Amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump appears to be softening his earlier hardline stance. Initially, he had insisted that only Iran’s unconditional surrender would be acceptable, but analysts now observe signs of flexibility in his position. The shift comes as the standoff and blockade in the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted global oil markets, driving up prices and creating economic pressure within the United States.

Although Trump has repeatedly claimed that the U.S. is largely energy independent, rising international oil prices are reportedly affecting the American stock market and broader economy. Diplomatic circles are also discussing the possibility that the U.S. might release some of Iran’s frozen assets as part of a potential settlement. Such a move could be politically uncomfortable for Trump, given his past criticism of the Obama administration’s decision to return Iranian funds during the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Analysts suggest that any similar step now could appear contradictory to Trump’s earlier political stance, adding complexity to his administration’s approach toward Iran.

Armed assailants attacked a businessman’s residence in Masdair, Fatullah, Narayanganj, early Saturday night after failing to extort 1 million taka. The attackers injured three people, including the businessman’s driver, by hacking them with local weapons and detonated crude bombs that damaged the main gate and walls of the house.

Police from Fatullah Model Station responded to the scene, but the attackers exploded more crude bombs targeting the officers before fleeing. Later, police and a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-11) team detained Antora Khatun, wife of suspect Sabbir, and recovered yaba tablets from her home. The injured were rescued by locals and police and admitted to Narayanganj 300-bed hospital.

A case was filed by injured driver Sharif, naming Sabbir alias Chashma Sabbir, Hridoy alias Chokh Hridoy, Jahin, and Selim Kasai as accused. Law enforcement agencies have launched an operation to apprehend the remaining suspects.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud announced that new oil and gas fields could be discovered in the country’s maritime areas through ongoing exploration efforts. He made the statement at a press conference organized by the ministry on the occasion of launching the Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round 2026. The minister said the government would sign agreements that protect national interests while encouraging foreign investment.

He recalled that the first successful bidding round was held in 1993 under Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, leading to major discoveries such as the Bibiyana and Sangu gas fields. The current government aims to build on that legacy by strengthening the capacity of state-owned Bapex and inviting foreign companies to explore offshore resources. The new Offshore Model PSC 2026 includes international-standard, investor-friendly provisions such as third-party gas sales, export options, and tariff arrangements for pipeline investments.

Under the 2026 bidding round, 26 offshore blocks—11 shallow sea and 15 deep sea—are open for bids. Officials expressed hope that the new incentives will attract strong international participation and enhance Bangladesh’s energy security.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) recovered the skeletons of a woman and her young son from a pond in Joyag village of Sonaimuri upazila, Noakhali, on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The remains were found two years after the pair were allegedly killed over a family property dispute. Three suspects—the woman’s two stepsons and a grandson—were arrested in connection with the case.

According to CID sources, the victims, Komola Begum, aged 32, and her nine-year-old son Noman, were murdered in January 2024 by Komola’s stepsons Raju and Sagar, and her grandson Tipu. Their bodies were buried in the pond during the dry season to conceal the crime. The recovery was made using an excavator based on information provided by the arrested suspects.

Additional Special Police Superintendent and Noakhali CID in-charge Md. Raisul Islam confirmed that a court case was initially filed, followed by a General Register (GR) case at Sonaimuri Police Station. Local residents reportedly demanded the death penalty for the accused.

Rescue teams in southern Lebanon’s Tyre district recovered three bodies from the rubble after an Israeli airstrike hit a residential building in the town of Srifa on Monday morning local time. The attack targeted a house, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA), which reported that emergency workers began rescue operations immediately after the strike.

The identities of the deceased have not yet been released, and it remains unclear whether others were injured in the incident. The report did not provide further details about the extent of the damage or the reason for the strike.

Recent weeks have seen an increase in Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, particularly in border areas, heightening tension and fear among local residents, according to the source.

Leonardo AI has introduced a new 3D object generation capability within its platform, enabling creators to transform 2D concept images into production-ready 3D models without leaving the environment. The process allows users to generate an initial image, produce multiple reference views through the 3D Reference View Creator blueprint, and export the resulting models as .glb files suitable for rigging, game engines, and 3D printing.

