Palestinian National Council Chairman Ruhi Fattouh has condemned the Israeli finance minister’s proposal to blockade Gaza and seize it in stages, calling it an “open confession of genocide and war crimes.”

In a statement Thursday, Fattouh said such “provocative rhetoric” was no longer limited to extremist views but was now being implemented as state policy. He pointed to two years of siege, during which aid centers were attacked, infrastructure destroyed, and forced displacement attempted.

Fattouh also denounced violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and urged the international community, the UN, and the Security Council to uphold their legal and political responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared Gaza City and refugee camps as “battle zones,” vowing to starve Hamas members “to death by hunger and thirst.”

Bangladesh has been ranked as the world’s second most air-polluted country, just after India, according to the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) 2025 report published by the University of Chicago. The study warns that air pollution is robbing Bangladeshis of an average of 5.5 years of life expectancy.

The report highlights that air quality in Bangladesh is far worse than both the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and the country’s own national standards. Alarmingly, all 166.8 million people in the country live in areas where the air is classified as severely polluted compared to WHO thresholds.

Between 1998 and 2023, the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Bangladesh increased by more than 66%, cutting life expectancy by an additional 2.4 years. Researchers note that the impact of air pollution on public health now exceeds the combined effects of smoking, malnutrition, and unsafe water.

For residents of Dhaka, the situation is particularly dire. If air quality in the capital met WHO standards, the average lifespan of its residents could increase by nearly 6.9 years. Even if only Bangladesh’s national standards were met, Dhaka residents could still gain at least 4 years in life expectancy.

Experts point to brick kilns around Dhaka as one of the city’s long-standing major sources of air pollution, yet effective regulation remains elusive. Adding to the crisis, seasonal smog drifting in from neighboring countries further deteriorates air quality, making the problem not just domestic but regional in scale.

Iran-backed Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed Al-Rahawi has been killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting an apartment in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, according to Al-Jumhuriya Television on Saturday.

Local outlet Aden Al-Ghad reported that several of Rahawi’s aides also died in the strike, which was separate from a wider offensive targeting nearly 10 senior Houthi ministers, including the defense minister. The officials were reportedly scheduled to hear an address from Houthi leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi at the time of the attack.

Arab media reported nearly 10 airstrikes in Sanaa, including one on the presidential palace that killed several Houthi leaders. The Israeli military confirmed strikes on multiple political and military sites tied to the Houthis, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu monitored the operation via secure communication channels.

Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz had warned, “After darkness comes the blow upon the firstborn. Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off.”

Venezuela has launched a massive military drill in response to the deployment of a U.S. naval fleet in Latin American and Caribbean waters. President Nicolás Maduro accused Washington of eyeing Venezuela’s natural resources and seeking to fragment the nation.

Maduro said a formal complaint has been lodged with the United Nations over the U.S. violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. Under his direct supervision, thousands of Special Revolutionary Operations Forces participated in the exercise, showcasing advanced combat maneuvers, mountain warfare, and live-fire drills with modern weaponry.

“The Venezuelan people are ready to resist imperialism. The gringos want our wealth; they want to break our country into pieces,” Maduro declared. He announced that another nationwide drill will take place later this week.

Earlier, the U.S. had dispatched three destroyers, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, and 4,500 naval troops to Venezuelan waters in a mission officially described as countering drug trafficking. In retaliation, Venezuela deployed warships along its coasts and mobilized militias across the country.

A Dhaka court has ordered the imprisonment of former minister Abdul Latif Siddique and 15 others in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act with Shahbagh Police Station.

On Friday morning, the accused were produced before the court, where the investigating officer, Taufiq Hasan, sought their detention in jail. In his submission, he stated that Siddique, under the banner of “Manch 71,” had delivered speeches allegedly inciting armed rebellion to destabilize the country and overthrow the current government.

According to the case details, Siddique’s remarks provoked attendees to chant slogans branding the Awami League as “fascists.” Investigators argued that detaining the accused until the probe is completed is essential to verify their identities and addresses. Police also indicated that a remand petition would be filed soon.

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar has declared that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections will be “the most risk-prone” in Bangladesh’s history. “There will be no scope for irregularities. This is the Commission’s greatest challenge, and we cannot afford to fail,” he stressed.

He urged election officials and all stakeholders to remain vigilant. Commissioner Sanaullah noted that voter turnout may exceed expectations, with expatriates also showing strong interest in casting their votes.

Other commissioners echoed that there is no chance for this election to be marred by irregularities. They also called for “moderation, not extravagance” in election spending.

Former minister Abdul Latif Siddique and 15 others were produced before a magistrate court on charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act in a case filed by Shahbagh Police Station. Police have requested that all accused be kept in custody.

