A new survey by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that nearly two-thirds of Israelis oppose a ceasefire with Iran amid the ongoing conflict. The poll, reported by Al Jazeera, indicates that the Israeli public remains divided over whether to honor a proposed two-week truce or resume attacks on Iran. According to the findings, 39 percent of respondents believe Israel should continue its military operations, while 41 percent support respecting the ceasefire.

The survey also highlights strong opposition to extending the ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, with 61 percent of Israelis rejecting such an extension. This comes as Tehran has been pressing the issue in its talks with the United States. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s popularity has declined since the war began, with only 34 percent now wanting him to remain in office, down from 40 percent at the start of the conflict.

The results suggest growing internal political pressure and increasing complexity in Israel’s decision-making regarding the war and regional stability.

Former CIA Director John Brennan has joined growing calls to remove U.S. President Donald Trump from office, citing concerns over his mental stability and fitness to lead. In an interview with MSNBC on Saturday, Brennan argued that the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was written with situations like Trump’s in mind. He described Trump as mentally unbalanced and said his recent provocative remarks about destroying Iranian civilization have endangered many lives.

Brennan, who served as CIA chief under President Barack Obama, stated that Trump poses a significant risk as commander-in-chief because he controls the nation’s nuclear arsenal and vast military power. His comments add to a rising chorus of voices questioning Trump’s capacity to govern amid escalating tensions with Iran.

The remarks come as the United States has reportedly blocked all Iranian Gulf ports, while Qatar and Iran are engaged in talks over ceasefire and regional stability.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned that Israel could identify Turkey as its next adversary. In an interview with Turkey’s state news agency Anadolu, Fidan said Israel is a state that cannot sustain itself without an enemy, suggesting that after Iran, Turkey might become its next target. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera on April 13, 2026.

Fidan also discussed ongoing talks between Iran and the United States, noting that despite Pakistan’s mediation, no agreement has been reached. However, he said both sides remain sincere about achieving a ceasefire. He cautioned that if the nuclear issue, particularly uranium enrichment, becomes an all-or-nothing matter, it could create major complications and stall progress in the negotiations.

According to Fidan, the current situation risks heightening tensions across the Middle East and could push the involved parties toward diplomatic deadlock.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman warned that the current government will not be able to survive by opposing the July movement. Speaking on Monday at a national seminar titled “Government Against Referendum Verdict: Nation Facing Crisis” at the Diploma Engineers Auditorium in Dhaka, he said the government’s stance against July would fail and that the aspirations of July would be realized through the people’s referendum. The event was organized by an 11-party alliance as part of a week-long program demanding implementation of the referendum result.

Dr. Rahman described the ongoing movement as a continuation of the July uprising, emphasizing that it was not limited to students or politicians but included a majority of workers. He accused the government of double standards and criticized what he called fascist tendencies in parliament. He also warned against political control of financial institutions, citing alleged interference in Islami Bank, and urged citizens to resist such actions.

He reaffirmed that the movement seeks to honor the sacrifices of the July martyrs and uphold the rights of the people, rejecting any form of dynastic or authoritarian rule in Bangladesh.

Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have welcomed the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, describing it as a step toward a lasting solution and regional stability. In a joint statement, the ten-member bloc highlighted the global importance of energy flows and trade routes and called for the restoration of safe, uninterrupted navigation for ships and aircraft through the Strait of Hormuz. The ministers also urged all parties to ensure the safety of sailors and vessels in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

The ASEAN ministers praised Pakistan and other involved parties for their mediation efforts and encouraged Washington and Tehran to continue dialogue aimed at a permanent resolution of the conflict. They emphasized the importance of upholding international law, maintaining regional peace and prosperity, and promoting sincere dialogue and diplomacy.

