Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed gratitude to Pope Leo for taking what he described as a 'moral, rational, and just' position regarding the ongoing war situation involving Iran. In a message published by the state news agency IRNA, Pezeshkian said that attacks by the United States and Israel were not only directed against Iran but also against international law and humanitarian values. He asserted that Iran’s actions were carried out within a framework of legitimate self-defense, targeting what he called the positions and interests of aggressor forces. Pezeshkian added that the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz stemmed from attacks on Iran, the use of Gulf countries’ territories and airspace for assaults, and a U.S. maritime blockade. He reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to diplomacy, citing Pakistan’s mediation and talks held in Islamabad, and urged the international community to adopt a realistic and fair approach. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Pope Leo’s stance, alleging that Iran had killed thousands of unarmed protesters and warning against its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that it will take another two years to restore Bangladesh’s fragile economy, which was left in a deteriorated state by previous governments. He made the remarks on Saturday morning while inaugurating a new building of the Mother and Child Hospital in Agrabad, Chattogram. The minister explained that the current government faced a major global crisis immediately after taking office due to the war in the Middle East. He said the energy sector alone required Tk 40,000 crore in the upcoming fiscal year, while an additional Tk 50,000 crore was spent within two months on the power sector and foreign loan repayments. He acknowledged that the national economy remains in a difficult position. Amir Khosru also criticized past administrations for misusing health sector allocations and pledged that the current government would ensure proper monitoring of funds. He emphasized that the government would not interfere in medical colleges or other professional institutions to preserve their integrity and educational standards.

A violent attack occurred at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital early Friday night following the death of a patient named Lal Mia Kazi. Relatives of the deceased, alleging negligence by the attending physician, vandalized the emergency observation ward and assaulted duty doctor Nasir Islam with stones and sticks, leaving him critically injured. Several hospital staff, including an office assistant and Ansar members, were also attacked while trying to intervene. The injured doctor is being prepared for transfer to Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s ICU. According to hospital sources, the patient had been admitted with heart complications and was referred to Dhaka for advanced treatment, but his family refused to move him at night. After his death around 12:40 a.m., a group of 70–80 people stormed the ward and attacked the staff. Police have detained two individuals, Al-Amin and Jasim Uddin, and are preparing a case. Civil Surgeon Dr. Rehan Uddin confirmed that a four-member inquiry committee will be formed to investigate the incident. Authorities condemned the attack, warning that continued violence against medical professionals threatens hospital safety and healthcare delivery.

The Bangladesh government authorized 12 foreign companies to supply diesel, octane, and crude oil under the Direct Purchase Method (DPM) to address a fuel shortage caused by the Iran war. However, none of the companies had delivered oil by mid-May 2026. Only two firms provided performance guarantees, while one pledged to do so. The companies are based in the United States, Dubai, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Japan. The energy minister said the move aimed to prevent panic buying and ensure adequate reserves. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) officials said the DPM initiative was temporary and launched after several cargoes were deferred due to force majeure declarations. BPC Chairman Md. Rezanur Rahman explained that final prices would be determined using the Platts Arab Gulf rate around the loading date. He confirmed that three companies were proceeding properly, while others declined or failed to meet requirements. The government has since returned to open tendering for June–August to maintain a 90-day reserve. Transparency International Bangladesh acknowledged the government’s authority to bypass tenders in emergencies but emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in supplier selection and contract execution.

FIFA is set to meet Iranian football officials in Istanbul to address concerns over Iran’s participation in the upcoming World Cup. According to Reuters, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström will hold the meeting on Saturday in Turkey’s capital. Discussions will focus on Iran’s participation, as well as security and logistical matters related to the tournament. Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group-stage matches in the United States. However, recent political and security developments have raised uncertainty about the team’s ability to take part. FIFA intends to reassure Iran that it will be able to participate and that all necessary arrangements will be ensured. The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned of further counterattacks against Russia after a missile strike on Kyiv killed 24 people, including three children. In a post on X on Friday, Zelensky said Ukraine would not leave any Russian assault unanswered. He described Ukraine’s response against Russia’s oil industry, military production, and those involved in war crimes as justified. Earlier that morning, he visited the residential building destroyed in the attack. Ukrainian officials reported that rescue operations lasted over 28 hours, saving 30 people. Kyiv’s mayor said about two dozen victims remain hospitalized. The youngest victim, 12-year-old Liubava Yakovleva, had lost her father earlier in the war. Meanwhile, Russian authorities said a Ukrainian drone strike on Ryazan killed four people, including a child, and damaged a multi-story building. Ukraine’s military confirmed it targeted a Russian oil refinery. Amid the violence, both sides conducted a prisoner exchange, freeing 205 soldiers each. The released Ukrainians included fighters from Mariupol’s Azovstal plant. Peace talks mediated by the United States remain stalled, with Moscow refusing a ceasefire or full negotiations.

