A report by Amar Desh on May 24, 2026, highlights growing public and political demand in Bangladesh for the disclosure of secret agreements made between former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and India during her 15-and-a-half-year rule. Analysts, politicians, and citizens have urged that these deals be made public and debated, alleging that they prioritized India’s interests over Bangladesh’s. Despite the fall of the Awami League government two years ago, no initiative has been taken to release the agreements.

According to the report, at least 20 agreements and 66 memoranda of understanding were signed with India, covering areas such as transit, border fencing, power import, port use, and defense cooperation. Critics claim these deals undermined Bangladesh’s sovereignty and economic interests. Political leaders from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP have called for parliamentary review and publication of all such agreements. Government adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman acknowledged that while some agreements contain confidentiality clauses, the current administration plans to evaluate those harmful to national interests.

Experts like Dr. Mahbub Ullah emphasized that the agreements should be presented in parliament for national scrutiny, arguing that they were made to appease India rather than protect Bangladesh’s interests.

Questions have emerged within the United States about what the country has actually achieved from its ongoing military operations against Iran. Despite active combat and sustained military pressure, even hardline Republican members of Congress are reportedly debating the extent of strategic results. President Donald Trump told reporters that Iran is now “very close” to what Washington wants in a peace agreement, adding in an interview with CBS that negotiations are improving daily.

At the same time, domestic criticism has intensified. Some Republican lawmakers have questioned whether the military campaign has delivered tangible outcomes. According to a New York Times report cited by Al Jazeera, intelligence assessments indicate that 30 of 33 missile bases along the Strait of Hormuz remain under Iranian control. Around 70 percent of Iran’s mobile missile launch systems and missile stockpile are also believed to remain intact.

Analysts suggest these findings show that Iran’s strategic capabilities have not been fully dismantled, raising sharper questions in Washington about whether the United States has met its objectives in the conflict.

Former US National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard reportedly became increasingly marginalized within the Trump administration due to disagreements over foreign policy and military decisions concerning Iran and Venezuela. Appointed by President Donald Trump for her anti-interventionist stance and 'America First' outlook, Gabbard’s cautious approach to Iran’s nuclear program and opposition to aggressive strategies placed her at odds with senior officials.

Reports indicate that Gabbard was excluded from key national security meetings and decision-making processes, including discussions on potential military actions in Venezuela and joint operations with Israel against Iran. Her strained relationship with CIA leadership and reliance on a small circle of advisers further deepened her isolation within the intelligence community.

After months of internal tension and personal challenges, including her husband’s illness, Gabbard announced her resignation. Although Trump later praised her service, reports suggest that deep policy rifts over Iran and Venezuela defined her tenure and eventual departure.

US President Donald Trump said Washington and Tehran are 'very close' to finalizing an agreement, according to an interview with CBS News published on May 24, 2026. He noted that the situation is improving daily but declined to share details, saying he could not disclose information before informing the other party. Sources familiar with the talks told CBS News that the latest proposal includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, releasing some of Iran’s frozen assets in foreign banks, and continuing negotiations.

Trump claimed the potential deal would prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and that uranium enrichment issues would be handled satisfactorily. He emphasized that he would only sign an agreement that meets all US demands. CBS sources said Trump is still reviewing proposals, consulting advisers, and maintaining contact with Gulf leaders, including those in Saudi Arabia. US officials indicated that Trump is expected to hold phone calls with several Gulf leaders on Saturday, with Iran expected to dominate the discussions.

Trump warned that failure to reach a deal would bring severe consequences for Iran, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said progress had been made and a new announcement could come within days.

A joint study by Queen Mary University of London and the activist group Defend Our Juries claims that tougher policing and legal measures in the UK are generating a new category of political prisoners. The report, set for release on Tuesday, says activists linked to climate and Gaza-related protests are increasingly facing long and frequent jail terms. It identifies 286 imprisonment cases involving such movements, totaling 136 years of sentences, with an average term of 28 weeks.

Researchers attribute the rise to expanded anti-protest laws, greater police powers, and civil injunctions limiting defendants’ ability to defend themselves in court. Professor David White of Queen Mary University described the punishments as politically targeted, arguing that pre-trial detention is being used as a tactic to suppress dissent. The report notes that in 60 percent of cases, time spent in custody before trial exceeded the final sentence.

