Iran has announced the waiver of transit fees for ships from countries it considers 'friendly' when passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The decision was reported by Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti on April 24, 2026. Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali stated that the exemption currently applies to certain nations and highlighted that the future of this policy remains uncertain.

According to Jalali, Iran’s Foreign Ministry is presently ensuring that these exceptional privileges are extended to friendly countries such as Russia. The move reflects Tehran’s effort to strengthen ties with selected partners amid ongoing regional and global tensions.

The report did not specify how long the waiver will remain in effect or which other nations are included in the 'friendly' category.

OpenAI has introduced a new specialized artificial intelligence model named GPT-5.4-Cyber to enhance cybersecurity and protect digital infrastructure. Announced on April 24, 2026, the model is designed to help security experts quickly identify and fix vulnerabilities in systems, making data and user protection more efficient. The initiative underscores OpenAI’s growing focus on cyber defense amid rising digital threats.

Built on the company’s flagship GPT-5.4 model, GPT-5.4-Cyber aims to support real-time detection and prevention of cyberattacks. To prevent misuse, OpenAI has expanded its Trusted Access for Cyber (TAC) program, allowing thousands of authorized security professionals and hundreds of teams to use the advanced AI tool. The company described this as an example of democratizing access to cutting-edge technology.

OpenAI acknowledged that while AI can strengthen defenses, it can also be exploited by hackers. The firm has therefore added strict safeguards to ensure vulnerabilities are patched before criminals can exploit them. The launch follows Anthropic’s release of its Mythos model and builds on OpenAI’s earlier success with its Codex Security tool, which has resolved over 3,000 major security flaws.

Andrea Dressi, assistant professor of international relations and world politics at the American University of Rome, told Al Jazeera that the Trump administration is not united on its strategy for continuing the war with Iran. He noted that the administration’s goals and tactics appear to be shifting constantly, reflecting internal disagreements.

Dressi said that while the administration tries to project strength on social media, growing divisions and dismissals of senior Pentagon and Defense Department officials reveal deeper discord. He argued that the United States and Israel may have miscalculated the consequences of the conflict or based their actions on flawed strategic assumptions.

According to Dressi, the Trump administration is now seeking a way out of the situation by extending the ceasefire and showing some openness to diplomacy. However, he warned that the risks remain high, with the conflict threatening global economic stability and raising fears of a broader military confrontation.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled Akbar Ali, a local leader from Rajshahi’s Durgapur upazila, after he was accused of vandalism and assaulting a female teacher at Daokandi Government University College. The expulsion was announced on April 24, 2026, through a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

According to the statement, Akbar Ali, who served as vice president of the BNP’s Joynagar Union unit in Durgapur, engaged in misconduct by entering the college premises, causing damage, and behaving inappropriately with a teacher. The party said his actions violated BNP’s principles, ideals, and discipline.

The decision removes Akbar Ali from all party positions, including his primary membership, as part of the BNP’s disciplinary measures against activities deemed contrary to party policy.

The government of Bangladesh has changed the date of National Tea Day from June 4 to May 21. The decision was approved at a cabinet meeting held on Thursday, presided over by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Following the meeting, the Cabinet Division issued a notification confirming the approval of the proposal, which had been presented by the Ministry of Commerce.

According to the Cabinet Division, the change aligns Bangladesh’s observance with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which has marked May 21 as International Tea Day since 2020. Several major tea-producing countries, including India, Sri Lanka, China, Kenya, and Vietnam, also celebrate International Tea Day on this date.

The amendment to the circular on national and international day observances ensures that Bangladesh will now celebrate National Tea Day in harmony with the global schedule observed by other tea-producing nations.

Indian Home Minister Amit Shah made a strong political statement after the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Speaking at a rally in Balagarh, Hooghly, on April 23, he claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to win at least 110 of the 152 seats contested in the first phase. Shah expressed confidence that after the second phase of voting on April 29, the BJP would secure an absolute majority to form the next state government.

Shah announced that if the BJP comes to power, the party will appoint a Bengali who studied in a Bengali-medium school as the state’s chief minister. He also accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of corruption worth 3,000 crore rupees and promised to release a white paper detailing the alleged irregularities. Shah further warned against voter intimidation and vowed strict action against illegal immigration, claiming it harms local employment and ration systems.

His remarks, including sharp criticism of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and warnings to political opponents, have intensified the state’s already heated election atmosphere ahead of the second phase of polling.

A severe wildfire has spread across a northern Japanese city, prompting authorities to urge more than 2,500 residents to evacuate to safe locations. Government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said the fire began two days earlier and by Friday morning had burned over 400 hectares of mountainous land in the Iwate region. Flames were advancing toward homes in the local town of Otsuchi, while thick smoke was visible from nearby forests.

Officials said the prolonged dry winter has heightened the risk of wildfires. Last year, a blaze in Iwate’s Ofunato city was considered Japan’s most severe wildfire in half a century. Kihara added that firefighting efforts have been intensified, with around 700 firefighters and 13 aircraft deployed to contain the flames.

As of 5 a.m. Friday, public broadcaster NHK reported that 329 residents had taken shelter in evacuation centers. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as firefighting operations proceed.

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Crete, Greece, early Friday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at a depth of about 13 kilometers and was centered roughly 11.5 kilometers southeast of the coastal city of Ierapetra. No immediate reports of casualties or damage have been received so far.

The tremor was recorded at 6:18 a.m. local time on April 24, 2026. Greece, known for its numerous islands and popularity among tourists, has experienced several earthquakes in recent years. In June 2025, a 5.3-magnitude quake in northern Greece damaged at least three centuries-old monasteries on Mount Athos, a major religious site.

Authorities have not yet released further details on the latest quake’s impact, and monitoring continues for possible aftershocks or damage assessments.

Iran has waived transit fees for Russian ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the state news agency RIA Novosti. The Iranian ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, confirmed that the exemption applies to Russia and other 'friendly' countries. He noted that Iran’s foreign ministry is currently granting such concessions, though future policy remains uncertain.

The decision follows Tehran’s earlier announcement of imposing tariffs on shipping through the strategic waterway in response to the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict involving Iran. The fee waiver for select nations signals Tehran’s effort to strengthen ties with allies while maintaining pressure on adversaries through economic measures.

It remains unclear how long the exemptions will last or whether additional countries will be included under the 'friendly' category in the future.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir has expressed regret over the injury of journalists during a tense situation involving activists of JCD and Islami Chhatra Shibir near Shahbagh Police Station in Dhaka. The incident occurred on Thursday following a controversial Facebook post, and Nasir issued his statement of regret on Friday morning through his verified Facebook account.

In his post, Nasir stated that several members of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association were injured while covering the unrest between Shibir activists and agitated JCD members. He conveyed the organization’s sincere regret and reaffirmed JCD’s belief in the safety of journalists and the freedom of the press. Nasir also acknowledged the significant role of journalists in movements against fascism.

He further expressed hope that no journalist would face harassment in the future while performing professional duties, emphasizing JCD’s commitment to protecting media freedom and ensuring accountability within student politics.

The Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (ChakSU) organized a protest march on Thursday night condemning an attack on Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) leaders and members of the journalists’ association by activists of the Chhatra Dal. The march began at the university’s Zero Point and passed through several campus locations before concluding with speeches at the starting point.

Speakers at the protest accused Chhatra Dal of attempting to destabilize campuses to divert attention from the country’s ongoing energy crisis and the government’s recent failures. They alleged that the group was using the term “Gupta” as a pretext to target specific organizations and incite violence. ChakSU Vice President Ibrahim Hossain Rony criticized Chhatra Dal’s political approach, urging them to abandon divisive tactics and return to constructive politics. General Secretary Saeed Bin Habib claimed that the attack was based on a fabricated screenshot and warned against further attempts to seize student halls.

The protesters demanded accountability for those involved in the attacks and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining campus stability.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s government is deeply divided, suggesting internal conflict between moderates and hardliners in Tehran. Iranian officials, however, have firmly rejected this assertion, emphasizing that the country remains united. President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf all issued statements dismissing Trump’s remarks. They jointly declared through social media that there are no extremists or moderates in Iran, only Iranians and revolutionaries loyal to the Supreme Leader.

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref echoed this sentiment, describing Iran as a fortress of unity rather than division. He said that despite political diversity, the nation stands under one flag in times of crisis to defend its land and dignity. Meanwhile, reports from The New York Times cited unnamed Iranian officials saying that Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded as Supreme Leader, was seriously injured but remains mentally alert after an attack that killed his father.

According to Al Jazeera, Trump’s remarks about alleged divisions could serve as justification for extending a ceasefire and blaming Iran for stalled negotiations.

Bangladesh continues to experience intense heat and humidity as no rainfall was recorded across the country except in Kurigram’s Rajarhat during the past 24 hours, according to the national weather office on Friday, April 24, 2026. The Meteorological Department reported that the ongoing heatwave may persist through Saturday, with temperatures expected to rise further. Dhaka recorded its highest temperature of the season at 37°C, while the country’s highest temperature was 38°C in Jashore.

Meteorologists said that high humidity has intensified the discomfort, and power outages have worsened living conditions. The heatwave, which affected 27 districts earlier in the week, has now reduced to 20 districts, mainly in Khulna, Dhaka, and Rajshahi divisions. The weather office’s five-day forecast predicts that from Sunday, rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds may occur in parts of Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, easing the heatwave.

The forecast suggests that the rainfall trend could continue for several days, gradually reducing the heat intensity across the country.

International oil prices rose sharply as shipping disruptions in the Hormuz Strait intensified. The benchmark Brent crude price exceeded $106 per barrel early Friday, reaching $106.80 by 1 a.m. GMT, about 5 percent higher than Wednesday’s closing price. The closure of the strait and vessel seizures by the United States and Iran have complicated the situation.

On Wednesday, oil prices had crossed the $100 mark for the first time in two weeks. The Hormuz Strait, a key global energy route, typically handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas shipments. The current halt in maritime traffic has raised concerns about supply stability and market volatility.

Meanwhile, U.S. stock markets declined overnight, with the S&P 500 index down 0.41 percent and the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite falling 0.89 percent, reflecting broader investor unease linked to the energy market turmoil.

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance has launched a third phase of protests demanding the implementation of the July National Charter and the referendum verdict, which were formulated during the interim government and approved by a national vote. Despite repeated appeals in parliament and public statements, the alliance claims the government has shown no effective response. The coalition plans to escalate its movement through phased programs, including rallies, leafleting, and seminars across the country until their demands are met.

Partner parties are also organizing separate demonstrations. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis will hold a mass rally at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan, while Jamaat-e-Islami will host a national assembly of July martyrs’ families at the same venue. The alliance has announced citywide and district-level marches through early May. Senior Jamaat leaders, including Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad, have vowed to compel the government to act.

Government ministers have acknowledged the referendum’s legality but emphasized that implementation must follow constitutional procedures. Analysts note signs of flexibility from the ruling party, while opposition leaders remain determined to continue their campaign until full enforcement of the referendum outcome.