In response to continued U.S. attacks on civilians and infrastructure in Yemen, the country has announced a sweeping ban on the transport of American crude oil through regional waters, effective from May 17. The ban covers all forms of export, re-export, transfer, loading, buying, or selling—directly or indirectly—including ship-to-ship transfers, even via third parties. Violators will be labeled as aggressors and barred from using strategic waterways such as the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, has expressed his desire to return to the British royal fold, admitting he is devastated after losing a legal battle to regain full security in the UK. Buckingham Palace stated that courts have reviewed the matter thoroughly multiple times and consistently reached the same conclusion. “I can’t imagine bringing my wife and children back to the UK under these circumstances,” Harry said. “I truly want a reunion with my family. There’s no point in continuing the fight—life is too precious.” He added that the decision to revoke his security rights as a prince still haunts him.

A survey by the Youth Policy Network reveals that rising essential commodity prices are forcing low-income individuals to reduce food intake. Conducted in March with over 1,000 respondents from towns and upazilas, the survey found that 99% had to skip meals due to financial hardship. Six in ten regularly skip breakfast, and many reduce meal portions. Common meals include low-cost items like biscuits, bananas, eggs, and parathas, despite low nutritional value. Respondents also expressed anger at tax hikes and called for subsidies.

The BCS Association has rejected the draft ordinance on revenue policy and management, calling for its immediate withdrawal. Their four main demands include: 1) Cancellation of the draft ordinance, 2) Halting the move to dissolve the NBR, 3) A decision only after discussion between the two cadres in the presence of the Finance Adviser, and 4) A general meeting to determine next steps. Officials from the Income Tax cadre allege that recommendations from white papers and advisory committees were ignored and that the draft was altered by the administration cadre to retain control.

The official Facebook page of Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was hacked around 8:15 PM on Saturday. Hackers, believed to be from Indonesia, used the page to stream gambling content live in the Bahasa language. The ministry’s Director of Public Diplomacy, A.H.M. Masum Billah, confirmed efforts are underway to restore the page. Officials suspect Bahasa was used to obscure the hackers' true identities.

Citing security warnings, Hindustan Times reported that Indian intelligence agencies had alerted local authorities about a potential attack in Kashmir ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s planned visit to Srinagar on April 19. The visit was cancelled four days prior due to "weather concerns." The attack on April 22 occurred in the Pahalgam region, about 90 km from Srinagar.

Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam mourned the passing of Allama Muhammad Sultan Zauq Nadvi, calling it the end of an era. “In our youth, we looked up to him for his expertise in Arabic language and literature. He spread the wisdom he received from Ali Miah.” Mahfuz emphasized the vision of a multilingual and multicultural Bangladesh. “Let our region—at the crossroads of civilizations—stand for democracy and human rights globally,” he added, calling on scholars to represent Bangladesh with dignity, like Nadvi did.

Editor of Amar Desh, Mahmudur Rahman, paid tribute to the Shapla Square victims and martyrs of the July uprising, urging Hefazat to file a genocide case against Sheikh Hasina. “Why hasn’t a case been filed yet against the fascist Hasina?” he asked. “We must file on behalf of every victim.” He also called for united action against oppression in Gaza and Kashmir. Addressing women's reform, he urged the government not to create unnecessary issues.

At a mass rally, Hefazat-e-Islam presented a 12-point demand list, which includes banning the Awami League. Other demands include dissolving the Women Reform Commission, forming a new commission with religious and female scholars, removing pluralism from the Constitution, ensuring faith in Allah, expediting tribunals for the Shapla and July massacres, and banning Awami League's activities. The group also demanded justice for the murder of Saiful in Chattogram, withdrawal of all political cases filed during the Hasina regime, justice for disappearances and killings, mandatory Islamic education at all levels, revoking the humanitarian corridor policy, halting foreign activities in the hill tracts, and officially declaring Qadianis as non-Muslims. The rally also commemorated 84 "martyrs" of Shapla Square.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad recounted his investigation for Human Rights Watch into the Shapla Square killings, saying, “Every time Hefazat holds a rally, I remember the atrocities of that night.” Journalist Azad Mazumder added, “We concluded that at least 58 people, including seven members of the security forces, were killed over two days of violence.” Azad said he lived in constant fear during the two-week investigation. “I could never take credit publicly due to security concerns, but seeing fellow journalists reference my work gives me great satisfaction.”

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has warned that those opposed to the July movement are preparing to retaliate. “July is not just a month—it marks the frontier of a struggle we must defend every day,” he wrote. Recalling his transition from AAFP to government service, he acknowledged the looming threats from opposing forces who haven’t disappeared but are regrouping for a possible strike.

The High Court has released its full 131-page verdict upholding the trial court’s sentences in the murder of BUET student Abrar Fahad—20 death sentences and 5 life sentences. Justices AKM Asaduzzaman and Syed Enayetur Rahman issued the ruling on March 16. Abrar's brother, Abrar Faiyaz, expressed satisfaction with the verdict and called for swift implementation.

Speaking ahead of dialogue with the 12-party alliance, Ali Riaz stated the aim is to form a national charter through consensus within a specified timeframe. “Different parties have voiced varying ideological stances, but we hope all sides will make compromises in the national interest to rebuild democratic governance,” he said. As Vice President of the National Consensus Commission, Riaz emphasized that the commission is not a rival to any political entity, but rather a facilitator for unity and reform.

During a mass rally demanding the abolition of the Women's Reform Commission, Hefazat-e-Islam announced a nationwide protest for May 23. Joint Secretary General Azizul Haque Islamabadi warned that delayed case withdrawals could be exploited by future governments. The group issued four demands: 1) dissolve the Women’s Reform Commission and its report, 2) restore full trust in Allah in the Constitution by removing pluralism, 3) withdraw all cases against Hefazat members and ensure justice for alleged mass killings including Shapla Chattar, and 4) urge government action to stop Muslim persecution in Palestine and India.

US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the US is not dismissing the possibility of a second phase of sanctions against Russia. “We are not lifting any existing sanctions. The President supports a diplomatic approach to each step,” she stated. However, she acknowledged that global attention must also focus on other regions. President Trump had earlier said that he would provide a detailed response about tougher sanctions a week after his April 24 announcement.