Immigration police detained Lion Swapon, former joint convener of the banned Chhatra League in Chatkhil upazila of Noakhali, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon. He was taken into custody upon arrival from Saudi Arabia, where he had been staying with his brothers.

According to police and local sources, Swapon had gone into hiding after the fall of the government on August 5 and later left for Saudi Arabia. He faces multiple cases filed with Chatkhil Police Station, including one for murder and another related to an attack on students and protesters during an anti-discrimination movement. The airport police informed Chatkhil police about his detention.

Chatkhil Police Station’s officer-in-charge Abdul Monnaf said Swapon is accused in two cases and will be handed over to Chatkhil police after legal procedures are completed. Authorities are verifying details before providing further information.

Law Minister Md. Anisul Huq has called on the Bar Council to ensure that the current bar examination system does not become an undue obstacle for English-medium and foreign-educated law graduates. He made the remarks on Tuesday at the Supreme Court Auditorium in Dhaka during an event marking the completion of the first phase and the start of the second phase of a six-month internship program organized by the Attorney General’s Office with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The minister noted that many talented students who studied in English-medium institutions or abroad face difficulties because the bar exam questions are in Bangla. He urged the Bar Council to consider modernizing the system. He also emphasized enhancing the social status of the legal profession and improving its quality. Praising the internship program, he said it inspired him to propose to the Prime Minister that each Member of Parliament be assigned an intern from a university to assist in research and legislative work.

The minister further mentioned budgetary instructions for modernizing the Attorney General’s Office and expressed concern over the limited implementation of the Law Commission’s recommendations despite significant expenditure.

US Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead the American delegation in a possible second round of direct talks with Iranian officials before the current ceasefire expires, according to multiple sources cited by CNN. The discussions aim to explore diplomatic solutions to end the ongoing Iran war.

Sources also indicated that President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner may attend the meeting. Kushner has reportedly been involved in diplomatic efforts since before the conflict began. Trump has tasked these three senior advisers with finding a diplomatic path out of the war and has expressed full confidence in them.

Following a 21-hour marathon meeting last Saturday, Vance, Witkoff, and Kushner have maintained close contact with Iranian representatives and mediators in pursuit of a potential agreement, the sources added.

The Trump administration is stepping up efforts to initiate direct talks with Iran before the current ceasefire period ends, according to a CNN report citing a source familiar with the discussions. The push for renewed dialogue comes amid heightened tensions and ongoing diplomatic activity between the two nations.

Last week, officials from Iran and the United States met in Islamabad for a 21-hour marathon negotiation session but failed to reach an agreement to end hostilities. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump remarked that something significant might happen in Pakistan within the next two days, though no further details were provided.

The report also noted that Gulf countries have expressed interest in assisting Pakistan’s efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table, while the U.S. Navy recently turned back eight Iranian oil tankers.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to hold direct talks at a designated time and place following discussions in Washington. The agreement was reached after a trilateral meeting in the United States, according to a Reuters report citing the U.S. State Department. The development marks a significant step toward easing tensions along the border between the two countries.

The understanding emerged after diplomatic efforts led by the United States, which hosted the meeting involving representatives from Israel and Lebanon. The talks are viewed as part of a broader initiative to reduce hostilities and promote stability in the region. The U.S. role in facilitating the dialogue underscores its continued involvement in Middle Eastern diplomacy.

Observers consider the upcoming direct talks an important move toward de-escalation, though the exact schedule and venue have not yet been disclosed.

A new poll by the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) found that 61 percent of Israelis oppose the US-Iran ceasefire announced last week, while 73 percent expect fighting with Iran to resume within a year. The ceasefire, declared shortly before a US deadline for potential strikes, has sparked frustration among Israelis who had anticipated a decisive victory against Iran. Despite the truce, Israel has continued military operations in Lebanon, killing more than 300 people in the past week and drawing international condemnation.

Analysts and political figures say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu oversold the war’s potential outcomes, including regime collapse in Iran and the destruction of its nuclear and missile programs. Critics such as Yair Lapid and Yair Golan accused Netanyahu of strategic failure and subservience to US decisions, while former diplomat Alon Pinkas said the backlash stems from unmet expectations Netanyahu himself helped create. Netanyahu, however, insists Israel remains in close coordination with Washington and supports the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Observers suggest the political fallout could deepen as Netanyahu faces renewed scrutiny over his handling of both the Iran conflict and the earlier October 7 attacks, which continue to shadow his leadership.

Italy has suspended its defence agreement with Israel, which covers the exchange of military equipment and technology research, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Tuesday in Verona. The decision halts the automatic renewal of the pact, which was approved by Israel in 2006 and renewed every five years. The agreement includes cooperation in defence industries, military training, research and development, and information technology.

The move comes as relations between Italy and Israel have become strained following recent Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Although Meloni’s right-wing government has been one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe, it has recently voiced criticism of Israeli military actions. Tensions escalated after Italy accused Israeli forces of firing warning shots at a convoy of Italian peacekeepers in Lebanon, prompting Rome to summon Israel’s ambassador in protest.

In response, Israel summoned Italy’s ambassador after Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned what he called “unacceptable attacks” on Lebanese civilians. Tajani, who visited Beirut for talks with Lebanese leaders, expressed solidarity with Lebanon following the incidents.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) organized a colorful procession in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the Bengali New Year. The event began at 3:40 p.m. from Navy Goli in Banglamotor, circled the Intercontinental Hotel intersection, and returned to its starting point. The NCP’s cultural cell arranged the procession, where participants in traditional attire carried placards promoting unity and harmony. A Baishakhi fair featuring traditional crafts and food stalls was also held at Navy Goli.