The statement noted that although Southeast Asia holds significant fossil fuel reserves, the region remains heavily dependent on imported oil and gas, much of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced special traffic arrangements for the Pahela Baishakh celebrations in the capital. Starting from 5 a.m. on April 14, several roads around Ramna Park, Ramna Batamul, Suhrawardy Udyan, and Dhaka University areas will be closed or diverted until further notice. Fourteen diversion points have been designated, including Banglamotor, Hotel Intercontinental, Police Building, Kakrail Church, and Nilkhet crossings. Alternative routes have been advised for vehicles traveling toward Shahbagh from different parts of the city.

Designated parking areas have been set near Ramna Park and Dhaka University, including sections of Navy Gap to Holy Family Hospital, Matsya Bhaban to Segunbagicha, and Katabon to Palashi crossings. Law enforcement vehicles will have specific parking zones near the Shilpakala Academy. Fire Service, Civil Defence, ambulance teams, and divers from the River Police will be deployed, while mobile toilets and tourist police service centers will be available at event venues.

The DMP urged citizens to report any suspicious or unusual activities to the national emergency service 999 or the DMP control room numbers provided.

Iran’s Legal Medicine Organization has reported that 3,375 people have been killed in the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel. The organization’s head, Abbas Masjedi, stated that the deaths were identified through scientific and specialized methods during what he described as an imposed war. The information was cited by Iran’s state news agency IRNA, according to AFP.

Masjedi detailed that among the dead, 2,875 were men and 496 were women, but he did not specify how many were adults or children. The report underscores the difficulty of verifying the true number of casualties in Iran due to restricted access to affected areas and limitations on independent reporting.

AFP noted that it could not independently confirm the casualty figures because of the challenges in gathering information from the sites of the attacks.

Five recently departed commissioners of the National Human Rights Commission have issued a joint open letter responding to what they describe as incorrect and misleading information presented in the national parliament regarding several human rights-related ordinances. They stated that their intervention was driven by a sense of responsibility toward victims facing uncertainty after the ordinances were not passed. The letter was released on Monday, April 13, 2026.

In the letter, the commissioners argued that parliamentarians presented false claims while supporting the repeal of the enforced disappearance and human rights ordinances. They clarified that the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance serves as a principal law underpinning other related ordinances, including those on enforced disappearance prevention and accountability for the July uprising. They specifically corrected two points: the maximum punishment for enforced disappearance, which they said includes the death penalty and life imprisonment, and the existence of clear provisions for investigation timelines and fines.

The commissioners expressed regret that the reinstated 2009 Human Rights Commission Act lacks these provisions. They emphasized that their statement was made not for personal or institutional interest but to address victims’ suffering and legal uncertainty.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Americans will soon miss $4 or $5 gasoline following the United States’ announcement to blockade Iranian ports around the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on social media platform X on Sunday, Ghalibaf said Americans should enjoy current fuel prices while they last, suggesting that the US decision could drive oil prices higher.

The statement came as Iran reiterated it would not yield to US threats. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s navy also cautioned that any military vessel approaching the waterway would face strong action. The remarks followed former US president Donald Trump’s declaration to block all ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a move that has drawn international criticism.

The exchange underscores rising tensions over the strategic waterway, which is critical for global oil transport. The situation has prompted reactions from multiple global actors, including Russia and the Vatican, emphasizing the potential for broader geopolitical consequences.

The National University of Bangladesh has released new instructions for the 2025–26 academic year’s first-year undergraduate (honours) admission test, scheduled for Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The test will be held simultaneously across the country at designated college centers by division and district. The directive, issued on April 12, outlines responsibilities for center secretaries, including downloading candidate lists using official credentials and arranging seating by group while maintaining proper distance.

Each examination room must seat students from humanities, business studies, and science groups in multiples of ten. If a college lacks sufficient space, nearby institutions may be used as venues, with seating plans published at least three days before the exam. To ensure transparency, invigilators must verify candidates’ faces with attendance photos, and proxy participation is strictly prohibited. Two question sets per group will be used, and OMR sheets must be correctly filled.

