France has finalized the sale of its remaining gold holdings stored at the U.S. Federal Reserve, completing a long-term initiative to repatriate and modernize its gold reserves. The Banque de France earned nearly 13 billion euros, or about $15 billion, after upgrading 129 tonnes of gold between July 2025 and January 2026 and replacing them with new, compliant bars now stored in Paris. The central bank stated that the move was a practical financial decision, not a political one.

By consolidating its reserves in Paris and adopting modern-standard bars, France has made its gold easier to manage and trade internationally. The transaction, which represented about 5 percent of France’s total 2,437-tonne reserve, took advantage of high gold prices and favorable market conditions. Instead of refining and transporting the old bars, the bank purchased equivalent new gold in Europe, maintaining the overall reserve size.

According to Reuters, the Banque de France reported 11 billion euros in exceptional foreign exchange income in 2025, with total gains reaching nearly 13 billion euros after 2026 transactions. The bank plans to upgrade an additional 134 tonnes of gold to international standards by 2028.

The White House on Tuesday dismissed suggestions that the United States would use a nuclear weapon against Iran after President Trump warned that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Tehran failed to reach a deal by an 8 p.m. deadline. The administration’s Rapid Response account on X called such claims baseless, responding to a post implying that Vice President Vance’s remarks in Hungary hinted at nuclear options. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that only the president knows what actions he will take if Iran does not comply by the deadline.

The controversy followed Trump’s social media posts setting the 8 p.m. deadline and threatening severe consequences if Iran did not open the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. also struck military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, a key hub for the country’s oil exports. Vice President Vance said the strike did not represent a change in strategy but emphasized that the president understands leverage and expects a response from Iran by the deadline.

The White House’s firm denial aimed to counter speculation about nuclear escalation while maintaining pressure on Tehran to respond to U.S. demands.

A powerful missile strike hit the southern Iraqi city of Basra near the Iran border, killing at least three civilians and injuring six others, according to reports published on April 8, 2026. The missile struck the Al Zubair area of Basra, damaging a residential house, an agricultural warehouse, and a garden. Two pickup trucks were also severely damaged in the explosion.

Al Jazeera reported that the missile was fired from the direction of Kuwait. Preliminary assessments suggest it might have been a U.S. missile strike, though no official confirmation has been made. The injured victims were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

As of the report’s publication, none of the countries potentially involved had issued an official response regarding the incident, leaving the origin and intent of the attack unclear.

Pope Leo, the first American pope in the history of the Catholic Church, has openly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for issuing what he called an “unacceptable” threat against Iran. Speaking on April 8, 2026, the pontiff referred to Trump’s post warning that an entire civilization could be destroyed if Iran did not open the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a threat directed at all Iranian people.

Pope Leo, known as a vocal critic of the Iran war, urged people worldwide to contact their political representatives to help end the escalating regional conflict. His remarks came amid growing international concern over tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Earlier, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released a statement urging President Trump to step back from the brink of war and pursue a fair settlement in the interest of peace, according to Al Jazeera.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to extend the deadline related to the Iran agreement by two weeks. In a post on social media platform X, Sharif also called on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open during this period as a gesture of goodwill. He said that diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in the Middle East were progressing strongly and consistently, with hopes of achieving significant results soon.

Sharif emphasized that extending the deadline would allow diplomacy a fair chance to succeed. He appealed to all warring parties in the region to observe a two-week ceasefire everywhere, arguing that such a pause could pave the way for a final resolution of the war through negotiations.

The appeal comes amid heightened tensions in the region, including reports of missile attacks near the Iraq-Iran border and strong international criticism of recent threats and military actions.

Former head of nuclear verification and safety policy coordination at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Tariq Rauf, has warned that a direct strike on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant could lead to a catastrophe comparable to Chernobyl or Hiroshima. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he said that while such plants are designed to withstand impacts, the real outcome of an attack remains uncertain.

