Pope Leo has described those who wage wars and exploit the planet’s resources as thieves who deprive humanity of a peaceful future. Speaking on the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, he also warned against the misuse of nuclear power. His remarks came during the Sunday Angelus prayer, as Ukraine marked four decades since the world’s worst nuclear accident amid its ongoing four-year conflict with Russia.

The Pope said the Chernobyl tragedy left a deep mark on humanity’s collective consciousness and serves as a warning about the growing power of technology. Returning from a recent visit to four African countries, he expressed hope that wisdom and responsibility would guide all levels of decision-making so that nuclear energy is used for life and peace.

Pope Leo, the first American to hold the papal office, has recently faced criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump for his outspoken stance against war and authoritarianism.

A mobile court in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, fined a company one lakh taka for illegally hoarding edible oil with the intent to create an artificial market crisis. The operation took place on Sunday afternoon at a warehouse named Abdullah Food Products in the Jalakuri area.

According to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Abdullah Food Products had been storing edible oil illegally for a long time and labeling it under various brands for sale. During the raid, officials found about 5,000 liters of edible oil bottled in containers of different sizes. The mobile court imposed the fine after confirming the illegal stockpiling.

The RAB-11 team conducted the operation as part of its ongoing drive against illegal hoarding and the production of adulterated food products in the region.

A Dhaka court has granted bail to Dhaka University Deputy Registrar Lavlu Molla Shishir, who was arrested as a suspect in the case over the attack on former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s motorcade. The order was issued on Sunday, April 26, 2026, by the 17th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Wahiduzzaman after a hearing. Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Prosecution Division Deputy Commissioner Mia Mohammad Ashis Bin Hasan confirmed the decision, noting that Shishir had served as president of the Masterda Surya Sen Hall unit of the Chhatra League during his student years. The bail bond has not yet been submitted to the court.

According to the case, on April 22, 2015, Khaleda Zia’s motorcade was attacked at the Banglamotor signal in Shahbagh while campaigning for BNP-backed mayoral candidate Tabith Awal in the Dhaka North City Corporation election. Vehicles were vandalized and several people were injured. Shishir was earlier detained after posting a social media image with the caption “I don’t care” following a verdict sentencing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a crimes against humanity case.

The court’s decision allows Shishir temporary release, though his bail completion remains pending until the bond is filed.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) conducted a special operation in the Palongkhali border area of Ukhiya upazila in Cox’s Bazar, recovering 282 rounds of rifle and machine gun ammunition along with a local machete. The operation was carried out on Saturday by a special patrol team from the Palongkhali Border Outpost under the 64 BGB Battalion. According to BGB officials, the armed suspects fled the scene after sensing the presence of the patrol team, leaving behind the ammunition and weapon.

Lieutenant Colonel Md. Zahirul Islam, commanding officer of the 64 BGB Battalion, confirmed the recovery on Sunday night. He stated that despite efforts, no suspects were immediately detained. Intelligence surveillance has been intensified to identify and apprehend those who escaped. BGB reiterated its firm stance against illegal arms, drugs, and smuggling activities along the border and announced that similar operations will continue in the future.

Fourteen people, including a child, were killed by lightning strikes across seven districts in Bangladesh on Sunday, according to local reports. The fatalities occurred in Gaibandha, Thakurgaon, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, Panchagarh, Bogura, and Natore. Gaibandha recorded the highest number of deaths, with five people killed in separate incidents in Sundarganj and Saghata upazilas. Victims included farmers, laborers, and residents caught outdoors during sudden storms.

In Thakurgaon, two people died in Pirganj upazila, while Sirajganj and Jamalpur each reported two deaths. One tea worker was killed in Panchagarh, a young man in Bogura, and a seasonal farm laborer in Natore. Several others were injured, and livestock deaths were also reported. The incidents occurred in the afternoon amid sudden thunderstorms and heavy rain.

Authorities and locals rescued the injured and took them to nearby hospitals. The report highlights the recurring danger of lightning during seasonal storms across rural Bangladesh, often affecting people working in open fields or near their homes.

