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.

The Bangladesh Parliament has officially formed a special committee to recommend measures for addressing the country’s power situation. The proposal to establish the committee was made by Chief Whip Nurul Islam during Sunday’s parliamentary session and was approved through a voice vote. The committee has been given a 30-day mandate to submit its recommendations.

Earlier, on Thursday, both the ruling and opposition parties reached an agreement on forming the committee following a proposal from the Leader of the Opposition. Each side nominated five members, making a total of ten. The committee is chaired by State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, and includes Deputy Minister Anindya Islam Amit, Whips ABM Ashraf Uddin and Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, ruling party member Moinul Islam Khan, and opposition members Saiful Alam, Nurul Islam, Md. Abdul Baten, Abul Hasnat, and Mohammad Abul Hasan.

The committee’s formation reflects a bipartisan effort to identify actionable steps for improving the national power situation within a defined timeframe.

Panchagarh district recorded 53 millimeters of rainfall in the past 24 hours, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds that began overnight and continued as light rain until noon. The weather disrupted normal daily activities across several areas of the district.

In Atwari upazila, a tea worker named Sohrawardi was killed by lightning while working in a tea garden, and two other workers were injured. According to Jitendranath Roy, acting officer of the Tentulia Weather Office, the rainfall was caused by monsoon activity that brought dense cloud cover over the region.

The weather office indicated that the current rain belt may persist until the first day of the next month, with the possibility of heavier rainfall across the district.

Member of Parliament for Chattogram-12 (Patiya) Enamul Haque Enam told students that having a clear life plan is essential for success. Speaking on Saturday evening at Haidgaon High School in Patiya, he said the message ‘I have a plan’ should inspire students to set and achieve their own goals. The event included the inauguration of a new school gate, financial aid for orphaned students, lifetime donor honors, a parents’ gathering, an annual prize distribution, and a cultural program.

Enam emphasized that while people can share many things in life, knowledge cannot be shared in the same way, and education is the only path to building a developed nation. He said creating aware and educated citizens is vital to freeing the country from drugs and terrorism. During the event, he also pledged to repair a nearby road.

The program was chaired by school committee president Sukanta Talukder, with head teacher Shyamal Kanti Dey delivering the welcome speech. Several local dignitaries and guests attended the ceremony.

Dr. Mizanur Rahman, a Jamaat-e-Islami Member of Parliament, personally tasted hospital food to assess its quality at the Bholahat Upazila Health Complex in Chapainawabganj. The inspection took place around noon on Sunday, following the monthly meeting of the hospital management committee.

During the meeting, participants discussed the overall operations of the hospital, including improving patient care, ensuring the availability of medical equipment and medicines, maintaining cleanliness, and confirming regular attendance of doctors. Dr. Rahman emphasized the need for sincere efforts from all concerned to enhance healthcare services and highlighted the importance of coordinated initiatives to deliver quality healthcare to the public.

The meeting was attended by the Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Shovon Pal, Officer-in-Charge Abdul Barik, Social Services Officer Nasim Uddin, local Jamaat leaders, and other committee members.

Iran has executed a man convicted of attacking security forces, according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The executed individual, identified as Amer Ramesh, was arrested during an anti-terror operation in southeastern Iran and later found guilty on multiple charges, including armed rebellion, bomb attacks, and ambushes on military personnel.

Authorities stated that Ramesh was a member of the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl, which operates in Sistan-Baluchestan, one of Iran’s poorest regions. The area has long experienced violent clashes between security forces and various armed groups.

The execution underscores ongoing instability in Sistan-Baluchestan, where security operations and militant activities continue to challenge state control.

Mongla Port in Bagerhat has achieved record progress in container handling following the launch of new anchorage facilities. According to port authorities, from July 2025 to April 15, 2026, the port handled 25,250 TEUs of containers through 39 foreign container vessels, surpassing the 21,456 TEUs handled in the previous fiscal year. The import of reconditioned vehicles also remained strong, with 9,160 cars imported on 22 ships during the same period.

Cargo handling reached 10.818 million metric tons, and the port is expected to meet its annual target of 15 million metric tons within the current fiscal year. On February 16, 2026, three new operational anchorage berths were inaugurated at Hiron Point, allowing vessels up to 200 meters long and with a 9-meter draft to anchor and operate efficiently. Successful trial operations have already been completed with 39 commercial ships.

Port officials expect the total number of vessels docking this fiscal year to rise to between 860 and 870, compared to 830 last year, reflecting the growing capacity and efficiency of Mongla Port.