A pre-election assessment team from the European Union is scheduled to visit Dhaka on September 18 ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections. The team will include three international and four local observers and will complete its mission by October 7. Based on the team's findings, the EU will decide whether to deploy a full election observation mission. During the visit, they will meet with the Election Commission, political parties, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.

Since August 1, the Hafeezzi Charitable Society of Bangladesh, a government-registered NGO, has been providing food, medical supplies, and clean water to four government hospitals in Gaza. The organization began its humanitarian mission after receiving approval from the Palestinian Ministry of Health on July 31. In addition to hospital support, the charity is establishing a school for over 300 displaced children in Egypt. Vice-President Mawlana Mohsin Bin Muin emphasized that supporting innocent victims of war is a humanitarian duty, not a crime.

Arizona, USA – A medical aircraft crashed near Chinle Airport in Arizona on Tuesday, claiming the lives of all four people on board. The dual-propeller aircraft was en route to pick up a patient from a nearby hospital when it went down shortly after takeoff. The plane burst into flames, killing everyone inside.

The aircraft was typically used for transporting patients and medical equipment. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the crash, but a thorough investigation is currently underway.

Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem declared that Israel’s carefully constructed sense of security over the last eight months could be obliterated in a single hour by missile strikes.
He reaffirmed Hezbollah’s preparedness to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty and rejected international pressure to disarm.
Speaking at a memorial for Iranian martyr General Ezadi, Sheikh Qassem highlighted his legacy of supporting Palestinian resistance.
He added, “The U.S. does not want the Lebanese military to acquire weapons that pose a threat to Israel. If Hezbollah disarms, who will protect Lebanon?”

Ebrahim Azizi, Chairman of Iran’s Parliamentary Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy, has announced that Iran will not grant physical access to its nuclear facilities to any international organization. In a statement, he dismissed rumors circulating in the media about inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Azizi confirmed that an IAEA delegation will visit Iran next week, but their discussions will be limited to technical and expert-level talks with Iranian officials only. “Under a law passed by the Iranian parliament, physical access to nuclear sites by international agencies is not permissible,” he added. “However, dialogue will continue.”

Kazem Gharibabadi, a senior Iranian official, has stated that lifting economic sanctions remains one of Iran’s key conditions for restarting negotiations with the United States.

Despite ongoing sanctions, he emphasized that Iran has managed to continue oil exports, saying, “Even under sanctions, we’ve found ways to sell our oil.”

Gharibabadi added:
“If the U.S. avoids returning to the negotiation table—or if talks proceed without lifting sanctions—it won’t be the end of the world. We must strengthen our economic foundations regardless.”
He stressed the need for international cooperation:
“We live in a globalized economy. Nations must engage with one another—especially with neighbors. There is enormous untapped potential both regionally and beyond.”

He concluded by saying that while lifting sanctions through diplomacy would be ideal, Iran will not tie all its options to negotiations, especially if the process is exploited.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying, “We want Israel to feed the people of Gaza. We are providing significant aid—mainly to ensure food reaches those who need it.”

Trump emphasized, “We don't want anyone starving or dying from hunger.”

On Friday, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff visited Gaza to assess the operations of the controversial U.S.-backed Gaza Emergency Humanitarian Fund (GEHF). Trump praised his efforts, calling them “excellent.”

However, when asked whether he believes genocide is being committed in Gaza, Trump avoided answering. He claimed the U.S. has pledged $60 million in food assistance for Gaza, though various sources indicate that only around $3 million has been disbursed so far.

OPEC Plus members have agreed to raise oil production by 547,000 barrels per day beginning September, aiming to stabilize the market amid Western pressure on Russian oil supplies. The decision follows virtual talks addressing global economic conditions and low reserves. Despite increased output, oil prices remain steady around $70 per barrel. Another meeting is scheduled for September 7, where potential production cuts might be discussed. OPEC Plus, including non-OPEC countries, produces nearly half the world’s oil and works to maintain market balance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv is finalizing a list of prisoners for exchange with Russia. The move follows the latest round of negotiations held in Turkey last month, where both sides agreed to continue the prisoner exchange process.

Zelensky proposed a summit of heads of state before the end of August, as part of the third phase of talks. Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky confirmed that both countries had previously exchanged 1,200 prisoners each and agreed to maintain that structure for upcoming swaps.

Zelensky also said Ukraine is working to secure the release of civilian detainees and is verifying the status of each individual. He emphasized, “We are committed to bringing every Ukrainian home.”

Thousands of demonstrators marched across Sydney Harbour Bridge in the rain, demanding an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza and calling for urgent humanitarian aid. The protest, dubbed the “March for Humanity,” drew wide public attention and included high-profile participants such as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Some protestors carried pots and pans to symbolize hunger, while others waved Palestinian flags and held placards demanding justice. New South Wales Police initially sought to block the march, but the state’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing it to proceed. A parallel protest also took place in Melbourne.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized Delhi Police for referring to Bengali as the "language of Bangladesh." Describing the act as "insulting, anti-national, and unconstitutional," Mamata expressed outrage:
"How can Delhi Police—under the direct control of the Union Home Ministry—refer to Bengali, my mother tongue, as a Bangladeshi language? This is an affront to all Bengalis."

She added, “Bengali is not only my native language but also the language of Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda. Both India’s national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and national song ‘Vande Mataram’ were written in Bengali. Millions across India speak and write in this language, which is officially recognized by the Constitution.”

The controversy stems from a letter by Delhi Police requesting a Bengali translator to assist in a case involving eight suspected Bangladeshi nationals. The letter referred to Bengali as the "national language of Bangladesh."

Yemen’s Houthi fighters have launched drone strikes targeting Israeli military sites. Military spokesperson Yahya Saree confirmed that three drones were deployed toward major Israeli cities—Tel Aviv, Ashkelon, and Haifa.

Soon after the announcement, air raid sirens were reported near Netzarim, close to Gaza, and along the Egyptian border. Israel claimed to have intercepted one drone, but has not provided details on the remaining two. This strike marks a significant escalation and presents a new strategic threat to Israel.

Stephen Miller, former Deputy Chief of Staff to Donald Trump, has accused India of indirectly supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing large quantities of Russian oil.

“People will be shocked to learn that India is now on par with China in buying Russian oil,” said Miller. According to NDTV, the Trump administration has leveled three primary allegations against India: buying Russian oil, imposing high tariffs on U.S. goods, and manipulating the U.S. immigration system.

Miller noted that although Trump has maintained good relations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, future actions will be guided by pragmatism. He added that diplomatic and financial measures remain open to ensure Russia is denied the funds to continue its aggression.

Russia’s Krasheninnikov volcano, located in the Kamchatka Peninsula, has erupted for the first time in over 500 years. Experts believe a recent powerful earthquake may have triggered the eruption.

The volcano emitted an ash plume reaching 6 kilometers into the sky. Although the eruption currently poses no direct threat to populated areas, a subsequent earthquake in the region led authorities to issue tsunami warnings for three nearby zones.

At least 54 refugees and migrants have died in a boat capsizing off the coast of Yemen. Many others remain missing. Abdul Qader Bajamil, director of Zanzibar’s Health Department, confirmed that bodies were recovered from the beach and surrounding areas, while 12 survivors were rescued and taken to Shakra Hospital.

The boat was carrying around 150 passengers, mostly from Ethiopia. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has described this route as one of the busiest and most dangerous migration paths in the world.