Bangladesh has called for a full investigation and justice following the killing of two Bangladeshi PhD students in the United States. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid confirmed the demand on Sunday, adding that the process of repatriating the body of student Jamil Ahmed Limon is underway. Limon and Nahida Sultana Brishti, both doctoral students at the University of South Florida, were reported missing on April 17 after last being seen on campus a day earlier. Limon’s body was later recovered from Tampa’s Howard Frankland Bridge, while Brishti’s body has not yet been found.

Police have arrested 26-year-old Hisham Saleh Abugarbiya, Limon’s roommate, as a suspect, alleging that he killed the two students with a weapon. Abugarbiya, a former student of the same university, has a prior record of assault and burglary charges. Families of the victims in Bangladesh expressed deep grief and demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible.

University officials and local residents in Bangladesh have also expressed sorrow and called for swift justice. Authorities are working to bring the victims’ remains home for burial.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has pledged Beijing’s firm support for Myanmar’s national sovereignty and security during a meeting with President Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw. The meeting took place as part of Wang’s tour of Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar this week, aimed at strengthening regional ties and presenting China as a stable alternative to the United States amid existing regional risks.

According to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry released on Saturday night, Wang said Beijing would help Myanmar develop a path suited to its own conditions and supported by its people. He emphasized that both sides should use the first year of Myanmar’s new government to advance traditional friendship and open new opportunities in bilateral relations.

Wang also stated that China is ready to assist Myanmar in eradicating online gambling and telecommunications fraud, which have become major issues in recent years. Analysts cited in the report noted that China was the main supporter of the junta-backed election that brought Min Aung Hlaing to the presidency.

Iran has submitted documentation of attacks on civilians to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and several international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross. Pir-Hossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, confirmed the submission and said the ICC prosecutor has accepted the materials as formal evidence. The cases are now being reviewed under international humanitarian law.

Kolivand added that following ongoing discussions, the Red Cross has also been involved in the process. The submission comes amid reports of heavy casualties in Iran from US-Israel attacks. According to Iran’s Ministry of Health, more than 2,000 people have been killed, including 216 children, while over 26,000 others have been injured, among them 1,767 children.

The documentation and ICC review mark a significant step in Iran’s effort to pursue international legal action regarding the civilian toll of the attacks.

A Rajshahi University student leader has been accused of threatening the university’s student adviser, Professor Dr. Amirul Islam Konok, through a Facebook comment. The incident surfaced on April 24, 2026, when screenshots of the comment circulated online, sparking criticism across the campus. The accused, Shariful Islam, a vice president of the university’s Chhatra Dal unit and an anthropology student from the 2013–14 session, allegedly wrote, “Teachers should behave like teachers, or they will be slapped.”

Professor Konok stated that he deleted his original post after receiving the comment, explaining that he did not know Shariful personally or his political affiliation. He described the incident as unpleasant and said he was disappointed that a student would use such language. Konok added that he decided not to take legal action, considering the matter trivial.

Shariful Islam later claimed that his comment followed a heated exchange with the professor and acknowledged that his words were inappropriate. He also alleged past mistreatment by the professor and political bias within the university.

Bata Group’s Global CEO Panos Mytaros paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during his first visit to Bangladesh. He was accompanied by Bata Bangladesh Managing Director Faria Yasmin. The meeting included constructive discussions on future plans and collaboration between the government and the company.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister praised Bata’s long-standing contribution to Bangladesh’s economy and industrial sector, encouraging the company to expand its export potential. He assured continued government support and close monitoring of the company’s future operations. Mytaros highlighted Bangladesh’s growing economic prospects, the development of the footwear industry, and Bata’s role in it, reaffirming the company’s commitment to local capacity building and industrial growth.

Social initiatives such as the ‘Bata Children’s Program’ were also discussed, emphasizing the company’s responsible and inclusive approach to creating positive social impact. Bata Bangladesh expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for his time, cooperation, and encouragement.

Two doctors at the Veramara Upazila Health Complex in Kushtia were issued show-cause notices on Sunday for being absent without explanation. The action followed a surprise inspection conducted on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. by Professor Dr. Zahid Raihan, Additional Director General (Administration) of the Directorate General of Health Services. During the visit, he found that two of the three doctors assigned to the outpatient department were absent without valid reason.

