Russia has warned of continued attacks on Ukraine’s defense facilities and urged foreign nationals to leave Kyiv. According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, upcoming strikes will target drone production centers and command sites in the Ukrainian capital. The warning follows a series of large-scale assaults that have intensified the conflict.

Ukraine condemned Moscow’s threat as “shameless blackmail” and called on its allies to increase pressure on Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a major Russian attack on Saturday night killed four people and injured nearly 100 others in Kyiv and surrounding areas. Moscow claimed the strikes were in retaliation for a Ukrainian attack on a student dormitory in Starobilsk on Friday, which reportedly killed 21 people.

In recent months, Ukraine has expanded its drone warfare capabilities, achieving notable success against Russian targets, particularly energy infrastructure. Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion four years ago, continues to claim control over four eastern Ukrainian regions.

A new study led by Professor Chengshan Wang of the China University of Geosciences has found that rivers originating from the Himalayas are rapidly altering their courses as a result of glacier melt and global warming. The research, published on May 14 in the journal Science, analyzed satellite images from 1980 to 2020 and conducted field observations across several river basins. The findings indicate that warming and glacial retreat are significantly affecting the flow patterns of major Himalayan rivers.

The study examined 1,582 kilometers of river channels and 1,079 river bends, revealing that between 1980 and 2020, the courses of Himalayan rivers changed 33 percent more than before, with unconfined bends showing up to 97 percent change. Researchers observed both cut-offs and avulsions, where rivers abandoned old paths for shorter or entirely new routes. The analysis also found that the rate of temperature increase in the Himalayas was double the global average, intensifying glacier melt and weakening frozen ground along riverbanks.

According to the study, these shifts could heighten the risks of flooding and erosion across the region, affecting millions who depend on these rivers for sustenance and livelihoods.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a message on the occasion of Hajj and Eid al-Adha, describing Israel as a cancerous tumor in the Middle East and pledging its removal. The statement was reported by Iran’s Tasnim news agency, which quoted Khamenei as calling Israel a dangerous and deadly tumor in the region. He declared that Israel must be overthrown and that it will be done.

Khamenei said Iran’s retaliatory actions have left the Zionist regime helpless and described Iran’s strong response as a “hard slap” to the United States. He also emphasized that this year’s Hajj season carries special significance in calling for the boycott of the United States and Israel. According to him, the main slogans of the Islamic Ummah should be “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”

The message underscores Iran’s continued hostility toward Israel and the United States, reflecting Tehran’s stance amid ongoing regional tensions.

An Israeli drone strike on the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza killed five people on May 26, 2026, according to doctors and residents. The attack occurred when a group of Israel-backed Palestinian militiamen attempted to launch an assault in an area east of the camp. As local residents came out of their homes, a missile was fired from an Israeli drone, resulting in multiple casualties.

Witnesses reported that several others were injured in the strike. The incident follows a rise in infiltration attempts by Israel-supported armed groups in recent weeks. Hamas has labeled these groups as 'Israeli collaborators,' while the militia leaders claim their goal is to bring down Hamas’s rule in Gaza.

The ongoing Israeli war, now lasting more than two years, has left the besieged Gaza Strip devastated, with over 72,500 Palestinians reported killed, according to the source.

Archaeologists have rediscovered the long-lost Egyptian port city of Heracleion beneath the waters of Abu Qir Bay, about 32 kilometers from Alexandria. The discovery was made in 2000 by a team from the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology, led by renowned archaeologist Franck Goddio, while searching for a sunken warship of Napoleon. Instead, they uncovered the remains of Heracleion, buried under sand for 1,200 years. The find included a fragment of a six-ton statue of the god Hapi, which first signaled the presence of the ancient city.

Over the next 13 years, the team excavated numerous artifacts from the site, including temple ruins dedicated to Egyptian gods Amun and Khonsu, more than 64 shipwrecks, 700 anchors, gold coins, copper weights, and golden vessels. They also recovered a statue of Cleopatra III modeled after the goddess Isis, as well as stone inscriptions in Greek and Egyptian and animal mummies offered to Amun. Despite centuries underwater, many relics remained remarkably intact.

