Authorities in West Bengal have decided to remove a 70-foot statue of Argentine football star Lionel Messi in Kolkata due to safety risks. Engineers from the state’s Public Works Department inspected the fiberglass and iron structure after local residents raised complaints and declared it unsafe. The statue, installed last December to mark Messi’s ‘GOAT’ tour, was found to be structurally unstable and swaying in the wind.

State legislator Sharadwut Mukherjee confirmed that the statue was unsafe and noted the difficulty of removing it because of its location near a busy road and subway. To prevent accidents, officials have tied the statue with heavy nylon ropes and set up barricades to restrict traffic and public access. Local authorities are now searching for an alternative site for relocation.

According to reports, a 45-member team had worked continuously for 27 days to construct the massive statue, which Messi inaugurated virtually via remote control. The unveiling event at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium was also marked by some incidents of unrest.

Eid al-Adha was observed in Gaza on May 27, 2026, under deep sorrow and uncertainty. Despite prayers being held, there were no animal sacrifices, new clothes for children, or festive joy. Residents described the day as a symbol of pain amid war, hunger, and destruction. Many displaced families, like Nadia Abu Shamala’s in Deir al-Balah, said they could not afford even basic needs due to skyrocketing prices and ongoing conflict.

Although a ceasefire brokered by the United States began in October 2025, Israeli airstrikes continue, leaving 80 percent of Gaza’s buildings damaged and most residents dependent on aid. Israel controls all entry points, and NGOs report that limited truck access has failed to ease shortages or inflation. Locals called the ceasefire “a big lie” but still tried to create small moments of joy for children.

The Food and Agriculture Organization reported that Gaza now has only a quarter of its pre-war sheep population, about 15,000 animals. Prices for sacrificial livestock have surged from around 1,000 shekels to as high as 15,000. With gas shortages and destroyed homes, many families struggled even to bake traditional sweets, marking a bleak Eid across the enclave.

Iran has reaffirmed that it will not engage in any discussions with the United States regarding the future of its highly enriched uranium stockpile. Ali Bagheri, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, restated this position during an interview with Fars News Agency on the sidelines of an international security conference in Moscow, Russia. He emphasized that the matter is not on the negotiation agenda.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had stated that Washington would not allow Iran to retain its 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, which remains one of the key unresolved issues between the two countries. Analysts note that uranium enriched up to 60 percent, though below the 90 percent required for weapons-grade material, can be upgraded relatively quickly to that level.

Observers suggest that Iran’s firm stance could further complicate ongoing ceasefire-related discussions between Tehran and Washington, as the enriched uranium issue remains a central point of contention.

Mohammad Akbarzadeh, the deputy political chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, has warned that Iran’s southern coastline could become a graveyard for any aggressors. Speaking on May 27, 2026, he said that while the likelihood of a new war with the United States is low, Iran remains fully prepared to repel any attack.

Akbarzadeh stated that the weakness of Iran’s enemies makes renewed conflict unlikely, but emphasized that the country’s armed forces are on alert. His remarks came in response to a recent U.S. strike on Iran. Referring to the country’s long southern coast, he mentioned that the area stretching from Chabahar to Mahshahr would be turned into a burial ground for invaders.

The comments, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore Iran’s continued readiness to defend its territory amid ongoing tensions with the United States.

Palestinians performed Eid al-Adha prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on May 27, 2026. The mosque courtyard was filled with worshippers marking one of Islam’s most significant festivals, which commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.

Eid al-Adha is traditionally observed with animal sacrifices and the distribution of meat among the poor and relatives. However, due to Israel’s restrictions on the entry of live animals into Gaza, the practice of sacrifice has been largely absent there for the past three years. The celebration comes amid ongoing devastation in Gaza, where, according to the territory’s health ministry, more than 880 people have been killed and over 2,645 injured since a ceasefire was declared on October 10 between Israel and Hamas.

