Chinese President Xi Jinping invited Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks shortly after hosting US President Donald Trump, signaling closer coordination between Beijing and Moscow. The meeting follows Trump’s second-term policies, which, despite his pledge to “un-unite” Russia and China, have instead reinforced their partnership. The ongoing Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have made China increasingly dependent on Russian oil and gas, boosting bilateral trade by nearly 20 percent in the first four months of the year.

Energy cooperation is expanding, with new agreements between Chinese firms and Gazprom to increase gas imports and revive the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline project. Beyond economics, both nations share a perception of the US-led West as a destabilizing force, driving them to align more closely. The article traces how past US administrations, from Clinton to Biden, contributed to this alignment through NATO expansion, conflicts in Ukraine, and tensions over Taiwan.

Xi’s invitation to Putin, coming immediately after Trump’s visit, is portrayed as a deliberate signal that the Russo-Chinese alliance remains firm and resistant to US efforts to divide them.

Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) has expanded export cargo screening capacity at the country’s airports. The authority confirmed that Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport regained approval to use the Explosive Detection Dog (EDD) method for screening cargo bound for the United Kingdom. This reinstatement, achieved through coordinated diplomatic and technical efforts, aligns Bangladesh’s cargo security system more closely with international standards.

CAAB spokesperson Kawsar Mahmud said the renewed EDD approval will strengthen and streamline security verification for UK-bound goods, reducing delays and costs for exporters. He added that the launch of a second Explosive Detection System (EDS) at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport has significantly increased screening capacity, enabling faster and more efficient cargo processing.

According to CAAB, these developments will enhance direct cargo transport capabilities to the UK and European Union. The improvements are expected to boost exporter confidence, attract new airlines seeking validation, and support Bangladesh’s broader international trade expansion.

Former interim government cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki shared a message from Safat Siddiqui, the mother of July uprising martyr Shafik Uddin Ahmed Ahnaf, expressing deep sorrow and anger. She said no mother should again lose her child for the country. Farooki posted her words on Facebook, saying he is moved each time he reads them and condemning those who trivialize the July killings in media discussions.

Farooki compared denial of the July massacre to Holocaust denial, noting that in many European countries such denial is punishable by law. He urged Bangladesh to consider similar legislation to prevent social disorder and to include provisions against denying genocide during the Liberation War. He warned that normalizing fascist narratives would erase the memory of July and dishonor the martyrs.

He emphasized that Bangladesh is not a traitorous nation and honors its martyrs, but mocking their sacrifice deeply wounds bereaved families. He called on society to take such pain seriously.

The Ministry of Commerce has launched a control room to ensure proper preservation and management of raw hides from sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha 2026. The initiative aims to streamline collection, storage, and care of hides across the country. A special awareness campaign will also be broadcast on government and private television channels to educate the public on proper handling methods.

According to a ministry press release issued on Sunday, an inter-ministerial meeting was held on April 12 to review preparations for raw hide management during the festival. The meeting emphasized correct skinning techniques, adequate use of salt, and timely preservation after collection. It also decided to run awareness programs through various media outlets to inform the public about best practices.

The ministry stated that the control room will supervise hide management activities and provide related services. Citizens can contact the control room at 01617-338067 for information or assistance. Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated in Bangladesh on May 28, and the government has taken early measures to prevent the recurring problem of hide spoilage due to poor preservation.

Russia carried out large-scale missile and drone attacks across Ukraine from Saturday night to early Sunday, causing widespread explosions in Kyiv and other regions. Ukrainian authorities reported at least four deaths and 83 injuries. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the main target was the capital, though other areas were also hit. Residential buildings, educational institutions, and other facilities were damaged, according to local officials.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it used the hypersonic ‘Oreshnik’ missile in the assault, describing it as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin alleged that a Ukrainian strike on a dormitory in the Russian-controlled city of Starobilsk killed 21 people. Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed a military operation near Starobilsk but said the target was a Russian special military unit.

Zelensky had previously warned that Russia was preparing a major new offensive and might deploy the ‘Oreshnik’ missile, which reportedly travels at ten times the speed of sound, making it extremely difficult to intercept.

