Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly condemned the attack on the historic Shah Ali shrine in Dhaka, calling it contrary to the spirit and goals of Bangladesh’s independence and the July Movement. In a statement issued on Saturday, TIB demanded that the government take strict measures to ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible for the assault.

The organization also urged Jamaat-e-Islami and other religion-based political parties to clarify their positions on the right to practice and coexist within Bangladesh’s diverse cultural and folk traditions. TIB’s Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman described the attack as part of a broader pattern of violence and conspiracy against Bangladesh’s pluralistic and tolerant heritage, warning that such actions threaten the country’s liberal cultural identity.

TIB further emphasized that the current BNP-led government, elected with broad public support, bears responsibility for protecting the nation’s multicultural and multireligious traditions. The group called for impartial investigations into this and previous similar incidents to ensure justice and prevent future attacks.

Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN), stated that despite changes in political power, Bangladesh’s governance system remains fundamentally unchanged and ordinary citizens see no real improvement in their lives. Speaking on Saturday at a discussion titled “Structural Reform of the State” at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium, he warned that without structural reform following the July revolution, fascism could return.

He criticized the ruling class for showing reluctance to alter the long-standing state structure and emphasized that genuine improvement in people’s lives requires fundamental reform. Majumdar also argued that the constitution is often misused to resist reform, noting that the recent election and government formation were inconsistent with constitutional provisions. He stressed that the people’s referendum mandate must be fully implemented.

Majumdar further warned that delaying local government elections or running them through administrators would violate the constitution. Expressing frustration over the shrinking prospects for reform, he called on civil society to take an active role and expressed solidarity with the aspirations of the July movement.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, saying the country will face a 'very bad time' if a peace agreement is not reached soon. He made the remarks in an interview with French broadcaster BFM TV, emphasizing that reaching a deal would be in both Washington’s and Tehran’s interests.

According to the report, while Tehran confirmed receiving new negotiation messages from the Trump administration, it expressed deep mistrust about Washington’s intentions. Amid this diplomatic deadlock, U.S. media outlets have reported that Trump could consider a major military operation to break the stalemate, with his top advisers already preparing a framework for renewed military action.

The New York Times reported that Trump might take a significant decision on the Iran crisis at any time. The report also recalled that the United States had previously carried out two military strikes on Iran during earlier nuclear program negotiations.

A woman named Chhoyeda Begum, aged 45, was killed in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Saturday night while trying to save her son during a violent clash. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. when she was seriously injured amid the confrontation and later declared dead at the Upazila Health Complex. She was a resident of Rajapalong Union and the wife of Shabbir Ahmed.

According to local sources, the clash erupted between two groups over the writing of the slogan ‘Joy Bangla’ on the wall of Taipalong Madrasa. During the chaos, Chhoyeda Begum intervened to protect her son and was fatally injured. Police later arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.

Ukhiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Mujibur Rahman confirmed that the woman’s body was sent to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue and said legal action would be taken against those involved.

A protest march and rally were held in Pirojpur on Saturday afternoon condemning the reported killings, persecution, and attacks on mosques and homes of Muslims in India. The demonstration was organized by the District Imam Parishad and concluded at the Central Mosque intersection, where a protest gathering took place.

Speakers at the rally stated that Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance, and humanity, and that Muslims cannot support injustice. They described the ongoing violence and persecution of Muslims by extremist Hindu groups in India, allegedly backed by Prime Minister Modi’s supporters, as a severe violation of human rights. The speakers demanded an immediate end to the killings, mosque demolitions, and arson attacks on Muslim homes.

The event was presided over by Maulana Rafiqul Islam, president of the Imam Parishad, and attended by several local religious leaders who reiterated concerns over the insecurity faced by Muslims in India due to communal politics.

A mob attacked an arrested suspect, Lion Niloy Parvez, inside Bakerganj police station in Barishal on Saturday night. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. in front of police officers. According to reports, Niloy Parvez had posted photos and videos on Facebook allegedly mocking Member of Parliament Abul Hossain Khan. Following this, a case was filed under the Cyber Security Act at the Barishal Cyber Tribunal by Md. Faruk Mridha, president of the BNP’s Padrishibpur Union unit.

Police arrested Niloy Parvez earlier that day from the Vatara area in Dhaka and brought him to Bakerganj police station. Upon his arrival, an agitated crowd, including activists from Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal, attacked him. Officer-in-Charge Adil Hossain stated that Niloy was arrested under a court order in a filed case, and that police intervened to control the situation and took him into protective custody.

The police have since restored order at the station, and Niloy Parvez remains under security supervision.

Police detained Wahidul Alam, the younger brother of Chattogram city Chhatra Dal convener Saiful Islam, from the Nimtala area under Chattogram Port Police Station on charges of extortion. The arrest took place around 1 a.m. on Saturday night, according to the report. Wahidul Alam is identified as the son of Harun Sawdagar, also known as Commissioner Harun.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Port Zone) Md. Mazharul Islam confirmed the detention, stating that the police treat all extortion suspects equally regardless of political affiliation. He added that Wahidul Alam was detained based on extortion allegations and would be formally shown arrested once a case is filed by the victim in the morning.

Attempts to contact Chhatra Dal convener Saiful Islam for comment were unsuccessful, as repeated phone calls and text messages went unanswered.

Police in Feni recovered the hanging body of Jannatul Mawa, 22, wife of a Saudi expatriate, from Krishno Bhuiyan’s house in Ilashpur village on Saturday afternoon. Her family alleged that the death was a planned murder. Jannatul was the daughter of Abdus Sattar from Amtali area under Feni Sadar upazila.

