Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government is considering constructing a double rail line on the Dhaka-Sylhet route as part of a broader plan to enhance railway connectivity across Bangladesh. He explained that building new roads could lead to the loss of agricultural land, so the government is prioritizing rail expansion instead. The announcement was made on Saturday during a civic gathering organized by the Sylhet City Corporation.

The Prime Minister also stated that the government has undertaken canal excavation programs to prevent waterlogging and ensure proper water management. These initiatives aim to reduce flooding during heavy rainfall and retain water during the dry season. The remarks highlight the administration’s focus on sustainable infrastructure development and environmental management.

The proposed double rail line project, if implemented, is expected to improve transportation efficiency between Dhaka and Sylhet while minimizing environmental and agricultural impacts.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom Rita announced her intention to bring major reforms to the aviation ministry, emphasizing honesty and ideals in fulfilling the trust placed in her by the Prime Minister. She made the remarks on Saturday morning while addressing a free eye camp event held at the museum premises in West Bandutia, Manikganj Municipality.

During her speech, the minister said that after 17 years, the country is experiencing the true spirit of independence under a democratic government, which allows people to express their views freely. She urged everyone to use this opportunity responsibly and not to forget the nation’s past, including the failures of the previous interim government. Later, she allocated three lakh taka for the development of the Manikganj Museum.

The event was organized under the supervision of several local organizations, including the Manikganj Museum, Rahimunnesa-Enayet Foundation, Meher-Akiz Foundation, Manikganj Literary and Cultural Council, and Dhaka Lions Club, where hundreds of patients received free eye treatment and consultations.

Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense David Sedney has said that despite 60 days of war with Iran, the Trump administration has failed to achieve any of its stated objectives. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Sedney noted that the administration’s goal of regime change in Tehran has not materialized, as Iran’s leadership remains intact and is using the ceasefire to rebuild its military forces.

Sedney argued that President Trump has lost the information battle, suggesting that accurate information is not a priority for him and that he often misleads the public. He added that even in defeat, Trump might still claim victory, leaving it to the American people to decide whether to believe the facts or Trump’s narrative.

Beyond propaganda, Sedney emphasized that rising fuel prices could significantly influence the upcoming November midterm elections. He warned that if high petrol prices persist, Trump could face electoral defeat, as control over information and the oil market will ultimately determine the outcome of his Iran war strategy.

An unidentified 35-year-old man died after being beaten by locals who suspected him of attempting to steal a battery-run van in Shariatpur Sadar upazila’s Angaria Union on Friday morning. The injured man was taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital around noon, where doctors began treatment, but he died around 1 p.m. while under care. Police said they were alerted through the national emergency number and later recovered the man in critical condition.

Authorities have not yet identified the deceased, as no national identity card was found on him. A Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) team collected fingerprints from the body but failed to confirm his identity. The body has been kept at the Shariatpur Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Local officials said the man was tied with a chain and beaten by an angry crowd after being caught during the alleged theft attempt.

Police stated that efforts are ongoing to determine the man’s identity, and legal action will follow once it is confirmed.

An event marking May Day and International Workers’ Day was held in Dhaka, calling for the establishment of workers’ rights and a corruption-free administration to ensure sustainable national development. The discussion, organized by Citizens Against Corruption (CAC) at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium, gathered representatives from various professions under the theme “Workers’ Rights, End of Corruption: Transparent Campaign for a Prosperous Future.”

Former secretary and ex-BTRC chairman Syed Margub Morshed stated that sustainable progress is impossible without worker-friendly policies and a corruption-free administration, emphasizing coordination and accountability among the state, employers, and workers. CAC chairman Yusuf Hossain highlighted that workers remain deprived of fair wages, safe workplaces, and social dignity, urging effective labor policy implementation. He also stressed the need for safety, healthcare, and social protection for workers in key sectors such as garments, construction, and transport.

Economist Dr. Mostafizur Rahman described workers’ rights as both a moral duty and an economic necessity, while other speakers, including cultural and political figures, called for a social movement against corruption alongside labor rights protection.

