U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, saying the country would be destroyed if it fails to reach an agreement with Washington. He made the remarks during a media interview, emphasizing that Iran had removed some missiles from underground and suggesting that the situation could escalate rapidly.

Trump also offered a mixed assessment of Iran’s current administration, indicating a possible change in his view of its diplomatic approach. He stated that in many ways, Iranian leaders now seem more reasonable than before. When asked about the need to extract enriched uranium from Iranian territory, Trump said the move was important both for security and for maintaining international image.

The comments, reported by Al Jazeera, reflect renewed tension between the United States and Iran, with Trump’s statements underscoring a hardline stance while hinting at potential diplomatic flexibility.

The High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh disposed of 7,104 old cases in a single day, according to an announcement from the Supreme Court administration on Thursday, May 14, 2026. The court’s Criminal Motion Bench resolved 3,842 old criminal miscellaneous cases, while the Writ Motion Bench disposed of 3,262 old writ cases on the same day.

A Supreme Court notice stated that this large-scale case disposal is part of an ongoing initiative directed by the Chief Justice to reduce the backlog of long-pending cases. The program aims to ensure faster justice for litigants, decrease case congestion, and enhance the overall efficiency of the judicial system.

The initiative continues as part of broader efforts to modernize court operations and improve access to timely justice across the High Court Division.

An eleven-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will hold a divisional rally in Rajshahi on Saturday to press for the implementation of referendum results, reduction of public suffering, and a fair share of Padma River water. The rally will begin at 2 p.m. at the historic Madrasa Maidan, with opposition leader and Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman attending as chief guest. Senior and local leaders of the alliance and opposition lawmakers are also scheduled to speak.

According to Jamaat’s central publicity department, preparations are underway to ensure mass participation from Rajshahi and other northern districts. Assistant Secretary General and Rajshahi regional director Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan MP has urged people from all walks of life in the northern region to join spontaneously. The alliance announced a months-long program on April 30 to push for reform-related referendum implementation and other demands.

The Rajshahi rally will mark the beginning of a series of divisional gatherings, with subsequent events planned in Chattogram, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Barishal, and Sylhet, culminating in a grand rally in Dhaka in October, according to alliance coordinator Hamidur Rahman Azad.

The Ministry of Education has cancelled the appointment of Professor Dr. Anisur Rahman as the new vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, only a few hours after issuing the official notification. The cancellation was announced through a circular signed by Md. Sultan Ahmed, Assistant Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, on Thursday. The notice stated that earlier orders related to the university, issued under specific reference numbers, were revoked.

Earlier the same day, Professor Dr. Anisur Rahman, a faculty member of the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka, had been appointed as the seventh vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University for a four-year term. His appointment had been approved by the President and Chancellor under Section 10(1) of the Begum Rokeya University Act, 2009. However, the ministry withdrew the order within hours through a new notification.

The source did not specify the reasons behind the abrupt cancellation or any official reactions from the concerned parties.

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has resigned from his position, confirming the decision through a letter posted on social media platform X on May 14, 2026. In his statement, Streeting said he no longer has confidence in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership, describing it as unethical and dishonorable to remain in government under such circumstances.

Streeting’s sudden resignation has stirred significant political turmoil in the United Kingdom and is being viewed as a major setback for the Starmer administration. The development follows growing dissent within the Labour Party, as four junior ministers recently resigned and called for Starmer to step down. Additionally, at least 86 Labour MPs have urged the Prime Minister to announce a timetable for his resignation or departure from office.

The mounting internal pressure indicates deepening divisions within the ruling party, intensifying the political crisis surrounding Starmer’s leadership.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit China soon, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. The announcement, reported by Russian media outlet RT on Thursday, stated that while the exact date of the trip has not yet been determined, all necessary preparations for the visit have already been completed.

Russian news outlets suggested that the high-profile visit could take place as early as next week. Putin last visited Beijing in September 2025, when he attended a major military parade and a top-level summit. The upcoming trip is expected to continue the pattern of close diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Beijing, though no specific agenda or meeting details were disclosed.

The Kremlin’s confirmation signals ongoing coordination between Russia and China, but further information on the timing and objectives of the visit remains pending.

U.S. President Donald Trump has formally invited Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan to visit the White House on September 24. The announcement was made on May 14, 2026, highlighting the upcoming high-level diplomatic engagement between the two nations.

During his remarks, President Trump praised the 'unprecedented and royal reception' he had received, describing it as incomparable. He also said that his discussions with Xi Jinping had been highly productive and expressed that spending time with the Chinese leader was a great honor.

The invitation signals continued diplomatic interaction between the United States and China, with both leaders emphasizing productive dialogue and mutual respect during their recent exchanges.

AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju said that although political slogans have changed from 'Joy Bangla' to 'Nationalism', the underlying culture of violence and extortion remains unchanged. Speaking as the chief guest at a protest rally organized by AB Party Dhaka South at Bijoy-71 Square in the capital, he alleged that extortion continues silently across the country and that neither expulsions nor arrests are taking place.

Manju claimed that the administration, once under the control of the Awami League, is now dominated by the BNP. He expressed concern that law and order have worsened after the election, contrary to expectations of improvement. He also noted that despite the government being largely inactive after August 5, no major conflict occurred, crediting students for their responsible role. Manju criticized the BNP for reverting to old arrangements despite its 31-point agenda and alleged that corruption, extortion, and terrorism have increased.

He announced plans to publish a white paper on corruption, citing irregularities in markets, police, and the secretariat, and urged the government to take swift action against extortion and ensure fair investigations into attacks inside police stations.

Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the NCP’s northern region, has denied recent Indian media reports claiming he traveled to India for his father’s medical treatment. Speaking to Amar Desh on Thursday after the report appeared on an Indian news portal, Alam dismissed the claim as an 'Awami rumor' and said neither he nor any family member had ever visited India for any reason. He criticized the Indian media for publishing the story without verification, calling it a reflection of poor journalistic standards.

Alam emphasized that he and his party are not hostile toward any country, including India, but insisted that relations must be based on equality and respect between states and peoples, not through allegiance to ruling parties. He also condemned anti-Muslim rhetoric by political leaders in West Bengal following the BJP’s victory there, describing such statements as shameful and condemnable.

Alam further stated that normal relations with India are impossible while border killings continue, asserting that bilateral ties must rest on mutual respect and fairness.

The Ministry of Public Administration in Bangladesh has issued a notification declaring a seven-day public holiday for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. According to the circular released by the ministry’s Regulation-4 branch on Thursday, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and private offices will remain closed from May 25 (Monday) to May 31 (Sunday). Offices will operate normally on May 23 and 24, the two working days preceding the holiday period.

The notification specifies that essential services such as electricity, water, gas, fire service, port operations, sanitation, telephone, and internet will remain outside the holiday scope to ensure continuity of public life. Postal services, medical facilities, hospitals, emergency medical staff, and vehicles carrying medicines and medical supplies will also continue operations. Government offices engaged in urgent tasks will remain open as required.

The circular further states that relevant authorities will issue separate instructions for specific sectors. Bangladesh Bank will decide on banking operations, the Supreme Court will guide judicial activities, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment will provide directions regarding holidays for private industrial establishments.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who led the Labour Party to a major victory in the 2024 general election, is now facing growing scrutiny over his leadership. Despite campaigning on promises of stable governance after years of political turmoil, recent local election setbacks have triggered internal debate within Labour about his popularity and the party’s direction.

Critics argue that Starmer’s approval is declining and that Labour may need new leadership before the next general election. However, some party members warn that frequent leadership changes, similar to those seen in the Conservative Party, could worsen political instability. According to Tony Travers, a political scientist at the London School of Economics, Britain’s governance challenges stem from deeper issues such as the 2008 financial crisis, slow economic growth, and the lingering effects of Brexit.

Between 2016 and 2024, five Conservative prime ministers left office amid political or economic crises. Analysts suggest that this pattern of rapid leadership turnover continues to shape the country’s political and economic landscape, posing a major test for Starmer’s government.

A group of Israeli far-right settlers has launched a movement called “Uritsafon” or “Awake, North Wind,” aiming to establish Jewish settlements in southern Lebanon. The initiative, co-founded in 2024 by biologist and researcher Sloutskin from the Karnei Shomron settlement in the occupied West Bank, envisions expanding Israel’s northern border up to the Litani River, about 30 kilometers inside Lebanon. Sloutskin said the movement has gained support since its founding and seeks to ensure Israel’s security by creating a permanent civilian presence beyond the current border.

The Israeli government has not publicly endorsed the idea of settlements in Lebanon, though it has approved major expansions in the occupied West Bank. The Uritsafon movement claims some lawmakers and ministers privately support their vision. Members have previously attempted to cross into Lebanon to plant trees and set up tents, actions condemned by the Israeli military as illegal and dangerous.

The movement remains confined to Israel’s ultra-nationalist circles, but its leaders believe it could gain mainstream traction ahead of upcoming elections.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “monster” and a “disgrace to humanity.” He made the remarks on Wednesday in a post on social media platform X, accusing Netanyahu of supporting and encouraging the rape of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.

Asif’s comments came in response to Netanyahu’s earlier interview with CBS News, where the Israeli leader alleged that Pakistan had engaged in anti-Israel propaganda to damage relations between the United States and Israel. Netanyahu also claimed that Islamabad had provided shelter to Iranian military aircraft. In his reaction, Asif strongly condemned Netanyahu’s alleged crimes and said humanity should be ashamed.

The exchange highlights escalating tensions between Pakistan and Israel, with both sides trading accusations over human rights and regional alliances.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United Arab Emirates of being directly involved in a military operation against Iran. He made the allegation on Thursday during a BRICS meeting held in New Delhi, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency. The report stated that Araghchi made the remark in response to a statement from the UAE representative at the meeting.

Araghchi explained that, in the interest of unity, he had initially refrained from naming the UAE in his remarks. However, he claimed that the UAE neither condemned the attacks against Iran nor distanced itself from the aggression, asserting that the country was directly complicit in the operation. The report noted that there was no immediate reaction from the UAE regarding the accusation.

The exchange highlights ongoing regional tensions and diplomatic friction between Iran and the UAE, though the source did not provide further details on the alleged operation or its consequences.

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa announced her resignation following criticism of her government’s handling of a Ukrainian drone incident. During a press conference on Thursday, she explained that some Ukrainian drones had strayed into Latvian airspace during attacks on Russia, sparking internal disputes within the coalition government over the official response.

Earlier, Siliņa had dismissed Defense Minister Andris Spruds, who was accused of failing to activate Latvia’s anti-drone system promptly after the May 7 incursion. The dismissal prompted the left-leaning Progressives Party to withdraw its support from the coalition, causing the government to lose its parliamentary majority on Wednesday.

Under Latvia’s constitution, President Edgars Rinkēvičs is now responsible for appointing a new prime minister. He is scheduled to meet with all parliamentary parties on Friday. The country is also preparing for national elections in October.