Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has launched a large-scale campaign against companies violating labor laws. As part of the ongoing operation, more than 7,200 work visas have been canceled, and several government services for the offending firms have been temporarily suspended.

According to ministry data, nearly 250,000 inspections were carried out in the private sector during the first three months of 2026, uncovering about 168,000 labor law violations. Through digital monitoring and smart surveillance, authorities analyzed around 91,000 suspicious activities and confirmed 13,509 serious employment-related irregularities. The implicated companies were removed from the “Nitaqat” program, while affected workers were referred to the Human Resources Development Fund “Hadaf” for new legal employment opportunities. Around 230,000 warning notices were issued, and 3,522 recruitment offices were charged with rule violations.

The ministry also intensified online enforcement, shutting down 238 social media accounts promoting illegal domestic work services and conducting over 54,000 preemptive investigations to prevent human trafficking. It reported resolving about 97 percent of 15,563 citizen complaints received during the campaign.

A 25-year-old man named Enamul Haque died after being struck by lightning while fishing in the Maska Haor area of Kendua upazila, Netrakona. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026. Enamul, son of Bokul Mia from Maska village, was seriously injured when lightning struck during sudden rainfall. Locals and family members rescued him and took him to Kendua Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

According to hospital staff, Enamul had already died before reaching the hospital. Kendua Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mehedi Maksud confirmed the incident, stating that the death had been officially recorded and necessary legal procedures were underway.

The unexpected death cast a pall of grief over the local community. Residents and relatives expressed deep sorrow, and the atmosphere in the area became heavy with mourning.

Pakistan has been fined and penalized following its 104-run defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test of the series held in Mirpur. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the team bowled eight overs short of the required quota, resulting in a 40 percent fine on the players’ match fees and a deduction of eight points from the World Test Championship standings.

The on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough, Kumar Dharmasena, Alauddin Palekar, and Gazi Sohel reported the slow over rate. Match referee Jeff Crowe called for a hearing, but Pakistan captain Shan Masood accepted the charge, making the hearing unnecessary. The penalties were imposed under ICC Test Championship bylaw 16.11.2 and Code of Conduct clause 2.22, which specify one-point deduction and a five percent fine per over short.

The decision underscores ICC’s strict enforcement of over-rate regulations, directly affecting Pakistan’s standing in the ongoing Test Championship.

Global financial markets reacted negatively after the recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping failed to produce any concrete agreements. The discussions included vague talks on agricultural purchases and limited commitments from China on oil imports. Although there were hints about easing restrictions on microchip sales to China, no major trade deal was reached. Trump also confirmed that tariff issues were not discussed, and no firm decision was made on reopening the strategic Hormuz Strait.

Investor uncertainty increased following the inconclusive talks. On Friday morning, Dow Jones futures dropped more than 300 points, or about 0.6 percent, while S&P 500 futures fell 1 percent and Nasdaq futures declined 1.4 percent. Continued uncertainty around the Hormuz Strait pushed Brent crude oil prices up nearly 3 percent to above $108 per barrel.

Analysts said the lack of clear outcomes weakened investor confidence and heightened inflation concerns, prompting greater caution in global markets.

A political controversy erupted during Barcelona’s championship parade in May 2026 when young Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal was seen waving a Palestinian flag amid celebrations in the city. The event, attended by around 750,000 fans, followed Barcelona’s 2–0 victory over Real Madrid that secured their second consecutive La Liga title. Yamal’s gesture, alongside a playful jab at Real Madrid, drew international attention.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reacted sharply on social media, accusing Yamal of inciting hatred and arguing that displaying the Palestinian flag sent the wrong message while Israel was at war with Hamas. Katz referenced the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, alleging atrocities against Jewish civilians.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez swiftly defended Yamal, calling Katz’s remarks misguided and asserting that showing solidarity with Palestinians reflected the feelings of many Spaniards. Spain’s government has long criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza, and public sympathy for Palestinians remains strong across Spanish society and sports. Yamal’s act has since inspired widespread support online, with many praising his humanitarian stance.

Ahmad Abdul Kaiyum, Assistant Secretary General of Islami Andolon Bangladesh and president of its Dhaka South unit, has said that the persecution of Muslims in West Bengal reflects the extremism of Hindutva ideology. He made the remarks on Friday during the party’s regular monthly meeting at its Purana Paltan office in Dhaka. Kaiyum stated that Muslims worldwide practice their faith peacefully, but since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in West Bengal, Muslims there no longer feel safe in their homeland.

