Iran has claimed that it captured and destroyed a US MQ-9 drone in the eastern Khuzestan region near Ahvaz, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The MQ-9 is a large unmanned aerial vehicle primarily used for intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and airstrikes.

The report comes as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate. In Jordan, an Iranian attack reportedly killed two US soldiers and left another missing. In response, the United States has carried out strikes against Iran for eight consecutive days. The developments highlight a continuing cycle of military actions and counteractions between the two countries.

The situation underscores the growing volatility in the region, with both sides engaged in sustained military operations that could further strain regional stability.

Facebook users experienced disruptions accessing the platform’s desktop version from Sunday noon due to server or technical issues. Many users reported encountering messages such as ‘account temporarily enabled’ or pages failing to load when attempting to log in. The issue appears to be linked to Meta’s backend updates or server malfunctions, according to the report.

Numerous users took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share their experiences using the hashtag #FacebookDown, posting screenshots of the error messages they received. Despite widespread user reports, Meta, Facebook’s parent company, had not issued any official statement regarding the cause or resolution of the problem at the time of reporting.

The outage has raised concerns among users who rely on Facebook’s desktop version for communication and business activities, though the duration and full extent of the disruption remain unclear.

Dominic Tierney, senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and professor of political science, said the ongoing Iran war highlights another example of the United States’ inability to conduct wars with clear strategy and success. Speaking on NPR’s ‘Weekend Edition Saturday,’ he described the conflict’s uncertain future and linked it to a decades-long pattern of U.S. military stalemates since World War II.

Tierney argued that Washington and its military leadership have overestimated their capacity to destroy Iran’s nuclear capability or trigger regime change through internal uprising. Instead, he said, such efforts have strengthened Iran’s current government. He noted similarities between the present situation and his 2018 article in The Atlantic, which discussed how U.S. policies often unintentionally bolster Iran’s position.

Discussing the conflict’s possible end, Tierney warned that any diplomatic resolution could take years, citing Vietnam and Afghanistan as examples of prolonged U.S. withdrawals. He said the United States remains in the middle of this crisis and must prepare for a difficult and extended process to find a way out.

Indian police are investigating the theft of donations from the famous Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a case that has raised new concerns about transparency in managing large sums of money and gold at religious sites. The investigation began in June, and eight people have been arrested so far. Although authorities have not disclosed the exact amount stolen, media reports estimate it at around 30 million rupees, or roughly 314,000 US dollars.

The incident has reignited debate over accountability in temple finances. Devotees expressed frustration that money given in faith could be misused, while Hindu activist Rahul Easwar called for digital accounting, CCTV monitoring, and independent oversight in religious institutions. Similar scandals have previously occurred at Badrinath Temple and the wealthy Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam trust.

The Ram Temple, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024, attracts about 90,000 visitors daily and receives large donations in cash and jewelry. Legal experts note that India lacks a unified national framework for regulating religious institutions, leading to inconsistent oversight across states.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh and joint convener of the National Editors Council (NEC), said the struggle that began in July is ongoing and will continue as long as Bangladesh exists. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon at the Engineers Institution in Dhaka during a discussion titled “The Role of the Media under Fascist Rule,” organized to honor journalists who sacrificed their lives in the 24th July uprising. The event, titled “July Martyr Journalists Honor,” was organized by the NEC, with Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attending as chief guest.

Rahman expressed gratitude to the families of the martyred journalists, saying their sacrifices made it possible for the nation to regain freedom and for him to return from exile and resume publication of Amar Desh. He explained that the NEC was founded to unite editors across the country, move beyond elitism, and prevent the reemergence of fascism through national vigilance. Rahman also criticized the media’s past role in enabling fascism through flattery and emphasized that the NEC rejects such tendencies.

The event included speeches from several editors and media leaders, and families of five martyred journalists received cash awards and crests in recognition of their sacrifice.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has called on government officials to perform their duties with patriotism, honesty, and professionalism, free from political bias. Speaking at the inauguration of a four-day workshop titled “Efficient, People-Friendly and Accountable Public Administration: Strategy for Implementing Government Commitments” at the BCS Administration Academy in Dhaka’s Shahbagh, he emphasized the need to transform the civil service into a true servant of the people. The event was organized to mark National Public Service Day 2026.

