Despite recent military confrontations between Iran and the United States, diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire and peace agreement remain ongoing. According to Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Tehran, neither side has officially declared the ceasefire broken. The U.S. administration maintains that the truce is still in effect, while Iran accuses both Israel and the United States of violating it.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that Tehran is still reviewing the proposal submitted by Washington. Although a response was expected through Pakistani mediators, Iranian officials said they are still examining the matter. Both sides reportedly remain interested in resolving the crisis through diplomatic channels, but significant differences persist at the negotiation table.

Iranian officials have described several U.S. demands as unreasonable and hasty. The situation is expected to become clearer once Tehran issues its formal response. While mediation continues, uncertainty remains over whether a final agreement can be reached. The international community is closely watching the peace proposal, hoping it will ease global energy and trade disruptions.

Indonesia’s Mount Dukono volcano in North Maluku province erupted on Friday morning at 7:41 a.m. local time, killing three people, including two foreign nationals and one local resident. Authorities reported that at least 20 climbers remain trapped on the mountain, prompting an ongoing rescue operation. Five others were injured in the eruption, and the victims include two Singaporean citizens, according to local officials.

Police Chief Erlichson Pasaribu confirmed the fatalities, while local rescue agency head Iwan Ramdhani told Reuters that efforts are continuing to locate and evacuate the trapped climbers. Among those stranded are nine Singaporeans and several Indonesian nationals. The eruption sent volcanic ash up to 10 kilometers into the sky, leading authorities to issue the third-highest alert level for the volcano.

Rescue teams are working under challenging conditions as ash clouds and unstable terrain complicate access to the affected area, according to officials cited by BBC and Reuters.

Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) stated that three of its vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz in April without paying any transit fee or toll. The company confirmed this in an interview with Reuters on Friday. Iran had earlier proposed imposing tolls on ships passing through the strait as a condition for halting attacks by the United States and Israel. However, an MOL spokesperson said the company has no plans to pay such fees in the future.

When asked how the ships managed to cross without paying, the company credited the efforts of relevant countries and stakeholders. MOL currently has several other vessels operating in the Persian Gulf. The spokesperson emphasized that the safety of the crew, ships, and cargo remains the company’s top priority.

Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers under MOL also recently passed through the same route. The Strait of Hormuz remains a strategically vital waterway, handling about one-fifth of the world’s seaborne crude oil and LPG shipments, amid ongoing regional tensions over its control.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh has urged Bangladeshi pilgrims to obtain Hajj permits through official and approved channels. The call follows a directive from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which emphasized that only those with valid Hajj visas and permits obtained through authorized procedures will be allowed to perform Hajj. The Saudi ministry stated that the process aims to ensure smooth services for pilgrims and compliance with all Hajj regulations.

According to the Saudi ministry, adherence to the official permit system will help maintain order, manage crowds, and enhance safety at the holy sites. It also warned against unauthorized or fraudulent means of obtaining Hajj permits or visas, noting that such actions could disrupt religious observances or lead to legal consequences. The ministry highlighted that official permits guarantee access to integrated services and a secure, well-organized pilgrimage experience.

The Bangladeshi ministry’s notice reinforces the importance of following institutional procedures to ensure a lawful and safe Hajj journey for all Bangladeshi pilgrims.

Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has sharply criticized the Trump administration for initiating war with Iran, claiming that Russia has been the biggest beneficiary of the conflict. Speaking at a Democratic event in Las Vegas, Harris said that the American people did not want the war and that Congress had not authorized any attack.

Harris argued that the war allowed Russia to profit from oil sales after sanctions were lifted, something she said would not have been possible without the conflict. She emphasized that the decision to start the war had strengthened Russia economically while undermining U.S. interests.

