Organizers of the 'Global Sumud Flotilla' have accused Israeli forces of torturing and sexually assaulting detained activists after intercepting their aid mission to Gaza. The flotilla, comprising 50 ships and 430 volunteers, was stopped in international waters last Tuesday. At least 15 participants alleged sexual abuse, and several were hospitalized. Israel’s prison authority denied the allegations, calling them false and baseless, while Reuters said it could not independently verify the claims.

Germany confirmed that some of its citizens were injured and described the allegations as serious. Italy’s prosecutors have opened an investigation into possible crimes including abduction and sexual assault. French and German participants reported severe injuries, and some were hospitalized in Turkey. A video showing Israel’s national security minister mocking detainees has intensified international outrage and pressure on Israeli authorities to explain their treatment of prisoners.

Italy stated that European Union members are discussing potential sanctions against Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Several European activists expelled from Israel are expected to return home via Turkey by Friday.

India has increased petrol and diesel prices again, marking the third hike in ten days. Starting Saturday, petrol prices rose by 87 paise per litre and diesel by 91 paise per litre. The latest adjustment follows earlier increases on May 16 and May 19, when prices were raised by 3 rupees and 90 paise per litre respectively. As a result, fuel prices have climbed by at least 5 rupees per litre in major cities over the past ten days.

The price hikes come amid a fuel supply crisis linked to conflict in West Asia. Although India’s central petroleum department previously claimed there was no shortage of petrol or diesel, it had signaled that further price increases were possible. As of Friday night, petrol in New Delhi cost 98.64 rupees per litre, which has now risen to 99.51 rupees, while diesel increased from 91.58 to 92.49 rupees per litre.

The repeated hikes suggest continued pressure on India’s fuel market, with potential implications for transportation and consumer costs if global tensions persist.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, cattle markets across Dhaka have started to draw increasing numbers of buyers and sellers. Farmers and traders from districts including Kushtia, Chuadanga, Pabna, Natore, Sirajganj, and Rajshahi have brought truckloads of cattle to the city. However, sellers report that rising costs of animal feed, transport, and related expenses may push cattle prices up by 15 to 20 percent compared to last year. At the Uttara Diabari market, farmers complained about poor management, including water shortages, lack of sheds, and muddy conditions.

Some traders said they had to buy sand at their own expense to keep cattle dry and pay extra for better spots or shed space. Allegations also surfaced that pickup drivers were being charged up to 5,000 taka for entry stickers. The market leaseholder claimed that most issues were being resolved. Feed prices have nearly doubled in some cases, and transport costs have risen by several thousand taka per truck. Meanwhile, the Gabtoli market remains half full, with moderate-priced cattle attracting the most attention.

Authorities said law enforcement is on alert to prevent extortion, and temporary bank booths have been set up to ease transactions. Markets are expected to reach full activity by Monday.

Israel carried out new airstrikes in Lebanon, killing at least 10 people on Friday, followed by additional attacks early Saturday in the country's eastern and southern regions, according to Lebanese authorities and local media. The state news agency reported five strikes near Nabi Serij, a mountainous area close to the Syrian border that had remained relatively calm since the April 17 ceasefire. Explosions were also heard in the southern city of Tyre, where Israeli forces struck two locations.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the Friday attacks killed six rescue workers and a child, including members of the Hezbollah-linked Amal Movement’s Risala Scouts and the Islamic Health Committee. The Israeli military claimed it targeted two armed individuals near the border, while Hezbollah said it launched retaliatory strikes on Israeli positions in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. Hezbollah parliamentary leader Mohammad Raad accused Israel of destroying villages and displacing civilians.

The United States recently imposed sanctions on nine individuals linked to Hezbollah, accusing them of obstructing Lebanon’s peace process. Despite the April ceasefire, Israeli strikes and evacuation orders have continued in southern Lebanon, with over 3,111 Lebanese and 22 Israeli soldiers reported killed since the conflict began.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the failure of the United States to fulfill its commitments, along with what he described as betrayal and excessive demands, led to the collapse of recent diplomatic discussions. He made the remarks during a telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday.

