About 23 percent of Israelis said they would consider leaving the country if Benjamin Netanyahu is re-elected as prime minister, according to a survey conducted by Israel’s Channel 12. The poll found that 68 percent of respondents would not consider leaving, while the rest were uncertain. The survey asked whether respondents or their relatives would think about emigrating if Netanyahu returned to power.

The same survey revealed that 67 percent of respondents opposed recent laws passed by Netanyahu’s coalition. These include legislation granting near-constitutional status to Torah study and another law protecting ultra-Orthodox Israelis who avoid military service from arrest. According to the Times of Israel, 21 percent of respondents supported the laws, while others said they were unaware of them.

The findings highlight growing divisions within Israeli society over Netanyahu’s leadership and his coalition’s legislative agenda, particularly regarding religious and military service issues.

Pakistan is set to take part in the Miss World pageant for the first time in its 73-year history. Twenty-four-year-old Anika Meraj has been selected as the country’s inaugural representative after winning the title of Miss World Pakistan 2026. She will represent Pakistan at the 75th anniversary edition of Miss World, scheduled to be held in Vietnam from August 9 to September 5, 2026. This marks Pakistan’s official debut on the international stage of the competition.

Anika Meraj has drawn attention not only for her beauty but also for her academic achievements. She holds undergraduate degrees in business administration and economics and is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in auditing and accounting. She has expressed aspirations to become a state-certified public accountant and to work for the protection of children’s rights and the promotion of women’s education.

According to Anika, she hopes to contribute to building a brighter future for Pakistan’s next generation through education and awareness.

On July 18, 2024, thousands of students from private universities in Dhaka, including BRAC, East West, Northern, and North South, joined the ongoing nationwide protests, marking a major turning point in what became known as the July uprising. The day began with a citywide shutdown and heavy police presence around university campuses. Police entered BRAC University after clashes erupted, firing tear gas and bullets as students resisted with improvised defenses. The confrontation spread across major roads such as Rokeya Sarani, turning the area into a battleground.

The protests followed earlier violence that had left six people dead, including students, and widespread restrictions on public university campuses. As police and ruling party activists blocked gatherings, private university students organized through messaging apps like Discord and Facebook to mobilize. By midday, reports emerged of escalating violence, with at least 31 people killed nationwide, including 26 students. Internet services were cut, and clashes spread to multiple districts.

Later in the day, public university students regrouped at Shahbagh, facing renewed police action. The unrest led to campus closures, hundreds injured, and temporary suspension of state television broadcasts, underscoring the scale of the confrontation.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for destroying Bahrain’s main artificial intelligence center and a US drone vessel depot. In a statement released on Friday night, the IRGC said the attacks were carried out in retaliation for recent US strikes on several Iranian bridges that allegedly killed multiple civilians, which the group described as war crimes.

According to the IRGC, the operation involved several ballistic missiles and dozens of drones. The statement alleged that the targeted AI center in Bahrain had been used by US forces to identify strike targets inside Iran. The IRGC further warned that if the United States continues attacks on Iranian infrastructure, it will target key industrial, information technology, and artificial intelligence assets owned by US stakeholders in countries hosting American military bases.

The IRGC also asserted that all Middle Eastern nations hosting US military installations share responsibility for what it called American war crimes.

Iran and the United States have intensified retaliatory attacks across the Middle East, marking the seventh consecutive night of US air and military strikes on Iranian targets. According to US Central Command, the latest operations hit Iranian surveillance centers, underground arsenals, and naval assets, while a full naval blockade was imposed on Iranian ports. At least three people were killed and eight injured in Hormozgan province, where bridges and a tunnel were damaged. Explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, including Yazd, Lar, Ahvaz, and Bandar Abbas.

In response, Iran launched drone and missile attacks on US military installations in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain. Iranian state media reported strikes on ammunition depots and command centers, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed successful missile hits on Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti air base. Kuwait’s defense ministry said it intercepted Iranian drones, and Bahrain issued air raid sirens urging civilians to seek shelter.

Iran’s forces also claimed to have downed a US MQ-9 drone and targeted American naval assets in the northern Indian Ocean, further heightening regional instability.

