Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called on citizens across the country to participate in the 11-party alliance’s announced program demanding the immediate convening of a constitutional reform council session, implementation of the referendum verdict, and resolution of the ongoing energy crisis. The weeklong program is set to begin on Thursday. The call was made by Jamaat’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, in a statement sent to the media on Wednesday. Porwar said the February 12 referendum, held to give legal basis to the national election and the July Charter, was not implemented by the BNP government, which he described as deceitful toward the people. He stated that 70 percent of citizens voted in favor of the referendum’s “yes” outcome, and the 11-party alliance, including Jamaat, is determined to realize that mandate through street movements. The program includes nationwide public outreach and leaflet distribution from April 9, protest rallies in all major cities on April 11, district-level protests on April 12, and a national seminar in Dhaka on April 13. The leaflet campaign will be formally inaugurated at Shahbagh, Dhaka, on Thursday afternoon.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milan announced plans to introduce a pilot hybrid learning model combining online and offline classes in selected schools in Dhaka. The initiative aims to address the global energy crisis, severe traffic congestion, and the growing need for technology-based education. He made the announcement on Wednesday at a seminar organized by the Ministry of Education at the International Mother Language Institute. The minister explained that the program would not be implemented in all schools simultaneously but only in those with the necessary capacity. The proposed model would include a mix of online and in-person classes throughout the week to reduce student attendance pressure, traffic congestion, and energy consumption while maintaining regular academic activities. He emphasized teacher training, monitoring, and student engagement as key factors for success. The ministry will hold a press briefing at the International Mother Language Institute to share further details about the hybrid class plan. The government intends to gradually adopt technology-driven education to prepare students for future global competition.

India has agreed to return two suspects in the murder case of Shahid Osman Hadi, convener of the July Revolutionary and Anti-Imperialist Inquilab Manch, to Bangladesh. The decision was announced by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, April 8, following meetings in New Delhi between Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and his Indian counterpart Dr. S. Jaishankar, as well as Oil and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Puri. The discussions were attended by Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah. According to the ministry statement, both sides emphasized strengthening bilateral relations and discussed key regional and international issues. Dr. Rahman thanked India for arresting the suspected killers and confirmed that the extradition would proceed under the existing treaty. Bangladesh also reiterated its request for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal. During the talks, India pledged to ease visa procedures for Bangladeshis, particularly for medical and business purposes. Bangladesh requested increased supplies of diesel and fertilizer, which India indicated it would consider positively.

