Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that controlling the Strait of Hormuz is its “ultimate strategy” in the event of a potential conflict with the United States. The statement was released through the IRGC’s official Telegram channel on April 26, 2026, emphasizing the strategic importance of the narrow waterway for global oil and gas supplies.

According to the IRGC, maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz would provide Iran with a significant strategic advantage and serve as a deterrent against the United States and its allies in the region. The statement described this control as central to the Islamic Republic’s defensive and deterrent posture.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, highlights the IRGC’s focus on the geopolitical leverage of the Strait, which remains one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints for energy transport.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has questioned the sincerity of the United States in diplomatic efforts. He made the remark in a post on social media platform X after arriving in Oman as part of a three-nation tour. Earlier, Araghchi described his visit to Pakistan, the first stop of the tour, as highly productive and praised Pakistan’s brotherly efforts to restore peace in the region.

Araghchi’s comments came shortly after US President Donald Trump canceled a planned visit by an American delegation to Pakistan that was intended for peace talks with Iran. Trump announced the cancellation in an interview with Fox News in Washington, D.C., on Saturday morning local time. The developments highlight growing uncertainty surrounding diplomatic initiatives between Tehran and Washington.

The Iranian minister’s remarks suggest continued skepticism toward US intentions, while his regional tour underscores Tehran’s focus on strengthening ties with neighboring countries amid strained relations with the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump has canceled a planned visit by an American delegation to Pakistan, citing the excessive travel time as the main reason. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said he stopped the team from departing, explaining that an 18-hour flight was unnecessary for what he described as idle discussions. He emphasized that the United States holds all the necessary authority and that communication with Pakistan could occur by phone instead of through lengthy travel.

The decision came shortly after an Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi completed its visit to Islamabad. During that trip, the Iranian team met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief and Field Marshal Asim Munir, and other senior officials to discuss regional security and bilateral interests. Following the meetings, Sharif described the talks as productive and sincere.

Trump’s cancellation followed the Iranian delegation’s departure, marking a shift in diplomatic scheduling between the two countries.

A political controversy has erupted in Chandina upazila of Cumilla after a reception was organized under a party banner for an expelled leader. The event took place on Saturday at the Chandina municipal auditorium, where expelled upazila Jubo Dal convener Abul Khayer presided over the program honoring Cumilla-7 MP Atikul Alam Shawon. Shawon had been expelled from the BNP for violating party directives by contesting in the 13th national election, while Khayer had also been expelled earlier from the upazila Jubo Dal.

Local sources said the reception, held under the BNP banner, angered many party activists who questioned its legitimacy. Cumilla North Jubo Dal leader Borhan Uddin stated that using the party banner for such an event was completely against party rules. Another unnamed leader questioned how expelled members could organize a program under the party’s name.

Abul Khayer claimed he had permission from higher authorities but did not specify from whom. MP Shawon did not respond to calls for comment. The incident has sparked debate in local political circles about the validity of organizing a party-branded event for expelled members.

Salahuddin Ammar, General Secretary of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RACSU), made a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon indirectly addressing leaders of the student wing Chhatra Dal. In his post, he humorously remarked that these senior leaders had become part of the campus’s ‘heritage,’ suggesting that if they were placed in a museum, people would buy tickets to see them.

Ammar’s post compared his own academic timeline with that of the senior leaders, noting that while he progressed through school and university, they remained active on campus for many years. His comments highlighted generational differences and implied stagnation among older student politicians. The post quickly drew attention for its satirical tone.

A day earlier, on April 25, Ammar’s mother, Rokeya Khanam, had shared an emotional post describing herself as the proud mother of a revolutionary and recalling the political struggles and repression their family faced. Her statement added a personal dimension to the public discussion surrounding Ammar’s activism.

A violent clash between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) over a paddy harvesting dispute left one person dead and several others injured in Madhupur village of Terokhada upazila, Khulna, on Saturday morning. The confrontation occurred between groups led by Advocate Shahidul Islam and local leader Saiful Islam, resulting in the death of 56-year-old Nur Alam, son of Ikram Sheikh of Madhupur.

According to local accounts, the conflict began when followers of the two BNP leaders argued over harvesting paddy from a disputed plot. The situation escalated when supporters of Idris Molla, aligned with Shahidul, allegedly attacked Nur Alam’s group with sharp weapons. Nur Alam and several others were taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital, where Nur Alam died during treatment.

Police Superintendent Mohammad Tajul Islam confirmed the death and said law enforcement and intelligence personnel were deployed to control the situation. A drive is underway to arrest those involved.

A group of recommended primary assistant teachers began a protest in Shahbagh, Dhaka, on Sunday morning demanding the issuance of their appointment letters. The demonstration started around 10 a.m. in front of the National Museum, where the teachers attempted to march onto the road but were stopped by police. Following the obstruction, they staged a sit-in at the museum entrance, chanting slogans calling for immediate implementation of their appointments.

The protesters stated that they had received official recommendations for appointment two and a half months ago but had not yet been given appointment letters or any official communication. They vowed to continue their movement until their demands were met. The police presence at the site created a tense situation, with both sides maintaining their positions.

The standoff highlighted growing frustration among the recommended teachers over administrative delays, though no resolution was reported as of the latest update.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has expressed concern over reports of SSC examination question papers being leaked online through fraudulent networks. In a press release issued on Saturday by the party’s Joint Member Secretary and Education and Research Secretary, Faisal Mahmud Shanto, the NCP demanded a thorough investigation and exemplary punishment for those involved. The party cited a private television report claiming that the leaks had spread widely online.

According to the statement, the NCP criticized the education ministry for what it described as extreme irresponsibility, noting that no visible action had been taken by authorities despite reports that the leaks began on April 20. The party accused the education minister of focusing more on monitoring exam halls than on addressing systemic issues such as question leaks, which it said were causing serious damage to the education system.

