Senior Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has called on former US President Donald Trump to launch attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure if Tehran continues to reject Washington’s conditions in nuclear negotiations. Graham made the remarks in an interview with NBC, asserting that Iran’s energy sector is its weak point and should be targeted if hostilities resume.

Despite international law prohibiting attacks on civilian infrastructure, Graham insisted that stronger action could pressure Iran into reaching a deal. He argued that repeating past strategies would yield the same results and urged for more forceful measures to compel Tehran to negotiate.

Graham further claimed that Iran is testing US patience and playing a waiting game, describing the situation as one where the country is “playing games” and acting irrationally, echoing Trump’s own rhetoric. The comments were reported by Al Jazeera and published by Amar Desh on May 18, 2026.

Salt farmers in Banshkhali, Chattogram, have alleged that middlemen and syndicates are preventing them from receiving fair prices for their produce. Despite a bumper harvest this year, many farmers who took high-interest loans are facing heavy losses. They report selling salt at Tk 240–250 per maund while production costs reach about Tk 350, resulting in losses of around Tk 170 per maund. Farmers claim cargo boat owners and intermediaries have formed a syndicate that controls prices and transport routes, leaving them with no alternative sales channels.

At a recent meeting held at the Khatkhali estuary in Gondamara Union, participants demanded fair pricing, interest-free loans, and government measures to curb syndicate control. Speakers said production costs have doubled or tripled due to rising land rent, labor wages, and input prices such as polythene, fuel, and irrigation pumps. While packaged salt sells for Tk 40–45 per kilogram in retail markets, farmers are paid only Tk 5–6 per kilogram, causing severe financial distress.

The meeting called for long-term policies to protect coastal salt and fisheries industries and ensure sustainable livelihoods for producers.

A husband and wife died from electrocution on Monday morning in Saganna village of Jhenaidah Sadar upazila. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. in their yard while they were using an electric stand fan to dry paddy. The victims were identified as Mojibur Khan, 65, and his wife Momena Khatun, 55, residents of Saganna village under Holidhani Union.

According to local sources, Mojibur Khan was connecting the electric fan when he was suddenly electrocuted and thrown to the ground. His wife was also electrocuted while trying to rescue him. Neighbors took both victims to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared them dead upon arrival.

Police from Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station were dispatched to the scene after receiving the report of the accident.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a seven-day program from May 25 to June 1 to mark the 45th death anniversary of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman. The announcement was made by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi after a joint meeting at the party’s central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka. On May 30, party flags will be flown at half-mast nationwide, and leaders and activists will visit Zia’s mausoleum, with party chairman and prime minister Tarique Rahman expected to attend.

As part of the program, a discussion meeting will be held on May 31 at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh. BNP’s Dhaka North and South units will distribute clothes and rice among the needy, with similar activities planned across the country. Various affiliated organizations, including Olama Dal, JASAS, Muktijoddha Dal, and Chhatra Dal, will hold prayer gatherings, while Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Krishak Dal, and Sramik Dal will organize discussions.

Rizvi instructed party members to avoid causing public inconvenience and to hold events in open spaces rather than blocking roads.

Continuous rainfall and upstream water flow from India have caused the Teesta River’s water level to rise, raising fears of flooding in northern Bangladesh. As of Monday morning, water at the Dalia Barrage point in Lalmonirhat was flowing 60 centimeters below the danger level, according to the Water Development Board. Officials said the river began swelling on Sunday night and the increase continued through Monday.

Residents along the Teesta River expressed concern that the situation could worsen if India releases more water through the Gajoldoba Barrage in West Bengal. Locals accused the barrage of acting as a “death trap” for Bangladesh, alleging that India closes the gates during dry seasons and opens all 54 gates during monsoon periods, causing floods downstream. The barrage, located in India’s upstream section of the Teesta, is controlled by the West Bengal state government.

People in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Rangpur, and Gaibandha districts are now living in fear of potential flooding as rainfall continues and river levels remain high.