Divisions have emerged within the U.S. Democratic Party over whether to make removing President Donald Trump the main campaign issue in the upcoming midterm elections. While the party had previously focused on economic themes, recent events involving Trump’s threats against Iran, his controversial social media posts, and attacks on the Pope have prompted some Democrats to push for stronger action. About 40 percent of Democratic members in the House of Representatives have signed a bill to form a commission under the 25th Amendment to assess the president’s capacity, a process that could remove him without impeachment.

Other Democrats warn that focusing too much on Trump could overshadow voter concerns such as inflation and living costs. They note that two previous impeachment attempts failed to stop Trump, who was re-elected in 2024. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 77 percent of registered voters blame Trump for rising gasoline prices following the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. Some Democrats, including Representative Henry Cuellar, urge prioritizing economic issues, while others, like Representative John Larson, continue to push impeachment proposals.

Republican strategists welcome the Democratic infighting, arguing it reinforces the perception that Trump is focused on the economy while Democrats remain fixated on him.

Two leaders of Islami Chhatra Shibir were reportedly attacked by activists of Chhatra Dal in Rajarhat, Kurigram, on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred in front of Rajarhat School and College, leaving both Shibir leaders injured, one with a head wound. Locals alleged that police officers present at the scene did not intervene. The injured were admitted to Rajarhat Upazila Health Complex for treatment.

The victims were identified as Sujon Mia, president of Rajarhat Upazila West Thana unit of Shibir, and Samid Saki Mahin, Baitul Mal secretary of the Kurigram district school division. The clash reportedly stemmed from tensions over Facebook posts and comments, as well as an allegation of confining a leader of the Workers Welfare Federation. According to the complaint, several Chhatra Dal leaders, including Upazila convener Rubel Patwari and member secretary Mizanur Rahman Saddam, were involved.

Rajarhat police officer-in-charge Mamunur Rashid confirmed that the incident was linked to disputes over Facebook activity and said the situation was now under control, with no written complaint received yet.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar visited injured student Ashraful Islam at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Pangu Hospital) in Dhaka’s Shyamoli area on Sunday evening. Ashraful was injured in an armed attack at Chittagong City College on April 21 and is currently receiving treatment in Dhaka.

During the visit, Mia Golam Porwar spoke with doctors about Ashraful’s medical progress and spent some time by his bedside. He expressed sympathy to the student’s family and relatives, wishing Ashraful a quick recovery and encouraging them to remain patient and trust in God.

The visit highlighted Jamaat’s concern for the injured student following the reported attack at the college, which left Ashraful hospitalized for ongoing treatment.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar said that many who tried to eliminate Jamaat in the past were themselves eliminated or forced to flee the country. Speaking as chief guest at a Jamaat member training camp organized by the Sabujbagh-Mugda zone in Dhaka on Saturday night, he warned that those who attempt to destroy the party now or in the future will face the same fate. He accused BNP Secretary General and LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir of signaling a shift toward fascism by declaring the intent to eliminate Jamaat.

Other Jamaat leaders, including Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan MP, Executive Council Member Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand, and Dhaka South Amir Md. Nurul Islam Bulbul MP, echoed similar sentiments. They described Jamaat as a disciplined ideological organization committed to defending people’s rights and accused both the Awami League and BNP of targeting it out of fear of its popularity.

Speakers also alleged that the government and BNP were moving toward fascism by ignoring public opinion and constitutional norms, while Jamaat vowed to continue its struggle for democratic rights.

Sri Lanka Cricket is set to introduce a major overhaul of its player contract structure, according to a report published on April 26, 2026. Under the proposed system, players will no longer receive bonuses for defeating lower-ranked teams such as Bangladesh. Instead, they could face penalties if they lose to such teams. Bonuses will only be awarded for victories against the top four teams in the ICC rankings.

The new structure specifies that defeating the world’s number one Test team away from home will earn players up to 150,000 US dollars, while wins against the second, third, and fourth-ranked teams will bring 100,000, 75,000, and 60,000 dollars respectively. For home series, the amounts are lower. Similar arrangements will apply to One Day Internationals and Twenty20 matches. Match fees have also been revised, with different rates for wins, draws, and losses across formats.

