United News of Bangladesh

Vote counting is underway across four Indian states—West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam—along with the union territory of Puducherry, in a set of elections seen as a crucial political barometer ahead of India’s 2029 general election. The results are being closely watched as an early test of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party is aiming to retain control in Assam while expanding its presence in southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu and Kerala. However, the sharpest focus remains on West Bengal, where the BJP is attempting to unseat the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in what is widely seen as a closely contested race. The campaign in the state has been marked by controversy, particularly over revisions to electoral rolls that led to the removal of millions of voters. Counting is expected to continue throughout the day, with early trends likely to emerge within hours. For the BJP, West Bengal represents a long-standing political objective dating back to the late 1980s, when leaders such as L. K. Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee identified the state as a key ideological frontier. A victory here would not only secure a major eastern stronghold but also signal the party’s transformation into a truly pan-Indian force. The state holds particular ideological significance due to its legacy of intellectual liberalism, leftist politics and strong regional identity. A win for the BJP would validate years of political mobilisation and organisational expansion, reinforcing Modi’s dominance. West Bengal has emerged as the central battleground among the states that voted in April. After 15 years in power, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her TMC are facing what is seen as their toughest challenge yet from an ascendant BJP. The stakes extend beyond the state. A BJP victory could reshape the political landscape in eastern India, while a TMC win would underscore the resilience of regional parties against central authority. The contest has been further intensified by a controversial voter roll revision that excluded nearly three million potential voters, alongside high turnout, polarised campaigning, strong welfare-focused politics and tightly contested exit polls—factors that have made West Bengal the most closely watched race in the current election cycle. Source: BBC

US President Donald Trump has said Washington is engaged in ongoing talks with Iran that could help bring an end to the war that has destabilised the Middle East. In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump indicated that the negotiations were making progress. “I am fully aware that my Representatives are having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all,” he wrote. The remarks came after earlier statements from Iran’s Foreign Ministry, which said Tehran had submitted a 14-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict. Iranian officials also confirmed that the United States had responded through intermediaries in Pakistan, signalling that diplomatic exchanges between the two sides are continuing.  #From Middle East Eye 

Iran has clarified that its proposed 14-point plan sent to the United States is primarily aimed at ending the ongoing war, while postponing more complex and sensitive issues for later discussions. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the proposal focuses on reaching an agreement to stop the conflict, rather than addressing all outstanding matters at once. He explained that the plan will be implemented in two phases. The first phase is to reach an agreement and fully end this war. The second phase, within 30 days, is to discuss that agreement and how it will be implemented. Baghaei also addressed the issue of guarantees, saying that Iran’s guarantees will come from its own power and leverage. He indicated that the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz remains a key factor in Iran’s negotiating position. He also ruled out speculation that the 30 days proposed [to reach an agreement] constitutes a deadline, saying clearly that Iran is not negotiating under pressure and not negotiating under ultimatums. The 30-day period is a sequence of phases, not a countdown. Overall, the proposal highlights Iran’s focus on ending the war first, while leaving more difficult issues to be resolved at a later stage and maintaining a position of strength in negotiations.  #From Al Jazeera

A bulk carrier near the Strait of Hormuz has reported being attacked by multiple small vessels, according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre. The incident occurred off Sirik, Iran, on Sunday. All crew members were reported safe, while vessels transiting the area have been advised to exercise caution. Iranian authorities have maintained that they control the strategic waterway and have said ships not linked to the United States or Israel can pass through the strait if they pay a toll. Meanwhile, Iran has submitted a new proposal to the United States aimed at resolving ongoing tensions within 30 days and ending the war instead of extending the current ceasefire, according to state-linked media reports. US President Donald Trump said Saturday he was reviewing the proposal but expressed skepticism about reaching a deal. In a social media post, he said Iran had “not yet paid a big enough price” for its actions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran’s 14-point proposal, presented as a response to a US nine-point plan, includes demands for lifting sanctions, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdrawing American forces from the region, and halting all hostilities, including Israeli operations in Lebanon, according to reports by Nour News and Tasnim agencies. However, the proposal reportedly makes no reference to Iran’s nuclear programme or its stockpile of enriched uranium, a longstanding point of contention with Washington. Iran conveyed its response through Pakistan, which hosted direct talks between the two countries last month. Pakistani leaders, including the prime minister, foreign minister and army chief, have been encouraging both sides to continue negotiations, according to officials familiar with the matter. A fragile ceasefire, in place for three weeks, appears to be holding, though Trump indicated that further military action remains a possibility. Separately, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi on Sunday. Oman has previously facilitated negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

