Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar announced that Iranian and Pakistani sailors detained by the United States have returned home. According to Dar, 20 Iranian and 11 Pakistani sailors who were stranded in waters near Singapore were successfully repatriated. Before boarding a flight to Islamabad on Friday, the sailors were flown from Singapore to Bangkok.

In a statement shared on social media, Dar expressed gratitude and confirmed that the sailors had been detained aboard a ship held by the United States in deep sea. He emphasized that all the sailors were in good health and mentally sound. Dar reiterated that the welfare of Pakistanis abroad, especially those facing hardship, remains a top priority for his government.

The report, citing Middle East Eye, did not specify the circumstances of the sailors’ detention or the reasons for their release.

A 70-year-old man named Ahmad Dealer was killed by his drug-addicted son in Mirsharai, Chattogram, on Friday night. Police said the incident occurred around 9 p.m. when a dispute broke out between Ahmad Dealer and his son, Ibrahim Hossain Milon, over drug use at their home. During the altercation, Milon allegedly struck his father with a stick, leaving him critically injured. Ahmad Dealer died at the scene before family members could rescue him.

According to police and local sources, Milon had been addicted to drugs for a long time and was reportedly involved in various antisocial activities. Despite repeated warnings from his family, his behavior had become increasingly reckless. Police later detained Milon on charges of killing his father. The body was sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital morgue, and legal proceedings are underway.

Authorities confirmed that the investigation is ongoing to determine further details surrounding the incident.

Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations has warned that countries co-sponsoring a US-drafted resolution on the Strait of Hormuz will face consequences. The statement, issued on social media platform X on May 16, 2026, said that if Washington provokes new military tensions, the supporting nations will share international responsibility for the results.

According to Iran, the United States is using the list of co-sponsoring countries to create a false image of international support for its illegal actions and military adventurism. The Iranian mission emphasized that no political excuse or diplomatic shield can absolve those countries from accountability.

The US draft resolution, backed by Bahrain and several other Gulf states, calls for an end to Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and the restoration of free navigation in the Gulf’s maritime zones.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit China on May 19 for a two-day trip, according to a Kremlin statement. During the visit, Putin will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss strengthening what Moscow describes as their “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.” The announcement comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump completed his own visit to Beijing.

Analysts cited in the report view Putin’s trip as part of an effort to deepen ties between Russia and China at a time of heightened geopolitical tension and strained U.S.-China relations. The Kremlin emphasized that the discussions will focus on expanding collaboration between Moscow and Beijing across multiple strategic areas.

The visit underscores the growing alignment between the two countries as they navigate shifting global power dynamics and respond to evolving international challenges.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed gratitude to Pope Leo for taking what he described as a 'moral, rational, and just' position regarding the ongoing war situation involving Iran. In a message published by the state news agency IRNA, Pezeshkian said that attacks by the United States and Israel were not only directed against Iran but also against international law and humanitarian values.

He asserted that Iran’s actions were carried out within a framework of legitimate self-defense, targeting what he called the positions and interests of aggressor forces. Pezeshkian added that the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz stemmed from attacks on Iran, the use of Gulf countries’ territories and airspace for assaults, and a U.S. maritime blockade. He reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to diplomacy, citing Pakistan’s mediation and talks held in Islamabad, and urged the international community to adopt a realistic and fair approach.

Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo’s stance, alleging that Iran had killed thousands of unarmed protesters and warning against its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that it will take another two years to restore Bangladesh’s fragile economy, which was left in a deteriorated state by previous governments. He made the remarks on Saturday morning while inaugurating a new building of the Mother and Child Hospital in Agrabad, Chattogram.

The minister explained that the current government faced a major global crisis immediately after taking office due to the war in the Middle East. He said the energy sector alone required Tk 40,000 crore in the upcoming fiscal year, while an additional Tk 50,000 crore was spent within two months on the power sector and foreign loan repayments. He acknowledged that the national economy remains in a difficult position.

Amir Khosru also criticized past administrations for misusing health sector allocations and pledged that the current government would ensure proper monitoring of funds. He emphasized that the government would not interfere in medical colleges or other professional institutions to preserve their integrity and educational standards.

