At least 50 people were killed in a massive fire at a five-story shopping mall in Al-Kut city, eastern Iraq, according to the state-run INA news agency. Wasit Governor Mohammed Al-Miyahi said the cause of the blaze remains unknown but promised an investigation report within 48 hours. Firefighters are still working to control the flames, and the mall owner is facing legal action.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has called the United States an “enemy” and described Israel as “America’s chained dog.” He warned that Iran is ready to retaliate against any military aggression. In his latest address, Khamenei referenced Iran’s recent missile strike on a U.S. base in Qatar and threatened larger attacks. Iran’s Parliament also declared that nuclear talks with the U.S. should not resume unless preconditions are met.

Israel launched an airstrike targeting Syria’s state TV headquarters in central Damascus. A viral video shows a news anchor fleeing mid-broadcast as explosions hit nearby. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz shared the footage online. Israel claims its ongoing three-day offensive aims to protect Syria’s Druze minority and establish a demilitarized zone in southwestern Syria. Analysts believe the attacks also target Iranian-Syrian military positions.

Nahid Islam, Convenor of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), has announced his return to Gopalganj, vowing to raise flags of the “July Uprising” in every household. In a Facebook post on Thursday (July 17), he accused the Awami League of being a “Mujibist terrorist organization” responsible for orchestrated attacks on their peaceful events. Claiming that their rallies were held under official instructions, Nahid said NCP members were attacked on their way back. He reported hearing of four deaths and stated, “We neither support nor expect extrajudicial killings.” He also demanded the arrest and trial of attackers in Gopalganj and across the country, and announced a march in Faridpur.

Two murders occurred within an hour in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur and Adabor areas in the early hours of Wednesday (July 16). In Adabor’s Nabodoy Housing area, a driver named Ibrahim (29) was shot dead by three masked assailants who arrived on motorcycles. Locals chased and detained two of the attackers and handed them over to police. Meanwhile, in Mohammadpur’s Chand Uddyan Housing area, Al Amin (27), known as a police informant, was killed by a teenage gang. He had recently helped police capture the brother of a gang member, sparking fears across the neighborhood.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vowed to speak more in Bengali in defiance of what she claims is increasing harassment of Bengali speakers in several Indian states. Speaking at a Trinamool Congress rally, she alleged that in BJP-ruled states, Bengalis are being detained as “illegal immigrants” and that voters from the Bengali community are being removed from electoral rolls in Maharashtra and Bihar. She warned that a similar agenda could be pursued in West Bengal. Challenging the central government directly, Banerjee said, “If they have the courage, let them arrest me.” She also condemned claims labeling Bengalis as Rohingyas, calling such accusations baseless and offensive.

Bangladesh is preparing for a third round of negotiations with the United States to reduce the 35% countervailing tariff on its exports. The Ministry of Commerce is formulating a position paper with input from 11 ministries and related agencies. The discussions aim to assess the feasibility of U.S. conditions under local and international laws. Meetings with U.S. companies like Chevron and Excelerate Energy have been held, with more planned, including one with the American Apparel and Footwear Association on July 22.

Around 500 tons of high-calorie biscuits intended for 27,000 malnourished children in Afghanistan and Pakistan have expired and will now be destroyed. The food aid, provided by USAID, had been stored in a Dubai warehouse and was never distributed due to a suspension ordered by the Trump administration. Assistant Secretary of State Michael Riggs informed Congress that the biscuits, valued at around $800,000, will be incinerated or buried—at an additional disposal cost of $100,000 to U.S. taxpayers. The move has drawn heavy criticism from policy analysts, who questioned the rationale behind the aid freeze and its humanitarian consequences.

A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska, prompting immediate tsunami warnings for parts of southern Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula. The quake struck at 12:37 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located about 54 miles south of Sand Point and at a shallow depth of 20.1 kilometers. The National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed the potential for tsunami activity, with warnings in effect for specific regions along Alaska's Pacific coast. No immediate threat was identified for areas beyond the warning zone.

At least 94 Palestinians were killed and 252 others injured in Gaza within just 24 hours as a result of recent Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The death toll from Israel’s military offensive, which began in October 2023, has now reached 58,573, with nearly 140,000 people injured. Many bodies remain buried under the rubble, while 851 people have been killed while attempting to receive humanitarian aid. Despite ongoing calls for a ceasefire, Israeli military operations continue unabated in the region.

Bangladesh's economy has hit a period of stagnation due to weak revenue collection, a widening budget deficit, and mounting inflationary pressures, according to the Bangladesh Bank’s annual report for FY 2023–24.

The report warns that the economic slowdown is threatening overall macroeconomic stability. Reduced funding for development projects has led to a liquidity crisis in the banking sector, forcing the government to rely heavily on borrowing—further fueling inflation.

However, the report notes some recent signs of recovery following a change in government. Improvements in fiscal discipline, rising domestic savings, and initiatives to boost investment have generated cautious optimism. Inflation is also showing signs of a gradual decline. To ensure long-term stability, the central bank emphasizes the need to increase private sector investment.

In the past 24 hours, two more people have died from dengue fever in Bangladesh, and 321 new patients have been hospitalized. This brings the total number of dengue-related deaths in 2025 to 60, with 15,906 reported infections so far this year.

Barisal recorded the highest number of new cases (110), followed by 74 cases in the Dhaka South City Corporation area. As of now, 1,241 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. The infection rate remains higher outside Dhaka than within the capital.

Rakibul Islam Rakib, President of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), has criticized BNP advisers for failing to visit the grave of martyr Abu Sayeed. Speaking at a memorial event in Rangpur, Rakib said the absence of top leaders was deeply disappointing.

He emphasized that the sacrifice of Abu Sayeed will never be forgotten as long as Bangladesh exists. Rakib also condemned the recent attack on NCP activists by Chhatra League in Gopalganj and demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible.

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu has said that history will not forgive those who spread falsehoods and propaganda against the Zia family and Tarique Rahman.

Speaking at a protest organized by Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Dudu said the late President Ziaur Rahman was the architect of modern Bangladesh. He condemned the recent killings of a businessman in Mitford and a Jubo Dal leader in Khulna, stating that such atrocities have stirred the conscience of the medical community.

Faruk-e-Azam, Disaster Management and Relief Affairs Advisor, announced that memorial plaques will be installed in 864 locations across the country—including Chattogram—to commemorate the "July Martyrs."

Speaking at the unveiling of a street memorial at Bahaddarhat Junction in Chattogram on Wednesday, he said plaques would be installed at the exact locations where the martyrs were killed, and transparent legal processes will follow. He also inspected ongoing construction of a monument in memory of eight martyrs in the city’s Panchlaish area.