New Zealand High Commissioner to Bangladesh David Pine paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir on Monday morning at the Prime Minister’s Office in Dhaka. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring potential areas of cooperation between Bangladesh and New Zealand.

During the discussion, both sides exchanged views on expanding collaboration in promising sectors such as pharmaceuticals, tourism, higher education, and food processing. The High Commissioner expressed New Zealand’s interest in working with Bangladesh in these fields and praised Bangladesh’s active role in addressing global climate change challenges. He also encouraged the country to take on a more leadership-oriented role in international climate initiatives.

Humayun Kabir reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to sustainable development, environmental protection, and building a green economy despite being highly vulnerable to climate change. He emphasized that Bangladesh is ready to play an effective leadership role globally in combating climate impacts.

In Tarash upazila of Sirajganj, the canals of Chalan Beel are filling with new water from rainfall and upstream flow, submerging low-lying areas. During this season, many local residents who lack regular work turn to fishing for their livelihood, using traditional bamboo traps known as chhai or kholsuni. Thousands of people in the region are now busy crafting these traps from bamboo and palm fibers, which are sold in various local markets.

The traps are sold wholesale and retail in markets such as Naoga Hat, Gulta Hat, Chachkoir Hat, Nimgachhi Hat, Salonga Hat, Chatmohar, Chhaikola Hat, and Mirzapur Hat. In Chachkoir village of Gurudaspur upazila, around 250 families are engaged in making kholsuni, with prices ranging from 400 to 600 taka per pair depending on size. Each pair takes two to three days to make, with material costs of 150 to 200 taka.

The craft has been passed down through generations, and participation continues to grow as new people join the trade. Family members, including women and students, contribute to the production process.

The New York Times has reported that Israel’s military operated two secret bases in Iraq’s western desert, including one near the town of Al-Nukhayb. According to the report, Israeli forces allegedly killed a shepherd and an Iraqi soldier to conceal the existence of one of the sites. The shepherd was identified as 29-year-old Awad al-Shammari. Regional officials cited by the newspaper said the base was established before the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States and was used during a 12-day war against Iran last year. It reportedly served for air support, refueling, and medical assistance.

The report added that the United States was aware of the base, implying Washington withheld this information from Baghdad despite the presence of a hostile foreign force on Iraqi soil. The newly revealed base is said to be separate from another previously reported Israeli facility described by The Wall Street Journal as a logistics hub for the Israeli Air Force. Iraq has not yet issued an official response, though a military spokesperson reiterated that Iraq will not allow its territory to be used for attacks on other countries.

In Sunamganj, extensive boro paddy fields have been submerged due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging, leaving thousands of farmers destitute. Authorities have prepared a list of 129,559 affected farmers and sent it to the ministry for assistance distribution. However, many haor-area farmers allege that genuine victims were excluded from the list, while non-farmers and relatives of local representatives were included.

According to the agriculture department, 223,511 hectares were cultivated this season with a production target of 1.4 million tons of rice worth about Tk 5,000 crore. Around 20,550 hectares of crops have been damaged across 137 haors. The district administration plans to provide three months of humanitarian aid, including cash ranging from Tk 2,500 to Tk 7,500 and 20–30 kilograms of rice per farmer, depending on the level of loss.

Officials said the list will be reviewed, and any non-farmers found will be removed. The local MP stated that the Prime Minister has directed that only genuine affected farmers receive assistance, with further agricultural input support planned for the next season.

A Reuters analysis published on Monday reported that global companies have suffered losses of at least $25 billion due to the ongoing war situation surrounding Iran. The report stated that listed firms across the United States, Europe, and Asia cited rising energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and interruptions to trade routes caused by Iran’s activities in the Strait of Hormuz as major factors behind the losses.

According to the analysis, at least 279 companies identified the conflict as a key reason for implementing defensive measures aimed at minimizing financial damage. The report highlights how the instability in the region has affected international trade and corporate operations across multiple sectors.

