Iraq has reopened its airspace and resumed operations at all airports after a two‑week ceasefire between Iran and the United States. The country’s Civil Aviation Authority issued a statement on Wednesday announcing that the directive would take immediate effect, allowing flights to resume across Iraqi territory.

According to the statement cited by Al‑Jazeera, the reopening marks the end of restrictions imposed during the recent conflict period. The decision follows the temporary closure of Iraq’s airspace and airports amid heightened regional tensions between Iran and the United States.

The move signals a return to normal air operations in Iraq after weeks of disruption caused by the conflict and may help stabilize regional air travel routes if the ceasefire continues to hold.

The three-day Lai Haraoba festival of the Manipuri Meitei community began on Wednesday at the Cultural Complex in Tetigaon village, Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar. The event, which started at 12:30 p.m., will conclude on Friday, April 10, 2026. Renowned artists and researchers from Bangladesh and a group of performers and scholars from Manipur, India, are participating in the celebration.

According to the Lai Haraoba Steering Committee, Bangladesh, the festival is organized with financial support from UNESCO Bangladesh and the Bangladesh National Museum. It is being conducted by the committee in collaboration with Manipuri Cultural Complex, Bangladesh Pouroi Apokpa Marup Religious Cultural Organization, and Sadhan Bangladesh. The event aims to preserve and promote the intangible cultural heritage of the Manipuri community.

Lai Haraoba, meaning “festival of the gods,” is one of the oldest and most significant Manipuri festivals, celebrating creation, divinity, and harmony through rituals, music, chants, and traditional dances. The organizers invited people from all walks of life to join the celebration, which is part of a national initiative to highlight community-based traditional festivals across Bangladesh’s eight administrative divisions.

A member of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF-Prasit) named Newton Chakma was shot dead in a rival attack in Khagrachhari on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. in the Akbari area along the Khagrachhari–Rangamati road. Police said the victim, aged 47, was from Rangamati’s Mogban Union and lived in the Mahalachhari area of Khagrachhari, where he served as a collector. The shooting has triggered tension and fear in the locality.

According to the UPDF (Prasit), an eight-member armed group opened fire on Newton Chakma and another person while they were engaged in organizational work, killing Newton on the spot. The group accused rival faction UPDF (Democratic) of carrying out a planned attack. However, UPDF (Democratic) denied involvement, claiming it might be an internal conflict within the other faction. Police have recovered the body and sent it for autopsy while continuing the investigation.

Local residents believe the killing stems from long-standing disputes over territorial dominance among regional groups in the hill tracts, which have heightened local anxiety.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain announced that Bangladesh will start a nationwide measles vaccination campaign on April 20, moving the schedule forward by 14 days. The announcement came during a parliamentary session after an independent lawmaker raised an urgent notice about the measles outbreak. The minister confirmed that the country’s vaccine stock is stable and sufficient for the campaign.

He stated that the government has secured 21.9 million doses of the measles-rubella vaccine, with an additional reserve in storage. To avoid corruption and delays, vaccines are being procured directly from UNICEF instead of through the tender process. Already, 3.483 million doses have been distributed to high-risk upazilas since April 5. The minister emphasized that the cold chain is being maintained and urged the public not to panic about the outbreak.

He also mentioned that salary payments for workers who had not been paid for nine months have begun, and other administrative issues are being addressed.

An Awami League leader in Melandah upazila of Jamalpur has been accused of theft. The accused, Md Zakir Hossain JK, serves as joint general secretary of ward 6 in Charbanipakuria Union. According to a written complaint filed on April 5 by victim Pipasa, a sari was stolen from the home of Abdul Kuddus in Bhanguni Danga village on March 30. Witnesses reportedly saw Zakir near the house that night, and the stolen sari was later sold to a local woman named Nasima.

A local arbitration was held to resolve the matter, during which Nasima admitted to buying the stolen item. Zakir did not attend the arbitration despite being summoned. The victim’s family was advised to file a police complaint. Police confirmed that a partial truth to the theft allegation was found during inspection, and an investigation is ongoing. Zakir has been missing since the incident, and his phone remains switched off.

