QatarEnergy will be unable to supply liquefied natural gas to Bangladesh beyond September because shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted. The company has extended force majeure relief from its contractual obligations for Bangladesh, citing circumstances beyond its control, according to Doha News reports based on Bloomberg and Reuters. Pakistan has also been informed that LNG cargoes will be cancelled through October, while several European buyers received similar notices.

Italy’s energy company Edison said on Friday that QatarEnergy had notified it of the suspension of five additional LNG cargoes. Those shipments had been scheduled to arrive at Italy’s Adriatic LNG terminal between late September and early November. QatarEnergy suspended LNG operations and declared force majeure on March 4 after war began between the United States and Iran.

The suspension has been repeatedly extended as navigation conditions in the Strait of Hormuz have not improved. A missile strike damaged infrastructure at QatarEnergy’s Ras Laffan facility in March, cutting Qatar’s LNG export capacity by 17%, according to Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi. ICC data cited by Euronews showed Qatar exported 18 LNG cargoes during the war’s first six months, compared with 509 a year earlier.

The European Union is discussing a proposed new military and civilian mission for southern Lebanon as the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, approaches its end on December 31, 2026. The European External Action Service has proposed a three-year mission to advise and train the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces, including on border and maritime security. EU officials say the plan is intended to strengthen Lebanese state institutions and security structures, not directly replace UNIFIL.

The discussion comes amid near-daily Israeli attacks in Lebanon, with about one-fifth of the country’s territory under occupation and around 335,000 people still displaced, according to the source. EU defence and foreign ministers meeting in Ireland this week may discuss Lebanon. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in May that Europeans were ready to form a mission to support Lebanon’s armed forces, while expressing doubt about sending one to take over all of UNIFIL’s responsibilities.

Analysts warn that UNIFIL’s departure could create a serious temporary security vacuum. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres presented three post-UNIFIL options in June, involving 900 to 3,000 troops, compared with about 7,000 in UNIFIL then. Observers say any new mission’s effectiveness will depend on a broader political agreement acceptable to both sides.

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah has called for urgent international action on climate change after devastating flooding in the Himalayan region last week. Shah said the flooding of the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa was not an ordinary flood, but a major natural disaster linked to the collapse of massive snow and ice layers in the Himalayas.

A glacier collapse near the China-Nepal border sent a huge flow of icy water and debris downstream, killing at least 939 people and leaving about 4,500 missing. Kathmandu said reconstruction following the disaster could cost several billion dollars. The precise cause of the glacier collapse remains unclear, though scientists say glaciers are melting faster as global temperatures rise.

Shah said Nepal should raise its climate-related concerns more forcefully internationally, noting that the country contributes little to global warming but faces significant harm from its effects. UN climate chief Simon Stiell described the disaster as a stark reminder of the fragility of mountain environments. Nepal’s limited resources have already placed its economy under pressure as it responds to the disaster.

An analysis published by South Asia Monitor on August 28, 2026 describes Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor as a potential new frontier for China’s trade and strategic expansion. The long, narrow mountainous territory in northeastern Afghanistan covers about 5,175 square kilometres, bordered by Tajikistan to the north, Pakistan to the south and China at its eastern end. It was created as a buffer zone amid 19th-century British-Russian imperial rivalry.

Before modern borders divided the area, Wakhi, Kyrgyz and Tajik communities maintained trade, pastoral, seasonal migration and cultural links across Central Asia. The article says the imposed boundaries disrupted these routes, particularly Kyrgyz access to seasonal grazing lands, while narrowing Wakhi agricultural and commercial connections. It refers to these historically marginalized groups as “ghost communities.”

China’s Belt and Road Initiative has renewed attention on the corridor, according to the analysis. A possible route through Wakhan could offer China land access via Afghanistan and Pakistan toward the Arabian Sea, strengthen its economic influence in Central Asia and connect isolated communities to new infrastructure and trade systems. The article cautions that these remain potential geopolitical trends, not confirmed outcomes.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed said Bangladesh will follow a “Bangladesh First” policy regarding the Mecca Pact and will make a decision after reviewing the matter. She said the government would not take any decision that could harm the country. Obaed made the remarks on Tuesday at about 11:30am while responding to journalists after a meeting with the Inter-Parliamentary Union secretary general.

