Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly under growing pressure as U.S. President Donald Trump advances toward an interim agreement with Iran following their joint military strikes on February 28. While Netanyahu initially celebrated the operation as a symbol of unprecedented U.S.-Israel unity, he now finds himself sidelined in the American-led diplomatic process. Israeli sources told CNN that Netanyahu privately admitted Israel has little influence over the outcome of the U.S.-Iran talks.

Netanyahu has urged Trump to resume full-scale military action, arguing that sustained pressure could topple Iran’s regime. However, Washington appears to be moving in the opposite direction. Israeli officials fear the emerging deal may leave Iran’s uranium stockpile, missile program, and regional proxies largely unresolved while easing economic pressure on Tehran. Netanyahu’s far-right allies have called for a tougher stance, urging him to confront Trump directly.

The situation has exposed deep political and strategic strains for Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s upcoming election. Analysts say the outcome could undermine his long-standing Iran policy and weaken his image as a security leader, with polls showing declining public confidence in his handling of Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that while Israel faces delegitimization in many parts of the world, it continues to enjoy strong support in India. Speaking at a conference in the West Bank on Thursday, he described India as a special friend of Israel and claimed that Indians support Israel blindly. Netanyahu added that Israel has more followers in India than in any other country.

He recalled his 2018 visit to India with his wife Sara, calling it a “love fest” and praising the extraordinary respect Indians have for Israel. In a separate interview with CBS News’ program 60 Minutes, Netanyahu said that India, with its population of over 1.4 billion, remains one of the few places where Israel is still respected. He also mentioned that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed in Israel.

Recent Pew Research Center data cited in the report showed declining support for Israel in the United States, while Netanyahu blamed Pakistan for using social media bots to spread anti-Israel sentiment online.

BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the party will continue to move forward following the ideals of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman. In a statement issued on Friday, May 29, marking Ziaur Rahman’s 45th death anniversary, he reaffirmed the party’s commitment to democracy and citizens’ rights. Fakhrul emphasized that under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, the BNP believes in transparent and accountable governance and will continue working to uphold freedom of expression and democratic values.

He described Ziaur Rahman as a courageous freedom fighter and statesman who earned a permanent place in the hearts of the people. Fakhrul alleged that Zia’s popularity had caused discomfort among both domestic and foreign conspirators and claimed that his assassination on May 30, 1981, deprived the nation of a patriotic leader. He added that great leaders’ ideals cannot be erased by killing them and noted that Khaleda Zia had advanced multiparty democracy following Zia’s path.

Fakhrul criticized the Awami League government for alleged repression and corruption and said that the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, 2024, resulted from a united movement demanding the restoration of democracy. He called for a free and fair election to fulfill the people’s aspirations.

Israeli forces have indefinitely closed the historic Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, located in the occupied West Bank, according to reports from the Palestinian news agency Wafa cited by Al Jazeera on Friday, May 29, 2026. The closure prevented Palestinian worshippers from performing Friday prayers. Soldiers reportedly ordered all worshippers, guards, staff, and caretakers to leave the premises before sealing off the entire mosque area and shutting nearby checkpoints and gates.

The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs condemned the move, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to alter the mosque’s religious and administrative status quo and a serious violation of religious freedom. Local residents said that restrictions on Palestinian movement and worship in Hebron’s Old City have intensified over time, strengthening Israeli control.

The report added that on May 27, under heavy Israeli restrictions, only a limited number of Palestinians were able to perform Eid al-Adha prayers at the mosque. The Ibrahimi Mosque area remains under full Israeli military control, with about 1,500 soldiers deployed to protect roughly 400 settlers.

A new satirical movement called the 'Cockroach Janata Party' (CJP) has rapidly gained traction among Indian youth frustrated by unemployment and political discontent. The initiative began after Chief Justice Surya Kant compared jobless youth to cockroaches, prompting Abhijit Deepke, a U.S.-educated Indian graduate, to post a viral response on social media on May 16 asking, “What if all cockroaches unite?” Within hours, he and friends used artificial intelligence to create a website for CJP, which now claims over one million registered members.

Analysts say the movement reflects deep frustration among India’s young population, who face high joblessness despite the country’s fast-growing economy. The 2025 Periodic Labour Force Survey reported a 10 percent unemployment rate among 15–29-year-olds, far higher than the national average. Competition for jobs remains intense, with millions applying for limited government posts. The recent cancellation of India’s medical college entrance exam results, affecting about two million students, has further fueled anger.

