Kuwaiti authorities reported that a power generation and seawater desalination facility was attacked for the second time in two days, according to Al Jazeera. The Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy stated that several parts of the facility caught fire, and firefighting and emergency crews were working to bring the blaze under control.

The ministry confirmed that a large number of power generation units were damaged in the incident. However, officials did not immediately release details about the nature of the attack, possible casualties, or the full extent of the damage.

This second consecutive attack on the same facility within two days has raised new concerns about the security of Kuwait’s energy and water supply infrastructure.

The United States Department of State has issued a global travel alert for American citizens in response to escalating tensions in the Middle East. The announcement was made on Saturday, July 18, 2026, urging all US nationals abroad to exercise maximum caution due to a highly complex security environment that could deteriorate unexpectedly.

The statement advised Americans, particularly those in the Middle East, to stay informed about the latest developments and follow local security updates. It also instructed citizens to comply with safety guidelines issued by nearby US embassies or consulates. The department warned that international travel disruptions could occur, including flight cancellations and temporary airspace closures in some countries.

The alert further noted that US diplomatic facilities in several regions face potential threats, with Iran-backed groups possibly targeting American embassies or citizens. The State Department recommended avoiding non-essential travel and maintaining contact with the nearest US embassy in case of emergencies.

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization has alleged that the United States carried out a missile attack on the construction site of the Darkhovin nuclear power plant in Khuzestan province. According to local media reports cited by the organization, the strike occurred at around 3:39 a.m. local time on Sunday. The Iranian agency strongly condemned the attack in an official statement.

The report did not provide details about the extent of damage or any casualties resulting from the incident. The Darkhovin nuclear power plant, whose construction began in 2022, is described as one of Iran’s key nuclear energy projects. The organization emphasized the strategic importance of the facility but did not elaborate on potential operational impacts.

The incident adds tension to ongoing regional developments, though immediate consequences or international responses were not mentioned in the report.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has claimed that four ships were involved in accidents in the Strait of Hormuz after failing to follow the country’s designated maritime routes. According to the IRGC, two vessels attempted to leave the strait using what it described as an unsafe route and subsequently stopped after encountering accidents. Two other ships reportedly refused to continue along the same route. Iran did not provide details about the nature or extent of the incidents.

The IRGC further alleged that the ships had turned off their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and ignored warnings from Iranian authorities. Tehran maintains that all vessels carrying oil, gas, or fertilizer must obtain permission and use its approved routes, warning that any deviation poses a risk of accidents. Since signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington in mid-June, Iran has asserted its authority over the strategically vital waterway.

Iran’s directive requires ships to sail closer to its coastline rather than along the traditional international route near Oman. The country has previously stated that it has taken action against vessels that violated these instructions.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines plans to lease 10 aircraft by 2027 to expand its international routes and increase passenger capacity. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said the initiative aims to address the airline’s short-term capacity gap until 14 new Boeing aircraft are added to the fleet from 2031. Initially, three aircraft will be leased, with the number potentially increasing based on operational needs and route expansion strategies.

The government has emphasized transparency in the leasing process and has begun selecting an international consultant to oversee it. Around 40 applications have been received, and one qualified firm will be chosen. The leasing plan is separate from Biman’s $3.7 billion Boeing purchase agreement. As part of the initiative, Biman has invited proposals for a six-year dry lease of three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, expected to join the fleet in early 2027.

The expansion comes amid rapid growth in Bangladesh’s aviation sector, with private airlines like US-Bangla, Air Astra, and Novoair also pursuing fleet and route expansions to capture a larger share of the international passenger market.

Chief Prosecutor Md. Aminul Islam announced that 58 victims of the 2013 Shapla Chattar killings in Dhaka’s Motijheel area have been identified. He made the statement on Sunday while speaking to journalists at his office. The investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal has submitted a draft report on the incident to the Chief Prosecutor’s office after a long investigation.