Addressing Bangladesh’s political situation, the state minister said parliamentary democracy has returned to the country. She said the IPU secretary general’s visit to Bangladesh would help further strengthen the country’s democratic system.

Obaed also said the Inter-Parliamentary Union views Bangladesh’s young members of parliament positively. The source did not provide details of the review process for the Mecca Pact, the timing of a decision, or further information about the meeting with the IPU secretary general.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Dr. Jahed Ur Rahman has urged people not to disclose the names of suspected individuals in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi. Speaking at a weekly briefing at the Information Department conference centre in the Secretariat on Tuesday at 11am, he said naming people could influence the investigation and judicial process in the sensitive case.

He made the remarks in response to a question after the chief prosecutor said information had been received about the possible involvement of a cultural activist. Jahed said various names were being speculated about following that statement, but he personally believed no one’s name should be made public at this stage of the investigation.

The adviser said the state would conduct a formal investigation and details should be discussed only if allegations or charges are brought against someone. Preliminary information about a person’s possible involvement should not lead to them being labelled a criminal, he said. Political or social disagreements, including activity during Sheikh Hasina’s rule, should not be linked to the criminal case without proof, he added.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue said on Tuesday, September 1, that customs intelligence officers found dismantled parts of three luxury vehicles in a container imported from Japan as “Used Spare Parts.” The shipment contained components of a Lexus LX 600, Lexus SC 430 and BMW M5, along with a Honda B18C Type R engine, Front Half/Half-cut units, tyres and other vehicle parts.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate identified the shipment after receiving confidential information, according to the NBR. Preliminary information indicates that no bill of entry was submitted for nearly a month after the container reached the port. An attempt was later made to clear the consignment through an auction process, but customs intelligence officers stopped it.

Officials are examining whether the recovered vehicle components possess the “Essential Character” of complete vehicles and are also verifying the other parts. The shipment’s estimated combined market value is between Tk9.5 crore and Tk12 crore. Authorities are reviewing its import value, payment information, commercial documents and transaction pattern, including any possible links to money laundering. An investigation is also under way into those involved.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The meeting took place as the United States intensifies economic pressure and sanctions-related measures against Iran. Information about the meeting was released through the Iranian foreign minister’s Telegram channel, but no details of the discussions were disclosed.

Washington has outlined a new plan aimed at tightening pressure on Iran’s economy and has increased threats of sanctions against other countries maintaining economic ties with Tehran. The United States has also called on governments around the world to join its economic campaign against Iran.

China has opposed the US pressure. Beijing says it will take necessary measures to protect its interests following the new US steps. China’s position is that sanctions will not resolve the ongoing conflict; instead, Beijing has called for a ceasefire during the conflict, which has continued for six months, and warned that US sanctions could make the situation more complicated.

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said France wants to continue economic pressure on Iran. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he said France would discuss Iran with the US administration and with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Lescure said France and the European Union have maintained strong economic pressure on Iran for several years. He indicated that France intends for this pressure to continue.

France plans to discuss what the US administration and Bessent want to do regarding Iran. The source did not provide details on any specific measures, timeline, or outcome of the planned discussions.

Adabor police arrested six alleged members of a robbery gang in separate operations in Dhaka’s Adabor area on Tuesday, September 1. Five people were detained during a raid at a rickshaw garage in Prem Goli near the bridge at the head of Shekhertek Road No. 7, while another suspect was arrested behind Akand Garments Goli in Sunibir Housing. Police recovered four machetes in total.

The five arrested in the first operation were identified as Mirajul Islam, 25, Md Nihad, 20, Md Sheikh Bacchu, 35, Md Faridul Islam, 19, and Md Tamim, 19. Police said Mirajul is named in seven cases. The sixth detainee, Hridoy, also known as TikTok Hridoy, 25, is named in 10 case complaints and has two arrest warrants, according to police.

Police alleged that the group robbed people of cash and mobile phones by threatening them with machetes in Shekhertek, Baitul Aman Housing and Beribadh areas. They are also accused of stealing air-conditioner pipes, electrical wires and rickshaws from garages for ransom. Adabor police station Officer-in-Charge Md Jahidul Islam and Sub-Inspector Tarun led the operations.

Former Indian Lieutenant General Prakash Chandra Katoch has urged Delhi to rebuild trust with Bangladesh through economic diplomacy, water-sharing, border management and greater people-to-people contact. In an analysis published by South Asia Monitor on August 29, 2026, he argued that deteriorating Bangladesh-India relations could create long-term security and geopolitical risks for India.

