The West Bengal government has made the singing of 'Vande Mataram' compulsory in all madrasas across the state. According to an order issued by the state's Madrasa Education Directorate, every recognized, government-aided, and unaided madrasa under the Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education Department must include the song in their morning assembly. This directive follows a similar order issued last week requiring all primary and secondary schools in the state to sing the same song before classes begin.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced online that the state government has made the singing of India's national song 'Vande Mataram' mandatory in all schools under the School Education Department. The move aligns with the central government's February decision granting 'Vande Mataram' equal status with the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana'.

The NDTV report noted that 'Vande Mataram' was a key slogan during India's independence movement and has recently re-emerged in political discussions ahead of the state assembly elections. Similar debates have also surfaced in Tamil Nadu and Kerala over the song's use in official ceremonies.

A video showing Israeli forces abusing detained activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla has sparked widespread global outrage. Despite the international condemnation, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has remained defiant, defending the actions of the Israeli forces. The footage, released by Ben-Gvir’s office, shows him waving the Israeli flag and mocking flotilla supporters as the national anthem plays, while activists are seen being violently restrained.

Governments around the world have criticized Israel for abducting the activists from international waters. However, Ben-Gvir justified the treatment of the detainees and criticized Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar for suggesting the video harmed Israel’s image. In a post on social media platform X, Ben-Gvir stated that Israel would no longer act weakly toward those supporting Hamas or terrorism.

Foreign Minister Sa’ar publicly rebuked Ben-Gvir, saying he does not represent Israel’s official stance. The incident has deepened divisions within Israel’s leadership and intensified international scrutiny of its actions at sea.

Seven members of the forest robber group known as 'Chhoto Suman Bahini', including its leader, surrendered to the Coast Guard in the Nandabala canal area of the Sundarbans under Mongla upazila of Bagerhat. The surrender took place on the night of May 17, 2026, and was confirmed by Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan during a press briefing on May 21. The surrendered individuals were identified as Suman Hawlader, Robiul Mallik, Rafik Sheikh, Siddiq Hawlader, Golam Mallik, Ismail Khan, and Mahfuz Mallik.

According to the Coast Guard, three single-barrel guns, two pipe guns, 25 rounds of live cartridges, and three blank cartridges were seized from the group. The operation was part of ongoing security drives titled 'Operation Restore Peace in Sundarban' and 'Operation Mangrove Shield', aimed at ensuring safety in the forest region. Since February 12, 2026, these operations have recovered 26 firearms, various ammunition, and communication devices, while arresting 21 bandits and rescuing 20 fishermen and forest workers.

Coast Guard officials stated that intelligence and operational activities will continue until the Sundarbans are completely free of bandit groups.

The United States announced sanctions on Tuesday against four activists involved in flotilla missions attempting to break Israel’s 19-year blockade of Gaza. The US Treasury Department accused the organisers of supporting Hamas but did not publicly provide evidence. The sanctions target members of the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) and Samidoun, including Mohammed Khatib, Jaldia Abubakra, Saif Abu Keshek, and Hisham Abu Mahfouz. The measures freeze any US-based assets and prohibit Americans from conducting business with them, potentially restricting their access to global financial systems.

Activists and rights advocates condemned the sanctions as an effort to criminalise humanitarian solidarity with Gaza. Organisers said the flotillas were peaceful missions to deliver aid and protest what they described as Israel’s collective punishment of Palestinians. They also reported that Israeli forces intercepted the latest flotilla in international waters, detaining hundreds of activists from more than 46 countries. Several governments, including Turkiye, Spain, and Brazil, criticised the interceptions, while UN officials warned of escalating risks to civilians at sea.

The sanctions come as Gaza faces severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel under Israel’s blockade, which has been in place since 2007. Activists vowed to continue their efforts through alternative strategies despite the restrictions.

Iran’s stock market resumed trading this week after being closed for nearly three months, with authorities implementing a controlled two-day reopening under restrictions. The Tehran Stock Exchange sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday allowed limited liquidity generation, though about 36 percent of listed companies, including major petrochemical and steel firms, remained offline to protect shareholders from the effects of the United States-Israel war. Trading hours were extended by one hour each day, and price movements were capped at three percent to prevent volatility.

