At least 21 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA). The report said the dead included a municipal councilor from Sidon, two Syrian children riding a motorcycle with their father in Nabatieh, and a paramedic in Zebdine. The NNA added that an ambulance was targeted in Zebdine while attempting to deliver bread to a family described as being under blockade. Lebanon’s Ministry of Health condemned the attack in a statement, saying that targeting paramedics during rescue operations constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law. The ministry’s remarks followed reports that the ambulance strike occurred during a humanitarian mission. The incident underscores the growing civilian toll in southern Lebanon amid ongoing cross-border hostilities, with Lebanese authorities calling attention to the protection of medical and rescue personnel in conflict zones.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman’s adviser on information and broadcasting affairs, Zahed Ur Rahman, stated that the recent electricity price increase will not significantly affect market prices. He made the comment during a press briefing at the Secretariat’s Press Information Department on Saturday, responding to questions about the timing of the price adjustment ahead of the national budget. Rahman explained that while subsidies have become costly, the government must balance spending on development, health, education, and social safety programs. He emphasized that vulnerable groups are being protected, as electricity and fuel prices were not raised for them, and many will receive allowances or family cards under the upcoming budget. Existing safety net programs, including those run by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), will continue. He added that the Commerce Ministry will remain vigilant against any unjustified price increases in the market and that the government will act if irregularities occur.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has directed his country’s navy to enhance its nuclear deterrence capabilities. According to a report published by state media on Saturday, Kim issued the order while overseeing a naval operation test aboard the warship Kang Kon. The directive comes just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to North Korea from June 8 to 9, jointly announced by Beijing and Pyongyang. Kim emphasized that the navy must quickly become a reliable component of the nation’s nuclear deterrence system, capable of delivering “deadly strikes” both above and below water. Strengthening naval power is one of the main goals of the ruling party’s current five-year defense development plan. State media photos showed Kim accompanied by senior military and government officials, as well as his daughter Ju Ae. The report also recalled that Kim had previously supervised the failed launch of the Kang Kon destroyer in May last year, which was later repaired and relaunched. Analysts cited in the report noted that Kim’s ties with Russia have deepened amid the Ukraine war, bolstering his international standing.

The Border Security Force (BSF) of India attempted to push ten Indian nationals into Bangladesh through the Auliarhat border in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat on Friday night. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) intervened and prevented the entry, forcing the BSF to retreat. The incident occurred near the 846/1-2 S border pillar under the jurisdiction of the 65 Bari Border Outpost. According to BGB and local sources, members of the BSF’s Mahanadi camp under the 98 Battalion tried to push in ten people, including women and children, under the cover of darkness. BGB personnel and local residents resisted the attempt and kept the group on the Indian side of the zero line. Following strong protests, the BSF took the ten individuals back into Indian territory early Saturday morning. BGB officials stated that their firm stance and local resistance compelled the BSF to withdraw and return the pushed-in individuals, marking a resolution to the overnight border tension.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected allegations that Tehran is using Lebanon as a bargaining tool in its negotiations with the United States to end the ongoing war. The accusation was made by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who claimed that Iran was leveraging Lebanon in its diplomatic dealings. Responding on social media platform X, Araghchi dismissed Aoun’s remarks, saying they implied Iran had occupied part of Lebanon, displaced its people, and bombed the country daily. He urged the Lebanese president to focus on protecting Lebanon from its real enemies instead of blaming Iran. The exchange highlights tensions between Tehran and Beirut over regional conflicts and diplomatic alignments, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Police reported multiple clashes early Saturday between members of ISKCON and local Hindus in the Nandankanan area of Chattogram city. The confrontation began around 4 a.m. following allegations that ISKCON attempted to seize land and a temple belonging to the local Hindu community. At least four people were injured, and one person was detained. A temple room and electrical equipment were damaged during the incident. Police deployed additional forces to restore order, and the situation is now under control. According to local sources, the dispute centers on khas land adjacent to the Loknath Temple, which both ISKCON and local Hindus claim. Locals accuse ISKCON of gradually trying to take control of the temple and surrounding land, while ISKCON has faced similar allegations in the past regarding illegal land occupation and unauthorized fundraising. Police have urged both sides to remain calm and stated that legal steps will be taken after hearing all parties. Authorities said patrols continue in the area to maintain peace, and the administration will work toward a permanent resolution of the dispute.

