Islami Andolan Bangladesh has expressed disappointment over the BNP-led government's stance on national reforms following the July uprising. In a statement issued on Saturday, the party’s joint secretary general and spokesperson, Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, said that the post-uprising period had created an unprecedented opportunity for reform through the Reform Commission and National Consensus Commission. He noted that the interim government had issued several ordinances to institutionalize political neutrality and strengthen constitutional bodies.

Rahman stated that the 13th National Parliament was expected to approve these ordinances and introduce further reform legislation. However, he said the BNP’s actions in its first parliamentary session had dashed public hopes. According to him, the government allowed key ordinances—such as those on referendums, enforced disappearance prevention, and the formation of a police commission—to lapse, and repealed seven others related to judicial independence, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Parliament Secretariat.

He argued that these ordinances could have dismantled authoritarian structures and advanced democracy. Islami Andolan condemned the repeals but urged BNP to present stronger reform bills in the next session, warning that otherwise, the public would press their demands independently.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under growing pressure over Israel’s ongoing offensive in Lebanon, according to multiple reports. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Netanyahu to halt attacks on Beirut and engage in dialogue with the Lebanese government. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s leadership, feeling cornered, agreed to speak directly with an Israeli representative despite the continuing assault, seeking to avoid Iranian mediation in ceasefire talks.

Initial meetings between the two sides are unlikely to yield major progress, as their positions remain far apart, particularly regarding whether to continue discussions amid active hostilities. The situation reflects deep divisions and limited trust between the parties.

Domestically, Netanyahu is also facing political strain. Recent opinion polls indicate a decline in his popularity, with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s right-wing bloc projected to win more seats than Netanyahu’s Likud party in upcoming elections, according to Al Jazeera.

Leaders of Khelafat Majlis expressed deep concern at their central Majlis-e-Shura session in Dhaka, accusing the BNP government of taking an anti-people stance by repealing the Referendum Ordinance 2025 along with several other major ordinances. They said the cancellation of these laws, including those on enforced disappearance prevention, anti-corruption, human rights, and judicial reform, was pushing the country toward authoritarian rule.

The leaders also criticized the BNP’s July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, calling it a document of deception that undermined the spirit of the July uprising. They emphasized that the 48 proposals approved through the referendum must be reviewed by the elected parliament and implemented in line with the people’s verdict.

The session, chaired by Amir Maulana Abdul Basit Azad, also discussed the 2026 national election, public health issues such as rising measles cases, inadequate mosquito control, and shortages in government hospitals. The leaders urged the government to withdraw the decision to hold online classes three days a week and demanded accountability from the Election Commission over alleged irregularities in recent by-elections.

French President Emmanuel Macron held discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the current Middle East situation and maritime security, according to Al Jazeera. Macron stated on social media platform X that he reaffirmed his full support for the ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon, emphasizing the need for it to be fully respected and rapidly expanded.

The two leaders also discussed the urgent need to restore normal and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Macron said they agreed to maintain close communication to reduce regional tensions, ensure freedom of navigation, and work toward long-term peace and security, particularly in light of ongoing talks in Islamabad.

The conversation reflects continuing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region and safeguard critical maritime routes amid heightened tensions and ongoing negotiations involving multiple regional actors.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has confirmed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit India, though the exact date has not yet been finalized. He made the remarks on April 10 while speaking to journalists in Port Louis, Mauritius, before returning home from the Ninth Indian Ocean Conference. The minister said that several preparatory activities will take place over the next few weeks to organize the visit.

Dr. Rahman stated that during his recent trip to India, he held important meetings with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, where the upcoming visit and other bilateral issues were discussed. He also met India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval during the April 8 visit to New Delhi. According to the minister, both countries’ prime ministers have already exchanged letters and spoken by phone, expressing strong interest in advancing the Bangladesh-India relationship.

The discussions and planned visit are expected to strengthen diplomatic engagement between the two neighboring countries, though no specific timeline has yet been announced.

The United States and Iran have begun long-awaited direct talks in Islamabad, marking a significant diplomatic shift after years of indirect communication. According to sources involved in the process, representatives from both nations are now sitting at the same table, with Pakistani officials also present. Until now, discussions had been conducted indirectly through Pakistani mediators, with each side in separate rooms.

The talks are being held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad, which has drawn global attention since Saturday morning. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met separately with Iran’s high-level delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and later with the U.S. team led by Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Details of Sharif’s separate meetings with the two delegations have not yet been disclosed.

Despite the start of direct dialogue, deep mistrust remains between the two sides. Iran seeks the lifting of U.S. sanctions and security guarantees, while the United States wants limits on Iran’s regional military influence and maritime security assurances.

The Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) has expressed hope that the newly formed government will fulfill the telecom sector’s logical demands. The organization noted that the previous interim government did not consult all stakeholders while formulating telecom guidelines and policies. ISPAB expects the current administration to engage with all relevant parties in shaping future telecom policies.

ISPAB President Aminul Hakim made the remarks at a press conference held on Saturday morning at the association’s office in Banani, Dhaka. The event was organized ahead of the country’s first Broadband Expo 2026, scheduled for April 13–15 at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center. Hakim said the expo aims to highlight the development, innovation, and future potential of the broadband sector.

The expo’s theme, “Linking People, Linking Future,” will feature around 25 innovative projects from university students focusing on robotics and IoT. Various ICT organizations will showcase their services, software, hardware, and network products across 10 pavilions, 35 mini pavilions, and 20 stalls.

The Aviation Operators Association of Bangladesh (AOAB) has stated that the country’s aviation industry is facing a severe crisis due to rising jet fuel prices, high hangar rents, customs complications, and elevated fees set by the Civil Aviation Authority. The remarks came during AOAB’s annual general meeting held on Saturday at the Samson Centre in Gulshan, Dhaka, chaired by AOAB President and Square Air Limited Managing Director Anjan Chowdhury.

