Iran has handed over a framework for talks with the United States to Pakistan, according to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. In a phone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pezeshkian said the main obstacle to resuming dialogue is a deep crisis of trust. He emphasized that the blockade and pressure over the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the U.S. military presence in the Gulf of Oman, remain key barriers to progress.

Pezeshkian pointed to what he described as a contradiction between U.S. pressure and diplomacy, noting that Washington continues to impose sanctions while calling for negotiations. He said this inconsistency has increased distrust among the Iranian public and officials toward the United States.

The Iranian president added that talks in Islamabad have stalled under U.S. demands and that Iran will not return to negotiations or reopen the Strait of Hormuz until sanctions are lifted.

U.S. President Donald Trump described the presidency as a 'dangerous profession' following a shooting incident during a dinner event in Washington on Saturday. Speaking at a press conference afterward, Trump said he could not imagine any job more dangerous than being president. The incident marked the third shooting or attempted shooting near Trump in recent years.

Trump stated that despite the risks associated with his position, he continues to live a relatively normal life. He emphasized that he is not mentally distressed or fearful, claiming he remains calm even in extreme danger. When asked how the shooting at the White House correspondents’ dinner affected him, Trump said he prefers not to dwell on it and believes he handles such situations as well as possible.

The remarks came amid heightened security concerns following repeated incidents involving gunfire near the president, though Trump sought to project composure and resilience in his response.

US President Donald Trump has abruptly canceled the planned visit of special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad, Pakistan. The visit was intended to initiate a new round of discussions between the United States and Iran. According to an Al Jazeera report, a meeting in Islamabad had been arranged as part of the dialogue process, but Trump rejected Iran’s proposal as inadequate and decided to cancel the trip.

Trump announced the decision on his Truth Social platform and later told reporters that the Iranian side had presented a document containing several proposals, which he found unsatisfactory for the United States. He added that sending top-level representatives to such talks would not be reasonable given the uncertainty of the outcome.

Despite the cancellation, Trump indicated that diplomatic channels remain open and that Iran could return to negotiations if it wishes. Analysts believe the decision has cast uncertainty over the future of the renewed US-Iran dialogue.

A doctor accused of providing a false forensic report in the Sohagi Jahan Tonu murder case has allegedly attempted to flee abroad. The report states that Dr. Kamda Prasad Saha, former head of the forensic department at Cumilla Medical College and now treasurer of Khulna Medical University, is seeking a no-objection certificate to travel to several SAARC countries, reportedly to escape to the United States and seek political asylum. Tonu’s father, Iar Hossain, urged authorities to detain him and uncover the truth behind the case.

Dr. Saha led the initial and second autopsies of Tonu, a former student of Cumilla Victoria College, and was accused of concealing evidence of assault and issuing misleading findings that sparked public outrage. Family members and citizens have demanded his immediate interrogation and travel restrictions. The case has recently progressed with the arrest of retired army officer Hafizur Rahman and court orders for DNA testing of three suspects.

Calls have been made to suspend Dr. Saha’s travel clearance and place him under surveillance to prevent possible escape as investigations continue.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has strongly condemned BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s recent remarks threatening to politically eliminate Jamaat. In a statement issued to the media on Saturday night, Porwar described the comments as unconstitutional, undesirable, and undemocratic, asserting that such language does not align with democratic principles.

Porwar argued that Mirza Fakhrul’s statement echoed the rhetoric of what he called fallen authoritarian forces, claiming it was inappropriate and disappointing from a senior political leader. He warned that such remarks could incite unrest and violence, pushing the country toward political chaos. Porwar further alleged that the BNP leader’s comments indicated an attempt to reestablish one-party authoritarian rule by eliminating the parliamentary opposition.

He urged the BNP secretary general to refrain from using provocative language and instead uphold democratic norms. Porwar emphasized that threats or intimidation could not suppress Jamaat-e-Islami and that the people of Bangladesh would reject any conspiracy to politically destroy the party.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has published a new fare list for inter-district and long-distance bus routes, including those in Dhaka and Chattogram, following the recent increase in fuel prices. The list was released on Saturday on the BRTA website, though passengers reported that no buses had yet displayed the updated fare charts. Supervisors said they had not received the official lists and were therefore continuing to charge previous fares.

