Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani held a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi to discuss rising tensions in the Middle East. According to a statement shared on social media, both sides expressed deep concern over the current situation and reviewed ongoing conflicts in Iran and the broader region. Tajani emphasized the urgent need to strengthen diplomatic efforts to prevent further deterioration. During the discussion, Tajani highlighted the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and warned that the current deadlock could negatively affect food security and stability, particularly in Africa. He reiterated that for Italy, any military development of Iran’s nuclear program is a red line that could trigger a dangerous regional arms race. Tajani also urged Iran to use its influence over Hezbollah to stop attacks against Israel and to support peace efforts in Lebanon. He reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to backing all international initiatives for peace and maintaining open dialogue with all partners to enhance stability in the Middle East.

The Mongla Port Authority Officers Association held its annual general meeting and reunion on Saturday at the Port Auditorium in Khalishpur, Khulna, which was established in 1993. The event took place in a festive environment with spontaneous participation from officers of various levels within the authority. The meeting discussed the association’s future plans, strengthening organizational activities, and addressing officers’ demands. Speakers at the meeting emphasized that unity and mutual cooperation within the association could enhance professional skills and welfare among officers. They called for collective efforts to make the organization stronger and more effective in the future. Following the formal session, a joyful reunion and cultural program were organized, attended by officers and their family members. Organizers noted that such events play a vital role in improving relationships, fostering harmony, and strengthening fraternity and family bonds among members.

The Israeli military has acknowledged damaging a Christian religious site in southern Lebanon, according to a statement released on Saturday. The incident occurred in the village of Yaroun, where Israeli forces said they were targeting what they described as terrorist infrastructure. The army confirmed that a building within a religious compound was hit during the operation. A French Catholic charity, L’Oeuvre d’Orient, strongly condemned the attack, claiming that Israeli troops destroyed a convent belonging to the Greek-Catholic Salvatorian Sisters. The organization described the strike as a deliberate assault on a place of worship. In response, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated that the damaged building bore no clear religious markings at the time, and that once religious symbols were identified on another structure in the same complex, steps were taken to prevent further harm. Adraee also justified the military presence in the area, citing multiple rocket attacks launched from the compound toward Israeli territory by Hezbollah, despite an existing ceasefire.

An eleven-party alliance organized a mass procession and rally in Noakhali on Saturday afternoon demanding the immediate implementation of the referendum verdict and the 'July Charter'. The procession began at the district model mosque premises around 5:30 p.m., marched through the main streets of the town, and concluded with a brief rally at the municipal market. The event was presided over by Jamaat-e-Islami central Majlish-e-Shura member and Noakhali district Ameer Ishaq Khondaker, with district secretary Maulana Borhan Uddin conducting the session. Leaders from several parties, including Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, the Labour Party, and the NCP, addressed the gathering. They accused the government of disregarding the referendum verdict, which they claimed reflected the will of 70 percent of the people. According to the speakers, the government had pledged to form a constitutional reform council and implement reforms within 180 days but failed to take the required oath or act on the commitments. Speakers warned that the alliance would continue street protests until the referendum verdict and the July Charter were fully implemented.

A severe nor'wester storm struck Bhola Sadar upazila on Saturday afternoon, uprooting several large trees and causing widespread disruption to road and power connections. The storm toppled six to seven trees around the upazila administration campus, cutting off communication and electricity for thousands of residents in the surrounding areas. Witnesses said continuous rain had softened the soil around large rain trees, which collapsed when the storm hit. The incident blocked major roads linking Bhola town with eastern parts of the district, while fallen electric poles and snapped wires plunged the area into darkness. One house in Bapta union was damaged after a tree fell on it, and the roof of Bapta temple was blown away. Local authorities managed to partially clear the roads after three to four hours of effort, though vehicle movement remains limited. According to the Bhola Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer, losses amount to several lakh taka, and full restoration of normal conditions may take two to three more days as recovery work continues.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that the country is fully prepared to counter any form of aggression. He made the remarks at a gathering of ambassadors and heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Tehran, according to Al Jazeera. Gharibabadi emphasized that Iran believes in interest-based diplomacy and continues to play a role in resolving ongoing crises accordingly. He added that Iran has presented its plan to Pakistan as a mediator to achieve a permanent end to the imposed war, noting that the decision to pursue diplomacy or continue conflict now rests with the United States. Gharibabadi also said Iran remains ready for both paths to safeguard its national interests and security, while maintaining skepticism toward the United States but upholding honesty in diplomacy. The report noted that the war, jointly conducted by the United States and Israel, began in late February and has been suspended since April 8.

