Following Israel’s example in Gaza, Indian forces in Kashmir have begun demolishing Muslim homes under the pretext of fighting “suspected militants.” Over two days, seven homes were demolished. Since 1947, Indian forces have destroyed 110,498 structures in Kashmir.

A major failure in the national grid caused a blackout across 21 districts in southern Bangladesh, including Khulna and Barisal, starting at 5:48 PM Saturday. Power was gradually restored in Khulna by 8 PM and in other areas soon after. Officials attributed the blackout to a sudden surge in load due to high temperatures, causing a malfunction at the Amin Bazar substation.

At Central Women’s University convocation, Legal Adviser Asif Nazrul urged young people to work with dedication for the country, not just personal gain. He highlighted how historic movements like the July Revolution led to the fall of oppressive rulers and the birth of new nations. Nazrul encouraged students studying abroad to eventually return and contribute to their homeland’s development.

At least 406 people were injured following a massive explosion on Saturday afternoon at Shahid Rajaei Port in Iran’s Hormozgan Province. Al Jazeera reported that the port primarily handles container shipments and also houses oil tanks and petrochemical facilities. Preliminary investigations suggest that negligence in the storage of flammable materials caused the explosion. Notably, five years ago, the port was the alleged target of a cyberattack blamed on Israel.

The Ex-Forces Association expressed hope that the death sentences handed down by the trial court for those convicted in the murder of Major (Retd.) Sinha Md. Rashed Khan will be upheld by the higher court and demanded the execution within one week of the verdict. The association highlighted that Pradeep Kumar Das, who served as an Officer-in-Charge, was responsible for at least 145 extrajudicial killings under the guise of “crossfire” and had amassed significant wealth through this practice. They also noted that in 2004, while stationed in Chattogram, Pradeep was suspended for attempting to seize a woman’s property. The association expressed satisfaction with the progress of the case.

Malaysian immigration authorities have detained 49 illegal immigrants, including seven Bangladeshis, in a recent operation. The detainees include six Indonesians, 14 from Myanmar, four Nepalese, nine Indians, five Pakistanis, and two each from Nigeria and Yemen. All detainees have been placed in the Lenggeng Immigration Depot for investigation and further action.

Battery-operated auto-rickshaw drivers staged a roadblock protest on Saturday morning in Kasba, protesting against extortion practices. The blockade was lifted following assurances from the Upazila administration. According to reports, the municipality had leased two auto-rickshaw stands in Kasba, with the leaseholders collecting 15 taka from each rickshaw daily. Drivers have been opposing this collection since last year. Multiple meetings have been held between the drivers and officials including UNO and municipal administrator Mohammad Shamiul Islam.

At the convocation ceremony of Central Women’s University, Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan called on students to actively resist the encroachment of wetlands and forests, as well as combat plastic pollution, noise pollution, deforestation, and the climate crisis. She emphasized that education is not just about earning degrees but about a deep commitment to truth, justice, and environmental protection. She urged students to apply their education not just for earning a livelihood but to drive social change, nation-building, and to stand by marginalized communities. Rizwana highlighted that women are the most affected by climate change, framing the environmental struggle as inherently a feminist movement.

Adviser Asif Mahmud has stated that there is no reason to assume he will join a new political party. “When I decide to formally enter politics, I will choose the best option available for myself,” he said. Asif Mahmud clarified that he has not made any decisions yet. Following his leadership role during the July uprising, there is a growing public expectation that he and his associates will work for the country’s long-term interests. However, he emphasized that the time to commit to any political party has not yet arrived. Meanwhile, on Friday, Asif Mahmud appeared for the entrance exam to enroll in the Master’s program at North South University.

Adviser Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan assured that power outages during the upcoming summer would remain within manageable limits. “We have projected a demand of 18,000 MW and are confident we can meet it,” he said during a seminar on overcoming the energy crisis. He pointed out that electricity supply during Ramadan was also largely satisfactory.

The funeral of Pope Francis has begun at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, drawing an estimated 250,000 mourners. Notable attendees include U.S. President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The ceremony is witnessing one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in recent history.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Rome on Friday to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, marking his first unexpected foreign trip of his second term. Accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, Trump will join nearly 50 world leaders and 10 monarchs at the Vatican. Despite past tensions with the Pope over immigration policies, Trump stated he might meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the event, although Zelensky’s attendance remains uncertain.

Dr. AYM Ekramul Haque, Convenor of the Purbachal Society, emphasized the need for a dedicated city corporation to address Purbachal’s ongoing infrastructure issues. Despite the long delay, essential facilities like security stations, expanded power grids, safe drinking water, sewerage systems, road maintenance, educational institutions, markets, hospitals, and recreational parks are still lacking. He urged the government to prioritize the area’s comprehensive development.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan is prepared to cooperate with an independent international investigation into the Pahalgam attack. Rejecting India’s allegations as baseless, Sharif said, “As a responsible nation, we are ready for impartial scrutiny.” He also warned that any violation of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty would be met with full force. Sharif reiterated that Pakistan has been one of the biggest victims of terrorism, losing around 90,000 citizens and suffering billions in economic losses.

Professor Ali Riaz, Vice-Chairman of the Consensus Commission, stated that Jamaat-e-Islami’s contributions to the ongoing fight against fascism will always be remembered. “Despite facing judicial and extrajudicial persecution, Jamaat members have shown remarkable resilience,” he said, expressing hope that the party will play a vital role in rebuilding a truly democratic Bangladesh.