The cultural program began at 4:30 p.m., inaugurated by NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud, who pledged to uphold justice and fairness in the new year. Senior leaders including convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam attended the event. Performances were given by several artists, including Ashik and his team, and Baul Kajol Dewan.

During the fair, Nahid Islam urged the ruling BNP government to fulfill its reform commitments under the July Charter and respect the referendum’s verdict, accusing it of leaving key reforms pending despite forming a new government.

At a discussion marking Pahela Baishakh in Dhaka, Majibur Rahman Manju, chairman of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, sharply criticized the ruling BNP, alleging that it repeatedly deceives citizens after securing votes through promises of reform. He said that despite pledges to reform the judiciary and banking sectors, the government has abandoned those commitments. Manju remarked that the ink on voters’ fingers has barely dried, yet memories of repression and remand have already faded.

Speaking as chief guest at the event organized at the party’s Bijoynagar office, Manju accused the authorities of exploiting the people’s simplicity and warned that public patience could give way to mass uprisings, citing past movements in 1952, 1971, and 1990. He further claimed that the government disregarded a 70 percent referendum verdict and used votes for its own interests instead of respecting them.

Manju urged citizens to unite and become aware to overcome the current crisis, noting that many are under economic pressure and disillusioned after the failed 2024 movement. He concluded by expressing hope for restoring democracy and people’s rights in the new year.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the United States and Iran may engage in discussions within the next two days. He made the comment in an interview with the New York Post, suggesting that some development could occur soon and noting an interest in visiting Pakistan.

Earlier, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance met with Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other officials in Islamabad over the weekend. That meeting concluded without any agreement. Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday that Tehran and Pakistan had exchanged messages but stated there was no information confirming any agreement to hold further talks with the United States.

The statements indicate ongoing diplomatic movement but no confirmed schedule or venue for a new round of U.S.–Iran negotiations.

State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad announced that the distribution of farmer and family cards will be conducted without any political bias. He made the statement on Tuesday afternoon while attending a farmer card distribution event at Bairati High School field in Paikpir Union of Boda upazila, Panchagarh. The minister said that all eligible citizens, regardless of political affiliation, religion, or ethnicity, will receive government assistance.

As part of a pilot project, 2,000 farmers in Paikpir area have received agricultural cards, while another 1,592 farmers in Kamalapur block of Dhakkamara Union under Sadar upazila were given cards. The minister emphasized that the selection process involved three levels of verification led by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Upazila Executive Officer to ensure fairness. He also mentioned plans to bring four crore families under the family card program, with 50 lakh more cards to be distributed within two to three months.

Local farmers expressed satisfaction after receiving the cards, noting that such assistance had not always been properly distributed in the past.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Italy decided to suspend the renewal of a long-standing defense agreement with Israel. Lapid described the move as another embarrassing failure for Netanyahu’s government and said the foreign minister’s activities were effectively nonexistent. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera.

In a post on social media platform X, Lapid noted that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is a right-wing conservative leader who understands the need to fight terrorism, yet Israel’s government failed to maintain cooperation even with such allies. The defense pact, approved in 2006, had been automatically renewed every five years and covered defense industry collaboration, military training, research, and technology.

Italy, traditionally one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe, has recently criticized Israel’s attacks in Lebanon, a stance that has begun to strain bilateral relations.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami central executive council member and Dhaka South Ameer Md. Nurul Islam Bulbul MP has accused the government of disregarding the referendum verdict and driving the country toward crisis. Speaking as chief guest at the Jamaat’s Paltan-Shahbagh-Ramna zone advanced worker education camp on Tuesday, he alleged that the BNP trampled on the 70 percent people's verdict and warned that citizens must unite to respond if the party fails to act within the 180-day timeframe for convening the Constitutional Reform Council session.

Bulbul further stated that Bangladesh’s independence, achieved through the 1971 Liberation War, was once compromised to a neighboring state but later restored through the July uprising. He cautioned that if the BNP again hands over national sovereignty to foreign powers by ignoring the July Charter, it will bear the consequences. He urged members to prioritize divine satisfaction over personal or party interests and to continue working for the establishment of an Islamic social system.

The event, held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh auditorium, was presided over by Advocate Dr. Helal Uddin and attended by several central and city-level Jamaat leaders.

China has dismissed Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong from his position, according to a report published on April 14, 2026. The move comes as Beijing continues a series of actions targeting senior officials. The country’s Ministry of Human Resources stated that the dismissal was made under a decision by the State Council, though no details were provided on the reasons or exact timing of his removal.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s website, Sun Weidong’s last public engagement took place on March 13, when he met with the ambassadors of Brunei and Malaysia. Two days earlier, he had held discussions with Pakistan’s ambassador Khalil Hashmi on bilateral cooperation. The same announcement also confirmed the removal of An Lusheng, deputy director of the National Railway Administration.

The report noted that since President Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, China has pursued a sweeping anti-corruption campaign known as “Tigers and Flies,” targeting both senior and lower-level officials. Official data show that over one million corruption cases were investigated last year, with disciplinary action taken against about 938,000 officials.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed deep sorrow over a fatal road accident in Daudkandi, Cumilla, that killed seven people and injured at least six others early on April 14. In a statement issued on Tuesday, he conveyed condolences to the victims’ families, prayed for the deceased, and wished a quick recovery for the injured.

Dr. Rahman said the repeated occurrence of such accidents highlights severe irregularities and chaos in the country’s road management system. He cited reckless driving, unregulated vehicle movement, lack of driver training, and weak highway safety measures as major causes of recurring fatalities. He called for immediate restoration of discipline in road management, strict enforcement of traffic laws, proper driver training, and stronger highway monitoring.

He urged the government to act responsibly by investigating the causes of the accident, punishing those responsible, and ensuring full medical support for the injured to prevent similar tragedies in the future.