Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that Tehran continues to exchange messages with Washington but has not reached any final agreement. Speaking on state television on Friday, he emphasized that no Western power can compel the Islamic Republic to take any action, asserting that Iran makes decisions based on its own national interests and rights.

Baghaei’s remarks came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded the lifting of a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz via Truth Social. He described the blockade as illegal, saying it violated both the ceasefire that took effect on April 8 and the principle of freedom of international navigation. Baghaei added that a decision regarding an agreement would be made soon.

He further noted that Iran would observe whether the other side keeps its promises or if their statements are merely rhetoric.

A federal appeals court in the United States has allowed Texas to implement a controversial state law granting local authorities the power to arrest and deport individuals suspected of entering the country illegally through the US-Mexico border. The New Orleans-based Fifth US Circuit Court of Appeals issued the ruling on Friday, overturning a previous injunction imposed by a district judge in Austin on May 14. The earlier order had blocked the law following a lawsuit filed by civil rights groups.

District Judge David Ezra had previously ruled that the Texas law unlawfully challenged the federal government’s exclusive authority over immigration and deportation. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton appealed the injunction, leading to the appellate court’s decision to lift the block. The 2023 law, known as SB 4, allows state magistrates to order deportations and criminalizes reentry into Texas even with federal permission.

Following the ruling, the American Civil Liberties Union, its Texas branch, and the Texas Civil Rights Project expressed disappointment and vowed to continue their legal fight against what they called an unlawful measure.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md. Shariful Alam stated that there are no minorities or majorities in Bangladesh, emphasizing unity for national progress. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon at the bi-annual conference of the Upazila Puja Celebration Council in Kuliarchar, Kishoreganj, where he attended as the chief guest.

The event, held at the Upazila Parishad auditorium under the chairmanship of Piyush Kanti Ghosh, was inaugurated by former president of the Bangladesh Puja Celebration Council, Jitendra Lal Bhowmik. The minister noted that the current government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has been in office for three months and ten days and has already begun implementing election pledges. Initiatives include providing allowances for imams, muezzins, and priests, as well as distributing family cards, with benefits expected to reach households nationwide in phases.

Several local leaders and officials also spoke at the event, including former BSS managing editor Manoj Kanti Roy and local BNP representatives.

A U.S. federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s proposed $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, which was intended to compensate individuals claiming to be victims of political misuse of government power. The order, issued by Judge Leonie Brinkema of the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, suspends all fund-related activities for at least two weeks. A hearing on whether to extend the suspension is scheduled for June 12.

The fund was created as part of a settlement in a case involving the Internal Revenue Service and former President Donald Trump’s tax disclosures. It has faced multiple lawsuits, including one by the legal advocacy group Democracy Forward, which argues the fund lacks legal basis and accountability. Other suits were filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and two Capitol Hill police officers. Republican lawmakers have also questioned the eligibility criteria, particularly whether January 6 rioters could claim compensation.

The U.S. Department of Justice maintains confidence in the fund’s legality, while the White House has declined to comment. No funds have yet been distributed or claims accepted.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the era of providing subsidies from the United States to wealthy nations has ended. He made the statement on Saturday while attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Hegseth warned that if the Pacific region falls under the control of any hegemonic power, it would disrupt the regional balance of power.

He added that despite months of discussions about a possible war with Iran, the United States remains committed to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. Hegseth also said that under President Donald Trump, relations between the United States and China have improved compared to previous years. He noted that the US is holding more frequent meetings with Chinese counterparts while keeping military communication channels open.

Hegseth emphasized that the United States insists China must respect its long-standing presence in the region, underscoring Washington’s strategic focus on stability and openness in the Indo-Pacific.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that President Donald Trump will make a $1.5 trillion generational investment in the defense sector this year. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s leading security conference in Singapore, Hegseth described the move as a historic national production momentum for America’s defense industrial base.

He called on allied nations to allocate at least 3.5 percent of their GDP to defense spending, emphasizing that Washington will now prioritize relations with what he termed “ideal allies.” Hegseth warned that countries failing to meet this commitment would face clear changes in their business and diplomatic relations with the United States. He added that those relying on American taxpayers’ generosity for free benefits should recognize that such days are over.

