Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, Iran’s deputy army coordinator, stated that the Strait of Hormuz is under the firm control of Iran’s armed forces. He emphasized that no vessel can enter this strategic waterway without Iran’s permission. Sayyari made the remarks on Friday during a televised program, where he also discussed Iran’s drone deployment capabilities.

He noted that Iranian drones can be prepared for operation in a very short time, even under adverse conditions. According to Sayyari, Iran’s drone technology is highly advanced, and its production is being rapidly expanded. He reiterated that both the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf are under the strong control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy.

The statement underscores Iran’s assertion of authority over key maritime routes critical to regional and global trade, as reported by Tasnim news agency.

Three government primary schools in Astamirchar Union of Chilmari upazila, Kurigram, are operating with only one teacher each, leaving students deprived of proper education and parents increasingly worried. Local residents report declining attendance and rising dropout rates as a result of the acute teacher shortage. Field visits revealed that single teachers are handling multiple classes and administrative tasks simultaneously, while some appointed teachers remain absent or on deputation elsewhere.

At Char Mudafat Kalikapur Government Primary School, the head teacher has been absent for months without approved leave, and another teacher is on deputation, forcing one assistant teacher to manage all classes. Similar conditions exist at South Natarkandi and other schools, where classes end early due to the lack of staff. Officials acknowledged that 74 teaching positions remain vacant across 93 schools in Chilmari, mostly in remote char areas.

Education authorities said teachers avoid postings in chars due to travel difficulties but promised action against absentee staff and adjustments in future recruitment to prioritize local candidates.

Nine years after the devastating landslide that struck Kaptai in Rangamati on June 13, 2017, around 500 families continue to live in hazardous conditions at the base and slopes of hills. The 2017 disaster, triggered by heavy rainfall, killed 18 people and injured over a hundred, destroying homes and farmland across several unions including Chandraghona, Wagga, Raikhali, and Chitmaram.

Local officials report that many residents in Dhakaiya Colony under Kaptai Union, as well as in Wagga and Raikhali unions, remain in danger during the monsoon season. Kaptai Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Latif said that people take shelter in nearby centers during heavy rain but need permanent relocation. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Raihanul Islam stated that authorities are creating a database of at-risk residents to determine land ownership and provide assistance for safer housing.

Former Upazila Chairman Dildar Hossain recalled leading rescue operations in 2017 and urged permanent resettlement for those still living in risky areas, particularly in Dhakaiya Colony.

Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, stated that the world will soon hear the echo of Tehran’s victory over its aggressive enemies. He made the remarks on Friday during a memorial event in Dezful honoring Major General Gholamali Rashid and his son Amin Abbas Rashid on their martyrdom anniversary.

In his message, Abdollahi said that Iran’s enemies believed killing its military leaders would weaken the country’s defense system, but they underestimated the legacy of knowledge, experience, and strategic thinking left by the martyrs. He emphasized that Iran’s current armed forces commanders are following the same guidance to skillfully manage complex hybrid warfare.

Abdollahi added that Iran’s defenders across land, sea, and air have become symbols of active resistance and national dignity, expressing confidence that the world will soon witness Iran’s triumph against aggressors and terrorists.

Two police officers, Sub-Inspector Shafiqul Islam and Constable Russell, have been withdrawn following allegations of negligence in an incident involving national team spinner Nayeem Hasan in Chattogram. According to Assistant Commissioner Amirul Rashid, the officers were removed after Nayeem was detained overnight on suspicion of smuggling and later released when police realized their mistake.

Police from Khulshi Station said Nayeem was brought in based on incorrect information and released after the officer-in-charge recognized him. However, his bag and personal belongings were searched the following morning, raising questions about the consistency of police actions. Officials admitted both to a mistaken detention and to conducting a subsequent search, prompting public discussion about contradictions in their statements.

Senior police officials described the incident as regrettable and promised strict action against those responsible. The case has sparked debate over the reliability of intelligence information, the standards of police verification, and the protection of citizens’ rights in law enforcement procedures.

