Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar said that many who tried to eliminate Jamaat in the past were themselves eliminated or forced to flee the country. Speaking as chief guest at a Jamaat member training camp organized by the Sabujbagh-Mugda zone in Dhaka on Saturday night, he warned that those who attempt to destroy the party now or in the future will face the same fate. He accused BNP Secretary General and LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir of signaling a shift toward fascism by declaring the intent to eliminate Jamaat.

Other Jamaat leaders, including Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan MP, Executive Council Member Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand, and Dhaka South Amir Md. Nurul Islam Bulbul MP, echoed similar sentiments. They described Jamaat as a disciplined ideological organization committed to defending people’s rights and accused both the Awami League and BNP of targeting it out of fear of its popularity.

Speakers also alleged that the government and BNP were moving toward fascism by ignoring public opinion and constitutional norms, while Jamaat vowed to continue its struggle for democratic rights.

Syria has launched its first public trial against officials linked to the rule of former President Bashar al-Assad. According to the state news agency SANA, the proceedings began on Sunday in Damascus, where Atef Najib, a former brigadier general and Assad’s cousin, appeared in court. Najib, who once headed the political security branch in Daraa province, faces charges of committing crimes against the Syrian people.

In 2011, Najib held that position when teenagers were arrested and tortured for anti-government graffiti in Daraa, an incident that sparked mass protests against Assad’s security forces. The government’s violent crackdown escalated into a 14-year civil war, which ended in December 2024 after Assad was ousted in a surprise offensive by armed opposition forces. Assad later fled to Russia, along with many of his close associates.

The case also names Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and several senior security officials, all charged in absentia. Najib is the only one arrested and presented before the court. The initial hearing took place on Sunday and will resume next month, with citizens gathering outside the court to welcome the start of the trial.

Journalists from Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) formed a human chain on Sunday afternoon in front of the university’s main gate to protest an attack on Dhaka University reporters allegedly carried out by leaders and activists of the student wing Chhatra Dal. The event was organized by the HSTU Journalists’ Association (Habiprobisass) and joined by members, associate members, and journalists from national and local print and electronic media. Participants demanded an environment that ensures freedom of journalism.

Speakers at the protest said that attacks on journalists are not only assaults on a professional group but also direct threats to free media, freedom of expression, and democratic values. They called for immediate identification and exemplary punishment of those involved in the attack. Representatives urged the government to stand by journalists who have faced similar incidents and ensure justice.

Habiprobisass leaders also appealed to the student organization to take prompt action against the accused and emphasized the need for a safe campus environment and stronger protection for journalists.

Mali’s Defense Minister General Sadio Camara was killed in coordinated attacks targeting several military installations across the country, according to Al Jazeera citing its sources. The assault occurred near the Kati military base, close to the capital Bamako, where Camara’s residence was struck by a suicide car bomb. The attack followed a joint offensive by an al-Qaeda-linked group and Tuareg rebels a day earlier.

Camara was a key figure in Mali’s ruling military leadership, having played a central role in the 2020 and 2021 coups that brought the current government to power. He was considered highly influential within the armed forces and viewed as a potential future leader. Al Jazeera’s reporter Nicolas Haque described his death as a major blow to Mali’s military establishment.

The al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Tuareg rebel group Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. Interim President Assimi Goïta, whose residence is also located in Kati, was reported safe after being moved to a secure location.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has restructured its Dhaka South partial convening committee, appointing Ishaq Sarkar as convener and Engineer S.M. Shahriar as member secretary. The announcement was made on April 26, 2026.

Ishaq Sarkar recently joined the NCP after being expelled from the BNP for contesting independently in the Dhaka-7 constituency. He was accused in over three hundred cases and spent nearly a decade in prison due to his role in anti-fascist movements. Engineer S.M. Shahriar was previously the NCP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-5 and served as joint chief organizer of the founding committee of the National Citizen Committee. After the formation of the NCP, he took responsibility as joint chief organizer for the party’s southern region.

The reorganization reflects the NCP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its organizational structure in Dhaka ahead of future political activities.

Student Jamiat Bangladesh has called for a permanent ban on what it termed 'secret politics' in educational institutions, citing ongoing unrest at Dhaka University and other campuses. The organization made the demand at an emergency press conference held at Madhur Canteen on April 26, where its president Ridwan Mazhari read a written statement. The group alleged that hidden organizational activities are fueling tension and endangering student safety.