Heracleion, also known by its Egyptian name Thonis, was once a major Mediterranean port before an earthquake caused it to sink into the sea.

Bangladesh’s Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Anisul Huq announced that women and child repression tribunals will remain open even on holidays to ensure continuous judicial proceedings. He made the statement on Monday in Chuadanga after a meeting with local BNP and affiliated leaders at the Circuit House.

Referring to the murder of eight-year-old Ramisa in Dhaka’s Pallabi area, the minister said the trial will begin on the first working day after the Eid holidays. He noted that the accused’s statement was recorded within 24 hours and the charge sheet was submitted within a week, emphasizing the government’s commitment to swift justice. He also condemned the recent attack on Nasiruddin Patwari, a central coordinator of the NCP, calling such behavior unacceptable.

Later, the minister attended the closing ceremony of the 127th birth anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in Karpasdanga, where he highlighted Nazrul’s enduring influence in inspiring people to stand against injustice.

Sri Lanka has introduced a free tourist Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) scheme for citizens of 40 countries, effective from May 25, 2026. According to the country’s Department of Immigration and Emigration, eligible travelers can apply online for a 30-day tourist visa without paying any fee. The list includes countries such as Australia, India, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom. However, all foreign visitors, including those from Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore, must still obtain an ETA before entering Sri Lanka.

The department clarified that travelers who paid ETA fees before May 25, 2026, will not receive refunds. Under the current rules, tourists can stay in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days, with Maldivian citizens allowed up to 90 days. The visa also permits double entry within its validity period, and extensions are available for a fee.

Sri Lanka’s government stated that the initiative aims to strengthen the tourism sector and attract more foreign visitors, signaling a renewed focus on economic recovery through tourism.

An Awami League leader in Kishoreganj upazila of Nilphamari, Zakir Hossain, who also serves as the upazila party president, has been accused of constructing a market on government land. According to local land office sources, Hossain and his brother, vice president Sayeed Hossain, had recorded eight decimals of market land under their names through fraudulent documents, though the administration later corrected the record in favor of the government. Despite the correction, the market remains standing on the disputed land.

Documents from a land settlement case show that the fraudulent records were created using a non-existent khatian number, and a 2025 order restored the land to government ownership. Locals said they had believed the market was built on ancestral land until a recent eviction drive revealed it was on public property. The occupied land is estimated to be worth about 35 million taka.

Local officials stated that eviction measures would be taken following higher authority directives, while residents and opposition representatives demanded removal of all illegal structures to restore a clean marketplace.

The United States military carried out a series of strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, targeting Iranian missile launch sites and boats allegedly attempting to lay mines. The US Central Command described the action as “self-defence strikes” to protect American forces from Iranian threats but did not disclose specific details or locations. Iranian media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, about 70km from the strait. The attacks occurred as a high-level Iranian delegation arrived in Doha, Qatar, for negotiations aimed at ending the US-Israel war on Iran, despite a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire in place since April 8.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that while a large portion of issues with Washington had been resolved, a final deal was not imminent. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from India, confirmed the targets and emphasized the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. President Donald Trump said talks were progressing “nicely” but warned of further attacks if negotiations failed.

Analysts noted that the strikes could complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts, with limited information available about the scale of the operation or its impact on the ceasefire.

Foreign ministers from India, Japan, and Australia met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New Delhi on Tuesday, seeking to revive the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) amid growing doubts about its relevance. Analysts said the meeting, marked by stiff body language, aimed to agree on a long-delayed leaders’ summit as the alliance struggles to maintain unity under U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term. Washington’s military redeployment from the Asia Pacific to the Middle East and Trump’s rapprochement with Chinese President Xi Jinping have raised concerns among Quad members about America’s long-term commitment to the Indo-Pacific.

