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.

Maulana Abdul Qayyum Subhani has been elected as the new central executive Ameer of the Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party. The decision was made unanimously at the party’s Majlis-e-Shura session held on Saturday and was officially announced on Sunday. The meeting was presided over by party Ameer Allama Sarwar Kamal Aziz and conducted by Secretary General Musa bin Izhar, with leaders from various levels of the organization in attendance.

Subhani was born in 1965 in Gobind village of Hanar Char Union, Chandpur district, into a respected religious family. He is the son of noted scholar Maulana Abdus Sobhan. His education began at Jamia Arabia Imdadul Ulum Faridabad in Dhaka and continued at Darul Ulum Hathazari in Chattogram and Darul Ulum Deoband in India, where he completed his Dawra-e-Hadith in 1984–85. He has served in various religious and educational roles, including as a member of the Islamic Foundation’s editorial board.

Currently, Subhani serves as the Khatib of Segunbagicha Mosque in Dhaka and heads the Madrasa-tul-Qur’an wa Sunnah in Khilgaon. He has also held leadership positions in several religious organizations before assuming his new role as executive Ameer.

A gun attack occurred at a Washington hotel during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night. Following the incident, U.S. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were quickly evacuated to safety. In a subsequent White House press conference, President Trump described the shooter as a 'lone wolf' and confirmed the suspect’s arrest. He praised the security forces for their rapid and courageous response, noting that one officer was shot but survived due to a bulletproof vest.

The attack adds to a series of security threats faced by Trump over the past few years. In July 2024, he was grazed by a bullet in his right ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where one person in the crowd was killed. Later that year, in September, an armed suspect was spotted near his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, prompting his evacuation. In February 2026, an armed intruder was shot dead after breaching security at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Washington.

Trump stated that the dinner will be rescheduled within 30 days, while security forces continue their investigation.

At least 14 people were killed and more than 38 others injured, including five children, in a bombing on the Pan-American Highway in Colombia’s southwestern Cauca region on Saturday. The explosion occurred near the El Tunel area of Cajibío, spreading panic across the region as multiple blasts and violent incidents were reported. Regional governor Octavio Guzmán confirmed the death toll and condemned the attack as an indiscriminate act of terrorism against civilians.

Colombian Armed Forces Commander General Hugo López described the incident as a terrorist attack, linking it to networks led by Iván Mordisco and the Jaime Martínez group. President Gustavo Petro strongly denounced the attackers, calling them terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers. Videos shared on social media showed destroyed vehicles and debris scattered across the road.

Valle del Cauca Governor Francisca Toro requested urgent federal assistance, including additional security forces and enhanced intelligence surveillance. Authorities noted that the Cauca and Valle del Cauca regions have long been strongholds for illegal armed groups competing for control of drug trafficking routes through the Buenaventura port.

Two civilians were killed in a Russian drone attack in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, according to the local military administration. The strike targeted a civilian area in the Bilopillia community, less than five kilometers from the Russian border. The victims were two men aged 48 and 72, local officials confirmed.

The report noted that Moscow has been conducting hundreds of drone attacks across various parts of Ukraine almost daily amid the ongoing war. In response, Kyiv has continued to strike Russian energy and military targets. Separately, in Russian-occupied Crimea’s Sevastopol, a Ukrainian drone attack killed one person inside a car and damaged several houses and a dance school.

Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have shot down 43 drones during the Sevastopol incident. The previous day, at least eight people were killed in a Russian assault on the central-southern city of Dnipro, which lasted nearly 20 hours in multiple waves, according to Ukrainian authorities.

An opinion piece published on April 26, 2026, in the newspaper 'Amar Desh' warns that the cancellation of a recent referendum has deepened political divisions in Bangladesh. The article criticizes the ruling BNP government for reversing its earlier positions after coming to power, allegedly seeking to entrench authority and avoid reforms. It argues that ignoring the people’s vote and prioritizing party interests over constitutional principles risks reviving authoritarian tendencies and undermining national unity.

The commentary highlights controversies surrounding key government appointments, including the Bangladesh Bank governor, university vice-chancellors, and city administrators. It claims these decisions have raised public concern about favoritism and competence. The writer recalls the 2024 mass uprising that ousted an autocratic regime, saying citizens had hoped for a people-centered government focused on justice, industrialization, and employment.

The article concludes that rejecting the referendum’s outcome sends a dangerous message and could provoke renewed public resistance, potentially more intense than the 2024 movement.

The United States is investigating a shooting incident that occurred outside the ballroom of the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night. A gunman opened fire at a security checkpoint before being detained by security forces. The event, attended by President Donald Trump and the First Lady, prompted swift responses from several countries expressing concern and solidarity.

The United Kingdom’s ambassador to the U.S., Christian Turner, praised the quick and professional response of the U.S. Secret Service. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed relief that all attendees were safe, emphasizing that political violence has no place in democracy. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, Israel, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez all condemned the attack and conveyed solidarity with Trump and the First Lady.

The coordinated international reactions underscored global concern over political violence and reaffirmed support for democratic values and peaceful political processes.

In April 2026, the Middle East descended into one of its bloodiest chapters as direct and indirect clashes among Iran, the United States, and Israel turned vast areas into ruins. Within forty days, Iran suffered massive destruction, with over 225,000 civilian structures—including homes, schools, and hospitals—reduced to rubble. More than 3,000 people were killed, and around five million were displaced, forming a refugee wave stretching to Lebanon. The economic toll exceeded 145 billion dollars, crippling infrastructure and essential services.

A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran began on April 10, 2026, though doubts persist about its durability. Pakistan has been mediating talks, but tensions remain high as Washington demands Iran abandon its nuclear program, a condition Tehran rejects as a violation of sovereignty. The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a flashpoint, with both sides warning of severe consequences if control is challenged.

Despite temporary calm, the region remains volatile. The Lebanon front shows signs of renewed conflict, and analysts warn that without a sustainable, justice-based peace process, the cycle of destruction and displacement will continue to haunt the Middle East.