Hegseth characterized the initiative as a strategic necessity, underscoring a shift in US defense and alliance policy direction.

The West Bengal state government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has handed over 721 hectares of land to India’s Border Security Force (BSF) for constructing border fencing. The announcement was made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday during a meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. According to Shah, the land transfer took place within seven days of Adhikari’s swearing-in as chief minister. Of the total land, 600 hectares are located along various Bangladesh–West Bengal border areas, while 121 hectares are in the sensitive Chicken’s Neck region.

Amit Shah stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) now governs across the Ganga river basin. He added that after the establishment of detention centers in West Bengal, illegal immigrants have begun returning to their home countries voluntarily. Shah contrasted this with the previous administration under Mamata Banerjee, claiming that daily infiltration occurred during her tenure.

He further said that the state government is ready to assist those who wish to leave voluntarily and assured that no legal cases would be filed against them if they depart before formal identification begins.

President Md. Shahabuddin stated that the simple and selfless life, strong personality, unquestionable honesty, and pragmatic leadership of martyred President Ziaur Rahman will remain forever in the hearts of the people. He made these remarks in a message marking the 45th anniversary of Ziaur Rahman’s martyrdom on May 30, 2026.

The President expressed hope that Ziaur Rahman’s active life, deep patriotism, strict stance against corruption, commitment to justice, and vision for self-reliant development would continue to inspire future generations. He paid deep respect to Zia’s memory, recalling his assassination on May 30, 1981, in Chattogram Circuit House. Shahabuddin highlighted Zia’s roles as a valiant freedom fighter, proclaimer of independence, founder of multi-party democracy, and architect of modern Bangladesh.

He noted Ziaur Rahman’s contributions to establishing political freedom, promoting socio-economic progress, and adopting a balanced foreign policy that expanded Bangladesh’s labor markets abroad. The President said Zia’s 19-point program aimed to build a productive and self-reliant nation, and his leadership remains a shining example of patriotism and foresight.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has withdrawn his recent remark describing Dhaka University as a 'coaching center'. The comment, made during a podcast, sparked anger among the university’s teachers and students. In response, a group of students announced a protest and human chain to be held Friday evening near the Raju Memorial Sculpture at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC).

Facing widespread criticism, Hajjaj clarified that his statement had been misrepresented and reflected his personal opinion, not the government’s official stance. In a Facebook post at 5:30 p.m. Friday, he emphasized his respect for Dhaka University’s history and contributions, saying his intention was to encourage its transformation into a world-class research institution. He also noted that the podcast discussion was informal and not policy-oriented.

Hajjaj further commented on challenges in higher education over the past 17 years, including insufficient focus on research and questions over politically influenced faculty appointments. He concluded by apologizing for any misunderstanding and fully retracting his earlier comment.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly under growing pressure as U.S. President Donald Trump advances toward an interim agreement with Iran following their joint military strikes on February 28. While Netanyahu initially celebrated the operation as a symbol of unprecedented U.S.-Israel unity, he now finds himself sidelined in the American-led diplomatic process. Israeli sources told CNN that Netanyahu privately admitted Israel has little influence over the outcome of the U.S.-Iran talks.

Netanyahu has urged Trump to resume full-scale military action, arguing that sustained pressure could topple Iran’s regime. However, Washington appears to be moving in the opposite direction. Israeli officials fear the emerging deal may leave Iran’s uranium stockpile, missile program, and regional proxies largely unresolved while easing economic pressure on Tehran. Netanyahu’s far-right allies have called for a tougher stance, urging him to confront Trump directly.

The situation has exposed deep political and strategic strains for Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s upcoming election. Analysts say the outcome could undermine his long-standing Iran policy and weaken his image as a security leader, with polls showing declining public confidence in his handling of Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that while Israel faces delegitimization in many parts of the world, it continues to enjoy strong support in India. Speaking at a conference in the West Bank on Thursday, he described India as a special friend of Israel and claimed that Indians support Israel blindly. Netanyahu added that Israel has more followers in India than in any other country.