A violent attack occurred at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital early Friday night following the death of a patient named Lal Mia Kazi. Relatives of the deceased, alleging negligence by the attending physician, vandalized the emergency observation ward and assaulted duty doctor Nasir Islam with stones and sticks, leaving him critically injured. Several hospital staff, including an office assistant and Ansar members, were also attacked while trying to intervene. The injured doctor is being prepared for transfer to Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s ICU.

According to hospital sources, the patient had been admitted with heart complications and was referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment, but his family refused to move him at night. After his death around 12:40 a.m., a group of 70–80 people stormed the ward and attacked the staff. Police have detained two individuals, Al-Amin and Jasim Uddin, and are preparing a case. Civil Surgeon Dr. Rehan Uddin confirmed that a four-member inquiry committee will be formed to investigate the incident.

Authorities condemned the attack, warning that continued violence against medical professionals threatens hospital safety and healthcare delivery.

The Bangladesh government authorized 12 foreign companies to supply diesel, octane, and crude oil under the Direct Purchase Method (DPM) to address a fuel shortage caused by the Iran war. However, none of the companies had delivered oil by mid-May 2026. Only two firms provided performance guarantees, while one pledged to do so. The companies are based in the United States, Dubai, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Japan. The energy minister said the move aimed to prevent panic buying and ensure adequate reserves.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) officials said the DPM initiative was temporary and launched after several cargoes were deferred due to force majeure declarations. BPC Chairman Md. Rezanur Rahman explained that final prices would be determined using the Platts Arab Gulf rate around the loading date. He confirmed that three companies were proceeding properly, while others declined or failed to meet requirements. The government has since returned to open tendering for June–August to maintain a 90-day reserve.

Transparency International Bangladesh acknowledged the government’s authority to bypass tenders in emergencies but emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in supplier selection and contract execution.

FIFA is set to meet Iranian football officials in Istanbul to address concerns over Iran’s participation in the upcoming World Cup. According to Reuters, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström will hold the meeting on Saturday in Turkey’s capital. Discussions will focus on Iran’s participation, as well as security and logistical matters related to the tournament.

Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group-stage matches in the United States. However, recent political and security developments have raised uncertainty about the team’s ability to take part. FIFA intends to reassure Iran that it will be able to participate and that all necessary arrangements will be ensured.

The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned of further counterattacks against Russia after a missile strike on Kyiv killed 24 people, including three children. In a post on X on Friday, Zelensky said Ukraine would not leave any Russian assault unanswered. He described Ukraine’s response against Russia’s oil industry, military production, and those involved in war crimes as justified. Earlier that morning, he visited the residential building destroyed in the attack.

Ukrainian officials reported that rescue operations lasted over 28 hours, saving 30 people. Kyiv’s mayor said about two dozen victims remain hospitalized. The youngest victim, 12-year-old Liubava Yakovleva, had lost her father earlier in the war. Meanwhile, Russian authorities said a Ukrainian drone strike on Ryazan killed four people, including a child, and damaged a multi-story building. Ukraine’s military confirmed it targeted a Russian oil refinery.

Amid the violence, both sides conducted a prisoner exchange, freeing 205 soldiers each. The released Ukrainians included fighters from Mariupol’s Azovstal plant. Peace talks mediated by the United States remain stalled, with Moscow refusing a ceasefire or full negotiations.

In Lalmonirhat’s Dahagram–Angarpota union, residents have expressed concern over increased surveillance and restrictions by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at the Tin Bigha Corridor, their only route to mainland Bangladesh. Locals allege that since the recent West Bengal elections, BSF has intensified checks, causing delays and harassment during travel. The corridor, leased to Bangladesh in 2011 for access to the enclave, remains under Indian control despite the 1974 Mujib–Indira Agreement stipulating its transfer.

