U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Israel is a 'good team player' and will act according to his instructions. In an interview with Time magazine, Trump said that Israel would stop fighting when he tells them to stop, emphasizing that they would only continue if provoked. He added that when he stops, Israel will also stop, suggesting a close alignment between his decisions and Israel’s actions. The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and highlight Trump’s assertion of strong influence over Israel’s military and diplomatic behavior. His comments suggest that he views the U.S.–Israel relationship as one where Washington’s directives are followed closely by Tel Aviv. The statement underscores Trump’s approach to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, portraying a dynamic where American leadership directly shapes Israel’s actions in conflict situations.

US President Donald Trump has removed Attorney General Pam Bondi from her position, according to reports published on April 3, 2026. Deputy Attorney General Tope Blache is set to replace Bondi. Trump announced the decision on his social platform Truth Social, stating that Bondi is leaving to take an important new role in the private sector. He praised her as a patriotic and loyal friend who served with dedication, noting that under her leadership, homicide rates fell to their lowest level since the 1900s. Sources indicated that Trump had been dissatisfied with Bondi over her handling of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and her reluctance to prosecute political rivals. The president had reportedly discussed her removal with close allies and spoke to Bondi personally about it on Wednesday. Last month, Trump had also removed Kristi Noem from the Department of Homeland Security. Reports suggest Bondi might be assigned another role, though discussions about appointing her as a judge did not progress. CNN reported that Bondi had attempted to pursue legal action against Trump’s rivals, but courts dismissed those cases.

Eight people were killed and at least 95 others injured in an attack by US and Israeli forces on Iran’s B1 Bridge in Karaj city, Alborz province, according to the provincial governor’s office. Local officials said the victims included residents of Bilghan village, pedestrians, and families celebrating Nature Day near the bridge. Iran’s Fars news agency described the B1 Bridge, located on the Tehran–Karaj route, as the tallest bridge in the Middle East. The attack caused heavy casualties due to its location on a major highway. Iranian authorities stated that regional bridges are now being considered “legitimate targets,” claiming the strike hit a civilian infrastructure site with no military use. In response, an Iranian hacker group threatened to attack the Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi. Tehran accused the US and Israel of deliberately targeting civilian and economic facilities to spread fear and weaken Iran’s industrial capacity. The Health Ministry reported that since the conflict began on February 28, a total of 2,766 people, including 216 children, have been killed.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on the United States and Israel to immediately stop their ongoing military actions in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters in New York, he warned that the current conflict could expand into a large-scale war engulfing the entire region and deeply affecting the world. Guterres emphasized that the situation is already causing severe humanitarian suffering and economic damage. According to the report, since February 28, US and Israeli forces have been carrying out attacks on various locations in Iran. In response, Iran has launched counterstrikes targeting Israeli positions and US bases across the Middle East. Guterres highlighted that rising energy and food prices are already burdening people, and any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz would disproportionately harm the world’s poorest and most vulnerable populations. He urged all parties to resolve disputes peacefully and protect civilian infrastructure, reiterating that it is time to end the war before it causes further destruction.

Three United Nations special rapporteurs have condemned the killing of three journalists in Lebanon and called for an independent and comprehensive investigation. They described the incident as another brutal attack by Israeli forces on press freedom. The experts—Irina Khan, Morris Tidball-Binz, and Ben Saul—stated that journalists performing their professional duties during armed conflict are civilians and must not be targeted or attacked. According to the report, Israeli forces carried out a targeted strike on March 28 in southern Lebanon, killing Al Mayadeen journalist Fatima Fattouni, her brother and freelance photojournalist Mohammad Fattouni, and Al-Manar’s Ali Shoaib. The UN experts emphasized that the deliberate killing of journalists not directly involved in combat constitutes a serious violation of international human rights and humanitarian law and may amount to a war crime. Al Mayadeen and Al-Manar are Hezbollah-aligned media outlets. Israel accused Shoaib of being a fighter for the Lebanese armed group but did not present any evidence to support the claim.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for an attack on a data center operated by U.S. technology company Oracle in Dubai. The claim was reported by Iranian state media amid heightened tensions across the Middle East. The IRGC also stated earlier that it had targeted an Amazon cloud computing facility located in Bahrain. Analysts cited in the report suggest that Iran is increasingly viewing U.S.-linked technology infrastructure as strategic targets. As part of this approach, data centers and technology installations across several Middle Eastern countries have been identified as key objectives. The report notes that recent weeks have seen escalating conflict in the region, raising the risk of further attacks on technology infrastructure. Such incidents could disrupt global digital services and economic activities, according to the report.