A female police constable was found dead in her rented apartment in Kalapara, Patuakhali, early Saturday morning. Police recovered the body of Meherunnesa Urmi, 28, from a five-story building in Paschim Badurtali village under Tiakhali Union. Urmi was the wife of dismissed police member Mohibbur Rahman Bappi and served as a constable at Kalapara Police Station. According to police and local sources, the couple had frequent quarrels over family matters.

Around 1:30 a.m., Bappi informed the police that his wife had allegedly taken her own life by hanging from a ceiling fan. Police later recovered the body at dawn. Kalapara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nazrul Islam said that Urmi’s husband and two children were brought to the station for mental support, and an investigation is underway to uncover the cause of death.

Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident or the progress of the investigation.

Iran has reportedly informed Saudi Arabia and Oman that it plans to 'crush' the United Arab Emirates, according to a Middle East Eye report citing The Wall Street Journal. The plan is described as Tehran’s response to U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. The report suggests the move aims to deepen divisions between Abu Dhabi and its Gulf neighbors, particularly Saudi Arabia, amid long-standing regional tensions.

The report notes that the UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC signaled growing friction with Saudi Arabia, rather than unity against Iran. Despite Saudi displeasure with Iran’s rhetoric, both countries have maintained dialogue. Iran’s warnings indicate awareness of rifts among Gulf monarchies, all of which are U.S. partners. The UAE has been the most vocal Gulf state against Iran, suffering extensive missile and drone attacks during the conflict.

The war has strengthened the UAE-Israel partnership, with speculation that Abu Dhabi joined U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Meanwhile, Dubai’s tourism and finance sectors have been hit hard by the conflict, though the UAE continues to take a strong stance against Tehran.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government has initiated a canal excavation program aimed at preventing waterlogging and ensuring proper water management. He made the statement on Saturday at a civic gathering organized by the Sylhet City Corporation. The initiative seeks to reduce flooding during heavy rainfall and retain water during the dry season.

During his address, the Prime Minister also noted that constructing new roads could lead to the loss of agricultural land. To address this, the government is considering expanding rail connectivity across the country, including plans to introduce a double rail line on the Dhaka–Sylhet route. He emphasized that sustainable development is not possible without a corruption-free administration and labor-friendly policies.

The announcement coincides with the inauguration of a 40-billion-taka mega project designed to alleviate waterlogging, reflecting the government’s broader focus on infrastructure and environmental management.

The water level of the Teesta River has risen slightly in Lalmonirhat following continuous rainfall and upstream flow from India. As of 9 a.m. on Saturday, the river at the Dalia point of the Teesta Barrage was flowing 75 centimeters below the danger level. Local residents and the Water Development Board reported that the increase began early Saturday morning due to heavy rain and mountain runoff from across the border.

The Teesta River flows through five upazilas of Lalmonirhat, and even a small rise in water level can flood riverside areas across the district. Residents expressed concern that further increases could submerge new areas. Nurul Islam, in charge of the Dalia control room, confirmed the current water level, while Executive Engineer Amitabh Chowdhury said the flow remains below the danger mark despite the rise.

Locals remain anxious as the situation could worsen if upstream water continues to rise, potentially leading to flooding in low-lying areas.

A truck driver named Hannan, aged 45, was killed in a mob beating after his vehicle injured multiple pedestrians in Nagarkanda upazila of Faridpur on Friday night. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. in Bilnalia Natun Bazar area under Talma Union. Two others, identified as truck helpers Naeem, 22, and Al-Amin, 25, were seriously injured and are receiving treatment at a local hospital.

According to police and local sources, the truck, registered as Dhaka Metro T-12-7332, was speeding through narrow village roads from Rasulpur in Saltha upazila, hitting several pedestrians along the way. Witnesses reported that at least 20 people were injured before the truck crashed into a shop named Munshi Store. Enraged locals stopped the vehicle, assaulted the driver and his assistants, and vandalized the truck.

Police officials, including the assistant superintendent of police and the local union chairman, arrived to control the situation and rescue the injured. Authorities confirmed that the driver died after being taken to the hospital, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact number of injured and take legal action.

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.