An attack struck Iran’s Lavan oil refinery on Wednesday morning, hours after the United States announced a ceasefire. According to a statement from the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company, the incident occurred at 6:30 GMT (10:00 local time) on Lavan Island. Security and firefighting teams were deployed to control the situation and extinguish the fire. The company confirmed that no casualties had been reported, as workers were evacuated in time. The report, citing Al Jazeera, noted that the attack came amid heightened regional tensions despite the U.S. ceasefire declaration. The refinery is part of Iran’s key oil infrastructure, and the incident underscores ongoing instability affecting energy facilities in the region. Authorities have not yet disclosed who was responsible for the attack or the extent of the damage, leaving uncertainty about potential disruptions to oil production or exports.

Iran may reopen the Strait of Hormuz as early as Thursday or Friday if a ceasefire framework is finalized before the upcoming meeting between Iran and the United States in Pakistan, according to a senior Iranian official cited by Reuters. The official said the reopening process will be coordinated with Iran’s military forces to ensure safe navigation for commercial vessels. The Strait of Hormuz was previously closed by Iran during the ongoing conflict, causing significant disruption and volatility in global oil and gas markets. As part of the ceasefire understanding with the United States, Tehran has agreed to allow commercial shipping to resume safely through the strategic waterway. The decision to reopen the strait marks a potential easing of tensions that have affected global energy supplies, though the final timing depends on the completion of the ceasefire framework.

Israel launched around 100 airstrikes across Lebanon within a span of 10 minutes, despite the recent ceasefire between Iran and the United States. According to Lebanese Health Minister Rakan Nasereddine, the attacks resulted in more than a hundred people being killed or injured. The Lebanese Red Cross has intensified emergency operations to respond to the crisis. The Red Cross reported that at least 100 ambulances were deployed to affected areas to rescue the wounded and transport them to nearby hospitals. Rescue teams are also providing on-site medical assistance. The Health Ministry stated that the number of casualties continues to rise, with many of the injured in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could increase further. The attacks come amid regional uncertainty over whether Lebanon is included in the ceasefire framework. Reports from Al Jazeera indicate that the situation remains volatile as emergency services struggle to manage the aftermath of the strikes.

Three Bangladeshi expatriates from Comilla, including a father and son, were killed in a road accident in Albany, New York, on Monday evening, April 6, local time. Two others were seriously injured and are receiving treatment at a local hospital. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Hiramon, 60, his son Nazmul Robel, 30, both residents of Loudonville, and Nazmul’s friend Fahim Alim, 27, from Narail. Another victim, Julia Riccio, 62, was a resident of New York. The accident occurred when Nazmul, who was driving, lost control of the car on Route 9-H and collided head-on with a Toyota Crown coming from the opposite direction. According to the New York Bangladeshi community, the victims were traveling to see a new house and business location when the crash occurred. Hiramon’s daughter Ratna, 33, and granddaughter Ikra, 1, were seriously injured. Family members confirmed that the funeral prayer will be held on Wednesday after Zuhr at Baitul Aman Islamic Center, followed by burial at Marlboro Muslim Cemetery in New Jersey. Mourning has spread through their home village of Karibari in Muradnagar, Comilla, following the tragic deaths.

The United States, Israel, and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, with Pakistan acting as mediator. The agreement aims to ease heightened tensions in the Middle East, and Tehran announced that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will now be possible. The ceasefire declaration has brought a temporary calm to the region after a period of escalating conflict. Islamic scholar and As-Sunnah Foundation chairman Shaykh Ahmadullah expressed hope that the ceasefire would become permanent, praying for relief from oppression and aggression worldwide. He made the remarks in a post on his verified Facebook page on April 8. Bangladesh welcomed the temporary halt in hostilities, with its Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing a statement urging all parties to respect the ceasefire and work constructively toward a durable peace. The statement commended the diplomatic efforts behind the agreement and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s belief that all disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy.

