More than 130 prominent individuals, including scholars, writers, and artists, have publicly challenged the United Kingdom’s ban on the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action. They signed an open letter to the Court of Appeal ahead of a hearing in London next week, declaring their opposition to genocide and support for the group. The signatories include Irish author Sally Rooney, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, British musician Brian Eno, and academics from Oxford and Cambridge universities. The letter, containing only a few words, has become a symbol of the “Lift the Ban” campaign, launched after the UK government banned Palestine Action under terrorism laws in July 2025. Since then, thousands of the group’s supporters have reportedly been arrested. Professor Penny Green of Queen Mary University of London criticized the government for labeling peaceful protesters as terrorists and accused the Labour government of avoiding accountability. Human rights organizations and UN experts have also condemned the UK’s increasing crackdown on peaceful demonstrations and urged the government to lift the ban on Palestine Action.

A fisherman was killed by lightning while fishing in the Dhanua River of Khaliajuri upazila in Netrakona on Monday morning. The incident occurred around 9:15 a.m. near the ferry ghat area of Jagannathpur, according to Khaliajuri Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nasir Uddin. The deceased was identified as Abdul Motaleb, 55, a resident of Bagber village in Maizpara union under Ishwarganj upazila of Mymensingh. Local sources said Motaleb and two others had traveled by autorickshaw from their home area to the Dhanua River for fishing. They began fishing with rods at Godaraghata in Jagannathpur when rain and lightning suddenly started. Motaleb was struck by lightning and died on the spot. Police said necessary legal procedures are being carried out regarding the incident. Authorities have not reported any further casualties or property damage from the lightning strike.

Israel has stated that its recent attacks in southern Lebanon are part of an ongoing ceasefire agreement. According to the Israeli government, the operations against Hezbollah and the retention of occupied Lebanese territories are being carried out with the support and cooperation of the United States. The report was published by Al Jazeera. The Israeli military doctrine emphasizes the creation of a so-called buffer zone beyond its borders, which it considers crucial for national security. Israel reportedly has no intention of withdrawing from these areas, describing the so-called Yellow Line as flexible, a stance seen in both Gaza and Lebanon. Its control extends beyond ground presence, using shelling and airstrikes to exert influence over wider areas. Israel maintains that all these actions fall within the framework of the ceasefire, while any counterattacks by Hezbollah are viewed as violations of that agreement. This interpretation underpins Israel’s accusation that Hezbollah is responsible for breaking the ceasefire.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared that there is no possibility of direct negotiations with Israel, reaffirming the group’s commitment to armed resistance against Israeli aggression. He stated that Hezbollah will not lay down its weapons and criticized the Lebanese government for rushing into unnecessary concessions. Qassem urged authorities to halt direct talks and instead pursue indirect channels. Despite a declared ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, cross-border exchanges of fire have continued. Hezbollah has launched drone and rocket attacks against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and across the border, asserting that it will not rely on what it called failed diplomacy. The group pledged to resist Israeli airstrikes, bombardments, and other military actions during the truce. Residents in southern Lebanon described the situation as a “nominal ceasefire,” as Israeli shelling persisted from the first day of the truce, which has now been extended for another three weeks.

In Boalmari upazila of Faridpur, 74 people received treatment and vaccines after being bitten by dogs over the past three months, according to Dr. Nazmul Hasan, family planning officer at the upazila health complex. Health officials reported that cat bites are also common, though not separately recorded, suggesting the actual number of bite victims could be higher. The monthly breakdown shows 17 cases in January, 31 in February, and 26 in March. Residents said most incidents occurred on roads when stray dogs suddenly attacked pedestrians. Locals observed an increase in the number of stray dogs and noted their increasingly aggressive behavior, raising public safety concerns. Cat bites, often from domestic pets, were also reported but frequently neglected. Locals complained that previous municipal vaccination programs for dogs are no longer visible, heightening infection risks. Dr. Hasan stated that careless movement contributes to the rise in bite cases but assured that vaccines are adequately stocked. Residents urged authorities to take prompt action to control stray animals and raise public awareness to reduce such risks.

Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed said that a four-month residential basic training program will play a vital role in enhancing the capacity of new university teachers and building a strong professional network among them. He made the remarks on Sunday night at the inauguration ceremony of the 3rd and 4th batches of the training held at the Central Training and Conference Center of Bangladesh Open University (BOU). The event was presided over by BOU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Siddiqur Rahman Khan and attended by UGC members, World Bank consultant Mahmudul Haque, and officials from UGC, BOU, and the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project. Speakers emphasized that the training would help participants share experiences, develop classroom management skills, and improve higher education administration. A total of 59 new teachers from 33 public and private universities are participating in the program, organized under the UGC-implemented HEAT project. The initiative aims to foster collaboration and professional growth among young academics across Bangladesh.

Relatives of the victims and local residents in Narayanganj have demanded the immediate execution of the verdict in the widely discussed seven-murder case. On Monday morning, they formed a human chain on the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway in Siddhirganj’s Mouchak area to press their demand. Selina Islam Beauty, wife of slain panel mayor Nazrul Islam, recalled the brutality of the killings and urged authorities to ensure justice within 2026 so that the families can witness it in their lifetime. Other victims’ relatives, including Shamsun Nahar Nupur and Abul Khayer, expressed frustration over the prolonged delay, noting that the case has remained pending in the Appellate Division for over eight years. They appealed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the attorney general, and the law minister to take special steps for swift implementation of the verdict. The families said they continue to live in hardship while those responsible remain alive and unpunished. The case stems from the abduction and murder of seven people, including Nazrul Islam and lawyer Chandan Kumar Sarkar, on April 27, 2014. Their bodies were later recovered from the Shitalakkhya River, and the judicial process remains ongoing in the Appellate Division.

North Korean President Kim Jong Un has reiterated his full support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, calling it a “just and sacred” struggle. According to the state news agency KCNA, Kim pledged continued assistance to ensure Russia’s victory. The statement came during a meeting in Pyongyang with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, where both sides discussed strengthening military cooperation. Analysts cited in the report said North Korea has already sent missiles, ammunition, and thousands of troops to Russia in exchange for financial aid, military technology, food, and energy. Belousov announced that Moscow is ready to sign a joint cooperation plan with North Korea covering 2027 to 2031. Kim, Belousov, and Russian parliamentary speaker Vyacheslav Volodin also attended the inauguration of a memorial honoring North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine. The memorial event, held to mark the first anniversary of Russia’s recapture of parts of the Kursk region, featured concerts, fireworks, and an air force parade. South Korea estimates that around 2,000 North Korean soldiers have died in the conflict.

Government data show that more than 3,658 people died in lightning strikes across Bangladesh between 2015 and 2025, despite the phenomenon being declared a national disaster a decade ago. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department identified Sylhet’s Sunamganj district, particularly Jamalganj upazila, as the most lightning-prone area. The highest number of fatalities occurred in 2020, with 427 deaths, but the toll has since declined to 173 in 2025. Meteorologist Dr. Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik attributed the high frequency of lightning in Sylhet to its geography and weather patterns. The region’s large haor wetlands generate abundant water vapor, which interacts with moist air from the Bay of Bengal and collides with the northeastern hills, creating conditions for thundercloud formation. The convergence of moist and dry air masses also heightens lightning risk in northeastern and some northwestern districts. Officials credit early warning systems, public awareness campaigns, and preventive measures introduced since 2019 for the recent decline in lightning deaths, though data remain insufficient to compare current rates with pre-2015 levels.

Police in Tongi, Gazipur confirmed that a man named Saifur Rahman Sohan confessed to killing his father and younger brother out of anger over a broken marriage arrangement with his cousin. The incident occurred on Uttor Bonmala Road, and police verified the confession after overnight interrogation on Sunday. According to police sources, Sohan, a casual machine operator at a pharmaceutical factory, had a romantic relationship with his cousin, and their families had discussed marriage. However, his younger brother Sakib later became romantically involved with the same cousin, leading to conflict between the brothers. On Saturday night, after an argument, Sohan tied up Sakib, gagged him, and fatally cut his tendons with a blade. When their father, Sohel Rana, witnessed the killing, Sohan took him near a railway line, where he was struck and killed by a passing train. Police said Sohan was sent to the Gazipur District and Sessions Judge Court on Monday after being shown arrested in a murder case.

