US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that negotiations on a deal with Iran have stalled due to disagreements over specific wording. Speaking to reporters in Jaipur, India, on Tuesday, he said that the issue revolves around a single word or sentence and that resolving it could take several more days. Rubio added that discussions were ongoing in Qatar and that both sides were working through details of the preliminary document.

Addressing recent US strikes near Iran’s naval and missile launch sites close to the Strait of Hormuz, Rubio emphasized that the waterway must remain open under any circumstances. Iranian officials have not yet commented on the strikes, but Iranian state media described them as a violation of the current ceasefire agreement. Previous exchanges of fire between US and Iranian forces have also occurred during the ceasefire.

The stalled negotiations and renewed tensions highlight the fragility of the ongoing diplomatic process between Washington and Tehran, with both sides seeking to maintain influence in the region.

Pakistan has declined former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated in an interview with Samaa TV that Islamabad should not become part of any agreement that contradicts its fundamental principles. He emphasized that Pakistan’s position on the matter is clear and that normalization with Israel is unacceptable.

Trump had earlier urged more countries to join the Abraham Accords as part of a broader peace initiative involving Iran. In a post on Truth Social, he called on all nations to sign the accords immediately, describing it as an opportunity to form a unique global alliance. He listed several countries he had spoken with about ending the war with Iran, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain.

Trump suggested that Saudi Arabia and Qatar should be the first to sign, encouraging others to follow their lead.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized 1,234 bottles of Indian liquor and a covered van from the Chhoto Gajni border area in Jhenaigati upazila of Sherpur. The operation was conducted on Monday by the Mymensingh Battalion (39 BGB), which valued the seized goods at approximately 3.051 million taka.

According to BGB sources, smugglers attempted to bring the liquor into Bangladesh through the Tawakucha area. When BGB personnel approached, the smugglers abandoned the van and fled the scene. No arrests were made during the operation.

Lieutenant Colonel Nurul Alam Bayezid, commanding officer of the 39 BGB Battalion, stated that the force is maintaining strict measures to prevent drug trafficking, smuggling, and illegal border crossings along the frontier.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that certain bank branches will remain open on May 26, 2026, despite the start of a seven-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday. The decision aims to facilitate financial transactions related to the ready-made garment industry and sacrificial cattle markets. Branches near cattle markets in major city corporations, including Dhaka, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Valuka, Narayanganj, and Chattogram, will operate with limited services from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with customer transactions allowed until 1 p.m.

The central bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department emphasized the need to ensure smooth financial services for cattle buyers and traders through nearby branches and temporary booths. The Bangladesh Automated Clearing House (BACH) and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) systems will follow revised schedules, while BEFTN sessions will continue as usual. High-value and regular check clearing times have also been adjusted for the day.

Additionally, branches located in port and customs areas will continue operating 24 hours a day throughout the week, excluding Eid day, to support import and export activities. Bank staff on duty during the holidays will receive additional allowances as per regulations.

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Muslim-majority countries to normalize relations with Israel as part of a proposed peace agreement with Iran. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Monday, Trump said he had spoken with several national leaders on Saturday about efforts to end the war with Iran. He urged all countries to immediately sign the Abraham Accords, describing it as an honor for the United States if Iran reached a deal with him.

Trump listed Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain as the countries involved in his discussions, noting that the UAE and Bahrain are already members of the accords. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia and Qatar should take the lead by signing first, encouraging others to follow.

The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020 during Trump’s presidency, established diplomatic normalization between Israel and several Arab nations, including the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, played a key role in facilitating the agreements.

Two motorcyclists were killed in a road accident early Tuesday morning at Saheb Bari Bus Stand area on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway in Madhabpur, Habiganj. The victims were identified as Abul Bashar, 35, from Rupganj in Narayanganj, and Ashiq Ahmed, 25, from Khilkhet in Dhaka. They were reportedly traveling from Dhaka to Sylhet when the accident occurred.