Hasnat Abdullah, Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4 and chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in the southern region, has raised concerns about the state of judicial independence in Bangladesh. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, he questioned why 28 judges were issued show-cause notices for expressing opinions within their internal group. He described the move as alarming, suggesting that even constructive discussions among judges are no longer safe. Abdullah stated that taking action against judges based on screenshots was an attempt to intimidate them, sending a clear message to remain silent. He noted that after August 5, there had been a sense that judges could think and write more freely, but recent developments have revived an atmosphere of fear. He warned that such pressure weakens the justice system and undermines public confidence in fair trials. He emphasized that the issue concerns the entire judicial system, not individuals, and urged authorities to reconsider the decision, arguing that intimidation cannot strengthen the judiciary but only weakens it.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam stated that the sound system problem in Bangladesh’s National Parliament has become severe. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, he said that due to the ongoing session, no immediate action could be taken. He expressed frustration that the system does not function properly even inside the chamber. Nurul Islam revealed that the construction contract was awarded under a previous government without proper technical oversight, and that microphones of incorrect specifications were supplied. He explained that the sound system project involved a tender worth Tk 3.84 crore, with two companies participating. The company that won the tender allegedly subcontracted the work to the losing bidder, which he described as a serious irregularity. He added that canceling the system now would disrupt parliamentary proceedings, but strict action would follow after the session ends. Nurul Islam also discussed priorities for reserved women’s seats, emphasizing inclusion of long-time political activists. He further commented on the passage of several ordinances and confirmed that Parliament would hold two sessions on Friday.

Former interim government chief adviser and Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called on global leaders to take immediate and effective measures to end the ongoing war in the Middle East. In a statement released to the media on Wednesday, he warned that the conflict is pushing an already wounded world toward deeper instability and causing immense suffering for civilians, particularly children. Dr. Yunus described the war as not merely a regional crisis but a profound moral challenge for all humanity. He said the conflict is heightening global uncertainty and instability, with poor nations bearing the greatest cost as marginalized communities face worsening hardship. He emphasized the urgent need for courage, compassion, and a clear vision to build global unity. He urged world leaders to act decisively to uphold international law, prioritize diplomatic dialogue over military escalation, and strengthen multilateral cooperation. According to him, humanity must choose peace over war, dialogue over aggression, and unity over division.

RAB-11 arrested a suspected drug dealer named Md. Siam, aged 23, during a special anti-narcotics operation in Bishnupur area under Cumilla Kotwali Model Police Station. The operation was conducted early Wednesday based on secret information. Authorities recovered two DB police jackets, one handcuff, 7,900 yaba pills, two bottles of beer, five bottles of foreign liquor, and three bottles of cough syrup from his possession. According to RAB sources, Siam is a resident of Ranguri village in Cumilla’s Kotwali area and the son of Md. Mojibur Rahman. He had allegedly been collecting yaba and other narcotics from border areas and selling them wholesale and retail across different parts of the country. He also reportedly used the police jackets and handcuffs to impersonate law enforcement officers and commit fraud and other crimes. RAB-11 Deputy Director and Company Commander Major Sadman Ibne Alam stated that the operation was part of ongoing anti-drug drives, which will continue. Legal action is being processed against the detainee.

Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has warned that the ceasefire agreement between the United States, Israel, and Iran could collapse if the Lebanon front is not included. Hezbollah parliament member Ibrahim Mousawi stated that the Hezbollah-Israel front is part of the deal and insisted that if Israel fails to comply, Iran and the wider region will respond. Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli military announced that its ground operations and fighting against Hezbollah would continue, echoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position that the ceasefire agreement does not cover Lebanon. Despite the ceasefire taking effect, Israel has continued to carry out attacks in southern Lebanon. Since the beginning of the conflict, Iran has repeatedly emphasized that any agreement must include the Lebanon front, underscoring Tehran’s consistent stance on regional inclusion in ceasefire arrangements.