The new feature supports both quad and triangle mesh types, along with PBR and shaded materials, expanding its flexibility for various creative workflows. Leonardo AI highlights that the integration is designed to streamline asset creation for independent game developers, e-commerce visualization projects, and physical fabrication tasks.

By embedding 3D generation directly into its existing tools, Leonardo AI aims to simplify the transition from concept art to usable 3D assets, potentially reducing production time and tool-switching for digital creators.

Hasnat Abdullah, Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4 and leader of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that misuse of power never lasts. In a Facebook post on Sunday, he said that an old political culture of suppressing dissent, protecting attackers, and filing cases against victims is returning. He also alleged that courts are gradually being turned into tools for partisan advantage.

Abdullah mentioned that Tariq Reza was recently arrested in Jhenaidah, while those accused of attacking Nasiruddin Patwari and Tariq Reza are out on bail. He added that Ayon Rahman was taken by the Detective Branch last night but has not yet been presented in court. He warned that oppression accumulates like a mountain and eventually turns back on those who think they control everything.

The post reflects Abdullah’s criticism of current political and judicial practices, emphasizing that abuse of authority cannot sustain itself indefinitely.

BNP leaders in Bogarchar Union of Bakshiganj upazila, Jamalpur, have returned 4,024 Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) cards following public controversy. The cards were handed back to acting union chairman Sohel Rana Palash on Thursday after a video circulated on social media showing BNP activists receiving the cards, sparking widespread criticism. Local sources confirmed the return took place at the union council office.

BNP leaders, including acting union president Belayet Hossain Bulal and upazila general secretary Zahidul Islam Prince, denied that any party members had accepted the cards, stating that they left the cards with the chairman as there was no party directive. Acting chairman Sohel Rana Palash declined to comment despite multiple attempts to reach him.

Bakshiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Murad Hossain said the cards were retrieved from BNP leaders and would be redistributed to legitimate beneficiaries under government rules. He added that any proven irregularities would result in strict legal action against those involved.

Coastal erosion driven by climate change and rising sea levels is steadily consuming homes, roads and railways across the United Kingdom. Experts warn that thousands of properties and key infrastructure could be lost within decades, yet no comprehensive national strategy has been developed to address the crisis. In South Devon, part of the Slapton Line road collapsed during winter storms, cutting off a vital link between Kingsbridge and Dartmouth. Local businesses report severe losses, while officials estimate reconstruction could cost £18 million.

Government data suggest at least 10,000 properties may be at risk over the next 80 years, with some estimates doubling that figure. Around six kilometres of railway and 114 miles of roads are also threatened. Authorities have adopted varying coastal management approaches—holding the line, managed realignment, or no active intervention—depending on location. Experimental projects worth £36 million, later expanded by £18 million, aim to help communities adapt, though compensation and insurance options remain limited.

Environmental officers note that some areas, such as parts of Yorkshire, are losing up to 4.5 metres of land annually, while others face growing “disaster tourism” as social media amplifies personal losses.

The Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) Executive Committee has launched its first-ever Debating Club to strengthen journalists’ reasoning, analytical abilities, and intellectual engagement. The inauguration ceremony took place on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of DRU, with State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, MP, attending as chief guest. He emphasized the importance of allowing open criticism of the government to correct mistakes and pledged sponsorship and support for DRU’s initiatives.

Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, attending as special guest, praised DRU’s unity and humanitarian role, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the Debating Club would foster logical thinking and responsible journalism, helping society move toward positive change. DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel highlighted the organization’s history of supporting democracy and professional development.

Speakers expressed hope that the new platform would enrich members’ analytical capacity and contemporary awareness, with cooperation from the government and related stakeholders ensuring its success.

