Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his country is prepared to end its conflict with the United States and Israel through diplomatic means. He emphasized that protecting the rights of the Iranian nation will remain the top priority. Pezeshkian made the remarks during a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to a statement published on his office’s website. During the call, Pezeshkian expressed deep distrust toward the United States, accusing it of attacking Iran twice even while bilateral talks were ongoing. He described these attacks as a “stab in Iran’s back.” Meanwhile, Axios reported that the United States and Iran are close to finalizing a one-page memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war. According to the report, the potential agreement would see Iran commit to halting its uranium enrichment program, while the United States would agree to lift sanctions. Both sides would also remove restrictions on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

A photo circulating on social media shows an Israeli soldier appearing to press a lit cigarette to the face of a Virgin Mary statue in the Christian-majority town of Debel, southern Lebanon. The image has drawn attention as it follows a previous incident last month in which Israeli soldiers reportedly smashed a statue of Jesus Christ in the same town. According to The Times of Israel, the Israeli military stated that if the soldier involved is identified, disciplinary action will be taken. The report also noted that this incident is part of a continuing pattern of footage showing Israeli soldiers destroying or looting property, often shared by the soldiers themselves. The image has added to growing scrutiny of Israeli military conduct in Lebanon, with the army pledging to investigate the matter once the individual is confirmed.

The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday its decision to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), ending nearly six decades of membership. Analysts view the move as driven by both economic and political motives. The UAE has long sought freedom from OPEC’s production quotas to fully utilize its oil capacity. The decision comes amid regional instability following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran and growing tensions with Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s leading member. The UAE’s departure is expected to weaken OPEC’s control over global oil supply and pricing. While Saudi Arabia depends heavily on high oil prices to balance its budget, the UAE has invested heavily in expanding production and can tolerate lower prices. The move also reflects Abu Dhabi’s closer alignment with Israel and the United States, contrasting with Riyadh’s more cautious diplomatic stance. The timing coincided with a Gulf summit in Jeddah, where the UAE president was notably absent. Analysts suggest the split could reshape regional alliances, forcing countries like Egypt and Jordan to navigate between Saudi and Emirati blocs. The rift may also influence broader Arab and Islamic cooperation frameworks, signaling a new phase of rivalry in the Gulf.

West Bengal Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta announced that 200 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed and 433 people arrested following incidents of violence that erupted after the state assembly election results were declared on May 4. Additionally, 1,100 individuals have been detained as a preventive measure. The statement came a day after the Election Commission of India directed the state’s Chief Secretary, DGP, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to enforce a zero-tolerance policy against post-poll violence. Gupta also clarified that some additional security previously assigned to outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee had been withdrawn, though their protocol-based security remains intact. The withdrawn personnel have been reassigned to maintain law and order across the state. The DGP urged citizens not to take the law into their own hands and assured that police would act on complaints or initiate cases suo motu if necessary. According to the Election Commission’s directive, 500 CAPF companies remain deployed in West Bengal until further notice to prevent further unrest.

Former US presidential adviser Amos Hochstein has said that Iran will maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely, regardless of any peace agreement between the United States and Iran. Speaking to Bloomberg, Hochstein, who previously advised President Joe Biden on energy and Middle East affairs, stated that Gulf countries would be compelled to build new pipelines to bypass Iran’s control of the key waterway. Hochstein emphasized that the final wording of any peace deal should not determine decisions about the strait, asserting that Tehran will continue to dominate the strategic passage. The Strait of Hormuz has become a central issue in ongoing discussions between Washington and Tehran, with both nations reportedly imposing blockades in the area as part of their efforts to assert control. The remarks highlight the enduring geopolitical tension surrounding the strait, a vital route for global energy shipments, and suggest that regional infrastructure adjustments may follow if Iran’s dominance persists.

