flores Island sent ash 18 km into the sky, disrupting air travel and affecting nearby villages. At least 24 international and domestic flights, including those between Bali, Australia, Singapore, and South Korea, were canceled. No casualties have been reported, but authorities recorded gas clouds with rocks and lava stretching 5 km. Officials warn of increased risks and may revise safety guidelines. Sunlight was briefly blocked in nearby areas due to heavy ashfall.

Despite speculation following a reported meeting between Dr. Muhammad Yunus and BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in London on June 13, suggesting the next national election might be held in February 2026, the Election Commission has yet to make any official announcement.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A. M. M. Nasir Uddin stated on July 8 that even he does not currently know the exact date of the upcoming national election. "I will inform you all when the time is right—around two months in advance—with full details," he said.

The CEC emphasized that the Election Commission will announce the schedule and all related details in due time. He also urged the administration and law enforcement agencies to work sincerely toward restoring public trust and institutional image.

Regarding international observers, the CEC confirmed that foreign observers will be allowed, but those who previously issued “favorable certificates” without impartiality will not be invited this time.

Continuous rain has flooded major roads and neighborhoods in Feni town due to unplanned construction of markets over canals and drainage routes. Key canals were occupied or blocked under the municipal banner, causing severe waterlogging. A 200-yard drainage gap near Zamzam Tower worsened the situation. Locals demand immediate demolition of illegal structures and restoration of natural water flow. Officials clarified this is not a flood, but rainwater accumulation, and urged residents not to panic.

The investigation report into the high-profile murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi has been postponed for the 119th time. On July 8, the investigating officer failed to submit the report, prompting the court to set a new deadline of August 11.

The couple was murdered in their Dhaka residence on February 11, 2012. The investigation has changed hands from DB and RAB to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), following continued failure to solve the case. Despite court-ordered taskforce intervention, no suspects have confessed to the crime so far.

The government is developing a comprehensive master plan to protect the Haor wetlands, according to Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources.

She stated that steps such as embankment construction, afforestation, and controlled tourism are being taken with community involvement to preserve the biodiversity of the Haor. Tangua Haor has been listed as an endangered ecosystem, with data collection currently underway. For the first time, under the 2013 Water Act, four agencies are working in coordination for Haor development.

A second group of 32 Bangladeshi nationals has returned from Iran, facilitated by the Bangladesh Embassy. They traveled from Tehran to Mashhad by road and flew to Dhaka via Sharjah on July 8. The repatriation comes amid regional tensions following the Israel-Iran conflict. The Foreign Ministry noted that about 2,500 Bangladeshis are currently in Iran, including students, embassy staff, patients, and others, with nearly 300 considered at higher risk due to security and health concerns.

The Iranian government has confirmed that at least 1,060 people have died in the recent conflict with Israel, and the death toll may rise to over 1,100.
In an interview with state television, Saeed Ohadi, head of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, revealed that many of the injured remain in critical condition.
Twelve days of Israeli airstrikes reportedly caused extensive damage to Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure. Following the ceasefire, Tehran has gradually started disclosing the scale of the destruction.
According to Human Rights Activists, among the 1,190 reported fatalities, 436 were civilians.

The United States may reconsider the recently imposed 35% tariff on Bangladeshi products, according to Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. He stated that a key meeting between Bangladesh’s Trade Adviser and representatives of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will be held on Wednesday, July 9, to discuss the issue.

Dr. Ahmed noted that the trade deficit between Bangladesh and the U.S. is only $5 billion, making such a high tariff unjustifiable. The 35% tariff is scheduled to take effect on August 1. Previously, a 37% tariff was proposed in April but was suspended for three months.

Pakistan has issued a warning to the United Nations, highlighting the growing threat of cross-border terrorism originating from ungoverned regions of Afghanistan.
According to Pakistani authorities, groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and others are allegedly planning attacks on Pakistan’s strategic infrastructure and key development projects.
Islamabad stressed that Afghanistan must not become a safe haven for terrorists, warning that the threat poses risks not just to Pakistan, but to regional and global stability as well.
In a recent high-level meeting between Pakistani and Afghan officials, both sides discussed counter-terrorism cooperation, enhancing regional connectivity, and improving trade transit. They jointly recognized terrorism as a major obstacle to regional peace.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to send additional weapons to Ukraine, citing the country’s increasing vulnerability amid intensified attacks. Speaking ahead of a dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (July 8), Trump said, “Ukraine is under severe assault. We need to send more weapons.”
Previously, the Trump administration had paused certain arms shipments. The White House clarified that this renewed move aligns with Trump's "America First" policy. The Pentagon further stated that only defensive weapons would be provided, aimed at supporting Ukraine's right to self-defense.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in promoting peace in various global regions. The nomination was handed over during a dinner at the White House, with Trump expressing gratitude. Previously, U.S. Congressman Buddy Carter also nominated Trump for his role in brokering a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that while Palestinians should have the authority to govern themselves, they should not be granted sovereign power. “Israel will never allow the establishment of a Palestinian state,” he said. “We will make peace only with those Palestinians who do not seek our destruction. And even then, all sovereign security powers will remain solely with Israel.” When asked about the possibility of an independent Palestinian state, President Trump responded ambiguously: “I don’t know.”

President Trump claimed that U.S. diplomatic intervention helped avert a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan. “We told both nations clearly—if war continues, we will cease all trade with them. They were close to a nuclear confrontation. Stopping that was critical,” Trump stated. However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri have dismissed the claim, stating that India never sought U.S. mediation. They affirmed that the de-escalation resulted from direct military-level talks between the two nations and not from any U.S.-led peace effort or trade-related pressure.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that Dhaka is eager to secure a mutually beneficial (“win-win”) tariff agreement with the U.S. Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin is currently in Washington leading discussions with the U.S., accompanied by National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman. Following a letter from President Trump regarding the imposition of a 35% tariff starting August 1, several rounds of talks have taken place. Another meeting is scheduled for July 9.

President Donald Trump has stated he is willing to lift unilateral sanctions on Iran at the appropriate time, allowing the country to rebuild peacefully. He expressed hope that the period of conflict with Iran is over and that further military intervention by the U.S. will no longer be necessary. Trump added that nuclear negotiations with Iran are back on track and that a possible summit could be held in Oslo, Norway.