India has officially declined the U.S. proposal to purchase F-35 stealth fighter jets, citing concerns over recent crashes and a renewed emphasis on defense self-reliance. The offer was made during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the U.S., but India has now informed Washington of its disinterest. Additional concerns stem from a British F-35’s emergency landing in Kerala and continued technical issues. India’s rejection comes amid strained trade relations following U.S. tariffs on Indian goods.

The U.S. has imposed a revised 19% tariff on Pakistani goods, reducing it from the earlier 29% set by the Trump administration. Pakistan is now among 69 nations facing new U.S. tariffs ranging from 10% to 41%. President Trump stated the move aims to correct trade imbalances and protect national interests. An executive order was issued, and some countries reached tariff agreements. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the reduction, praising a historic trade deal that could boost future bilateral cooperation.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized recent Western recognitions of Palestine, calling them irrelevant without Israel’s consent. In a Fox Radio interview, he argued that no country has the authority to establish a Palestinian state and warned such moves harm peace efforts. Rubio claimed Hamas still holds hostages and accused pro-recognition states of siding with Hamas. He said these decisions encourage Hamas to resist ceasefires and delay hostage releases, driven more by domestic politics than concern for regional stability.

Microsoft’s market value crossed $4 trillion following better-than-expected earnings in Q2 (April–June). The tech giant reported a 24% increase in profit to $27.23 billion and an 18% rise in revenue to $76.44 billion. Cloud services, particularly Azure, grew 39%, boosting server and cloud revenue by 27%. Office, LinkedIn, and search advertising also contributed to growth. Despite strong core performance, Microsoft incurred $1.71 billion in non-core expenses, including losses from equity investments like OpenAI.

Chhatra Dal, the student wing of BNP, has announced a rally at Shahbagh on August 3 and issued six directives to maintain order. Participants are prohibited from carrying banners, placards, or festoons. All units must remain within designated areas from start to finish. Emergency vehicles must be allowed access between Katabon, Aziz Super Market, and Hotel Intercontinental. No Chhatra Dal vehicles will be allowed on Dhaka University grounds. No individual showdowns or separate processions will be permitted. Units must clean their assigned spaces after the event. Tarique Rahman will address the rally as chief guest.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed gratitude to both the Trump administration and the Bangladesh government for securing the tariff reduction. He said, “We hope future national leaders, including Dr. Muhammad Yunus if he assumes leadership, will uphold national dignity and excel in global diplomacy.” Dr. Rahman also extended appreciation to all parties involved in the successful negotiation.

BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury termed the reduction of countervailing tariffs on Bangladeshi exports to the US—from 35% to 20%—as a "satisfactory development" for the export sector. “With Pakistan at 19%, Vietnam at 20%, and India at 25%, Bangladesh is now in a competitive position,” he said. However, Khasru noted that without full transparency on the negotiation terms and what Bangladesh had to offer in return, the overall impact remains unclear. He added that the US imposed the higher tariffs to protect its own exports and urged for a clear explanation from the interim government.

NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari warned that Islamists in Bangladesh are once again being marginalized under the label of "right-wing." He said, “Sheikh Hasina normalized the oppression of Islamic scholars. If right-wing forces bring down fascism, why should anyone object?” He also accused two influential leaders from a certain party of acting like “godfathers” in ports and truck stands following the recent political upheaval. Patwari emphasized the need to improve working conditions and wages for laborers and insisted on labor representation in Parliament. He also revealed that 92 new members have joined the NCP’s labor wing.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed stated that commitments have been made to implement the July Charter, expressing optimism that the agreement will be signed soon. After visiting Hathazari Madrasa and meeting with Hefazat-e-Islam leaders on Friday, Salahuddin noted that BNP has no objections to 775 of the 826 proposals from the Consensus Commission. Senior BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan added that the party sees no obstacles to holding elections by February. Earlier, they visited the graves of Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi and Allama Junaid Babunagari, offering prayers and performing Jumu'ah prayers. The delegation also visited Al-Jamiah al-Islamiah Azizul Uloom Babunagari Madrasa in Fatikchhari.

Two factions of the BNP clashed in Sumilpara area of Siddhirganj, Narayanganj on Thursday night over a land dispute. One person was injured and admitted to a hospital. Locals reported that the clash occurred between supporters of former district BNP leader Shah Alam Manik and BNP leader Ruhul Amin. Gunfire was allegedly exchanged during the altercation, although police have denied this claim.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a $200 million project to build a new 90,000-square-foot ballroom in the East Wing of the White House. Privately funded by Trump and several unnamed American donors, the project will begin in September. The ballroom will seat 650 guests, replacing the need for temporary tents during state events. Trump said no public funds will be used. The White House described it as a significant and elegant upgrade for hosting official functions.

A Bangladesh Army major is under investigation for alleged political involvement in a secret meeting with leaders of the ousted Awami League and its affiliates in Dhaka. Following initial findings confirming the claims, the officer was detained on July 17 from his Uttara residence and is in military custody. The Army has formed investigation tribunals to probe both his political links and absence from duty. Authorities stress that the Army remains non-political and will take strict action against any violation of its professional and legal standards.

The United States has reduced tariffs on Bangladeshi imports to 20%, down from a previous 35%. In response, Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin expressed confidence that the new rate would not hinder Bangladesh’s export performance, noting that the country remains competitive in the U.S. market. Though Bangladesh had hoped for a lower rate, the final outcome followed the third round of trade talks between the two nations, concluded with a formal announcement from the White House.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a new executive order imposing additional tariffs on imports from countries with unbalanced trade ties to the U.S., including special rules for EU goods. The White House confirmed that the tariffs will take effect within hours, though the timeline has shifted. Retaliatory tariffs on over 70 nations will now be enforced within seven days. Goods shipped before August 7 and arriving by October 5 may be exempt. Canada faces a 35% tariff starting August 1.

US President Donald Trump has introduced new import tariffs on countries lacking formal trade agreements with the US, with rates reaching up to 41% for Syria and 35% for Canada. Agreements have been made with eight countries, including the UK, Vietnam, and Japan, featuring reduced tariffs and trade concessions. However, tensions persist with major partners like China and India, where additional punitive tariffs were announced. The policy aims to protect US interests but has raised concerns worldwide.