The article alleges that India has continued aggressive actions along the Bangladesh border, including killings by Indian border guards and recent forced push-ins of Muslims from Indian territory into Bangladesh. It criticizes both past and present Bangladeshi governments for failing to respond strongly to such incidents, contrasting their reactions with Nepal’s firm stance in a similar case. The piece also references former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks implying Indian involvement in a Bangladeshi activist’s killing, which Dhaka officials dismissed as internal Indian politics.

The commentary argues that India seeks to maintain dominance over Bangladesh’s politics and foreign policy, preferring Dhaka to align with Delhi’s strategic interests rather than build independent ties with the United States, China, or Turkey. It claims that India’s current policies reflect a Hindutva-driven agenda aiming to marginalize Muslims domestically and destabilize Bangladesh through demographic and political pressure.

The author concludes that Bangladesh’s sovereignty and democratic institutions remain under strain, urging unity between government and opposition forces to resist external interference and restore public trust in state institutions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated that prices of daily essentials have not increased since the announcement of the national budget. Speaking at a public gathering in PMkhali, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, on Saturday morning, he said taxes on 60 products have been withdrawn to ease the burden on citizens. Rahman argued that the opposition is not interested in supporting the people but rather in creating instability in the country.

He further said that the opposition dislikes a budget that reduces taxes, which is why they are opposing it. The Prime Minister also highlighted that the re-excavation of the Patli Canal in Cox’s Bazar will directly benefit 40,000 people, including 8,000 farmers. He emphasized that his party’s politics are dedicated to the welfare of the nation’s people.

The remarks came during the inauguration of the canal re-excavation project, where Rahman linked the government’s fiscal measures with broader development efforts aimed at improving livelihoods.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has been elected President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, marking the second time a Bangladeshi has held the position. The election took place under the Asia-Pacific regional group’s rotation, where Rahman won 99 votes against Cyprus’s candidate, who received 91. The General Assembly presidency, held for one year, carries significant global influence in shaping discussions on human rights, climate, and economic issues.

The article notes that only three South Asian figures have ever presided over the UN General Assembly—India’s Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit in 1953, Bangladesh’s Humayun Rashid Choudhury in 1986, and now Rahman in 2026. Bangladesh is the only Asia-Pacific nation to have produced two presidents of the Assembly. The piece highlights the symbolic importance of this achievement amid Bangladesh’s turbulent political history and recent controversies surrounding human rights.

Rahman’s election is seen as significant for Bangladesh’s international standing. His prior role as national security adviser during an interim government is mentioned, with expectations that he will uphold UN human rights standards and support democratic continuity in Bangladesh.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that no memorandum of understanding has yet been signed with the United States. He said the proposed agreement would declare an end to conflicts across all battlefronts, including Lebanon. Araghchi made the remarks in an interview with Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB.

According to Araghchi, the memorandum would also include lifting the US naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran. He noted that negotiators have revised the draft several times, while nuclear issues have been deferred to a second phase of discussions after Tehran rejected Washington’s demands. Araghchi emphasized that Lebanon would be part of the agreement, reaffirming Iran’s commitment not to leave Lebanon isolated.

The comments, reported by Middle East Eye, indicate ongoing but incomplete negotiations between Tehran and Washington, with the scope of the proposed memorandum extending beyond bilateral issues to regional conflict resolution.

Nobel laureate economist and former interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has returned to Bangladesh after visiting France and the Netherlands, disproving rumors that he had fled the country. The commentary argues that such disinformation campaigns are part of a broader political strategy used by groups that have lost public support, aiming to distort reality through propaganda, confusion, and half-truths.

The article draws on political theorists Hannah Arendt, Steven Levitsky, and Daniel Ziblatt to warn that authoritarian forces often undermine democracy from within by eroding institutions and blurring the line between truth and falsehood. It highlights Bangladesh’s recent history of institutional decline, human rights concerns, and the need for accountability following a 15-year authoritarian rule and the July uprising.

The writer stresses that the new government faces two key challenges: ensuring justice and protecting democratic freedoms. Attempts to rehabilitate past authoritarian actors without accountability could endanger democracy. The piece concludes that Bangladesh’s democratic future depends on truth, rule of law, and learning from history to prevent the return of fascism.