Ahmed said the civil service must move away from the politicization of the past 17 years and ensure transparency and accountability at all administrative levels to meet public expectations from the current interim government. He stressed that policy formulation should be based on accurate data and urged a complete reform of the national statistics system, claiming that previous regimes had distorted key national figures.

The minister also highlighted the importance of strengthening agriculture and remittance sectors, promoting agro-based industries, expanding vocational training, and reactivating the Family Planning Department to manage population growth.

Continuous heavy rainfall and prolonged tidal flooding have submerged about 25,000 hectares of cropland in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali, damaging Aus paddy, Aman seedbeds, seasonal vegetables, fruits, chili, and betel leaf plantations. According to the local agriculture office, the estimated financial loss may exceed 300 million taka, affecting around 80,000 farmers across the region.

Official data show that 21,520 hectares of Aus paddy, 1,920 hectares of Aman seedbeds, 950 hectares of vegetables, 58 hectares of fruit orchards, 4 hectares of chili, and 10 hectares of betel leaf farms have been damaged. Farmers from several unions, including Char King and Char Ishwar, reported total crop loss. Many, like Kamal Uddin and Hoksab, described losing their entire investment and now face financial hardship.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Bashed Sobuj said field officers are advising affected farmers, and detailed damage reports have been sent to the district agriculture office. He expressed hope that government assistance will soon be allocated to help farmers recover.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman left for Turkey on Sunday for a five-day official visit at the invitation of the Turkish government, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) release issued the same day. The visit marks a continuation of defense-level engagement between the two nations.

During his stay, the army chief is scheduled to visit several Turkish defense industrial establishments. He will also hold courtesy meetings and discussions with senior officials of the Turkish Armed Forces and other defense-related authorities. The agenda focuses on strengthening and expanding bilateral defense cooperation between Bangladesh and Turkey.

The ISPR statement emphasized that the visit aims to further develop defense ties and explore opportunities for collaboration in defense industries and military exchanges.

Turkey is considering transferring its Russian-made S-400 air defense system to the United Arab Emirates to remove US objections and reopen the way for purchasing F-35 fighter jets, according to the Wall Street Journal citing US and regional officials. The move follows discussions during a recent NATO summit, where US President Donald Trump indicated he might reconsider lifting the ban on Turkey’s participation in the F-35 program.

Turkey was excluded from the F-35 program in 2019 after buying the S-400 from Russia, as Washington feared the coexistence of both systems could expose sensitive data about the US aircraft to Moscow. Implementing the transfer plan faces major hurdles, including the need for Russian approval and support from the US Congress, where opposition to selling F-35s to Turkey remains strong.

The outcome of the plan depends on negotiations among Russia, the United States, and Turkey. The issue arises amid regional security concerns, as Gulf states seek to strengthen air defenses following Iranian drone and missile attacks.

Forkan Haider Chowdhury, ambassador and adviser of Netherlands-based United Dutch Exporters (Unidex), said that opportunities for Bangladeshi food products in European markets are expanding. He emphasized that ensuring international standards, building long-term business relationships, and maintaining regular market connections could further increase demand for Bangladeshi goods. The current market value of these exports already exceeds hundreds of crores of taka annually.

Unidex, founded in 1989 by Roland Jansen, has grown from a small operation into one of Europe’s largest ethnic food distribution networks. The company operates in both ethnic and mainstream retail markets, supplying products across Europe from Helsinki to Malta. It sources food items from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Norway, China, and Bangladesh. Under Chowdhury’s initiative, Bangladeshi brands such as Pran, BD Food, Ifad, and Danish have entered European markets through Unidex.

Recently, Unidex merged with the Europe-based Asian Food Group, significantly increasing its purchasing power and distribution capacity. Chowdhury noted that this expansion creates new opportunities for producers from Bangladesh and other countries to access European markets.

The United States has resumed airstrikes against Iran less than a month after announcing a ceasefire, a move ordered by President Donald Trump that analysts warn could trigger a long-term conflict. The decision follows the collapse of a memorandum of understanding signed in Versailles on June 17 aimed at ensuring lasting peace and addressing economic challenges. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks on US allies in the Persian Gulf, escalating tensions in the region.

