A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Crete, Greece, early Friday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at a depth of about 13 kilometers and was centered roughly 11.5 kilometers southeast of the coastal city of Ierapetra. No immediate reports of casualties or damage have been received so far. The tremor was recorded at 6:18 a.m. local time on April 24, 2026. Greece, known for its numerous islands and popularity among tourists, has experienced several earthquakes in recent years. In June 2025, a 5.3-magnitude quake in northern Greece damaged at least three centuries-old monasteries on Mount Athos, a major religious site. Authorities have not yet released further details on the latest quake’s impact, and monitoring continues for possible aftershocks or damage assessments.

Iran has waived transit fees for Russian ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the state news agency RIA Novosti. The Iranian ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, confirmed that the exemption applies to Russia and other 'friendly' countries. He noted that Iran’s foreign ministry is currently granting such concessions, though future policy remains uncertain. The decision follows Tehran’s earlier announcement of imposing tariffs on shipping through the strategic waterway in response to the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict involving Iran. The fee waiver for select nations signals Tehran’s effort to strengthen ties with allies while maintaining pressure on adversaries through economic measures. It remains unclear how long the exemptions will last or whether additional countries will be included under the 'friendly' category in the future.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir has expressed regret over the injury of journalists during a tense situation involving activists of JCD and Islami Chhatra Shibir near Shahbagh Police Station in Dhaka. The incident occurred on Thursday following a controversial Facebook post, and Nasir issued his statement of regret on Friday morning through his verified Facebook account. In his post, Nasir stated that several members of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association were injured while covering the unrest between Shibir activists and agitated JCD members. He conveyed the organization’s sincere regret and reaffirmed JCD’s belief in the safety of journalists and the freedom of the press. Nasir also acknowledged the significant role of journalists in movements against fascism. He further expressed hope that no journalist would face harassment in the future while performing professional duties, emphasizing JCD’s commitment to protecting media freedom and ensuring accountability within student politics.

The Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (ChakSU) organized a protest march on Thursday night condemning an attack on Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) leaders and members of the journalists’ association by activists of the Chhatra Dal. The march began at the university’s Zero Point and passed through several campus locations before concluding with speeches at the starting point. Speakers at the protest accused Chhatra Dal of attempting to destabilize campuses to divert attention from the country’s ongoing energy crisis and the government’s recent failures. They alleged that the group was using the term “Gupta” as a pretext to target specific organizations and incite violence. ChakSU Vice President Ibrahim Hossain Rony criticized Chhatra Dal’s political approach, urging them to abandon divisive tactics and return to constructive politics. General Secretary Saeed Bin Habib claimed that the attack was based on a fabricated screenshot and warned against further attempts to seize student halls. The protesters demanded accountability for those involved in the attacks and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining campus stability.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s government is deeply divided, suggesting internal conflict between moderates and hardliners in Tehran. Iranian officials, however, have firmly rejected this assertion, emphasizing that the country remains united. President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf all issued statements dismissing Trump’s remarks. They jointly declared through social media that there are no extremists or moderates in Iran, only Iranians and revolutionaries loyal to the Supreme Leader. First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref echoed this sentiment, describing Iran as a fortress of unity rather than division. He said that despite political diversity, the nation stands under one flag in times of crisis to defend its land and dignity. Meanwhile, reports from The New York Times cited unnamed Iranian officials saying that Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded as Supreme Leader, was seriously injured but remains mentally alert after an attack that killed his father. According to Al Jazeera, Trump’s remarks about alleged divisions could serve as justification for extending a ceasefire and blaming Iran for stalled negotiations.

Bangladesh continues to experience intense heat and humidity as no rainfall was recorded across the country except in Kurigram’s Rajarhat during the past 24 hours, according to the national weather office on Friday, April 24, 2026. The Meteorological Department reported that the ongoing heatwave may persist through Saturday, with temperatures expected to rise further. Dhaka recorded its highest temperature of the season at 37°C, while the country’s highest temperature was 38°C in Jashore. Meteorologists said that high humidity has intensified the discomfort, and power outages have worsened living conditions. The heatwave, which affected 27 districts earlier in the week, has now reduced to 20 districts, mainly in Khulna, Dhaka, and Rajshahi divisions. The weather office’s five-day forecast predicts that from Sunday, rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds may occur in parts of Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, easing the heatwave. The forecast suggests that the rainfall trend could continue for several days, gradually reducing the heat intensity across the country.

International oil prices rose sharply as shipping disruptions in the Hormuz Strait intensified. The benchmark Brent crude price exceeded $106 per barrel early Friday, reaching $106.80 by 1 a.m. GMT, about 5 percent higher than Wednesday’s closing price. The closure of the strait and vessel seizures by the United States and Iran have complicated the situation. On Wednesday, oil prices had crossed the $100 mark for the first time in two weeks. The Hormuz Strait, a key global energy route, typically handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas shipments. The current halt in maritime traffic has raised concerns about supply stability and market volatility. Meanwhile, U.S. stock markets declined overnight, with the S&P 500 index down 0.41 percent and the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite falling 0.89 percent, reflecting broader investor unease linked to the energy market turmoil.

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance has launched a third phase of protests demanding the implementation of the July National Charter and the referendum verdict, which were formulated during the interim government and approved by a national vote. Despite repeated appeals in parliament and public statements, the alliance claims the government has shown no effective response. The coalition plans to escalate its movement through phased programs, including rallies, leafleting, and seminars across the country until their demands are met. Partner parties are also organizing separate demonstrations. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis will hold a mass rally at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan, while Jamaat-e-Islami will host a national assembly of July martyrs’ families at the same venue. The alliance has announced citywide and district-level marches through early May. Senior Jamaat leaders, including Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad, have vowed to compel the government to act. Government ministers have acknowledged the referendum’s legality but emphasized that implementation must follow constitutional procedures. Analysts note signs of flexibility from the ruling party, while opposition leaders remain determined to continue their campaign until full enforcement of the referendum outcome.

Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain, who served as Religious Affairs Adviser in Bangladesh’s interim government, has resumed his teaching career at Al-Jamiyatul Arabiyatul Islamia (Jiri Madrasa) in Patiya, Chattogram. On April 23, he began regular classes twice a week, teaching Tirmizi Sharif and Taherik at the Darul Uloom Deoband department. His return has been warmly welcomed by students and colleagues, who expressed pride in having him back. According to the madrasa’s director, Maulana Khubaib bin Taiyab, Dr. Hossain had been teaching there since 2021 but paused his duties during his government service. Dr. Hossain said teaching remains his core identity and that he is happy to be among students again. He previously taught at the International Islamic University and served as a mosque khatib. During his advisory tenure, he was praised for returning surplus funds to Hajj pilgrims and ensuring fair management. His return to academia after national service is seen as a source of inspiration within the religious education community.

Tamil Nadu set a new record in India's electoral history with an unprecedented voter turnout of 84.69 percent in the 2026 state assembly election held on April 23. According to preliminary data from the Election Commission, polling took place across 234 constituencies from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with more than 48.5 million voters casting their ballots to form the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar welcomed the remarkable participation, noting that both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal recorded their highest voter turnouts this year. He expressed appreciation to every voter in both states for their engagement in the democratic process. Analysts cited in the report said the high turnout reflects strong public confidence and enthusiasm for democratic practice in the state. They suggested that such widespread participation could play a significant role in shaping the formation of the next government and Tamil Nadu’s political future.

Uncertainty remains over Iran’s participation in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the United States confirming that Iranian players will be allowed to compete. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Iran’s footballers may take part, but no team member or accompanying individual with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will be permitted entry. The IRGC is listed by Washington as a foreign terrorist organization. Rubio clarified that the issue concerns potential associates, not the players themselves. The 23rd edition of the World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Iran’s group-stage matches set to be held on US soil. This has added complexity to the situation. A proposal from a Trump envoy to replace Iran with Italy was dismissed by US officials as lacking any formal basis. Ongoing regional tensions among the United States, Israel, and Iran have influenced the matter, and although a ceasefire is in place, full resolution has yet to be achieved. As a result, Iran’s World Cup campaign faces diplomatic hurdles even before the tournament begins.

Pope Leo XIV has called on the United States and Iran to continue peace talks aimed at ending the ongoing war. Speaking on his return flight to Rome after visiting four African countries, the Catholic leader said the conflict has caused immense suffering among Iran’s civilian population. He urged all parties to make every effort to establish peace, eliminate the threat of war, and uphold international law. The appeal came shortly after a widely discussed dispute between Pope Leo and U.S. President Donald Trump. The Pope had been vocal in criticizing the U.S.-Israel military operations in Iran, prompting Trump to respond with a lengthy and aggressive social media post. In his remarks, the Pope emphasized that as a clergyman, he cannot support war and called on people to reject hatred and division in favor of a culture of peace. The comments reflect the Vatican’s continued concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East and its advocacy for dialogue as the path to stability.

The US Department of Justice has filed charges against Gannon Kane Van Dyke, a 38-year-old member of the US Special Forces, for allegedly using classified military information to profit from bets related to the potential capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Prosecutors claim Van Dyke earned more than $400,000 by placing 13 bets on the prediction market platform Polymarket, wagering on whether US forces would attack Venezuela and when Maduro might be removed from power. Investigators said Van Dyke was an active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and had access to confidential details about a secret mission called “Operation Absolute Resolve,” which aimed to apprehend Maduro. The FBI described his actions as a severe breach of public trust, alleging that he exploited sensitive information for personal gain. Van Dyke faces three counts of violating commodity exchange laws, one count of wire fraud, and one count of conducting an illegal financial transaction. The charges carry potential prison sentences of up to 20 years for wire fraud and 10 years for other offenses.

The United States has announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Hashim Finian Rahim al-Saraji, the secretary-general of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, an Iran-backed militia group in Iraq. The U.S. Department of State made the announcement under its Rewards for Justice program, stating that the group is responsible for killing Iraqi civilians and attacking U.S. diplomatic facilities and personnel in Iraq and Syria. According to the State Department, individuals providing credible information may be eligible for the reward. Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada is described as an Iraqi militia supported by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and ideologically aligned with it. The announcement comes at a time when the United States is increasing pressure on Iraq to take stronger action against Iran-backed militias operating within its borders.

The Trinamool Congress has expressed strong confidence in its victory following the completion of the first phase of voting in West Bengal. Party leaders said that after polling in 152 constituencies, they are close to forming the government. According to their estimates, the party could win at least 125 seats, possibly rising to 135. Senior leaders Kunal Ghosh and minister Bratya Basu stated that the voting pattern matched their forecasts, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told a rally in Kolkata that public sentiment indicated her party was already ahead. Trinamool leaders attributed the high voter turnout to public anger over alleged irregularities in the voter list, claiming that many legitimate voters had been excluded. They said this led to a protest vote, particularly among women, which they believe benefited the party. Bratya Basu rejected the notion that high turnout signals anti-incumbency, citing Bihar as an example where the ruling party retained power despite heavy voting. The party’s top leadership maintained that both its vote share and seat count would rise, with similar confidence voiced by national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.