The corridor, originally intended to be 178 meters long and 85 meters wide, now functions as a narrow nine-foot passage. Residents report frequent searches, vehicle restrictions, and fines for accidental damage to Indian installations. Community leaders and residents demand full freedom of movement as per the 1974 agreement, citing economic hardship and loss of dignity. BSF has also built observation towers and checkpoints, contrary to the agreement’s terms.

Bangladeshi authorities have reportedly taken precautionary measures through the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). However, locals remain frustrated, saying the corridor’s limited access continues to disrupt daily life and trade in the isolated enclave.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, aged 90, is reportedly preparing his son Yasser Abbas for a senior leadership position within Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority. Six unnamed Palestinian officials told The New York Times that Abbas is taking this step to extend his influence. Abbas has led the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, since 2005 and has maintained tight control by sidelining rivals, limiting judicial independence, and cooperating with Israel on security matters.

Abbas’s presidential term officially ended in 2009, but he has since canceled elections and faced persistent allegations of corruption. Many Palestinians view his move to promote his son as evidence that he has no intention of loosening his grip on power or allowing new leadership to emerge. Political analyst Hani al-Masri described the situation as rule under one man’s control.

The reported succession effort comes amid growing international pressure on the Palestinian Authority to implement significant political reforms, despite internal party resistance and public discontent.

This week, the annual Jackson Poetry Prize was awarded to Chicago-born poet Marianne Boruch. The honor recognizes an outstanding American poet each year and includes a $100,000 cash award. The 2026 judging panel consisted of Major Jackson, Cole Swensen, and Afaa Michael Weaver.

According to the judges’ statement, Boruch’s poetry reveals the breadth and depth of human thought through its ornamental rhythm and captivating expression. In an era shaped by artificial intelligence, her work seeks to stir collective human understanding, exploring the vastness of desire and curiosity. Her poetic tone moves fluidly between refined diction and spontaneous wit, employing every stylistic nuance in between.

The judges noted that Boruch’s unconventional sentence structures are not merely surprising but awakening, inviting readers to look upward and think more deeply. The prize highlights her distinctive contribution to contemporary American poetry.

An article published on May 16, 2026, in 'Amar Desh' by Abdul Kader Jilani discusses the renewed relevance of Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s philosophy in Bangladesh following the July uprising that toppled a fascist government. The author connects the collective awakening for justice and truth during the protests with Iqbal’s concept of 'Khudi'—the self-realization and empowerment of individuals as the foundation of a just society. Protesters reportedly invoked Iqbal’s verses as slogans in their struggle against oppression.

The piece traces Iqbal’s intellectual influences from both Eastern and Western thinkers and his vision of a moral, equitable state guided by divine law. It contrasts Iqbal’s Islamic humanism with Rabindranath Tagore’s secular humanism, arguing that post-1971 nationalist movements in Bangladesh marginalized Iqbal’s thought. The author claims that Iqbal’s ideas of justice, unity, and cultural independence are regaining significance in post-July Bangladesh.

According to the article, this resurgence of Iqbal studies in political, cultural, and intellectual spaces signals a broader cultural revolution emphasizing Islamic values and resistance to authoritarianism.

The article highlights the life and contributions of Mustafa Zaman Abbasi, a legendary Bangladeshi singer, researcher, and writer, who played a pivotal role in preserving the country’s folk and spiritual traditions. Born in 1937 in Balarampur, Cooch Behar, Abbasi inherited a rich musical legacy from his father, Abbasuddin Ahmed, and grew up in a culturally vibrant environment. His education in history at the University of Dhaka deepened his understanding of Bengal’s social and cultural evolution, shaping his later work as a scholar of folk music.

Abbasi’s major achievements include collecting and archiving original Baul and Lalon songs, promoting folk music through Bangladesh Television and Radio, and introducing rural artists to national audiences. He also represented Bangladesh internationally, performing in over 40 countries and serving as president of the Bangladesh National Committee of Music under UNESCO. Beyond music, Abbasi made significant contributions to Islamic music, literature, and Sufi philosophy through his writings and translations.

His extensive literary output of over 60 books, including research on folk traditions and novels addressing environmental and cultural themes, established him as a key figure in documenting Bangladesh’s artistic and spiritual identity.