Iran and the United States are reportedly nearing a new agreement, with speculation that it could be finalized soon. According to a statement on Donald Trump’s Truth Social, the deal might have been expected on Sunday, coinciding with the former US president’s birthday. However, Tehran University professor Fouad Azadi told Al Jazeera that Iranian officials are unlikely to sign the deal that day to avoid giving Trump the impression of receiving a “birthday gift.” Azadi noted that public sentiment in Iran remains optimistic about a possible agreement within days.

Azadi explained that Iran does not want to create a situation where Trump could claim personal credit, citing his alleged involvement in serious war crimes. He further stated that even if a deal is reached, genuine friendship among the United States, Iran, and Israel remains unlikely. As long as Washington continues policies supporting Israeli dominance in the Middle East, normalization will not occur.

Azadi added that ongoing conflicts have permanently altered the region’s security structure, reflecting deep mistrust and geopolitical shifts across the Middle East.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed support for a potential Iran-related agreement during a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, according to a statement from Starmer’s office released on Saturday. Starmer emphasized that any deal must ensure sustainable and lasting peace. The statement added that the United Kingdom is ready to assist in implementing any peace agreement and will work with international partners to ensure its success.

The statement also noted that both leaders agreed on the need to restore free maritime navigation to minimize negative impacts on the global economy. They further committed to maintaining close communication in the future. Earlier, Trump posted on Truth Social that the Iran deal was expected to be signed on Sunday and that the Strait of Hormuz would be opened to all upon signing. He added that the United States would later collect nuclear debris in Iran once the situation stabilizes.

Trump expressed hope that the process would proceed smoothly but warned that the United States had a final option if necessary.

Speakers at a roundtable in Dhaka sharply criticized India’s alleged push-in of people across the border and the killing of civilians along the frontier. The event, titled “Citizen Thoughts to Prevent Push-In at the Border,” was organized by the Desh Bachao Manush Bachao Andolon at the National Press Club’s VIP Lounge. Participants accused India’s government of acting out of religious bias and questioned why pro-India political figures were not being pushed in as well.

Speakers included leaders from the National Labor Party, National Democratic Party, and other nationalist organizations. They denounced remarks by India’s High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi about merging populations of the two countries and demanded clarification. Several participants alleged that India was pursuing hegemonic policies and exploiting Bangladesh despite its past support during the independence war.

The meeting called on Bangladesh’s foreign ministry to take a stronger stance and urged reinforcement of the Border Guard Bangladesh. Participants warned that citizens were ready to defend national sovereignty and that India’s alleged hostility toward Muslims would not go unanswered.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that a potential agreement with Iran could be signed on Sunday, promising that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen immediately afterward. He added that the U.S. would later collect and neutralize underground nuclear debris in Iran or the United States. Trump expressed hope for a smooth process but warned of a “final option” if talks failed. Iran has not officially responded, and some of Trump’s remarks appear to contradict earlier Iranian statements about the timing of the memorandum of understanding.

Al Jazeera reported that Tehran acknowledged progress in the talks and that the draft text was under review by Iran’s National Security Council and the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said the deal would not be signed Sunday but likely within days. Analysts noted growing optimism compared to previous rounds, though regional conflicts, including in Lebanon, could still disrupt diplomacy.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer voiced support for a sustainable peace deal in a phone call with Trump, while experts cautioned that despite optimism, uncertainty and political maneuvering could still affect the outcome.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), held a protest march and rally in Dhaka on Saturday night, accusing Islami Chhatra Shibir of staging fake abduction and disappearance incidents to falsely blame the government. The demonstration began at the Central Shaheed Minar and ended at Shahbagh intersection, where JCD activists chanted slogans condemning Shibir’s alleged actions.

During the rally, JCD leaders claimed that Shibir was insulting real victims by fabricating disappearance stories and spreading false accusations against the government online. They further alleged that Shibir operated secret networks involved in crimes such as rape and violence against women. Central organizational secretary Amanullah Aman described Shibir’s activities as hypocrisy, while general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir cited a recent incident in Cumilla as a planned event linked to Shibir’s undisclosed committee members.