According to a government notification issued on April 23, fares for diesel-run buses were raised by 11 paisa per kilometer. In Dhaka and Chattogram, 52-seat buses will now charge Tk 2.53 per kilometer, up from Tk 2.42, while inter-district buses will charge Tk 2.23, up from Tk 2.12. Minimum fares remain unchanged at Tk 10 for buses and Tk 8 for minibuses. The new rates do not apply to gas-powered vehicles.

Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam warned that any gas-run buses charging higher fares would face action. He added that future fare adjustments will automatically align with international fuel price changes through BRTA notifications, ensuring a transparent and consistent process.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central assistant secretary general Muazzam Hossain Helal alleged that some individuals were trying to conceal their history of fleeing to London by labeling others with secret tags. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing a protest rally organized by an eleven-party alliance at the Town Hall premises in Barishal city.

Helal claimed that within two months of taking office, the current government’s “fascist character” had become evident to the public. He accused the government of betraying the consensus reached in the Unity Commission regarding the July Charter and of using the judiciary to legitimize oppression. He urged the authorities to implement the July Charter in line with the referendum’s verdict and heed the people’s demands.

Barishal city Jamaat Amir Zahir Uddin Muhammad Babar said the government had disappointed the nation by reinstating old authoritarian laws and resuming campus occupation politics. He warned that attacks on student leaders indicated a deteriorating law and order situation and that student groups would resist if targeted. Speakers from the alliance vowed to continue their united movement and hinted at tougher programs ahead.

Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party has urged the government to swiftly implement the February referendum verdict, warning that any delay or disregard would amount to betrayal of the nation. Party leaders made the remarks on Saturday during the Majlis-e-Shura session held at a hotel in Dhaka, presided over by party chief Allama Sarowar Kamal Azizee and conducted by Secretary General Musa Bin Izhar. They said ignoring the people’s mandate would not only be a political failure but also an insult to the martyrs of the July uprising.

Speakers expressed deep concern over the country’s current political and economic situation, noting that the referendum reflected the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives for reform and citizens’ rights. Despite the government’s formation after winning the parliamentary majority, the leaders alleged procrastination in implementing the referendum’s outcome, which they described as disappointing and alarming.

The meeting also voiced concern over deteriorating law and order, citing rising instability in educational institutions and recent violent incidents. The party demanded swift arrests and exemplary punishment for those involved and announced new programs to strengthen its nationwide activities.

US technology giants Meta and Microsoft are set to lay off around 16,000 employees to manage rising expenses linked to their expanding artificial intelligence (AI) investments, according to a Financial Times report. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, plans to cut about 10 percent of its workforce, or roughly 8,000 employees, and cancel around 6,000 vacant positions. An internal memo indicated that the layoffs will begin on May 20.

Meta is investing heavily in AI infrastructure, including new data centers and recruitment of top-tier technology experts, to compete with rivals such as Google and OpenAI. The company previously stated that its 2026 capital expenditure could reach between 115 and 135 billion dollars, with a large portion allocated to AI infrastructure and operational costs.

Microsoft, meanwhile, is offering voluntary retirement to about 7 percent of its US-based workforce, affecting more than 8,000 employees who meet specific age and service criteria. The company had already cut over 15,000 jobs in 2025 while pledging 140 billion dollars to accelerate AI development.

A hearing on the formation of charges against former mayor Fazle Noor Taposh, former textiles and jute minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and 26 others is scheduled to take place today at the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka. The case concerns the killing of nine people in Mohammadpur during the July Revolution. The three-member judicial panel is chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, with Justice Md Shafiul Alam Mahmud and retired district and sessions judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as members.

