The Speaker of the National Parliament has approved an additional 100 seats for students in the visitors’ gallery, following a request from Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan MP. Previously, 50 seats were reserved for students under 12 years of age. With this expansion, a total of 150 seats will now be available for students to observe parliamentary proceedings directly.

According to the minister, the initiative aims to familiarize younger generations with parliamentary and democratic practices. He referenced the late President Ziaur Rahman’s efforts to engage students in learning about the nation’s resources and potential. The minister expressed his desire for Generation Z to become more knowledgeable and politically aware about the state.

National Parliament Secretary Md. Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan welcomed the initiative, noting that students visiting the parliament will receive briefings about its operations before sessions begin. This will help them learn about the architecture, history, and traditions of the country’s legislature.

A Bangladeshi man named Saleh Ahmed Joydhar, aged 30, was shot dead by an Indian Khasi on Thursday afternoon near the Kalairag (Kawar Tuck) border area of Companiganj upazila in Sylhet. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. on the Indian side of the border. According to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), three Bangladeshi nationals had crossed about one kilometer into India and entered a Khasi betel nut plantation between Chongket and Markan gardens. The Indian Khasi reportedly fired several rounds from a shotgun, suspecting them of theft, killing Saleh on the spot. His companions later brought his body back to Bangladesh.

BGB stated that the three men involved had previously been linked to smuggling activities. Earlier, on April 1, another Bangladeshi named Saddam Hossain went missing after crossing into India from the Utma border area of the same upazila. Police confirmed that Saleh’s body has been recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

The incidents have raised renewed concern over cross-border safety and illegal movement along the Sylhet frontier.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that his country has helped several Middle Eastern nations shoot down Iranian-made Shahed drones. Zelensky made the remarks following his visit to the Middle East last week, highlighting Ukraine’s role in countering the drones that Iran supplies to Russia.

According to Zelensky’s post on social media platform X, Ukraine deployed military experts to the Middle East, including interceptor drone and electronic warfare specialists. These teams demonstrated how to operate interceptors and successfully destroyed Iranian Shahed drones in multiple countries. Zelensky described the outcome as a success.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, underscores Ukraine’s growing involvement in assisting other nations with drone defense, drawing on its extensive experience combating Shahed drones in its own conflict with Russia.

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education, Labour and Employment, Mahdi Amin, held a bilateral meeting with Malaysia’s Minister of Higher Education, Zambry Abdul Kadir, in Putrajaya. The discussion focused on enhancing cooperation in higher education, research, skills development, and workforce mobility, with particular emphasis on expanding scholarship opportunities and improving the integration of Bangladeshi students in Malaysian society. Bangladesh’s Ministers for Expatriates’ Welfare and Labour were also present at the meeting.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral relations in education and skills development. Malaysia recognized the mandate of Bangladesh’s newly elected government led by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman and expressed readiness to deepen institutional engagement under new policies. Mahdi Amin highlighted the importance of expanding international education opportunities to strengthen Bangladesh’s global human resource competitiveness and called for a structured scholarship system ensuring academic excellence, welfare, and social inclusion for Bangladeshi students in Malaysia.

The meeting concluded with mutual understanding to reinforce scholarship frameworks, improve student support systems, and deepen long-term educational and social ties between the two countries, contributing to a sustainable knowledge-based partnership.

France and Pakistan have voiced deep concern over Israel’s continued attacks in Lebanon and what they described as violations of a declared ceasefire. The issue was discussed during a phone call on Friday morning between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. According to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, both ministers emphasized the need for full implementation and respect for the ceasefire to restore stability in Lebanon.

Pakistan had previously acted as a mediator in the recent ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, claiming that Lebanon was included in the deal. France also supported including Lebanon in the ceasefire framework. However, the United States and Israel rejected this claim, asserting that the Iran-U.S. understanding had no connection to the Lebanese situation. The Israeli airstrikes, launched just hours after the ceasefire announcement, killed at least 254 people, including women and children.

Both France and Pakistan warned that continued Israeli attacks could undermine Pakistan’s mediating role and jeopardize the broader peace process. They called on the international community to take swift and effective action to address the escalating crisis.

