Seven months after a ceasefire was brokered to halt Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, the agreement has effectively become a cover for continued attacks. According to Gaza’s health ministry, Israeli forces have killed at least 880 Palestinians since the truce, bringing the total death toll to 72,797. Analysts and human rights officials say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is deliberately stalling the peace process ahead of Israel’s expected September elections to maintain support from his right-wing coalition.

Mai El-Sheikh of the UN Human Rights Office in Palestine accused Israel of using the ceasefire as a pretext for ongoing war crimes and warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis caused by restrictions on food and medicine. The Gaza Rights Center documented at least 12 forced evacuations in May before Israeli forces destroyed residential blocks in central Gaza camps. Rights groups say these demolitions and phone warnings are part of a broader policy of forced displacement.

The international mechanism enforcing the ceasefire, led by the US-based Board of Peace, has faltered due to internal divisions. Observers warn that without a reconstruction plan, Gaza’s devastation will persist indefinitely.

A passenger bus and a microbus collided head-on on Monday afternoon in Sonashur area of Gopalganj Sadar upazila, leaving the microbus driver dead and at least fifteen passengers injured. The accident caused a one-hour traffic halt on the Dhaka-Khulna highway, with over two hundred vehicles stranded on both sides. Traffic resumed around 2:30 p.m. after the road was cleared.

According to Gopalganj Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Shiplu Ahmed, the collision occurred when a passenger bus from Dhaka, operated by Kotalipara Star Express, attempted to overtake another bus and hit an oncoming microbus. A private car then struck the microbus, causing the bus to lose control and fall into a roadside ditch while the microbus and car were severely damaged. Fire service personnel and locals rescued the injured and sent them to Gopalganj Medical College Hospital.

Thirteen of the injured were admitted to the hospital, while others received primary treatment. The deceased driver’s identity remains unknown.

An unidentified elderly man was beaten to death on Monday, May 25, in Raozan municipality’s 9th ward of Chattogram district after being suspected of cattle theft. Police recovered the body from a field near Rudra Palli in the Bainnapukur Par area. The victim’s identity remains unknown.

According to police and local sources, seasonal cattle traders allegedly assaulted the man early in the morning, leaving him severely injured. Locals said the deceased appeared to be a mentally unstable vagrant. A nearby resident, Delwar Hossain, reported hearing noise around 4 a.m. and mentioned that his home’s CCTV footage might help identify those involved.

Raozan police confirmed that the body bore multiple injury marks consistent with beating. Evidence was collected from the scene, and CCTV footage is being reviewed to identify suspects. The body has been sent to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for autopsy following the preparation of an inquest report.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, thousands of people from 21 southern districts have begun returning home through the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway and Padma Bridge areas. From Sunday afternoon, the expressway has seen a surge in long-distance buses, private cars, and motorcycles, creating a festive atmosphere along the route. Travelers were seen heading toward districts including Khulna, Barishal, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Madaripur, Jashore, and Patuakhali.

Transport operators reported that traffic pressure began increasing on Sunday afternoon as the government’s Eid holidays were set to start Monday. The number of vehicles rose further by evening, with expectations of heavier traffic on Tuesday and Wednesday. Many travelers preferred motorcycles for faster and easier journeys, a trend that has grown since the opening of the Padma Bridge.

Highway police have deployed additional personnel at key points to ensure smooth travel and prevent accidents. Measures include speed control, increased patrols, and nighttime security, along with special arrangements for livestock transport trucks. Despite the heat and congestion, travelers expressed joy and excitement about reuniting with their families for the festival.

Three leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), have been removed from their organizational posts following allegations of assaulting a physically disabled student at Dhaka University’s Jagannath Hall. The incident occurred on Sunday evening when Abhay Kumar Singh, a master’s student in the Bangla department, was allegedly beaten in his dorm room by four JCD members after a dispute at a tea stall. The accused include Chandan Das, Jhalak Das, Ripon Chandra Sarkar, and Sagar.

Following the incident, the JCD’s Dhaka University unit issued a statement announcing the removal of Chandan, Jhalak, and Ripon from their positions as joint conveners of the Jagannath Hall unit for violating organizational discipline. The decision was approved by the unit’s president and general secretary. Jagannath Hall Provost Professor Debashish Pal confirmed that a six-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident using available evidence and CCTV footage.

