Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed that the recent defense against an alleged Indian incursion was “a historic moment that avenged the 1971 war.” Addressing soldiers, he said, “In a matter of hours, our forces repelled India’s unprovoked aggression.” Sharif accused India of training the 1971 Mukti Bahini and now backing separatist groups like Baloch Liberation Army and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan. He warned, “If India tries to cut off our water, let it be known—blood and water can’t flow together. We will not compromise.” He directly threatened Indian Prime Minister Modi, saying, “If you show aggression again, the consequences will be beyond your imagination.”

Indian tourists are boycotting trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan over their perceived support for Pakistan. Travel agencies report a sharp decline in bookings following renewed Indo-Pak tensions. MakeMyTrip stated that bookings for both countries dropped by 60%, with cancellations surging 250%. EaseMyTrip CEO Rikant Pitti noted a 22% cancellation rate for Turkey and 30% for Azerbaijan due to recent geopolitical tensions.

Adviser Asif Nazrul held discussions with Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia who have been victims of forced labor. During the meeting, the workers shared their long-standing grievances, to which Nazrul assured he would work toward solutions. He is scheduled to meet Malaysia’s Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong tomorrow to discuss labor market issues. “This trip focuses on labor market concerns. Many of our migrant workers are undocumented or unemployed,” he said. “They are our remittance fighters and deserve support. We will protect national interest as much as possible.” Notably, Malaysia has imposed a ban on new worker entries since June 1 of last year.

During a meeting with RF Kennedy Human Rights President Kerry Kennedy, Prof. Ali Riaz stated that the National Consensus Commission — formed to reform the state — aims to unite all parties to draft a national charter for building a stronger democratic and accountable state. “This charter will provide a clear roadmap for Bangladesh’s future,” he said. After the meeting, a press release confirmed that Kerry Kennedy expressed satisfaction with the commission’s efforts and wished it success. Prof. Riaz noted that initial discussions with political parties will conclude soon, after which a second phase of dialogue will begin.

Photos shared by Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam show Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem breaking down in tears inside the ruins of the notorious "Aynaghar" (Mirror House), where he was detained for nearly eight years. Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy and niece of John F. Kennedy, hugged and comforted him. Kennedy, a vocal critic of Sheikh Hasina’s alleged human rights violations, is president of the RFK Human Rights Center. Aynaghar is widely reported to be a torture cell for enforced disappearances under the current regime.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking in Riyadh, expressed strong hope that Saudi Arabia would soon join the Abraham Accords. “It would be a matter of great prestige for Saudi Arabia and crucial for the future of the Middle East,” said Trump. The Abraham Accords have already normalized relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. While Saudi Arabia has yet to establish formal diplomatic ties with Israel, discussions have taken place. Trump also warned Iran of renewed “maximum pressure” if it refuses to rejoin a nuclear agreement, pledging to drive Iran’s oil exports down to zero.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to lift sanctions on Syria, stating, “After discussions with the new Syrian foreign minister and the Crown Prince, and a call with Turkey’s President, I’ve decided to authorize the lifting of sanctions to help Syria move forward.” He noted that while the sanctions played a significant role during Bashar al-Assad’s rule, it is now time for the country to recover. Trump added that he will meet Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sarar in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing intense pressure both inside and outside parliament. "Modi’s days are numbered. His popularity is waning, and people are speaking out against him,” he said. Asif alleged that Modi has lost control over Indian politics and that the situation is now beyond his grasp. He also accused India of spreading terrorism internationally, citing attacks on Sikh leaders in Canada. He emphasized that future talks with India must include issues of terrorism, Kashmir, and water treaties.

Prominent political analyst and adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul is scheduled to visit Malaysia on May 13 to hear grievances from Bangladeshi expatriates. On May 14, he will attend a public hearing at the Bangladesh High Commission, where issues like passport application corruption, the cancellation of foreign outsourcing firm 'e-Scale,' ensuring passport services under government management, and removing corrupt officials are expected to surface. On May 15, Dr. Nazrul is set to meet Malaysia’s Minister of Human Resources. Allegations have been raised by underprivileged staff at the High Commission that Ambassador Shamim Ahsan, Deputy High Commissioner Khurshid Alam Khastagir, and other officials are exploiting expatriates through corruption.

Amid ongoing tensions, the US State Department has imposed fresh sanctions on Iran. The sanctions target three senior officials and one organization associated with Iran’s military arms research. Their assets in the US have been frozen, and they are barred from entering the country or engaging in financial transactions with any US entities. US Secretary of State remarked, “Iran is the only country in the world without nuclear weapons that possesses a stockpile of 60% enriched uranium.”

Following a ceasefire, senior military officials from Pakistan and India held discussions via a hotline to explore the possibility of immediate troop withdrawals from border and forward areas. According to the Indian Army, both sides committed to avoiding gunfire and aggressive conduct. Notably, Sunday marked the first peaceful night along the border in recent days.

A total of 40,608 Bangladeshi pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia so far this year to perform Hajj, according to official data. They travelled via 101 flights—20,514 of them flew with Biman Bangladesh Airlines on 51 flights, 13,336 with Saudi Airlines on 34 flights, and 6,758 pilgrims were carried by Flynas on 16 flights. Tragically, six pilgrims have died during the journey so far—five men and one woman.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for the Pakistan Army, claimed that the ceasefire request came from India, not Pakistan, and was brokered through U.S. mediation. He stated, “This was a conflict that could have affected 1.6 billion lives. Those who push for war only serve narrow political interests.” He reiterated Pakistan’s stance that the Kashmir dispute must be resolved under UN resolutions and in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

U.S. President Donald Trump praised the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, calling it a historic and heroic decision. “Both countries showed wisdom and restraint, understanding that further aggression could have led to catastrophe,” he said. Trump commended their leadership and reiterated that millions of innocent lives were potentially saved. He stated that the U.S. played a key role in achieving the ceasefire and expressed pride in the outcome. Trump also announced his willingness to work with both nations to resolve the longstanding Kashmir conflict, which he described as a “thousand-year issue.”

In his first official address on Sunday, Pope Leo urged for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all Israeli hostages. He also emphasized the need for a “genuine and lasting peace” in resolving the Ukraine crisis. Quoting his predecessor Pope Francis, Leo described the ongoing violence and conflicts as fragments of a “piecemeal World War III.” Welcoming the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, he said he prays for divine intervention to bring about miraculous global peace. Expressing deep sorrow over the war in Gaza, the Pope said, “No more war.” He also highlighted the suffering of the people of Ukraine and called for immediate humanitarian aid in Gaza, alongside the release of all hostages held by Hamas.