Large-scale demonstrations took place across Israel, including Tel Aviv, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Protesters also called for the establishment of a formal commission to investigate the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. Thousands gathered at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square under heavy police presence, while hundreds more protested in Jerusalem and about a thousand assembled at Haifa’s Horev Center. Similar demonstrations were reported in other parts of the country.

Protesters criticized the government’s handling of detainees held in the Gaza Strip and voiced frustration over the refusal to form a state inquiry into the October 7 events. Netanyahu has declined to establish such a commission. The protests follow the International Criminal Court’s November 2024 arrest warrants for Netanyahu and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

The growing demonstrations reflect mounting domestic pressure on the Israeli leadership amid ongoing scrutiny of its wartime decisions and accountability demands.

Bangladesh Labour Party chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran has sent an open letter to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, expressing concern over a reported BNP position to politically eliminate Jamaat-e-Islami. The letter, released to the media on Sunday, followed a newspaper report quoting Mirza Fakhrul as saying that Jamaat should be politically eradicated.

In his letter, Dr. Iran urged Mirza Fakhrul to abandon the politics of elimination in the new Bangladesh that emerged after the July uprising. He recalled that former President Ziaur Rahman had restored the right of all political parties, including the Labour Party, to operate after the BAKSAL era. Dr. Iran also reminded that BNP founder Khaleda Zia had previously formed governments with Jamaat’s support in 1991 and 2001.

The Labour Party chairman cautioned that following a path of political exclusion would mirror the authoritarian tendencies of the Awami League. He called on BNP to uphold democratic unity and work with all anti-fascist forces, including Jamaat, to implement the people’s mandate and avoid division.

Former deputy education minister and ex-MP for Manikganj-4, Golam Sarwar Milon, passed away early Sunday, April 26, 2026, at around 4:45 a.m. He is survived by his wife, one daughter, one son, and numerous well-wishers. His first funeral prayer will be held after Zuhr at Singair High School field in Manikganj, followed by a second prayer after Maghrib at Kabiraj Jame Mosque on Nazimuddin Road in Dhaka.

Milon was the first elected president of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal during 1981–82 and had earlier been involved with the National Student League supported by Bhasani-NAP. In 1986, he joined the Jatiya Party and became a presidium member. He was elected to parliament from Manikganj-4 in the third and fourth national elections and served as deputy minister for education in the cabinet of Hussain Muhammad Ershad.

After the 2007 political change known as One-Eleven, Milon joined the Progressive Democratic Party led by Ferdous Ahmed Qureshi but later returned to the Jatiya Party. Before the 11th national election, he joined AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury’s Bikalpa Dhara and contested from Manikganj-2 with the 'kulā' symbol but was defeated.

Maulana Abdul Qayyum Subhani has been elected as the new central executive Ameer of the Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party. The decision was made unanimously at the party’s Majlis-e-Shura session held on Saturday and was officially announced on Sunday. The meeting was presided over by party Ameer Allama Sarwar Kamal Aziz and conducted by Secretary General Musa bin Izhar, with leaders from various levels of the organization in attendance.

Subhani was born in 1965 in Gobind village of Hanar Char Union, Chandpur district, into a respected religious family. He is the son of noted scholar Maulana Abdus Sobhan. His education began at Jamia Arabia Imdadul Ulum Faridabad in Dhaka and continued at Darul Ulum Hathazari in Chattogram and Darul Ulum Deoband in India, where he completed his Dawra-e-Hadith in 1984–85. He has served in various religious and educational roles, including as a member of the Islamic Foundation’s editorial board.

Currently, Subhani serves as the Khatib of Segunbagicha Mosque in Dhaka and heads the Madrasa-tul-Qur’an wa Sunnah in Khilgaon. He has also held leadership positions in several religious organizations before assuming his new role as executive Ameer.

A gun attack occurred at a Washington hotel during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night. Following the incident, U.S. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were quickly evacuated to safety. In a subsequent White House press conference, President Trump described the shooter as a 'lone wolf' and confirmed the suspect’s arrest. He praised the security forces for their rapid and courageous response, noting that one officer was shot but survived due to a bulletproof vest.

The attack adds to a series of security threats faced by Trump over the past few years. In July 2024, he was grazed by a bullet in his right ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where one person in the crowd was killed. Later that year, in September, an armed suspect was spotted near his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, prompting his evacuation. In February 2026, an armed intruder was shot dead after breaching security at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Washington.