The UK judiciary rejected the allegations, stating that judges act independently, basing decisions on evidence, law, and sentencing guidelines established by Parliament and the Sentencing Council.

The Trump administration has announced a major change to the U.S. permanent residency process, requiring most foreign nationals to return to their home countries to apply for green cards. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stated in a memorandum that, except for 'special circumstances,' applications for permanent residency will no longer be accepted from within the United States. Applicants must now complete the process through U.S. embassies or consulates abroad.

USCIS spokesperson Jack Kahler said the policy aims to align the immigration system with legal intent and reduce the tendency of foreigners to remain in the country unlawfully. Experts warn that the change could create uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of immigrants currently residing in the U.S. on temporary visas, including students, spouses of U.S. citizens, and foreign workers.

Immigration lawyers expressed concern that the new rule could lead to prolonged family separations, as green card approvals may take months or even years. The administration has not yet clarified which cases will qualify for exceptions, though refugees may be exempted, according to early indications.

The Dhaka University (DU) branch of the Bangladesh Chhatra Union has formed a new committee, with Durjoy Roy elected as president and Muhammad Mostakim as general secretary. The announcement came on Saturday, the final day of the organization’s 36th conference and council session, which began on Thursday under the slogan emphasizing renewal and progress.

The council session was presided over by outgoing president Meghmallar Basu and conducted by outgoing general secretary Main Ahmed. Central leaders, including the union’s president Tamjid Haidar and vice president Asif Zaman, attended as representatives. The session began with a condolence motion and a minute of silence, followed by reports from the outgoing committee’s key office bearers. After dissolving the previous committee, a new 27-member body was unanimously approved, leaving two positions vacant.

The newly elected vice presidents are Madhusudan Karmakar, Orthi Anjum, Fatin Ishraq, and Sabbir Hossain. Assistant general secretaries are Israt Jahan, Fahim Intisar, and Zubair Ibn Imam, while Mishkatul Mashiath has been appointed as organizational secretary.

The Bangladesh Labour Party has called for the public execution of the person responsible for the brutal assault and murder of a child named Ramisa. In a statement issued on Saturday, party chairman Dr. Mustafizur Rahman Iran and acting secretary general Khandaker Mirajul Islam urged the government to take immediate action to stop ongoing killings, rapes, and terrorism across the country. They emphasized that the safety and dignity of women and children must be ensured by the state.

The leaders criticized the home minister’s recent remarks, saying they reflect a lack of understanding of the country’s reality. They argued that the justice system has often failed to curb crime and deliver justice, leading to growing public demand for exemplary punishment. The statement also mentioned several other victims of sexual violence and murder, calling for swift trials and the creation of anti-harassment cells within all political parties.

The party urged citizens of all political, religious, and social backgrounds to unite in a social movement against violence and injustice.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that public expectations from engineers are very high and urged them to take a more active, responsible, and effective role in the country’s development and the creation of a new Bangladesh. He made these remarks on Saturday at the Engineers Institution Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in Ramna, Dhaka, during a reception marking the 78th founding anniversary of the institution, also known as Engineers Day.

The event, presided over by Engineer Mohammad Riazul Islam (Riju), honored several engineers and members of parliament, including Sanjida Islam (Tuli), Moinul Islam Khan (Shanto), and Md. Ashraf Uddin (Bokul), for their contributions in various sectors. The minister emphasized that IEB is not only a professional organization but also a key contributor to Bangladesh’s progress and development.

He further stated that after the July uprising, a new sense of building a new Bangladesh has emerged among the people and called for unity to achieve that goal. The event was attended by engineers, professionals, and distinguished guests from different sectors.

Former interim government adviser and National Citizens Party spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has publicly challenged the current State Minister for Local Government, Mir Shahe Alam, to disclose specific files where alleged irregularities occurred. The challenge was issued during a live broadcast on Asif Mahmud’s verified Facebook page on Saturday night, following allegations made by the minister. In his statement, Asif Mahmud said the minister’s claims required clarification and urged that any relevant files be made public for transparency.

Mir Shahe Alam had earlier alleged that during the interim government period, Asif Mahmud approved a project file without the secretary’s signature. He also announced that an investigation covering the period from 2009 to 2026 had been ordered, with a report due within 60 working days. The minister cited irregularities in Pirojpur development projects, claiming that Tk 6,000 crore had been withdrawn without work being completed, leading to a halt in all local projects for two years.

