Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has strongly condemned Israeli aggression against Iran, praising Iran’s military prowess in response. Maduro declared that the Zionist regime underestimated Iran’s capabilities, noting that Iran has now proven its military superiority on the global stage. He also expressed condolences over the deaths of senior Iranian officials and dismissed what he called “empty threats” from Israeli leaders, adding that Israel has been reduced to mere intimidation tactics.

Seventy-four Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia are set to receive RM1.54 million in unpaid wages and compensation for labor contract violations. The payment was ordered by the Malaysian Department of Labour and will be made by Meranti Binamas Sdn Bhd, the workers’ employer. Abdul Aziz Ismail of the NGO Tenaganita called it a landmark victory for migrant labor rights, stating, “This decision sends a clear message that employers cannot exploit workers with impunity.”

Chandpur's District Commissioner, Mohammad Mohsin Uddin, has announced that all individuals or businesses wishing to sell Hilsa fish online must now register with the district administration. The move aims to curb fraud, as many deceptive sellers have been using fake social media pages under the "Chandpur Hilsa" brand to scam customers. Applicants will be required to fill out a designated form and meet eligibility criteria to obtain authorization. Authorities believe this initiative will enhance consumer trust and uphold the district’s reputation for quality Hilsa.

A 45-year-old businessman named Sheikh Jewel died while in police custody at Bangra Bazar Police Station in Cumilla. Jewel passed away at the Upazila Health Complex on Thursday night, just hours after being arrested earlier that day on drug-related charges. His wife, Shilpi Begum, stated that she saw him in good health at the station in the afternoon, only to be informed later that he had been taken to the hospital. The family alleges that Jewel died due to police torture—a claim the police have denied. In response to the incident, local residents staged a protest outside the police station, prompting the deployment of additional police forces.

Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, a 20-year-old Indian student residing in the US, has been sentenced to 63 months in prison for money laundering. The US Department of Justice revealed that Patel was part of a scam network that impersonated government officials to defraud elderly Americans. Between July and August 2024, the ring swindled at least $2.7 million in cash and gold from 25 victims, with Patel retaining a portion before passing the rest to accomplices.

Bangladeshi singer Mainul Ahsan Noble has married Israt Jahan Priya, the Eden College student who had filed a rape case against him. The wedding took place under the supervision of prison authorities at Keraniganj Central Jail. A court had previously directed officials to arrange their marriage on Wednesday. Noble was arrested on May 19 following allegations that he had held Priya captive and raped her.

Gas supply from an LNG vessel stationed near Maheshkhali to Chattogram was abruptly halted due to rough sea conditions in the Bay of Bengal. As a result, most households across the city are without gas, and industries have also been affected. The disruption began Wednesday and worsened by Thursday morning, with supply fully cut off by 8:30 AM. Nazrul Islam, General Manager of Gas Transmission Company Limited, confirmed the disruption.

Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, has reportedly been in contact with Iranian representatives, according to a report from Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett. Witkoff recently met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and US Senator Marco Rubio at the White House. Iran’s Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet with his French, British, and German counterparts in Geneva this Friday. Halkett noted, “We expect those talks to clarify that the US is seeking a diplomatic solution.”

Meir Masri, former Israeli Deputy Defense Minister and senior member of the Labor Party, posted in Arabic and Urdu on X, saying, “After the operation in Iran, we may consider dismantling Pakistan’s nuclear program.”

He added, “Pakistan is not far from Iran. That alone should be enough to understand the stakes.” While Masri currently holds no official government position, his status in Israeli politics lends weight to his statements.

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem stated that the organization, along with the Islamic Resistance Movement, fully supports Iran’s legitimate and sovereign rights and stands against the hostility of the United States and "the cancerous tumor, Israel."

Qassem said, “We are not neutral. Threats by Donald Trump to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are not just an attack on Iran, but on the entire region.” He added that Hezbollah will respond as it deems appropriate to such aggression by the U.S. and Israel.

In separate gazette notifications issued Thursday, the government has sent five secretaries and one Grade-1 official into compulsory retirement.

The officials are:

Kazi Enamul Hasan, Director General of Bangladesh Employees Welfare Board

Sukesh Kumar Sarkar, Director General of National Academy for Planning and Development

Muhammad Ibrahim, Chairman of the Land Appeal Board

Dr. Md. Shahid Ullah, Rector of National Academy for Development Administration

Mohammad Salah Uddin, OSD Secretary

Additionally, Dr. Lipika Bhadra, Chairman of Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation, a Grade-1 position, has also been sent into compulsory retirement. As per standard procedure, no official reason was cited in the notifications.

South Korea’s military has confirmed that North Korea launched 10 multiple-launch missiles from Sunan, near Pyongyang, toward the northwest. While specific details are still limited, officials noted that the projectiles are believed to be short-range ballistic missiles. Such missile tests violate United Nations Security Council resolutions, which North Korea continues to disregard.

According to Reuters, Turkey is intensifying efforts to develop an integrated air and missile defense system using domestically produced radar and weapons technologies. The initiative aims to boost preparedness for potential military conflicts. During recent Israeli strikes on Iran, Turkey reportedly launched quick reaction alert aircraft and maintained aerial patrols along its borders despite no irregular migration flow from Iran, indicating heightened vigilance.

RAB-13 has seized 397 bottles of Phensedyl and 25.5 kilograms of cannabis in two separate anti-drug raids in Rangpur and Lalmonirhat, with an estimated value of Tk 25 million. Four individuals were arrested, and a microbus was also confiscated. The drugs were recovered from a deep tube well house in Dinajpur and a microbus in Kaliganj. All suspects have been handed over to the police for further legal action. RAB confirmed the news in an official press release on Thursday.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed back against recent reporting by the Wall Street Journal, saying the outlet has no insight into his position on Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “The Wall Street Journal has no idea what I’m thinking regarding Iran. I haven’t made a decision yet. Everyone’s asking, but let’s see what happens.”

The Wall Street Journal had earlier reported that Trump’s team had given preliminary approval for strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities but held off on final authorization, hoping that Tehran might reconsider its nuclear ambitions.