Police have arrested Lion Niloy Parvez from Dhaka’s Vatara area for allegedly posting a series of offensive and defamatory Facebook posts about Abul Hossain Khan, the Member of Parliament for Barishal-6 (Bakerganj) and district BNP convener. The arrest took place on Saturday following a complaint that Niloy had repeatedly shared obscene and derogatory remarks, photos, and videos about the MP from his personal Facebook account.

According to police, the posts contained objectionable captions that spread widely across social media. In response, Padreeshibpur Union BNP president Faruk Mridha filed a case under the Cyber Security Act with the Barishal Cyber Tribunal, naming Niloy as the accused. The court accepted the case and directed Bakerganj police to take necessary action.

Bakerganj Police Officer-in-Charge Adil Hossain confirmed that the case was filed under court order and that Niloy was arrested as a named accused. He added that further details would be disclosed after completion of legal procedures.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 13 people were killed and 57 others injured in Israeli attacks over the past 24 hours. Among the dead was one person who succumbed to earlier injuries, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. The report was published on May 16, 2026.

The ministry stated that despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 11 of the previous year, violence and attacks have continued. Since then, a total of 870 people have been killed and 2,543 injured, while 771 bodies have been recovered from the rubble. Medical officials said many people remain trapped under debris or on roads, and rescue teams and ambulance workers are struggling to reach them due to various obstacles.

Additionally, one more Palestinian died in a building collapse, bringing the total number of such deaths to 30, according to the report.

Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Manhattan, New York, on Friday to mark the 78th anniversary of the Nakba. The demonstration was organized by a group called Within Our Lifetime. The event coincided with a new proposal introduced by U.S. Congress member Rashida Tlaib calling for recognition of Palestinian refugees’ rights.

Participants at the rally described the Nakba as a continuing tragedy comparable to the Holocaust and called for global recognition of its history. They demanded an end to what they termed genocide and occupation in Palestine, urging the return of displaced Palestinians and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Demonstrators expressed solidarity with Palestinians and vowed to continue their advocacy until freedom is achieved within their lifetime.

The Nakba Day commemorates events beginning on May 15, 1948, following Israel’s declaration of independence the previous day, when many Arabs were expelled or fled from the area. The day is marked annually by protests and heightened tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.

BNP Secretary General and Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the government will not enter into any agreement that undermines Bangladesh’s national interests. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a discussion organized by the BNP at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking Farakka Long March Day. He emphasized that the future of Bangladesh-India relations depends on the renewal of the Farakka Agreement and that the government will prioritize national interests in any such negotiations.

Mirza Fakhrul described the construction of the Padma Barrage as a historic decision and said that discussions and agreements on the Farakka issue must reflect the will of the Bangladeshi people. He also warned against attempts by certain groups to create instability and urged citizens to remain vigilant against conspiracies. BNP Standing Committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy expressed concern over water, environmental, and communal issues, alleging that communal tensions are rising and need control. He also accused the Chief Minister of West Bengal of inciting communalism while stressing that Bangladesh seeks friendly but independent relations with its neighbor.

The event was attended by senior BNP leaders including Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, and Sultan Salahuddin Tuku.

At least 25 people were injured when two passenger buses carrying garment workers collided head-on in Dhamrai, Dhaka, on Saturday morning. The accident occurred around 8 a.m. in front of the Incepta Pharmaceuticals factory on the Dhaka-Aricha highway in the Baribaria area. The collision caused severe damage to the front sections of both buses and led to a major traffic jam that lasted about two hours until the vehicles were removed from the road.

According to local sources, a Padma Paribahan bus traveling from Dhaka to Manikganj collided with a Swopno Paribahan bus coming from the opposite direction. Fire service units arrived quickly, rescuing the injured with help from locals and sending them to Manikganj Hospital and nearby clinics. Several of the injured were reported to be in critical condition. The Swopno Paribahan bus was carrying workers from Graphics Garments.

Fire Station Officer Al Amin Khan confirmed that the driver of the Swopno Paribahan bus, who was trapped in the wreckage, was rescued and sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.

A college lecturer has been arrested in Rangpur’s Kaunia upazila on charges of embezzlement and fraud involving a Hajj agency. Police detained Mohammad Ali Babu, a lecturer at Mirbag College and son of Abul Hossain from Gadadhar area, during a special operation on Friday night. Authorities confirmed that five arrest warrants had been issued against him, including two general register (GR) and three complaint register (CR) cases.

According to police sources, two of the cases accuse him of embezzling around 15 million taka, while the amounts in the other three cases remain undisclosed. All five cases involve allegations of fraud and misappropriation of funds through Hajj agency dealings. The operation was led by Kaunia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Shihab Uddin with support from the district detective branch.

After his arrest, police completed necessary legal procedures and sent the accused to court for further action.

Iran’s government plans to gradually lift online restrictions to ensure broader access to the global internet, according to Elias Hazrati, head of the country’s Information Council. He stated that the government’s policy is to expand internet use for citizens and to ease online controls over time.

Hazrati added that while external adversaries sought to force Iran into unconditional surrender, the Iranian people have shown willingness for dialogue without capitulation. He emphasized that in the post-war context, the government should adopt a broader perspective and enable wider citizen participation in governance.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that such remarks may signal a potential shift in Iran’s long-standing digital policy, though the pace and extent of any relaxation remain unclear.

On April 11, 2026, eight teachers and 163 children from Bihar traveling by Patna–Pune Express to a madrasa in Maharashtra were forcibly deboarded at Katni railway station in Madhya Pradesh. The Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Force acted on a written complaint from a Child Welfare Committee member alleging the children were being taken for labor. The minors were questioned and later returned home after verification with their families.