Iran has begun portraying a potential war-ending agreement with the United States as a diplomatic and strategic victory. Iranian officials claim Tehran made no major concessions and that Washington was ultimately compelled to return to negotiations. A US official said both sides have reached a preliminary agreement in principle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and for Iran to dispose of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The deal awaits approval from President Donald Trump and Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

Key aspects of the agreement, including the future of Iran’s nuclear program, remain unresolved. Analysts note that Iran is seizing the opportunity to present itself as resilient under pressure from two nuclear powers. They also point out that the US and Israel have failed to achieve their main objectives, as Iran’s leadership and military structure remain intact, and the draft deal excludes restrictions on Iran’s missile program or allied militias.

Experts suggest the agreement’s long-term impact depends on whether it evolves beyond a ceasefire. Iran still faces severe economic and infrastructure challenges, but any easing of oil sanctions or asset releases could be framed domestically as a major political success.

A US official said that the United States and Iran have reached a policy-level understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement has not yet been formally signed and awaits final approval from President Donald Trump and Iran’s Supreme Leader. As part of the deal, Iran is expected to commit to removing its stock of highly enriched uranium, though the timeline and method for this process remain unclear.

The official added that the current agreement does not include any suspension of Iran’s missile stockpile or uranium enrichment program, issues that are expected to be discussed in future negotiations. Previously, the United States had sought a 20-year suspension of Iran’s nuclear program. Democratic Representative Ro Khanna expressed support for a short-term deal with Iran, saying that diplomatic talks could help avoid war and economic disruptions.

President Trump described the ongoing talks as orderly and constructive, suggesting that the US might ease its naval blockade on Iranian ports as part of the potential deal, though he emphasized that the blockade remains fully in force until an agreement is finalized.

A court in Bahrain has sentenced nine individuals to life imprisonment on charges of collaborating with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to Bahrain’s state news agency, two other defendants in the same case received three-year prison terms. The court found that the accused had cooperated with the IRGC to conduct hostile and terrorist activities against the country.

The report stated that the convicted individuals were involved in gathering information on key and sensitive installations and in financial transactions related to these activities. Authorities did not disclose the identities of the accused or details of the investigation.

Bahrain has long accused Iran of interfering in its internal security affairs, while Tehran has consistently denied such allegations, according to the report.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized five gold bars worth approximately Tk 12.13 million during an operation in Dugdugi village of Damurhuda upazila, Chuadanga, on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The operation, conducted by BGB-6 Chuadanga Battalion based on secret information, also led to the detention of one suspect and the seizure of a motorcycle.

According to a statement from Lieutenant Colonel Md Nazmul Hasan, Director of BGB-6, a patrol team took position in the Dugdugi Colonypara area. When a man on a motorcycle ignored their signal to stop and attempted to flee, BGB members chased and detained him. The detainee, identified as Md Bappi, 27, from Darshana’s Puraton Bazar area, was found carrying five gold bars weighing about 600 grams in total.

BGB reported that the suspect admitted to transporting the gold for smuggling into India. The recovered gold has been deposited at the Chuadanga Treasury Office, while the suspect and the seized motorcycle are being handed over to Damurhuda Police Station for further legal action.

At a press conference held at the National Press Club ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, public health experts and anti-tobacco advocates called for strict legal measures to curb illegal tobacco promotion and the growing lure of new nicotine products among youth. Organized by the anti-tobacco group MANAS, the event was chaired by its founder, Professor Dr. Arup Ratan Chowdhury, who highlighted that tobacco-related health and environmental damage in Bangladesh costs 870 billion taka, far exceeding the 410 billion taka in revenue.

Speakers including actress Rumana Rashid Ishita, public health expert Syed Mahbubul Alam, and Unico Hospital CEO Adra Kurien urged the government to ban e-cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine pouches, enforce tobacco control laws in entertainment media, and pass OTT regulations. They also recommended higher taxes on tobacco, awareness programs in schools, and withdrawal of government stakes from tobacco companies.

Participants warned that tobacco companies are using colors, flavors, and online media to attract youth, violating national laws. They emphasized that stronger enforcement and public awareness are essential to protect future generations from tobacco addiction.