According to Aminul Islam, the draft report will now undergo final verification to ensure transparency and accuracy in the judicial process. He emphasized that the goal is to bring the real perpetrators to justice. The draft report includes names such as the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former police chief, and former BGB chief, though these names are still under review and may change after verification.

The Chief Prosecutor added that a total of 61 victims had been listed earlier, of whom 58 have now been identified. Senior Hefazat-e-Islam leaders, including Abdul Hamid, Maulana Mamunul Haque, Mufti Harun Izhar, and Mufti Mir Idris, were present at the press briefing held at the Chief Prosecutor’s office.

The United States Embassy in Jordan has advised American citizens in the country to avoid traveling to Aqaba International Airport and the seaport due to a specific and credible security threat. In a statement shared on social media, the embassy said Jordanian authorities had evacuated both the airport and the port as a precautionary measure. It urged all US citizens to refrain from visiting these areas and to follow all security instructions issued by Jordanian authorities.

The embassy in Amman further warned against travel to Jordan’s military bases. The advisory follows reports that the United States recently carried out its eighth consecutive night of airstrikes in Iran. Around the same time, the US claimed that an Iranian attack in Jordan killed two American soldiers and left one missing.

The situation underscores heightened regional tensions involving the US, Iran, and Jordan, with security alerts likely to remain in place until the threat is resolved.

RAB-7 has arrested nine individuals in connection with an attack on the internet company Digital DotNet (DDN) in Chattogram’s Chawkbazar area. The assault was allegedly orchestrated by top criminal David Imon, who reportedly hired attackers for Tk 500 each after failing to extort Tk 20 million from the company’s owner. The arrests were made during raids on Saturday night, bringing the total number of detainees to 21. Authorities also recovered knives and locally made weapons.

According to RAB, the attack occurred on July 13 after the company refused to pay the demanded extortion. Around 30 to 40 armed men vandalized office equipment, including computers and servers, and looted Tk 3.5 million in cash. A case was later filed by the company’s manager at Chawkbazar Police Station against unidentified assailants.

RAB-7 Chief Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Md. Hafizur Rahman confirmed the details at a Sunday press briefing, stating that the main suspect’s location has been identified but withheld for investigative reasons.

Protests erupted in Venice during Italy’s traditional Redentore festival following the arrival of US Ambassador Tilman Fertitta’s $450 million mega yacht ‘Boardwalk’. Around 300 demonstrators clashed with riot police on Friday evening, carrying placards reading “Venice is not for sale” and chanting anti-Trump slogans. Tensions rose as protesters tried to approach the yacht, prompting police intervention. Some threw inflatable toys at officers while criticizing the US administration through megaphones.

Fertitta, a close ally and donor of US President Donald Trump, described his private yacht tour of Italian coastal cities as part of a “coastal diplomacy” initiative marking the United States’ 250th anniversary. Many Venice residents opposed the visit, arguing that the city is increasingly turning into a luxury destination for billionaires while ordinary citizens face declining housing and public services.

Local anger intensified when the 117-meter yacht blocked traditional views of the festival’s fireworks. A labor union leader called the incident shameful and inconsistent with environmental and social sustainability. The US embassy declined to comment, while Italy’s foreign ministry said the ambassador’s program was proceeding successfully.

Public anger in the United States has intensified as American soldiers continue to die in the ongoing war against Iran. The conflict, once distant from everyday American life, has now become a central political issue after recent troop casualties brought the war’s impact closer to home. Analysts note that the war has never been popular among ordinary Americans, who are already burdened by rising living costs and domestic challenges.

President Donald Trump had pledged during his 2024 election campaign to free the United States from what he called “endless wars.” However, the current situation stands in stark contrast to that promise, as the Iran conflict deepens and public dissatisfaction grows. The loss of American lives has reignited debate over the country’s involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts.

According to the report, Trump and his administration are now facing mounting criticism, including from within his own support base. In the coming weeks, they are expected to confront tough questions from the American public about the direction and justification of the war.