Iran’s deputy parliament speaker said on Sunday that Iran “will not back down from our position on the Strait of Hormuz, and it will not return to its prewar conditions.” Ali Nikzad, who has no decision-making power in parliament, made the comments while on a visit to port facilities on Iran’s strategic Larak Island, located close to the narrowest part of the strait. “The Strait of Hormuz belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said, adding that the country was working to compensate businesses and property damaged during the war, and that Trump’s blockade plan was certain to fail. Nikzad reiterated Iran’s position that any ships not associated with the U.S. or Israel will be able to pass after paying a toll. The U.S. has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions for paying Iran in any form, including digital assets, to pass safely. Iran effectively closed the strait by attacking and threatening ships after the U.S. and Israel launched a war on Feb. 28. Tehran later offered some ships safe passage via routes closer to its shore, charging fees at times. The U.S. has responded with a naval blockade of Iranian ports since April 13, depriving Tehran of oil revenue it needs to shore up its ailing economy.  

Iran’s latest proposal to the United States calls for issues between the two countries to be resolved within 30 days and aims to end the war rather than extend the ceasefire, according to Iran’s state-linked media. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he was reviewing a new Iranian proposal to end the war but also expressed doubt it would lead to a deal. Iran’s 14-point proposal calls for an end to the war, rather than just an extension of the truce. The proposal, a rebuttal to the U.S. nine-point plan, also calls for the U.S. lifting sanctions on Iran, ending the naval blockade, withdrawing forces from the region, and ceasing all hostilities, including Israel’s operations in Lebanon, according to the semiofficial Nour News agency, which has close ties to the country’s security organizations. Iran sent its reply via a Pakistani intermediary, the news agency reported. Pakistan has hosted previous negotiations between Iran and the United States. Pakistan’s prime minister, foreign minister and army chief are continuing to push negotiations and encourage the U.S. and Iran to speak directly, according to two officials in Pakistan who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Trump rejected a previous Iranian proposal this week. However, conversations have continued, and the fragile three-week ceasefire appears to be holding. Also on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al Busaidi, who oversaw previous rounds of talks between the U.S. and Iran before the latest round of fighting. The U.S. president also offered a new plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, where about a fifth of the world’s trade in oil and natural gas typically passes. Iran stands firm on Strait of Hormuz issues Iran’s deputy parliament speaker said on Sunday that Iran “will not back down from our position on the Strait of Hormuz, and it will not return to its prewar conditions.” Ali Nikzad, who has no decision-making power in parliament, made the comments while on a visit to port facilities on Iran’s strategic Larak Island, located close to the narrowest part of the strait. “The Strait of Hormuz belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said, adding that the country was working to compensate businesses and property damaged during the war, and that Trump’s blockade plan was certain to fail. Nikzad reiterated Iran’s position that any ships not associated with the U.S. or Israel will be able to pass after paying a toll. The U.S. has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions for paying Iran in any form, including digital assets, to pass safely. Iran effectively closed the strait by attacking and threatening ships after the U.S. and Israel launched a war on Feb. 28. Tehran later offered some ships safe passage via routes closer to its shore, charging fees at times. The U.S. has responded with a naval blockade of Iranian ports since April 13, depriving Tehran of oil revenue it needs to shore up its ailing economy. In Tehran, rial continues to tumble On Sunday, the second day of Iran’s working week, the rial weakened further against the U.S. dollar. In Tehran’s Ferdowsi Street, the capital’s main currency exchange hub, the dollar was trading at 1,840,000 rials. Analysts say there is a strong possibility the currency will slip further in the coming days. The rial was trading at 1.3 million to the dollar in December, which at the time was a record low, and triggered w idespread protests over the worsening economy. Markets in Tehran remain unstable, with prices of some goods rising daily. According to reports published in Iranian media, several factories have not renewed contracts for workers after the Iranian new year holidays, and significant numbers have lost their jobs. Yousef Pezeshkian, the son and adviser of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, wrote on Telegram that both the United States and the Islamic Republic see themselves as the winner of the war and are unwilling to back down. Nobel committee calls for medical treatment for imprisoned Iranian laureate The Norwegian Nobel Committee urged Iran to immediately transfer jailed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi for medical treatment in Tehran after her health sharply deteriorated. The committee said it was in touch with Mohammadi’s family and lawyer, and that the 2023 prize winner’s life remains at risk without treatment by her dedicated medical team in Tehran. Mohammadi fainted twice in prison on Friday in the northwestern city of Zanjan, her foundation said, and was admitted to a local hospital. Her lawyers have said she is believed to have suffered a heart attack in late March. “Narges Mohammadi is imprisoned solely for her peaceful human rights work. Her life is now in the hands of the Iranian authorities,” Nobel committee chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes said. Mohammadi, 53, a rights lawyer who won the prize while in prison, was arrested in December during a visit to the eastern Iranian city of Mashhad and sentenced to seven more years in prison.