Iran has intensified efforts to secure its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, according to a CNN report citing five sources familiar with US intelligence. The report states that Tehran has dismantled parts of its stockpile and implemented additional measures to restrict access to facilities believed to contain the material.

According to the same report, Iran has filled tunnels and placed explosive mines at some entry points, making access to the uranium stockpiles significantly more difficult, dangerous, and time-consuming compared to a month earlier. Meanwhile, CNN, citing US intelligence and military sources, reported that US President Donald Trump has temporarily suspended a high-risk ground operation by American forces intended to seize the enriched uranium stored in Iran’s underground tunnels.

The developments highlight rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear materials and the security measures surrounding them, as both sides appear to be reassessing their next steps.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) thwarted an attempt by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) to push 10 to 12 people into Bangladesh territory at the Bonchouki Border Outpost (BOP) in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat district. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Friday near border pillar 906/8S, when BSF personnel from the 78 Paglamari camp reportedly tried to bring the group across the border by vehicle. BGB’s 15th Battalion members quickly took position and adopted a firm stance, preventing the entry.

Following the failed attempt, BGB intensified patrols and surveillance in the border area. Sources said necessary diplomatic and border-related procedures are being prepared in response to the incident. Although tension briefly rose along the border, the situation is now under control.

The report notes that similar push-in allegations have recently led to multiple discussions and flag meetings between the border forces of Bangladesh and India across various frontier points.

U.S. President Donald Trump has been accused by analysts of misleading himself over the Iran issue by creating a narrative detached from reality. Over the past two and a half months, Trump has repeatedly claimed that Iran is eager to sign a deal soon, while easing deadlines and downplaying Tehran’s provocations and ceasefire violations. On Thursday, he backed away from a threatened assault on Iran’s Kharg Island only hours after issuing the warning, instead citing progress in negotiations.

Critics argue that Trump’s reluctance to act decisively has emboldened Iran, prolonging both the conflict and the resulting economic strain. The situation is now approaching the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, potentially giving Iran political leverage. Even after an American Apache helicopter was downed in an Iranian attack, Trump responded dismissively on social media, calling it “not a big deal.”

Experts believe Trump’s flexibility and premature disclosure of his plans have strengthened Iran’s bargaining position. Rising inflation in the U.S. could further pressure Republicans ahead of the elections, forcing Trump to choose between renewed military engagement or accepting a weak deal to ease political tensions.

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday night that American forces carried out a lethal military operation targeting the leader of the transnational criminal group 'Tren de Aragua', originally founded in Venezuela. According to Trump’s post on his social media platform Truth Social, the gang’s leader, Hector Rustenford Guerrero Flores, known as 'Nino Guerrero', was killed in the strike. He stated that the 'swift and deadly' operation was conducted in coordination with Venezuelan authorities, though he did not specify the location of the attack.

Trump’s reference to Venezuelan authorities likely pointed to the interim government led by President Delcy Rodríguez, who has been in office since January after the removal of Nicolás Maduro. A 10-second video accompanying Trump’s post showed an aerial view of a building surrounded by greenery, followed by an explosion and smoke, though no individuals were visible in the footage.

The United States has designated 'Tren de Aragua' as a terrorist organization, noting its activities across Colombia, Peru, and Chile.

Bangladesh national cricket team off-spinner Nayeem Hasan was mistakenly detained by police in Chattogram on Friday night after officers acted on a false tip about smuggling. Returning from the airport, he was stopped near Lalkhan Bazar, questioned, and taken to the police station despite repeatedly identifying himself as a national player. Nayeem later said he was pushed and called a suspect before being released once police realized his identity through phone calls.

According to Chattogram Metropolitan Police, the incident stemmed from an unverified intelligence report about smuggling through a CNG-run autorickshaw. Khulshi Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Ariful Islam stated that Sub-Inspector Shafik conducted the operation without proper verification, leading to the wrongful detention. Nayeem’s belongings were searched, but nothing illegal was found.

Deputy Commissioner Amirul Islam described the event as deeply regrettable and confirmed that the responsible officer had been withdrawn pending a full investigation. Police officials said departmental action would follow, while the case raised broader concerns about accountability and the safety of ordinary citizens facing similar treatment.