A fire broke out late at night at the Primary Education Directorate’s store room in Mirpur-2, Dhaka, where individuals wearing burqas allegedly set the blaze. Police have arrested three employees of the directorate—cleaners Asmaul Islam, Md. Jinnat Ali Biswas, and Humayun Kabir Khan—in connection with the incident. The arrests were announced by Mirpur Division Deputy Police Commissioner Mostak Sarkar at a press briefing held at the DMP Media Center on Saturday evening. According to police, the fire occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on Friday, damaging a large number of laptops stored on the second floor. Of 735 laptops, 450 remained intact, 33 were partially damaged, 29 severely damaged, and 140 completely burned, while 83 were missing. A regular case has been filed at Mirpur Model Police Station. Police said Asmaul Islam admitted to setting the fire during initial questioning, leading to the arrest of the other two suspects. Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan and State Minister Bobby Hajjaj visited the site and expressed concern. The minister directed the secretary to form a three-member investigation committee immediately.

Iranian human rights activist and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has been transferred from prison to a hospital after her health deteriorated sharply. According to a foundation run by her family, she lost consciousness twice in one day and suffered serious heart-related complications. The statement, released Friday, said doctors at Zanjan Prison in northwestern Iran determined that her condition required urgent hospital care, as proper treatment was not possible inside the facility. Lawyers reported that Mohammadi suffered a heart attack in late March, and her health had been worsening since then. Her family alleged that she was physically assaulted during her arrest in Mashhad last December, sustaining injuries to her head, neck, and body, which they believe worsened her condition. The 53-year-old was detained on December 12 and sentenced in February to more than seven years in prison for alleged involvement in “anti-state conspiracy.” She had previously served long sentences for similar charges and was temporarily released for medical reasons in late 2024. The Nobel Committee condemned ongoing “life-threatening abuse” against Mohammadi in February, while the Iranian government has not issued any official response to the allegations.

An Ansar member named Md. Forhad, aged 26, died from electrocution on Saturday afternoon in Mahalchhari upazila of Khagrachhari district. The incident occurred at his home while he was charging an autorickshaw and a short circuit caused severe injuries. Family members immediately took him to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. According to family sources, Forhad had returned home on leave four days earlier. He was the son of Azibur Rahman from the Lemuchhari area and served in the Bangladesh Ansar force. Mahalchhari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mirza Zahid confirmed the incident, stating that the body remains at the hospital and will be handed over to the family after legal procedures. The death has cast a shadow of grief over the local community. Residents have called for greater awareness and safety measures regarding electrical hazards in the area.

A 55-year-old farmer named Ahad Mia from Rampur village in Goalanagar Union, Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria, died after witnessing his ripe paddy fields submerged under water. According to family and locals, Ahad had cultivated six bighas of paddy during the Boro season with borrowed money. Heavy rainfall and upstream flooding caused his crops to go underwater. When he went to harvest the paddy with laborers, he collapsed upon seeing the damage and died on the way home. Local union parishad member Ahmed Ali said the farmer could not bear the shock of losing all his crops. His nephew, Mohammad Faruk Ahmed, confirmed that the funeral and burial took place on Saturday afternoon. Upazila Agriculture Officer Imran Ahmed stated that an assistant agriculture officer was sent to the deceased’s home after receiving news of the incident. Nasirnagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shahina Nasrin said officials were preparing a list of affected farmers to bring them under government incentive programs.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman successfully completed his visit to Sylhet on Saturday, May 2, 2026, despite continuous rain that had disrupted the city’s festive atmosphere. He arrived at Sylhet Osmani Airport in the morning with his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and inaugurated several development projects, including the Surma Riverbank Development Project worth about Tk 4,635 crore. The project aims to enhance riverbank beauty, prevent flooding, and improve urban mobility and recreation. During a civic gathering at Sylhet City Corporation, the Prime Minister announced plans to double the Dhaka–Sylhet railway line and expand the highway to ease travel. He emphasized sustainable water management through canal excavation and pledged to address waterlogging in Sylhet permanently. Rahman also revealed plans to recruit 100,000 health workers—80 percent women—to promote health awareness nationwide. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to implementing election promises, including reopening closed factories, activating the Sylhet IT Park, and supporting flood-affected farmers. The Prime Minister said these initiatives would create jobs, attract investment, and improve public health and infrastructure resilience.