The results of the West Bengal Assembly elections will be declared on May 4 for 293 of the 294 constituencies, but Falta seat will remain outside the final tally due to allegations of serious electoral irregularities and a fresh repoll order. The Election Commission has ordered repolling in all 285 booths of the Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district on May 21 under strict security arrangements. Counting for the constituency will now be held on May 24. The decision comes amid complaints of voter intimidation, alleged EVM tampering, and unauthorized presence inside polling stations during voting on April 29. Authorities said observers flagged multiple irregularities during the exercise. Earlier, complaints had sought repolls in 77 booths across the state, including 32 booths in Falta alone. Incidents reported during polling included allegations that the EVM button for a candidate was covered with tape at a booth in Falta, which was later removed by security forces. Separate claims of similar interference were also raised in other booths. Security personnel also used force outside a polling station in the Belsingh area following allegations of attempted voter influence, triggering protests in which some voters, including women and a child, were reportedly injured. The Election Commission has directed authorities to ensure full security deployment, webcasting, micro-observer presence and videography to prevent any recurrence of malpractice during the repoll. The constituency is witnessing a triangular contest involving Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan, BJP’s Debangshu Panda, Congress nominee Abdur Razzak Molla, and CPI(M)’s Sambhu Nath Kurmi. The two-phase elections in the state were held on April 23 and April 29. Reacting to the repoll order, BJP leaders welcomed the move, claiming it exposed electoral malpractice, while Trinamool Congress leaders strongly rejected the allegations and accused the opposition of political targeting. Source NDTV

Two foreign activists from a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla, who were taken to Israel for questioning, are expected to appear in court on Sunday, according to an Israeli rights group. The flotilla, comprising more than 50 vessels, had departed from France, Spain and Italy with the aim of breaking Israel’s blockade on Gaza Strip and delivering humanitarian supplies to the war-affected region. Israel warns of strikes on 12 Lebanon towns, tells residents to flee Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters near Greece on Thursday. Israel said around 175 activists were removed from the vessels, with two individuals taken to Israel for interrogation. The two activists - Spanish national Saif Abu Keshek and Brazilian Thiago Avilo — are scheduled to be presented before a court in Ashkelon. Miriam Azem, international advocacy coordinator at Adalah, said they had not yet been brought before the court. She made the remarks while speaking to AFP. Source: Al Jazeera