The prosecution is set to present its arguments today. The hearing was previously scheduled for April 15 but was postponed following a prosecution request for more time. Among the accused are former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman, former Additional DIG Proloy Kumar Jowardar, and former Joint Police Commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarkar, along with leaders and activists from the banned Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League.

Four accused are currently in custody and were brought to the tribunal from prison this morning. The tribunal is expected to deliver its order on charge framing on May 7.

A sudden gunfire incident caused panic during a dinner attended by U.S. President Donald Trump and White House correspondents in Washington, D.C. Trump confirmed that the suspected attacker had been detained and that the individual’s identity had been established.

Authorities identified the suspect as Cole Thomas Allen, a 31-year-old man from Torrance, a southwestern suburb of Los Angeles, California. Washington’s mayor stated that the suspect is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital while remaining in police custody. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that formal charges will be filed against him soon.

The report, citing CNN, did not provide further details about the motive or the extent of the incident, but officials indicated that the investigation is ongoing.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that no country is free from political violence, responding after a shooting incident at a dinner event. Speaking to reporters, he remarked that even with the best security systems, a disturbed individual can still cause problems. His comments came as part of his reaction to the recent event that drew attention to political safety concerns.

Trump further said that participating in politics in the United States is part of doing business and that political violence exists across the world. He added that he could not imagine a profession more dangerous than politics, emphasizing that no nation is entirely free from violence.

The remarks, reported by BBC and published by Amar Desh Online on April 26, 2026, highlight Trump’s view that political risks are universal and not confined to any single country.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is continuing its strategy of integrating expatriate talent into its youth teams. Following the success of winning the SAFF Under-20 Championship with expatriate players Ronan Sullivan and Declan Sullivan, BFF has now confirmed plans to include two more expatriates, Adam Abbas and Zidan Yusuf, in the national U-20 squad. The move comes as part of preparations for the upcoming AFC Under-20 Asian Cup qualifiers.

According to BFF Vice President Fahad Karim, both players, based in England, have expressed interest in representing Bangladesh. Nineteen-year-old right winger Adam Abbas has experience playing in youth teams of top English clubs, and his performance videos have impressed BFF’s technical team. His passport process is expected to be completed by June. Meanwhile, 18-year-old center-back Zidan Yusuf, standing 6 feet 4 inches tall, already holds a Bangladeshi passport and currently plays for Walton & Hersham FC’s main team. He is expected to join the U-20 training camp soon.

BFF aims to strengthen its squad with these additions as it targets success on the Asian stage.

In Phulbaria upazila of Mymensingh, the local office of the Bangladesh Awami League has transformed into a betel leaf market. The office, located beside the government pond on Post Office Road, was once a hub of political activity but became inactive after the student and public movement on August 5, which led to a shift in local political dynamics. Following damage during the unrest, the office was abandoned and later repurposed as a trading spot.

Local sources report that every morning, betel farmers from nearby villages bring their produce to the site, where wholesalers and traders gather to negotiate prices and conduct sales for about two hours. Residents say the market has become a regular fixture, attracting over a hundred farmers and buyers daily. The organized trading system benefits local growers and traders.

According to locals, the conversion of the political office into a commercial market has created a new form of economic activity in the area, contributing modestly to the local economy.

A Comilla court has ordered former army officer Hafizur Rahman to be sent to jail after a three-day remand in connection with the murder of Sohagi Jahan Tonu, a Victoria Government College student killed ten years ago. The order was issued on Saturday by Chief Judicial Magistrate Abdullah Aman. Investigation officer Tariqul Islam of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) said Hafizur was interrogated on key issues during remand, and his DNA sample has been collected for testing. Further legal steps will follow after verification of the obtained information.

Tonu’s father, Iyar Hossain, expressed dissatisfaction with the arrest, saying he wanted to see all suspects brought to justice, not just one. The PBI had earlier collected DNA samples from three retired army personnel, including Hafizur, for matching with evidence found in 2017. The case was filed in 2016 after Tonu’s body was discovered inside the Comilla Cantonment area.

The investigation continues as authorities await DNA test results to determine the next course of action.