A student of Dhaka University has begun an indefinite hunger strike demanding the implementation of the July Charter and the national referendum verdict. The protest started on Wednesday afternoon at the base of the Raju Sculpture near the TSC area. The striker, Md. Sadiq Munwar Munem, a student of International Relations and an executive member of the Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall Students’ Union, accused the government of undermining promises of reform and equality made for a new Bangladesh. Munem’s demands include placing the referendum issues before parliament, converting key ordinances such as those on enforced disappearance prevention into bills, and announcing a clear roadmap for implementing the remaining points of the July Charter. Later in the evening, leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and students from various departments expressed solidarity. DUCSU Social Service Secretary A.B. Zubair criticized the government for ignoring the referendum’s outcome despite broad public support. Zubair warned that continued delay in implementing the referendum verdict could escalate the movement, potentially involving thousands of participants. Students present said they seek no further loss of life but are ready for stronger action if necessary.

Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central literature secretary, Saidul Islam, has called on the government to implement the full July Charter without delay, warning that ignoring the people’s referendum would provoke renewed mass protests. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon in Dhaka while addressing a rally following a protest march organized by the organization’s Dhaka Metropolitan East branch. The demonstration was held to protest what the group described as government procrastination in implementing the people’s verdict expressed through a referendum. The march began from the north gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and concluded with a rally in front of the National Press Club. The event was presided over by Asif Abdullah, a central executive member and Daksu transport secretary, and conducted by metropolitan secretary Imdadul Haque Miazi. Central publication secretary Amirul Islam attended as a special guest. Speakers criticized the ruling party for allegedly rejecting reform proposals and accused it of betraying public trust. Participants warned that failure to implement the July Charter in line with the 70% referendum mandate would lead to a nationwide movement involving students, families of martyrs, and the general public.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that reports have emerged of ceasefire violations in a few conflict zones, describing them as actions that undermine the spirit of the ongoing peace process. He made the remarks in a statement posted on X, emphasizing the importance of restraint and adherence to the agreed ceasefire. Sharif urged all parties involved to observe a two-week period of restraint and to fully comply with the ceasefire terms so that diplomacy can lead to a peaceful resolution of the conflicts. Pakistan is currently acting as a mediator in discussions between Iran and the United States, according to the report. The statement reflects Pakistan’s concern over maintaining the integrity of the peace process and ensuring that recent violations do not derail diplomatic efforts toward stability in the affected regions.

The Election Commission has announced that voting for the reserved women’s seats in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament will take place on May 12. Based on the results of the 13th parliamentary election, the BNP-led alliance is set to receive 36 of these seats. Speculation has been ongoing about who will be nominated from the alliance for these positions. Chief Whip Md. Nurul Islam stated that priority will be given to dedicated and experienced female leaders who have proven themselves through political struggle. He emphasized that those with long-standing contributions to politics and the ability to contribute effectively in parliament will be favored. He also expressed confidence that the parliamentary leader’s decision will ensure representation from all sections. According to the announced schedule, nomination papers must be submitted by April 21, with scrutiny on April 22 and 23. Appeals regarding rejected nominations will be heard on April 26–28, withdrawal is set for April 29, and symbols will be allocated on April 30.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir regarding what he described as Israel’s violations of a ceasefire in Iran and Lebanon. The discussion was disclosed by Araghchi through the messaging platform Telegram. According to Araghchi’s post, he expressed gratitude to Pakistan for what he called the country’s effective efforts to promote peace, security, and an end to hostilities in the region. The exchange comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding ceasefire arrangements and regional stability. The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not provide further details on the content of the conversation or any subsequent diplomatic steps following the call.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that countries supplying military weapons to Iran will face a 50 percent tariff on all goods sold to the United States. The declaration was made through a post on the social media platform Truth Social, where Trump stated that the measure would take effect immediately and that no exemptions or exceptions would be allowed. The announcement marks a new trade restriction targeting nations involved in arms transactions with Iran. Trump emphasized that the policy applies to any country providing military equipment to Iran, signaling a strong economic response from Washington. The statement did not specify which countries might be affected or how enforcement would be carried out. The post comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including reports of Israeli strikes in Gaza and diplomatic discussions involving Lebanon and Iran, though the tariff decision was presented as a separate U.S. policy move.

BNP lawmaker Mujibur Rahman from Gazipur-1 constituency has demanded official recognition of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the late Arafat Rahman Koko as 'child freedom fighters'. He made the demand during a discussion on the motion of thanks on the President’s address in the National Parliament on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Mujibur Rahman also called for former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to be recognized as a full-fledged freedom fighter for her contribution during the Liberation War. In his speech, the MP stated that Khaleda Zia and her two sons were held captive by Pakistani forces for nine months in 1971, demonstrating extraordinary patience and patriotism. He described their suffering as a rare example in history and insisted that his proposal was not political flattery but a historical truth. He further emphasized that granting state honors to Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko as 'child freedom fighters' is now a demand of time, alongside recognizing Khaleda Zia’s role in the Liberation War.

Bangladesh’s stock market saw a sharp rebound on Wednesday following a dramatic turn in the Middle East conflict. US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire amid threats against Iran, easing global tension and triggering optimism among investors. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) responded strongly, with its main index, DSEX, rising by 161 points or 3.12 percent. Trading volume also surged by about 66 percent to Tk 991.59 crore, marking the highest turnover in one and a half months. Former DSE Brokers Association president Ahmed Rashid Lali told Amader Desh that the ceasefire announcement had a positive impact on the market, as investors hoped it could lead to a lasting resolution. He also noted that despite a new government taking office, the lack of clarity regarding potential changes in the regulatory commission had created uncertainty among investors. Market data showed that the DSEX climbed from 5,156 to nearly 5,318 points, while the DSE Shariah and DSE-30 indices rose by 2.88 percent and 2.77 percent respectively. Prices increased for 367 listed issues, fell for 15, and remained unchanged for 11.

