A Bangladeshi expatriate named Alamgir Hossain, aged 28, from Batta village in Kargaon Union of Katiadi upazila, Kishoreganj, was killed in a road accident in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday morning. According to his younger brother Rubel Mia, Alamgir had gone to Saudi Arabia about one and a half years ago to improve his family’s financial condition and was employed as a laborer at Al Liyan Company. He died on the spot after being hit from behind by a car while on his way to work. The company supervisor confirmed the news of his death to the family over the phone.

Alamgir’s wife Jesmin Akter, along with his parents and local residents, have appealed to the concerned government authorities to assist in repatriating his body and to ensure compensation for the bereaved family. The report did not mention any official response or further details about the repatriation process.

Mexico, Spain and Brazil have jointly called for a sincere and respectful dialogue with Cuba as tensions with the United States intensify. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the three left-leaning governments expressed concern over what they described as Cuba’s “dramatic situation,” noting that the Cuban people are facing a severe humanitarian crisis. The statement urged all parties to take necessary measures to alleviate the situation.

The appeal was made during a leftist leaders’ conference in Barcelona, led by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and attended by Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The leaders emphasized the need to protect democracy and to find a lasting solution that allows the Cuban people to determine their own future in full freedom.

The call comes as US President Donald Trump has issued multiple warnings toward Cuba and imposed an oil blockade that has worsened the country’s long-standing economic and energy crisis.

The Cambodian government has announced a limited-time opportunity for Bangladeshi nationals residing irregularly in the country to return home without facing legal consequences. The special provision will remain effective until April 30, after which authorities warned that strict legal action will be taken against foreigners staying illegally. The Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok issued an urgent notice explaining that the initiative mainly targets those whose visas have expired and individuals working in online scam centers.

According to the embassy, assistance is being provided to ensure the safe return of irregular Bangladeshis, including waivers of overstay fines and the issuance of travel passes. Many Bangladeshis have already received travel passes through a consular camp held in Phnom Penh. However, the embassy observed that some individuals, despite obtaining travel passes, have not returned home and are attempting to remain in Cambodia or enter other countries illegally, which increases their risk of punishment.

The embassy urged interested individuals to apply promptly via email or by submitting hard copies, and to avoid misinformation or delay in taking advantage of the repatriation window.

South Korea’s military reported that North Korea launched multiple unidentified ballistic missiles into the East Sea early Sunday, local time around 6:10 a.m. The missiles were fired from the Sinpo area, marking the latest in a series of weapons tests by the nuclear-armed state. In response, South Korea’s presidential office decided to convene an emergency security meeting, while surveillance and alert levels were heightened amid concerns of further launches.

According to AFP, Pyongyang has recently conducted several weapons tests, including ballistic and anti-ship cruise missiles as well as cluster munitions. Analysts view the latest launch as a signal of North Korea’s rejection of Seoul’s efforts to improve strained relations. Earlier this year, Seoul had expressed regret over a drone intrusion into North Korea, which was initially welcomed by Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong. However, Pyongyang later labeled South Korea its “most hostile state.”

The report also notes that North Korea continues to defy UN sanctions restricting its nuclear and missile programs. Recent satellite imagery cited by a South Korean lawmaker suggests Pyongyang is accelerating naval modernization with possible Russian military assistance.

Despite a ceasefire being in effect, the United States has maintained a blockade around Iran’s ports and the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions between the two countries. Iran has reimposed strict control over the vital waterway, saying the move is a response to the US blockade and accusing Washington of breaking its commitments. At least two commercial ships came under fire while attempting to cross the strait on Saturday.

At the center of Iran’s control strategy are small, fast-attack boats operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Many of these vessels, hidden in coastal tunnels, have survived US strikes and can quickly mobilize, attack, and retreat. Their swarm tactics make them difficult to track or target effectively. Although a convoy of eight tankers recently passed through the strait, Iran soon reasserted its dominance over the route.

The situation marks a shift from open warfare to controlled confrontation in one of the world’s most sensitive maritime chokepoints, through which about 20 percent of global oil exports pass.

Saudi Arabia has announced new restrictions for the current Hajj season, prohibiting the performance of Hajj using visit visas. The authorities stated that entry to the holy city of Makkah and other sacred sites will only be allowed for those holding official Hajj permits from the beginning of the Islamic month of Dhul-Qadah until the 14th of Dhul-Hijjah. Anyone entering or staying in Makkah without authorization during this period will face legal penalties.

Violators attempting to perform Hajj without proper permits may face fines of up to 20,000 Saudi riyals. Expatriates or visit visa holders found performing Hajj illegally will be deported and banned from re-entering Saudi Arabia for ten years. The authorities have also set a deadline for Umrah pilgrims to leave the country, with overstaying considered a legal violation. Service providers failing to report such cases could face fines up to 100,000 riyals.

The Saudi Interior Ministry said these measures are part of an operational plan to ensure safety, order, and smooth movement during one of the world’s largest gatherings. This year’s campaign slogan is “No Hajj without a permit.”

Iran is encountering two distinct strategies from the United States, according to Abbas Aslani, a senior fellow at Tehran’s Center for Middle East Strategic Studies. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Aslani said the first strategy involves negotiations, but questioned why Washington continues to impose naval blockades, expand sanctions, and strengthen its military presence in the region if it truly seeks an agreement.

He added that the second US strategy centers on pressure and threats. With the expiration of two ceasefire agreements—between the United States and Iran, and between Israel and Lebanon—Aslani warned that the likelihood of renewed confrontation is increasing. He noted that there are no signs of extending these truces, and no party appears to be discussing their renewal.

