Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on social media mocking activists detained from the Gaza-bound aid flotilla known as the Global Sumud Flotilla. The video showed the detained social workers with their hands tied and kneeling while Israel’s national anthem played over loudspeakers. The caption of the post read, “Welcome to Israel.”

According to the report, the activists were captured by Israeli forces from international waters before being featured in the video. The footage and its publication have drawn attention due to the minister’s far-right political stance and the circumstances of the activists’ detention. The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding humanitarian efforts directed toward Gaza and the Israeli government’s handling of such missions, though no official responses or further developments were mentioned in the report.

A rally was held in Dhaka on Thursday in front of the National Press Club, calling for global humanitarian unity and protesting alleged persecution of Muslims in West Bengal, Assam, and Kashmir. The event, organized by Nagorik Parishad, was titled “Rally demanding global humanitarian unity to stop Delhi’s persecution of Muslims in West Bengal, Assam, and Kashmir.”

Nagorik Parishad convener Mohammad Shamsuddin presided over the gathering, alleging that Muslims in various Indian states face continuous discrimination and violence. He accused Delhi’s communal attitude of poisoning the lives of Indian Muslims and criticized the contradiction between beef-related killings and India’s status as a major beef exporter. Other speakers, including World Muslim Ummah chairman Dr. Farid Ahmed Khan and Urdu-speaking minority leader Afzal Warsi, highlighted historical contributions of Muslims to India and ongoing identity crises since partition.

Speakers also emphasized national unity in Bangladesh to protect sovereignty and communal harmony. The event concluded with calls for impartial investigations into violence in Assam and appeals for international human rights attention to the situation in India.

A satirical Indian group called the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has gained widespread attention after surpassing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Instagram followers. Within hours of this surge, the Modi government shut down the CJP’s Instagram account and banned its X account in India, according to the group. Founder Abhijit Deepak shared a screenshot of the blocked account and urged his more than 10 million followers to protest the move, saying the group had only demanded accountability from the education minister following a student’s suicide.

The CJP has been calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan since the cancellation of India’s national pre-medical entrance exam over alleged question paper leaks. The exam is scheduled to be retaken in June, but the cancellation has triggered frustration among students nationwide, with Indian media reporting at least two student suicides linked to the incident.

India’s legal framework allows the government to order social media platforms to remove content or block accounts on national security or public order grounds, though such directives are rarely made public.

A Dhaka court has postponed the charge-framing hearing against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 33 others in the Mohammadpur truck driver Hossain murder case. The hearing, originally scheduled for Thursday, was deferred to June 25 following a prosecution request. The order was issued by Judge Rabiul Alam of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-4. Former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and former MP Sadeq Khan, both in custody, were produced before the court.

According to case records, truck driver Md Hossain was shot dead on July 19, 2024, in Chand Udyan, Mohammadpur, during the anti-discrimination student movement. His mother, Rina Begum, filed a murder case on August 31, 2024. The investigation officer submitted a charge sheet on November 23, 2025, naming Sheikh Hasina and 33 others. Twenty of the accused, including Hasina, remain absconding, and arrest warrants were issued on January 26.

Among the accused are senior Awami League leaders, including Obaidul Quader, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Hasan Mahmud, and Jahangir Kabir Nanak. Four accused are in jail, and ten are on bail.

The High Court has dismissed a writ petition seeking an investigation into the 18-month activities of the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar delivered the order on Thursday, May 21, following a hearing. Lawyer M.K. Rahman represented the petitioner, while Attorney General Md. Ruhul Kuddus Kajol appeared for the state.

According to the petitioners, the interim government created disorder across various sectors, including the economy and health, during its tenure. They argued that a commission of inquiry under the Commission of Inquiry Act was necessary to prevent future unelected takeovers. The court heard the arguments and later dismissed the petition.

The Yunus-led interim government took office three days after the fall of the Awami League government during the 2024 movement and stepped down on February 17, when the BNP formed a new government following its election victory on February 12.

Two journalists from Channel One were injured when BNP-backed lawyers attacked them during the Chattogram District Bar Association election on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. inside the auditorium of the Lawyers’ Annex Building while voting was underway. The victims were bureau chief Shahnewaz Riton and cameraman Amit Das, who were broadcasting live from the polling center.

