Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing growing pressure over the ongoing ceasefire with Lebanon. Various groups within Israel are calling for the ceasefire to be canceled, while the military leadership has hinted at expanding operations in southern Lebanon. Israeli military chief Yaal Zamir stated this week that there is effectively no ceasefire in the south, though efforts continue to maintain it elsewhere in the country. A large segment of the Israeli public and opposition parties are opposing the truce, arguing it harms national security. Senior military officials expressed frustration in media comments, saying the ceasefire is causing losses for Israeli forces. Soldiers have reportedly been injured in daily attacks by Hezbollah’s fiber-optic cable-controlled drones. The military claims it lacks effective defenses against these drones and argues for deeper incursions into Lebanon to target drone production centers. This has led to renewed calls within the defense establishment for broader military operations.

The US Department of State has announced new sanctions targeting the oil trade between Iran and China. According to an official statement, the sanctions cover several companies, one individual, and a vessel involved in the trade of Iranian petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemicals. Among those sanctioned is Qingdao Haiye Oil Terminal Co. Ltd., a Chinese oil terminal operator accused of importing millions of barrels of crude oil despite existing US restrictions. The statement further alleged that Haiye facilitated large financial transfers to Tehran and used complex ship-to-ship transfer methods to evade sanctions. In response, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told the South China Morning Post that Beijing opposes unilateral sanctions and extraterritorial jurisdiction not grounded in international law. US sanctions on Iran’s oil sector were first introduced during the Trump administration. The report also notes that the US has previously sanctioned several Chinese refineries and Hong Kong-based shipping firms accused of involvement in Iranian oil trade.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of about 5,000 American troops stationed in Germany, the Pentagon confirmed on Friday. The move comes as relations between President Donald Trump and European allies continue to strain over the ongoing Iran war. The decision marks a significant shift in US military posture toward a key NATO ally. The withdrawal order follows a period of heightened tension between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Earlier, Trump had threatened to remove troops after a heated exchange with Merz. The German leader had criticized the United States, saying Iran was ‘insulting’ Washington during peace talks aimed at ending the two-month-long conflict. Analysts believe this remark contributed to Washington’s decision. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told Reuters that the troop withdrawal process is expected to be completed within six to twelve months, signaling a gradual but deliberate reduction of the US presence in Germany.

Fourteen soldiers of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed and two others injured while attempting to defuse unexploded ordnance in Zanjan province in northwestern Iran. The incident occurred on Friday, March 1, according to Iran’s military and the Fars News Agency. The explosives were remnants of earlier cluster bomb and aerial mine attacks that had contaminated about 1,200 hectares of farmland in the region. IRGC specialists had been working for an extended period to clear the area of unexploded weapons, successfully neutralizing more than 15,000 explosive devices before the fatal blast. Iran has previously accused the United States and Israel of using cluster bombs, which disperse smaller explosives that can remain active for long periods. Iran, Israel, and the United States have not joined the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of such weapons.

At least 12 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across several areas of southern Lebanon, including Nabatieh and Sidon, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health and the National News Agency. The attacks took place in multiple locations, with the highest casualties reported in the town of Habboush in Nabatieh, where eight people, including a child and two women, were killed. Another 21 people were reported injured in that strike. In a separate attack on the town of Zarairiyah near Sidon, four more people were killed, including two women, and four others were injured. The incidents mark a deadly escalation in the region, with Lebanese authorities confirming the tolls and injuries. The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not specify the timing or motive of the strikes, and no immediate response from Israeli officials was mentioned.

The Bangladesh Lawyers Council has alleged that the Dhaka Bar Association election was neither fair nor acceptable due to widespread irregularities and fake voting. In a statement sent to the media on Friday, the council’s secretary, Matiur Rahman Akand, claimed that inconsistencies in forming the election commission allowed fake votes to be cast, which the commission failed to prevent. He said some voters found their votes had already been cast, and incidents of vote tampering occurred inside several booths. According to the statement, irregularities and bias were present at every stage of the election process. Traditionally, the chief election commissioner is selected by mutual consent of both panels, and the commission is formed with equal representation. However, this procedure was reportedly not followed this time. The council alleged that the commission was dominated by the BNP-backed blue panel, making the election questionable. The statement further claimed that improper voter verification, ballot distribution without voter slips, and pre-cast votes undermined credibility. It concluded that due to overall irregularities and bias, the election lost trust among lawyers.

A new public opinion poll in the United States shows that a majority of Americans believe the country's military attack on Iran was a mistake. According to the Washington Post survey, 61 percent of respondents said launching military action against Iran was the wrong decision, while 36 percent viewed it as the right move. The poll also noted that the joint U.S.-Israel offensive, which began in late February 2025, has led to thousands of deaths across the Middle East and caused instability in global energy markets, affecting living costs in the United States. The survey further revealed that rising prices have changed consumer behavior. About 44 percent of respondents said they have reduced driving, and 42 percent reported cutting daily expenses. Among lower-income groups earning under $50,000 annually, these rates were even higher, at 56 percent and 59 percent respectively. The poll also indicated a decline in President Donald Trump’s popularity, as many voters viewed the Iran attack as inconsistent with his campaign pledge to avoid unnecessary foreign wars. Additionally, 46 percent of respondents said the decision to attack Iran did not align with Trump’s previous policy positions.