In its statement, Student Jamiat expressed concern over recent clashes between student groups, warning that such conflicts could revive fear and uncertainty among general students. It rejected muscle-based politics as a 'dirty competition' and described secret political operations as a 'political crime' contrary to transparency and accountability. The group clarified that it does not oppose student politics itself but seeks an end to subservient and violent practices.

The organization urged the university administration to ensure neutrality, accountability for all parties involved in campus violence, and open, visible political activities. It also demanded the abolition of hall guestroom and mass-room systems, fair seat allocation, and protection of students’ freedom of expression.

The government of Bangladesh has appointed new heads to 15 departments and agencies, along with three authorities, in a large-scale administrative reshuffle. The Ministry of Public Administration issued 15 separate notifications on Sunday, April 26, 2026, assigning additional secretaries to the posts of director general or equivalent positions across various ministries and divisions.

According to the notifications, Md. Jasim Uddin Khan from the Ministry of Home Affairs has been appointed Director General of the Directorate General of Food, while Md. Lutfar Rahman from the Ministry of Agriculture will lead the Department of Environment. Other appointments include M M Arif Pasha as Director General of the Department of Agricultural Marketing, Md. Abdullah Al-Mamun as Director General of the National Freedom Fighters Council, and several others to key directorates such as youth development, nursing, and patents.

Additionally, three new chairmen have been appointed to major authorities: Md. Abdul Hai to the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA), Md. Shafiqul Islam to the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, and Mohammad Habibur Rahman to the National Housing Authority. The appointed officials have been placed under their respective ministries.

A local leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Shahjahanpur upazila of Bogura has reportedly been expelled without holding an organizational meeting, adopting a written resolution, or informing the party’s general secretary. On April 24, a press release signed by upazila BNP office secretary Mashfiqur Rahman Mamun announced the expulsion of Zahidur Rahman, a member of the upazila BNP and president of ward no. 4 of Amrul Union BNP, on allegations of activities against party discipline.

Upazila BNP general secretary Azizur Rahman Bidyut stated that no such expulsion decision was discussed in any party forum, no organizational meeting was held, and no written resolution was adopted. He said the decision ignored party rules and was made personally. Zahidur Rahman also claimed he was not given any notice or chance to defend himself, calling the move unconstitutional.

Upazila BNP president Enamul Haque Shaheen, however, said the expulsion followed instructions from the district BNP president and that Azizur Rahman was aware of it. Azizur Rahman later countered that the press release did not mention the district BNP, making the action a violation of party procedures.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that Bangladesh regained democracy through immense sacrifice and struggle. Speaking on Sunday at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar after paying tribute at the graves of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and party chairperson Khaleda Zia, Rizvi stated that Tarique Rahman, before assuming office as prime minister, had pledged reforms that are now being implemented.

He highlighted that Tarique Rahman introduced family and farmer cards, initiated canal excavation in Dinajpur, and continued to fulfill his promises. Rizvi also said the current energy crisis is global, caused by conflicts in the Middle East, and that the government is gradually overcoming it while focusing on renewable energy. He mentioned that Pakistan has saved foreign currency through rooftop solar systems and urged Bangladesh to reduce taxes on such installations to encourage self-sufficiency.

Rizvi further warned ministers to remain vigilant, noting that more than eleven people had died from measles in the past 24 hours, and called on the Health Ministry to take immediate action to prevent further deaths.

National Institute of Local Government (NILG) Director General and Additional Secretary Ismail Hossain emphasized the need to enhance the efficiency of village police through proper training. He stated that training would help them perform their duties effectively and that, despite limitations, village police are capable of fulfilling their responsibilities in society. He made these remarks while virtually joining as the chief guest at the inauguration of a month-long basic training course for union-level village police members held at the Shibganj Upazila Parishad auditorium in Chapainawabganj on Sunday morning.

The event was organized by the National Institute of Local Government and chaired by District Commissioner Abu Saleh Md Musa. Other speakers included Superintendent of Police Gautam Kumar Biswas, Deputy Director of the Local Government Department Ujjal Kumar Ghosh, and Course Director and Shibganj Upazila Executive Officer Majharul Islam. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Toufiq Aziz, Shibganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir, and Course Coordinator Shahin Akhter were also present. A total of 40 village police members participated in the training.

The training aims to strengthen the capacity of grassroots law enforcement and improve service delivery at the union level.

