Pakistan’s plans to expand its mineral extraction industry have come under threat from renewed separatist violence in Balochistan. Following a $1.3 billion U.S. investment announcement in the province’s gold and copper reserves, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) launched coordinated attacks on January 31, killing at least 58 people across 12 areas. The violence has raised concerns over the safety of foreign investments, including the lucrative Reko Diq mining project, which holds vast untapped copper and gold deposits.

Analysts and officials cited in the report describe the BLA as a growing force with local support, capable of mounting large-scale operations. The insurgency, rooted in decades of resentment over resource control and political marginalization, has intensified alongside government crackdowns. Human rights groups say these measures have deepened local anger. The conflict has also been complicated by instability in neighboring Iran, which officials fear could allow insurgents greater mobility and access to weapons.

Experts warn that sustained unrest could jeopardize U.S.-Pakistan mining ventures and stall foreign projects indefinitely if violence continues to escalate.

A controversy erupted in Feni after Enamul Haque Sujon, the prime accused in the case over the 2017 attack on former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s motorcade, was appointed general secretary of the Ward 4 Jubo Dal committee. Following the announcement of the eight-member partial committee on April 30, six of its members resigned in protest, leaving only the president Mostafa Kamal Badol and Sujon in their positions.

The resigning members include senior vice president Gazi Abdul Kader Nayon, vice president Md Sabuj, joint general secretary Md Millat Hossain, organizational secretary Md Zahid, publicity secretary Saddam Hossain Rubel, and office secretary Dalim Majumdar. Party sources confirmed that the committee was approved by Feni municipal Jubo Dal president Zahid Hossain Bablu and general secretary Haydar Ali Rasel Patowary.

Sujon claimed he was falsely implicated in the case for political reasons, while local Jubo Dal leaders defended him as a dedicated activist. The municipal Jubo Dal leadership stated they were unaware of his legal status and would review the matter before taking further organizational action.

The organization 'National Disabled Citizens Power' was launched on Saturday at the Jatiya Press Club’s Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall in Dhaka, with the support of the National Citizens Party (NCP). The group aims to establish the constitutional, social, economic, and political rights of persons with disabilities and to build a discrimination-free, inclusive, and dignified Bangladesh. Representatives from political, social, and civic organizations, along with persons with disabilities, attended the event.

Speakers at the discussion emphasized ensuring active participation of persons with disabilities in building a new Bangladesh inspired by the spirit of the July uprising. The proposed committee was announced, led by Ifthekhar Mahmud as convener and Md. Saiful Haque as joint convener. The organization outlined objectives including political empowerment, representation in policymaking, awareness building, and advocacy for accessible infrastructure and services.

An eleven-point demand was presented for inclusion in the upcoming national budget, calling for increased disability allowances, low-interest loans for entrepreneurs, tax exemptions, employment quotas, and reserved parliamentary seats for disabled citizens. The event concluded with a call for unity among all persons with disabilities to join rights-based political and social movements.

The central committee of the Chhatra Dal has announced the full committee for its Cumilla City unit after a year. The announcement was made on Saturday evening through a notice signed by President Md Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. The new committee includes 193 members, with 28 vice presidents, 59 joint general secretaries, 45 assistant general secretaries, and 54 assistant organizational secretaries.

Previously, on May 15 of the previous year, a partial committee for the Cumilla City Chhatra Dal had been declared. That committee was led by President Nahid Rana, Senior Vice President Abdul Kalam, General Secretary Fayaz Rashid Primu, Senior Joint General Secretary Armanur Rahman, and Organizational Secretary Ismail Hossain.

Current President Nahid Rana stated that the newly announced full committee will work to strengthen the leadership of Tarique Rahman and develop new leadership within the student organization.

At the inauguration of Notun Kurir Sports-2026 in Comilla on May 2, Comilla-7 Member of Parliament Atikul Alam Shawon did not find a reserved seat and sat in the last chair of the front row. The event took place at the gymnasium of Shaheed Bhasha Sainik Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium, where Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Aminur Rashid Yasin attended as chief guest. The national inauguration was held in Sylhet by Prime Minister Tarek Rahman.

