Five Israeli soldiers were injured in a rocket attack in southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli military. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the army said one soldier was seriously wounded while four others sustained minor injuries. The incident occurred amid ongoing hostilities in the Bint Jbeil area, where fierce fighting continues between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

Israeli Army Radio reported that the soldiers were hurt in the same area where clashes remain active. The violence follows days of heavy fighting in southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message on X that the Israeli army is moving to take control of the southern Lebanese town where the battles have been concentrated. He added that he has instructed the military to strengthen security measures.

Netanyahu also mentioned that Israel is being kept informed by its American allies regarding contacts with Iran and stated that Israel is prepared for any possible escalation as fighting risks resuming.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the country’s military is close to capturing the strategic southern Lebanese city of Bint Jbeil. In a video message posted on his social media account, he said that Israeli forces are advancing in the area where intense fighting with Hezbollah has continued for several days.

The city, located near Israel’s border, holds both strategic and symbolic importance. Netanyahu added that he had instructed the military to further strengthen security, describing the move as part of Israel’s broader operations in Lebanese territory. He also mentioned that the United States has been keeping Israel informed about its communications with Iran, noting that both countries share the same objectives.

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is preparing for any possible escalation, as the potential for renewed conflict remains high, according to his statement cited by Al Jazeera.

Lebanon has lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations Security Council against Israel following a series of airstrikes across the country. According to Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry, the complaint concerns more than 100 Israeli air raids carried out on April 8, which struck densely populated residential areas in Beirut during busy hours without prior warning.

The ministry stated that these attacks constitute a clear violation of international law. Official figures released by the Lebanese government report that 303 people were killed in the strikes, including 30 children and 71 women, while at least 1,150 others were injured.

The complaint marks Lebanon’s latest diplomatic move amid escalating regional tensions, as cited by Al Jazeera, which reported the details of the ministry’s statement.

Police in Dhaka have arrested a suspected mugger accused of robbing passengers on moving vehicles in the city’s Jatrabari area. The detainee, identified as Md. Aminul Islam, 24, was apprehended on Wednesday night, April 15, following a targeted operation. The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Media and Public Relations Division, signed by Deputy Commissioner N M Nasir Uddin.

According to Jatrabari police sources, Aminul Islam was captured around 7:30 p.m. based on secret intelligence and with the help of technology. Authorities reported that he has multiple cases of robbery and mugging filed against him at Jatrabari Police Station. Preliminary interrogation revealed that he had been involved in robbing passengers on moving buses, microbuses, and other vehicles in the area for a long time.

Police stated that legal proceedings are underway against the arrested suspect.

The government of Bangladesh has imposed a 58-day ban on fishing in the country's maritime territory of the Bay of Bengal, effective from Wednesday until June 11. As a result, around 64,000 registered fishermen across seven upazilas of Bhola district have become temporarily unemployed. The restriction aims to protect fish resources during the breeding season. Each registered fisherman is set to receive 77 kilograms of rice during the ban period, distributed at a rate of 40 kilograms per month.

According to the district fisheries office, trawlers are returning from the sea to local docks, and rice distribution will begin once they arrive. Some fishermen have complained about irregularities and delays in previous relief distributions. Local officials assured that rice allocations have already reached union councils and will be distributed on time. Ice factory and fuel sellers have also been instructed not to supply trawlers during the ban.

Bhola’s district administration said it will monitor fair distribution and request NGOs to suspend loan installments for fishermen during the two-month fishing ban.

US Vice President JD Vance faced intense protests while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia. The disruption began about ten minutes into his speech when several audience members shouted accusations about US support for violence in Gaza. Vance paused to address the protesters, partially agreeing with their statement that 'Jesus Christ does not support genocide,' while also defending the Trump administration’s policies.

Later in his remarks, Vance expressed sympathy toward critics of the Iran war and acknowledged that many young American voters disapprove of the country’s Middle East policy. He said he understood their concerns but insisted that the administration was working to resolve conflicts and prevent further wars. Vance also urged the audience to engage in politics rather than limit themselves to criticism.

The incident occurred amid growing dissatisfaction among Trump supporters over the administration’s war policies, with some prominent conservative figures openly voicing criticism.

At least nine people, including eight students and a teacher, were killed in a shooting at a secondary school in Turkey’s southeastern Kahramanmaraş province on Wednesday. Authorities said thirteen others were injured, six of them critically. Interior Minister Mustafa Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that the attacker was a 14-year-old student from the same school and described the incident as a personal attack unrelated to terrorism.

According to the provincial governor, the student shot himself after the attack. He reportedly brought five firearms and seven magazines to school in a bag, believed to belong to his father, a former police officer. The shooter opened fire in two fifth-grade classrooms, where children are typically aged 10 to 11. The suspect’s father has been detained for questioning, local media reported.

The attack marks the second school shooting in Turkey within two days, following an incident in Şanlıurfa province that injured at least 16 people. The rare recurrence of such violence has raised public concern over school security, prompting the government to pledge heightened safety measures.

The ‘Boishakhi Entrepreneur Fair 1433’ at the University of Chittagong campus featured a mix of traditional Bangladeshi products and imported Chinese items. The two-day event, organized by the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CHAKSU), took place at the university’s Buddijibi Chattar and drew a large number of visitors. The fair was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan, with 75 stalls participating.

Among the highlights, the ‘Karukuti’ stall attracted attention with eco-friendly jute bags, floor mats, betel-nut shell plates, and shoes made from cooling mats. The marketing manager said their products are registered under the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation and the Ministry of Jute. Another stall, ‘Gift Basket by Kaniz Girls Priority,’ sold Chinese skincare products, jewelry, and artificial nails, drawing crowds of female students. Participants expressed satisfaction with sales and enthusiasm for future ventures.

