The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have intensified their ground operations in southern Lebanon, focusing on encircling the strategically important town of Bint Jbeil. According to the latest reports, Israeli troops attempted to advance into the outskirts of the town within the past 24 hours. In response, Hezbollah claimed to have launched multiple attacks targeting Israeli forces near the town’s entrance, asserting that it halted the Israeli advance.

Hezbollah stated that it carried out more than 50 military operations in the past day, including several cross-border strikes inside Israel. The group had briefly reduced rocket attacks following reports of a regional ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States, believing Lebanon would be included. However, after Israel clarified that the truce would not affect its Lebanon campaign, Hezbollah resumed full-scale resistance.

Military analysts cited in the report noted that Bint Jbeil holds both strategic and symbolic significance for Hezbollah. Control of the town would give Israel a major tactical advantage in southern Lebanon, raising fears that fighting in the area could escalate further in the coming days.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presented a detailed statement on Bangladesh’s overall economic condition in the National Parliament on Friday. His report highlighted widespread irregularities, mismanagement, and corruption in the financial sector during the previous authoritarian government. He said that due to economic mismanagement and illicit financial flows, foreign reserves had fallen to 20 billion dollars. The minister noted that while exports rose slightly under the interim government, import growth slowed and remittance inflows increased significantly.

He stated that social safety programs under the former regime failed to adjust benefits for inflation, leaving many beneficiaries outside inclusive development. Weak market management and syndicate corruption caused abnormal price hikes and supply disruptions, burdening ordinary citizens. The minister also described steps taken under the current government’s election manifesto, including improved debt management, reduced loan dependency, and structural reforms to strengthen the capital market.

He announced plans to form a special commission to investigate irregularities from the past 15 years and expressed hope that by 2034 Bangladesh would become a developed economy through sustained growth and fiscal discipline.

A US Navy surveillance drone, the MQ-4C Triton, went missing over the Strait of Hormuz area on Friday after issuing an emergency alert during flight. The aircraft, valued at more than $200 million, disappeared shortly after transmitting a 7700 emergency code and beginning a rapid descent. The drone had been conducting a three-hour surveillance mission over the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz and was reportedly returning to its base when contact was lost.

According to the report, the drone was seen losing altitude quickly after turning slightly toward Iran before vanishing. It remains unclear whether the aircraft crashed or was shot down. The incident occurred shortly after a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, adding to the sensitivity of the situation.

The disappearance raises questions about the stability of the ceasefire and the security of aerial operations in the region, though no official explanation has yet been provided.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for the protection of hospitals in Lebanon as Israeli airstrikes continued overnight across the southern regions, including Sidon and Nabatieh. Surveillance drones were reported over Beirut, and the Israeli military issued new forced evacuation orders for the southern suburbs, extending to the Janah area where thousands of displaced people had taken refuge.

WHO expressed deep concern that two major hospitals in Janah, currently operating at full capacity, are at risk. The facilities are treating around 450 patients, and with other hospitals already overcrowded, transferring these patients elsewhere is nearly impossible. The pressure on Lebanon’s health system has intensified since last Wednesday’s attacks, which injured more than a thousand people.

Many of those ordered to leave Janah had previously fled from other conflict zones, facing displacement for a second time. Israel claims its operations target Hezbollah positions, but the proximity of evacuation orders to civilian infrastructure and hospitals has drawn widespread international criticism.

U.S. First Lady Melania Trump has denied having any connection with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking at the White House, she said she had no relationship with Epstein and was unaware of his crimes. Her comments came after a photo showing her with Epstein circulated online, drawing widespread criticism. The 55-year-old First Lady called the claims false and urged an end to what she described as unethical and disrespectful rumors.

Melania stated that she met her husband Donald Trump two years before she ever met Epstein and clarified that Epstein did not introduce them. She also said she was never a victim of Epstein, never boarded his plane, and never visited his private island. It remains unclear why she chose to speak publicly about the issue at this time, as she did not refer to any specific allegations.

Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of trafficking and sexually abusing minors. His case continues to be a major topic in U.S. political discussions.

