U.S. and Iran Consider Second Nuclear Talks After Failed Pakistan Ceasefire Negotiations

After the first round of ceasefire negotiations in Pakistan collapsed, the United States and Iran were reported to be considering a second round of talks.

The New York Times reported that the U.S. and Iran had traded proposals for a suspension of Iranian nuclear activities, with Iran proposing a five-year suspension after the U.S. sought a 20-year moratorium.

Al Jazeera

Vice President JD Vance declared that Iran chose not to accept our terms, while Iranian state media blamed excessive demands from Washington.

President Trump then announced a naval blockade of Iranian ports, which Iran called an act of piracy.

China condemned the U.S. blockade as dangerous and irresponsible.

The death toll from the Rahman Textile factory fire diverged sharply across sources.

The Bangladeshi government and Reuters placed the figure at 28, the Dhaka Tribune and Guardian at 33, while Al Jazeera counted at least 41.

Al-Arabiya CGTN

Fire service chief Mahmud Iqbal said rescue crews found most of the victims near the stairwells on the third and fourth floors.

Witnesses told the BBC that the factory's main exit was locked when the fire broke out.

Police detained factory owner Faisal Rahman, who was being questioned about allegations that the factory's emergency exits had been welded shut.

Survivors described scenes of workers pounding on locked metal doors as smoke filled the stairwells.

Nasrin Begum escaped by jumping from a second-floor window.

The Bangladesh Garment Workers' Federation called a nationwide strike.

Kalpona Akter said Rahman Textile had been cited for fire safety violations in 2024 but had continued operating.

This was not an accident. This was corporate murder.

Labour Minister Tahmina Akhter pledged an immediate government investigation.

Rahman Textile produced clothing for several European fashion brands, including Hessen and BrandBox.

Both companies said they were deeply saddened by the deaths.

AP News

Hessen's compliance team had audited the factory in March.

Clean Clothes Campaign spokesperson Ineke Zeldenrust said the audit system was fundamentally broken.

Rahman was being questioned about allegations that the factory's emergency exits had been welded shut.