Two former Israeli prime ministers, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, have announced a political alliance ahead of the national election scheduled for later this year. The new party, named 'Together', will be led by Bennett. The announcement was made in a joint televised statement, where both leaders emphasized unity and the need to overcome internal divisions to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to Al Jazeera, the alliance aims to consolidate Israel’s fragmented opposition, whose only common ground appears to be opposition to Netanyahu. Bennett described the move as a historic Zionist step, while Lapid praised Bennett as an honest right-wing politician with whom he shares mutual trust. Both leaders said their goal is to unite the opposition and focus all efforts on winning the upcoming election and leading Israel toward the future.

Bennett also pledged that, if elected, he would establish a national commission to investigate the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, an inquiry that the current Netanyahu government has rejected.

Palestinian election officials announced that President Mahmoud Abbas’s loyal political faction achieved a major victory in the recent municipal elections, which for the first time in nearly two decades included a city in Gaza. Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said the polls were held during an extremely sensitive and complex period. This was the first election in Gaza since 2006 and the first Palestinian vote since the Israel-Palestine conflict reignited in October 2023.

The Palestinian Authority described the vote in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, as a pilot election, reaffirming Gaza as an integral part of a future Palestinian state. Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, did not field candidates and boycotted the West Bank vote. Preliminary results showed Abbas’s Fatah-backed list winning six of fifteen seats in Deir al-Balah, while Hamas-linked candidates won two. Independent and local groups took the remaining seats.

Voter turnout reached 23 percent in Gaza and 56 percent in the West Bank. Analysts attributed low Gaza turnout to ongoing war, displacement, and humanitarian crisis. Despite Israeli restrictions on election materials, the vote was viewed as a symbolic step toward Palestine’s political future.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury has urged all not to engage in disputes over the number of July martyrs. Speaking in the National Parliament on Sunday during the discussion on the President’s address, he said that while debates continue over the figures of 3 million and 300,000 martyrs from 1971, the government does not want similar controversies about July. He emphasized that no one should create disputes that could persist for decades.

The minister called for unity in working for the country’s future, warning that division could bring harmful consequences. He urged the opposition not to oppose merely for the sake of opposition. Referring to the fate of the Awami League, he cautioned that such outcomes should not be repeated. Opposition members expressed support by banging on their desks during his remarks.

He further reminded opposition lawmakers to be mindful of their own political future, noting that they too should avoid repeating similar mistakes.

Following the Vietnam War, the United States enacted the War Powers Resolution, which limits a president’s ability to engage in military action without congressional approval to 60 days. Under this law, the president must notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying armed forces and seek authorization to continue operations beyond the initial period. The resolution also allows an additional 30 days for safe troop withdrawal if necessary.

In the ongoing Iran conflict, President Donald Trump reportedly initiated military action without prior congressional approval, formally notifying Congress only after launching attacks on February 28. The 60-day limit is set to expire around May 1, by which time Congress must authorize the operation for it to continue. Debate persists over whether the countdown began on the day of the attack or the day Congress was notified.

Some Republican lawmakers argue that any cease-fire period should not count toward the 60-day limit, while certain Democrats believe such pauses complicate the timeline. Despite the law’s existence, no U.S. military operation has ever been halted under it, and past presidents have questioned its constitutional validity.

U.S. President Donald Trump described the attacker at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner as mentally ill and anti-Christian during an interview with CBS News on Sunday. The event took place Saturday night at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, where journalists and media representatives had gathered for the annual dinner. Trump said he heard gunfire but was not worried, adding that the attacker’s target was unclear though it seemed directed at him.

Trump further stated that the suspect had once been a Christian and a believer but later turned against the faith, undergoing significant personal changes. He characterized the individual as likely suffering from illness. The remarks came amid ongoing discussions about the security and political climate surrounding high-profile public events in the United States.

The source did not provide details about casualties, the attacker’s identity, or law enforcement responses, leaving aspects of the incident unclear.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Anisul Huq inaugurated a mobile legal aid camp in Karail, Dhaka, on Monday morning. The initiative aims to provide free legal assistance to underprivileged and helpless individuals. During the event, the minister emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that no one is deprived of legal support and urged people to report if they face any barriers in accessing these services.

