Bangladesh reported seven new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours after testing 139 individuals, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). This brings the total number of cases in the country to 2,051,807 since the start of the pandemic in 2020. During the same period, five patients recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 2,019,401. No new deaths were reported, keeping the total COVID-19 death toll at 29,502.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the planned Iran–United States dialogue scheduled for Sunday in Muscat has been canceled. However, he emphasized that diplomacy and dialogue remain the only viable path toward lasting peace.

Commenting on the development, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said, "The United States has acted in a manner that renders dialogue meaningless. One cannot call for talks while simultaneously cooperating with the Zionist regime to target Iranian territory."

India’s Border Security Force (BSF) has forcibly sent 16 people into Bangladesh through the Mirgarh border in Panchagarh Sadar and Pedia Ganj in Tetulia. Among them are four Indian nationals. Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) detained the group early Saturday, which includes six Bangladeshi women, two children, and four men. According to Lieutenant Colonel Monirul Islam, commanding officer of Panchagarh-18 BGB, arrangements are being made to return the Indian nationals through a flag meeting, while the Bangladeshis will be handed over to their families.

Canada has extradited 20-year-old Muhammad Shahzaib Khan to the United States for plotting a terror attack targeting a Jewish center in Brooklyn, New York. FBI Director Kash Patel said Khan, inspired by ISIS, planned the attack for October 7, 2024 — the anniversary of the 2023 Hamas attacks. He was arrested by Canadian authorities on September 4, 2024, before carrying out the plan. The FBI’s New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles field offices are jointly investigating. Khan will now stand trial in the US.

Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, has urged the government to complete ongoing political reforms within a month. He stressed that the work of the National Consensus Commission should be finalized by June or July. Calling for the signing of a ‘July Charter’ by all political parties, he also demanded justice for those responsible for last year’s deadly crackdown, comparing their crimes to the war criminals of 1971. Haque also highlighted his party’s resistance against past fascist regimes.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has assured that Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to ensure security during the upcoming elections. Acknowledging that minor incidents are inevitable, he noted that such occurrences have been part of Bangladesh’s 53-year history. He urged media outlets not to distort or sensationalize isolated incidents, as such reporting is often manipulated by foreign interests.

The World Bank has approved a $250 million loan to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency within Bangladesh’s public sector. The project, titled “Strengthening Institutions for Transparency and Accountability,” will support key agencies including the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, National Board of Revenue, Planning Division, Central Procurement Technical Unit, and the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The World Bank expects these institutional reforms to help reduce corruption in the country.

China has strongly condemned Israel’s attack on Iran, calling it a violation of Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity. During a UN Security Council meeting, China’s UN representative Fu Cong criticized the Israeli offensive and warned that the escalating conflict is undermining negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. Urging an immediate cessation of military operations, he emphasized that Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy under the Non-Proliferation Treaty must be fully respected.

Tehran has warned that any military assistance by the US, UK, or France to help Israel counter Iranian attacks will result in retaliatory strikes on their regional bases and naval vessels. According to the BBC, the UK has not yet taken any military steps or directly supported Israel. Meanwhile, The Times of Israel reports that a ballistic missile strike injured seven Israeli soldiers, and Israel has temporarily shut down Ben Gurion Airport. However, Lebanon, Jordan, and other regional countries are gradually reopening their airspace starting Saturday.

Rashed Khan, General Secretary of Gano Adhikar Parishad, has declared that the upcoming national election will be the best in Bangladesh’s history. Urging voters to reject extortionists, occupiers, and those involved in mafia networks or fascist activities, he called on citizens to support candidates with clean images. He also announced the party’s preparation to contest all 300 parliamentary seats. Rashed Khan made these remarks while exchanging Eid greetings in Jhenaidah, where he also participated in a motorbike rally.

Iran is reportedly conducting a "serious review" of closing the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical oil transit route, according to Esmail Kowsari, a member of Iran's parliamentary security commission. The news has already triggered a surge in global oil prices and heightened international concerns. Geopolitical analyst Taufiq Rahim noted that Israel has not yet attacked Iran’s oil infrastructure, but if such strikes occur, the consequences could be catastrophic. A closure of the Strait of Hormuz would severely disrupt the global energy supply chain, far beyond just the Middle East.

Dengue fever has claimed another life in Bangladesh, with 169 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Barisal reported the highest number of admissions (101), followed by Dhaka (35), Chattogram (28), and other regions. This year, dengue has so far claimed 29 lives, with a total of 5,739 infections across the country.

Police in Gazipur’s Pubail area have arrested six individuals for impersonating police officers in an attempted robbery. Authorities recovered two toy pistols, fake walkie-talkies, police uniforms, handcuffs, stickers, caps, and other police-related gear from the suspects. Police suspect the group was preparing for a robbery and are investigating further.

Police have arrested Barsha Islam Brishti, the admin of the Facebook group ‘Tour Expert,’ following the deaths of two tourists in Bandarban’s Alikadam area. The arrest followed a case filed by the father of one of the deceased, alleging negligence and unauthorized operations in dangerous hilly regions. The victims reportedly drowned due to sudden flash floods during the unauthorized tour, while one person remains missing.

Responding to Jamaat-e-Islami’s criticism, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has denied claims that the party received any special favor from Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. He clarified that Jamaat’s own earlier suggestion of holding elections before Ramadan 2026 aligns with the newly announced election timeline. Salahuddin urged Jamaat and others to view the London meeting from a national perspective, beyond narrow partisan interests.