Previously, Zakir drew public criticism for announcing a divorce over a mosque loudspeaker in the same upazila.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan stated that necessary measures will be taken to nationalize the jobs of teachers and employees of private educational institutions once the government adopts a policy decision. He made the remark on Wednesday morning in response to a question from Comilla-2 Member of Parliament Md. Selim Bhuiyan during the first session of the National Parliament.

The minister explained that the process of government recognition or nationalization of private colleges follows the Prime Minister’s directives. After nationalization, the employment terms of teachers and staff are reviewed and finalized according to applicable regulations. He emphasized that nationalizing private institutions is a long-term and policy-driven matter, linked to the government’s overall financial capacity, existing policies, and the national budget.

According to the minister, Bangladesh currently has 34,129 private educational institutions employing 598,994 teachers and 206,699 staff members.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s women’s wing organized a human chain protest in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Wednesday, demanding the withdrawal of a case filed against Bibi Sauda Sumi, a female Jamaat activist from Bhola municipality who was arrested from her home. Around a hundred women participated in the demonstration, carrying placards and chanting slogans, which briefly made the area lively.

During the event, the organization’s general secretary Nurunnesa Siddiqui called for resolving the country’s fuel and gas crisis, ending extortion, and ensuring judicial independence. She also urged effective measures to stop cyberbullying. Siddiqui alleged that criticism of the government previously led to lawsuits and that similar authoritarian behavior is recurring, citing arrests of opposition voices including workers.

She further claimed that although a controversial cyber law had been repealed due to misuse, its provisions are again being used for arrests. Other speakers included the group’s law and human rights secretary Advocate Sabekunnahar Munni and publicity and media secretary Nazmun Nahar Nilu.

After a 15-year break, the traditional horse race of Saltha in Faridpur was held again on Tuesday, April 7. The event took place across a two-kilometer stretch from Chitaila Beel to Nishatla in Ballavdi Union, organized by local residents to preserve rural heritage. A total of nine horses participated in the competition, which attracted nearly one hundred thousand spectators of all ages.

In the contest, Jasim Molla’s horse won first prize, receiving a 26-inch LED television, while Nurul Islam’s horse took second place with a cash prize of 8,000 taka, and Belayet Hossain’s horse secured third place with 6,000 taka. Locals expressed visible joy at the revival of the event after such a long time and hoped it would become a regular tradition.

Participants and organizers emphasized that such events strengthen rural culture and social bonds. Local political leaders, union council members, and community figures attended the occasion, underscoring its communal significance.

Iran has proposed a ten-point plan ahead of talks scheduled to begin Friday in Islamabad, Pakistan, with two key points directly challenging the US naval presence in the Middle East. Tehran intends to impose a toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz and seeks the removal of US military forces from the region. The proposal raises questions about whether the toll would also apply to warships.

The move poses a serious challenge for the US Fifth Fleet, which is responsible for securing vast maritime areas including the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. The fleet also oversees critical chokepoints such as the Suez Canal and Bab el-Mandeb Strait. According to research fellow Collin Koh of Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, any toll requirement would hinder US military operations in the Gulf.

Koh added that unless former US President Donald Trump changes the overall posture of US Central Command in the Middle East, Washington would find it impossible to accept such a toll system.

French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed the recently announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran, describing it as a very positive step. However, he cautioned that the situation in Lebanon remains extremely critical and urged that the country be included within the scope of the ceasefire agreement.

According to an Al Jazeera report cited in the source, Macron has long emphasized the importance of ending conflict in Lebanon and has repeatedly called for preventing the nation from sliding further into violence and instability. He stated that achieving lasting peace in the Middle East requires a comprehensive approach that considers all regional conflicts.

Macron’s remarks reflect France’s continued diplomatic engagement in Middle Eastern stability and its concern over Lebanon’s fragile security environment amid broader regional tensions.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has sharply criticized the ceasefire agreement with Iran, calling it a “political disaster.” According to a report by AFP, Lapid accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to achieve the main objectives of the war. In a post on social media platform X, Lapid said Israel was not even present at the negotiation table when crucial national security decisions were made.