The former vice president also described Donald Trump as dangerous, rejecting the idea of dismissing him as merely foolish. Her remarks were reported by CNN and reflect ongoing Democratic criticism of Trump’s foreign policy decisions regarding Iran and Russia.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman stated that Bangladesh’s media institutions experienced unprecedented attacks during the one and a half years of the interim government. He made the remarks on Friday, May 8, at the opening of the two-day Bangladesh Journalism Conference held at the Radisson Blu Water Garden in Dhaka. He said that since August 2024, several incidents had occurred, including attacks on two established media houses, which he described as rare in global history.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman criticized the interim government for failing to act effectively during the assaults, noting that law enforcement and military personnel were present but did not intervene. He added that some lawyers, activists, and even media professionals appeared to celebrate the attacks, which he found deeply concerning. He emphasized the need to discuss both internal and external challenges facing the media.

Citing global data, he said over 500 journalists had been killed worldwide in the past decade, including 26 in Bangladesh. The conference gathered journalists and experts from ten countries for more than twelve sessions, with 61 journalists receiving fellowships.

Pakistan has called for the repatriation of Pakistani and Iranian sailors detained on ships seized by the United States. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that the vessels are currently near Singapore’s waters. He said he has sought the support of Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to facilitate the return of the detained sailors.

In a post on social media platform X, Dar added that he is coordinating with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the matter. He also affirmed Pakistan’s readiness to assist in ensuring the safe return of the Iranian nationals. According to Dar, the seized ships carry 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian sailors.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, highlights Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to secure the release and repatriation of its citizens amid the ongoing detention of the vessels by the United States.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, authorities have decided to set up a total of 28 cattle markets in Dhaka, including the permanent one at Gabtoli. Of these, 16 markets will be under the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and 12 under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). Both city administrations have emphasized strict measures to ensure transparency in the leasing process and to keep it free from political influence.

DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan stated that the leasing process is conducted openly through tenders, allowing all interested parties to participate. He added that ten of the northern city’s markets have already been leased, while the remaining five are expected to be finalized by next Monday. DSCC Administrator Md. Abdus Salam said their 12 temporary markets were also leased through open tenders, asserting that no political pressure was involved.

The DSCC further instructed that no market may operate before the designated time and that boundaries have been clearly marked, warning that any violation will result in action.

At least 12 people, including a child, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA). The attacks targeted areas near the towns of Al-Mansouri and Bayyut al-Sayyad, extending to the Al-Mansouri-Hamra coastal zone. The strikes occurred early Friday as Israeli forces attempted to advance toward Bayyut al-Sayyad, supported by heavy helicopter fire.

NNA reported that a Red Cross and Lebanese Army medical team came under fire while traveling toward the Jibkin municipality to recover bodies and evacuate the injured from a previous attack. The team was forced to retreat due to Israeli shelling. The agency also said a large explosion occurred inside the city of Al-Khiyam.

Since early March, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed 2,727 people and injured 8,438 others, according to the same report.

US President Donald Trump described recent American strikes on Iranian facilities as a 'gentle touch of love' and insisted that the ceasefire between the two countries remains in effect despite reciprocal attacks. In a phone interview with ABC News reporter Rachel Scott, Trump said US forces easily destroyed Iranian missiles and drones, warning Iran’s leadership of harsher actions if they fail to sign an agreement soon.

According to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Iran launched missiles, drones, and small boats targeting three US destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military responded by striking Iranian missile and drone launch sites, command centers, and intelligence surveillance facilities. Iran, however, blamed the United States for initiating the conflict, alleging that US forces first violated the ceasefire by firing on an Iranian oil tanker heading toward the Strait of Hormuz.

The exchange of accusations underscores the fragile state of the ceasefire and the continuing tension in the strategic waterway, with both sides claiming defensive actions.

The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of launching missile and drone attacks on its territory, according to a statement from the UAE Ministry of Defense. The ministry said its air defense systems were active to counter the threats. The announcement was made on Friday morning, and authorities urged residents to remain calm and follow official safety instructions shared on social media.

