Malaysia has reaffirmed that it will not recognize Israel as a state despite growing pressure from the United States, according to a report published on July 28. The country said its policy would not change even as members of the US Congress called for a review of security and economic relations with Kuala Lumpur.

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said the US State Department recently summoned Malaysia’s ambassador in Washington, Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob. The ambassador clearly conveyed Kuala Lumpur’s position, Hasan said. He described Malaysia’s stance on Israel as neither new nor a response to recent events, saying successive Malaysian governments had followed the same official policy from the beginning.

Citing national news agency Bernama, Hasan said Malaysia’s immigration policy does not recognize the state of Israel or the Zionist ruling establishment. Malaysia has no diplomatic relations with Israel and maintains a ban on entry for Israeli passport holders as part of its solidarity with and support for Palestinian rights. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the policy on July 15.

Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin said the date for the country’s 23rd presidential election has not yet been fixed, although the Election Commission is prepared to hold it. He made the remarks to reporters on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, after a meeting with acting Speaker of Parliament Barrister Kaiser Kamal.

The meeting between the Election Commission and the acting speaker began at about 11 a.m. and was held in connection with the upcoming presidential election. The chief election commissioner spoke to journalists at around 12:15 p.m. after the meeting. The report did not provide details of the discussions or a possible election schedule.

President Md Shahabuddin resigned on Friday, July 24. He formally submitted his resignation letter to the Speaker of Parliament. According to the report, his signed resignation letter was sent to the speaker under Article 50(3) of the Constitution. The meeting with the acting speaker took place following the resignation and ahead of the 23rd presidential election.

Prime Minister’s Information Adviser Dr. Jahed Ur Rahman said no decision has yet been made on whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will travel to India to attend the BRICS summit. He disclosed the information at a news conference at around noon on Tuesday.

Rahman said Bangladesh is not a member of BRICS. However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to take part in this year’s BRICS summit, which is to be held in India.

The report was published and later updated on July 28, 2026. While confirming that a decision remains pending, the adviser provided no further details about a possible visit, a response to the invitation, or Bangladesh’s potential representation at the summit.

A total of 29 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz between July 24 and 26, according to data from maritime monitoring firm MarineTraffic cited by Al Jazeera. During the three-day period, 21 ships exited through the strait while eight entered it, the report said.

The figures cover vessel movements recorded over the same July 24-26 timeframe. The source did not specify the ships’ types, flags, destinations, cargoes, or routes. MarineTraffic was identified as the source of the maritime monitoring data.

Traffic was comparatively higher at Bab al-Mandab, another important Middle Eastern waterway, during the same period. A total of 100 vessels transited that strait, with 51 entering the Red Sea and 49 leaving it, according to the report.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police said it arrested 516 people in regular operations across the capital during the previous 24 hours and filed 40 cases. DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner for Media Niaz Mehdi confirmed the figures to journalists on Tuesday morning, July 28.

Mirpur division recorded the highest number of arrests, with 115, followed by Motijheel with 96 and Tejgaon with 79. Police also arrested 51 people each in Gulshan and Uttara, 46 in Wari, 35 in Ramna, 30 in Lalbagh, 12 by the Detective Branch, and one by the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit.

Police said they recovered 11 kilograms of cannabis, 2,231 yaba tablets and 2 grams of heroin from those held. The operation also recovered six mobile phones, two foreign pistols, two magazines, six rounds of ammunition, a knife and 10,150 taka described as proceeds from drug sales. Two victims were rescued, according to DMP. Legal action against those arrested is under process.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate telephone talks with the foreign ministers of Oman and Saudi Arabia on the latest security situation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA. The report was published on July 28, 2026.

In his conversation with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, Araghchi reviewed bilateral relations and recent regional developments. IRNA said the same subjects were discussed separately with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

The parties emphasized the importance of establishing regional stability and strengthening joint diplomatic efforts. IRNA also said they stressed the need for greater cooperation to address insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran claims has been caused by what it described as aggressive actions by the United States.