He alleged that after Narendra Modi assumed power, BJP leaders and activists have engaged in anti-Muslim actions, including denying Muslims the right to pray in mosques and turning places of worship into battlegrounds. Kaiyum called on the United Nations to take effective measures to stop what he described as inhumane acts by the BJP. He also urged Muslim world leaders to demand punishment for Modi and called for direct intervention by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to end the persecution of Muslims in India.

The meeting was conducted by city secretary Abdul Awal Majumdar and attended by several senior party officials.

U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed Iran’s latest proposal regarding its nuclear program, calling it unacceptable. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said the first sentence of Iran’s proposal could not be accepted, claiming Tehran had previously agreed to completely halt its nuclear activities but has now backtracked. He added that Iran had once agreed to abandon enriched uranium or nuclear dust but later reversed that decision, though he expressed hope that Tehran would eventually agree again.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the issue of uranium enrichment is not currently on the negotiation agenda, according to semi-official Tasnim News Agency, adding that it will be discussed in the next phase. Iran maintains that it does not seek to build nuclear weapons but continues to refuse relinquishing its stockpile of enriched uranium.

Trump also commented on the ongoing truce, saying it lasted about a month and was made possible by the effectiveness of U.S. blockades. Earlier on Friday, he hinted on social media that military operations against Iran could resume, suggesting renewed tensions despite the fragile ceasefire.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that Bangladesh is facing many problems along its borders and that new challenges are emerging. He expressed hope for divine assistance to confront these issues with courage. Rahman made the remarks on Friday afternoon while addressing a gathering of dignitaries in Rangpur.

During his speech, Rahman emphasized his party’s commitment to the country, saying that they love Bangladesh and wish to contribute to its betterment. He stated that they have not left the country because of their devotion to it and expressed belief that the nation will eventually change for the better. He also urged his followers to fulfill their responsibilities properly, suggesting that being in the opposition might be a divine test that they must overcome.

Earlier in the day, Rahman arrived in Rangpur for a one-day visit and received a guard of honor from the metropolitan police at the Circuit House.

After a long period of price stability, the Indian government has increased fuel prices nationwide. On Friday, authorities announced a hike of three rupees per liter for petrol and diesel, and two rupees per kilogram for CNG. The decision follows growing pressure on foreign exchange reserves, rising global crude oil prices, and a weakening rupee. In Delhi, petrol now costs 97.77 rupees per liter and diesel 90.67 rupees, while prices in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai have also risen accordingly.

India had avoided fuel price hikes since April 2022, even cutting prices by two rupees per liter before the March 2024 general elections. However, surging crude oil import costs—rising from about 69 dollars per barrel in February to over 113 dollars in recent months—have strained the economy. As the world’s third-largest oil importer, India spent about 174 billion dollars on crude oil imports in the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Economists warn that India’s current foreign exchange reserve of around 690 billion dollars may be insufficient to handle global uncertainty. Former RBI Deputy Governor Michael Debabrata Patra suggested reserves should reach at least one trillion dollars to ensure economic stability.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md. Abdus Salam said the corporation is working tirelessly to transform Dhaka into a livable, modern, clean, and green city. He emphasized that achieving this goal requires active participation and collective effort from the government, administration, political organizations, and city residents. Salam made these remarks on Friday afternoon while inaugurating a tree-planting program organized by Shahbagh Thana BNP near the Government Employees Hospital in the capital.

Highlighting cleanliness and mosquito control, the administrator stressed the importance of preventing dengue and chikungunya during the upcoming monsoon. He said DSCC is conducting special activities under a weekly cleaning day program across the city, but residents must also remain vigilant by keeping their homes and surroundings clean and ensuring no stagnant water accumulates.

Salam praised the BNP’s tree-planting initiative as a commendable effort that will contribute to greening Dhaka and making it more livable. The event began with the administrator planting a sapling at the site, attended by leaders of Shahbagh Thana BNP and affiliated organizations.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Member of Parliament Professor Mujibur Rahman stated that if the referendum verdict is implemented, no one will be able to become an autocrat again. Speaking as the chief guest at a Dhaka Metropolitan South Jamaat educational camp on Friday, he said those aspiring to authoritarian rule cannot accept the verdict. He warned the government that no administration opposing the people’s will has ever survived and urged respect for the referendum outcome.

Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, the main discussant at the event, said Jamaat has endured severe repression but earned a place in the people’s hearts. He claimed that before the February 12 election, citizens voted hoping to bring Jamaat to power, but election engineering and vote rigging deprived them of that outcome. He cautioned that such manipulation could recur and called on supporters to remain vigilant.

The event, held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers auditorium in Dhaka, was chaired by MP Nurul Islam Bulbul and attended by several central and city-level Jamaat leaders.

A protest rally and gathering were held in Singair, Manikganj, on Friday afternoon to denounce reported attacks, intimidation, and persecution of Muslims in West Bengal, India. The event took place at the Sahrail Central Eidgah field under the banner of the Sayesta Union Ulama Parishad and Tawhidi Janata. It was presided over by Mufti Sulaiman, with several local religious and political leaders addressing the crowd.

Speakers at the gathering described the incidents in West Bengal as clear violations of human rights and urged effective measures to stop communal violence and provocation. They emphasized that Bangladesh remains a country of communal harmony where people of all faiths coexist peacefully, and warned against any attempts to create religious division.

Participants also called on the international community to take effective action regarding the reported persecution of Muslims. The program concluded with a special prayer for peace, safety, and the freedom of the oppressed.

A protest rally and gathering were held in Khulna on Friday, May 15, 2026, condemning alleged persecution of Muslims in India’s West Bengal and the reported anti-Bangladesh remarks by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The event took place at Dakbangla Square under the initiative of the Khulna District Imam Parishad and later turned into a procession through several city streets. Speakers at the rally demanded that Adhikari publicly apologize to Muslims, warning that failure to do so would not make Muslims responsible for any resulting tensions.

The gathering, presided over by Maulana Golam Kibria, general secretary of the Khulna District Imam Parishad, featured several religious leaders including Maulana Abu Bakar Siddiq, Maulana Nur Said Jalali, Maulana Hekmat Ali, Sheikh Md Nasir Uddin, and Maulana Abdullah Al Mamun. They urged Bangladesh’s parliament to adopt a motion condemning Adhikari’s remarks and cautioned that government silence could be interpreted as support for anti-Muslim sentiment.

The protest procession ended near the Baitun Nur Mosque Complex adjacent to New Market after starting from Dakbangla intersection.

Five leaders and activists of the BNP’s student wing and Jamaat-e-Islami were injured in an attack following a banned Awami League flash procession in Brahmanbaria. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday night in the Suhilpur Bazar area of Sadar upazila. The injured include district Chhatra Dal joint convener Rahim Uddin, district Nabin Dal joint convener Javed, activists Jasim and Shahinul Islam Shahin, and district Jamaat publicity secretary and former Shibir president Md. Rokon Uddin.

According to local sources and party activists, Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League members organized a motorcycle flash procession in Suhilpur Union, allegedly attempting to create panic in the area. BNP and Jamaat activists followed them on motorcycles. When they reached Malihata Shantinagar in the neighboring Budhal Union, several attackers ambushed them, injuring five people who were later treated at Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital.

District Council Administrator and BNP General Secretary Sirajul Islam visited the injured at the hospital on Friday morning and claimed the attack was premeditated, demanding that those responsible be identified and brought to justice.

Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran has alleged that Muslims in West Bengal are facing systematic persecution under the guise of secularism in India. Speaking on Friday at the party’s Nayapaltan office in Dhaka, he claimed that after the recent elections, armed groups linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have carried out violent attacks, looting, and arson against Muslim communities with the support of the new Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. He also said that cow and buffalo slaughter had been banned in the state, targeting the Muslim community.

Dr. Iran stated that Muslims in various Indian states are facing threats to their civil rights, religious freedom, and security. He urged international human rights organizations to investigate incidents of minority persecution in West Bengal and other parts of India and to take effective action. The event was organized to mark the 30th death anniversary of Maulana Abdul Matin, the party’s founder.

During the event, Dr. Iran also recalled Maulana Matin’s political legacy, describing him as a strong voice against oppression and a key figure in Bangladesh’s nationalist movements.