US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that some progress has been made in the ongoing diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran. Speaking to reporters during his visit to India on May 23, 2026, Rubio noted that mediation efforts between Tehran and Washington are continuing and that a new announcement could come soon. He added that discussions were still underway even as he was speaking. According to Reuters, Rubio mentioned that the US side might be in a position to make a statement today, tomorrow, or within the next few days. The talks are part of continuing efforts to ease long-standing tensions between the two countries. The remarks have been interpreted as a possible sign of improving relations and potential understanding between Washington and Tehran, though no specific details of the progress were disclosed.

Barcelona ended their La Liga season as champions but suffered a 3-1 defeat to Valencia in their final match, which also marked Robert Lewandowski’s farewell appearance for the club. The Polish striker opened the scoring after an hour of play, calmly finishing inside the box to give Barcelona the lead. Valencia quickly turned the game around within five minutes. Javi Guerra equalized with a fine finish, and Luis Rioja put the hosts ahead 2-1 following an attack created by Jesus Vazquez. Barcelona tried to recover but failed to find another goal. A potential penalty for Valencia was overturned after VAR confirmed the foul occurred outside the box. In stoppage time, Guido Rodriguez sealed Valencia’s victory with a long-range strike. Despite the win, Valencia missed out on European qualification as Getafe and Rayo Vallecano both won their respective matches. For Barcelona, the season closed with a loss and an emotional farewell for Lewandowski.

Dhaka University’s Professor Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun from the Department of Japanese Studies has been appointed as a full-time member of the Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC). The Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division issued the notification on Saturday, stating that his four-year appointment takes effect from the date he joins. Dr. Mamun has already submitted his joining letter to the UGC chairman. According to the notification, the appointment was made under the University Grants Commission Act of 1973. Dr. Mamun has an extensive academic background, including a PhD in International Economic Development from the University of Huddersfield in the UK and a Fulbright Research Professorship at Adelphi University in the United States in 2024. He has also served as a Japan Foundation Fellow at the International University of Japan in 2023. Dr. Mamun’s research focuses on Japanese studies, development planning, international development cooperation, and political sociology. He has taught at universities in the UK, Japan, India, and Indonesia, and collaborated with various national and international organizations including ERD, UNDP, and JETRO.

A local leader of the Olama Dal in Feni has been accused of vandalizing the boundary wall of the graveyard of July Movement martyr Ikram Hossain Kausar. The incident reportedly occurred last Friday night, and a written complaint has been submitted to the Feni district administration. The wall was being built under a district council package worth three lakh taka in Rajeshpur village of Parshuram upazila. According to the complaint, when the contractor began construction, Olama Dal member Mohammad Ibrahim and several others obstructed the work on May 10. After the authorities were informed, construction resumed, but the newly built wall was later demolished. Contractor Dulal Bhuiyan confirmed the damage, while Ibrahim claimed the land belonged to his family and denied involvement in the vandalism. Feni district NCP member secretary Shah Waliullah Manik condemned the incident and demanded legal action. Police have visited the site, and the officer-in-charge of Parshuram Police Station said the matter is under investigation for further legal steps.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep sorrow and sympathy over a deadly explosion at a coal mine in northern China that killed 90 people and injured many others. The party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, conveyed the condolences in a statement issued to the media on Saturday, May 23, 2026. According to the statement, the explosion occurred on May 21 in northern China, leaving 90 people dead and many injured. At the time of the statement, at least 201 victims had been rescued, including 123 who were receiving treatment in hospitals. Porwar described the incident as a major loss for China and extended condolences on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami and the people of Bangladesh to the victims’ families, the Chinese people, and the government. He also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured and expressed hope that the Chinese government and people would soon overcome the tragedy and its consequences.

France has imposed restrictions on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, banning him from entering French territory. The decision was announced on May 23, 2026, by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who cited accusations that Ben-Gvir incited hatred and violence against Palestinians. In a post on social media platform X, Barrot stated that the move followed Ben-Gvir’s alleged threats and intimidation toward French and European rights activists aboard the ‘Global Sumud’ flotilla. He further urged the European Union to consider imposing similar sanctions against the Israeli minister, accusing him of long-standing efforts to provoke hostility and violence toward Palestinians. The announcement marks a rare diplomatic measure by France against a sitting Israeli minister and signals growing European concern over actions perceived as undermining human rights advocacy related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced a reduction in jet fuel prices by Tk 39.57 per liter, effective from Saturday midnight. Under the new rate, domestic flight operators will pay Tk 165.88 per liter, down from Tk 205.45. The commission disclosed the decision in a notice issued on Saturday. Earlier, on May 7, the price of jet fuel was reduced by Tk 22.35 per liter, following a Tk 25 increase on April 7 and a Tk 90 hike on March 24. The latest adjustment also affects international flights, with the price per liter lowered from USD 1.33 to USD 1.08. BERC officials stated that the new rates were determined after a hearing that considered the average international market price between May 5 and May 21, the exchange rate of the US dollar for Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation’s LC settlements, and the prevailing diesel price.

The Bangladesh Labour Party has called for the public execution of the person responsible for the brutal assault and murder of a child named Ramisa. In a statement issued on Saturday, party chairman Dr. Mustafizur Rahman Iran and acting secretary general Khandaker Mirajul Islam urged the government to take immediate action to stop ongoing killings, rapes, and terrorism across the country. They emphasized that the safety and dignity of women and children must be ensured by the state. The leaders criticized the home minister’s recent remarks, saying they reflect a lack of understanding of the country’s reality. They argued that the justice system has often failed to curb crime and deliver justice, leading to growing public demand for exemplary punishment. The statement also mentioned several other victims of sexual violence and murder, calling for swift trials and the creation of anti-harassment cells within all political parties. The party urged citizens of all political, religious, and social backgrounds to unite in a social movement against violence and injustice.