Officials said the reopening aimed to stabilize investor confidence, but deep economic challenges persisted. Economist Mehdi Haghbaali noted that security concerns prevented companies from disclosing full damage assessments, while smaller brokerage firms and leveraged traders faced difficulties. Inflation exceeded 70 percent in late April, and a sharp depreciation of the rial has made export-oriented firms appear more attractive. However, trade disruptions and rising prices continue to weigh on real value creation.

Authorities face limited fiscal options amid sanctions and a naval blockade of southern ports. Haghbaali suggested that renewed import restrictions or a potential peace agreement with the United States could reshape Iran’s economic outlook.

The United States has lifted sanctions imposed on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories. The decision was confirmed through information published on the U.S. Treasury Department’s website. The move came a week after a federal judge issued a temporary suspension of the sanctions.

In its observation, the court noted that the Trump administration may have violated Albanese’s right to freedom of expression by punishing her for criticizing what she described as Israel’s ‘genocidal war’ in Gaza. Albanese has long been a vocal critic of Israeli military operations in Gaza and has expressed concern over the human rights situation of Palestinians in her reports and statements.

The lifting of sanctions marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over freedom of expression and accountability in international human rights advocacy.

The United States is increasing its energy exports to India as the South Asian nation seeks to diversify its energy supply sources. U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said in an interview with Bloomberg News that India has shown a positive attitude toward diversification, which translates into greater purchases of American energy. He added that Washington is pleased with India’s growing interest in buying from the United States.

The ambassador’s remarks come just days before U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s scheduled visit to India. The trip is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in energy, regional security, and trade relations between the two countries.

The timing of the statement suggests that energy collaboration will be a key agenda item during Rubio’s visit, potentially deepening bilateral economic and strategic ties.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced the implementation of India’s 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the state. The declaration came after a meeting with Border Security Force (BSF) officials at Nabanna on Wednesday. According to the announcement, anyone entering India after December 31, 2024, will be considered an illegal immigrant. Such individuals will first be detained by West Bengal Police, handed over to the BSF, and then transferred to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

Adhikari stated that the move follows central government directives that the previous state administration had not enforced. He explained that the CAA provides citizenship benefits to certain religious groups but excludes those entering after the specified cutoff date. The Chief Minister also said that identified illegal entrants would be arrested and handed to the BSF.

Additionally, the West Bengal government has initiated the process of transferring land over a 27-kilometer area to strengthen border security, according to Adhikari.

Alauddin Mohammad, Joint Member Secretary of the National Citizens Party and Executive Director of the Institute for Policy, Governance and Development, stated that youth discontent is increasing across South Asia. Speaking on Wednesday at a discussion organized by the Policy Lab of Kathmandu University’s School of Management, he said young people are expressing their demands and expectations through various social movements and protests.

The event, titled “Recent Uprisings in South Asia: Context of Economic Growth and Governance,” featured active participation from students, researchers, and faculty members. It was chaired by Dr. Lal Bahadur Pun, Senior Research Fellow and Assistant Professor, with Dr. Ram Narayan Shrestha attending as chief guest. Mohammad noted that while economic growth has been achieved in several South Asian countries, its benefits are not being distributed evenly, and governance weaknesses, corruption, and nepotism are undermining state institutions.

Speakers at the discussion emphasized the need for good governance, transparency, accountability, and inclusive development frameworks, as well as strengthening national unity to address long-term social and institutional challenges.

A Dhaka University non-residential student transport bus named ‘Kinchit’ was involved in another accident in the Moghbazar area of the capital on Wednesday, May 20, around 3:30 p.m. Several students were injured when the bus hit the Moghbazar flyover, damaging the upper front portion. Witnesses reported that one or two injured students received primary treatment at a nearby pharmacy.

Eyewitness Helal Uddin Rafid shared details of the incident on social media, confirming that the accident occurred during the 3:20 p.m. trip. Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) transport secretary Asif Abdullah said the accident occurred despite having an experienced driver on the route, suggesting negligence. He added that the bus committee and the driver had been contacted, and a request was made to the BRTC authorities to instruct all drivers to be more cautious.

Earlier in mid-April, another Dhaka University student bus met with an accident near the BFDC area of Tejgaon, injuring five to six students. Following consecutive incidents, students have expressed concern and demanded stronger safety measures for the university’s transport system.

A recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) report has claimed that the United States has lost or sustained damage to at least 42 military aircraft in its ongoing conflict with Iran. The list includes fighter jets, drones, and support aircraft such as four F-15E Strike Eagles, one F-35A Lightning II, one A-10 Thunderbolt II, seven KC-135 Stratotanker refueling planes, one E-3 Sentry AWACS, two MC-130J Commando II, one HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter, 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones, and one MQ-4C Triton drone.

According to the report, the Pentagon has not yet released a full accounting of the losses. CRS stated that its findings were based on analysis of various news reports and statements from the US Department of Defense and CENTCOM. Jules Hurst III, the Pentagon’s top financial officer, said the cost of the Iran-related military operations has reached about $29 billion, largely due to updated estimates for equipment repair and replacement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shared the CRS report on social media, asserting that Iran has learned important lessons from US and Israeli operations and warning of stronger resistance if future conflicts occur.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump postponed a planned military strike on Iran after receiving warnings that launching an attack during the Hajj season could severely damage Washington’s image in the Muslim world, according to a report by Middle East Eye. Two senior Gulf officials reportedly cautioned the Trump administration that such an operation could trigger a major crisis in the region, potentially trapping hundreds of thousands of pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. A senior U.S. official confirmed that discussions took place and that Trump was warned about possible reputational harm.

The report notes that the Hajj, scheduled to begin on May 24 and last six days, draws around one million foreign pilgrims annually. An attack during this period could have disrupted air travel across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, particularly affecting passengers from South and East Asia. Trump later stated that he delayed the strike at the request of Gulf leaders, including those of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Unnamed officials suggested that hostilities might resume after the Hajj. The report also highlights ongoing regional tensions following earlier U.S. and Israeli strikes and Iran’s retaliatory actions against American interests in the Gulf.

Beijing hosted U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in close succession, welcoming both with similar pomp and ceremony. Despite the matching grandeur, China’s approach carried subtle distinctions. Trump was greeted by China’s vice president, a largely ceremonial figure, while Putin was received by a senior Communist Party Politburo member, signaling that Beijing views Moscow as a closer partner in an emerging non-Western order.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed comparisons, but Russian state media framed Putin as a “trusted ally” and Trump as an “uncertain partner.” While Trump’s visit produced few tangible results on trade or technology issues, Putin’s trip held deeper strategic weight amid Russia’s economic strain and Western sanctions. Discussions included the long-delayed Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline, though no concrete timeline was announced.

Analysts cited in the report said Chinese President Xi Jinping gained the most diplomatically, portraying himself as a global power broker by hosting both leaders within the same month. However, neither visit yielded progress on major conflicts such as the war in Ukraine or Middle East tensions.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained eleven Bangladeshi nationals, including women and children, while they were attempting to cross into India illegally through the Baghdanga border in Maheshpur upazila of Jhenaidah district. The arrests took place on Wednesday night, May 20, 2026, according to a press release issued by BGB later that evening.

The statement said that a patrol team from Baghdanga Border Outpost under the 58th Battalion of BGB conducted the operation around 8:30 p.m. Among those detained were five women, two men, and four children, all residents of different districts in Bangladesh. In a separate anti-narcotics operation in the Nimtala and Madhabkhali border areas, BGB recovered 81 bottles of Indian-made cough syrup without any suspects.

BGB confirmed that the detained individuals were later handed over to Maheshpur Police Station for further legal action.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned on Wednesday that any renewed attacks by the United States or Israel against Iran would cause the ongoing conflict to spread beyond the Middle East. The statement, published on the IRGC’s Sepah News website and reported from Tehran by AFP, declared that further aggression would trigger destructive retaliation capable of crushing the attackers.

The warning followed US President Donald Trump’s threat to strike Iran again within days if no lasting agreement is reached. Both sides have exchanged proposals to end the fighting while simultaneously escalating threats. The war began on February 28, with a ceasefire taking effect on April 8. During the roughly 40-day conflict, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior leaders were killed, prompting Tehran to launch missile and drone strikes across the region.

Trump said on Tuesday that new attacks could begin soon if talks fail, adding that Gulf Arab leaders had previously urged him to hold back from immediate action.