An attack struck Iran’s Lavan oil refinery on Wednesday morning, hours after the United States announced a ceasefire. According to a statement from the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company, the incident occurred at 6:30 GMT (10:00 local time) on Lavan Island. Security and firefighting teams were deployed to control the situation and extinguish the fire. The company confirmed that no casualties had been reported, as workers were evacuated in time. The report, citing Al Jazeera, noted that the attack came amid heightened regional tensions despite the U.S. ceasefire declaration. The refinery is part of Iran’s key oil infrastructure, and the incident underscores ongoing instability affecting energy facilities in the region. Authorities have not yet disclosed who was responsible for the attack or the extent of the damage, leaving uncertainty about potential disruptions to oil production or exports.

Iran may reopen the Strait of Hormuz as early as Thursday or Friday if a ceasefire framework is finalized before the upcoming meeting between Iran and the United States in Pakistan, according to a senior Iranian official cited by Reuters. The official said the reopening process will be coordinated with Iran’s military forces to ensure safe navigation for commercial vessels. The Strait of Hormuz was previously closed by Iran during the ongoing conflict, causing significant disruption and volatility in global oil and gas markets. As part of the ceasefire understanding with the United States, Tehran has agreed to allow commercial shipping to resume safely through the strategic waterway. The decision to reopen the strait marks a potential easing of tensions that have affected global energy supplies, though the final timing depends on the completion of the ceasefire framework.

Israel launched around 100 airstrikes across Lebanon within a span of 10 minutes, despite the recent ceasefire between Iran and the United States. According to Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nasereddine, the attacks resulted in more than a hundred people being killed or injured. The Lebanese Red Cross has intensified emergency operations to respond to the crisis. The Red Cross reported that at least 100 ambulances were deployed to affected areas to rescue the wounded and transport them to nearby hospitals. Rescue teams are also providing on-site medical assistance. The Health Ministry stated that the number of casualties continues to rise, with many of the injured in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could increase further. The attacks come amid regional uncertainty over whether Lebanon is included in the ceasefire framework. Reports from Al Jazeera indicate that the situation remains volatile as emergency services struggle to manage the aftermath of the strikes.

Three Bangladeshi expatriates from Comilla, including a father and son, were killed in a road accident in Albany, New York, on Monday evening, April 6, local time. Two others were seriously injured and are receiving treatment at a local hospital. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Hiramon, 60, his son Nazmul Robel, 30, both residents of Loudonville, and Nazmul’s friend Fahim Alim, 27, from Narail. Another victim, Julia Riccio, 62, was a resident of New York. The accident occurred when Nazmul, who was driving, lost control of the car on Route 9-H and collided head-on with a Toyota Crown coming from the opposite direction. According to the New York Bangladeshi community, the victims were traveling to see a new house and business location when the crash occurred. Hiramon’s daughter Ratna, 33, and granddaughter Ikra, 1, were seriously injured. Family members confirmed that the funeral prayer will be held on Wednesday after Zuhr at Baitul Aman Islamic Center, followed by burial at Marlboro Muslim Cemetery in New Jersey. Mourning has spread through their home village of Karibari in Muradnagar, Comilla, following the tragic deaths.

The United States, Israel, and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, with Pakistan acting as mediator. The agreement aims to ease heightened tensions in the Middle East, and Tehran announced that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will now be possible. The ceasefire declaration has brought a temporary calm to the region after a period of escalating conflict. Islamic scholar and As-Sunnah Foundation chairman Shaykh Ahmadullah expressed hope that the ceasefire would become permanent, praying for relief from oppression and aggression worldwide. He made the remarks in a post on his verified Facebook page on April 8. Bangladesh welcomed the temporary halt in hostilities, with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing a statement urging all parties to respect the ceasefire and work constructively toward a durable peace. The statement commended the diplomatic efforts behind the agreement and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s belief that all disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy.

Hasnat Abdullah, Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4 and chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in the southern region, has raised concerns about the state of judicial independence in Bangladesh. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, he questioned why 28 judges were issued show-cause notices for expressing opinions within their internal group. He described the move as alarming, suggesting that even constructive discussions among judges are no longer safe. Abdullah stated that taking action against judges based on screenshots was an attempt to intimidate them, sending a clear message to remain silent. He noted that after August 5, there had been a sense that judges could think and write more freely, but recent developments have revived an atmosphere of fear. He warned that such pressure weakens the justice system and undermines public confidence in fair trials. He emphasized that the issue concerns the entire judicial system, not individuals, and urged authorities to reconsider the decision, arguing that intimidation cannot strengthen the judiciary but only weakens it.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam stated that the sound system problem in Bangladesh’s National Parliament has become severe. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, he said that due to the ongoing session, no immediate action could be taken. He expressed frustration that the system does not function properly even inside the chamber. Nurul Islam revealed that the construction contract was awarded under a previous government without proper technical oversight, and that microphones of incorrect specifications were supplied. He explained that the sound system project involved a tender worth Tk 3.84 crore, with two companies participating. The company that won the tender allegedly subcontracted the work to the losing bidder, which he described as a serious irregularity. He added that canceling the system now would disrupt parliamentary proceedings, but strict action would follow after the session ends. Nurul Islam also discussed priorities for reserved women’s seats, emphasizing inclusion of long-time political activists. He further commented on the passage of several ordinances and confirmed that Parliament would hold two sessions on Friday.