South Korea has passed a law banning the use of mobile phones and smart devices during school classes, effective from the 2026 academic year. The legislation aims to reduce smartphone addiction among students, enhance focus on studies, social life, and mental development, and make nationwide restrictions mandatory. While most schools already limited phone use, the law ensures uniform enforcement, allowing exceptions only for students with disabilities. Critics, including students and some teachers, question its effectiveness and broader impact.

U.S. President Donald Trump has convened a major meeting at the White House to discuss a resolution to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff said the U.S. aims to achieve a solution within this year. Talks with Hamas are being considered, and Hamas has shown willingness to negotiate. Separately, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. Despite Trump’s campaign promise to quickly end the conflict, recent fighting and humanitarian crises in Gaza persist.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration will seek the death penalty for every murder case in Washington D.C., aiming to curb crime in the capital. He acknowledged the policy could be controversial but said he would proceed. Under Biden, the death penalty was largely suspended, but Trump plans to reinstate it. His first term saw a significant rise in federal executions. Critics worry this approach could expand, while local crime rates have recently declined.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali described the police action against engineering students outside the InterContinental Hotel as “disturbing.” Speaking briefly with students at Shahbagh around 10:15 PM on Wednesday, he said, “As the DMP Commissioner, I am deeply sorry and regretful for the unfortunate incident that took place outside the hotel.” He confirmed that a committee would be formed the following day to investigate the matter. Regarding the earlier incident in Rangpur, the commissioner stated that he had already been in touch with the Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner. A General Diary (GD) has been filed in that case, and authorities have assured that the accused will be apprehended. Meanwhile, students demanded the resignation of Ramna Zone DC Masud Alam.

Adviser Fauzul Kabir Khan has described the recent clash between engineering students and police as “unfortunate,” adding that the police will issue a formal apology. “The students’ demands are primarily related to jobs and the recruitment process. These issues involve multiple stakeholders, and decisions must be taken after thorough discussion,” Fauzul told reporters after a meeting attended by the Environmental Adviser as well. The nearly hour-long meeting, however, ended without a concrete resolution, leaving the engineering students frustrated. Protesters at Shahbagh vowed not to leave the streets until their demands are addressed, declaring they will continue their sit-in until a favorable outcome is reached.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is prepared to restart nuclear negotiations provided the United States guarantees against military strikes. He warned that past attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities failed and cannot be replaced by diplomacy alone. Araghchi emphasized Iran’s readiness for all scenarios, including potential conflict with Israel, while highlighting growing cooperation with Saudi Arabia and regional neighbors. Talks are ongoing with European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal and the IAEA, aiming for fair and balanced negotiations.

Denmark has summoned a top U.S. diplomat following reports that several Americans attempted to covertly influence Greenland’s society and promote alignment with the United States. Danish intelligence warned of ongoing influence operations targeting the autonomous region. Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stressed that any interference in internal affairs is unacceptable. The move comes amid President Trump’s repeated interest in acquiring Greenland, sparking concern in Denmark and highlighting tensions over foreign involvement in the strategically important Arctic territory.

India has suspended its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, citing concerns over terrorism. The move comes after a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan warns that any attempt to block its allocated river flows would be “equivalent to declaring war.” The treaty, signed in 1960 under World Bank mediation, governs water distribution between the countries. Experts warn India’s projects could threaten Pakistan’s irrigation-dependent agriculture, risking crop yields, food prices, and small farmers’ livelihoods.

Renovation work on the staircase leading to the Chandranath Hill temple in Sitakunda, Chattogram, will begin soon. The temple, located 1,200 feet above ground, will have its stairs upgraded, according to Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser. Any attempts to disrupt religious harmony will not be tolerated. Coordination with local officials is ongoing to resolve issues quickly. Additionally, permanent railway land has been allocated for Hindu religious institutions in Khilkhet.

The United States is set to impose stricter immigration rules following a recent 50% tariff on Indian goods. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick criticized the H-1B lottery system and proposed prioritizing higher-paid applicants, potentially affecting thousands of mid-level Indian IT professionals. He also highlighted disparities in green card incomes and suggested a “Gold Card” program requiring $5 million investment for permanent residency. Experts warn these reforms may favor wealthy investors over skilled workers, creating fresh challenges for India’s economy and workforce.

Agriculture Advisor Jahangir Alam has announced that the government will introduce a Farmland Protection Act to ensure agricultural land is not diverted to other sectors. Speaking at a cold storage handover ceremony in Singair on Wednesday, he said middlemen often reap more profits from crops than farmers, using the money to build buildings while farmers remain in shabby homes. “The responsibility to break this syndicate falls on all of us,” he stressed. He further declared that if agricultural land is used for road construction, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) will be required to pay three times the compensation. Officials failing to carry out their duties properly will face departmental action, he warned.

Heavy monsoon rains in Himachal Pradesh have left at least 310 people dead, with 158 killed in rain-triggered disasters such as landslides, flash floods, and lightning, while 152 died in road accidents. Mandi, Kangra, and Chamba districts were worst affected. Infrastructure losses exceed ₹2,450 crore, including major damage to roads, power, and water supply. Over 324 houses collapsed, 1,800 cattle and 26,000 poultry perished, and hundreds of villages remain cut off as roads, transformers, and supply schemes remain disrupted.

Israeli drone strikes on Syrian military positions near Damascus killed six soldiers early Wednesday, according to Syria’s state media. The attack targeted the Al-Kiswah area, continuing a series of Israeli operations since Bashar al-Assad’s fall last December. Syria accused Israel of occupying parts of the Golan Heights buffer zone, building military bases, and deploying troops near Mount Hermon. The strikes follow recent deadly sectarian clashes in Suwayda, with Israel citing protection of Druze communities while intensifying pressure on Damascus.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused certain political parties of “making desperate pleas for PR benefits,” while also alleging that the Awami League is preparing to set up party offices in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Speaking at a workers’ conference in Dewanganj, Rizvi claimed that industrialist S. Alam Group had given Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Tk 2,500 crore and offered another Tk 2,000 crore, funds he alleged would be used to “fuel sabotage in the country.” He urged the government to hold a national election before Ramadan and restore power to the people. Earlier in the day, the families of martyrs and injured from the Jamalpur mass uprising were provided with medical support and electric rickshaws.

BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman has called on the government to both investigate the recent police assault on engineering students and accept their justified demands. While expressing solidarity with the ongoing student movement, the VC also appealed to students to return to their homes. Meanwhile, students at Shahbagh rejected the government’s committee and announced a five-point demand in the afternoon. They declared they would continue their sit-in until advisors themselves arrive in person to negotiate. “Police action cannot suppress the movement,” the students said, demanding that those responsible for the assault be arrested and dismissed from service. Protesters also held a symbolic absentee funeral prayer, declaring that the engineering sector had been “pushed to its death.”