JCD president Rakibul Islam Rakib also condemned the alleged acts, asserting that Shibir’s staged incidents were intended to mislead the public and discredit the government.

Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam stated that friendship cannot be built by erecting barbed wire fences along borders or constructing dams on rivers. He made the remarks on Saturday during a divisional rally of the 11-party alliance in Chattogram.

Nahid Islam criticized the current government, claiming it has failed to achieve economic progress because it ignored the people’s mandate from the beginning. He alleged that police in Chattogram abducted a member of the national cricket team and warned that the public would face further consequences if reforms were not implemented. He also accused the government of adopting submissive policies that have led to renewed killings along the border.

He urged the government to initiate reforms and implement the July Charter immediately, warning that continued corruption and inequality would shorten the government’s time in power.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway will be expanded from four to six lanes. Speaking at a public rally in Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar, on Saturday evening, he said the road had not been developed in the past 17 years and remained as it was left by the previous BNP government. Earlier in the day, he inaugurated the re-excavation of the historic Patli Canal in PMkhali, associated with late President Ziaur Rahman.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the BNP government prioritizes farmers, pledging to set fair prices for salt producers and to distribute agricultural cards to 8,000–10,000 farmers per district, each receiving Tk 2,500 in incentives. He also highlighted initiatives for women’s education, including making undergraduate and degree-level education free for women and expanding stipends to reach rural areas. Additional measures include family cards for rural households and special budget allocations for affordable healthcare.

Rahman said taxes on heart rings and dialysis equipment have been withdrawn to reduce treatment costs, while taxes were increased only on alcohol and cigarettes. He reaffirmed that the government’s programs aim to improve the lives of 200 million citizens.

Law Minister Asaduzzaman has emphasized the need to reduce the trend of talented Bangladeshi engineers moving abroad and to create an environment that allows their skills and innovation to contribute to national development and industrialization. Speaking as the chief guest at an event held at the IEB building in Dhaka on Saturday, he said the government is prioritizing job creation, technology-based education, and innovation-friendly planning to achieve this goal.

He noted that Bangladeshi engineers have long played a leading role through their intellect, dedication, and professionalism, but many choose to settle abroad after gaining higher education and skills. The minister stressed that retaining this skilled workforce is essential for the country’s progress in development, industrialization, and technological advancement. He added that the proposed national budget gives top priority to education, particularly technical and technological fields.

Asaduzzaman also highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability, and cost-efficiency in implementing development projects funded by public money. He called on engineers to ensure earthquake-resistant, safe, and environmentally friendly infrastructure and to help build a modern, self-reliant Bangladesh.

Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh has strongly protested the initiative to make music, dance, and drama compulsory in primary education. The organization’s leaders urged the government to reconsider and cancel the decision, emphasizing the need to appoint religious teachers in primary schools as previously promised. The statement was made at a meeting of the Dhaka South unit held at the organization’s central office in Purana Paltan, where Secretary General Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi spoke as chief guest.

During the meeting, Afendi said that most people in Bangladesh believe in religious and moral values, and the education system should nurture morality, character, patriotism, humanity, and faith-based ethics. He argued that making music, dance, and drama mandatory for young children does not align with the country’s social, cultural, and religious realities.

The leaders called for suspending the initiative and urged the government to consult educationists, religious scholars, and guardians before finalizing any decision. They also reiterated their demand for the swift implementation of the government’s earlier commitment to appoint religious teachers in primary schools.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the current government is not a people's government, accusing it of riding to power through corruption and ignoring public welfare. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a divisional rally organized by an 11-party alliance at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram, demanding implementation of the referendum verdict, reduction of public suffering, and control of commodity prices. The rally drew large crowds from across the division, with heavy police deployment around the venue.

Dr. Rahman criticized the government for failing to respect the people's mandate, alleging that 70 percent of citizens’ votes were disregarded. He warned that if the government does not change course, a movement for its removal will begin from Chattogram. Other alliance leaders, including LDP Chairman Col. Oli Ahmed and NCP Convenor Nahid Islam, accused the government of corruption, economic mismanagement, and suppressing dissent. They called for reforms, respect for democratic rights, and implementation of the July charter.

