Israeli Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram called for a broader regional framework to contain Iran, linking India, the United Arab Emirates, Greece and Cyprus. Speaking Wednesday at the Herzliya Conference at Reichman University, Baram also urged expanded military capabilities and a new US-Israel security memorandum based on shared interests and values.

The proposal builds on Israel’s growing ties with Greece and Cyprus, including military exercises, meetings and defense exports. Greek media reported that Athens is advancing approval for a €3 billion deal for Israeli-made air-defense systems under its planned Achilles Shield, including Rafael’s Spyder and David’s Sling systems and IAI’s Barak MX.

Baram said Iran’s growing military capabilities have created a shared interest in wider cooperation, while stressing that countries’ priorities must be understood. The analysis notes that Abraham Accords-related forums emphasize stability, integration and peace rather than a military alliance. It also says Gulf states and India are reluctant to enter conflicts, while Greece and Cyprus may show greater interest in defense cooperation due to concerns about Turkey.

Electricity load-shedding eased somewhat across Bangladesh on the Friday holiday as demand fell, though officials said the overall gas and power situation showed no major change. In Dhaka, outages lasted one to two hours depending on the area, while locations outside the capital faced six to eight hours of load-shedding. Household gas stoves and CNG filling stations also experienced somewhat better pressure.

Power Grid Bangladesh data showed electricity demand at 14,684 megawatts at 3pm on Friday, down 2,262 megawatts from 16,946 megawatts at the same time on Thursday. Supply was 13,201 megawatts, only 81 megawatts below the previous day, reducing the shortfall by 2,181 megawatts to 1,483 megawatts.

Petrobangla data put Friday’s gas demand at about 4,000 million cubic feet against supply of 2,350 million cubic feet, leaving a deficit of 1,450 to 1,650 million cubic feet. Gas and fuel shortages disrupted output at 62 power plants, while textile and garment factories in Savar, Gazipur and Narayanganj were operating at 30 percent capacity. CNG vehicle queues continued despite improved pressure.

At least five people were injured and four motorcycles were vandalised after a clash erupted during a celebration procession by the newly formed Dumki উপজেলা Jubo Dal committee in Patuakhali. The incident occurred around 5:30pm on Friday when the procession, led by the new committee’s president and general secretary, reached the front of the উপজেলা main gate from the Pagla area.

More than a hundred deprived leaders and activists, led by former convener Jasim Uddin and joint convener Zakir Hawlader, allegedly attacked the procession from the opposite direction. The two sides then engaged in repeated clashes. Police arrived and tried to control the situation, though sporadic attacks continued. Syed Riyad, 31, Shakil Jomaddar, 27, and Abdul Wahab, 32, were admitted to the উপজেলা Health Complex with serious injuries.

Previously, the deprived group held broom processions and demonstrations demanding cancellation of the partial committee, which they described as a “pocket committee.” New president Zakir Alam Milon alleged district BNP influence behind the attack. Police said the situation is now under control, while organisational sources said a full committee would be announced soon.

Sub-Inspector Suman Kabir Mridha of the Ramdas Hat Police Investigation Centre has been attached to the Chattogram Police Lines following allegations that he took a bribe from a small-scale farmer in Banshkhali. The action was taken on Friday, according to Additional Superintendent of Police Mahmoodul Hasan of the Anwara Circle. Mridha has left Banshkhali to report to the Chattogram Police Lines.

The allegation arose during the investigation of a theft case involving Jamshed Express Dairy and Agro Farm, owned by Nurul Alam in the Barpura area of Chandrapur village. The theft occurred during the night of July 7. Nurul Alam filed the case at the Banshkhali Senior Judicial Magistrate Court on July 26, and the court directed the officer-in-charge of Banshkhali police station to investigate.

The investigation was later assigned to Mridha. Nurul Alam alleged that the officer demanded money in exchange for submitting the investigation report and subsequently took a bribe. After the matter came to the attention of senior police officials, the police superintendent ordered his attachment to the police lines. Hasan said an inquiry or investigation would be conducted, and action would follow under applicable rules if the allegation is proven.

Nearly 2,000 people are missing after severe floods and flash floods in Nepal, according to the latest update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. The authority put the number of missing people at 1,924, including 517 foreign nationals. About 15,000 security personnel have been deployed nationwide to search for and rescue those missing.

