Yemen has launched a ‘Zulfiqar’ ballistic missile at a military base near Ben Gurion Airport in occupied Jaffa, on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, confirmed the strike and added that joint military operations also targeted two American aircraft carriers—USS Truman and USS Vinson. Yemen’s Defense Ministry further reported shooting down a U.S. MQ-9 drone over Sana’a province. The Israeli attack came in retaliation to U.S. strikes in Yemen that killed 74 people and injured 171 others.

Since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have taken control of 185 out of Gaza’s 365 square kilometers—around 50% of the territory. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that 30% of Gaza has been turned into a “buffer zone,” displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Israel is also working to block all cross-border access with Egypt. To divide Gaza more strategically, military corridors have been established in Philadelphi, Morag, and Netzarim. Around 80% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure has been destroyed. At least 40 people were reported killed on Thursday, according to Civil Defense authorities.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has arrested three Indian nationals at the Daulatpur border in Kushtia with 69 bottles of Phensedyl. In separate operations, BGB also seized 14 kg of marijuana and 485 yaba tablets abandoned along the border. The detainees—Md. Jewel Mondal (25), Md. Rakibul Mondal (35), and Md. Bapon Mondal (32)—are all residents of Murshidabad, India. Two Bangladeshi citizens, Md. Nizam Mondal (45) and Md. Sharif Mondal (25), managed to escape. The arrested individuals have been handed over to local police.

More than 128,000 Israeli citizens have signed various online petitions on the platform Restart Israel, demanding an end to the war in Gaza if that’s what it takes to bring home the Israeli hostages. The petitions directly oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government’s aggressive stance. With four new petitions recently added, the total has risen to 47. Among the signatories are over 11,000 reservists and retired military personnel who have endorsed at least 20 of these petitions. Some petitions even include calls to dismiss the current government.

In a late-night raid in Kuala Lumpur’s Medan Imbi area, Malaysian immigration authorities detained 506 undocumented migrants, including 165 Bangladeshis. Medan Imbi has long been known as a hotspot for illegal immigrants. Authorities reported violations such as overstaying visas, lack of proper documentation, and abuse of work visit passes. Immigration Chief Datuk Zakaria Shaban warned of strict action against violators.

The Armed Forces Division reported that between April 10–17, joint operations across Bangladesh led to the arrest of 390 criminals, including listed terrorists, fugitives, drug dealers, and gang members. Authorities recovered 10 illegal firearms, 46 rounds of ammunition, narcotics, stolen electronics, foreign currency, and large sums of cash.

Citizens in Narayanganj marched under the banner ‘March for Yunus,’ demanding state reforms before any elections. Speakers asserted that Nobel Laureate Dr. Yunus was chosen by the people and therefore has a mandate. “The July uprising remains unaddressed. Blood was shed for reform, not just ballots,” they said. The speakers warned that without structural changes, any new government would also turn authoritarian.

Mohammad Akram Hossain, a 25-year-old from Ashuganj, died while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war after joining the Russian army. His family received the news on Friday through a call from one of his fellow fighters. Akram had learned welding and moved to Russia with hopes of improving his family’s financial condition and securing his future. For eight months, he worked as a welder in a Chinese company in Russia. However, about two and a half months ago, he was lured by a broker into joining the Russian military as a contract soldier and took part in the war in Ukraine, which ultimately led to his death. According to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), the government is in contact with the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment to bring back his body.

At a press briefing on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that tariffs on Chinese goods might be reduced. “I don’t want tariffs to be too high, because at some point, people won’t be able to buy,” he said. Trump emphasized the importance of consumer access and signaled openness to easing tariffs. While the U.S. initially imposed sweeping tariffs earlier in April, China remained an exception—with tariffs on Chinese goods eventually rising to 145%. In retaliation, China raised tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%. Trump added that Beijing had reached out multiple times regarding the issue and expressed confidence that a “very good deal” between the two countries is on the horizon.

Violent clashes erupted in Chattogram between Chhatra Dal and anti-discrimination student activists. Protesters from both groups held separate rallies, accusing each other of betrayal and violence. Khan Talat Mahmud Rafi of the anti-discrimination group said, “We are now forced to stand against our former allies.” Chhatra Dal’s joint convener Sabir Ahmed countered, claiming that the dispute originated from internal issues at Mostafa Hakim Degree College, which were politicized by their opponents. Two activists were critically injured in the clash.

Fazle Bari Masud, a leader of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, stated that the public demands structural reforms before any election. He warned that prioritizing elections without reform is akin to betraying the martyrs of the 2024 uprising. “Elections without reform will only bring another wave of fascism,” he said. He urged political parties not to ignore the people’s desire for change, criticizing those pushing elections to appease external powers.

A delegation from the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) met with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to discuss the upcoming national election. The discussion covered international election monitoring and the need for a free and fair electoral process. ANFREL is an umbrella organization promoting electoral integrity across Asia, with 27 member groups from 17 countries, including Bangladesh.

Monir Haidar, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, has claimed that political protection has allowed rampant corruption and mismanagement in the health sector. “It’s not just the officials’ fault—the entire system is politically compromised,” he said. He emphasized that democracy must be about transparency and accountability, not just elections. “In the civilized world, elections are merely an entry point to democracy; the real essence lies in good governance,” he said.

BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has demanded swift and visible trials for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her family, and political patrons. He stressed the urgency of electoral and structural reforms. Annie accused the government of using armed groups and looted weapons to suppress opposition activities, especially before the August 5 movement. He urged party members to stay alert and push forward organizational activities.

Mosharraf Hossain, also known as ‘Minoti Mosharraf,’ alleged to be a ‘cashier’ for former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, has been placed on a three-day remand in connection with the 2015 attack on Begum Khaleda Zia’s motorcade. The attack occurred during BNP’s mayoral campaign for Tabith Awal in the Dhaka North City Corporation election. The case was filed in August 2024.