Speakers emphasized that ignoring public expectations and democratic values would threaten national unity and stability, urging the government to engage with opposition forces for meaningful reform.

BNP leaders and activists carried out a cleanliness drive in Dhaka’s Uttara-12 area near Rupayan City on Saturday, led by Dhaka North BNP joint convener Afaz Uddin. The initiative targeted a canal flowing beside residential areas from Uttara-10’s Swiss Gate, which had long been clogged with waste, causing pollution and waterlogging. Despite heavy rain, the team worked throughout the day using an excavator to remove garbage and pile it for city corporation disposal.

Afaz Uddin said the effort was part of BNP’s declared weekly cleanliness program and that he has continued such social activities before and after elections. He expressed his intention to help transform Uttara into a modern, pollution-free city and called for intervention from relevant authorities, including the Prime Minister.

He also proposed developing a planned lake park in the Diabari area modeled after Dhanmondi and Hatirjheel, with facilities for children, the elderly, and youth recreation. Additionally, he announced the start of a tree-planting campaign in the area.

Speakers at a discussion marking World Day Against Child Labour emphasized that birth registration is a powerful tool to prevent child labor in Bangladesh. They noted that registration establishes a child’s identity, protects rights, and ensures access to state services. Without registration, many children remain vulnerable to exploitation and early entry into the labor market.

The event highlighted that only 50 percent of births in Bangladesh are currently registered, and among children under five, the rate is just 40 percent. Experts proposed amending the Birth and Death Registration Act 2004 to make all health facilities legally responsible for registering births. Since about 67 percent of children are born in such facilities, this reform could significantly raise registration rates and strengthen child protection.

Speakers added that improved registration would help Bangladesh achieve full civil registration by 2030 under the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Decade and accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 8.7, which targets the elimination of child labor and all forms of child exploitation.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said Bangladesh would be embarrassed if the prime minister continued to make inappropriate remarks. He made the statement on Saturday while addressing a grand rally organized by the 11-party alliance at the historic Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram.

During the same event, National Parliament’s Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam alleged that there were attempts to hand over Islami Bank to S. Alam, warning that the public would not accept it. Jamaat-e-Islami Member of Parliament Shahjahan Chowdhury also spoke, saying that martyr Osman Hadi had spoken for justice and that it would be unacceptable if the BNP failed to ensure justice after coming to power.

The rally reflected growing criticism from opposition figures over government actions and political accountability, highlighting tensions between ruling and opposition parties in Bangladesh.

Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has alleged that efforts are underway to hand over Islami Bank to S Alam Group, warning that the public will not accept such a move. He made the remarks on Saturday while addressing a divisional rally of the 11-party alliance in Chattogram.

At the same event, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Shahjahan Chowdhury said that martyr Osman Hadi spoke for justice and fairness, and that the BNP must ensure justice if it returns to power. Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman arrived in Chattogram to attend the rally at Laldighi Maidan.

The 11-party alliance organized the gathering to press for several demands, including implementation of the people's mandate, control of commodity prices, improvement of law and order, and establishment of citizens’ rights.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the grave of martyr Md. Wasim Akram, the first martyr from Chattogram Division in the 2024 mass uprising, on Saturday afternoon in Pekua upazila. He personally drove to Wasim’s village home, accompanied by his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, and the minister’s wife Hasina Ahmed. After offering prayers at the grave, the prime minister met Wasim’s parents and brother, expressed his condolences, and handed over a savings certificate worth Tk 2 million to the family.

Md. Wasim Akram was killed by gunfire on July 16, 2024, during an attack on protesting students in Chattogram’s Bahaddarhat area amid the anti-discrimination movement. At the time, he served as joint convener of the Chattogram College unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. The prime minister’s visit highlighted official recognition of Wasim’s sacrifice during the 2024 movement.

The gesture is seen as part of ongoing efforts to honor those who lost their lives in the 2024 uprising and to support their families through state assistance.