Former U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order removing household water usage limits, originally introduced to conserve water. According to Al Jazeera, Trump criticized the regulations, saying, “I want to shower properly and take care of my beautiful hair. But I have to stand under the water for 15 minutes for it to even get wet. It’s ridiculous.” The previous limits were introduced by Obama in 2009, reinstated by Biden, and now scrapped again by Trump, who argued, “Water remains the same, and we’re opening it up for the people so they can live.”

In response to Trump’s hike in tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, Beijing imposed up to 125% tariffs on U.S. imports but declared it would not escalate further. The news triggered a global stock market downturn, a dip in the dollar’s value, and a rush on U.S. government bonds. Gold prices soared to record highs. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bassent said bilateral trade deals could stabilize markets. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping, during a meeting with Spain’s PM, urged joint EU-China resistance to U.S. “bullying” and expressed interest in rules-based global trade.

Amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, former U.S. President Donald Trump took a hardline stance, maintaining sanctions and threatening tougher actions. Ahead of a key nuclear deal negotiation with Iran, the U.S. deployed the USS Carl Vinson to the Gulf region. It joins the USS Harry Truman, already stationed there for operations against Houthi rebels. Washington claims both deployments aim to pressure Iran into compliance.

OpenAI has filed a countersuit against Elon Musk, escalating their ongoing legal conflict. The tech firm accused Musk of harassment and asked the court to prevent him from taking further “unlawful and unjust actions” against the company. Musk co-founded OpenAI with Sam Altman in 2015 but left in 2018. After launching xAI in 2023, Musk has been accused of attempting to block OpenAI from becoming a for-profit entity. He previously sued OpenAI to halt changes to its corporate structure.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan firmly rejected any proposal involving the forced displacement of Palestinians. Speaking at a ministerial meeting on the Gaza war, he stated, “Gaza’s residents are deprived of even the basic necessities for survival.” He emphasized that humanitarian aid must not be conditional on a ceasefire and urged the international community to work collectively to remove all barriers. The meeting also called for an immediate ceasefire and the restoration of Palestinian authority over East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank.

During an open cabinet meeting on Thursday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant emphasized the need for trade agreements to stabilize economic policy. Former President Donald Trump expressed his willingness to strike a deal with China, saying, “It would be great if we could make a deal. It seems possible to reach a beneficial agreement for both countries.” He also mentioned that tariff revenues could be used to reduce the national debt. However, he warned that if no deal is reached within 90 days, tariffs would be reinstated. Trump added that there is progress in resolving conflicts, particularly in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war.

In a major immigration raid on Thursday, Malaysian authorities detained 288 undocumented immigrants, including 98 Bangladeshis. Immigration officials inspected documents of 1,035 individuals—785 foreigners and 250 locals. Among the detainees were 242 men and 46 women, aged between 18 and 60. The arrested individuals are nationals of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Sudan.

Heavy rainfall since Wednesday has led to the deaths of at least 100 people across parts of India and Nepal. In Bihar, the state’s disaster management department confirmed at least 64 fatalities from rain-related incidents. In Uttar Pradesh, more than 20 people have died, while Nepal reported at least 8 deaths due to lightning strikes and flooding. India’s Meteorological Department has warned of continued heavy rainfall in the coming days.

Iran is reportedly considering a proposal for an interim nuclear agreement with the United States. The plan is seen as a way to extend the timeline beyond the two-month deadline set by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had threatened military action if Iran didn’t halt its nuclear program. Iran believes the current timeframe is insufficient and is exploring an interim deal as a stopgap before a comprehensive agreement.

A total of 167 irregular Bangladeshi migrants have been repatriated from Libya under the joint initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Among them, 16 were from Benghazi and surrounding areas, while 151 were held at the Ganfouda Detention Center. Most had entered Libya via the Mediterranean, lured by promises of reaching Europe, but instead faced abduction and abuse. Upon return, IOM provided each returnee with Tk 6,000 in cash, food, medical care, and temporary shelter if needed.

Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani has declared that in light of the current situation in Palestine, armed jihad is now an obligation for all Muslim countries, including Pakistan. He criticized superficial verbal condemnations, saying they are no longer sufficient. He emphasized that providing humanitarian, financial, and practical support to the Palestinians is a collective duty of the Muslim Ummah. He further stated that instead of gathering in conferences, people should have rallied in Gaza. Despite ceasefire agreements, Israeli bombardments continue, he said, accusing Israel of having no moral compass and consistently violating international law.

Former Malaysian Foreign Minister Dr. Syed Hamid Albar has stated that the Rohingya crisis can no longer be viewed as a bilateral issue between Myanmar and Bangladesh—it is now a humanitarian and security concern for the entire ASEAN region. He emphasized the urgency of a solution and noted that the warm relations between the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Bangladesh could be instrumental in achieving a sustainable resolution. Highlighting Myanmar’s pledge to repatriate 180,000 Rohingya refugees, Dr. Albar stressed, “Agreements alone are not enough—implementation is key.” Meanwhile, Jamal Shamsuddin called for decisive ASEAN leadership, and Pakistani diplomat Ahad Asad Abbas Khan urged for a joint OIC-ASEAN effort to form a united stance from the Muslim world, ensuring justice, protection, and voluntary repatriation for Rohingya refugees.

Teachers, students, and staff from Jahangirnagar University participated in a ‘March for Palestine’ to demand an end to Israel’s brutal killings in Palestine. During the march, they were briefly halted by law enforcement, but later returned to campus. Chanting slogans like ‘Palestine, Palestine,’ and ‘End the genocide in Palestine,’ a delegation led by Professor Dr. Mohammad Billal Hosain submitted a petition to the US and Saudi Arabian embassies in Dhaka and the Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor.

A ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi forces toward Israel reportedly fell in Saudi Arabia, according to Israeli media. Neither Saudi Arabia nor the Houthis have officially commented. Although the Houthis halted Red Sea attacks following a January ceasefire in Gaza, they resumed launching rockets at Israel in March in response to the renewed Israeli blockade and military aggression. Over 18 ballistic missiles and two drones were fired, though only 10 reportedly entered Israeli airspace.

The U.S. Treasury has imposed sanctions on five Iran-based companies and one individual for supporting Iran’s nuclear program. Among them are the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and the Iran Centrifuge Technology Company, which plays a crucial role in uranium enrichment. Also sanctioned is Majid Mosallat, managing director of Atbin Ista Technical and Engineering Company. Former President Donald Trump has indicated willingness to resume direct talks with Tehran, while Iran has stated such negotiations will remain indirect and held in Oman.