Sheikh Yusuf Afridi, a commander of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Initial reports indicate that the attackers fired multiple rounds at Afridi, leaving him no chance to escape. Afridi was known as a close associate of the group’s chief, Hafiz Saeed. Local sources said Afridi played a key role in directing the organization’s operations in the region. Investigators are treating the incident as a targeted killing. The attack follows a series of similar incidents involving members of militant groups in Pakistan. Last month, Lashkar-e-Taiba founding member Amir Hamza survived an armed attack in Lahore, while Muhammad Tahir Anwar, brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Masood Azhar, recently died under mysterious circumstances. In March of the previous year, senior Lashkar-e-Taiba member Abu Katal was also shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Jhelum, Pakistan.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Saint Petersburg to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for discussions focused on regional and international coordination and advancing joint initiatives. The visit was confirmed by Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, who said the meeting would emphasize strengthening mutual cooperation. Russia and Iran have maintained a long-standing partnership, with Moscow serving as a key diplomatic ally for Tehran during its conflict with the United States. The two countries signed a 20-year agreement in January 2025 to deepen economic, military, and political ties. Russia has also described U.S. attacks on Iran as provocative aggression. In addition, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the United States and expressed interest in contributing to the process. According to a CNN report cited in March, Russia had provided Iran with intelligence on U.S. military movements, marking an early sign of Moscow’s involvement in the conflict. Araghchi’s trip to Russia follows meetings in Pakistan and Oman with key mediators.

Health experts in Bangladesh have raised concerns about the growing use of e-cigarettes, which first entered the country in 2012 and have since gained popularity for their seemingly harmless vapor and sweet aroma. Despite claims by importers and sellers that e-cigarettes are safer than traditional ones, specialists emphasize that most contain nicotine, a substance known to cause addiction. Professor Sohel Reza Chowdhury of the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute noted that nicotine intake from e-cigarettes can sometimes exceed that from conventional cigarettes due to prolonged use. Chowdhury warned that young people are increasingly drawn to these products, and without swift action, their harmful effects could become more widespread. Although the long-term health consequences of e-cigarettes remain uncertain, several studies in recent years have shown they are not safe. The World Health Organization’s Global Tobacco Epidemic report states that e-cigarette users are twice as likely to become addicted to regular cigarettes. Bangladesh’s tobacco control laws, first enacted in 2005 and amended in 2013, have limited advertising and mandated health warnings, yet smoking persists, contributing to over 130,000 tobacco-related deaths annually.

Hasnat Abdullah, the Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4 and a leader of the National Congress Party (NCP), posted a short message on Facebook on Monday night that quickly went viral. In his post, he simply wrote the words “Red card.” Within just 12 minutes of posting, the message had received more than 52,000 reactions, according to the report published on April 27, 2026. The post drew widespread attention online due to its brevity and timing, though the source did not specify the reason or context behind the message. Hasnat Abdullah’s social media activity often attracts public interest, and this instance was no exception as the post spread rapidly across platforms. The report did not include any official explanation or reaction from Hasnat Abdullah or his party regarding the meaning of the “Red card” post.

BNP Standing Committee member and Prime Minister’s political adviser Nazrul Islam Khan stated that whenever the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had the opportunity to govern, it worked for the people and in favor of democracy. He made the remarks on Monday morning after offering prayers and floral tributes at the grave of Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq near Dhaka University’s Doel Chattar, marking the 64th anniversary of the late leader’s death. Nazrul Islam Khan emphasized that BNP has always fought for democracy and that late President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia worked with the nation’s good people to build the country. He added that Tarique Rahman’s government continues to lead the nation following that path. Remembering Sher-e-Bangla, the senior BNP leader said his contributions benefited people from all walks of life and urged everyone to work together to preserve his legacy.