Israel and Lebanon are set to resume talks mediated by the United States starting tomorrow, beginning with a technical meeting between military officials. Diplomatic discussions are scheduled for the first week of June. The renewed dialogue comes even as Israel has significantly expanded its ground operations in recent days, particularly around the southern Lebanese city of Tyre. Reports indicate that Israeli forces have attempted to cross the Litani River and have established a 10-kilometer-deep security zone inside Lebanese territory. Observers suggest Israel aims to strengthen its position ahead of the talks. Israel has urged the Lebanese government to cooperate in disarming Hezbollah in the south, claiming that Lebanon has not taken sufficient action since a 2024 agreement to form a joint mechanism. Lebanon, facing a worsening humanitarian crisis and limited resources, is struggling to manage the escalating situation. Public frustration is rising, with many citizens calling for a stronger stance from their government, though such a shift appears unlikely under current conditions.

An Israeli soldier was killed and two reserve soldiers were injured in a Hezbollah drone attack near Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, according to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The soldier killed was identified as Sergeant Rotem Yanai. The incident occurred despite a ceasefire declared between Lebanon and Israel on April 16. Since the ceasefire, Israel has continued to carry out strikes inside Lebanon, while Hezbollah has launched retaliatory attacks. The IDF reported that 11 Israeli soldiers have been killed since April 16, seven of them in explosive drone attacks. The renewed violence highlights the fragility of the truce and the persistence of hostilities along the border. Earlier this week, an IDF official told CNN that Israel’s intensified operations in Lebanon aim to push Hezbollah’s explosive drone capabilities further from the border, suggesting that cross-border military activity may continue in the near term.

Member of Parliament Aslam Chowdhury has announced a Tk 1,700 crore mega development project in Sitakunda, Chattogram. The announcement was made at the central Eid-ul-Azha congregation held at the municipal ground. According to Chowdhury, the project will be implemented through international private funding amounting to approximately 130 million US dollars. The master plan includes the construction of a modern central model mosque in the municipal area at a cost of Tk 300–500 crore. The mosque will serve as a center for prayer, Islamic education, research, library services, and cultural and social activities. Additionally, nine modern regional mosques will be built across nine unions, each costing Tk 30–50 crore, along with two new mosques in the Pahartali and Colonel Hat wards. Old and incomplete mosques in rural areas will receive Tk 50 lakh to 1 crore each for renovation. The plan also emphasizes public health and civic amenities, including a modern walkway around the historic Laldighi pond and initiatives to develop Sitakunda into a modern tourist city by upgrading natural attractions such as Chandranath Hill, Guliakhali Beach, and Banshbaria coast.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded his four-day visit to India, but his trip continues to draw attention online. A photo of Rubio and his wife in front of the Taj Mahal in Agra triggered criticism from Iran’s consulate in Hyderabad, which posted on social media that Rubio would not have posed there if he knew the monument’s history or architecture. The consulate reminded that the Taj Mahal was built by a Mughal emperor for his Iranian-born wife, Mumtaz, and designed by Persian architects. The Iranian statement linked the image to broader political tensions, accusing Washington of trying to erase Iranian civilization while its officials praise Persian heritage abroad. The post went viral, prompting mixed reactions on social media. Some users supported Iran’s criticism, arguing Rubio ignored historical context, while others viewed the exchange as a symbolic reflection of ongoing U.S.-Iran hostility. The controversy added a diplomatic layer to Rubio’s India tour, which also drew attention for the absence of senior Indian officials during his departure from Jaipur, sparking debate about protocol and political messaging.

A fire that broke out on the oil tanker Meghna Traders at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port has been brought under control. The port authority confirmed the development in a press release issued at 11:43 a.m. on May 28, 2026. The vessel, owned by Meghna Group, had arrived in Bangladeshi waters on May 26 carrying RBD soybean oil from Indonesia. The fire started at 7:25 a.m. Thursday in the ship’s engine room. Following the incident, Coast Guard vessels Shyamal Bangla and BCGT Promotta joined the firefighting effort, later assisted by port vessels Kandari-3 and Kandari-11, and the Navy tug BNT Sebok. After about three and a half hours of joint operations, the blaze was brought under control. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of the damage, according to the Chattogram Port spokesperson.

The United Nations has added Israel to its blacklist of countries accused of committing sexual violence in conflict zones. According to a report by the Jerusalem Post, several Israeli authorities, including the country's prison service, have been included in the list. The blacklist already contains groups such as Hamas. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, strongly condemned the decision and announced that Israel would suspend cooperation with the office of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The decision follows reports from human rights organizations indicating a sharp rise in sexual violence by Israeli soldiers and settlers in Gaza since the start of the war. The inclusion of Israel in the UN blacklist marks a new escalation in international scrutiny of its actions in Gaza and may further strain relations between Israel and the United Nations.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched an attack on a United States airbase early Thursday morning, local time, in response to a reported US strike near Bandar Abbas. According to a statement published by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, the assault took place at 4:50 a.m., though the IRGC did not disclose the airbase’s location. The group described the targeted site as the source of American “aggression.” The announcement followed reports of a US military operation on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas. The IRGC warned that any further American military action would be met with a “harsher” response. Meanwhile, Kuwait’s national news agency reported the sound of warning sirens across the country, and its military confirmed that air defense systems were engaging incoming missiles and drones. The developments mark a sharp escalation in regional tensions, with both Iran and US-linked forces signaling readiness for further confrontation, according to the source.

