Despite the significance of May Day, workers took to the streets demanding unpaid wages. Protests led to discussions between workers and factory management at the main gate. Workers said the factory had shut down on November 9, promising payments by December 28, but nothing has been paid yet. Mahmud Jeans Ltd. and Mahmud Washing Plant Ltd. claimed that although they planned to begin payments from April 28, banking complications delayed the process. They now aim to clear all dues by May 15 in coordination with the Labor Ministry.

India’s Supreme Court refused to hear a petition demanding a judicial probe into the recent Pahalgam attack, citing concerns over armed forces’ morale. The bench, led by Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh, advised petitioners to consider the national interest, saying, “Don’t file petitions that demoralize security forces.” Meanwhile, Pakistan has labeled the attack a “false flag operation.”

Despite being known for their tireless work ethic, Bangladeshi laborers in Malaysia are facing serious wage disparities. While workers from countries like Nepal, China, and Vietnam earn a minimum of 3,000 Malaysian Ringgit for 8-hour shifts, Bangladeshis reportedly earn only 1,500–2,000 Ringgit for 12-hour days. The workers blame this discrimination on unskilled and irregular migration practices.

India has officially banned all Pakistani aircraft from entering its airspace, a retaliatory measure announced Wednesday night. This follows Pakistan’s earlier move banning Indian aircraft from its skies. The reciprocal decision marks a sharp escalation in airspace restrictions between the two neighbors.

The United States and Ukraine have signed a mineral resource agreement granting the US priority access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals and future reconstruction investment opportunities in Kyiv. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko signed the deal. According to the Treasury, the agreement reflects the Trump administration’s strong commitment to a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine. Trump recently emphasized that the US should receive benefits in exchange for aiding Kyiv—this deal aligns with that stance.

The traditional sweet ‘Patkhiri’ from Munshiganj has been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, recognizing it as a culturally significant local product. Industry adviser Adilur Rahman Khan emphasized the importance of developing GI-certified products commercially to empower local producers. Patkhiri now joins the list of 55 GI-recognized Bangladeshi products, including the famed Jamdani saree.

A U.S. Navy fighter jet, worth approximately $67 million, accidentally plunged into the Red Sea while deployed against Houthi forces. The aircraft fell from the USS Harry S. Truman on Monday while being towed in a hangar bay. One sailor was injured in the mishap. Fortunately, the crew quickly distanced themselves from the falling aircraft, preventing any major casualties.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for urgent de-escalation between India and Pakistan before the situation worsens. This follows a deadly attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam that left 25 Indians and one Nepali dead. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned of a potential military assault, noting increased Indian threats and military preparedness in response.

Responding to Bilawal Bhutto’s comments that “either our water will flow through the Indus or their blood,” Asaduddin Owaisi called the remarks “childish” and inappropriate. He reminded Bilawal of the tragedies faced by his grandfather and mother, urging him to act responsibly. Owaisi warned that no nation would remain silent if innocent civilians are harmed under the guise of such rhetoric.

Italian news outlet Rai News described Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus as the “Banker of the Poor” and “Pope of the Oppressed,” likening his struggle to that of Pope Francis — a shared battle against inequality and for grassroots development. Dr. Yunus stated that Pope Francis deeply respected his work, and they discussed at length how microcredit transforms lives. Rai News highlighted Pope Francis’ historic 2017 visit to Bangladesh, where he met persecuted Rohingya refugees.

Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun claimed that India lacks the courage to attack Pakistan and vowed not to let Indian troops use Punjab for such a purpose. “We, 20 million Sikhs, will stand like a wall beside Pakistan,” he declared, adding that attackers — whether Indira Gandhi, Narendra Modi, or others — never survive. He also vowed to bring Modi, Doval, Shah, and Jaishankar to justice.

Since November 2023, more than 113,000 Rohingya refugees have entered Bangladesh from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, with the majority arriving after May-June last year. Rohingya arrivals continue almost daily in 2024. With these new arrivals, the total Rohingya population taking shelter in Bangladesh now exceeds 1.313 million. UNHCR has sent a letter requesting Bangladesh to arrange accommodation for the new refugees. Most of the new Rohingya are currently living with relatives in 20 camps in Cox’s Bazar. The government has not yet authorized identity verification for the new arrivals via the Iris system.

While the US and Iran, mediated by Oman, have held three rounds of negotiations aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for the lifting of sanctions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a more aggressive approach. Netanyahu argued that the only “good deal” would involve completely dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, similar to the 2003 agreement made with Libya. However, reports suggest that former US President Donald Trump does not support such aggressive action.

A court has ordered an Interpol arrest warrant against Saima Wazed Putul, daughter of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in connection with a land allocation corruption case. Previously, on April 10, the court issued arrest warrants against Sheikh Hasina and Saima Wazed in the same case. On April 13, the court also issued warrants against Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddiq, her son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, and 21 others in three separate land corruption cases.

The Bangladesh Catholic Church will organize an interfaith dialogue in September. Cardinal George Jacob Kouvakad of the Vatican’s Interreligious Dialogue Office conveyed this during a meeting in Rome with Chief Adviser Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to religious harmony and the protection of all citizens’ rights.