At least three people were killed and eight others injured in overnight US airstrikes across Iran’s Hormozgan province, according to a report by Al Jazeera on Saturday. The province’s deputy governor confirmed that several sites, including two bridges and a tunnel, were damaged during the attacks. Explosions were also reported in the central city of Yazd and the southern cities of Lar, Ahvaz, Sirik, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, and Darab, as well as on Qeshm Island for a second consecutive night.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have shot down a US MQ-9 drone over Bushehr using a newly deployed air defense system. The IRGC Navy also stated it launched a cruise missile strike on a hostile US ship in the northern Indian Ocean and confirmed attacks on US military assets in Bahrain. In a separate statement, the IRGC said four US-supported vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz were halted through coordinated missile and drone operations.

The IRGC further reported that two oil tankers caught fire after explosions triggered by mines in the southern Strait of Hormuz.

Widespread dissatisfaction has emerged among students and parents regarding the quality of classroom teaching in most public and private schools across Bangladesh, including the capital. Many teachers are accused of irregular attendance and superficial teaching focused only on completing syllabuses. As a result, students increasingly depend on private tutoring and coaching centers, raising family expenses and causing physical and mental strain. Despite a policy introduced in 2012 to curb teachers’ involvement in coaching, its implementation remains largely absent.

In response, the current government has launched several initiatives to improve education quality, including an online class monitoring system under the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE). However, education stakeholders argue that without stronger field-level supervision and effective laws against coaching businesses, online monitoring alone will not yield results. Experts also cite teacher shortages, weak infrastructure, and low budgets as key factors behind declining standards.

Government officials have announced plans to enhance teacher training, increase remuneration, and revise curricula to promote joyful learning. Authorities emphasize that these reforms are part of a long-term strategy to address systemic issues in the education sector.

Kuwait is in talks with Pakistan to establish a major defense agreement as the Iran-United States war reshapes Middle Eastern security dynamics. According to a Reuters report, Kuwait has proposed energy cooperation and investment in exchange for Pakistan’s military support. A Pakistani official said Kuwait wants to deploy thousands of Pakistani troops along with fighter jets, drones, and air defense systems. The discussions are still at an early stage.

Kuwait has suffered severe damage from Iranian counterattacks, including a strike on a power and water plant. Despite hosting around 14,000 U.S. troops at two major bases, the country remains vulnerable to missile and drone attacks due to its location. Pakistan, a U.S. security partner with good relations with Iran, has been mediating between Washington and Tehran, though the ceasefire deal they helped broker is now under threat.

Analysts note that Kuwait’s move follows Saudi Arabia’s 2025 defense pact with Pakistan, signaling Islamabad’s growing role as a regional security partner. However, a full defense pact with Kuwait could pose risks for Pakistan given the Gulf state’s limited influence and military vulnerability.

The European Union (EU) and the Group of 77 and China have reaffirmed their support for Bangladesh’s efforts to ensure a smooth, sustainable, and irreversible graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category. The assurance came during two separate meetings at the United Nations headquarters, where Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met with EU Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis and G77 Chair Ambassador Laura Dupuy Lasserre of Uruguay.

During the discussions, the commerce minister highlighted Bangladesh’s request to extend the LDC transition period by three years, citing ongoing economic and political transformation, global economic uncertainty, and energy challenges. He reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening governance, improving the financial sector, expanding infrastructure, mobilizing domestic resources, and fostering an investment-friendly environment.

Ambassador Lambrinidis praised Bangladesh’s commitment to good governance and sustainable development, welcomed the initiation of Bangladesh-EU free trade agreement talks, and assured continued EU support. Ambassador Lasserre endorsed Bangladesh’s rationale for extending the transition period and proposed a separate G77 briefing on Bangladesh’s graduation strategy, which the delegation welcomed.

The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain is set to take place in New Jersey tomorrow, but the event faces an unexpected challenge as severe air pollution grips the region. Smoke from massive wildfires in Canada has drifted into New York and New Jersey, pushing air quality to hazardous levels. Authorities in New York have issued an emergency health alert, warning residents to limit outdoor activities.

According to IQAir data, Chicago, Detroit, and New York now rank among the world’s most polluted cities. The New York City Emergency Management Department described the situation as the city’s worst smoke crisis since 2023. Environmental expert Michael Petroni compared breathing the city’s air to smoking ten cigarettes a day. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged residents to avoid outdoor exercise, while officials distribute masks to the public.