Rauf cautioned that contamination in the Gulf region could persist for years, rendering vast areas uninhabitable. He explained that desalination plants would fail, fish supplies would collapse, and hundreds of kilometers could become unsafe for habitation. He further noted that exposure to radiation could cause blisters, loss of consciousness, bleeding, and cancer among affected populations.

Calling any deliberate or accidental targeting of the facility irresponsible, Rauf warned that even a stray drone could crash into the reactor, underscoring the severe risks of escalation in the region.

In Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet, acting Union Parishad chairman Md. Kabir Ahmad has made serious allegations against Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Munmun Nahar Asha. At a press conference on April 6, Kabir Ahmad claimed that the UNO threatened him for refusing to sign documents related to an election CCTV project and later arranged his removal from office. He alleged that the UNO recommended his dismissal and the appointment of an administrator despite a pending Supreme Court case regarding his position.

According to Kabir Ahmad, the Election Commission allocated Tk 656,000 for installing CCTV cameras in 20 high-risk polling centers during the February 12 national election. He alleged that the UNO concealed the project and instead instructed him to submit a separate proposal worth Tk 605,000 under local tax funds. He further claimed that similar projects totaling Tk 3.8 million were imposed on other unions, with signatures obtained under pressure.

Kabir Ahmad described the actions as retaliatory and damaging to the government’s image, urging administrative and anti-corruption authorities to investigate the alleged irregularities.

Former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul has declared the newly formed ad-hoc committee illegal and urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to intervene. His statement came shortly after the National Sports Council (NSC) announced the committee and dissolved the elected BCB board. Bulbul left the NSC office following its press conference and later issued a press release on Monday night outlining his position.

In the release, Bulbul presented five points supporting his claim that the ad-hoc committee violates the BCB constitution. He stated that the BCB election was conducted lawfully, leaving no scope for irregularities, and that the NSC has no authority to form an investigative or ad-hoc body after the election. He also alleged that the move was politically motivated by the State Minister for Youth and Sports, Aminul Haque. Bulbul described the dissolution as a dark chapter for Bangladesh cricket that damages the country’s international reputation and expressed concern for the sport’s future.

Bulbul further noted that a High Court rule on the matter remains pending and asserted that he will continue as BCB president until the court delivers a decision.

In Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram, BNP leaders and activists held a large rally on Tuesday afternoon celebrating the formation of a new convening committee. The procession began at Uttar Bazar and ended at the municipal premises, followed by a brief street meeting attended by thousands from nine unions and the municipal BNP and its affiliated organizations.

Speakers at the event alleged that certain corrupt industrialists and businessmen, with the support of some officials, were involved in corruption, land grabbing, and filing false extortion cases to harass BNP members. They issued stern warnings against such actions and cautioned that those responsible would face accountability if the harassment continued. Committee convener Dr. Kamal Kader emphasized recognizing long-time activists and outlined plans for employment generation, sports facility development, and infrastructure improvement under Aslam Chowdhury’s leadership.

Other leaders criticized past leadership practices that sidelined grassroots activists and pledged to build a stronger organization based on dedication and merit. The new committee was also formally welcomed at a reception on April 5, attended by a large number of BNP members and supporters.

Michael Becker, a professor of international human rights law at Trinity College Dublin, described former U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest threat as both morally reprehensible and legally unacceptable. Becker said Trump’s statement, which implied indiscriminate destruction, suggested the possibility of large-scale war crimes. He added that any attack on Iranian civilians would constitute a crime against humanity.

Becker referred to Trump’s social media post in which he wrote that “an entire civilization will be destroyed tonight,” though Trump also claimed he did not want that to happen. Becker argued that whether the language was genocidal was irrelevant, as the statement itself represented an unlawful threat of further aggression. He urged members of the Republican Party to unconditionally condemn such shameful remarks.