The truce aimed to halt a conflict that began in October 2023, which has left over 72,000 Palestinians dead, most of them women and children, and caused massive destruction to civilian infrastructure.

The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for killing Mohammad Odeh, the military chief of the Palestinian group Hamas, in an attack in northern Gaza. The announcement was made through an official statement by the Israeli forces, following reports that first appeared in Israeli media late on Tuesday night. Hamas has not yet confirmed the death of Odeh.

According to the source, Mohammad Odeh was appointed as the head of Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades, after the previous commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, was killed in an Israeli strike in May. The latest development adds to the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas, which have intensified in recent months.

The report did not include confirmation from Hamas or details about the circumstances of the attack, leaving uncertainty about the full impact of the strike and the current leadership structure within Hamas.

Iran has released ten Indian sailors who had been detained since July 2025. According to India’s Directorate General of Shipping, the sailors were aboard the oil tanker MV Harbor Phoenix when it was seized near Iran’s Jask port. Their release followed continuous diplomatic efforts between the two countries.

The Directorate confirmed that the sailors are safe and that arrangements are being made to bring them back to India as soon as possible. The vessel, identified by ship-tracking sites as a Palau-flagged oil tanker, had been detained by Iranian authorities, though no details were provided about the reason for its seizure or the arrests.

The release marks a resolution to a months-long detention case that had involved diplomatic engagement between India and Iran, though the underlying cause of the tanker’s detention remains undisclosed.

Israel has violated the Gaza ceasefire 3,005 times since it took effect last October, according to a statement from the Gaza Government Media Office. The violations reportedly include bombings, direct attacks on civilians, destruction of residential areas, repeated shootings, and incursions into populated zones.

The statement said that more than 910 civilians have been killed and 2,747 injured in these incidents. It also claimed that Israeli forces have abducted or arrested 82 people during the same period. The office further reported that Israeli restrictions have severely hindered humanitarian aid, preventing over 64 percent of relief supplies—including food, water, medicine, fuel, and other essentials—from entering the region.

The information was cited by Middle East Eye and highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid continued restrictions and violence.

Israeli soldiers are using fishing nets to protect themselves from Hezbollah’s first-person-view (FPV) kamikaze drone attacks in Lebanon, according to a senior Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer quoted by The War Zone on Monday. Due to a shortage of standard protective mesh, troops have been purchasing nets from fishermen in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee, as well as from coastal areas such as Acre and Haifa. The officer described the drone threat as a nightmare for field units.

The report notes that after widespread use of FPV drones in the Ukraine war, the IDF has adopted similar netting to shield vehicles and equipment from explosions. However, Hezbollah’s use of fiber-optic-controlled drones and thermal cameras has limited Israel’s electronic warfare capabilities and allowed nighttime strikes. The combination has immobilized Israeli forces along the border and inside Lebanon, preventing them from targeting Hezbollah’s logistics networks.

The situation has been further complicated by political pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for visible operations in southern Lebanon, while U.S. commitments have constrained military flexibility, creating what one officer called a “catch-22” scenario.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Ankara is ready to promote peace and stability through dialogue. On Tuesday, he held separate phone conversations with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During these calls, Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s commitment to supporting all efforts that yield positive outcomes from dialogue.

Erdogan told Pezeshkian that Turkey would continue to provide all kinds of support to ensure constructive discussions. He stressed that Ankara is cooperating with brotherly nations to secure regional peace and stability. Erdogan also remarked that the ongoing United States–Israel war against Iran has cast a shadow over the celebration of Eid al-Adha.

Expressing optimism, Erdogan said he believes the Iranian people will overcome these difficult times and regain security and stability. He also extended Eid al-Adha greetings to the Iranian president.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that 25 ships, including oil tankers, container vessels, and other commercial ships, crossed the Strait of Hormuz under the coordination of its naval forces and with Tehran’s authorization. The IRGC issued a statement warning that any act of aggression would be met with a strong response.

A senior spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces, Abolfazl Shekarchi, cautioned that if war resumes in the region, Iran’s retaliation would be far harsher and extend beyond regional boundaries. His comments were conveyed through the semi-official Fars news agency.

The statement and remarks underscore Iran’s continued emphasis on defending its maritime routes and asserting control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping passage, amid heightened regional tensions.

Several African countries are showing interest in strengthening security cooperation with Turkey, following the ‘Somali model’ developed between Ankara and Mogadishu. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler announced this during the ongoing Efes military exercise in western Turkey, noting that Ankara continues to provide training and technical support to African armed forces to enhance their capabilities. He added that multiple countries have requested similar arrangements to the one implemented in Somalia, and these requests are under review.

Turkey’s partnership with Somalia began in 2011 as a humanitarian mission and has since evolved into a comprehensive security and economic alliance. Turkey operates its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu and manages key infrastructure including hospitals, companies, the city’s port, and airport. The country has also invested heavily in protecting Somalia’s coastline and conducting offshore oil and gas exploration.

According to an internal source in Ankara, countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia may also seek Turkish security assistance in the near future.

Israel has ordered the seizure of land encompassing the Prophet Solomon (Sulaiman) Mosque and tomb site in the occupied West Bank. The decision, announced on Tuesday, involves the acquisition of 28 acres that include the Palestinian town of Beit Iksa and the historic mosque. The Israeli Civil Administration, under the Defense Ministry, stated that the area is being taken for 'public interest' and that a development project will be launched to preserve the archaeological site believed to be the tomb of Prophet Solomon.

Palestinian analysts have condemned the move as another example of the 'Judaization' of Islamic heritage sites. The Prophet Solomon site holds religious significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Historically, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian ordered a church built there, and later Muslim rulers constructed various structures in Solomon’s memory. The current mosque features Ayyubid and Mamluk architectural elements and includes a tomb revered by Muslims as Solomon’s resting place.

Experts note that since Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, it has gradually altered the area, including building a synagogue in the underground chamber believed to house Solomon’s tomb and reducing Muslim prayer space.

Eid al-Adha is being celebrated today across Saudi Arabia and many other countries with religious devotion and festive spirit. Muslims are performing Eid prayers, animal sacrifices, and completing Hajj rituals, marking one of Islam’s most significant religious occasions. The celebrations follow the completion of the key Hajj ritual, Wuquf at Arafat, where about 1.6 million pilgrims gathered in white Ihram garments, praying and seeking forgiveness until sunset.

The sermon at Arafat’s historic Namira Mosque was delivered by Sheikh Ali Al Hudaifi, Imam and Khatib of Masjid al-Haram, and broadcast live in 35 languages including Bengali. He emphasized unity among Muslims, the establishment of Islamic values, and the maintenance of global peace. After the sermon, pilgrims performed combined prayers and moved to Muzdalifah to spend the night under the open sky, collecting pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina.

Saudi authorities have implemented extensive security and transport measures to ensure smooth Hajj management, including water fountains, shaded areas, and around 24,000 special buses for pilgrims’ convenience.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of intensifying military operations in Lebanon following recent Israeli strikes that killed 31 people, including women and children, and injured 40 others. The information was reported by Lebanon’s national news agency. Netanyahu stated in a social media message that despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in mid-April, Israeli forces had killed hundreds of Hezbollah fighters.

He said Israeli troops were conducting deep operations inside Lebanese territory, capturing and controlling several areas, and reinforcing a security zone. Netanyahu also mentioned a national effort to counter Hezbollah’s drones, which have recently tested Israel’s radar and interception systems. Hezbollah has reportedly deployed fiber-optic-controlled first-person-view drones that have proven deadly to Israeli forces.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for 32 attacks on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. In Washington, President Donald Trump convened an unscheduled cabinet meeting as part of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, while U.S. Secretary of State Rubio said talks in Qatar on a ceasefire agreement were ongoing and could take several more days.