The other defendants include Dhaka University professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman (Karzon), Md. Abdullah Al Amin, Manjurul Alam, Kazi ATM Anisur Rahman Bulbul, Golam Mostafa, Md. Mohiul Islam alias Babu, Md. Zakir Hossain, Md. Tousif Ul Bari Khan, Md. Amir Hossain Suman, Md. Al Amin, Md. Nazmul Ahsan, Syed Shahed Hasan, Md. Shafiqul Islam Delwar, Dewan Mohammad Ali, and Md. Abdullahil Kaiyum.

A controversy arose during a Dhaka University Daksu election talk show when a first-year student, while asking a question, was branded as a ‘Shibir’ supporter by Tanvir Al Hadi Maied, a candidate for the Assistant General Secretary (AGS) post from the Chhatra Dal panel.

Maied has since expressed regret, admitting that his remark was inappropriate. “I immediately apologized during and after my statement, but many people missed it,” he clarified. Later that night, he issued another public apology on social media.

He emphasized that his panel’s manifesto calls for ending forced political activities, campus violence, and the culture of guest-room and mass-room intimidation. “We are committed to freeing the campus from terrorism, extortion, and occupation. Regular Daksu elections are also one of our top priorities,” Maied said.

Cox’s Bazar Airport is set to open for international flights by mid-October, announced advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin. He confirmed that construction work is progressing rapidly, with 80% of the international terminal building already completed.

Speaking after inspecting the airport’s development progress on Thursday afternoon, Bashir said the first international route will launch with a single flight, gradually expanding services over time. “We will also ensure affordable ticket prices to attract passengers,” he added.

Earlier, he held meetings with airport authorities and project officials to review preparations.

The Gono Forum has strongly objected to the unauthorized use of its Emeritus President Dr. Kamal Hossain’s name on the banner of a seminar held at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on August 28.

Acting President Subrata Chowdhury and General Secretary Dr. Mizanur Rahman issued a statement condemning the move, clarifying that the organizers, under the banner of Manch-71, had no affiliation with either Dr. Hossain or Gono Forum.

The seminar, which had listed Dr. Kamal as chief guest, was disrupted by a group identifying themselves as “July Warriors.” Police later detained 15 individuals, including Abdul Latif Siddiqui and Sheikh Hafizur Rahman Karzon.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has set up a three-member committee to investigate police actions during recent protests led by BUET and other engineering university students.

The committee, headed by Additional Police Commissioner Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali, includes Joint Commissioner Sufian Ahmed and Deputy Commissioner Sadek Ahmed as secretary.

They have been given three days to submit findings based on CCTV footage, eyewitness testimony, and situational analysis to determine whether police use of force was justified and proportionate.

Islamic movement leader Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim has accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman of sharing identical disdain towards Islamic clerics.

"Joy cannot tolerate bearded men with caps, and Tarique says the same. There’s no difference in their stance," he declared at a rally in Narayanganj.

He also criticized BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, saying while he respects Fakhrul’s honesty in admitting disbelief in Sharia law, BNP’s violent rhetoric contradicts democratic values:
"Threatening to break the legs of those voting for opponents—that is dictatorship, that is extremism."

Faizul Karim also revisited Bangladesh’s electoral history, branding both the 1973 and BNP-era elections as “questionable” and marked by one-party dominance.

Chief Returning Officer Mohammad Jasim Uddin clarified that the DUCSU election commission had considered seeking assistance from security agencies, including the army, for candidate protection. However, he stressed:
"The plan remains, but we don’t need to contact the army directly. If needed, we will inform the university administration, who will coordinate with law enforcement."

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has confirmed that the government has issued no directive for army deployment in student union polls, nor is such involvement expected.

Earlier, Returning Officer Prof. Golam Rabbani had announced a three-layered security plan for election day, with army presence considered at seven checkpoints.

On Thursday, Indian Border Security Force (BSF) handed over 15 Bangladeshi nationals detained at the Taluigacha border in Satkhira to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

The group—men, women, and children from Satkhira, Pirojpur, and Khulna—had been arrested the previous night while attempting to cross into India illegally through the Hakimpur checkpoint.

OC Shaminul Haque confirmed that the detainees were returned following a flag meeting and would be released to guardians once documentation is complete.

Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s health condition remains stable, according to her physician Dr. AZM Zahid, who spoke after her check-up at Evercare Hospital on Thursday evening.

He criticized the Awami League government for alleged negligence:
"Had she received timely treatment, her condition could have improved much more. Unfortunately, her medical care was long neglected during this period."

Khaleda Zia arrived at Evercare around 7:30 p.m. and returned to her residence in Firoza after 11 p.m.