According to police and family sources, Jannatul married expatriate Hridoy Bhuiyan two years ago. Recently, she had an argument with her in-laws over a trivial matter. Her father said he found her room locked and saw her hanging through the window. She was taken to Feni General Hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Officer-in-Charge Gazi Muhammad Fojul Azim of Feni Model Police Station said the body has been kept at Feni General Hospital morgue. The cause of death will be determined after receiving the report.

A Bangladeshi expatriate named Rakibul Hasan Ripon, aged 31, died in Singapore after being crushed by a collapsing wall on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred while he was working at a building site. Ripon was the son of Shamsul Haque from Satkura village in Kaliakoir upazila of Gazipur district.

According to local sources, the accident happened suddenly during work, and Ripon died on the spot. News of his death reached his home village, where family members broke down in grief. He is survived by a four-year-old daughter.

Family members said preparations are underway to bring his body back to Bangladesh within three to four days.

Police in Chakaria upazila of Cox’s Bazar arrested 11 individuals, including convicts and warrant-holders, during a special operation conducted over the past 24 hours. Multiple police teams carried out raids in different areas of the upazila, and the detainees were handed over to the court on Saturday afternoon. The information was confirmed through a police press release.

According to police sources, the operation was part of an ongoing effort to maintain law and order and curb criminal activities in the region. Those arrested include individuals involved in regular cases, various criminal groups, and vagrants. The arrested persons were identified as GM Murshed Sarwar, Abdul Mannan, Mohammad Ayub, Syed Riazul Rashid, Abul Kalam, Md Abdul Kader alias Monu, Jafar Alam, Jamir Uddin, Md Alamgir, Md Shah Alam, and Kofil Uddin.

Chakaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Monir Hossain stated that the special operation to bring offenders under the law will continue, and the detainees were presented before the court following due legal procedures.

Street vendors in Sidstore Bazar of Valuka upazila, Mymensingh, obstructed an eviction drive on the Mymensingh-Dhaka highway around 8 p.m. on May 17, 2026. The operation, led by Valuka Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Firoz Hossain, aimed to remove illegal structures from the area. Tension arose between the administration and vendors when the latter demanded rehabilitation before eviction. In protest, the vendors blocked the highway and set tires on fire, halting traffic for about an hour.

According to local sources, the situation escalated as heavy congestion built up on both sides of the road, causing severe inconvenience to travelers. When the situation went out of control, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer suspended the operation and left the scene. Valuka Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahidul Islam later stated that the situation was brought under control through discussions with locals, and normal traffic resumed after about an hour.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding eviction drives in commercial areas where informal vendors demand prior rehabilitation before displacement.

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has called on citizens to become self-reliant by engaging in productive activities rather than depending solely on government assistance or family cards. He made the remarks on Saturday at the second phase of the family card distribution ceremony held at the Jaintapur Upazila auditorium, presided over by District Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam. A total of 465 women from Nijpat Union received family cards during the event, which was also connected online to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s family card distribution program in Chandpur.

The minister emphasized the importance of agricultural work, poultry farming, and cattle rearing to improve living standards and stated that the government is taking various initiatives to develop skilled manpower. He also announced that a special expatriate card distribution program will begin within two months to help expatriates access government services more easily.

Earlier in the day, the minister inaugurated a flood shelter construction project at Towakul College and launched canal re-excavation work from Piyain Natar Khal Isti Bridge to Sakerpokar Khal in Gowainghat Upazila.

In Mexico, large-scale teacher protests have raised concerns just weeks before the start of the football World Cup in early June. On Friday, thousands of public school teachers marched through Mexico City demanding higher wages. Organized by the National Education Workers union, around 3,000 members took to the streets, attempting to reach the Education Ministry before being blocked by police. Protesters warned that if their demands are not met, they will launch a nationwide movement from June 11, potentially disrupting the tournament.

The unrest stems from internal divisions within the teachers’ union. While union leaders and the government agreed on a 9 percent pay increase, a major faction rejected the deal and demanded a 100 percent raise instead. Currently, a public school teacher in Mexico earns about 967 dollars per month. Demonstrators criticized the government’s focus on World Cup spending over education, with banners highlighting the issue.

As Mexico co-hosts the World Cup with the United States and Canada, the threat of mass protests has alarmed authorities, given teachers’ history of paralyzing Mexico City during previous movements.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported that Israeli attacks since March have killed 2,969 people and injured 9,112 others across the country. The latest update, released on Saturday, covers incidents from March 2 to May 16, during which continuous strikes targeted multiple areas.

According to the report, Israeli bombardments have hit border regions and residential zones, intensifying Lebanon’s humanitarian crisis. Local health officials warned that the death toll could rise further as many of the injured remain in critical condition.

Despite repeated calls from the international community to end the ongoing conflict, the situation has shown little improvement, the report noted.

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon’s Haboush city killed a married couple, according to the country’s National News Agency (NNA). The attack occurred in the Al-Saha area, where Israeli warplanes targeted a residential house, completely destroying it. The victims were identified as Mohammad Hassan Jammoul and his wife, Sakina Mohammad Abbas Makki.

Following the strike, panic spread across the area as residents rushed to rescue people trapped under the debris. Local efforts to recover victims continued, but no further details on casualties or damage were immediately available. The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

Authorities have not yet released additional information about the scale of the attack or potential follow-up actions in the region.