According to the Comilla district administration, all 11 MPs from the district were invited and reserved seats were arranged for them. Some MPs reportedly viewed the lack of available reserved seats as inappropriate. Nezarat Deputy Collector Abdullah Al Nur Ashek said he was busy and did not notice when the MP arrived. Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Saiful Islam explained that due to rain, the event was moved indoors and had already started before the MP’s arrival, which caused the oversight.

Repeated attempts to contact MP Shawon for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not answer phone calls.

The Jhalakathi district unit of the Chhatra Dal has announced a new convening committee after a seven-year gap. The announcement was made on Saturday through a letter signed by central president Md Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasim Uddin Nasir. Syed Ali Hasan has been appointed as the convener, while Saidul Islam Roni will serve as the member secretary. The seven-member convening committee has been instructed to form a full committee within one month.

The committee includes senior joint convener Ahmed Salahuddin and joint conveners Zubair Talukdar Mishkat, Keshab Suman Sarkar, Tawhid Hossain, and Md Mobinul Islam Saddam. The last district committee of the Chhatra Dal was announced in June 2018, marking nearly seven years since the previous formation.

The announcement follows a series of organizational changes within the party’s local units, signaling renewed efforts to strengthen student political activities in the region.

US President Donald Trump said he would review Iran’s newly submitted peace plan but expressed doubts about its acceptability. According to Iranian media, Tehran has presented a 14-point proposal to Pakistan, which is acting as a mediator. Trump made his remarks on his social media platform Truth Social, stating that he would soon examine the plan but could hardly imagine it being acceptable, citing Iran’s past actions over the last 47 years.

The Iranian proposal reportedly includes assurances of non-aggression, withdrawal of US forces from areas near Iran, lifting of naval blockades, release of seized assets, removal of sanctions, and an end to conflicts across all fronts including Lebanon. The plan was reported by Gulf News and reflects Tehran’s attempt to open a new diplomatic channel amid ongoing tensions.

Trump’s skepticism signals continued strain in US-Iran relations, with no immediate indication of Washington’s willingness to engage with the proposal.

Deputy Attorney General Rezaul Karim Khandaker has resigned from his post. On Sunday, he submitted his resignation letter to the administrative officer of the Attorney General’s Office. The letter was later forwarded to the Solicitor’s Office and then to the Ministry of Law.

According to the report, Rezaul Karim Khandaker resigned in order to participate in the upcoming Supreme Court Bar Association election. He will contest for the position of secretary from a panel supported by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

The resignation marks a shift from his official duties to active participation in professional electoral politics within the legal community.

Large-scale demonstrations took place in Tel Aviv as Israeli citizens protested against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and called for an immediate end to all ongoing wars and conflicts. The protesters urged the government to halt military actions and focus on peace and stability instead.

During the protest, participants sharply criticized the government, accusing it of relying on destructive power and violence to govern the country. They expressed frustration that repeated wars and destructive policies were bringing no benefit to Israel and demanded a shift toward peaceful solutions.

According to the report, the demonstrations reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the government’s approach to conflict management and its perceived dependence on military force.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman declared that his government will make no compromise with corruption, emphasizing the goal of bringing everyone under the rule of law regardless of political affiliation. He made the remarks on Sunday morning at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka while inaugurating a four-day conference of deputy commissioners. Rahman said honesty, merit, and efficiency will guide appointments and transfers in the public administration, urging officials to remain prepared to serve anywhere in the country.

He noted that the government began its term with a debt burden of 30 trillion taka and faces rising poverty and unemployment. Despite institutional damage, the administration is seeking solutions without increasing public hardship. Rahman added that the government is working toward a just state and will gradually implement all commitments made in the election manifesto and the July Charter signed with the public.

