Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed deep concern over the violation of the ceasefire in Lebanon during a telephone conversation with Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen, according to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry. The discussion focused on the regional situation and the recent escalation of tensions.

The statement said the Dutch foreign minister praised Pakistan’s role in promoting the ceasefire and expressed support for continued diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace. Both sides voiced concern over the serious breach of the ceasefire in Lebanon and emphasized the need for its full implementation to ensure sustainable peace.

In addition, Pakistan and the Netherlands reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in trade, economic cooperation, and investment, signaling an interest in expanding collaboration beyond regional security issues.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon are having a catastrophic impact on children. According to the agency, Tuesday’s bombing killed 33 children and injured 153 others within minutes. The latest assault adds to a shocking toll of nearly 600 children killed or wounded since March 2, according to UNICEF figures.

The organization reported that more than one million people across Lebanon have been displaced, including an estimated 390,000 children, many of whom have been forced to move multiple times. Children are being pulled from rubble, with many missing or separated from their families. UNICEF said the loss of loved ones and homes has left many suffering severe psychological trauma.

The agency emphasized that international humanitarian law clearly requires the protection of all civilians, including children, at all times.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee revealed that he spent six consecutive weeks inside a command center during the recent conflict involving Iran and Israel. Following the ceasefire, Huckabee shared his experience through a social media post, describing how he lived in a single room with his two dogs, slept on a camp bed, cooked using a microwave and hot plate, and had very limited movement. He expressed relief at returning to his residence after the ceasefire.

Huckabee, known as a staunch supporter of Israel, has previously identified himself as a Christian Zionist. Earlier this year, in a February interview, he stirred controversy by saying that, according to his interpretation of the Bible, he would not object if Israel occupied most of the Middle East. His remarks drew widespread criticism from the international community.

The ambassador’s account highlights the intensity of the recent conflict and the personal challenges faced by diplomats stationed in high-risk regions.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan MP has directed officials to ensure that the upcoming SSC and equivalent examinations are conducted fairly and without cheating. On Friday, he gave these instructions during a Zoom meeting with center secretaries of the Chattogram Education Board and the region’s madrasa and technical boards. The minister emphasized installing CCTV cameras in all exam rooms and using IPS systems to maintain uninterrupted monitoring during power outages.

He noted that these measures would help oversee exam centers in remote hilly areas of Chattogram. Referring to past success between 2001 and 2006, he expressed confidence that collective efforts by teachers could again ensure cheating-free exams. He assured teachers of full security and urged them to perform their duties without fear. The minister also instructed examiners to award marks strictly based on correct answers and warned that question paper leaks would be treated as serious crimes.

He called for cooperation from local MPs, political leaders, and journalists to ensure smooth exam management and contribute to building a meritorious nation.

An eleven-party alliance distributed leaflets in Setabganj Bazar of Bochaganj upazila, Dinajpur, on Friday afternoon demanding the implementation of the referendum verdict. The campaign took place around 4 p.m. at various shops and among pedestrians, urging the government to act on the public decision made earlier this year.

According to the leaflets, citizens voted in the February 12, 2026 election to form a 'Constitution Reform Council' alongside the National Parliament, but the government has not implemented the decision, thereby disregarding the people's mandate. The alliance leaders stated that structural reforms of the constitution are essential to meet public expectations and announced their intention to continue peaceful movements until the referendum verdict is implemented.

The leaflets also alleged that the government is obstructing various constitutional and administrative reforms. Local leaders of the alliance, including Maulana Aminul Haque, Mahabub Alam, and Masum Billah, were present during the distribution.

Iran has reaffirmed its firm stance on the ceasefire issue ahead of upcoming discussions with the United States. Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi stated that Iran does not support any ceasefire that would allow opponents to regroup and launch new attacks. Speaking in Tehran to foreign ambassadors and representatives of international organizations, he said that consensus had been reached on Iran’s proposed ten-point plan as the basis for dialogue.

Ravanchi emphasized that Iran welcomes diplomacy and dialogue but not those based on misinformation or aimed at deception and future military aggression. He added that Iran has clearly informed its allies that it will not accept any situation lacking proper guarantees against renewed hostilities.

The upcoming U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad have drawn both curiosity and concern from the international community, reflecting heightened regional tensions surrounding the ceasefire issue.

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.