Speaking at Qatar University, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus warned that modern civilization is heading toward self-destruction, generating waste at an unsustainable pace. Addressing the “Three Zeros” forum — zero carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration, and zero unemployment — Yunus emphasized the need for a radical global shift. He later met Qatar’s Prime Minister to discuss bilateral cooperation.

British MP Shaukat Adam was barred from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque via an Israeli-controlled gate during a visit to Jerusalem. Adam, an independent MP from Leicester South, and Andrew George, a Liberal Democrat MP from St Ives, were part of a delegation touring Hebron, Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and East Jerusalem. Eyewitnesses reported that Adam was singled out and denied access because of his Muslim identity.

Reacting to Ukrainian President Zelensky’s statement rejecting recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, Donald Trump criticized the stance. “No one’s asking him to cede Crimea. If he wanted to fight for it, why didn’t he do it 11 years ago when it was handed over without a shot?” Trump questioned. He added that peace was within reach, but Zelensky’s provocations are making it difficult to end the war.

In a meeting with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus proposed establishing a dedicated Special Economic Zone for Qatari investors. He suggested that Qatari businesses could invest in defense equipment manufacturing and other sectors. Yunus emphasized Bangladesh’s vision to become a global manufacturing and economic hub, highlighting enhancements in port capacities and investment services. He added that industries set up in Bangladesh can freely export goods abroad.

The Cabinet Division has issued a notification declaring three days of national mourning from Thursday to Saturday following the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of Vatican City.

During this period, national flags will be flown at half-mast on all government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, and educational establishments, as well as in all private buildings and Bangladeshi missions abroad.

Special prayers will also be held for the departed soul of the Pope, honoring his memory and legacy.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus praised Qatar Charity’s humanitarian work during a meeting with Acting Head Nawaf Abdullah Al Hammadi. He requested support in launching tech education programs for madrasa students across Bangladesh. Qatar Charity has already supported vocational training in some madrasas and will seriously consider the proposal.

The Resistance Front (TRF), a Kashmir-based militant group, claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, stating that the victims were undercover agents linked to Indian security forces, not tourists. “They were here under the guise of tourists to conduct reconnaissance. This is a warning not just for Delhi but for others collaborating with them,” the group declared.

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced the immediate closure of the Attari-Wagah border with Pakistan. Pakistanis with valid documents must return by May 1. India also suspended the Indus Water Treaty and revoked visa exemptions for Pakistanis. Islamabad’s defense envoys in New Delhi were declared persona non grata and ordered to leave within a week. The Pakistani High Commission staff will be reduced from 55 to 30 by May 1.

Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Global Engagement at SpaceX, met with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to discuss the final phase of launching SpaceX’s satellite services in Bangladesh. Dreyer confirmed, “I’ve instructed my team to be fully prepared for technical deployment by May.” Elon Musk’s other company, PayPal, is also being considered to facilitate digital transactions for the satellite services.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has expressed condolences to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. “We strongly condemn this heinous act. Bangladesh’s position against terrorism remains unwavering,” he stated. Reports suggest 26 individuals were killed in the attack. Prime Minister Modi reportedly cut short his visit to Saudi Arabia and held an emergency meeting at the airport.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus stated at a roundtable discussion in Doha that Bangladesh is currently hosting nearly 1.3 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar, with an additional 32,000 births annually. He emphasized that sustainable repatriation is the only viable solution. Dr. Yunus said the Arakan Army now controls 14 of the 17 townships in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, along with 271 km of the Myanmar-Bangladesh border. He noted that over 100,000 new Rohingya refugees entered Bangladesh since November 2023. Additionally, 909 Myanmar security personnel sought refuge in Bangladesh since February 2024 due to Arakan Army attacks—875 of whom have already been repatriated, with the remaining 34 to be returned soon. Dr. Yunus also highlighted that international funding for the Joint Response Plan is declining, and food assistance programs are facing financial shortages. He expressed hope that Qatar will take a leading role in addressing the crisis.

In a controversial peace proposal, the United States has reportedly suggested informal recognition of nearly all Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia since the 2022 invasion. According to Axios, the plan includes lifting post-2014 sanctions on Russia, returning a small part of Kharkiv to Ukraine, and designating the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant as Ukrainian territory—though it would be operated by the U.S. and supply electricity to both Russia and Ukraine. While seen as a diplomatic win for Russia, the proposal could be a severe blow to Ukraine’s government and its people.

Following a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 tourists and an intelligence officer, former U.S. President Donald Trump phoned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer condolences and condemn the violence. Trump reaffirmed U.S. support for India’s fight against terrorism, stating, “Deeply saddened by the news from Kashmir. The U.S. stands strongly with India.” World leaders including Vladimir Putin, and governments of Saudi Arabia, Israel, Italy, and the UAE also condemned the attack.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has urged international investors to consider Bangladesh, calling it a land of immense economic potential. He emphasized the opportunity for Bangladesh to serve as a gateway to the sea for neighboring landlocked regions like Nepal, Bhutan, and seven Indian states. With a young, tech-savvy population and strategic geographic location, Yunus believes Bangladesh could emerge as a powerful economic hub. He also criticized government reforms and what he termed as destructive actions by Prime Minister Hasina’s administration.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, will attend the funeral of Roman Catholic spiritual leader Pope Francis, according to the Press Secretary. The ceremony will see the presence of numerous global dignitaries, including U.S. President Donald Trump.

Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after serving as the supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church for 12 years. Heads of state from Argentina, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, France, Germany, Portugal, Ukraine, Belgium, Poland, and Hungary are also expected to attend the funeral. The United Nations Secretary-General and the President of the European Commission will be present as well.