US President Donald Trump said he does not believe China or Russia is directly involved in the ongoing Iran crisis, but warned that it would be very bad for them if they became involved. The remarks were reported on July 24, following a post Trump made on Truth Social on Friday.

Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him during a recent meeting in Beijing that China and Chinese companies would not provide or sell weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran under any circumstances. The report did not provide further details about the meeting or the broader Iran crisis.

According to Trump, supplying weapons to Iran would not serve the interests of either Beijing or Moscow. He said that if China and Russia provide military assistance to Tehran, the consequences could also be negative for them. No additional details were given about possible actions or consequences.

The United States has announced new tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent on imports from roughly 60 major trading partner countries, including Bangladesh, as part of President Donald Trump’s tariff policy reconfiguration. The final decision was published in the Federal Register and takes effect when a temporary 10 percent global tariff expires; goods in transit are exempt until July 28 at 12:01 a.m. EDT. About 99.4 percent of imports entering the U.S. market will be subject to the new tariffs, with exemptions for oil and gas, fertilizer, certain foodstuffs and sectors already under national security tariffs.

The tariffs are implemented under Section 301 of U.S. trade law, which the administration says provides a strong legal basis and has withstood prior legal challenges. The new schedule divides countries into three categories: a 10 percent rate for a group including Bangladesh, India and Mexico; a 10–12.5 percent rate for the EU, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland aligning with existing MFN rates; and a 12.5 percent rate for China and 38 other countries. The administration framed the move as targeting goods produced with forced labor and aligning trade partners with labor standards, while noting trade agreements with explicit anti-forced-labor provisions will not be exceeded.

Certain products and sectors remain exempt, including oil and gas, fertilizer, some sugar goods, pig iron, animal and seed products, specific chemicals, USMCA-qualified goods and items already covered under Section 232 national security tariffs.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi concluded a visit to Tehran following important bilateral meetings with Iran’s president Masud Pezeshkian, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other senior officials, the Iraqi prime minister’s office confirmed on social media platform X. During the visit, Al-Zaidi signed several agreements on international road freight transport, maritime transport and to open a rail link between the two countries.

The announced rail connection will run from Iran’s Kermanshah and Khosravi through Iraq’s Khanaqin to the capital Baghdad. Al-Zaidi described the visit as a reflection of deep ties between the two countries and called it a “bridge of friendship” between their peoples. The report also notes that immediately before travelling to neighboring Iran, Al-Zaidi visited Washington, D.C. and Texas where he signed deals with Western oil companies aimed at reviving a pipeline that would avoid the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s military has retained significant strike capability as the conflict with the United States and Israel passed five months, highlighted by a recent Iranian attack on a US base in Jordan that killed three US service members. The strike was the first fatal attack on US troops at a base since March 1, and US officials have not released full details. Analysts say Iran’s attacks are becoming more precise and sophisticated, possibly aided by intelligence from Russia and China.

Security analysts cited in the report say US forward bases across the Middle East are vulnerable because many are designed to resist light rocket, mortar, or improvised attacks rather than large, high‑yield ballistic strikes. US air-defense systems such as Patriot and THAAD have been challenged by combined use of ballistic and cruise missiles, armed drones and decoys that can overwhelm or confuse defenses. Analysts also note Iran may not need to defeat US forces outright to achieve objectives; degrading US posture and inflicting political and humanitarian costs can be sufficient.

Global fuel markets surged after renewed escalation of conflict in the Middle East, pushing Brent crude to $100 per barrel — the first time since May. Prices climbed sharply after the United States intensified military action against Iran and following attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on oil tankers in the Red Sea, which also threatened alternative export routes that avoid the Strait of Hormuz. Natural gas benchmarks rose alongside oil, with UK gas near 150 pence per therm, up from about 98 pence in late June.

Economists warn the Middle East fighting could sharply increase inflationary pressures worldwide because higher oil prices raise petrol and diesel costs, which in turn lift transport and food prices. The article notes recent impacts in developed countries: UK petrol and diesel prices have risen over the past two weeks to about £1.56 and £1.72 per litre respectively, and US average gasoline has surpassed $4 per gallon after being $3.92 a month earlier. US officials signalled a return to heightened tensions after a temporary ceasefire earlier reduced prices.

US Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh told Congress that prolonged high inflation would not be tolerated and the Fed remains committed to restoring price stability, while Fed policy rates were left unchanged in a recent meeting at 3.5–3.75 percent.

U.S. President Donald Trump added a new condition to the US-Saudi civilian nuclear cooperation agreement on Thursday, saying its activation will depend entirely on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords and normalizing relations with Israel. The agreement, signed by Washington and Riyadh to develop a peaceful civilian nuclear program, still requires congressional approval and full details have not been publicly released.

The announcement by the U.S. energy department said the deals included a multi-billion dollar peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement and a bilateral security protection pact to enable Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear program. Trump also denied that the agreement would allow uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia, while nonproliferation groups and some U.S. lawmakers expressed concern that enrichment could spark a regional arms competition.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it is aware of the U.S.-Saudi plans but has not yet received a formal safeguards request; it would carry out necessary checks and inspections if an application arrives.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he is considering a military attack on Iran that would be larger than any in the past, in an interview with Axios reported on July 23, 2026. He said he is "very close" to deciding and that U.S. forces are fully prepared, but he acknowledged such a decision could have broad consequences and has not set a timeline.

Trump also addressed Israel’s potential role, saying Israel would join within minutes if he asked but that the United States does not need anyone’s help. He claimed Iranian officials are interested in talks but not yet ready to reach an agreement. The report noted analysts view possible consequences of Israeli involvement as suggesting the risk of Iranian retaliation.

The article says there was no immediate reaction from Iran to Trump’s comments and cites Al Jazeera as the source of the report.

Yemeni Houthi sources said on Thursday that unless the blockade on Yemen imposed by Saudi Arabia is lifted, state oil company Aramco’s facilities could become future targets. The Houthi statement said two Saudi ships were struck in the attack, one hit by a drone and the other by a cruise missile, and one vessel’s deck caught fire though its hull was not breached. The two ships were bound for India and China and at least ten other vessels diverted toward the Suez Canal for security reasons.

According to the Houthis and British maritime security agencies, one ship was struck on its upper deck and burned but did not sink because its hull remained intact, while the second tanker altered course and returned toward the Suez Canal. The Houthis described the operation as a “blockade in response to the blockade” and warned of harsher measures if the blockade continues. They said future targets could include ships transiting Bab al-Mandeb, Saudi oil tankers and other vessels using alternative routes.

The Houthis also claimed that if the blockade persists, Saudi Aramco’s installations could be targeted in the future; there was no immediate response from Saudi Arabia reported in the source.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the possibility of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, saying such a move would be a "historic advance" for peace in the Middle East. The comments followed a post by former U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social announcing a transformative deal with Saudi Arabia that would permit Riyadh to develop a civilian nuclear program in exchange for joining the Accords.

The Saudi government has not yet issued an official response to Trump’s post. Saudi Arabia has long maintained it will not recognize Israel until an effective and acceptable path to an independent Palestinian state is established. Trump did not say when announcing the deal that the nuclear program understanding was contingent on Saudi entry to the Abraham Accords.

Currently the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco and Kazakhstan are signatories of the Abraham Accords, and Saudi accession could significantly alter the diplomatic balance in the region.

France strongly condemned an attack by Yemen's Houthi group on Saudi oil tankers, calling the action irresponsible and urging an immediate end to strikes in the Red Sea. The French foreign ministry spokesman said the Houthi attack on Saudi tankers was irresponsible and that it seriously escalates the situation. The report cited the group's claim of attacking two Saudi oil tankers and its prior declaration of a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia on Monday.

The source says the Houthis framed the maritime blockade and attacks as a response to what they called Riyadh's unjust and oppressive blockade of Yemen. United Nations agencies are cited as saying the Houthis currently control large parts of Yemen where a significant portion of the population lives. The piece also notes that Saudi Arabia recently struck Sanaa airport and has long supported the internationally recognized Yemeni government against the Houthis.

France urged the Houthis to stop attacks on Saudi vessels in the Red Sea, a demand framed as necessary to prevent further escalation and maritime disruption.

