Pakistan has opened a land trade corridor to Iran while the country faces a blockade on its ports and ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. The new routes connect Pakistan’s Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar ports with Iran’s Gabd and Taftan border crossings. Officials said the Gwadar-Gabd corridor is the shortest, reducing travel time to two to three hours compared to 16 to 18 hours from Karachi, and cutting transport costs by up to 55 percent.

Analysts noted that this corridor could reduce Pakistan’s dependence on Afghanistan, whose relations with Islamabad have deteriorated since October last year due to border clashes. Security analyst Iftikhar Firdaus said the route allows Pakistan to bypass Afghanistan entirely for westward trade, positioning it as a key entry point for China-backed trade routes into West Asia. However, experts also warned of potential security risks along the border.

Observers believe the move could help sustain trade between the two countries despite regional instability, though questions remain about its impact on U.S. pressure tactics against Tehran and ongoing mediation efforts by Islamabad.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock of Bangladesh has issued a warning after a document claiming to be an official permit for importing cattle from India was found circulating on social media and online platforms. The ministry stated on Saturday that initial verification confirmed the permit to be fake, misleading, and intentionally fabricated. It clarified that the document has no connection with the Department of Livestock Services and lacks any official approval, record, or procedural consistency.

According to the ministry’s notice, the Department of Livestock Services confirmed that the permit was not issued by the department and that the information, numbers, and signatures used in it are unverifiable. The ministry urged the public, traders, and all concerned not to make decisions based on such false or misleading information and to refrain from sharing or spreading unverified documents.

The ministry also cautioned that legal action may be taken against those responsible for spreading fake information and advised citizens to rely only on the official website and verified government sources for accurate updates.

A mobile court in Porsha upazila of Naogaon fined Nahar Filling Station Tk 20,000 for selling diesel below the correct weight. The inspection took place around 11:30 a.m. on Friday at the Sarai Gachhi Bazar station, where the court found that customers were receiving 110 grams less diesel per five liters. The discrepancy amounted to a value shortfall of about Tk 12.50 per five liters.

The mobile court, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Rakibul Islam, imposed the fine under the Consumer Rights Protection Act. After the penalty was collected, the fuel measurement system was recalibrated, and the station was allowed to resume sales.

The action highlights local enforcement of consumer protection laws aimed at ensuring fair trade practices in fuel distribution within the region.

Mohammad Selim Uddin, a central executive council member of Jamaat-e-Islami and the party’s Dhaka North city chief, warned that if the government fails to implement the July Charter, the issue will be settled on the streets. He made the remarks on Friday at a volunteer representatives’ conference organized by Jamaat’s Dhaka North Blood Division at the Baridhara auditorium in the capital. Selim Uddin described the July Revolution and July Charter as major national achievements now at risk due to what he called the government’s negative and reckless attitude.

He accused the government of opposing the July Charter out of a fascist mindset and urged it to act wisely by implementing the charter in line with the people’s referendum. He emphasized that conscious citizens would not allow the government to ignore public will. During the event, he also highlighted the importance of humanitarian service and called for unity among volunteers and compassionate citizens to work for public welfare.

The conference, chaired by T.I. Riaz, featured speeches from several doctors and activists, and nine volunteers received the Best Blood Hero Award for their contributions.

May Day rallies held on Friday across Europe and Asia shifted from traditional labor rights demands to politically charged demonstrations. Protesters combined calls for higher wages and inflation control with anti-war slogans, expressions of solidarity with Palestine, and strong criticism of the United States and Israel. From Paris to Istanbul and Madrid to Seoul, demonstrators blamed rising living costs on Middle East conflicts, U.S. foreign policy, and capitalism.

In Paris, clashes erupted between protesters and police, leading to the use of tear gas and grenades. Madrid saw thousands marching with banners condemning capitalism and criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Similar confrontations occurred in Munich and Istanbul, while in Manila, protesters near the U.S. Embassy demanded lower fuel prices and an end to Middle East wars. In Seoul, union leader Yang Kyung-su urged solidarity with workers in Iran and Palestine.