One of the accused, Chandan Das, denied the allegations, claiming the incident was a misunderstanding and possibly politically motivated. The victim has demanded swift justice and threatened legal action if no steps are taken soon.

At least fifteen people were killed early Monday when a rod-laden truck overturned on the Dhaka-Tangail highway near Saratail in Kalihati upazila, Tangail. Police confirmed that twelve of the deceased have been identified, while three remain unidentified. The victims were mostly from Naogaon, Rajshahi, and Chapainawabganj districts. Nine others were injured and taken to Tangail General Hospital for treatment.

According to eyewitnesses, the accident occurred at dawn when the truck suddenly lost balance and overturned, trapping passengers under the load of rods. Locals rushed to the scene and used tools to recover bodies from beneath the wreckage. Many of the victims were hawkers returning home for Eid celebrations. Tangail’s Additional Superintendent of Police Fauzia Habib confirmed the casualty figures and said rescue operations were carried out immediately.

Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque stated that coordination has been made with the administrations of Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, and Rajshahi to return the bodies to their families and ensure medical support for the injured.

Oil prices fell sharply on Monday as uncertainty grew around a potential peace agreement between the United States and Iran. A senior US official said final approval for the deal to end ongoing hostilities could take several more days. Brent crude dropped more than five percent to about 95 dollars per barrel, though prices remain roughly 30 percent higher than before the conflict began.

US and Iranian officials issued conflicting statements about the progress of the talks. Both sides indicated that a deal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas shipments currently restricted by Iran. Analysts view the possible agreement as a political opportunity for President Donald Trump to distance himself from a long-unpopular war, though key issues such as Iran’s nuclear program may remain unresolved.

Regional tensions persist, with Israeli politicians warning the deal might fail to limit Iran’s nuclear capacity, and clashes continuing between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s leaders, acting as mediators, visited China for talks with President Xi Jinping, underscoring Beijing’s stake as Iran’s largest oil buyer.

A newly built drain in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar, constructed at a cost of about 3.5 million taka under the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), collapsed before its inauguration. The 240-foot-long structure tilted and was partially damaged after only 30 minutes of rainfall. Locals alleged that poor-quality bricks, cement, and sand were used, and that the walls were built without reinforcement rods, leading to the collapse. The project was implemented by Hasan Enterprise, owned by Shahab Uddin Chowdhury.

Residents questioned how such irregularities occurred despite RHD supervision. Local businessmen said the use of substandard materials caused public money to be wasted and demanded an investigation and accountability. When contacted, the contractor disconnected the call, citing busyness. RHD’s sub-divisional engineer Mostafa Munsi stated that the work was still ongoing and that rainwater pressure caused a slight tilt. He added that the contractor had been instructed to repair the damaged section at their own expense.

The incident has raised concerns about construction quality and monitoring in government-funded infrastructure projects in the region.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has begun trials against several current and former military officers accused of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture during the rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The proceedings, which started after formal charges were filed in October of the previous year, involve multiple cases linked to the Rapid Action Battalion’s Taskforce for Interrogation and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence’s Joint Interrogation Cell. Prosecutors and witnesses have alleged that the accused and their supporters are attempting to delay and discredit the process.

According to the report, Indian media outlets and social media platforms sympathetic to India have been accused of spreading misinformation portraying the accused officers as innocent victims. Specific reports by North-East News and online commentators allegedly sought to undermine witness credibility and weaken the tribunal’s legitimacy. Prosecutors claim that such propaganda is being financed by individuals linked to the former ruling party now in exile.

Officials from the tribunal maintain that the trials are progressing despite attempts to obstruct them. The chief prosecutor stated that no external pressure is hindering the process and called for continued cooperation to ensure justice for victims of enforced disappearances and torture.

Iran’s defense forces have shot down an enemy drone in the Gulf airspace, according to the state-run Fars News Agency. The report said the interception was carried out using Iran’s ‘Arash-e Kamangir’ interceptor drone over the waters of the Gulf. No information was provided about the drone’s origin or its mission.

Fars News Agency added that the technology used in the operation included undisclosed stealth capabilities. Citing unnamed officials, the report described the action as a clear and firm message from Iran. The incident has raised concerns that regional security tensions could escalate following the interception.

As of now, no official response has been reported from any other country regarding the event.