Eyewitnesses said the journalists were assaulted while covering the ongoing vote. Jamaat-backed candidates had boycotted the election earlier, and Awami League-aligned lawyers were unable to participate due to organizational restrictions, resulting in a one-sided vote. The attackers reportedly suspected that the live broadcast was highlighting the uncontested nature of the election.

Shahnewaz Riton stated that he had permission from the election commission to go live from the center. He alleged that several BNP-affiliated lawyers confronted them, and after an argument, 8–10 individuals physically assaulted him and Amit Das before labeling them as Awami League agents and forcing them out of the polling center.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said he might run for Israel’s next prime minister after completing his current duties in the United States. He made the remark on May 20, 2026, while speaking to reporters before the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s commencement ceremony. Trump claimed he was extremely popular in Israel, citing a poll showing his popularity at 99 percent, though he did not specify the source of the survey. USA Today reported that the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on his remarks.

Benjamin Netanyahu is currently serving as Israel’s prime minister, having held the position across multiple terms since 1996. Trump has long been a strong supporter of Netanyahu, particularly amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, where the United States and Israel have acted as allies. When asked about Netanyahu, Trump described him as a “wonderful person” and a “wartime prime minister” who, in his view, is not properly appreciated in Israel.

Trump’s comments followed earlier statements about potential U.S. actions against Iran and the possibility of a diplomatic agreement to end hostilities.

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, newly appointed vice-chancellor of Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), arrived on campus in Gazipur on Thursday afternoon despite an ongoing complete shutdown. He was accompanied by leaders of the DUET Teachers’ Association, officers, and staff. After arriving, he received floral greetings at the vice-chancellor’s office and signed several university documents. Earlier in the day, Dr. Iqbal held a meeting with DUET teachers, officers, and staff at the Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s office before entering the campus.

The government appointed Dr. Iqbal, a professor from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, as DUET’s new vice-chancellor last Thursday. Following the appointment, a section of students rejected the decision, demanding that the vice-chancellor be selected from among DUET’s own teachers. When news spread that Dr. Iqbal would assume office on Sunday, students locked the campus gates and staged protests.

Clashes later broke out between students supporting and opposing the new vice-chancellor, leaving at least 15 people, including five police officers, injured. In response, the protesting students declared a complete shutdown of the campus.

Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir is visiting Tehran with the primary goal of reducing ongoing differences between Pakistan and Iran and advancing toward a formal memorandum of understanding, according to Iranian news agency ISNA.

The report states that discussions in Tehran are focusing on the overall framework, detailed issues, and confidence-building measures based on a draft proposed by Iran. The draft has reportedly helped narrow some existing gaps between the two sides. However, the report also notes that further progress would require an end to what it described as Washington’s “temptation of war.”

ISNA added that Munir’s visit aims to resolve remaining disagreements and move the two countries closer to formally announcing the memorandum of understanding.

Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), declared that the party’s future struggle will be against neo-fascism and Indian hegemony. He made the remarks on Thursday after the noon prayer at JAGPA’s Paltan office in Dhaka during a prayer meeting marking the ninth death anniversary of the party’s founder, Shafiul Alam Pradhan. Rashed Pradhan said that Shafiul Alam Pradhan had taught them to live with dignity and never compromise on national independence and sovereignty.

The JAGPA spokesperson alleged that the country’s law and order situation has collapsed, citing incidents of child abuse and murder, extortion, looting, and what he described as state-backed terrorism. He accused the administration and universities of partisan control and claimed that India continues border killings, illegal push-ins, and aggression. He urged party members to resist oppression and foreign dominance, echoing the late leader’s call for struggle as the path to liberation for working people.

Several senior JAGPA leaders, including presidium members, freedom fighters, and youth and labor wing representatives, attended the event.