The authority said search and rescue operations have been intensified in affected areas. However, figures released by Nepali government agencies differ somewhat. Nepal Police had earlier reported that 575 foreign nationals were missing, while the authority’s latest tally was issued about two hours after the police update, creating a gap between the two sets of figures.

Security personnel are using helicopters and other rescue equipment in remote and mountainous flood-hit areas. Authorities are racing to locate missing people after extensive damage across wide areas, including mountainous regions near the Nepal-China border. Difficult terrain and the risk of further flooding are making rescue operations more challenging.

National Citizen Party (NCP) northern region chief coordinator Sarzis Alam said the BNP is gradually going off track and moving toward failure. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon while answering journalists’ questions at the Chandpur Press Club, where he attended an NCP Chandpur district organisational coordination meeting.

Alam said criticism of the BNP should not be regarded as opposition, arguing that the party’s failure would harm both the BNP and Bangladesh. He said the BNP should play an effective role inside and outside parliament rather than remain limited to statements. He also said every ministry, including the Home Ministry, must properly perform its responsibilities.

Referring to recent incidents in the country, Alam described the killing of a teacher as alarming and condemnable and cited cases of rape and murder. He called on responsible authorities to act quickly, ensure justice and implement announced verdicts. He said the NCP had presented what it described as the BNP government’s failures and record over 180 days, and urged the BNP to learn from criticism and correct shortcomings.

Geologists say recent devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet may have resulted from a combination of landslides and glacier collapses in high mountain areas. The resulting torrents of water and mud can descend so rapidly that they engulf buildings and infrastructure within seconds, leaving too little time to identify the danger and move residents to safety.

Conventional glacier-risk monitoring generally tracks water levels in specific glacier lakes, which form as melting water accumulates in depressions left by retreating glaciers. Professor Eran Hood of the University of Alaska said monitoring can use real-time video, laser water-level measurements and regular field observations. But experts say forecasting sudden mountain collapses requires dense, costly monitoring across vast and inaccessible terrain.

A 2020 report counted 2,070 glacier lakes in Nepal, including 21 classified as high risk. Nepal’s warning system mainly relies on river and lake gauges and may not detect rapidly developing surges. Experts recommend greater public awareness, controls on construction in high-risk flood zones, and clearly marked evacuation routes.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar criticised the government at a media exchange after the party’s unit presidents’ conference in Cumilla on Friday. He said the government should take effective steps to implement the July Charter before the stipulated 180 days are completed in September, warning that otherwise Jamaat would decide to launch a movement with the public.

Parwar alleged that one minister comments on every ministry and belittles the parliamentary opposition while failing to address deteriorating law and order under his own ministry. He also accused the government of politicising appointments and development activities involving city corporations, municipalities and district councils, calling such administrator appointments unconstitutional.

The Jamaat leader said parties including Jamaat and BNP had signed the July Charter, which stated that an elected government would implement it within 180 days. He alleged the government was moving away from that commitment. Parwar also criticised what he described as unequal development allocations for opposition lawmakers’ constituencies and urged local government elections to allow the selection of public representatives.

Chelsea have reached an agreement with Aston Villa to sign Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for £7.5 million. The nearly 34-year-old is set to join Stamford Bridge on a two-year contract, subject to completing a medical examination in London and formally signing the deal. The agreement includes an option to extend the contract by one additional year.

Chelsea were seeking a reliable and experienced goalkeeper after recent performances and errors by Robert Sanchez in the Premier League. Martinez’s arrival is expected to provide additional reassurance and depth to the team’s defensive setup at Stamford Bridge. The goalkeeper had been awaiting a new challenge over recent seasons.

Juventus had shown interest in Martinez early in the transfer window, but that proposed move collapsed because of complications involving a finger injury. Aston Villa have already secured Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for £25 million, making him their new number one goalkeeper.

Organizers of the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to open on September 19 in Nagoya and Aichi, Japan, are facing a severe accommodation shortage for participating athletes and officials. With only weeks remaining before the competition, the local organizing committee says it lacks the lodging capacity, budget and manpower to handle thousands of additional people.

Organizing committee president and Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura said extra members would have to arrange their own accommodation if they still wished to attend. Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa also described managing the added pressure within a limited budget as extremely difficult. The issue has drawn discussion in international sports circles ahead of the Games.