Critics argue the agreement was a temporary tactic by Washington to stabilize oil prices while maintaining pressure on Tehran. With midterm elections approaching in November, experts say the renewed conflict could damage the Republican Party’s prospects as rising fuel and living costs anger voters. Commentators, including American Conservative editor Curt Mills, have described Trump’s actions as driven by personal motives that could lead to electoral defeat.

Former US military and diplomatic officials warn that the strikes could evolve into a ground operation, drawing the country into another protracted war. They also highlight the administration’s lack of experienced Iran specialists and urge renewed diplomatic coordination with NATO allies.

In Peterborough, United Kingdom, the local City Council sold a piece of land to the United Kingdom Islamic Mission, which plans to build a mosque and Islamic center on the site. The sale has angered members of the Hindu community, who claim that a temple previously stood on the land. The council stated that it followed standard property disposal procedures and acted within its legal authority, assessing bids based on planning, valuation, and administrative criteria rather than religious preference.

According to the council, the property was sold on the open market as part of efforts to reduce its £500 million debt, with the mosque group emerging as the highest bidder. The Hindu community has taken legal action over the sale, but the council’s lawyer, Catherine Rowlands, told the court that the process was transparent, fair, and lawful. After hearing both sides, the judge issued an interim injunction on the sale.

The mosque authorities said their current premises are inadequate and that the new site would include prayer space, classrooms, and sports facilities.

Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said confusion is being created over the implementation of the July Charter. He explained that the charter clearly states that issues unresolved among the signatory political parties will be addressed by the party that assumes state responsibility through elections, following its manifesto. He made these remarks on Sunday noon at the Engineers Institution in Dhaka during a discussion on the role of the media under fascist rule and in tribute to journalists who died in the 2024 uprising.

Mirza Fakhrul emphasized that the controversy surrounding the July Charter should end through dialogue. He noted that a parliamentary committee has already been formed on the matter and called on opposition parties to join it for a negotiated resolution. He added that the July Movement created an opportunity to build a new state, which must now be realized.

He further stated that the government is working to fulfill the promises made by the BNP and expressed confidence in establishing a state based on justice and fairness.

Russia launched airstrikes on Kyiv following a Ukrainian drone attack that destroyed e-commerce warehouses in Moscow and Tambov regions. The Russian assault injured several people, with conflicting casualty reports from different authorities. Kyiv’s military administration reported one death, while the city’s mayor Vitali Klitschko mentioned seven injuries and no fatalities. Fires broke out across multiple districts, damaging residential and commercial buildings.

The escalation comes in the fifth year of the war, as Ukraine faces both relentless Russian attacks and internal political turbulence following sudden changes in military leadership. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine’s drone strikes targeted logistics sites supplying banned components for drone production. Russia claimed to have intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones aimed at Moscow in recent days.

Meanwhile, rare protests erupted across Ukrainian cities for a third consecutive day after Zelensky dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. The move, part of a government reshuffle, sparked public discontent amid ongoing military pressure and speculation about possible changes in top command.

An Israeli military analyst has stated that Turkey is unlikely to receive U.S. F-35 fighter jets even if it sells its Russian-made S-400 missile defense system to Qatar or the United Arab Emirates. The report, published by Eurasian Times on July 19, 2026, follows Turkish media claims that Ankara is exploring the sale to lift U.S. sanctions. Turkey’s defense ministry confirmed that multilateral discussions on the issue are ongoing.

The United States expelled Turkey from the F-35 program and imposed CAATSA sanctions after Ankara purchased the S-400 system from Russia, citing risks to the aircraft’s stealth technology. Although U.S. President Donald Trump recently suggested reconsidering the sanctions and F-35 sales, former Israel Aerospace Industries vice president Shai Gal noted that such approval requires consent from Congress, the Pentagon, and intelligence agencies, making it unlikely within Trump’s term.

Analysts also argue that removing the S-400 will not erase U.S. mistrust, as Russian experts were involved in its operation. Israel and Greece have voiced opposition to any F-35 sale to Turkey, warning it could upset the regional military balance.