The United States is expected to turn its full attention to the Gaza situation once the Iran issue is resolved, according to a senior Egyptian diplomat quoted by Al Jazeera Arabic. The unnamed official stated that ongoing tensions with Iran had overshadowed Washington’s work on Gaza. He predicted that if a final agreement with Iran is completed within the next few days, the US will renew pressure for Gaza negotiations. The diplomat explained that this renewed focus would align with demands from mediators seeking to ensure Israel’s commitment to implementing the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The statement suggests that Washington’s next diplomatic steps in the region will depend on the conclusion of the Iran deal. The report indicates that the US initiative will primarily respond to mediator concerns about maintaining progress in the Gaza ceasefire process once the Iran matter is settled.

Iran is expected to deliver its response on Thursday to a United States proposal intended to end the ongoing war, according to a CNN report citing a regional source. The response will be handed to Pakistani mediators. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that discussions with Iran were progressing well. The report said Iran is reviewing the US proposal as both sides move toward a possible agreement to end the conflict. US media outlet Axios reported that the White House believes it is close to finalizing a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran. However, a senior Iranian parliament member dismissed the proposal as a “wish list,” while a foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed that Tehran would convey its views through Pakistan. Pakistan’s foreign minister stated that his country is working to turn the ceasefire into lasting peace, underscoring Islamabad’s mediating role in the process.

South African spinner Simon Harmer has sparked new debate over India’s influence in world cricket. In an interview with The Guardian, Harmer claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) exerts the most power over the International Cricket Council (ICC) due to its commercial strength. He said that despite South Africa’s recent success, including a World Test Championship win and a 2–0 Test series victory in India, the balance of power in global cricket remains unchanged. Harmer expressed frustration that administrative structures have not evolved in line with on-field achievements. He credited South Africa’s progress to collective performance rather than individual brilliance, emphasizing that coach Shukri Conrad ensures accountability within the team. Harmer also criticized England’s cricket system, arguing that spinners are undervalued and that only a few of the 18 county teams have dedicated spin-bowling coaches. His remarks have already stirred discussion across the cricket community, reigniting debate about the extent of India’s dominance in international cricket governance.

Iran has confirmed it is still reviewing a United States proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, according to statements from Tehran’s foreign ministry. The US-based outlet Axios reported that Washington believes it is close to finalizing a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran. The proposal reportedly includes provisions for halting nuclear enrichment, lifting sanctions, and reopening navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials said their response will be conveyed to Pakistani mediators, who are working to turn the current ceasefire into a permanent peace. Iranian parliamentary figures dismissed the US plan as a mere wish list, while President Donald Trump said recent talks with Iran were positive and that a deal was possible. Trump warned that if Iran refuses the agreement, stronger airstrikes could resume, but if Tehran complies, the joint US-Israel operation “Epic Fury” would be halted. Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed full coordination with Trump, emphasizing the goal of dismantling Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity. The proposal remains undisclosed to the public, and both sides continue to accuse each other of ceasefire violations in Lebanon and the Gulf region.

Mohammad Mahbub Alam Khan, an accused in multiple abduction and murder cases, has been appointed as the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Feni district. The appointment was made on Tuesday as part of a reshuffle involving SP positions in 12 districts. The decision has sparked public outrage and raised questions about administrative transparency and the current government's stance. According to the report, Mahbub Alam Khan is named in cases related to the disappearance of two brothers of a former student leader in Chapainawabganj, with allegations of extortion and enforced disappearance. He previously served as Additional SP in Chapainawabganj during the 2024 student and public uprising, where he allegedly took an armed role against protesters. After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, three murder cases were filed against him, two of which still list him as a named accused. Observers have expressed concern that appointing such a controversial officer to a politically sensitive district like Feni could pose a serious threat to public safety. Neither Mahbub Alam nor the authorities have commented on the matter.