China and Pakistan celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations on May 21, 2026, highlighting a partnership that began in 1950 when Pakistan became the first Muslim-majority nation to recognize the Communist government in Beijing. The relationship deepened after Pakistan ceded control of the Shaksgam Valley to China in 1963 under a border agreement, a move driven by strategic calculations following China's victory over India in 1962. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed the strength of bilateral ties during a Senate session attended by a visiting Chinese parliamentary delegation, which unanimously adopted a resolution reaffirming friendship and brotherhood. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Beijing for a four-day state trip as part of the anniversary events.

Analysts note that the China-Pakistan relationship is based more on strategic necessity than ideological alignment. Cooperation has spanned nuclear development, defense technology, and infrastructure, including the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor launched in 2015. Despite military successes, economic challenges persist, with Pakistan’s debt to China reaching $29 billion and security threats continuing to endanger Chinese nationals and projects.

Experts suggest that while the partnership remains militarily strong, its economic imbalance and security risks could test its long-term sustainability.

Heavy traffic congestion was reported on the Dhaka-Tangail highway on May 25, 2026, as thousands of homebound passengers left the Savar-Ashulia industrial area following the closure of garment factories for the Eid holidays. Despite rain, large crowds gathered at bus stands along the Nabinagar-Chandra, Abdullahpur-Baipail, and Dhaka-Aricha routes. Traffic slowed to a crawl or stopped entirely in several sections, with an eight-kilometer stretch of the Nabinagar-Chandra highway particularly affected.

Passengers faced long delays, with many unable to reach their destinations on time. Some travelers alleged that transport operators were charging double fares due to the high demand. According to Dhaka District Police Superintendent Shamima Parvin, around 3,000 police officers were deployed to ensure smooth and safe Eid travel. Several volunteer organizations were also assisting in traffic management.

Officials warned that congestion could worsen as the evening progressed, given the increasing number of outbound travelers on the major highways.

Senior Republican leaders have sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed memorandum of understanding with Iran aimed at halting hostilities. Trump announced on Sunday that the agreement, nearly finalized, would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz but did not clarify Iran’s nuclear commitments. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed talks on a 14-point framework that could take effect for 30 to 60 days, covering maritime access, lifting naval blockades, and suspending conflicts in Lebanon and other fronts. Iranian officials emphasized that nuclear issues are excluded from the current discussions.

Republican senators Lindsey Graham, Tom Cotton, Roger Wicker, and Ted Cruz voiced strong opposition, warning that the deal could empower Tehran, undermine Israel’s security, and reverse U.S. military gains. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo compared the initiative to Barack Obama’s 2015 nuclear accord, calling it inconsistent with the “America First” policy, while former National Security Adviser John Bolton dismissed the talks as a waste of time.

Trump maintained optimism about reaching an agreement but warned Iran of severe consequences if negotiations fail. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed some progress in the discussions.

At least 27 people were killed in separate road accidents across Bangladesh on the first day of the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, according to reports published on May 25, 2026. The deadliest crash occurred in Tangail’s Kalihati upazila, where a rod-laden truck overturned on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway, killing 15 low-income passengers and injuring nine others. The victims were mostly from Naogaon, Rajshahi, and Chapainawabganj districts, returning home for Eid after working in Noakhali.

Additional fatal incidents were reported in Bogura, Gopalganj, Naogaon’s Patnitala, Sirajganj’s Shahjadpur, Munshiganj, and Kishoreganj’s Austagram, claiming 12 more lives. These included a father and daughter in Bogura, a microbus driver in Gopalganj, two people in Patnitala, two in Shahjadpur, two in Munshiganj, and three family members in Austagram. Police and fire service officials confirmed the casualties and said injured victims were taken to nearby hospitals.

The series of accidents cast a shadow of grief over several districts as millions began their homeward journeys for Eid celebrations.

At least 28 people were killed when an illegal gold mine collapsed in Angola’s Bengo province on Saturday, according to police reports. The incident occurred northeast of the capital Luanda, where many miners were trapped under the debris. Among the victims were 13 members of the same family. Rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities believing at least two workers remain trapped inside the mine.

Police spokesperson Gaspar Luis Inacio said rescue teams have been working continuously since the collapse. Several injured workers were taken to a local hospital, where officials confirmed that at least three of them are now in stable condition. The victims were aged between 18 and 40.

Illegal mining remains widespread in parts of Africa, often lacking safety measures and posing severe risks during the rainy season or natural disasters. The latest collapse in Angola has renewed concerns over unregulated mining operations and the safety of workers involved in such activities.