According to local police, the two friends were on a motorcycle trip when they met with the accident near Saheb Bari Gate in Madhabpur. The exact cause of the crash remains unknown, as neither the families nor the police have confirmed how it happened. Highway police recovered the bodies and handed them over to the families after completing legal formalities.

Authorities said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.

Four members of a Thailand-based online casino gambling network were arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Syedpur, Nilphamari. The arrests took place on Sunday night during a raid in Khatamadhupur area, where gambling equipment was also seized. Among those detained are three brothers—Saiful Islam, Sohel Rana, and Hasinur Rahman—and another suspect, Ripon Roy. Authorities recovered ten mobile phones, a computer, and 141,000 taka in cash from their possession.

According to RAB Nilphamari Camp Commander Md. Ashraful Kabir, the group had been operating illegal gambling activities through online casino platforms. They used mobile financial services such as Nagad, bKash, and Upay to conduct transactions with clients. Investigators confirmed their involvement and financial dealings with the Thailand-based network.

Syedpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Rezaul Karim stated that the four detainees were sent to jail through the court following their arrest.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has completed all preparations for the main Eid congregation at the National Eidgah grounds in the capital. The event will be attended by President Md. Shahabuddin, Prime Minister Tareq Rahman, cabinet members, judges, senior officials, and foreign diplomats. DSCC Administrator Md. Abdus Salam said on Monday, May 25, that extensive arrangements have been made to ensure a disciplined and comfortable prayer experience with modern facilities, security, and separate sections for men and women.

The Eidgah covers about 30,000 square meters, including a 25,400-square-meter prayer pavilion accommodating around 35,000 worshippers in 121 rows. Special arrangements have been made for 250 VIP men and 80 VIP women, while separate spaces are designated for 31,000 general male and 3,500 female worshippers. Four entry gates and seven exit gates have been set up, along with ablution facilities for 140 people, air conditioning, fans, lighting, safe drinking water, carpets, and prayer mats.

Fire safety, medical services, mobile toilets, and rain protection measures have also been arranged. Organizers said all preparations are complete to ensure a safe, comfortable, and spiritually solemn environment for the Eid prayers.

As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, Bangladesh witnesses widespread cruelty in the transport and slaughter of sacrificial animals despite having clear animal welfare laws. Cattle, buffalo, and goats are often packed tightly into trucks, deprived of food and water, and subjected to harsh handling during long journeys to urban markets. The 2019 Animal Welfare Act and the 2021 Meat Quality Control Regulations mandate humane transport conditions, including adequate space, rest, and prohibition of mixed-species transport, but enforcement remains weak.

Experts note that violations of these laws are rampant, with overloading, tied limbs, and neglect of animal health common across highways and markets. Such practices not only breach legal and religious obligations but also pose risks to public health and food safety. The law prescribes up to six months’ imprisonment or fines for cruelty, yet field-level implementation is minimal.

Veterinary experts and academics urge stronger monitoring, mobile courts, and public awareness campaigns through media, schools, and mosques to promote humane treatment. They emphasize that compassion toward animals is both a legal and moral duty, essential for public health and social ethics.

Chattogram-10 Member of Parliament Saeed Al Noman has taken responsibility for two children, Anas and Ayesha, who were severely burned in a gas cylinder explosion in Halishahar. He visited them at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka to check on their condition and speak with doctors. The explosion occurred on February 23, killing their parents and seven other family members, leaving only their elderly grandmother alive.

Noman said all efforts would be made to ensure the children’s physical and mental recovery. He advised appointing a home tutor so they can continue their studies, with all educational expenses, including books, uniforms, and the tutor’s salary, to be covered on behalf of Prime Minister Tarek Rahman. He also pledged to install an air conditioner in their room and pay the monthly electricity bills to maintain a suitable temperature for their recovery.

The MP added that if further treatment is needed at Chattogram Medical College Hospital, special care will be arranged there as well. He emphasized his personal commitment to support the children until they can stand on their own.

Russia has warned of continued attacks on Ukraine’s defense facilities and urged foreign nationals to leave Kyiv. According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, upcoming strikes will target drone production centers and command sites in the Ukrainian capital. The warning follows a series of large-scale assaults that have intensified the conflict.