The holy festival of Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated across India with devotion and religious solemnity. For the first time, Kolkata hosted the main Eid congregation at the historic Brigade Parade Ground instead of the traditional Red Road venue. From early morning, worshippers gathered at major mosques including Nakhoda Mosque, Tipu Sultan Mosque, and Park Circus Maidan to perform Eid prayers. Alongside West Bengal, the festival was observed with due respect in Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Bihar. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on social media, wishing happiness, good health, and harmony for the people. Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also conveyed Eid greetings to the residents of the state. The change of venue in Kolkata marked a significant shift in the city’s Eid tradition, highlighting the inclusive spirit of the celebration across India.

India’s Home Minister Amit Shah has ordered the demolition of illegal structures located within 15 kilometers of the Pakistan border. The directive, announced on May 28, 2026, also includes instructions to strengthen measures against various forms of cross-border crimes. According to an official statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs emphasized strict enforcement of a ‘zero tolerance’ policy toward unauthorized construction in the designated border zone. The statement further noted that the initiative aims to curb infiltration, drug trafficking, illegal occupation, terror financing, and other cross-border criminal activities. The move, however, has raised concerns about renewed tensions between India and Pakistan, which share a 3,300-kilometer-long border, including the disputed Kashmir region. Authorities indicated that the demolition and enforcement actions are part of broader efforts to enhance border security and prevent illegal activities in sensitive frontier areas.

Hungary’s parliament has voted to cancel the country’s withdrawal process from the International Criminal Court (ICC), reversing a move initiated last year after the court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Lawmakers approved the decision by a large majority, with 133 votes in favor, 37 against, and five abstentions. The withdrawal was scheduled to take effect next week, pending the signature of President Tamás Sulyok, an ally of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The reversal fulfills a campaign promise by newly elected Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who came to power in April after ending Orbán’s 16-year rule. Magyar argued that remaining in the ICC serves international peace, security, and human rights. The ICC Assembly of States Parties welcomed Hungary’s decision as an important step. Magyar had earlier indicated that Hungary would act on ICC warrants regardless of the target, even if it involved Netanyahu. Hungary’s previous government had announced its intent to leave the ICC in 2024, claiming the court had become politicized. The ICC, based in The Hague and supported by 125 member states, prosecutes war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide when national courts are unwilling or unable to do so.

The United States carried out an attack on a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people accused of drug trafficking. The strike is part of an ongoing operation that began in September, during which around 200 people have reportedly been killed. Human rights organizations have described these attacks as extrajudicial killings. According to the US Southern Command, the targeted boat was allegedly involved in drug smuggling and was traveling along a known trafficking route. In a statement, the command said that two 'narco-terrorists' were killed in the latest strike. The US military launched the 'Southern Spear' operation in early September, with President Donald Trump emphasizing that the United States is effectively at war with Latin American drug cartels. However, the report notes that US authorities have not provided conclusive evidence linking the attacked vessels to drug trafficking, raising questions about the legitimacy of the strikes.

A fire erupted on the oil tanker Meghna Traders at the outer anchorage of Chittagong port on the morning of May 28, 2026. Upon receiving the alert, two Coast Guard units and the port authority’s firefighting team began efforts to extinguish the blaze. A naval rescue team also joined the operation to assist in controlling the situation. According to Coast Guard sources, the fire started at 7:25 a.m. The Coast Guard’s firefighting vessels Shyamal Bangla and BCGT Promotta were deployed, along with support from BCG Base Chittagong, BCG Out Patenga, and high-speed boats for rescue operations. Later, several Navy firefighting ships joined the effort to contain the fire. Officials reported that the vessel remained in a highly dangerous and heated condition. Rescue operations were being prioritized alongside firefighting, and further details were expected once the fire was brought under control.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to blow up Oman if the country fails to 'behave properly.' The warning came during a cabinet meeting, where Trump stated that Oman must act like everyone else or face destruction. His remarks followed reports of discussions between Iran and Oman about jointly imposing tolls on ships passing through a key waterway that has been largely closed since the start of the US-Israel war against Iran. Trump also declared that the strait would soon be open to all and that no one would control it, emphasizing that the United States would monitor the situation. The statement reflects Washington’s growing frustration as Trump’s recent efforts to reach a peace agreement with Iran have so far been unsuccessful. The comments mark an escalation in rhetoric toward a US ally and highlight the strategic tensions surrounding maritime control in the region.

The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran’s Hormuz Strait Authority, the body responsible for overseeing maritime traffic through the strategic waterway. The U.S. Treasury Department announced the decision on Wednesday, warning that anyone cooperating with the authority would also face sanctions. The Hormuz Strait handles nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, making it a critical global trade route. According to the report, Iran established the authority to manage shipping through the strait. The move follows the closure of the waterway by Iran after the United States and Israel began military action against the country on February 28. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant stated that Iran’s attempt to extract money from global maritime trade reflects the regime’s growing financial desperation. Last week, the Hormuz Strait Authority published a map reaffirming Tehran’s claim over extensive waters on both sides of the narrow passage, underscoring Iran’s continued assertion of control over the region.

The United Kingdom’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) has claimed that nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. GCHQ Director Anne Keast-Butler revealed the figure during her first public speech at Bletchley Park, the historic World War II code-breaking center. In her address, she discussed the threats facing the UK and the measures needed to counter them. Keast-Butler warned that the UK is at a critical moment, accusing Russia of targeting the country’s infrastructure, democratic processes, supply chains, and public trust. She also blamed the Kremlin for multiple espionage plots on British soil and described Moscow’s actions as part of an undeclared “hybrid war” against the UK and NATO allies, which Russia has denied. Independent monitoring by BBC News Russian and Mediazona has confirmed over 223,000 Russian military deaths, though experts believe the real toll is higher. The GCHQ chief further cautioned that both Russia and China are heavily investing in space for civilian and military purposes and emphasized the urgency for the UK and its allies to maintain an edge in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.