Nearly 600 former senior Israeli officials from the defence, security and diplomatic fields have urged US President Donald Trump to intervene directly to stop illegal Jewish settlement expansion and settler violence in the occupied Palestinian territory. In a letter reported on July 28, 2026, the signatories issued a strong warning and criticised the Israeli government’s policies on new settlements and land seizures.

The former officials said failure to act against settler violence would pose a major threat to Israel’s own security. They also argued that such violence could damage efforts to expand Trump’s Abraham Accords, an initiative aimed at normalising Israel’s diplomatic relations with Arab countries while avoiding the Palestinian issue.

Diplomatic analysts cited in the report said the former military figures were seeking to influence the White House and restrain the dangerous deterioration in the West Bank. The move also echoed internal warnings within Israel’s defence establishment. Part of the military had previously warned that settlers were exceeding limits by taking on the army’s role directly and operating in the Israeli army’s name, putting ordinary Israeli soldiers working on the ground at serious risk.

An analysis published on July 28, 2026 says statements from both the United States and Iran that they are prepared for a prolonged conflict have raised new questions about the war’s aims and strategy. It says President Donald Trump initially appeared to seek a rapid end to fighting, continued passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and avoidance of major disruption to global energy markets. The article argues that the current rhetoric makes a longer conflict appear more likely.

The analysis suggests Washington may have expected a quick outcome but adjusted its approach after Iran demonstrated greater resilience than anticipated. It cites Iran’s military capability, large territory, mountainous terrain, population and defense infrastructure developed under decades of sanctions. Drawing on the experiences of Iraq and Afghanistan, it says the United States may be reluctant to launch another major ground operation and could instead pursue sustained economic, political and military pressure.

The article also questions whether Washington could tolerate a lasting risk around Hormuz, where existing alternative pipelines have limited capacity. It discusses a possible internationally supervised security zone and a broader coalition involving Britain, European allies and regional security partners. Turkey is described as backing diplomacy, energy security and a durable framework addressing all parties’ legitimate security concerns.

Former Hnila Union Parishad member Jamal Uddin, 40, was allegedly abducted at gunpoint and attacked in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar. Local sources said five to seven masked, armed men arriving in a CNG autorickshaw forced him into the vehicle while he was having tea outside Hnila Al-Falah Academy School at about 9pm on Monday.

Witnesses said they heard several rounds of gunfire shortly after the alleged abduction and saw the autorickshaw heading west toward the Hnila Dargah area. Sources alleged that an armed group led by Anwar Hossain, also known as Leraiya, beat Jamal and seriously injured both of his legs with sharp weapons before leaving him behind. Residents rescued him, gave him initial treatment and sent him to Cox's Bazar District Sadar Hospital after his condition worsened.

In a Facebook post, Nur Kamal claimed the abduction was intended to kill Jamal and called for those involved to be identified and brought under the law. The Teknaf Model Police Station officer-in-charge said he had heard about the assault and that investigators were examining who was involved. He said legal action would be taken if a complaint is filed.

In an article published on July 28, 2026, Islamic economist Md. Mukhlesur Rahman argues that Bangladesh should strengthen its role in the expanding global halal economy. The article says halal industries now extend beyond food to pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fashion, tourism, logistics, financial services and digital technology. It estimates the global halal economy at about $5.2 trillion, potentially exceeding $9 trillion by the start of the next decade, while Bangladesh’s annual halal-product exports stand at $850 million.

The author says Bangladesh has capabilities in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, garments, pharmaceuticals, leather and food processing. However, he identifies policy frameworks, international acceptance and institutional capacity as the main weaknesses rather than production. Bangladesh lacks a strong internationally recognized national halal accreditation authority, the article says, forcing some exporters to obtain additional certification from recognized bodies in Malaysia, Singapore, India or Thailand.