He also called on district commissioners to ensure cautious electricity use in markets and shopping malls after 7 p.m. and acknowledged that the ongoing war situation poses a challenge for the new government.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar expressed deep sorrow and grief over the death of eight construction workers in a road accident in Sylhet’s Dakshin Surma area. The collision between a truck and a pickup van occurred early Sunday morning in the Telibazar area, leaving many others injured. In a condolence message sent to the media, Porwar described the incident as tragic and heartbreaking, especially as the workers were on their way to work.

He extended condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the departed souls, and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. Porwar noted that road accidents are increasing at an alarming rate across the country and called for effective measures to restore discipline on roads, ensure vehicle fitness, and promote responsible driving behavior.

He urged authorities to conduct a prompt investigation to determine the cause of the accident, take legal action against those responsible, and ensure proper medical care and compensation for the victims and their families.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Rome and the Vatican this week, according to an Italian government source. The trip comes at a time of heightened tension between US President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV over war and migration policies. During the visit, Rubio is expected to meet Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and may also meet Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. Italian media have described the visit as a diplomatic effort to 'warm relations.'

The tensions trace back to May 2025, when Pope Leo XIV, who succeeded Pope Francis, criticized the Trump administration’s immigration stance and expressed concern over US-Israel threats toward Iran. Trump responded by calling the Pope 'weak' and rejecting his views on Iran and nuclear issues. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also condemned Trump’s remarks, prompting Trump to accuse Italy of insufficient NATO support and to threaten troop withdrawals from Italy, Spain, and Germany.

The visit is seen as an attempt to ease strained relations between Washington, the Vatican, and European allies following months of diplomatic friction.

Political scientist Professor Dilara Chowdhury has warned that the Prime Minister could become authoritarian if the government fails to implement the July Charter and related ordinances. She made the remarks on Sunday, May 3, at a national convention on energy, economic reform, and referendum organized by the NCP Reform Implementation Committee at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Dhaka.

Chowdhury criticized the ruling party for reversing institutional reforms related to enforced disappearances, human rights, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the judiciary that were outlined in the July Charter. She said that despite earlier commitments, no progress had been made on forming councils to ensure independent appointments to constitutional bodies. She also alleged that Bangladesh’s elite, civil-military, and bureaucratic groups were obstructing reform to retain power.

She further stated that if the government continues to ignore the July Charter and referendum commitments, it risks reverting to the authoritarian tendencies of previous administrations.

Speakers at a national convention in Dhaka on Sunday accused the BNP-led government of deceiving the public over promised reforms. The event, organized by the National Citizen Party’s Reform Implementation Committee at the Diploma Engineers Institute, focused on energy, economy, human rights, and constitutional reform. Participants alleged that the government had abandoned its pre-election commitments and was moving toward authoritarianism by reversing key institutional reforms.

NCP leaders, academics, and civil society representatives criticized the government for canceling the July Charter’s provisions on human rights, anti-corruption, and judicial independence. They claimed that the BNP had withdrawn from constitutional reform initiatives and dissolved commissions meant to ensure accountability. Political scientist Dilara Chowdhury and sociologist Mirza Hasan said the ruling elite and bureaucracy were obstructing reforms to retain power.

Speakers urged the government to honor the July Charter and referendum outcomes, warning that failure to do so would push the administration toward authoritarian rule. They called for a public movement to compel reform implementation if the BNP government continued to ignore its commitments.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain has accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of avoiding necessary reforms under the pretext of power politics. Speaking on Sunday, May 3, at a national convention on energy, economic reform, and referendum held at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Dhaka, he said the BNP prefers to enjoy absolute power rather than pursue reform.

Hossain stated that although the BNP repeatedly mentioned a 'note of dissent', the consensus commission had agreed that any differing opinions would be recorded separately, making dissent secondary. He added that after the referendum, BNP’s approval or disapproval was no longer a central issue. He questioned BNP’s objections to four specific referendum questions, which included proposals for a new upper house, a caretaker government under a new formula, and neutral boards for constitutional appointments.

He urged BNP not to disregard the people’s verdict from the referendum and emphasized that the proposed constitutional reforms aimed to strengthen the basic structure of governance. The session was moderated by Monira Sharmin, convener of the National Women’s Power.