Katoch identified Sheikh Hasina’s stay in India after her August 2024 removal from power and Bangladesh’s extradition request as a major bilateral obstacle. He also cited the unresolved Teesta water-sharing agreement, the expected expiry of the 1996 Ganges water treaty late in 2026, border disputes, and trade barriers. Bilateral trade is about $13 billion, but customs delays, transit fees, bureaucracy and non-tariff barriers constrain its potential.

The article proposed regular ministerial meetings of the Joint Rivers Commission, an interim data-based Teesta arrangement, advance flood and river-release information sharing, and regular local BSF-BGB meetings. It also recommended expanding border markets, restarting CEPA talks, easing medical and student visas, and increasing track-two dialogue. The source notes that Katoch’s assessments reflect an Indian security perspective and personal opinion.

A 45-year-old man died after being electrocuted while allegedly attempting to steal a tube-well motor in Loknathpur West Para of Damurhuda upazila, Chuadanga, early Tuesday. The incident occurred at the home of Keramat Ali. The deceased was identified as Shafiqul Islam Karun, son of Sirajul Islam of Shantipara in Darshana.

According to local sources, Karun entered Keramat Ali’s house during the night with the intention of stealing the tube-well motor. He was electrocuted while trying to disconnect the motor’s electrical connection and died at the scene. Family members found his body near the tube-well at dawn.

As news of the incident spread, local residents gathered at the location. Damurhuda Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mesbah Uddin said police had been sent to the scene after receiving information. The body was being recovered and necessary legal procedures for a post-mortem examination were under way.

A Dhaka court has postponed the verdict in a corruption case over alleged irregularities in the construction of the collapsed Rana Plaza building in Savar. On Tuesday morning, the court of Dhaka Divisional Special Judge B M Tarikul Kabir set October 6 for further arguments against owner Sohel Rana and seven others, according to court bench assistant Ariful Islam.

Rana was brought to court from prison, where he is held in a murder case, although he is on bail in this case. Two accused, Mahbubur Rahman and Farzana Islam, have remained fugitives since the beginning, while the other accused attended court on bail. Rana’s father Abdul Khaleque and mother Morzina Khatun Begum died during the trial and were discharged from the case.

The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case against 17 people on June 15, 2014, alleging construction outside the approved design. Investigators later included Rana after finding he was the building’s principal supervisor. The trial began after charges were framed on May 21, 2017, and 19 of 20 witnesses testified. Rana Plaza collapsed on April 24, 2013, killing 1,136 people and injuring more than 1,500.

The United States has lifted its suspension on issuing immigrant visas to citizens of Bangladesh and 74 other countries, effective from August 21 following a federal court ruling. The US State Department confirmed the change on its website updated August 28. Applicants from the affected countries may now be issued immigrant visas if they meet all regular visa requirements.

The State Department had temporarily halted immigrant visa issuance for the 75 countries in January. It had said some applicants from those countries could become dependent on US government assistance, requiring additional scrutiny. Immigrant visas offer a route to permanent residence in the United States and can subsequently open a path to obtaining a green card.

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network challenged the policy in a case against US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Judge Jeannette Vargas of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York found that withholding immigrant visas solely because of an applicant's nationality exceeded the secretary of state's authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Previously issued visas were not cancelled during the suspension, while applications and interviews continued; the pause applied at the final visa-issuance stage.

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned after serving for about 18 months, the White House confirmed Monday. His departure comes amid months of reported tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, although the specific causes of their dispute have not been fully disclosed. Reuters also reported that Driscoll submitted his resignation amid the continuing strain.

The White House praised Driscoll in a statement to CBS, saying he had been highly effective in advancing President Donald Trump’s “Make America Strong Again” agenda and had shown exceptional leadership in military operations. It also cited his role in talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. At 41, Driscoll was known as the youngest Army secretary in US history and was often called Trump’s “drone man.”

His resignation follows wider leadership changes at the Pentagon. Navy Secretary John Phelan left in April, while Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, General Christopher Donahue and other senior officers have recently departed. Reports linked Driscoll’s tensions with Pentagon leaders to George’s departure and disagreements over scaling back modernization and unmanned-technology initiatives.