He recalled his 2018 visit to India with his wife Sara, calling it a “love fest” and praising the extraordinary respect Indians have for Israel. In a separate interview with CBS News’ program 60 Minutes, Netanyahu said that India, with its population of over 1.4 billion, remains one of the few places where Israel is still respected. He also mentioned that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed in Israel.

Recent Pew Research Center data cited in the report showed declining support for Israel in the United States, while Netanyahu blamed Pakistan for using social media bots to spread anti-Israel sentiment online.

BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the party will continue to move forward following the ideals of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman. In a statement issued on Friday, May 29, marking Ziaur Rahman’s 45th death anniversary, he reaffirmed the party’s commitment to democracy and citizens’ rights. Fakhrul emphasized that under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, the BNP believes in transparent and accountable governance and will continue working to uphold freedom of expression and democratic values.

He described Ziaur Rahman as a courageous freedom fighter and statesman who earned a permanent place in the hearts of the people. Fakhrul alleged that Zia’s popularity had caused discomfort among both domestic and foreign conspirators and claimed that his assassination on May 30, 1981, deprived the nation of a patriotic leader. He added that great leaders’ ideals cannot be erased by killing them and noted that Khaleda Zia had advanced multiparty democracy following Zia’s path.

Fakhrul criticized the Awami League government for alleged repression and corruption and said that the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, 2024, resulted from a united movement demanding the restoration of democracy. He called for a free and fair election to fulfill the people’s aspirations.

A new satirical movement called the 'Cockroach Janata Party' (CJP) has rapidly gained traction among Indian youth frustrated by unemployment and political discontent. The initiative began after Chief Justice Surya Kant compared jobless youth to cockroaches, prompting Abhijit Deepke, a U.S.-educated Indian graduate, to post a viral response on social media on May 16 asking, “What if all cockroaches unite?” Within hours, he and friends used artificial intelligence to create a website for CJP, which now claims over one million registered members.

Analysts say the movement reflects deep frustration among India’s young population, who face high joblessness despite the country’s fast-growing economy. The 2025 Periodic Labour Force Survey reported a 10 percent unemployment rate among 15–29-year-olds, far higher than the national average. Competition for jobs remains intense, with millions applying for limited government posts. The recent cancellation of India’s medical college entrance exam results, affecting about two million students, has further fueled anger.

Authorities reportedly ordered CJP’s social media account suspended on national security grounds, but Abhijit reopened it under a new name and urged peaceful protest. The group’s first campaign demands the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam irregularities.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified surveillance along the Lalmonirhat frontier to prevent what it describes as illegal and aggressive activities by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). The move follows incidents including attempts to install posts violating international border laws, drone crashes, and the killing of two Bangladeshi nationals in recent weeks. BGB units from Lalmonirhat 15, Rangpur 51, and Rangpur 61 battalions have been deployed to tighten security across the Teesta-Two sector.

According to the report, local residents remain fearful after the recent shootings that killed two Bangladeshis—one on April 8 at Patgram and another on May 14 near Hatibandha. Despite India’s earlier assurances to Bangladesh about reducing border deaths, the use of lethal force has reportedly continued. Experts cited in the report attribute the ongoing killings to a lack of accountability and disregard for international law.

BGB has also increased public awareness efforts, broadcasting warnings through loudspeakers to discourage illegal border crossings as tensions persist along the Bangladesh-India boundary.

Iran’s parliament speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that Tehran has no faith in U.S. words or assurances, insisting that only concrete actions can serve as a basis for trust. In a statement posted on social media platform X, he emphasized that Iran will not take any steps until the other side acts first, rejecting verbal guarantees as meaningless.

Ghalibaf further asserted that Iran secures concessions from its rivals through military and missile strength rather than negotiations, adding that discussions only serve to make the opposing side understand Iran’s position. He remarked that the true winner of any agreement is the party most prepared for war the day after the deal.

His comments come amid renewed international debate over relations between Tehran and Washington and the broader regional security situation, according to Al Jazeera.