The comments were reported by Al Jazeera and come amid heightened tensions following deadly missile attacks near the Iraq-Iran border and growing international criticism of Trump’s rhetoric toward Iran.

New images of wreckage from US aircraft have surfaced in Iran’s Isfahan province, sparking renewed tension. Residents of Parjan village near Shahreza reported hearing aircraft and explosions late Sunday night, followed by gunfire lasting through the night. By Monday afternoon, Iranian military and municipal workers were seen clearing debris from two US C-130 Hercules transport planes and at least two helicopters.

The United States stated that the operation was a complex rescue mission aimed at recovering two pilots from an F-15 fighter jet allegedly downed in Iran. According to US officials, the helicopters and transport planes were destroyed by their own forces after failing to take off, not by enemy fire. In contrast, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for downing two C-130s and two Black Hawk helicopters during the mission.

Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari described the US operation as a deceptive plan conducted at an abandoned airfield in southern Isfahan, asserting that Iranian forces completely foiled it. One Iranian officer was reported killed during the incident, and cleanup operations continue at the site.

White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt announced that Iran has been given seven hours to reach an agreement with the United States. She stated that if Tehran fails to comply, only President Trump knows how he will respond. Levitt told Al Jazeera that the Iranian government has until 8 p.m. Eastern Time to address the current challenge and finalize a deal with Washington.

The statement highlights a tense diplomatic moment between the United States and Iran, with the White House emphasizing that the president alone is aware of the potential course of action. The situation comes amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing disputes involving Iran’s activities and international negotiations.

The source also mentions related developments, including Iran’s vice president dismissing Trump’s threats, a Chinese and Russian veto on a UN Security Council resolution over the Strait of Hormuz, and reports of U.S. strikes causing power outages on Iran’s Kharg Island.

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated that the country is not afraid of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iran. His remarks came in response to a message posted by Trump on social media warning that he could destroy Iran 'tonight.' Aref emphasized that Iran’s ancient civilization has repeatedly overcome the 'misconceptions' of its enemies and will not be intimidated by such threats.

He added that Iran would respond to any aggression with firm resolve and by relying on its national strength. The statement reflects Tehran’s defiant stance amid heightened tensions following Trump’s online warning. The exchange underscores the continuing strain in U.S.-Iran relations.

The report also mentioned related developments, including a U.N. Security Council veto by China and Russia over the Hormuz Strait issue, a U.S. attack that caused a power outage on Iran’s Kharg Island, and calls for youth human chains around Iranian power plants.

A key United Nations Security Council resolution addressing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz failed to pass after China and Russia exercised their veto powers. The vote saw 11 countries in favor, two against—China and Russia—and two abstentions. The proposal had been viewed as an important step toward easing the ongoing regional tensions.

Analysts noted that the Strait of Hormuz is vital for global trade and energy supply, making consensus on the issue critical. However, differing positions among major powers prevented the resolution from being adopted, complicating diplomatic efforts to stabilize the situation.

The failure of the resolution has raised concerns that instability in the Middle East could deepen further, with the path to a peaceful resolution becoming increasingly uncertain.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has connected its ASYCUDA World customs system with Bangladesh Bank’s Foreign Exchange Transaction Management System (FXTMS) to enable real-time online verification of bank invoices. The integration was formally inaugurated by NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan on Tuesday. According to NBR, customs officials will now be able to verify commercial invoices digitally without requiring hard copies.

Before this integration, banks had to submit certified commercial invoice hard copies to customs offices. Now, all invoice data will automatically transfer from the central bank’s FXTMS to the ASYCUDA system in real time. NBR stated that once the process is fully implemented, commercial invoices will be mandatorily attached to bills of entry. The initiative, jointly implemented by NBR and Bangladesh Bank with support from all commercial banks, marks a major step toward a paperless customs system.

The new connection is expected to reduce paperwork, curb revenue evasion, simplify and speed up import-export clearance, limit trade-based money laundering, and create a reliable database for product valuation.