The article calls for an internationally accepted national accreditation authority, coordinated work by public agencies and private businesses, modern laboratories, digital traceability and trained auditors. It also proposes halal-focused university education and research, easier certification and subsidies for small and medium enterprises, and inclusion of halal industries in national export, investment and industrial policies.

Professor Dr Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem of the Mechanical Engineering Department has been appointed the new vice-chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, or CUET. The appointment was announced in a notification issued Tuesday by the Scholarship and Engineering University Branch of the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Education Ministry.

According to the notification, the appointment was made with the approval of the President and the university’s chancellor. Sayem will serve as CUET vice-chancellor for four years or until the date of his retirement, whichever comes first.

Under the appointment conditions, he will receive salary and allowances equivalent to those of his substantive post, along with other benefits available under the rules. As the university’s chief executive officer, he must reside on campus and perform his duties full-time. The notification also said the President and university chancellor may cancel the appointment if necessary.

US President Donald Trump recalled his personal friendship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan immediately before meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a report published on July 28, 2026. Trump raised the relationship when asked about the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.

Netanyahu has strongly opposed a decision to sell the advanced US aircraft to Turkey. Trump’s reference to his good relations with Erdoğan just before the Netanyahu meeting placed renewed attention on the issue, the report said. The source did not provide details of the meeting’s outcome or any decision on the aircraft sale.

Political analysts cited in the report said Trump’s emphasis on ties with Erdoğan, despite Netanyahu’s objection, returned the proposed fighter-jet sale to the center of discussion. No timetable, final US decision, or further steps regarding F-35 sales to Turkey were stated in the source.

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed visited Bangabhaban for the first time after assuming the role, entering the presidential official residence at about 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday. The report identifies him as the Speaker who took charge after former president Md Shahabuddin resigned.

Ahmed will perform the duties of acting president until a new president is elected. His visit marked his first appearance at Bangabhaban since taking over the responsibilities following Shahabuddin’s departure from office.

Although he will carry out official work, Ahmed will not move into Bangabhaban, the report said. He will continue living at the Speaker’s residence in Parliament. Shahabuddin resigned on July 24 for health reasons and left Bangabhaban two days later, on Sunday.

Bangladesh has brought retail shopkeepers into the tax net for the first time, requiring them to pay a 0.2% advance income tax on goods bought from manufacturers or importers. Under a new Section 127(b) added through an amendment to the Income Tax Act 2023, a retailer would pay two taka in tax for every 1,000 taka of goods purchased. The July 28, 2026 report said the measure is intended to broaden the tax base and raise revenue.

The National Board of Revenue plans to collect the tax through an app that is still at an early stage of development and may take at least three months to build. Company sales representatives or agents would use it to generate an “A” challan against a retailer’s TIN. Retailers would receive tax information through digital copies or SMS, and excess advance tax could be refunded if they file returns.

Officials cited major implementation obstacles, including no reliable database of shopkeepers, some manufacturers lacking TINs, network problems and the need for piloting and training. Earlier VAT collection efforts using ECR and EFD systems did not achieve expected results. Sources estimate annual revenue could reach about Tk5,000 crore, while manufacturers or importers could face penalties if collection fails.

A Dhaka court sentenced former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Sitangshu Kumar, known as S K Sur Chowdhury, to three years in prison for failing to submit an asset declaration in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission. Special Judge Ayesha Nasrin of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court No. 2 delivered the verdict at about 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28.

According to the ACC allegation, Sur was served a notice requiring him to disclose all movable and immovable assets, liabilities, sources of income and acquisition details held in his name, in the names of dependants, or anonymously. The notice was linked to allegations that he owned assets beyond known income. He did not submit the declaration within 21 working days after receiving the order.

ACC Deputy Director Nazmul Hossain filed the case on December 23, 2024, under Section 26(2) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004. Deputy Director Md Ahsan Uddin submitted the charge sheet on August 4, 2025. The court framed charges on November 6, 2025, and heard all seven witnesses. The ACC arrested Sur in Segunbagicha on January 14, 2025, and he has remained in jail since then.