A young man was beaten to death on suspicion of theft at a factory in Boalkhali upazila of Chattogram on Sunday. Police said the incident occurred at Bismillah Fabrics factory in the Sakpura Bridge area, where the man allegedly entered by cutting the shutter early in the morning. Workers tied him with a rope and beat him until he became unconscious. He was later taken to the upazila health complex, where doctors declared him dead at noon. The victim’s identity has not yet been confirmed.

Following the incident, police detained three factory officials, including the human resources manager, for questioning. Boalkhali police recovered the body and sent it to Chattogram Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. The officer-in-charge of Boalkhali Police Station confirmed that the man was beaten inside the factory on suspicion of theft.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the death and the role of those involved, while efforts continue to identify the deceased.

Officials from the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday afternoon at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat. The meeting was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the rehabilitation programs for people with paralysis. CRP representatives presented details of their ongoing activities, including medical and rehabilitation services. The delegation included CRP founder trustee Dr. Valerie A. Taylor, executive director Dr. Mohammad Sohrab Hossain, trustee chairman Muhammad Saidur Rahman, trustee Mushtaq Ahmed, and other senior officials.

The meeting highlighted CRP’s continuing efforts to support individuals with disabilities and strengthen rehabilitation initiatives across Bangladesh.

A nine-story building under construction collapsed in Angeles City, Pampanga province, north of Manila, early Sunday following a severe thunderstorm, leaving at least 21 people missing, according to local authorities. Police, fire service, and disaster response teams launched a large-scale rescue operation, reporting that voices were heard from beneath the debris, raising hopes of survivors. Police Brigadier General Jess Mendez said 24 workers either escaped or were rescued, with some sustaining injuries, but no deaths had been confirmed.

Francis Pangilinan, head of the Angeles City disaster management office, stated that most of the missing individuals were believed to be construction workers. Debris from the collapse also damaged a nearby residential structure, injuring two people, including a Malaysian tourist. Rescue teams, aided by trained dogs, continued searching under highly unstable conditions.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said signs of life were detected under the rubble, but the area remained extremely dangerous, requiring careful rescue efforts. The site lies within the Clark Freeport Zone, a major commercial and entertainment hub about 80 kilometers north of Metro Manila.

An Iranian semi-official news agency reported that two to three clauses in a potential peace agreement between Tehran and Washington remain unresolved. According to an Iranian source familiar with the discussions, if the United States continues to create obstacles, there will be no possibility of finalizing the memorandum of understanding. The source added that despite some progress in the talks, differences persist on several important issues.

Analysts cited in the report identified Iran’s nuclear program, uranium enrichment, and the lifting of sanctions as the main points of contention in the negotiations. These issues have long complicated diplomatic efforts between the two countries and continue to hinder the conclusion of a comprehensive agreement.

The report suggests that while negotiations are ongoing, the outcome remains uncertain as both sides struggle to bridge their remaining differences.

During his recent visit to Beijing, U.S. President Donald Trump praised Chinese President Xi Jinping as a “great leader” and “friend,” signaling a desire for closer ties with China. Trump returned home without visiting other Asian nations and offered no reassurance to regional allies, while suggesting he might reconsider arms sales to Taiwan. His remarks have raised concerns across Asia, particularly in India, about U.S. security commitments.

In response, Indian leaders arranged a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and invited him to the White House. The two discussed deepening trade and defense cooperation. Rubio’s mission was seen as an effort to repair strained relations after Trump’s tariffs and his praise of Pakistani leaders. Analysts noted that Trump’s current approach contrasts sharply with previous U.S. policies that sought to strengthen India as a counterbalance to China.

Indian officials are now reassessing their strategic autonomy as Washington’s stance shifts. Some observers say both India and China are cautiously seeking stability in their relationship amid regional uncertainty.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Textiles Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has urged for sector-specific proposals to expand exports to Saudi Arabia. He made the call during a meeting with a delegation from the Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry at his office on Sunday. The minister said Bangladesh’s exports remain heavily dependent on the ready-made garment sector, but there are significant opportunities in pharmaceuticals, leather goods, jute products, food items, and customized apparel for Saudi consumers.

