The BRICS alliance has issued a strong condemnation of recent military strikes on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, labeling them a blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.

In a joint statement issued during the latest BRICS summit—which also marked Iran’s official inclusion in the bloc—member states expressed deep concern over the escalating crisis in West Asia. They called for urgent discussions on the issue within the UN Security Council.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the summit earlier that day, with the joint BRICS statement following shortly after—adding diplomatic weight to the group's unified stance.

A commercial ship was attacked off the Yemeni coast in the Red Sea by eight small boats firing rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire. The ship’s security team returned fire, and no casualties have been reported. The assault occurred near the port of Hodeidah, and though no group has claimed responsibility, it’s believed to be part of ongoing Houthi maritime operations. Heightened security concerns have forced many vessels to reroute.

Flash floods in Texas have killed at least 78 people, with 41 still missing. Kerr County was the hardest hit, with 68 deaths—including 28 children. Among the missing are 10 teenage girls and a counselor from a riverside camp along the Guadalupe River. Despite ongoing search operations, adverse weather conditions are hampering rescue efforts. Governor Greg Abbott has pledged continued rescue operations until everyone is found.

Religious Affairs Advisor Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain emphasized that caring for orphans means more than just providing food and shelter—it requires empowering them to be self-reliant. Speaking at a discussion at Tanzimul Muslimeen Orphanage in Chattogram, he cited prophetic traditions to underscore the importance of compassion and proper upbringing. He commended the orphanage for offering both education and vocational training.

Students from Jagannath University have provided food aid to 200 war-affected families in Gaza as part of the "Project Lifeline Gaza" initiative, overseen by the university’s Human Rights Society. Operating under the leadership of eight students, they raised nearly 300,000 BDT to deliver relief to internally displaced people in southwest Gaza. The students cited humanitarian and global responsibility as their motivation and expressed hopes of expanding their efforts.

Cultural advisor Sharmin S. Murshid emphasized the need to revive stage drama to protect children from harmful cultural influences. Speaking at Lok Natyadal’s 44th anniversary at the Shilpakala Academy, she highlighted theater as a vital medium for social responsibility and nurturing children’s creativity. She also called for transforming the Children's Academy into a dedicated government department and urged stronger participation in democratic and cultural movements through theater.

The Election Commission has formally requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate voter registration and issuance of national identity cards for expatriates in eight additional countries, including the United States, Turkey, Egypt, and France. The other countries listed are South Africa, Maldives, Jordan, and Oman. This program is already operational in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Italy, Kuwait, Qatar, Malaysia, Australia, and Canada. So far, around 47,000 applications have been received from overseas voters, with over 20,000 successfully registered. The commission plans to expand the program to more countries by December, with Japan expected to be included soon.

In a significant move to counter China's expanding influence in the South and East China Seas, Japan is preparing to transfer six Abukuma-class warships to the Philippines. The transfer is part of a broader strategy to strengthen defense cooperation among U.S. allies. A Filipino military delegation is set to inspect the vessels this summer. Despite Japan’s constitutional restrictions on arms exports, the deal is being framed as a joint development initiative. Both countries have expressed growing alarm over China’s assertive military posture and have recently signed a reciprocal access agreement and held joint military exercises.

Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called on Islamic NGOs to play a greater role in social business to support development across the Muslim world. Speaking at a high-level meeting with NGO leaders from several Muslim-majority countries in Dhaka, Dr. Yunus highlighted the potential of social enterprises to empower women and improve healthcare, calling them powerful tools for poverty alleviation. NGO leaders praised Yunus’s model as a source of inspiration for initiatives in their own countries.

Police arrested a professional drug dealer named Babul in the Niladri tourist area of Sunamganj’s Tahirpur. During a late-night raid, authorities recovered four bottles of foreign liquor and 103 yaba pills hidden under his bed. Babul admitted to selling drugs, including yaba, liquor, and beer, to tourists visiting Niladri and local addicts. He exploited the abandoned limestone quarry near Tanguar Haor as a drug distribution point. A case was filed against him under the Narcotics Control Act.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that Israel will not accept any ceasefire deal that allows Hamas to retain control in Gaza. Speaking ahead of a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Sunday, Netanyahu stated, “We will not let kidnappers and murderers be rewarded. Hamas must be militarily dismantled.” He also revealed that Israel is close to signing peace agreements with countries that "no one ever imagined."

Following the recent aerial clash between India and Pakistan, France has accused China of raising doubts about the effectiveness of the French-made Rafale fighter jets. According to French military and intelligence officials, Chinese embassies around the world are being used to spread disinformation aimed at undermining the aircraft’s credibility, particularly in markets like Indonesia where Rafale is competing for defense contracts. China has dismissed the allegations as baseless.

Titash Gas Authority has announced an 11-hour gas shutdown on Monday from 8 AM to 7 PM in parts of eastern Dhaka due to pipeline relocation work under the DND canal excavation project. The suspension affects nine canals in Dhaka and Narayanganj. Key areas impacted include Demra, Shonir Akhra, Tengra, Amtola, and several others. Residents are advised to prepare accordingly for the temporary disruption in gas supply.

Extensive erosion along nearly 7 kilometers of the Jamuna River’s right bank in Chowhali Upazila, Sirajganj, is causing homes and farmland to vanish rapidly. Residents and local leaders organized a large human chain demanding immediate construction of a protective embankment. Despite threats to schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, no preventive measures have been taken yet. The community urges authorities to act swiftly to build a permanent embankment to stop further damage and protect livelihoods.

The Directorate of Primary Education has confirmed that the interim government is actively reviewing a proposal to upgrade the salary scale of 30,000 government primary school headteachers from the 11th to the 10th grade. Following a High Court verdict, 45 petitioning headteachers have already received the pay upgrade, with the Finance Ministry granting its approval. The same benefit is being considered for the remaining headteachers. The Directorate has also issued a warning against corruption and extortion reportedly linked to the process. The proposal is currently under review by the Finance Ministry; an official circular will be issued once final approval is granted.