The United States military carried out a series of strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, targeting Iranian missile launch sites and boats allegedly attempting to lay mines. The US Central Command described the action as “self-defence strikes” to protect American forces from Iranian threats but did not disclose specific details or locations. Iranian media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, about 70km from the strait. The attacks occurred as a high-level Iranian delegation arrived in Doha, Qatar, for negotiations aimed at ending the US-Israel war on Iran, despite a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire in place since April 8.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that while a large portion of issues with Washington had been resolved, a final deal was not imminent. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from India, confirmed the targets and emphasized the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. President Donald Trump said talks were progressing “nicely” but warned of further attacks if negotiations failed.

Analysts noted that the strikes could complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts, with limited information available about the scale of the operation or its impact on the ceasefire.

Foreign ministers from India, Japan, and Australia met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New Delhi on Tuesday, seeking to revive the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) amid growing doubts about its relevance. Analysts said the meeting, marked by stiff body language, aimed to agree on a long-delayed leaders’ summit as the alliance struggles to maintain unity under U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term. Washington’s military redeployment from the Asia Pacific to the Middle East and Trump’s rapprochement with Chinese President Xi Jinping have raised concerns among Quad members about America’s long-term commitment to the Indo-Pacific.

Analysts from Japan and China told Al Jazeera that the Quad’s cohesion has eroded due to shifting U.S. priorities and a lack of leadership. The alliance, which has no formal treaty or mutual defense commitments, has focused on limited initiatives such as vaccines and supply chains but lacks strategic direction. Beijing now views the Quad as an uneven alignment rather than a unified anti-China coalition.

Japan has responded by increasing its defense budget and strengthening partnerships with other allies, while India and Australia are reassessing their positions amid uncertainty over Washington’s reliability.

Argentina has set its sights on winning a second consecutive FIFA World Cup, with forward Julián Álvarez emerging as a key figure in the team’s pursuit. In an interview with FIFA, Álvarez expressed excitement about defending the title, saying the team aims to reach the final again despite the challenges ahead. The 26-year-old striker, now playing for Atlético Madrid after leaving Manchester City, has become an integral part of Argentina’s starting lineup since his breakthrough performance in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Álvarez scored four goals in that tournament, including two in the semifinal against Croatia, helping Argentina secure the championship. He has since added major club and international trophies to his career, including the Copa Libertadores, UEFA Champions League, and Copa América. Argentina hopes to join Italy and Brazil as the only nations to win consecutive World Cups, a feat Álvarez believes would mark a historic era for the team.

While Lionel Messi’s participation in the upcoming World Cup remains unconfirmed, Álvarez noted that the decision rests with Messi but emphasized that the tournament will be special for the entire football world.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has arrived in New York for a two-day official visit. His trip comes as Islamabad continues its mediation efforts to end the ongoing war involving Iran. During the visit, Dar is scheduled to participate in a United Nations Security Council debate focused on maintaining international peace and security.

The visit coincides with heightened diplomatic activity surrounding the Iran conflict. While Dar will attend the UN debate, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will not be present, as he was denied a visa to enter the United States. The situation underscores the complex diplomatic environment in which Pakistan is pursuing its mediation role.

The outcome of Dar’s participation in the UN debate and its potential impact on Pakistan’s mediation efforts remain to be seen.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid stated that no illegally imported Indian cattle were seen in this year’s sacrificial animal markets. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon while inspecting the Neura cattle market in Comilla city. The minister said the government has taken all necessary measures to ensure safe trading for both farmers and buyers, and no irregularities have been reported so far.

He added that veterinary teams, anti-counterfeit money units, and law enforcement personnel have been deployed across markets to prevent extortion and ensure order. According to the minister, around 10 million animals are expected to be sacrificed nationwide this year, contributing significantly to the country’s economic circulation.

During the visit, the minister made public announcements encouraging people to seek help from veterinary booths if needed and interacted with traders and buyers. He also visited a camel named Sultan priced at 3.2 million taka at the market.

Launch operations from the Sadarghat terminal in Dhaka have been temporarily suspended due to adverse weather conditions. The Ministry of Shipping confirmed the suspension in a message to the media on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The decision follows reports of strong winds and heavy rainfall affecting river transport in the region.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) had also halted ferry and launch services on the Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat routes because of the same weather conditions. The authorities took these measures to ensure passenger safety and prevent accidents during the ongoing rough weather.

The suspension is expected to remain in place until weather conditions improve, though no specific timeline for resumption has been announced.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General Additional IGP Md Ahsan Habib Palash said the force has not received any specific threat of sabotage ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. He made the statement on Tuesday after inspecting overall security arrangements at the National Eidgah ground in Dhaka, where he also reviewed the ongoing preparations.

The RAB chief stated that although there is no concrete threat, special security measures have been taken to handle any situation. The force has strengthened security across the capital and other parts of the country, setting up mobile checkpoints, conducting searches, and increasing patrols and intelligence surveillance. All RAB battalions are carrying out intensified patrols in their respective areas, coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to ensure safety during major Eid congregations.

RAB also reported enhanced monitoring to prevent black marketing, illegal stockpiling, price hikes, food adulteration, and counterfeit goods. Continuous online monitoring will remain active, and additional night patrols and checkpoints have been established to deter theft, robbery, and snatching during the holiday period.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for shooting down a US drone and firing at another aircraft that allegedly entered its airspace. According to a statement published on the IRGC’s Sepah News website, the incident occurred when a US military aircraft entered Iranian airspace over the Persian Gulf region. The IRGC said its air defense units detected and downed an MQ-9 drone.