Aslani concluded that both sides seem to be using the lapse of ceasefires to exert pressure on each other, a situation that could ultimately lead to the resumption of conflict.

Iran has declared that it will not send its enriched uranium abroad, particularly to the United States, under any proposal. The announcement was made by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh during a diplomatic meeting in Turkey, as reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA and cited by Al Jazeera. Tehran also stated that there is no possibility of reopening discussions on this issue.

Khatibzadeh explained that while messages have been exchanged between Iran and the United States at various levels, Washington has presented conditions and demands that Tehran considers exaggerated and unacceptable. He further indicated that there remains a significant gap between the two sides on nuclear matters, which continues to hinder progress in negotiations.

As a result, prospects for any new progress or agreement in the Iran–United States nuclear talks remain uncertain for the time being.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have threatened to shut down the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime passage linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The warning came from Hussein al-Ezzi, deputy foreign minister of the Houthi government, who said that if U.S. President Donald Trump continues to obstruct peace efforts, the strait could be closed. In a post on social media platform X, al-Ezzi declared that if Sanaa decides to close Bab al-Mandeb, no force could reopen it.

Al-Ezzi urged Trump and his allies to immediately end all actions and policies that hinder peace and to respect the rights of the Yemeni people and nation. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a vital global shipping route connecting the Red Sea to the Suez Canal, facilitating the transport of crude oil, energy supplies, and other goods between the Gulf, the Mediterranean, and Asia.

The statement underscores the strategic importance of the strait and signals potential risks to international maritime trade if tensions escalate further.

Reports indicate that the United States may expand its naval blockade against Iran beyond the country's ports. According to the U.S. Central Command, more than 12 warships, over 10,000 troops, and a large number of combat aircraft have already been deployed around Iranian ports. So far, 23 Iranian or Iran-linked ships have been turned away as part of the ongoing blockade operations.

Additional reports suggest that the blockade could extend to Iranian-linked vessels found anywhere in the world, not just those entering or leaving Iranian ports. Analysts note that the U.S. has adopted policies allowing it to stop, inspect, or even seize ships connected to Iran or under sanctions globally. Such operations typically involve specially trained Marine or Navy SEAL teams boarding ships by helicopter and taking control, sometimes redirecting them to other ports.

Experts warn that if the blockade expands globally, it could significantly affect international trade, energy supply, and maritime security.

The United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom held a high-level diplomatic meeting to discuss the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to a statement from the UAE Foreign Ministry, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to review the regional situation and recent developments.

The statement said the talks covered the overall situation in the region, including what the UAE described as “unprovoked and terrorist attacks” by Iran against the Emirates and other Gulf countries. Cooper reaffirmed the UK’s solidarity with the UAE in protecting its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its citizens, residents, and visitors. Sheikh Abdullah praised Cooper’s visit, calling it a reflection of the strong bilateral relationship and the UK’s full support following Iran’s “terrorist aggression.”

The report noted that the UK has not yet issued an official statement regarding the meeting.

Iran’s parliament speaker Bagher Ghalibaf warned that war could resume at any moment, according to a statement broadcast early Sunday on state television. Ghalibaf, who also serves as Iran’s chief negotiator, said Tehran does not trust the United States and cautioned that renewed conflict remains a real possibility.

His remarks came amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the current ceasefire. The warning reflects heightened tensions and a lack of confidence in diplomatic progress between the involved parties.

Meanwhile, Israeli radio, citing military and political sources, reported that Israel’s army has been placed on high alert over fears that the ceasefire with Iran could collapse.

US President Donald Trump announced that an American delegation will travel to Pakistan for discussions, arriving in Islamabad on Monday evening. In a social media post, Trump stated that his representatives are going to Pakistan to hold talks and are expected to reach the capital by tomorrow evening.

Trump added that the United States is offering what he described as a very fair and reasonable deal, expressing hope that the concerned parties will accept it. However, he warned that if the proposal is rejected, the US would take tough measures. He cautioned that if the talks fail, there would be no more politeness, and the United States could target Iran’s power plants and bridges.

Trump claimed that these Iranian facilities could be destroyed quickly and easily, underscoring his warning amid ongoing tensions. The statement follows his earlier remarks accusing Iran of violating a ceasefire but insisting that a peace agreement will eventually be reached.

US intelligence and military officials have stated that despite more than four weeks of attacks by the United States and Israel, a significant portion of Iran’s weaponry remains intact. According to a New York Times report cited in the source, Iran continues to maintain a strong defensive capability.

The report indicates that Iran still possesses about 40 percent of its pre-war drones and more than 60 percent of its missile launchers. Officials said that since a two-week ceasefire began on April 8, Iran has recovered over 100 launch systems that had been hidden in caves and bunkers, suggesting active efforts to restore its operational capacity.

They added that Iran is working to retrieve missiles buried under debris from attacks on depots and underground facilities. Once recovery operations are complete, the country could regain up to 70 percent of its pre-war arsenal, according to the assessment.

Tehran has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz as the United States continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports. According to ship-tracking website MarineTraffic, there are currently no signs of vessel movement through the strait. Many ships have been observed anchored across the Gulf, particularly near the coasts of Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

The report notes that some ships were still passing through the vital waterway on Saturday, but traffic dropped sharply after Tehran announced the closure. On the same day, several vessels were reportedly struck by missiles or projectiles, and a separate incident involved gunfire targeting an oil tanker.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime routes, underscores rising tensions in the region as maritime security deteriorates under the ongoing blockade.