The inspection was part of an effort to address mismanagement and resolve recent tensions between hospital authorities and local political figures. Journalists present raised questions about irregularities and corruption, including allegations of unauthorized fees for ECG tests and treatment of poisoning cases, as well as inadequate patient facilities. Dr. Raihan instructed the district civil surgeon and upazila health officer to resolve these issues promptly and warned that repeated violations would lead to permanent action.

Upazila Health Officer Mizanur Rahman confirmed that the two doctors were formally served show-cause letters on Sunday morning but declined to disclose their names.

Monira Sharmin, the nominee of the 11-party alliance for a reserved women's seat in the 13th National Parliament, is set to appeal to the Election Commission after her candidacy was canceled. According to the National Citizen Party’s media cell, she will submit her appeal application at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Election Commission office in Agargaon.

Sources said Monira Sharmin joined Bangladesh Krishi Bank as a general officer in October 2023 and resigned in 2025 after nearly two years of service. Her nomination was suspended because, under the Representation of the People Order, a person must wait three years after leaving government service before becoming eligible for parliament. On April 23, Returning Officer and Joint Secretary of the Election Commission Moin Uddin Khan confirmed that her nomination was canceled for not meeting this requirement.

The appeal will now be reviewed by the Election Commission, which has the authority to uphold or overturn the earlier decision based on the legal provisions cited.

Nurul Amin, Member of Parliament for Chattogram-1 (Mirsharai), alleged that the Awami League had plundered the country for 17 years, leaving widespread damage. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a rally marking the inauguration of new buildings at Abutorab Government Primary School and Maghadia Anjumernesa Government Primary School, as well as the Abutorab-Hasemnagar-Charsharat road project in Mirsharai.

Amin claimed that during the Awami League’s tenure, little progress was made in infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and culverts, while billions of taka were smuggled abroad. He asserted that the BNP’s time in power saw development despite economic challenges. Addressing religious slogans, he said “Naraye Takbir Allahu Akbar” belongs to Muslims, not any political party, and should not be used for violence or wrongdoing.

On fuel prices, Amin stated that domestic prices had been raised less than in the international market, but lower prices compared to India had created smuggling risks, prompting a price adjustment. Several local BNP and allied leaders attended the event.

Large-scale demonstrations took place across Israel, including Tel Aviv, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Protesters also called for the establishment of a formal commission to investigate the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. Thousands gathered at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square under heavy police presence, while hundreds more protested in Jerusalem and about a thousand assembled at Haifa’s Horev Center. Similar demonstrations were reported in other parts of the country.

Protesters criticized the government’s handling of detainees held in the Gaza Strip and voiced frustration over the refusal to form a state inquiry into the October 7 events. Netanyahu has declined to establish such a commission. The protests follow the International Criminal Court’s November 2024 arrest warrants for Netanyahu and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

The growing demonstrations reflect mounting domestic pressure on the Israeli leadership amid ongoing scrutiny of its wartime decisions and accountability demands.

Pakistan has successfully launched a high-performance remote sensing imaging satellite named PRSC-EO3 from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, the launch took place on Saturday night using a Long March-6 rocket at 8:15 p.m. local time. The satellite entered its designated orbit successfully, marking the 640th mission of China’s Long March rocket series.

Pakistan’s space agency SUPARCO stated that the satellite was developed with indigenous technology and represents a major advancement in the country’s space capabilities. The electro-optical satellite will be used for natural resource monitoring, disaster management, and environmental change analysis. It features multi-angle imaging, advanced energy storage, and AI-based data analysis systems for faster and more accurate information processing.

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the satellite will enhance national remote sensing capacity and support socio-economic development. President Asif Ali Zardari called the launch a historic achievement and praised China’s cooperation, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated SUPARCO scientists for strengthening national capability.

Bangladesh Labour Party chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran has sent an open letter to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, expressing concern over a reported BNP position to politically eliminate Jamaat-e-Islami. The letter, released to the media on Sunday, followed a newspaper report quoting Mirza Fakhrul as saying that Jamaat should be politically eradicated.