Organizers stated that the fair aims to encourage student entrepreneurship and promote local products. Awards will be given to the top three stalls based on product quality and presentation after the event concludes.

The Saidpur municipal branch of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a prayer event on Wednesday at the Upazila Model Mosque auditorium for students appearing in the 2026 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations. Former central executive council member Abul Kalam Azad attended as the chief guest and emphasized that hard work, discipline, and faith in Allah are key to success. He urged students to build their future with moral and ideological strength.

The event was presided over by Fahim Muntasir, president of the Saidpur municipal branch, with Sirajul Islam Sohag, office secretary of the Nilphamari town branch, as special guest. Around 150 students from various educational institutions participated in the program. After the prayer, educational materials were distributed among the examinees.

According to the organizers, such events play an important role in motivating students mentally and praying for their success in upcoming examinations.

The Bangladesh Madrasa Education Directorate has issued instructions to all madrasa principals to implement a 180-day action plan aligned with the government’s election manifesto. The directive, announced in a letter sent on Wednesday, requires each institution to execute the plan and submit an implementation report via email to the Directorate’s Director General at planning.madrasah@gmail.com.

According to the letter, the action plan includes four key programs: Learning with Happiness (joyful education), prioritizing health and nutrition, launching free Wi-Fi, and implementing the One Child, One Tree initiative. These programs are part of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division’s broader effort to fulfill commitments made in the government’s manifesto.

The Directorate emphasized that all madrasa heads must strictly follow the instructions and ensure timely submission of progress reports to support the national education reform agenda.

Severe power shortages have crippled daily life in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet, where around 200,000 residents are enduring frequent and prolonged load-shedding. The outages, lasting several hours at a time, have left large parts of the area without electricity. According to the local power office, daytime demand stands at 10 to 12 megawatts, but supply is limited to only 4 to 5 megawatts. At night, demand rises to 16 to 17 megawatts, yet supply remains far below requirement.

Residents complain that despite government directives for uninterrupted electricity, the situation has worsened, with power cuts occurring even without storms or visible technical faults. On Wednesday, electricity was out for nearly four hours in the afternoon, returning briefly before another outage in the evening. The disruptions have severely affected education, with students struggling to prepare for ongoing and upcoming exams, and businesses facing major losses during the busy Eid season.

Officials attribute the crisis to national grid load management issues, while locals question the feasibility of the government’s promise of continuous power supply.

A landmine explosion occurred near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, injuring a 26-year-old Rohingya man named Mohammad Yunus. The blast, which took place on Wednesday morning near border pillar BRM-19 inside Myanmar territory, severed his right leg. He was rescued in critical condition and admitted to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for treatment.

According to local sources, the border area is considered highly dangerous due to landmines reportedly planted by the Arakan Army. Over the past 17 days, at least four Rohingya individuals have lost their legs in similar explosions along the Balukhali and Palongkhali border zones. Locals said occasional explosions are heard, and many people still venture into the area for fishing or livelihood, increasing the risk of accidents.

The commanding officer of the Ukhiya Battalion (64 BGB) confirmed that the explosion occurred inside Myanmar and said border patrols and surveillance have been intensified. Residents have been warned to avoid high-risk areas.

Pirojpur-1 Member of Parliament Masud Saeedi inaugurated a canal re-excavation project in Jianagar upazila of Pirojpur on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The work began at the Saidkhali sluice gate in Balipara Union and will extend to the house of Kalaiya Shahjahan Hawlader. The initiative is part of a nationwide canal excavation and re-excavation program aimed at improving water management in agricultural regions.

During the event, MP Saeedi emphasized that resolving water scarcity is essential for building a prosperous agricultural nation. He recalled the image of late President Ziaur Rahman working with a spade as an inspiration for patriotic service. Upazila BNP President Farid Ahmed noted that the government plans to excavate and re-excavate about 20,000 kilometers of canals over the next five years as part of its election commitments.

Local residents expressed optimism that the re-excavation will ease water shortages and boost yields of seasonal crops such as rice, melons, and watermelons.

Police in Bhangura, Pabna, arrested Suman Babu, a 37-year-old joint secretary of the Upazila Volunteer League and member of the 'Joy Bangla Brigade', on Wednesday afternoon from his home. The arrest was made in connection with a sedition case alleging his involvement in anti-state activities and a plan to overthrow the interim government. The case was filed earlier under CR-222/25 at Ramna Police Station in Dhaka.

According to police sources, the case was originally lodged on March 27, 2025, by CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Md. Enamul Haque against 73 individuals, including a fugitive former prime minister. Bhangura Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiul Azam confirmed the arrest and stated that a warrant had been issued against Suman Babu.

Following his arrest, Suman Babu was sent to Pabna District Jail through the court. No further details on the court proceedings or other accused individuals were provided in the report.

At a meeting in Segunbagicha on Wednesday, Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, senior joint secretary of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, said the country’s economic condition has become dire, with several banks reportedly bankrupt. He criticized the interim government for taking what he called reckless decisions to implement its manifesto using 400 billion taka from reserves. He urged the government not to push the economy to the brink through initiatives like agricultural and family cards.

Rahman alleged that dishonest traders have established dominance in the market, causing essential commodity prices to rise sharply through syndicates. He warned that low-income families are struggling to meet basic needs and that without effective government action, ordinary people might be forced to protest again. Other party leaders, including Shah Ifthekhar Tariq and Ahmad Abdul Kaiyum, also spoke at the event, criticizing the government’s handling of economic and political issues.

Speakers further accused the interim government of colluding with foreign powers to suppress Islamist political forces and manipulating election outcomes, urging immediate corrective measures to restore public trust.