Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of deliberately launching strikes on Iran to sabotage upcoming nuclear negotiations with the United States. He said, “The Netanyahu government is proving to be the biggest obstacle to peace in the region.” Erdogan described the attacks as “outright banditry” and warned that Israel is trying to destabilize the Middle East.

On the ninth day of Israeli airstrikes in Iran, the Arab League convened an emergency meeting in Istanbul. In a joint statement, the League condemned the Israeli strikes as a "blatant violation of the sovereignty of a UN member state" and a grave threat to regional peace and security. The statement urged the UN Security Council to take immediate action to de-escalate tensions, warning of greater instability otherwise. The League also called for renewed diplomatic talks over Iran’s nuclear program, an end to genocide in Gaza, and a halt to illegal settlements in the West Bank in favor of establishing an independent Palestinian state.

Dhaka Medical College has been closed indefinitely following continuous student protests demanding proper accommodation and other facilities. The decision was made during an emergency meeting of the Academic Council. Students have been ordered to vacate their dormitories immediately. However, those sitting for professional MBBS exams and foreign students are exempt from this directive. The protest, ongoing for several days, centers around five key demands, primarily focused on housing. The situation prompted the administration to take this drastic step to maintain order.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating, “Netanyahu has been pushing for war with Iran for years because he sees it as a way to stay in power for life. He’s been in office for most of the past 20 years.” Clinton urged President Trump to help de-escalate the conflict and end civilian casualties. Emphasizing a peaceful resolution, he said, “We will support and protect our allies, but entering covert or unofficial wars that primarily harm innocent civilians is not a solution.”

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has stated that it attempted to peacefully manage the recent student demonstration at United International University (UIU) in the Natun Bazar area.

Speaking on Saturday, DMP Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman said the situation was handled through dialogue, without the use of force. He noted that a group of 30 to 40 students began blocking the Natun Bazar intersection around 8:30 AM, demanding the withdrawal of expulsion orders and raising other issues, which disrupted traffic.

“Despite repeated requests around 10:00 AM to clear the road, the students refused to move. Eventually, there was some pushing and shoving, after which police intervened to disperse the protest,” Rahman said. He emphasized that the authorities are still pursuing a peaceful resolution through continued dialogue. He also expressed concern over the spread of misleading and baseless reports on social media, urging the public to rely on verified information.

In a recent speech, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed, “I should have won the Nobel Peace Prize four or five times, but I’m not being given the award because I’m not a liberal.” Trump highlighted his role in reducing tensions in regions like Rwanda, Congo, Kosovo, and between India and Pakistan. Pakistan has officially nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his mediation efforts during the India-Pakistan conflict.

Tulsi Gabbard, head of U.S. National Intelligence, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that American intelligence has evidence suggesting Iran has reached a stage in its nuclear program where it could produce a nuclear weapon in a matter of weeks or months if it chose to. “President Trump has made it clear this cannot be allowed to happen, and I fully agree,” she added. This contrasts with her earlier statement in March, where she claimed U.S. intelligence believed Iran was not pursuing nuclear weapons. Former President Trump responded to the contradiction by stating, "Mrs. Gabbard is misrepresenting Iran’s intentions."

Vietnam’s top paint company, Kova Paint, is entering the Bangladeshi market through a joint venture with Versetilo Group. A new factory named Kova Paint Bangladesh will be set up to produce 150 tons of paint daily. The plant will cater to both domestic demand and exports to SAARC countries. The agreement was signed in Kuala Lumpur, with Kova aiming to use the Bangladesh facility for fulfilling export orders to India and Malaysia. Officials from both companies and trade associations attended the signing ceremony.

Adviser Farida Akhtar has said that the interim government is committed to ensuring a peaceful transfer of power to representatives chosen by the people through an acceptable, fair, and participatory election. She emphasized that necessary reforms, including restructuring the Election Commission, are already underway to ensure that elections are held on schedule.

Additionally, the adviser highlighted the importance of research for safe and sustainable fish production, noting that fish remain the primary source of animal protein for the country. Addressing the fish crisis, she suggested that the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) could play a vital role in conserving endangered species of fish identified according to IUCN classifications. She also mentioned that a special committee has been formed to tackle the harmful effects of pesticides on public health and the environment.

The government is taking effective initiatives to promote eco-friendly alternative products alongside rubber wood produced by the Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC), said adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. While inspecting a potential site for a BFIDC showroom in Mirpur, she emphasized that the goal is to make government-produced household wooden products more accessible and appealing to the public. Highlighting the durability, skilled craftsmanship, and responsible use of local resources in BFIDC products, she said these features build strong public trust. Rizwana Hasan also instructed officials to finalize the location based on expert recommendations.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a ban on all public gatherings, rallies, demonstrations, processions, and protest events in the areas surrounding the NBR and BIDA offices, starting Sunday morning. According to an official notification, the restriction will be effective from 6:00 AM on Sunday and will remain in place until further notice. The restricted zone covers the stretch from Shishu Mela to the Agargaon Road area, under Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station. The DMP stated that this measure has been taken under Section 29 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance to maintain public order and safety.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has stated that, despite the Election Commission’s independence, holding national elections would be impossible without government cooperation. He confirmed that the Election Commission maintains ongoing communication with the government and that discussions will occur at the appropriate time. The CEC emphasized that the government’s active participation is essential for conducting elections and noted that the commission has an operational roadmap in place, subject to change if necessary.

The Pakistani government has formally nominated former US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his “decisive diplomatic intervention” during recent tensions between Pakistan and India. Islamabad claimed that Trump’s efforts likely prevented a full-scale war that could have endangered millions of lives. The statement praised Trump’s role as a genuine advocate for peace and his commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed grave concern over increasing global conflict risks, warning of the potential for a world war. “All crises must be resolved peacefully,” he emphasized. Putin criticized NATO for repeatedly ignoring Russia’s security concerns, calling it another form of Western colonialism. He also revealed that the US has promised to ensure the safety of Russian personnel at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility. Commenting on Israeli threats to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Putin added, “I hope it’s only rhetoric.”

US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that there is no reason for Israel to halt its strikes on Iran, adding, “Israel is winning decisively. I want to give them a timeframe—two weeks at most. I want to see if Iran regains its senses.” Earlier, on Thursday, Trump said he would assess the situation for two weeks before deciding on further military action against Iran.