About 15,000 athletes and officials were initially expected, but the Olympic Council of Asia said attendance could rise to nearly 17,000, including 11,000 athletes and 6,000 officials. New sports such as teqball and padel have contributed to the increase. To reduce costs, organizers did not build a separate athletes' village, instead arranging lodging on cruise ships, in temporary container-style rooms and at hotels across the city.

Bangladesh High Performance defeated Northern Territory Strike by three wickets in the ongoing Top End T20 series in Darwin, Australia, securing a semifinal place. Off-spinner Mohammad Rubel delivered the decisive bowling performance, taking five wickets for 21 runs as Northern Territory finished on 143 for nine in 20 overs.

Bangladesh HP chased the target of 144 with 10 balls remaining. Sabbir Rahman top-scored with 47 from 37 balls, including two boundaries and a six, before Samiyun Bashir struck 17 from eight balls late in the innings. Abdul Gaffar Saklain hit the boundary that sealed the win.

The result was Bangladesh HP’s second successive victory and their fifth win in six matches, taking them to the top of the table with 10 points. Rubel has now claimed 20 wickets in six matches in the tournament. For Northern Territory, Jordan Silk made 31, Matt Hammond scored 26 and Kale McMahon contributed 25. Bangladesh HP will play their semifinal at the same venue the day after tomorrow.

Nepal police say 575 foreign nationals from 36 countries remain unaccounted for after flooding in the country. The latest figure marks an increase in the number of missing foreign citizens, while 149 Nepali citizens are also still missing, according to police information cited in the report.

About six hours earlier, the number of missing foreign nationals had been reported as 537. The updated total is therefore 38 higher over that short period. Indian nationals make up the largest group of missing foreigners, with 183 people unaccounted for.

The other reported nationalities include 65 US citizens, 62 Ukrainian citizens and 33 British citizens. The report does not provide further details on the flooding, the locations of those missing, or search and rescue efforts.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s first Game Development Trophy began today with Bangladesh Under-19 defeating the Under-17 side by 246 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. After winning the toss and batting first, the Under-19 team made 329 for eight in 43 overs before bowling out the Under-17s for 83 in 29.1 overs.

Openers Jarif Siam and Mohammad Abdullah Al Muhi gave the Under-19s a rapid start, adding 43 runs in 3.5 overs. Jarif scored 99 from 76 balls, while Ahsan Ullah made 67 from 65 balls after coming in at number three. Farid Hasan Faisal added a brisk 62 from 53 balls late in the innings. Yasin Majumdar took three wickets for the Under-17 side.

The Under-17 team struggled throughout its chase and suffered regular batting collapses. Shakil Khan claimed three wickets for the Under-19s, while Sheikh Atikur Rahman and Tafiul Alam Tamim took two each. Jarif was named player of the match.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited an art exhibition in Tehran commemorating those killed at Minab School, according to Al Jazeera. Iran says students at the school were killed in a US attack in February. Speaking at the exhibition, Araghchi said the students had become a symbol of heroism for Iran.

Araghchi said the Iranian people would never forget and would not forgive the attack. The event focused on remembering the students killed and on Iran’s account of the incident.

The source says the United States and Israel launched a destructive missile attack on Minab, in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province, on February 28, 2026. It says the Shajareh Tayyeba Girls’ Primary School was heavily damaged and that about 180 students were killed that day.

AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju said the government is worsening Bangladesh’s unemployment problem rather than creating jobs. Speaking as chief guest at a discussion organised by the party’s Chattogram metropolitan unit at S Rahman Hall of Chattogram Press Club on Friday, he cited electricity and fuel shortages as factors behind factory closures and job losses.

Manju said BNP had promised opportunities for one crore educated unemployed people within its first 18 months in power. He alleged that many factories had shut over the past six months because of energy shortages, leaving hundreds of workers unemployed. He also said inconsistent remarks by senior government leaders had increased public distrust over the referendum verdict and the July Charter.

He warned that prolonged electricity and energy shortages would increase unemployment and prices, widening the gap between people’s income and expenditure. At the event, central vice-chairman and Chattogram metropolitan convenor Advocate Golam Faruk said there was no room for compromise, delay or political tactics in implementing the July Charter, describing implementation of the referendum verdict as the government’s political and moral responsibility.