Lapid stated that the military fulfilled all its assigned duties and the public showed great patience, but Netanyahu failed politically and strategically. He argued that none of the goals Netanyahu himself had set were achieved. Netanyahu had aimed to destroy or severely weaken Iran’s nuclear program, which he described as an existential threat to Israel, as well as to neutralize Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and reduce Tehran’s regional influence.

Lapid warned that due to Netanyahu’s arrogance, negligence, and lack of strategic planning, Israel would take many years to recover from the political and strategic damage caused.

The Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) has taken a strict stance against an unauthorized iron arch built over the busy Faujdarhat–Bayezid Link Road in Sitakunda, Chittagong. The structure, allegedly erected by former Chittagong City Corporation mayor M. Manjur Alam without approval, has raised serious public safety concerns. The arch, made of iron with permanent brick-and-cement bases, bears religious inscriptions and the former mayor’s name.

CDA officials confirmed that no construction approval was granted for the arch and described it as illegal and hazardous for highway safety. Local residents complained that the structure obstructs visibility and poses a risk to tall vehicles. Some locals questioned the motive behind the construction, suggesting it served personal promotion under a religious guise. Engineer Asad Bin Anwar and CDA Chairman Nurul Karim both stated that the installation violates the law and must be removed.

CDA has instructed the former mayor to dismantle the arch voluntarily; otherwise, the authority will remove it. The Sitakunda Upazila administration is also investigating the matter and pledged coordinated action if illegality is confirmed.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has called for greater involvement of young people in addressing the growing global environmental and climate crises. He made the appeal on Wednesday, April 8, at the inauguration of the two-day 'Green Energy Olympiad 2026' held at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka.

The minister described environmental challenges as global issues that are often not fully realized until their impacts are felt. He emphasized the need to raise awareness and spread environmental consciousness across generations. Swapan highlighted that environmental crises differ from short-term development problems due to their long-term and far-reaching effects, stressing the importance of awareness and behavioral change for sustainable living, responsible urbanization, and nature-friendly development.

He further noted that global energy shortages and international political dynamics directly affect both the environment and the economy. The minister urged integrating education and research with environmental, political, and economic considerations to build practical knowledge, describing such initiatives as strategic investments for future generations.

The United States and Iran are both showing signs of trust in Pakistan as a potential mediator in ongoing regional conflicts. The report notes that Iran, which no longer trusts its Arab neighbors due to their close ties with Washington, has maintained a strong diplomatic relationship with Pakistan. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi referred to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir as ‘dear brothers,’ reflecting Tehran’s confidence in Islamabad. Pakistan’s lack of diplomatic relations with Israel over the Palestinian issue further strengthens this trust.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s relations with the United States have improved compared to the previous year. Islamabad has joined Trump’s peace board aimed at ensuring stability in Gaza, and Trump has described General Munir as his ‘favorite field marshal.’ Munir’s connections within both U.S. and Iranian defense circles reportedly give Pakistan an advantage in facilitating dialogue.

Additionally, Pakistan’s positive relations with other Gulf nations position it as a potential bridge for collective efforts to de-escalate regional conflicts and promote peace.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon informed the National Parliament that there are 60,295 vacant teacher positions across MPO-listed schools and colleges in Bangladesh. He provided the data in response to a parliamentary question on Wednesday. The minister detailed that government colleges have 656 vacant lecturer posts under the BCS (General Education) cadre and 2,410 non-cadre lecturer vacancies in newly nationalized colleges. Additionally, 1,349 principal and vice-principal posts remain vacant in MPO-listed colleges, while recruitment for 1,344 teaching positions is ongoing.

The minister said the government has taken steps to fill these vacancies quickly through transparent and merit-based recruitment via the NTRCA and BCS examinations. Applications have already been received to fill 11,151 head and assistant head teacher posts in MPO-listed institutions. He added that the process of nationalizing private colleges follows the Prime Minister’s directives and depends on financial capacity, policy, and the national budget.

Milon also stated that the government aims to gradually bring all qualified educational institutions under MPO coverage, ensuring equitable development and quality improvement in the education sector.