Analysts from Japan and China told Al Jazeera that the Quad’s cohesion has eroded due to shifting U.S. priorities and a lack of leadership. The alliance, which has no formal treaty or mutual defense commitments, has focused on limited initiatives such as vaccines and supply chains but lacks strategic direction. Beijing now views the Quad as an uneven alignment rather than a unified anti-China coalition.

Japan has responded by increasing its defense budget and strengthening partnerships with other allies, while India and Australia are reassessing their positions amid uncertainty over Washington’s reliability.

Argentina has set its sights on winning a second consecutive FIFA World Cup, with forward Julián Álvarez emerging as a key figure in the team’s pursuit. In an interview with FIFA, Álvarez expressed excitement about defending the title, saying the team aims to reach the final again despite the challenges ahead. The 26-year-old striker, now playing for Atlético Madrid after leaving Manchester City, has become an integral part of Argentina’s starting lineup since his breakthrough performance in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Álvarez scored four goals in that tournament, including two in the semifinal against Croatia, helping Argentina secure the championship. He has since added major club and international trophies to his career, including the Copa Libertadores, UEFA Champions League, and Copa América. Argentina hopes to join Italy and Brazil as the only nations to win consecutive World Cups, a feat Álvarez believes would mark a historic era for the team.

While Lionel Messi’s participation in the upcoming World Cup remains unconfirmed, Álvarez noted that the decision rests with Messi but emphasized that the tournament will be special for the entire football world.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has arrived in New York for a two-day official visit. His trip comes as Islamabad continues its mediation efforts to end the ongoing war involving Iran. During the visit, Dar is scheduled to participate in a United Nations Security Council debate focused on maintaining international peace and security.

The visit coincides with heightened diplomatic activity surrounding the Iran conflict. While Dar will attend the UN debate, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will not be present, as he was denied a visa to enter the United States. The situation underscores the complex diplomatic environment in which Pakistan is pursuing its mediation role.

The outcome of Dar’s participation in the UN debate and its potential impact on Pakistan’s mediation efforts remain to be seen.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid stated that no illegally imported Indian cattle were seen in this year’s sacrificial animal markets. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon while inspecting the Neura cattle market in Comilla city. The minister said the government has taken all necessary measures to ensure safe trading for both farmers and buyers, and no irregularities have been reported so far.

He added that veterinary teams, anti-counterfeit money units, and law enforcement personnel have been deployed across markets to prevent extortion and ensure order. According to the minister, around 10 million animals are expected to be sacrificed nationwide this year, contributing significantly to the country’s economic circulation.

During the visit, the minister made public announcements encouraging people to seek help from veterinary booths if needed and interacted with traders and buyers. He also visited a camel named Sultan priced at 3.2 million taka at the market.

Launch operations from the Sadarghat terminal in Dhaka have been temporarily suspended due to adverse weather conditions. The Ministry of Shipping confirmed the suspension in a message to the media on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The decision follows reports of strong winds and heavy rainfall affecting river transport in the region.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) had also halted ferry and launch services on the Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat routes because of the same weather conditions. The authorities took these measures to ensure passenger safety and prevent accidents during the ongoing rough weather.

The suspension is expected to remain in place until weather conditions improve, though no specific timeline for resumption has been announced.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General Additional IGP Md Ahsan Habib Palash said the force has not received any specific threat of sabotage ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. He made the statement on Tuesday after inspecting overall security arrangements at the National Eidgah ground in Dhaka, where he also reviewed the ongoing preparations.

The RAB chief stated that although there is no concrete threat, special security measures have been taken to handle any situation. The force has strengthened security across the capital and other parts of the country, setting up mobile checkpoints, conducting searches, and increasing patrols and intelligence surveillance. All RAB battalions are carrying out intensified patrols in their respective areas, coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to ensure safety during major Eid congregations.

RAB also reported enhanced monitoring to prevent black marketing, illegal stockpiling, price hikes, food adulteration, and counterfeit goods. Continuous online monitoring will remain active, and additional night patrols and checkpoints have been established to deter theft, robbery, and snatching during the holiday period.