Analysts offered contrasting views: Emma Schubert described the rallies as ideological platforms reflecting anti-Western sentiment, while Nile Gardiner criticized them as moral decline for targeting the U.S. and its allies instead of authoritarian regimes.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended a civic gathering in Sylhet on Saturday morning after inaugurating a project under the Sylhet City Corporation. He arrived at the event around 11:15 a.m. following the foundation stone laying ceremony. Earlier, the prime minister visited the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) and inaugurated a project along the Surma River focused on beautification and flood protection infrastructure.

Later in the day, he is scheduled to inaugurate a canal excavation program at Kandigaon Union in Sylhet Sadar upazila and launch the 'Notun Kuri Sports' initiative at Sylhet District Stadium under the Ministry of Youth and Sports to identify young athletic talents. In the evening, he will attend a party meeting before returning to Dhaka.

The city has been decorated with arches, banners, and festoons at key points to mark the prime minister’s visit, reflecting local preparations for the day’s multiple development events.

Police have detained A.K.M. Asifur Rahman Chowdhury, president of the Lohagara Upazila unit of the Chhatra League, in Chattogram. The arrest took place around 7 p.m. on Friday in the Chandgaon residential area of the city. Chandgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Nur Hossain Mamun confirmed the detention of the leader, who belongs to a banned faction of the student organization.

According to police sources, multiple cases are filed against Asifur Rahman Chowdhury at Lohagara Police Station. Details about the nature of the cases or the specific charges were not disclosed in the report.

The report did not mention any official statement from the Chhatra League or other authorities regarding the arrest, and further legal proceedings were not described.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman inaugurated a Tk 4,000 crore mega project aimed at resolving waterlogging in Sylhet city. The inauguration took place at Chandnighat area of Sylhet Metropolitan City Corporation on May 2, 2026, at 11 a.m. Dr. Zubaida Rahman was present during the event. The project is reported to be the largest in the history of Sylhet City Corporation.

Before attending the inauguration, the Prime Minister visited the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) at around 10:30 a.m. Upon completing the visit, he proceeded directly to the Chandnighat area for the ceremony. The project is part of the government’s broader efforts to address urban waterlogging through major infrastructure initiatives.

The report also mentioned that the government is undertaking canal excavation to prevent waterlogging and considering a double rail line on the Dhaka–Sylhet route, reflecting a wider focus on sustainable urban and transport development.

The Election Commission has declared the nomination of Nusrat Tabassum, joint convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), as valid for the reserved women’s seat in the 13th National Parliament. The Chief Returning Officer made the announcement on Saturday, May 2, according to NCP office secretary Saleh Uddin Sifat. He stated in a Facebook post that the decision was made officially after completing the necessary administrative procedures, and the party will brief the media shortly at the Election Commission’s media center.

Earlier, Nusrat Tabassum’s nomination had been rejected because it was submitted at 4:19 p.m., 19 minutes after the 4:00 p.m. deadline on April 22. However, on April 27, a High Court bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar directed the Election Commission to accept her nomination. The upcoming election for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament is scheduled for May 12.

The validation of Tabassum’s nomination follows the court’s intervention, clearing her to contest in the forthcoming election under the NCP banner.

The Pentagon has reported that Iran has suffered an estimated loss of $4.8 billion due to the ongoing US naval blockade. According to a review cited by Axios, the blockade has deprived Tehran of nearly five billion dollars in oil revenue since it was implemented. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the blockade aims to maintain sustained economic pressure on Iran.

Acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez said in a statement that the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz remains fully operational and is achieving its intended impact. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that since the blockade began on April 13, American forces have forced 45 commercial vessels to turn back or return to port in the Middle East.

