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.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that her government has decided not to renew its defense agreement with Israel, which is typically renewed every five years. She said the decision was made due to the current situation, though she did not specify what circumstances she was referring to. The announcement was reported by Al Jazeera.

Relations between Rome and Tel Aviv have recently deteriorated. Last week, Israeli forces fired warning shots at a convoy of Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, damaging a vehicle but causing no injuries. Following the incident, Italy summoned Israel’s ambassador in Rome. In response, Israel summoned the Italian ambassador after Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanese civilians and urged avoiding another escalation like Gaza.

Several European countries have already limited or suspended arms exports to Israel. Italian opposition parties had long demanded similar action, while protests in Italy have criticized the government’s stance on Gaza and its refusal to recognize Palestine. According to SIPRI, Italy ranks third among Israel’s arms suppliers, though its share of Israeli imports from 2021 to 2025 is only 1.3 percent.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that his government will fully implement the July Charter signed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He made the statement on Tuesday, April 14, during a public gathering and cultural event at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University in Santosh, Tangail, marking the Bengali New Year 1433.

Rahman recalled that when Dr. Yunus invited political parties to sign the July Charter at the South Plaza of Parliament, BNP was the first to respond and sign. He emphasized that every letter, word, and line of the charter would be implemented in full. In his remarks, Rahman also criticized the opposition, saying that the spirit of ousted autocracy has overtaken them, comparing their current stance to that of past opposition groups who vowed to disrupt the government’s peace.

The event was part of broader New Year celebrations featuring cultural performances and public participation in Tangail.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the suspension of Italy’s existing defense agreement with Israel. She made the declaration on Tuesday, April 14, in Verona during a discussion with journalists, describing it as a significant decision in light of current developments.

Meloni expressed concern over the tense situation in the Middle East and emphasized the urgent need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. She stated that keeping this maritime route operational is essential for international navigation and security. The suspension of the defense pact is being viewed as a signal of shifting dynamics in regional politics.

The decision underscores Italy’s cautious stance amid growing instability in the region and highlights its focus on maintaining global maritime security interests.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran remains ready to continue peace talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, emphasizing that diplomacy is the preferred path for resolving disputes. His remarks came during a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to Iranian media reports.

Pezeshkian cautioned that any threats, pressure, or military actions by the United States would only worsen its own problems and further complicate the situation. He also urged European nations to encourage the U.S. to adhere to international law and established norms.

The exchange highlights Iran’s stated commitment to diplomatic engagement amid ongoing tensions, while calling for restraint and respect for international legal frameworks.

Bangladeshi-origin Canadian politician Dolly Begum has been elected as a Member of Parliament in Canada’s federal election, becoming the first Bangladeshi to achieve this milestone. Representing the ruling Liberal Party, she secured a decisive victory in the Scarborough Southwest constituency of Toronto, Ontario. The result was confirmed by a report from CBC News on April 14, 2026.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated Begum, praising her dedication to building a fairer Canada and her strong advocacy for community development. The Liberal Party also expressed enthusiasm, noting her long-standing grassroots work for public rights and her new role as part of the Liberal team in Parliament. Before joining the Liberals, Begum served successfully as a member of Ontario’s provincial parliament representing the New Democratic Party.

Analysts described her victory as a significant moment for the Bangladeshi diaspora, highlighting how her journey from Moulvibazar, Bangladesh, to Canada’s national legislature symbolizes growing representation of immigrant communities in Canadian politics.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to increase the festival allowance of non-government MPO-listed teachers from 50 percent to 100 percent of their basic salary. He made the remarks on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, while speaking as the chief guest at an event attended by State Minister for Public Administration Md. Abdul Bari and State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam.

The minister stated that improving the education system and enhancing teachers’ dignity remain key government priorities. He noted that although previous administrations took initiatives for teachers, they were not fully implemented. The current government, he said, plans to raise the festival allowance as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the education sector.

Milon added that existing challenges in education will be addressed gradually and emphasized the need to ensure teachers’ financial and professional security. He expressed optimism that the government’s initiatives will bring positive changes to the education system and fulfill long-standing demands of teachers.