The Israeli military announced the establishment of a 'yellow line' in southern Lebanon, similar to the division line previously drawn in Gaza. According to the military, the line separates Israeli-controlled areas from those under Hezbollah’s control. The statement added that several Hezbollah fighters were attacked after allegedly crossing the line and approaching Israeli troops. This marks the first time since the ceasefire that Israel has publicly referred to such a boundary in Lebanon.

The military said that within the past 24 hours, soldiers stationed south of the 'yellow line' identified several individuals crossing from the north, violating ceasefire terms and posing an immediate threat. Israeli forces responded by launching strikes on several areas in southern Lebanon to neutralize the threat. The army reiterated its right to act against any perceived danger despite the ongoing ceasefire.

The report noted that a similar 'yellow line' was drawn in Gaza after the ceasefire took effect on October 10, dividing the territory between Israeli and Hamas control. Israel now appears to be applying the same strategy in Lebanon.

Severe confusion and disruption have gripped maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, leaving thousands of ships stranded. Live tracking data shows most vessels turning westward despite Iran’s announcement that the route is open for commercial navigation. Yesterday, at least 12 ships attempted to approach Larak Island, where Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps monitors movement, but all turned back midway. About 10 ships managed to cross into the Gulf of Oman today, five of which are reportedly under U.S. sanctions.

The situation has created major uncertainty for international shipping companies, most of which are avoiding risk. Gulf states have strongly protested the disruption, calling it unacceptable and reiterating that free passage through the Strait of Hormuz is a universal right. They maintain that Iran cannot impose restrictions on this vital maritime route.

The unfolding situation raises questions about how long the blockage will persist and whether U.S. naval forces will intervene to enforce sanctions or ensure freedom of navigation.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump over his approach to the Iran issue. According to a report published by Al Jazeera on Saturday, Lula made the remarks during a speech at a progressive leaders’ conference in Barcelona. He said that a president’s tweets that issue threats and declare wars make it impossible for people to sleep peacefully at night or wake up calmly in the morning.

During his address, Lula also called for a change in the approach of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, blaming them for their failure to stop conflicts in the Middle East. His comments reflected growing frustration among some global leaders over escalating tensions and the perceived inadequacy of international institutions in maintaining peace.

The remarks came amid ongoing global concern about instability in the Middle East and the role of major powers in addressing it.

Iran has reopened six airports and allowed limited flights in its airspace after several weeks of suspension. The move comes just days before the end of a two-week ceasefire period, signaling a possible easing of restrictions in the country’s eastern skies. Flight tracking data showed at least two aircraft operating in Iranian airspace in recent hours. The reopened airports include Tehran’s Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad, along with Mashhad, Birjand, Gorgan, and Zahedan.

Mehrabad Airport had suffered severe infrastructure damage during 40 days of conflict, when U.S. and Israeli forces carried out heavy bombings in nearby areas. Despite the destruction, the airport’s reopening is being viewed as a significant step toward restoring normal operations. Local sources indicated that airlines are preparing to resume both domestic and international services.

However, the overall situation remains fragile, and observers are closely monitoring whether the resumption of air traffic can continue under current conditions.

Iraq’s Ministry of Oil has announced that the country will resume oil exports from all its fields within the next few days. Ministry spokesperson Saheb Bazoun confirmed the development in an interview with the Iraqi News Agency, stating that Iraq is in contact with major companies and tankers to finalize export agreements. He emphasized that all oil fields are ready for operation and that the ministry’s doors remain open to all companies.

Bazoun added that accelerating the export process will help bring economic stability, increase state revenue, and strengthen domestic oil production. He also noted that the move will support local demand for liquid and dry gas, ensuring continued operation of power plants.

Separately, Iraq’s Ministry of Transport reported that a large oil tanker has arrived at Basra port. This marks the first Iraqi shipment since the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, from which two million barrels of oil are expected to be loaded.

Arms dealer Md. Majedul Haque Helal has confessed in court under Section 164 in connection with the murder of Inquilab Mancha spokesman Sharif Osman Hadi. Police produced Helal before the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Saturday after a three-day remand. He voluntarily agreed to give a confessional statement, which was recorded by Magistrate Arifur Rahman following a request from CID Assistant Superintendent Abdul Kadir Bhuiyan. Helal was later sent to jail.

Helal, owner of Hamidul Haque Arms & Co. in Chattogram, was arrested earlier from the same city. Investigators traced the pistol used in Hadi’s killing to his shop, revealing that the weapon had changed hands through several licensed dealers since its import in 2017. Helal’s arms license, originally issued in his father’s name, had expired in 2014 and was not renewed. Police sought his remand to determine how the weapon reached the attackers.

Hadi was shot on December 12 last year in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area and later died in Singapore on December 18. The case was later transferred to the CID for further investigation.

Iran has withdrawn its earlier decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the United States of breaching trust. The announcement came through a statement from Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military headquarters, which said the country had previously allowed limited oil and commercial vessel movement under a prior agreement. However, it claimed that the United States violated that understanding by continuing actions described as maritime piracy and theft under the pretext of sanctions.

The statement added that the strategic waterway is now under strict control of Iran’s armed forces. It warned that the situation would remain tense until the United States removes obstacles to the free movement of ships to and from Iran. Analysts cited in the report noted that Iran has been using control over this vital route as a key bargaining tool amid regional security and economic pressures.

The development underscores ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a focal point of geopolitical friction in the region.

The Iranian Navy has announced the renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping sources cited by Al Jazeera. The declaration was reportedly made through a radio message informing merchant vessels that the waterway is now closed and no ships are permitted to pass through. The announcement marks a sudden reversal, as Iran had previously declared the strait open for commercial navigation.

