Comilla University in Bangladesh has been without electricity for 18 consecutive hours, severely disrupting academic and administrative activities. The outage began at 6 p.m. on Sunday and continued until at least 1 p.m. on Monday, leaving students unable to study or complete assignments and halting office work. Several departments have postponed scheduled classes, exams, and even semester finals due to the prolonged power failure. Students reported difficulties charging devices and preparing presentations, while residential halls also faced water shortages. University officials said the outage was caused by trees falling on power poles and damaging equipment in the Shalban area. The Power Development Board (PDB) confirmed repair work was underway and expressed hope to restore supply by evening. The university’s examination office stated that its digital operations were paralyzed and one department had already postponed a semester final exam. Limited generator backup was available but insufficient to support all activities until full power restoration.

Police in Netrokona’s Purbadhala have arrested three people, including the upazila unit member secretary and a former joint convener of the Chhatra Dal, in connection with an attack and vandalism on a Member of Parliament’s private car. The arrests were made in separate operations by the district detective branch and local police on Sunday night and early Monday. The detainees are Saju Ahmed, Solaiman Kabir Pappu, and Aiyub Ali. Saju Ahmed is the third accused and serves as the upazila Chhatra Dal member secretary, while Solaiman Kabir Pappu is the tenth accused and a former joint convener. Aiyub Ali, the fortieth accused, is the ward president of the Krishak Dal in Laujana village. Police said the arrested individuals will be produced before court, and operations are continuing to detain others involved. The case stems from an incident last Friday evening when MP Mashum Mostafa’s car was attacked and vandalized at a filling station in Atkapara area. The MP was briefly confined before being rescued by police and administration. So far, twelve people have been arrested in the case, nine of whom are currently on bail.

A Dhaka court has ordered the imprisonment of Dhaka University professor Sudip Chakraborty in connection with a case alleging his involvement in the suicide of student Munira Mahjabin Mimo. The order was issued on Monday afternoon by Metropolitan Magistrate Ripon Hossain after police presented the arrested teacher before the court. The investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Kazi Iqbal Hossain of Badda Police Station, requested that Sudip be kept in custody until the investigation is complete. Defense lawyer Ful Mohammad sought bail, claiming the accused was innocent and being harassed, but state prosecutors opposed the plea. After the hearing, the court denied bail and sent Sudip to jail. Police reported that Sudip was detained in Uttara Badda on Sunday based on secret information and that preliminary investigation indicated his involvement in the incident. Earlier, police recovered Mimo’s hanging body from her home in Uttara Badda, along with a note mentioning Sudip and a financial reference. Following this, Mimo’s father filed a case accusing Sudip of abetment to suicide.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that peace talks in Islamabad failed due to what he described as excessive demands from the United States. He made the remarks to local journalists after arriving in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he said he would discuss the Middle East conflict with Russia, a key ally. Araghchi explained that the discussions in Islamabad involved mediators and included talks on the conditions under which further negotiations might continue. He also highlighted Iran’s ongoing blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, calling safe passage through the strategic waterway a global concern. The minister urged neighboring countries, including Oman, to work closely together in their mutual interests. Araghchi added that further discussions with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz are planned, signaling continued diplomatic engagement on regional maritime security.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman inaugurated the construction of a 500-bed medical college hospital in Jashore on Monday afternoon. The project, located on 75 bighas of land in Harinar Beel, had been approved in 2006 but remained stalled for years. The new initiative marks the formal start of hospital construction under the current government’s renewed efforts. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved the project on August 29, 2023, and contractor recruitment began in June 2025. According to the Public Works Department, the project will cost Tk 676 crore and include a ten-storey hospital building, hostels for students and interns, a nursing college, dormitories, residential facilities, a 500-seat auditorium, a mosque, and an electrical substation. Completion is expected by June 2028. Students said the hospital’s establishment beside the college will improve education quality and provide advanced medical services to about eight million people across Jashore, Jhenaidah, Magura, and Narail districts.