Despite the absence of diplomatic progress, both the United States and Iran have intensified their respective blockades. Iran has strengthened its control over the Strait of Hormuz, while US forces continue to restrict maritime traffic in the Gulf of Oman.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced a new plan to strengthen control over the country’s southern coastal waters, including the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to a report by Iran’s state-run Press TV, the IRGC Navy Command stated that it will establish control across Iran’s nearly 2,000-kilometer coastline along the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC said the initiative aims to make Iran’s maritime areas a source of pride and strength for its people, as well as a foundation of security and prosperity for the region. The announcement underscores Tehran’s intent to reinforce its maritime presence in one of the world’s most critical waterways.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei earlier remarked that the Persian Gulf region could look forward to a bright future without U.S. involvement, emphasizing Tehran’s commitment to ensuring regional security and eliminating what he described as “enemy misuse” of the waterway.

U.S. President Donald Trump informed Congress that he does not need congressional approval to continue military actions against Iran, arguing that hostilities between the two nations ended following a recent ceasefire. In a letter sent on the 60th day after notifying Congress of the Iran operation, Trump stated that no exchanges of fire had occurred since April 7, 2026, and that the conflict, which began on February 28, was now over.

Under U.S. law, a president must seek congressional authorization within 60 days of initiating military action, or cease operations. Trump contended that the ceasefire exempts him from this requirement. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supported this interpretation, saying the legal “clock” had stopped, while Democratic Senator Tim Kaine disagreed, arguing the law does not support such a reading. Legal experts also questioned the administration’s stance, noting that a ceasefire does not legally end a conflict.

The Treasury Department warned that paying Iran for passage through the Strait of Hormuz could violate U.S. sanctions. The waterway remains largely closed, affecting global trade, while Congress debates whether to formally authorize the conflict.

Residents living near the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna, have expressed growing fears about safety as the facility nears operation. Many locals, including fishermen and families in nearby villages, worry that radiation or heat from the plant could make the area uninhabitable. Rumors about health risks and livestock loss have spread, deepening public unease. Some residents said they have not received clear communication or awareness programs from authorities about safety procedures or emergency plans.

Experts and project officials, however, insist that the Rooppur plant incorporates multiple layers of modern safety systems. Nuclear scientists explained that the VVER-1200 reactor model used at Rooppur includes containment structures and automatic monitoring to prevent radiation leaks even in extreme scenarios. The plant’s management stated that awareness programs have been launched to educate local communities and that international safety standards are being followed under IAEA oversight.

Officials acknowledged that maintaining a strong safety culture and skilled management will be crucial for the plant’s long-term safe operation, emphasizing continuous improvement and transparency in safety practices.

The United States has approved the sale of more than $8.6 billion worth of military equipment to four allied nations—Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar. The U.S. State Department announced the approval on Friday, during a period of ceasefire between Iran and Israel that has lasted for over three weeks following nine weeks of conflict.

According to the announcement, the approved sales include $4 billion in Patriot missiles for Qatar, a $2.5 billion Integrated Battle Command System for Kuwait, and $992.4 million in Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems for Israel. The United Arab Emirates will receive $147.6 million worth of APKWS systems. The decision comes after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory actions by Tehran and the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, has been in effect since April 8, and the new arms sales indicate Washington’s continued support for its Gulf and regional allies during the fragile truce.

The Barapukuria thermal power plant’s Unit 1 in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, resumed electricity generation early Friday after remaining closed for six days. The 125-megawatt unit returned to production at 4:22 a.m. following repairs, currently generating about 55 to 60 megawatts for the national grid. Officials expect the restart to slightly increase overall power supply.

According to the plant’s chief engineer, the unit had been shut down on April 25 due to a burst boiler pipe. Repairs were completed before the unit was brought back online. Meanwhile, overhauling work continues on Unit 3, which a Chinese contractor expects to complete by May 15. Once operational, the unit is expected to further stabilize electricity supply.

The Barapukuria plant has three units, two of which were already out of operation. The latest shutdown occurred when stones mixed with coal damaged boiler tubes, temporarily halting production across the facility.