Bangladesh Political Unrest Demands Elections; Global Tensions Affect Flight Operations and Diplomatic Moves.
In Dhaka, thousands of Bangladesh Nationalist Party activists rallied, demanding immediate elections as political unrest stirs in the country. The interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has yet to announce a voting timeline, despite calls for elections and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India.
Meanwhile, in the Middle East, Israel's Mossad executed a covert attack with explosive pagers, killing nine and injuring nearly 3,000 in Lebanon. Hezbollah has vowed retaliation, marking another chapter of tension as the group reels from this significant security breach.
As regional tensions rise, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has pledged stronger ties with Russia to counteract Western sanctions, following a high-level meeting in Tehran. This move has heightened U.S. concerns over potential military cooperation, particularly regarding the Ukraine conflict.
Across the globe, former U.S. President
Donald Trump plans to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the United States. The meeting occurs amid mixed sentiments, as Trump praises Modi while criticizing India's trade practices, ahead of notable events such as the Quad Leaders summit and the United Nations General Assembly.
Closer to home, Portugal faces a dire situation as thousands of firefighters combat deadly wildfires that have claimed seven lives and scorched vast areas, particularly in the Aveiro region. The European Union has stepped in to assist, with firefighting aircraft arriving from neighboring countries to help extinguish the flames.
Lastly, in response to escalating security concerns in the Middle East, airlines like Air France have suspended flights to Beirut and Tel Aviv until September 19. Lufthansa Group has also halted flights to Tel Aviv and Tehran and will avoid Israeli and Iranian airspace for the same duration, prioritizing passenger safety during this volatile period.