Electronic devices are banned, and late entry beyond 30 minutes will not be allowed. Answer sheets and attendance lists must be sealed and submitted to regional centers by 8 p.m. the same day. The center fee is set at 125 taka per candidate.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially appointed Major General Roman Gofman as the new head of Mossad, the country’s powerful intelligence agency. The Israeli cabinet approved the appointment on Sunday, and Gofman will assume office on June 2 after current director David Barnea completes his five-year term. Notably, Gofman has no prior experience in intelligence work, marking a break from the agency’s long-standing tradition of appointing seasoned intelligence officers.

Born in Belarus in 1976, Gofman immigrated to Israel at age 14 and joined the armored corps in 1995. He has served in various senior military roles and currently works as the military secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. During the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, he was commander of the infantry training center and was seriously injured in fighting near Sderot. Gofman is known for his alignment with Netanyahu’s nationalist ideology and studied at the Eli Yeshiva in the occupied West Bank.

Mossad, which operates mainly outside Israel, avoided direct blame for the October 7 intelligence failure. Under Gofman’s leadership, observers are watching how the agency will shape its next strategies against Iran and Hezbollah.

New York Mayor Zohraan Mamdani marked his first 100 days in office on Sunday with a rally in Queens, highlighting his early achievements and reaffirming his commitment to a clear socialist agenda. The 34-year-old mayor cited the repair of over 100,000 potholes since January 1 as evidence of his administration’s focus on improving everyday life for residents. Veteran leftist leader Bernie Sanders attended the event in support.

Mamdani outlined progress on his campaign promises, including plans to open city-run grocery stores offering free childcare services, and restructuring city committees to potentially freeze rent increases in the coming months. He noted that discussions with state authorities on implementing free bus rides are still ongoing.

Recent polls show mixed public sentiment: his approval stands at 48 percent among New Yorkers and 43 percent among voters. While many support his childcare and housing initiatives, significant portions of Hispanic and Black voters believe the city is moving in the wrong direction. Despite past criticism of Donald Trump, Mamdani has developed a cordial relationship with the Republican president, visiting the White House twice.

The Bangladesh government has issued a circular reducing operational expenditures across nine sectors to address the energy crisis triggered by the ongoing war situation in the Middle East. The Cabinet Division released the directive following decisions made at the fourth cabinet meeting on April 2, 2026, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

According to the circular, fuel allocations for government vehicles will be reduced by 30 percent, and interest-free loans for vehicle purchases and all foreign training funded by the government will be suspended. Domestic training expenses, meeting and seminar costs, and travel expenditures will also face significant cuts. Additionally, the purchase of vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, and computers in the public sector will be halted entirely, while energy use in government offices will be reduced by 30 percent. Expenditures on building decoration and land acquisition will also be curtailed.

The measures are intended to manage the fiscal impact of the energy shortage and ensure efficient use of public resources until further notice.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir stated that the government will follow legal procedures to bring Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Monday, April 13, after meeting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat.

Kabir emphasized that the BNP government will not make any agreements that compromise national interests. He said discussions with India covered several mutual issues, and the government thanked India for supplying fuel through a pipeline. He added that India has agreed to simplify medical and business visa procedures starting next week. Regarding the killers of Hadi, Kabir said the process of bringing them back to the country is ongoing.

On the Prime Minister’s first foreign trip, Kabir mentioned that no final decision has been made yet. The visit could be to a SAARC member country, but the matter remains under consideration.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran came 'very close' to reaching a potential agreement with the United States during talks held in Islamabad. He said Iran entered the discussions with goodwill, but the negotiations collapsed due to Washington’s refusal to make concessions, repeated changes in stance, and multiple forms of pressure.

In a social media post, Araghchi described the meeting as the highest-level dialogue between the two countries in 47 years, aimed at ending the ongoing war. He said Iran was only 'inches away' from signing the 'Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding' before encountering obstacles. Araghchi added that goodwill should be met with goodwill, while hostility only breeds hostility.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed Araghchi’s remarks, saying diplomatic progress with Washington remains possible if the United States abandons what he called an 'authoritarian' attitude and respects Iran’s rights.