Fears of an imminent Iranian retaliation following the recent Israeli strikes on nuclear and military sites in Tehran have triggered panic buying in Jerusalem. Supermarkets are quickly running out of food and water as residents scramble to stockpile supplies. At around 3 a.m. Friday, sirens and mobile alerts jolted Israelis from their sleep, warning of a ‘serious threat’ and advising everyone to stay close to shelters. Emergency services have intensified nationwide blood donation drives, and hospitals are discharging patients who are well enough to go home to free up space for potential casualties.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman held a meeting with Interim Government’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at The Dorchester Hotel in London. Before the scheduled meeting, Tarique inquired about the Chief Adviser’s health. “Mother (Begum Khaleda Zia) sends her regards,” Tarique conveyed. The Chief Adviser responded, “Thank you very much, I’m grateful.” Both expressed their happiness at meeting each other. When Tarique asked about his health, the Chief Adviser replied, “I’m managing. You have to, somehow.”

Sabekunnahar Mitu, a woman entrepreneur from Faridpur, is exporting eco-friendly handicrafts made from jute, hogla leaves, water hyacinth, and straw to Europe through her company LAM Creations. With two factories and over 500 workers, her business produces over 50 types of sustainable products. Earning around Tk 500,000 in monthly profit, she has been recognized by Bangladesh Bank for her achievements. Mitu aims to expand further with government support, bringing economic empowerment to rural communities and promoting environmentally conscious manufacturing.

Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned Israel's airstrike on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities, calling it a violation of Iran’s sovereignty and international law. The attack, named “Rising Lion,” occurred early Friday and reportedly targeted uranium enrichment sites. Several top Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists were killed, including IRGC chief Hossein Salami and armed forces head Mohammad Bagheri. In retaliation, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel. The Israeli military is attempting to intercept them as they are expected to reach Israel within hours.

Moments before Israel launched a deadly airstrike on Iran, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee posted a mysterious message on social media, saying he was monitoring the situation from Jerusalem and asked for prayers for peace. The attack killed top Iranian officials, including IRGC commander Hossein Salami and nuclear scientists. Several civilians, including women and children, died when a residential building in Tehran was hit. Israel named the operation "Rising Lion," claiming it aimed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. A nationwide emergency was declared in Iran.

In the aftermath of its multi-phase assault on Iran, Israel is preparing for a full-scale war, deploying over 10,000 troops along its borders. The operation, named “Rising Lion,” targeted several strategic Iranian locations. IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi declared that the military had been preparing extensively to counter imminent threats. Though confident in the military’s readiness, he warned of possible Iranian retaliation. Meanwhile, Iran has promised a severe response to the Israeli attacks, especially those targeting its nuclear facilities, vowing that the aggression will not go unanswered.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has met with the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in London as per a pre-scheduled arrangement. The meeting, held at The Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane, drew thousands of BNP supporters, who gathered outside in a show of support. Before the meeting, excitement among BNP activists was palpable as Tarique Rahman arrived at the hotel. He was seen waving at supporters and exchanging greetings before entering the venue, while chants and slogans filled the air. During the meeting, Tarique inquired about the Chief Adviser’s health and conveyed greetings from Begum Khaleda Zia. “Amma (mother) has sent her salaam,” said Tarique. In response, Yunus expressed gratitude: “Thank you very much. I truly appreciate it.” The two also shared cordial exchanges about each other’s well-being, with Yunus humorously remarking, “It’s going on, dragging along as needed.”

Hamas has called for a unified global stance to confront Israel following its strike on Iran, which killed several senior Iranian figures. In a statement, Hamas described the attack as a grave violation of international law and reaffirmed its support for Iran. The group warned that Israel poses a threat to regional stability. Meanwhile, Donald Trump confirmed prior knowledge of the attack but denied U.S. military involvement. He expressed hope for renewed nuclear talks and said a key ally was notified in advance of the strike.

Container handling at Chattogram Port has plummeted due to the extended government holidays for Eid-ul-Azha. Typically, the port clears around 5,000 containers daily, but this number dropped to less than half during the break. As of Thursday morning, import containers at the port rose from 28,000 on June 4 to over 39,000—an 11,000 increase in seven days. A pre-Eid customs work stoppage and transport strike had already caused vessel congestion. Although port officials say there's still enough space, traders warn further delays could severely affect service quality. Port operations remained active during the holidays, except on Eid day itself.

A UN report reveals that global tech companies increased their carbon emissions by an average of 150% between 2020 and 2023, driven by rapid growth in artificial intelligence and data center energy use. Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet saw emissions spike by over 130%. Experts warn that AI systems alone could soon emit over 100 million tons of CO₂ annually. Data centers now consume 1.5% of global electricity, with usage projected to surpass Japan’s annual demand by 2030 if unchecked.

Ten months after the interim government took charge promising sweeping reforms, conditions at Dhaka Medical College Hospital remain dire. Overcrowding, staff shortages, and unhygienic conditions plague the facility, where patients often share beds and even pay bribes for treatment. Despite the submission of a reform report in May, no visible improvements have occurred. Emergency access is blocked by vendors and vehicles, sanitation is appalling, and syndicates continue illegal operations. Authorities admit challenges but say slow progress is being made in infrastructure and logistics.

Despite growing demands for change, Bangladesh’s public universities continue to suffer from political interference, recruitment irregularities, and infrastructural deficiencies. Student protests at multiple institutions have led to the removal of a few vice-chancellors, but no major reforms have followed. Issues such as unplanned department expansion, underfunded research, and lack of student housing persist. Experts highlight the need for curriculum updates, merit-based appointments, and governance reform. While minor initiatives are underway, long-term improvement depends on structural changes and consistent funding support.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has commenced a one-on-one meeting with Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the proposed interim government, at London’s Dorchester Hotel. Tarique arrived at the hotel around 2 PM Bangladesh time, accompanied by senior BNP leaders Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Humayun Kabir. Dr. Yunus’s team, including his press and security advisers, welcomed him. According to BNP sources, the meeting is strictly private, with no other participants. The party describes the discussion as part of a constructive political engagement.

The AB Party is preparing to contest in 40 to 50 constituencies in the upcoming national election, according to General Secretary Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad. Candidate selection is already underway. However, the party has yet to decide on forming any alliance, with a decision expected by November or December. Speaking at a press conference in Barishal, Fuad said they trust the Chief Adviser’s election roadmap, which emphasizes essential reforms before polls. The AB Party has welcomed this approach and expressed its support.

In a crackdown on ticket black marketing and passenger harassment, the Bangladesh Army conducted a surprise operation at Dinajpur Railway Station. During the raid, army personnel actively investigated complaints of black market ticket sales and passenger exploitation. Captain Tanzid Ahmed, who led the operation, stated that the army is maintaining a strong stance to uphold law and order in the district. He further assured that the army will continue to stand by the public whenever needed to ensure peace and protect public interest.