Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held a national rally in Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan, inviting several anti-fascist parties but notably excluding its former ally BNP and the AB Party. Jamaat cited BNP’s opposition to the proportional representation (PR) system as the reason for exclusion, stating it would cause discomfort for both sides. Despite AB Party's support for PR, it was not invited due to internal resentment toward its leader Mujibur Rahman Monju, who regularly criticizes Jamaat. The move signals a growing rift in the opposition landscape.

Authorities in Gopalganj have eased the curfew from 6 AM to 8 PM today following recent deadly clashes during an NCP rally that left five people dead. With the partial relaxation, some public movement has resumed, especially for essential shopping, though overall activity remains subdued. Markets and shops remain closed due to the weekend, and the town has not yet returned to normal. The situation follows a series of violent incidents involving arson, vandalism, and clashes on Wednesday.

Prominent political figure Dr. Faizul Haque has declared that the future of Bangladesh belongs to Islam and the Kalema (declaration of faith). Addressing a Jamaat-e-Islami rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, he condemned all forms of discrimination among Islamic scholars and emphasized the need for nationwide political unity. He strongly criticized extortion, terrorism, and violence, stating that such acts will not be tolerated. Referring to the 2013 executions of Jamaat leaders, he demanded justice. Dr. Haque also dismissed the continued use of the term “razakar” (wartime collaborator), calling it outdated and politically motivated. “Anyone who tries to tarnish Islamic heritage under the guise of that term will be met with a strong response,” he warned, urging collective readiness for such challenges.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has stated that no autopsies were conducted on the victims of the recent Gopalganj incident because the families took the bodies before post-mortem examinations could be carried out.

However, he added that if required, authorities may exhume the bodies for forensic examination.

Speaking to the media after inspecting the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, he also mentioned that an inquiry committee will investigate whether any administrative negligence contributed to the incident.

Regarding the airport terminal, he said he currently has no specific information about its official launch.

Bangladesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to allow the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to operate a three-year mission in the country.

The mission will provide training and technical assistance to both government and non-government institutions, aiming to prevent human rights violations, investigate past abuses, and support compliance with national and international obligations.

The government emphasized that the mission does not represent a foreign social agenda but will operate within the framework of national laws and cultural values. It also clarified that the state reserves the right to withdraw from the agreement if deemed necessary for national interests.

There is no uncertainty surrounding the upcoming national elections, according to Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser of the interim government.

Speaking to reporters at an event at Comilla University, he assured that the elections will be held on schedule, as announced by the Chief Adviser, and all parties will have equal opportunity to participate.

He also noted that discussions are ongoing between political parties and election commissions regarding the proportional representation (PR) voting system.

Renowned Telugu film actor and comedian Fish Venkat passed away on July 18 in Hyderabad due to complications related to kidney and liver failure. He was 53 years old.

With a career spanning over two decades, Venkat began his journey in the Telugu film industry with the 2001 hit Khushi. Over the years, he acted in more than 150 films and earned a loyal fanbase for his comedic timing and character roles. His final appearance was in the film Coffee with a Killer.

Despite the critical nature of his illness, Venkat's family reportedly struggled to raise the ₹50 lakh needed for his treatment. According to the family, they were misled by a fraudster who claimed to be an assistant of superstar Prabhas and promised financial support. The claim turned out to be false, and due to delays in receiving a kidney transplant, his condition deteriorated beyond recovery.

Fish Venkat's death has sparked conversations in the Telugu film industry about the need for better support systems for veteran artists facing health and financial crises.

International criticism of Israel's Gaza offensive is intensifying, with countries like the UK, Canada, and France imposing sanctions on Israeli ministers. The "Hague Group," a coalition of Global South nations, is coordinating diplomatic and legal efforts against Israel. Public opinion is shifting worldwide, with rising protests, boycotts, and legal cases, including a genocide charge at the ICJ. Even within Israel, anti-war activism and military refusals are growing. Despite continued U.S. support, Israel faces increasing global isolation and economic pressure.

In a trilateral prisoner exchange, 10 Americans were released from Venezuela and returned to the US, while over 200 Venezuelans—many previously held in El Salvador’s CECOT prison—were repatriated. Most of the Venezuelans had been deported from the US under a controversial act, sparking human rights concerns. Only seven had serious criminal records. The deal also included the return of seven Venezuelan children separated from their parents in the US, and Venezuela is expected to release 80 more political prisoners soon.

Tens of thousands of supporters gathered at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka for Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s national rally. The grounds were already filled to capacity six hours before the program officially began.

Party leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman arrived at 12:30 PM, receiving an enthusiastic welcome from party members. The rally formally commenced at 2:00 PM under his leadership.

Earlier in the day, at 9:30 AM, Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar reached the venue. The rally was organized to press for a seven-point charter of demands, including proportional representation in elections, voting rights for expatriates, and the implementation of the "July Declaration."

This marks the first time Jamaat-e-Islami has held a solo national gathering at this landmark location.

Syria and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire following intense airstrikes and ethnic violence in Suwayda province, with the U.S. acting as mediator. The ceasefire was welcomed by Turkey, Jordan, and regional neighbors. Israel claimed its strikes aimed to protect the Druze community, amid deadly clashes involving Druze, Bedouins, and Syrian forces. Syria’s interim president warned against Israeli interference but said Syria seeks peace. Special forces have been deployed to Suwayda to restore order after over 100 deaths in recent violence.

At the SAFA International Conference 2025, Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin announced that the government is taking steps to end unfair competition in business caused by years of irregularities and the rise of criminal capital. He warned of the risks of a kleptocracy if transparency and equitable resource distribution are not ensured. Over 600 professionals from SAARC nations attended the event, where topics like GDP, economic growth, AI, and the changing role of accountants in global trade were discussed in technical sessions.

Taiwan’s semiconductor industry has recently faced a series of cyberattacks, reportedly orchestrated by Chinese-backed hacker groups. According to cybersecurity firm Proofpoint, at least three distinct groups were involved, using phishing emails and customized malware to breach companies tied to semiconductor design, manufacturing, and financial analysis. The attacks occurred between March and June, affecting the supply chain and major service providers. A fourth group also attempted to install malware named Spark. These new groups use tactics that differ from traditional Chinese cyber operations.

Israel has rejected a ceasefire proposal from Hamas that included the release of all hostages. In a video message, Abu Obaida, spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades, stated that the Netanyahu government has shown no willingness to end the war. He added that Hamas will not accept any partial agreement.

According to Hamas, only a comprehensive agreement ensuring a permanent ceasefire, complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and unrestricted humanitarian aid access will be acceptable. Abu Obaida declared that Hamas is prepared for a prolonged conflict and will continue its operations to expel Israeli forces from Gaza. He also criticized the silence of Arab and Muslim nations regarding the crisis.

Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated during a dinner event that an additional 10 hostages could soon be released from Gaza.

Japan's exports have dropped for a second straight month, primarily due to a sharp decline in shipments to the United States amid tariff threats from former President Donald Trump. In June, exports to the U.S. fell 11%, with car exports plunging 26.7%. Overall exports declined by 0.5%, resulting in a trade deficit of 2.2 trillion yen in the first half of the year. Although tariff implementation was delayed until August 1 for further talks, no deal has been reached, raising fears of another economic slowdown.