Five people, including a seven-year-old girl, were rescued after drifting for three days at sea following a passenger boat sinking near Selayar Island, south of Sulawesi in eastern Indonesia. The incident occurred on Wednesday when the boat, carrying more than 70 passengers, went down. The survivors were part of a group of 25 previously listed as missing and became separated due to strong winds.

Local search and rescue official Muhammad Arif Anwar said the survivors tied together jerrycans and cork pieces with rope to stay afloat. They were rescued by local fishermen on Saturday afternoon, who then radioed authorities for assistance. The rescued individuals appeared weak and exhausted after days without sufficient food or water but managed to survive by eating instant noodles and biscuits.

Search operations for the remaining missing passengers are ongoing, involving five large ships, a reconnaissance plane, and a helicopter. Authorities noted that Indonesia frequently experiences maritime accidents due to poor safety standards and adverse weather conditions.

A Bangladesh-flagged vessel, MV Jahan Brothers-2, arrived at Pakistan’s Gwadar port on Saturday after sailing from Singapore. The ship is carrying more than 53,000 tons of prime steel billets, which will later be transported to the Al Hamriya port in the United Arab Emirates. The cargo will be temporarily unloaded and stored at Gwadar before being reloaded onto another vessel for onward shipment.

According to Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, the operation is part of a transshipment process linking regional ports. Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noor-ul-Haq Baloch stated that despite regional challenges, port and commercial activities continue uninterrupted, and Gwadar is positioning itself as a safe, reliable, and efficient regional trade hub.

The development highlights Gwadar’s growing role in regional logistics and its efforts to attract more transshipment traffic through improved operational reliability.

Israel’s High Court of Justice has issued a temporary injunction against the enforcement of the country’s newly passed media reform law. The legislation, which was approved just before the dissolution of the Knesset last week, aimed to introduce sweeping changes to Israel’s media landscape.

According to local media reports cited by The Times of Israel, the court’s order suspends certain provisions that were set to take immediate effect but does not entirely cancel or freeze the law. The new law would significantly expand government control over Israel’s broadcasting and news sectors by removing long-standing independent oversight mechanisms, minimum professional standards for journalists, investment requirements for core programming, and restrictions on media ownership.

The court’s temporary injunction leaves the broader fate of the law uncertain, pending further judicial review and possible political developments following the Knesset’s dissolution.

According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, Israeli forces carried out several incursions into rural areas of Quneitra over the past two days. The report said five military vehicles entered the Al-Samdaniyah al-Sharqiyah area, where Israeli soldiers set up a temporary checkpoint and searched passersby. In a separate incident, Israeli troops stationed in Al-Hamidiyah fired a mortar shell and smoke bomb, though no casualties were reported.

The previous evening, six Israeli military vehicles advanced near the Qudna dam under drone surveillance before retreating. Damascus strongly condemned these operations, describing them as a clear violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. Syria also urged the international community to compel Israel to fully withdraw its forces from southern Syria.

The incidents add to ongoing tensions along the Israel-Syria frontier, with Damascus seeking international intervention to enforce existing agreements and prevent further incursions.

The Trump administration has announced stricter rules for student visas and stay regulations in the United States, creating concern among international students, including those from Bangladesh. According to the US Department of Homeland Security, the new policy will take effect in September to prevent visa misuse and strengthen national security. Key changes include reducing visa validity from five to four years, requiring federal approval for extensions, limiting institutional transfers, and shortening the post-study grace period from 60 to 30 days. Existing five-year visa holders will also fall under the new rules.

Bangladeshi-origin US lawyer Raju Mahajan said genuine students following the rules should not face major issues, but those misusing visas may encounter difficulties. Bangladeshi students studying in the US, such as Shahriar Nobel and Barnana Bhowmik, noted that the stricter policy mainly targets irregularities. The Optional Practical Training (OPT) work opportunity remains unchanged, allowing STEM graduates three years and non-STEM graduates one year of post-study employment.

Mahajan added that these measures align with the Republican Party’s efforts ahead of the November 2026 US election, following earlier restrictions such as social media checks and visa bonds for certain countries.