A high-level Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad after a day of meetings, just before a United States delegation was reported to be en route to Pakistan. The information was confirmed by Al Jazeera’s Osama bin Javed. Before departing, the Iranian team submitted a formal list of demands to the Pakistani government outlining Tehran’s conditions for ending its ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.

According to the report, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt had earlier announced that the US delegation, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, would arrive in Pakistan on Saturday. Pakistan is currently acting as a mediator between Iran and the United States. Although Iran has refused direct talks with the US, Islamabad is serving as a communication bridge to convey Tehran’s proposals to Washington.

The US delegation is expected to review Iran’s proposals and discuss next steps toward ending the conflict. Tehran’s demands prioritize security guarantees and the lifting of sanctions. Pakistan’s diplomatic role in facilitating these exchanges has placed it at the center of current global political attention.

Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of deceiving the public after coming to power by promising a 'yes' vote in the referendum. Speaking on Saturday at the National Coordination Meeting of NCP’s youth wing, Jatiyo Juboshokti, he said the BNP’s claim of majority rule and unilateral decision-making amounted to betrayal of the referendum mandate. During the event, a seven-member partial committee of Jatiyo Juboshokti was announced, with a full committee to follow soon.

Hossain also criticized the government for printing large sums of money and amending banking laws to favor money launderers, suggesting that only the ruling chairs had changed, not the mindset of corruption. He warned that the NCP would resist any attempt to restore fascism through alliances with the Awami League unless the latter was legally banned. Other NCP leaders condemned recent police violence against student representatives and rising fuel and commodity prices, accusing the government of authoritarian tendencies.

Speakers emphasized youth unity and political consensus to prevent the return of fascism and advance the ideals of July’s democratic aspirations.

Germany has announced plans to join an international mine-clearing operation in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz once a peace agreement is reached between the United States and Iran. To prepare for the mission, the country will soon deploy a mine-clearing vessel, the Fulda, to the Mediterranean Sea. According to a spokesperson from Germany’s Defense Ministry, the ship will be deployed within the next few days.

The spokesperson stated that Germany aims to make a significant and visible contribution to the international coalition working to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Fulda will be deployed with a crew of 45, but the operation in the strait will only begin after a lasting end to the conflict and approval from the lower house of the German parliament.

Turkey has previously expressed interest in joining the mine-clearing mission once hostilities cease. The coalition’s main objective is to secure the vital maritime route in the post-conflict period.

Police in the United States have recovered the body of Jamil Limon, a Bangladeshi PhD student at the University of South Florida, from the Howard Frankland Bridge area. Another student, Nahida Brishti, remains missing. Authorities have arrested Limon’s roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, as a suspect in the case. Investigators informed Brishti’s family that based on the amount of blood found in the shared apartment, they believe she is also dead.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office identified the 26-year-old suspect as a former USF student. He faces charges including battery, unlawful confinement, evidence tampering, failure to report a death, and unlawful removal of a body. Sheriff Chad Chronister described the incident as deeply disturbing and said it has shaken the community. The pair had been reported missing on April 17 after last being seen near campus the previous day.

An autopsy is underway to determine Limon’s cause of death, with results expected over the weekend. Search operations for Brishti continue, while USF’s president said the university is maintaining contact with the victims’ families.

Fuel supply and sales have been suspended for two weeks in Roumari and Rajibpur upazilas of Kurigram due to delays in issuing fuel cards. The only filling station serving both areas, Brahmaputra Filling Station in Roumari, last sold fuel on April 10, leaving residents facing severe hardship. With no fuel available, transportation has nearly stopped, and people are struggling to travel for work, education, and daily needs.

The shortage has sharply reduced the number of petrol and octane-powered vehicles, especially motorcycles, on local roads. Frequent power outages have also prevented electric rickshaws from charging, forcing residents to walk long distances. SSC examinees are among the worst affected, relying on pedal rickshaws and vans to reach exam centers. Farmers are unable to irrigate their boro paddy fields, raising fears of lower yields.

Local officials and the filling station management have given conflicting statements about the reason for the delay. The station manager cited pending fuel card issuance, while the Roumari Upazila Nirbahi Officer said the card process should not prevent fuel sales.