Spain defeated Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final to win the tournament for the second time, and Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario praised their style of play as the world’s best. The match ended 1-0 after extra time with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute, securing La Roja’s title and prompting widespread acclaim.

In a pre-final interview with Spanish outlet Diario AS, Ronaldo had declared Spain the clear favorite and predicted they would win, a forecast that proved correct despite a hard-fought match. He credited Spain’s footballing philosophy, ball control and organization, saying their style surpasses even Brazil’s traditional jogo bonito. Spain captain Rodri echoed this view, noting the team’s control across pressing, possession, counterattacks and set pieces.

Ronaldo also praised Argentina’s fighting spirit, while the final highlighted Spain’s dominance in possession and chance creation and Ferran Torres’s extra-time goal ended their long wait for a second world title.

US President Donald Trump said that if Yemen’s Houthi group carries out any attacks in the region in the future, the United States will hold Iran responsible. In a post on social platform Truth Social, Trump described the Houthis as “representatives or proxies” of Iran and stated Washington would directly blame Tehran for any Houthi attack. He claimed the US had launched a “very strong” strike against the Houthis about a year ago, after which the group had been quiet, but said they have resumed attacks.

Trump alleged that the Houthis targeted two Saudi ships the previous night, and warned that if such attacks continue the US would hold Iran responsible and take harsh military measures against both Iran and the Houthis. The report notes there was no independent confirmation immediately available of the alleged attack on the two Saudi vessels.

FIFA has rejected allegations of match-fixing during the 2026 World Cup, calling them baseless. In an official statement, the global football governing body said that after extensive monitoring throughout the tournament, no evidence of suspicious betting or match manipulation was found. The Integrity Task Force, comprising the FBI, Interpol, UNODC, and international betting monitoring agencies, reviewed data from all 104 matches and confirmed the absence of irregularities.

Despite the clean findings on match-fixing, the tournament saw several refereeing controversies. The Egyptian Football Association protested strongly after their 3–2 loss to Argentina in the round of 16, accusing referees of serious errors and demanding their expulsion from the World Cup. Egypt’s coach Hossam Hassan also made a controversial gesture during the match and later alleged that FIFA wanted Lionel Messi to remain in the tournament, sparking widespread debate.

FIFA’s chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina dismissed these claims as unfounded, while senior integrity manager Liam Rich praised the task force’s effectiveness and confirmed that similar monitoring systems will continue in future tournaments.

Six candidates vying to become the next United Nations Secretary-General will participate in a televised debate on Thursday at the historic General Assembly Hall, one week before the formal selection process begins to choose a successor to outgoing Secretary-General António Guterres. The 90-minute event, broadcast by Bloomberg, will feature questions from diplomats, UN staff, and civil society representatives. The candidates include Michelle Bachelet of Chile, María Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, and Macky Sall of Senegal.

UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said the debate offers a rare opportunity to understand the candidates’ priorities and leadership visions for one of the world’s most important positions. The UN currently faces financial and credibility challenges, with the United States urging a focus on peace and security, while many other nations emphasize human rights and development as equally vital pillars.

The Security Council will hold its first secret ballot on July 30 to rank the candidates. The new Secretary-General is scheduled to take office on January 1, 2027.

Star Cineplex will release four internationally notable big‑budget films simultaneously in Dhaka starting July 24, offering a diverse cinematic lineup for local audiences. The slate includes the sixth installment of the Evil Dead franchise, the psychological horror Passenger, the animated sci‑fi family adventure Time Hoppers: The Silk Road, and a 3D concert film featuring Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft tour’s Manchester show.

Evil Dead Burn, directed by Sebastian Venichek and produced by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, follows a young woman who seeks solace with relatives after her husband’s sudden death. Passenger, directed by André Øvredal and starring Jacob Sipio, Lu Lobel and Melissa Leo, centres on a young couple whose van‑life road trip turns terrifying after a supernatural presence follows them. Time Hoppers is a Star‑Kinekor animated family film about four students who travel to 9th‑century Baghdad, while the Billie Eilish concert film is produced by James Cameron and Paramount Pictures.

Audiences can expect a genre‑wide offering from horror to family animation and concert cinema when the four films open together on July 24 at Star Cineplex in Dhaka.