Ukraine condemned Moscow’s threat as “shameless blackmail” and called on its allies to increase pressure on Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a major Russian attack on Saturday night killed four people and injured nearly 100 others in Kyiv and surrounding areas. Moscow claimed the strikes were in retaliation for a Ukrainian attack on a student dormitory in Starobilsk on Friday, which reportedly killed 21 people.

In recent months, Ukraine has expanded its drone warfare capabilities, achieving notable success against Russian targets, particularly energy infrastructure. Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion four years ago, continues to claim control over four eastern Ukrainian regions.

A new study led by Professor Chengshan Wang of the China University of Geosciences has found that rivers originating from the Himalayas are rapidly altering their courses as a result of glacier melt and global warming. The research, published on May 14 in the journal Science, analyzed satellite images from 1980 to 2020 and conducted field observations across several river basins. The findings indicate that warming and glacial retreat are significantly affecting the flow patterns of major Himalayan rivers.

The study examined 1,582 kilometers of river channels and 1,079 river bends, revealing that between 1980 and 2020, the courses of Himalayan rivers changed 33 percent more than before, with unconfined bends showing up to 97 percent change. Researchers observed both cut-offs and avulsions, where rivers abandoned old paths for shorter or entirely new routes. The analysis also found that the rate of temperature increase in the Himalayas was double the global average, intensifying glacier melt and weakening frozen ground along riverbanks.

According to the study, these shifts could heighten the risks of flooding and erosion across the region, affecting millions who depend on these rivers for sustenance and livelihoods.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a message on the occasion of Hajj and Eid al-Adha, describing Israel as a cancerous tumor in the Middle East and pledging its removal. The statement was reported by Iran’s Tasnim news agency, which quoted Khamenei as calling Israel a dangerous and deadly tumor in the region. He declared that Israel must be overthrown and that it will be done.

Khamenei said Iran’s retaliatory actions have left the Zionist regime helpless and described Iran’s strong response as a “hard slap” to the United States. He also emphasized that this year’s Hajj season carries special significance in calling for the boycott of the United States and Israel. According to him, the main slogans of the Islamic Ummah should be “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”

The message underscores Iran’s continued hostility toward Israel and the United States, reflecting Tehran’s stance amid ongoing regional tensions.

An Israeli drone strike on the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza killed five people on May 26, 2026, according to doctors and residents. The attack occurred when a group of Israel-backed Palestinian militiamen attempted to launch an assault in an area east of the camp. As local residents came out of their homes, a missile was fired from an Israeli drone, resulting in multiple casualties.

Witnesses reported that several others were injured in the strike. The incident follows a rise in infiltration attempts by Israel-supported armed groups in recent weeks. Hamas has labeled these groups as 'Israeli collaborators,' while the militia leaders claim their goal is to bring down Hamas’s rule in Gaza.

The ongoing Israeli war, now lasting more than two years, has left the besieged Gaza Strip devastated, with over 72,500 Palestinians reported killed, according to the source.

Archaeologists have rediscovered the long-lost Egyptian port city of Heracleion beneath the waters of Abu Qir Bay, about 32 kilometers from Alexandria. The discovery was made in 2000 by a team from the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology, led by renowned archaeologist Franck Goddio, while searching for a sunken warship of Napoleon. Instead, they uncovered the remains of Heracleion, buried under sand for 1,200 years. The find included a fragment of a six-ton statue of the god Hapi, which first signaled the presence of the ancient city.

Over the next 13 years, the team excavated numerous artifacts from the site, including temple ruins dedicated to Egyptian gods Amun and Khonsu, more than 64 shipwrecks, 700 anchors, gold coins, copper weights, and golden vessels. They also recovered a statue of Cleopatra III modeled after the goddess Isis, as well as stone inscriptions in Greek and Egyptian and animal mummies offered to Amun. Despite centuries underwater, many relics remained remarkably intact.

Heracleion, also known by its Egyptian name Thonis, was once a major Mediterranean port before an earthquake caused it to sink into the sea.