The Bangladesh Parliament has officially formed a special committee to recommend measures for addressing the country’s power situation. The proposal to establish the committee was made by Chief Whip Nurul Islam during Sunday’s parliamentary session and was approved through a voice vote. The committee has been given a 30-day mandate to submit its recommendations.

Earlier, on Thursday, both the ruling and opposition parties reached an agreement on forming the committee following a proposal from the Leader of the Opposition. Each side nominated five members, making a total of ten. The committee is chaired by State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, and includes Deputy Minister Anindya Islam Amit, Whips ABM Ashraf Uddin and Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, ruling party member Moinul Islam Khan, and opposition members Saiful Alam, Nurul Islam, Md. Abdul Baten, Abul Hasnat, and Mohammad Abul Hasan.

The committee’s formation reflects a bipartisan effort to identify actionable steps for improving the national power situation within a defined timeframe.

Member of Parliament for Chattogram-12 (Patiya) Enamul Haque Enam told students that having a clear life plan is essential for success. Speaking on Saturday evening at Haidgaon High School in Patiya, he said the message ‘I have a plan’ should inspire students to set and achieve their own goals. The event included the inauguration of a new school gate, financial aid for orphaned students, lifetime donor honors, a parents’ gathering, an annual prize distribution, and a cultural program.

Enam emphasized that while people can share many things in life, knowledge cannot be shared in the same way, and education is the only path to building a developed nation. He said creating aware and educated citizens is vital to freeing the country from drugs and terrorism. During the event, he also pledged to repair a nearby road.

The program was chaired by school committee president Sukanta Talukder, with head teacher Shyamal Kanti Dey delivering the welcome speech. Several local dignitaries and guests attended the ceremony.

The Begum Rokeya University Journalists’ Association (BEROBISAS) held a human chain on Sunday afternoon at the university’s media premises to protest the recent attack on members of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJAS) by activists of the student wing of a political party at Shahbagh police station. Participants demanded exemplary punishment for those involved and called for ensuring journalists’ safety and a free media environment.

Speakers at the event, including BEROBISAS President Abu Sayeed, General Secretary Kamruzzaman Pulok, and other members, described the assault as a direct attack on press freedom and democratic practice. They urged authorities to identify and prosecute the attackers swiftly. Kamruzzaman Pulok termed the incident a blatant attempt to silence the free press, while Abu Sayeed emphasized that such violence is unacceptable and must be resisted.

Journalists from various print and electronic media outlets joined the protest, reiterating the demand for a secure environment for journalism across all campuses in the country.

The platform 'July Unity' has demanded the immediate arrest and trial of those involved in the recent attack on Dhaka University students, two Daksu editors, and journalists. The demand was made at a press conference held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, Dhaka. Organizer Munshi Kobi Burhan Mahmud read a written statement, joined by other organizers including Fahim Faruqi and Riadul Islam Jubah.

According to the statement, the attack occurred on April 23 inside Shahbagh Police Station when students and journalists went to file a general diary. The group alleged that individuals identifying as members of the Chhatra Dal carried out a planned assault. July Unity leaders accused the police of negligence, claiming officers delayed accepting the complaint and allowed the attackers to act. They also alleged that threats were spread on social media before the incident.

The platform demanded exemplary punishment for the attackers and accountability for the police officers involved, asserting that the assault was politically motivated and aimed at silencing student voices.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Jashore on Monday to accelerate development in Bangladesh’s southwestern region. This will be his first visit to Jashore since assuming office. According to the official itinerary, he will arrive at Jashore Airport at 10:15 a.m. and inaugurate the re-excavation of the historic Ulashi–Jadunathpur canal in Sharsha upazila, followed by a local gathering. Later, he will lay the foundation stone for a 500-bed hospital at Jashore Medical College, visit the Jashore Institute Public Library, and address a large political rally organized by the district BNP at the central Eidgah in the afternoon.

Preparations for the visit have been underway for over a week, with the Special Security Force tightening security and law enforcement maintaining strict surveillance. The Water Development Board is implementing the canal project, while the Public Works Department is responsible for the hospital construction. Local BNP leaders have inspected the rally venue, expecting a large turnout. The Prime Minister will also briefly visit the historic Jashore Club before returning to Dhaka.

The Ulashi–Jadunathpur canal holds historical significance as the starting point of a past national canal excavation program, and its revival has generated strong local interest.