Bangladesh Bank has intensified efforts to recover funds laundered abroad under the guise of loans from five merged banks. Governor Mostakur Rahman instructed administrators of these banks to finalize non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with foreign legal support firms within April. The directive was issued during a meeting at the governor’s office on Thursday. The banks include Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, and Exim Bank. According to the report, the first four banks were under the control of S Alam Group, which allegedly withdrew Tk 225,000 crore in loans. Exim Bank was operated under NASA Group, which has loans totaling Tk 9,214 crore. Ten banks have already signed 36 NDAs to recover funds laundered by six major industrial groups, including S Alam, Aramit, Sikder, Beximco, Orion, and NASA groups. Among them, S Alam Group alone is linked to ten NDAs, three of which have been completed. The governor emphasized expediting legal processes to recover the laundered assets and restore the financial health of the affected banks.

The government of Bangladesh has announced new working hours for all public and private offices to tackle the ongoing energy crisis. Starting Sunday, April 5, offices will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., reducing the daily schedule by one hour to a total of seven working hours. The decision was disclosed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani following a cabinet meeting held on Thursday, April 2. In addition to the revised office schedule, separate timings have been set for banks and financial institutions, which will now remain open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The government has also introduced further measures to conserve energy, including mandatory closure of shopping malls and shops after 6 p.m. and restrictions on decorative lighting at wedding events. These steps are part of a broader effort to manage the country’s energy consumption amid supply challenges, with the new schedules expected to remain in effect until further notice.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has launched an international coalition of nearly 40 countries to reopen the Hormuz Strait, which remains effectively blocked by Iran. The closure, following US and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February, has disrupted the passage of about 20 percent of global oil and LNG shipments, pushing crude prices above $100 per barrel. The virtual meeting, chaired by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, includes France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, and the UAE, though the United States has declined to participate. Starmer said the talks will explore diplomatic and political measures to restore safe navigation, secure stranded ships and crews, and resume energy and goods supply. Post-war security coordination, including mine clearance and naval protection for tankers, is also under discussion. Iran, however, demands international recognition of its control over the strait as a condition for ceasefire and currently allows only limited passage for “friendly” nations. Analysts cited in the report believe reopening the strait without an agreement with Iran is nearly impossible, though the coalition could play a key role in ensuring maritime security once hostilities end.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has called for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor through the Strait of Hormuz to transport fertilizer and other essential goods. The appeal was made via video during a meeting on Iran organized under British coordination, according to reports from Rome. Tajani emphasized that ensuring the movement of fertilizer and humanitarian supplies through the strait is crucial. The statement noted that Tajani, along with the Dutch minister and the UAE deputy minister, stressed the need to work with the United Nations to establish the corridor as soon as possible. They highlighted the importance of maintaining the flow of fertilizer and other goods to prevent a new food crisis in African countries. The proposal reflects growing concern about supply disruptions affecting food security in Africa, with Italy urging swift international cooperation to safeguard essential trade routes.