Two Bangladeshi students of the University of South Florida, Jamil Ahmed Limon and Nahida Sultana Brishti, were killed in what prosecutors described as a planned murder. According to a report by local outlet Tampa Bay 28, the accused, 26-year-old Hisham Abugarbiyah, has been charged with murder, and prosecutors have requested that he be held without bail. Court documents state that Hisham attacked Limon and Brishti inside his apartment using a sharp weapon, inflicting multiple fatal injuries. After the killings, he allegedly attempted to erase evidence by placing Limon’s body in a black plastic bag and dumping it near the Howard Frankland Bridge. Investigators found that Hisham destroyed the victims’ belongings and that his phone and car GPS data placed him at the crime scenes. Forensic tests confirmed the victims’ DNA on recovered blood samples. The autopsy found multiple stab wounds on Limon’s body, which was in a decomposed state, and his death was officially ruled a homicide.

Low-cost airline Transavia, part of the Air France-KLM Group, announced on Sunday that it will cancel some flights scheduled for May and June due to rising jet fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The company said the cancellations represent about 2 percent of its total scheduled flights. Passengers affected by the cancellations will be offered free rescheduling, vouchers, or full refunds. The report noted that the fuel crisis is spreading across Europe, which imports nearly half of its energy from Gulf countries. Disruptions in supply through the vital Strait of Hormuz have intensified market pressure since late February, following attacks in Iran by the United States and Israel. Around 20 percent of the world’s hydrocarbons pass through this route. European Union Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen warned that Europe is heading toward a deeper energy crisis, which could further raise fuel prices and force more airlines to cancel flights. Transavia has already increased average round-trip fares by about 10 euros.

An Israeli soldier was killed in southern Lebanon amid ongoing tensions despite a ceasefire that has been in place since mid-April. Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have accused each other of violating the truce, with both sides claiming the other is responsible for renewed hostilities. Lebanese media reported Israeli airstrikes in several southern areas following evacuation orders, resulting in casualties. Hezbollah rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s accusations, saying its actions were legitimate responses to repeated ceasefire violations. Netanyahu warned that Hezbollah’s conduct threatens the truce and vowed strong retaliation. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow after returning to Pakistan from Oman, as diplomatic efforts continue. The Iranian judiciary announced the execution of a member of the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl for attacks on security forces, a day after another execution for alleged espionage for Israel. U.S. President Donald Trump said a recent shooting incident in Washington would not distract him from his goal of victory in the Iran conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has handed Pakistan a 'red line' list intended for the United States, according to Iran’s state media Fars. The report said the list includes issues related to nuclear matters and the Strait of Hormuz. The message exchange was described as unrelated to any Iran–U.S. negotiations and aimed instead at clarifying Iran’s regional positions and boundaries. Fars added no further details about the content or implications of the list. Araghchi is currently in St. Petersburg, where he is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Over the weekend, he held meetings in Pakistan and Oman with key intermediaries. Upon arriving in Russia, he told Iran’s state news agency IRNA that discussions in Pakistan focused on conditions under which Iran–U.S. talks might resume. The development highlights Iran’s ongoing diplomatic activity across the region, involving Pakistan, Oman, and Russia, as it seeks to define its stance amid complex regional and international dynamics.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has confirmed that the recruitment process for 14,000 assistant teachers in government primary schools will not be reviewed. He made the statement on Sunday, noting that the recruitment process is still ongoing and that there is an urgent need to fill teacher shortages in primary schools across the country. Hajjaj explained that a meeting was held last week with the education minister, the secretary of primary and mass education, and the director general of the Directorate of Primary Education, where it was decided to continue the recruitment process as planned. Earlier, Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan had indicated that the recruitment might be reviewed, but the ministry later withdrew that decision. The recruitment process began in November with two phases of applications, followed by a written exam on January 9 across 61 districts. Although final results were published on February 8, recommended candidates have not yet received appointment letters, prompting protests in Dhaka. The state minister assured the candidates during a meeting at the Secretariat.

