Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that no decision regarding a potential agreement between Iran and the United States will be made without the approval of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Speaking on May 24, 2026, he emphasized the need for unified decision-making and collective loyalty in governing the country.

Pezeshkian warned that any statements or positions that create division within society effectively aid the enemy’s harmful objectives. He reiterated that all national decisions must remain within the framework of the Supreme National Security Council and under the supreme leader’s authorization.

The president’s remarks underscore the central role of Iran’s supreme leader in shaping foreign and national policy, particularly in sensitive negotiations involving the United States.

An Awami League leader in Cumilla’s Brahmanpara upazila has been accused of illegally occupying a key road to set up a temporary cattle market ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. The market was reportedly established at Alua Chowmuhani in Malapara Union, defying government restrictions. Locals complained that the market has severely disrupted traffic and caused hardship for residents, particularly students, patients, and traders.

According to local sources, the market was set up directly on a busy road, obstructing vehicle movement. Residents questioned how a school employee could obtain the lease for the market. The accused, Md. Yunus Mia, serves as the assistant organizational secretary of the Malapara Union Awami League, a union council member, and a night guard-cum-office assistant at a local high school.

Brahmanpara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahmuda Jahan stated that setting up a cattle market on a school playground or road is illegal and that authorities will take necessary action after investigation. Local residents have demanded the immediate removal of the illegal market to restore normal movement.

Thousands of protesters filled the streets of Madrid on Saturday demanding the resignation of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The demonstration, organized by the Spanish Civil Society Association, saw participants from the opposition People’s Party and the far-right Vox party. Clashes broke out when protesters attempted to breach security barriers near Sánchez’s official residence, Moncloa Palace, leaving at least seven police officers injured. Police arrested three individuals during the unrest.

The protests erupted after a Spanish court announced an investigation into former Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, a close ally of Sánchez, on charges of influence peddling and money laundering. Zapatero has denied all allegations. The development has reignited political tensions in Spain, where Sánchez previously faced scrutiny in 2024 over corruption allegations involving his wife, which he dismissed as politically motivated.

Organizers claimed around 80,000 people joined the protest, while government officials in Madrid estimated the turnout at about 40,000, reflecting differing accounts of the scale of public dissent.

Villagers in Gopinathpur of Tukuria Union, Pirganj, Rangpur, have protested after a government project signboard was suddenly placed on a culvert they claim to have built with their own money and labor about two years ago. The incident has sparked anger and tension in the area, with residents accusing the local Union Parishad chairman of attempting to misappropriate funds by labeling their community-built structure as a government project. The chairman, Ataur Rahman Mondal, has denied all allegations.

According to local residents, the culvert was constructed to improve water drainage in the area. They allege that the signboard, claiming the culvert was built under a government allocation, was installed secretly at night. Many villagers said they fear speaking publicly due to the chairman’s influence. Ataur Rahman Mondal, a long-time Awami League leader, stated that the culvert was built under the Local Government Ministry’s Development Assistance Fund in the 2022–23 fiscal year with a budget of 225,000 taka.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Popi Khatun said the Development Assistance Fund is no longer active and that the allegation will be investigated, with legal action to follow if wrongdoing is confirmed.

Former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of humiliating Israel. Speaking on Channel 12, Lieberman criticized Netanyahu’s approach to halting the war with Iran and warned that any agreement allowing Iran’s current leadership to remain in power would be disastrous for Israel.

He also objected to reported terms of a potential deal, including the release of frozen Iranian assets and the possible lifting of restrictions on Iran’s oil and gas exports. Lieberman further claimed that former U.S. President Donald Trump humiliated Israel with Netanyahu’s blessing.

The remarks, reported by Middle East Eye and aired on Israeli television, highlight internal divisions within Israel’s political leadership over how to handle Iran and its regional influence.

Serbia witnessed large-scale anti-government protests on Saturday as thousands of people, led by university students, gathered in the capital Belgrade demanding early elections. Demonstrators chanted slogans against President Aleksandar Vucic, accusing him of authoritarian rule. The rally, which began peacefully at a central square, later turned tense when a group of young protesters clashed with riot police. Stones and bottles were thrown at police barricades, prompting officers to use pepper spray to disperse the crowd. Authorities reported that 23 people were detained following the confrontation.

The protests come amid growing discontent with Vucic’s government, which has faced criticism for its strict control over the Balkan nation. Demonstrations initially began in November 2024 after a tragic train station accident in northern Serbia sparked demands for accountability. More than a year later, the renewed mass turnout in Belgrade indicates that public frustration remains strong.

The continued unrest suggests that political tensions in Serbia are unlikely to subside soon, as citizens persist in calling for greater transparency and democratic reforms.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has alleged that new conspiracies are being plotted against his government and called on citizens to remain alert. Speaking at a public gathering in Trishal, Mymensingh, on Saturday, he accused opposition groups of secretly renewing ties with those ousted on August 5 and attempting to create unrest similar to past political turmoil. The event marked the inauguration of the re-excavation of the four-kilometer Dhara Canal, which he said would benefit over 4,300 farmers and improve the livelihoods of around 20,000 people.

Rahman emphasized that the government’s development initiatives, including canal restoration, rural education support, and technical training for youth employment, are aimed at strengthening the rural economy. He warned that attempts to spread chaos could disrupt these programs. Referring to the recent killing of a child named Ramisa, he vowed that the perpetrator would face the death penalty within a month and condemned efforts to exploit the tragedy for political unrest.

At a separate state event marking the 127th birth anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam, Rahman highlighted the poet’s role in national identity and proposed evaluating Trishal’s potential designation as “Nazrul Smriti City.”

Youth Shakti leader Ayon Rahman Khan was reportedly taken away by Detective Branch (DB) police in connection with a case filed by Chhatra Dal in Jhenaidah. The case was lodged after an attack on Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), allegedly by activists of BNP, Chhatra Dal, and Jubo Dal. Ayon was named as an accused in that case. According to his sister Jerin Akhi, he was picked up around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday from beside his ailing father’s bed at Jonota Clinic in Jashore by individuals identifying themselves as DB officers.

NCP joint member secretary Tarek Reza stated that Ayon was being taken away under a false case while no arrests had been made in their own complaint. He accused the current government of behaving like the previous “fascist Awami government.”

The report did not mention any official police statement or confirmation regarding the detention.

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.