According to a report by Middle East Eye, the United States and Israel are actively working to remove Jordan from its long-standing supervisory role over the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in Jerusalem. The report states that a new arrangement is being drafted to bring the management of the holy site under Israeli authority, with the aim of transforming it into a multi-faith center. The initiative is reportedly being led by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Unnamed American and Arab officials cited in the report said the proposed plan would end the authority of the Jordan-backed Islamic Waqf and allow Jews equal access and organized prayer rights at the site. Israel would also gain influence over the appointment of religious leaders and the content of Friday sermons. The plan envisions Al-Aqsa as a shared religious and tourism site for Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. The proposal has reportedly been communicated to Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates, suggesting a rotational oversight model among Arab states. Saudi Arabia, however, is said to have strongly opposed the idea, while the UAE and Bahrain have not yet clarified their positions.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran has gained concessions from its rivals not through dialogue but through its military capabilities. In a statement shared on social media platform X, he asserted that Iran achieves results through missiles rather than negotiations, emphasizing that the country does not rely on promises or verbal assurances. Ghalibaf, described as one of Iran’s top negotiators, said that in talks, Iran only seeks to make its position understood, but real outcomes depend on strength and action. He added that Iran will not take any steps until the opposing side acts first, underscoring that deeds, not words, are the true measure of commitment. He further remarked that the real success of any agreement depends on the party that becomes better prepared for potential conflict immediately after the deal is signed. His comments were reported by Al Jazeera and reflect a firm stance on Iran’s approach to negotiations and defense readiness.

Israel has launched a new online platform for digital registration of property ownership in the occupied West Bank. The platform, named “Land Registry and Rights Settlement,” was introduced on Wednesday and aims to update property ownership records in the territory. The Palestinian Authority has condemned the initiative, describing it as a form of “dangerous colonial domination.” According to the Palestinian Land Authority, the move directly undermines Palestinians’ legal and historical land rights and represents an attempt to strengthen Israel’s control over the West Bank. The Jerusalem Governorate and the Commission Against the Wall and Settlements have urged Palestinians not to engage with any Israeli “agency, committee, platform, or procedure” related to land and property matters. Palestinian officials fear that the new digital registration system could be used to facilitate future land seizures and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territory.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that public support for Israel in India is so strong it amounts to ‘fandom-level enthusiasm’. Speaking at a conference in the West Bank on Thursday, he described India as a ‘major power’ and emphasized the special importance of relations between the two countries. Netanyahu noted that while Israel faces controversies and legitimacy challenges in many parts of the world, such issues are absent in India. He also claimed that his social media following is higher in India than in any other country. Netanyahu recalled his 2018 visit to India with his wife Sara as a moment of ‘love and warm reception’ and mentioned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel, which he said was met with similar warmth. He has previously discussed his popularity in India, including in an interview with CBS’s ‘60 Minutes’, where he highlighted India’s strong interest in Israel. Analysts cited in the report said Netanyahu’s renewed focus on India-Israel ties comes as public support for Israel in the United States gradually declines.

In a detailed report, analysts say Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s long-standing effort to isolate Pakistan has largely failed. Despite Modi’s 2016 declaration that India would ensure Pakistan’s global isolation, Islamabad has instead strengthened its international standing. Pakistan has deepened ties with China, reemerged as a trusted U.S. partner under President Donald Trump, and played a key mediating role in the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. Trump brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May 2025, which Pakistan publicly credited him for, even nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Experts cited in the report argue that Pakistan’s diplomatic resurgence reflects both its strategic adaptability and missteps by the Modi administration. India’s aggressive stance, trade tensions with Washington, and alignment with Israel have strained relations with Muslim-majority nations and regional partners. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s outreach to Gulf states and its repositioning as a credible security actor have enhanced its global image. Recent signs suggest India may be reassessing its approach, as former generals and diplomats from both countries have held informal talks, and some Indian leaders have voiced support for renewed dialogue with Pakistan.

