West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a pointed remark against the Modi government of India, suggesting that ousted leaders from Bangladesh’s Awami League are currently residing in Kolkata with the support of the Indian government. She emphasized that when neighboring countries face crises, India offers refuge, but in Bengal, anyone speaking up is quickly labeled a ‘Bangladeshi’ and calls for their eviction arise. Mamata reminded that under the 1971 Indira-Mujib Agreement, those who sought shelter in India became Indian citizens, and many residents of West Bengal were born in India even before the 1947 Partition or the 1971 Liberation War. Highlighting the importance of the Bengali language, she called for unity against divisive rhetoric and discrimination.

Ukraine has appointed Yulia Svyrydenko as its new Prime Minister, replacing Denys Shmyhal after parliamentary approval. At 39, Svyrydenko previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Trade. She played a key role in strengthening Ukraine’s ties with the U.S. under the Trump administration. Her priorities include boosting domestic arms production, strengthening the military, and supporting economic growth. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba remains in office, and notable diplomatic changes are underway, including a new ambassador to the U.S.

Over 100 British spies and special forces personnel had their identities leaked along with nearly 19,000 Afghan citizens who worked with UK forces during the Afghan war. The data, originally protected by a court ban, included sensitive personal details. The UK government admitted the breach, which occurred in 2022 but was unnoticed until 2023. It led to the creation of a secret resettlement scheme amid security fears. Some Afghans may now be at serious risk from Taliban retaliation due to the exposure.

Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim stated that Taiwan does not seek conflict with China nor will it provoke one, emphasizing the island’s commitment to peace. Speaking in Taipei, she said Chinese pressure has increased, but Taiwan remains focused on stability. Hsiao reiterated President Lai’s offer for dialogue with Beijing and highlighted Taiwan’s contributions to China’s growth. She warned that aggressive military actions undermine regional prosperity and said maintaining the status quo is a responsible choice aligned with regional interests.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has firmly rejected any foreign interference in national governance, addressing former U.S. President Donald Trump. In response to new U.S. tariffs, which he called “unacceptable blackmail,” Lula condemned American threats and misinformation, saying they harm bilateral trade. Asserting Brazil’s sovereignty, he also highlighted efforts to shield the nation from foreign digital platform influence. While the government consults with industry leaders to address tariff impacts, Lula said he is open to discussions with Trump—if the right conditions are met.

Oxford University Press will stop publishing the Chinese-funded journal Forensic Sciences Research by the end of 2025 due to ethical concerns. The journal, backed by China’s Ministry of Justice, faced criticism for publishing research involving DNA from Uyghur minorities, raising questions about consent and surveillance. One controversial study used blood samples from Uyghurs in Xinjiang, with ties to Chinese security forces. Though an “Expression of Concern” was issued, the original paper remains unretracted, prompting OUP to sever ties over human rights concerns.

The European Council has approved its 18th sanctions package against Russia. Key measures include capping the price of oil at $47.60 per barrel, imposing restrictions on the Nord Stream pipeline, blacklisting 105 Russian oil tankers, and expanding banking sector controls. Over 50 individuals, companies, and organizations have been newly sanctioned. More than 20 Russian banks will also be cut off from the SWIFT system. Sanctions are also being extended to Chinese banks that support Russia. These measures are set to take effect shortly.

The US State Department, under Secretary Marco Rubio, has directed diplomats worldwide not to comment on the transparency or fairness of foreign elections unless it involves clear US foreign policy interests. This marks a shift from longstanding US support for free and fair elections globally. Election-related statements will now be limited to congratulating winners and referencing shared interests, with any official comments coming only from senior officials. The move aligns with President Trump’s non-interventionist stance, emphasizing national sovereignty over election oversight.

Bangladesh Railway has approved four pairs of special trains for participants traveling to the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami rally scheduled on July 19. The party has paid BDT 3.2 million in advance for the service. According to the Ministry of Railways, this is a commercial decision made in accordance with established policies—not a political one. The ministry noted that similar facilities have previously been extended to other political parties as well. Officials added that the move is expected to increase railway revenue and ease congestion for regular passengers. While some confusion has circulated on social media, the ministry has dismissed the claims as baseless.

Donald Trump has threatened to sue the Wall Street Journal following a report claiming he sent a controversial letter featuring a drawing of a naked woman to Jeffrey Epstein on his 50th birthday. Trump denies the allegations, calling the letter “fake” and “defamatory,” and plans to take legal action against the newspaper’s parent company, News Corp. The controversy adds to ongoing debates about Trump’s past ties to Epstein and recent developments in the Epstein case.

France, the UK, and Germany have warned that they will trigger the UN’s ‘snapback’ mechanism to reinstate prior sanctions on Iran unless significant progress is made on nuclear talks by the end of summer. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) had relaxed sanctions in exchange for nuclear oversight. The UN-authorized agreement is set to expire on October 18. Following a joint Israeli-US strike on an Iranian nuclear facility last month, the E3 bloc and EU diplomats held their first virtual meeting with Iran's foreign minister. The timeline for a sixth round of Iran-US negotiations remains unclear.

The United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHCR) mission has officially commenced operations in Bangladesh following the signing of a three-year memorandum of understanding between Bangladesh and the UNHCR. The agreement aims to provide protection and support in human rights issues, offering training and technical assistance. Since August last year, the UN's involvement in Bangladesh has increased, focusing on human rights promotion, reforms, and fact-finding investigations into crowd suppression incidents, working closely with various stakeholders.

SpaceX’s satellite-based internet service, Starlink, has officially launched operations in Bangladesh. The announcement was made by Lauren Dreyer, VP of Business Operations at Starlink, during a press conference at the InterContinental Hotel. She described Starlink as a “reliable and critical lifeline,” especially for maintaining communication during natural disasters. Starlink is now active in over 150 countries, and this marks its formal launch in Bangladesh following a soft launch. The announcement coincides with the one-year anniversary of the country’s digital shutdown. While internet access remains limited in remote areas, Starlink is expected to serve as a "digital equalizer." However, concerns over affordability persist.

Doctors in Gaza report that Israeli drone strikes are causing severe injuries and deaths among children due to missiles packed with nails. These weapons cause deep internal wounds and internal bleeding, leading to fatal outcomes. Medical teams are struggling to save lives amid the rising toll. Attacks have intensified over the past 40 days, often targeting crowded civilian areas such as markets, water lines, and food distribution points. The claims contradict Israel’s narrative of using precision and technology-driven weapons.

Indonesia is grappling with a severe youth unemployment crisis, with over 16% of its 44 million young people aged 15–24 out of work—double the rate in Thailand and Vietnam. Many graduates, like law student Andreas Hutapea, are unable to secure stable jobs despite repeated attempts. A recent survey shows Indonesian youth are significantly less optimistic about their economic future than peers in neighboring countries. The data highlights growing anxiety and uncertainty among the nation’s youth over employment and long-term stability.