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has announced plans to establish six open-field temporary markets to rehabilitate registered street hawkers. DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan disclosed the initiative at a city dialogue held in Gulshan on Saturday, emphasizing that hawkers must operate only in designated areas under a registration system. A maintenance fee will be collected, and stalls must be movable, not permanent or semi-permanent structures.

Khan noted that the number of hawkers on Dhaka’s footpaths has risen from 200 to nearly 2,000, severely disrupting pedestrian movement and even ambulance access near hospitals. He stressed that the city cannot allow a small group to cause hardship for the majority and called for coordinated urban management among utility agencies. He also mentioned discussions about penalizing those who dump waste into city canals.

Speakers at the event, including urban activists and officials from RAJUK and WASA, highlighted Dhaka’s broader urban challenges such as pollution, poor coordination, and infrastructure delays, urging integrated governance and stronger enforcement to prevent the city from becoming unlivable.

At least 50 million people in Bangladesh are at risk of thyroid-related hormone disorders, according to Professor Dr. Farid Uddin, president of the Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and Diabetologists of Bangladesh (ACEDB). Speaking as chief guest at an event held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday, he emphasized that early detection and proper treatment can prevent serious complications. He called for public awareness to reduce the family and social burden of these conditions.

Dr. Farid Uddin described hormone disorders as silent killers that can lead to obesity, weakness, infertility, and various sexual health issues. He noted that treatment for most hormone-related diseases is available in Bangladesh, including at government hospitals. He attributed the rise in hormonal imbalance to unhealthy lifestyles, poor diet, pollution, and excessive chemical use, but said regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress control can reduce risks.

He also stressed the importance of early testing for newborns to prevent complications, noting that timely diagnosis and low-cost treatment can help affected children lead normal lives.

Barishal City Corporation (BCC) Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin has declared May and June as 'Cleanliness Months' to transform Barishal into a modern and livable city. The announcement was made on Saturday at noon following the inauguration of a canal cleaning and tree-planting program on Zia Road in the city.

Shirin stated that the initiative aligns with the national program announced by the Prime Minister and the current government to excavate and re-excavate rivers, canals, and water bodies across the country. As part of this effort, BCC has planned to clean all canals within its jurisdiction. The two-month campaign aims to ensure a cleaner urban environment and marks the beginning of broader canal excavation, re-excavation, and renovation efforts.

The inauguration event was attended by BCC Chief Executive Officer Md. Rezaul Bari and other officials, along with leaders and activists from Barishal Metropolitan BNP’s affiliated organizations.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said the government is working to attract foreign investment to develop international-standard tourism infrastructure in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Saturday at the 'Beautiful Bangladesh Run 2026 (Season-2)' event held at Hatirjheel in Dhaka, where over a thousand participants joined the race to promote the country’s tourism sector domestically and internationally.

The minister stated that discussions are underway with the globally renowned company Emaar Properties, known for constructing the Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates. Plans are being considered to involve the company under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework to enhance tourism facilities in Bangladesh. He added that the tourism sector currently contributes about 2 to 3 percent to the GDP, with a target to raise it to 6 to 7 percent in the future.

The event, organized by the Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB), also featured prize distribution among marathon winners and remarks from representatives of the event’s sponsor, Rhythm Group, and ATJFB officials.

The Shahjalal University Press Club organized a human chain on Saturday afternoon in front of the central library building of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology to protest the recent attack on journalists at Dhaka University. The club leaders demanded that those involved in the incident be identified quickly and brought under the law for exemplary punishment.

Speakers at the event, including current and former leaders of the press club, said the attack on journalists was not an isolated event but a direct assault on freedom of expression. They alleged that those who fear the truth resort to such violence and warned that without ensuring journalists’ safety, the democratic environment would be at risk. Current president Noman Faisal stated that the growing trend of attacks on journalists poses a serious threat to the nation and that attempts to silence the media would only strengthen press freedom.

The participants expressed solidarity with the three-point demand announced by the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association and called for the immediate arrest and punishment of the attackers.

A protest rally and gathering were held in Purbadhala upazila of Netrokona on Saturday afternoon in response to an attack on the car of Jamaat-e-Islami Member of Parliament Masum Mostafa. The event was organized by the local unit of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its affiliated organizations. The procession started from the party office, marched through the main streets, and concluded with a brief assembly demanding exemplary punishment for those responsible.

