Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their ongoing ceasefire by 45 days following two days of US-mediated talks in Washington that concluded on Friday. The agreement aims to prolong the halt in hostilities between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The ceasefire was originally set to expire on Sunday, but US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott announced the extension to ensure further progress under the April 16 conflict resolution deal.

The discussions, described as highly productive, mark the third round of meetings between the two sides since Israel intensified airstrikes in Lebanon after Hezbollah launched missiles on March 2. The talks are part of a broader diplomatic effort to end both the Israel-Lebanon and US-Iran conflicts. Lebanon’s delegation emphasized its priority to achieve lasting peace, while Israel insisted that any broader peace deal must include Hezbollah’s disarmament.

New security-focused discussions are scheduled to begin at the Pentagon on May 29, followed by political talks on June 2–3. Both delegations expressed optimism that the ceasefire could evolve into a permanent peace agreement.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency has published the final handwritten note of Lieutenant General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. According to the report, Mousavi wrote the note moments before his death on February 28, following the outbreak of war involving U.S. and Israeli forces. The message, described as deeply emotional, reflected on the fleeting nature of worldly possessions.

Tasnim reported that Mousavi’s note expressed a philosophical view of life, stating that even if one gains everything in this world, nothing is truly achieved, and losing everything also means nothing is truly lost. The report highlighted the personal and reflective tone of his final words.

The publication of the note, sourced from Al Jazeera and reported by Tasnim, adds a poignant dimension to Mousavi’s death during the conflict, offering insight into his final thoughts as a senior Iranian military leader.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Tehran is ready to continue diplomatic communication and discussions with Washington. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Friday, he confirmed that Iran had received new messages from the United States expressing a desire to maintain dialogue. Araghchi also stated that Iran welcomes any mediation or diplomatic assistance from China to help resolve the ongoing crisis between the two countries.

He emphasized Iran’s close and strategic relationship with China, noting that Beijing’s involvement in the diplomatic process would be welcomed by the Islamic Republic. According to Araghchi, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping had offered to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and pledged not to provide military support during wartime. China’s Foreign Ministry said the continuing conflict has no justification and that finding a swift resolution is essential for both regional and global interests.

Araghchi added that Pakistan has been playing a mediating role between the United States and Iran, though the first round of talks did not result in any agreement.

Iran has warned Bahrain of dire consequences if it allows the United States to use its military bases in the event of a new war in the Middle East. The warning came from Manouchehr Mottaki, Iran’s former foreign minister and current lawmaker, who said Bahrain would face a devastating response from Tehran if it again permits US forces to operate from its territory. He also accused Bahrain of aggravating tensions following joint US-Israeli military actions.

Mottaki claimed that after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Bahrain supported a UN Security Council resolution against Tehran instead of showing sympathy. He further alleged that Bahrain attempted to pass an anti-Iran proposal during last month’s Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in Istanbul, but the effort failed due to diplomatic resistance and support from other countries.

The report noted that the US Fifth Fleet’s main base is located in Bahrain. Following US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February, Tehran retaliated with strikes on several Bahraini sites, including hotels where it claimed US troops had relocated from military bases.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has reaffirmed that Iran will continue to fulfill its historical responsibility to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz. He made the statement on social media platform X following a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, assuring that friendly nations can rely on Iran for the safety of commercial shipping through the vital waterway.

Araghchi said the meeting between the two ministers included productive discussions on several important bilateral issues, during which he clarified Iran’s stance on the security of the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that Iran remains committed to protecting the strait and maintaining the safety of maritime trade.

The Strait of Hormuz is described as one of the most strategically significant sea routes in the Middle East, crucial for global energy and trade flows, with a large number of oil and cargo vessels passing through daily.

China has called for dialogue between the United States and Iran to defuse ongoing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing emphasized the need to swiftly restore normal operations in the vital waterway. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that resolving the crisis depends on establishing a lasting and comprehensive ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, according to comments published by the state news agency Xinhua.

Wang Yi noted that President Xi Jinping had told US President Donald Trump that force cannot solve problems and that dialogue is the only correct path. He added that while solutions through talks may not come overnight, once the door to dialogue is opened, it should not be closed again. Wang also said China remains actively engaged in promoting peace in the Middle East and will continue its role in ending conflicts and restoring stability in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz is crucial for global energy supplies, and recent tensions there have raised international concern. China’s diplomatic appeal is being viewed as a significant move in this context.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has launched a large-scale campaign against companies violating labor laws. As part of the ongoing operation, more than 7,200 work visas have been canceled, and several government services for the offending firms have been temporarily suspended.

According to ministry data, nearly 250,000 inspections were carried out in the private sector during the first three months of 2026, uncovering about 168,000 labor law violations. Through digital monitoring and smart surveillance, authorities analyzed around 91,000 suspicious activities and confirmed 13,509 serious employment-related irregularities. The implicated companies were removed from the “Nitaqat” program, while affected workers were referred to the Human Resources Development Fund “Hadaf” for new legal employment opportunities. Around 230,000 warning notices were issued, and 3,522 recruitment offices were charged with rule violations.

The ministry also intensified online enforcement, shutting down 238 social media accounts promoting illegal domestic work services and conducting over 54,000 preemptive investigations to prevent human trafficking. It reported resolving about 97 percent of 15,563 citizen complaints received during the campaign.

India and the United Arab Emirates have reached several key agreements focused on defense cooperation, energy security, and infrastructure development. The accords were signed in Abu Dhabi during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, part of his five-nation tour, in the presence of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Abu Dhabi also announced a $5 billion investment in various Indian sectors.