Araghchi further cited repeated U.S. betrayals of diplomacy, military aggression against Iran, contradictory positions, and recurring excessive demands as additional reasons for the breakdown. Despite deep mistrust toward Washington, he emphasized that Iran had reentered the diplomatic process with seriousness and responsibility, aiming for a fair and reasonable outcome.

In the same conversation, the UN Secretary-General reiterated his opposition to the use of force against any nation’s sovereignty or territorial integrity and stressed adherence to the UN Charter and diplomatic means to ensure peace and stability in the region.

Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, passengers across Bangladesh are facing unregulated fare hikes on air-conditioned (AC) buses, as operators continue to set prices at their discretion. Although the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) regulates non-AC bus fares based on fuel price changes, it has yet to fix rates for AC buses. As a result, passengers are paying between Tk 1,200 and Tk 1,800 for Dhaka–Barishal routes and up to Tk 3,000 for Dhaka–Cox’s Bazar, far higher than non-AC fares. Despite government directives, BRTA has not finalized AC fare structures, allowing operators to continue charging arbitrary rates.

Officials previously announced that AC bus fares would be determined before Eid, and meetings were held between BRTA and transport owners to prepare proposals. However, the process remains incomplete. Transport owners argue that AC fares should not be regulated, while passenger groups and experts blame BRTA for failing to enforce oversight.

Experts from BUET warn that without model-based fare regulation and stronger enforcement, fare chaos will persist, particularly during peak travel seasons like Eid.

U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will not attend his son’s wedding in the Bahamas, citing ongoing discussions about the Iran war and his official responsibilities in Washington. The wedding of Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson is scheduled for this weekend. Trump made the announcement on Friday, emphasizing that government duties require his presence in the capital.

When asked about the matter at the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said his son wanted him to attend but described the event as small and private. He added that the timing was not favorable due to his busy schedule, which includes the Iran crisis and other pressing issues. On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump expressed regret, saying he wished to be with his son and future daughter-in-law but that his duty to the United States prevented it.

Trump concluded his message by congratulating Donald Jr. and Bettina, stating that remaining at the White House during this critical period was essential.

A 14-year-old madrasah student named Yasin Arafat died by suicide in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred in Uttarpara area of Mandaria village under Sreepur Union. Police confirmed that the boy took his own life after his mother declined to buy him a new bicycle due to financial constraints. The deceased was the son of the late Abul Hashem and Nasima Begum.

According to family sources, Yasin had been requesting a new bicycle for some time. When his mother explained that she could not afford it, he became upset and took his life by hanging. Police from Chauddagram Model Police Station recovered the body and brought it to the station.

Sub-inspector Liton Chakma stated that the body was taken to the police station and would be sent to Cumilla Medical College Hospital for autopsy on Saturday.

Bangladesh is witnessing a sharp increase in brutal murders, rapes, child abuse, mob beatings, and domestic and political violence, creating widespread fear and instability. Experts attribute this surge to family conflicts, moral decline, drug abuse, and the influence of online hate content. Recent incidents, including the killing of seven-year-old Ramisa Akter in Pallabi and multiple family murders in Gazipur, have shocked the nation. Law enforcement agencies are struggling to control the situation as criminals act with growing impunity.

Data from rights organizations show a disturbing trend: in 2025, 632 women were murdered and 786 raped, including 543 children. In early 2026, hundreds of killings and assaults were recorded, with police officers also facing attacks while on duty. Many victims’ families reportedly fear filing cases due to threats and political influence protecting offenders.

Experts and former police officials stress that restoring law enforcement morale, ensuring impartial justice, and strengthening community policing are essential to curb the violence. They urge stronger institutional capacity and public trust to reverse the rising tide of brutality.

Authorities in Orange County, California, have ordered about 40,000 residents to evacuate due to fears that a tank containing the chemical methyl methacrylate could leak or explode. The tank, located at a GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove, has been overheating, prompting emergency teams to work for two days to prevent an explosion. The evacuation order covers a nine-square-mile area surrounding the site.

The incident began on Thursday, May 21, when gas started leaking from the tank filled with the highly flammable chemical used in resin and plastic production. Initially, a hazardous materials team directed residents to leave, later lifting the order when the situation seemed under control. However, a damaged valve worsened the risk, leading local authorities to reissue the evacuation directive.