A BNP leader was allegedly assaulted in broad daylight by a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader in Sreepur, Gazipur, on Sunday, April 26, 2026. The incident occurred at the Sreepur municipal town’s Chourasta area, where Rajbari Union BNP convening committee member Saidur Rahman was attacked. The assault was reportedly led by Sharif Sheikh, organizational secretary of JCD’s Ward No. 3 unit, along with several associates. A written complaint was filed with Sreepur Model Police Station naming Sharif Sheikh and Salauddin of Lohagachh village. Saidur Rahman stated that the dispute stemmed from a scuffle during a local game event in Bindubari on April 24, where he was present as a guest. He claimed that the attack was a continuation of that earlier altercation. Upazila BNP convener Abdul Motaleb condemned the assault, saying initial inquiries found no fault on Saidur’s part and that strict organizational and legal action would follow. Police confirmed receiving the complaint and said an investigation is underway. The incident has reportedly caused unease in local political circles due to internal party tensions and disciplinary concerns.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has alleged that some political parties are attempting to divert the outcome of the recent referendum for their own interests. Speaking on Monday, April 26, 2026, at the inauguration of the Ulshi canal re-excavation program in Sharsha upazila of Jessore, he urged citizens to remain alert, warning that such attempts could disrupt public programs. He reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling all promises made to the people during his tenure. During the event, Rahman highlighted the government’s plan to re-excavate about 20,000 kilometers of canals across the country over the next five years, following the legacy of former president Ziaur Rahman. He also praised former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s initiatives for women’s education, noting that she had made education free up to the intermediate level. Rahman announced that his government would extend free education for girls up to the degree level and introduce stipends for those achieving good results, aiming to promote higher education among women.

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have continued despite a ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump, according to Emma Shortis, director of the International and Security Affairs Program at the Australia Institute. She told Al Jazeera that several weeks after the ceasefire declaration, attacks in Lebanon remain ongoing. Trump had recently extended the ceasefire period by three weeks, urging Israel to halt its bombing campaign. Shortis noted that the relationship between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently not strong enough for Trump to fully influence Netanyahu’s decisions. She added that Netanyahu is under domestic political pressure, particularly from Israel’s right-wing factions, while Trump’s attention is divided due to internal issues in the United States. According to the analysis, Netanyahu appears to be acting with relative independence regarding Lebanon policy under the current circumstances.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said Bangladesh wants to advance its friendship with the United States. He made the remarks after meeting with US Ambassador Brent Christensen at the Secretariat on Monday. The discussion focused on how both countries could cooperate in managing the evolving global media ecosystem. Swapan explained that both the US Embassy in Dhaka and the Ministry of Information will explore areas for joint work in the media sector. He emphasized that combating misinformation and disinformation has become a major challenge worldwide, particularly on digital platforms, where false information can harm social and civic life. The minister added that while media freedom remains important, maintaining balanced freedom is now crucial. He noted that misuse of freedom, especially on social media, often causes suffering for ordinary people. The ministry, therefore, faces the dual task of protecting media freedom and shielding citizens from misinformation.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed to have neutralized a large number of unexploded bombs and missiles left after recent clashes with the United States and Israel in the country’s northern region. According to the Tasnim News Agency, the operation took place in Zanjan province, where more than 9,500 bomb fragments, several unexploded rockets, and missiles were reportedly identified and defused. The IRGC stated that the weapons, dropped during airstrikes, included three U.S.-made GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each, as well as various LB-65, LB-84, LB-85, and LB-86 rockets launched from F-15, F-16, and F-35 aircraft. The corps also reported destroying 52 rockets and safely recovering over 10 missiles, which were later handed over to relevant authorities. According to the IRGC, these munitions were intercepted by Iran’s air defense systems before being recovered and neutralized during a ceasefire period.