Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has stated that the country’s armed forces have not launched any missiles toward any nation since the start of the ongoing ceasefire. The statement was published by Iran’s Fars News Agency and came in response to reports of a drone attack on a facility of Kuwait’s semi-military National Guard. In its statement, the IRGC said that if the reports of the drone attack were true, the incident was undoubtedly the work of what it called the Zionist enemy or the United States. The IRGC further emphasized that if Iran’s armed forces were to strike any target, the action would be officially announced with courage through an official statement. The clarification appears aimed at distancing Iran from responsibility for the reported drone strike amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing ceasefire conditions.

Pakistan has pledged full cooperation and support to the United States and Iran to help achieve a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir held a meeting in Islamabad ahead of planned peace talks. The meeting reviewed progress in Pakistan’s mediation efforts and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and ceasefire by all parties. According to a government statement released on Thursday, both leaders praised the restraint shown by the United States and Iran and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to assist both sides in reaching a peaceful settlement through dialogue. The statement highlighted Islamabad’s continuing role as a mediator in the region. The meeting took place just before Pakistan was set to host delegations from the United States and Iran following the announcement of a temporary ceasefire brokered by Islamabad.

Chattogram South District BNP president and Patiya Shahchand Auliya Kamil Madrasa vice president Alhaj Idris Mia alleged that Bangladesh’s madrasa education system was destroyed under India’s prescription. He made the remarks on April 9 during a farewell ceremony for 2024 Kamil (postgraduate) students at Shahchand Auliya Kamil Madrasa in Patiya. Idris Mia said that in the past, madrasa education had been made weak and neglected. He stated that the current government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is working according to the Madina Charter and a 31-point reform plan. He mentioned that family and agriculture cards are being distributed nationwide and that the government has begun initiatives to improve education quality. He urged students to prove their merit through public examinations such as the BCS and dedicate themselves to national service. Additional Superintendent of Police (Patiya) Noman Mohammad, speaking as a special guest, emphasized the importance of achieving strong positions in life and developing both education and skills to become enlightened citizens.

Iran has set a new condition allowing no more than 15 ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz each day. The restriction is part of a 10-point proposal Iran sent to the United States, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS. The report said Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire with the US on the condition that daily ship movements remain under this limit and that all vessel activity be subject to Iranian authorization and regulation. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will oversee and monitor maritime traffic under the new rules. Iran has also informed other Gulf nations about the restriction. A senior Iranian official told TASS that all foreign commercial vessels must now comply with Iranian approval and a specific protocol for passage. The official added that the decision has been formally communicated to regional parties and that returning to pre-war conditions is no longer possible. The move signals Iran’s intent to maintain strict control over maritime routes during the ceasefire period, emphasizing its strategic leverage in the region.

India has welcomed the two-week ceasefire between the United States, Israel, and Iran but made no mention of Pakistan’s role in facilitating the truce. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement supporting the ceasefire and expressing hope for lasting peace in West Asia, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy. However, the statement omitted any reference to Pakistan, which several world leaders have praised for mediating the agreement. The omission has drawn criticism from India’s opposition parties and analysts, who described it as a diplomatic setback. Congress leader Rashid Alvi said Pakistan’s role should have been India’s, while former foreign secretary Nirupama Menon Rao urged India to clarify its position and support de-escalation without aligning with any side. Analysts such as Ashok Swain and Abhinav Singh argued that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attempt to isolate Pakistan has instead left India diplomatically sidelined. Commentators noted that Pakistan’s mediation has enhanced its global standing, while India’s silence has raised questions about its regional influence and foreign policy direction.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a warning to Iran over its activities in the Strait of Hormuz. In a social media post on April 10, 2026, he accused Iran of behaving 'very badly' regarding the passage of oil tankers, saying such actions violate existing agreements. Trump claimed that Iran was reportedly charging fees from tankers passing through the strait and urged Tehran to stop immediately. His remarks have heightened tensions just two days after a ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect. Earlier, Trump had announced that if Iran fully, immediately, and safely reopened the Strait of Hormuz, the United States would suspend military operations for two weeks. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supply, has not yet returned to normal operations. Since the conflict began on February 28, shipping through the area has remained limited, raising concerns about stability in the region.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called Israel a “devil” and a “curse for humanity” in a post on social media platform X, accusing it of continuing to kill civilians in Lebanon despite ongoing ceasefire discussions. He alleged that Israel was committing genocide in Lebanon following its actions in Gaza and Iran, and said those who created Israel on Palestinian land should “burn in hell.” In response, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Asif’s comments, describing them as a call for Israel’s destruction. The statement said such remarks were intolerable, particularly from a government that claims to act as a neutral mediator for peace. The exchange comes as Israel continues airstrikes in Lebanon despite diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan to broker a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Lebanese authorities reported intensified Israeli attacks since Wednesday, killing at least 303 people and injuring 1,150, while the health ministry said 1,888 have been killed and 6,092 injured since March 2.

