The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) has established a 'Rice Garden' in Dinajpur for the 2025–26 Boro season under the initiative of its regional office. The garden, located in the Kaugā area of Sadar upazila, aims to increase rice production, expand modern varieties, and provide farmers with hands-on exposure to new technologies.

The 'Rice Garden' serves as an open learning field where farmers can directly observe different rice varieties, their growth stages, disease resistance, yield, and quality characteristics. This comparative observation helps them identify varieties suitable for local conditions and encourages interest in modern rice cultivation. According to BRRI officials, the initiative enables farmers to make informed decisions for future planting seasons.

The Dinajpur regional office also plans to establish similar gardens for the upcoming Aus and Aman seasons. The current garden, located in the institute’s technology village, remains open to interested farmers, researchers, and related stakeholders.

At least four people were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on April 26, 2026, according to local health officials. Reports said one person died in an airstrike near Al-Mughraqa village in central Gaza, while two others were killed by Israeli shelling and gunfire near Gaza City. In southern Gaza’s Khan Younis area, a 40-year-old woman was reportedly shot dead by Israeli forces.

The Palestinian Health Ministry stated that since the conflict began in October 2023, at least 72,587 people have been killed in Gaza. Although a ceasefire agreement was reached in October 2025, Israeli attacks have reportedly continued almost daily, raising concerns about violations of the truce.

The ongoing violence underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the persistent humanitarian toll in Gaza, as reports continue to emerge of civilian casualties despite formal peace efforts.

Authorities in Madan upazila of Netrakona seized 29 sacks of government rice on April 1 from a house about 10 yards from a Food-Friendly Program distribution point. The rice, meant for low-income beneficiaries, was found stored illegally. Although officials initially announced a regular case would be filed, the person storing the rice was released after signing a bond. The administration later stated that the seized rice would be distributed among poor and destitute residents, five kilograms per person.

Twenty-five days after the seizure, no distribution or further action had taken place, raising public suspicion of an attempted cover-up involving local officials and black market traders. The rice remains stored under guard in the same location. Union Secretary Krishna Chandra Sarkar confirmed the rice was still in storage and said he could not distribute it alone. Assistant Land Officer Nurul Islam claimed no knowledge of the distribution process. Union Administrator and Agriculture Officer Mahmudul Hasan Mizan said a list was being prepared and distribution was planned for April 29.

Upazila Executive Officer Bedbati Mistri confirmed she had instructed the union administration to distribute the rice among the needy residents.

A mass wedding involving 300 couples took place in central Gaza on Friday, supported by the United Arab Emirates. The event, held under the program titled 'Galant Night 3', aimed to assist couples who were unable to marry due to financial hardship. Around 20,000 people, including families, local leaders, representatives of international organizations, and residents, attended the ceremony.

Organizers said the couples were selected from thousands of applicants, with priority given to unmarried individuals facing economic challenges. Applications had opened in February. Alongside the wedding, newlyweds received gifts and assistance to help them begin their married lives. The ceremony began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the marriages, emphasizing Palestinian cultural traditions.

Both the national anthems of the United Arab Emirates and Palestine were performed during the event, symbolizing solidarity and cultural unity amid Gaza’s ongoing recovery from Israeli attacks.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it has seized a commercial vessel named 'Sevan' in the Arabian Sea. According to CENTCOM, the ship was attempting to violate the naval blockade imposed on Iran. The operation was carried out by a U.S. Navy helicopter launched from the guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney. CENTCOM reported that the seized vessel is now complying with U.S. directives and is being redirected toward Iran.

CENTCOM described the 'Sevan' as part of a network involved in transporting Iranian oil and gas. The command stated that U.S. forces continue to fully enforce sanctions and the naval blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports. Since the blockade began, 37 vessels have reportedly been diverted to alternate routes.

The report, citing Middle East Eye, underscores Washington’s continued enforcement of maritime restrictions targeting Iranian trade networks in the region.