Trump stated that the dinner will be rescheduled within 30 days, while security forces continue their investigation.

An opinion piece published on April 26, 2026, in the newspaper 'Amar Desh' warns that the cancellation of a recent referendum has deepened political divisions in Bangladesh. The article criticizes the ruling BNP government for reversing its earlier positions after coming to power, allegedly seeking to entrench authority and avoid reforms. It argues that ignoring the people’s vote and prioritizing party interests over constitutional principles risks reviving authoritarian tendencies and undermining national unity.

The commentary highlights controversies surrounding key government appointments, including the Bangladesh Bank governor, university vice-chancellors, and city administrators. It claims these decisions have raised public concern about favoritism and competence. The writer recalls the 2024 mass uprising that ousted an autocratic regime, saying citizens had hoped for a people-centered government focused on justice, industrialization, and employment.

The article concludes that rejecting the referendum’s outcome sends a dangerous message and could provoke renewed public resistance, potentially more intense than the 2024 movement.

The United States has agreed to ease certain economic sanctions on Venezuela, enabling former president Nicolás Maduro to pay his legal expenses in an ongoing drug trafficking case in New York. The decision follows extended discussions in Washington and was disclosed in court documents. Previously, restrictions had prevented Maduro from compensating his lawyers, raising concerns that the case might be dismissed.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained by US forces in Caracas on January 3 and later transferred to New York, where they face multiple charges including drug terrorism. Both have pleaded not guilty. Maduro’s lead attorney, Barry Pollack, had argued that sanctions blocked payment for his services, violating the defendant’s constitutional right to counsel. Judge Alvin Hellerstein emphasized the importance of the right to defense, prompting the US administration to relax its stance.

The case, initiated under the Trump administration amid corruption and democracy concerns, now continues with Maduro able to retain his chosen legal team, renewing debate over the trial’s direction.

Islami Chhatra Shibir has condemned and protested a reported threat made by Rajshahi University Chhatra Dal vice-president Md. Shariful Islam against the university’s student adviser, Professor Dr. Amirul Islam. The condemnation came through a joint statement issued on Sunday by Shibir’s branch president Mujahid Faisal and secretary Mehedi Hasan, signed by publicity and media secretary Mehedi Sajib.

The statement described the threat, allegedly made in response to a Facebook post by the adviser, as a disgraceful and extremist act. Shibir leaders said such behavior reflects authoritarian tendencies reminiscent of past regimes and undermines the democratic environment expected after the July uprising. They emphasized that intimidation of teachers is unacceptable and damages the academic atmosphere on campus.

The organization urged the university administration to take exemplary disciplinary action against the Chhatra Dal leader, warning that such conduct disrupts the educational environment and suppresses differing opinions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran will not engage in any negotiations under pressure, threats, or sanctions. He made the remarks during a conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.

Pezeshkian noted that diplomatic processes face various obstacles that complicate dialogue. He emphasized that as long as the United States continues its hostile actions and strategic pressure, rebuilding trust and advancing dialogue will face serious challenges.

The statement reflects Iran’s firm stance on maintaining independence in its diplomatic decisions amid ongoing tensions with the United States and regional complexities.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is ready to make a deal with those currently in power in Iran. Speaking to reporters, he suggested that Iran’s leadership is facing internal conflict and that the United States has already eliminated two levels of their leadership. Trump added that Iran could call him whenever they want, claiming that all the cards are now in U.S. hands.

Trump revealed that Iran had sent a proposal which he found insufficient, though a subsequent offer was better after he canceled sending an envoy to Pakistan. He reiterated that the U.S. position remains firm that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons. When asked whether he would continue the ceasefire, Trump replied that he had not yet thought about it.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, come amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, with both sides exchanging diplomatic signals over potential negotiations and regional security issues.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States is ready to engage in discussions with Iran and is willing to talk with 'whoever necessary.' He emphasized that Washington is open to dialogue with those 'running everything' in Iran and that Tehran can reach out whenever it wishes.

Trump added that he is prepared to negotiate with anyone required but sees no reason to delay talks or make people travel long distances for meetings. His remarks, reported by BBC and published by Amar Desh Online on April 26, 2026, highlight a flexible stance toward potential diplomatic engagement with Iran.

The statement comes amid ongoing tensions between the two nations, though the report did not specify any immediate plans or responses from Iranian officials.

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.