Additionally, players will receive a 25,000-dollar bonus for reaching the top of the ICC rankings and 20,000 dollars for maintaining positions between second and fifth.

Two female students were seriously injured by lightning in front of the Aparajeyo Bangla monument at Dhaka University on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. during a storm and rain. The injured students, identified as Sufia Akter and Farah Akter, both 22 years old and students of East West University, were rescued unconscious and taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

According to eyewitness and fellow student Aglina, the group was standing in the area when the lightning struck, injuring Sufia and Farah. They were immediately transported to the new building of the hospital’s emergency department for treatment.

Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital police camp, confirmed the incident and said both students are receiving necessary medical care and are under observation.

Hezbollah has rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s accusation that the group violated the ceasefire in Lebanon. In a statement on Telegram, Hezbollah instead accused Israel of breaking the truce from the very beginning and warned against involving the Lebanese government in any bilateral agreements between Washington and Netanyahu. The group stated that Lebanon had no role or position in the ceasefire process.

According to Hezbollah, Israeli forces have continuously violated the temporary ceasefire since its first day by gathering troops in occupied territories and carrying out bombings in northern Palestinian settlements. The group described its attacks as legitimate responses to Israeli aggression. Hezbollah also claimed that Israel’s intensified assaults in southern Lebanon reflect disregard for international law and conventions.

The statement added that Lebanese authorities had hoped the ceasefire extension would halt destruction and bombings in southern Lebanon, but Israel’s actions have instead escalated. Hezbollah signaled that it will continue resistance against Israel’s frequent attacks in the region.

Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah left the field injured during Liverpool’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace, raising speculation that it might have been his final appearance for the club. Salah was substituted in the 59th minute after suffering a hamstring injury and waved to the crowd as he exited, a gesture many interpreted as a farewell. Liverpool coach Arne Slot said the severity of the injury was still uncertain, but with only a few weeks left in the season, Salah’s return appears doubtful.

Egypt national team director Ibrahim Hassan stated that Salah could need around four weeks to recover, suggesting he may have already played his last match for Liverpool. The forward is expected to end his nine-year spell with the club at the conclusion of the current season. Since joining from AS Roma in 2017, Salah has scored 257 goals in 435 appearances, ranking third among Liverpool’s all-time top scorers. However, his current season’s performance has been below par, with only seven league goals.

The uncertainty now centers on whether Salah will recover in time to play again for Liverpool or if his farewell has already taken place.

Police in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, arrested a local BNP leader named Salauddin, aged 55, on Sunday following allegations of extortion and vandalism. Salauddin, who serves as the general secretary of Ward No. 1 BNP, was detained after police verified the complaint and later sent to court, according to Siddhirganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Emdadul Haque.

The arrest followed a written complaint filed on Friday by fruit seller Md. Azizul Haque, who alleged that Salauddin and several others assaulted him for failing to pay extortion money during his illness. The group allegedly damaged his shop and destroyed fruits worth about 80,000 taka. Azizul Haque also claimed that the accused threatened to kill him and his son, leaving him in fear.

Police stated that preliminary investigation confirmed the validity of the complaint, leading to Salauddin’s arrest and court appearance.

A three-member delegation from the United States Embassy in Dhaka met with Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, on Sunday. The meeting focused on finalizing policies to facilitate dual degree programs, joint research initiatives, and faculty and student exchange programs between universities in Bangladesh and the United States.

Discussions also covered the participation of a UGC delegation in the upcoming Association of International Educators Convention in the United States, online verification of Bangladeshi university certificates, and expanding opportunities for Bangladeshi students under the jointly funded Fulbright Program. The U.S. delegation included Public Affairs Counselor Monica Sai, American Center Public Engagement Director Scott Hartman, and Public Diplomacy Specialist Rayhana Sultana.

Both sides expressed that enhanced cooperation would benefit the higher education sectors of Bangladesh and the United States.