The findings underscore the widespread economic impact of the Iran conflict on global markets, particularly through energy and logistics channels, as companies continue to adjust their strategies to mitigate further risks.

A 10-kilometer road renovation and expansion project in Adamdighi upazila of Bogura has remained incomplete even after two years, causing severe suffering for residents of ten nearby villages. The project, costing around Tk 18 crore, covers the Chapapur-Nashratpur via Bihigram road. Locals allege that poor-quality materials are being used due to collusion between contractors and officials, and that the responsible department has failed to take effective action against the influential contractor.

According to local sources, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) invited tenders in 2024 to repair and widen the road by six feet. The contract was initially awarded to Ananta Bikash Tripura Limited, which later sold it to another contractor. Work began in May last year but soon stopped, and despite several contractor changes, progress has been minimal. Locals report the use of substandard brick chips and old rubble, raising fears that the road will not last long.

Local leaders have repeatedly complained about the slow pace and poor quality of work, but no effective measures have been taken. Residents are urging urgent government intervention to ensure timely and quality completion of the project.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has announced its mayoral candidates for the upcoming Dhaka North and South City Corporation elections. Atiqur Rahman Mujahid, central president of Islami Jubo Andolan, has been nominated for Dhaka North, while Sheikh Fazlul Karim Maruf, the party’s central publicity secretary, will contest in Dhaka South. The announcement was made on Monday at the party’s central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, by the party’s Amir and Charmonai Pir, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim.

During the event, the Charmonai Pir called for holding local elections soon and stated that the national election held on February 12 had been questioned and could not be termed transparent. He emphasized the need for transparency in the upcoming local polls and confirmed that Islami Andolan Bangladesh would participate independently. The party’s secretary general, Principal Yunus Ahmad, and other senior leaders were present at the announcement.

The declaration signals the party’s preparation to contest the city polls separately, underscoring its focus on electoral transparency and independent participation.

A Dhaka court has ordered that former army officer and ex-MP Masud Uddin Chowdhury be shown arrested in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The case accuses him of embezzling Tk 119 crore through irregularities in sending workers to Malaysia. The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, confirmed by ACC prosecutor Delowar Jahan Rumi.

According to the case, Masud Uddin and others allegedly misused government authority by taking extra money from workers beyond the fixed amount of Tk 78,990 for recruitment to Malaysia. The illegally collected funds were reportedly laundered through various means, leading to charges under the Penal Code, the Money Laundering Prevention Act, and the Anti-Corruption Commission Act. The ACC argued that releasing Masud Uddin on bail could obstruct the investigation.

Masud Uddin was earlier arrested on March 23 from his residence in Baridhara DOHS in connection with multiple murder cases linked to the July uprising. He has since been shown arrested and remanded in several other cases.

Nawab Sharif Sajib, a student of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, has appealed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for employment assistance. Sajib was shot during the July uprising and still carries splinters in his body. The injuries have left him with limited physical ability, forcing him to leave his previous job and halting his studies. He now lives in Natore with his pregnant wife and young child, struggling to meet family expenses despite receiving some government allowances.

Before the movement, Sajib worked as a front desk officer at a hospital in Sylhet but had to resign due to his physical condition. He has been listed as a “July fighter” in the government gazette and received some financial support, but rising living costs have made survival difficult. Regular therapy is required for his recovery, which he cannot afford.

Sajib has applied for a job at his university and written to the Prime Minister seeking direct intervention. His only wish now is for stable employment that would allow him to manage his medical treatment and family responsibilities.

The government has decided to keep all CNG filling stations across Bangladesh open 24 hours a day for 13 consecutive days to ensure smooth travel for passengers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. According to a letter issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division to the chairman of Petrobangla, the stations will operate continuously from May 21 to June 2.

The directive means that all filling stations will remain open seven days before and five days after Eid-ul-Azha. The government has also announced a seven-day holiday for the festival, while garment factories will close in phases to accommodate the holiday period.

The decision aims to facilitate uninterrupted fuel supply and ease transportation pressure during one of the country’s busiest travel seasons.