Despite the suffocating conditions, both finalists have continued their preparations. Spain trained in East Hanover, New Jersey, while defending champions Argentina arrived from Atlanta after completing their final session. The match will kick off at 1 a.m. Bangladesh time, as fans await whether the environmental crisis will affect the spectacle.

RAB-11 has arrested Farzana Akter Lata Begum, the main accused in the case of twisting the leg of a three-month-old infant in Madhabdi, Narsingdi. The arrest was announced at a press conference at the RAB-11 Narsingdi office on Friday night by Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Ariful Islam. Based on a viral video of the abuse, RAB used technology and intelligence surveillance to locate and detain her from a relative’s house in Rupganj, Narayanganj.

According to RAB, the incident stemmed from a family dispute in the Paikardi area of Madhabdi. The video, secretly recorded by the child’s mother, showed the aunt twisting the infant’s leg, causing serious injury. The footage sparked nationwide outrage and condemnation. Following the incident, a case was filed by the district social services probation officer, Riza Akter, at Madhabdi Police Station.

RAB stated that during initial questioning, Farzana Akter Lata admitted her involvement and expressed remorse. She was handed over to Madhabdi Police Station for further legal action. Earlier, her husband and father-in-law had also been arrested and sent to jail in connection with the same case.

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Friday local time. Following the quake, the U.S. Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami alert for coastal regions of Mexico and neighboring Guatemala. The agency warned that waves between 30 centimeters and one meter above normal tide levels could occur, urging residents in coastal areas to remain cautious.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake’s epicenter was near the fishing port city of Puerto Madero, about 15.2 kilometers below the surface. Salomón Jara Cruz, governor of Oaxaca state, said the quake was felt from moderate to strong intensity but no major casualties or significant damage had been reported so far. Local authorities are monitoring the situation closely.

Reuters reported that tremors were also felt in neighboring Guatemala and El Salvador, prompting residents in Guatemala City to rush outdoors as buildings shook. Officials said assessments of potential damage and ongoing monitoring are continuing.

Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Force has alleged that organized misinformation is being spread against the force following several isolated incidents in places including Bagatipara of Natore and Gafargaon of Mymensingh. In a press release issued on Friday, the force claimed that certain vested groups are distorting members’ statements and running targeted propaganda through social and mainstream media. The statement emphasized that the force remains uncompromising against such misinformation.

According to the release, Ansar members have maintained professionalism and responsibility in their field duties, strengthening public trust through their work in securing key installations, hospitals, and public safety. As a reflection of this trust, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has assigned Ansar the long-term security of its stadiums and facilities. The release also cited a recent podcast in which a BCB director praised the force’s performance.

The statement further noted that under the directive of Chief Adviser Tarique Rahman, 5,000 Ansar members are deployed across 500 upazilas to ensure hospital and doctor security. The force pledged to continue serving the nation while resisting all forms of conspiracy and misinformation.

At least seven people were killed and 22 others injured in an Israeli attack on a funeral in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, according to hospital sources cited by the Associated Press. The strike targeted mourners attending the funeral of a Palestinian previously killed in an earlier Israeli assault, Al Jazeera reported.

Hamas condemned the attack in a statement, calling it a heinous crime carried out while the Israeli government continues to violate ceasefire agreements in Gaza. The group accused Israel of systematically breaching the truce and committing acts of terror against civilians in full view of mediators and the international community.

The incident adds to ongoing tensions in Gaza, where repeated ceasefire violations and civilian casualties have drawn international concern, according to the report.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that despite a ceasefire taking effect on October 10, 2025, Israeli attacks in Gaza continue to claim the lives of children. According to the report, an average of one child has been killed every day since the ceasefire, totaling 274 child deaths. The report, citing Anadolu, added that since October 7, 2023, more than 21,000 children have been killed in Israeli strikes, mostly from air raids, sniper fire, collapsing buildings, and shrapnel injuries.

Haaretz also highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. The report stated that the collapse of the health system has led to additional child deaths from lack of medical care, hunger, and disease, which were not included in the official death toll. Around 1.7 million people are reportedly living in tents without electricity, clean water, or sanitation, while infectious diseases and skin conditions are spreading due to heat and poor hygiene.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, since the ceasefire began, 1,127 Palestinians have been killed and 3,643 injured, while overall casualties since October 2023 have reached 73,250 dead and 173,751 injured, with about 90 percent of civilian infrastructure damaged or destroyed.