In his letter, Dr. Iran urged Mirza Fakhrul to abandon the politics of elimination in the new Bangladesh that emerged after the July uprising. He recalled that former President Ziaur Rahman had restored the right of all political parties, including the Labour Party, to operate after the BAKSAL era. Dr. Iran also reminded that BNP founder Khaleda Zia had previously formed governments with Jamaat’s support in 1991 and 2001.

The Labour Party chairman cautioned that following a path of political exclusion would mirror the authoritarian tendencies of the Awami League. He called on BNP to uphold democratic unity and work with all anti-fascist forces, including Jamaat, to implement the people’s mandate and avoid division.

Former deputy education minister and ex-MP for Manikganj-4, Golam Sarwar Milon, passed away early Sunday, April 26, 2026, at around 4:45 a.m. He is survived by his wife, one daughter, one son, and numerous well-wishers. His first funeral prayer will be held after Zuhr at Singair High School field in Manikganj, followed by a second prayer after Maghrib at Kabiraj Jame Mosque on Nazimuddin Road in Dhaka.

Milon was the first elected president of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal during 1981–82 and had earlier been involved with the National Student League supported by Bhasani-NAP. In 1986, he joined the Jatiya Party and became a presidium member. He was elected to parliament from Manikganj-4 in the third and fourth national elections and served as deputy minister for education in the cabinet of Hussain Muhammad Ershad.

After the 2007 political change known as One-Eleven, Milon joined the Progressive Democratic Party led by Ferdous Ahmed Qureshi but later returned to the Jatiya Party. Before the 11th national election, he joined AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury’s Bikalpa Dhara and contested from Manikganj-2 with the 'kulā' symbol but was defeated.

Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), stated that the U.S.-Israel invasion of Iran has permanently changed the global fossil fuel industry. In an interview published by The Guardian on Friday, he said the conflict has eroded global confidence in fossil fuels and reduced demand, prompting countries to shift toward safer energy sources such as renewables and nuclear power.

Birol explained that governments are now reassessing their energy strategies, with growing interest in renewable and nuclear energy and a stronger move toward electrified systems. He warned that the crisis has caused irreversible damage to the global energy market, describing it as a permanent turning point. He also urged caution in approving new fossil fuel exploration and production projects.

Commenting on the UK’s plan to explore North Sea resources, Birol said it would not significantly alter Britain’s energy security or global oil and gas prices. He added that renewable energy holds vast potential, though rising oil and gas prices could push developing nations toward cheaper coal, even as solar power becomes increasingly competitive.

The Ministry of Education has dismissed reports circulating on social media and news portals claiming that the 2026 SSC Bangla First Paper (101) exam questions were leaked across all boards. In a statement issued on Sunday morning, the ministry described the allegations as completely false, baseless, and politically motivated. It confirmed that the Bangla First Paper exam was held on April 21 and the Second Paper on April 23 without any untoward incidents.

According to the ministry, the rumor about a question leak surfaced a day after the exams ended, causing unnecessary concern among students and parents. The statement asserted that no officials or employees of the ministry or its subordinate offices were involved in any such activity. The ministry urged the public not to be misled by false reports, to avoid any monetary transactions related to such claims, and to report any similar misinformation directly to the ministry.

The ministry emphasized that the spread of such fabricated news aims to tarnish the government’s image and called for public vigilance against misinformation.

The 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) concluded in Bangkok on Friday, where Bangladesh led the adoption of a landmark resolution on sustainable bio-economy. The resolution, titled “Supporting the Transition Towards a Sustainable Bio-Economy in Asia and the Pacific,” was introduced by Bangladesh and adopted unanimously by member states. According to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, this achievement reinforces Bangladesh’s growing leadership in shaping the regional development agenda.

The resolution aligns with Bangladesh’s national priorities for sustainable, innovation-driven, and inclusive growth. It emphasizes circular economy principles, efficient resource use, and the application of science and technology for economic transformation. It also calls for enhanced regional cooperation to promote knowledge sharing, capacity building, investment, and the development of sustainable bio-economy value chains across the Asia-Pacific region.

The session also adopted the Baku-Bangkok Declaration on strengthening social development for inclusive societies for all ages, reaffirming the region’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable social progress.