He emphasized that the government is ready to support initiatives that enhance the country’s image, export capacity, and skilled workforce. Muktadir also highlighted the importance of training and skill development for migrant workers, noting that skilled human resources can become a major national asset. The minister asked the delegation to submit specific and realistic proposals identifying areas where policy or financial support is needed.

The chamber’s president, Ashraful Haque Chowdhury, said Saudi Arabia offers major trade potential for Bangladeshi goods and services. With coordinated government support, he projected that exports to Saudi Arabia could reach one billion US dollars by 2027.

A gun attack occurred on May 24, 2026, near the Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge Court, targeting BNP leader Liakat Ali Sikder, also known as Liakat Member. The assailants opened fire at him near the court’s west gate, injuring his cousin Moin Uddin. Police, with help from locals, detained a man named Ziaul Haque Zia with a pistol, magazines, and ammunition. Two others, Abdus Shukkur and Md Rubel, were taken into custody for questioning.

According to police, the attack may have stemmed from previous enmity involving Liakat Ali. The detained suspect is reportedly from Ramu’s Kalirchhara area and is believed to be a Rohingya. The injured Moin Uddin was transferred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital after his condition worsened. Witnesses said Liakat was leaving court after appearing in a murder case when the shooting occurred.

Police officials confirmed that an investigation is underway to identify all involved. Authorities are also verifying reports about another unidentified person seen being taken away in a vehicle linked to Liakat Ali.

A five-year-old girl was allegedly raped in Fatullah, Narayanganj, on Saturday, May 23, 2026. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. at a rented house in Paschim Talla, where the accused, 48-year-old Anwar, reportedly entered the child’s room under the pretext of charging his mobile phone. Local residents detained Anwar the following day and handed him over to Fatullah Model Police Station. Police confirmed that both families lived in adjacent rooms in the same building.

According to the child’s mother, most tenants had gone to their villages for Eid holidays, leaving the house nearly empty. She said that Anwar took advantage of the situation to commit the assault. The victim’s parents, both garment workers, were away at their workplaces during the incident. Upon returning home at night, the mother learned of the assault from her daughter.

Fatullah Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge Mahbubur Alam stated that the child was sent for medical examination and that legal proceedings are underway. The incident occurred just one day after another child rape case was reported in the same area.

A Dhaka court has scheduled June 1 for the charge framing hearing against Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Khatun in the case over the rape and murder of child Ramisa Akter in Pallabi. On May 24, Judge Masrur Saleqin of the Dhaka Metropolitan Tribunal for the Suppression of Violence Against Children accepted the charge sheet submitted earlier that day by Sub-Inspector Ohiduzzaman of Pallabi Police Station. The state-appointed lawyer Azizul Rahman Dulu confirmed the court order.

According to the case details, police recovered Ramisa’s body from a flat in Pallabi’s Section 11 on May 19. Investigators allege that Sohel, a 32-year-old neighbor, raped and killed the child before fleeing through a window grill, while his wife remained in the apartment. Both were later arrested, and 17 witnesses have been listed for the prosecution. The case was filed by Ramisa’s father, Abdul Hannan Molla, the same day of the incident.

The court proceedings will continue at the Dhaka Metropolitan Tribunal, where both accused remain in custody pending the June 1 hearing.

Traffic on the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Gazipur’s Chandra intersection area moved slowly on Sunday afternoon, though no major congestion was reported. The slowdown was attributed to increased vehicle pressure as transport from 26 northern districts passed through the area. Despite the rising number of long-distance buses, cattle trucks, covered vans, and private cars, law enforcement efforts kept traffic under control.

Passengers and transport workers said that although vehicle movement was slow, the situation was better than in previous years. They noted that the number of homebound passengers for Eid had not yet peaked. The highway police confirmed that several teams were deployed to monitor the route and ensure smooth traffic flow.

Officials said that traffic pressure is expected to rise further as Eid approaches, but regular monitoring continues to prevent severe congestion.