India’s state assembly elections began on Thursday with voting held in Assam, Kerala, and the union territory of Puducherry. Millions of voters participated in the first phase, marking the start of four key regional elections this month. The Election Commission announced that results for all five participating regions will be declared on May 4. A total of 296 seats were contested on the first day, including 126 in Assam, 140 in Kerala, and 30 in Puducherry.

The commission reported that 174 million voters are eligible across the five regions, representing about 18 percent of India’s electorate. The elections take place amid an energy shortage linked to the Middle East conflict. Assam remains under BJP control, while Puducherry is governed by a coalition including the party. However, the BJP has never formed governments in West Bengal, Kerala, or Tamil Nadu, where it faces strong regional rivals.

Opposition parties view the elections as a test of unity against the BJP’s dominance. The vote also comes amid controversy over the Special Intensive Revision process, which opposition groups allege has unfairly removed Muslim voters from rolls—an accusation denied by both the BJP and the Election Commission.

Argentina will play two final warm-up matches before the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a last-minute schedule change. The Argentine Football Association announced that Lionel Scaloni’s team will face Honduras on June 6 in College Station, Texas, and Iceland on June 9 in Auburn, Alabama. Both matches will be held in the United States, giving Argentina a chance to face at least one European opponent before the tournament begins.

The decision comes after Argentina had not played any European team since winning the 2022 Qatar World Cup. A planned match against Spain in the Finalissima was canceled, raising concerns about the team’s preparation. In March, Argentina played two friendlies at home, defeating Mauritania 2–1 and Zambia 5–0, but faced criticism for choosing weaker opponents. Coach Lionel Scaloni said the final World Cup squad would be selected based on performances in these matches.

The 2026 World Cup will start on June 11 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Argentina, placed in Group J, will open their campaign against Algeria on June 16, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan.

The United States and Israel jointly launched an invasion of Iran on February 28, 2026. US President Donald Trump attempted to justify the operation by portraying it as a moral struggle between good and evil, but the American public has largely viewed the war as unnecessary. Evangelical Christian leaders in the United States have intensified efforts to present the invasion as a religious war, seeking to rally support among believers.

A two-week ceasefire was announced on Tuesday, following rising domestic dissatisfaction over the conflict. The war has negatively affected Trump’s popularity, driven by higher fuel prices and American military casualties. Despite this, Trump continues to emphasize the war’s spiritual significance, describing a recent pilot rescue as an “Easter miracle” and claiming divine blessing for the joint US-Israeli campaign.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and several conservative evangelical pastors, including Trump ally Robert Jeffress, have cited biblical verses to justify the invasion and highlight Israel’s role in Christian prophecy. They argue that the existence of modern Israel is essential for the prophesied return of Jesus Christ.

The fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran is on the verge of collapse following renewed accusations from both sides just hours before a planned high-level meeting in Islamabad. According to AFP, tensions have escalated over disagreements involving the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon, with both nations refusing to compromise on key issues.

US President Donald Trump accused Iran of failing to uphold its commitment to ensure oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz, warning against any collection of fees from oil tankers. Meanwhile, Tehran insists that continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon violate the ceasefire terms, while Washington and Tel Aviv maintain that the truce applies only to direct US-Iran hostilities, not to Hezbollah.

Diplomatic analysts cited by AFP said that the Islamabad meeting, attended by US Vice President JD Vance and senior Iranian leaders, will determine whether peace can be restored or if the region will slide back into conflict. If no progress is made on reopening the strait and resolving the Lebanon issue, the ceasefire could formally end at any moment.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has warned that the country will avenge every martyr killed in the joint attack by the United States and Israel. In a statement broadcast on state television, he declared that Iran is determined to seek retribution for all killings, including that of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed on the first day of the war. The statement emphasized Iran’s resolve to demand compensation for all losses, the blood of martyrs, and the injuries sustained in the conflict.

The statement also mentioned that Iran would take the management of the Strait of Hormuz to a new stage, though no further details were provided about what that would entail. Meanwhile, discussions between the United States and Iran on a possible ceasefire are scheduled to take place in Islamabad on Friday, with Pakistan preparing to host the talks.

The developments come amid heightened regional tensions and uncertainty about the next steps in the ongoing conflict.

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.