Authorities reportedly ordered CJP’s social media account suspended on national security grounds, but Abhijit reopened it under a new name and urged peaceful protest. The group’s first campaign demands the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam irregularities.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance along the Lalmonirhat frontier to prevent what it describes as illegal and aggressive activities by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). The move follows incidents including attempts to install posts violating international border laws, drone crashes, and the killing of two Bangladeshi nationals in recent weeks. BGB units from Lalmonirhat 15, Rangpur 51, and Rangpur 61 battalions have been deployed to tighten security across the Teesta-Two sector.

According to the report, local residents remain fearful after the recent shootings that killed two Bangladeshis—one on April 8 at Patgram and another on May 14 near Hatibandha. Despite India’s earlier assurances to Bangladesh about reducing border deaths, the use of lethal force has reportedly continued. Experts cited in the report attribute the ongoing killings to a lack of accountability and disregard for international law.

BGB has also increased public awareness efforts, broadcasting warnings through loudspeakers to discourage illegal border crossings as tensions persist along the Bangladesh-India boundary.

The Indian government is offering major subsidies and incentives to foreign technology firms expanding artificial intelligence-based data centers, while local communities express growing concern over water shortages, farmland loss, and environmental strain. In Andhra Pradesh’s coastal city of Visakhapatnam, Google launched a large AI data center project last year, receiving billions of dollars in incentives from the state government.

According to The Wall Street Journal, such AI data centers consume vast amounts of water to cool servers, raising alarm in a country where groundwater levels are rapidly declining. Many farmers in Visakhapatnam have reportedly been forced to give up their land, with families facing displacement despite compensation. The $15 billion project includes a 10-year 25% discount on water use, land concessions, and subsidies for electricity and infrastructure.

Analysts cited in the report warn that weak infrastructure and water scarcity could make the long-term impact of such projects more severe in developing countries. Google stated it aims to replenish more water than it consumes globally by 2030 through restoration and agricultural technology initiatives.

Iran’s parliament speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that Tehran has no faith in U.S. words or assurances, insisting that only concrete actions can serve as a basis for trust. In a statement posted on social media platform X, he emphasized that Iran will not take any steps until the other side acts first, rejecting verbal guarantees as meaningless.

Ghalibaf further asserted that Iran secures concessions from its rivals through military and missile strength rather than negotiations, adding that discussions only serve to make the opposing side understand Iran’s position. He remarked that the true winner of any agreement is the party most prepared for war the day after the deal.

His comments come amid renewed international debate over relations between Tehran and Washington and the broader regional security situation, according to Al Jazeera.

According to a report by Middle East Eye, the United States and Israel are actively working to remove Jordan from its long-standing supervisory role over the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in Jerusalem. The report states that a new arrangement is being drafted to bring the management of the holy site under Israeli authority, with the aim of transforming it into a multi-faith center. The initiative is reportedly being led by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

Unnamed American and Arab officials cited in the report said the proposed plan would end the authority of the Jordan-backed Islamic Waqf and allow Jews equal access and organized prayer rights at the site. Israel would also gain influence over the appointment of religious leaders and the content of Friday sermons. The plan envisions Al-Aqsa as a shared religious and tourism site for Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

The proposal has reportedly been communicated to Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates, suggesting a rotational oversight model among Arab states. Saudi Arabia, however, is said to have strongly opposed the idea, while the UAE and Bahrain have not yet clarified their positions.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran has gained concessions from its rivals not through dialogue but through its military capabilities. In a statement shared on social media platform X, he asserted that Iran achieves results through missiles rather than negotiations, emphasizing that the country does not rely on promises or verbal assurances.

Ghalibaf, described as one of Iran’s top negotiators, said that in talks, Iran only seeks to make its position understood, but real outcomes depend on strength and action. He added that Iran will not take any steps until the opposing side acts first, underscoring that deeds, not words, are the true measure of commitment.

He further remarked that the real success of any agreement depends on the party that becomes better prepared for potential conflict immediately after the deal is signed. His comments were reported by Al Jazeera and reflect a firm stance on Iran’s approach to negotiations and defense readiness.