Four workers were burned in a fire caused by a short circuit while repairing an air conditioner at the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) academic building in Mirpur. The incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday on the third floor of the building. The injured were identified as Al Mamun, 34, Selim, 30, Russel, 45, and Sujon, 31. They were rescued and taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery for treatment in the afternoon. According to a colleague, sparks from the short circuit ignited the fire during the repair work. Inspector Md. Faruk of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital police outpost confirmed that the injured are currently receiving treatment at the emergency department of the burn institute. Authorities are monitoring their condition. Relevant authorities have begun investigating the cause of the fire to determine the exact circumstances behind the short circuit and subsequent injuries.

Bangladesh Submarine Cables Company Limited (BSCCL) has announced that maintenance and fault repair work on the country’s second submarine cable, SEA-ME-WE 5, will begin at 10 p.m. on Thursday and continue until 6 a.m. on Monday. During this period, internet users across Bangladesh may experience slower speeds and partial disruptions. The state-owned company expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience. According to BSCCL, the maintenance involves repairing a detected ‘shunt fault’ in the cable system located in Kuakata. Circuits connecting to Singapore through this cable will remain temporarily closed, potentially affecting services dependent on international bandwidth. However, the country’s first submarine cable, SEA-ME-WE 4, based in Cox’s Bazar, will remain operational to prevent a total internet outage. BSCCL stated that the repair work is being carried out through an international consortium and is expected to be completed within the scheduled time, after which normal internet service will be restored.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and opposition lawmaker Hasanat Abdullah engaged in a heated exchange in Parliament on Wednesday, April 8, during the passage of the July Freedom Fighters Indemnity Bill. The dispute centered on allegations of political influence and control over the newly formed ad hoc committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and other key institutional positions. Hasanat Abdullah accused the government of turning the BCB into a “father’s blessing cricket board” and claimed that Bangladesh Bank had also been taken over. In response, the Home Minister rejected the accusation, stating that no such “father’s or mother’s blessing committee” had been formed under the current administration. He countered that during the interim government, the then sports adviser had misused power to influence district committees and unilaterally form a BCB body. Salahuddin Ahmed further alleged that during the interim government, Bangladesh Bank and universities were subjected to political control, which he said disrupted the economy. The Speaker later urged the minister to return to the bill discussion.

A mobile court in Sirajganj conducted raids on several warehouses belonging to edible oil dealer Messrs Sanjay & Brothers and fined the company 90,000 taka under two sections of the Consumer Rights Protection Act. The operation took place on Wednesday from morning until 3 p.m. in the Kalibari area of Sirajganj town, jointly led by the district administration and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection. Executive Magistrate Umme Naznin Nishat, who led the mobile court, stated that the dealer had initially claimed to own only two warehouses, but officials later discovered 11 warehouses containing various stored goods, including edible oil. The company was fined 50,000 taka under Section 43 for illegal marketing practices and 40,000 taka under Section 45 for failing to sell promised products properly. Assistant Director Sohel Sheikh of the Consumer Rights Directorate said that more than ten warehouses were found storing food items without following proper regulations. He urged consumers to report any shortage of edible oil so that further inspections could be carried out.

Several countries including China, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Oman, Germany, Australia, and others have welcomed the recently announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The ceasefire, reportedly lasting two weeks, was described by many governments as a positive step toward easing tensions in the Middle East. Statements of support were issued through official channels and social media, with leaders emphasizing the need for dialogue and restraint. China’s foreign ministry said it had worked toward lasting peace in the region, while Japan called the truce a positive move and awaited a permanent peace deal. France’s President Emmanuel Macron praised the development but warned that Lebanon’s crisis must also be addressed. The UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to help sustain the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Oman, Germany, and Australia highlighted the importance of diplomatic efforts and thanked mediating nations such as Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Other nations, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Iraq, and New Zealand, echoed calls for compliance with the ceasefire terms and avoidance of provocations. Many expressed hope that the truce would lead to a permanent resolution and regional stability.