Uncertainty surrounds the planned talks between the United States and Iran over ending the ongoing war, though Pakistan is fully preparing to host the meeting in Islamabad. Representatives from Washington and Tehran are expected to meet in the Pakistani capital, where strict security measures have been implemented, including road closures around the Red Zone that houses government buildings and embassies.

According to BBC correspondent Lyse Doucet, a senior Iranian foreign ministry official said the meeting has not yet been finalized. Reports that an Iranian delegation had already arrived in Islamabad were denied, and related social media posts were removed. Despite this, Pakistan’s preparations suggest that the talks may proceed as planned.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that discussions will not take place until a ceasefire is achieved in Lebanon. Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh reiterated this position in an interview with the BBC’s ‘Today’ program.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei released a new written statement through state media on Thursday night, his first public message since assuming leadership after the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at the start of the war. In the statement, Mojtaba warned that Iran would seek justice for every martyr killed in joint US-Israeli attacks and vowed to demand compensation for losses and injuries.

The message called on Iran’s supporters to take to the streets, asserting that public voices could influence negotiations. It emphasized that Iran never sought war and still does not, but would not retreat from defending its legitimate rights. The statement also mentioned that Iran would take the management of the Strait of Hormuz to a new stage, though no details were provided.

Meanwhile, US and Iranian representatives are scheduled to meet in Islamabad on Friday to discuss the ceasefire, according to The Guardian.

Farmers in the haor areas of Kishoreganj, including Austagram, Itna, and Mithamain, are facing uncertainty over harvesting and transporting Boro rice due to a severe fuel shortage. The crisis, reported on April 10, 2026, stems from rising diesel prices influenced by international instability. Farmers fear that without timely fuel supply, harvesting and storage will be severely disrupted, increasing production costs and threatening the local agricultural economy.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, 67,230 hectares of land in the three upazilas have been cultivated with local, Ufshi, and hybrid rice varieties. About 70 percent of the harvest depends on combine harvesters, requiring an estimated 1.65 million liters of diesel. However, local traders report inadequate supply, forcing them to buy diesel at 8 to 10 taka above the official price. Farmers have urged the government to ensure adequate and affordable fuel distribution in the haor areas.

Officials said they have already informed higher authorities about the reduced fuel supply this year and requested measures to stabilize prices and maintain normal supply during the ongoing harvest season.

Israel has reported that 24 people were killed and more than 7,000 injured following a series of missile attacks launched by Iran during ongoing hostilities. According to the Times of Israel, Iran fired around 650 ballistic missiles toward Israel, many carrying cluster bomb warheads that caused widespread damage across populated areas.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that more than half of the missiles contained cluster bomb warheads, dispersing numerous small explosives over wide regions. Among the dead were 20 civilians and foreign nationals inside Israel, as well as four Palestinians in the West Bank. The Israeli Health Ministry confirmed the casualty figures.

The report detailed that Iran launched about 80 missiles on the first day of the conflict, 60 on the second, and 30 on the third, continuing with 10 to 20 missiles daily in subsequent weeks. At least 16 warhead-equipped missiles struck populated areas, causing significant destruction.

Jamaat-e-Islami held a protest rally and procession in Dhaka demanding the cancellation of the Bogura by-election and the suspended Sherpur constituency election. The demonstration took place on Friday after Juma prayers at the north gate of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram, with Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar attending as the chief guest. The party alleged widespread vote rigging, attacks on polling centers, and assaults on its activists during the elections.

During his speech, Mia Golam Porwar stated that the elections in Bogura and Sherpur proved that no election under a partisan government can be fair. He claimed that the ruling party’s misconduct surpassed even controversial elections from previous administrations. Jamaat demanded new election schedules for both constituencies and the arrest and punishment of those involved in attacks on its members.

The rally was presided over by Dhaka North Jamaat Ameer Muhammad Selim Uddin and attended by several central and metropolitan leaders. Following the gathering, participants marched through various streets in Dhaka.

Attorney General Barrister Ruhul Kudddus Kajol stated that the July mass uprising gave birth to an anti-fascist spirit in Bangladesh, describing the current government as an expression of that revolutionary ideal. He made the remarks on Friday, April 10, 2026, while speaking to journalists after a meeting with local dignitaries at Kotchandpur Pilot High School field in Jhenaidah.

