Iran and Oman held a technical meeting in Oman last week to discuss a process for ensuring safe maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry. Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the discussions focused on establishing a framework under international law to make the process effective.

He added that Iran has maintained communication with Oman and other relevant parties, and expert-level discussions with Omani representatives are expected to continue next week. The talks come amid heightened tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transport routes.

The discussions underscore the strategic importance of the waterway for global energy supply and reflect ongoing regional efforts to enhance maritime security in the area.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin Ahmed has expressed his desire to see the upcoming local government elections conducted without any bloodshed. He made the remarks on Monday, May 18, during a ceremony organized by the journalists’ association RFED at the ITI Building conference hall in Agargaon, where he attended as the chief guest.

The CEC emphasized that achieving a peaceful and violence-free election requires cooperation from all political parties. However, he noted that the exact date for the local government election has not yet been determined.

The statement reflects the Election Commission’s focus on ensuring a calm and orderly electoral process, though specific plans or measures to achieve this goal were not detailed in the remarks.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated that political opponents have failed to undermine public confidence in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan, he said Rahman is fulfilling his electoral promises and that the people’s trust in him remains strong. The BNP also announced an eight-day program from May 25 to June 1 to mark the death anniversary of party founder and former president Ziaur Rahman.

Rizvi said Tarique Rahman is implementing initiatives such as family cards, farmer cards, and plans for health cards, along with efforts to make Bangladesh self-sufficient in food. He noted that Rahman has relaunched a nationwide canal-digging program that has gained wide response. Rizvi contrasted Rahman’s approach with previous governments that, according to him, failed to deliver on promises like cheap rice and free fertilizer.

He further recalled Ziaur Rahman’s leadership during a critical period in Bangladesh’s history, describing his governance as a time of stability, rule of law, and national progress that remains remembered by people across political lines.

In Lama upazila of Bandarban district, around 10 acres of hilly land have been leveled allegedly to prepare for a new brick kiln. The activity reportedly took place in the Bashkhaillya Jhiri area of Fasiakhali Union under the name of Lokman Hossain, a resident of Satkania. Local resident Md. Osman Gani filed a written complaint with the Department of Environment on Sunday, accusing Lokman Hossain of illegally cutting hills to build the kiln.

According to the complaint, the hill cutting has damaged natural forests, streams, water flow, and biodiversity. Osman Gani claimed that although the land was jointly purchased, it was later flattened through deceit, and a hilly stream was filled in. Locals fear that unregulated hill cutting could increase the risks of landslides, water shortages, and environmental degradation. They have demanded a prompt investigation and legal action against those responsible.

Lokman Hossain denied the allegations, calling them false and motivated by personal disputes. An inspector from the Department of Environment stated that legal measures would be taken if hill cutting is confirmed.

An article published on May 18, 2026, highlights the historical significance of Al-Qarawiyyin University, located in Fez, Morocco. Established in 859 CE by Fatima al-Fihri, the institution began as a mosque built with her inherited wealth but soon evolved into a center for both worship and learning. Over time, it became a major hub for knowledge production and intellectual development within the Muslim world.

The university expanded beyond religious studies to include Arabic language, philosophy, logic, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. It played a key role in the exchange of knowledge and culture between the Muslim world and Europe during the Islamic Golden Age. Notable scholars such as Ibn Khaldun, Ibn Rushd, and Muhammad al-Idrisi were associated with it. Supported by successive rulers, the institution grew architecturally and housed one of the world’s oldest functioning libraries.

UNESCO and Guinness World Records have recognized Al-Qarawiyyin as the world’s oldest continuously operating university. In 1963, the Moroccan government restructured it into a modern public university, preserving its religious and educational traditions.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Greenland, Jeff Landry, arrived in the autonomous Danish territory on Sunday for a multi-day visit. According to local media, the Louisiana governor is making his first trip in this new role and will attend the “Future Greenland” economic forum in Nuuk on Tuesday and Wednesday. The event, organized by the employers’ association Grønlands Erhverv, will bring together investors, political figures, and business leaders to promote investment opportunities.