During the meeting, leaders including AOAB Secretary General and Novoair Managing Director Mofizur Rahman highlighted that these financial and regulatory pressures have placed aviation business owners in serious distress. They urged all stakeholders to work together to overcome the ongoing challenges. The association also expressed gratitude to the government for reconsidering certain provisions of the Bangladesh Travel Agency Act published in the Bangladesh Gazette.

Members present at the meeting called for support from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Ministry of Finance, and other relevant government bodies to sustain the aviation sector amid the current difficulties.

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have killed 10 people in separate locations, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA). The attacks occurred amid ongoing Israeli operations that began on the day of the Iran–United States ceasefire. The NNA reported that in Kafar Sir city of Nabatieh district, four people, including a paramedic, were killed and four others injured.

In another strike in Jefta city, also in Nabatieh district, three people, including a member of Lebanon’s civil defense, were killed and two others wounded. A third airstrike in Toul city of the same district left three people dead and three injured. The report cited Al Jazeera as its source.

The continued Israeli attacks mark an escalation in Lebanon following the ceasefire between Iran and the United States, with repeated strikes causing civilian casualties across multiple areas.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is preparing an impartial list of extortionists across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, with plans to take swift legal action against all identified offenders once the list is finalized. The announcement was made by Wing Commander M Z M Intekhab Chowdhury, Director of RAB’s Legal and Media Wing, during a press briefing at the RAB Media Center in Karwan Bazar on Saturday afternoon.

The briefing, originally organized to discuss a major yaba seizure in Chattogram, also addressed the ongoing initiative to identify extortionists. According to RAB, the list is being compiled under directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Fifteen RAB battalions have already begun field operations and strengthened intelligence surveillance to ensure accuracy and neutrality. Officials emphasized that no one on the list will be exempt from legal consequences.

RAB stated that the list will be completely unbiased, with no favoritism or political influence, and that action will be taken strictly against proven offenders.

US President Donald Trump said that numerous empty oil tankers are heading toward the United States to load what he described as the 'world’s best and sweetest' oil and gas. In a recent post on Truth Social, he claimed that the United States possesses more oil than the world’s two largest oil economies and that its quality is superior. He invited buyers to come quickly, saying the country is ready to supply.

Trump’s remarks came as global oil prices fluctuated due to war conditions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Benchmark Brent crude recently rose above 110 dollars per barrel but fell by about 15 percent to just under 92 dollars after the United States and Iran agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire. The agreement also included reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route.

Iran’s earlier restrictions on shipping through the strait had driven up fuel and food prices worldwide. Although prices have eased since the ceasefire, they remain higher than before the conflict, when oil traded around 70 dollars per barrel.

The Bangladesh Police Association has expressed deep concern and anger over a comment made by Special Metropolitan Magistrate Arifur Rahman regarding a police officer’s vehicle parking incident in Dhaka. The association’s statement, signed by President Kamrul Hasan Talukder and General Secretary Monirul Haque Dabul, was issued after the magistrate’s remark spread on social media following the April 6 event.

According to the statement, the magistrate’s comment suggesting a lack of public trust in the police has hurt the professional dignity and self-respect of the entire force, negatively affecting morale among field-level officers. The association explained that police often have to park official vehicles on roads while performing duties such as ensuring road safety, patrolling, and handling emergencies, and such realities should be considered before making public remarks.

The statement further emphasized that state institutions complement each other and should maintain mutual respect and professional decorum. It added that the police force has been undergoing restructuring since 2024 to strengthen national security, and remarks undermining morale could disrupt public safety efforts.

UAE-based airline Air Arabia has resumed limited international flight operations from the United Arab Emirates after disruptions caused by recent conflicts in the Middle East. The airline announced on Saturday that it is gradually restarting services from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah to 49 destinations across 17 countries, subject to regulatory approval.

According to Air Arabia’s official statement, the decision was made to align with the evolving situation in the region. The destinations include countries across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe, with Bangladesh among those listed. The airline emphasized that passengers whose flights were previously canceled can rebook their tickets, provided they have not already opted for a date change or refund.

Air Arabia stated that affected passengers will be contacted directly regarding rebooking procedures, as part of its phased plan to restore international operations following the earlier disruptions.

State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid said the country, achieved through the July uprising and the sacrifice of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, will be rebuilt under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He made the remarks on Saturday at the annual sports competition and prize distribution ceremony of Haider Ali School and College in Manda, Mugda, Dhaka. Rashid emphasized that the nation will become stronger in the post-uprising reality.

He announced that after the national parliamentary election, initiatives have been taken to remove all political banners and festoons. The government will ensure that educational institutions remain free from political displays and will create a conducive learning environment. Measures will also be taken to ensure safe movement for students.

Addressing students, Rashid said Bangladesh was earned through the blood of countless martyrs, and the new generation must grow into responsible citizens to build a prosperous nation. The event was presided over by Principal Muhammad Zakir Hossain and attended by local BNP leaders, teachers, students, and guardians.

Students at primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels across Bangladesh are receiving a continuous three-day holiday this week, confirmed by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. However, the madrasa holiday schedule differs, as the Directorate of Madrasa Education stated that only April 14 is included in their official holiday list, leaving April 12 and 13 as regular working days.

According to the annual holiday calendar, schools and colleges will remain closed on April 12 for the Baisabi festival, April 13 for Chaitra Sankranti, and April 14 for Pahela Baishakh. Regular classes will resume on Wednesday, April 15. In contrast, madrasas will observe only one day off on April 14 due to religious considerations, meaning their students will not enjoy the extended break.

The variation in holiday schedules highlights the differing observances between general and religious educational institutions during the April festivities.