Officials warned that the tank could rupture, releasing 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of toxic material, or explode due to rising temperatures, potentially igniting nearby fuel and chemical tanks.

Mediators have stepped up efforts to prevent the collapse of the month-long ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. Pakistani military chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Friday with a delegation, signaling heightened diplomatic activity as fears of renewed conflict grow. Qatar has also sent officials to Iran to support negotiations, though the timing of their visit remains unclear.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said deep differences persist between the two sides, emphasizing that the current focus is solely on halting hostilities. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Sweden, acknowledged some progress but noted that diplomats have yet to reach a final agreement. The talks remain stalled over Iran’s nuclear program and control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

US officials maintain cautious optimism but warn that the situation is fragile. President Trump has delayed a major strike on Iran at the request of Gulf leaders seeking more time for diplomacy. Any deal is expected to hinge on issues including enriched uranium stockpiles and freedom of navigation through the Hormuz Strait.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a new policy requiring foreign nationals currently residing in the US to return to their home countries to apply for permanent residency or green cards. The directive was issued in a policy memorandum released on Friday, according to the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees USCIS.

The department stated that the change aims to close loopholes in the immigration system and improve the agency’s capacity to process other applications more efficiently. It added that possible exemptions under special circumstances are still under consideration.

Human rights and refugee assistance organizations have criticized the decision. The nonprofit HIAS warned that the rule could force victims of human trafficking, abused women, and at-risk children to return to countries they fled to save their lives. The policy shift is viewed as part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to tighten US immigration rules, following earlier steps to shorten visa durations and cancel over 100,000 visas since he took office.

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been named the world’s highest-paid athlete, topping Forbes’ latest list for the fourth consecutive year and sixth time overall. The 41-year-old Portuguese footballer, currently playing for Saudi club Al-Nassr, earned a total of $300 million over the past year. Of this, $225 million came from on-field income, while $65 million was generated through endorsements, sponsorships, and other commercial ventures.

The new Forbes ranking also saw Mexican boxer Canelo Álvarez rise to second place, surpassing Lionel Messi despite a less successful year in the ring, including losing his super middleweight title to Terence Crawford. Álvarez earned $170 million in 2025. Messi, captain of Inter Miami, ranked third with $140 million, evenly split between on-field and off-field earnings.

Other notable names in the top ten include LeBron James, Shohei Ohtani, Stephen Curry, Jon Rahm, Karim Benzema, Kevin Durant, and Lewis Hamilton, underscoring Ronaldo’s enduring global popularity and brand value.

A seven-year-old boy named Mithil died after being electrocuted in an abandoned tin shed in Nijmaona village of Gazipur’s Sreepur upazila on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred near BNP Bazar area under Gazipur Union No. 2. Mithil, a second-grade student of Hasmat Ali Pre-Cadet School, was the younger son of expatriate Sohaag. Both of his parents have been working in Lebanon for about two years, leaving him in the care of his grandparents.

According to local sources, Mithil was playing in a nearby madrasa field when he came into contact with the tin shed and was electrocuted. Locals rescued him and took him to Sreepur Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. Residents alleged that the abandoned structure had an illegal electrical connection, which caused the fatal accident.

Police visited the scene after receiving the report. Sub-Inspector Tajul Islam stated that no written complaint had been filed and that discussions were ongoing with the child’s relatives. The family decided not to conduct an autopsy.

Negotiations to reopen the Hormuz Strait in exchange for lifting US sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets have reached a decisive stage, according to reports. A Qatari mediation team has urgently arrived in Tehran to finalize a memorandum of understanding that could pave the way for 30 days of nuclear-related discussions. The United States has maintained that Iran will not be allowed to impose tolls on commercial vessels passing through the strait.

Qatar, long regarded as a skilled regional mediator, had not previously taken a direct role in the US-Iran standoff, which was earlier handled by Oman and more recently Pakistan. Pakistan’s army chief is also expected in Tehran, while Iran remains cautious about the prospects of major progress. Meanwhile, US media have reported that Washington is considering new military action against Iran, though no final decision has been made.

Iran has formed the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to regulate maritime routes and tolls, a move opposed by the US and several Gulf states. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have urged ships to avoid contact with the Iranian authority, warning that Tehran’s plan could set a dangerous precedent for regional maritime control.