Among the agreements, the strategic defense partnership received the most attention, aiming to expand security and military collaboration. Two additional memorandums of understanding were signed to enhance energy cooperation through strategic oil reserves and liquefied petroleum gas supply, expected to strengthen India’s energy security. Plans were also announced to establish a ship repair hub in Vadinar, Gujarat, to boost maritime infrastructure and industrial cooperation.

During the bilateral meeting, Modi emphasized dialogue and diplomacy to address regional crises and praised the UAE’s leadership for its composure in difficult times. He condemned attacks on the UAE and reaffirmed India’s support, also appreciating the UAE government’s care for Indian residents in the country.

At the opening ceremony of the World Human Rights Cities Forum 2026 in Gwangju, South Korea, NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan attended as part of the party’s delegation. The sessions of the forum officially began on Wednesday, bringing together participants from various parts of the world. Among the distinguished guests was Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Following the event, Türk expressed his delight at seeing the NCP delegation present. His office continues to work globally alongside nations and communities to combat human rights violations. The report also notes that Türk had previously visited Bangladesh during the period of the interim government.

The World Human Rights Cities Forum 2026 is expected to play an important role in improving human rights conditions in cities across the Asia-Pacific region.

Despite multiple meetings between Bangladesh and India pledging to end border killings and the use of lethal weapons, incidents of shootings by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) continue. In Lalmonirhat district, two Bangladeshi nationals were shot dead within five weeks, the latest on May 14 in Hatibandha upazila. Earlier, on April 8, another man was killed in Patgram. These incidents have sparked fear and anger among residents of border areas.

Local communities and observers say the ongoing violence threatens trust and stability in Bangladesh-India relations. They argue that repeated Indian assurances to stop border killings have not been implemented, and that the absence of accountability for BSF actions has allowed such incidents to persist. Reports indicate that BSF sometimes crosses into Bangladeshi territory, detains civilians, and uses force under its controversial “shoot on sight” policy.

Officials from Bangladesh’s Border Guard (BGB) maintain that they are acting responsibly to preserve peace and mutual confidence along the frontier.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has been accused of entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and provoking Jewish settlers. The incident drew strong condemnation from Qatar, which also protested against Israeli settlers’ provocative actions and restrictions on access to the mosque.

According to the Qatar News Agency, the Qatari Foreign Ministry described Ben-Gvir’s move as an unacceptable provocation to millions of Muslims worldwide. The ministry said the act constituted a grave violation of international law and humanitarian law. Qatar warned that the move represented a dangerous attempt to alter the historical and legal status of occupied Jerusalem, emphasizing that such unilateral measures are null and void under international law.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry called on the international community to compel Israel to halt ongoing violations against Palestinians and to comply with international resolutions.

At least 20 Israeli soldiers and personnel have been killed in Lebanon since March 2, according to a report from Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Beirut. Reporter Zeina Khodr stated that among the dead are 19 soldiers and one civilian contractor. She added that six of the deaths occurred after a ceasefire began in mid-April between Israel and Lebanon.

The Israeli military confirmed early Friday that a 20-year-old soldier died during fighting in southern Lebanon, marking the latest casualty in the ongoing clashes. The report highlights continuing hostilities despite the declared ceasefire.

The situation underscores persistent instability along the Israel-Lebanon border, with recent fatalities suggesting that the ceasefire has not fully halted violence in the region.

An Israeli soldier was killed during clashes in southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli military. The soldier, identified as 20-year-old Staff Sergeant Negev Dagan of the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion, died while fighting in the area. The military did not release further details about the incident.

The death brings the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since the conflict with Hezbollah began in early March to 20. Despite a declared ceasefire, hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah have persisted in southern Lebanon. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have continued targeting Hezbollah positions and issued evacuation warnings for residents in several border towns in Lebanon.

The ongoing clashes underscore the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the continuing volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border, as both sides maintain active military operations in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping described Trump’s Beijing visit as historic and highly successful. On the second day of the trip, Xi guided Trump through the Zhongnanhai leadership compound, where China’s top leaders live and work. During their walk, Xi mentioned the site’s imperial history and a 490-year-old tree, while Trump admired the Chinese roses. Xi said he would send Trump rose seeds as a gift for the White House Rose Garden.

Both leaders emphasized a constructive and strategic new phase in U.S.-China relations. Xi called the visit a milestone and said the two sides had set a new position for stable cooperation. Trump said they discussed trade, Iran, and other global issues, claiming they solved problems others could not. He expressed gratitude to Xi and said he looked forward to hosting him in Washington on September 24.

Before leaving Beijing, Trump joined Xi for a formal lunch. The White House described the visit as memorable, while Chinese state media highlighted the leaders’ mutual respect and commitment to implementing key agreements.

China has called for renewed dialogue to end the ongoing war in Iran and restore stability in the Middle East. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that ensuring peace and stability in the Gulf and the wider region is now the most important priority. The ministry emphasized that the conflict in Iran has caused severe disruption and serious consequences across the region.

According to the ministry, it is essential to find a way out of the Iran war as soon as possible. China stressed that the opportunity for talks to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz should not be missed. The ministry further stated that dialogue and negotiation are the correct paths forward and that preventing any obstruction or tension in the Strait of Hormuz is crucial.

The statement reflects China’s focus on diplomatic solutions to regional instability and its concern over the economic and security implications of continued conflict in the Gulf area.