A total of 441 new sailors from the A-2026 batch formally joined the Bangladesh Navy after completing their bootcamp training at the BNS Sher-e-Bangla parade ground in Patuakhali on Thursday. The oath-taking and graduation ceremony featured a parade reviewed by Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, who also distributed awards to top-performing recruits. Md Shahriar Tutul received the Navy Chief’s Medal for overall excellence, while Md Samiul Islam Shakil and Md Kader Mia earned the Comkhul and Sher-e-Bangla medals respectively. Mos Marzia Akter was recognized as the best female sailor with the Pritilata Waddedar Medal.

In his address, Admiral Hassan paid tribute to fallen naval heroes of the Liberation War and highlighted ongoing modernization efforts, including the addition of helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, a hydrographic survey ship, and an anti-drone system. He commended the Navy’s role in supporting civil administration, ensuring security of key installations, and assisting during the 13th national election.

The Navy Chief urged the new sailors to uphold integrity, discipline, and loyalty while working alongside the Army and Air Force to safeguard national sovereignty.

United Kingdom High Commissioner Sarah Cook and Switzerland’s Ambassador Reto Renggli paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday. State Minister for Information Yasser Khan Chowdhury was also present during the meeting. Sarah Cook congratulated the minister on assuming office, while the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring media freedom and mentioned that work to form a media commission had begun.

The minister sought cooperation from the United Kingdom and expressed interest in utilizing the experience of the UK’s Office of Communications (Ofcom) in developing media policy in Bangladesh. The High Commissioner assured him of support and briefed him on Ofcom’s activities. During his meeting with the Swiss Ambassador, the minister also expressed interest in learning from Switzerland’s experience to protect citizens from misinformation and disinformation while upholding media freedom.

State Minister Yasser Khan Chowdhury highlighted that artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and global challenges, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to address them. He also invited Swiss investment in Bangladesh’s technology and other sectors.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman has said that army personnel are expected to return to their barracks soon. He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing the closing and award ceremony of the Bangladesh Army Central Firing Competition at Comilla Cantonment. The army chief noted that many soldiers have already returned, but around 16,000 to 17,000 members remain deployed across 62 districts. He added that the army will continue field operations as long as required by the government, including current deployments at fuel depots.

During the event, General Waker-uz-Zaman highlighted the army’s contribution to nation-building and maintaining national stability. He stated that since July 20, 2024, army personnel have been performing their duties in the field with dedication to meet the country’s needs.

The Central Firing Competition, which began on May 16, featured 17 teams from various formations, logistics areas, five independent brigades, and the Para Commando Brigade.

Jamaat-backed lawyers have boycotted the Chattogram District Bar Association election, alleging obstruction in nomination submission, irregularities, and bias by the Election Commission. The voting began at 9 a.m. on Thursday at the association’s auditorium, while the protesting lawyers, led by Advocate Shamsul Islam, demonstrated in front of the annex building from 10 a.m. They claimed that nine of their candidates were unfairly disqualified and described the election as one-sided and undemocratic.

According to court sources, nominations for nine out of 21 posts were canceled for late submission, while 12 were declared valid. Among the valid nominations, only one was for a vice president post, and the rest were for member positions. Earlier, on May 14, 166 lawyers, including Jamaat supporters, called a special meeting to challenge the decision but lost in a vote. They later filed a case in the First Joint Judge Court.

On May 20, the court upheld the Election Commission led by Advocate Rowshan Ara and allowed the election to proceed. The night before the election, seven Jamaat-backed lawyers holding positions in the current bar council resigned together.

The United States has filed criminal charges against former Cuban president Raul Castro, accusing him of ordering the 1996 shootdown of two planes that killed four people, including three American citizens. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment in Miami’s Freedom Tower, stating that Castro and five others face murder charges related to the destruction of two aircraft owned by the Cuban-American group Brothers to the Rescue. The charges carry potential penalties of life imprisonment or death.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel dismissed the allegations as a politically motivated move without legal basis, accusing Washington of distorting facts and using the case to justify aggression against Cuba. He insisted the planes were downed in Cuba’s airspace in self-defense. The indictment comes amid heightened US pressure on Cuba’s communist government, including sanctions and fuel restrictions that have worsened power outages and food shortages.

Experts cited in the report suggested the move is part of a broader US strategy to pressure Havana into negotiations. However, they noted that given Castro’s advanced age and retirement, a direct confrontation or extradition appears unlikely.