The UAE had previously declared its airspace free from threats on April 9. However, the report notes that Iran has carried out more attacks on the UAE than any other country in the past two months. The UAE government’s latest advisory emphasized public safety and adherence to official guidance during the ongoing security situation.

The incident adds to ongoing regional tensions, with the UAE’s defense posture reflecting heightened alertness following repeated cross-border threats. The situation remains under observation as authorities continue to monitor potential risks.

Advance ticket sales for long-distance bus travel have begun across Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha festival. Following a pre-set decision by the Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association, ticket sales started on Friday morning through both online platforms and physical counters. Tickets are being sold for journeys scheduled between May 21 and the days leading up to Eid.

According to Shyamoli NR Travels General Manager Jiban Chakraborty, all of their tickets went on sale Friday morning, with strong demand for trips on the nights of May 24, throughout May 25, and the morning of May 26. He noted that most tickets for these dates were sold out by 10 a.m., as the government holiday begins on May 25.

The Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association stated that no operator is allowed to charge fares above the rates set by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). The same fares will apply online, and every counter must display the BRTA-approved fare chart.

Farmers in Bangladesh’s haor region are struggling to preserve their Boro paddy harvest after sudden rainfall and water inflow from India left fields submerged. The harvested paddy remains too wet to store or sell, as continuous rain and lack of sunlight prevent drying. A shortage of drying machines has worsened the situation, leaving much of the crop unsellable. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has deployed drying machines and labor support, but these measures remain insufficient.

The government has begun paddy procurement at Tk 1,440 per maund, but most farmers cannot meet the 14 percent moisture requirement, forcing them to sell at distress prices of Tk 400–600 per maund in open markets. Middlemen are reportedly exploiting the situation by buying cheaply and reselling at higher prices. Agricultural economist Dr. Jahangir Alam suggested that the government could buy wet paddy and dry it elsewhere to stabilize the market.

Preliminary assessments show extensive crop losses across Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Netrokona, and Mymensingh, affecting tens of thousands of farmers. Officials say damage surveys and relief measures are underway, but uncertainty remains over how quickly affected farmers can recover.

Results from five Indian state assembly elections have reignited debate over Muslim representation in national politics. Out of 723 total seats, only 104 Muslim legislators were elected, and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not field or elect a single Muslim candidate. Analysts argue this reflects a deliberate political strategy to marginalize Muslims, particularly in states like West Bengal and Assam, where the BJP focused on consolidating Hindu votes through communal narratives.

In West Bengal, 39 Muslim legislators were elected, 34 of them from the Trinamool Congress, while the BJP had none. Assam’s Muslim-majority constituencies fell from 35 to 22 after boundary changes, which opposition parties claim reduced Muslim political influence. Kerala and Tamil Nadu showed similar trends, with limited Muslim representation despite significant populations. Puducherry elected no Muslim legislators.

According to The India Forum, even opposition parties are becoming more conservative in nominating Muslim candidates. Analysts warn that declining proportional representation and the exclusion of Muslims from major parties threaten the democratic inclusivity of India’s political system.

Bangladesh’s state-owned Eastern Refinery Limited resumed full operations on Friday morning after remaining closed for 24 days due to a shortage of crude oil. The main plant was officially restarted at 8:25 a.m., and the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) stated that the facility will now refine about 4,000 tons of fuel oil daily.

The refinery had halted production on April 14 when its three main units were shut down because of raw material shortages. A smaller unit had continued limited operations using remaining stock. The disruption followed a ban on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid conflict in the Middle East, which cut off Bangladesh’s usual crude supply routes. To address the crisis, the government arranged alternative sea routes to import crude oil.

On Wednesday, a tanker named MT Ninemiya arrived at Kutubdia Channel near Chattogram carrying 100,000 tons of crude oil from Saudi Arabia via an alternate route. After customs clearance, unloading began that night, and refinery units were gradually restarted. The refinery’s management confirmed that maintenance was completed during the shutdown and that full-scale production has now resumed.