Thousands of people across the United States joined coordinated May Day demonstrations and economic boycotts under the banner “May Day Strong.” The movement, held on International Workers’ Day, called for “no school, no work, no shopping,” with walkouts, marches, rallies, and block parties organized in multiple cities. In New York, Amazon workers, Teamsters members, and local politicians marched from the public library to Amazon’s corporate office, urging the company to end its contracts with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. In Washington, D.C., activists from “Free DC” blocked intersections carrying banners reading “Workers vs. Billionaires” and “Healthcare, not war.” Six young members of the Sunrise Movement were arrested in Minneapolis for blocking a bridge, while others staged a sit-in at a Portland hotel reportedly housing DHS officials. Labor unions, immigrant rights groups, political organizations, and student activists united around demands for immigration reform, anti-war policies, and higher taxes on the wealthy. Teachers and students also joined the movement, with several school districts closing and unions declaring strikes. Organizers described the day as preparation for a potential general strike, with the United Auto Workers president calling for a major labor action in 2028.

Bangladesh’s Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is set to travel to Japan for a one-week visit. He will depart from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, May 2, at 3 a.m. for the trip. According to a press release issued by Jamaat’s central publicity department on Friday night, his return to Dhaka is scheduled for May 9. Dr. Rahman will be accompanied by two senior party figures: Saiful Alam Khan Milon MP, a member of Jamaat’s central executive council, and Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman MP, the party chief’s foreign affairs adviser. The announcement did not specify the purpose or agenda of the visit. The trip marks an official overseas engagement by the opposition leader, though further details about meetings or events in Japan were not provided in the statement.

Student Jamiat Bangladesh has announced a nationwide program to be held on May 5 in remembrance of those killed during the 2013 Shapla Chattar rally organized by Hefazat-e-Islam. The event will include discussion meetings and prayer gatherings across all branches of the organization. According to a statement released to the media, Jubaer Hossain, central office secretary of Student Jamiat Bangladesh, said the program aims to honor the memory of the Shapla Chattar victims and pray for their souls. He urged all branches of the organization to observe the day with due respect and dignity. The statement also mentioned that all units have been instructed to take necessary preparations to ensure the success of the planned activities.

A colorful event marking Buddha Purnima, one of the major religious festivals of the Buddhist community, was held in Merul Badda, Dhaka, organized by the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation. Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended as chief guest and delivered a message of unity, harmony, and peace. The program began with a reception honoring Independence Award-winning educationist Professor Dr. Sukomal Barua, whose contributions were remembered with respect and gratitude. In his address, the minister emphasized that all religions promote human welfare, peace, and compassion. He urged people to avoid violence, hatred, and conflict, and to uphold human values. He also called for national unity beyond divisions to build a prosperous and self-reliant Bangladesh. State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Dipen Dewan, speaking as special guest, highlighted the importance of collective efforts by people of all faiths for the country’s progress. Speakers expressed hope that such events would help spread messages of peace, harmony, and human welfare throughout society.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he does not believe congressional approval is necessary for potential military action against Iran. He criticized those insisting on adherence to the War Powers Act, labeling them as unpatriotic. The statement was made as discussions intensified over the scope of presidential authority in military decisions. Under the War Powers Act, any U.S. president deploying troops abroad must obtain congressional approval within 60 days. Trump argued that many past presidents have exceeded this limit and that the law has not been effectively enforced. He also noted that some view the act as unconstitutional. Trump added that the recent ceasefire has given the United States additional time, which he described as part of a major victory. The remarks have renewed debate over executive power and congressional oversight in U.S. foreign military actions.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has reported that the United States lost a significant amount of military equipment amid the ongoing conflict centered on Iran. According to the organization, the total value of destroyed or damaged assets, including advanced fighter aircraft and radar systems, is estimated between $2.3 billion and $2.8 billion. The information was cited by Al Jazeera. The report indicates that the losses occurred across multiple locations in the Middle East, including Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz. In some cases, specific sites were not disclosed, particularly where equipment was damaged during combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations. CSIS noted that these losses could have significant implications not only in financial terms but also for the United States’ overall military capability in the region.

After a year-long suspension, border trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar has resumed through the Teknaf land port in Cox’s Bazar. On Friday morning, a boat carrying timber from Myanmar’s Maungdaw area, controlled by the Arakan Army, docked at the Teknaf jetty. The port’s operating company, United Land Port Limited, confirmed the arrival of the cargo vessel. Omar Faruk, owner of Messrs FRB International Limited, said that one cargo boat has anchored at the port and that five to six more boats carrying goods such as ginger, dried fish, and betel nuts are on their way. The trade had been halted in April 2025 after tensions arose over extortion demands, prompting Myanmar’s junta government to suspend cross-border commerce, causing financial losses for many traders. Local Member of Parliament Shahjahan Chowdhury stated that the Teknaf land port has reopened and that a livestock corridor at Shahparir Dwip will also be launched soon.

The 2026 West Bengal Assembly election was described as one of the most interventionist in India’s history since the Emergency, according to the report. It stated that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and central institutions exerted extraordinary influence, with the Election Commission, investigative agencies, and security forces allegedly acting in ways that undermined constitutional norms. The process of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) reportedly removed around nine million names from the voter list, about 12 percent of the electorate, disproportionately affecting Muslims, Matua community Hindus, and poor women. The Election Commission termed the process as voter list purification, but the report claimed it lacked statistical or legal basis. It said 30 observers were deployed in Bengal compared to four in Uttar Pradesh, and 95 percent of national police transfers occurred in the state. Around 240,000 central security personnel were deployed, over three times the 2021 level. The report also alleged that the BJP used the “infiltrator” issue as a central campaign theme, linking it to Prime Minister Modi’s earlier demographic mission speech. The article concluded that the 2026 Bengal election could serve as a model for future national-level political control, portraying it as a struggle for the state’s democratic survival.