At least eight people were killed and 49 injured in a 20-hour Russian drone and missile assault on the central-eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, local authorities said on Saturday. The attack, which began before dawn and continued into the afternoon, struck residential areas, businesses, and energy infrastructure. Officials described it as the largest attack on Dnipro to date. Among the injured were two children and a city mayor’s adviser. Additional casualties were reported in other parts of the Dnipropetrovsk region and in neighboring Zaporizhzhia.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 619 drones and 47 missiles overnight, most of which were intercepted. The Russian defense ministry claimed it targeted Ukrainian military sites, denying attacks on civilians. A drone also crashed in Romania, prompting evacuations and the deployment of British fighter jets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, visiting Azerbaijan, urged the international community to respond more firmly to Russia’s actions.

The Dnipropetrovsk region is a key industrial area located about 100 kilometers from the front line. Diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled, with peace initiatives disrupted by other global conflicts.

An Iranian delegation is set to return to Pakistan tonight, according to Iran’s state media. The delegation, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, will visit Islamabad after completing a trip to Oman and before departing for Russia. The report indicates that part of the Iranian negotiating team had earlier returned to Tehran for consultations related to issues concerning the cessation of hostilities.

Members of the delegation are expected to arrive in Islamabad on Sunday night to rejoin Araghchi, bringing with them necessary advice and new directives from Tehran. The visit underscores Iran’s ongoing diplomatic engagements across the region amid discussions linked to ending conflict.

The information was reported by Iran’s official news agency IRNA and relayed by Tasnim News Agency, citing Pakistan’s Dawn as the source.

A local leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Shahjahanpur upazila of Bogura has reportedly been expelled without holding an organizational meeting, adopting a written resolution, or informing the party’s general secretary. On April 24, a press release signed by upazila BNP office secretary Mashfiqur Rahman Mamun announced the expulsion of Zahidur Rahman, a member of the upazila BNP and president of ward no. 4 of Amrul Union BNP, on allegations of activities against party discipline.

Upazila BNP general secretary Azizur Rahman Bidyut stated that no such expulsion decision was discussed in any party forum, no organizational meeting was held, and no written resolution was adopted. He said the decision ignored party rules and was made personally. Zahidur Rahman also claimed he was not given any notice or chance to defend himself, calling the move unconstitutional.

Upazila BNP president Enamul Haque Shaheen, however, said the expulsion followed instructions from the district BNP president and that Azizur Rahman was aware of it. Azizur Rahman later countered that the press release did not mention the district BNP, making the action a violation of party procedures.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that Bangladesh regained democracy through immense sacrifice and struggle. Speaking on Sunday at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar after paying tribute at the graves of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and party chairperson Khaleda Zia, Rizvi stated that Tarique Rahman, before assuming office as prime minister, had pledged reforms that are now being implemented.

He highlighted that Tarique Rahman introduced family and farmer cards, initiated canal excavation in Dinajpur, and continued to fulfill his promises. Rizvi also said the current energy crisis is global, caused by conflicts in the Middle East, and that the government is gradually overcoming it while focusing on renewable energy. He mentioned that Pakistan has saved foreign currency through rooftop solar systems and urged Bangladesh to reduce taxes on such installations to encourage self-sufficiency.

Rizvi further warned ministers to remain vigilant, noting that more than eleven people had died from measles in the past 24 hours, and called on the Health Ministry to take immediate action to prevent further deaths.

National Institute of Local Government (NILG) Director General and Additional Secretary Ismail Hossain emphasized the need to enhance the efficiency of village police through proper training. He stated that training would help them perform their duties effectively and that, despite limitations, village police are capable of fulfilling their responsibilities in society. He made these remarks while virtually joining as the chief guest at the inauguration of a month-long basic training course for union-level village police members held at the Shibganj Upazila Parishad auditorium in Chapainawabganj on Sunday morning.

The event was organized by the National Institute of Local Government and chaired by District Commissioner Abu Saleh Md Musa. Other speakers included Superintendent of Police Gautam Kumar Biswas, Deputy Director of the Local Government Department Ujjal Kumar Ghosh, and Course Director and Shibganj Upazila Executive Officer Majharul Islam. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Toufiq Aziz, Shibganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Humayun Kabir, and Course Coordinator Shahin Akhter were also present. A total of 40 village police members participated in the training.