Japan has reintroduced a ban on mango imports from India after nearly two decades, following the discovery of flaws in pest control and sterilization procedures by Japanese quarantine officials. The decision, announced by the Yokohama Plant Protection Association, means that shipments with inspection certificates issued after March 25, 2026, will no longer be accepted. The move affects premium Indian mango varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar, Langra, and Banganapalli, dealing a major blow to exporters this season. Japan maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against harmful agricultural pests, particularly fruit flies, which it considers a serious threat to domestic crops. The country had previously banned Indian mangoes for similar reasons but lifted the restriction in 2006 after India implemented stricter quality control measures. During a March inspection at a vapor heat treatment center in Rehmanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Japanese officials found technical issues in the heat treatment and sterilization process, though neither side disclosed details. Exporters fear the renewed ban could undermine international confidence in India’s agricultural quality standards and prompt concern among other importing nations, adding financial strain to farmers already hit by poor yields due to extreme weather and El Niño effects.

A large quantity of sacrificial animal hides has spoiled in Chattogram due to alleged manipulation by market syndicates. Seasonal traders, unable to sell their collected hides at fair prices, abandoned thousands of pieces on the streets late into the night. On Friday morning, Chattogram City Corporation sanitation workers began dumping the rotting hides from areas including Aturar Depot, Bahaddarhat, and Chawkbazar. Seasonal traders said that despite government assurances of market monitoring, no effective steps were taken to prevent syndicate control. Many traders chose to discard their hides in protest rather than sell at extremely low prices. The Raw Hide Traders Association claimed they met their target of collecting 400,000 hides and said only those who held out for higher prices suffered losses. Truck drivers from Fatikchhari and Sitakunda reported being stranded overnight with unsold hides that eventually decayed. City officials confirmed that large volumes of spoiled hides were dumped but did not provide exact figures. Traders alleged that middlemen’s manipulation caused the crisis, with some hides going unsold even at Tk 50 per piece.

The Dhaka University White Panel, a group of teachers aligned with Bangladeshi nationalism, has strongly condemned remarks made by State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj about Dhaka University. In a statement issued on Friday, the panel described Hajjaj’s comments comparing the university to a coaching center as extremely insulting and irresponsible. The statement, signed by Professor Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan, Professor Dr. Abdus Salam, and Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarkar, warned that teachers and students would be compelled to take strict action if the remarks were not withdrawn immediately. The White Panel emphasized that Dhaka University holds a leading position in research and publication among public universities in Bangladesh, citing its numerous specialized research centers and international journal contributions. The group also highlighted the university’s historic role in national movements, including the Language Movement, the Liberation War, and various democratic uprisings. They stated that the minister’s comments were deeply hurtful to the university community and the nation. The panel demanded that Bobby Hajjaj retract his statement without delay, warning of potential protest programs to defend the university’s honor if he fails to do so.

In Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira, large quantities of sacrificial animal hides were discarded along the banks of the Kholpetua River after failing to attract buyers. The incident occurred following Eid when local traders, madrasa authorities, and orphanages struggled to sell raw hides due to a market collapse and lack of buyers. Piles of hides were seen near the Neeldumur ferry ghat area, causing foul odors and raising environmental concerns. Local sources said that despite collecting hides from various areas since Eid morning, most sellers found no buyers throughout the day. Many were forced to bury or dump the hides to prevent stench. Traders reported that compared to previous years, the market situation was worse, with low purchase offers and high transport and salt costs discouraging collection. Madrasa and orphanage officials said they rely on hide sales to fund student welfare and education, but this year’s losses have severely affected them. Authorities acknowledged the issue, noting that institutions had been advised to preserve hides before sale. The upazila administration stated that the matter is being addressed seriously.

Rajshahi City Corporation completed waste removal ahead of schedule during Eid-ul-Azha under the leadership of administrator Md. Mahfuzur Rahman Riton. The administrator had earlier announced that the city would be cleaned within six to eight hours, and large-scale cleaning began from noon on Eid day. He personally supervised the operations, resulting in the city being cleared of waste earlier than expected and earning public praise. According to city sources, 1,270 cleaners worked tirelessly across all wards to remove waste quickly. Secondary Transfer Stations at Bulanpur, RUET, and Rajshahi University were inspected in the afternoon. To prevent odor and health risks, sufficient bleaching powder and disinfectants were sprayed, and vehicles, equipment, and manpower were kept ready throughout the process. Residents expressed satisfaction with the timely cleanup and the distribution of eco-friendly bags and bleaching powder for meat preservation. Administrator Riton credited the success to citizens’ cooperation and the dedication of cleaning staff, emphasizing the city’s ongoing commitment to quality civic services.

