Russia carried out one of its deadliest attacks of the year on Ukraine early Thursday, striking multiple cities including Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and Kharkiv. Officials reported at least 17 deaths, including a 12-year-old child, and dozens of injuries. In Kyiv, four people were killed when a drone hit an 18-story residential building, while fires and heavy smoke spread across the city. In Odesa, eight people were killed and 26 injured as a residential building and key infrastructure were damaged.

Dnipro faced repeated strikes from Wednesday evening into the night, leaving four dead and about 30 injured, with another fatality reported in a separate attack. Two people were injured in Kharkiv following drone strikes. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said rescue operations were ongoing and the death toll could rise.

Moscow claimed its attacks targeted Ukrainian power facilities, cruise missile sites, and drone production centers. Ukraine said it retaliated by striking Russian-occupied Crimea and infrastructure in Tuapse, where Russian media reported two deaths and seven injuries in a drone attack that caused a major fire.

Syria announced on Thursday that it has taken full control of all military sites previously used by US forces, marking the completion of a coordinated handover following the departure of the final US convoy from Qasrak air base in Hasakah. The move ends a US military presence that began in 2014 during the campaign against ISIL. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with senior Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) leaders Mazloum Abdi and Ilham Ahmad in Damascus to mark the transition, alongside senior government officials overseeing the integration of Kurdish-led fighters into national structures.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the handover reflected efforts to restore unified state authority across the country, including areas long outside Damascus’s control. It added that the process was conducted in full coordination with the United States, citing a constructive relationship that has developed since al-Sharaa’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in November. US Central Command confirmed that all major bases had been turned over as part of a deliberate, conditions-based transition.

The transfer follows a January deal between Damascus and the SDF that brought Kurdish fighters into the Syrian national army and restored government control over key cities and border areas.

Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran as part of Islamabad’s ongoing efforts to help turn the current ceasefire between Iran and the United States into lasting peace. The meeting took place during Munir’s official visit to Iran, accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other senior officials. The delegation arrived in Tehran on Wednesday and was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

During the visit, Munir also held separate meetings with Foreign Minister Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and advancing mutual interests, with particular emphasis on regional security and cooperation.

Ahead of the Pakistani delegation’s arrival, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that Tehran would convey a message from the United States, indicating diplomatic engagement around the ceasefire and regional stability.

Four cargo ships linked to Iran have crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite a recently enforced US blockade. According to BBC reports citing tracking data on Friday, three of the vessels sailed under the Iranian flag while the fourth was registered in Comoros. The ships departed from Iranian ports earlier in the week and were observed moving toward destinations including India, Pakistan, and China.

Marine Traffic data showed that the ships—Azargoun, Ashkan3, Shabdis, and Tava 4—left ports such as Shahid Rajaee, Chabahar, and Imam Khomeini after the sanctions took effect on Monday. Their reported positions placed them near Indian and Pakistani coasts, with some heading toward Kandla, Karachi, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port. Analysts noted that the findings were based on self-reported tracking data.

The report also cautioned that some vessels may disable or falsify their tracking signals, a practice known as “spoofing,” which can obscure their true locations and routes.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon, describing it as part of the main Iran-US agreement mediated by Pakistan. He reiterated that Iran has consistently emphasized the need for a simultaneous ceasefire across the entire region, including Lebanon, and expressed solidarity with the Lebanese people and government.

Baghaei urged displaced Lebanese residents to return to their homes following the ceasefire and stressed the necessity of a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. However, Israel has refused to withdraw its troops. Less than an hour after the ceasefire officially took effect, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported continued Israeli shelling in the southern towns of Khiam and Dibbin.

The developments highlight ongoing tensions despite the ceasefire, with Iran supporting regional calm and Israel accused of violating the truce shortly after its implementation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the ceasefire in Lebanon as a historic opportunity for peace, while rejecting calls to withdraw Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. He stated that Israeli troops remain positioned in an expanded security zone to prevent attacks and cross-border shelling into Israel.

Netanyahu emphasized that his main objective is the elimination of Hezbollah, reiterating earlier intentions to maintain control up to Lebanon’s Litani River. In contrast, Lebanon has demanded a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and the return of displaced residents to their homes.

The report, citing The Guardian, highlights the ongoing tension between Israel’s security stance and Lebanon’s sovereignty demands, suggesting that despite the ceasefire, core disputes over territory and security remain unresolved.

Political analyst Abed Abu Shehade told Al Jazeera that news of a 10-day ceasefire with Lebanon has generated mixed reactions among Israelis. Many citizens reportedly feel disappointed, believing that a full military victory had been promised but not achieved. According to Shehade, Israelis were surprised that Hezbollah managed to maintain its military capabilities until the end of the conflict.

He added that the ceasefire has deepened public distrust toward the Israeli government, as some citizens feel they were not fully informed about the situation. Shehade also noted that Iran and Pakistan had earlier stated that Lebanon was included in the ceasefire, a claim initially denied by Israel and the United States. Later, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly informed the Israeli public about the ceasefire agreement.

The report highlights growing skepticism within Israel regarding the government’s handling of the conflict and communication with the public.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the ongoing war with Iran will end very soon, describing the conflict as progressing 'very well.' Speaking at an event in Las Vegas, Nevada, Trump said the United States is 'very close' to reaching an agreement with Iran. According to him, Tehran has agreed to hand over enriched uranium and has accepted 'almost everything' in the negotiations.