Landry’s visit comes at a time of heightened international tension following Trump’s repeated assertions about U.S. control over Greenland. These claims have drawn cautious responses from Denmark, Greenland, and several Western European countries. Local newspaper Sermitsiaq reported that Landry arrived with about ten aides and entered the city in a five-car convoy. The U.S. ambassador to Denmark is expected to join him in Greenland on Monday.

A U.S. embassy statement said the delegation aims to expand economic opportunities, strengthen relationships, and enhance mutual understanding between the United States and Greenland.

Multiple public universities in Bangladesh have become tense amid student protests over administrative decisions, campus safety, and political issues. At Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET) in Gazipur, students rejected the newly appointed vice-chancellor and enforced a campus blockade, halting academic and administrative activities. Clashes between opposing groups left at least 15 injured, prompting police deployment. In Patuakhali, students and staff at Patuakhali Science and Technology University staged a shutdown demanding the vice-chancellor’s resignation after alleged attacks on campus members.

At Jahangirnagar University in Savar, students protested late Sunday following three incidents of harassment against female students, which occurred shortly after an attempted rape case earlier in May. Police detained three suspects, and the university formed a seven-member committee to investigate the earlier assault. Meanwhile, in Chattogram, tensions rose after the city corporation allegedly ordered the removal of graffiti commemorating the July uprising, leading to restrictions on public gatherings.

Analysts cited long-standing administrative opacity, political influence, and safety concerns as underlying causes of the growing unrest across campuses, warning that vice-chancellor appointments have become flashpoints for division and confrontation.

A new Israeli death penalty law has been criticized for being designed solely to target Palestinians. According to the report, the law does not apply to Israelis, even those convicted of terrorist acts or labeled as terrorists by Israel itself. The measure is seen as formalizing what are described as extrajudicial killings already carried out by Israeli forces across occupied territories.

The report states that injured Palestinians at attack sites are often denied medical treatment, and evidence has emerged of medical neglect toward Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Several human rights organizations have documented cases of torture and deaths occurring inside prisons. The law is viewed as a political tool that helps members of Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, maintain power by appealing to public support for harsh measures against Palestinians.

The legislation has reportedly intensified fear among Palestinian families in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, underscoring the extent to which Israel is prepared to punish Palestinians, according to the report.

A scheduled court hearing in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption case was again canceled, according to a report by Israel’s Channel 12. The hearing was postponed following an emergency defense request citing confidential security and political reasons. Netanyahu’s lawyer informed the court that he could not attend the session, and details of the reasons were submitted in a sealed envelope to the court and prosecution.

The corruption case, launched in 2020, involves allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Netanyahu first testified in December 2024, but his cross-examination has been repeatedly delayed. Throughout 2025 and into the current period, his legal team has successfully sought postponements, citing wartime conditions, diplomatic obligations, and security concerns.

Critics have accused Netanyahu of exploiting regional geopolitical tensions to delay the judicial process, though the court has not commented on these claims.

Chattogram City Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has accused a controversial leader of the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP) of attempting to create unrest over the removal of July movement graffiti from flyover pillars. Speaking at a press conference at the city corporation office on Monday, he claimed the graffiti had already been covered by posters and that he himself had funded much of the artwork after the fall of the Awami League government.

Tensions erupted on Sunday night when city authorities repainted the pillars of the Shaheed Wasim Akhtar Flyover from Lalkhan Bazar to Dewanhat for advertising purposes. NCP activists protested, alleging that the city corporation erased the July movement graffiti to rent the space commercially. They began painting new graffiti and blocked roads in front of the city corporation building.

The situation escalated as BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal activists joined the scene, leading to heated exchanges with NCP members. Police were deployed to prevent further clashes. Around midnight, Mayor Shahadat arrived and dispersed the BNP activists, later addressing supporters at Lalkhan Bazar.

Bangladeshi expatriates in South Korea organized a civic reception for National Citizens Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan during his visit to the country. The event took place on Sunday at noon at the Khimpu Foreign Support Center in Khimpu city, arranged by the NCP Diaspora Alliance, South Korea. NCP leaders, activists, and expatriates from various professions attended the ceremony.