At the inauguration ceremony, the minister personally offered immediate legal advice to two women from the Karail slum. He also listened to the legal problems faced by slum residents and suggested possible solutions. The mobile camp is part of the government’s broader effort to expand access to justice for marginalized communities.

The event underscores the government’s focus on strengthening legal aid delivery at the grassroots level, aiming to make justice more accessible to all citizens.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mufti Amir Hamza, representing Kushtia-3 constituency, has filed a petition with the High Court seeking anticipatory bail in a defamation case. The hearing on his petition may take place on Monday before a bench led by Justice Zahid Sarwar Kajol. The case stems from allegations that Hamza made defamatory remarks about State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku.

On April 21, a Sirajganj court issued an arrest warrant against Amir Hamza after he failed to appear despite being summoned earlier. The case was filed on April 2 by Humayun Kabir, Additional Public Prosecutor of Sirajganj District and General Secretary of the District Bar Association. He accused Hamza of calling Iqbal Hasan Mahmud an atheist and making offensive comments about Islam.

The allegations arose from a March 26 speech by Iqbal Hasan Mahmud honoring the 1971 Liberation War and freedom fighters, which Hamza later criticized during a sermon at a mosque in Kushtia.

U.S. President Donald Trump praised the Secret Service after being swiftly evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., following a shooting near a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Trump and his administration officials were the likely targets. Police arrested 31-year-old suspect Cole Thomas Allen, who was found with firearms and knives. The FBI’s criminal and counterterrorism units are investigating the incident.

According to U.S. media, Allen had a history of anti-Trump posts and allegedly sent a manifesto to family members before the attack. The White House described the event as a “survived assassination attempt.” Trump later told reporters he was reluctant to leave the stage and called his security team “tremendous.” The White House Correspondents’ Association president called the event “horrific” and credited the Secret Service for saving thousands of guests.

Trump used the incident to renew his call for constructing a secure ballroom at the White House, claiming it could have prevented the attack. He also thanked journalists for responsible reporting and urged peaceful resolution of differences.

A confrontation erupted at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) on April 27, 2026, when students affiliated with the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and general students faced off in front of Zia Hall. The clash followed a protest march triggered by tensions over wall writings opposing covert political activities on campus, which has officially banned politics since August 10, 2024.

The dispute began after wall writings appeared on April 23 criticizing secret political activities under the name of the nationalist student group. The next day, general students wrote slogans against both covert and open politics and hung a banner near the central library, which was later allegedly burned by Chhatra Dal supporters. The incident spread on social media, sparking anger among students.

University officials, including the deputy and assistant directors of the student welfare office, arrived at the scene to monitor the situation. Following the protest, students surrounded the administrative building, demanding strict enforcement of the campus ban on politics. The campus remains tense and anxious following the confrontation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in St. Petersburg on Monday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking to reporters upon arrival, Araghchi said his visit aims to continue close consultations between Tehran and Moscow on regional and international issues. He confirmed that the meeting with Putin will focus on the current war situation and provide an opportunity to review the latest developments.

Araghchi expressed confidence that the discussions and coordination between the two countries would be particularly significant. According to the report, key decisions may emerge regarding diplomatic progress, possible solutions, and future steps to end the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. Before traveling to Russia, Araghchi had visited Islamabad, where he presented a framework for a permanent end to the Iran war to Pakistan’s top leadership.

The talks in St. Petersburg are expected to reinforce Iran-Russia cooperation on regional stability and diplomatic efforts related to the conflict.

In Kurigram’s Rajarhat upazila, clashes broke out on Sunday, April 26, 2026, following an attack on two Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders allegedly by activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. Later that evening, BNP and Chhatra Dal members reportedly attacked the local Jamaat office, injuring six people including one Shibir activist. The violence began after disputes over wall writings and social media posts led to assaults and counter-chases between the rival groups.