Israel has launched a new online platform for digital registration of property ownership in the occupied West Bank. The platform, named “Land Registry and Rights Settlement,” was introduced on Wednesday and aims to update property ownership records in the territory. The Palestinian Authority has condemned the initiative, describing it as a form of “dangerous colonial domination.”

According to the Palestinian Land Authority, the move directly undermines Palestinians’ legal and historical land rights and represents an attempt to strengthen Israel’s control over the West Bank. The Jerusalem Governorate and the Commission Against the Wall and Settlements have urged Palestinians not to engage with any Israeli “agency, committee, platform, or procedure” related to land and property matters.

Palestinian officials fear that the new digital registration system could be used to facilitate future land seizures and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territory.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that public support for Israel in India is so strong it amounts to ‘fandom-level enthusiasm’. Speaking at a conference in the West Bank on Thursday, he described India as a ‘major power’ and emphasized the special importance of relations between the two countries. Netanyahu noted that while Israel faces controversies and legitimacy challenges in many parts of the world, such issues are absent in India. He also claimed that his social media following is higher in India than in any other country.

Netanyahu recalled his 2018 visit to India with his wife Sara as a moment of ‘love and warm reception’ and mentioned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel, which he said was met with similar warmth. He has previously discussed his popularity in India, including in an interview with CBS’s ‘60 Minutes’, where he highlighted India’s strong interest in Israel.

Analysts cited in the report said Netanyahu’s renewed focus on India-Israel ties comes as public support for Israel in the United States gradually declines.

In a detailed report, analysts say Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s long-standing effort to isolate Pakistan has largely failed. Despite Modi’s 2016 declaration that India would ensure Pakistan’s global isolation, Islamabad has instead strengthened its international standing. Pakistan has deepened ties with China, reemerged as a trusted U.S. partner under President Donald Trump, and played a key mediating role in the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. Trump brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May 2025, which Pakistan publicly credited him for, even nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Experts cited in the report argue that Pakistan’s diplomatic resurgence reflects both its strategic adaptability and missteps by the Modi administration. India’s aggressive stance, trade tensions with Washington, and alignment with Israel have strained relations with Muslim-majority nations and regional partners. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s outreach to Gulf states and its repositioning as a credible security actor have enhanced its global image.

Recent signs suggest India may be reassessing its approach, as former generals and diplomats from both countries have held informal talks, and some Indian leaders have voiced support for renewed dialogue with Pakistan.

Japan has reintroduced a ban on mango imports from India after nearly two decades, following the discovery of flaws in pest control and sterilization procedures by Japanese quarantine officials. The decision, announced by the Yokohama Plant Protection Association, means that shipments with inspection certificates issued after March 25, 2026, will no longer be accepted. The move affects premium Indian mango varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar, Langra, and Banganapalli, dealing a major blow to exporters this season.

Japan maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against harmful agricultural pests, particularly fruit flies, which it considers a serious threat to domestic crops. The country had previously banned Indian mangoes for similar reasons but lifted the restriction in 2006 after India implemented stricter quality control measures. During a March inspection at a vapor heat treatment center in Rehmanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Japanese officials found technical issues in the heat treatment and sterilization process, though neither side disclosed details.

Exporters fear the renewed ban could undermine international confidence in India’s agricultural quality standards and prompt concern among other importing nations, adding financial strain to farmers already hit by poor yields due to extreme weather and El Niño effects.

A large quantity of sacrificial animal hides has spoiled in Chattogram due to alleged manipulation by market syndicates. Seasonal traders, unable to sell their collected hides at fair prices, abandoned thousands of pieces on the streets late into the night. On Friday morning, Chattogram City Corporation sanitation workers began dumping the rotting hides from areas including Aturar Depot, Bahaddarhat, and Chawkbazar.

Seasonal traders said that despite government assurances of market monitoring, no effective steps were taken to prevent syndicate control. Many traders chose to discard their hides in protest rather than sell at extremely low prices. The Raw Hide Traders Association claimed they met their target of collecting 400,000 hides and said only those who held out for higher prices suffered losses. Truck drivers from Fatikchhari and Sitakunda reported being stranded overnight with unsold hides that eventually decayed.

City officials confirmed that large volumes of spoiled hides were dumped but did not provide exact figures. Traders alleged that middlemen’s manipulation caused the crisis, with some hides going unsold even at Tk 50 per piece.