Trump also mentioned that he held 'excellent' discussions with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He stated that both leaders agreed on a ceasefire aimed at achieving peace. His remarks suggest a coordinated diplomatic effort involving multiple regional actors.

The statements indicate that Washington is pursuing both military and diplomatic channels to conclude the conflict with Iran and stabilize the broader Middle East situation, though no specific timeline or agreement details were disclosed.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the ten-day ceasefire announced between Israel and Lebanon and called on all parties to fully adhere to it. The ceasefire, declared on Thursday, was described by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric as a positive development, with Guterres commending the role of the United States in facilitating the agreement.

According to the UN statement, Guterres expressed hope that the temporary truce would pave the way for future negotiations. He emphasized that all sides must respect the ceasefire and uphold international law, particularly international humanitarian law. The appeal is understood to extend not only to Israel and Lebanon but also to the Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah.

The UN chief’s remarks highlight the organization’s continued engagement in promoting stability in the region and encouraging dialogue among conflicting parties.

Reports from Lebanon’s state news agency said that the newly declared ceasefire was allegedly violated less than an hour after it took effect. According to the report, Israeli forces continued shelling the southern Lebanese towns of Khiam and Dibbin despite the ceasefire announcement.

The report further noted that heavy military activity, including machine-gun fire, was ongoing in those areas. In addition, Israeli surveillance aircraft were observed operating actively over the western Bekaa Valley, particularly around the Rashaya region and the western parts of Jabal al-Sheikh.

The information was attributed to Al Jazeera, which cited Lebanon’s state media as the source of the claims.

Pope Leo condemned what he described as a world ruled by autocrats following an online attack from former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to Al Jazeera. Speaking during his visit to Cameroon, the Pope sharply criticized global leaders who spend hundreds of billions of dollars on wars, calling his remarks unusually forceful.

In his speech, Pope Leo said that war heroes pretend not to know that destruction takes only a moment, while rebuilding can take a lifetime. He added that leaders ignore the truth that vast sums are spent on killing and devastation, yet resources for healing, education, and recovery remain scarce.

The Pope’s comments were seen as a strong message to world leaders, urging them to invest more in humanitarian sectors instead of warfare.

The Israeli military claimed on Wednesday that it destroyed around 70 Hezbollah installations in the Bint Jbeil area of southern Lebanon. The statement, released on Telegram, came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was on the verge of eliminating Hezbollah’s main base in the region.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the military also intercepted a drone attack launched overnight from Lebanon. The IDF reported that Israeli naval crews shot down the drone and noted that since the start of the conflict, they have conducted about 40 defensive operations to protect the country’s airspace.

The developments reflect continued hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border, with both sides engaging in aerial and ground operations as tensions remain high.

According to the Saudi government’s Hajj management roadmap, Bangladesh will begin its 2026 Hajj flights on April 18. Prime Minister Tarek Rahman will officially inaugurate the Hajj flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on April 17 at 11:35 p.m. The first flight, carrying 419 pilgrims, will depart for Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport at 12:20 a.m. on April 18. A total of 14 flights are scheduled for that day, operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudia, and Flynas.

In 2026, 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to perform Hajj, with 4,565 traveling under the government’s management and 73,935 through private agencies. Under the bilateral Hajj agreement, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will transport 50 percent of the pilgrims, while Saudia will carry 35 percent and Flynas 15 percent. The pre-Hajj flight phase will conclude on May 21 after 207 flights.

Return flights will begin on May 30 and continue until July 1, marking the end of the 2026 Hajj flight operations.

Turkey has called for constructive dialogue between the United States and Iran to help end their ongoing conflict. The Turkish government said it will continue supporting efforts aimed at establishing peace between the two sides, according to Al Jazeera. As a NATO member and neighbor of Iran, Turkey stated that it maintains regular contact with the U.S., Iran, and mediator Pakistan, repeatedly urging an end to hostilities.

During a weekly briefing, Turkey’s Defense Ministry said it would keep providing necessary assistance to turn the current ceasefire into lasting peace and prevent further complications. The ministry also expressed hope that all parties involved in the discussions would play constructive roles.

A Turkish diplomatic source added that the foreign ministers of Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are scheduled to meet later in the week in Antalya, southern Turkey, on the sidelines of a diplomatic forum. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Sharif is expected to visit Turkey after his trip to Qatar.

Lebanese television channel Al Jadeed reported that a potential tripartite phone conversation is being arranged between Israel, Lebanon, and the United States to discuss a possible ceasefire. According to the report, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to represent Washington in the talks. Diplomatic sources said mediators are attempting to establish contact between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

The report noted that Rubio had earlier hosted the first meeting in decades between Israeli and Lebanese officials in Washington on Tuesday. However, there has been no official confirmation of the planned phone call. An Israeli minister told local media that Netanyahu would speak with Aoun, while Lebanese officials privately stated they were unaware of any such plan.

President Aoun said in a statement that a ceasefire with Israel would serve as a “natural gateway” for future direct negotiations, though he made no direct comment on the reported phone call.