Organisers of a global human rights conference have cancelled the event in Zambia just days before it was set to begin, alleging pressure from China to bar Taiwanese activists. New York-based advocacy group Access Now, which hosts the annual RightsCon summit, said Friday it decided to call off the gathering after the Zambian government initially announced a postponement. According to Access Now, Zambian officials indicated that China had raised concerns about the participation of Taiwanese civil society members who planned to attend the event in person. The group said it refused any conditions that would exclude participants from Taiwan. “We believe foreign interference is the reason RightsCon 2026 will not take place in Zambia,” Access Now said in a statement. It added that informal messages from multiple sources suggested the government wanted organisers to limit certain topics and block some groups, including Taiwanese participants, from joining both physically and online in order to lift the postponement. Earlier, Zambian authorities said the conference was delayed to review its themes and ensure they matched the country’s “national values, policy priorities and broader public interest.” Zambia maintains close political and economic relations with China, particularly through Chinese investments in its mining sector. RightsCon focuses on human rights in the digital age, covering issues such as internet censorship, surveillance and cyberwarfare. More than 2,600 people were expected to attend in Zambia, with another 1,100 joining online from over 150 countries, organisers said. Last year’s summit was held in Taiwan. Taiwan’s Digital Affairs Minister Lin Yi-jing said the cancellation reflected China’s discomfort with values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Human Rights Watch called on Zambian authorities to clarify the reasons behind their decision. The development comes shortly after Taiwan accused Beijing of blocking a planned visit by its President Lai Ching-te to Eswatini on April 22. Taiwan said the trip was cancelled after Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles, under Chinese pressure, denied overflight permission for Lai’s aircraft. China’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the move, saying it was in line with the “one-China principle.” China considers self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province and opposes any formal ties between Taipei and countries it maintains diplomatic relations with. Beijing holds significant influence across Africa. In a surprise update on Saturday, Lai said he had arrived in Eswatini after the earlier trip was called off, adding that Taiwan “will never be deterred by external pressures.”

Imprisoned Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has been transferred to a hospital following a serious deterioration in her health, her foundation said Friday. According to the Narges Mohammadi Foundation, she experienced two instances of complete unconsciousness along with a severe cardiac episode while being held in a prison in Zanjan, northwestern Iran. Earlier the same day, Mohammadi reportedly fainted twice in custody. Her lawyers have previously indicated that she may have suffered a heart attack in late March, noting her weakened condition, pale appearance and need for assistance to walk during a prison visit. The foundation said her hospitalization came after more than four months of what it described as “systematic medical neglect” since her arrest on December 12. Prison doctors ultimately recommended her transfer, saying her condition could no longer be treated inside the facility. Her family, however, warned that the move might have come too late. Relatives had been calling for weeks for her transfer to a properly equipped medical center. Her brother, Hamidreza Mohammadi, said the family is struggling to ensure she receives adequate care, alleging that local authorities have obstructed efforts. Mohammadi, 53, has suffered ongoing heart-related complications. In March, fellow inmates reportedly found her unconscious, and she later complained of chest pain and breathing difficulties. Her legal representatives have also said she was previously denied access to hospital treatment and a cardiologist. Her lawyer Mostafa Nili said her blood pressure has fluctuated sharply in recent days, leading to repeated fainting. She was eventually admitted to a cardiac care unit after a neurologist ordered her urgent transfer. Mohammadi, a prominent rights activist, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 while in detention. She was arrested again in December during a visit to Mashhad and later sentenced to an additional seven years in prison. Her family says her health has worsened partly due to alleged physical abuse during her arrest. International observers, including the Nobel committee, have condemned what they describe as life-threatening mistreatment. Before her latest arrest, Mohammadi had already been serving a lengthy prison sentence on charges related to national security and anti-government activities, though she had been temporarily released on medical grounds. Despite repeated detentions, she has continued her activism, even while on furlough, participating in protests and speaking to international media. Her case gained global attention after she became one of the few Nobel laureates to receive the prize while imprisoned, amplifying her role in highlighting protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini. Mohammadi has remained outspoken against Iran’s leadership, calling for political change and urging public resistance, even from behind bars.