The statement further mentioned that the Guard forces also fired at an RQ-4 drone and an intruding F-35 fighter jet. However, the IRGC did not specify when these incidents took place. The report was originally cited by Gulf News and republished by the outlet Amar Desh.

The lack of a confirmed timeline or independent verification leaves uncertainty about the exact circumstances and timing of the reported engagements.

Continuous heavy rainfall on Tuesday morning caused severe waterlogging in the Mirpur 10 intersection area of Dhaka. The downpour began around 11:30 a.m., submerging parts of the road and creating major traffic disruptions. Commuters faced significant difficulties as vehicles struggled to move through knee-deep water.

The flooding slowed down buses, CNG auto-rickshaws, and motorcycles, while several vehicles were seen stranded in the water. The situation led to widespread inconvenience for residents and travelers in the area. The report highlights the immediate impact of the rainfall on transportation and public movement in one of the capital’s busiest zones.

The incident underscores Dhaka’s recurring problem of waterlogging during heavy rains, which continues to affect urban mobility and daily activities whenever intense rainfall occurs.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has alleged that the United States tested a new weapon system during a missile strike on February 28, the first day of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. The attack reportedly targeted a sports hall and killed 24 people, including a two-year-old girl.

In a post on social media platform X, Baghaei stated that the strike involved an “airburst missile” that exploded midair, releasing high-speed tungsten pellets that caused widespread destruction. He described the incident as a deliberate act aimed at testing the destructive capacity of the new weapon on Iranian civilians.

Baghaei condemned the attack as a clear and heinous war crime, asserting that it was not a mistake but a planned decision. The report was sourced from Al Jazeera, though no response from the United States was mentioned.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has declared that the United States will no longer find a “safe haven” in Gulf countries. He stated that these nations will no longer serve as a “shield” for American military bases. Khamenei made the remarks on Tuesday through his Telegram channel, following renewed U.S. attacks in Iran.

Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the position of Supreme Leader in March after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike. Since taking office, he has not appeared in public. His latest statement marks one of his first direct comments on regional security and U.S. presence in the Middle East.

The remarks highlight growing tensions between Iran and the United States following recent military actions, with implications for U.S. operations and alliances in the Gulf region.

Dr. Saimum Parvez, the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Environment, Forest and Climate Change, extended support to the families of those killed in a truck accident in Tangail. On Monday night, a delegation representing him visited the Padma Char area of Shibganj upazila to meet the victims’ relatives.

The delegation, led by Dr. Nahiduzzaman Suman, Joint Convener of the Municipal BNP, met with the families to inquire about their condition and assured them of continued support. Other local BNP and affiliated organization leaders, including Municipal BNP Member Secretary Alomgir Kabir Jewel, former Upazila Chhatra Dal Senior Joint General Secretary Bariul Islam Tusar Biswas, Lal Mohammad, and Kamal Uddin Member, were also present.

During the visit, Dr. Saimum Parvez spoke with the victims’ family members over the phone, expressing sympathy and solidarity with them.

The Power Division has instructed all senior officials under its departments and agencies to closely monitor electricity supply conditions at their respective workplaces or locations during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. Officials have been directed to conduct on-site inspections of local power situations during the Eid holidays and provide necessary guidance. They must also submit inspection reports to the Power Division Secretary.

To minimize customer dissatisfaction during maintenance or unexpected outages, local power centers have been told to inform consumers through loudspeakers and social media. Imams and muezzins of local mosques will also help disseminate information. The names and contact details of these mosque representatives are to be sent to the Power Division and uploaded to the websites of distribution companies.

According to the directive, shops and shopping malls may remain open until 10 p.m. during Eid, but after the festival, they must close by 7 p.m. to conserve electricity. The Power Division expects that coordinated efforts will help maintain stable power supply across the country during the holiday period.

A physically disabled student of Dhaka University’s Bangla Department, Abhay Kumar Singh, has accused several Chhatra Dal activists of assaulting him at Jagannath Hall on Sunday evening. The incident reportedly began over a minor dispute at a tea stall when Abhay was asked to lower his leg from a bench. Later, four individuals—Chandan Das, Jhalak Das, Ripon Chandra Sarkar, and Sagar—allegedly entered his room and physically assaulted him, also threatening him not to appear at the tea stall again.

Following the allegations, the Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Dal announced on Monday that three of the accused—Chandan Das, Jhalak Das, and Ripon Chandra Sarkar—were relieved of their organizational posts for violating party discipline. The decision was approved by the unit’s president Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas and general secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon. Jagannath Hall Provost Professor Debasish Pal confirmed that a six-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident using available evidence and CCTV footage.

One accused, Chandan Das, denied the assault claim, calling it a misunderstanding, while others could not be reached for comment.

More than 1.6 million pilgrims gathered at the plains of Arafat on May 26, 2026, to perform the most significant and spiritual phase of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. From dawn on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims entered Arafat to spend the day in prayer, Quran recitation, and remembrance of God until sunset. The event marks the observance of Wuquf-e-Arafah, considered the central pillar of Hajj.

According to Islamic tradition, the Day of Arafah symbolizes forgiveness, mercy, and spiritual purification. The site holds deep historical and religious importance, as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered his Farewell Sermon there in 632 CE, emphasizing justice, equality, and the sanctity of life and property. Pilgrims also listened to the Arafah sermon at noon and performed the combined Zuhr and Asr prayers.

Saudi authorities implemented extensive arrangements for safety, transportation, and healthcare amid extreme heat exceeding 45°C. After sunset, pilgrims departed for Muzdalifah to continue the next stages of Hajj, including the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina.