Ireland’s Foreign Minister Helen McEntee expressed shock over Israel’s large-scale attacks in Lebanon that coincided with the day of the Iran-US ceasefire. According to reports, the strikes caused 254 deaths and numerous civilian casualties. McEntee condemned the assaults as brutal and unacceptable, calling for an immediate halt to the violence.

Following a phone conversation with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Ragir, McEntee posted on social media platform X that she was horrified by the attacks, which killed more than 200 people. She emphasized that all parties, including Lebanon, must adhere to the ceasefire agreement and avoid further escalation.

The Irish minister also urged the extension of the Iran-US ceasefire, highlighting the need for restraint and continued diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed conflict in the region.

An examinee at Barishal University was expelled from the 2025–26 cluster admission test for allegedly using a mobile phone during the exam and subsequently attacked four university staff members. The incident occurred around noon on Friday on the university campus. The expelled student, identified as Ahnaph Ahmed (roll: 199860), was later handed over to the police after attempting to flee.

According to university sources, Ahnaph Ahmed was caught using a mobile phone during the test and was taken to the control room after being expelled. On the way, he became agitated and assaulted the staff present. Four staff members, including security personnel Moniruzzaman, Russell Hossain, and Ujjal, were injured, with three admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal.

University officials confirmed that the situation was brought under control and the student was handed to police. Law enforcement stated that legal action would be taken following the incident.

India has appointed Pranay Verma, currently serving as the country's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, as its next ambassador to Belgium and the European Union. The appointment was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday, April 10, 2026. According to the official statement, Verma, an Indian Foreign Service officer from the 1994 batch, will assume his new responsibilities in Brussels soon.

Verma has been leading India’s mission in Bangladesh since September 2022. His new posting comes at a time when India’s engagement with the European Union has gained strategic importance following the signing of a bilateral trade agreement on January 27. The agreement aims to expand trade in goods, services, and investments between India and the EU and is expected to take effect in early 2027.

India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated that the free trade agreement will create a future-ready trade framework to support emerging economic sectors, particularly targeting a $300 billion export goal in engineering and manufacturing.

The Bangladeshi ship 'Banglar Joyjatra', operated by Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), was denied permission by Iran to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, April 10, 2026. The vessel had departed from Saudi Arabia’s Ras Al Khair port after a ceasefire took effect in the Middle East, following 40 days of being stranded due to regional conflict. Upon reaching near the strait after about 40 hours of sailing, the ship sought clearance from Tehran, which was rejected. The crew has been instructed to return safely to Sharjah port in the United Arab Emirates.

BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek confirmed that diplomatic efforts to secure passage are ongoing. He said the ship remains near Hormuz and has sufficient food supplies for its 31 crew members. The vessel can desalinate 18 tons of seawater daily, though water use has been rationed to six tons. Crew allowances and daily meal budgets have been increased to maintain morale.

The ship had completed unloading at Jebel Ali on March 11 and was scheduled to load cargo in Kuwait before heading to Cape Town with 37,000 tons of fertilizer.

Qatar and the United Kingdom have welcomed the recently announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran. During a meeting in Doha, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Iran’s attacks and reaffirmed his country’s support for Qatar’s sovereignty, security, and stability, according to a statement from the Qatari Amiri Diwan.

Both leaders described the ceasefire as a crucial step toward reducing ongoing tensions and strengthening regional stability. They emphasized the importance of working jointly with international partners to secure a lasting peace agreement that would ensure regional security and maintain global energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

The statement added that this initiative would make a significant contribution to promoting international peace and security.

Police in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar conducted a special operation and recovered 30,000 yaba tablets. The operation, led by Sub-Inspector Anup Kumar of Ramu Police Station, took place late Thursday night. During the raid, officers detained a man named Ziaur Rahman, aged 36, from Srimura Purba Para area of Chakmarkul Union’s Ward No. 7.

According to police sources, the yaba tablets were found hidden beneath the driver’s seat of a CNG-run auto-rickshaw based on information provided by the detainee. Ziaur Rahman is the son of Abdul Hasim, a resident of Srimura in Chakmarkul Union. The police have confirmed that legal proceedings related to the incident are currently underway, as stated by Ramu Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam Bhuiyan.

Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the case or whether additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues.

India has expressed deep concern over the rising civilian casualties caused by ongoing Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the large number of civilian deaths is extremely worrying for India. He emphasized that as a country contributing troops to the United Nations peacekeeping mission UNIFIL and being involved in Lebanon’s peace and security, India views the current situation with serious concern.

Jaiswal also underscored the importance of adhering to international law and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. His remarks came as reports indicated that Israel launched extensive strikes in Lebanon on the same day a two-week truce, aimed at halting U.S.-Iran tensions, took effect. The attacks reportedly resulted in over a thousand civilian casualties, including at least 254 deaths, drawing condemnation from several countries.

The statement highlights India’s cautious diplomatic stance as violence escalates in the region, with global actors reacting strongly to the renewed hostilities.

A Rohingya youth lost his leg in a landmine explosion near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Friday morning. The blast occurred around 10:30 a.m. near border pillar BRM-21, within the Balukhali Border Outpost area. The mine, reportedly planted by Myanmar’s armed rebel group Arakan Army, detonated about 150 meters inside Myanmar territory. The injured, identified as Md. Sadek, 25, from Block F-13 of Camp 10 in Ukhiya, was first taken to the MSF hospital in Kutupalong and later referred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment.

Lieutenant Colonel Md. Zahirul Islam, commanding officer of the 64th Border Guard Battalion in Ukhiya, confirmed the incident and urged residents near the border to remain cautious. Local sources noted that landmine explosions in the border area are not new. On March 29, a similar explosion at the Balukhali border injured a 15-year-old Rohingya boy named Abdul Hakim from Camp 19.

The repeated incidents have raised safety concerns for Rohingya refugees and residents living close to the volatile frontier.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh has urged all Hajj pilgrims to refrain from carrying prohibited items during their pilgrimage. The ministry’s Hajj Wing issued a notice warning pilgrims not to be influenced by Hajj agencies or others to transport banned goods. According to Saudi law, items such as narcotic drugs, tobacco leaves, jarda, gul, betel leaves, dried fish, cooked food, and perishable goods are strictly forbidden in pilgrims’ luggage. These restrictions are also outlined in the 2026 Hajj package and guidelines issued by the ministry.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) stated that in previous years, banned items were found in the luggage of Bangladeshi pilgrims at Saudi airports despite repeated warnings. He said such incidents damage the country’s image and called for greater caution among pilgrims. Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad NDC added that anyone found with prohibited items in Saudi Arabia faces legal punishment under local laws, which could jeopardize their ability to perform Hajj.

This year, a total of 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims are scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia starting from April 18.

Bangladesh has launched a pilot version of a mobile app-based 'Fuel Pass' system to bring discipline and transparency to fuel distribution. The initiative, developed under the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, began on April 10, 2026, at two filling stations in Dhaka—Trust Filling Station in Tejgaon and Sonar Bangla Fuel Station in Asadgate. Initially, the service is open to motorcycle users, allowing them to collect fuel by scanning a unique QR code.

According to the Energy Division, each registered user will receive a QR code linked to their vehicle information. Fuel station operators will record allocations digitally, while drivers can view their fuel quota and transaction history. The system enables real-time monitoring of national fuel supply. Users without smartphones can register at fuelpass.gov.bd and use a printed QR code. The system is integrated with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority’s central database.

Officials believe the new system will simplify vehicle data verification and enhance transparency in fuel distribution. If the pilot succeeds, the program will gradually expand to all vehicle types nationwide.

A Bangladeshi expatriate named Sohan, aged 21, from Ranisankail in Thakurgaon, was shot dead by armed assailants in Katlehong, near Johannesburg, South Africa. The incident occurred on Thursday evening while he was working at a shop. According to family sources, the shop owner was present but had gone to fetch a candle after a power outage when several armed men entered and opened fire on Sohan, killing him on the spot. The attackers fled immediately after the shooting.

Preliminary reports suggest that the killing may have stemmed from a business dispute involving the shop’s Bangladeshi owner and a neighboring Somali trader. Local residents believe Sohan became an innocent victim of that ongoing conflict. Sohan was the only son of Dulal Mia from Chikon Mati village under Kashipur Union. His father had sent him abroad after taking loans to improve the family’s financial condition.

Ranisankail police confirmed the incident and said officers were gathering more information. The family has applied through official channels to repatriate his body to Bangladesh.

A health report published on April 10, 2026, warns that consuming excessive oil in daily cooking can lead to serious health risks. The report highlights that oily foods increase calorie intake, which contributes to weight gain and obesity. It also notes that excessive oil consumption can reduce insulin effectiveness, raising the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. The article emphasizes that overuse of oil in cooking poses a significant threat to overall health.

The report outlines several specific health problems associated with high oil intake, including fatty liver, fatigue, heart disease, and digestive issues such as gas and acidity. It explains that trans fats and saturated fats raise bad cholesterol (LDL), which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The article advises avoiding fried foods and limiting oil use in cooking.

To reduce health risks, the report recommends including more vegetables and fruits in daily meals, avoiding deep-fried foods, and choosing healthier oils such as olive or mustard oil for cooking.

City Bank PLC achieved the highest profit in its history in 2025, reporting a consolidated net profit of Tk 1,324 crore, up 31% from Tk 1,014 crore the previous year. The bank’s standalone profit was Tk 1,306 crore, with its four subsidiaries contributing an additional Tk 18 crore. This growth was driven by strong income expansion, disciplined cost management, and prudent risk control.

Interest income from loans rose 24% to Tk 5,452 crore, while the non-performing loan ratio improved to 2.5% from 3.7%. Despite inflationary pressure, the bank maintained deposit costs at 5.5%, supported by strategic investments in government securities, which contributed 26% of total operating income. Total operating income reached Tk 4,888 crore, with expenses at Tk 2,160 crore, keeping the cost-to-income ratio at 44%.

Managing Director and CEO Mashrur Arefin expressed satisfaction with the results but noted that higher provisioning expenses of Tk 815 crore prevented profit from reaching Tk 1,500 crore. He highlighted strong performance across all core banking segments, particularly retail and card businesses, which grew 33% year-on-year.

Four astronauts from NASA’s Artemis-2 mission have begun their return to Earth after completing a historic lunar flyby. On April 7, the crew described their sense of awe while observing the Moon’s surface from the Orion capsule. They captured images of craters, ridges, and rare cosmic views including Earthrise, a solar eclipse, and the Orientale Impact Basin—some never before seen by humans.

During the mission, the astronauts were out of contact with Earth for about 40 minutes while passing the Moon’s far side. Christina Koch, NASA’s first woman to orbit the Moon, called the close-up view of the lunar terrain an unbelievable experience. Victor Glover said it felt as if he were walking among the Moon’s rugged mountains. The crew reached 252,756 miles from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 record, and spoke with President Donald Trump during the mission.

NASA reported that the team transmitted 20 gigabytes of data in 45 minutes using optical communication. The Orion capsule is now heading toward Earth and is expected to splash down near San Diego on April 10. The main challenge ahead is re-entry, when exterior temperatures may reach 1,600°C.

Perplexity has expanded its integration with the financial data network Plaid, allowing users in the US and Canada to securely link bank accounts, credit cards, and loans to their Perplexity accounts. This builds on an earlier connection that supported brokerage accounts. Through Plaid’s access to over 12,000 financial institutions, users can now view a complete picture of their finances in one place, including spending, debt, and net worth.

Once connected, Perplexity’s Computer can analyze spending patterns, create custom trackers, and generate dashboards for budgeting, debt payoff, retirement readiness, and cash flow forecasting. The integration offers read-only access, ensuring that user data never touches Perplexity’s servers. Standard users can access basic portfolio features, while Pro and Max subscribers gain access to advanced analytical tools.

Perplexity’s financial analyses draw on real-time data from sources such as FactSet, Nasdaq, and S&P Global. The company plans to extend the integration to mobile platforms and additional countries, and to include crypto wallets, real estate, and other asset types in future updates.