Families and madrasa authorities maintained the children were traveling for religious and general education, carrying all necessary documents. Local activists and lawyers argued that the incident reflected bias against Muslim communities and misuse of trafficking laws. Officials said the action was based on precautionary grounds to ensure child safety. Similar detentions of 59 minors bound for a madrasa in Odisha were also reported.

The case highlighted poverty and lack of residential madrasa facilities in Bihar’s border districts, prompting parents to send children to other states for free education and lodging. The incident has sparked debate over child protection procedures and the treatment of minority students during interstate travel.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government aims to rebuild the state and society by recognizing creative sectors, including film, as key forces for national development. He made the remarks on Saturday at the inauguration of the National Film Society Conference 2026 held at the Bangladesh Film Archive auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka. The event was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies and the Bangladesh Film Archive.

The minister emphasized that film and creative industries are vital soft powers of civilization and that artists, filmmakers, and creative professionals share responsibility for enriching them. He said the government intends to make policy decisions for the film industry based on stakeholder opinions and national consensus. Swapan noted that the newly formed Film Certification and Jury Boards have been welcomed across the sector, marking a positive shift from past controversies.

He added that a proposal has been sent to the Finance Ministry to increase film grants in the upcoming budget and that stricter measures will ensure timely completion of funded projects. The government also plans special initiatives to preserve and modernize single-screen cinemas.

Iran has reiterated that it will not relinquish control over the Strait of Hormuz and maintains that the waterway does not constitute international waters. According to Iranian authorities, the strait falls solely within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, and therefore should be managed exclusively by these two countries. Tehran has emphasized that its stance on this issue remains unchanged.

The report notes that two rounds of technical discussions have already taken place between Tehran and Muscat regarding the matter. However, Oman continues to recognize the Strait of Hormuz as an international maritime route, while Iran remains firm in its position that it is not. Iranian officials have also stated that even in the event of a peace agreement or settlement, control of the strait will remain in Iran’s hands.

The dispute has become a major source of tension among warring parties in the region, highlighting the strategic and political sensitivity surrounding the control of this vital maritime passage.

Iraq announced that it exported around 10 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz in April, according to Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed. The report highlights that despite recent war-related tensions and concerns over maritime security in the region, oil shipments through this vital route have continued without disruption.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy transport corridors. Analysts noted that even amid ongoing instability in the Middle East, the strait continues to serve as a stable and indispensable route for global energy supply. Iraq’s oil minister also indicated that the country is in discussions with OPEC to increase both production and exports.

The continued flow of oil through the strait suggests resilience in global energy logistics despite regional security challenges, reinforcing the strategic importance of this maritime passage for international trade.

In Feni, an accused named Saiful Islam confessed in court to killing Rina Akter, the wife of an expatriate, during a robbery attempt. The confession was recorded on Friday afternoon under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code before Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Morshed Mahmud Khan. Saiful, aged 29, was arrested in Chattogram’s Nasirabad area on Thursday after fleeing the scene and turning off his phone following the murder.

According to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), Saiful worked at the under-construction building owned by Rina’s husband, expatriate Mohammad Manik. In his statement, Saiful said he was under financial pressure after failing to repay an NGO loan. On May 12, when Rina visited the site, he tried to snatch her gold earrings, strangling her in the process and burying the body under sand inside the building. He later sold the earrings for Tk 15,500 and used the money to buy drugs.

Police said Saiful was sent to Feni District Jail after his confession. The investigation continues under PBI supervision.

Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar announced that Iranian and Pakistani sailors detained by the United States have returned home. According to Dar, 20 Iranian and 11 Pakistani sailors who were stranded in waters near Singapore were successfully repatriated. Before boarding a flight to Islamabad on Friday, the sailors were flown from Singapore to Bangkok.

In a statement shared on social media, Dar expressed gratitude and confirmed that the sailors had been detained aboard a ship held by the United States in deep sea. He emphasized that all the sailors were in good health and mentally sound. Dar reiterated that the welfare of Pakistanis abroad, especially those facing hardship, remains a top priority for his government.

The report, citing Middle East Eye, did not specify the circumstances of the sailors’ detention or the reasons for their release.

A 70-year-old man named Ahmad Dealer was killed by his drug-addicted son in Mirsharai, Chattogram, on Friday night. Police said the incident occurred around 9 p.m. when a dispute broke out between Ahmad Dealer and his son, Ibrahim Hossain Milon, over drug use at their home. During the altercation, Milon allegedly struck his father with a stick, leaving him critically injured. Ahmad Dealer died at the scene before family members could rescue him.

According to police and local sources, Milon had been addicted to drugs for a long time and was reportedly involved in various antisocial activities. Despite repeated warnings from his family, his behavior had become increasingly reckless. Police later detained Milon on charges of killing his father. The body was sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital morgue, and legal proceedings are underway.

Authorities confirmed that the investigation is ongoing to determine further details surrounding the incident.

Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations has warned that countries co-sponsoring a US-drafted resolution on the Strait of Hormuz will face consequences. The statement, issued on social media platform X on May 16, 2026, said that if Washington provokes new military tensions, the supporting nations will share international responsibility for the results.

According to Iran, the United States is using the list of co-sponsoring countries to create a false image of international support for its illegal actions and military adventurism. The Iranian mission emphasized that no political excuse or diplomatic shield can absolve those countries from accountability.

The US draft resolution, backed by Bahrain and several other Gulf states, calls for an end to Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and the restoration of free navigation in the Gulf’s maritime zones.