The NCP further stated that continuing examinations without resolving the leak issue would be inappropriate and urged the ministry to take immediate administrative responsibility to restore integrity in the education process.

New York City Mayor Zohraan Mamdani has condemned the shooting incident that occurred during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. In a post on social media platform X, Mamdani described the attack as an act of political violence and stated that such actions are completely unacceptable. He also expressed relief that President Donald Trump and the dinner guests were safe following the incident.

According to the report, Mamdani has met President Trump several times in the past. The mayor’s remarks came shortly after the incident drew national attention, with authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The statement was first reported by CNN.

The condemnation underscores the heightened concern among political leaders about the rise of politically motivated violence in public events, though further details about the investigation were not provided in the report.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner would not stop him from pursuing victory in the ongoing conflict with Iran. Speaking at a White House briefing following the incident, Trump said the attack would not prevent him from achieving success in the Iran war. He added that he did not believe the shooting was connected to the conflict, though investigators were still examining the attacker’s motive.

Trump acknowledged earlier that it was difficult to determine whether the shooting had any link to the Iran war, emphasizing that the suspect acted alone. He also announced that the United States had canceled a planned delegation visit to Pakistan after rejecting Iran’s proposal for talks.

According to the report, Trump’s remarks came amid heightened tensions surrounding the Iran conflict and ongoing investigations into the White House shooting.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran has no connection to the recent shooting incident in Washington, D.C. He confirmed that the investigation into the event is ongoing. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described the attack as extremely serious and said charges would be filed soon.

FBI Director Kash Patel reported that investigators are examining weapons recovered from the scene and interviewing witnesses. Interim Police Chief Jeffrey Carroll added that the suspect possessed multiple firearms and that no evidence has been found suggesting the involvement of additional suspects.

Authorities continue to gather evidence to determine the motive and circumstances surrounding the shooting, with officials emphasizing the seriousness of the case.

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were urgently evacuated after gunfire was reported during a dinner event in Washington, D.C. The incident occurred on Saturday night at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner was taking place. Television footage showed Trump seated at the dining table when a loud noise was heard, prompting security personnel to surround him. While attempting to stand, Trump lost balance and fell as agents moved to secure him.

According to CNN, Secret Service agents quickly brought the situation under control and moved the president to a safe location. No injuries were reported among the First Lady or cabinet members. A senior official said Trump expressed a desire to return to the venue, but the Secret Service advised against it. The event, attended by journalists and officials, was thrown into panic as guests sought safety.

AP reported that a gunman was believed to have entered the hotel and opened fire, though his condition or fate remained unconfirmed. Trump later praised the Secret Service and local law enforcement for their swift response.

The Republican Party in the United States is revising its strategy for the upcoming November midterm elections as fuel prices rise, President Donald Trump’s approval ratings fall, and the war with Iran continues. At a closed-door meeting in Washington’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, senior conservative campaign officials and Trump’s advisers outlined a plan to mobilize his loyal supporters while avoiding framing the election as a referendum on the unpopular president. White House Chief of Staff Suzie Wiles and political director James Blair urged candidates to emphasize Republican tax cuts and anti-inflation policies instead of focusing on Trump himself.

Recent Reuters and Ipsos polling shows Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 36 percent, with concerns inside his party over his temperament and controversial remarks. The ongoing two-month conflict with Iran has disrupted global energy supplies, pushing U.S. gasoline prices near $4 per gallon. Republican strategists fear that making Trump the central figure could allow Democrats to portray GOP candidates as mere extensions of the president. Instead, candidates are being advised to focus on local issues, though party officials maintain Trump remains a key motivator for voter turnout.

Middle East analyst Aaron David Miller noted that Iran appears to be exercising patience, believing Trump’s capacity to withstand economic and political pressure is limited.

At a biannual conference held on Saturday at Dewna Dawatul Haq Madrasa in Kapasia, Gazipur, the Qawmi Madrasa Teachers Council called for the rapid and effective implementation of the Qawmi certificate. Council president and Dewna Pir Principal Mohammad Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury said Qawmi education is a specialized system that should not be reduced to a certificate-based model under the guise of modernization. He emphasized that Qawmi graduates contribute significantly to global employment and remittance earnings, underscoring the need to preserve the system’s distinct identity and dignity.

Speakers at the event urged the government to recruit Qawmi-educated individuals as religious teachers in primary schools to enhance religious education and create employment opportunities. They also demanded constitutional and legal reforms, including amending Article 17 to reflect Islamic education, revising sections 32, 33, and 34 of the current Waqf Act, and establishing Sharia-based family courts. Additionally, they called for action against films and social media content depicting prophets and companions, which they said offend religious sentiments.

The conference featured religious scholars and leaders from Bangladesh and India, who collectively voiced support for protecting Qawmi education’s autonomy and Islamic values.

The Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Guwahati, India, has issued a job notice that drew attention for its unusual requirements. Former UK Press Minister Akbar Hossain highlighted the matter in a Facebook post on Saturday, noting that the commission announced a vacancy for a security guard position restricted to Indian citizens from specific areas. The notice required at least a higher secondary education and included an additional qualification that the candidate must be able to draft letters in English.

Hossain questioned why a security guard would need to draft official letters, especially given that such correspondence within a diplomatic mission is typically confidential. He also raised concerns about the sensitivity of allowing a foreign national to handle such tasks, particularly in the context of countries like India and Pakistan. The circular was reportedly posted on the official Facebook page of the Guwahati Assistant High Commission.

The post has prompted public curiosity and debate about the appropriateness and intent behind the job requirements, though no official clarification has been issued yet.