Leather sellers in Dhaka and other districts expressed deep frustration on Friday, May 29, 2026, as sacrificial animal hides were sold at nominal prices during Eid-ul-Azha. Many sellers alleged that buyers were offering far below the government-fixed rates. In several areas, goat and cow hides were seen piled up on roadsides, with sellers unable to find fair buyers despite busy market scenes. Madrasa representatives, orphanages, and seasonal collectors said the market price did not match the official rate, while traders blamed tannery owners’ unpaid dues and cash shortages for the crisis. In Dhaka’s Posta area, large cowhides fetched as little as 500 taka, dropping to 100–200 taka if damaged. Seasonal traders in Chattogram and Satkhira reported similar conditions, with some abandoning hides on roads or burying them to avoid losses and odor. In Sirajganj’s Tarash upazila, the market collapsed entirely, with few buyers appearing. Many sellers either left hides behind or donated them to local madrasas and boarding houses, reflecting a recurring crisis in the country’s leather trade.

China has decided to boycott the Asian security summit known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, which is being held in Singapore from May 29 to 31, 2026. The event, hosted at the Shangri-La Hotel, brings together defense leaders, military chiefs, and security experts from around the world. U.S. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth is scheduled to be the keynote speaker, but Chinese top officials will not attend despite the inclusion of major issues such as the Iran war. According to the organizers, the 23rd edition of the Shangri-La Dialogue will include 54 ministerial-level representatives from 44 countries. The absence of China comes at a time of heightened regional and global tensions. Kepler, a maritime monitoring agency, reported that 57 percent of China’s crude oil imports in 2025 came from the Middle East, but supplies were severely disrupted after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, Oh Ei Sun, noted that renewed U.S.-Iran clashes have reduced the likelihood of any meaningful agreements emerging from the summit.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md. Abdus Salam announced that the city aims to remove 11,776 tons of waste on the second day of Eid. He made the statement while inspecting the temporary cattle market at Shahjahanpur Railway Colony on Friday. During the visit, he observed ongoing waste removal operations and instructed officials and workers to complete the task swiftly. According to the administrator, uninterrupted waste removal activities are continuing across DSCC areas to clear animal and market waste generated during Eid. He said DSCC’s waste management teams, including cleaners and transport workers, are working round the clock to maintain a clean and healthy environment for residents. On the first day of Eid, a total of 14,814 tons of sacrificial waste were dumped at the Matuail landfill by midnight. Salam warned that any leaseholders expanding temporary cattle markets beyond designated areas or occupying roads illegally will face strict legal action, including fines and blacklisting. DSCC has deployed additional manpower, vehicles, containers, and cleaning equipment, supported by a special monitoring team overseeing the entire operation.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that nepotism, political influence, or favoritism will not be tolerated in the recruitment of university teachers. He made the remarks on Friday after inaugurating the temporary office of Thakurgaon University. The minister emphasized that only candidates with the highest qualifications and competence will be appointed as teachers based solely on merit. He described Thakurgaon University as a reflection of the long-cherished dream and expectation of the local people. The institution, he said, should be developed into one of the country’s top world-class universities by maintaining uncompromised educational standards. He also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the government for fulfilling the long-standing demand of Thakurgaon residents for a medical college and a university. The minister noted that the appointment of a vice-chancellor has already been completed, marking an important step toward advancing the university’s operations. The event was attended by the State Minister for Water Resources, local lawmakers, the vice-chancellor, and senior officials.

Israel has incurred financial losses of 248 million dollars over the past two months due to the presence of US military aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport, according to a report by Israel’s public broadcaster Kan. The airport is being used by the United States for military operations, significantly limiting its civilian capacity. Sharon Kedmi, Director General of the Israel Airports Authority, stated that the airport is currently operating at only one-third of its capacity because of the space and equipment occupied by US military refueling planes. He noted that nearly 70 percent of the airport’s operations have been restricted as a result of Washington’s ongoing military activities. Kedmi warned that if the current situation continues, Israel’s financial losses could reach billions of dollars and more flight cancellations may follow in the coming days.