Kajol said the people had hoped for the creation of an anti-fascist state through the July revolution, and the government’s commitment to fulfilling that aspiration is clear. He added that the government has already introduced a policy to protect participants of the July movement. On the verdict in the Shahid Abu Sayed murder case, he noted that the tribunal delivered its judgment based on evidence, and any aggrieved party may appeal within 30 days.

Regarding judicial independence, the Attorney General said the government is determined to establish a separate secretariat for the judiciary, and the law minister has clarified this stance in parliament. He added that the High Court’s ruling on the matter is not final, and the issue will be settled after the Supreme Court’s decision.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected Bangladesh’s economic growth at 4 percent for the 2025–26 fiscal year, according to its Asian Development Outlook released on Friday. The report noted that after 3.5 percent growth in 2024–25, GDP is expected to rise to 4.7 percent in the following year as consumption and investment recover amid reduced political uncertainty after the general election. The impact of Middle East conflicts on supply chains is expected to gradually ease.

ADB Country Director Ho Yun Jeong said Bangladesh faces a difficult economic situation influenced by global uncertainty, structural constraints, and external and financial pressures. He added that the new government’s reform program offers an opportunity to strengthen macroeconomic stability, restore private sector confidence, and support recovery through consistent policy and reforms.

The report also projected inflation near 9 percent this fiscal year, easing to 8.5 percent next year as external pressures decline. The current account deficit is expected at 0.5 percent of GDP, rising slightly to 0.6 percent due to higher imports and trade gaps, while remittance inflows remain stable.

Bangladesh defeated Chinese Taipei 3-2 in a tense placement match at the Asian Games hockey qualifying tournament held in Bangkok, Thailand. The victory ensured a fifth-place finish for the team, following their earlier win over Hong Kong that had already confirmed their qualification for the Asian Games. Bangladesh took the lead early through a penalty corner goal by Ashraful, but Taipei equalized soon after. Ashraful scored again in the second quarter, and though Taipei leveled once more after halftime, Mehrab Hossain Samin restored Bangladesh’s lead.

In the final quarter, Chinese Taipei dominated possession and earned several penalty corners, including three in the dying moments, but Bangladesh’s defense held firm to preserve the win. The result marked a strong finish for Bangladesh, who had also opened the tournament with a victory over the same opponent.

While Bangladesh once regularly reached the finals in such tournaments, this year’s fifth-place finish came after a series of hard-fought matches, reflecting both resilience and progress under pressure.

Professor Mohammed Elmasry of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies stated that the Trump administration is facing a political and economic disaster due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. He said that despite strong rhetoric, it is widely acknowledged that Iran holds a favorable position in upcoming talks with the United States.

Elmasry explained that after nearly six weeks of intense bombing, the United States has failed to achieve its objectives in Iran. The Iranian regime and its proxy networks remain intact, and the country still possesses missiles and drones. Reports indicate that about half of Iran’s missile launchers are ready for extended warfare if necessary.

The analyst added that Iran now controls the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic advantage it did not have six weeks earlier. He described the situation as disastrous for President Trump and the United States, calling it both a political and economic catastrophe.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has started selling nomination forms for the reserved women’s seats in the 12th National Parliament. The process was formally inaugurated on Friday at the party’s central office in Naya Paltan by Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General. Rizvi said the party’s parliamentary board will consider candidates’ roles in movements, organizational skills, political experience, and ability to speak effectively in parliament before making final decisions. He expressed hope that all members would accept the party’s decisions without creating any negative atmosphere.

Rizvi added that women leaders who have long served the party with dedication will be recognized through a fair and acceptable process. Nomination forms will be available until April 12, and the first forms were handed to Jarin Delwar Hossain and Fatema Asad. Many female leaders attended the event, submitting fees and collecting receipts amid enthusiasm.

According to the Election Commission’s schedule, nomination submission ends on April 21, with verification on April 22–23 and voting on May 12. The BNP alliance will receive 36 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami 13, and independents one.