Witnesses said Shibir’s upazila president Sujon Mia and district school division treasurer Mahin Mia were attacked, leaving Sujon hospitalized. As tensions escalated, both sides engaged in repeated chases. Jamaat and Shibir members later held a protest march, while BNP and Chhatra Dal organized a counter rally that turned violent near the Jamaat office. Stones were thrown, injuring several, including Shibir activist Habibur Rahman.

Local leaders from both Jamaat and BNP blamed each other for the unrest. Police confirmed stone-throwing from both sides but said the situation was now under control.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has reportedly been pressing to promote several officials despite existing government audit objections. The commission’s Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) has met multiple times, but representatives from the Finance Ministry, Public Administration Ministry, and the Posts and Telecommunications Division, along with BTRC’s vice chairman and administration director general, opposed the move, citing that the audit objections were directly linked to recruitment and financial issues. The matter was later discussed in the commission’s 304th meeting, where it was decided that promotions would be considered only after determining the relevance of the audit objections.

Despite this, BTRC instructed its Legal and Licensing Division to seek expert opinions, disregarding the DPC’s recommendation. Sources claim the commission is rushing to finalize promotions before possible leadership changes following the next national election. Two deputy directors who had filed court petitions against alleged irregularities were recently transferred, raising concerns of administrative retaliation. Officials fear such actions could discourage future legal challenges against internal misconduct.

Questions have also emerged about the legality and cost-effectiveness of several spectrum monitoring stations operating without government approval, which some sources say contribute to unnecessary public expenditure.

The International Crimes Tribunal is currently hearing testimonies in eight cases involving 55 high-profile accused linked to crimes against humanity during the Awami League’s fifteen-year rule. The accused include Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former minister Obaidul Quader, adviser Salman F Rahman, and dismissed Major General Ziaul Ahsan. Proceedings are being conducted under two tribunals led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumdar and Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.

According to prosecution sources, the cases relate to killings, enforced disappearances, and torture during the July uprising and subsequent years. Five of the cases concern the July genocide, while three involve enforced disappearances and killings under state agencies. Witnesses have provided detailed accounts, including testimonies from victims’ families and former officials describing orders and actions allegedly directed by senior political and security figures.

Victims’ families have demanded swift justice for the accused. The tribunals continue to receive testimonies as several defendants remain fugitives, while others are in custody awaiting trial.

UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Dr. Alice Jill Edwards has called for justice for the victims of the July massacre and comprehensive institutional reform in Bangladesh. During her visit to Dhaka, she discussed with Amar Desh the need to end custodial torture, restructure law enforcement, and ensure compensation for victims in line with international standards. Edwards emphasized that any reform of the Rapid Action Battalion must go beyond rebranding and include fundamental changes in its operations and mindset.

She welcomed the government’s plan to form a parliamentary human rights commission and urged that human rights be treated as a universal issue rather than a political one. Edwards also highlighted the importance of creating a safe and dignified process for victims to report abuses and called for a truth-telling and reconciliation mechanism. She reminded Bangladesh of its obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture, noting the interim government’s recent withdrawal of reservations from Article 14.

Edwards stressed that accountability and strong human rights culture are essential for rebuilding public trust and institutional stability in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is preparing a major organizational reshuffle of its Dhaka city units ahead of its upcoming national council. The party leadership plans to reorganize both the north and south city committees, aiming to combine experienced figures with younger, more active leaders. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the party’s structure before the next city corporation elections and to create a more dynamic organizational framework.

According to party sources, the restructuring will begin with the Dhaka city units, followed by youth, volunteer, student, and labor wings. Senior leaders have indicated that the final decision will come from acting chairman Tarique Rahman. In the north, current convener Aminul Haque is expected to retain his position, while in the south, member secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin is being considered for a leading role. Grassroots leaders have urged that “dedicated and tested” activists who remained active during difficult times be prioritized.

BNP insiders believe the reorganization will help revitalize the party’s political activities in Dhaka and strengthen its preparation for the forthcoming national council and local elections.