A Natore court has sentenced six individuals, including a local Awami League leader, to life imprisonment and fined each Tk 50,000 in connection with the 1999 murder of farmer Mesher Ali in Singra upazila. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday afternoon by Judge Saiful Islam of the Additional District and Sessions Judge Court-3, according to Additional Public Prosecutor Advocate Shahed Mahmud Titu. The convicted individuals are Mahbub Mridha, president of the Hatianandah Union Awami League and former UP chairman, along with Idris Ali, Abu Raihan Mridha, Kartik Mondal, Abul Hossain, and Yunus Ali. The case stemmed from a land dispute between Mesher Ali and his neighbor Soleman Mridha. On February 23, 1999, Mesher Ali was lured out of his home by a neighbor and later found critically injured; he died on the way to the hospital. His son filed a murder case the following day against eight people. Police arrested the accused and submitted a charge sheet. Over the years, two accused died and two went into hiding. After 26 years of proceedings, the court convicted all six remaining accused, including the absconding ones.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled Hafez Azizul Haque, owner of Messrs Soad Filling Station and member secretary of the Gauripur upazila BNP, following allegations of fuel manipulation in Mymensingh’s Gauripur. The decision was announced on Wednesday through a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The statement said Azizul Haque was removed from all party positions and primary membership for involvement in unethical activities. The expulsion followed a mobile court operation led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Md Nurul Huda Monir, which uncovered the disappearance of around 50,000 liters of petrol during a fuel inspection on Tuesday. The station’s manager, Md Jalil Hossain Rifat, was arrested, and a case was filed under the Special Powers Act of 1974 for illegal fuel trading and hoarding. The incident sparked widespread attention after being reported in national media. Gauripur BNP’s acting convener Md Habibul Islam Khan Shahid stated that the party would not take responsibility for any member’s misuse of position. Legal proceedings against those involved are underway.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has launched a nationwide crackdown to stabilize the edible oil market and prevent manipulation by dishonest stockpilers. Over the past two days, mobile courts led by RAB executive magistrates conducted surprise raids in Dhaka’s Tejgaon, Hazaribagh, Mohammadpur, and Tongi areas, as well as other parts of the country. Authorities identified 114,442 liters of illegally hoarded oil, imposed fines totaling 71,000 taka, and seized 22,642 liters on the spot. In earlier operations on April 7, RAB-8 fined three businesses in Patuakhali Sadar 11,000 taka, while a special drive in Chattogram uncovered large-scale fraud and hoarding. Officials also seized 1,042 liters of oil that had been bottled without quality certification and labeled with fake company tags. In Nasirabad and Karnaphuli areas, RAB recovered 9,600 and 12,000 liters of illegally stored oil respectively, fining the involved businesses 60,000 taka. RAB’s media wing stated that the operations aim to stop syndicates from creating artificial shortages and ensure market stability through continued surveillance and enforcement.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque emphasized the need for science-based, evidence-driven, and sustainable initiatives to prevent drug abuse. He made the remarks while joining virtually as chief guest at a seminar titled “Youth Voice for Evidence-Based Prevention: Prevent, Don’t Promote,” held in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, on Wednesday morning. The event was jointly organized by the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) Bangladesh Chapter and Dhaka Ahsania Mission to mark World Health Day. The seminar, chaired by ISSUP Bangladesh Chapter Chairman Dr. M A Mohit Kamal, featured speakers including Professor Dr. Golam Rahman, Additional Director General of the Department of Narcotics Control Mohammad Golam Azam, and Professor Dr. Mehzabin Haque of Dhaka University. Speakers highlighted that drug abuse is not only a personal health issue but also a major threat to social stability and future generations. They stressed the importance of combining traditional methods with scientific and evidence-based strategies. Participants also underscored the need to make mental health and rehabilitation services more accessible and youth-friendly, reduce drug availability, and strengthen family and institutional roles in prevention. A youth declaration presented at the seminar recommended implementing science-based prevention programs.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Iran accepted a ceasefire under intense pressure, avoiding further escalation. He said that if Tehran had rejected Washington’s conditions, the next targets would have been Iran’s power plants, bridges, and oil and energy infrastructure. According to Hegseth, such strikes would have delayed Iran’s reconstruction by decades, but the country’s leadership realized that an agreement was the better option. Hegseth added that President Donald Trump had the capability to cripple Iran’s entire economy within minutes but chose to show mercy instead. The ceasefire announcement came less than two hours before the deadline Trump had set for Iran, which he revealed on social media. The report cited BBC as its source. The statements highlight the US administration’s portrayal of the ceasefire as a result of strategic pressure rather than concession, emphasizing Trump’s decision to restrain from harsher measures.

A clash broke out between Dhaka University students and doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Wednesday afternoon, leading to the suspension of emergency services. The incident began around 5:30 p.m. when a student seeking treatment was advised to buy a prescribed medicine from outside the hospital. After failing to find the medicine, the student returned with classmates, and an argument with on-duty doctors escalated into physical confrontation. Several people were injured, and the situation quickly spread tension across the hospital area. Following the incident, intern doctors stopped emergency services, demanding workplace safety. Patients from across the country faced severe difficulties, with some waiting in ambulances for hours. Police arrived promptly and brought the situation under control. By evening, the hospital area remained tense as students gathered in protest. Doctors stated that emergency services would remain closed until those responsible for the attack were punished and full security was ensured. Dhaka University’s assistant proctor confirmed that the university authorities were investigating the matter.