The United States and Iran may extend their ongoing ceasefire by another 60 days, according to mediators cited by the Financial Times. The report also indicated that structured discussions could begin on transferring or diluting Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. As part of the ceasefire framework, Washington may ease restrictions on Iranian ports, while Tehran could gradually reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Saturday that discussions are underway regarding a memorandum of understanding related to the ceasefire talks. He added that details of the agreement could be finalized within 30 to 60 days as part of the first phase of negotiations. Key topics are expected to include nuclear disarmament measures and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts cited in the report suggested that the potential agreement could help reduce tensions in the Middle East and have a positive impact on the global energy market.

Islamic scholar, writer, and researcher Tahmidul Mawla stated that marrying four women at the same time is neither Sunnah nor a virtuous act. He made the remarks in a recent video, emphasizing that the practice is only permissible under certain conditions rather than being encouraged or rewarded. Mawla explained that Islamic law requires equality among all wives for those who have more than one. He cited that if a husband spends seven days with one wife, he must spend the same amount of time with each of the others. He referred to an example from the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) life, noting that even during illness, the Prophet maintained fairness by staying in the house of the wife whose turn it was. The scholar’s comments aimed to clarify misconceptions about the religious status of having multiple wives, stressing that fairness and justice are central conditions in Islamic teachings.

The Ministry of Law has appointed a special public prosecutor to expedite and ensure a fair trial in the Ramisa murder case. A notification regarding this appointment was issued on Saturday by the Law and Justice Division of the ministry. According to the Criminal Procedure Code of 1898, Section 492, Advocate Azizur Rahman Dulu has been appointed as the special public prosecutor to represent the state in the case under trial at the Dhaka Metropolitan Tribunal for the Suppression of Violence Against Children. The case, filed at Pallabi Police Station under case number 35 dated May 20, 2026, involves charges under Sections 9(2)/30 of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000, and Section 201 of the Penal Code. The appointment aims to facilitate the timely and proper conduct of the judicial proceedings in this sensitive case.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that public expectations from engineers are very high and urged them to take a more active, responsible, and effective role in the country’s development and the creation of a new Bangladesh. He made these remarks on Saturday at the Engineers Institution Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in Ramna, Dhaka, during a reception marking the 78th founding anniversary of the institution, also known as Engineers Day. The event, presided over by Engineer Mohammad Riazul Islam (Riju), honored several engineers and members of parliament, including Sanjida Islam (Tuli), Moinul Islam Khan (Shanto), and Md. Ashraf Uddin (Bokul), for their contributions in various sectors. The minister emphasized that IEB is not only a professional organization but also a key contributor to Bangladesh’s progress and development. He further stated that after the July uprising, a new sense of building a new Bangladesh has emerged among the people and called for unity to achieve that goal. The event was attended by engineers, professionals, and distinguished guests from different sectors.

Former interim government adviser and National Citizens Party spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has publicly challenged the current State Minister for Local Government, Mir Shahe Alam, to disclose specific files where alleged irregularities occurred. The challenge was issued during a live broadcast on Asif Mahmud’s verified Facebook page on Saturday night, following allegations made by the minister. In his statement, Asif Mahmud said the minister’s claims required clarification and urged that any relevant files be made public for transparency. Mir Shahe Alam had earlier alleged that during the interim government period, Asif Mahmud approved a project file without the secretary’s signature. He also announced that an investigation covering the period from 2009 to 2026 had been ordered, with a report due within 60 working days. The minister cited irregularities in Pirojpur development projects, claiming that Tk 6,000 crore had been withdrawn without work being completed, leading to a halt in all local projects for two years. The minister added that field inspections would soon begin in Pirojpur to restart suspended projects and address corruption in road and bridge construction across several districts.

Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the newspaper Amar Desh, has called Indian hegemony a threat to South Asian security and urged Bangladesh’s people, political parties, and government to unite against it. Speaking on Saturday at a seminar titled “Persecution of Muslims in India: Politics, Identity and Minority Rights Conflict,” organized by Friends of Humanity at the National Press Club, he called for a nationwide boycott of Indian products, including cattle, and for citizens to protest against Indian dominance. Rahman alleged that India, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates were jointly acting against Muslims worldwide. He criticized the silence of Bangladeshi political parties on India’s influence, saying only the NCP had spoken out. He also urged the government to raise issues of Muslim persecution and human rights violations in India at international forums beyond the OIC. Other speakers, including academics and political figures, condemned human rights abuses in India and called for international awareness. They emphasized unity among Muslims and active resistance to religious persecution.

Iran is concentrating on finalizing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei. He stated that over the past week, the positions of both sides have come closer and that the discussions have made positive progress. Baghaei added that the next three to four days will be crucial to see what developments occur. His remarks are being viewed as a significant indication in the ongoing diplomatic discussions between Iran and the United States. Although he did not disclose details of the MoU, it is believed that recent communications and negotiations between the two countries have intensified. The report, citing Al Jazeera, suggests that the coming days may determine whether the two nations can reach a formal understanding after the recent progress in their dialogue.