China has announced counter-sanctions in response to US measures imposed on five Chinese companies accused of involvement in Iran’s oil trade. Beijing formally issued an injunction to block the US sanctions, which Washington said were aimed at firms violating its Iran-related restrictions. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce denounced the US move as an example of “long-arm jurisdiction.” According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, the sanctioned companies include Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery, Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group, Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group, Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical, and Shandong Shengxing Chemical. The details of how Beijing’s injunction will be implemented have not yet been clarified. Analysts cited in the report noted that this latest dispute over Iran could further complicate the already tense trade and diplomatic relations between Washington and Beijing.

Several low-lying areas of Chattogram were submerged again on Saturday afternoon after just 25 millimeters of rainfall, causing severe suffering for residents. The waterlogging affected key neighborhoods including Probortok, Mehedibagh, Panchlaish, and Katalganj, where water levels ranged from knee to waist height. The rain, recorded between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., was classified as moderate by the Patenga Meteorological Office. This incident occurred only three days after authorities claimed that embankments blocking city canals had been removed to ease drainage. The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) and City Corporation had earlier stated that the army’s construction of retaining walls had temporarily obstructed water flow, leading to previous flooding. Despite the removal of 30 embankments, city officials admitted that sediment inside the canals had not yet been fully cleared, slowing water drainage. According to the City Corporation, the remaining sediment caused temporary water stagnation in low-lying areas, but the water receded within a short time. Officials argued that the situation did not amount to full-scale waterlogging as seen in the previous week.

Saudi Arabia is confronting a severe challenge following the United Arab Emirates’ sudden withdrawal from OPEC, as the ongoing Iran war disrupts crude exports across the Persian Gulf. The conflict has prevented Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members from using their spare production capacity, worsening the supply crisis. Crown Prince and Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman now faces pressure to stabilize the market while managing internal divisions within the oil alliance. The UAE, previously OPEC’s fourth-largest producer and second in spare capacity after Saudi Arabia, had long expressed dissatisfaction with its production quota. Analysts note that the country’s departure exposes deeper rifts within OPEC, especially as Saudi Arabia’s decision-making has shifted from consensus-driven diplomacy to more unilateral actions. The geopolitical rivalry between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, intensified by conflicts in Yemen, has further strained cooperation. Experts suggest that despite the current turmoil, the crisis could eventually strengthen OPEC’s unity and streamline its decision-making process once regional oil flows normalize.

Following an improvement in regional security conditions, the United Arab Emirates has restored normal airspace operations. At the same time, Qatar Airways announced that it will resume flights to Iraq’s capital Baghdad, as well as to Basra and Erbil international airports, starting May 10. Qatar had temporarily closed its airspace on February 28 as a precaution due to regional tensions and security concerns, later reopening it partially on March 6. With the situation now stabilized, the airline has decided to fully restart its Iraq-bound flights. The UAE’s civil aviation authority stated that the decision to normalize airspace operations was made after reviewing security and operational conditions in coordination with relevant agencies. According to the Emirates News Agency, the situation is currently under control, and real-time monitoring continues to ensure safe air travel. Observers believe Qatar Airways’ move will help strengthen regional connectivity and commercial activity with Iraq.