South Korea has decided to send a new special envoy to Tehran to safeguard its citizens and commercial vessels amid the ongoing Iran-Israel war. The decision was confirmed by South Korea’s official news agency Yonhap. Former ambassador to Kuwait, Chung Byung-ha, has been appointed to the post and is expected to depart for Tehran soon. According to Yonhap, Chung’s primary responsibility will be to coordinate the safe passage of South Korean ships and ensure the security of nationals in the Middle East during the conflict. He will particularly focus on resolving issues related to South Korean commercial ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. The appointment came a day after a phone conversation between South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key energy supply routes, has seen severe disruption due to the Iran–United States–Israel conflict. Yonhap reported that at least 26 South Korea-linked commercial vessels are currently stranded there, posing a major challenge for the new envoy.

After the verdict in the July revolutionary martyr Abu Sayeed murder case, his family members and comrades expressed strong dissatisfaction, calling the judgment incomplete and demanding full justice. They criticized that those who ordered the killing received lighter sentences, while those who executed the orders were given harsher punishments. The verdict included varying prison terms, with some receiving five to ten years and two defendants sentenced to death. Family members, including Sayeed’s sister Sumi Akter, said they were disappointed as they had expected tougher penalties, especially for teachers and senior police officials allegedly involved. Comrades such as Faruk Ahmed, Shamsur Rahman Suman, Nayan, and Ahmadul Haque Alvi echoed similar frustration, arguing that key instigators and student organization members received lenient sentences despite their direct roles in the attack. Abu Sayeed, an English department student at Begum Rokeya University, was shot dead by police on July 16 during the quota reform movement. His death became a symbol of the July uprising, and his supporters now hope the case will set a precedent for justice in other related killings.

BNP’s women leaders in Bogra have stepped up their activities to secure party nominations for reserved seats in the national parliament. The political atmosphere in the district has become more active following the upcoming by-election in the Sadar constituency. At least ten leaders are reportedly preparing for nomination, with six names gaining particular attention as they maintain communication from grassroots to central levels. Among the prominent figures are Advocate Shahajadi Laila Arjuman Banu, acting president of the district women’s wing, and former reserved seat MP Nur Afroz Begum Jyoti, both of whom have long political experience. Other contenders include Nazma Akhter, Nihar Sultana Tithi, Suraiya Jerin Roni, and Advocate Rahima Khatun Mary, all holding or having held key positions in the district women’s committee. Each is emphasizing their political experience, activism, and loyalty to strengthen their case for nomination. District BNP president Rezaul Karim Badsha stated that the party’s high command will make the final decision based on merit and dedication.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Iran of acting in violation of existing international agreements by imposing fees on tankers passing through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump warned that Iran should immediately stop collecting such fees if reports are accurate. The Strait of Hormuz is a key global energy route, carrying about 20 percent of the world’s oil and LNG shipments. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to begin direct talks with Lebanon aimed at disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations. The U.S. State Department is expected to host a meeting in Washington next week to discuss a possible ceasefire. However, Netanyahu told northern Israeli residents that no ceasefire is currently in effect. Recent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have caused heavy casualties, with the Lebanese Health Ministry reporting at least 303 deaths and 1,150 injuries. The World Health Organization warned that evacuation orders in southern Beirut threaten hospitals treating hundreds of patients, calling the situation nearly impossible to manage.