A tall boundary wall is being built inside the reserved forest area of Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar, reportedly under a UNDP project funded by the World Bank. The wall, estimated to be about 10 feet high and roughly 1,000 feet in circumference, is being constructed near the 26 No. Shalbagan Rohingya camp in the Muchhni Beat area. Officials involved said the project aims to improve waste management for the camp, but local residents and forest officials fear it will severely harm the forest ecosystem and wildlife movement. According to the Forest Department, the Teknaf range is home to around 286 species of wildlife, including monkeys, foxes, bears, elephants, and reptiles. Researchers and local forest guards warned that the new structure could further endanger biodiversity already under pressure from human settlement and deforestation. The divisional forest officer confirmed he was unaware of the project’s approval and cautioned that such construction could cause serious ecological damage. Environmental experts stressed that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should have been conducted before any construction in the protected forest to prevent long-term harm to wildlife and natural habitats.

U.S. President Donald Trump expects a potential agreement with Iran within a week, according to Fox News journalist Bret Baier. Speaking during a live broadcast on Wednesday, Baier said he had recently spoken with Trump, who expressed optimism about the memorandum of understanding and described his outlook as one of cautious optimism. Trump reportedly told Baier that organizing all aspects of the deal would take about a week. Baier explained that two main conditions are being prioritized in the proposed deal: the removal of enriched uranium from Iran and ensuring the full openness of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also stated at the White House that Iran is willing to engage in discussions and reach an agreement. The report, citing Middle East Monitor, indicates that both sides are moving toward negotiations, though the final outcome remains uncertain.

A member of the United People’s Democratic Front (Democratic), Md. Iman Hossain, aged 25, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Khagrachhari’s Panchhari upazila early Thursday morning. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on May 7 in the Islampur area, where Hossain was reportedly standing in front of a sawmill. He was the son of Ruhul Amin from Mohammadpur village in the same upazila. According to local sources, the attackers opened fire on Hossain, killing him on the spot. Bikash Tripura, assistant director of the UPDF (Democratic) in Panchhari, alleged that members of the rival UPDF (Prasit) group were responsible for the killing. However, the UPDF (Prasit) faction has not issued any official statement regarding the allegation. Panchhari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ferdous Wahid confirmed the incident and said police have begun investigating. He added that it is not yet clear whether the victim was politically affiliated or who was behind the attack. Further details will be available after the investigation.

At the Infectious Disease Hospital in Mohakhali, Dhaka, patients suffering from measles, pneumonia, chickenpox, and other contagious illnesses are being treated in the same wards, creating serious health risks. A field visit on Wednesday revealed that many patients, including children, are receiving treatment on floors and balconies due to a severe shortage of beds. The hospital, which has 100 beds with only 15 allocated for measles patients, currently accommodates 51 children with confirmed measles. Since January, 1,598 suspected measles cases have been admitted, with 286 confirmed and 36 child deaths reported. Doctors and nurses said the hospital is admitting twice its capacity daily, forcing mixed treatment of patients with different infectious diseases. The unhygienic environment, including unclean toilets, scattered waste, and mosquito infestations, is worsening the situation. A doctor noted that without a separate measles unit, infection control is nearly impossible. Hospital authorities acknowledged the overcrowding and poor sanitation, citing surrounding slum areas as a challenge. According to the Directorate General of Health Services, 56 confirmed measles deaths and 268 deaths with measles symptoms have occurred nationwide since March 15, bringing the total to 324 in 52 days.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit began on the Philippine island of Cebu, with global energy shortages and the Middle East conflict taking center stage. The two-day meeting, held on Thursday and Friday, brings together heads of state, foreign ministers, and economic ministers from the bloc’s 11 member countries. According to Reuters, ensuring energy and food security for the region’s 700 million people has become ASEAN’s top priority. Analysts note that the ongoing energy crisis poses a major leadership test for the Philippines, which currently holds the ASEAN chairmanship. The country must balance efforts to coordinate regional responses to the energy challenge while addressing internal issues within the bloc, including Myanmar’s civil war and unresolved border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia. Don McClain Gill, a geopolitical analyst at De La Salle University in Manila, told Reuters that economic shock management may ultimately take precedence over other regional concerns. The summit’s focus on energy and food security underscores ASEAN’s attempt to strengthen regional resilience amid global instability and internal divisions.