In Lalmonirhat’s Dahagram–Angarpota union, residents have expressed concern over increased surveillance and restrictions by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at the Tin Bigha Corridor, their only route to mainland Bangladesh. Locals allege that since the recent West Bengal elections, BSF has intensified checks, causing delays and harassment during travel. The corridor, leased to Bangladesh in 2011 for access to the enclave, remains under Indian control despite the 1974 Mujib–Indira Agreement stipulating its transfer. The corridor, originally intended to be 178 meters long and 85 meters wide, now functions as a narrow nine-foot passage. Residents report frequent searches, vehicle restrictions, and fines for accidental damage to Indian installations. Community leaders and residents demand full freedom of movement as per the 1974 agreement, citing economic hardship and loss of dignity. BSF has also built observation towers and checkpoints, contrary to the agreement’s terms. Bangladeshi authorities have reportedly taken precautionary measures through the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). However, locals remain frustrated, saying the corridor’s limited access continues to disrupt daily life and trade in the isolated enclave.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, aged 90, is reportedly preparing his son Yasser Abbas for a senior leadership position within Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority. Six unnamed Palestinian officials told The New York Times that Abbas is taking this step to extend his influence. Abbas has led the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, since 2005 and has maintained tight control by sidelining rivals, limiting judicial independence, and cooperating with Israel on security matters. Abbas’s presidential term officially ended in 2009, but he has since canceled elections and faced persistent allegations of corruption. Many Palestinians view his move to promote his son as evidence that he has no intention of loosening his grip on power or allowing new leadership to emerge. Political analyst Hani al-Masri described the situation as rule under one man’s control. The reported succession effort comes amid growing international pressure on the Palestinian Authority to implement significant political reforms, despite internal party resistance and public discontent.

This week, the annual Jackson Poetry Prize was awarded to Chicago-born poet Marianne Boruch. The honor recognizes an outstanding American poet each year and includes a $100,000 cash award. The 2026 judging panel consisted of Major Jackson, Cole Swensen, and Afaa Michael Weaver. According to the judges’ statement, Boruch’s poetry reveals the breadth and depth of human thought through its ornamental rhythm and captivating expression. In an era shaped by artificial intelligence, her work seeks to stir collective human understanding, exploring the vastness of desire and curiosity. Her poetic tone moves fluidly between refined diction and spontaneous wit, employing every stylistic nuance in between. The judges noted that Boruch’s unconventional sentence structures are not merely surprising but awakening, inviting readers to look upward and think more deeply. The prize highlights her distinctive contribution to contemporary American poetry.

An article published on May 16, 2026, in 'Amar Desh' by Abdul Kader Jilani discusses the renewed relevance of Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s philosophy in Bangladesh following the July uprising that toppled a fascist government. The author connects the collective awakening for justice and truth during the protests with Iqbal’s concept of 'Khudi'—the self-realization and empowerment of individuals as the foundation of a just society. Protesters reportedly invoked Iqbal’s verses as slogans in their struggle against oppression. The piece traces Iqbal’s intellectual influences from both Eastern and Western thinkers and his vision of a moral, equitable state guided by divine law. It contrasts Iqbal’s Islamic humanism with Rabindranath Tagore’s secular humanism, arguing that post-1971 nationalist movements in Bangladesh marginalized Iqbal’s thought. The author claims that Iqbal’s ideas of justice, unity, and cultural independence are regaining significance in post-July Bangladesh. According to the article, this resurgence of Iqbal studies in political, cultural, and intellectual spaces signals a broader cultural revolution emphasizing Islamic values and resistance to authoritarianism.