Thousands of people took to the streets in Tirana, Albania’s capital, this week to protest a luxury resort project financed by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The $1.6 billion complex is being built in one of the Mediterranean region’s most environmentally sensitive areas, where groundwork has already begun. The site is home to nearly 200 bird species, including flamingos and Dalmatian pelicans. Public anger intensified after construction workers began laying concrete foundations and installing barbed-wire fencing around the project area. Protesters have voiced concerns over potential environmental damage and a perceived lack of political transparency surrounding the deal. The controversy has drawn attention to the environmental and governance challenges facing large-scale foreign investment projects in Albania, though the government’s response to the protests was not detailed in the report.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal for a face-to-face meeting, saying such talks currently have no meaning. Putin made the remarks on Friday at Russia’s main economic forum in St. Petersburg. Zelensky had earlier published an open letter on Thursday urging direct talks, warning that expecting renewed U.S. involvement in the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 would be a mistake. Putin described Zelensky’s letter as ‘inappropriate’ and questioned whether it was intended to create conditions for dialogue or to avoid it, concluding that it appeared to be the latter. When asked if he would meet the Ukrainian leader, Putin said he saw no justification for such a meeting at this time. In response, Zelensky said Russia was once again choosing war and that Putin did not want to end the conflict. He added that many people around the world would be disappointed by Putin’s stance.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will hold its board of directors election on Sunday. Ahead of the vote, sixteen candidates from the club category met in Dhaka on Friday to share their plans and seek support from councilors. During the meeting, Tamim Iqbal, current head of the BCB’s ad hoc committee and Old DOHS Club councilor, called on elected representatives to put Bangladesh cricket’s interests above personal identity or background once they assume office. Tamim, a former national captain, noted that Bangladesh cricket has faced instability in recent years due to multiple leadership changes, which have affected the sport’s environment. He emphasized the need to end this turbulence and restore stability to a game that represents the pride and emotion of millions of Bangladeshis. Tamim also said that criticism and questions are natural but expressed confidence that genuine intent and effective work by elected members will gradually build trust. The upcoming election is expected to pave the way for new leadership in the BCB, and Tamim hopes the new board will prioritize the broader interests of Bangladesh cricket over personal gain.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has reportedly taken back 28 people who had been stranded for two days in the no man's land along the Bangabari border of Gomastapur upazila in Chapainawabganj. The group had been pushed toward Bangladesh but was stopped by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). According to BGB’s 16th Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ariful Islam Masum, the individuals were no longer visible on Saturday morning, suggesting that BSF took them back into Indian territory overnight. BGB sources said that around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, members of the 12th Battalion of Ashrafpur BSF Camp attempted to push the group—comprising 12 men, 10 women, and 6 children—across the border near pillar 203/6-R. Due to BGB’s resistance, they could not enter Bangladesh and remained in the no man’s land for two days. The BGB commander confirmed that the entire border area under the 16th Battalion remains under constant surveillance. The BSF has not officially communicated with BGB regarding the incident, leaving some details unconfirmed.

Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving under the United Nations flag in Sudan’s Abyei region have been posthumously awarded the prestigious Dag Hammarskjöld Medal. The medals were presented at a ceremony at the UN Headquarters in New York on the occasion of International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. UN Secretary-General António Guterres handed the medals to Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, on behalf of the fallen peacekeepers. The honor recognizes their courage, dedication, and sacrifice in the cause of international peace and security. The six honorees—Corporal Md Masud Rana, Privates Md Jahangir Alam, Md Sabuj Mia, Md Mominul Islam, Shamim Reza, and Santo Mondol—were killed in a drone attack on December 13, 2025, while serving with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei in Kadugli, Sudan. This year, 68 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers from 33 member states received the medal posthumously. During the ceremony, the Secretary-General observed a minute of silence in memory of nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have died since 1948 and acknowledged the contributions of over 50,000 personnel currently serving in missions worldwide.

Hamas has declared that it will not surrender its weapons at this stage, rejecting calls for disarmament. The announcement came through a statement by Husam Badran, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, in an interview with Al Jazeera. He said that a final decision on the group’s arms would be made only after discussions with other Palestinian factions. Badran explained that when the National Committee for Gaza Administration assumes responsibility for the enclave, only the official weapons of the Palestinian police would be visible in public. He emphasized that this does not mean Hamas will formally hand over its weapons, but rather that non-official arms will not be displayed. He added that the issue would be discussed within a broader national framework. The statement comes as a reliable source told Al Jazeera that Hamas is preparing to send a delegation to Cairo for renewed talks. The disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza remain key unresolved issues in the U.S.-mediated ceasefire plan of October 2025.

A report from Dhaka highlights the severe educational deprivation faced by children living in urban slums such as Karwan Bazar, Kamalapur, Mohammadpur, and Agargaon. Many children, particularly girls, are unable to attend school due to poverty, child labor, and early marriage. UNICEF and BRAC data show that about 40 percent of slum children never access formal education, and most who do drop out before completing primary school. Environmental challenges, lack of space, and discriminatory behavior by teachers further worsen the situation. Teachers and parents interviewed in the report describe a cycle of hardship where families prioritize daily survival over education. Many children start working in garment factories or as domestic helpers at an early age. Although NGOs operate temporary schools and the government provides free books and stipends, these efforts remain insufficient to meet the needs of slum populations. Poor infrastructure, teacher misconduct, and lack of supportive learning environments discourage attendance. The report concludes that despite constitutional guarantees of education as a basic right, slum children remain excluded from mainstream schooling, trapped in poverty and child labor with limited prospects for change.

The United States has approved the sale of weapons worth $1.98 billion to Kuwait, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of State. The announcement comes as Kuwait, one of the Gulf countries affected by Iranian attacks during the Middle East conflict, seeks to strengthen its defense capabilities. The sale includes drone defense technology to be purchased from Anduril, a defense technology company founded by a supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump. The State Department said the proposed sale aligns with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives. It emphasized that the deal would enhance the security of a major non-NATO ally and support political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. The statement framed Kuwait as an important force for regional stability and development. The approval underscores Washington’s continued defense cooperation with Gulf partners, reflecting its strategic interest in maintaining regional balance and countering emerging threats.

Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, envoys of US President Donald Trump, met with technology experts at a national research laboratory in Tennessee on Thursday, according to Axios citing a US official. The meeting took place as the United States resumed attacks on Iran while simultaneously engaging in talks aimed at limiting Tehran’s nuclear program. Scott Roker, vice president of the Nuclear Materials Security Program at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, said the laboratory has a history of removing highly enriched uranium worldwide. He told CNN that the facility has the expertise to handle, convert, and transport such materials safely, but noted that no one in the US has experience retrieving uranium buried underground. Intelligence assessments indicated that a June 2025 US strike on Iran’s Isfahan complex buried much of Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpile without destroying it. Roker described the meeting as an encouraging sign, suggesting it was necessary to involve US government experts in the ongoing discussions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this week that the talks with Iran are technical and could take several months.