The abrupt decision has created significant confusion among international shipping companies, which are now waiting for clarity on the actual status of the vital maritime route. The Strait of Hormuz is a key passage for global trade, and uncertainty over its accessibility has raised concerns within the shipping community.

The situation remains unclear as companies and observers await further confirmation or updates from Iranian authorities regarding the duration and scope of the closure.

An SSC examinee named Tahmina Akter from Charakhali village in Indurkani Sadar Union, Jianagar upazila of Pirojpur, went to the local police station on Saturday to prevent her forced marriage. She sought police protection to avoid being married off before her upcoming SSC examinations. Tahmina, a student of Jianagar Government Setara Smriti Secondary Girls’ School, took shelter at the police station to stop what she described as a child marriage attempt by her family.

Local sources said her father, farmer Alam Hawlader, decided to marry her off due to financial hardship and the cost of her education. Tahmina stated that her father, brother, and sister-in-law were pressuring her to marry, but she wanted to continue her studies and sit for the SSC exams. Her classmates described her as a bright student and expressed hope that she would be able to continue her education.

Police Sub-Inspector Saidur Rahman confirmed that the girl was returned to her family after they signed a written pledge, witnessed by local elders, promising not to proceed with the marriage.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed strict security measures ahead of the 2026 SSC, Dakhil, and Vocational examinations scheduled to begin on April 21. According to a public notice signed by Acting Commissioner Md. Sarwar, entry of anyone other than examinees and authorized personnel will be prohibited within 200 yards of all examination centers in the capital.

The DMP stated that the restriction is being enforced under the powers granted by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance to ensure that the examinations are conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner. The order will remain effective on examination days during the test hours.

Authorities said the decision aims to prevent any form of disturbance near the centers and to allow students to take their exams without disruption.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC) announced on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and any vessel attempting to pass through will be targeted. The decision reverses an earlier reopening of the vital waterway less than 24 hours prior. The IRGC said the closure will remain until the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports, calling the blockade a violation of the ceasefire in the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. The statement warned that any ship approaching the strait would be considered cooperating with the enemy.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the strait is under Iran’s control and criticized the US blockade as “clumsy and ignorant.” The reversal came after Iran briefly reopened the strait in line with a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which had led to a temporary drop in global oil prices. Reports from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and India’s Ministry of External Affairs indicated that Iranian gunboats fired on two commercial ships.

US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would not be blackmailed and threatened to end the ceasefire if no deal is reached before its expiry. Analysts said the renewed closure signals a return to heightened tensions and competing blockades in the region.

An Israeli soldier was killed in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire currently in effect between Israel and Lebanon, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The IDF stated that the soldier died from injuries sustained during fighting on Friday, and three other soldiers were wounded in the same incident. The report was carried by the BBC, citing the IDF statement.

The ceasefire between the two countries has been in place since April 16 and is set for ten days, but tensions remain high. The IDF said it continues to operate across southern Lebanon between the Israeli border and the designated demarcation line to eliminate threats, asserting that these actions are consistent with the terms of the ceasefire. Lebanese state media reported that one person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday.

Details about the specific circumstances of the clashes and the identities of those involved have not been released, leaving uncertainty about the scale of the confrontation.

A powerful nor'wester storm struck Taraganj upazila in Rangpur on Saturday night, causing extensive damage across several unions. Beginning around 8 p.m. and lasting for three hours, the storm brought strong winds, lightning, and heavy rain that uprooted hundreds of trees and damaged numerous houses. Electricity supply was cut off in many areas, plunging residents into hardship.

According to local sources, the hardest-hit areas were Haryarkuthi, Alampur, and Kursha unions. Tin roofs were blown away, mud houses collapsed, and many families were forced to spend the night under the open sky. In Ward 8 of Kursha Union, more than 20 houses were reported destroyed. Fallen trees and branches blocked major roads, temporarily halting traffic until local residents, representatives, and administration teams began clearing operations.

Officials from Taraganj Palli Bidyut Samiti-2 confirmed that multiple power lines were severed when trees fell on them, causing widespread outages. The upazila executive officer and local representatives visited the affected areas to assess the damage.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed strong outrage after two water truck drivers contracted to supply clean water to families in Gaza were shot dead by Israeli forces. The incident occurred at the Mansura water filling station in northern Gaza, the only operational truck filling point on the Mekorot line supplying Gaza City. UNICEF confirmed that two others were injured during the attack, which took place while regular water supply operations were underway without any procedural changes.

Following the incident, all operations at the filling point have been suspended. UNICEF has called on Israeli authorities to conduct an immediate investigation and hold those responsible accountable. The agency emphasized that humanitarian workers, emergency service providers, and civilian infrastructure—especially essential water supply systems—must never be targeted.

UNICEF reiterated that under international humanitarian law, civilians and life-saving aid providers must be protected at all times.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has described the blockade of Iranian ports as an 'unwise and wrong decision,' according to Al Jazeera. Speaking on state television, Ghalibaf said he had warned that if the United States did not lift its blockade, movement through the strait would be restricted. In a video message, he claimed that the Strait of Hormuz is currently under Iran’s control.

Ghalibaf added that when the United States attempted a mine-clearing operation in the strait, Iran strongly resisted and confronted them. Referring to the U.S. blockade, he said Iran considered it a violation of the ceasefire and warned that any such action would be met with attacks. Since the start of the war, Ghalibaf has emerged as one of the key figures in Iran’s administration and led the Iranian delegation in recent U.S.-Iran talks held in Islamabad.

The remarks highlight Iran’s firm stance on maritime control and its growing assertiveness amid ongoing tensions with the United States.