In his speech, Asif Mahmud expressed gratitude to the diaspora for their hospitality and recalled their support during the July uprising, when the country was under blockade. He urged expatriates to remain united in realizing the goals of the July Charter and referendum, and to inform the international community about the uprising. He also assured that the NCP would continue working to ensure expatriate voting rights in future elections.

NCP Joint Member Secretary Saleh Uddin Sifat highlighted the role of expatriates in the July uprising and expressed hope for their involvement in future national policymaking. Expatriates raised issues such as simplifying migration processes, curbing exploitation by brokers, and improving repatriation and airport services.

Singapore’s non-resident High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Derek Loh, paid a courtesy call on Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Parliament and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The meeting took place on Monday morning at the opposition leader’s office in Bashundhara, Dhaka. Singapore’s Chargé d’Affaires Michael Lee South and South Asia Country Director Tai Dae Ern were also present.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on Bangladesh’s current political and economic situation, industrial and trade development, post-election democratic progress, the referendum process, and state reforms through the implementation of the July Charter. According to the statement, Derek Loh praised Jamaat-e-Islami’s positive role in Bangladesh’s economic and democratic advancement and expressed hope for stronger bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Singapore.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties agreed to enhance cooperation for Bangladesh’s democratic progress and economic prosperity. The High Commissioner also invited Dr. Shafiqur Rahman to visit Singapore.

Several US cargo planes carrying ammunition from a German military base landed in Tel Aviv within the past 24 hours, according to Israel’s Channel 13. The report said the deliveries are part of Israel’s preparations for a possible renewed conflict with Iran. Israel’s Defense Ministry confirmed that multiple aircraft carrying military equipment from the United States and Germany had arrived to strengthen the army’s operational readiness.

At the White House, former US President Donald Trump told reporters that he faced no pressure and predicted a complete victory. He accused Iranian leaders of changing their stance after nearing an agreement, citing the Iranian military’s refusal to meet US demands. Trump warned that the ceasefire was now at risk of collapse, describing it as being on “life support.”

In response, Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari wrote on X that Iran would not design any plan to please Trump, emphasizing that negotiations must respect Iran’s rights. He added that Trump’s dissatisfaction would be a positive sign for Iran.

Bangladesh continues to rely on outdated security systems while many countries integrate artificial intelligence, smart sensors, and radar technologies into their safety infrastructure. Experts say limited technical skills, lack of modern equipment, and weak cybersecurity have prevented the country’s bomb detection and security systems from becoming fully modernized. In contrast, advanced nations use AI-based scanners, explosive sensors, drones, and automated radar systems to identify threats quickly.

Recent bomb scares at key sites, including Shahjalal International Airport, have exposed the limitations of Bangladesh’s manual inspection methods. Analysts emphasize that modern security depends on technology-driven surveillance rather than manpower alone. Reports also warn of rising risks from technology-based explosives and cyber vulnerabilities.

Experts recommend immediate investment in AI-enabled scanners, smart cameras, and drone surveillance at airports, seaports, and government facilities. They stress the need for skilled technologists and internationally trained security personnel to build long-term capacity. Without such modernization, Bangladesh’s security infrastructure may face increasing technological risks.

US President Donald Trump issued a new warning to Iran on Sunday, urging Tehran to act quickly to end the ongoing conflict. In a message on his Truth Social platform, Trump said time was running out for Iran and that failure to act would leave it with nothing. The warning came as fighting persisted despite a ceasefire declared on April 8 following major US and Israeli attacks that began on February 28.

In Lebanon, Israeli missile strikes killed an Islamic Jihad commander and his 17-year-old daughter, while additional attacks in the south left five people dead, including two children. The Lebanese health ministry reported at least 2,900 deaths since the war began, with more than 400 killed after the ceasefire. In Gaza, five people were killed in Israeli attacks, bringing the death toll since October’s ceasefire to at least 871. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia intercepted three drones entering from Iraq, and a drone strike near Abu Dhabi’s Barakah nuclear plant caused a fire but no casualties.

Iranian media said Washington had offered no concessions in response to Tehran’s peace proposals, while Pakistan continued mediating talks between Iran and the United States.