The rally was presided over by upazila Jamaat chief Mahfuzul Haque Khan Nayon, with district Jamaat leader Sadeq Ahmed Haris as chief guest and MP Masum Mostafa as the main speaker. Other local leaders also addressed the gathering, condemning the attack and urging unity against political violence. They stated that such incidents harm the democratic environment.

The attack occurred on Friday evening at a filling station in Atkapara area, where tension reportedly began over fuel purchase. Masum Mostafa later alleged that local BNP activists carried out a planned assault, temporarily detaining him before police intervened.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said the current government inherited a fragile economy and heavy debt burden due to the mismanagement of the previous administration. Speaking on Saturday at the National Press Club during a seminar titled “Ten Lakh Skilled Workforce in the European Labor Market: Masterplan (2026–2031) and Ensuring Migrants’ State Rights,” he emphasized that expanding remittance inflow is essential to keep the economy active.

The minister stated that the current BNP government is working cautiously to increase foreign currency earnings by sending skilled manpower abroad. To achieve this, the government has adopted several plans to develop skilled human resources. He added that remittances from expatriates are one of the main driving forces of the economy, and coordinated efforts among the government and stakeholders are needed to expand this flow and create new labor markets overseas.

Highlighting tourism as an alternative source of foreign currency, Swapan said that if international-standard infrastructure and environment are ensured in Kuakata or Cox’s Bazar, foreign tourists will visit, making tourism a strong alternative sector for foreign exchange earnings.

A severe diesel shortage in Jamalpur has rendered 28,000 irrigation pumps inoperative, putting around 50,000 hectares of Boro rice and other crops at serious risk. Farmers have been queuing for hours at petrol pumps and dealer points with jars and drums, but many are unable to obtain the fuel they need. Most fuel stations display 'no oil' signs, and limited supplies are far below demand, leading to growing frustration among farmers.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Jamalpur targeted Boro cultivation on about 200,000 hectares this season, with 53,368 irrigation pumps across seven upazilas, including 28,103 diesel-powered units. These pumps irrigate roughly 50,406 hectares of farmland, now threatened by the fuel crisis. Farmers report that irrigation intervals have lengthened drastically, causing soil cracks and drying rice plants.

District agricultural officials warn that prolonged shortages could affect production, while the Additional District Magistrate and head of the local fuel monitoring committee insists that diesel supply remains normal and that farmers are being prioritized.

Rumi A Hossain, sponsor director and chairman of the Board Executive Committee of Bank Asia, has been appointed as the new chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The appointment was made through a notification issued by the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry’s Biman-1 branch on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Alongside Hossain, four representatives from financial institutions have also been added to the airline’s board.

The new board includes Finance Division Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhter, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Javed Tanvir Khan, Engineer-in-Chief of Bangladesh Army Major General Md. Hasan Uz Zaman, BNP’s International Affairs Secretary Barrister Nasir Uddin Ahmed Asim, Policy Exchange Bangladesh Chairman and CEO M Mashrur Reaz, UCB Chairman Sharif Zahir, DBL Group Vice Chairman Mohammad Abdur Rahim, X Index Companies Additional Managing Director Md. Mamunur Rashid, Barrister Khairul Alam Chowdhury of Chowdhury & Law Firm, and Dhaka University Professor Abu Naser Ahmed Ishtiaq. Biman’s Managing Director and CEO Kaiser Sohail Ahmed remains on the board by virtue of his position.

The chairman post had remained vacant for an extended period following the resignation of Sheikh Bashiruddin.

Iran has executed Erfan Kiani, a protester accused of working for Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad, amid ongoing unrest across the country. The execution took place on Saturday morning after Iran’s Supreme Court upheld his death sentence. The news was confirmed by Fars and Tasnim, media outlets close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to official information, Kiani was charged in January 2026 with multiple serious offenses, including arson and acts of sabotage during protests. Israel has not yet issued any official comment on the matter. Meanwhile, the IRGC conducted operations in Kermanshah province, detaining 155 individuals alleged to be members of anti-revolutionary groups.

Among those detained, four are suspected of being spies linked to Israel’s Mossad. The developments come as Iran continues to face internal instability and heightened tensions with Israel.