The article highlights the life and contributions of Mustafa Zaman Abbasi, a legendary Bangladeshi singer, researcher, and writer, who played a pivotal role in preserving the country’s folk and spiritual traditions. Born in 1937 in Balarampur, Cooch Behar, Abbasi inherited a rich musical legacy from his father, Abbasuddin Ahmed, and grew up in a culturally vibrant environment. His education in history at the University of Dhaka deepened his understanding of Bengal’s social and cultural evolution, shaping his later work as a scholar of folk music. Abbasi’s major achievements include collecting and archiving original Baul and Lalon songs, promoting folk music through Bangladesh Television and Radio, and introducing rural artists to national audiences. He also represented Bangladesh internationally, performing in over 40 countries and serving as president of the Bangladesh National Committee of Music under UNESCO. Beyond music, Abbasi made significant contributions to Islamic music, literature, and Sufi philosophy through his writings and translations. His extensive literary output of over 60 books, including research on folk traditions and novels addressing environmental and cultural themes, established him as a key figure in documenting Bangladesh’s artistic and spiritual identity.

Patients across Iran are facing severe difficulties obtaining essential medicines due to shortages and rising prices, according to the state news agency IRNA. The report said shortages have affected drugs such as Clidinium-C, certain antibiotics, Ascentra, and Estradiol Valerate. Health officials, however, continue to deny claims of a major crisis in the pharmaceutical market. IRNA reported that a three-sheet pack of 2 mg Estradiol Valerate, used in infertility and other treatments, officially costs about 840,000 rials, or roughly 47 cents, but is being sold on the black market for between 5 million and 17 million rials, equivalent to $2.80 to $9.40. A woman undergoing IVF treatment in Tehran said she searched pharmacies for over seven hours to find only three sheets of the drug, criticizing the government for promoting childbirth while basic IVF medicines remain scarce. The report attributed the disruptions in production and pricing to foreign exchange fluctuations, international sanctions, raw material import issues, energy costs, liquidity shortages, and funding gaps in the insurance sector. Some drug prices were raised before insurance systems updated their rates, forcing patients to pay more out of pocket.

A bridge built two decades ago in Rupnagar area of Baghasura Union under Madhabpur upazila, Habiganj, remains unused because no connecting road was ever constructed. The bridge, built at a cost of about 1.2 million taka over a canal on the Shahjibazar–Baghasura–Chatiain Bazar road, has gathered moss and developed cracks due to long neglect. According to local sources, the original plan was to replace an old, risky bridge, but opposition from some influential villagers prevented its demolition. To avoid losing the allocated budget, the contractor built the new bridge beside the old one instead. Residents still use the old bridge daily, facing safety risks. The upazila engineer said the bridge was built before his tenure and that the adjacent landowner had refused to provide land for the approach road. The landowner stated he would sell the land only at current market value, while a local union official noted that just two decimals of land worth around 200,000 taka are needed to make the bridge usable. Local authorities said they will discuss the issue with higher officials to find a solution.

A father and son were killed early Saturday when a speeding bus ran them over while they were repairing a truck tire on the Bhanga-Mawa highway near the Bagail toll plaza in Faridpur’s Bhanga upazila. The victims were identified as Yusuf Ali and his son Yakub Ali, residents of Rupdia in Jashore Sadar. According to police and local sources, their freight truck had stopped after a tire puncture, and both were working to fix it when the accident occurred. Police from the Shibchar Highway Station recovered the bodies after the incident. Bhanga Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Md Helal Uddin said the truck had been seized and brought to the station. Efforts were underway to identify the bus and arrest its driver. Legal procedures were reported to be in progress. Authorities have not yet confirmed further details about the bus or its driver, and the investigation continues.

Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that meaningful change requires repairing both the state and society through national consensus. He made the remarks on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the opening ceremony of the National Film Society Conference 2026 organized by the Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies. The minister emphasized that some work stems from humanitarian motives, while the pursuit of wealth is a separate matter. He urged those involved in art, literature, and film to clearly understand this distinction in their work. Addressing social transformation, he said that the roadmap should not only focus on the film movement but also on broader social change, avoiding any group-based ideology. Swapan cautioned that ideology-driven change can often turn into propaganda serving group interests, noting that those bound by group loyalty cannot possess true intellectual freedom.