The '36 July Memorial' in Chattogram’s New Market area, built to honor the martyrs of the July Revolution, has turned into a garbage dump less than three months after its inauguration on February 5, 2026. The site, located on railway land behind a police box, is now surrounded by waste, weeds, and debris. Locals report that the area has become a hub for drug users and muggers at night, while nearby traders and drivers use it as a dumping ground and parking space, creating noise, pollution, and foul odor. Local activists, July Revolution veterans, and civic groups have expressed outrage, calling the neglect a sign of government disregard for the movement’s legacy. They accuse various authorities—including the district administration, railway, and public works department—of shifting responsibility instead of maintaining the site. Activists also criticized the memorial’s hidden location and lack of visibility. Chattogram’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Sharif Uddin acknowledged the problem, citing public irresponsibility and promising sustainable cleaning measures through a coordination committee involving relevant agencies.

A severe shortage of safe drinking water has persisted for years in the hilly border areas of Durgapur upazila in Netrokona. Thousands of residents in Kullagora and Sadar unions, including villages such as Gopalpur, Bhabanipur, Fanda, Baromari, Bharatpur, and Gazikona, are forced to collect and drink dirty water from mountain streams. Locals, including elderly residents like Minati Hajong, described the daily hardship of fetching water from muddy sources, often leading to illness. Community members expressed frustration that despite repeated appeals, no permanent solution has been implemented. Leaders from the Hajong community, including the president of the Bangladesh National Hajong Organization, urged the government to launch a large-scale project to supply clean water through pipelines. Public Health Engineering Department officials acknowledged the challenge of installing deep tube wells due to rocky soil but said a project has been proposed and will begin once approved. Local authorities, including the upazila executive officer and the area’s member of parliament, stated that deep tube wells are being allocated and installed gradually to ensure safe water access for all affected villages.

More than 60 countries have jointly condemned recent Israeli attacks on United Nations peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon. The coordinated statement, initiated by Indonesia, described the assaults as unacceptable and called for immediate measures to ensure the safety of peacekeeping personnel. The joint declaration followed a series of incidents that left peacekeepers from France, Ghana, Indonesia, Nepal, and Poland injured. The coalition of nations also expressed deep concern over Lebanon’s worsening humanitarian situation, citing widespread civilian casualties, infrastructure destruction, and the displacement of over one million people. The United Nations reported that preliminary findings indicated one peacekeeper was killed by Israeli tank fire on March 29, while two others died the following day from an explosive device that the UN assessed was likely planted by Hezbollah. The statement urged all parties involved to respect international law and take immediate steps to protect UN personnel operating in the conflict zone.

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, sentenced to death for crimes against humanity, has refused India’s proposal to move to a third country such as Qatar. She fled to India on August 5, 2024, following a nationwide uprising that forced her from power and has remained in Delhi since then. Despite repeated requests from the Bangladeshi government for her repatriation, New Delhi has declined, creating a diplomatic dilemma for the Modi administration. Analysts note that India’s stance has become contradictory. While the government publicly campaigns against illegal immigration from Bangladesh, it continues to shelter Hasina and other former Bangladeshi leaders who entered without proper documentation. This inconsistency, they argue, undermines India’s credibility both domestically and in its relations with Dhaka. Diplomatic sources suggest India initially sought to reorganize Bangladesh’s Awami League leadership through intermediaries but failed due to Hasina’s firm refusal to cooperate. Observers believe her continued stay has turned into a political burden for India, complicating its efforts to balance regional diplomacy and internal policy narratives.