The minister added that field inspections would soon begin in Pirojpur to restart suspended projects and address corruption in road and bridge construction across several districts.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the newspaper Amar Desh, has called Indian hegemony a threat to South Asian security and urged Bangladesh’s people, political parties, and government to unite against it. Speaking on Saturday at a seminar titled “Persecution of Muslims in India: Politics, Identity and Minority Rights Conflict,” organized by Friends of Humanity at the National Press Club, he called for a nationwide boycott of Indian products, including cattle, and for citizens to protest against Indian dominance.

Rahman alleged that India, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates were jointly acting against Muslims worldwide. He criticized the silence of Bangladeshi political parties on India’s influence, saying only the NCP had spoken out. He also urged the government to raise issues of Muslim persecution and human rights violations in India at international forums beyond the OIC.

Other speakers, including academics and political figures, condemned human rights abuses in India and called for international awareness. They emphasized unity among Muslims and active resistance to religious persecution.

Iran is concentrating on finalizing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei. He stated that over the past week, the positions of both sides have come closer and that the discussions have made positive progress. Baghaei added that the next three to four days will be crucial to see what developments occur.

His remarks are being viewed as a significant indication in the ongoing diplomatic discussions between Iran and the United States. Although he did not disclose details of the MoU, it is believed that recent communications and negotiations between the two countries have intensified.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, suggests that the coming days may determine whether the two nations can reach a formal understanding after the recent progress in their dialogue.

Tension erupted at the Tin Bigha corridor border area in Patgram, Lalmonirhat, after India’s Border Security Force (BSF) attempted to erect a bamboo fence. In response, a flag meeting between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and BSF commanders was held on Saturday morning inside India, at the BSF conference room near the corridor road. The meeting ran from 11:00 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. and was led by senior officers from both sides.

During the meeting, BSF accused Bangladeshi citizens of damaging crops on Indian land. BGB expressed regret over the incident and assured that any Bangladeshi entering Indian territory would face legal action. BGB also reiterated that any border fencing must be built at least 150 yards inside Indian territory. The talks followed Friday’s incident when BSF personnel and Indian workers began measuring land and placing bamboo poles within 10 to 20 yards of the zero line, prompting BGB to demand a halt.

BGB officials later stated that BSF was clearly informed that no future work near the zero line should occur without formal meetings and higher-level approval.

Three months after launching military operations against Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump is facing growing questions about whether his campaign is faltering. Despite early claims of strategic victories, a Reuters analysis reports that Iran’s influence in the Persian Gulf, including control over the Strait of Hormuz and continuation of its nuclear program, remains largely intact. The initial U.S. and Israeli airstrikes damaged Iran’s missile stockpiles and naval assets, but Tehran quickly retaliated by disrupting maritime traffic and striking regional targets.

Analysts note that Trump’s stated goals—halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions, reducing regional threats, and weakening its leadership—have yet to be achieved. Former U.S. diplomat Aaron David Miller described the conflict as shifting from a short-term success to a long-term strategic failure. Rising fuel prices and domestic discontent have added political pressure on Trump ahead of midterm elections, while divisions within the Republican Party are emerging.

The report adds that U.S. relations with European allies have strained as many refused to join the conflict, while China and Russia are observing U.S. military limitations and Iran’s asymmetric tactics for future strategic lessons.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the perpetrator of the Ramisa murder case will face the maximum punishment within one month. He made the declaration on Saturday afternoon while addressing the 127th birth anniversary celebration of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in Trishal, Mymensingh. The prime minister emphasized that his government will not tolerate any form of violence against children or women and that swift justice will serve as a deterrent to future crimes.

Rahman described the incident as evidence of a severe decline in the nation’s moral values, blaming years of “fascist rule” for damaging the judiciary, state institutions, and social ethics. He called for the establishment of the rule of law and a transformation in political culture to build a humane and secure state. The prime minister also warned that certain groups were attempting to create unrest over the child murder case by blocking roads and inciting violence.

He cautioned that such disorder could disrupt government development programs, including canal re-excavation, family and farmer card initiatives, and school uniform distribution for children.