An Iranian military spokesperson has accused the United States and Israel of attacking what he described as 'insignificant' targets, claiming the two countries lack understanding of Iran’s extensive and strategic military capabilities. The statement, issued by the Khatam al-Anbia military command headquarters and published by Tasnim news agency, warned that more extensive, powerful, and destructive attacks are forthcoming. The spokesperson asserted that Iran’s strategic missile production centers, long-range offensive drones, advanced air defense, and electronic warfare systems remain intact. He emphasized that Iran’s military production facilities are located in undisclosed areas beyond the reach of its adversaries. The Iranian military pledged to continue fighting until what it called the 'final surrender' of its enemies. The remarks reflect Tehran’s defiant stance amid ongoing hostilities with the United States and Israel, underscoring Iran’s claim of resilience and readiness for escalation.

A special committee of the Bangladesh Parliament has recommended blocking 20 of the 133 ordinances issued during the interim government period, citing lack of legal basis. Among these, three ordinances related to judicial independence are proposed for cancellation. The committee also advised against presenting 16 ordinances, including those on referendum, the National Human Rights Commission, and enforced disappearance prevention, as bills in the current session. If not approved by April 12, these ordinances will lose effect. Committee chair Zainul Abedin presented the report in Parliament on Thursday. According to the report, 16 ordinances are recommended for later review and strengthening before reintroduction, while four are proposed for repeal, including those concerning the Supreme Court Secretariat and judge appointments. Opposition members in the committee issued notes of dissent regarding the cancellation and amendment recommendations. The remaining 113 ordinances are recommended for presentation as bills—98 unchanged and 15 with amendments, though specific amendment details were not disclosed. The committee’s recommendations mark a significant step in determining which interim government ordinances will transition into permanent legislation before the April 12 deadline.

Bangladesh is importing 100,000 metric tons of crude oil from Saudi Arabia through an alternative route to avoid complications in the Strait of Hormuz. The oil will be shipped from Yanbu Commercial Port, located near the Red Sea, directly to the state-owned Eastern Refinery in Chattogram. The tanker is scheduled to load the oil on April 20. Meanwhile, another vessel, MT Nordic Pollux, carrying 100,000 tons of crude oil, remains stranded at Ras Tanura port in Saudi Arabia due to the absence of special clearance from Iran. According to the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), both shipments—one from Yanbu and the other from Ras Tanura—are expected to reach Chattogram by the first week of May, totaling 200,000 tons of crude oil. Once refined, the oil will yield diesel, petrol, octane, furnace oil, and kerosene, helping ease the ongoing fuel supply strain. BSC officials said diplomatic efforts are underway to obtain Iranian clearance for the stranded vessel. The new route through the Red Sea is considered safer as it lies outside the Hormuz Strait, reducing potential military or political disruptions to oil transport.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has criticized the decision of Culture Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury to introduce music education in primary and secondary schools, saying it would undermine the religious freedom of Muslim students. In a statement issued on Thursday, the group’s Amir Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Secretary General Allama Sajedur Rahman said that since musical instruments are not permitted in Islam, mandatory music lessons would be a religious issue for devout Muslim parents. The leaders argued that just as it would be unreasonable to require all students to learn animal sacrifice regardless of faith, it is also inappropriate to impose music education on everyone. They urged the minister to withdraw what they called an anti-public decision to avoid public discontent. Hefazat leaders added that specialized institutions already exist for music education, and parents who wish to teach music to their children can do so privately. They reiterated their long-standing demand for appointing religious teachers in primary schools, saying this would ensure the religious freedom of students of all faiths and help build morally upright citizens.

Austria has rejected a request from the United States to use its airspace for a military operation against Iran. The Austrian Defense Ministry stated that the decision was made in line with the country’s long-standing policy of neutrality. According to a report by the state broadcaster ORF, Washington had made multiple such requests, though the exact number was not disclosed. A spokesperson for the Defense Ministry said that each request would be reviewed individually and coordinated with the Foreign Ministry. Austria has maintained a policy of military neutrality for decades, and while it has not imposed a blanket ban on US military aircraft, each request is being considered separately. The report also noted that Spain and Italy have taken similar positions. Spain announced that its airspace would remain closed to US military aircraft involved in the conflict, while Italy recently denied Washington permission to use a military base in Sicily.