On the 40th day of the conflict known in Washington as “Epic Fury” and in Tehran as “True Promise 4,” US President Donald Trump and Iran’s Supreme National Security Council accepted a Pakistani-brokered ceasefire. The agreement, reached in early April 2026, establishes a two-week halt to hostilities and includes Iran’s 10-point peace proposal. For the first time since late February, ships are permitted to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz, marking a tentative step toward diplomatic resolution. The war, which began on February 28, 2026, lacked a United Nations mandate or a clear legal basis under international law. It originated from Israel’s post-October 2023 security doctrine aimed at eliminating perceived threats, with the US providing military capacity. Iran’s response included closing the Strait of Hormuz, triggering severe global energy disruptions and economic losses estimated at $350 billion across the Arab Mashreq. The conflict exposed tensions in Washington’s role as a Gulf security guarantor and left smaller states bearing heavy costs. Iran’s peace framework calls for guarantees against future attacks, lifting of US sanctions, and reopening of Hormuz under shared management with Oman. Negotiations in Islamabad are expected to determine whether this fragile ceasefire can evolve into a lasting settlement.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has reported significant progress in its operations to eliminate piracy from the Sundarbans, the country’s largest mangrove forest. According to the agency, a total of 61 members of several notorious pirate gangs have been arrested over the past one and a half years through continuous operations. The detained individuals include members of the Karim-Sharif, Nana Bhai, Chhoto Suman, Alif, and Asabur groups. The Coast Guard stated that both regular joint operations and special missions based on secret intelligence are being conducted. Authorities said a large cache of weapons and ammunition was seized during the drives, including 80 firearms, 599 live rounds, 308 blank rounds, and 1,950 airgun pellets. Additionally, 78 fishermen and three tourists were rescued alive from pirate captivity. The Coast Guard has intensified patrols across rivers and canals inside and around the Sundarbans, destroyed several identified hideouts, and continues to maintain communication with local residents and forest-dependent communities to ensure their safety. The agency affirmed that joint operations will continue until the Sundarbans is completely free of piracy.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Following the meeting, Jaishankar stated in a Facebook post that both countries agreed to maintain close communication. He expressed satisfaction in hosting Rahman and his delegation and said they discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, as well as exchanged views on regional and global developments. Earlier, Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval hosted Khalilur Rahman for a dinner in New Delhi as part of efforts to reset bilateral ties. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, India views this visit as part of the Tarique Rahman government’s initiative to build a new relationship based on mutual trust and shared interests. The report also noted that Khalilur Rahman, an experienced diplomat, became the first minister to visit India after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s decisive victory in the February general election. His delegation included Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir.

Cursor has released version 3.0, transforming its platform into a unified workspace for AI coding agents. The update allows developers to run multiple agents simultaneously across local machines, cloud environments, isolated worktrees, and remote SSH sessions. The new Agents Window enables parallel execution and switching between cloud and local setups within the same interface. Cursor also introduced a /best-of-n feature that runs tasks across multiple models in parallel, letting developers compare outputs and select the strongest result. The company is positioning Cursor 3 as an orchestration layer rather than a traditional AI-enhanced editor. The release reflects a broader industry shift toward platforms that help developers manage, review, and coordinate multiple AI agents efficiently. Cursor’s enterprise focus includes self-hosted cloud agents, audit logs, sandboxed terminal commands, and admin controls, aimed at organizations seeking secure AI integration within their own infrastructure. Cursor’s approach underscores the growing competition to become the default workspace for AI development. The company’s bet is that developers want a full AI workspace with parallel workflows and enterprise-grade controls, though it remains uncertain whether more agents will lead to better software outcomes.

Ahead of peace talks scheduled for Friday in Islamabad, U.S. President Donald Trump clarified his stance on Iran’s nuclear program. He stated that Iran would no longer be allowed to enrich uranium, but sanctions on the country would be lifted if a deal is reached. Trump made the remarks in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday. In his message, Trump said the United States would work closely with Iran and claimed that a “highly productive regime change” had already taken place there. He added that the two countries would cooperate to remove all buried nuclear waste or materials. Trump also mentioned that Iran would be freed from tariffs and sanctions and asserted that many of the 15 points proposed by the United States to end the war had already reached consensus. The statement comes as preparations continue for the upcoming Islamabad peace discussions, where Iran’s nuclear activities are expected to be a key topic.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called on the European Union to suspend its cooperation agreement with Israel following a deadly attack in Lebanon that killed 254 people on the same day a ceasefire was declared. Sánchez accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of showing contempt for human life and international law, describing the assault as Israel’s harshest strike against Lebanon. He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X, citing more than 200 deaths and over a thousand injuries. Sánchez urged the international community to condemn Israel for violating international law and insisted that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire agreement. He emphasized that no impunity should be granted for what he described as a criminal act. The EU-Israel Association Agreement, signed in 2000, serves as the legal foundation for trade, political dialogue, and economic cooperation between the two sides. The Spanish leader’s appeal adds pressure on the EU to reconsider its ties with Israel amid growing concerns over civilian casualties and adherence to international law.