The training aims to strengthen the capacity of grassroots law enforcement and improve service delivery at the union level.

In eastern Ukraine, remotely controlled ground robots carrying 66 pounds of explosives are being deployed toward Russian positions, supported by drones that clear paths with aerial bombs. One robot detonates near enemy lines while others remain behind to observe. The footage, recorded last summer, illustrates Ukraine’s adoption of new combat methods, according to the country’s leaders.

Facing manpower shortages, Kyiv is expanding its use of drones and automated weapons for defense. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that an attack in the Kharkiv region last year demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to seize Russian positions using automated systems alone. Although ground robots are typically used for logistics and medical evacuations, Ukraine is increasingly employing them for offensive operations.

According to the Defense Ministry, Ukrainian forces conducted over 9,000 frontline missions in March using drones equipped with explosives, machine guns, or rockets. While slower and more visible than quadcopter drones, ground robots can carry heavier explosive loads, though they remain vulnerable to enemy fire and have limited operational lifespans of about 24 hours.

A 158.20-carat rare yellow diamond has been discovered at the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The find, made in March 2025 and announced by Rio Tinto on April 1, 2026, originated from one of the world’s most remote mining sites, located on a small island in Lac de Gras about 200 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. The mine operates off the national power grid and is accessible only by ice road in winter or floatplane in summer.

According to Rio Tinto, the diamond formed around two billion years ago deep within the Earth. Its yellow hue results from nitrogen atoms in its structure, making it exceptionally rare and valuable. Yellow diamonds account for less than one percent of Diavik’s total production, and this is only the fifth yellow diamond from the mine weighing over 100 carats.

The Diavik mine officially ceased operations in March 2026, making this discovery one of its final major finds. The diamond’s market value has not yet been disclosed, and cutting and sale processes have not begun.

Renowned Indian photographer Raghu Rai has passed away at the age of 83. He died on Sunday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in New Delhi. Rai was widely regarded as a pioneer of Indian photojournalism and earned international recognition for his work documenting major historical events.

During Bangladesh’s Liberation War, Raghu Rai was among the leading foreign photographers to cover the conflict. At that time, he served as the chief photojournalist for India’s prominent newspaper The Statesman. His photographs vividly portrayed the suffering of Bangladeshi refugees in Indian camps and captured key moments of the war, including scenes from the frontlines and the surrender of Pakistani forces.

His death marks the end of an era in South Asian photojournalism, leaving behind a legacy of powerful visual storytelling that chronicled both human struggle and resilience.

The Government of Bangladesh has reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy regarding the distribution of examination papers, according to Dr. Mahdi Amin, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office. In a Facebook post on April 26, 2026, he stated that authorities are actively monitoring social media to prevent misinformation and have strengthened cyber surveillance and digital tracking systems. The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit recently arrested four individuals accused of deceiving students with fake exam papers and attempting to disrupt the integrity of the SSC examinations.

Dr. Amin noted that the Dhaka Education Board warned of a fraudulent group spreading false claims of question leaks to create confusion and damage the government’s image. He clarified that a television report suggesting a leak was later withdrawn after verification showed it was a planned scam. Fact-checking platforms also confirmed the incident was not a genuine leak. The government continues efforts to ensure maximum security of exam materials and urged students and parents to remain vigilant against misinformation.

He added that the administration is committed to rebuilding the education system through merit-based reforms and skill-oriented initiatives under the Prime Minister’s directives.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has sharply criticized the United States and Israel over the ongoing war with Iran, calling the conflict 'completely unnecessary.' Speaking on April 26, 2026, Merz said the war is fueling instability worldwide and increasing tensions across Europe, Asia, and the United States.

He emphasized that only a united Europe can effectively address emerging global challenges. Merz stated that he and the heads of state and government from the 27 European Union countries held a two-day meeting to discuss how to deal with the Iran conflict and other major challenges facing the region.

The chancellor added that Europe must adapt to the changing global situation and accept the new economic realities, however difficult they may be.